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

durhamrcfjion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ November 1,2006 ♦ Page A3 Trustee candidates take centre stage Courtice Area Ratepayers' Association hosts town hall debate BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer COURTICE - Four of eight candidates candidates running for trustee for the two school boards serving Clarington stated their case during the Courtice Area Ratepayers' Association town hall meeting Thursday night. Granville Anderson, Maureen Day and Barbara Malone, all running for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, were on hand, while Andrew Bennion was not. Of four candidates for the Kawar- tha Pine Ridge District School Board, only Steven Cooke attended. Incumbent Incumbent Cathy Abraham sent a prepared statement, as she was at a regularly scheduled board meeting. But, CARA representative Mark Stanisz said Todd Shriglcy was away on vacation, and Karen Hills, the fourth candidate, did not reply to requests to attend. The role of trustee is complex, and the job requires experience and knowledge, said Ms. Abraham in her statement. "I believe strongly in public educa tion," said Ms. Abraham's.statement, read by Mr. Stanisz. To educate children children well, "we have one chance and one chance only." Steven Cooke said his experience both with children and organizations with large budgets would stand him in good stead as a rookie trustee. Ensuring Clarington Clarington gets its fair share of education funding is key, he said. "I want to help make sure Clarington has the best education for our children," he said. Separate school board incumbent Mr.. Anderson said he's pleased with PVNC's record over the past three years, in which he has served as trustee. trustee. .matron: a in the transit strike? player Questions remain now that strike is over BY ERIN HATFIELD Staff Writer DURHAM - Now that the'three-week transit strike is over, the question remains, did amalgamation have anything to do with the removal of services? The recent labour disruption, so soon into the life of Durham Region Transit, created on Jan. I after local transit services services merged, some say was facilitated ' by a hurriediamalgamation. According to John Johnson, unit chairman chairman of Canadian Auto Workers Local 222, workers weren't consulted on the amalgamation, which could have contributed contributed to the regional transit .strike so early on. "I am not saying that amalgamation, in the future, is' going to be a bad thing because possibly it is going to be fine, but it was just rushed through," Mr. Johnson Johnson said. The process of amalgamation, he said, should have been worked on through committees. "Not just pass a.bylaw'and all of a sudden sudden bang they arc amalgamated without any planning ahead," Mr. Johnson said. "I think it should have been done over a few years." ; He suggested the Region should have started the process with joint services between municipalities. : "We'were just thrown into this kettle of fish and we had to go through a certification certification for union," Mr. Johnson said. "To try to bring everything together when the locations operated so vastly different, you can't just say, 'now you are all the same'." However, Garth Johns, the Region's commissioner of human resources, said ' the process of amalgamation could have been stretched out over a longer period of time, but the same result would be evident. ' "The problem is that you have, got, three previous bargaining bargaining units that had come together," Mr. Johns said. "Trying "Trying to bring those together is a challenge." , The merger was the logical logical direction to take transit, according to Mr. Johns, despite, the problems that came about in negotiating a first contract forworkers. "Operationally, there were Garth Johns sense to go with the regional transit than to have four or five or eight different systems systems out there," he said. "It is part of the natural process of amalgamation to hit bumps along the way." Technically you could reverse the decision to amalgamate amalgamate transit, but Mr. Johns suggests that wouldn't be a wise decision. "You can download it back," Mr. Johns says. "Technically you can, but all that would do would be to put the taxes back on the local portion of some challenges initially, but it makes the bill." On November 13 ip x, ? ' h ; - -enêhce Questions or Concerns? Call Jim at 905-623-0549 26 King : Street West, Bowmanville SEPARATE SCHOOL TRUSTEE BARBARA MALONE •PARENT FORMER TRUSTEE • PROFESSIONAL FOR YOU GZf FOR YOUR CHILDREN MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT : FOR YOUR COMMUNITY ON NOVEMBER 13TH HOME: 905-786-2444 tbmlm@sympatoca For an Ethical and Informed Voice on Clarington and Durham Region Councils ELECT LINDA GASSER CLARINGTON WARDS 3 & 4 "Linda has the intelligence, commitment and integrity to he an outstanding Regional 'Councillor. Simply put, she has what it takes ". Steve Parish, Mayor of Ajax October 21, 2006 m VOTE ON 00 BY NOVEMBER 13.2 Putting People and Community First For Information or to ollor your support contact Linda at: Tel: 905-983-5249 • www.llndagasser.com J.P.'s Corner What a time to upgrade! Check out these Hot Deals! GMV9070 p 33XA v - Wûû I Wag HOW s 2800| NOW'1899 Instilled ECM/DC Motoi • 2 Stage Valve Instilled 1 1/2 Ton • Rebates • $100 Enbridge Gas Distribution Rebate $100 Hot Savings Rebate (ECM Motor) Oil/Nat. Gas/Propane/Electric $575 Cool Savings Rebate $15 Programmable Stat Rebate V$79Q ; What a return on your new investment! Example: John Doe has a 30 year old furnace with a standing pilot and a 8 Seer A/C from 1978. Currently if he upgrades to this combo system. Q Savings of up to 15% on your gas Q Savings of up to 15% on your electric bill Q Rebates up to $790 ©10 Year Parts & Service Warranty Available ÏEIje (Enmfnrt JS'lnippc 160 Baseline Rd. E. Bowmanville (905) 623-2956 Hours: Mon. - Frl. 8 - 6, Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4 wobsltoiwww.comlortshoppo.com Email: johnpnul48comlorlshoppo.com The board has passed three balanced budgets "without cutting programming, programming, support staff or any other staff that enhance learning in our schools," said Mr. Anderson. At the same time, Education Quality and Accountability Office test results have largely exceeded exceeded provincial standards, he said. Maureen Day spoke of her more than 15 years experience working with school councils. "I believe passionately that Catholic education is a shared responsibility, one that encompasses church, home and school," she said. "Now more than ever, we need to ensure our students are in à safe and healthy school environment." Ms. Malone served on the board from [DENTURES $ 249?°„ 2000 to 2003, and before that, worked for a Catholic school board in Northern Ontario, in accounting. She said there is a need to work hard to "increase the number of students we bring to Grade 12 graduation." As well, the board should look to increase even further it's EQAO results, while at the same time recognizing "not all children fit the mold of the provincial provincial standard," said Ms. Malone. 434-4603 1(905) I Offer expires November 30 th , 2006 HI durhamregion.com HERONGATE BARN DINNER THEATRE 2885 Altona Rd., Pickering ■ 5 STAR COMEDY Opening Fri. Nov. 3, 2006 "Bedside Maimers" _ by Derek Benfield _ CÏÎP & SAVE l ! $10 OFF PER COUPLE j u _ November SJi.J, 9 and l_2th _ u ; For Reservations Call: NEW Toll Free:1-86.6-902-9884 or: (905) 472-3085 a www.herongate.com fj tL FOR A VOICE OF REASON AND EXPERIENCE REPF-f.'SFM ED "'L-V'iNOTON FOf' : • VOTE FOR r • ^ „ . .'j LOCAL COUNCILLOR - WARD 2 rO! iijllhc WANTED HOMES THAT NEED ROOFING jr. A select number of homeowners in Durham Region willbe. given the opportunity to have a lifetime, energy saving, steel shingle "Cool Roof' by METALWORKS installed on their home at a reasonable cost ! If we can use your .home in our campaign to showcase the look of our "Quarry Slate" or "Cedar Shingle" roof, we will definitely make it worth your while. Should'Your home and location meet our marketing needs, you will receive attractive pricing and will have access to our special o.a.c. low interest unsecured bank financing. A Metalworks roof will provide you with unsurpassed beauty and performance... guaranteed! www.TheLastRoof.com This limited offer will be serviced on a first come, first served basis. INQUIRE TODAY TO SEE IF YOUR HOME QUALIFIES! 1-866-894-4040 email: metalworlts@bil-den.com if j I- BONELESS, SKINLESS,SEASONED CHICKEN BREASTS RSS durhamrecjBQin.com These aren't your aver- \ age chicken breasts! they're one ol our best sellers because ol their superior quality, versatility and because I they cook up tender land moist every time. 1 Fillets removed. 8-12 Portions 1.36 kg/3 lb \ MAX. special 13» MADE FROM SOLID ALL-WHITE CHICKEN BREAST, FILLETS! mmmips\ Our popular strips are solid, all-while breast meat, boneless chicken breast tillets. They're lightly seasoned and coated in oriental-style breadcrumbs. 27-33 Pieces 1.36 kg/3 lb MAX, special 12" 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. North 668-3439 1801 Oundas St. E. 436*3066 (Kendalwood Plaza) NEWCASTLE soiKingAve. 987*5877 www.mmmeatshops.com r Prlces^l le effect 4 28 until ► Fri. Nov. 10, 4