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ah Vol. 128 No. 26 PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1994 Proposed gaming g facility on Island causing concern By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Area politicians are attempt- ing to maintain calm in what could be a potentially volatile situation. Both Mayor Howard Hall and Durham MP Alex Shepherd have responded to residents' concerns over a proposed chari- table gaming organization on Scugog Island. It was reported in the local press recently that the Missis- saugas of Scugog Island First Nation was proposing the estab- lishment of a charitable gaming facility on the First Nation. Chief Gary Edgar referred to this facility as a "charitable Clock keeps ticking for GST change By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Time is slowly ticking away. Federal politicians have two weeks to come up with an alter- native to the hugely unpopular Goods and Services Tax (GST). The Commons Finance Com- mittee has set a deadline of June 1 to present recommenda- tions to Finance Minister Paul Martin. The group of politicians from the major parties have been travelling the country in a se- ries of meetings and town hall sessions to find alternatives to the GST. Turn to Page 2 gaming facility" in which the en- tire community would benefit. Hedenied it was a casino. But residents in the area have reacted to the proposal, many expressing opposition to the plan. In an effort to quell some of the concern, Durham MP Alex Shepherd is planning a public meeting on June 9 in Port Perry to provide information to the community. He hopes to have First Nation representatives as well as local politicians in atten- dance. "Most people I have heard from don't even know about itor have taken sides without know- ing all the facts," he said. The MP hopes this meeting will help clear the air about the situation and provide him with feedback from the community. "Most people who have con- tacted me are genuinely con- fused." Mayor Howard Hall has re- sponded to concerns over the First Nation's plans as well, but said from Scugog's point of view, theirhands are bed, "We as a municipality have no real control as to what goes on out there," he said. Despite this, he has been in contact with Chief Edgar and Consumer and Corporate Af- fairs, to obtain more informa- tion. He has also written a letter to Premier Rae. He said he would be monitor- ing the situation closely. Although Chief Edgar told Mayor Hall that the First Na- tion is considering the gaming facility, he has been told "there are lots of hurdles to get over be- foreit comes to fruition." Fr * The rain stopped just in time for the first "Walk i, Talk It, Stock Sunday. Sixty residents took part in the 10-kilometre walk whic Operation Scugog's Food Bank. Pictured is Chic Camegle leading the walk along , boardwalk in Rotary Park. The walk, which was organized by Maggle Mct a huge success. light. completion. 7A traffic signals get the green light Traffic signals at a local plaza have been given the green Signal lights will be erected at the intersection of the Port Perry Plaza on Highway 7A, east of Water Street. Ron Robinson Limited was awarded the tender last week by the Ministry of Transportation. According to Ron Robinson dJr., vice-president of construction, the anticipated starting date for the project is May 24 and is expected to take two to three weeks for The lights at the busy and often congested intersection will be syncronized with the signals at Highway 7A and Water St. Mr. Robinson said the project will entail a standard three- way signalization with pedestrian signals and push buttons. Mayor Howard Hall welcomed the announcement noting it should relieve traffic problems in the area. The intersection is currently controlled by an Ontario Provincial Police officer on Saturdays. Area residents warned to keep eyes open for counterfeit bills J. Peter Hvidsten Port Perry Star Local bank manager Jeff Fell is perplexed by a story carried in the Port Perry Star last week which reported Scugog seems to have been spared from a recent onslaught of counterfeit bills being passed throughout Durham Region. The CIBC manager says his branch has been finding coun- terfeit bills for almost a year and said the bank received two counterfeit Canadian 20s last Thursday in customer deposits. Last week, Detective Jack Haze of the Durham Regional Police officer told the Star that he had not received any reports of incidents in the township, although later in the week another officer reported a coun- terfeit $50 was passed in town on May 4. Mr. Fell says he's turned over a number of counterfeit bills to police since the first of the year. The bank manager said coun- terfeit bills, both Canadian and American, began showing up at the Port Perry branch last sum- mer during Festival Days. While the bills don't surface continually, he said they've been showing up quite steadily for the past three weeks. In an effort to help his busi- ness customers avoid counter- feit bills, Mr. Fell spent some time last Friday showing genu- ine and fake $20 bills to some of the business people. Mr. Fells says the bills cur- rently being passed appear to have been printed on some kind of color copier. Merchants should watch for bills which Turn to page 3 Have You Registered A Team For Canoe The Nonquon?