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r Page 12 The Claringlon/Courtice Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, September 13, 1997 Report from Queen's Pork by John O'Toole 'remiers Should Check Egos of the Door *Two Women Who Touched the World* The sad, untimely and tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales has caused each and every one of us to stop and grieve. Diana touched so many people that now all the world seems to have embraced her as their own. The media has consumed each of us with the images and has almost spoiled the personal story of her two surviving children Prince William and Prince Harry. Mother Teresa, the Saint of Calcutta also died this past week. This was a woman who gave 50 years of her life caring for the destitute and the dying. When she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, she said of the monetary award, "Now I can continue continue to feed the hungry". These two women, rich and poor, young and old were so different, yet both touched mankind in a special special way. I am convinced that nothing in the stars is mere coincidence. What are we to learn from these two famous women? Both women were kind, generous generous and loving. Perhaps these events are signs to remind all of us, rich or poor, that each one of us liave the power to give. Furthermore, we arc instructed in the Bible, that the most important gift is, "to love one another as I have love you". There are many confusing confusing issues today around the municipal property tax system. Furthermore, the province is removing some of education funding from the residential tax base and transfers some new funding responsibilities responsibilities to the municipal. To help sort out some of these complex changes, let me start to explain some of the changes. Bill 106, The Fair Municipal Finance Act became law on May 27, 1997. This overdue legislation legislation addresses the old system of unfair and' unequal assessment. For instance, properties in the Region of Durham, Oshawa and Whitby do not have market value assessment. Most other municipalities have been . reassessed. The same is true in Toronto and other cities and towns in the province. Effective January 1998, every property property in the province will be assessed at the current value with a base year of 1996. This means a home of similar current value in a community will pay the same taxes. This is only fair. j In 1995, the province announced that it was eliminating the Municipal Assistance grants over a three year period. This amounts to a 1.4 billion dollar reduction in municipal municipal spending of over 20 ■ billion dollars (less than a 5% reduction). The second part of the provincial and municipal exchange of funding and responsibilities responsibilities is as follows. Part of the "Who Does What" swap is that the province is taking 50% off your municipal school tax (50% of approx. 60%). This amounts to 2.4 billion dollars dollars that the province is removing front the residential residential tax bill. In exchange, the province is giving back a number of services which will be paid for by the municipality, Public health, ambulance services, services, social housing, GO Transit, transit capital, the farm tax rebate, managed forest rebate and a number of other smaller areas will be assumed by the municipalities. municipalities. The Premier and the Minister have promised that this exchange will be revenue neutral. The province has committed 800 million dollars to ease tliis transition. Of the $800 trillion, $570 million is committed annually for those municipalities that have a weak assessment base. The third controversial area is the pooling of costs in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). The Province commissioned a report by Milt Farrow, The "Getting Together" report suggested that services like social assistance, social housing and mass transit should be pooled amongst the four Regional governments and Toronto. The argument is that individuals on assistance gravitate to the larger urban centres. I recognize that this is generally unpopular with my constituents. constituents. However, I have put forth the argument that we must ensure that the service levels arc equal. By this I mean, that in Durham we should not be subsidizing a higher level of social assistance services services that may be offered in larger cities. The statistics statistics do indicate that people on assistance do migrate to centers out of the region. In the pending municipal municipal elections this year, this disentanglement of who pays and who delivers which services will naturally naturally be an opportunity to blame our Provincial Government for downloading. downloading. Let- me assure you that the province is reducing spending and reducing taxes and balancing the budget. It is working, the Ontario economy is the fastest growing economy in Canada with over 30,000 net new jobs in August. Ask your municipal politicians to do the same. We simply cannot continue continue to tax and spend. A question I hear The Premiers' unity conference kicks off in Calgary next week. Now, 1 know Canadians find the unity issue nauseating nauseating and think any conference conference on the issue is doomed to failure. But the conference need not be doomed. To get over this hurdle my advice to premiers is