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www.durhamrcgion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JANUARY 22, 2003 PAGE 5 Headquarters will relocate some services Others will remain in satellite locations BY JACQUIE MclNNES Staff Writer , DURHAM - After 15 years out of the workforce, Anne Gordon is a woman without the connections, means or skills to get herself back on her feet. Fortunately, the downtown Oshawa resident says, a month-and-a-half ago, jshe discovered the Durham Region Resource Resource Centre at the Midlown Mall in the city's core. There she can access a computer, photocopier, fax and telephone telephone for her job search. More importantly, importantly, she says, she has been able to take workshops to learn the basics of work skills she has either forgotten or never had. ! But as regional politicians contemplate contemplate a new $68-million regional headquarters headquarters to open in north Whitby in 2005, Ms. Gordon worries others who come after her may lose access to this valuable resource. Politicians were expected expected to vote on the new facility at today's (Wednesday's) regional council meeting. If approved, under the Region's plan to amalgamate services from various leased locations across Durham, employees employees from nine offices, including the resource centre, would be relocated to the proposed facility at Rossland Road and Garden Street. "What about the people in this area? Look around you. They're the ones who need it. Transportation is a big deal for cvetybody. People living in the north end aren't going to be using it," she says, noting for many of the centre's clients a $4 round bus trip to north Whitby would be unaffordable and inconvenient. "If it works, leave it alone," she says. Satellite offices for social services and income support clients in Ajax and Uxbridge will remain where they arc. As well, the Wentworth Avenue income support office, which services Oshawa south of Albert Street and Olive Avenue and all of Clarington, will remain in its current location. However, confirms Paul Cloutier, director director of income support, the office at 850 King Street in Oshawa, which services services the north part of the city, will be moved to the new regional headquarters along with most of the frontline services offered at that location including family, marital and group counselling and income income support services for Ontario Works recipients. The director says a 4,000-square foot storefront will be maintained in Oshawa with a small staff of workers to help refer clients and provide provide assessment services. Mr. Cloutier confirms, under the proposal, proposal, the Resource Centre is scheduled to be relocated and he says, it is fair to say more than half of the clients probably probably live within walking distance to the centre and most would be reliant on public public transit. Jack McCorkell, director of works for the Region, notes the Regional Transit Task Force is currently "debating "debating quite seriously" the issue of inter-municipal transit. transit. He says the Region's in tention is to create "seamless transit across the Region" that would bring clients from all parts of Durham to the services services provided, regardless of where the clients live or where the service is located. t & & It's our special IRISH TOUR PRESENTATION If * * eSe, if * if* * 6-3» "Sf GRANDTOUR OF IRELAND MAY 15th - 30th 2003 ESCORTED BY BILL &? DORIS MAGUIRE Tuesday, January 28th ~ 7 p.m. Place: Clarington Beech Centre 26 Beech Ave., Bowmanville RSVP: 1-905-623-1511 or 1-905-373-5010 Goliger's Travelplus e-mail: wmaguire@sympalico.ca f- * *$* * - ' » t* * J§§> v) * É& * * q&fi A DEAL to supply a large quantity of baked fresh fruit pies has been cancelled and our pieman is stuck. We have made a DEAL with him and can give you perhaps the best deal of your life on apple, blueberry, cherry, strawberry/rhubarb or bumbleberry pies. HERE'S THE DEAL ON THESE BAKED FRESH FRUIT Ï«*S* 6m s 17" These are all high quality fresh fruit pies, fully baked, just defrost and serve and save on hydro costs. Regular price on these pies is up to $5.49 each. SO ■ A REAL BARGAIN MCMILLAN ORCHARDS The Home of FLASH FROZEN fruit and vegetables, pies, cookie and muffin batters and meats. Hwy #2 Between Ajax & Whitby Open 7 Days A Week I0am-5pm Please recycle Surprise Sale Plus everyday good values on selected items ■pughout the store! Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25,2003 Two day t miss it. Oiler valid in Sears Retail stores only nM Tr.tr, t,in,Hid Itu.