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Shortly after 11:00 on Saturday morning, fire crews were called to the scene of this bam fire at 4666 Meams Ave., south of Taunton Rd. One cow died in the blaze, but the rest of the cattle were evacuated before before the structure was destroyed. Damage is estimated at $250,000 for building and milking equipment. The cause was determined to be accidental. accidental. Oppose Waterfront Trail Residents of the Wilmot Creek retirement community are opposed to a waterfront trail running through their property. Town of Newcastle councillors voted Monday night to support the bid to keep the Crombie Water Front Trail out of the Wilmot Creek development. David Rice, of the Rice Capital Group in Brampton, told councillors at Monday night's council meeting, "We have a problem with how it (the trail) applies to Wilmot Creek residents." As it stands now, the Lake Ontario Ontario Water Front Trail would go along the bluffs where the Wilmot Creek Community now lies. Mr. Rice asked council to look at supporting the residents' request that the trail by-pass the community rather than going through it on the south side. .' Wilmot Creek residents have bought their homes and lease from the company the land where their' homes are situated. Mr.. Rice said he was concerned that the Water Front Trail Trust would see fit to put the trail into people's backyards. Councillors agreed, in a recorded vote, to support the residents of Wilmot Wilmot Creek. As Councillor Larry Hannah put it: "It doesn't make sense. The trail would go around the St. Marys Cement Cement property and around the nuclear nuclear station but not around this community." community." Councillor Ann Drcslinski said, "You have to think in the context of living there. How would I like it? I would feel uncomfortable with someone traipsing through my backyard." backyard." Mayor Diane Hamre told the group, "Mr. Crombie never intended to violate the private property rights of owners." After the meeting Mr. Rice told The Statesman, "The homeowners will be relieved." WHERE DID IT GO? - Even Mother Nature seems to have been aware that the first day of Spring was on Saturday - and she adjusted accordingly, and quickly by raising the temperature, allowing the sun to pour its welcome warmth on us. As a result, the huge heaps of snow and ice are slowly melting and finding their way into nearby drains, streams and lakes. With Easter only a couple of weeks away, there should soon be. some signs of growth appearing. Won't it be nice? We're ready for it. The only worry now is that children or adults may get trapped in fast-flowing area creeks. DAMAGE ON NASH - Over the weekend, we were amazed to see the damage to trees in a wood lot on Nash Road, caused by one of the recent windstorms that swept through this area. Many mature ones were blown right out of the ground, leaving the massive root formations formations exposed. It was quite an unusual sight that made one realize how much power there was to inflict so much damage. Fortunately, it destroyed destroyed trees rather than houses or there could have been many human casualties. No doubt the owners of the property will be spending many hours with chainsaws, converting the downed timber into fireplace fireplace lengths, ready for next winter's climate. MULTI -BUONO SPAGETTE - We arc pleased to report that there, are a couple of events coming up that will test your taste buds and' assist die sponsoring organizations in their quest for funds to offset expenses. The first is being held by the Optimist Club or Newcastle Village in the Community Hall, this Sunday, March 28th, from 4:30 until 6:30. It's an "All Your Can Eat" affair. You'll have less than , a week to recover and get in shape for the next one on April 3rd at Trinity United Church Sunday School room, with the cooking and serving being handled by members of the Jack & Jill Club, who arc also interested m raising funds. If you can't handle all that pasta, we recall seeing a notice that the Legion has a roast beef | ; dinner slated for this Sunday. They might have some room left. I COMMUNICATION COURSE - The Town of Newcastle COPE ; Mental Health Program is offering an eight-week training course covering covering Helping and Communication Skills, beginning Thursday, April ! 