PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9,1988 e VOICE 0F THE COUNTY fTOWN The only Whitby newspaper Independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson Publisher e• Maurice Plfher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager Mike Carroll Circulation Manager An awkward process As it searches fora new landfill site, Metro Toronto is inviting only animosity and mistrust on the part of municipalities in which possible dump locations have been identified. Each weekseemsto bring new revelations from the Metro works department about the garbage crisis, the need for a new site and possible locations. Four of those possible locations are in Durham Region -nothing new about that, given the battle waged by Ajax-Pickering residents over the existing Brock West dump site and the once- proposed, but now abandoned, Brock South site. But Scarborough can now share that anger with a recent announcement about proposed locations in that area. While no municipality wants to accommodate the new site, they realize that Metro waste has to go somewhere and that the process by which a new site is chosen demands careful con- sideration, including environmental assessment, and residents' input. And the SWEAP"committee was, apparently, established to study Metro's longterm landfill needs. But insufficient attention to the problem, due to a lack of foresight, will mean a hasty solution is required to what has been described as a garbage crisis. The process to find a new site, which will pose only a partial solution, has been further sub- verted by the guessing game -where exactly are the possible locations? Politicians and works staff members, as well as residents, in Scar- borough and Durham would like to know but those potential sites have not yet been revealed. Gerry Emm, a Whitby councillor who is Durham Region's works committee chairnan and a mem- ber of SWEAP, says he is simply angry and frustrated at the hide-and-seek attitude adopted Whitby's councillors and staff should pay serious attention to the attendance at Monday night's administrative committee meeting. It was a standing room only crowd that atten- ded the meeting which dealt with many issues in- cluding the trailer park in Whitby and new sub- divisions in the north end of town. On at least three occasions during the night, meetings were held up because not enough agendas were available forthe public. Copies had to be made. In many cases, Town officials should know what is hot and what is not when it comes to public meetings. Councillors are furnished with agendas on the Friday before a Monday night meeting. The local press is able to pick up agendas on the morning of ameeting. The public is entitled to the same courtesy. It is difficult to understand how our councillors expect a person to read through a f ive or six page by Metro that is only serving to further aggravate an already contentious situation. We anticipate further exasperation as the sear- ch process continues, but what else couId be ex- pected when that process is so awkwardly carried out at the 1lth hour. document, which could outline plans that will someday affect their lifestyle, five minutes prior toameeting. As thé Town gro.ws and more subdivisions come on line, it can be expected that more and more existing residents are going to take an in- terest. Council should make an agenda, with all necessary information, available to the public no laterthan thedayof a meeting. Residents can go to the Town now, on the day of a meeting, and ask for an agenda, but often they only receive what they see in any advertisement in a local paper -ads that only review the reason for a meeting with no specific details. Perhaps now is a good time to change this direction. Let's have public information made earlier available to the public at least on the morning of ameeting. It's the least our council members can do for the residents they were elected to serve. LETTER S: Aborton clinic is essential service To the editor: I must comment on the Feb. 24 let- ter of Case Biersteker of the Seminary of Christ the King/ which Canvasser says thanks to residents Tothe editor: I want to thank the people on Goodfellow St., Beechcroft Crt., Whitney Ct., Bonnetta Ct., and Folding Cres. in the Otter Creek area for their kindness while my 7- year-old and I were canvassing for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of' Ontario. Many people wanted us to have a cup of coffee, treats or a good chat. Being one to chat, I must say the time was well spent and all con- tributed to a good cause. See you next year, people! Thanks! Sincerely, Joyce Mackey-Piper Whitby states that the "only way to get rid of unwanted children...is to start wan- ting them, to love them!" The naivete of those who would make laws based on a book not everyone believes in is appalling. Does Biersteker really think that we can solve the problem of unwanted children by merely saying "let's want and love them?" His attitude is an insult to anyone who has been touched by this problem. Your editorial cartoon was un- welcome also, showing an abortion clinic with the caption "The corner store of tomorrow? -not the mom an'pop variety." The freestanding abortion clinic, as Dr. Morgentaler has proven, is an essential service in our society where birth control is not 100 per cent effective, where women are victims of rape and incest, where the alternative is a committee that makes the patient wait beyond a safe time limit and the backstreet More letters on I pages 13,21 butcher still makes a living. No one is forced to use an abortion clinic; those who do not believe in LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes-letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. All letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LN 5S1 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N. abortion need never enter the door. Sincerely, However, they have no right to Jil McIntosh harass any who do. RR 1, Oshawa "This will drive 'em crazy." The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. Information needed sooner