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-Y Orono Weekly limes, Wednesday, May8, 1996 6- ) ý Staying In Touch John O'Toole, MPP Durham East Could this be the start of something new? For the first time in recent memory, there will be a budget (Tuesday, May 7/96), where there will be a reduction in taxes. Of course, as with anything new and creative, there are the critics. Read for instance, the Toronto 'Red' Star's Thomas Walkom, Saturday, May 4th. What Walkom fails to men- tion, is that 50 otherjurisdic- tions have reduced taxes and increased revenue. The B.C. Liberal leader, Gordon Campbell has announced a 15% eut in provincial income- tax. If you read the Globe and Mail, (May 2, 96), you will see that B.C.'s plan is very similar to the Ontario plan. In Ontario, the economy clearly needs an infusion of con- sumer confidence. The only real option if we wish to ensure a sustainable future for education, health care and our youth is a balanced plan with reduced government spending and lower taxes. This budget will be good news for small business as well as the majority of bard working Ontarians. If Ontario contin- ues to keep taxing and spend- ing at the same rate, we will double our annual deficit from $10 billion to $20 billion over the next 6 years. This would mean that the debt, or rather our mortgage, will be approaching $150 billion which will mean our annual interest will be over $20 bil- lion. Imagine if our spending on interest alone was greater than all spending on health care (presently $17.4 billion). I do not believe there is any- one out there that would agree that we can continue to simply spend more than we earn. Remember, if we con- tinue spending, we would have to increase taxes sharply. I must commend the tlanrigton council for a bud- get with a .3% tax break, even with the grant reductions. The school boards have had a rough time, yet I see they have once again passed on tax increases. Where will it end? By the time you have read this article, the budget will be widely discussed in the news. I will have a few copies of the budget and be available to explain if there are any questions. I would encourage any individual or group wish- ing more information to call me at the constituency office at 697-1501 or 1-800-661- 2433. Events in Durham East this past week: Monday, April 29th, I arranged for the Honourable Chris Hodgson, Minister of Natural Resources, Northern Affairs and Mines to visit Durham East. We met with St. Mary's Cement, Goodyear and members of the Orono Tree Nursery to discuss important issues in my rid- ing. Each ministry is inter- ested in improving service and communication. We are scheduling more visits with ministers in my riding. Tuesday, April 30th, at Scugog community hall, we met with almost 100 teach- ers, students and parents to listen to input and questions on changes in education. I wish to thank those who par- ticipated and assure people that their questions and sug- gestions will be communicat- ed to the Minister of Education. Wednesday, May lst, I met with members of caucus on the GTA panels report. I would suggest you read the Toronto Star report of Saturday, May 4th for an analysis of the panels finding. There is very little if any sup- port to eliminate the regions. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable AI Leach has indicated there will be more discussion as we examine every option to address gov- ernance and assessment in Ontario. Thursday, May 2nd, stu- dents from around Durham led by Leah Houston and oth- ers, held a peaceful demon- stration at Queen's Park. I spoke with the students and presented a petition in the legislature supporting their concerns. All students need to think about their role in this debate. This is not about politics, it is about education quality, accountability and affordability. I would agree that students are central to the debate. The 'Tool Kit', which was widely talked about is the responsibility of the elected school trustee's. The boards are elected to rep- resent their constituents, (students, teachers, parents and taxpayers). I hope they are consulting with these groups to make informed decisions and not simply adjusting their budgets based on the advice and recommen- dations of board staff. The province's grant reductions amount to less than 3 per- cent of spending. Some boards have managed to save Junior Kindergarten and Adult learning while others have not. Some boards are negotiating with the teachers unions on preparation time, sick leave entitlement, sick leave gratuities and pension issues. These negotiations will be very difficult, as 85 percent of the cost of educa- tion is salares and benefits. Our position is clear, reduc- tions must å_ made in areas outside the classroom, ilke busing, administration, main- tenance and use of non- teaching staff. I am always available to meet with trustees, students, teachers and parents to examine sug- gestions. On Friday, May 3rd, the 5 Durham MPPs met with staff from Darlington Hydro plant and toured the facility. We discussed many issues from safety to privatization. As usual, Friday, I met with many people in the con- stituency office. Friday evening, I attended the loth Annual Kinsmen Home Show. I commend the service clubs and smalj business people for helping to re-build confidence in our local economy. Saturday, May 4th, I attended the Bowmanville BIA Maple Festival, in down- town Bowmanville. Mayor Hamre and I officially opened six new businesses located ai the west end of King Streef It was great to see once again small business people work- ing together. Saturday, I also attended a couple of 50th Wedding Auiniversaries to bring greetings from the Premier of Ontario. Saturday evening, I attended the annu- al Rotary Art Auction in Port Perry. I am sure the organiz- ers raised perhaps $10,000.00 for their commu- nity. It never fails to impress me of how generous people are. My own opinion is: that communities that help them- selves are stronger than those who expect big govemment to do the job. Sunday, May 5th I attend- ed the 50th Anniversary of Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry. This occasion once again reminds me of how important it is for local people and organiza- HUM M P1k Mee41Xéfôr those things that are impor- tant to them. I am always pleased to support these occasions. Sunday evening, I was privileged to attend the 75th Anniversary of the Catholie Women's League. These women, like most church groups, serve not only their church but indeed their community, their province and Canada. Education week starts May 6th. The theme this year is "a world of opportunity". I will be attending many schools this week and will enjoy&ee- ing the creativity and inven- tiveness of our students. What a fitting theme for edu- cation week. As I re-read my article, I can see that opportunity is continued on page 6 "We're keeping our promise to serve you better." Introducing our new Service GuaranteeJ As part of our commitment to serve you better, we're proud to introduce our new Service Guarantee. It's brimming with promise. And promises. Whenever you call us to meet at your property, we'll make an appointment for a time suitable for both of us. We promise to keep that appointment, on time. We promise to complete ail the work that was agreed to. We promise that this work will be finished within a mutually agreeable time. And if for some reason we can't keep any of these promises, we'll waive the applicable service charge or fee. It's just one of the ways we're trying to do right by our customers. And in the near future, we'Il be offering other improvements like expanded customer service hours, communications centres for quicker and easier access to us, and a new, more flexible billing system. At Ontario Hydro Retail, we'll never stop working towards serving you better. Promise. Ontario Hydro Central Ontario Electric* *a division of Ontario Hydro Retail 1 Guarantee doies not apply mn the event of severe weather, labour disputes, and/or othier circumstances beyond our contoL or if you cancel your appointmnent or are out when we cal a