The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2001 - 7 To the Editor: (Copy forwarded to Grant Yeo, Director of Education, Durham District School Board) | have been asked by my constituents to help in the lobbying process to keep Epsom School open. | realize the deci- sion rests with the board of trustees and there is due process underway before the decision is made. As a former trustee of I'l years on the board, I am aware that the issue of closing Epsom is not new to the local body politic. 1 am also sensi- tive to the budgetary pressures the board faces in light of past and future provincial government policy. Notwithstanding that, I make the point when one closes a school which has been the focus of a small community for genera- tions, one must look care- fully at the long term view despite the pressures of current fiscal reality. 1 When parents feel their 'way of life is being threat- ened or their concerns are not being addressed by public education we make straight the paths for charter 'schools. As a Small school plays big role in Epsom former educator and sup- porter of public educa- tion, 1 keep in touch with current developments especially the literature that relates to the effec- tiveness of small schools, learning centered and multi-age models of school organizations. I know these good con- stituents want to work with the board in finding a "win/win solution" to the problem of school accommodation and fis- cal responsibility. If I can be of assistance in facili- tating a solution don't hesitate to contact me. On our local economic development committee we have a representative of the education sector at the table and he keeps us well informed of the good news happenings in our local schools. Most recently we have launched a Learning Partnership Group between education, busi- ness -and local agricul- ture. Thanking you and the board of trustees in advance for their thoughtful consideration, | remain. Larry Corrigan Councillor Ward | Another successful Port Perry Christmas parade Successful Santa Parade in Port Perry Congratulations to all those in Scugog Township who participated in the Nov. 24 Santa Claus Parade in Port Perry, including parade co-ordi- nator Ray Northey and the many vol- unteers. The parade was a wonderful introduction to the Holiday Season and an outstanding family event. The beautiful weather was more like sum- mer. However, the Christmas spirit is alive and well across Durham Riding. Ontario Steps in to Help Travellers and Travel Agents The Government of Ontario has made changes to the Ontario Travel Industry Act regulations to help pro- tect travellers and travel agents who have incurred losses due to the insol- vency of Canada 3000. Sept. 11 has had a serious impact on the travel and tourism industry. In announcing the new regulations, the Minister of Consumer and Business Services, the Hon. Norm Sterling, said that, given the difficul- ties experienced by the travel indus- try since Sept. 11, the Ontario govern- ment believes that making the indus- try-sponsored fund directly accessi- ble in this situation helps the travel- ling public and an important sector of the economy. This change means quick, efficient refunds for consumers who previous- ly could only claim from the fund if their travel agent became insolvent. The cap on individual claims is increased to $5,000 (from $3,500). For the travel industry, last week's announcement means agents need not be forced into bankruptcy to resolve consumer claims, and agents who reimburse customers or arrange alternative travel at their own expense may claim reimbursement from the fund. | appreciate the comments on this issue from constituents and from trav- el agents in my riding. | am confident that this response from the Minister will be of assistance. Bill Banning Puppy Mills Gets Second Reading I was pleased to support a Private Member's Bill against puppy and kit- ten mills introduced by the MPP for York "North, Julia Munro, in the Ontario Legislature last week. With support from Ontario's MPPs, | would hope to see the bill receive third and final reading before the end of this session. Bill 129, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2001, targets individ- uals, groups or corporations who run puppy mills. This legislation will also help Ontarians who are interested in purchasing a pet to be watchful of where their puppy or kitten comes from. Bill 129 includes a set of stan- dards that must be applied to the care of all cats and dogs bred for prof- it. It-also creates a provincial offence for failure to comply with these stan- dards. The penalties include a fine up to $60,000 and/or imprisonment for a term up to five years. It also allows for the judicial process to determine up' to a lifetime ban on any further activity in this industry. The OSPCA estimates there are 400 puppy mills in operation in Ontario. In August of 2001 the OSPCA undertook the largest puppy mill res- cue in its history. Approximately 180 dogs and puppies were rescued from' an operation in Vaughan and 51 dogs and puppies from an operation in Fenelon Falls. Unfortunately, puppy mills continue to operate. As recent- ly as this month, 31 dogs were res- cued from a mill in Norwich Township. Ontario Invests in Food Safety The Province of Ontario is invest- ing almost $2.7 million in developing and implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) program for Ontario's dairy farms. Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Brian Coburn announced recently. The funds are part of the $90-mil- lion Healthy Futures for Ontario Agriculture program. This program is a key initiative in ensuring our milk and meat supply continues to be the safest and of the highest quality. The Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) organization, and owners of the 6,300 dairy farms in Ontario, will fund the balance of the nearly $20 million project. It will be integrated into the current regulatory framework of Ontario's dairy industry. Implementation of the HACCP pro- gram is being carried out under the Dairy Quality Assurance Program and will include a review of all production process. It will be implemented in stages and all Ontario dairy farms are expected to have the program in place by May, 2004. Information about the program can be obtained at our Constituency Office, by phoning 1-888-588-4111, or by visiting the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' web site www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA. Ontario Government Invests Almost $1.9 Million to Help Children With Special Needs in Durham Region Durham Region's MPPs are announcing funding of $1,890,518 for the Grandview Children's Treatment Centre. The increase brings. annual funding for Grandview to $3,658,493. The Grandview Children's Treatment Centre provides a wide range of rehabilitation services designed to meet the needs of chil- dren and youth with special needs. Since it was founded in 1954, the Grandview Children's Centre has had an outstanding history of providing rehabilitation services to children and youth with special needs. Grandview is an important part of the support network for families in Durham Riding. This annual increase of over $1.8 million will help children and young adults achieve their high- est level of independence. Canada ste ensure airline safety while not incurring costs This past week, as a member of the federal transporta- tion committee, | travelled to Washington to meet with American legislators and representatives of the airline industry to discuss airline security. Last week the U.S. Senate passed an omnibus bill which will have wide-ranging implications for our policies. They want foreign carriers landing there to comply with their law. But what was more startling to me, during the two days I was there, was the degree to which the Americans had let security on their airlines deteriorate. | came to this conclu- sion after questioning the Airline Pilots Association, Airport Councils, the Inspector General of Aviation and the General Accounting Office, who is charged with evaluating the cost of past security practices. | found that even current precautions are not being car- ried out. The Americans are in pure reactionary mode because of the terrorist attacks of what they now call "9-11". They still can't understand how cave dwellers in Afghanistan could have inflicted so much damage without anyone knowing what was going to happen that September day. But now they do understand they are not immune from random acts of violence. These acts, so commonplace in Europe, Israel and so many other countries, have given the Americans the feeling that government has the responsi- bility to protect them. From my vantage point much of what they are doing isn't going to improve security at all. In fact it is only being done to impress the American public that their govemn- ment is doing something. The Federal Aviation Authority did not police the air- lines as they should have. For example, there is a require- ment in U.S. law that all baggage be screened through explosive detectors. These expensive machines sat in hallways of airports never being used. Only 10 per cent of baggage was being screened for explosives. In a rush to placate the public the government is now requiring massive amounts of baggage checking. On my way to Reagan Airport, the most sensitive airport in the United States, everyone's baggage was emptied and everyone was thoroughly body searched. Carry-on luggage was checked twice and a person may be unlucky enough to be chosen for athird because of ran- dom checks before boarding a plane. If you think about it none of this would prevent the acts of Sept. 11. This show of security is an attempt to placate Americans about the safety of air travel rather than enhanc- ing security. Another thing | found remarkable was the lack of under- standing of events since "9-11". Some administrators are knowledgeable about Canada-U.S. relations but there still remains such a huge amount of ignorance. For instance a top FAA official was asked how many hijackers came from Canada? His answer was two or three. Imagine, this long after the event and they still do not know the reality that none of the hijackers had any rela- tionship to Canada whatsoever. People in the U.S., who are really knowledgeable about security, know the system in Canada was superior to theirs prior to Sept.|1. What is troubling is that what happens in the U.S. reflects on us. The slowdown in handling passengers, and the cost of what will be misspent security dollars, will impact on us both financially and contribute to a dissatis- fied travelling public here. Canadian legislators will now have to perform a balanc- ing act. First, we will have to be sensitive toward American security, while at the same time, let them know we can't compromise security in Canada. The Canadian government too has a responsibility to ensure the safety of Canadian travellers without incurring unnecessary costs. TTIW TEN