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GTSB Bill a The decision by the Municipality of Clarington Council to increase their pay has caused a number of calls to my constituency office. The local press asked my opinion and I said it is their decision and the taxpayers taxpayers will have the final vote. In my view, now is not the time to increase your pay while blaming the province for increasing taxes. It wasn't long ago that the Region of Durham increased their pay also. The provincial MPPs voted to decrease their pay by 5% and to eliminate the pension plan. It will be difficult difficult for the municipalities municipalities to deny management or their unions a raise in any negotiations after they have given themselves a considerable raise. Perhaps the solution is to put the question to the outgoing outgoing council before the next municipal, election and see what the voter has to say. I am preparing this article article on Sunday evening and commenting on the Quebec election. All I can say is that an election is certainly the time for people people to have their say. In Quebec, the question of Canadian unity should also be on people's minds when they cast their vote. Canada does not need disunity disunity and certainly we don't need another referendum referendum anytime soon. As I have always said, "it is referendum referendum never-endum". This past Friday, I attended the south central Ontario Premier's Conference on Jobs and the Economy. The primary themes were creating an infrastructure to support growth and competitiveness competitiveness in a global economy, preparing people for the jobs of tomorrow and creating creating a culture of innova- "Serious Challenge" for Durham East lion. I was pleased by the number of people who attended from Durham. We have the talent and momentum in Durham to be part of the plan for the future of this province. Educators, small and large business leaders, municipal municipal politicians, the agriculture agriculture sector and ordinary people expressed their views on a wide variety of ideas. Anyone interested in finding out more on this topic should call my constituency constituency office at 697- 1501 or 1-800-661-2433. The future of the Durham Region and local government is a very current current issue. This past week and next week in the legislature, legislature, Bill 56 is being debated. The formal name of the legislation is, "An Act to establish the Greater Toronto Services Board and the Greater Toronto Transit Authority and to amend the Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority Act". I am scheduled to speak on this legislation again next week. Let me point out the purpose of this legislation. Part 1, section 2, states: 1 ) to promote and facilitate facilitate co-ordinated decision making among the municipalities municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area. 2) to exercise general direction and control over GT Transit and allocate costs of GT Transit in accordance with the Act. Before December 2000, the Board shall conduct a review of its size, its membership membership and its powers and report to the Government. I will be questioning options for my riding. Can we opt out? Bill 56 is a serious challenge for my riding and I am anxious that my constituents' views are heard. The agricultural agricultural community does not have the population Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole and must have a stronger voice, perhaps a veto power on certain land use and environmental issues. I have spoken directly to the mayors, many councillors councillors and interested citizens on this issue. Clearly, J have paid attention to my constituents on this issue over the years. I understand that the vast majority wants nothing nothing to do with being part of the GTA when it comes to being lumped into a Toronto centered plan. However, the question is do we want to be in or out of the future growth and development in this part of Ontario? I want options for Durham. I want the minister minister to understand that Durham is different from Peel, York or Toronto. The vast majority of my constituents constituents do not want to be part of the GTA, although, we do want improved GO Transit and more jobs. As you can see this is not a simple issue. I need to hear your concerns. I must vote the way my constituents want on this issue. The agricultural sector is experiencing some difficult difficult times. The price of corn and beans are down from 1997 prices, the price of pork has dropped dramatically. dramatically. I met with Will Nap, Chairman of the Pork producers along with Dennis Zekveld, a Director, and a number of producers this past weekend. weekend. I also attended a meeting with our Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs this past week. We are waiting to respond to the Federal decision on this matter. I am sure we all recognize that this crisis crisis must be supported responsibly. The Ontario Pork