Whitby Frec Press. Wodnosday. June 16, 1993, Page 25 Edwards still upset with GO cutbackis -J By Mike Kowalskd GO Transit's decision te con- tinue its expansion program while cutting back in other areas has Whitby Mayor Tom Edwards perplexed. Edwards cannot undorstand the Iogic of GO Transit approv- ing $MA. million in capital sponding for such projects as extension of full train service te Oshawa, while at the same time roducing service on existing routes. That's especially the case since the planned extension te Oshawa will likely ho affected by the sameý cuts scheduled te tako effect noxt month, ho noted. Extending GO's lakeshore com- muter line from Whitby te Osh- awa is part of the $19.4-milîion spending package announced by GO Transit last week. .GO will spend $12.1 million on improvingtheotracks te Oshawa and iveDurham Region another $2.39 million for road improve- monts t eoase traffic congestion nar the Oshawa station. The work is part of an ongoing recoîve full train service by the end of 1994. Oshawa commutors are new served by one train which beaves the city in the morning and returns from Union station in the ovoning. Although GO officiaIs insist the expansion is net connected te next month's cutbacks, Edwards said it should ho. Ho said GO should net pres ahoad with a planned reduction in non-rush heur service on the lakoshore lino., "Why spend $12 million te make it run te Oshawa when it won't ho full.day service?" ho asked. Oný July 3, non-rush-hour train service botween Whitby and Pickering will end, GO Transit's board of directors announced last month. During mid-day, evenings and weokondis, passongers from Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa will taice buses te and from tho Pickering GO station. The reductiens on the lakesh- ore corridor and in other aroas served by GO Transit woro in response te the Ontario govern- meflt's plans te, trim its annual subsidy te GO Transit by $6.5 million. But following protests from mayors of municipalities affected by the cuitbacks, GO directers areed te look at alternatives. jGO chair Lou Parsons was aIse directed te meet with goern- ment officiaIs te, discuss the pro- vinoe's planned funding cuts. Parsons met with Windsor area MPP George Dadameo par- liamentary assistant to I;rns- portation Miniser Gilles Pouliot. ,Aýhough lho later termied the session 'an excellent meeting,» Parsons said the government was holding firm te its original position. Following a teleconferenco vote of GO directers later that week the board decided te preced with the reduction'j. The board is comprised of the heads of the five xegional munici- palities served by GO Transit, lus Metre Torento boss Alan Durham Region chair Gary Herrema, who previously spoke againat the cutbacks, was net iu~nougn Iit »~IU lAU OAA~L invelved in the meeting. In reports pubished else- where, H1erema was queted as saing ho weuld use last Friday's brdmeeting te possibly chal- longe the way the voe was cal- led. Herroma was not available for immediate comment and Edwards was not aware of what transpired at the meeting But Edwards did say ho recei- yod a response from Premier Bob Rae te a letter ho wrete asking the government te rescind GO's decision. In his letter, Edwards said reduced GO service will have a deleerious effoct». on Durham Region by «dismantling what is obviously a major incentivo for capital investmnelt in our v'en, evuiie Rae expressed Usym- pathy» with his commente, the premier stressed that the gvern- mont could net, exempt any agenc or department from its ot-cuttingplan s, Edwards said. "i don't buy it, I think it's a mistake,» sai d Ed-wards. LIA JennferAyling FATHER LEO J. AUST1N The end of the yei>r is finally here. For many- Grade 12 students this moans saying their final goodbyes te friends and teachers ... Se, before I bring tears toeoveryoeo' eyes, on te my final article., First off, Austin's first annual MAI) Festival was held on May 18. Mr. Caley and his band did a magnificent job, playing a medley ofdifféent tunos. In addition, the extremely talented choir, sang a few modemn pop songs. Grabriella Parro, Sharon Bonello and Colleon McCabe aIse sang soles. Aise, sevorai students from Ms. Ward's English classes performed dramatic monologues. Finally, the auditorium was decorated with a variety of exemplary art from Austin's visual arts students. A special thanks to Mr. Caley, Mr. Labrola and Ms. Ward for making the evening such a tremendous success. We look forward te seeing next year's talent. In sports news, our Wildcat ladies have once again proven that thoy are indeed the best competitors. The junior girls' soccer teamn coached by Mr. Dashney