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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" BE cara EE uaa , PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 13, 1998 - 3 Caseload drop in Durham 'significant' Welfare reduction could mean $1.3 million surplus By Chris Hall CL Port Perry Star A significant drop in the number of welfare cases in Durham during 1997 could see the region end up with a surplus of more than $1million. With the November 1997 statistics showing a steady decline in the number of General Welfare and Family Benefits Allowances cases in Durham, regional administrator Paul Cloutier said there will be unspent funds in the welfare budget for 1997. "For both kinds of support the case loads are lower than projected, and that's a positive sign," he said last week. Social services officials noted that there were 214 fewer cases November than in October of 1997. As well, Mr. Cloutier said, figures show that there werel3,746 cases in November 1996, compared to 12, 506. during that same month a year later; that's 1,240 fewer cases, and a 9 per cent decrease. The savings will certainly come in handy as regional councillors struggle to draw up this year's budget, said Mr. Cloutier. "It's a good time to have such a large surplus and it could benefit the region as a whole," he said. _ Mr. Cloutier said that until the final number of December cases has been tal- lied, the actual surplus will not be known until Jan. 27. It's been speculated the surplus could be as high as $1.3 million. Iai y eet go I THE of "Right now we are in the process of drawing up the 1998 budget and we are cautiously optimistic," said Mr. Cloutier, adding that a number of factors con- tributed to lower welfare costs in Durham last year. "I think the economy is still good, and I believe that helped a lot of people find jobs and get off social assistance," he said. "Hopefully it will continue to get stronger, but I will remain cautious if the interest rates go up because that could have an impact on job creation." Total welfare costs in-the region have decreased from approximately $90 mil- lion a year in the mid-1980s to a projected $43 million this year. Welfare costs last year were about $54 million. Durham East MPP John O'Toole said provincial initiatives -- such as a stern approach to welfare and other costs -- are helping to reduce operating costs for municipalities. "The welfare numbers have been declining since this government took office and they make their budgets on known data and known numbers; they knew there would be a surplus. It was anticipated," he said Thursday. As for what to do with the extra money, 'Mr. O'Toole said that it could be used to reduce tax hikes this year. "Remember, Durham Region will have to find $10 million for restructuring and they should use the $1.3 million to reduce that; a one-time savings." rn aaa 1? Sih SN Bl ES > 9 on 3 a SEN a CHRIS HALL/PORT PERRY STAR FATAL COLLISION: A rescue crew consisting of Durham Regional Police 'officers and firefighters from the Whitby Fire Department were called to an accident scene on Lakeridge Rd. (Durham #23) just south of Dagmar Ski Resort minutes before 2:30 p.m. yesterday (Jan. 12). Crews worked furiously to save the lives of two motorists who smashed into each other head-on. Firefighters at the scene said that the female driver of a GMC pick-up truck was taken to the North Durham Health Services while the elderly gentleman who was driving an older model Ford Crown Victoria was killed in the accident. At 5 p.m. yesterday police were still at the scene collecting information and cleaning debris. \ PR a PRED ERR EF ETE EM EN GRE TEE a Th ESSENTIALS SALE! BUY 2 + SAVE 20% 1H | | f X ] a at brand name basics and save! BUY 3 « SAVE 25% ~ 2 af AHHH alat ih " " ~ BIKINIS, BRIEFS, THONGS, BRAS by ELITA DISCONTINUED BRA AND PANTY STYLES BY... HH * fe IWF 'Am =m tN 7 "3 '& \ BR@CKS 178 Queen St., Port Perry 985-8334 \ () DISCONTINUED STYLES OF HANNA BIKINIS, MIDS, BRIEFS ELTA Hanna WINTER CLEARANCE SALE CONTINUES IN ALL OT R STORES! BR@C KS TOS Queen St. Port Perry 983.23) Of More. 13 on WOMENS... tights by Phantom, AE pantybose by Silks, Hanes socks by McGregor, Calvin Klein long underwear by Stanfields i -- " HHHHH on MENS... briefs and boxers by Stanfields Joe Boxer (packaged) work, dress and casual socks long underwear by Stanfields THI --- on KIDS . .. underwear, socks, tights & long underwear {BE » HH DROSS Tor Kids 174 Queen St.. Port Perry 985-8797 » »