The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

)RONO WEEKLY TIMES Serin Eas - -ntn beyo sce 193e7 650 GSTlncluded Wednesday, Januaty 10, 1996 On Top of Mount Kirby Learn About The Internet Over the past couple of yeafs the public bas been bombarded with a great deal of Internet hype. We have been told of the massive resources and potential avail- able especially for business people on the web. It sounds rather impressive but what does it all mean? Would business in Clarington really benefit from being part of the Internet? At this month's Clarington Business Group Breakfast meeting, the Group will be holding an informal discussion designed to cut through the cyber-babble and address these questions in a concrete and understandable manner. The Clarington Business Group is looking for input from people currently using the Internet, people who want to learn about the internet, as well as the tech- no-cynics among us. Everyone is welcome to attend, either to actively par- ticipate in the discussion or just sit back and listen to the debate. The meeting will take place Tuesday, January 16 at 7:30 a.m. at the Flying Dutchman Hotel. A light breakfast is included with the admission price of $8. The Clarington Business Group is an informal associ- ation of small business peo- ple dedicated to the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and resources, so that all busi- nesses may learn and suc- ceed in Clarington - now and in the future. For more infor- mation about the Clarington Business Group or to reserve a seat for the Breakfast Meeting, please contact Adrian Foster at 404-1693 or Ron Collis at 697-2521. Provincial Cuts Hit Conservation Authorities Kerra Gardner, of the Oshawa Ski Club, launches herself from the starting gate to begin her run. The Ski Club. located in Kirby, played host to a race sanctioned by the Southern Ontario Racing Division. The Mackenzie Yahoos team from the club raced against a team from Horseshoe Valley while Devil's Elbow competed against Hidden Valley. The Public's Chance To Speak On Clarington Budget Clarington Council will be te silate. Council and staff This is an opportunity for holding a G.P.A. meeting to are holding discussions on tbe general public to offer its discuss with the public pos- January 12 to formulate a ovn ideas on how this munic- sible proposals about dealing report which will be made ipality cani cut costs in the with its financial future. available to the public on face of massive provincial Items such as possible user Tuesday, January 16. The cutbacks. Remember vou fees, community grant eut- public wiii tben bave until must register at the Clerk's backs, and tbe Courtice noon the following day to Department no later tban Community Complex opera place itself on the list of dep. noon on January 17 or you tions arejusta fevofthe pos- utations to speak before vill not be permitted to sible topies that may be on Council. speak. On November 29, 1995 the Harris Government announced funding cuts of 70% to Ontario's Conservation Authorities. "The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Operations Budget as part of this was impacted by approximately 50%," Gerry Houston, Chair, of the Full Authority Board stated. "This presented us with the need for immediate action," he added. "The Board has now met and about 50% of the full time staff will be released. There was simply no alterna- tive open to us and to say this was a sad decision would be an understatement. Some have been with the Conservation Authority for almost 20 years and are friends," Houston added. "The restructuring which we believe will allow the Conservation Authority to continue, will also include the possibility of the selling of some Conservation Authority lands, including the main building in Port Hope," said houston, "plus a complete review of fees for those using the Forest will be undertaken immediately. This was one of the directions suggested by tbe Harris government," be added. "As well we will be propos- ing a significant decrease in levy from our Municipal part- ners, while we will present fund raising programs to our membership, the corporate community and businesses to help us find new ways to do the job," Mr. Houston announced. "We simply must be positive and look for posi- tive solutions to offset the negative actions," he said. "At the same meeting the decision was made to defer the Forest Study and Business plan because too many things have been changed to pretend we can continue as if nothing has happened. There have been people hurt by what has hap- pened here, but the mandate has always been clear and we must continue 'to enhance and protect our watershed's ecosystem' and ensure that the Forest's future as an important public resource is secure. "Those remaining on staff are dedicated to maintaining day to day operations as best they can, while ensuring core phases are not impacted," Houston concluded. "We will work to protect, monitor, and care for the Forest, with the volunteers that we are certain will surface, to provide for an enhanced ecosystem, recre- ation, education, and resource management." Volume 60, Number 2 1 au 1