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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 28, 1998 - 7 Organizers getting set for this year's Aquarama event By Chris Hall Port Perry Star The waters of Lake Scugog will be buzzing with activity next month as the Port Perry Rotary Club stages its sixth annual Aquarama fundraiser for Easter Seals. Event chair Heather Haliburton-Smith said next month's competition just off of Palmer Park will continue a tra- dition of success established over the past five years. "It's a lot of fun for everyone involved, but it's essentially the children who are the winners," she said, adding that she has set a goal of $8,000 for this year, the same amount of money raised in 1997.-More than $30,000 has been raised for charities by Aquarama over the past five years. "This seems to be a great way for us to raise money for the children; people love to ride Sea Doos, and we've always had great weather for this," said Mrs. Haliburton-Smith. Already six teams have regis- tered for the Aug. 16 event. Organizers hope to better the number of 60 riders who partici- pated in the fundraiser last year. Teams are made up of five riders, but individuals can enter the event as well. During the event, riders will individually board a personal water craft and make their way around a triangular course while being timed. The Sea Doos, gas, lifejackets and personnel all have been graciously donated by Port Perry Marina owner John Mackey, who's been involved with the event all six years. All money raised from the event will be donated to Easter Seals and other childrens' chari- ties to support kids in the Scugog and Uxbridge area. Prizes, trophies and medals, some donated by area mer- chants, will be awarded at the end of the day for the fastest team time, fastest individual time, highest individual pledges, highest team pledges, and the most unusual ride. Riders are required to turn in their pledges prior to the race i The 1998 version of Aquarama, the sixth annual event organized by the Port Perry Rotary Club to raise funds for Easter Seals and other childrens' charities, will be held next month on Aug. 16. Practicing for the fundraiser are this year's Easter Seals' child, 13- year-old Lindsey Young, along with Rotary Club Easter Seals' repre- sentative, Jerry Hopkins. Also joining in the endeavor is Port Perry Marina owner John Mackey, who will be providing the Sea Doos, gas, and staff once again for the event. during registration times, which will be held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. the day of the race. The racing begins at 1 p.m. and is expected to last until around 4 p.m. A complimentary barbecue and corn roast will fol- low the race for all competitors. Anyone interested in partici- pating in Aquarama '98 can con- tact Heather Haliburton-Smith during the day at Everlasting Memories Floral and Bridal Shoppe, 985-8208, or during the evenings at 985-7870. -ditor's os by Jeff Mitchell THE BILL 160 SAGA CONTINUES Have you noticed how these days on the education front, everything you took to be a given can suddenly change? Such was the case last week, when Bill 160, which took so much time to analyze, understand and then get used to, was judged, in part, to be unconstitu- tional. The ruling went in favor of teachers in the Catholic separate school system who argued that the govern- ment's elimination of boards' ability to tax the communities they served violates a constitutional guarantee on the books since before Confederation in 1867. It was a pretty straightforward interpretation of the law, but it sure creates some issues. To wit: Separate school boards have the constitutional right to tax, but public boards, according to the ruling by Mr. Justice Peter Cumming, have no such protection. How's that going to play among the voting public? And:Justice Cumming directed harsh criticism toward the government, which he accused in so many words of being ham-handed and thick-headed in its implementa- tion of a law that was hastily imposed, and proved under review to be flawed. Further: Municipalities are keeping a close eye on the decision and pending appeal, the thinking being that much may change if last week's judgement is upheld. The downloading of expenses that has proven to be such a burden to municipalities such as ours is predicated on the government's assumption of education costs. How valid is that structure if the separate school teachers' argument in favor of taxation holds up? In addition: You can bet public boards are seeing this judgement as an opportunity to demand the right to tax back, as well. Should the Cumming ruling endure after appeal, how can the province deny them as much? The premier may be playing down the unfavorable judgement, but itis a blow. For as many years as the Tories have been in power there have been charges that they press ahead with hasty, ill-thought legislation over the protest and warnings of the populace. Here, for the first time, somebody has tripped them up seriously. Meanwhile, secondary school teachers here and across Durham are, as of now, prepared to launch a strike when classes resume in September. There appears to be a wide gap that needs to be bridge between the teachers and the Durham District School Board, and failure to do so will mean the second job action by teachers here in a year. As Spock would say: Fascinating. 2sto one space to become Shepherd also had the opportunity to board the 'Apollo 14 flight as commander and become the fifth ~d man to walk on the moon.. a have ever hit a golf ball on the moon's surface. With the death of Alan Shepherd last week, oe there' sno, doubt a little of America died as well. - SAYING GOOD-BYE . and the only man to HIGHLAND FLING didn't have an opportunity to attend the Scottish Tattoo at the fairgrounds last Friday night, but our family drove by the park just as the sun was beginning to set and it appeared there was a great turnout. ~ Over the next two days, 'the games held numerous events at Elgin Park in Uxbridge, which attracted ih 'Dan Robert, Scugog Shores Museum's curator thousands of visitors to the community. for the past four years, bid a fond farewell to his - staff, volunteers and friends last Friday afternoon i in st the old museum church on Scugog Island. - Organizers of the Highlands of Durham Games couldn't have prayed for better weather to hold the games this past weekend, and we can only hope Dan had to hold back the tears as he talked that the crowds were large enough over the three i about the museum and, in particular, board chairman FR bb slipped into oi 20 Richardson, whom he had grown to appreciate during his term in Port Perry. ~ And although he's sad to be leaving the museum, which he's nurtured and improved dramatically over + the past four years, Dan and his family are looking forward to a new adventure, in a new province. 'Scugog Shores Museum is better because of 'Dan's influence, and we can only hope his replace- ment will be as committed to the betterment of "the greatest little museum in Ontario." Good luck, Dan! ~ days for the organizers to turn a little profit. ~ Congratulations to all those individuals who worked so hard to bring a 'wée bit 'o Scotland" to Port Perry and Uxbridge again this summer. - SUMMER DRAGS ON It's hard to believe July is almost over and the "swimming area in Palmer Park has not been closed. Hundreds of children and adults are enjoying the _warm waters of Scugog every weekend, and with plenty of warm weather predicted for the next month, we can only hope the beach will be allowed to stay open during those hot August nights.