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1^ - Ùrtma W^k^Timea» Wednesday, &e€emte^'ûT¥cK)0 , ^)ga Staying in Touch by John O'Toole, MRP I must start by wishing each of you and your family a Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Happy Hanukkah and Season's Greetings." This is the season when families come together, of gift giving and lights. It is also a time of year when we tend to become more conscious of people who are alone or who are without the necessities many of us take for granted. From my family to yours, may peace, happiness, friendship and good health be with you always. Last Friday, I was privileged privileged to present a cheque of over $1 million to the Community Living Associations of Durham. This commitment will provide new funding for people with developmental disabilities in Durham . This is part of a $50 million investment in developmental developmental services in Ontario. It is important, to see how organizations like Central Seven of Port Perry, the Oshawa and Claringtort Association for Community Living, Christian Horizons, Durham Association for Family and Respite Services and Ajax-Pickering & Whitby Association for Community Living are helping people in our communities. I recognize how these boards, volunteers and families are working hard to provide programs and services services for people with special needs. To see tax dollars actually actually helping people is very reassuring in my role as an MPP. Often these organizations organizations do hot receive enough recognition. I also recognize that I am simply the messenger messenger at events like this one last Friday and I am humbled to be able to bring greetings on your behalf. Last week in . the Legislature, 1 had the privilege privilege of bringing forward Private Member's Bill 99, which passed second reading with the unanimous support of all three parties. Rarely does a Private Member's Bill receive second and third reading reading in one session. This nonpartisan nonpartisan legislation would allow antique car enthusiasts to register their vintage vehicles vehicles using antique year of manufacture license plates. I can only hope that our House Leaders order this Bill for third reading and royal assent during this session. My office has had jiundreds of e-mails, letters and petitions from all over Ontario. I must thank all those collectors from around Durham and the province for their support. At my community office, there ar,e calendars available with many vital pieces of information about preventing fraud. This calendar has useful useful tips for everyone, but has some specific information directed at senior citizens. If you would like a copy, please call my office at 905-697- 1501 or 1-800-661-2433. We will also make this calendar available at community care offices and other outlets. I might add that we have put together a unique community information calendar that will be directly sent to your homes. This is the first time since the] riding realignment that I have used your tax money to send information to every residence in the riding. Federal and provincial mem: bers of parliament have a budget to distribute information information directly to your home. You may have noticed that I had not used this portion of my budget in the past. I hope you find the information of value and I would appreciate your feed back. This is the last week of this legislative session. The Legislature will adjourn on Thursday, December 21st. We will be sitting until midnight most nights and there .will be much debate. Naturally, the government will try and pass • legislation and the opposition will try and make last minute changes. Some legislation will move to committee hearings hearings during the winter break. I fully expect that the Health Privacy legislation will go to public hearings along with the Attorney General's legislation on the Liabilities Limitation Act, Both of these pieces of legislation require considerable considerable public input and it is during during the sessional break that the all-party committees of the Legislature tour the province gathering public input. I will be holding information information sessions in Durham over the period from January until March 2001. If you wish to meet with me during this time, please call my community community office. While I will not be writing my column over the next couple couple of weeks, I encourage you to stay in touch and stay safe. SUBSCRIBE TO THE TIMES $25.00 a year. Merry Christmas As we plunge into the holiday season, it's time to say thanks to all of « our friends, neighbours & patrons and wish you all the best as we enter the 21st century! Russ Major Plumbing & Heating 'We count your friendship among ours on this joyous occasion. Our very best wishes to ad. Chatterton Electric Orville, Betty, David, Patti, Francis 983-5546 Yuletide Greetings "We're proud to have you as our valued friends & eus- a corners and most appreciative rT of your loyalty and support. - Thanks to you all. Have a safe and happy holiday season. " Your friends at Orono Lumber Ltd.