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Page 2 The Clarington/Courlicc Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, February 2S, 1998 Clarington Council Briefs BIA Budget Unchanged The Business Improvement Area for downtown Bowmanville is proposing a budget of $95,000 for 1998. That amount is unchanged from last year. At a meeting of Clarington Council on Monday night, elected officials voted to refer the proposal to the municipality's own budget deliberations. BIA General Manager Garth Gilpin also requested in a letter to Council that the membership of the BIA board of management remain unchanged until legislation legislation to clarify issues related to commercial taxation has been passed. Tenders for Benefits Administration Clarington Council will be calling for lenders from businesses qualified in administering health, insurance and dental benefits for municipal employees. At a meeting Monday night, a committee recommendation recommendation to retain the services of a new benefits administration firm was rejected. Instead, councillors opted to open the process to tenders. Representatives from two firms offering benefits administration services addressed elected officials Monday, February 23. Both spoke of increased savings which may be realized realized in the future. Councillor Troy Young said both spokespersons made valid points, but added: "We can't make a snap decision tonight." Walking Tour of Downtown Clarington residents and visitors to the municipality may soon be able to enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic downtown. Councillor Jim Schell told his colleagues at a Monday evening meeting of Clarington Council that the tour planned by the Business Improvement Area is being developed in conjunction with the museum and the municipality. "It looks like it might be a very positive tiling for the municipality," lie observed. LACAC Update Clarington's guardians of historic buildings are active in areas such as research, house tours, public awareness and the publishing of books. Janie Dodds, representing the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC), brought Clarington Council up to date on the work of the group at the latest Clarington Council session. She said LACAC's goal is "to designate historically and architecturally significant buildings and also highlight highlight public awareness." House tours and the publication of books listing historic historic buildings in Darlington and Clarke have already been successfully published. In addition, a book on Bowmanville is under way. A pamphlet explaining the work of LACAC is also available. The LACAC spokesperson said the group hopes to continue in the same positive path, building confidence and sharing knowledge. She also requested that the municipality consider expanding the number of persons persons serving on the group's board of directors. Framed! Nonna Hooper and Dr. Karen McPherson are surrounded by literally hundreds hundreds of frames for eye glasses. Dr. McPherson and her partners have been encouraging their patients and families to donate their old and unused spectacles spectacles to the Lions Club of Bowmanville. The doctor donated $5 for each pair of glasses received towards the purchase of the special 'eye' bed stretchers used for cataract surgery at Memorial Hospital Bowmanville. The glasses are now off to the Lions Club, who use them in the fight against blindness in other countries. countries. On Thursday, Feb. 5, Dr. McPherson handed a cheque for $2,580 to Norma Hooper, of the Memorial Hospital Foundation. Durham Considers Elected Chair From page 1 the head of the Durham Region would ensure accountability. "Democracy and the citizenry citizenry is belter served if there is accountability," he said. 24-2 Vote But, while Durham's councillors voted 24-2 in favor of looking into a region-wide election for the Chair, some injected a note of caution. Councillor Brian Nicholson pointed to a figure figure of $800,000 which is seen as the minimum expenditure by candidates running for mayor in the City of Toronto. He suggested suggested similar numbers would apply in Durham. "You shouldn't have to be independently wealthy to. seek the office of Regional Chair," he said. Councillor Doug Dickerson warned that, in view of the huge amounts of money to be raised, candidates candidates might resort to seeking support from political parties. The result would be party politics at the local level. Mayor Agreed Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre agreed. She said the only way candidates candidates could receive the financial support they need for a Region-wide campaign would be to align themselves with par tisan politics. "If you go to a regional chair running at large, you will see exactly what you see when you elect MPPs and MPs and that's party politics and big money involved," she said. Councillor Maurice Brenner suggested that whatever decision is reached in Durham should be the same throughout Ontario; This would ensure all regional municipalities municipalities would elect their leaders in the same way. The report on the implications implications of a public election for the Regional Chair will be be sent to the Durham finance committee later in the year. Bowmanville Group Joins Neighbourhood Watch Thieves, beware! Residents of the Soper Creek Drive neighbourhood neighbourhood in cast Bowmanville have joined the Neighbourhood Watch program. Soper Creek Drive had been hit by 17 break-ins during a fwo-wee k period Their crime-prevention efforts were approved by Claringlon's Council Monday night. Ward Three Councillor Troy Young said: "I'm glad that finally something's something's been done" and added that the Municipality of Clarington should help in any way possible. Councillor Young said this neighbourhood had been hit by 17 break-ins during one two-wcck period. period. Sergeant Paul Malik, of the Durham Regional Police, said in a letter to councillors that the citizens citizens of this neighbourhood neighbourhood had met all Neighbourhood Watch guidelines. A commitment of at least 75 per cent participation participation has been made. He added that Neighbourhood Watch signs will be installed in order to deter crime. "Crime Prevention is a matter of attitude and involvement by us all, not just a job for a few professionals," professionals," said Sgt. Malik in his letter to Council. "The attitude and involvement of these citizens proves their genuine concern to make our community a better place to live." DURHAM REGION WEIGHT RESTRICTION REGULATIONS will be in force on roads under the jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of Durham, effective March 2, 1998 to approximately May 1, 1998. Vehicle loads are restricted to FIVE TONNES per axle' in accordance with Durham Region By-law Number 251-89 (as revised). Signs will be erected on all Regional Roads where these weight restrictions apply. V.A. Silgailis, P. Eng. Commissioner of Works Regional Municipality of Durham ©j.p. Help Save The Environment Durham Residents From page 1 Shepherd explained. But he noted that the funds must be repaid to the RRSP. Other education-related education-related highlights of the budget include study grants for single-parent students and tax relief on student loan interest payments. There is also an education savings savings grant which will see the government contribute a grant of 20 per cent for every dollar invested into a child's post-secondary education (up to a maximum maximum of $2,000.) "There's a recognition that we have turned the corner," said the Durham MP in describing Canada's first balanced budget in 30 years. He says the budget is based on a kinder and gentler society, but warns that a decision to loosen the purse strings requires a buoyant economy. Shepherd added the budget brings tax relief by eliminating the three per cent surtax on income taxes for incomes up to $50,000. There's also a $500 increase in the basic personal income tax exemption for low-income Canadians. The MP estimates that, for the average family, the lax cuts will be upwards of $200 per year. Beginning next year, one-income families earning earning $50,000 will have an extra $238 in their pockets. pockets. Tuesday's budget also puts more government money into research and development. Balanced federal budgets budgets arc also forecast for the next two years. Happy 30th RHONDA! Love, from friends and family THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON PUBLIC NOTICE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS MARCH 2 TO APRIL 30,1998 Weight Restriction Regulations will be in force on all roads under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Clarington from March 2 to April 30,1998. Vehicle loads are restricted to FIVE (5) TONNES PER AXLE, in accordance with the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act R.S.0.1990, cH8, s122. Stephen A. Vokes, P. Eng., Director of Public Works Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3A6 Dates Published: February 18 and 25, 1998 CS-Ind. 6232 © j f /f\. MUNICIPALITY OF larington SAVE PLASTIC NEWSPAPER SLEEVES Bring in 100 plastic Newspaper Sleeves from your Clarington/Courtice Independent, and you can place a classified advertisement 1/2 Price Value up to $20.00. Limited to one coupon per customer. Hurry! 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