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F ederal NDP Executives Warn About Post Office New Administrator for Visual Arts Centre by Rob Savage The Federal Government may soon be closing your local post office, and you'll only get 90 days notice if they do. That was the message delivered delivered by executives of the local Durham-Northumber- land NDP during a public meeting last week. "We certainly are not going to have any improvement improvement in the services," NDP association executive Linda McLaughlin told fellow fellow association members and concerned citizens attending attending the meeting. Instead, Ms. McLaughlin and executive members Wilf Day and Marg Wilbur warned that many local post offices face the threat of amalgamation with other post offices or replacement with the new superboxes. Mr. Day, a Port Hope lawyer and President of the Durham-Northumberland NDP, said some Canadians were fooled by recent claims from the federal Progressive Conservative party which said the government government would not be eliminating postal carriers in rural areas. "The fact is that that was only one aspect of the postal cutback plan," Mr. Day warned, adding that the government hadn't reversed reversed its intentions on other plans first announced last October. Citing a recent report from a Progressive Conservative Conservative backbench committee, committee, Mr. Day said the government government was threatening to remove remove any post office which is within 8 km of another post office and servicing less than 1,000 people. He said they would replace it with a superbox. He said Newtonville was one area in immediate danger from that plan. He also said the report mentioned that post offices within 10 to 16 km distance from another larger post office office which service less than 1,000 people could be replaced replaced by superboxes or amalgamated, depending upon the number of houses served. That would threaten Kendal, Kendal, Bethany and Pon- typool, Mr. Day said. The situation becomes more complicated by conflicting conflicting reports from Parliament Parliament on further hearings into the matter. .And the issue of deciding which post offices serve less than 1,000 people could be fudged, he argued, since post offices are not classified classified according to the number number of people served. "They cannot give you a list of which post offices serve less than 1,000 people," he said. Area residents would have 90 days to respond to anannouncementthattheir post office was to be replaced, replaced, Mr. Day added. He followed this warning with a description of the superbox scheme for new subdivisions. Mr. Day said the government government plan is to put superboxes superboxes on any new roads' which are not currently being serviced through home delivery. New houses added on existing routes would be serviced but no new routes will be created. Projections are that the boxes will service 200,000 houses at a 0.2 per cent savings savings to Canada Post, Mr. Day said. He warned that residents in the new Courtice subdivisions subdivisions could add this to their current list of existing problems. problems. Ms. McLaughlin said that the plan to sell some rural post offices to private business business is also hazardous and offers no security that the post office won't close down if it isn't profitable. And all members recommended recommended writing to MP Allan Lawrence and NDP leader Ed Broadbent to express their concern over the matter. matter. "If we feel strongly about this, all of us must work hard to ensure it doesn't happen," Ms. Wilbur said. M.P. Lawrence Responds To Allegations byN.D.P. by Rob Savage MP Allan Lawrence is defying defying the Durham-North- ■ umberland NDP association's association's allegations that the ; distance between post offices offices will be a factor used by Canada Post to close certain certain offices. "They're a little outdated on their information on that," Mr. Lawrence said in response to a public information information meeting held by the NDP association at Bow- manville High School last week. Mr. Lawrence said charges from the NDP association association that the government government would look at post offices offices within 8 km of a larger post office are wrong." He said distance : considerations considerations proposed by Canada Post are now "out the window." window." However, Mr. Lawrence added that the government has no final decision on what the judging criteria for rural post offices will be. He confirmed that the number of people serviced along a route could be a possible possible factor in any decision to amalgamate a post office. But he added that the basis would be the amount of work occurring within any office and said that Canada Canada Post and the government government will be continuing negotiations before any actions actions are taken. The differences between the NDP association's charges and Mr. Lawrence's claims