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Volume 134 Number 11 ah ll Sma = Te = TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2000 fearo td 3 os COPY 75¢ 110 + sc as) 28 Pages O'Toole's gas price task force heads out By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Durham MPP John O'Toole and his col- leagues are. taking their investigation into gasoline pricing on the road. Mr. O'Toole, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, is co-chair of the province's Ontario Gas Prices Review Task Force. He and co- chair Joe Tascona, an MPP from Barrie, have scheduled eight hearings across the provinee this month and next. in.an attempt-to gain input from consumers, gasoline suppliers, and other interested parties as they work on a report to be presented in May. The task force was struck in response to wildly fluctuating gas prices, and public out- rage over what many saw as price gouging by big petroleum companies. A meeting in Durham has been tentatively scheduled for March 1, but a location has not yet been determined. Mr. O'Toole said he's looking forward to the public hearings, and input from consumers, independent gas station owners, environ- mentalists, and other interested parties. ~The exchange of information by interested parties should be enlightening, he said. "l really think one of the things that can Please Turn to page 17 Funding " By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Last week's announcement of more funding for special education is good news, but not a solution to financial 'pressures on programs here, says an official with the Durham District School Board. Bev Freedman, program superintendent with the board, said the $40 million in funding announced 'Thursday by education minister Janet Ecker helps, but doesn't eliminate the funding crunch that's resulting in a Viole} x2 16 DIRECT VENT PEEK-A-BOO: Little Tim Wontorra was on hand at the WindReach Farms open house last Saturday afternoon with his family to check out the activities and services offered at the local centre for disabled children. The two- (ETD p Cw . withdrawal of services for special needs children in the public school system. "We think it's a good news item anytime there's more money from 'the government," said Ms Freedman. "Special education has some serious problems, and the - minister is recognizing that." The funding package announced by the minister injects $40 million more into education next year to allow boards in Ontario to continue to provide services for stu- dents identified as having special needs. Mode! GDS28 Direct ow HYDRO went REQUIRED JEFF MITCHELL PORT PERRY STAR : year-old Pickering resident was joined by a number of other children and adults who took advantage of the warm temperatures and sunny skies to get out of the house and enjoy a day outside. ood news", but no solution The minister also called for creation of province-wide standards for special ed, and a monitoring system to ensure the needs of those students are being met. Ms Ecker also promised better coordination among service providers in education, health and social services agencies involved with special needs children. The funding comes at a time when trustees and board officials in Durham are examining special ed to deter- Please Turn to page 17 OA eiz{|ole]= Fireplace Warehouse 170 Casimir St. PORT PERRY (9085) [| 985-0715 + 1-800-6386 - al 751