s - ----------->Aie S<194 Graduates On June 11, 1994, at Durhiam College's Convocation, Kelly Nadine Stainton graduated froin tlie Office Administration - Executive Programme on tic College Honour Roll and the President's Honour Roll. Kelly is tie daugliter of Ken and Elaine Stainton, Pontpool. Congratulations from Dad, Mom, Mandy, Real, Grandma and Grandpa Forrester, Grandina Stainton, Dennis and Loiuse. Graduates On June lOtb, aï Brock Universitys Convocation, Deanna Lynn Roughley graduateil with lier Baclielor of Arts witli- Honours in Sociology. Deanna is the daugliter of Carole & Don Roughley and grandilaugliter of Adeline and Wilfred Roughley and Mrs. Del Marlow. Congratulations Deanna! Happy SOth Birthda-y Joan Jume l2th Love from ail???? Queen Park Repot Newcastle Lions News aR Last Sunday, I spent the best part of the day in Toronto attending the 'D' Day parades at thie Cenotaph,' The March Post at Union Station, followed by anotlier parade at HMCS Haida. The weather was great, and everything went off as planned. It was perhaps the last turne to salute many of the veterans who gave tlieir ail for our freedom on the beaches of Normandy. LaUst Monday aftemnoon, in the Legislature I had the honour of speaking to the 5th Anniversary of 'D' Day and the invasion of France, on behaîf of the government. As you can guess, I- was very pleased. To those interested, my speech is available as recorded in Hansard, at eitlier my constituency office in Bowmanvile or in Toronto. Following Monday's Question Period, a reception was lield in the Legislature Dining Roomn for about 200 veterans. This reception was attended by botli the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, thie Honourable Hall Jackman, and Premier Bob Rae. The occasion went off well, witli several members of the Royal Canadian Legion from Bowmanville and Port Perry in attendance. The Lt. Governor and the Premier mingled among the guests, along with tlie Speaker, the Honourable David Warner. Fred West from Bowmanville Legion Brandi 178, was singled out for special mention by Speaker David Warner, and was given a standing ovation by al present. In case you don't know of Fred, lie is 95 and was at Vimy. As lie said, "Old Soldiers Neyer Die". During the week, the Committee on General Government- was finally able to pass Bill 21. It wasn't easy, tlie Conservatives continued witli their stonewalling, but in the end we were able te move on tlie Bill. Tlirough the passage of Bill 21, 1 was able to fulfil the promise 1 made to the folks at Wilmot Creek upon my election. Thursday in tlie Legislature was higli drama. Ail day long meetings were lield to sway those of us opposed'to Bill 167, to change our minds. As the count down to the vote moved dloser, feelings and emotions took-on a new desperate approacli. Fromn it ail I am lefite wonder if relationships between those of us who voted no on the govemment side, and tliose who voted yes, can ever again be tlie saine, sucli is the emotion surrounding this issue. Only turne will reveal if al tlie bittermss and liurts can ever heal. 1 saw tlie introduction of this lcgislation as bei ng nothing but trouble from the very beginning, and said s0 at every opportunity in our caucus. It came forward in to mucli of a hurry witb very litile time for discussion or input. It was if some in Cabinet were on a mission, determined to press forward regardless of the Bill suffering inevitable defeat. I believe tlie legislation sbould have been expanded te include B family partnersliips. Wliy shouldnt everyone in a support relationship benefit from work place drug and lieai.th plans. And wliat about others employed in places where no liealth and ding plans exist? Should we have a healtli and ding plan that includes everyone? Ail of this begs the inevitable question, wliy should only thise- in a liomosexual relationship benefit from special legislation that gives tliem rights not extended to include the broader public? The pressures placeil upon me over this legislation 1 found to be Moust upsetting. To be told by some of my colleagues that by representing the views of those who sent me to Queen's Park, was a position better taken by a member oftic Reformn Party, was particularly offensive. As a father andl grandfatlier, and someone wlo lias attempted to live an orderly type of life, 1 found it difficult to deal witli people wlio called me a bigot and other naines unsuitable to repeat ini a family column, just because in tlieir limited opinion, my position on this issue was wrong. Following the vote and tlie defeat of Bill 167, -1 witnessed tlie most despicable beliavîour perhaps ever seen in the Ontario Legislature, by any group. As 1 left the Legislature, I was tbreateneil outside by a group of homosexuals, pushing their fis up to my face ail the while shouting aitlihe top of their voices "shaine". This along witli whistle blowing,_ was rather unnerving. I can tell you, this behaviour did lite in the advancement of their cause, as far as l'mi concerned. 