The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A. i? "tm 4 -- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 20, 1990 CA.U.T. outlines facts and figures from surve y A very uneven distribution ot the "Township of Scugog Multi- purpose Recreation Facilities, Scugog Centre Feasibility Study" has been underway throughout the past week. This is the study that Scugog residents were in- formed of in July 1989 that was to have been distributed by September 1989. Although Scugog residents and members of Citizens Against Un- justified Taxes have waited until March of 1990 to receive this ques- tionnaire, we are expected to complete and return it in less than 5 POINTS MALL TAUNTON RD.E., OSHAWA WINDOWS DOORS - SKYLIGHTS Solariums - Soffit - Additions HEAT MIRROR® Custom Installations 436-9733 Only the Very Best two weeks. As of March 19, some households had not yet received the questionnaire and it is to be returned to an address in Nepean by March 26, 1990. In July of 1989, interviews could be held with Mr. K. McQuaig of Sesquaig Incorporated, Leisure Facility and Programme Plan- ners, which is the consulting com- pany researching the need for the proposed Scugog Centre. } During these interviews, C.A.U.T. members were assured that the study would show the ac- tual capital cost of the Scugog Centre; the yearly operating costs; the anticipated revenue and yearly cost of carrying the complex; and the cost based on a per residence basis (for the simplicity of the questionnaire). Please note that it is important to consider the effect of this cost factor when applied to your assessed property value. This average of $28.00 per household is only for operating costs at a 1989 dollar value. With 6555 households in Scugog Township in 1989, times $28.00 the total funds collected to operate the proposed centre would be approximately $175,000.00 annually or $480.00 dai- ly, in 1989 dollars. Keep in mind that this operating cost factor will not likely be applied on a per residence basis but will be applied to the mill rate. The information sheet enclosed with the survey from Sesquaig states, "No increase in municipal taxes will be required to build the facilities." In a letter to the Editor, Port Perry Star issue of March 13, 1990, the Scugog Recreational Steering Committee stated that, "We realize that the proposed facility will cost the rate payers money to build and operate." Why is there discrepency between these two groups which are work- ing together to promote the con- struction of this recreational facility? Citizens Against Unjustified Taxes Committee members have not been able to obtain a copy of the 1989 Recreational Needs Study, Township of Scugog. Therefore, some facts and figures from the 1987 study will be shown here. Recreational Needs Study (1987) page 17: 18; 19; 20; 21: "This survey was planned as one of the methods of providing public input into the recreational needs study. A sample of 200 households was agreed upon as a number that would yield significant results. (The survey was con- ducted in August, 1986, by employees of the consulting firm, Sesquaig). They were asked how they learn about recreation pro- grams; whether or not recrea- tional facilities at their disposal are adequate (and to describe any perceived inadequacies). Finally, they were aked an open-ended question: "Are there any pro- blems with the recreation pro- gram in Scugog?" Randomness was achieved by selecting every 28th name on the tax roll total of 200. Results: Of the 200 households that were contacted, 181 (90.5 per- cent) gave some response. The total number of individuals represented by the survey was 570. The average length of residence in the Township being 15.5 years. 103 (57 percent) did not use facilities outside of Scugog while 77 (42.5 percent) did. Recreation facilities adequate, YES - 104 (57.5 percent) ; NO - 61 (34.0 percent). Problems with the recreation program, YES - 29 (16 percent); NO - 131 (72 percent)." Recreational Needs Study (1987) page 31: "Operating Costs: In the long run, operating costs for recreation facilities, not the in- itial capital construction costs, prove to be the major factor that determines the justification for provision of a facility. No decision to proceed with construction of in- stallation of any facility should be made, regardless of demonstrated need and availability of capital funding, un- til it can be absolutely assured that the facility is operationally viable. In addition, maintenance and operational considerations are often not seriously considered during the planning and design of a recreation facility, although it is an established fact that opera- tional and general up-keep costs will be substantially increased if they are not considered prior to construction. In addition, plan- ners should be wary of "'cutting corners' to save money during construction; the result will often be increased outlay for operating and repairs to the facitily." Recreational Needs Study (1987) pages 39; 42; "Recommendation 9 - That the township establish a full-time staff position of Director of Parks and Recreation, to be filled by a well-experienced professional, reporting to the clerk- administrator. Recommendation 12 - That the administration of all township arenas become the reponsibility of the parks and recreation com- mittee and of the Director of (Turn to page 23) Clayton Love appointed new weed inspector Clayton Love has been ap- pointed weed inspector for Scu- gog Township and the southern half of Uxbridge Township. The Weed Control Act re- quires regions to appoint weed inspectors and notify the pro- vincial Ministry of Agriculture and Food by April 1. A Durham Region works committee report states that the salary for a weed inspector is $79 a day plus expenses, an increase from the $74.50 paid. last year. The report does not state, however, how many days the weed inspector works each year. Six other weed inspectors have been appointed for all oth- er areasin Durham, as well. -- PER---- Se i ics