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\ \ i \ i ■( Qrono Weekly Times, Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 3 From Around Home by Roy Forrester A rare sighting Kelly McDonnell of 3467 Pollard Road reports a most interesting sighting for the area-- that of a Red Bellied Woodpecker, which has been visiting the McDonnell 's feeder feeder this winter on a daily basis. The feeder is placed among some trees in the garden. This Red Bellied Woodpecker Woodpecker is one I have yet to view so I was quick-to look it up in the bird books as well as the James M. Richards book, "Birds of Oshawa/Lake Scu- gog Region. According to the Richards book, published in 1974, there has only been one sighting of this bird in the area and that was in north Whitby at a feeder in the winter of 1968-69. It was a male bird and recorded by a number of people during that particular winter. The Whitby bird would be classified as an extremely rare and irregular visitant. 1 It would only seem right then, that the bird now living in the .area of Pollard Road would be so classified as a rare and irregular visitant. No doubt it could be a new bird claim for a number, of birders. In the bird world, Doug Ferguson reports two Robins along the course of the Swamp Road north of Leskard. As for myself, driving driving into Orono Monday, I sighted a Red Tail Hawk gliding gliding into the Staple woods at the south of the Village. Although I have been skiing skiing in the Crown Lands on a daily basis of late, I have yet to catch sight of any birds. Letter to the Editor over increases Dear C larihgtbnTes idents : It's been a lousy week for Durham citizens and taxpayers. taxpayers. It's been doubly crappy if you live in Clarington! As you may have read in the February 13th Clarington This Week, last week Regional Councillors voted themselves a hefty • pay increase, along with car allowances, severances and pensions, etc. Vote was 17-9 in favour. This package was brought forward by the Commissioner of Human Resources--like he's going to recommend a decrease in salary or perks affecting his political masters. And for most politicians holding public office is all about the privilege of serving the public, public, right? I believe there are a few regional councillors who earn every penny they are paid, along with our thanks and gratitude. They work long hours and make tough, often thankless decisions in the public interest on a regular regular basis. Most Durham residents residents don't have a clue who the good ones are--either municipally or regionally. Then again, there are politicians who simply defy description. Mayor Mutton and Clarington Council come to mind. At the January 19th council meeting, meeting, one I attended to the end of identified council business, business, though I left prior to the end of an in-camera ses sion at? the end •of the meet- 7 ing. AFTER the in-camera session ended, Clarington Council suspended the rules of procedure and added a motion to introduce salary increases and severances for the Mayor and Council. Please read the Orono Times article (Feb.11/04) and try not to barf when you come to the comment about how these council salaries compare to the private sector. sector. Then, watch your blood pressure when you get to the part about the Mayor being vastly underpaid--being paid a pittance in the words of Councillor MacArthur, who seconded Schell's motion. These politicians fully count on the public not remembering any of this by the time the next election rolls around in November 2006. No way were those with possible acclamations (Schell, Pingle and Robinson) going to risk ticking ticking off the public by introducing introducing this rich package prior to an election, now were they? Thanks to the Orono Times for writing about this. 1 did not see word one on this in the This Week papers. Remember folks, the best way to stay informed and keep independent newspapers newspapers alive is by subscrib ing it 1 Bev Oda seeks Conservative nomination Orono resident and retired broadcasting executive, Beverley Oda is seeking the Federal Conservative Party nomination in the new electoral electoral district of Clarington, Scugog and Uxbridge. "Bev Oda is an excellent choice as the Conservative Party . of Canada's candidate for Clarington-Scugog- Uxbridge," said Durham MPP John OToole. "She has outstanding outstanding credentials as both a senior executive in Canada's broadcast industry as well as being a dedicated local volunteer. volunteer. I can always count on Bev for advice and support as a member of our Durham Provincial PC Riding Association." Bev Oda has served on the boards of Lakeridge Health (Chair), Durham Community Foundation and currently Abilities Centre Durham. She is on the Orono Community Improvement Task Force and was one of the founding members members of The Great Canadian Town Band Festival in Orono. She was awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of her career in Canadian broadcasting broadcasting and her community serv ice. Citing a strong passion for Canada and belief in good government, Ms Oda anticipates anticipates her public service and business experiences on the national level will serve her well as a Member of Parliament. She is committed to a strong economy and responsible social policies and programs, and plans to work to strengthen Durham and her community. In 1999 Ms Oda retired from her position as Senior Vice President, Industry Affairs for CTV. She was inducted into the Canadian Broadcaster's Hall of Fame last year. She was a member of the Ontario Film Review Board and a member of the National Advisory Committee to the President of the Treasury Board on Employment Equity in the Federal Public Service and Crown Corporations. She also served as an advisor to three different Secretaries of State. From 1987 to 1993, Ms Oda was a full-time Commissioner of the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), where she participated in major policy policy and regulatory decisions including the introduction of telephone long distance competition, competition, deregulation in the radio and cable industry and chaired the CRTC's task force on gender portrayal. Prior to this she held various management and production positions with major Canadian broadcasting companies. companies. A graduate of the University of Toronto and Lakeshore Teacher's College Ms Oda taught primary school in Missisauga early in her career and her interest in education education has continued. She is currently on the Board of the Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and was a member of the Board of Governors for Ren i son College at the University of Waterloo. Orono Crown Lands Trust Stewardships on Saturday, February 21 the Orono Crown Lands Trust will be selling 2004 Stewardships in Morrison's Hardware & Antique Mart on Main Street, Orono. The OCLT, in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources, provides supervision and management to the over 700-acre Orono Crown Land property. Your participation is welcome. Drop by on Saturday between IOam and 3 pm. f Ontario Pre-Bùdget Forum Monday 7-9 p.m. Feb. 23 At the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, Bowmanville To register, please call: 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 John O'Toole, MPP Durham What are your priorities for Ontario's 2004/05 budget? Have your say at our Forum. r Linda Gasser Orono - HAPPENINGS ~ X Saturday, February 21 _ T T . . 9th Annual Lasagna Dinner, Silent Auction & Talent Show - 5:30 p.m. at Orono United Church. Tickets at Morrison's Hardware Sunday» February 22 „ . ■ . XT ' , East Durham Historical Society 40th Anniversary Heritage Fair - Noon to 4 p.m. at Port Hope Lion's Centre. Admission $2 includes coffee, tea or soda (free admission if bom in 1964!) Demonstrations include quilting, rug hooking, doll making, spinning, weaving, and many of grandmother's skills and much more. Saturday, February 28 rr , Tyrone United Church Chicken Pie Supper & Auction - I y rone Community Centre, 6 p.m. For tickets call Betty Pascoc 905-263-8424. (adults $12, students $5, toddlers free). Sunday. February 29 Turkey Supper & Silent Auction at Orono United Church 6 p.m. Tickets $10 available at the Apple Blossom Shop or call 983-9737 or 983-9519. Proceeds to support 1st Orono Pathfinders trip to England. Saturday. March 13 Hampton Citizens' Association presents the band 'Nothing Serious' Irish Stew - an Irish evening with a Celtic Band...will be Hampton's best dance ever! Irish food, drinks and fun. Spoors open at 8. For tickets call 905-263-2027 or 905-263-8012 or any committee member. J