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ara Cigars Wis td LORE I WIRE Ee 5 aang Se Volume 134 Number 24 COPY 7 Slots set to open at casino By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star The bells and whistles of slot machines will soon be echoing through the local casino. The Ontario Gaming Commission has announced that 450 slot machines will soon be in operation at the Great Blue Heron casino, on Scugog Island. A media night is scheduled for Wednesday, and the slots will be open to the public some- time shortly thereafter. Perry Steiner, marketing director at the casino, refused to comment on the impending opening of the slots, referring inquiries to the gaming commission. - The machines replace the casino's bingo hall, which was phased out to make way for the popular slots last year. Slot machines are a fixture at casinos and, lately, race tracks; they offer payoffs based on varying wagers, and are very attractive to gamblers. That's not to say the move was entire- ly popular. When it was announced bingo would cease at the casino last year, some patrons protested, saying they will now have to travel to other communities to enjoy their game. The charitable casino is operated by Please turn to page 12 STUDIO TOUR' s THIS WEEKEND: Port Perry artist - Seugog, Karen Richardson was at work in her studio this past weekend, preparing to take part in the Lake : | Spring Studio Tour. The tour, the first ofits Kind in begins with a reception at the Veni Vidi studio' Friday. evening (May 5), and continues through the 1d. More than 20 artists and : Hisans will take part in the tour, See our. story on page: 13. 28 Pages Qe + 5¢ GST) 1 PORT PERRY STAR $ Education Minister denies allegations By Rik Davie Special to the Star Ontario Minister of Education Janet Ecker has denied allegations that Durham District School Board Director Grant Yeo and Grant Andrews, Director for the Durham District Catholic School Board, have participated in writing legislation on secondary school teachers' duties. "No," Mrs. Ecker said, when asked about the claims. "That's what we pay lawyers for in our government." Mr. Yeo, an executive member of the Ontario Directors of Education, came under fire from secondary school teach- ers during the April 17 board meeting. They alleged that he was involved in writing min- istry policy that would force high school teachers to partici- pate in extracurricular activi- ties. The basis for some of the 'questions was reported to be a memo from Ontario Secondary School Teachers Janet Erker Education Minister 'Federation Dist. 13 President Shelly Page. Durham public high schools have been without many such activities since an arbitrator's decision in 1999, requiring teachers to spend more time in the classroom. Most teach- ers have withdrawn their par- ticipation in many sports and other activities, citing increased workloads and the need to concentrate on stu- dents' needs. Mr. Yeo has denied any participation in policy formation. So has Mr. Andrews. The OSSTF memo in question cites statements allegedly made by officials with other Ontario school boards. It implies that Mr. Andrews and Mr. Yeo have attempted to influence other boards on labour issues, and that they have helped write government legislation that would make extracurricular activities part of the mandated workload for secondary Please turn to page 14