15th. It is available free of charge to anyone interested in helping :• others cope with changes in their lives. For more information, it is i suggested you contact Janice Kroft, COPE Administrator at 623-4123 ;and register early to avoid disappointment. by Laura J. Richards The biggest fear of the Mayor's Task Force on Economic Development Development is that the municipality will keep "the status quo." This, said Task Force Chairman Michael Patrick, "is not good enough." He told Tiic Statesman on Tv day afternoon, March 23, the municipal municipal staff and council need to look at the fact that there needs to be "an attitude attitude for change." But, this attitude isn't there, Mr. Patrick warned. "I'm not speaking for myself but on behalf of the members of the task force," he added should be allowed," Mr. Patrick continued. However, that is not how comments comments made by Mr. Patrick at Monday Monday night's regularly scheduled Council meeting were taken. As a delegation to the meeting, Mr. Patrick had selected a number w key points he wanted to present i 0 the council members. These included a review of municipal municipal government management practices, with the goal of reducing costs. ! "Unfortunately, I have to report task force members were disappointed disappointed at staff's apparent defensive defensive attitude and closed stance with "We want to cooperate with the /'regard to change," Mr. Patrick said, town, and constructive criticism "Staff began their report with com ments discounting private sector advice advice because we are not aware of the 'context of municipal government.' "It was our understanding that our input was sought precisely because because a view from the outside might provide some fresh ideas," the chairman chairman said. Mr. Patrick said he wanted to comment on the rcpcjrt written by planning staff before the April 5 meeting when council would look at the money earmarked for economic economic development. "On the whole, a moderate number number of our specific proposals have been recommended by staff. We have made specific recommendations recommendations to supplement those already made by staff," he told councillors. .TROPHY WINNERS - The annual Jack Baker Memorial Cribbage tournament was again a great success of Sunday afternoon at Branch • 178 Royal Canadian Legion, Bowmanvillc. The overall trophy winders winders were Mr. and Mrs. Harold "Huck" Balson. Congratulations arc extended to them and others who played well, but didn't conic up with enough points to take home the main prize. We hope to have photos of the Baisons for next week or as soon as the film is developed. •MISSED THE FLOWERS - Last week, an item appeared in this column column about a noon hour Brunch and Fashion Show being held at the Port Darlington Marina Hotel this coming Sunday. Wc did mention that the Marina will be serving the brunch and Leisure Lady is providing providing the Fashion Show, but, wc inadvertently omitted the information that Cockcrham's Florists arc supplying the flowers for die event. You'll be able to learn if any tickets still haven't been sold by calling 623-4925. Theme of the event is "Swing Into Spring." WHAT'S GOING ON? - Several items and letters in area papers tell us that the Durham Board of Education is involved in considerable controversy over their acceptance of some sex education programs in' the classrooms of their schools. So far, wc arc pleased to report that the Northumberland and Newcastle Board doesn't seem to be launching launching a similar program, but it probably is only a matter of lime before wc too become involved in debating the pros and cons of the subject matter. It's really odd how all of a sudden, sex and how to deal with it has become so all encompassing a topic. Wc thought it had been around for quite a few centuries, but what do wc know? The Stork Market Report BANDSTRA - It's » Chit MORRISON - It's « Hoyt DONNELLY - It's a Glrll PASCOE - It's n Girl I FOOTE-It's a Glrll SYLVESTER-It's u Oltll WATSON-It's a Glrll See Page 10 JOHNSTON ~ It's « CHrll MILNER - It's » Boy I WIMPENNY - It's a Glrll Total This Year Boys 18 Girls 26 by Lorraine Manfredo The Newcastle Hydro Electric Commission is not yet ready to endorse endorse the early introduction of a bill which would allow the utility to expand expand service in the Town of Newcastle. Newcastle. The Commission is eager for assurances assurances that the cost of the expansion will be fair to the ratepayers. The NllEC voted at its Monday, March 22, meeting to express its reservations reservations about the draft legislation. These concerns will be forwarded to the Ontario Municipal Electric Association Association Board of Directors, the Town of Newcastle Council, and the local MPP. Commission members want more time to review proposed changes to the Power Corporation Act, even though these changes have the support of sonic other municipal utilities in the province. NIIEC feels further analysis is needed before the issue is brought More the provincial parliament, parliament, possibly at the spring sitting. A recent report submitted to the Commission for consideration states: "There has not been sufficient