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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, June 13, 2001 I Staying in Touch by John O'Toole, MPP Help for Small Claims Court Ontario's Small Claims Courts offer simplified proceedings proceedings concerning property and money in cases where the claim is up to $10,000 plus interest and expenses. (The maximum size of the claim for these civil cases increased from $6,000 as of last April.) In addition, the new Parental Responsibility Act 2000 enables victims to recover financial losses from the parents parents of young offenders through the small claims court. To find out more, I would recommend a 31-page brochure entitled How to Make Small Claims Court Work for You. We can provide provide a copy of this booklet at our Constituency Office, or you can read it by visiting the government web site - at www.attomeygeneral .jus .gov .on.ca. Click on the heading Going to Court. There is also a new web site that posts provincial laws and can provide provide information on legislation legislation that may apply to your case. It is located at www.e- laws.gov.on.ca Since Small Claims Courts offer simplified and less expensive proceedings, some citizens choose to represent represent themselves in these courts. Of course, this cannot replace the experience and expertise of legal counsel. If you have questions about a legal issue, the Law Society of Upper Canada will provide a lawyer for a free half-hour consultation. Just call 1-900- 565-4577. Please note: $6 referral charge will be added to your telephone bill. For further information, contact contact our Constituency Office at 1-800-661-2433/ 697-1501 Ontario Fights Pollution With Smog Patrol One dirty car can create as much pollution as 20 clean ones, so it's only fair to responsible drivers to crack down on the heavy polluters. That's why Ontario's "Smog Patrol" officers will be on the streets this summer, targeting high-polluting vehicles on Ontario's roads. This year, the Smog Patrol will be expanded to at least 20 staff. Working with responsible drivers, we're making sure Ontario's cars arc running clean, in good working order - for good health and clean air. Since 1998, the Smog Patrol has been monitoring highways throughout the province and has conducted over 9,000 vehicle preinspections. preinspections. It has tested almost 1,500 cars and trucks and issued over 1,400 tickets. First-offence fines for violating violating emissions standards or tampering with emissions control equipment are $305 for light-duty and $425 for heavy-duty vehicles. Proposed Legislation Protects Victims Under proposed legislation legislation to be introduced last week by Attorney General David Young, profits criminals criminals make from recounting their crimes would be forfeited. forfeited. The Prohibiting Profiting from Recounting Crimes Act would permit the government to ask the court to freeze and seize assets from a convicted criminal acquired through retelling his or her crime in a media interview, book or movie. A fund would be established, using the seized proceeds, and would be available available to the victims of the crime. Those who have been injured by a crime become victims once again if criminals criminals are allowed to profit from their actions. I trust that this Legislation will receive prompt approval in the House. It is one more step we have taken to ensure the rights of victims are protected. protected. $24 Million for Early Reading Strategy School turnaround plans, new funding and supports to students, parents and schools will help improve reading skills for JK to Grade 3 students. students. "The new Early Reading Strategy, which includes school turnaround plans, will help schools raise the level of student learning as measured by province-wide tests and report the results to parents," said Education Minister Janet Ecker in announcing the plans last week Tins government is currently currently spending $70 million a year to improve the reading . skills of students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 - a commitment announced in the 2000 Ontario Budget. The additional support for the Early Reading Strategy will total approximately $24 million. million. This means that, in 2001 -02. Ontario will spend $94 million to support primary primary student achievement in Reading. Band Festival and Massey Show this Weekend The volunteers with The Great Canadian Town Band Festival in Orono have an outstanding line-up of events scheduled for the weekend of June 15 th to 17th. Tire Province of Ontario is pleased to sponsor this event through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation's Tourism Event Marketing Partnership Program. The Festival received funding of $12,900 from the Ministry and $55,000 in a separate application application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation. In the Village of Newcastle Saturday, June 16th, we're invited to celebrate the history of Massey farm equipment, with the Massey Show. It takes place at the Lovekin Farm and at the Newcastle Community Hall. S*A eg* it Orono Country Cafe "*#» w , „„„ «81 y Full Menu fjj? Main Street., Orono, Ontario • 983-9009 ftUrJ ,4tJâ A FREE ESTIMATES • COMPETITIVE RATES • • INSURANCE CLAIMS • FEED'S AUTOBODY (90S) 623-6353 163 Baseline Road, Unit 1 Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3L4 Complete Collision Repair, Restoration and Refinishing Fred DeVries proprietor Saturday, June 16th - Euchre Tournament, Orono Arena, 7:00 p.m. $10.00 per person. Proceeds to go to the Arena Building Fund. Tuesday, June 19th - Free Concert in Orono, Village Music - Fest Series presents: Jimmy Haystack and Red Neck Rodeo at the Gazebo behind Orono Library, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.. Bring your lawn chairs. Support our local Artists. (Food Bank articles will be accepted). More info, call Orono Music Centre 905-983-6118. Public meeting - The, Orono Crown Lands Trust will be holding their inaugural meeting, 7:30 p.m., Orono Town Hall. Wednesday, June 20th - Annual meeting of Clarington East Food Bank, 7:30 p.m., St. George's Anglican Parish Hall, Newcastle. Volunteers and Directors required. Everyone welcome. Thursday, JUNE 21st - Summer Celebration Community BBQ, Orono Public School, 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Hamburgers, hotdogs, pop, donuts, silent draw, bake sale, games, face painting. Come out and support your school. The Oshawa Art Association is holding their 33rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, till July 8, 2001. Paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture will be on display. For gallery hours call 905-576-3000. Saturday, June 23rd - The Bowmanville Museum is holding a Craft Show on the front lawn, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call to book your spot at 905-623-2734. Wednesday, June 27th - Volunteer Deadline. The Clarington Public Library is looking for student volunteers for their Eager Readers Club. As a volunteer, you will work one-on-one with a child in grades one, two or three, to improve their reading over the summer months. If interested, stop by any branch of the Clarington Public Library to fill out an application or call 905-623-7322. . NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME Family owned and operated by Carl Good, Funeral Director, and Joyce Kufta 386 Mill St. S., Newcastle 987-3964 www.newcastlefuneralhome.com "Caring for our Community " m & MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD. SERVING DURHAM REGION SINCE 1841 ALL FUNERAL SERVICES PREARRANGED AND/OR PREPAID BURIAL - CREMATION - TRANSFERS "WHERE PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE IS IMPORTANT" FUNERAL DIRECTORS PAUL R. MORRIS DOUG R. RUTHERFORD GARY M. CONWAY DEBRA D. KELLEHER 623-5480 4 DIVISION ST., BOWMANVILLE - AT QUEEN ST.