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8 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 13, 2001 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Donations boost music program Members from the Scugog Island Womens Institute have donated $100 each to the music and family studies programs at Port Perry High School. Here, W.I. vice-president Gloria Fralick (centre) presents the cheques to family studies co-ordinator Nancy Smith, and Charles White of the PPHS music program. The money will go toward a new upright string bass and classroom materials. LINDSAY ACADEMY THEATRE 1-877-888-0038 g Y 1 O11 JH eng Call (703 1-011] Lol] Free ' : v : | Local politicians relieved as amalgamation dropped From page 1 But now the Tories have backed away from forcing restructuring in 'Durham. And part of the reason was to cut down on the political fall-out creat- ed by such moves, said Durham MPP John O'Toole, a Conservative. "The general consensus from caucus was that the changes we've made, we should manage those, and see what works well and what doesn't," said Mr. O'Toole. He credits the very threat of amalgamations or restructuring with giving local governments, Durham's, the impetus to start examining municipal operations with a view to eliminating duplication of services, and cutting costs. That, of course, is the motive behind the Tories' drive to implement restructuring. like The notion that some folks in Durham might be miffed by restructuring may have been an issue to MPPs, but wouldn't have prevented the govern- ment from going ahead if it was deemed necessary, he said. "I'm not sure that (dis- sension) has ever stopped our government before," he said. "I think we know we can just do it." Mayor Moffatt agrees that the province got the cost-cutting ball rolling, 'and pledges that it will continue. He's been work- ing with the mayors and politicians of neighbour- ing Uxbridge, Brock and Clarington Townships, with a view to creating alliances and streamlining services. That rural initia- tive is part of a region- wide effort to encourage cooperation and savings among all the municipal New Patients' Smiles Always Welcome *Dr. J. Cottrell «Dr. J. Hardy «Dr. L. Gideon * Dr. C. Banfield Dr. L. Poranganel «Dr. H. Dewar * Dr. T. King (Orthodontist) «Dr. T. McIntyre (Periodontist) --Today's Smile... -- Think for yourself - and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too. Dental Care For The Entire Family Evening & Saturday Appointments Available Please Call 985-8451 Visit our website: www.iluvmydentist.com Protecting our natural heritage Jean Fau is a chief park warden for Parks Canada. He and his colleagues protect the plant and animal life in our national parks. They also help Canadians explore and enjoy these special places. This is just one of the hundreds of services provided by the Government of Canada. | For more information on government services: * Visit the Service Canada Access Centre nearest you * Visit www.canada.gc.ca *Call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232) TTY/TDD: 1 800 465-7735 -with entities that comprise Durham Region, he said. "If there are savings to be had, we will find them," said Mayor Moffatt Friday. "Our target is to have whatever we are able to do ready in a report to the region in June." He said the potential for a forced provincial restructuring has had a negative effect on deci- sion-making for Durham Region and other munici- pal bodies, such as the Greater Toronto Services Board, of which Scugog is a member. "I think the whole thing has cast a pall over every- thing everybody's been trying to do; for municipal- ities, at the region, and even the GTSB," said Mayor Moffatt. "But that's all out of the way now. We've got work to to on coordinating ser- vices across the GTA, and now we can proceed with that." Mr. O'Toole also admits to relief that the notion of forced restructuring has been laid to rest, at least for now. "I'm happy we're not being in confrontation lower-tier govern- ments," he said. "But | think we've all got to con- tinue to look at duplica- tion of services." VALENTINE CANDIES /{ with the purchase SD of any