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The Clarington/Courtice Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, April 25, 1998 Page 7 GTSB Not New Level of Gov't. Do we belong to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)? This question has been before us for most of the past decade. There have been local referendums and polls taken on this subject over the past couple couple of years and clearly, the idea has been rejected locally. There have been reports on the Greater Toronto Area since the "2020 Report" in 1990. In the early 90's, the GTA Mayors and Regional Chairs committee were the first to propose the idea of better coordination and integration of service within within this Greater Toronto Area. The previous NDP government commissioned commissioned the Anne Golden Report, which further recommended recommended the GTA concept. concept. The Libby Burnham Report, the David Crombie "Who Does What Report" and the Milt Farrow "Getting Together Report" all recommended some form of GTA coordination. coordination. Not all reports were exactly the same but the current consultations led by Alan Tonks consolidates consolidates a proposed piece of legislation after a decade of consultations. The GTA is composed of The City of Toronto, along with the Regions of Peel, Halton, York and Durham. The concept is that the GTA municipalities municipalities govern communities with common interests. Over 30% of Ontario population population resides in this GTA. For the past number of years, the GTA Mayors and Chairs have been meeting to resolve interregional interregional issues. There is no doubt that we are linked in many ways by hard services services like transportation, water and water treatment and to a greater extent by economic development. We have all witnessed the fight for jobs and economic economic development by the advertisement from "The City Above Toronto". Regions were raiding each other for the industrial commercial assessment and jobs. If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. In this regard, about 25 years ago, the Region of Durham was formed. There are many today who still believe that this was an unnecessary level of government. Even today, within the Regions, the urban and rural parts coexist with reservation. The issues are exactly the same today with the proposed proposed GTA, as they were with the formation of the regions. How much representation representation on Regional Council do smaller communities communities have? The Region levies (taxes) on local communities but do we all share in common service levels like policing, policing, water, waste management management and roads? Is the rural part of the regions adequately understood and represented? We continually hear of overlap and duplication between local services and regional services like planning, planning, road maintenance, tax collection etc. We must ask ourselves can we afford to replicate the current current municipal structures and services or is there a better way? I believe that the local level of government government is usually smaller, more accessible and more accountable. A great politician once said that, all government is local. The closer the elected elected person is to the people and their issues, the more they arc accountable. I have served as a school trustee, local councillor, regional councillor and now as your MPP. I can honestly tell you that when I was a local councillor, I had direct contact with people and their concerns. If there was a pothole in the road or a broken sidewalk sidewalk in front of my constituent's constituent's house, then I was their contact person to have the problem addressed. As I moved to other levels, I am less able to solve my constituent's problems. Often, the difficulty difficulty in quickly getting an answer is because of jurisdictional jurisdictional problems, In fact, I sought the provincial member's position so we could address these same jurisdictional problems. 1 was sick of each level of Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole government blaming their inability to solve their problems on some other level of government. You might say that David Crombic's Report, "Who Does What" asks the question, question, which level of government government pays and provides what service? The changes . by our government are about disentangling levels of government. We have a discussion paper on a new Municipal Act which further further devolves powers to local levels of government. government. Each of us must ask the questions, do we really care who plows the roads or picks up the garbage or provides the services so long as the services are provided in a safe, reliable and efficient manner? Local councils must have the ability to choose who provides their services. How many departments do we need for economic development, planning, works and other services. Should we not concentrate decision making locally and streamline common service delivery in some areas? Our proposal for a Greater Toronto Services Board (GTSB) is not a new level of government and it will not have a direct taxation power. Representation would be by population and there would be sub committees with additional representatives representatives from local levels of council. I understand our local mayors and council and their resolutions to oppose the current proposal proposal for the GTSB. However, we must be prepared to bring forward options to eliminate duplication and ensure co-operation on high cost infrastructure. As