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f r i » > p.~ $ • « '• '• '» 'i -i -s » i i r r r r r »• r-nrcnnn nr -x i < -T x » r » s- » r s*fc» r , ^ Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, April 2,2003 - 3 From Around Home by Roy Forrester I was alerted last week by Don Lycett that the Orono Mill Pond had a trio of Hooded Mergansers swimming swimming about, two males and a female. To say the least, they are cute little ducks with the male displaying a fan-shaped white crest along with a white chest. The female on the other hand is of a dusky appearance. Both have spike-like bills. If the female can make her choice of the two males, we might see a young family this summer. Donna and I while travelling travelling north on Best Road just south of the eighth Concession, had a good close- up look (within 20 feet) of two wild Turkeys in the ditch The red wattles were most evident at least on one of the birds denoting a male bird. As usual, I wished we could've had another look at those two birds. However, it was not to happen. >. Last Wednesday, Don Lycett and I were travelling the roads--but not chasing birds as we usually do: We had a most interesting evening , attending the ; Region of Durham Community Strategic Plan meeting . . held in Bowmanville. Eight such meetings have now been held across the wide expanse of Durham where the opinion of local residents and organizations organizations have been sought prior to the development of a plan for the future. The Bowmanville meeting was chaired by Doug Moffat who heads-up the Steering Group compiling comments from the general public. Some forty people were in attendance and according to the chairman, had similar views as to weaknesses and strengths as were expressed in the seven other centres. The Fact Sheet for the evening noted the region holding holding sole responsibility for strategic land use, subdivisions, subdivisions, condominiums, along with area municipal official plans and amendments. Also water, sewage, police, waste management, welfare services, services, ambulance, social housing, GO Transit and property Shepherd satisfied with electoral boundaries assessment. There are many more reaching into health and outdoor activities through Durham Lives. The list goes on and on and Durham is directly, one way or another involved in our daily lives and will so be in the future. I am a member of the Ontario Federation of Naturalists and in their most recent magazine, "Season," they outline "The ABCs of Smart Growth" and it certainly certainly does not include what we now often see--urban sprawl. The new Oshawa development development siding north and south off Taunton Road has to be a good example of urban sprawl. A breéze for the developer as well as for the city. Interesting was a recommendation recommendation to the City of Oshawa by consultants who were hired to determine what the loss of office space downtown downtown would mean to the city. The word çame back that to save downtown Oshawa, there was a need to provide living quarters within the downtown. A similar report was also brought to light . through the Toronto Star that the i success .of downtown Toronto was the fact that people people were living in the downtown downtown and thus shopping downtown. Of course it means apartment apartment houses, condominiums and the like. It's up, up, up. The purchase price in most cases is of little difference so states my cousin who resides in a condo in Oshawa. The "Season" magazine points to a condo development in Ottawa where a 30 unit condo is located on 0.2 hectors hectors of land and has underground underground parking. I think Don and I have agreed that it makes little difference difference whether it's a condo or single resident dwelling for we all cover the windows with curtains, sheers and blinds and what difference does it make if you are at ground level or or at 20 stories skyward. The move being taken by the Region in looking to the future is certainly commendable. commendable. Federal member of Parliament Alex Shepherd is satisfied with the report filed by the federal Electoral Boundaries Commission which could see the federal riding of Durham changed to the federal riding of Clarington-Scugog-Uxbridge. "What's important is that the Municipality of Clarington has not been divided and we've gained a great community community with the addition of the Township of Uxbridge," Shepherd said. Originally, the Commission Commission proposed splitting Clarington with a portion of the municipality remaining in what would have been a new riding composed of Scugog, north Whitby and Pickering, and the eastern portion of Clarington joining what is presently the federal riding of Northumberland. At a public meeting held in Whitby last November 8th Shepherd argued