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E-- Naty - RRP Vol. 128 No. 12 PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1994 Copy 65¢ 61¢+4eGSD 44 Pages Durham's | Top Guns Meet By Kelly Lown Port Perry Star Scugog School Board Trustee Joyce Kelly assured a group of upset parents she is 100 per cent behind busing for French Immersion students. "I will not only vote to keep (French Immersion busing), but I will lobby for it," she told the parents, who had gathered at an SAC meeting held at R.H. Cornish Public School on Febru- ary 3. About 40 parents of French Immersion students met at the school to question Mrs. Kelly about recent developments re- garding the French Immersion program. = pT VS RE SLR a Lm a Lg ret ag El ORE i 3 ¥ 5 In the 20 year history of Durham Region only two men d the positic of Chairman and they met following a Roast for Gary Herrema last Thursday In Oshawa. Walter Beath, right, was appointed the region's first chairman when It was formed In 1973 and since then the top spot has been occupled by Gary - Herrema. Politicians, friends and acquaintances from all walks of life paid tribute to Mr. Herrema during the evenings events. (Photos, story on page 12) Parents wanted answers to why they were not informed of the decision to have entry into the French Immersion program changed to Grade 1 instead of the current kindergarten. The decision to slash the kin- dergarten program was handed down at the board's January 24 meeting. The future of busing for French Immersion students will be on the table at the Feb. 9 Finance meeting. The parents in attendance at the SAC meeting were upset, believing they were not proper- ly informed of the proposed change to the entry level before the meeting. They said if they have held the position had been informed they would have been at the meeting to de- bate the issue. The parents do, however, plan to turn out in full force this week to ensure the busing issue 18 not next on the chopping block. "We did not know that it (the meeting) was going to happen. We are upset over the Grade 1 entry and if we knew before w2 could have argued against it," said parent Linda Bowers. Wendy Bourgeois, who has four children in the French Im- mersion program, ranging from kindergarten to Grade 12 said she was "angered and vpry dis- turbed at hearing that the | Local MP's voice will help decide changes to GST By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star One of the first priorities of parliament's Finance Commit- - tee is to make changes to the GST and these will have a local flavor. Last week, Durham MP Alex Shepherd was appointed to the 16-member Committee, respon- sible for studying all aspects of the country's financial institu- tions. "I'm very honored by the ap- intment," he told the Port erry Star at a Liberal dinner last week. "It's probably the most prestigious and important committee. It was his goal to be appointed to the committee since being elected to parliament last fall.' With the responsibility of all 1 financial institutions including the Canada Deposit Insurance, the Income Tax Act and Reve- nue Canada, the committee will be taking a hard look at all as- pects of the country's finances. "People are drowning in a sea of taxes and working over half the year to earn the money to pay the government. That's got. to stop," Mr. Shepherd said. It will be diving in head first with one of the toughest issues off the bat, seeking changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This was an election promise of the Liberal Party. "From a political point of view, the GST has been a night-- mare for Canadians." "It's been a real monkey on everyone's back." | Mr. Shepherd said 23 cents of every dollar collected by the tax Turnto Page 4 : "Two Scugog residents | die in head-on crash An accident late Saturday night in Caesarea claimed the lives of two Scugog residents. A 27-year-old woman from Williams Point Road in Caesar- ea and a 35-year-old man from Summit Drive also in Caesarea, were killed when their vehicles collided on Regional Road 57, south of Proutt Road. According to Staff Sergeant Bill Van Doleweerd from Dur- ham Regional Police, a 1988 Dodge van heading south on Re- gional Road 57 collided head-on with a 1988 Ford truck, north- Board of Education had recent- ly cut the French Immersion Kindergarten entry program." "More than the fact of cutting the program, I was angered at not having the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process. I believe that the deci- sion made by those elected offi- "cials should not have been done without hearing the opinions of those most affected namely, those already in the program and those considering entering the program." She said her statement stands true for any programs which may be facing cuts, such as transportation, and music and shop classes, and believes bound on the highway. The driver of the southbound vehicle, Margaret Hall, was pro- nounced dead at the scene. Paul Roy, the driver of the north- bound vehicle, was pronounced dead on arrival at Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry. A passenger in Mr. Roy's vehi- cle was treated for minor inju- ries at the scene. According to police reports, the roads were covered with- light snow. The accident is un- derinvestigation. rench Inmersion parents angry at cuts that as parents and taxpayers they have the right to offer in- put as to how they wish their tax dollars be spent. Mrs. Bourgeois also feels that in the future the Durham Board of Education should publize any decision being made well in "'s vance providing ample time for discussion, debate and recom- mendations. "The decisions made today will affect the children of tomor- row. There is still time for. the board to reconsider this matter as implementation has not tak- en place." "Talking with the Port Perry Star after the meeting, Mrs. Turnto Page 5 3ig Brothers/Sisters "Bowl For Millions" rT A BP ws, TR Ra Lond oc.