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Vol. 123 No. 32 WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1989 Copy 50¢ 64 Pages | Tax committee vows 4 "to monitor spending | A newly formed citizens group wants market value as- sessment in Scugog Township scrapped with assessments rolled back to 1983 values as a method of calculating property taxes. And the group, called Citi- zens Against Unjust Taxes, has promised to monitor spending by school boards and local and regional councils. Those were two of the rec- omendations that came out of a lengthy meeting held June 27 at the Nestleton Community Hall. More than 300 people jammed their way into the hall, and all of them had one thing in common: they are angry over the hikes this year in their prop- erty taxes. "We are totally opposed to the inexcusable tax grab by all levels of government. An infla- tion rate of 5.6 per cent should be considered a guideline (for tax increases) said David Frew, a Township farmer who chaired the meeting in Nestleton along with several others instrumen- A happy Pioneer Doug Larmer was one happy guy on Saturday, when he participated In Pioneer Days at the museum by shearing sheep. On Friday he became a father for the second time-- his wife Joyce delivered James Bruce, an eight pound, 14 ounce bouncing baby boy, at Port Perry's Community Me- morial Hospital. No wonder he was smiling! For more pho: tos from Ploneer Days, see Inside this Issue of the Port Perry Star. tal in organizing the ratepayers group. Noting the mill rate hike in Scugog of 14.8 per cent and the fact that many property owners were hit with even higher in- creases through re-assessment this year, Mr. Frew told the meeting "there is no way you or I can afford these at this time." And he suggested that the Township halt any plans for capital projects such as recrea- tion facilities or a new munici- pal office. View Lake resident Barb Walton, also one of the original organizers of the Citizens Against Unjust Taxes, called on "politicians and bureaucrats to trim spending, not increase tax- es. She suggested a two-year freeze on any tax increases, and was critical of wages, benefits and pensions paid to teachers. At one point, she called Ontario teachers the highest paid in the Western world. Clearly, most of the more than 300 people who attended - the meeting were in an angry med, and were looking for a way to vent some of that anger. A couple of times during the meeting, there were sharp dis-agreements from the floor, and several people said they wanted a clear action plan to emerge from the meeting. And several more said they wanted an explanation on why their property taxes increased from 20 to 50 per cent this year. "What is the rationale be- hind these increases. Can some- body tell us that?" asked one (Turn to page 9) Grads, grads, grads L Graduation day was never more fun! Mrs. Doris Down's two kindergarten classes at Prince Albert Public School graduated recently and they did it in style. Proud parents watched with glee as their young scholars sang, danced and then posed for photos. School was out for the summer last week, and In this issue of the Star are photos of grads from all over the Township. Congratulations to all! Reward offer on man who fled fatal accident Durham Region Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on a man who fled from Port Perry Hospital June 14 after an acci- dent that claimed the life of a four year old boy. Police are looking for 29- year old Kenneth Arthur Hud- son of Oak Ridges. He is 'described as white, 65"9" inches tall, medium build, about 160 pounds. Busy month of May for Police in area It has been a very busy year for Durham Region Police in 26 Division. That's the large patrol area that includes all of Scugog, Ux- bridge and Brock Townships with the central office in Sun- derland. Sgt. Ken Hudson said this week that statistics compiled for May, 1989, show a 20 per cent increase in calls for service over the same month last year. And Police are alarmed at a large increase in the number of drinking-driving offenses. The number of charges for impaired operation of a vehicle jumped 57 per cent in May over the previous year, while the number of charges for exceed- ing .08 on a breath machine soared by a staggering 163 per cent. Sgt. Hudson said the May statistics reflect a general month to month increase in calls for service during the pre- vious 12 months. He said there does not ap- pear to any specific reasons for the sharp increases, other than the fact there are more people living, working and travelling in the three northern Town- ships of Durham Region. He has blue eyes, fair com- plexion and may be wearing a light-coloured goatee beard. He wears an earring in his left ear and dresses in jeans and leather vests. Police believe he could be armed and considered danger- ous and desperate. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at 436-8477 or the Regional Police at 579-1520. He has been charged with two counts of criminal negli- gence and one of criminal negli- gence causing death in connec- tion with a'June 14 accident on Durham Road 23, half a mile north of Scugog Concession 13. A grey GMC van driven by Hudson swerved into the south- bound lane striking a second car head on. Kevin Best of Thornton, died of injuries two days later. His three-year old brother Colin and his mother Margaret both suffered injuries in the mishap. Hudson initially told police he 'had been hitch-hiking and was a passenger in the vah. He was taken to Port Perry Hospital for treatment, but fled on foot. Any information about his whereabouts will be treated confidentially by Police and Crime Stoppers.