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10 - Orono Weekly Times Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole presentation and discussion of the budget and what it means to Ontario taxpayers. In Port Perry, the forum is at Francesco's Ristorante, (151 Queen St.), commencing at 10:30 a.m. Leading the presentation and discussion of the 2009 budget will be Brian Callery, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., of The Callery Group and Randy Keller, CA, of Van Camp & Keller. Everyone is welcome to attend. To RSVP or receive more information, please contact my Constituency Office at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. My e-mail address is john.otooleco@pc.ola.org. Everyone is welcome. This will be one of Ontario's most important budgets in recent memory. Some of the initiatives citizens will be looking for include supports for the auto sector, perhaps through measures such as new incentives for the purchase of cars and trucks. A provincial sales tax holiday on the purchase of new vehicles is one of the proposals that has created considerable interest in the past few weeks. Jobs and retraining programs, support for farms and the manufacturing sector, and additional frontline workers for hospitals and long-term care are among the key priorities that need to be addressed in the budget. It remains to be seen whether the McGuinty government will use the budget to announce the harmonization of PST/GST. I invite everyone to attend. March 31 Deadline on MPAC Reconsideration This year, there is a new deadline for submitting a Request for Reconsideration to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Property owners who disagree with the assessment of their property may ask MPAC to conduct a review under a request for reconsideration. The process includes submitting detailed reasons why your assessment is incorrect. These reasons might be supported by rental data, sales records from your neighbourhood and property comparisons. Detailed information about the new deadline Standing Up for Community Hospitals Last week in the Legislature, I had the opportunity to question Ontario's Minister of Health and LongTerm Care about the future of community hospitals. In addition, I read a short statement into the official record on the unfairness of healthcare funding in Durham. My goal is to ensure each of our smaller community hospitals in Bowmanville, Uxbridge and Port Perry remain viable centres for acute care. Bowmanville's focus is on retaining the ER services, internal medicine and general surgery. In Port Perry, there are similar concerns that the current services must be kept, including obstetrical care. Uxbridge has other issues. In my view, the focus of the LHINs (Local Health Integration Networks) is to give preference to larger regional hospitals. This focus on regional healthcare must not come at the expense of community hospitals. It is not fair to the rapidly-growing Durham Region where smaller communities need their hospitals just the same as the big cities. The same situation applies throughout Ontario. Strong local hospitals are an incentive for family doctors and specialists to locate in a community. Local hospitals are accountable to the people they serve, responsive to an area's healthcare priorities and more capable of attracting funds and volunteers. We support our local hospitals, and I hope that message is being heard at Queen's Park. Post-Budget Forums in Bowmanville and Port Perry I am pleased to host two local forums (Free of charge) highlighting the Ontario budget on Friday, March 27. There will be a forum in Bowmanville at Zante Restaurant (36 King St. E.) commencing at 8 a.m. Accountants from Hobb & Company will lead in a and other changes to the reconsideration and appeal process are available on the MPAC web site at www.mpac.ca. MPAC reports that residential property values have increased by approximately 13 per cent in the Region of Durham since 2005, when the last assessment update was done. Because of the four-year phase-in, property taxpayers in Durham will see an average assessment increase of approximately 3.3 per cent in 2009. However, some other categories of property face higher assessments. For example, since 2005, waterfront property in Durham Region increased in value, by approximately 24 per cent. One of the concerns that has not yet been resolved by the provincial government is the recent downturn in property values caused by worldwide economic conditions. These changes in property values are not reflected in the latest MPAC valuations. Remember that, regardless of property valuation, it is municipalities that determine local taxes, including expenditure increases, through their annual budgets. MNR Monitors Flood Hazards Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources has a Surface Water Monitoring Centre that performs a daily assessment for flood hazards. This includes a daily river watch, a weather watch and the monitoring of watershed conditions. When conditions show an increased potential for flooding, flood advisory messages are sent to local authorities by e-mail and fax. Local flood messages are also issued by conservation authorities. Provincial flood messages are posted on the MNR flooding web page, which can be reached at www.ontari.ca/mnr and going to the Flood Monitoring page. The Ministry also has an MNR Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MNRcentral. Legislation Targets Violence in Schools A bill introduced at Queen's Park last week requires school staff to report serious incidents of violence and bullying among students. The legislation, if passed, would also require principals to contact parents of the victims. In order for students to achieve their full potential, they must have a learning environment that is comfortable and safe. This legislation is intended to raise the level of safety and awareness regarding violence in schools. As with all legislation before the House, your comments are welcome. I may be reached toll-free at 1-800661-2433 and at (905) 6971501 or by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org Auctio N SALE REGISTRY ESTATE & CONSIGNMENT AUCTION MacGregor Auctions, Orono Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Sunday March 22nd, 9:30 a.m. viewing 8:30 a.m. Take 115 Hwy. to Main St. Orono Exit & follow signs to Mill Pond Rd. Auction features a large varied offering of articles past to present: McCormick-Deering W4 farm tractor with log splitter attached (running), utility trailer, large button collection & estate jewellery, gold, diamonds, sterling etc. Hockey card collection 68 to 80's, 3 Gretzky rookies, stars, rookies, many doubles & traders, Swarovski crystal collection, antiques & furniture including spinning wheels, CNR caboose chair, clocks, chairs, & tables, couches & chairs, wall unit, records & concert ticket collection, electronics, books & magazines, pictures, file cabinet, quality glass & china, coins, etc. Note: Tractor selling at 12:00, cards, crystal & jewellery selling at 9:30 am, Buttons at 11:00 a.m., include an extensive collection from a private local collector - over 9000 buttons being sold in 27 lots. This is a must attend auction with something for one & all. see: www.macgregor.theauctionadvertiser.com Terms: Cash, Visa, M/C & Interac, 5% Buyers Premium Call for all your auction needs MacGregor Auctions 905-987-2112 1-800-363-6799 ESTATE AUCTION Stapleton Auctions, Grist Mill, Newtonville Friday March 20th, 5:00 p.m. Selling the attractive contents from a Brooklin home: 3 pc. Maple Bedroom Suite (Maple); 7dr. Highboy; Chests of Drawers; Dressers; 3 Section Library Unit; Wall Unit; Occ. Chairs; Occ. Tables; Large Coke Mirror; Stereo component; Floor Lamps; Prints; Pictures; Paintings; Mirrors; China; Glass; Beaver Table Saw; Toro Gas Mower; Satellite (new); Shop Vac; coins; etc. Preview after 2:00 p.m. No pets please 10% Buyers Premium applies Terms: Cash, App. Cheques, Visa, M/C & Interac. Auctioneers: Frank & Steve Stapleton 905-786-2244 or 1-800-263-9886 www.stapletonauctions.com · `estate specialist since 1971' EQUIPMENT AUCTION 3383 Taunton Rd. Orono, 11/2 miles West of Highway 115 Berrybank Farms Consignment Equipment Auction Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10 a.m. Selling a full line of Farm Equipment, Tractors, Machinery, Vehicles, Hardware, Tools, Lumber, Etc. For info and to consign to this auction contact the Auctioneer: John D. Berry Auctions, 905-983-5787. Advertise your business in the NEWCASTLE EDITION OF THE ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - the first edition of each month 905-983-5301 oronotimes@rogers.com