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Start Your Engines m Never Too Old For Romance Orono Fair £è September 4-7 ! |j! SPORTS Sec. B 1 i PROFILE pg. io V 1 \ A' / 1 ' <r y ■ SIS PAGES 7-10, Section B i! £2£Kî®-- • tan Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 C>{ /fvCy < >> A James Publishing Community Newspaper Wednesday, September 3,1997 143rd Year Issue 35 ■ ■MMi Urban Centres Block Merger Of Utilities by Jennifer Herr Staff Wriler The Durham College University Centre got a "real boost" from its rural supporters last week. The Agriculture Committee for the Creating Futures campaign announced on Thursday that it would be fundraising fundraising in the Clarington farming community with a goal to bring in $50,000. Getting a lift in the loader bucket operated by Tom Morawetz are Agriculture Committee Chair Kirk Kemp (holding son Byron) Clarington/Northumberland Chair A1 Strike, Francis Jose, and Bruce Taylor (standing). Overall, $12 million million is needed to establish the University Centre. -photo by Lorraine Manfredo In spite of a study saying that amalgamation of Durham's eight public utility commissions (P.U.C.s) could save the region up to $5 million million annually, the merger continues to have trouble garnering support from the larger municipalities in the region. The study was released at a •Pickering meeting last Friday. The five area members of provincial parliament, parliament, along with politicians and P.U.C. chairs and general managers, got a chance to look at the study. It was put together by two consultant groups - Acres International Limited and Humanagement. The study is a result of calls from the provincial government, asking regions to look at amalgamations of all sorts. The Durham study suggested suggested the most savings could be realized by grouping all eight groups into one P.U.C. But Whitby and Oshawa politicians politicians arc against the idea, saying it could, in fact, increase costs for their residential ratepayers, in spite ,yJi\ the ib.gion.-wide savings* -They "say they would end up subsidizing less populated rural areas, such as Clarington, where the cost of delivery delivery of services is higher. "We do not see that an amalgamation,^ amalgamation,^ possible in the model that is presented in this report. What it would mean is higher rates for Oshawa ratepayers and those higher costs would be based just on the amalgamation. That doesn't make sense," said Oshawa Mayor Nancy Diamond, after the presentation. "We should be changing structure structure in order to provide better service service at less cost, and not have one utility subsidizing another." But Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre was quick to point out that urban areas rely on rural areas, too. She says urban politicians often forget forget all the resources rural areas provide provide for the urban. "They seem to forget that we provide their aggregate, which builds their highways and their office lowers. We provide the food. It's our agricultural land that feeds them, and we provide the head waters, which is the basis for the healthy and safe drinking water," she said. "If we ever put a wall around our rural municipalities and stopped sending our aggregate, and our agricultural agricultural products, and our safe drinking water, they would shrivel up and die," she reminded urban politicians during the meeting. The meeting was hosted by Pickering Hydro, and the report was presented by Pickering Hydro's general manager John Wiersma. He said the majority of the savings would come from .staff restructuring, restructuring, but that no employee would be involuntarily terminated. Anyone who chose to leave would be offered a significant buy-out package. He also assured politicians that they would ensure savings were distributed distributed across all the municipalities equally. Back to School School Board's Buildings Get $3 Million Tune-Up by Lorraine Manfredo Staff Wriler Kids aren't only ones with new back-to-school duds. A lot of their schools are sporting a fresh look for the new term, too. Work crews have been on a hectic hectic pace putting on fresh paint, new roofs, refinishing floors and even installing new healing systems at many schools in the Clarington area. It's all part of the $3 million budget budget for major upgrades allotted for the 1997 year by the Northumberland and Clarington School Board. In Clarington, "about 60% of the buildings have had some sort of special special project done," says Doug Wilson, Facilities Planner for the Board. Major upgrades are done on a rotating schedule so schools that need attention most, get it. Following is a list of major upgrades completed over the summer: summer: Courlice South P.S. got major improvements to its heating system, including new pipes and a replacement replacement of the boiler and hot water heater. The work is valued at Mosport Weekend Attracts 50,000 by Laura J. Richards • Staff Wriler Between 45,000 and 50,000 people enjoyed the racing and concerts at Mosport Park during the Labour Day weekend, says a local councillor. Clarington's Ward Three Regional Councillor Ann Drcslinski told The Statesman she went to the raceway for the official opening under the new management team on Saturday. "This was a well-organized weekend event," Councillor Drcslinski said. Continued on page 3 $55,000. M.J. Hobbs will have new. replacement of the weeping tile bed for the septic system valued at $85,000. , Asphalt paving for parking lot and playground was done at Mitchell's Corners, Enniskillen Public School, Hampton P.S., S. T. Worden, Ontario Street P.S., and The Pines Senior Public which adds up to about $84,000. Roofing work has