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The Oshawa-Durham Homebuilders' Association (ODHBA) has joined the battle against a proposal that could see a special education levy imposed on new homes. ODHBA President Wayne Jef- fery says the local group has join- ed with other associations across the province to work against the proposal which would allow municipalities to charge an extra $8,000 per new home. That money would help pay for new schools and would, if implemented, give the province several hundred million dollars in added revenue. "We are very proud of the sup- port we are receiving on this issue," Mr. Jeffery says, '"'in- cluding support from the Oshawa and District Real Estate Board whose members have hpusted the position that this education levy seriously jeopardizes not on- ly the new home market, but can have a serious effect on the resale home market as well." Additions, Garages, ~ Trim Work, Renovations, Drywall, Decks, Rec Rooms, efc. The Oshawa-Durham Homebuilders' Association action is part of a concerted action in- volving not only builders' groups but as many influential groups and individuals as can be enlisted. Regional Chairman Gary Her- rema and Oshawa Mayor Allan Pilkey already have given their support to the opposition. Late last year, Provincial Treasurer Robert Nixon inform- ed the public' the government would be decreasing its share of school capital funding from 75 percent to 65 percent, The short- all, he said, would be financed by this special levy on new homes only. "It's ironic that a government which says it's committed to a policy of affordable housing now wants to add thousands of dollars to the cost of a home," Mr. Jef- fery says. He maintains the end cost will hit the consumer and will not be absorbed by the developers. In rejecting the educational RAY RANKIN CARPENTRY & WOODWORKING Oak & Pine Furniture, Custom Built Cupboards Replace or Reface Solid Oak Staircases RESIDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL 1,0! ERE AEN JR AMA | emt aw (a18) 9865-3974 wxDRYWALL SERVICES Drywall -- Taping -- Textured Ceilings 986-0416 Guaranteed Quality Work RENSINK #7 CONSTRUCTION Custom Homes - Farm Buildings - Renovations 985-3124 985-8517 BARR'S a a1) 986-4277 ROOFING -- SHEET METAL -- SIDING FLAT ROOFS -- SHINGLES -- PRE-PAINTED STEEL SOFFIT -- TROUGH -- SUNROOMS -- SOLARIUMS 20 Years Experience RR1, PORT PERRY Durham Region's Professional Roofing Service Up to 30 Year Guarantee. ne 3719-4511 | | 24 HOUR SERVICE Sée our ad in your YELLOW PAGES. "CANADIAN ROOFING SYSTEMS Fully Insured. levy, Mr. Jeffery says the govern- ment is grossly misunderstanding the market, unfairly targets one group and allows the province to shirk its responsibility for education. "The government obviously thinks it is walking into a gold mine with the number of new home starts in the past few years." Mr. Jeffery says the bureaucrats have only to realize that housing starts are on the decline. ""There is a definite slowdown from the pace of the last few years, it's a healthy slowdown but it certainly won't generate the kind of money the government expects," he says. Mr. Jeffery says the outcry from builders, Real Estate organizations and other active groups has repeatedly attacked the educational levy for its un- fairness. 'It escapes the concept that traditionally, the communi- ty as a whole paid for such things as schools. Now they want to target just one group, the new JIM'S EXCAVATING Grading - Septic Beds, Trenching - Basements Complete Backhoe & Dozer Service JIM WILLIAMS - RR1, NESTLETON 286-0072 BUTT & SON EXCAVATING Dig Basements, Waterlines Backfilling, Trenching, Tile Beds gi 436-8410 KARL KUSIAK & SON CONSTR. LTD. 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"For the same reasons as the builders' groups, we see this as a totally destructive measure that puts af- fordability further out of reach of STAN THOMAS CARPENTRY Pole Barns - Renovations Sundecks - Additions Steel & Asphalt Roofing Aluminum Siding & Soffits Metal Clad Wood Barns Phone 985-2715 many people," states Mr. Tonkin. "We are happy to lend our voice to the opposition." For further information, con- tact: Dave Tonkin, President of the Oshawa and District Real Estate Board; Bill Shepherd, Ex- ecutive Officer of the Oshawa and District Real Estate Board; Susan Gee, Communications Of- ficer of the Oshawa and District Real Estate Board; Wayne Jef- fery, President of the Oshawa- Durham Homebuilders' Association. 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