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Big Brother dlonation FoImeTCU r WIYrOu pp U>e t CLaington Hydro Commission 1A Christrnas Country & Western concert held at the Newcastle Village Community Hall resulted in a nice Christmas gift for Big Brothers of Newcastle. The Holy Production Show "Santa & Bozo's Christmas" was held this past Sunday at the Hall. Holly & Bill Cochrane, owners of Holy Productions donated door Holly Productions' Christmas proceeds and draw ticket proceeds Concert on Sunday raised a sizable wo Big Brothersof Newcastle. amount for Big Brothers. Tle show featured a number of From left to right are: Bozo, Country & Western singers from Nancy Scott of Big Brothers, across the Durham Region, with Holly & Bill Cochrane of Holly the Holly Productions House Band Productions. In the back of course Paul Wasson and the Burnt River is Santa Claus. Band. Queen's, Park' Report from Gord Mifls, MPP Durham East In last week's cohumn, I mentioned the fact that the'OMA had recommended to the governiment, the de-listing of 17 procedures covered under OHIP. I also said that this would be going out for consultation to the public, before any decision as made. The Toronto Sun headlined this announicemnent with, "Those who have no money won't be able to get the service. Those who have money will."' I are reminded that la the fourteen days leading up to the, ast general election in the United Kingdomn, their equivalent of the Toronto Sun, another tabloid of similar ilk, The Daily Sun, published stories about'the British Labour Party, with the deliberate intention of destroying their credibility for fourteen consecutive days leading up to election day. When John Mayor's Conservatives pulled off an upset win on election day, The Daily Sun headline read, 'VWe did it."' I haven't any doubt at all the NDP government will be the target of a very vicious campaign by theý Toronto Sun when a provincial eclection is called about June 1995. As forecast in last week's column, the Legislature will be sitting this week, beyond the, agreed recess date of December 9th. Sittings will also stretch to midnight as we grapple to finish up the legislation which the opposition attempts to thwart. Part of the outstanding legisiation is Bill 47, allowing police w use photo radar cameras on Ontario highways. Several people have either called o r written to me over their concerrus about photo radar. Some have said its Big Brother looking over-their shoulder, while others cal it a tax grab. The fact is we want to improve road safety. There is no doubt that the faster you drive, the harder you crash, the more damnage you cause. More titan 1,000 people are killed and 90,000 are injured on Ontario highways every year. 85% of collisions are caused by driver error, and speeding is the most common driver error in fatal crashes. Some drivers have -corne to beieve they can speed on our highways with little chance of being caught. Photo radar dramatically increases the likelihood of being caught, and we beieve it will change driver behaviour. Drivers who routinely move along at safe and reasonable speeds have nothing to fear from photo radar. We're committed to a public- awareness campaign to make sure drivers know we're using photo radar and we mnean business. We're not out to trap speeders, any more than weýre out to trap people who don't fasten their seat belts. We are out to save lives, and we believe we can do that by making sure people obey the speed limits and buckle up. Police will use photo radar where speed is a significant factor in crashes, and police will decide what speed they prograrn into the computer, based on factors such as weather, road conditions and traffic volume. If someone receives a photo radar ticket for speeding in an emergency, weIll provide a 1-800 help ine to enable people to cal and make sure legitimnate exceptions are made. Many of Ontario's highways have been designed which allow vehicles to be driven at higher than posted speeds when conditions are perfect and there are no other factors to consider. If you drive at the top design speed for a :road, surrounded by- other traffic, including aggressive, impaired and inexperienced drivers --- you take away your chance to react in an emergency. Drivers neyer know when they will hit debris, when an animal will cross the road or even the safe behaviour of other drivers around them. I'm convinced that with the graduated licensing for new drivers, and with photo radar legislation, w e will be well on our way wo making Ontario's roads the safes<t in North America. If we reduce accidents, then we will all benefit by paying less for our car insura nce. 1 spoke at length in tie Legislature