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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, February2, 1997 -3 Newcastle School to be demolished Bowmanville Toastmasters A number of Bowmanville Toastmasters availed them- selves of a golden opportuni- ty for advanced training at the recent District Training Session. Despite the inclement weather Eastern Division Joyce Hill was able to wel- come Toastmasters from Belleville to Pickering. Toastmasters Dow, Konzelmann, Nelson and Wonnacott represented our club. They will share what they learned with local members. The International and Evaluation Contest will be held at the local level on February 18, 1997 and our club will host participants from Peterborough, Lindsay and Bowmanville for the area contest on March 11, 1997. Come and witness the competition among select speakers or visit us any Tuesday evening 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at "The Darlington Hydro Information Centre". For more information please call Irene Konzelmann, 983- 9423 Orono. The fate of the old Newcastle Public school rests in the hands of a defunct school board. Mr. Dick Lovekin doesn't know how a school board going out of existence can make decisions of this magnitude. The group set up to save the school from demolition feel they have been stonewalled and bulldozed by the school board. "It makes no sense" said Mr. Lovekin to spend $138,000 tearing the building down when they could save that money and still sell the building. Pauline Storks, who headed up the group to save Staying In Touch John O"Toole Durham East MPP It would appear that many municipalities are now claim- lng that Municipal and regional taxes will have to go up because of the Harris gov- ernment changes. If you look up last year's news reports, they were reporting the same thing but, for different rea sons. The federal government is going to release a budget very soon and I doubt that they will raise taxes as there is going to be a federal elec- tion. The Province just released it's update on Ontario's finances and we are committed to reduce taxes. I might add that Finance Minister-Ernie Eves, report- ed that despite the fact that we lowered taxes, the revenue went up by $1.2 billion more than our budgeted forecast. All the municipalities are making assumptions on their expenditures. There are some municipalities that are even disagreeing with the region. AUl I know is that we must all reduce waste and duplica- tion. We must examine every opportunity to find ways to the building, said they have a potential buyer but the school board won't let them in the building to look at it. Mr. Lovekin said he respects the boards ability to make decisions, but why don't they put the goods on the table. The board will not share with the group any evidence used in their decision to tear down the school. "If the school is as bad as they say it is, why were they using it up until last year.' "The new school was built because the old one was too small, not because it was falling down," reduce costs. We can no longer continue to spend and tax. On Friday, February 7th, we experienced many, many calls from teachers. Between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., it kept our receptionist busy answering the telephone calls. We have since been advised that there is an OSSTF (teacher's union) cam- paign to escalate the political agenda both in the school and to jam the telephone lines at MPP constituency offices. I attempted to call back to some of the individu al teachers over the weekend and I am prepared to listen to their suggestions as long as they are prepared to work together toward having an educational system that is effective, affordable and accountable. Our teachers need our support but, we must remember that our stu dents must have the best educational opportunity pos said Mr. Lovekin. Insult was added to injury when the Clarington Counsel asked school board to hold a publie meeting, and the request fell on deaf ears. Three hundred people have alçeady signed a petition started by Pauline Storkes to save the'100- year-old building. The group is desperately trying to get more time to reverse the seemingly irrational decision by the school board to have the building torn down next month. sible. I am sure thàt if we are all prepared to work together; students, teachers, parents and our entire community, our students will be at the head of the class. A university and college education is getting more and more expensive. As a parent, with one child in university and two more going to post secondary next year, I am also worried by the increasing costs. Three children in uni versity or college is going to be expensive. I was pleased this past week that the min- ister announced that the Ontario Student Assistance Plan, (OSAP) was being increased by 37%. The province will also match the newý Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund up to $100 million. The Minister of Education also introduced the Ontario Merit Scholarship for our top 2% of students at college and university. This $15 to $20 million fund will be there to ensure our top students complete their edu- cation. For Ontario and Canada to be competitive in the future, we must have the best educational system in the world. The Minister of Labour, this past week, introduced a discussion paper on the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). A mod- ernized act that emphasizes prevention of workplace However, our large industries injury and illness, promotes like Goodyear, Ontario Hydro work place partnerships and and St. Mary's Cerent will encourages s elf-reliance provide valuable leadership which will reduce accident with their existing expertise frequency, increase produc- in workplace safety. The Safe tivity and promote job cre- Communities Foundation is ation in Ontario. Minister already in existence in Witmer appreciates your Brockville, Peterborough and input by May of 1997. If you Waterloo. If you would like would like a copy of the dis- more information, please cali cussion paper of locations of My office. ministry presentations, Fnday, February 14th is please call my office at 697- the "Build Courtice" fund 1501 or long distance 1-800- raiser at Parkwood. This 661-2433. charity event will raise funds This past week, I aïranged for the new Courtice an information meeting on Community Centre. Every cit- the Safe Communities izen has a duty to contribute Foundation. I would like to to their community. It is like thank the many business and the United Way, if we al give communlty leaders who a littie, we ail gain a lot. The attended. This concept pro- Courtice community Centre motes not only workplace is belng built, "one brick at a safety but, safety- in ever time". Next Saturday. aspect of our lives. We have February ,5th, I will be had a volunteer who bas attending the Big Brothers come forward to form a work- Bowling event in Uxbridge. ing group to develop a busi- am looking for sponsors and ness plan. There is a chance participants. If you want to we wcll qualify for a grant be on my team, please cal my from the foundation which office. This will be a fun event sponsored by the five major where MP, Alex Shepherd and banks. Small businesses wil others willworktogether for benefit from this yaluable Big Brothers. networking xercse. "Our favourite attitude hshould be gratitude". THEN CALL US FOR YOUR BETTER PRICE We give you the maximum $$$ for your Trade-In. ll Free from Area Codes 905 or 705 ai 1-800-361-8154 or localcails 885-8154 m yua toa e the Unite Way-if-w-all'giv s1n Authorized Sales & Service Centre for: • Camcorders - VCR's • Microwaves * TV's • Accessories • Stereo Systems • Telephones - Top 100 CD's & Tapes m * - ,. - SANs