1 bave little doubi that these type of tactics will continue atQueen's Park, unil the summer recess. Many ba ve asked my wliy I didn't take part in the debate on Bill 167. The answer is simple. 1 asked the Attorney General's staff to include me on the list of speakers. 1 advised them that I intendeil to speak against the Bill. I was not given the opportunîy tb take any part in the debate. Siniply put, if you are not on the list of speakers you don't get te say anything. TIbem's the inles! Froib e worst to the best, and thai was Friday morning in the gymnasium of St. Stephen's High Scliool. Tlie gym was crowded witb students, teacliers, board members, and support staff, to hear my announcement on behaif of the Minister of Education for funding for a new St. Stephen's Higli Scliool. The applause in response to the anouncement was loudand long. It was great for me to bc Ihere and to hear just how mucli this new faciliîy means to everyone at St. Stephen's after years of trying. Tlie new school and site, will receive funding of $ 13.5 million. At the saine time I announced funding of $4.975 million for a new Separate Scliool in Bowmanville. Later in the day, I announced funding for the replacement of St. Mary's Higli School in Cobourg. This new scliool and site will receive funding of $12.8 million. The June 8tli meeting of the Newcastle Lions Club was well attended, with thirty-two Lions and two guests attending. Dinner was served by the Newcastle UCW, the meeting was cliaired by the President, Lion Tony Clements. After dinner Lion John Luxon introduced Barb Sims, Barb works for the Provincial Government in the area of substance abuse. She was instrumental in' setting up a new Substance Abuse Strategy which, lias recently been introduced. Barbara holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degrees and lias worked in the addictions field for many years, starting in Singapore as a counilor for addicts. After ber interesting talk, Barb answered many questions from the audience. She was tlien thanked by Lion Rob Roozenboomn and presented witli a gift of appreciation., John Lindsay was also a guest at this meeting. John was a guest of Lion Dave Gibson and will be invited to become a member of the Newcastle Lions Club. Recommendations from the While in Cobourg at the Northumberland & Clarington Board of Education Office, I announced funding for a new public school on Martin Road ini Bowmanville totalling over $5- million, and the replacement of the public school in Newcastle funded for $5.139 million. Ail the news was very well received by Board members. The building of these new schools will contribute to the local economy through the purchase of supplies and the jobs tbis wül create, in addition to the actual construction jobs. Until next week - Its veryecasy to be open minded about new ideas just as long as they are the same as yours. Gord. We Can Turu Your Wet Basment Itot Dry, Clean, Useable Living Space! Dare To Compare! * nstaled CorrpeflyIsidel *Free H.ee 1pdrr & Estimatet IJfj~ *Irstaled Any Season- Rain Or Shinel *For Fnshed Or Unfinshed BasemenNts' *No Costiy Excavation Or Larrdscaping Repairsr Canada Dry Baements Phone (905) 508-0083 or -800-563-5727 Authonized Installer e92Basaemt De-Watering SystenrsTm SHOP AROUND, GET YOUR BEST PRUCE THEN CAILL US FOR YOUR Up e - Weed Spray Ing - Fertilizlng - Insect Spraying - PIug Coraeration See the Diference Quality Makes LAWN6I 983-5598 (Orono, Newcastle) Directors to sponsor the VIP Program in the Orono Public School, donate to Canine Vision and sponsor three teachers to the Quest Programme were ail passed by the Club. Plans are being made to hold a Bingo again this year at the Durhiam Central Fair in Orono, September 8-11. The chicken Barbecue wil be held on anew date this year, June 26, at the Newcastle Community Hall, $10. for aduIts, $5. for chldren 10 and under and pre-schoolers are free. Tickets are available fromn any Newcastle Lion. Cail 987-1321 for further information. The next meeting of the Newcasle Lions Club will, be the Annual Installation of Officers and Lady's Niglit on June 22. Two new members wil also bc inducted at this meeting which will bc held at the Forum Restaurant on Hwy. 115. Let sit summer A group with an mnterest for a Drop-In Centre in Orono held a brief meeting Saturday momning wlien it was decided to let the issue sit for the summer with no furtlier activity. The Centre had operated out of the Old Mill for a period of four montbs but closed its door due mainly to the lack of funds. In the meantime their is some movenlent as to the organization of a LOGOS programn at the Orono United Church for kids 12 to 16 years of age.