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2 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, June 21.2006 Subscriptions $32.71 + S2.29 GST = $35.00 per year. Publications Mail Registration No. 09301 • Agreement No. 40012366 Publishing 48 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." Canada <8h A 0 ™ ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - 5310 Main St., P.O. Box 209, Orono, ON LOB 1M0 E-mail: oronotimes@rogers.com or Phone/Fax: 905-983-5301 Publisher/Editor Margaret Zwart Sports and Display Advertising - Donna Wood Front Office and Classified Advertising - Rosey Bateman 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 acknowledged 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. Lots of reasons to celebrate Last June we were awash with stories of devastation devastation left by Hurricane Katrina as it blew through the U.S Gulf States, particularly New Orleans. This June a hurricane of another kind has left its mark on us. After Monday night's win by the Carolina Hurricanes over the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL Stanley Cup will spend another season in the southern U.S.; last year it was won by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Never mind that less than a third of the players on the winning team actually comefrom the U.S., we got beat at our own game--ice hockey, a winter sport, in a part of the" U.S. where temperatures rarely dip below freezing, three days before the beginning of summer. While they're celebrating their hockey victory victory in Raleigh, North Carolina, we've turned our attention to celebrations of a different kind. The Newcastle Sesquicentennial Committee has organized a year long celebration of their town's 150th birthday. They've held a Valentine's Recipe contest, a March Break Histoiy Quiz, and a Kids SnoW Sculpting Contest. Winners of the Beard Growing Contest and a Costume Contest will be announced on the July 1st weekend, when the big birthday celebrations are taking place. Tickets for the Opening Ceremonies scheduled for Thursday, June 29, at the Newcastle Community Center are sold out, but there are other activities taking taking place at the IGA parking lot. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., a children's choir from Uganda, sponsored by the Crossroads Community Church, will be performing. performing. On Friday, June 30th the organizing committee has planned another long roster of events. It begins with a plaque dedication to the original settlers at Bond Head Park, free swimming at the Lion's pool all day (and every day of the weekend), and a parade in the evening which will include Miss Universe, who will select the winner of the Beard Growing Contest. The parade will be followed by a fireworks display. All of these events lead up to the actual birthday celebration on July the 1st. This day will be packed with music, many kinds of activities including soccer games, stage shows, a re-enactment of a historic council meeting in the former council chambers in the Community Hall, and a walking tour of the town's historic homes. The day will end with a street dance beginning at 7 p.m. in front of the Community Hall. There are a number of other activities taking place at the Port of Newcastle Marina on this day, including a BBQ and free birthday cake and fireworks over the lake. The entire weekend winds down on Sunday with a car and tractor show, a country music concept beginning beginning at 1 p.m. and a gala dinner. These activities represent a whole lot of planning by the organizing committee who is to be commended commended for bringing forward such a packed weekend. As there are activities planned for everyone, there is no reason not to make the Newcastle Sesquicentennial celebrations part of your Canada Day weekend. Letter to the Editor Allowing for allowances? Dear Editor: It was reported in last week's Orono Weekly Times that this year's tax rate was 1.33 percent, a drop from 1.37 percent. This wasn't a drop, because assessments in Clarington went up an average 11 percent. Mayor Mutton claimed this was a tax savings. Oh really? In fact, w.e have experienced actual tax increases of just under 20 percent percent from the Region and Municipality over the last two years. I am a GM retiree on a fixed income, along with all the other retirees we are in a sinking boat and deeply .concerned .concerned that with a continued 10 percent tax increase over the next few years we will be forced out of our homes. My taxes increased almost $1,100 this year alone. If I had to choose between keeping my house or letting the Mayor have his Hockey Museum, I would choose my home. We are all contributing to the 48 percent increase in Mayor Mutton's salary during his term, which is one of the highest in the GTA, plus the additional three percent he will get for last year and the next two years. We also pay our own gasoline gasoline plus the Mayor's $1200 per month, and the councillor's councillor's $500 per month. Whether they are in China or on vacation, they still receive the gas allowance, whether they work, or not! It has been brought to my attention that Councillor Robinson tabled the motion for gas mileage allowance. It appears that none of the councillors councillors are able to record mileage and purpose of travel, which incidentally most people people have to record. We have a question for councillor Robinson--When you have a "Farm" license plate on your vehicle, my understanding is that you receive gas rebates from the government for farm use only? We' understand that you are also receiving a gas allowance from the Municipality Municipality of Clarington. We would ask the question, "Are you in receipt of both allowances for the same vehicle, vehicle, when in fact fann vehicles are to be used for farm usage with substantial reductions for operating costs--could this be a classic case of "Double Dipping?" Don (Luke ) Front (for a group of concerned retirees)