to check their egos at the door. Any premier who goes into that conference asking, "What's in it for me?", will be just erecting barriers on the pathway to Parliamentary Report ■ by Alex Shepherd Week Without Violence The YWCA of Oshawa is asking individuals, government government agencies, media, schools, businesses and community community groups to join them in the YWCA Week Without Violence, October 19-26, 1997. The nationwide campaign challenges all Canadians to live for one week without perpetrating, participating in or observing violence. The YWCA Week Without Violence will be held internationally in 17 countries and across Canada to focus attention on practical and sustainable alternatives to violence in our homes, schools, places of work, communities communities and neighbourhoods. success. The premiers have got to start from the basic premise of nation building. Not the devolution of power to provincial governments. governments. Either they want Canada or they don't. My inclination is that Canadians right across the country want the nation left intact. They arc not about to surrender their country to resurrect a provincial fiefdom or surrender surrender it to a premier who wants to build one. Since their first election victory in 1976 the Parti Québécois have been extremely successful propagandizing propagandizing and socializing socializing young Quebecers. So- much-so in fact, they have convinced them that "a real Québécois" is one who is proud of his or her roots, loves community and wants to maintain lan guage and identity. As Quebec's youth, the PQ say, you have no choice hut to favour sovereignly. sovereignly. The "real Québécois", is the one who loves Quebec enough to embrace it as the one and only country. Well that's one province and we know what their goal is. What about the other nine? If the premiers go into that conference September 14, pontificating, beating their chest and using the pronoun '"I" instead of "we" there can never be a chance for success of any kind. Not for the conference conference and certainly not for the country. The premiers must know countries and provinces do not exist merely to give citizens a sense of borders. They exist because people, as a nation, share common values values and a sense of purpose. When the premiers do meet, and if they behave as the Parti Québécois have in their province, then they too arc as guilty as the Quebec separatists at gnawing away at Canada's foundation. But the premiers can learn something from the PQ. Just as the PQ stress Quebec, the premiers must stress the greater importance importance of being Canadian and the need to develop a greater pride in who we arc. And more importantly stress the importance of the unity mission that stands before us. As we approach the next millennium all governments governments in Canada now have a time frame to renew and strengthen the mission toward greater nationhood. As the premiers travel to Calgary, to enter into yet another round of national debate on unity, they have to talk less about exclusive rights and more about the obligations of nationhood. Our nationhood depends upon it. The Clarington/Courtice Independent's Business Directory P5l ACCOUNTANCY HOBB BARKER BERGIN HILL Chartered Accountants Peter A. Hobb, C.A. Wilmar J. Bakker, C.A. Ian F. Bergin, C.A Thomas F.G. Hill C.A. 118 King SI. E., Bowmanville 623-9461 STEPHEN J. SUTHERLAND Chartered Accountant 13 John Street West Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1W8 Business 721-8600 N.L. WOODHOUSE & ASSOC. Certified General Accountant Training on NewViews and ACCPAC Simply Accounting Installations and Support 8 Holgate Cres., Bowmanville 623-9650 LAING & McHARDY CHARTERED ■ ACCOUNTANTS Michael D. Lalng, c.a. Stephen J. McHardy, b.a., c.a. Jeffrey L. Rohr, B.Acc,, C.A. 40 King St. West, Oshawa, Ont. L1H 7L1 (905) 579-6245 Michael Sullivan Chart cm! A cam tit ant l\i \ninil an,I limiiuw lines limitless I'hins and linain tin; ( 'tunfnih tired Bookkeeping 3 Silver Si., Htmimtimlle 697-3736 Auto Insurance /instate 8 HOME* AUTO'INSURANCE Darlene Ferguson 905-987-1611 BRIDAL SERVICES f1C/leH l^ou Know Ijoun Jonc U Special... • Invitations • Announcements • Bridal Books • Napkins • Accessories 3 Books to choose from James Publishing Co. Ltd. 62 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone (905) 623-3303 BANQUET HALL RENTAL Licensed Banquet Hall lor up to 180 people Catering Services Available lor • Wedding Receptions • Business Meetings • Parties • Dances, Etc. Bowmanville Country Club (905) 623-2670 BUSINESS SERVICES | HANDS ON Business Serviced Now Business Set Ups Training on Simply Accounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Import/Export Consultation, Reports, Letters, Faxes, Copies. Teressa Handson | Ph, (905) 263-2983 Fax (905) 263-2986^ CATERING CHIROPRACTIC OPTIMAL HEALTH CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE Dr. Dianne Lott, D.C. Dr. Fenella Ely, D.C. - 697-0355 - Chiropractic Care • Laser Acupuncture Massage Therapy and Reflexology open mon. Through sat. • Same dayappts. available < J5jM1hurch i St i BowmanvlIle >> DRESSMAKING SUPPLIES COTTONWOOD 'CLOTHING& FABRICS Unique fabrics always 25% below suggested list prices. • Sewing Supplies • Patterns 85 Station St,, Orono 983-9167 (Locatedin Orono Building & Decorating) FINANCIAL SERVICES Financial Advice