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Orono Town Hall Volume 64, Number 13 GST Included Wednesday, March 29, 2000 Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono, Starkville and Tyrone since 193 Forestry lands and mill pond dam Ministry seeks public input IgjfllfggfMg: liiiiiS SÜÜÜÜI When the Ministry of Natural Resources, MNR asked for public input, they , will have a bearing on the Mill Pond above. The Pond, a pop ular skating spot in the winter, is beginning to silt up. Happenings ORONO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Buffet Luncheon, Thursday, April 13, 11:30 a*m. to 1:00 p.m., Orono United Church, advance tickets June 983-5169 or Lorna 983-5608. KENDAL U.C.W. ANNIVERSARY SERVICE The Anniversary service is being held on April 2, 2000, 7:00 p.m. at Kendal United Church, guest speaker - Rev. David W. Potter, with "Effective Witnessing" as his topic. GENERAL MOTORS CHOIR - Kirby United Church présents the General Motors Choir on Saturday, April 8th, 7:00 p.m. at the Orono United Church, For tickets call 983-9891 or 623-8770. BIG BROTHERS OF CLARINGTON MEETING & DINNER On Thursday, April 27, 2000, Big Brothers of Clarington will hold their Annual Meeting & Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Baseline Community Centre. Social time - 6:00 pm., Dinner 6:30 p.m. Guest Speaker - Bruce Fitzgibbon re: "Take a Kid Fishing Week." The theme of this year's AGM is "Goin Fishin." Community members can purchase tickets by calling Big Brothers, 623-6646 by April 24, 2000. NEWTONVILLE UNITED CHURCH Come and enjoy a Musical Concert by Thé Switzer Brother's Quartet, Newtonville Church, Saturday, April 8th, 2000, 7:30 p.m. Also attend the U.C.W. Roast Beef, Dinner in the C.E. A farmers right to burn brush was questioned at council council Monday night. "It's against the law to pollute pollute the water we drink, why should anyone be allowed to pollute the air we breath?" asked Courtice resident, Al Vaillancourt. The brush fire, at the corner corner of Hwy. #2 and Solina Rd. has been smoldering for days, explained Vaillancourt. Harry VanBelle, of nearby VanBelle Nursery, stated smoke was entering his greenhouses and he's had to shut down operations operations a few times last week. Mayor Ham re explained the wood could be burned in two weeks, if they had a solid burn. With Watson's having to stop and start the fire several several times, it could take all month. Ted Watson, of Watson Farms Bowmanville, pur Thursday's meeting at the Orono Community Centre with 130 questionnaire's, and ran out, * The Public Meeting regarding the Orono Mill Pond Dam and Orono Forest Land Property, was the front end of a Land Management Process, and the questionnaires questionnaires are a big part of that process, explained ' MNR Regional Manager, _ Rob Messervey. Messervey began the meeting by stating, "The Orono Forestry Lands are not for sale." When asked by a member of the audience, "what prompted this meeting, at this time?" Messervey answered, "through changes in funding and staff, our capacity to maintain public lands is reduced. We're looking to share responsibility, we are not able to manage that land like we .used to." (continued page 2) chased the 100 acre parcel of land within the past year. Forty acres had been pastured by a previous owner, and then let go to brush. Watson is now clearing that brush so the field can be planted this spring. Vaillancourt claims that if' he had known the wood would be set ablaze, he could have looked into having it chipped for the Valley's 2000 project, for use on their trails. Paul Watson said he looked into chipping, but it was too expensive. "Our Fire Department's initial reaction was to deny this," Ham re told Vaillancourt. When Mr. Watson came before the court- . cil of the day, I as one have to say, in hindsight. We never should have approved this. Ham re explained, when'staff, checked with the Ministry of Environment; and Ministry of Agriculture, they realized it was well within Watson's rights as a farmer, to burn 40 acres of brush. In fact Mr. Watson never did appear before council. He met with Divisional Fire Chief, Bill Hesson, late last summer when the property was purchased. At that time a letter ôf understanding was drawn up, outlining perimeters perimeters for the burn, -which included informing neigh-, hours, and putting out the fire when the wind changed. "The rights of the citizens of Clarington to clean water, clean air and good health supercede any antiquated farm laws," stated Vaillancourt. "A farmers right to burn must be weighted weighted against the detrimental impact on the citizens of Clarington of such a burning."