arise from a Canada Post report .that, came to Parliament last October. The report said Canada Post's deficit could be reduced reduced through the elimination elimination of rural delivery routes Guys and Gals Hair Salon 20% OFF All Perms ) given by Gwen, Lynda, Sue or Marietta for the month of January. Reg. $ 35 Perm NOW $ 28 623-1341 Reg. *60 Perm NOW $ 48 28 Division St., Bowmanville or CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC NOTICE TO ITS CITIZENS APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Applications will be received by the undersigned In writing from any eligible person who would like to be considered for appointment or re-appointment to any of the following local boards and committees, ol the Town ol Newcastle, Applicants must be at least 18 years ol age and meet the qualifications associated with Ihe board or committee for which the application is being submitted. All applications should state the office being applied for and must Include full name, address, telephone number, qualifications experience, and present occupation. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Museum Boards (Clarke and Bowmanville) Newcastle Community Services Advisory Board Game Commission Livestock Valuers Fence Viewers Pound Keepers Hospital Board (To bo appointed In June 1907) Properly Standards Commllteo All applications should be forwarded to the Town Clerk. David W. Oakes B.A., A.M.C.T.,C.M.O. Town Clork Town ol Nowcasllo -lOTompornncoSIroot Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3A6 FIIO35.G0.2 and the reorganization of rural post offices. Mr. Lawrence said he and, other government backbenchers backbenchers "were pretty damn upset" with the report, leading to the creation of a standing committee to investigate investigate the matter. In their response, the committee insisted that rural postal routes cannot be eliminated. The federal government endorsed that position. The current issue of controversy controversy was the report's request request for more details on the reorganization of post offices. NDP Durham-Northumberland Durham-Northumberland association president president Wilf Day said it's not clear that Canada Post will be following the committee's committee's recommendation to look at each post office on an individual basis. He said any post office within an 8 km distance that services less than 1,000 people could be eliminated. Mr. Lawrence contends that Canada Post will be returning returning to the government, to finalize any reorganiza-. tion plans. He said population population is a possible consideration, consideration, but argues that the amount of mail traffic is another consideration being looked at. "The standard's got to be whether there is enough mail passing through that rural post office," Mr. Lawrence Lawrence said. He said the solution for those offices without enough work may involve the addition of another business, business, similar to the storefront storefront post offices currently run in some areas. Both Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Day concur that in the long-run, the government will be selling some post offices offices to private owners. However, Mr. Lawrence maintains that from his view, the major problem with Canada Post is in the urban centres like Oshawa and Mississauga. "You go to almost any rural post office today and they will show you a handful handful of mail that has been wrongly machine-encoded," machine-encoded," he said. "That's a human failure, not a machine failure." He argues that Canada Post "have certainly tried to escape parliamentary scrutiny" in their efforts to, become more cost-efficient but will be forced to answer to the government before changes occur. "When people blame the post office, they blame the government." On Monday, January, 5, 1987, Denisë Vanson was officially named the new administrator of the Town of Newcastle's Visual Arts Centre. Ms. Vanson has a well established educational and employment background and says she hopes to bring new and innovative ideas into the Centre. by Tammy Hill "I would like to increase awareness of the Centre in all age groups." This is the goal that new Visual Arts Centre Administrator, Administrator, Denise Van- son, said she is hoping to reach. As of Monday, January 5, 1987, Ms. Vanson officially took on the administrative position. Ms. Vanson said she will continue to run the Centre based on what her predecessor, predecessor, Elfriede Haunsberger, has established established as guidelines. And she hopes to bring her arts background and experience experience together to offer new and innovative ideas. Ms. Vanson surely has a well rounded educational and practical background to assist her in reaching these goals. After achieving her dip : loma in a two year General Business program at Durham College, Ms. Van- son stepped into the work force to take on a position at a personnel agency in Toronto. Toronto. The