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~ =z ~~ CL. B28n Good news for local ratepayers in 1996 budget For the second year in a row Scugog ratepayers are getting some good news on taxes. There will be no increase in property taxes (for local government purposes) in 1986, says Ward 3 councillor Ken Gadsden, chairman of the council's finance committee. | The committee will present the budget to council for approval March 25, and councillor Gadsden told the Citizen he expects it will be endorsed. "We (the committee) feel comfortable with this budget and I'm quite certain there will be no objection," he stated. The budget prepared by the committee calls for a levy this year of $3,555,270 for loca) (Scugog) ding. Whether ratepayers end up - with an overall zero hike in their property taxes depends on what the school boards and regional government request. Durham Region chairman Jim Witty has stated publicly there maygbe a hike of about $6 per house in Durham to maintain the present number of police officers. Councillor Gadsden said the zero increase in local taxes this year meets the target that was set by the committee last October when it started work on the budget. "We asked all departments to find ways to cut spending and . increase revenues," he said. And he added the number of Township employees and infrastructure will not be impacted by the new budget. However, there will be increases in user fees for most services, including rental rates for Township halls and recreation facilities such as baseball diamonds and arenas. "The reaction from user groups has been very. nesitive," said. councillor Gadsden. "They recognize the need for this." And to meet the zero increase target, some major road repairs will be postponed, but council may use reserve funds in the event of a severe problem that must be fixed. Like all municipalities in Ontario, Scugog has to contend this year with a hefty cut in the . grants from Queens Park. Locally, it amounted to 36 per cent, or $388,000, and there are more cuts coming in grants in the next couple of years. Councillor Gadsden praised the efforts of staff and treasurer Cathy McCann during the long budget preparations. "There are things in the budget we would rather not have to do. but this is a sign of the times. Still, to come in with a zero increase is quite an achievement." \ (TV eI[ol-N MS ed Vo [oe] Call (905) 985-6397 Vol. 5, No. 30 Tuesday, march 5, 1996 CIRC. 13,500 28 pages The folks at the Dagmar Ski Resort opened up the slopes for the Durham Region Heart and Stroke Fund recently. For every lift pass sold on the Saturday, Dagmar donated $1 to the Fund. There were aisq races for the young skiers, like the ones in this photo, and lots of lucky draws for some great prizes like a three-day holiday in Quebec City. and Stroke Fund area co-ordinator Anne Capon, that's her beside the big heart, expressed sincere thanks to Dagmar, 94.9 FM and all who donated gifts and prizes for this successful fund-raising event. Benefit for family a huge success by Heather McCrae "Thom Doran, well known in Then, a few weeks later, he silent auction and several door Despite the austerity and the It was a night that exceeded all Scugog as owner of Classic Hot started treatment for a brain prizes. provincial cut-backs, councillor expectations. Dogs and an advertising sales tumour. Since then his time has All the items for the raffle, _ Gadsden said Scugog's overall A Thom Doran Benefit, held at rep for the Scugog Citizen, been pretty much spent in a auction and door prizes were financial picture is healthy. Stables at Greystone Restaurant underwent successful surgery hospital bed. [4 ly donated by citi There are no debentures to be last Wednesday, was an last December to remove a Thom and his wife, Wendy, and and businesses in Scugog paid off and the reserve accounts overwhelming success. malignant kidney. three young daughters live in Township, Brooklin, Raglan, at the end of 1995 stood at just lumbus. When the Columb Columb over $1.5 million. 'Merchants down 2-0 After defeating the Port Perry MoJacks in game seven of their Central Playgroup learned of Thom's serious health problems they « decided to sell tickets on a raffle and beyond. For the fashion show, the models had a complimentary , Oshawa, Uxbridge And there are indications that several construction projects will get underway this year which " A © " ir id' will do two things: generate up- Junior C hockey semi-finals, the Little Britain Merchants find and have the ticket drawn at the hair style from David's and make & Ives i i idge B © PS i 's annual dance. - up was done by Mary Kay front development levies and add series. ves in tough against the Usbridge in the v © But, as word spread about ics. the eg a; DAS. eed th i % " Thom's health, more people ' An added plus was that Thom uneilior sden e 4 ie have Jumped a rk in lions To ad. 2a wanted to help. The dance that was able to leave his hospital bed Canterbury Commons: project Sunday night in Little Britain. . Merchants may have been feeling the affects of a long and emotional series with Port Perry while the Bruins were fresh after dispatching Sutton lee in four straight. Winner of the Merchant/Bruin tilt will head east to take on the winner of Napanee/Ernestown series now underway. Details Page 22. COMMUNITY originally was to consist of a raffle only mushroomed to a Thom Doran Benefit at Stables at Greystone Restaurant, all of which included a fashion show of Paula Lishman Furs, a raffle, for a few hours and enjoy the evening, too. With Wendy and their daughters - Holly, Katie and Alyson - at his side, it was an emotional evening that will turn to page two SEE OUR CALENDAR ON (houses and a golf course) another phase in Victorian Village ( new houses) and the large grocery and other retail stores on Highway 7A just east of Water Street. . .