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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 26, 2000 - 3 \ Drew warns of candidates' hidden agendas By Rik Davie Special to the Star Scugog's departing public school trustee says voters should research can- didates stepping forward to run in this fall's municipal election. . Bobbie Drew said that in the wake of a controversy over childrens' books, voters ought to be aware of the agendas being promoted by some would-be trustees. 'Last Monday night, Durham District School Board trustees voted to reinstate the: Harry Potter series of books. Their use in schools had been restricted after One trustee has called for the books to be banned, claiming they promote witchcraft. Mrs. Drew read a prepared state- ment that result- ed in catcalls from some members of the public present for the debate. "We are coming up to a municipal election," Mrs. Drew said. "I urge the public to ask the ques- tions when candidates come to your door seeking the position of school trustee. Ask how the candidate feels about the banning of Harry Potter." Mrs. Drew went on to say that candi- dates for school board should be asked questions about why they want the post. She then addressed potential candi- dates: "To the trustee candidates ~ in par- ticular the slate of Christian candidates - if you feel that your beliefs are right and should be imposed on the public educa- tion system, then I challenge you, and | urge you, to clearly explain your agenda to everyone so that they know for whom they are casting a ballot." While several trustees applauded Mrs. Drew's comments, several others, includ- ing departing Ajax trustee Brian Clarke, voiced his concerns "that a person's beliefs should enter into their candida- cy." Mrs. Drew, trustee for the last 12 years in Scugog Township, is leaving the board to run for the regional council seat vacat- ed by the retirement of Ken Gadsden. complaints about c content twere received. i Jett Brown to take another run at Ward 3 By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Twenty-nine-year-old Jeff Brown has announced he'll be running for the Ward 3 councillor's seat in the November municipal election. Mr. Brown, a life-long resident of Township, is running on what he calls a "quality of life" platform. His bid to unseat incumbent Island representative Jim McMillen is his third attempt to win a seat on council. "I'm trying (campaign- ing) again because I've always had an interest in running and serving in municipal affairs," said Mr. Brown. He made unsuc- cessful runs in a 1995 byelection in Ward 2, and in the 1997 vote in Ward 3. Mr. Brown's quality of life campaign centres on addressing the question of how to sustain a high level of municipal services with- out raising taxes for Scugog home owners. He says the key is in attracting more industrial and commercial development to the town- ship to broaden the munic- ipality's tax base. "It's sales; marketing," he said of the strategy he'd promote in attracting busi- ness investment in Scugog. He feels there's ample industrial land west of Port Perry on which to establish industrial development that doesn't require munic- ipal water and sewers, and that the right kind of com- mercial development can be attracted through an inventive and energetic promotional campaign. Mr. Brown said the town- ship ought to look at expanding upon its existing Scugog - Brown economic development committee by establishing a new department whose mandate would be to pro- mote Scugog, both as a tourism destination and a place to invest. As for the other main issue facing would-be politicians in this election, municipal amalgamation, Mr. Brown says a prepared municipality will fare better when the bean-counters from Queen's Park turn their gaze on Durham. He'd like to weigh the benefits of options that include the amalgamation of municipalities, or a strengthening of the regional government in Durham. "1 would really like to see the status quo," he said. "I say Durham works. For better or worse, it's doing its job." But he realizes the importance of recognizing the likelihood of some form of realignment, and being ready for it with a plan tai- lored for Scugog. "The best | think that can be done is being pre- pared, and having a plan ready as to what is best for us," said Mr. Brown. It's time to update your look this season... add some leopard print; snakeskin, singe. (excludes holiday) Se BR@C KS mes for) Kids 168 - 178 Queen Street, Port Perm BIRR EOIN] 0()5-985-252 x