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Page A6 ♦ THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ September 6,2006 durhamregion.com Anderson reflects on his AMO term Happy with the relationship the association has built with the Province BY ERIN HATFIELD Staff Writer DURHAM - Roger Anderson says his commitment to Durham Region is unwavering. When the Regional Chairman Chairman looks back at his term as president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, he said he hopes it was all for the betterment of Durham and the entire province. "Anything I can do as a member of AMO or as chairman of Durham Durham Region that improves the quality of life and means more disposable income for residents of Durham or Ontario is a good thing," Mr. Anderson said. "I ain pretty pleased how we managed that over the past two years and I am pretty pleased with how it looks for the future." Mr. Anderson finished his term as AMO president on Aug. 16 at the organization's annual conference conference in Ottawa* He joined AMO in 1989 and spent just less than a decade on its executive before being elected president. The two- year term, which he began in 2004, after losing the race for. the seat in 2002, was a goal Mr. Anderson had held for some time. "I always (thought) I could do a good job representing AMO," he said. , ' Belief in AMO's mission is what drove Mr. Anderson during his presidency. "Not all 405 municipalities can speak to the Province at once," he said. " And it is fair to say the Province can't speak to all 405 municipalities at once either." AMO is the collective voice of Ontario's municipalities, speaking speaking with a united voice after consultation with members and the board. It puts forward policy positions that reflect the large majority of municipalities in Ontario whether they be large, small, rural or urban. ■ "Basically the issues are all the same. The difference between one municipality and another is most definitely defined by the number of zeros in front of the decimal point," Mr. Anderson Anderson said. "The problems in the City of Ottawa are no different then the problems in the City of Kenora." The services provided by the municipal sector are the same and Mr. Anderson said there's enough consensus across the board about what the important issues are. Issues like land ambulances, the municipal act, gas tax, the shortage of justices of the peace and social services affect the entire province. "We have had quite a success in changing some of the legislation," legislation," Mr. Anderson said. "We don't win every battle but we- certainly win the majority of the battles, I would suggest." Reflecting on his term, Mr. Anderson said he is pretty happy with the way everything turned out. He also looks forward to the next two years when he will serve as past president. "If you add up all the wins, the last two years have been a great two years," Mr. Anderson said. Among the list of "accomplishments "accomplishments AMO had during Mr. Anderson's presidency arc the gas tax agreement, which secured approximately $1.9 billion billion in federal gas tax revenue for Ontario municipalities over five years. School supply drive ongoing to Sept. 23 DURHAM - The Kiwanis club of Oshawa-Durham is partnering partnering with its local STAPLES stores to help make the back-to- school season easier for children in need by equipping them with essential school supplies lo start the school year off right, Kiwanis is calling on the local community to show its support by making a monetary or product donation at their nearest STAPLES STAPLES store before Sept. 23. All donations will be delivered to local school children at the end of the supply drive. To speak to a local organizer call 416-979-1120 ext. 292. Also, the signing of the memorandum memorandum of understanding, the land ambulance funding, which saw the Province commit to funding the service 50/50 with municipalities, and finally the new municipal act and the review on the fiscal imbalance. A low point? Mr. Anderson said the biggest disappointment was Bill 206,'the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Learning How to Save Money on Your Taxes H&R Block Tax Course Begins Thousands of people are learning the afternoon, and evening classes available, skills of income tax preparation from Classes will be offered at area locations. 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Enrolment In. orxomptetton of. the : NS* Slo* tncomeTek Counehneither 'm ttfkt nor» guarantor- of employment 02606 NS* 8kx* Cooed», Int. Enrol now H&R BLOCK It's not just "h, uW" 1 -î? '%ii j» -V Si ,^7l . 7§|| il 5| : S -inis ■A A: MW mm ■ m ' SBetiareP 1 * mm ÉteS Canada's largest weight loss chain with over 320 centres. Oshawa I 1330 Ritson Rd N 905.432.6999 Oshawa II 13-45 kiiKjbt E 905.725.4146 Oshawa III 10/6 Cedar Si. 905.438.8446 Bowmanville Bowmanville Mali 24.) King Si E 905.6979484 CALL 310-THIN (8446) www.herbalmagic.ca ' Port Perry rioulh Gale Mall 1-4500 Simcoe St. 905.985.1084 He/ibaiMc •V H «. MI LOSS X ' UMRiIiON (. t N ' Rl • ^ way they did, we didn't feel was appropriate." Mr. Anderson said successes like these are signs that AMO's mission is being accomplished. 'There's a respectful relationship relationship whicli has been formed between municipal government and the provincial government and that relationship is important," important," lie said. . "Governments have to realize that municipal governments arc a mature order of government. They arc not the children of the province of Ontario anymore. They have grown up." He said he has had a good relationship relationship with the Province and Premier Dalton McGuinty. "Every time I have met with understanding and an agreement," Mr. Anderson said. "I've been very pleased with our relationship relationship and the way he treated me as chairman of Durham Region and as president of AMO. I was very pleased with the accessibility we had to him." Premier McGuinty agreed with the positive relationship. "We have enjoyed a quality quality working relationship with Roger," Premier McGuinty said. "The relationship had deteriorated deteriorated (between municipalities and the Province) and we were able to work together to make some changes." A.J. Groen / Metroland Durham Region Media Group Durham Region Chair Roger Anderson has stepped down as president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. (OMERS) legislation. "The OMERS legislation, we know for a fact that it will end up costing municipalities an awful lot of money down the road," Mr. Anderson said. "To change it the If You Are... Moving Expecting a Baby Planning a Wëddlng New Business Appointment Looking for a Career Call Welcome Wagon Today! 905-434-2010 www.welcomewagon.caj It's absolutely FREE! 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