position, which included interviewing, analyzing the job market, and counselling for managerial managerial positions, has given Ms. Vanson a keen sense of thte the business work force. Following several years in this post, Ms. Vanson returned returned to school to further her education. Enrolled in a consecutive diploma course in the Visual Arts, she was able to earn a three year Visual Arts diploma from Sheridan College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto. Toronto. During these school years, she was employed at the Canada Employment Centre for Students for one summer in Oshawa and a second in Bowmanville as supervisor. Denise Vanson commented commented that her position in Bowmanville gave her the opportunity to aquaint herself herself with the private, nonprofit, nonprofit, and business sectors in the area. Aside from her educational educational and employment background, Denise Van- son is also actively involved in the arts. While attending the University University of Toronto she was employed as a practising artist by the institution at their liberal arts building in Mississauga. The entire entrance of the building is, decorated with a mural series painted by Ms. Van- son in a project which took four months to complete. She is continuing her work as an artist, with a commission from Sklar- Peppler Furniture in Whitby on a freelance basis. She will be responsible for constructing a mural scries in their cafeteria. And since the adminis- . 5ikken5 Datool Publication: January 14,1907, a,satin - gloss, soe-lhrough coaling for Interior wood surfaces two coats gives a fully Iransparonl washable surface needs no sanding sealer or varnish lop coat available In clear and several wood lonos Available at Central Paint and Wallpaper cetabei/ei rrv parant sc 295 Ritson K(l. 728-6809 Oshnv trator's position at the Visual Visual Arts Centre is part-time employment, Ms. Vanson said, "that is how I can manage manage to freelance as well," 1 But presently Ms. Vanson is looking into future plans within the Visual Arts Centre. Included in these are the introduction of oil and acrylic acrylic courses and bringing more of these arts into the gallery. She is also looking at the possibility of introducing introducing three-dimensional arts. Pottery is presently the only three-dimensional medium being displayed in the Visual Arts Centre. But the new administrator would like to introduce arts such as design and sculpture. However, she added that she would first have to look into the demand for these types of art and establish what can be offered. In addition to courses, Ms. Vanson is looking into the possibility of arranging for guest speakers. Although she is enthiastic about all of the above projects, projects, Ms. Vanson will be directing directing much of her time in the immediate future to the Winter Harvest (third annual annual juried craft show), and two upcoming shows. Ms. Vanson said, "I am hoping to bring a wider variety of works into the Centre." 4H Member Receives Provincial Scholarship by Marlene Werry, P.Ag. R.O. Specialist Lynn McLaughlin, of R.R.#1, Nestleton was recently recently awarded the Federated Federated Women's Institute of Ontario Hoodless-Lee Scholarship. The $200 scholarship is one of four awarded to 4-H members across Ontario. Selections are based 'bm 4-H involvement, involvement, extracurricular activities activities , and scholastic standing. Lynn has been a very active active 4-H member in Durham East for eight years. She has successfully completed thirty-two 4-H projects, receiving receiving many local, regional regional and provincial awards, such as the Ted Buttery Memorial Scholar ship, and the Gulf Canada 4-H Citizenship Study Award. Lynn is currently enrolled enrolled at the Ontario Agricultural Agricultural college in her second year of the Bachelor of Science Science (Agriculture) program. program. She is actively involved involved with her class executive,. executive,. and ,,i,n.. intrqmyral sports. Lynn is a very active member of her comniunity, attributing much of tier personal personal skills development to her éxperiences in 4-H. Luella Lewis of Mount Albert, Albert, Provincial Board Director, Director, presented the scholarship scholarship to Lynn on behalf of the Federated Women's Institute Institute of Ontario. Lynn is the daughter of Lawrence and Linda McLaughlin. DAVE HILLS BUILDING SERVICES Complete design, drafting and construction service. CUSTOM HOMES - ADDITIONS RENOVATIONS - ETC. Telephone 623-1495 HAMILTONS INSURANCE SERVICE flBfif Main St., Orono mtSmm 983-5115 SERVING YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS FOR 35 YEARS Nelda Dawson 623-4835 Susan Sawyer 983-5767 Many thinking people are pre-arranging funerals At quiettimes, along with their own private thoughts, many people --both young and elderly --are making the sensible decision to pre-arrange thelrfuneral. Their wishes are made known well before time of need, removing stress from surviving relatives. Call or write for our selection of brochures on the various aspects of funerals and pre-planning. Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home 53 Division Street BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 2Z8 Phone 623-5668 Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, January 14.1987 3 Two New Members of Oshawa Rebels The Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps recently had two new members join their group from the Bowmanville area. Jason Adams (left) already plays the horn, so he joined the Corps to broaden his skills and is now a member of the bass' drum line. Jason Marcoux, of Bowmanville, joined the Corps and is learning to play the soprano bugle. Changes in Busing Policy Approved by Committee by Rob Savage The first step in the local fight to change the North- umberland-Newcastle school board busing policy was reached last week. The board's Operations and Finance Committee voted in favor of a new policy policy which would reduce the maximum walking distance to secondary schools to two miles. However, it's an achievement achievement which isn't being overblown overblown by members of the public or school board representatives representatives who support the change. They recognize that the true battle comes tomorrow night, when the board makes its final decision decision on the matter. "We're hoping if we have a lot of public support, there's just no way ttie board could turn their backs on us," said Sharon Morgan, a resident of Alonna St„ Bowmanville. She noted that Waverley area residents were sending sending flyers throughout their neighbourhood during the weekend to generate support. support. Up to three buses will be leaving the Waverley Public Public School parking lot at 6:30 p.m. to take interested residents residents to the board meeting in Port Hope Thursday, Jan- uary 15. Mrs. Morgan will then give a delegation on behalf of the group, admitting that she hasn't become too inspired inspired by last week's committee committee decision since it could easily be rejected by the board. At the same time, the Operations Operations and Finance committee committee vote is some help. The committee voted 5-3 in favor of changing the current current school board policy which has maximum walking walking distances of three miles for youngsters 10 and older, two miles for youngsters from seven to 10, and one mile for youngsters under seven. The new policy recommended recommended by the committee would have maximum distances distances of two miles for secondary secondary students and one mile for elementary students. students. That change would have a gross cost of $337,731 and would lead to 17 new buses throughout the board's jurisdiction. About 80 per cent of the. funding would gome from the province, leaving local taxpayers with a cost of $67,546. The costs could be a deterrent deterrent on the school board's decision, and Mrs. Morgan admits the vote could go against the parent group since only five of the 16 board members have voted in favor of the new policy so far. However, the Waverley Road area residents will still push fora busing policy which they hope will benefit benefit all interested parties. Ideally, Mrs. Morgan says residents would like to see the maximum distance for secondary school students reduced to 1.5 miles. That change would lead to an additional 24 buses for the board at a gross cost of $473,771. The cost to taxpayers taxpayers after provincial funding would be $94,755, Mrs. Morgan says a change to 1.5 miles for secondary secondary school students would guarantee busing for all residents in the Waverley Waverley Road area. "We don't want the two mile limit, we want the one and one-half mile limit," she said. "But we're going to take what we can get."/ She notes that any change will be rejected by some board members. She says some trustees fear the 80, per cent support from the provincial government government will drop in the future. ' Yet, she also points to the argument made by trustees Mike Slocombe and Donna Fairey that Northumber- land-Newcastle is the only board which maintains a maximum distance greater than two miles for any of its vounesters. Do you know someone who deserves a medal? If you know someone who has made Ontario a better place to live...through their selflessness, humanity and kindness...tell us. An Advisory Council of Ontario citizens, whose honourary honourary chairman is the Lieutenant Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, selects the recipients from nominations made by you each year. We need your nominations by March 14, 1987. Nomination forms are available now by writing: writing: The Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat, Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, 5th Floor, Mowat Block, 900 Bay Street, Toronto M7A iCl The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship