aeWhitby Free'Press.;Wedesday' Febiuatf ‡', 1993 The only Newspaper owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents! MEMBER OF: ONTARIO CANADIAN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER CNA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION E;rn I CANADIAN CIRCULATIONS CNA DIVISION AUDIT BOARD 25,500 COPIES DELIVERED WEEKLY Published every Wednesday by 677209 Ontario Inc. Box 206,131 Brock St. N., Whitby, Ontario L1 N 5S1 Phone: 668-6111 Toronto Line: 427-1834 Fax: 668-0594 Doug Anderson - Publisher Maurice Pifher - Editor Alexandra Martin - Production Manager Printed on newsprint with minimum 20% 49k . recycled content using vegetable based inks. To the editor... Smoking bylaw defended To the Editor: The regional model bylaw regulating smoking in public places is not an anti-smoking bylaw; it is an anti-smoke bylaw. The bylaw was developed to rotect people from the adverse ealth effects of environmental (second-hand) tobacco smoke. These include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, aggravation of asthma, allergies, angina and harm to the fetus. It is not intended to put smokers under attack. The health perspective of this kind of legislation addresses the control of harmful chemical substances. Individuals have the choice to smoke if they want. What the bylaw does is to regulate the public areas where they may smoke to help keep the hazard away from people who choose not to take the risk. What, if any, effect will the proposed bylaw have on business in the community? The best indicator we have is what has happened in municipalities that already have a bylaw similar to the model. Restaurants are- a good example. According to the research, there is no evidence to support the claim that this type of legislation affects the economic viability of any business, other than those directly involved in the production or sale of tobacco products. In fact, studies indicate that tobacco-control policies do not negatively affect business or industry. This is based on studies in California, Winnipeg and Peterborough, and there is every reason to believe Durham Region would experience similar results. These studies showed that not only did the regulations not affect business significantly, but that the majority of proprietors supported increased restrictions. Tables for non-smokers tend to turn over more quickly, thus increasing business for restauranteurs. They aIso save money in cleaning costs -- ashtrays, walls, light fixtures, drapes, replacing or repairing burn marks in furniture or carpets. Air Canada has saved $700,000 a year since their flights became smoke-free due to cleaning costs alone.- - When that is taken into consideration, along with the fact that the majority of people do not smoke, and a 1990 Durham survey showed that the majority of people (smokers and non-smokers) already supported that smoking in public places either be banned or restricted to designated smoking areas, the statistics appear to demonstrate that business will not decline if legislation regulating smoking in public places in enacted. The health department is receiving a steady stream of calls of support for the bylaw. We encourage people to call or write their local municipalities with their feedback. Expressed public support is vital when dealing with this issue. For more information, interested individuals may contact Sandra Schmidt at the Health Department at (416) 7230-8521 or 686-2740 (Toronto lino). Sandra Schmidt Public health nurse Tobacco Use Prevention Program Downtown campaign was successsful To the Editor: On behalf of the members of the Whitby Downtown Business Improvement Area, I would like to thank the many volunteers who assisted with our 1992 Christmas campaign, 'Home for the Holidays.' I am pleased to announce that, due to the generosity of caring individuals, participating organiza- tions in the 'Tree of Hope' event raised a total of $1,130. I also wish to inform Free Press readers that the winners for the Christmas stockings filled with gifts donated by downtown businesses were Anne Gereghty, first prize; Jeff Bourdages, second prize; Steven Pierce, third prize. First prize in the gingerbread house contest was awarded to Louise Astbury, second prize to Brian Des Roche and Linda Stratton received third prize. Congratulations to everyone. Thank you for your continued support. Sean C. Hogue Chair Viewpoint Small friends of small business By Michael Wycks This little business went to a credit union in search of cash. This little business went to a large chartered bank for a loan. This first little business headed straight to market as the second little business, hit by service charges, cried all the way home. Unlike little piggies, small business owners have a wide range of banking issues to contend with, one of the most significant irritants being service charges. A recent survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business revealed that smaller financial institutions, including credit unions, provide the best service in the area, while the 'Big 5' banks continue to provide the worst. The ranking from small to big, best to worst: credit unions (caisses populaires in Quebec), small chartered banks, trust companies, National Bank, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank, Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The owners of 8,000 small- and medium-sized businesses were surveyed on whether their f inancial institution provided good, adequate or poor service in five service charge-related areas: general disclosure of information, notification of fee changes, handling of NSF cheques, opportunity for negotiation on fee levels and the availability of a detailed accounting of charges. The lack of opportunity to negotiate was seen as the most serious problem, particularly by the smallest firms surveyed. Bank practices with regard to NSF (not sufficient funds) cheques were also given low ratings by CFIB members. At the provincial level, the survey showed that a strong network of small financial institutions also provides the highest levels of satisfaction among small firms. The more competitive banking markets, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec, appeared more responsive to smaîl business needs, whereas views on service charge issues in the rest of the country were far more negative, particularly in Ontario, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories. With CFIB's publication of these surveys, some financial institutions have attempted to improve. Some have announced a 'freeze' to their service charges that may sound like a big deal but really isn't when you consider that the charges had been hiked to the hilt before the freeze was implemented. The 'freeze' also routinely applied to only 'listed services,' deceptively ignoring many other services used by business. Business owners contihue to feel gouged by the seemingly endless array of fees attached to their banking activities. While modest-sized financial institutioýis are getting the message, the big banks generally have persisted with their widespread 'disservice' charges. There is still a great deal of progress to be made in reaching out to the smallest members of the Canadian business community. To the editor... First Class Fund - ready when they are To the Editor: I am writing to rep ort on the status of the Whitb General Hospital Four.Jation's First Class Fund, to w-ihich many in the community have so generously contributed. The First Class Campaign was launched in 1989, following two major planining studies that recommended the upgrading and expansion of the hospital. Population growth, coupled with technological advances, has placed severe pressure on the hospital's ability to keep pace with patient care needs, particularly in the areas of emergency and outpatient services. The First Class Campaign proceeds will be utilized in the physical expansion of these service areas and to properly equip the newly- expanded facilities. Changes in the direction of health care by two different provincial governments since 1989 and a very tough economy, have made progress difficult for the hospital's expansion. However, the hospital and foundation boards remain very confident and optimistic that the expansion project will proceed this calendar year. All gifts to the First Class Fund have been invested responsibly by the foundation. To date, more than $2.8 million in campaign commitments have been received and prudently invested in high-yield deposit instruments. We will continue to manage these funds in trust until they can be utilized for the expansion. While the foundation is most appreciative of the support of the community during the First Class Campaign, there remains an ongoing need to upgrade and/or replace outdated equipment located in other clinical service areas of the hospital. The foundation's success in our ongoing fundraising program is paramount to the hospital's ability to provide first-class patient care; we are counting on continued strong community support. Terry Bainbridge Chair 3 washers + 1 driver = waste To the Editor: Recently, I was driving westward towards Whitby from Oshawa along Dundas St. At the Garrard Rd. intersection, I got caught behind a GO Transit utility van stopped with its two-way lights flashing. The van had stopped to allow a crew to clean the windows of the bus shelter located there. I was astounded to see not one, but three, workers washing the windows of the small shelter. As I passed the van, I noticed another man waiting in the driver's seat. If there's a reason for this blatant waste of human resource, I'd like to know what it is. Chris Tyrovolas Whitby The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the editor on any subject of conem 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 telephone number of the writer. However, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree there is a valid reason. The newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor. Whitby Free Press. Box 206. Whitby, Ont. L1N 5S1. or drop through our mail slot at 131 Brock St. N.