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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" LETTERS To the Editor: I'am not often compelled to publicly voice an opinion on political issues, but on Friday, March 2, the mayor and councillors of Scugog Township went one step over the line as far as | am concemed. They are con- sidering taking action to ban what they call "permanent" ice fishing huts from Lake Scugog. They make points of litter, parking, and public safety to back up their decision. I will admit that there are rude, inconsid- erate and uncaring people using this lake for winter recreation. That type of person exists in-every group of people on this earth, no matter where you look. And these days, it seems they are beginning to out- number the responsible folks. But the action that council is planning to take is foolhardy and ridiculous. I have lived on Scugog Island for 11 years. | have fished on it, winter and sum- mer, for over 20 years. My wife's family has lived on the shores of Scugog for 74 years. | own a business in Manchester that derives some of its income from the daily influx of ice fishermen, ATVers and snowmobilérs that use the lake. There are hundreds of businessmen and women in town that rely on them for a much larger portion of their revenues than I do. To ban permanent huts from this lake will cause all of us financial difficulty in varying degrees. The majority of people who ice fish will simply not bother to come out if they do not have a hut to sit in while enjoying their recreation. Portable huts are not the answer to this problem, people generally do not buy them in large numbers. | realize that there are problems faced by residents where-lake access is available. I have people driving snowmobiles across my front lawn every winter, inconsiderate snowmobilers who trespass on marked property because they don't care about their actions. I don't run to council whining about the problem. If | get the chance, | politely tell the person to go back to the lake and find the public trail. Some are rude, some are polite. But | won't ask coun- cil to ban snowmobiles from the lake because of it. As well, people throw garbage in my ditch on Island Road from their vehi- cles as they drive by. I won't ask council to ban cars from the road because of it. Some other more realistic solution can be found in all matters like this. Also, if council is planning on taking some kind of action in this matter, they would be advised to become informed on the regulations regarding ice-fishing in this Banning huts on Scugog would be a foolish move | area. The ice fishing closes on Feb. 28. There is no fishing from then until midnight of the second Friday in May. And Lake Scugog is the only lake in the Kawartha Lakes that has an ice-fishing season. '| eagerly look forward to the chance to meet with council when they decide to have public meetings on this matter. | hope they give the public plenty of notice when the talks will take place. I'm sure they will get to hear the opinions of many concemed citi- zens and business people whose lives are affected by their attempt to govern this township. I can only hope that they come up with a much better solution than the foolish one proposed in Friday's paper. Norman Sheppard, Scugog Island Directory of Coming Events To the Editor: Reading the article by Chris Hall on page 8 of The Port Perry Star, Feb. 27, | "Gentle Aerobics Port Perry United Church. For submit the following for Gentle Aerobics for older information 985-9454. your perusal. adults, Mondays and/or Weight Training Classes Q The Caesarea Thursdays - 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Masonic Hall, Port Perry. New members welcome. Mary 655-6917. : Every Thursday Heart to Heart - A spiritual & physical (Fae.Bo) workout for women - 10-11:15 a.m. Victory Christian Centre, 593 Alma St., Port Perry. 985-1346 or 655-3407. Family Resource Centre Scugog Community Centre, 1655 Reach St., Port Perry - Mondays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. & Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Info. 985-3976. Every Second Wednesday Louise Patterson Craft Hall. Develop strength, flexibility, speed, power - great for all sports - ages 12-18 - Mon. & Wed. 6-8 p.m. Kinsmen Hall - $25/month. Call 242-5417. Tuesday, March 6 Pine Ridge Garden Club pot luck supper & membership night - 6:45 p.m. Nestleton Saturday, March 10 Cartwright Minor Ball - reg- istration - Blackstock Arena - 8 - a.m. to noon. Info. 985-1896. Thursday, March 15 St. Patrick's Day Luncheon & Euchre - Oddfellows Hall - 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 Community Hall Board runs only the Caesarea Hall. 0 The Lake Scugog Regatta Association found- ed Putsey Park and ran it up to Jan. I, 2001. Because of 'Some inaccuracies in report property taxes an agree- ment was reached between the Regatta and Scugog Township on a owner lease Regional chair's expenses make this taxpayer angry deal. Q The Cnada Day cele- brations have been' run under the Caesarea Ratepayers Association since 1997 using the Caesarea Hall property and have been aided by the hall board members. @ On Jan. I, 200! the Lake Scugog Regatta Association gave up its rights to the Putsey Park and now the Scugog Township wants to know if we are going to run it like . Peace Park or is the commu- nity going to put forth a To the Editor: Durham's residential taxes are to increase by 30 to 45 per cent in the next five years. It makes me angry when unelected chair Roger Anderson's expens- es increased by over $33,000 to $120,976. Ladies and gentlemen, Roger Anderson makes $87,711 annually of which a third is tax free. Pity the seniors and those on fixed income, who are having a hard time to stay in their homes because of increased house taxes. chauffeur? Is the $33,000 small potatoes when you look at the overall picture? It is the principle of the whole thing. Roger's spending habits and his disregard for the public purse makes him look very unfavourable. Roger should take a good look west at Mayor Hazel McCallion as she packs her groceries at the No Frills Store and carries them to her car. She has no tax increases. Hurricane Hazel has the respect of the taxpay- ers since she does not Guild meets every second Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Presbyferian Church base- ment. Bring your lunch. New members welcome. Ruth 985- 3422. Every Monday Tai Chi Club of Port Perry, PA. Comm. Hall, 19 Jeffrey St. - 7:30 p.m. Info. 985-9024. Yoga - Port Perry Instructor Marg Smith - 7- 8:30 p.m. Call 985-1655. Sundays & Wednesdays Youth strengthen & condi- tioning classes - ages 12-17 - Kinsmen Hall. Info. 242-5417. Every Third Monday Hospital 'Auxiliary meets - 1:30 p.m. - Education Rm, - in the hospital. TOPS Take off pounds sensibly Every Tuesday - 6-8 p.m. - Pancake Fundraiser for Utica Community Daycare - Purple Woods Conservation Park - 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Info. 985-8783. Saturday, March 24 Cartwright Minor Ball - reg- istration - Blackstock Arena - 8 a.m. to noon. Info. 985-1896. Monday, March 26 Cartwright Sports & Rec. Inc. general meeting - Nestleton Community Centre - 8 p.m. 986-4602. Saturday, April 7 A Celtic Celebration to wel- come spring - Town Hall, Port Perry - 8 p.m. - call 985-2635. Saturday, April 14 Cartwright Minor Ball - reg- istration - Blackstock Arena - 8 a.m. to noon. Also assessment day for T-ball, tyke and new players. Info. 985-1896. BELL PORT PERRY We L competitor's quote Il match committee to run it. The Caesarea Hall Board appears to be the best choice: among the village organizations but has no men on the executive. Albert Putsey, Caesarea It is a disgrace when we see this going on when we have these tax increases. Why does Roger have to be chauffeured to spe- cial functions by private squander their money like Roger Anderson does. Herman van der Veen, ~ Oshawa ROGER B. MOASE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT Income Tax Return Preparation Electronic Filing TE MARCH SPECIAL 1 Doz. Sweetheart Roses - $19.95 1 Doz. Carnations - $9.99 THE PERSONAL TOUCH Individuals, Small Business, Farms, Corporations "Personal, Confidential Service... and a Real Person Answers the Phone" A Wo he's 175 North Street, Port Perry (905) 985-8893 Email: rbmoaseca@sympatico.ca