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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 - 3 By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Overflowing garbage cans and litter on the streets are once again becoming a problem for Port Perry merchants. . Members of the township's economic develop- ment committee were informed last week that Port Perry's streets and plazas have become unsightly, and will be no help in attracting and keeping visitors here in Scugog. "There are some concerns about garbage; actual- ly it's a major issue," said Stu Bennet at last Thursday's meeting. He represents the downtown nomic development table. v Business Improvement Association (BIA) at the eco-- He said some area plazas and parking lots are "a disgrace". And Mr. Bennet said trash cans along Queen St. and Water St. were overflowing. "We did a survey of what was in those garbage cans, and about 80 per cent of the waste was from (fast food outlets and coffee shops)," he said. "Our committee felt that we should take the ini- tiative on this and go to those businesses and ask them to buy more garbage cans." Large crowds of tourist traffic and too few trash cans, combined with once-weekly garbage pick-up, has resulted in an unsightly downtown core, said Mr. Bennet. "Those cans are filled constantly in the summer and then they start to spill over onto the sidewalk. Rubbish-strewn streets a 'disgrace', committee told The pick-up is only done once a week, so | think the only remedy is more cans. But I'd hate to see garbage cans every 10 feet here in the downtown," he said. "We spend a lot of money advertising to bring people to our town, and some areas are pretty poor- ly looked after. We're certainly not giving the image that we're eager to receive people in a clean spot." Ward 2 Councillor Marilyn Pearce proposed that the matter be referred to township staff, who will look into the costs of increasing garbage pickup and purchasing more refuse boxes. She suggested a form of cost-sharing among the township, its merchants and the fast-food outlets could be considered. Teachers' union rep to trustees: Stop squabbling By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Teachers employed by the Durham: District School Board (DDSB) want trustees to stop squab- bling and get on with busi- ness. Shelly Page, president of District 13 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, said ongoing debates about procedures and so-called secret meetings are shift- ing the trustees' focus away from serious prob- lems in education. "Think of all the lives that are affected by their (school trustees) self inter- ested conduct," Ms Page said in an interview with The Star. "We have the problem of increased teaching time, the on going contract talks between ourselves and the board, the funding problems, a lack of summer school, money for new text books, accommodation, and the list goes on and on." Ms Page said the most recent conflict, over a con- troversial May 14 meeting held by six trustees in the absence of other board members, is stalling the board at a critical time. "This decision-making by instinct, their narrow view of the world, and their self interest; it is simply not good enough for the students or the parents of 'Durham Region," said Ms Page. She said it is becoming frustrating for teachers to watch "the lack of action" at the board table. "I have devoted my life to teaching and spent my life in the classroom," Ms Page said. "Now [| am watching people who have stepped out of the kitchen, make decisions on the future of public educa- tion." Ms Page echoed a call by Whitby trustee Doug Ross for the public to come to board meetings to see for themselves what is occurring. "People have to come to the board and see this for themselves," she said. LATLOM Associates Inc. DIMA ACH BGA ACR GI DAN 4D Port ORR Ontario Summer Classes SCUGOG LIBRARY ERLUO NS DANE GO101 I DNEO AY BY June 25, 26, 28, 29/01 August 27, 28, 29, 30 all & 118 {ey \ OW "905. 985- 4541 Ministry of Transportation Approved Courses DBR@( "KS for Kids Sale ends Tuesday, June 26, 2001 BR@C K'S pres 168 Queen Street, Port Perry CUALS ROOTS RALPH LAUREN el, a/actric beach ardor SUN mii 1, Ripzone™ phd mailiots wesw chelating os SPEEDO on foot? PURER REVAPA