time to analyze the draft but the initial cursory cursory review would indicate that none of Newcastle's concerns has been addressed addressed in the revised draft. In fact, it would appear that the draft amendments amendments would create expansion costs to the Commission higher that those in the original draft." Since 1990, approximately 52 municipal municipal utilities have been following discussions between the Municipal Electric Association, the Ministry of Energy and Ontario Hydro to find a viable way for restricted-area municipal municipal utilities to broaden their service areas areas to coincide more closely with municipal municipal boundaries. Currently, NIIEC only serves the urban centres of Bowmanvillc, Orono, and Newcastle Village. Residents in Courticc arc served by Ontario Hydro and pay higher rural rates. Although NIIEC members arc not against expanding service into Courticc, Courticc, they would like more lime to work out the costs associated with such a move. The most significant expense would be the capital purchase of plant, lines and transformers from Ontario Hydro, said Commission Manager David David Clark. There may also be costs associated with the transfer of assets and employees employees from Ontario Hydro. The latest draft legislation has been directed to the Town of Newcastle for comment. A review will be conducted and a report is expected to be issued to the Commission at the April 8th meeting. "Beyond the individual action items, our great concern is that a much less tangible, but key element for change is missing. The tone of staff's report indicates that an open, receptive attitude to change does not exist." By highlighting areas of concern the ta^k force members have, Mr. Patrick was said to have taken a "confrontational attitude," said Councillor David Scott after hearing his comments. Task Force Disappointed By Town Staff's Apparent Defensive Attitude and Closed Stance to Change Mr. Patrick replied that in view of the 10-minutc lime period he had as a delegation to council, he wanted wanted to be sure councillors were made aware of the things the task force had concerns about. He also told Councillor Scott he had not spoken about the positive aspects for a "more balanced report" because lie thought councillors could tell that the task force was not concerned about them in die same way they arc concerned about the ones chosen for discussion. Mr. Patrick listed four recommendations recommendations made by die task force members after they reviewed the municipal staff report of their recommendations. recommendations. They arc as follows: • That die Chief Administrative Officer (C.A.O.) b'c directed to conduct conduct a full review of Town manage- Continued on Page 2 Budget Figures Set at $28,641,000 The 1993 municipal budget capital and current expenditures add up to 528,641,000, the town's treasurer said on Tuesday Tuesday afternoon. It is a budget that pleases the Town of Newcastle mayor because because it will have no impact on the tax levy. "Wc have a 0.05 per cent decrease," decrease," Mayor Diane Hamre told Town Council at a meeting Monday evening. The decrease in municipal taxes won't mean a decrease in service, she added. Looking at the budget, Mayor Mayor Hamre said to staff and council: council: "I must compliment you on your work as the budget does not decrease the levels of service service by the municipality." In fact, one area of service which will increase is that of the senior citizens' snow removal. It will be offered in the hamlets this year. Touching on areas of interest to residents, Mayor Hamre said there would be enough money within the budget to set aside 51.5 million this year lor the Courticc Community Complex. "Wc have to save for it, in preparation of the expenditure," she said. For services the town is not able to provide, there will lie some items which will need to be contracted out, she said. In cases of vehicle replacements, these would be looked at as the items come up. Municipal grants for local community organizations were also confirmed on Monday night. A number of new organizations organizations requesting money from the municipality did not receive funding because "the council wanted to encourage them to lie self-sufficient," said Municipal Treasurer Marie Marano. With 5100,000 to go to 44 organizations, the councillors had to keep a tight fist throughout throughout the process. This way other organizations who rely on municipal grants would not go without, she said. [PRECTONj We Move It! 623-4433 Bowmanvllle Students Find There's Lots to Do During Break See Page I Section 2 -- Medal Winning Athletes Strike Gold at Ontario Winter Games See Page 4 CARPET WAREH EVERYDAY DISCOUNT PRICES Xl King 1 saw. 728-4601 Oihawa