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2 - Orono Weekly limes, Wednesday, May 9, 2001 Aocna Weekly Times (JcNA Subscriptions $28.04 4- $1.96 G.S.T. = $30.00/year ■ Publications Mail Registration No. 09301 Publishing 50 Issues Annually at the Office of Publication "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." 5310 Main Street, P.O. Box 209, Orono, Ontario LOB 1M0 E-Mail Address: oronètimes@speedline.ca Phone/Fax (905) 983-5301 Publisher/Editor Margaret Zwart The Orono Weekly Times welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our readers. Opinions expressed to the editor and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Orono Weekly Times. Letters must be signed, and contain the address and phone number of the writer. Any letter considered unsuitable will not be ackno wledged or returned. We reserve the right to edit for length, libel and slander. If your retail or classified ad appears for the first time, please check carefully. Notice of an error must be given before the next issue goes to print. The Orono Weekly Times will not be responsible for the loss or damage of such items. When the Newcastle Community Hall Board pledged $15,000 to the Millennium Parkette, they did so in the anticipation that the Parkette would benefit the Hall through additional rentals for functions such as weddings. However, when the Hall Board makes a $15,000 donation, donation, and then asks for a $20,000 grant from the Municipality to cover an operating deficit, questions need to be asked. The Newcastle Hall Board historically approach the Municipality for additional operating money, and historically historically they get the funds they ask for. The Hall Board received $12,500 in grants from the Municipality in the past two years, and have received larger amounts in previous previous years. Questions were raised by Councillor Rowe three weeks ago during budget deliberations, when she asked why the Hall Board was seeking a grant when their own financial figures indicated a budget surplus. The two councillors who sit on the Hall Board were unable answer questions on behalf of the Hall Board, so the matter was held over till the following week. What appeared to be a $14,000 budget surplus was actually actually a deficit when $25,831 of capital expenditures (which includes the $15,000 donation to the Parkette),were subtracted subtracted from that amount. Mayor Mutton stated on Monday that the $15,000 donation donation came from the Montague Trust Fund. However, that statement was denied by Hall Board Chair Brenton Rickard. Rickard said interest from the Montague Trust was used to pay some of the capital expenditures last year, but was not used for the donation to the Millennium Parkette. ' Revenue from the Montague Trust does not appear anywhere anywhere on the 2000 budget or the 2001 budget statements from the Hall Board. Putting aside the questionable practice of donating money it doesn't have, this entire incident raises questions of accountability. All but two councillors were quite happy to give the Newcastle Community Hall Board the money they requested, requested, which according to Richard is only a 25% increase over last year; a far cry from the 40% Councillor Schell claims. This, in a year when groups and departments were asked to keep their budget increases below 4%. To its credit the Newcastle Community Hall is indeed a community facility that is used every day by various groups and organizations. However, there appears to be an inequity when some groups are expected to adhere to municipal policy, while others seem to be exempt. Letters Less than consistent Dear Marg: On Wednesday 02 you wrote that the ORTA hiking trails should be open for all to enjoy. During the winter you were concerned about the use of motorized vehicles on restricted walking trails disturbing the. serenity. The ORTA has no restrictions on 4 x 4*s, dirt bikes or snowmobiles snowmobiles disturbing the serenity serenity on these hiking trails. You seem to be less than consistent. consistent. Sincerely, Leigh Parker. Think before you park Dear Marg: This letter is in response to yoiir May 2 editorial, "Harassment Must Stop," in reference to the Oak Ridge Trail Members being ticketed for parking near Mosport, where the sighs clearly state "No Parking - Vehicles Will Be Towed." . Why were they surprised? Do they think they are immune from the law? What a chaotic world we would live in if everyone could chose which laws suited suited them or which they thought applied to them at a particular time. No one has sympathy for someone bemoaning a parking parking ticket, claiming, "Well, I was just planning to be a moment," or "I didn't think they meant after 9," or "I didn't think they meant ME!" You stated that every time they park along that road, they get a ticket. So they should. If one does not like a law and has good reason to have it changed, one should work through the proper channels to have it changed, not just snub the law as if it doesn't pertain to them. This has been precisely the problem with the ORTA, in this area from the beginning. beginning. Though your cause maybe worthy, you CANNOT expect to break the laws with impunity nor show disrespect disrespect for private property and still endear your cause to the private sector. Although we don't live adjacent to the Mosport Park trail in ques tion, we have endured insolence insolence and even defiance, by this group, claiming rights to . private property, bent on installing their trail. So I am not surprised that they ignore and perhaps even defy the law, then ciy, "Fowl," and accuse (without proof) private landowners of harassment. I in no way support harassment, if that is what is happening, but let's put the blaine where it belongs. These signs were in place long before approval was granted for the trails, yet they have chosen to disregard them, A lesson in public relations, relations, some planning and forethought would have served the ORTA well. Thoughtful negotiation and consideration for others would have averted many problems. Plunging headlong into your trail with blinders on to the concerns of landowners does not help to gain their support. NO - THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS. Sincerely, SyM Parkèr Police's solution hardly stellar I traveled the "new" 401 a few days ago. It wasn't rush hour, but there was certainly certainly plenty of traffic . . . except in the "new left speeding" lane. The Police had announced a crack down on motorists who impede traffic flow in the left lane, regardless regardless of the maximum speed limit. (continued page 3) ik&Um