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2 -Orono Weekly Tines, Wednesday, June 2, 1997 WEEKLY TIMES Sevn Eas Clrnto neyn s ince 1937 Division of Loyal Printing Ltd. Publications Mail Registration No. 0368 Publishing 47 Issues Annually at the Office of Publication 5310 Main Street, P. 0. Box 209, Orono, Ontario LOB IMO e mail: oronotimes@speedline.ca Telephone 905-983-5301 Paz 905-983-5301 Herman and Marg Zwart GRADUATION The graduation season is upon us. Students that have sat through endless classes have reached a juncture in their path and now have to make decisions that will effect the rest of their lives. Whether it be graduating from grade 6, grade 8, grade 12 or OAC or institutes of higher learning, things will never be the same again. They need ail the support and guidance from those that have gone before them, and those that can see the pitfalls ahead. Along with the graduation season come the many achievement awards presented to students who have obtained high standings in their field. These students deserve our recognition and should be encouraged to continue pushing their own limits. Let us acknowledge also the students who face debilitating learning challenges and who achieve goals that we don't even rec- ognize. Their achievements often go unrecognized by the public and thereby seem minimized. Let's give credit were credit is due. Due to the Canada Day Holiday next week, the Orono Weekly times will arrive in your mailbox on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Demolition of the Old Orono Hotel is to begin on Monday June 30, 1997. Letters To The Editor TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE TOO COSTLY The $164,000 capital expenditure to open a tourist information centre (season- al?) Is a hefty cost to tax pay- ers and excludes ongoing operating costs Including staffing, maintenance, taxes and utilities. Agreeing with the munici- pality's marketing strategy to increase tourism in Clarîngton, a suggestion would be to budget for the distribution - to all local resi- dents - of the booklet entitled 'Clarington - 1997 Visitors Guide' (excellent publication). Further, is the design of an attractive, but inexpensive, display to accommodate tourist literature to be situat- ed at high traffic areas to ALL parts of the region such as gas bars, stores and tourist locations for those visitors that have already ventured into Clarington. The additional dollars should be invested on attract- ing new visitors through the municipality's web site, news- paper advertising (offer to mail the tourist guide) and participation at trade exhibi- tions outside of Clarington. If a central tourist station is still desired in the proposed area, reconsider partnering with the Flying Dutchman Hotel to facilitate (interactive electronic kiosk etc.) the needs for such a centre. It is important that all aspect of a 'marketing mix' be consider to maximize the return on tax payers dollars! Paul Reesor - Bowmanville To the Editor Orono Weekly Times Dear Sir: I have enclosed an infor- mation piece which you mnight like to print in your paper. It was written with the intent of educating the public on hors- es. A few of our clients have had some difficulties while riding in the forest; specifi- cally with loose dogs and dirt bikes. I have written the enclosed for their benefit and the public. Please feel lree to edit the article if you are inclined to use it. Yours truly, Catherine Sampson Trillium Morgan Horse Farm (Continued on Page 5) June 23, 1997 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE RESIDENTS OF CLARKE, NEWCASTLE AND ORONO It is with both regret and relief that I have decided not to seek re-election as the Local Councillor for Ward 3 (new Ward 4). This has been a difficult decision for me because I have enjoyed serv- ing as your Councillor for the past 6 years. However, because of recent major changes in the electrical industry affecting my employ- er, there will be increasing demands on my time over the next three years. This situa- tion, combined with the fact that I have accomplished much of what I set out to achieve during my two terms of office, has led me to con- clude that this is the right time for me to step aside. So, in the Roman tradition of Lacius Cincinnatus (519-430 B.C.) I an leaving public office to (metaphorically) "return to the plow"! As you know, protection of our natural environment is an ongoing concern in Ward 3. After ten years of battling with Laîdlaw Waste Systems over their various proposals for the use of their Newtonville dump, they have finally sold their holdings and left the Municipality. Although this site bas been acquired by Canadian Waste Systems, I hope it is not pre- mature to finally declare vic- tory. We have also had to fight off other agencies who targeted our community for a dumpsite. One of the high- lights of my term of