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A Proud Voice For Scugog Vol. 2, No. 40 Tuesday, April 13, 1 CIRC. 11,600 + 28 pages Council backs Board in opposing Jr. Kindergarten Scugeg Township council has agreed to back the Durham Board of Education in opposition to mandatory Junior Kindergarten. "We just can't afford it at this time," was the way several councillors summed up the reason for their opposition after listening to Scugog Board of Education trustees Joyce Kelly and Bobbie ; Monday afternoon. Council was careful to stress the opposition is for economic reasons and has nothing to do with the merits of JK in the education system. The Ontario government has ordered the Durham Board to Drew put JK (for four-year olds) in place atthe start of the 1994 school year. Mrs. Drew told council Monday it will cost about $4.7 million in provincial funds and another $6 million in local tax dollars just to put the JK system in place. . Operating costs are estimated at between $5 and $6 million annually. Mrs. Kelly said the number of dollars in the education pie is not getting any larger, but putting in programs like JK will add more pieces to that pie and a "watering down" of existing education programs. The Durham Board now has flags in support of Canada. 126th birthday. announced at a later date. Raising the Flag The Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Port Perry are planning "Raise the Flag" celebrations again this spring in Palmer Park. The ceremony will be held Saturday, May 15 at noon hour and the Clubs are urging everyone in the community to hang their Pride, spirit and patriotism have continued since the Kin "Proud to be Canadian Tour" in 1992 in celebration of Canada's More details on the May 165 "Raise the Flag" ceremony will be about 500 portables in use across the Region and JK will mean more students in portables. "If provincial grants (for education) continue to decline, the shortfall will hit local ratepayers if we are to avoid an erosion of services and programs," said Mrs. Drew. The Board estimates there will be about 3400 children ready for JK in Durham in the fall of 1994. The Bill ordering JK has received second reading from the Provincial Legislature. Asked after Monday's meeting whether political: pressure from a variety of levels might persuade the NDP to back down on JK, Mrs. Drew replied. "A few months ago I would have said no. But now I am cautiously optimistic because of the tremendous financial pressures . the government is under." A copy of the Scugog council resolution opposed to Junior Kindergarten' will be forwarded immediately to the local, MPP Gord Mills and the Provincial Education Ministry. _The "Main Event" In the Sougop Hockey League goes this Sunday at noon with the Clippers | _£"and the Comets doing battle. Clipper captains Ken Smart (left) and Carl Fitzgerald (right) ham it up with Comet captain Dave Dickson who doesn't look too worried. Sunday Is the finale for all teams In the SHL with the undercard games starting at 8:00 a.m.. Should be great action, 139302 Guess who was the most popular guy in town Sunday afternoon?. The Easter Bunny made his appearance on Queen Street for the annual children Easter Egg Hunt, and hundreds of youngsters showed up for the fun. The affair, as always, was hosted by Nuts About Chocolate. Central Seven feeling the pinch he Central Seven Aoeciation for Community Living will be holding a public meeting later this month on the impact of possible budget cuts. Central Seven executive director Glenn Taylor said last week the meeting will be open to the public, but will be of particular interest to families now using the services or those who may need the services in the future. The organization, based in Port Perry, provides a variety of services for about 50 people of all ages who are ) Lolly hands 1 These include the shared workshop on Road 8, fhise a homes in , and assistance for we who are living and working on their own in the community. Central Seven receives a budget of $1.5 from the provincial government, and Mr. Taylor told the the Citizen there are indications the budget may be cut this year. "We don't want to sound apocalyptic or *sdare mongering, but parents ought to'be informed that there are problems on the horizon," he said. "We want to let families know that there is a (financial) pinch coming," he went on, suggesting that in the future families may have to SUNDAY APRIL ° contribute a user fee for the services. Mr. Taylor said Central Seven at this time does not know-whether its budget will be cut, but there are indications in the industry that across-the-province cuts could be three per cent and even as high as ten per cent. He said a three per cent cut in the budget (about $60,000) would be a major strain. If the cut was as high as ten per cent ($150,000) the impact" on Central Seven's ability to continue, te provide services would Be "devastating." He said the agency hopes to know what it's budget will be some time in May. Even at current budget levels, Central Seven is operating close to the line. There are no openings for group home placements, and those for apartment living or the workshop are very limited. He said the provincial ministry of community and social services which provides the funding for these agencies last year cut $5 million acroes the province and re-allocated $2 million into other areas, ledving a net budget loss of $3 million. The public forum to discuss these and other issues will start at 7 p.m. on April 20, at Central 7 Workshop at the corner of Old Simoe St., and Durham Road 8 in Port Perry. 18, 4-9