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Vol. 127 No. 25 PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1993 Copy 65¢ (61¢ + 4¢ GSD 44 Pages Could lose up to $90,000 Township will be affected by government cutbacks By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Scugog stands to lose almost $90,000 with the Ontario gov- ernment's plans to cut transfer payments. Scugog officials got the bad news last week during a meet- ing of regional councillors and other officials to discuss the ramifications of the province's cost-cutting moves. And it was not good news for anyone who attended the meet-- ing. A report prepared by the Re- gion of Durham reveals that the region will have to find ways to make up the $2.2-million short- fall it will suffer if the province renegs on its transfer payment promise. Scugog Mayor Howard Hall says the three-hour meeting looked at ways to save the $2.2 million and the possible impact of the cuts. Although nothing concrete was formalized he says it was a constructive meeting in which they agreed on a number of issues. The group agreed to hold off making a decision until all the uncertainties were outlined and a plan is formulated. This in- cludes learning the full details of the province's Social Contract which Premier Bob Rae is work- ing out with the unions. "We won't be sure of all of the impacts and all of the ramifica- tions until the Social Contracts worked out, Mayor Hall says. "I think we've just got to hear as soon as possible the ramifica- tions of the Social Contract, be- cause there's just too much at stake." A number of solutions have been proposed including cutting back on the number of days for staff members and re-opening the region's budget and dipping into reserves. But Mayor Hall is against dipping into the reserve fund to make up the difference. By dip- ping into the funds today, you pay for itin the years ahead, he says. He points to Metropolitan Toronto who turned to its re- serve funds and in the process depleted its garbage fund, prompting a tax hike. Whatever the exact costs of the province's measures, it is clear that all are going to suffer as a result and all will have to pay the price. It is estimated that Scugog stands to lose approximately $88,000 if the transfer pay- ments are cut by the province. Additional money could be lost as well. This loss will prompt the township to take another look at its budget which it approved in March. "Council must take a look at what we could do to cut back on services to reflect that kind of money," says Mayor Hall. But he says it will be tough to find areas in the budget to trim as itis already a lean budget. In early March council approved a budget increase of less than one percent. Mayor Hall says some solu- tions include a reduction in overtime hours and a reduction in staff hours. Some roads and parks projects could also be cut back. With more than 20 full-time municipal employees on' the payroll, wages are the largest portion of the municipality's budget. But layoffs are out of the question as a clause in the municipal contract will not al- low staffreductions. Finance Committee Chair- man Yvonne Christie says if the township decides to re-open its budget it will be looking for ways to cut back on programs instead of reducing taxes. Whatever is decided it has been trying times for politicians in the past few weeks. "It's tough. The province is in a tough situation," Mayor Hall says. "It's a shame they can't manage their own affairs In- stead of expecting the mumcal- palities to do something." "Let the province do whatever they must do, but don't down- load on us." Brock joins Uxbridge and Scugog in annual Participaction challenge By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star With the bad taste of defeat still in their mouths, Scugog of- ficials have vowed to avenge last year's Participaction loss. Scugog lost by two per cent to the Township of Uxbridge in the annual fitness challenge, but have vowed to reverse the out- come this year. And it appears Scugog is put- ting all its resources into seeing thatit happens. But it has an additional rival this year. Not only are Scugog and Uxbridge locking horns, but Brock Township has also taken up the challenge. The Participaction challenge pits community against com- munity in a friendly competi- tion to promote physical activi- ty. Each community attempts to get as many residents to partici- pate in at least 15 minutes of physical activity on a given day. The residents then report their involvement and the win- ner is determined by a percent- age of the population. This year the event will be held on Wednesday, June 2. Allan Pollock, Parks and Rec- reation Co-ordinator for the Township of Scugog, says there are many events planned for the entire day to get the residents of Scugog involved. "A number of activities from last year will be going on and we hope to add new activities," he said. "We're trying to be a little more creative to get more events for the public." Mr. Pollock said most of the events this year will be held in Palmer Park to keep the events focussed on one area. The tentative activities planned for the day include a waiter challenge which will pit local restaurant waiters togeth- er in a race, a baseball game in- volving employees from the of- fices of Uxbridge and Scugog, a bat relay between the ModJacks and the Midget hockey team, and a tug-of-war between the lo- cal police and fire departments. There are also a number of ac- tivities for the general public to getinvolvedin as well. These in- clude exercises led by Nuts About Chocolate owner Ken Koury, the YMCA running play- ground activities, fitness class- es in the park and various activ- ities planned by the seniors at the Latcham Centre. The area schools also have a number of activities planned for theday. "The idea is to get as many people interested and partic- pating as possible," Mr. Pollock said. He said 15 minutes is not a long time to participate in an event and hopes this encourag- es the participants to become in- volved in an activity on a more frequent basis. "It doesn't matter what the activity is as long as you get the heart beat up," he said. "It (Turn to page 5) Residents planning Special Olympics By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star A group of Scugog residents have some special activities planned with some special peo- plein mind. Liz Gorr, Joe Thomson and Debbie Broomer are in the pro- cess of forming the North Dur- ham Special Olympics, an ongo- ing training program for developmentally challenged people. Ms. Gorr says the focus of the program 18 to assist athletes in earning the skills which will enable them to compete in re- gional and national competi- tions. The focus of the activities will be on skills training. A few activities including baseball, swimming and bowl- ing have been arranged for the Scugog area, with plans for oth- ers including powerlifting and floor hockey in the future. But the future of the program and its growth depends on the support and participation of the community. "We need the athletes and vol- unteers," said Mr. Thomson. "We can'tdoitonourown." Mr. Thomson says residents (Turn to page 5) Sa AL ap'