You Can Count On! 25 Years Award Winning Customer Service Kn BcimiMmtcc entering • Gourmet Food Menu • Professional Stall • Surprisingly Affordable Donna Bégin 905-623-3339 • Mutual Funds* • Life Insurance Call Tor a quotation: John Willoughby 623-4038 or 623-3108 • RRSPs/RRTFs • Annuitics/GICs j I The Mutual Group Uconsod with Mutual Life o( Canada/Mutual Irrveitco Inc.' two companies cl Tltc Mutual Group. t REGAL CAPITAL PLANNERS LTD. Since 1968 24 King St. E., Bowmanville "Canada's Largest Independent Financial Planning Organization" - RRSP's - RRIF's - Mutual Funds - Trust Funds - Tax and Estate Planning Steve Scatterty, Financial Advisor 623-1936 Nell McGregor Fortune Investment Corp 623-2414 • Mutual Funds • RRSP Products • RRIFs & Annuities • Labour Sponsored Investment Funds • Insurance • Tax and Estate Planning 4 FORTUNE INVESTMENT Sf MaSik Business Cards, Letterhead and Envelopes can bo printed to your specifications and within your budget. Customized Rubber Stamps James Publishing Co. Ltd. 62 King St. W„ Bowmanville (905)623-3303 or Fax: (905) 623-6161 GARDENING SERVICES mr. trim lawn & garden services When the grass GETS GROWING Mr. Trim gets mowing grass cutting - shrub pruning landscape design fertilizing and weed control member ol Since 1975 623-9711 Landscape 434-9428 Ontario VISSER'S NURSERY & SOD FARM Phone: S0D* Rclail (905) 263-2126 • Wholesale FRESH CUT DAILY Pickup and Delivery oc £ 1VS | miles |2 ■ Vlsscr's Nursery Mitchells Comers ■ Taunton Rd. E. : To Courtlce SPECIALIZING IN COMPLETE LAWN AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE • Grass Cutting • Hedge Trimming • Shrub and Tree Pruning • General Maintenance (905) 623-1435 Bowmanville "Dependable, Reasonable and Local" lawn & garden services fertilizing - weed control - Insect control 7pn Since 623-9711 fof 1975 434-9428 landiup* Ontario HEALTH SERVICES Counselling Service DAVID RADCLIFFE, B.A., M.s.w. Personal • Marital • Family Vanslono Mill - The Stable Building 110 King SI.W., Unit 10, Bowmanville Appointments: 623-8938 HEALTH SERVICES 234 King St. East Bowmanville Family Wellness Centre % Clarington Rehabilitation Sports Injury & Massage Therapy Clinic 623-8202 Bowmanville kjji j Family Chiropractic Centre Acupuncture " Homeopathy 623-8388 Clarington Physiotherapy Registered Physiotherapist Sports Medicine Supplies 623-8202 Bowmanville Family Foot Care Clinic Foot Orthotics • Nail Surgery 623-8202 Walk-in Clinic Monday through Saturday We accept W.C.B..OHIP, and Extended Health Ins. Ej| |Sl BB £ HOME IMPROVEMENTS % peners U / i ENTERPRISES Lift-Master Garage Door Openers • Eureka Vacuums - Built-in and Canister Water Distillers - Dol-Fyn, Genesis, Durastill • Water Filtering Systems • Vacuum Repairs - most makes ■ Electrical - Industrial, Commercial, Residential • SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATIONS 697-3307 Ed Piho Enterprises Residential • Commercial All Types of Construction ' Repairs/Renovations • Kilchens/Bathrooms • Property Maintenance • Landscaping All Types of Masonry 905-623-5799 AIR. BRUSH Additions, Renovations Painting, Repairs Quality Work at Reasonable Rates SINE CALL DOES IT ALL 24 Hr. Emergency Service Tel. (90S) 623-8673 Noel DURHAM DECK & FENCE Specializing in Custom Decks and Fences (905) 697-9979 FREE Estimates LAWYERS In Practice Since 1968 Mervyn Kelly Law Office • Real Estate • Family Law • Wills, Estates • Criminal Law Evening and weekend appointments 623-4444 JJBAJdn^StreetJça^ LIFE INSURANCE HUTTON INSURANCE AGENCY LTD. 52 King St. W., Bowmanvilje Don Hutton Bus: 623-7688 Res: 263-8589 Life Insurance RRSP's RRIF's PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION SPORTS INJURIES Bowmanville Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine Centre 191 Church SI., Bowmanville (905) 697-0477 Assessment and Treatment by Sylvie Benoit, Reg. P.T. • Back / Neck Aches • Tendonitis ^gralns/^tralns^Arthritls^arAccidenls PIANO TUNING John H. Yates 1 30 years experience in Niagara Region 1 Recently relocated in Bowmanville ('95) 1 Looking forward to servicing your piano Phone (905) 697-1336 SERVICES Finer,-- Finishes By Tracy Osmond Complete Furniture Restoration and Repair Caning, Veneering, Carving, French Polish 7 8 6 - 2 4 7 7 >|shky ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL & FARM INSTALLATION (905)434-8116 (905) 786-2984 DAVE CRABS THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME INTERIOR DESIGN 2173 Hwy. #2, Bowmanville 623-7483 Margaret Coombes Gloria Brooks • In-Home Consultations • Furniture • Window Treatments • Wallcoverings Jean Simone School of Dance * and Kid's Paradise Ballet * Tap ' Jazz * 21/2 years • adult Birthday Parties held in indoor playground. Private daycare provided. Now registering for fall classes. 697-1943 120 Waverly Rd. Plaza, Bowmanville re | v itklX as. | vlll^£^ iflLLIfeNGEà SECURITY' SYSTEMS Complete Home Protection * s 29,99 per month* Call 905-885-0575 Sanies Goldsmith 47 King SI, E„ Bowmanville (905) 623-9340 Specializing In Custom Made Jewellery Bring your old gold lor remolding and restyling. Glasses, rings, matching rings, jackal rings, watches, chains, clocks, Marios, walchbands Repairs done as you wait WE BUY GOLD SUPPLIES AND SALES ORONO BUILDING & DECORATING Since 1935 • Plumbing • Rooting • Eloclrlcal • Paint • Lumber • Decorating 85 Station St., Orono 983-9167