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4 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, June 21.2nnt Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole Property Tax Update I would like to thank all those who are taking the time to contact me regarding property property taxes in our local municipalities. municipalities. The tax rate is based on a current value assessment of our property. However, with property values increasing increasing rapidly,, there is the potential potential for taxes to follow suit. And, as so many constituents pointed out, a ten per cent increase in property taxes can't be sustained when the family income declines, stays the same, or rises by just a few percentage points. Those who feel that their property has been assessed too high should appeal to the Municipal Property Assessment Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to - have their assessment lowered. lowered. There is an informal "Request for Reconsideration" that you can file or a more, formal formal application to the inde pendent Assessment Review Board. You will need to show why the property value is excessive. For example, you may be able to show that similar similar homes in your neighbourhood neighbourhood are not selling for the assessed value placed on your home. Regardless of the-assessed value of a property, municipalities municipalities control the local taxes by deciding how much they will spend on our behalf through the municipal budget. These are matters, decided by elected regional and local councilors. However, I agree that the Province of Ontario can help by putting some form of a cap on the amount by which 'property assessment can increase in any given year. My colleague, Tim Hudak, MPP for Erie Lincoln, has a Private Member's bill on this subject, and I think it should be supported by all MPPs. Property taxes can be kept affordable if all levels of gov-' emment work together. Province must move forward forward with Power Plan Last week's provincial government government announcement on the future of electricity production production in Ontario is a typical good news/bad news scenario. The good news is that Durham Region and Durham Riding are in the running for new generating stations and for refurbishing existing units. Our communities have a skilled workforce, choice locations and infrastructure. We have a state-of-the-art centre centre for energy research and education at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Technology and . Durham College. Durham Region is ready, willing willing and able to help Ontario meet the energy challenge. So are other communities across Ontario. What we need now is leadership and vision from the provincial government. The bad news last week is that that the provincial energy policy has seen too many broken broken promises and false starts. The McGuinty government O'TOOLE see page 7 We Salute Our Veterans We will remember them. Mon. June 19,1944: Award; JACK GIBBS DFC. (WW. II, Survivor) Flying Officer, Wireless Air Gunner (the late) JOHN CECIL GIBBS DFC. J17590 RCAF. Son of: Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Gibbs, Bowmanville, Ont. AWARD: Distinguished Flying Cross. - No. 405 'Pathfinder' Squadron Award effective 19 June 1944 as per London Gazette dated 27 June 1944 and AFRO 1861/44. Dated 23 August 1944. Born in Toronto, 1919: home in Bowmanville. Enlisted in Toronto, 8 October 1940. Trained at No. 7 (Paulson, B.C.) Bombing Gunnery School (Grad. 20 July 1941) and No.2 (Calgary) Wireless School (graduated (graduated 23 June 1942). Commissioned 1943. No citation other than "completed...many successful operations against the enemy in which [He has] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty." Public Records Office Air 2/8780 has recommendation by W/C R. J. Lane dated 23 March 1944 when he had flown 45 sorties (300 hours, 28 minutes). This officer is a very efficient Wireless Operator who has completed .45 operational sorties against such heavily defended enemy targets as Berlin, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. By his devotion to duty, skill in his trade and desire to carry out his operations to a successful conclusion, he has set an inspiring example, which it will be difficult to surpass. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. June 21,1940: Pilot Officer (N) MURRAY ANDERSON BUTLER 42103, 42 Squadron, RAF. From; Newcastle, Ontario. Killed In Action, age 27. b.23 July 1913. Son of; Floyd Allison Butler '82-'36 and Isabelle Mignonette Butler '11-'49 of Newcastle, Ont. 1 42 Squadron, RAF moved a detachment from Thorney Island (East Portsmouth the same date France fell June 21/40) to Wick, Scotland. At 16:30hrs nine, Beaufort Mk.l, aircraft loaded with armour-piercing bombs attacked the Scharnhorst off the Isle of Utsire. Flying in a crescent formation, they dive-bombed the battle cruiser, scoring three hits, which forced the Scharnhorst to retire to Kiel for repairs where she remained out of action, for the rest of the year. P/0(N) Murray A. Butler The RAF Beaufort aircraft got off lightly; German Bf. 109s shot down three, while the other six aircraft returned safely to Wick. P/O Butler's aircraft was lost during the above bombing attack against Royal Air Force the Scharnhorst, after it sank the RN aircraft carrier HMS Glorious, 8 June, 13 days earlier, while evacuating Norway. (Scharnhorst was sunk by RN. ships at 19:45 - Dec. 26,1943 off North Cape, Norway). Pilot Officer Navigator Murray Anderson Butler's remains were recovered Aug. 23,1940 on the shore of Madsvolstrand near Thirsted, Jutland and is buried; Grave Number: 16 in the Hjaardemaal Klit Churchyard, Denmark. Also, is listed on page 218 in the '1940 Book of Remembrance' at the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. Unteroflizer Anton Hack/, of 5IJG 77, Based in Norway, claimed his third victory June 21, 1940, a '42 Squadron' Beaufort. Second highest WW II Ace, Kommodore "Toni' Hack! with a score of 192 enemy aircraft aircraft downed, flew 1000 missions. He was shot down 8 times, wounded 4 times, survived the war, but died July 9,1984 in Regensburg, Germany. If anyone has photos ot this Serviceman or any Serviceperson featured, please send care ol Orono Weekly Times. All photos will be returned. Researched by Bill Calver :.jL EWCASTLE SÊSQUICENTENNIAL Costume contest Saturday, July 1st Open to people of all ages. Register at the Village Card and Gift Shoppe between 11a.m. and 12 noon on July 1st, 2006. Costume must be worn during the day from noon until the time of judging. For more info, call: 905-987-3119 1st prize: 12 night Exploration Odyssey for two from Resolute to Iqualuit and includes 3 stops in Greenland. Prize does not include airfare. NEWCASTLE SESQUICENTENNIAL) : yt Gala Dinner ' Sunday, July 2nd $50 per person For tickets: 905-987-3795 Sponsored by the Newcastle & District Chamber of Commerce SESQUICENTENNIAL SUMMER MAINTENANCE SPECIAL AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALTIES 117 Mill St., Orono - 905-983-9919 BRIAN COUVIER - LICENSED TECHNICIAN SPECIAL includes • Castro! Engine, Oil & Filter Service and Lubrication • Top-Up All Fluid Levels and Tire Pressures • Brake Inspection and Tire Rotation • Test Cooling System, Fans, Belts and Hoses Fast, Friendly Services in a Clean Professional Shop! |n] Northcutt Elliott SL9 Funeral Home THOUGHTFULNESS, SERVICE & CONCERN A Family Owned Business, Offering: Traditional Funeral Services ' Pre-arranged & Prepaid Services - Cremation Arrangements Alternatives to Traditional Funerals - Out of Town Shipping CORY KUIPERS - PRESIDENT 53 Division Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 2Z8 905-623-5668 OFF STREET PARKING