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"aviendDY tn vane nswall viinnimman)) 2'oaocin 2 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" LE TERA § C A334 19009 - anota() vet PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 3 They want to voice their concerns Merchants, rec users push for answers on shoreline project By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Plans for a $2 million walkway and ecology park along the Lake Scugog shoreline adjacent to the tennis courts and ball dia- monds in Port Perry are " drawing fire from some concerned business own- ers and recreational users as it nears its pre-devel- opment stage. "Their goals are laid out in their annual report," said Tom Thekan, a long- time baseball league rep- resentative. "That is to provide for every other species except for man." Mr. Thekan said that while public meetings have been held by the Scugog Shores Millennium Project, they have not been, in his opinion, for public input. "The meetings have been educational meet- ings," Mr. Thekan said. "That is, they have not invited input but instead, simply put forward their plan." One question Mr Thekan still has is the question of liability for users if persons on the walkway are injured by baseballs. Another concern is in regards drainage. "The drainage on those two diamonds has always been a problem and I do not know if that has been addressed in their plans," he said. In an article in The Star two weeks ago, Scugog Shores Millennium project officials offered another public meeting if interest. was there. Two other con-. cerned business people: like to see that meeting take place, and' would soon. Rick McCoshen, a Water St. business owner and spokesperson in a recent campaign to have increased police presence in the downtown core, has other concerns. "From a public safety standpoint | look at the plans for this area and what | don't see are lights and what | do see are a lot of bushes and shrubs and an area where criminal activity will not be seen from the street," Mr McCoshen said. "We have just begun to look at the architectural safety aspect of things in Port Perry and I do not think that idea should stop at Water St. | have real concerns how safe users will be at night." ward 2 Councillor Marilyn Pearce has stated in the past that she would welcome input from Durham Regional Police on development matters from the standpoint of public safety on the pro- ject. Jay Lamont, owner of the Lakeside Lilly's restaurant on Water St, has concerns both from a business and a develop- ment view. "Of course | became concerned when I realized that snowmobile traffic that we count on for winter business could be affect- ed," Mr. Lamont said. "But the more I looked into this plan to bring the shoreline to a so-called natural state, the more questions I had." Mr. 'Lamont said he began to talk with other business people and a picture of concerns over long-term planning for the lakefront of Port Perry emerged. "I would like to see a development plan over five or even 10 years where we would be using this valuable resource to attract business to this community," he said. Mr. McCoshen agreed and wants to take up the Scugog Shores Millennium Project on their offer of another public meeting. "Plans to plant bull rushes and have paths are all well and good," Mr. McCoshen said. "What we need is a - waterfront "development committee "made up of business peo- "ple and planners to come up with a 10-year plan for the development of the shoreline." "We look forward to hearing from the (Scugog) Shores Committee about the date for a meeting where there will be public input on this," Mr. Lamont said. In response, officials with the Scugog Shores project have written into The Star to promote their upcoming activities and meetings. For more on that, please turn to Page 6 and check out this week's Letter to the Editor. Durham District School Board official warns of potential funding cuts More cuts to education programs coming? By Rik Davie Port Perry Star A senior source at the Durham District School Board is warning area residents to brace for another series of cuts to the education program in the upcoming 2002-2003 school board budget. The source told The Star that given the changes in the financial markets both as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks in America and the move towards a recession in both the United States and Canadian economies, he expects that provin- cial revenues will be down from last year's figures, and that will probably mean a reduction in spending in areas such as education and health care. The Durham District School Board is about to begin budget studies for next year as well as a review of cur- rent spending to look for more cash for special education and other pro- grams hit hard by provincial funding formulas that board director Grant Yeo has said in the past "do not reflect true numbers or forecasts for this board's needs." The source, with contacts at the provincial level, told The Star that the problem may be in keeping up funding from reserves to items like special education. Preliminary figures and dates for finance committee meetings will be available from the school board shortly. LIL {£01 LU TH LF - | I CL { ---- uu a HH HH gals - u TH Fl of WE PAY for Kids TI SUE L 1 7) ding Restoray; ou Thank you for your patience during Phase 1 of our building restoration project. We are restoring and repairing the brick on the front of the building to it's original state as in 1885. We are open for business as usual during this time so visit us during our special BUILDING RESTORATION SALE! ©0000 0000000000000 00000000O0 afl Tuesday, Oct. 23 to Tuesday, Oct. 30 ONE WEEK ONLY!!! 19) to AY S4y Er Use yo! ur POR ExTRA SAVINGS! ' DNTOINS BR@ Al, wo J 168 - 178 Queen Street, Port Perry INE CREPAPS wwiv.brockstore.com *an equivalent discount will be deducted. Applies to regularly priced items only. aks BR: on foot (