JUSTIN PHlLTP preferred a lick to der-Care Day Gare Christmas show a, rehearsed kios for buddy Blake held at Henry Street High Schooi Haiverson during the annual Kmn- last week. Chri. Bovi e photo Town slams GO decision_ Ontaio'sNDP By Mike Kowalold 01ý4iosNDPgovernmenthas been accused of ignorixg m~unicipaIities when determining its public transportation -.Town councilMna.eibsd a, "' goyerament for neglecting to 'consuit affected muniýcipa*lities b fore announcing the creation of a new ail-day commuter bus service. The resolution cails on Durham Reg(on chairman Gary Herrema te convene a meeting of mayore, of municipalities along the former VIA Rail passenger train route between Toronto and Peterborough. The meeting will -determine if a commuter train service such as GO Transit is needed and iaddress fuiture transpor- tation needs of the area. Council also wants the mayors te, seek a meeting with Premier Bob Rae to ensure that thefr views on public transit are heeded. Introduoed by councillor Ross Batten, the resolution is similar te one passed recently by Scugog Township coundil. J3oth resolutions are critical of the gô-vernment for insti- tutiing bus service rather than extending GO train service te Peterborough on tracks for- merly used by VIA Rail. The province'plans te spend $500,000 annually on the ail- day bus service which. will conneet with existing GO trains. The government will nego-B tiate with private bus carriers Bid to De te provide the service and isma et hogeful it will be in place byma et FeHruwr te ovrn.n' keep-board decision has encountereddq a es opposition from1 a commuter in Oshawa lobby group (see- stery on page 4). Batten told council he was Pg one of 2nl three politicians who attended a public meet- ing in Ashburn Iast week organized by the Toronto- Peterborough-Havelock LUne Passenger Asociation.O l 0 f the seven New Democra- fI tic Party MPPs of ridings W ib aýon r ner thWhioonty along o erteTrno Perborough lune, not one ýsh0ws attended , te meeting, said c n tu to Batten. cn tu to "Týhis is a matter of grave incease concern te not only this muni- cipality but ail of those along the route," said Batten. ag "Not one showed up at the Pg SEE PAGE 12'1M '1