PETITION FOR NEW ARENA A petition has been received by the Town of Whitby coun- cil signed by some 2000 residents of the Town calling for a new arena in the municipality. Whitby now bas two arenas but groups representing Minor Hockey, the Ringettes and Figure Skating have stated that ice time in the Town is at a premlum. The Mayor of Whitby, Bob Attersley suggested a study be made of present ice use and pointed out that a new arena would cost froni haif a million to a million dollars. BELL WORKERS AGREE TO CUT In an effort to stave off layoffs Bell workers ini On- tario and Quebec have agreed to cut their working hours by some four percent to stave off a layo ff of 600 workers for the, company. Since 15,500 instailers and repairmen have voted 64 per- cent in favour of the cut-backs Bell bas quaranteed that there will be no layoffs between January 3 and October 23,. 1983. DEVELOPMENT APPEARS ON THE MOVE Reports from Whfitby, Port Hope and Cobourg show some development plans for residential units are in the making. Tentative approvai bias been given in Whitby for two 124 unit apartment complexes. One of the complexes would be a development for senior citizens providing ail approvals are obtained as well as approval from CMHC. In Cobourg a purchase of land bas been completed with the view that fifty homes would be built this coming year in the $60,000 range. Cobourg bas been bit as have ail other municipalities in new housing. Over the past three years only one house per -year bas been built. The same Cobourg builder bas purcbased eleven lots in the Town of Port Hope and construction could well begin early in the new year. These bouses would aiso be in the '$60,000 range and are expected to be eligible for the $5,000 provincial grant and the $3,000 federal grant pro- viding approvais can be settled before the end of the year 1982. REGIONAL WATER RATES UP S PERCENT Users of Regional water in Orono will be subject to a five percent increase in water rates -for. 1983. The increase is within the provincial guidelines as set out by legisla- tion. Regionai council last week turned aside a recommenda- tion for a 6.4 percentage in- crease from staff. Council members set the increase at tive percent. U.S. WORKERS ACCEPT CHRYSLER OFFER U.S auto workers at Chrysier have ratified a new contract by some 80 percent. The new pact bffers a seventy-five cent an hour im- mediate increase. The contract is a thirteen month contract. Canadian workers at Chrysier plants previously set- tled with the company again with up-front money bringing about agreement. DUBIOUS 0F CAUSE 0F TWO DEATHS Regionai Police last week were investigatîng the shooting death of two close friends in the Uxbridge area. The two men were 19 and 20 from Stouffville and the Uxbriçlge area. Police continue their in- vestigation and are consider- ing murder-suicide or double- suicide'. Health Council TO ZERO-IN ON FOUR SPECIFIC AREAS The Durham Region District Heaith Council, plans to zero-in on four specific areas over the next two years to better promote health in the Region. The Council is the tackle, elderly and fitness, seniors and health, smoking and motor vehicle accidents. The specific areas have been under discussion for the past two years. The Council commaittee will first tacide women and health. It was pointed out that smok- ing is covered by the Regionai Liing Association and Seventh-Day Adventist. Smoking is considered the top preventative cause of diseases such as lung cancer and em- physemna. As to fitness the committee *will work with nursing homes and other institutions to see what prograrus exist and what may be suggested. PA Y TV TO THE OSHAWA AREA As of February lst cable television subscribers in the Oshawa area will have the op- portunity of purchasing the services of pay TV of three stations. Subscribers may purchase either one, two or three sta- tions. Two channels primarily of movies asnd sport pro- grams will cost $29.95 a mionth., A third charinel, culture with ither of the two would cost $26.95. All three channels will cost $39.95. The subscriber must aiso pay the cable TV monthly charge. There are additionai costs for a converter1 descramble signais. WIIL REPRFSEN ORONO CLUB Both Stephanie Hood ar Scott Maybee of the Orov Skating Club willcompete- the Eastern Canadian Div sional Championshipsi Oshawa, ýJanùary 6thto 9tI The two skaters will repi sent Eastern Ontario sectio from which there are 35 con petitors. The Eastern CanadiE Divisional Chanipionship w include skaters from Centr and Eastern Ontario as w( as skaters from ail the Piq vince of Quebec. MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON MOUNTIE Jacob Hanson, 44, of Willowdale and co-owner of a home for mentai patients, Chalton Castle Rest, Bowmanville, has been charged with assaulting a RCMP constable. At the time of the assault Constable Ian Rogers was conducting an investigation at the Rest- Homne, Church Street. On Monday the RCMP made arrests of two women who were working at the home as live-in housekeepers. The two women have been charged with being in Canada illegaily under the Canada Immigra- tion Act. The recent charge of illegal immigrants working at the home was the second this year. St Fancîs 0f Assîsi News> Report 1On Monday, December 6th the C.W.L. held a mini retreat. The retreat was given by Rev. Conrad Marcoux, W.F. and a good crowd at- tended. The C.W.L. held a wine and, cheese«Xmas party on Thursday December 9th. The ladies were entertained by the youth group. Gifts were given to be distributed at Nursing Homes, Winners of the draws were: Marg. Gorman, Xmas cake; Pat Kidd, plaque. A good time was had by ail. On Saturday, December 1 a children's Xmas party was given by the Social Commit- tee. Chîldren were entertain- ed with films, clowns and of course Santa Claus. Merry Xmas and Happy New Vear to ail. Around the Region with Julie to 4T* nd As Santa jingles your way )no in bringing alithe lvi- in treasures of, the holidlay, ih. re- we loin hlm'in wishing [on n- you a hosi of bright ian Christmas memories to will rai shine through this vell merry, merry season. ... . . ..... ........ i