industry accounts for some 43,000 jobs directly and indirectly and they contribute some $4.5 billion billion to the Ontario economy. economy. The pork producer has a net loss of about $78.00 on each market hog, this is a loss of about $1.5 million million per day. This is a complex complex problem and the industry is working with both levels of government to develop the best solution solution in the short and long term. Many students and parents parents have been calling my office regarding the student student demonstrations protesting the lack of extra curricular activities. I have written to the Director of Education for District School Board #14 as well as the Minister of Education on the situation in Clarington. It is best that the boards and the teachers' unions solve this problem through negotiations. negotiations. One local paper criticized criticized the students for staging an illegal strike or demonstration. I wonder where they learned this tactic? I am on the students' students' side. I have read of the tentative agreement reached between The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and OSSTF District 14 and I hope it resolves this matter. matter. The Clarington/Courtiec Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, December 5, 1998 Page 15 •1997 Chev Lumina LS • 4door,ve,loaded. 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE • 4 door • Auto • Air • P8267A 1 14,500. 1998 CHEV LUMINA LS - Loaded • 9006A 1 19,500. 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM • 3.8 L, V6 • 4 door • Air • P8283A * 14,888. 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE • 4 door • Auto • Air • P8240A * 12,976, 1997 S-BLAZER LS • 4 x 4 • Red • 4 door • P8334A *28,376. 1997 S-HOMBRE PICKUP • Ext 2 x 4 • 22,000 km • P8209B *16,476. 1997 CHEV VENTURE • Loaded «P81141A *22,376. 1997 CHEV CAVALIER • 2 door • Aulo • P8285A * 12,000. 1996 CHEV CAVALIER • 2 door • Auto • Air • P7176A *11,200. 1996 CHEV SILVERADO • 2 x 4 • Ext. • Loaded • 9129A *23,576. 1996 S-BLAZER LT • AWD • Dr. Green • P8232A *26,976. 1996 CHEV S-10 PICK-UP • 54,000 km «Air» 81190A *13,976. 1995 GMC SAFARI SIX •56,000 km* Air «P8284A *15,276. 1995 CHEV LUMINA 4 DR • 19,900 km «Loaded* 81122A *15,976. 1995 CHEV BERETTA • 62,000 km • Air • Sporty • P8316A ....*10,576. 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT • Dr. Green • 60,000 km • P8274A * 14,476. 2728 Courlice Read & Hwy. #2, Courlice Telephone: 905-436-2222 Toronto Une; 9054274444 ©j.p. CROSSWORD - December 5- ACROSS 1. Fraternity symbol 4. Ornamental jug 8. Questioning cry 11. Piece 13. Censure 14. Coed's abode 15. Congressman Sonny 16. Lisa Marie's dad 17. Sheridan and Blyth 18. Our: Fr. 20. Dirges 22. Tang" précéder 24. List shortener 25. Brussels'land 28. Medicine bottle 31. Clinton health honcho Magaziner 32. Paleo's opposite 33. Became diffused 35. Dashlell heroine 37. Burstyn of The Exorcist 39. Fill the plggybank 40. Home of the Ewings 42. Hebrew priest 43. CSA member 44. Cannon of Deathtrap 45. Give off 48. Numskull 51. Scrapes by 52. Removes for ransom 55. Forgettable Ford 58. Half: prefix 59. Venomous snake 61. Analysts'foci 63. Betrayed (Wayne film) 64. Southern Indians 65. Rani's wear 66. dieul 67. Throne 68. Exported insecticide: abbr. DOWN 1. Ale place 2. Party to 3. Boy, in Madrid 4. Cloth measure 5. Billow 6. Author Zola 7. Turn the clocks back 8. Strop 9. Ornamental vases 10. " Pinafore" 12. Add 13. Direct routes 14. Some newspapers 19. Carpet 21. Presented 23. Holmgang 25. Expansive . 26. Premature 27. Some spies 29. Severed 30. Afternoon reception 31. Hoosler St. 33. Milky Way's kin 34. Society girl, Informally 36. Arabian Nights character 38. "Waiting For The Robert " 41. Soon 46. Carpet color for a VIP 47. Daffy had trouble with these 49. Tennis trophy name 50. Voice a view 52. Sabe 53. Somali supermodel 54. Pound operators: abbr. 56. Hoople's expletive 57. Plushbottom, e.g. 58. Easter meat 60. Sup 62. Take a load off For answers see your Canadian Statesman next Wednesday. This crossword brought to you by: The Book Studio Complete Selection of New Books Special Orders Are Welcome Books For All Ages and Interests 20 King St. W. 697-2635 Bowmanville We I lonour Visa amt MasterCard "Cfcirlngtoii's Favourite Book Store" rc; i.n ■5 r. :nj H >! bH kivited Official Opening of the Garnet B. Rickard Complex Addition Sunday, December 13,1998 1:00 P.M. 'FUN AND MANY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: CFTO Sports Anchor of Ceremonies A. Junior A anadian Championship The Green Gaels" Lacros' _ Bowmanville ' '» I » I M * . I A Speed Skating and Figure Skating Demonstrations • - ■■■ v/" : ' "T,. "Chuck-A-Puck if /7\ t MUNICIPALITY OF We would like to thank the I Jarinalon following corporate partners for ONTARIO their donations Burger King - Special Draw Prize Play It Again Sports McDonalds King Street Bar & Grill Blockbuster Video Don Cherry's Grapevine HOV Van Belle Floral & Plant Shoppe Cineplex Odcon Bandstra's Hu