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Vol. 133 No. 50 PORT PERRY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1999 COPY 75¢ (70¢+ 5¢ GST) 32 Pages EIC review of Durham board out By Rik Davie Special to the Star The provincial government's report on the Durham District School Board is out and the board has fared very well, despite ongoing labour unrest with its secondary school teachers. The Education Improvement Commission (EIC) spoke with staff, stu- dents and administrators on how the board, with 61,886 students and an oper- ating budget of more than $400 million, is coping with sweeping changes intro- duced by the province. They released their 'report card' on the board late last week. The EIC commended the board in sev- eral areas that have been sore spots for board officials in the recent past. Management of human resources is an area in which Durham can set an example for other boards, said the com- mission. It also warned that the current labour unrest involving secondary school teachers here will soon be felt by other boards across the province. A requirement that they spend more time in the classroom has resulted in high school teachers largely withdraw- ing from extracurricular activities. The board has appealed to the Labour Board, alleging that teachers are conducting an illegal strike by refusing to participate in out-of-classroom programs. The EIC warned that when other boards -- many of which currently have one-year contracts in place with sec- ondary school teachers -- begin negotia- tions, they could well find their teachers at odds with them in disputes similar to Please turn to page 19 Charity game fundraiser is for park effort Organizers are getting set to drop the puck for a charity hockey game, being held in support of an effort to build a skateboard park for young people in Port Perry. The game, being organized by local country radio station KX96, will take place at Scugog Arena from 7:30 to 8:30 next Wednesday evening, Nov. 10. Tickets are $3 a person or $10 per fami- ly, and can be obtained at the door. In addition to shinny, featuring a team from the radio station and mem- bers of the fundraising committee, there's lots more going on. Players from the Oshawa Generals squad will be on hand before the game for an autograph session, and a host of great door prizes will be handed out. They include tickets to a Toronto Maple Leafs 'game; Oshawa Generals tickets; a Port Perry Predators jersey, and an auto safety kit. a. The committee is attempting to raise - the estimated $50,000 it will require to build the park. A number of community events and donations have already helped the cause. Call 985-2681 for info. GAME ON! ...Steve McCauley, gener- al sales manager at radio station KX 96, is propelled by Rob Privett (left) and Mike Giannini, members of the Port Perry and District Skateboard Park Association, during a promotion for an upcoming charity hockey game Saturday at Scugog Arena. In addition to the game, there will be draws for great prizes. See our story above for details. Developers, By Jeff Mitchell ort Perry Star The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) will convene in Port Perry Friday to hear arguments on whether or not a developer should take part in upcoming hearings on the township's official plan. Stockworth MBG, which has announced plans to build a new Canadian Tire store on Simcoe St. south township at odds over OMB process of town, has petitioned the OMB for standing in the OP' appeal hearing, which begins later this month. The com- pany's move comes after Scugog Township councillors voted against granting the company standing during a meeting Oct. 18. The company has yet to submit a plan for the 100,000 square foot plaza, or apply for a rezoning with the town- ship. Stockworth wants its land on Oyler Dr., which includes the plant that has housed Port Perry Metals and most recently an auto parts warehouse, left out of the official plan until it can for- mulate a proposal for development. Scugog council is currently consider- ing at least two other plaza proposals. The township is also undertaking a commercial needs study, to be conduct- ed by an impartial consultant. "What we're asking is that they delay any decision with respect to the official plan designation for this site, because we've got things going on there that we think are important to the township," said Bob Carey, an officer with Stockworth MBG. His plan calls for the rezoning of a Please turn to page 14