6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 16, 1996 GTA future a local concern Anyone living in this area who thinks they don't need to be concerned about the ongoing talks over the future of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has another think coming. Anne Golden's report on the future of the metropolis is due to be released this week, and the few glimpses we've been allowed so far point toward an ominous, if not threatening, future, especially for those of us who dwell on the fringes of the GTA. Even if Scugog is not absorbed by the GTA in whatever form it is to take, life could be radically different from the way it is now. At worst, the GTA could take the form of a monstrous megalopolis with one central government run by as few as 32 politicians representing huge constituencies and drawing on the tax base of millions of residents. That would 'mean the dismantling of regional government, from which this small rural township has benefited for years. There is some argument that the provincial government would reject creation of such an enormnous new level of government, as it would wield enough clout to rival that of Queen's Park. Let's hope so. . Rejecting formulation of a massive new GTA is not, as Metro-based observers contend, living in the past or ignoring the economic potential of the region. It is, rather, recognition of a system that works, by and large, for the people it is in place to serve and, more importantly, gives them a voice, through elected representation, in the decisions that are made and the direction which is taken. Sit up and take notice, Scugog, for the future is at hand. Big changes are afoot, and could determine the survival of municipalities such as ours. RIBBON AWARD 1995 ~ AE AV ' if NES ED A [Mie Aad ES {Sad LT - BONN XI L772 IIT ~ 3 EY el" LN Aa NY oO) nn (a= "NOW KEEP THAT GLOVE UP... AND REMEMBER HE'S GOT A MEAN RIGHT. Durham MP Shepherd tells it like it is To the Editor: Congratulations to our Member of parlia- ment, Alex Shepherd, for telling it the way it is. I agree with him that the Canadian Government has not represented the interest of its citizens fairly by allowing the U.S. tax authorities to deduct 25 per cent from the Social Security payments to Canadian resi- dents without any offset of this tax in Canada. (Port Perry Star, Jan. 9 issue). During my business career I accepted a U.S. assignment from my employer, and paid into the U.S. Social Security program during this period. When I ultimately returned home to Canada and retired, the income from this pro- 'gram was reported on my Canadian tax return. Allowing the U.S. to tax this payment with- out providing an offsetting tax credit in Canada is a breach of the principles of Tax Treaties which are negotiated among nations to neutralize the tax effect in such situations. As Alex points out, the negotiation is tarnished further by the fact that U.S. residents receiv- TurntaPage7 REMEMBER 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, January 18, 1951 Ontario Premier Leslie Frost officially opened Port Perry Community Memorial centre. In the opening remarks Mr. Frost congratulated warmly and sincerely the fine community sport and co-operation of the people of Port Perry, Reach and Scugog. He also presented a cheque in the amount of $1,000, the last installment of a provincial grant. Joan Venning, Blackstock, winner of the Port Perry Lions Club oratorical contest delivered her winning speech at the regular Lions Club meeting. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, January 20, 1966 'The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell, Prince WHEN....? Homemaking Clubs on Achievement Day. 20 YEARS AGO Wednesday, January 21, 1976 Jack, Joan, Andrew and Julie Fisher returned home after a year's stay in Australia as part of an exchange program between North American and Australian teachers. David Porter and Barbara Berezowski retained their title as the top Canadian Figure Skating Senior Dance Champions in London, narrowly defeating their competitors by 44/100ths of a point. Former teacher Yvonne Christie was elected chairman of the Durham Board of Education by acclamation. 10YEARS AGO Tuesday, January 21, 1986 Harvey Kirck, one of the best known Albert, was totally destroyed by fire. They were away at the time of the fire which league leader, Cobourg. Picture taken on west side of Port Perry United Church (Late 1800s). Back row (I-r) | Canadian broadcasters, was the guest caused $4,500. Ethel McMillan, unknown, unknown, Efie Gambell, May Walker, teacher, Mrs. Alex | speaker at the annual Chamber meeting. Chic Carnegie and Ken Roberts were | Vance, unknown, Rosella Woon, (2nd) Mrs. J. Raymes. unknown, Mrs. Wm. Reader, | Snowarama organizers set a target of picked defence on the Lakeshore | Mrs. Woon, Mrs. Shell, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Higgs, Tillie Erwin, Mrs. Allan, Mrs. Town, $25,000 for this year's Easter Seals Intermediate All Star team against the | Mrs. Lawson Honey, Mrs. Crosier, Mrs. Smaliman, (3rd) Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Baird, Mrs. | fn draiser. Davey, Mrs. Ellen Petit, Mrs. Crozier, Mrs. Gerrow, Miss Mabel John, (4th) Mrs. Victory, Ann Cookson. Daniellé Gallant and Nicole Dorothy Carnochan, Port Perry, received Miss Rundell, Mrs. Gerry Slourine, Mrs. Christie, Mrs. George Davey, teacher, Miss ' 2 ' Ethel McDermott, Miss Katie Widden, Mrs. Arthur Dawson, Carry McKinley. Gallant were presented with their All- Round Cords for Guiding. Provincial Honors, the highest award in 4-H Te -- aa ik A ----