The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ JANUARY 19,2005 ♦ PAGE 7 j a challenge, right? • j? • • " On average, each Canadian produces five tonnes of greenhduse gases a year. Driving, heating and cooling our homes, using ^pliances... almost anything we do that uses fossil fuels for' energy/also creates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. And these emissions are causing our climate to change. Take the One-Tonne Challenge - reduce your energy use and your GHG emissions by 20%, or one tonne. You'll save money, and help to protect our climate and our air quality. Get your Guide to the One-Tonne Challenge. /Visit climatechange.gc.ca or call 1800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232), TTY 1 800 465-7735. ; ! bkeHyé ' •) M durhamregion.com Cattabtan Statesman This W M Metroland Durham Region Media Group Canada / One-Tonne Challenge Take action on climate change Government of Canada Gouvernement du Canada Escape holiday debt Consumers warned not to pay loan brokers up-front fees BY JllilAN F0LLERT Staff writer DURHAM -- Splurging on Christmas gifts may liave seemed like a good idea in December, but as January and February February credit card bills begin to roll in, many people find themselves crushed beneath the weight of post-holiday debt. While many companies promise to relieve the pressure through instant loans or payday advances, the Ministry of Consumer Consumer and Business Services recently warned consumers to be wary of those, demanding advance fees, or making blanket blanket promises to improve credit ratings. "If someone is saying they can get you money, but you have to pay a big up-front cost first, that should make you think twice," said Sandra Sherk, executive director of the Credit Counselling Service of Durham Region (CCSDR). "A bank or credit union wouldn't make you do that, so why would anyone else?" According to the Ministry', it is illegal for companies to charge a fee before providing providing a loan or improving a credit rating. "More than 1,500 charges have been laid against, fly-by-night loan brokers and credit/ repairers .who take consumers' consumers' money f>ut fail to deliver on their promise," said Minister of Consumer and Business Services Jim Watson, in a recent statement. "We want people to learn to protect themselves before cash changes hands." Ms. Sherk says the very first step for people facing debt should be a visit to a credit counselling service that belongs to the Ontario Association of Credit Coun- • selling Services, as the' CCSDR does. A detailed financial assessment should be Award-winning team scores again From page 1 2nd, Oshawa This Week • COVERAGE OF LOCAL EDUCATION/SCHOOL EDUCATION/SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSUES, 2nd, Oshawa This Week • PHOTOJOURNALISM, 2nd, Walter Passarella, Oshawa This Week, Here Comes the Sun • BREAKING NEWS STORY, 3rd, Oshawa This Week, College Pub Shoot ing Victim Dies • BREAKING. NEWS STORY, 2nd, Whitby This Week, Derailed Train • LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE Class B, 2nd, Uxbridge Times Journal, Federal Election 2004 • NEWS PHOTO, 1st, Carl Ferencz, Port Perry Star/This Week, Aftermath of an accident The awards will be presented March 3 at the annual SNA publisher's conference conference in Orlando, Florida. ■ completed, to take stock of income, creditors creditors and living expenses. "A lot of people have never pulled the numbers together. They might think things are hopeless, before they realize they're overspending in areas like clothing or entertainment," She said. "If they can make cuts in flexible areas, that's the best way to get back on track." If the situation can't be helped by cutting back on movies and coffee, a trip to a bank or credit union should come next. Consolidation loans that allow customers customers to make one payment, with less interest, interest, are often a solution for those in moderate moderate debt. According to Colin Boulton, a bankruptcy bankruptcy trustee with Oshawa-based Mandel- bauin Spegel Inc., those with insurmountable insurmountable debt, might need to take further steps and look into consumer proposals and bankruptcy. "Consumer proposals can be a good option, because they let people pay back a percentage of the debt, 'instead of the whole thing, with interest-free loans that are part of a government program," he explained. "Declaring bankruptcy