Page 2, Whltby Free Press, Wednes Policy:l 3day. February 22, 1995 Relilous grouHggps can't use Town hall By Mike Kowalski Town poiicy has prevented a local Musiim greup from meeting in the Whitby council chambers. The Durham Region chapter of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam was recently denied use cf the council chambers fer a public meeting. The chapter had requested permission te use the chanibers for an educational seminar on Islam and specificaily about Rah- madhzan, the February month cf fasting..1 Hewever, Town policy, which pohibits religieus and politicai groups froni using the Rossiand Read municipal building, foroed organizers te look for an alter- nate site. Arrangements were then mnade te, hoid the meeting at the Dur- ham Board cf Educatien's new headquarters on Taunton Road in Whitby. But the event (orginaIiy plan- ned for Vaientine's -Day) had te be canceiied and has net yet been rescheduied. Although spokespersen ILone Ahmad said his group was denied useof the council cham- bers, they were not upset Wfe receiving an explanatien from Tw ficiais. "They said the policy didn't allow religieus or politicai, organizations, I can accept that,» said Ahmad. The poiicy.covering publiec use cf the municipal building was (o 0 < CLOSE TO SCHOOL! S Spacous 3+1 bedroom home, WJ 2 bathrooms, eat-in kitchen w/walkout f) to fenced yard, excellent area. o eue o 1390 LE CALL ROSEN ut first adopted by Town ceuncil in 1982 and subsequently amended in 1987 and again iast March. It states that the facility shall be availabie for "public use- at no cost Tuesday through Thurs- day between 10 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Public use covers the foliowing: * meetings cf non-profit coni- munity groupa and organizations serving Whitby, but net fundrais- ing events,, bazaars, craft show s féonshows, talent shows and the like; * meetings or hearings cf governmental agencies; *V non-partisan 'Town Hall' meetings conducted by miembers cf the federal or provincial legis- GREAT STARTER!! Spacious 3 bedroom home, eat-in kitchen, separate dining roomn w/walkout to large deck, large rec. room with office area. Great court location. Asking $116.000. latures, but not during an elec- tien campagn; * meetings of Local r>3 of the Canadian Union cf Public Empioyees (Town workers). Town cierk Don McKay sala- religieous groups do net come undfer the 'public use» definition in the policy. «It lista the* groups that are authorized. It does net iist those that are net autherized,» said McKay. «They are not considered a non-uroflt community organiza- tien. Mayor Tom Edwards, who was te have spoken had the meeting at the school board office gene ahead, said the Town's policy has traditionaily been te cater te non-profit greups. But he is net oppesed te taking another look at the pelicy if counicil feels it should be reviewed. «As far as rm concerned, ]Pm net averse te any leeitimate established greup, saià Edwards. "I think we are a diverse cein- munity and we have te recognize that there are other faiths than the basic Christian majority.» Ceuncillor Judi Longfeld agreed that pelicy sheuld be reviewed if counicil deemis it necessary. «We've been pretty careful with it," said Lengfield. "uI thnk religieus groups feil in with political groups and we SPACIOUS SIDESPLIT... in desired area of N.W. Oshawa, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, newer fumace, Central Air, finished rec. room and direct access to garage. Asking $137,500. d433-212-1 lookced at it in that light," she said. Counciiior Dennis Fox concur- red. "I have no problem addressing the matter," said Fox. "I can't ýsee any harmn in it as lonu as the council chambers are availabie and it doesn't impact on council functions or involve (staff) overtime.» Spokesperson Noreen Arnold said the Durham Board cf Edu- cation's policy is that essentiaiiy ail facilities are available to the public, aithough board and sehool needs take priority. «We hâve a number cf church groups that use schoois for ser- vices and just about every politi- cial group has used soeofr meetings,' said Arnold. "As far as poitical or religieus groups there are ne restrictions." In fact, to, encourage cern- munity use cf the new headquar- ters, the board has waived rentai, fees for an organization's initial meeting Arnold added. Renta fees vary according te the t4rp, dy and time cf the greup s functien. Correction A stery in the Feb.'15 editien cf the Whitby Free Press about a meeting between Town ceuncil and the Save Our General Hospi- tai citizens' committee incer- rectly reported that the hospital in Trenton has closed. A comment -about the Trenton hospital being closed was made during the meeting. The hespital is, in fact, operating and recently had expansion plans appreved by the Ontario government. 1 NC1AE 500 BROOK ST. S. WH ITBY JEFF DOUGLAS guaranteed ........investments for ypur RRSP /RRIF Cail Jeif for the key 1 YEAR 8.25% oru5 YEAR 9.25%y Effective as of February i 4th, 1995. (Minimum $25,000) Ivy GRowTH AND. NCOME FUND A Balanced Approach. For Your RRSP. You want the growth potential of equities in your RRSP portfolio. But you also want income - combined with broad diversification and skilled management. Ivy Growth and Income Fund is ideal for ygur needs. 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