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Big Brothers... big winners The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Durham Region held a very successful in Hold ‘em Poker fun night at the Latcham Centre, March, and raised more than $1,350 for the organization. Thirty nine players registered for the match with the winner being Mike Hoy, who won a weekend Get-Away for 2 a the Renissance Hotel, Toronto. Above right, executive director Deb ocks-up a game with volunteers Mike ° Ayers 9 and Kelly Giannoc- caro, seen holding holding cards toward ci fo by J. Peter Hvidston a exe} [elm Colt a i (ela le] 76 Water St., Port Perry 905-982-0400 905-982-0134 Facing 4 He-threatening illness or dealing with grief? We can help. Call ua at: 906-852-4461 or 1-800-903-6000 North Durham Thumbs Dowty Amonthly column devoted to recognizing events and decisions which effect the residents of Scugog Township, and rating ono of them with a “Thumbs Up, or Thumbs Down! To Scugog Township's 4.9% (c'mon, say 5%) tax ~. |, increase for 2006. When other municipalities are = trying to hold the 3% mark, we fail to understand how Scugog, which has the good fortune of millions of dollars in casino revenue rolling in every year, thinks 5% is acceptable. We know people who are looking at a 2% wage increase; actually, we know people who are getting no increase, so how is 5% affordable? To the proposed Scugog Island Hotel complex. While there are some valid concerns about water etc. our tourists and visitors need more accomodations. We sincerely hope the proposed hotel can accomodate local concerns and provide jobs and increased rev- enue to the township at the same time. On the “Freedom of Information Act” which is stand- _- 4 ing in the way of Scogog Township being able to charge recovery costs for rescue to snowmobilers and other vehicles that venture out onto unsafe ice. Too many times this winter, and many others, we have witnessed sheer stupidity by snowmobilers and bike racers resulting in costly rescue operations. You can't leg- islate stupidity but you should be able to find a revenue source from it. To Hank's Pastries on Queen St, just for smelling so good. We dare anyone to walk into Hanks and not swoon. The staff are great, the food is good, but Oh, The Smell. We were in there the other day and over- heard an out-of-towner say “Oh my god, | think I’ve died and gone to heaven’. We agree. On the money spent for the Durham bus service. Has anyone seen a bus? Where are they, where do they go, and how many people are using them? We keep asking around about the service and the only reply we get is “What bus service?” To the traffic light at Queen St. and Simcoe. We don't know much about timing devices but this one is wonky. Going north and south, we've spent a lot of «< time sitting, and when the light turns green, and our hopes are up, they are quickly dashed when, after two cars, the light turns yellow and quickly red again. We think the intersection is haunted; could it be its proximity to the Jester’s? Focus On Scugog welcomes emailed “THUMBS.* Whether “up” or “down” they will only 6 refuse any “Th taste. than 60 words in ner and must include ‘your name, address, email contact, and for ~ Hospice Scugog. EMAIL To: focus@observerpub.ca Focus On Scugog 7