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1 * Pace 16 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, January' 27, 1999 New Boating Rules Cause Mixed Reaction by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAII) is panning new regulations governing Canada's eight million boaters. But Durham MP Alex Shepherd says the new rules, which were introduced last Monday by Minister of Fisheries and Oceans David Anderson, arc timely and necessary. "You've got the elements of major problems," on the waterways, says Shepherd. He says factors such as young people driving high-power boats and the use of alcohol while boating have contributed contributed to the decision to increase regulations. The new regulations require, as of April 2002, any person driving a powered recreational boat to have an operator's licence, regardless of age or experience. Anyone over the age of 55 is exempt. As well, youths under 16 years of age will require an operator's licence as of April of this year. All drivers of power boats will require a pay for it," he says. But OFAII insists the new law isn't necessary. "Lack of enforcement has contributed to past and current current safety problems. And, without proper enforcement, only law abiding people Will be affected by new laws. Combating alcohol abuse, reckless behaviour, and speeding would do far more to reduce on-the-water injuries than useless paperwork paperwork and additional fees," says OFAH Provincial Coordinator of Fish and Wildlife Services Dr. Terry Quinney. Shepherd admits additional additional enforcement is not part of the new legislation. "We don't have the policing policing available to do it in a big . way. But I'm sure it will be done as part, of the existing process," he says. New Blood There was a steady stream of people Above, clinic assistant Gwen Koury takes a through the Clarington Beech Centre for the few drops of blood from Bowmanvillc resident blood donor clinic on Wednesday, January 20. Bruce Harper before the big event. Tax Capping Good for Clarington: Mutton -- . « • « z-xzx n r- 4 • 1 nnr\ AP « I inrlnplrinl rstyr Rife mmm |hnJK>| ,-fe . • jfe, ^^jêHÊKÊÊÊÊL I The impact of property tax capping for f j industrial, commercial and multi-residen- liceiice by April, 2009,'unless tial properties will be "a benefit to they were previously exempt- Clarington," says Regional Councillor ed under the over-55 clause. John Mutton. New equipment required on Properties were reassessed by the boats will include a water- province in time for last year's tax bill, tight flashlight or three flares, But, when it became clear some industrial, and a 15-metre buoyant line, commercial and multi-residential proper- As well, floating cushions [j es W ould be facing unwieldy tax increas- will no longer be considered es> ^ n rov jnce introduced tax capping, proper safety devices, and all -phe capping allows municipalities to limit people in a boat must have t reform-related property tax increases approved life jackets or personal personal flotation devices which fit. The law sets the minimum age requirement for people driving high powered personal personal watercraft at 16. "Most of this has come from the boating community community itself," Shepherd says. But a media release from OFAH says a number number of Ontario's boaters aren't thrilled with the new legislation. "The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Georgian Bay Association (of Cottagers), National Coalition of Provincial and Territorial Wildlife Federations and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers have all opposed the licensing scheme as a thinly- veiled tax grab that will do little to improve safety on the water," reads the media release. Shepherd says the new legislation will aid search and rescue workers. "Search and Rescue are saying: Look, we need some kind of process where we can trace ownership," ownership," explains Shepherd, adding the licensing will allow for an appropriate appropriate type of data base to be put in place. "It's not a new tax, but people do have to pay for the things they're engaged in. We don't want the whole tax base to Freedom To Read Week The Municipality has proclaimed Feb. 14-21 as Freedom to Read Week. To celebrate celebrate the week, the Clarington Public Library will host displays of materials in their collection which have been banned, challenged challenged or removed from libraries, school libraries and bookstores. Eliminating Racial Discrimination March 21, 1999 has been p r o e 1 a i m e d International Day for the Humiliation of Racial Discrimination n Clarington, to 10 percent in 1998, five percent in 1999, and a further five percent in 2000. All property owners will be taxed based on the new Current Value Assessment by 2001. Durham Region staff and the Finance Committee are recommending Regional Council adopt the capping. Council will vote on the recommendation today (Wednesday). The capping also means some properties properties facing decreases will not feel the full effect of their lower taxes until 2001. Of the 904 commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties in Clarington, 464 properties will benefit from the tax relief. Threc-hundred-and-three properties will see their decreases clawed back. "It looks good for Clarington. Clarington is actually going to have $1.1 million which is going to be capped," explains Mutton. "It's good news for those facing an increase." Mutton says the brunt of the capping will be felt by Oshawa, where the total impact will be almost $5 million. HEART AND STROKE MONTH -- February is National Heart and Stroke Month. On February 1st the Heart and Stroke Foundation will kick off their annual person-to-person campaign as well as other exciting fund-raisers fund-raisers and promotional programs. There's a flag-raising at the Town Hall in Bowmanvillc February 1st to launch the local Heart and Stroke campaign. FLOOD ALERT LIFTED -- Both local conservation authorities have cancelled last Friday's alert over flooding. However, citizens are advised that the flow in many water-courses is above normal. This, combined with slippery and unstable stream banks, means hazardous hazardous waterway conditions. It's especially important that children: are aware of these dangers and arc supervised carefully. EAGLES STILL IN THE RUNNING RUNNING ■-- Bowmanville's Junior A hockey team still has a chance to make the final playoff spot in the East Conference. However, each of the nine games remaining in the regular season is a must-win encounter for the Eagles. And that means there should be some excellent excellent hockey in store for local fans. Next home game is Sunday, January 31st, at 6:45 p.m. at the Bowmanvillc Recreation Complex. The Eagles will be facing facing off against Ajax. Slfi fm ü im I v-WMCvt fjf k 'M PIPS CUTLASS 1996 Cutlass Supreme 4-Door '15,176 Dark Green, loaded, 59,600 km. CHEV LUMINA } v-;'v 1 M !■ v.:/. Vi 1998 VentureTsTxt. *26,476 mm \ ;t :';y s-,.. '-'. . Bfl S / ' v ■■■' 1" ' ' 1 y I 1 - imi 1 :1 fAV" 1998 Lumina LS 4-Door White, loaded. .. . . 1995 Lumina LS 4-Door $ 13,976 1^8V^reL5 Dark Blue, loaded, 46,000 km. ^,ge 3 door, load*!, 24 1096 Lumina APV *16,676 V. : ' - I Red, 4 door, loaded, 17,000 km. j Venture LS *22,876 I Lri là OYlLm " " ... --r-,.,.,- ----««I ™ - ■ light brown, leather, loacfcd, V6, 39,000 km. BEBEiVA^^ Maroon, V6, air, 57,000 km. ,oo,.J EBE - - ,995So,a T SlX 14976 œ *21,476 APV *16,670 ' Maroon, V6, air, 37,500 U. 996 Safari SLX *15,176 Bto,V4,=i,.74,500l™. I 1095 Lumina APV * 14,876 Maroon. V6. air. 57.000 km. " :■ ■■ 1995 Berotia 2-Door" *9,976 ; ' ■ " Dari cllrlrilr Red, stick, dir, 62,000 km. ^ f 1991 Borotta 2-Door *7,876 a ' { ; J m Wmmmk '■i ... mmmw ' ■ . N S,; : ^ÊS- mm y-iïiïï&f i : w : IWSMy™-*... Dark Green, auto, air, cam VimBm f igilk : W 1 ?!- - jMmm I -V. I Hwv. #2