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Wl IITI3Y UREL ,ýPRESS. WWýNL-.S1)AY.IFBRAV2. 91. A No new programs or people.... 17 per cent tax increase will only maintan "status quo" Aker says By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff Ratepayers of Durham Region face a 17 per cent in- crease in their regional tax bill. That was the word of Durham Regional Council last week as they approved the budget guidelines recommended to them by the finance committee. However, committee chairman, Councillor John Aker (Oshawa), said that the tax increase will not create any new programs and jobs or enrich present programs. "What we are trying to do is maintain the status quo," Aker said, "That means no new programs and no new people." Finance commissioner Jack Gartley told council that the 17 per cent tax hike does not mean that various departments and agencies the region is responsible for The number of clients unemployed and registered for work at the Canada Em- ployment Centres in Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa for the month of January totalled '10,822, consisting of 5·,043 female and 5,779 male clien- ts. Placements in the three offices totalled 432 for the month, which compares to a total of 418 placements during December. The majority of clients were registered in material han- dling and related; construc- tion trades; product fabricating, assmebling and repairing, sales; service an- d clerical occupations. During January, the greatest employment oppor- tunities existed in retail trade, manufacturing of transportation equipment and personal services. In January, there were 32 Death notice DOROTHY NORMA BRYANT The owner of the Patricia Ann Shop in downtown Whitby, Dorothy Norma Bryant (nee Disney) died at her home at R.R.3 Port Perry, suddenly on February 17, 1981. Mrs. Bryant was born 59 years ago to the late Wm. Fredrick and Gertrude Florence Disney. A member of St. Mark's United Church, Mrs. Bryant was the widow of the late Everett Bryant. She is survived by her daughters Tess and Patti and by five grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers, Vern Disney, Elmo Disney both of Pickering and by Ross Disney of Greenwood. Mrs. Bryant rested at the W C. Town Funeral Home and Chapel where services were conducted on Februarv 20 for interment at Nount Lawn Cemeterv. The Rev John Smîth officiated. will get 17 per cent more money. The impact on these departments will only be 8.7 per cent, he said. "Everyone goes to 8.7 per cent across the board," Aker said adding that any depar- tment, including police and social services, that asks for more will be turned down. He also told council that regional taxpayers are not going to be happy with the increase despite the fact that there is no new programs being introduced or new people being hired. "I think they're going to be upset at 17 per cent," Aker said. The increase represents $9.6 million more in revenue according to Gartley. The long-time finance chairman told council that the increase is due in part to the fact that the region ap- plied all of its reserve funds argreements signed under the Canada Manpower In- dustrial Training Program. As a result, 44 people will benefit from both training and employment in the Region of Durham. At the end of January, there were 230 students in the skill courses sponsored by the Canada Employment Centre and 55 people receiving academic upgrading at Durham College. to last year's budget. This was done, Aker reminded council, to prevent tax hikes in 1980 of 20 or more per cent for five of the region's eight municipalities. "It will take 17 per cent to maintain the status quo this year," he said. However, stiff opposition to the 8.7 per cent increase per department came from Councillor John DeHart (Oshawa), chairman of the social services committee. He told council that social services will need more than 8.7 per cent to meet the in- creased demands on the department in 1981. DeHart said that if the day care and family counselling programs were to be main- tained, his budgetary needs would be greater than the council approved guidelines. "We need new staff if these things are going to operate at all," he said reminding council "that we can be penny wise and pound foolish. While he admitted that some positions in his depar- tment will not have to be filled, he stressed that the region must become more aware of the social problems in Durham. "No matter what hap- pens," DeHart said, "the worse the economy becomes, the worse the social problems are going to be. " He warned .his collegues that the time had come to realize that fact. Regional Councillor Tom Edwards (Whitby) was also skeptical about the guidelines saying that "'I don't want this council to throw the baby out with the bathwater." Edwards also said that "this is not a hard and fast rule" claiming that some departments are already 4.4 per cent higher in their budget estimates than the guidelines. It is anticipated that the debate will be long and loud before leading up to the final budget day onMarch 18. Act lIow our price in crea",v 011 Nizircli 15 (no sales ta\) THE PINS LYO 187 Simeoa St. a. Oshawa 57e9311 AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALER caC d SUBARU MOTORS Durhams oldest and largest volume Subaru dealer 160 SIMCOE STREET SOUTH, OSHAWA 728-0181 Ta1k tomeI_ about - RRSP Nobody else has a Registered Retirement Savings Plan quite like our Accumulation Annuity. It offers competitive interest rates for convenient periods, an extensive choice of income options, and there is no front-end load or policy fee. Before you buy an RRSP. talk to me. HERBTRAN 725-6564 Oshawa 668-5968 Whitby Over 10,000 out of work now RICHARD'SFURNITURE REFINISHING "Give Your Furniture a Face Lift" Free Estimates 600 Euclid St., Whitby Call Rlck Forestall 666-2992 or 655-4564 ANNUAL MEETING Family and Children's Services (Operated by the Children's Aid Society of the Durham Region) Wednesday, March 4th, 1981 8:00 p.m. Trinity United Church Hall 120Church (cornerof Church & Division) Bowmanville, Ontario GUEST SPEAKER Dr. James R. Wilkes Dr. Wilkes is a Psychiatrist specializing in children and adolescents. He is consultant to the Metropolitan Toronto Catholic Children's Aid Society. Nomination of members to stand for election to The Board of Directors must be made by members of the Society in writing and in the hands of the Secretary of the Board, P.O. Box 321, Oshawa, seven days before the Annual Meeting. EVERYONE WELCOME REFRESHMENTS m m 0 1