office was the cold winter's night that hundreds of people from all over the Ward gathered in Newcastle Hall and proceeded to eloquently, forcefully, (and with great civility), tell the Interim Waste Authority that -their proposed dump sites in Clarke were not suitable or acceptable. The IWA also left Town. During my terms I have also been pleased to con- tribute to Council decisions that enacted our first Woodlot Preservation By-Law, and measures to protect the Oakridges Moraine and Ganaraska forest within our municîpality. I think there is an increased awareness of the importance of the natural environment on our quality of life. Similarly, the economic environment of our communi- ty has a direct impact on our quality of life. Five consecu- tive years of no tax increase has helped to restore business confidence in the Municipality. Over the past 6 years many measures have been taken to create a climate where businesses feel that local government is respon- sive to their needs. A tangible example of this is the recent move of EI Rod Industries to Orono. A key factor in their decision to relocate to Clarington was their discus- sion with members of the Economic Development Liaison Team (made up of local business people) who told them that Clarington was a good place to do business. Economic development is a slow process but I am con- vinced we are headed in the right direction. Concerns about some of the youth in our community has an effect on our social environment. Three years ago I introduced a motion that set up a temporary (ad hoc) task- force to address the concerns of youth across the municipal- ity. That group of hard work- ing people researched and produced a report that has become a blueprint for future action. Their recommenda- tions are now being imple- mented by another group of dedicated volunteers in our community. Sometimes, local government just needs to give the community a nudge in the right direction. I was pleased to be able to participate in the development of the new Official Plan for the Municipality. It took five years to complete and involved an unprecedented level of consultation with the public. It is our planning blueprint for the next 20 years, and will determine the kind of community we will become. It provides for the protection of our natural envi- ronment, the preservation of our natural resources (in par- ticular, our agricultural her- itage), and a reasonable bal- ance between residential and industrial/commercial growth. However, it is only a Plan, it can be changed, and it requires the ongoing political will to make it work. It is my experience with local government that the more people participate in it, the better it works. Invariably, better decisions are made when people take the time to appear as delegations, or pro- vide written input. I have tried to make Council more accessible by holding regular constituent forums" for my constituents and introduced a by-law that requires Councîl meeting to be held in each of the three wards once every quarter. Of particular impor- tance in the local democratic process are our community "watchdog" organizations. To the Committee of Clarke Constituents, the Newcastle Ratepayers Association, the Bond Head Community Association, the North Clarington Ratepayers Association, and SAGA, I ) [ 77777777ý% KENDAL UNITED CHURCH Kendal, Ontario Sunday, June 29, 1997 Worship & Sunday School 11:15 a.m. "GLORIOUS AND FREE" Pleasejoin us "A good place to be... a healthy place for children" Minister: Rev. David Black 786-2950 have just two words of advise, - "remain vigilant". Also, some advice to my successor as the new Local Councillor for our community, "look after my constituents and their environment(s), or I'il become your constituent from hell!" Being your Local Councillor has been an educa- tional and satisfying experi- ence. I have been in a posi- tion to meet a wide variety of interesting people. I will miss the meetings with my fellow board members at the Clarke Museum, the Newcastle Hall Board, the Clarington Library, and the Ganaraska Regional Conservation Authority. Working with them and others has reinforced my view that volunteers are the backbone of our community. The more people are involved, the healthier our community will be. It has been said that "pub- lic service is the rent we pay for taking up space on this earth". I figure my rent is paid up for a while! It has been a privilege to represent you. Thank you for your support. David Scott Local Councillor, Ward 3 (4) Subscribe to the Orono Weekly Times ORONO fPASTORAL b CHARGE Minister Rev Mervyn Russell Secretary Marlene Risebrough 983-5702 Church Office 983-5502 CHURCH SERVICES Sunday, June 29, 1997 Kirby United Church 9:30 a.m. Orono United Church 11:00 a.m. A.A. meets every Thursday 7:30 p.m. TICKETS Anniversary Dinner 983-5550 or 983-9308 Sing Along Messiah 983-5208