- ~4~4 Appointments help relieve backlog in courts By Trudie Zavadovies Oshawa is to receive two new judges and three assistant crowns to remedy the serious backlog in its provincial criminal courts. Attorney General Ian Scott announced his approval for the appointment of a total of nine judges and 13 assistant crown attorneys to alleviate court back- logs in criminal courts in Barrie, Brampton, Newmarket and Osh- awa. In 1985/86 the provincial court was receiving apd disposing of 12,000 charges pèr year. In 1988, the caseload rose to 16,000 per year and 1989 figures are 18,000 cases. "The growth rate is too great," says Dave Arntfield, project coor- dinator for the Court Reform Task Force. "The three judges in the criminal division were being assisted by relief help three days a week on a regular basis. "Figures supplied by the com- mittee show a 25 per cent in- crease in criminal cases over the past five years in Durham Region." "All ways were examined to deal with the backlog,» says Michael Gillen of the crown attorney's office for the Oshawa area. "In addition to all other press- ures, delays in court cases resul- ted in difficulty in locating wit- nesses. They either moved away, died or they just don't care any more. This was happening often enough to be of concern.» In November 1988, delay reduction committees were established. The cooperative management venture consisted of judges, crown attorneys, defense counsel, legal aid repre- sentatives, court administrators, trial coordinators, a member of the Ministry's Court Reform Task Force and, in some cases, police representatives. "These committees have SEE PAGE 16 Housmg, taxes discussed by AMO By Trudie Zavadovices affordable housing really is. taxes on'behalf of the school board seems te be able te operate Housing was an issue in the "Sweeney's speech was a lot Of boards. and do what they want and don't forefront at the Association of smoke,» says councillor Ross Bat- A motion to ask the Province answer to taxpayers. We get Municipalities of Ontario's four- ten. "There has neyer been any to have the school boards do hung for high taxes. We have te day convention held at Toronto's follow-up from that government their own tax collecting was answer for their lack of fiscal Royal York Hotel Monday in the past on housing issues. defeated by a vote of 284 te 208 management. through Thursday last week. The Province has not shown any at the Association of Municipali- "People need to become more John Sweeneys plea te the leadership and I arnnt convin- ties of Ontario (AMO) conference. and more aware of what level of 1,300 municipal politicians to ced they should be involved in The explosive issue lost mar- management does what. free up land and cooperate with Iand use. The Province has been ginaily but sparked controversy "I was amazed that it didn't the Province for affordable hous- a large thorn in the side o1 ind reaction from both sides. 'through," says Drumm 'i ing ran a gambit of reactions affordable housing and rentai «In 1983 the echool board was thought it would. Fifty-three from councillors. accommodations.» taking 47 cents of every tax cents of every dollar goes te the Some took the new Minister of Reactions varied, but coundll-. dollar,» says Brunelie. «Now school board and 28 cents goes te Housing and Municipal Affairs lors shared their concern over they've taken the majority posi- ourselves. rm not saying thats at his word, while others listened the current housing situation. tion. wrong, but people need te be with skepticism and cynicism. «The market emand is 5<) They spend hundreds of mil- more aware. "I'm very impressed with high," says Brunelle. "People cari lions of dollars and we spend "Taxation is such a burden Sweeney," says councillor Marcel rent or seli for ridicuiouf; $16-miilion. People dont realize right now.S Brunelle, one of the Whitby amounts. What is affordabe? Il; this. Thats not the way demo- At a meeting of the Durham councillors who attended. «I felt is nt affordable for those who cracy functions. Board of Education on Monday he really does understand the need te be reached. "As the chairman of finance in night, trustees and staff also situation. It's a hopeful sign. "In planning you have to bu 1985, I brought in a zero tax debated the issue "Personally, I've had battles thinking of tomorrow, ho increase. The school board "Many on the public school with (former housing minister) explains. "Were. going throuIh brought in a 8- to 9-per cent board wouid be happy to take Chaviva Hosek. Mr. Sweeney an intense growth stage. e increase. That year, I had it put over taxation collection," says sounds like he will work together shouid net do things today te in the tax bil where the taxes board treasurer Brian Cain. with the municipalities for solu- respond to that temporary situa- went. "Interest on tax is a burning tions instead of imposing solu- tion. t doesnt stand the test of "I voted for them to collect issue. The time iag between the tions. The only way te help is time." their own taxes,» says Batten total government involvement. TAXCOLLECTION about the AMO vote.'Te school SÉE PAGE.16 "The intention is right and the AMO delegates defeated a direction is right," says councillor motion to have schooi boards Dennis Fox about the housing coiiect their own taxes. policy. «However, it means a lot This year the Town share of of pressure on local municipali- the local tax bil increased by Pa es22-25 ties to implement it. $Z9.80 per househoid or 3.2 per «As a councillor, I have diffi- cent, whiie the schooi board's culty with it. Our taxes are high increase for Whitby supporters enough. Politically, it sounds was $130.35 per household or good. It's all pie in the sky until 13.78 per cent. we get soe defnition as te what M n pe w lt in the past on housing issues. * ~ t ~i 'i are ction age 10 ..en real ttle age 27