that splitting Clarington didn't make any sense, that the Commission failed to understand Clarington's ties to Durham and that the community's future lay with the Greater Toronto Area and not with communities situated east of the municipality. The Commission's original proposal also incorporated Scugog Township with south Pickering. "I am happy the Commission came to its senses senses and realized the importance of joining communities that share commonalities," Shepherd said. Shepherd said he welcomed welcomed the addition of Uxbridge to the proposed riding. riding. Prior to the 1997 election Uxbridge was part of Durham Riding but joined Ajax- Pickering after the last redistribution. redistribution. SARS Continued from front Since March 28, after the Ministry of Health declared SARS a province-wide emergency, emergency, visiting has been restricted at hospitals within the Lakeridge Health chain. At hospitals in Bowmanville, Oshawa, Whitby, Port Perry and Uxbridge, only parents with critically ill children and palliative palliative care patients, as well as the families of patients whose death is imminent will be permitted to visit. If you have no symptoms but have been to the - Scarborough Grace Hospital between March 16 and March 27, notify Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Those who need medical attention, unrelated to SARS, can visit their physicians office or local clinic or emergency emergency wards at Bowmanville, Port Perry or Uxbridge. Anyone with symptoms and who may have had contact contact with a probable or suspected suspected case of SARs should phone their physician who will provide further instructions. instructions. More updates and information information is available on the internet at: www.region.durham.on.ca. or through the Ontario Health Infoline 1-888-668- 4636. Hunters Continued from front The matter was referred to the Clerks Department to strike a committee addressing the gun issue and the public safety concerns. A report will come back to council with recommendations for the makeup of this committee. Ward Four Councillor Gord Robinson was appointed as council's representative to the committee. Jaworski continued from page 2 presentation .of the budget-- nothing about presenting it in front of television cameras takes away from McGuinty's or Hampton's chance to criticize criticize it afterwards. This objection overlooks the fact that a majority of Ontarians will tune in to the budget speech, but won't take the time to inquire what the other parties think of the speech afterwards. The budget speech gets good ratings--and we cannot ignore that fact when trying to think of the best ways to present budgets. Finally, the entire process now becomes, to some extent, what McGuinty claimed it was--an infomercial for the Party in power. Scripting questions can place an emphasis emphasis on the stronger portions of the budget speech. Targeted applause can give the viewer the impression that more people people agree with this or that element element of the speech than may be the case. That it is taped takes away from the pressures that might otherwise subtly change the facial expressions, or gesticulations of the speaker--all speaker--all cues that are important for the audience. Ultimately, what will and is important in the big picture is the content of the budget, rather than the manner in which it is announced. Even though this is true, it does not take away from the relative importance of giving the speech in Parliament. , As I see it, content is more important than presentation, but presentation, especially in certain contexts--like in Parliament, as I've argued-- adds something crucial to the political discussion that should not have been taken away. 'Brigitte < Btvwn Pedicures/Manicures x w y *** Waxing w \ / r"ft Nail Extensions Air Brushing. ESTHETIC STUDIO Certificates Eyelash Tinting . ., Electronic Muscle Stimulate (EMS) AVClllClulC Paraffin Wax 15% DISCOUNT with coupon | 171 Mill Street, Orono, ON LOB 1M0 • 905-983-8169 li ■■ *i ■ *i ■■ ■■ ■ ■■ ■ ~ Happenings ~ x Friday. Anri) 4 and Saturday. April §th Art Exhibition: Dick Morton - Oils & Don Staples - Watercolours at Orono United Church 1 to 9 p.m. SatwrdayiApril$.tli , A in . . Orono Figure Skating Club presents "Cruising the Islands at its Annual Carnival. Orono Arena with shows at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tuesday» April 8 - 8 Ptnh Cancellation of "The Wreck of the H.M.S. Speedy" presentation. Wednesday. April 9 - 7:30 p.m. Anxiety Attacks and Stress - Janice Kroft of COPE will be speaking at Tyrone Church. Everyone welcome. Sponsored by Tyrone UCW. Saturday. April 12 Vendor's Day Sale - Ncwtonvillc Community Hall from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Numerous venders participating.