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8 -- PORT PERRY STAR ~'Wednesday, January 3, 1990 Farm rebate $107 million The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Farm Tax Rebate Program paid out more than $107 million to 62,000 proper- ty owners by the end of 198% "Program applications were sent out to 165,000 property owners this fall, and processing of the applications has been running smoothly, with no delays," said farm assistance branch director Norm MacLeod. Once all the applications are in, the 1989 program in expected to provide a total of $140 million in tax relief to Ontario farmers, said MacLeod. On average, applicants can ex- pect to receive their rebates from five to six weeks after applying. To avoid delays, applicants should remember to complete all the questions on their forms. The original rebate program was introduced in 1970 to assist farmers in paying municipal taxes on farm land. This year, in- terim changes were made to the program to ensure that benefits flow to property owners whose livelihood is farming. While the 1989 applications are being processed, the committee conducting a comprehensive review of the Farm Tax Rebate Program to determine its future direction is also making good pro: gress, MacLeod said. "The consulting firm Deloitte Haskins and Sells has been selected to conduct a thorough analysis of the current program and to gather information regar- ding the future needs. The review is guided by a com- mittce made up of Earl Smith, Tamworth; Dave Older; Thamesford and Charles Warner, Englehart. Representing OMAF are MacLeod and assistant depu- ty minister Elizabeth MeLaten, who chairs the committee. For further information, call the general inquiry number at (416) 326-9900. Collect calls are accepted. a ---- -- Life's Like That by Julia Ashton Predictions for the '90's This week, I've decided to put my astrologi- cal powers to work to see what is in the next decade. Remember, I'm only an am- ateur, so | may be a bit off. (Even former First Lady Nancy Reagan's astrologer wasn't al- ways right.) IN POLITICS Yet another scandal will break in the David - Peterson government. (Okay, okay. It's a retty safe assumption, I -know, but we fledg- ing astrologers have to start somewhere.) Michael Wilson's kindergarten teacher will tell The Globe and Mail -- in an exclusive in- terview -- that young Michael wasn't always great with numbers. "Oh, he had such trouble will be quoted as saying. "I couldn't seem to get it through his head that seven didn't come after nine." Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will spend taxpayers money to have his chin down- sized. At first, the nation will be enraged at what seems to be a senseless spending of tax dollars. But then the people will realize that all spending of tax dollars by the federal PC party has been ridiculous, and if Brian is a little bit easier to look at, then this may be money well spent. The federal government will decide to rein- state capital punishment -- just in time to hang Global's Ottawa correspondent, Doug Small, for doing his job. John Turner is feeling a little topsy-turvy after deciding to step down as leader of the Liberal party. After his farewell speech, John- ny will mistakenly kiss a few ladies bottoms and slap a few babies faces. Russian General Secretary Mikhail Gorba- chev will finally wash his forehead. All the pressures of being President of the United States will severely age George Bush. Wife Barbara will be pleased by how old her husband looks because she will no longer be mistaken for his mother. store for with his 1, 2, 3's," the retired school'mistress IN ENTERTAINMENT The top-rated television sitcom, Roseanne, will_go belly-up. Coffee breaks for co-stars Roseanne Barr and John Goodman have been far over budget and have put the show into financial ruin. The King of Exercise, Richard Simmons, will be called in to try and save the plummet- ing show but will be dragged down by Barr and Goodman's love for food, and Simmons will once again become a butterball, himself. Renowned slapster, Zsa Zsa Gabor, will make a yearly resolution to be kinder to the "men in blue", keeping in mind that resolu- tions -- like promises -- are meant to be brok- en. In a wierd case of deja vu, someone will shoot J.R. Ewing on the hit night-time soap- sudser, Dallas. Elvis js alive and well and working in a doughnut shop. Pat Sajak will get Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White fired after he finds out that she has been giving away more than just vowels. IN SPORTS Cincinnati Reds fans will be betting their bottom dollar on the return of Pete Rose as team manager. So far, Pete has gambled on 5-1 odds that he won't be reinstated. Justice Charles Dubin will lift Canadian sprinter and steroid user, Ben Johnson's ban from competitive running. The hitch is that 'Ben will only be allowed to run in three- legged races. Toronto's most famous grouch and owner of the Maple Leafs, Harold Ballard, will see through companion, Yolanda Ballard's, scheming and conniving. Harold will make amends with his son, BIll, before kicking the bucket. Unfortunately, he won't have time to change his will before he dies and Yolanda // will get everything, but Bill will just be glad that he and his dad have buried the hatchet. [burs The WINER, IT ABOUT $2,000 COIS VS 'by Lynn Johnston Editorial Comment tially. (trom page 6) Regardless of who pays, the more substantial questions include the issue of growth itself. Does the community want the population to increase dramati- cally during the 90's? Where will the community find the funds to provide the necessary infra-structure such as expanded recreation facilities, for example? What about the impact of population growth on schools and the local hospital? If the growth comes, where will it take place? Will it mean the disappearance of good farm-land? And what about the industrial tax base? Should this Town- ship be demanding of developers that they not only build houses, but provide serviced land for industry as well? : There are no easy answers to these questions. But they are issues that the local Township council must address soon, perhaps as early as this year. Going into a new decade, this Township is really at a critical cross-roads. If there is to be new growth, it is fair to assume it will be dramatic. After all, there is no point putting in expensive services to accommo- date "slow growth" of a few hundred people each year and one or two small industries. That would simply not be cost-efficient. We happen to believe that Scugog needs to grow in this decade. Planning for that growth is of para- mount importance, and the process has to start imme- diately. Random Jottings by ).P. Hvidsten (from page 6) First one was submitted by Mrs. D. Bryans of Port Perry who writes she was at school with her six year old son Kevin on Halloween day, and it was pouring outside. While standing at the window with the teacher, she com- mented on the "poor timing" for the rain. Kevin calmly suggest- ed that "maybe we should change the channel and get the sun- shine back". : Another cute story comes from Doris Bell of Uxbridge. Af- ter picking up her grandchildren, three year old Jelena and sis- ter Josalyn from dancing class, Mrs. Bell took the girls home for.- dinner. While putting the food on their plates, she noticed (out of the corner of her eye), a little mischief going on at the table. Without turning her head, she said "I wouldn't do that. if | were you, Girls", much to their surprise. The next day, Jelena was home with her mother and asked her if she had eyes in the back of her head? Jelena then pro- ceeded to check and said "you don't Mom, but Grandma does!" 'And finally, a short story from Sandra Smith of Frince Al- bert. She was getting ready to attend a wedding, with her nine year old daughter Andrea watching in the mirror as she was putting in her.earrings. Suddenly, Andrea looked at her mom and said "You sure look pretty today Mom - what did you do? THE END --| WANT You To THI [How warM can We BRIT TNS Soy wane ie) EMMERSON INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 193 QUEEN ST, PORT PERRY, ONT. L9L 1B9 (416) 985-7306 ALL LINES OF ' GENERAL INSURANCE """HOMEOWNERS - FARM - AUTO COMMERCIAL