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10 -Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, September 18, 1996 Lions Are First On Ice Resurfacer President Terry Graham, left, of the Newcastle Lions Club and President Ray 'Teddy Bear" Bester, right, of the Orono Amateur Athletie Association are seen placing the Lions logo on the ice resurfacer at the Orono Arena. The Lions Club was happy to have participated in helping to raise money for this machine. Staying In Touch John O'Toole, MPP Durham East Durham Region is a very special area of our province. Last Friday, September 6th, I was a guest at the .premier screening of "Fly Away Home". This is a beautiful feature length movie pro- duced by Columbia Pictures. The movie is based on the inspirational story of Bill Lishman's.work with Canada Geese and his migration south with the birds. Much of the beautiful filming was done riglit here in the Scugog area. Bill Lishmans' book, "Father Goose" and other promotion- al activities are raising funds for 'a . project named, "Operation Migration', to fund endangered species througli- out North America. I would recommend this movie as "class" farnily entertainment. I might add that the province has recognized the impor- tance of the film industry to the economy of Ontario. There were provisions made in the last budget to support the Ontario film industry. Pat Olive of the Durham Regional Economic Development department explained to me how the region is also pro- inoting our area to the film industry. The Durham Board of Education lias won the pres- tigious Bertelsmann Foundation award. As men- tioned in my column last week, this German founda- tion recognizes excellence annually in public institu- tions. Durham is number one in so many ways. The opportunity offered by both of these international events, certainly promotes our area as the 'place to be.' Often, it is difficult to under- stand immediately, the bene- fits these type of events add to our overall economic health. Theses events are good news for each of us. Statistics Canada recently released figures that indicat- ed there were over 50,000 net new jobs created in Ontario. In the past 12 montlis there have been over 150,000 new jobs created in Ontario. Consumer confidence is up 11% and the interest rate is down. Auto production, the heart of Ontario and Durham along with housing which is up 14.2%. Although unem- ployment is still higlier than we want, at 8.4%, tliis is the lowest since 1984. Ontario is open for business and job cre- ation. Our election commit- ment was to reduce spending, reduce taxes and eliminate the barriers to job creation. I am confident, that we will meet, or exceed our election promise of creating 725,000 new jobs over the five years. As we reduce spending and eliminate red tape, many Ontarians have become upset with our direction. However, in the long term, almost everyone agrees witlh a bal- anced budget. We must be very careful to not neglect the most vulnerable members of society. If everyone had a job, we would each have to work less, but that does not mean that we would stop complain- ing. I often recall an old expression my father used, "it is especially liard to work for money you have already spent, especially if it was for something you didn't really need in the first place". The Solicitor General, the Honourable Bob Runciman has made several announce- ments recently with respect to Ontario's prisons. He announced the closure of sorbe 14 prisons with the commitment to consolidate offenders into two new, more efficient facilities. It appears that one of these facilities may replace the Whitby jail. Also a young offenders 'strict discipline pilot project' lias been recommended after a task.force of some 40 experts examined the current system. This pilot will involve some 30 to 50 high risk male repeat offenders in a structured pro- gram. The intention is to focus on life skills, personal respect and responsibility, basic employment skills, lit- eracy, teamwork and needs based counselling. We must pressure the federal govern- ment to examine the young offenders act as well. Each person in society must take responsibility for their actions. As I read the news- papers on the serious crime involving young people, I must remind -myself that the vast majority of youth are ter- rific. This past week, we con- cluded our hearings on the Employment Standards Act (Bill 49). I was pleased to meet with members of the Whitby, Oshawa & Clarington Chambers of Commerce as well as the CAW Local 222 members. The committee will discuss amendments over the next week or so. We are look- ing for a balance where employers and employees can work together in a reasonable and fair manner. I do not support any "bad boss" wlio takes advantage of an employee. I will use my office to support any worker wlio has been exploited. I manage to sit in briefly on the Legislative Committee which is gathering input on the discussion paper con- cerning the referendum pro- cess. Copies of the paper, "Your Ontario, Your Choice" are available in my office, if you would like one please call 397-1501 or 1-800-661- 2433. There are some inter- esting arguments about how to improve the public's par- ticipation and the governi- ments accountability. I am planning a public forum in October so please keep in touch. The school crossing on highway 7A in Port Perry is one of my most pressing chal- lenges. There is a meeting scheduled for September 26th. I am sincere when I say that to this point, I am not satisfied with our govern- ment's response and I have not given up. I will be attend- ing the meeting. "Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else get your way" The second week of school has ended, appropriately enougli, with bed head day. Staff and students arrived at school Friday morning injam- mies and slippers, many car- rying teddy bears. One stu- dent was overheard commenting to another rather sleepy individual that lie real- ly looked as if lie had just rolled out of bed. Students are settled into classes at this point. Co-op students have now had a full week at their placements, and teacher monitoring visits will begin the week of September 16. Many tlianks to those businesses in the community wlio are part of the co opera- tive education programme. Upcoming Activities: September 16 Terry Fox Run Kick-off Assembly, 9 a.m. Ticket sales for parking spot raffle begin, Co-op Seminar September 17 Boys' Soccer Tournament in Cobourg September 19 School Photos September 20 N-C Leadership Camp, Parking spot raffile draw, N- C Leadership Camp September 24 Girls' Basketball at I.E. Weldon, Boys' Soccer at Clarke September 25 Jr. Boys' Volleyball at Cobourg East September 26 Sr. Boys' Volleyball at Port Hope, Girls' Basketball at CHS, Boys' Soccer at St. Stephen's, Terry Fox Runathon at CHS, 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. BBQ for Clarke parents and students Grade Nine Parents' Night, 6:30-8:30 September 27 PA Day Members of the communi- ty are always welcome at any sporting event. We would also like to invite the commu- nity to participate in the Terry Fox Runathon on September 26 from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. During that time, staff and students will be involved in a walk to support the Cancer Society. Pledge forms are available from Julie Harper wlio is organizing this event. If you are unable to walk yourself, please sponsor a student or someone else who is walking! All Clarke parents and their children are invited to attend a BBQ on September 26 where they will have the opportunity to meet the new principal and vice principal and also to speak informally with other staff members. Parents of grade nine stu- dents are invited to stay fol- lowing the BBQ and discuss their son/Iaughter's progress in their classes this term. This should be a fun and informative evening. Newcastle Photographc At Newcastle Photographic we do it all! Weddings - Portraits - Photo Finishing And Now Digital Imaging! Scanning , Photo Restoration, Dye sub prints, Digital negatives, Corne in and see what technologically can do for you! 19 King st. east Newcastle Oit. 1-905-987-3409 now registering for: tap, ballet, jazz 2 years and up Registration Days- Mon - Thurs 9:30 - 8:00 p.m. 122 Waverly Road Plaza, Bowmanville 697-1943 Clarke Ifigý 3cýoo1 geez