I drive or take the GO Train to Toronto every day, I sec many of my constituents constituents going in the same westerly direction. We all want jobs close to where we live, We all want great people-friendly communities. communities. Each of us wants all the urban services and lower taxes. It would appear that in the next 20 years, our current growth rate will change many aspects of our communities. communities. I believe that we must look to the future and make choices. Wooden Carousel Opens The Wooden Carousel was officially opened on Saturday, April 18th. Acting Mayor Troy Young presented greetings from the Municipality of Clarington and cut the ribbon above. Proprietors Burt and Sandy McDonnell, pictured above with children Jordan and Brittany, welcome everyone to their century home on Regional Rd. 42 for a unique experience of folk art, country accents, hand-crafted hand-crafted pine furnishings and home lours. ACCOUNTANCY Brad E. Foster Chartered Accountant 10 Mill Street, Kendal, Ontario LOA 1E0 - FOR APPOINTMENT CALL: - Phone/Fax: (905)983-8141 Cellular: (905) 242-2005 HOBB BAKKER 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 St. E„ Bowmanville 623-9461 STEPHEN J. SUTHERLAND Chartered Accountant 13 John Street West Oshawa, Ontario L1H1W8 721-8600 LAING, McHARDY & ROHR CHARTERED ■ ACCOUNTANTS Michael D. Laing, 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 Chartered Accountant Audits. Reviews. Tax 697-3736 :i Silver St., Bowmanville litt|i //hume lean net/-ms/ca AUTO INSURANCE /instate 8 HOME • AUTO • INSURANCE Darlene Ferguson 905-987-1611 BRIDAL SERVICES BANQUET HALL RENTAL Licensed Banquet Hall 1er up lo IB0 people Catering Services Available 1er • Wedding Receptions • Business Meetings • Parlies • Dances, Elc. Bowmanville Country Club (90S) 623-2670 'kJlm Ifw (mu îj(M loue 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 YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! 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Hickson Toll tree: 1-800-341-5586 Newcastle: 905-987-1345 Whatever your plans, we have plans to help! • Life Insurance • RRSPs/RRIFs • Mutual Funds* • Annuitics/GICs John Willoughby 1-888-296-WILL 623-4038 Hi* Mutual Group Ucenibd with Mutual Lifo ot Canidi'Mutual Itwetico Inc.*, two companwi cl Tho Mutual Group. FINANCIAL SERVICES t REGAL CAPITAL PLANNERS LTD. Since 1968 24 King St. E., Bowmanville "Canada's Largest Independent Financial Planning Organization 1 ' - RRSP's - RRIF's - Mutual Funds -Trust Funds - Tax and Estate Planning Steve Scatterty, Financial Advisor 623-1936 FORTUNE FINANCIAL d tiSIHSlB • Mutual Funds • RRSP Products • RRIFs & Annuities • Stocks • Bonds • Life Insurance • Tax and Estate ., „ _ Planning Neil McGregor Fortune Financial Corporation. 623-2414 Member CIPF& Monlreai Exchange 19Scuqoq Si.. Bowmanville Freedom 55 Jeff Hancock B.A, Bowmanville, ON (905)623-3349 RRSPs and investment plans ■ Disability insurance ■ Individual life insurance London £u fe HEALTH SERVICES 234 King St. East Bowmanville Family Wellness Centre ï Clarington Rehabilitation Sports Injury & Massage Therapy Clinic 623-8202 Bowmanville 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 lnsu_ m in Business Cards, Letterhead and Envelopes can be printed lo your specifications and within your budget Customized Rubber Stamps James Publishing Co. Ltd. 62 King SI. W,, Bowmanville (905) 623-3303 or Fax: (905) 623-6161 The freedom lo choose The power lo gel there London Ule and design, Ftoodom 55 and Tha freedom to choose. 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Certified Diabeles Educator Tino Uonlepoh s the only pharmacist m the Durban" Rt'gon to tv Certified as a D shores Educator by the Canadian Diabetes Assoc HOME IMPROVEMENTS LEGAL SERVICES Ed Piho Enterprises Residential • Commercial All Types of Construction 1 Repairs/Renovations • Kitchens/Bathrooms • Property Maintenance • Landscaping All Types of Masonry 905-623-5799 % PARK HILL Paving Limited - 25 Years Experience - • Residential Driveways • Parking Lots • Interlocking and Concrete Work Member of B.B.B. - Fully Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES (905)433-1881 (Oshawa) /MR. 8WH Additions, Renovations Painting, Repairs Quality Work at Reasonable Rates ONE CALL DOES IT ALL 24 Hr, Emergency Service Tel. (905) 259-0393 Noel jf-j--Free Initial Consultation , | J, " Reasonable, Professional Landlord/Tenant Disputes : Small Claims Court | Wills, Powers of Attorney i "All your legal needs" Court Agent / Mediator / Lecturer; 623-0201 volsin3@ibm.net ! LIFE INSURANCE I HUTTON INSURANCE ! AGENCY LTD. ; 52 King St, W., Bowmanville 1 Don Hutton 2 Bus: 623-7688 Res: 263-8589 ' Life Insurance ' RRSP's RRIF's PETS & SUPPLIES : A HOUSE OF BIRDS i vffà Birds and Supplies * Love Birds " Budgies * Canaries ; " Cockatiels ' Finches Hand Fed Babies - Bulk Bird Seed 1 Call Armand (905) 623-1829 after si Timberlee Doe Obedience. • Private or Group Instruction ! • Behavioural Consultations • Positive Training Method by Professional Obedience Trainers ; 623-6631 or 987-3949: PIANO TUNING \ John H. Yates • 30 years experience in Niagara Region ; • Recently relocated in Bowmanville ('95); • Looking forward to servicing your piano' Phone (905) 697-1336 POOLS Permanent Pool and Patio Swimming Pool and Spa Saies and Installation Serving Durham Since 1983 1646 King St. E., Courtice, ON L1E3K7' (905) 404-0583 SERVICES THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME INTERIOR DESIGN 2173 Hwy. 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