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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JULY 11,2001 PAGE 3 Durham agrees to study options for future grant requests Teen runs into funding roadblock BY SUSAN O'NEILL Stuff Writer DURHAM -- Allhough Durham turned down a request for funding Wednesday from an Oshawa runner who's competing in her first international international event next week, the Region will look at setting up a fund to help support local athletes in the future. Sixtecn-ycar-old Patricia Mayers appealed appealed to Durham council Wednesday for financial support to help fund her participation in the World Youth Track and Field Championships in Debrecen, Hungary from July I2 to 15. There is no funding available from Athletics Canada Canada for the event. Patricia, who leaves for Hungary on Monday and returns July 17, is competing competing in the 400-metrc race and a relay event. "Pm really excited that Pm going to be competing against world-class athletes," athletes," she said in an interview. Her father, Michael Mayers, told councillors the family is responsible for paying 100 per cent of the roughly $2,800 cost of the trip. ; The City of Oshawa voted to give Patricia $500 towards those costs at its council meeting Tuesday. However, Regional Regional councillors voted to turn down a request for funding because Durham lias a "no grants policy", despite calls from some councillors, including Whitby Whitby Councillor Joe Drumm, to change it. • "We have somebody here in whom we should be very proud," Conn. Drumm said. "To heck with the policy." ; But, Ajax Mayor Steve Parish pointed pointed out if Durham agreed to support Patricia Patricia it would set a precedent and open the door to a flood of applications for fiunding from local residents for one reason reason or another. ■ Oshawa Councillor Clare Aker suggested suggested the econpmic, development department department could support her since she vvill be representing Durham in a world- class event. ' But, Durham Chairman Roger Anderson Anderson said the Oshawa teen is "not going to wear - a big Durham 'D' running down the track". • He added, "I think we can find enough sponsors to help this young per- s'on." Meanwhile, councillors did agree to explore the possibility of establishing a fund to help support local athletes. ; "I think it's time there is a fond set up to help these young people," said Oxbridge Mayor Geni Lynn O'Connor. "Under our policies today we cannot help (Patricia) but I don't want this to continue." ! Patricia, one of 25 Canadians completing completing in Hungary next week, said in an interview she believes setting up an account account to help young athletes is a "very good idea". i She also said she appreciated the support she has received and the fact Regional councillors offered to help her raise support through local service clubs. Patricia added her goal is to post a personal best in Hungary, before heading heading to another competition in Calgary later this month. If she finishes within the top two in her event at that meet, she'll represent Canada in the Pan Am Games in Argentina this October. Ranked fifth in the world in her age group, she also hopes to compete in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Correction Due to incorrect information supplied supplied to The Canadian Statesman/ Clarington This Week, an incorrect date for an upcoming blood donor clinic was published in the Wednesday, Wednesday, July 4 edition. The blood donor clinic will be held Wednesday, July 18 from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Clarington Beech. Centre, 26 Beech Ave. in Bow- manville. We regret the error. BLOWOUT SALE From 11,750.00 to 5 ' 111611 LIMITED QUANTITIES -7778 CLASSIC CELIA BRONKHORST/ Statesman photo Water, sand and a new friend Kaylee Farrell of Courtice, 3, right, watches her newfound newfound friend Yèsenia Walker, 3, of Pickering fill a hole they made in the sand with water. The two were playing at Port Perry's Palmer Park. Durham Region takes control of housing corporation Mayor John Mutton argues if Durham's going to pay for social units, it should have a 'say' ... BY SUSAN O'NEILL ■Staff. Writer DURHAM -- The Region is assuming assuming the management of a local housing corporation despite concerns the move isn't consistent with a past resolution to create a 'slimmed down' Durham government. government. Regional councillors voted at Wednesday's council meeting to integrate integrate the property management operations operations of the Durham Region' Local Housing Corporation (DRLHC) within the Region as of Jan. 1,2002. But, Ajax Mayor Steve Parish questioned questioned why the DRLHC "has been singled singled out to be taken in-house" when that's not being suggested for any other housing providers. He also noted the Region, which is responsible for financing social housing, can have control of the corporation's budget without taking over management. management. ■ "Taking this in-house is not going to result in any efficiencies, it's not going to result in a better system," he said. "1 see really nothing to be accomplished here." Mayor Parish also pointed out "taking "taking the housing portfolio in-house and creating a large bureaucracy is not consistent" consistent" with a past resolution councillors councillors