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TR EEE EEE 10- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 3, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Region grapp From page 1 what one's interpretation of fairness 1s," he said. "I certainly feel for the people who got large (tax) increases, but the focus has to be on what's fair." He said an effort to give business -- particularly small business -- a break while imposing the new system is laud- able, but "in order to do that, you have to inflict pain on someone who's been paying too much." The finance report, to be voted upon by the full regional council tomorrow, recommends that the province be asked to: J Enter into a consultative process with municipalities on the implementa- tion of CVA; a Reduce the cost of services that were previously provincial responsibilities downloaded to municipalities; a2 Reimburse the region and its area municipalities not just for the direct costs of issuing new tax bills, but also for costs related to staff time, computer costs, customer service and interest on delayed cash flow that will result from late tax payments. Costs for the region and local munici- palities such as Scugog will be significant and costly, the report from finance com- missioner R.J. Clapp concludes. And he warns that even with the provincial cap in place, taxes on business and industry in Durham may climb above 10 per cent. That's because the provincial cap to be imposed by the province relates only to increases associated with the intro- duction of CVA, and doesn't cover hikes related to downloading costs, and higher regional and municipal tax requirements. Councillor Gadsden said that means business owners here could feel ripped Huge tax hikes have left some busin bs Ere. | . ess owners, like Port Perry's Fred Walker, wondering how they're going to make ends meet. off once more if and when Thy get a new tax bill and find a tax increase that's still in excess of 10 per cent. Never the less, he said he's not been inundated by calls from irate taxpayers blaming Scugog for raising the levies they must pay. "I think people realize we're being yanked around by something that's beyond our control," he said. Actually, business owners don't much care who's to blame, says Fred Walker; they just want tax increases handled in a reasonable and responsible manner. Mr. Walker, owner of a martial arts studio on Simcoe St. in Port Perry, saw his taxes shoot from $2,400 in 1997 to $6,100 this year. He questions the logic behind handing out such whopping increases to businesses that are already struggling with high overheads and penny-wise consumers. He said he and other business owners have stated their plight to local politi- cians, only to be told that there's no choice but to bring down the high tax les with taxes after cap announcement increases because of provincially-imposed policy. "You can't keep saying, 'my heart goes out to you, but there's nothing I can do' You've got to do something," said Mr. Walker. "How can anyone who's imtelhigent come up with this kind of bottom line and not do anything about it?" Business owners here and across the province were shocked with the arrival last month of tax bills. While the council here tried in the weeks leading up to their arrival to warn residents -- politi- cians here repeatedly said they feared soaring tax bills, and pointed to provincial policy as the cause -- the increases of as much as 100 per cent and more were stunning to business people. Adding to the stress was the fact that bills were so late in arriving because the municipality had to wait for details from the province, and the tight deadline of six weeks to make payments or face late charges, said Mr. Walker. He called the deadline for payment "adding insult to injury." "My taxes went up $4,600 -- and you're going to give me six weeks?" he said. Mr. Walker wants regional and town- ship politicians to use the options avail- able to them, including caps and phase- in schemes for increases, to soften the blow on business people here. Otherwise, such colossal tax expenses may just be the death of some ventures, he warns. "We're told over and over that small business is the backbone of the commu- nity, and maybe even the country, but they're being hit so hard they've got to close their doors," he said. "You have businessmen losing sleep, wondering how they're going to come up with this money." CHIMNEY REPAIR * REBUILDING * LINERS * NEW CHIMNEYS W.E.T.T. CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS O15] Fa\)/7) PORT PERRY 434-7878 985-2067 Call For Yoon Fall Servicing business. t The Merchant-- CANADIAN SIGN SYSTEMS My father, Sam Pudleiner started the business over 25 years ago under the name Lease-A-Sign Company. Today, we operate under the name of Canadian Sign Systems with my son Christopher, the third generation taking up the We are a commercial sign shop located at 185 Reach Industral Park Road Some of the signs we provide locally are vehicle lettering, snowmobile and boat numbers, available in pine, oak, maple, cherry & MDF + Custom or factory built to meet your needs » Kitchens, Vanities, Entertainment Units, GREEN APPLE CABINETS Se de th Cabinets with character & comfort and style 173 Queen St., Port Perry 985-3767 JACKSON WATER CONDITIONING Over 20 years Experience in WATER TREATMENT 1-800-721-4921 SALES * SERVICE * RENTALS SERVICE TO ALL MAKES store front signs, point of sale signage, banners and billboards. Over the materials have changed substantially. We keep abreast of new products and perform the job required producing templates or igs CANADIAN SIGN incorporate anything that will fit into our line. We now produce Signs on specialty plastics and foams, wood, aluminum and steel products. This enables us to provide our customers with quality signage that will be effective and The design department has digital printing. Thermal vinyl transfer (edge printing) and vinyl cutting capabilities Our designers are formally trained and with the aid of the latest equipment and programs, can produce layout or logos to satisfy the most demanding requirements. If lamination is required we can handle up to a 60" width, hot or cold in house If signage 1s required in large quantities the Screening department has an automatic screen press plus number of hand tables for oversized or undersized images Our carpentry shop is outfitted with all the standard equipment to produce all types of signage and millwork. We recently purchased a 5x9 router table that allows us to custom produce one off items with outstanding quality and without the hassle of We would like to thank our existing clients for their support over the years For those of you we havent met, come in and say hello We offer quick, courteous service and always welcome new clients. ® x Lo) SYSTEMS. COMPLETE EYE EXAMS ARRANGED 30 Water St., Port Perry PRESCRIPTION LAB FRAME SELECTION - REPAIRS 985-9388 CANADIAN SIGN SYSTEMS * CUSTOM SIGNS * SCREEN PRINTING « VEHICLE LETTERING » LAMINA NG « STORE DECOR « FLOOR GRAPHICS * DIGITAL PRINTING LATEST TECHNOLOGY 150 Reach Industrial Park Rd., Port Perry LIL 182 * 905-985-4505 » Fax: 905-985-4534 271 Mary Street Port Perry, ON L9L 1B; The Personal Touch Floral & Gift Shop [fresh & silk flowers weddings & funerals, etc. Vicki Sanderson 905-985-9360