and Mr. Mekuz, captured the gold modal in the LOSSA championships. The girls finished the season undefeated -- a first in Wildcat histerY. Contratulatiens te both coaches and aIl team members. Good luck in defending your title next year. Esi Benyarku proved once again that sho is a truly extraordinary track star. Esi won yot anothor gold modal in the junior girls' 100m sprint at the OFSSA meet on Juno 5. Congratulations, Esi, on a great senson -- we look forward te seeing you run next year. Now, the news you have al been waiting for: Prom '93 was held Friday, June 4 at the Toronto Airport Marriot Hotel. The evoning began with a short speech from the prom committee, folîowed by the dinnor. After dinner, a 'Super Slideshow' -- the biggest attraction at the promn -- was viewed. Finally, the dance was held until midnight. Thanks te Mr. Fedak, the prom committee, Mr. Labriola, his brother Nick, and the rest of the staff and students who made this 'Vision of Elegance' a reality. Beforo we take a trip down memory lane, I want te offer the best of luck te Mr. Pallone, who will ho spending next year with his family -- school just won't ho the same without the "hearded bandit." Good luck aIse goes eut te Mrs. Gaal, who goes inte surgery on Thursday; you'll ho in aIl of our prayors. In addition, I would like te, say congratulations te Mr. Dashney on the birth of his second son Thomas Daniel who was born May 22. Finally, congratulations te Mrs. Coghlan who is expecting hor second child this comning Novembor. .This yoar, like any other yoar, has been filled with its ups and downs. There were the great dances and assemblies and the net-se-great tests and exams. There were many Wildcat firsts -- Austin's firat ever girls' soccer champions and our first ever goîd modal at the OFSSA track and field meet. We had our first OAC graduating clas and thore were twe vice-principals for the veiy first timo. 0f course, who could forget the field full of portables -- something we had nover experiencod hofore. Indeed, there were many initial events in a nearly now high school - and many more te come. Before I close my article for the vory asat time, I want te throw in a few porsonal thank yous: first, my appreciatien te Ms. Ward for hoing se patient with my chronically late articles. Thank you te the Grade 9 students who put Up with my many insulte and jekes -- just think, yeu can give ail next year's Grade 9s a liard time. Thank yeu te the Whitby Free Press and my esteemed principal, Mr. Fedak, for allowing me te write this weekly column. Finally, a special thank you te my farnily, fiends aiid teachers, especially Mr. Tyrachyshyn, for hoing my support system this year -- if it wasn't for ail you guys, I would've had a nerveus broakdown long ago. Now, hofore I get tee sentimental, have an awesome summer and remember, until we meet again -- keep smiling (but you knew that, didn't you?)! PH IL TWEEDIE of the Duke of Edin- Henry Street High School. Representatives burcih's Award talks to students ai a reent from siLx agencies talked to students inter- 'MaKe a Difference - Volunteer Fair' at esteci in voIunteeriM their time. Photo by MAark Reesor, Whitby Free Press Science field course offered in JuIy The Nonquon environmental science field course is operated by the Durham Board of Education for alI secondary studente during the month of July. For a fifth summer, higli school students wiil have an opportunity te earn a Grade 10, advanced level, enviroamental science field work at the Nenquon environmental education centre in Scugog, Seaten Trail in Pickering, Lynde Shores in Wihitby, Claremont environ- mental education contre in Pickering and Bruce Peninsula National Park. Sylvan "ALeaming -Centre, *Boost your child's grades. *Build self-esteem. *Programs in reading, mnath, algebra, wrtiting, study skills, homewor* sup- port and ime management. i99 sylv a rang Sysfrms I-ý 1,. ocmiA lha oalinrom Rae's concerns about the need for sponding rostraints, 'Edwards feels the %overnrnont has bocome «obsessed with reduring the. deficit. 'Mhe government is making exendituros when it thinks it ,ilprovide services and jobs. I think the GO train is part and parcol of that," he said. - Edwards conceded there is not much te gain from municipal leaders continuing te fight the cutbacks. «There's littie point of munici- palities trying to have the gove rnmont change its mind if thydon't have the GO board ef directors with themn, other than Mr. Horrema,» ho said. GO Transit spokesporsen Tom Henry said the cutbacks and ex ansien program are net rela- «TMe capital program was laid eut some time aqq, it continues unaffected,» he said. qL 1 -A