approved to create a slimmed down MAYOR JOHN MUTTON T bought into the say-for-pay argument and I'm going to stand by it.' Region. "All you need is good budget and policy oversight," he said. Under Bill 128, The Social Housing Reform Act, all of the public housing in Ontario became the property and the responsibility responsibility of area municipalities on Jan. 1 of this year. Under that transfer, the Region assumed assumed the ownership of the roughly 1,600 units belonging to the corporation, which provides rent-geared-to-income housing. So, members of the health and social services committee and the finance committee committee recommended Durham also assume assume the management operations of the coiporation. Barrie Lennox of the DRLHC, who urged councillors Wednesday to let the housing coiporation continue operating as an arms-length body, noted the corpo ration is "the most efficient social housing housing agency in Durham." He also said, "Durham Region owns us lock, stock, and barrel. You are the sole shareholders of this organization." But, that's one of the reasons Clarington Clarington Mayor John Mutton believes Durham should assume the management. management. "I bought into the say-for-pay argument argument and I'm going to stand by it," he said. "Why- delay the inevitable? Let's take it over now." Brock Councillor and health and social social services committee Chairman Larry O'Connor pointed out there is no provincial support for the coiporation anymore, noting it simply makes sense for the corporation to be taken in-house. As part of the motion passed by couilcillors, employees of the DRLHC will be offered employment with the Region. Region. Regional COUNCIL NEWS JULY 11.2001 New garbage contracte approved DURHAM -- Regional councillors have approved a waste action plan that could see a new collection system introduced introduced in at least four of Durham's municipalities. municipalities. Durham council voted Wednesday to recommend an integrated waste collection collection system be introduced in the municipalities municipalities of Uxbridge, Brock, Scugog and Clarington as of next April. The recommendation would see the introduction of a curbside organics collection program, which means residents residents in those municipalities would have to separate their garbage into re- cyclables, compostables and residual waste. The Region will issue a request for proposal (RFP) for collection in the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge and a separate RFP for Clarington, Clarington, subject to the approval of the municipalities. Several other recommendations recommendations in the waste action plan regarding regarding collection contracts for recyclable materials and leaf and yard waste were deferred by works committee members at their last meeting. The plan will be addressed by the committee at their August August meeting. Oshawa business told to relocate OSHAWA -- An Oshawa man has been given until the end of the year to remove his business from Regional property that Durham plans to use for storage. Rob Bessie, owner of 'It's A Blast' on Wilkinson Road in Oshawa, is being given until Dec. 31 to vacate the property, property, Regional councillors decided at Wednesday's council meeting. He had asked the works committee in May to let his business continue operating on the site until the planned realignment on Gibb Street moves ahead. The Region leases the property to Mr. Bessie and plans to use the space for storage needs until the Gibb plan goes ahead. Mr. Bessie has said he's been unable unable to find another site for his business, business, which is involved in sanding, blasting, welding, fabricating, painting and detailing commercial equipment and vehicles. Get your event caught in the Web DURHAM -- Charitable and nonprofit nonprofit organizations in Durham are being encouraged to make use of the Region of Durham's Web site to post information information about upcoming events. The Region launched a new area on its Web site last fall to enable local organizations to promote information about upcoming activities and events. The public can access information on these events by visiting the Web site at www.regioh.durham.on.ca and clicking clicking on public service announcements. Dine Recline FURNITURE Store Closing Everything Must Go! Rock Bottom prices WOOD/IRON & RATI'AN KITCHEN DINETTES-PRICES SLASHED WHITBY (905) 666-4774 1545 Blindas St. E. (SW corner of Thkfcson & Blindas) Berkline RECLINING SOFA SETS -ONLY A FEW LEFT! PICKERING (905) 837-8555 1099 Kingston Rd (beside Dairy Queen) • THE • PARK Join us for this week's concert presenting v L '■ ) 'p ' v\: : Thursday, 7:00 p.m. (Rain or Shine) U' 1 /...y; à ' j $ \v\\ 'w, sponsored by Martin Gerrits & Evergreen Farm & Garden iK-rriii:. k j (July 19th - Fred Mlden And His 1 |jfj'! 'Trumpet And Orchestra) (fl If n ■ i •< Year 2001 Free Concert series Rotary Park (Queen Street - Bowmanville) 1,1 ■ _ - 58 m ^ • i i OVER 40 QUALITY USED CARS | AND TRUCKS OVER 200 NEW VEHICLES IN STOCK ON SALE NOW VISIT US TODAY AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE BEST! $ A r'"U A'.,'-"; NEW MODERN 12 BAY SERVICE DEPT. ALSO EXPANDED PARTS DEPT. 799 BLOOR ST. W.. OSHAWA J905| - 40£0525 e BloorSt South Service Rd Durham Dodge Oshawa Chrysler GO Station 1 11111111111111111111111»