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Wednesday, March 10, 2004 Orono Weekly Times - 5 Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole Durham Shut Out from Latest Housing Grant Ontario municipalities will gain more than 2,300 affordable affordable housing units, from a joint federal-provincial announcement announcement of $56 million in funding last month. It's good news for some municipalities. But where are the funds for Durham Region? Twenty-six pilot projects in eight municipalities municipalities were approved. Four Affordable Housing Allocations went to Windsor, Niagara, Brantford and Stratford. With half a million people in our Durham Region, it is important that affordable housing needs for local communities communities are not overlooked. Since all of Durham Region pays federal and provincial taxes, it is only fair that Durham Region receive its fair share of affordable housing housing funds. I can only assume that housing projects in Durham Region and in our Riding will be in line for funding at a later date. However, I will be making making further inquiries to ensure Durham is not ignored when federal and provincial funds are being handed out for housing. housing. advertisement Agriculture Meetings For CAIS Program Producer Information Meetings on the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program will be held Wednesday, March 10th, in Blackstock at the Community Centre. Hours are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. There are also meetings on Thursday, March 11th, in the Ops Community Centre, Lindsay (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and Friday, March 12th in the Douro Community Centre (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Producers must pre-register pre-register for these no-charge information information sessions by calling 1- 877-838-5144. Other dates, locations and details on the CAIS program are available at www.omaf.gov.on.ca <http://www.omaf.gov.on.ca> As usual, you can call my Constituency Office at 905- 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 for further information. Petition Supports Ontario Pensioners Ontario's seniors have served their province, their country and their communities well. These men and women spent much of their lives in an era where demands were modest modest and there was an emphasis Snow is leaving the fields around the residence residence of Albert Werry, 2336 Concession Road #9, Enniskillen, Ontario. Werry becomes enthusiastic as the months lor grazing livestock approach 2004. on self-reliance. It is unfortunate unfortunate that some of the men and women who have contributed so much to their communities have difficulty making ends meet in their retirement years. Seniors generally live on fixed income and many have no pensions other than OAS. They are least able to absorb higher costs of living that result from factors such as higher insurance premiums,, more municipal taxes, higher electricity costs, and other increases in user fees. I have prepared a petition that asks the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to take the necessary steps to shelter citizens on a fixed income (Lèss than $15,000 annually for individuals.) My proposal would be to introduce legislation legislation that would protect persons persons in this income bracket from further tax increases and user fees. Your comments and input would be most welcome. Birth Certificate Update Obtaining a birth certificate by regular service can take four to five months and ser vice that is supposed to take two days or ten days is often taking weeks. It is my understanding understanding that the backlog dates back to the McGuinty government's government's decision last December to eliminate same-day service for birth certificates. Unfortunately, this has resulted resulted in a backlog the provincial government has still not solved. The staff of the Registrar General's Office are working hard and doing their best to cope with thousands of requests for birth certificates. However, leadership from the government is needed to solve the problem. Public Information Session on Hwy. 35/115 Last Thursday, I was pleased to attend the Ministry of Transportation's Public Information Centre regarding improvements for Highway 35/115 held at the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Centre in Orono. One of the major priorities is the installation of noise barrier walls in Orono. This is a matter that I have brought to the attention of the Minister of Transportation in the past. ' With the design of improvements to the highway, there is a new opportunity to ensure the community can make the Ministry aware of the noise barriers and other improvements needed. Durham Region Biosolids Master Plan I understand there is a good response to the Public Information Sessions being held across Durham Region as part of the biosolids master plan study. Meetings were held March 3 in Port Perry and March 4 in Hampton. I had the opportunity opportunity to attending the Hampton meeting and listen to the suggestions suggestions from the public. There is a strong consensus that the land application of biosolids is less of an option, and we must look to other solutions. Consultation is important to the success of the plan, and it is important that citizens get involved. Clarington Concert Band takes its musical mission to St. Stephen's BO WMANVILLE, ONTARIO (March 9, 2004) The Clarington Concert Band will kick off its 2004 season with a concert to celebrate spring on Thursday March 25, at St. Stephen's High School, 30 Middle Road, Bowmanville. Start time is 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students. The Clarington Concert Band, which is the musical home for many local high school musicians, provides mentoring to those aspiring to go on to post secondary studies studies in music and boasts a number number of music graduates and educators in its ranks. This concert will see the band combine combine its talents with the St. Stephen's Concert Band in a program that includes selections selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" and Mozart's "Magic Flute" and also features trum pet soloist Stephanie Moore in a dazzling display of triple- tonguing technique on the "Caisson Song" To order or reserve tickets in advance, visit the band's website at: www.geocities.com/claring- tonconcertband or call (905) 697-8956. pj i. tM ,„C3£", NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME Family owned and operated by Carl Good. Funeral Director, and Joyce Kuna 386 Mill St. S., Newcastle 905-987-3964 www.newcastlcfxmcralliomc.com "Caring for our Community " Grants Continued from front process does not allow for capital request. The request from St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic School for $5,000 to assist in the purchase of playground playground equipment was turned down as the School applied for and received the standard $700 payment to schools for playground equipment in 2002. Unlike last year where council divided up the entire pot at the beginning of the process, this year they still have $11,100 to hand out as request come in throughout the year. Cerrens Wellness Centre Glucosomme JlimhO SiZ6 500 capsules, 500 mg bu Natural Factors , «.„» SOLE PRICE $49-S° FIRST DEGREE REIKI Practitioner Training Certificate Course: Saturday, March IS to booh call Karen or Bev 5324 Main Street, Orono 905-983-5000