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

8 Orono Weekly limes, Wednesday, December 2,1998 Staying In by John -O'Toole, MPP The decision by the Municipality of Clarington Council to increase their pay has caused a number of cails to my constituency office. In rny view, now is flot the time to increase your pay while blarn- ing the province for increasing taxes. It wasn't long ago that the- Region of 'Durham increased their pay also.» The provincial MPPs voted to decrease their pay by 5% and to eliminate the pension plan. It will be difficuit for the mnunici- palities to deny management or their unions a raise in any negotiations after they have given tbemselves a consider- able raise. Perhaps the solution is to put the question 10 the out- going counicil before the next municipal election and see what the voter bas to say. 1 arn preparing this article on Sunday evening and com- menling on the Quebec elec- lion. AUl-1 can say is that an election is certainly the time for people to have their say. In Quebec, the question of Canadian unity should also be on people's minds when they casl their vote. Canada does not need disunity and certainly we don't need another referen- dumn anytime soon. The future of the Durhami Region and local governmnt is a very current issue. This pasl week and next week in the legisiature, Bill 56 is being debated. The formaI name of the legislation is, "An Act 10 eslablisb the Greater Toronto Services Board and the Greater Toronto Transit Authority and 10 amend the Toronto Area Transit Operating Aulhorily Act". I arn scbeduled 10 speak on Ibis legisiation again next week. Let me point out the pur- pose of Ibis legisiation. Part 1, section 2, states: 1) 10 pro- mole and facilitale co-ordinat- ed decision making among the municipalilies in the Greater Toronto Area 2) 10, exercise general direc- tion and control over GT Transit and allocale costs of GT Transit in accordance wilh the Act. Before December 2000, the Board shaîl conduct a review of ils' size, ils member- ship and its powers and report 10, the Government. 1I will be questioning options for my riding. Can we opl ouI? Bill 56 is a serious challenge for my riding and i amn anxious that my conslituent's views are heard. The agricultural commu- nity-does not have the popula- lion and must have a stronger voice, perbaps a veto power on certain land use and environ- mental issues. 1 have spoken directly 10 the mayors, many couincilors and interested cîti- zens on thîisse Clear-ly, 1 hav e paid atenition to imy con- Stilltun 1ts nIis issue o0ver the years. 1 understa-ýLnd thatihelicvast Touch when it cornes to beïng lumped into a Toronto centered plan. However, the question is do we want to be in or ouI of the future growth and developmenl in this part of Ontario? I want options for Durham. I want the minisler to understand that Durham is different from Peel, York or Toronto. The vast majorily of my constituents do nol want 10 be part of the GTA, allhouigh, we do want improved GO Transit and more jobs. As you can see this is not a simple issue. 1 need 10 bear your con- cernis. I must vote the way my constituents wanl on Ibis issue. The agrîcultural seclor is expeieningsome difficull limes. The price of corn and beans are down from 1997 prices, the price of pork bas dropped dramatically. 1 met wilh Will Nap, Chairman ofîthe Pork producers alone -with Dennis Zekveld ,a Direclor, and a number of producers this past weekend. I also attended a meeting with our Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ibis past week. We are wailing 10 respond 10 Ibe Federal deci- sion on this malter. 1 amn sure we ail recognize Ibal Ibis crisis must be supported responsibly. The Ontario Pork induslry accounits for somne 43,000 jobs direclly and indirectly and lbey contribute some .$4.5 billion 10 the Ontario economy. The pork pr oducer bas a net loss of about $78.00 on each market hog, Ibis is a loss of about $1.5 mil- lion per day. Tbis is a complex problem and the industry is working with boîb levels of government 10 develop the best solution in tbe short and long termn. Many students and parents have been calling my office regarding the student demon- sîrations prolesting the lack of extra curricular activities. 1 bave written to the Direclor of Education for District Scbool Board #14 as well as the Minisler of Education on the situation in Clarington. Il is best thal the boards and the teacber's unions solve this problem lthrougb negoliations. One local paper crilicized the sîudents for staging an illegal strike or demonstralion; 1 won- der where they learned this tac- tic? 1 arn on tbe studenî's side. Clarington F-ire muýCatis The Clarmngton Fire Department responded 10 the following calis during the period of November 25 10 November 30, 1998: 1 vehicle fire; 3 motor vehicle acci- dents; 10 medical assistance caTis: 5 alanm activation calis anid 4 check-out calls. WeIf are group adopts- tactics The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) bas unveiled an advertising cam- paign to hlghlight the dismal performance of the Mike Hanris governiment on wlldlife management issues. The campaign uses the Tories' own campalgn tactics against them, and will motivate the public bo oppose the expan- sion of hunting mbt more than 200 provincial parks, the legalization of 12 year old hunters. and the continua- lion of the spring bear hunt. The hard-hitling campaign makes use of print ads in community and daily news- papers, pamphlets, radio spots,, bus poster/panels and city bilîboards. In addition, fifteen thousand videos against the spring bear hunt, ncluding commentary by prominent Tories, will be delivered to Ontario residents during the aggressive cam- paign. "IFAW bas launcbed an election-style advertislng campaign and massive vldeo drop on the Niagara Peninsula tb challenge Premier Mike Haris' pathetic record in protecting Ontario's wildllfe," stated Rob Sinclair, IFAW's Queen's Park Representative (416) 532- 7875 or (416) 432-3120. Of special interest in the IFAW campaign are the sit- ting govemrmenl MPPs in the new provinicial ridings of Wentworth-Burlingt on, Hamilton West, Hamilton Mountain, Stoney- Creek, Erie-Lincoln, Niagara Centre and Niagara Falls. "These MPPs won tbeir seats by very small margins," noted Sinclair. "I hope Ibis cam- paign will alert tbem to the fact that their constituents will hold them accounlable for their government's treat- ment of wildlife in the next provincial election." p 4 p r Nutty Caramel Crisps Chocolate-coated, crispy, peanut squares with an irresistible taste! 1/2 cup 125 mL Crown or Beehive Corn Syrup 1/2 cup 125 mL Skippy Creamy or Squirrel Extra-Smooth peanut butter 1/2 cup, 125 mL packed brown sugar 3 cups 750 mL crisp rice cereal 1/2 cup 125 mL peanuts - Mazola no-stick cooking spray 1lcup 250 mL semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted 1/4 cup 50 mL finely chopped peanuts iii large saucepan combine syrup, peanut butter and brown sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until smooth and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal and 1/2 cup (125 mL) peanuts until coated. Press firmnly into 8" (20 cm) square pan sprayed with cook- ing spray. Spread with melted chips. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts; press gently into chocolate. Cool until chocolate is firm. Cut into squares. Makes 25 squares. S10% Off AIl Servics ESTHETIC STUDIO Ü - Pedicures É -Manicures a Air Brushing - Nail Extensions - Waxing - Ear Candling ff Eyelash Tinting * DURHAM FARMERS' COUfi -Saturday,Dg ~Ž#~Žlo%<9 ( y. ~. j:store Corne in and see Santa frorn 10 a.mý to 12 Noon ITY CO-OP ýecember 5th Priced in-stockçj items! (Orono Store OnIy) FREE HOT DOGS, COOKIES, COFFEE & JUIUE... il a. m. toi1 p.m. (boIfl stores) NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME Funeraf Director - Carl qood Personal, professional, affordable service.- Genesis Bereavement Resource Centre on-site, ta serve the community. Informative funeral home tours are welcome. 386 Miii Street South, Newcastle (lust northo f 401l- Parkng off %26ert .Street) (905) 987-3964