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COPY 75¢ (10¢ + 5c asm 28 Pages Better budget picture painted for councillors By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago, Scugog Township councillors were looking at an ugly sea of red ink, as spending was more than $200,000 over budget. On Monday morning the finance committee learned that Scugog is facing a projected deficit of about $60,000, or just under 2 per cent of the total budget for the year 2000. Committee chair Ken Gadsden (who, ironically, is not seeking reelection this November, with: the financial posi- tion in better shape than a year ago) said Monday that a variance of $60,000 on a budget this size is encouraging. And he stressed that there are' plenty of ways the municipality can reduce the projected deficit between now and the end of the year. "We will be working toward that (reducing the deficit to zero) and yes, | think it is possible to achieve," he told The Port Perry Star at the conclusion of the committee meeting. However, he said there are several factors that will hav an impact on the final budget picture at the end of this year. Most important is the weather in November and December. If Mother Nature unleashes a series of severe ice and snow storms in those two months, the cost to the municipality will go up. But if we have normal winter conditions over the final 60 days of the year, the budget picture could improve consid- erably. Another factor, according to Councillor Gadsden, would Please turn to page 19 Youngster calls on council to build a swimming pool By Chris Hall Port Perry Star It's time for Scugog councillors to focus their attention on a new public swimming pool for the community, says a local youngster. Residents have gone through two summers now with- out a community swimming pool, and the township should do something about that, says Alexandra Haagaard, of Scugog Island. Preparing to state her case before Scugog council - she was scheduled to appear at last night's meeting - the 12- year-old Fralick's Beach resident says that a community swimming hole would be beneficial for the entire town- ship. Please turn to page 16 Pity Wore BE 1210 01D FA EVt Rol LO AVA Sh SAVE $5350 TOWNE FIREPLACE AND PATIO CENTRE