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Orono Town Hall Volume 64, Number 3 750 GST Included Wednesday, January 19, 2000 Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono and Starkville since 1937 The concert Zeke & Sneezy gave Happenings VOLUNTEER... and be a FRIEND The Friends of the Clarington Public Library is a community- driven organization whose goal is to initiate, co-ordinate and promote activities which will enhance the services and resources at the library. Help organize book sales and other fundraising events! The Friends now meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the Bowmanvtlle Branch, 6:30 p.m. Next meeting: Wednsday, February 9th. HEARTH PLACE CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE Tai Chi for cancer patients and caregivers, at Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, 86 Colbome St. W., Oshawa, Saturday, January 22, 10:00 - 11:00 a.ni. Learn about the graceful series of movements that, support relaxation and stress reduction and improve strength and flexibility. Call 579-4833 to register. Millennium park project Almost every chair in the dimmed Orono Town Hall was filled for the Zeke Mazurek (L) and Sneezy Waters (R) concert Sunday night. The duo played tunes, Mazurek on the violin and Waters on the guitar, harmonica and vocals, in the country, folk and blues traditions. Melodies ranged from the very spirited, to soleful and back again. The Newcastle Business Improvement Association (B1A) was left scrambling to get financing plans for their Millennium Park in order last week. The group received word last week that their application for a Federal Millennium grant might be approved if they met certain criteria. That being; confirmed contributions for a,further 1/3 of the project cosfand a solid fund-raising -plan for the remaining 1/3 cost. The absolute deadline for submissions submissions was moved up from the end ' of February 2000, to January 31, 2000. According to BIA Chair Ron Hope, the high end cost estimate estimate of the park to be constructed constructed on the municipally owned land between the Community Hall and the bank is $292,000. The park is designed to be a focal point in the community, and one that will be used, and enjoyed for the next 100 years said Hope. "Designs for the park are still flexible at this point," Hope said. "It will be a place where people can go sit and eat their lunch. The Newcastle Hall Board would like to see 4 pagoda pagoda built or something pictur esque for weddings," said Hope. The pagoda would be wired so bands could use it as well. And the entire park will be well lit, stressed Hope. As a result of meeting with some Municipal staff members and councillors last week, Municipal Treasurer Marie Marano suggested that the Municipality provide a $25,000 grant and interest-free' loan in the amount of $75,000 to the BIA for the park project. Mayor Harare made that motion at Monday's Général Purpose and Administration Committee meeting, which received approval from all councillors. The interest-free loan, according to the motion, is to be paid back no later than two years from date of issue. Mayor Harare told members at the BIA's annual dinner Thursday evening, that after the two years, they could ask for an extension if needed. Hope says he has financial commitments from the Lions Club of Newcastle, and their .Chamber of Commerce for the remaining 1/3. He will also be knocking on the doors of some big- developers in the area for contributions., Plans made to assess local government Canadian Blood Services Canadian Blood Services is calling on all eligible blood donors to cômé out and give the Gift of Life. The flu season has hit, and many of our regular regular donors are unable to donate because of illness. Healthy individuals, between the ages of 17 and 70, can give blood every 56 days, although first time . donors must be 60 or younger. Clarington Beech Centre 26 Beech Avenue Bowmanville Wed. JANUARY 19, 2000 1:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Blood. It's in you to give. Restructuring the way government government operates locally was the tqpic of last week's Regional Government retfeat. All but three of the 28 Regional Councillors spent last week Tuesday and Wednesday at Fern Resort, near Orillia, trying trying to come up with a plan of their own, before the Province imposes one on them. "We achieved a lot," said Mayor Diane Harare last week Thursday. "What really helped was the encouraging report given by M.P.P. Janet Ecker," said Harare. ' Durham West MPP. Ecker and, Durham East MPP John O'Toole both attended attended the retreat. "Ecker said, "don't do it [restructuring] because govern ment says you have to, do it because- it makes sense'." Ecker also told the group, the Province will not be able to pass any restructuring legislation before the upcoming municipal elections this fall. So any government government imposed' solutions would not occur till next spring. This gives the group time to do the studies and make informed decisions says Harare. Councillors devised an action plan at the retreat, to have final reports from the eight municipalities that make tip the Region of Durham, on governance governance and potential amalgamations, amalgamations, in by June 30, 2001. In the fall of that year, Regional Council will decide, based on (continued page 2)