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1 & Vol. 2, No. 23 Tuesday, December 1, 1992 "CIRC. 10,000 32 pages Building | slump \ continues in Scugog If construction activity is aby indication, Scugog; Township' remains deeply mired in the recession: The value of building permits issued last month (Oct.) by the municipality was just about half the figure for the same _ month in 1991, according to a report from the Township's building department. In October, the Township isqued 29 permits worth a total of $709,000: By comparison, in October, 1991, there were 26 permits issued worth just over $1.4 million. The number of permits for %ingle family homes dropped to three in October, down from seven the same month last year. There were no permits issued for industrial or commercial buildings. And the only bright spot in the report was the fact commercial additions and alterations totalled $266,000 last month. The decline in construction The Santa Claus Parade rolled through the streets-of Port Perrys: ip on the faces of children of all ages. There wore dozens of brightly coloured floats, marching bands, and clowns. photos Inside this issue, . The parade, by the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, attracted large crowds and Is the "official" start of ih festive season In Scugog Township. More 133093 checks a | ps in the Region - The R.I.D.E. program is underway in Durham Region and officers are hoping that recent trends continue this year. Sgt. Dave Cowie, who heads one of the two R.LD.E. units in Durham, said at least it appears as if the message on drinking and driving is getting ig smiles through. "It's very enpouraging," said Sgt. Cowie. *We 'think the results are wonderful," he said, referring to the statistics that show the number of drinking drivers stopped by police has declined steadily since the program was first introduced in Durham in 1981. But just because the numbers are dropping doesn't mean Police are relaxing when it comes to drinking and driving during the holiday season or any time of the year. _* Actually, the program has been operating i in Durham this year since mid-November and will continue through until early,in the New Year. Thelofficial kick-off for the R.LD.E. programs all over the Greater Toronto Area was held December 1. Here in Durham, there are two teams, each with six officers. These teams will be out every night in all areas of Durfam Region. "A team could show up anywhere on any evening," said Sgt. Cowie. Last year, the teatns stopped 37,807 vehicles. From those checks, there were 67 charges of either impaired driving, refuse breath test or registering over .08. Another 108 drivers were given 12-hour temporary licence suspensions after registering a "warning" on the Hospital budget capped Staff cuts and bed closings could be a reality in the next few years, warns Community Hospital administrator. David Brown. He made the comments following the Q4eens Park t last week that .+ activity in October da $127,000 during year-long trend which shows 1992 building permits well below last year's totals. Up to the end of October, Scugog had issued a total of 214 permits of all kinds worth +. $7.8 million. Last year, during the same 10 month period, 238 permits were issued worth $12 million. Permits have been issued for 32 single family homes worth $4.3 million, compared with 36 last year worth over $7.3 million. The value of permits for industrial 'additions has jumped from $127,000 last year to $416,000 during the first ten months of 199 likewise the _walue of commercial adfions and alteration® has also gone up this year to $4Q0,000, from e same time period in 1991. hospitals in the province will receive $149 million extra in funds for the coming fiscal year. But this will be a "one-time" payment and cannot be added to hospital base operating budgets. Health Minister Frances Lankjn said this means "have been hospital budgets will be capped at the current level for the next two years. Mr. Brown told the Citizen he is "di inted" that budget: capped, and especially the fact the "one- time" payments this coming year won't go into the base budget. The government is asking hospitals to "down-size and re- structure," he went on and that means closing beds and possibly having to lay off staff. That won't happen in near future, Ca will be The. Just Board of Ed ion will be holding a | ieeting in Port Perry this week to get public input on where cuts in the education systems might be made. The meeting will be held Thursday, December 3 at Port Perry High School, starting at 7:30 PM. Have your say Staff and trustees will be on hand to hear comments 'and provide information, said Scugog trustee Joyce Kelly. "The Board is in a terrible bind over finances and we want to hear from people on what to cut or not to cut," she said. getting a budget increase of about 1.5 per cent in the coming fiscal 'year that starts March 31. That's about $80,000 and Mr. Brown said the hospital "will be able to mABa5e through the year." However, in the following ar, if the cap stays on as mised by Ms. Lankin last™ week, bed closings are 8 real possibility due.to'tHe financial restraintes ¢ ALERT readside breath tester. Drivers who "register a Turn to page five Counting the birds The Scugog Naturalist Club will be holding a bird count December 13 and invite all interested "birders" to take part. Club president Ken Carmichael says Scugog Mo a shortfall of some $4. 2 billion in projected this year, forcing the reductions in transfer payments to hospitals, school Boards municipalities. Durham East MPP Gord Mills pinned some of the blame on the federal government. "By walking away from ita' obligations, the federal government has passed to Ontario more, of the responsibility for health care, colleges and universities and support services for families in need. I hope you keep these facts in mind, when cuts occur," he said in a statement Monday. and residents, and.those living outside the Township should count the number of birds and the different species that day and phone the results to him at 986-0809. Or, they can join Club members at 9:00 AM at his home and take part in the day- long count. Bring your own lunch. Give him a call for more information. This will be the first time the Naturalist Club Has conducted an' official bird"count in December is the month for bird counts all over North America, and the results are used to study bird populations. Ea -