been done at four schools. The section done at Bowmanville High School cost just over $120,000; a section at Newtonvillc P. S. cost $20,000; the south end at Ontario Street P. S. cost $26,000; a section at the front of Waverlcy P.S. cost $22,000; and completing the gym roof at Orono P.S. is expected to cost about $22,000. Several schools received interior paint jobs. The price tag to paint Bowmanville Senior Public top to bottom was $84,000. Interior paint jobs at Lockhart P.S. cost $9,000; at Maple Grove, $5,000; and at Mitchell's Corners, $9,000. Portions of each of the three public public high schools were painted inside, costing $35,000 at Bowmanville High School; $11,000 at Clarke; and $18,000 at Courticc High School. As well, a number of portables have been relocated. Six portables left vacant when the new Newcastle Public School was built last year were moved. Two each went to Courticc Secondary School and to S. T. Worden. The other two went to Courticc North and Terry Fox P.S. in Cobourg. One portable at Lord Elgin was moved to BHS. Four portables at BSPS were moved to Ontario Street Public School and Waverlcy P.S. due to changes in school structure. This coming year the two elementary elementary schools will move to a K- to-7 student population, and in 1998 the schools will offer grades K to 8. Sixteen other facilities received minor exterior paint jobs totaling in the neighborhood of $40,000. Other major projects included an upgrade to the science room at Courticc Secondary School for $29,000; a storage shed for The Pines Senior Public costing $10,000; and refinishing the gym floor at Clarke High School which cost about $8,500. The first phase of construction at the new Lydia Trull Public School in Courticc will begin this fall. The school is scheduled to open in September of 1998. Every one of the 54 elementary, eight secondary and four Centres for Individual Study have boilers cleaned and inspected. They also receive a thorough beginning-of- thc-ycar spifl'-up job by custodial staff. Obstacle Course The final group of 20 Junior Firefighters got suited up in while oversuits at Ontario Hydro's Darlington Nuclear Generating Station on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The boys and girls aged 11 to 12, got a chance to pick up small items with a large set of tweezers used by the Emergency Preparedness Unit and then went through an obstacle course set up by the unit. The youngsters had to take a roll of rope and a dummy named "George" through the obstacle course which included stepping through tires and around pylons. 700 + 50 G.S.T. = 750 FOOD BANK NEEDS A HOME -- The Clarington East Food Bank must vacate its current current premises and space is desperately desperately needed as soon as possible. possible. They would prefer a donated or low-rent space in Newcastle Village. If you can assist, call Liz at 987-1325 or 987-1418; Charles at 987-4551 or Deb at 987-3342. COME TO THE FAIR -- Here's a reminder of the annual Orono Fair which kicks off Thursday, September 4th, and continues until Sunday, September 7th. All the usual attractions will be back, along with some new ones. The traditional traditional parade to the fairgrounds has been moved to Thursday evening, to coincide with the opening night activities. Among the other highlights is the Demolition Derby Friday night. LOCAL SCHOOL HAS BOOTH AT FAIR -- Bowmanville Senior Public School has once again taken the initiative to set up a snack bar at the Orono Fair to raise funds for such items as sports equipment, computer software and school trips. Look for the school's "Hard Rock Canteen" near the grandstand. It will be staffed by students, parent's and staff.. COUNTRYSIDE ADVENTURE ADVENTURE -- The weekend following following the fair, you can continue to explore Clarington's rural lifestyle with the Durham Countryside Adventure. It will be held September 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It features an opportunity to visit local orchards, farms and gardens, meet skilled artists and generally enjoy Clarington's hamlets, villages villages and wide open spaces. WATCH FOR KIDS -- Now that school is back in session, motorists are urged to be extra careful, since the children are back on the roads and sidewalks. The Ministry of Transportation reminds everyone that the fines for passing a school bus with its overhead red lights flashing have been doubled to a range between $400 and $2,000. For repeat offenders, the fine is $1,000 to $4,000. - ROTARY HOSTS BIG BBQ The Great Clarington all-you- can-eat Barbecue will be held this Saturday, September 6th, at Ted Watson Farms. It features pork, chicken, corn on the cob and all the trimmings. Hours are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. DID YOU KNOW? -- There are 44,980 voters eligible to cast ballots in the upcoming local elections to be held November 10th in Clarington. The Stork Market Report Archer - "It's a Girl" Lowery - "It's a Boy" Preston -- "It's a Girl" Sud -- "It's a Girl" Trueman - "It's a Girl" Wilks - "It's a Girl" Totals for '97 Boys 63 Girls 41 r 25tk Amman | Shop the Rest ^ Buy from the Best! (fpnj Sch Your local General Motors dealer for the past 26 years, 166 King St. E. Telephone) 623-3396 25 Ui James Publishing COMPANY LIMITED Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. West Bowmanville Bowmanville's Movers for 50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 -- Garry Bolen Soles Roprosentnlivo (905) 43(3-0990 24 Hour Pager "Integrity without compromise" Tor. (905) 428-0274 Fax: (905) 436-6045 sutton group status realty inc. AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER BROKER 1 286 King SI. W., Oshawa, Onl. LU 2J9