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WM Delivered j Free of Charge to 18,000 Homes in Clarington from The Publishers of Canadian Statesman 1 W0â y/ys/'/sÆ r I W/y&vZ&y&'jA "y&jfôtôs'ÿ- 'yy'//, ".y y. M w/Æzmm. W ,-yf.-s///sjrS//yjss/s/ys.-yj WSÊÊm wmmËML Huskies Bring A Lesson in Teamwork by Lorraine Manfredo Bruce Langmaid's sled A dogs have run so many miles over the years that they could have hauled their master across Canada and back by now. Running 20 or more miles in a single day is exactly what these hard-working dogs were bred for. And, judging by the way they react when the harnesses go on, it seems to be pretty much what they live for. Getting hooked up to the gangline gangline sets the team leaping over each other and barking, eager to hit the trail. About the only thing that compares compares to their passion for charging down a snowy track is their absolute devotion to their musher. Watching Langmaicl praise and stroke his animals animals during a visit to Enniskillen Public school last Wednesday, it's clear that this devotion runs both ways. ■ r ;. :p ; £ "The dogs are trained strictly with praise and reward," he told a group of students and staff gathered at the school. With his lead dog, Ice- turn to page three : MtËM flftl OFF AND RUNNING -- Students at Enniskillen Public School were treated to a dogsledding demonstration last Wednesday by professional musher Bruce Langmaid from Port Perry. His dogteam didn't waste a second speeding off across the schoolyard when students and Mr. Langmaid yelled Mush! --photo by Lorraine Manfredo Durham Region taxpayers won't see any increases in their 1994 tax bills as the result of a budget set by regional council on Wednesday. The spending blueprint approved by Durham's elected officials means that the average household in Clarington Clarington will pay just over $400 in taxes assessed by the Durham Region. Region. ; The remaining components of the municipal tax bill -- the local municipal municipal levy and school board levies -- have not yet been set. After close to four hours of debate debate Wednesday afternoon, regional councillors accepted a budget which includes a net regional tax levy of approximately $93 million. A last-minute decision not to set aside $500,000 for future contribu tions to hospital funding in Durham had reduced spending even further than what had originally been recommended recommended by the Durham Region's finance committee. Durham region staff said the budget budget was not accomplished without sacrifices. One of the major challenges challenges faced in 1994 was a reduction reduction of $5.7 million in grants from the provincial government. "The departments decreased their net expenditures by a total of $7.8 million to meet the council guidelines," guidelines," said Gary Cubbitt, Chief Administrative Administrative Officer for the Durham Region. The chief administrator also referred referred to "dramatic" cutbacks in the number of staff at the Durham Region. Region. "There are some 138 positions that have been reduced," he explained. explained. Durham has also saved $618,000 it part-time staff salaries. Finance Commissioner Jack Gar- tley added that although Durham has cut expenditures drastically, the region is still fiscally healthy. "Even though the budgets have been cut drastically in some cases, the financial strength of the Region 1 has been maintained in 1994," he said. Mr. Gartley added that the Dur ham Region continues to enjoy a Triple-A credit rating from bond rating rating agencies. Durham's elected officials are especially especially proud of the fact that they will be participating in a $117 million million federal government infrastructure infrastructure program. This program, which is designed to create jobs and build facilities such as roads and watermains, is funded equally by the provincial, federal and municipal levels of gov ernment. The work on the Durham Region infrastructure program is to take place over the next two years. "I think, when the dust all settles after this two-year period, we should be in even better condition that we are now," said Don Hadden, Chairman of the Durham Region's finance committee. Regional Chairman Gary Herre- ma commended Durham's staff for their role in the budget preparation. "I think they have done a superb job in difficult times," he said. A&P Canadian Tire* Dickson Flooring Family Realty 2000 Ltd. Graham's IGA* Maxi Drug Newcastle Square Boy Pizza* ('indicates partial distribution) For information about inserting flyers in The Independent, please contact our office at 623-3303 Durham Councillors Want Improvements to Hwy 401 The widening of Highway 401 may be of greater importance to Durham Region than the proposed Highway 407 project. At a meeting of regional council in Whitby last Wednesday, elected officials voted to prepare a staff report report on the importance of both highways highways to the future of Durham Region. Region. When the staff document is completed, completed, representatives of the Durham Durham Region will make a presentation presentation to Ontario Premier Bob Rae and the provincial Minister of Transportation regarding the urgen cy of improving Durham's transportation transportation system. "The widening of 401 is vitally important to the Region of Durham," Durham," said Ajax Mayor Jim Witty. He added it is expected that the widening of Highway 401 as far as Brock Rd., in Pickering, will be completed by 1998. He estimates that at this rate, the freeway would not be extended to Clarington until about.the year 2005. "If there is anything that holds back development in the Durham Region, it is our lack of transportation," transportation," Mayor Witty warned. "We have to get into Clarington with five lanes on each side," said Regional Chairman Gary Herrema. He said the current six-lane highway out of Metro Toronto is not enough to handle the traffic. Port Perry Mayor Howard Hall said Durham councillors are also attempting attempting to ensure that Highway 407 would continue into the regional regional municipality of Durham. But, he agreed that new northern freeway is many years away from reality in Durham Region The widening of the existing Highway 401 will come first, he added.