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A WS -- ST S---- OE | PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" Mariposa council report Restructuring panel appointed By Clifford Eige Weekend Star Provincial municipal affairs | minister Tony Clement has notified all Victoria County municipal- ities of the appointment of a restructuring commis- sion in response to a request from the Town of Lindsay and Township of Emily. County council recently voted 17-6 against taking this action. And Fenelon Township Reeve Faye McBee has expressed to Mr. Clement her opposi- tion to the province get- ting involved and taking action based on a minority of two municipalities out of 18. Mr. Clement said that following two years of failed attempts by county councillors to reduce duplication of municipal services, this action was necessary. Economics professor Harry Kitchen, a well- known and controversial critic of Victoria County government, has been appointed to head up the commission. Mr. Kitchen has done previous studies for both the county and the Town of Lindsay, both of which were rejected. He is most famous for suggesting that Lindsay apply for city sta- tus to qualify fqor provin- cial funding. Reeve McBee com- plained to Mr Clement that Mr. Kitchen will not be objective, given what has occurred in the recent past. Terms of reference restrict the commission against making any change to existing bound-. aries in advance of November's municipal elections. But the panel can recommend reducing the number of elected representatives. Although public meet- ings held in February will preclude the commijs- sion's final report dead- line of March 31, only writ- ten submissions will be considered. So far, at municipal meetings, Mr. Kitchen has been leaning toward sin- gle tier government or regional. With 4indsay having a debt of $21 million and being the third highest taxed area in Ontario, other Victoria municipali- ties could suffer in a sin- gle tier government struc- ture, says Mariposa Reeve Barbara Kelly. Mariposa councillors have written to the province expressing a preference for leaving things the way they are until actual cost savings cafi'be proven. Costs for the commis- . sion are not fixed, and are to be allocated to each, municipality as desired by the commission. Building stats in Chief building official Richard Ferguson report- ed to council that 130 building permits were issued in 1999 for an increased assessment value of $8.3 million. Most of the permits were for new residences and if completed could boost the township's tax base by as much as 2 per cent. Previous years have averaged about a | per cent increase, but with the planned subdivisions and vacant lot filling in that is taking place, growth has doubled in 1999, he said. Continued growth prospects for year 2000 look even better. Celebrate 2000 In combination with the Trans Canada Trail 2000 relay and provincial municipality millennium funding availability, coun- cil are looking for volun- teers to organize activi- ties throughout the municipality for this spe- cial year. A funding application for $4,000 has been pro- posed with the township matching this for signs, buttons, plaques and maps outlining activity locations and dates. We Expect More and Compton Delivers Extra Outlets Are | Service FREE" NT $9 / | Calls | are FREE TI Sail ee ~~ a Com petitive) i 4 ~_ Rates NN - \ : | ' f£ <3 2 pa ~~ SH ei i al / ra Wo Equipment | to Buy Saving us hundreds of oC Te 5 TMN NN "channels with | '. more to come ) / power GATE" high speed ._Internet™* Se or wr * CONDITIONS APPLY *"NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL AREAS, PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE FOR AVAILABILITY Compton Communications WORRY FREE TV. and we're not stopping there! (905) 985-8171 www.compton.net Collectible Trading Cards, Games & Accessories Micali yesses Floor to ceiling SURI SRE Futons ...from PR 131 DDING #2 MATTRESS FACTORY iy OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 6 HIGH ST. AT 7A, PORT PERRY * 985-3900 Real Estate Board reports a total of 7,370 single family dwellings sold in Durham Region "in 1999. "This represents a 4.2 per cent increase over 1998 of 7073" said DRREB President, Ted McCracken. The average selling prices rose 3.8 percent to $169,568, from $163,369 recorded in The 'Durham Region 19 i 57 and 9968 in 1998) which 'Active listin still at a low leve {| : total listings .in 1999, will tend to keep push ing prices higher. ~~ "After the downturn in the housing market in the early 90s, home- owners will be pleased to see the value of their properties appre- ciate," said Mr. McCracken. : DAVID M. (705) 324-8888 HODSON Lawyer . DR. DARRYL WORKMAN A Doctor of Optometry (optometrist) is an independent primary health care provider who is responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of diseases and dysfunctions of the eye and visual system. Laser Refractive Surgery In laser refractive surgery (PRK and LASIK), a cold laser reshapes the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), removing tissue the thickness of a human hair. With advances in laser technology, surgery can now correct far-sightedness, as well as near-sightedness and astigmatism. Patients must be at least 18 and free of any significant eye problems. There are several advantages to LASIK over PRK, but requires a more experienced surgeon. 90% of patients now receive LASIK rather than PRK. More than 95 per cent of candidates achieve 20/40 vision or better without glasses - this is the minimum for driving. Laser surgery does NOT correct age- related loss of focus (presbyopia); reading glasses will still be required after age 45. As well, with any surgery, there is some degree of risk involved. Dr. New Location - New Patients Welcome -For many patients it is a viable alternative to glasses or contacts. Dr. Workman can advise patients whether or not they are good candidates for laser refractivex surgery. In addition, Dr. Workman has received extensive training to provide the pre-operative testing and post-operative care. Prospective laser candidates are counselled on their expectations, the risks involved, and provided with videos and brochures so an informed decision can be made. Patients should choose their eye doctor and laser centre based on reputation and quality of care; your vision depends on it. Not all laser centres are equal in surgical experience, equipment or post-operative commitment. After the eye exam, interested patients can discuss the LASIK experience with our technician who had LASIK last year. Darryl Workman OPTOMETRIST 189 North Street