should be the last step, after they try everything else." Mr. Boulton added that free initial consultations consultations are an industry standard, and echoed the minister's warning to be suspicious suspicious of companies charging high up-front fees and making big promises. While Ms. Sherk said there is no foolproof foolproof way to find a trustworthy broker or counsellor, she suggested people rely on word-of-mouth recommendations, bank referrals and simple gut instinct. "There is no such thing as free money, so if it sounds to good to be true, it probably probably is." For more information, contact the Ministry Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, at 416-326-8800 or 1-800-889-9768. Clarington residents will still see transit service improvements, mayor says. from page 1 areas that would not have the convenience of using this service, and I didn't have answers when if came to the dollar value of this whole thing." According to Mayor Mutton, Clarington residents can rest assured that improvements improvements to their stand-alone system will continue, with or without the region's support. support. , W' are already looking, at. our own- ; service improvements/ such-as red-eye bus service and more'routes," he said: "It : would have been great for residents to get , on a bus anywhere in Clarington, pay once, and transfer to the GO or get to another municipality... but now we just have to deal with what we have." Ward 1 Councillor Councillor Adrian Foster said that, despite this setback, he is confident regional transit will be - ÉMi •',%.revisited sometime Adrian Foster m the future. - , , • ' , . - V If we want to get cars off the road to address gridlock and environmental issues, this is the only mm way," he said. "If we want to actually be able to get anywhere in the region, this is the,only way. It's a no-brainer." Regional Chairman Roger Anderson also expressed his frustration with the outcome of the votes. "It. is without a doubt the No. 1 issue in the eyes of the residents," Mr. Anderson said. "I'm very disappointed. "It's Hard to believe something can pass 26 to 1 at regional council and go back to the local, municipality where a 1 majority, of council has supported it, and then go, and nonsupported it," he said, referring to Oshawa. "It doesn't make sense to me." -- With files from Carly Foster REMINDER 2005 DE AC ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Nominations are being accepted until January 31,2005 for the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee (DEAÇ) Environmental Achievement Awards. The five award categories recognize individual and collective efforts to promote, preserve and enhance Durham's natural environment. To nominate an individual or organization please submit a nomination form to: Ms. Lori Riviere 1 Planning Department, Regional Municipality of Durham Box 623,1615 Dundas St. E., Lang Tower West Building Whitby, Ontario,11 N 6A3 Phone: 905-728-7731 Fax: 905-436-6612 ' ' E-mail: deac@region.durham.on.ca Nomination forms are available on the Region's website at www.region.durham.on.ca or by contacting the above. A.J. Groen/The Canadian Statesman Dishing it out in Courtice COURTICE -- Tamara Komomko, a member of Courtice Secondary School's student council, was among the youth who helped to organize an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to raise money for the COPE, a mental health program operated by Clarington Community Care. Hundreds Of Meal Ideas. One Aisle. |with a minimum $30 purchase (200 g/7.1 oz - regular retail price $4.49) I Limit one box of MINI ÉCLAIRS per family purchase per visit. Not to be used with any other offer. Gift Certificate purchases excluded. Offer valid while quantities last. Offer expires January 28,2005. iMAXimize ir rewards! {Skinless, Seasoned, loot* Fillets Removed D(//lv/vwv Chicken Breasts Low (at with lots of good flavour. That's what you get with our versatile chicken breasts. Cook them up as is or use them in any of your favourite chicken recipes. 8-12 PORTIONS maxi member *" ' special 14 99 l*rx< i SAVE s 5 See our ad in FRIDAY'S paper for more SPECIALS BOWMANVILLE 133 King st.E. 697-1202 OSHAWA 1347 King St. E. at Townline 571*7701 11 Taunton Rd. W. at Simcoe 434*4633 WHITBY 3500 Brock St. N. (beside Devilles) 668*3439 1801 Dundas St. E. (Kendalwood Plaza) 436*3066 www.mmmeatshops.com Prices ^ in effect ► until Friday M January 28, ^ UrM