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f Orono Weekly Time s, Wednesday, November 1. 2000 - 3 Rotarians support youth program Vfiridfafl From Around Home by Roy Forrester My day was made mid morning on Monday In talking talking to Willis Barraball downtown, when he reported reported sighting some six Bluebirds last Friday on a portion of the newly opened Oak Ridges Hiking Trail. This is the same area In which Rick Patterson, Bowmanville, sighted some 25 to 30 birds earlier this ■ fall. Both groupings would certainly be In migration. It Is an area where we have placed upwards of 20 Bluebird boxes and had some successful nesting of Bluebirds, Swallows and Wrens this past summer. It was the first visit by Willis and Marilyn to the trail and they were impressed with the trail itself and, of course, the sighting of the birds. The trail, somewhat short In length, no hills of any account, is accessible from the 10th Concession just east of Highway 35 and is known as the Cochrane property. It runs north to Regional Road 20. It is in open country with trees and shrubs aligning the fencing. Side-road parking is available. available. • I was not only pleased that they had sighted the Bluebird but also that they had made use of the trail which was just opened and signed. The Clarington Chapter of the Oak Ridges Trail Association is in the process of opening the trail and would like to have the trail open from Avery Road In Darlington Township to Highway 115 before the snow falls this winter. To this point the trail has been blazed with white paint markers and roadcrossing roadcrossing signs along Concession 10 in Darlington Township from Avery Road in the west to the boundary road with Manvers Township. It is a multi-use trail but does have some most Interesting sections. Work is being planned for a single-use trail for the south of Mosport and the Swamp Road area. The Oak Ridges Trail Associ-ation does have a membership of $15.00 single single and $20.00 for a family. It is, however, not necessary necessary to hâve a membership to use the trails. They are ' open at all times. The Association does request that users respect the property of others, stay on the trail and that they not litter. At this time the section north of Concession 10, Clarke and the section along Concession 10 in Darlington are open with proper markings and sig- ' nage. Hiking makes for a healthier person and the trails mentioned above are open for your use. Do let us know what you think if you make use of the trails. L St. Saviour's Anglican Church MILL ST., ORONO, ONTARIO Rev. David R. Saunders, CD 983-5594 • 987-2019 Sunday Service, Sunday School & Youth Group 9:30 a.m. * s|< * * * 1 st & 3rd Sunday of Month HOLY COMMUNION * * * * * 2nd & 4th Sunday MORNING PRAYER Newcastle Community Church Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. 390.Mill St. North (North at lights, first right to end) ~ AMPLE PARKING ~ Preaching this week Rev. David Chisling "Doing Well, Thanks for Asking" For Information: (905) 987-4561 or (905) 987-4384 merges with Belleville Hydro The Rotary Club of Bowmanville made a $2,000 donation to the Firehouse Youth Centre last week Thursday during their weekly luncheon held last week at Sylvanus Gardens. Presenting the cheque on behalf of the Rotary Club is their President Pauline Mote. Diana Eastwood, David Smith, Wilson Canivilo and Tracy Glover accepted the cheque for the Firehouse Youth Centre. Veridian Corporation picked up a new partner last week. In an emergency meeting ■ of Clarington Council last Thursday, councillors voted • unanimously to authorize a merger between Veridian and Belleville Hydro. Representatives of Veridian presented the proposal proposal to councillors in a closed session. The merger creates a 87,000 strong customer base for Veridian Corporation, and increase of 17,000. Veridian Corporation began in 1999 with the amalgamation amalgamation of Ajax, Pickering and Clarington Hydro commissions,. commissions,. Since then the Corporation purchased the Hydro Commissions ,of Port Hope and Uxbridge. Under the terms of the ■agreement, the City of Belleville will receivé a 12.8% interest in Veridian for their transfer of assets, which at the end of 1999 had a book value of $21.7 million. Belleville will receive an initial payment, of $1.8 million; million; an advance of future Veridian returns. "1 think it is a good deal for Clarington," stated Councillor Mary Novâk. "We had no choice but to build Clarington's assets," she said, "with the dividends coming back to all tax payers." Veridian rate payers will benefit from the addition of the Belleville customers, says Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Veridian; David Clarke. "1 think it's an excellent' deal for the municipality," states Councillor Troy Young. "The larger Veridian grows the more money it means for our residents." Veridian currently has a submission into the Ontario Energy Board for a 12.7% rate increase over the next three years. "The impact of the rate increase will be less with the addition of the Belleville customers," customers," stated Clarke. "Any decision that's going to make sure rates are lower, is a benefit to all rate payers," states councillor John Mutton. Veridian calculates that if Clarington had not joined the amalgamated Hydro Utility, Clarington residents would have faced a 6% rate increase over the next three year period. period. Being part of Veridian, reduces that rate impact to 4%, said Clarke. t Clarington Hydro itself was formed in the 1980's through the amalgamation of Newcastle, Bowmanville and Orono Hydro Commissions. Clarington residents jiving in thé rural areas including all of Courtice get their electricity electricity through Hydro One, formerly formerly Ontario Hydro. Veridian has made payments payments to its shareholders in the amount of $12 million over the past two years. The Municipality of Clarington, as a 15.7% shareholder in the amalgamated company has received approximately $1.8 million in dividend payments. Pickering and Ajax would have . received amounts respective of their 47,3% (Pickering) and 37% (Ajax) shares in Veridian Veridian claim it was critical critical to close The deal with Belleville prior to November 7, 2000. After this date, a 33% transfer tax would have applied to any such transfer or sale. ORONO PASTORAL CHARGE Minister Rev. Dorindà Vollmer Church Office ■ 983-5502 KIRBY SERVICE 9:30am ***** ORONO SERVICE 11:OOam Wheelchair Access A.A. meets every Thurs. 8 pm Proprietors: Gary & Carol Vreeker Main Street, Orono' Closed Sunday & Monday Chocolate Letters for Christmas Want to surprise someone special? Put'their face on a cake wilb f Photo-lmaging 983-9779 w ' SSs ^~%*4® A * Orono Country Cafe B Full Menu Ü) 4 m Main Street., Orono; Ontario • 983-9009 if