on the introduction of Bll 47. My remarks as recorded in Hansard, are available by callîng the constituency office. The Provincial Auditor released his review hast week of government operations for the fiscal year 19 92-93. The Auditor highlighted 21 audits in this year~s report. H1e noted "there are many positive aspects. to the government's current financial systems" and he also acknowledged titat the goverament had taken actions on many of Iast years recommendations. In his report, the Auditor suggested some Ontario teachers are not îrained sufficiently w teach courses they are assigned. Currently.ahl teachers must have Bachelor of Arts degrees. This and teacher training they receive equips teachers well to teach in the early grades. In the later grades where the course material is more specialized, teachers must be specially qualified in the subjects they teach. Folhowing an extensive review of teacher education and reports prepared by- the Teacher Education Council, Ontario, the Royal Commission on Learning is considering a' number of recommendations fo r further improvements to tecacher educations programs. The govemnment welcomes the Auditor's Report which contains Former Mayor Marie Hubbard was appointed on Monday night by Clarington council to fili a vacancy on Clarington Hydro Commission. The vacancy came through the resignation of Mr. George Moore. The matter became an issue at counicil when Counc. Hooper presented the motion calling for the appointment of-Mrs. Marie Hubbard to the position. Mayor Hamre said the appointment of Mrs. Hubbard would set a precedent that had not been followed in the past by council when asked to fill a vacancy on the Hydro com- mission. Council had previously appointed the candidate next in line in the last election. If the same procedure had been followed by council in this Most recent request to fill a vacancy the appointment would have gone to Glenn Pearson, who was a candidate in the hast election for the Hydro Commission. Mayor Hamre said it was up to council to make the decision but still felt it was breaking with tradition . Both Councs. Dreslinski and Scott said precedent was mnvolved and Scott said ahl members of council could have corne up wi th a candidate for appointment and that if council was to go this route they should advertise the position and then make a decision from those showing an interest. Counc. Hannali said he would support the motion stating that it was a critical period and it would be helpful to have someone with experience. When Counc. O'Toole spoke of qualifications for the position Counc. Scott said it was not appropriate for council to be discussing qualification in open council. Mrs. Hubbard was appointed through a 4 to 3 vote with Councs. Hooper, Nowak, O'Toole and Hannah supporting. the motion. Clarke High to host 1994 Canadian Academie Deatlilon On Saturday, April 16, 1994 Clarke High School will be hosting the Canadian Academic Decathlon. The Decathion is a nation-wide tournament designed to promote and reward academic endeavours. The event is being coordinated by Jon Gale of Clarke High School. Teams will be coming to our community from various parts of Canada. It promises to be a highlight of the school year for the students at useful information on how the government and Ontario's 90,000 public employees can better provide progmams and services and how we can improve their delivery. The Third Session, of the 35th Parliament, will hopefully wind down sometime this week. Corne January, 1 will give you a report of rny activities during the 3rd Session of Parliament together with my activities on Committee and other duties., Until next week - take care. Clarke. Therec will be assistance required from ail parts of the local area, please say yes if you are asked! Try to visit your school in the next few weeks. You'll find a lot of leaxning going on. Schools are foundation of our society ... you can help in many ways. 'The SClarke Connection More than a store A unique experience ONE~ OF A KIND HIAND-MADE CANADLAN CRAPTS POTTERY - WOOD - SILKS - TOYS 1AND MUCH MUCH MORE MAIN STREET. ORONO 983-9314 1TUIES- FRI.11,to 6 SAT. 9to 5 THE REGIONAL ~~ MUNICIPALITY 0F DURHIAM DURHAM REGONHoliday Closure of Transfer Stations The OSHAWA, CARTWRIGHT- AND SCUGOG TRANSFER STATIONS wilI be closed 12:00 noon Friday, December 24, 1993, to Tuesday, December 28, 1993, for the Christmas Holiday. These stations will be open on Wednesday, Decem ber 29, 1993. The transfer stations wiII again be closed 12:00 nooni Friday, December 31, 1993 to January 1, 1994, for the-New Years Holiday. Normal operation witI- resumne on Tuesday, January 4,1994. V.A. SILGAILIS, P. ENG. COMMISSIONER 0F WORKS