Pub Eub F VOICE 0F THE COUNTY TOWN The only Whftby newspaper îndependently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. ljished every Wedlnesdlay 3y 677209 Ontario Imc. Phone: 668-6111 Toronto LUne 427-1834 Doug Anderson Publisher 131 Brock Street North, '.0. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. LUN 5M Maurico Plfher Editor Alexandra Simon Production Manager 2nd ClassPosta Rogisralon 905351 Today marks the start of the 1990 Oshawa-Whltby- Newcastle (OWN) United Way Campalgn. A large army of volunteers willI spend the next six weeks, dolng everything within thelr power to meet this year's goal of $3 million. This year's campalgn, wlth a 'Motorsport' theme, also marks a mlestone of 50 years of service for the umbrella agency whlch serves more than 40 non-profit agencles that rely on aid to remain functloning in our communitles. United effort Those glving to the campaign this year can rest assured their money goes where Rt counts - to those who need it. The OWN Unted Way has one of the .lowest administrative costs of United Way organizations across Canada. The OWN United Way continues to grow as an organization in strength and ln effectiýeness through the generosity of its many volunteers and supporters. From now until November, United Way volunteers wil be trylng creative and traditional ways of reachlng the $3 million goal. Every littie bit counts. When you contribute to the Unlted Way, you are contributing to your community in a big way. In upport oeffort toet bus costs To the. editor Once again our transit system was under scrutiny by Town councillor Joe Drumm, and rightfully so. For year now these buses have been cruising Whitby streets with rarely more than two or three people aboard. We don't need another expensive study by an out-of- town consulting firm ta, tell us we need more buses (as was done several years ago) when, any By Trry O'Shaughnessy tt's hard to think Of another coun- try more frequently defined by its landscape than Canada. For many, the incomparable natural beauty of the land-the vast north, the great forests and windswept seascapes, the pristine lakes and awe-inspiring mountains-places Canada squarely in the middle af the growing public debate on environmental issues. It's no stretch ta imagine Canadians playing a natural leadership role on the frontlines af the battie ta save our swiftly sickening enviranment. A recent poil, conducted by the Angus Reid Group, lays the groundwork of the debate ta corne. According to Reid, during mQst of the 1980s concern for the enviranment attracted less than 5 per cent of Cana- dians. However, during the last months of the decade, increasing numbers put the enviranment as their leading con- cern. And there is ittie doubt that that number could have gone even higher if the intense final days of the Meech Lake debate had not understandably overtaken the hearts and minds of the public. The Reid resuits broke down current attitudes ta the enviranlment issue inta seven camps. 0f those who gave law priarity ta, environinental issues, Reid faund three distinct groups. While 14 per cent took the view that just living fram day ta day was a fuli-time issue for them and, therefare concern for the environment an impossibility, a fatalistic 13 per cent af the population feit that the environ- observer can see that, wth the exception of rush and school hours, our system is badly under-used. I have often wondered where this study was done, and whether the consultants were also in the bus-building business. And what did Mayor Attersley have to say? "If councillor Drumm can't see riders on Whitby Transit, something strange is going on, people must be lying on the floor.' ment was damaged beyand repair and that they could not do anything. Eleven per cent af those polled were characterized as 'hostile', believing the issue ta be artificially played up in the media and elsewhere. The bulk ai the pra-environment graup, at 20 per cent, feIl inta the 'privileged optimist' categary. They included the trendy cansumers appear- ing mare and more aten these days tauting the'benefits af compasting and "buying green" who aptimistically feel that the environment can be repaired and will becomne mare healthy in the future. The 'enthusiasts' (9 per cent) and the 'activists' (18 per cent) shared a comman belief in the over- riding importance ai environmental issues and seemed ta differ anly in their public approach with the enthusiasts intending 'ta wark behînd the scenes while the activists aggres- sively make public waves. The final 15 per cent, characterized as 'anxious', were gravely concerned abaut the enviranment but were waiting for some leadership. Certainly the paîl daes not say anything we hadn't already knawn or suspected. But the enviranment is gaing ta become mare ai an issue in the manths and years ta came, and these categaries will no daubt averlap and merge together as public debate escalates. But one aspect is already very clear-the health af the environ- ment has become a luxury that no one can affard ta ignare. CFIB Feature Service I take exception to this arrogant remark. I don't believe this ta, be a joking matter, as thousands upon thousands of taxpayers' dollars are being used to subsidize what Mr. Drumm has called a "Cadillac" transit system. It has been said that Whitby is an affluent town. And since many of the residents have two or three cars,- this transit systern is inefficient. Whitby probably needs some ind of transit system. Perhaps a regional one would be the answer, or perhaps eliniinate the large oversized buses, at non-peak1 hours, and use much smaller, more economic ones. I think Whitby council should support Mr. Drumm in his sincere efforts to cut coets which could resuit in a more efficient Glad Days a success To the. editor. On behaif of Epilepsy (Ontario) Oshawa 'and Area Chapter, I would lice ta thank you for taldng the time to help us inform people about Epilepsy and "Glad Days. Thanks toalal your help, "Glad Days" 1990 was a great success. We look forward ta, dealing with you in the near future. Pamela King President Assistance appreci'ated To the. editoir I would lice ta, take this opportunity, on behalf of the esbimated 50,000 Canadians who have multiple sclerosis, ta thank yo or placing our 'Carnation Crpaign' ad slick in the Whitby Free Pres Without your assistance in promoting our campaign we would not have been able ta raise the much-needed funds dedicated ta servicing those with MS and their familles and ta conduet new and ongoing research seeldng the cause and cure for this mysterious disease. Preliminazy reports indicate that over $1 millon has been raised this year. Yours truly, Liaurie Ayers Fumd Raising Co-oedinator Ontario Division transit system, and lower taxes. I asic Mr. Attersley and council not to make light of these serlous issues. Everyone knows what happens to arrogant, wasteful politicians. We have just turfed some out of office. Martin Doleweerd Whitby A thank-you to Kinsmen To the. editor. The Whitby Seniors' Activity Centre wishes ta publicly acknowledpe and thank the Whitby imsmen Club for its ongoing support for seniors in the tawn of Whitby. KYinsmen have provided financiel support for the Tuesday and Thursday meals program at the',centre. Each June (Seniors Month) Kinsmen provide seniors with two extra special events. Transportation is prôvided ta Fiesta pavilions and Kinsmen host a special seniors bingo at the centre. The town of Whitbyý, is fortunate ta have the Insmen Club involved in providing needed, progranis and services ta, seniors. Ruliy RobertSoei, Secretry -Board of Directors PAGE 6, WHITY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1990 The greenning of Canada