Page 14, Whkiby Free Preos. Wednesday. Decmber 29, 199 Trustee, counilor dilffer on commission proposais FROM PAGE)1 for education with a provincial commercial and industrial pro porty tax levied at a unifbrm rate. «Property tax in general and its use for the funding of educa- tion in particular, were the major issues raised at aur public hear- inga and throughout aur consul- tation program,» commission chair Monmca Townson said in a prepared statement. «People acrosa the province teld us they bolieve the tax is unfair and aur research confirma this. The system we propose pro- motes fairniess for both taxpayers and students,» Townson added. While Townson dlaims the new system will be fairer, Bowman doubta that it will bo botter. "What the commission ia look- ing at is tax source reformn. The concern I have is that education financing will not be met through a tax shift,» said Bow- man. "If it anly addresses who pays, rather than the issues, is it stili good?» she asked. Accordin& te Bowman, there are three issues that must be deait with in any revamping of the existing funding structure. They are: deflning the educa- tion system's mandate; the cost of delivering that mandate, and «mnodification? te meet current "so)cial realities,» she said. "Under the current structure, those three issues have neyer properly been met. How is that tax source reformi will do it?» sho asked. Before the provincial govern- ment tinkers with the way the system. is funded, it must exa- mine its own commitmont te education, Bowman said. Sho noted that the Durham board is projecting a $23 million shortfall in provincial grants in 1994. The différence will have to be made up locally, Bowman said. For example, Durham has decreased its transportation coats by $5 million, she said. 4We re getting our own house in order, but we're taxing our supporters to pay for the provin- cial deficit.» Bowman said that if the government is concerned about making the current system fairer, it should institute tax credits for low-income earners. 'Mhat 'would deal with the regressive nature of property tax,» she said. Bo6wran is also worried about possible long-term implications for trustees if education funding is taken from property taxes. Shifting financial responsibi- lity away from local hands also means less political responsibi- lityhe said. "My'fear is that this will lead to removal of locally elected school boards,» said Bowman. "Redistribution of taxes clearly removes local accountability.» Although he does not support ail of the comniission's proposais, Brunelle enthusiastically backs it on this one. «I think property taxes are for those services received by that pro pertn said Brunelle. 2eTatis not te say a school is not a sýrvice, but education boneflits everyone, in society and everyone should have to pay,» he said. "It should bo paid equalY amongst every indwvidual basod on their ability te pay and the fairest way is through incarne tax.» Brunelle, who has proposed similar initiatives at meetings.of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (a municipal lobbying body), said education funding must bo «taken off the backs of nrope'rt taxpayers.» "P~eople don'trealize that 55 per cent.or more of their tax bill is coming from the school boards," hoesaid. "That's not to throw stonçs at the school boards because they've had to cope with cutbacks. «But I don't think taxpayers really appreciate how much they'repeaying for education des- pite althe pie charte .(an explanation of how the money is spent, included with the, tax notice).» Neither Durham Centre MPP Drummond White nor Durham East MPP Gord Milîs were avail- able for comment on the commis- sion's report. Other highlights of the com- mission s recommendations in- clude: * federal/provincial tax chan!ges for a more progressive and «more effective» tax syà tem- * a now provincial tax credit system te improve tax benefits for low-income people- * increased reliance on environmiental taxation; * limited changes in corporate taxation; *municipal finance reform; a, a.fairer, more open," tax policy process. Cammunity pragrama should soon reaume in the Whitby Pub- lic Library program raom, shut down since mid-Octoer fer repaira. Auditions for s i nge r S The Caunty Town Singers will hald auditions in Januariy. The nan-denominational choral group, which singa jazz, tradi- tianal and sacred music, espe- cially needs tenars and basses. Auditions will bo held on Wed- nesdays, Jan. 5, 12 and 19, 7:30 p..at Cormack Station, 250 Hikry St. S., Whitby. Far more informnation caîl 725- 0802. A leaýky roof on the program room, in the extension at the rear of the Dundas Street West building, was fixed at a cost of $4,000, provided under the 1993 facilities budget. New carpet in the room, te replace the carpet damaged by water, cost $4,000. That ainount will come from the 1994 budget, says chief librarian Ken Roberts. The library's pre-school and toddler time programs were moved ta another location in the library while repairs were dane. Work on the program room was ex ected te be completed by Jan. 17ý> The winter carnival at Cullen Gardons continues until Jan. 2 Daily events in the valley in- clude sleigh/wagon rides, a bon- fire, husky dogs and live Christ- mas musical show. Let the party begin The start of a year-long celeb- ration cf Durham Region's 2th anniversary will bo on Sunday, Jan. 9. Ceremonies begin at 2 p.m. at Eastdale CVI in Oshawa te mark the start of Celebrate Durham '94Y, a festival cf cultural and sporting events, according the Pat Olive,1 Region of Durham ecanamic deveiopment commis- sioner. The Jan. 9 pragram includes a regio choir singing the Cele- brate Durham sang, and munici- pal displays. Mare than 360 events will bo held in 1994. The 1994 festivities were arganized by the Celebrate '94 steering committee with help from the region's eight municipa- lities, the Minisrycf Culture, Tourism and Recreation, the pri- vate sectar and the Tauriat Asso- ciation cf Durhamn Region. There will bo an announce- ment cf provincial and federal gavernment funding support far thepraect on T7hursday mcmn- ing, Jan.6. Local MPs and MPPs will attend the media conference. Art survey course The Robert McLaughlin Gal- lery is offering a series cf lec- tures about Canadian art. Lectures will bo held on Man- day afternaons, starting Jan. 3. The 10-week survey caurse is STA TION GALLjER Y... Photo ds~lay EgUsJn The works of fou r photogra- phers wiIl be on dispayant Te Station Gallery from J an. 8 to 30. In his series, Strange Attrac- tor, William Eakin's sketches have menacing creatures and in- sects that mime the conformnity T/wm Whitby Inn Restaurant & Sports Bar NEW YEAR'S ~EVE PRY SFui! buffet dinner iùwludes /champagne ai midnight &uIL% &party rreai , Twith the Mission< NONLY $375 PER PERSON J CALL NOW TO RESERVE a MO»A O HRSA cf daily life. Lucie Lefebvre's mythical landscapes are fashioned from crumpled paper, bits cf fabric and adds and enda salvaged from flea markets. Mikios Legrady lots hie im- agination run free in garishly lit pict.ures where tey animais wan- der at the base cf sugar-cube pyramids. Sylvie Readinan uses a tawdry figurine and a series cf back- draps te, recreate Don Quixote's journey in a world cf images and illusions. The exhibition is circulated by the Canadian Museum cf Con- temporary Photegraphy, Ottawa. More gourmet meals planned TJhe Station Gallery is making plans for another series cf gour- met dinners and tastinga. The Evening- cf Fine Dining Series will begin with a wine- tasting at the gallery on Satur- day night, Jan. 29. The evening will be hoated by Barb and Joe Novak, owners cf Ecco Risterante at First Cana- dian Place in Toronto, and Belinda and Jeff Solly. More deteils on the series will be available in early January. profthe gallerys egular tour paide pra0gn wichby request i opnt his year te general admission. Admission is $5 per lecture far McLaughlin mernbers, $7 for ath- ors. HISTORICAL FEATURE in the Wrhitby Free Press 1. What native of Whitby was Winston Churchili's Parliamentary Private Secretary f rom 1906 to 1910? 2. Who received the f irst Masonlo f uneral in Whitby's history? 3. What bu ilding has painted glass doors made in ngIand? 4.Where was Whitby's downtown commercial centre before Peter Perry established Perry's corners at Brock and Dundas streets in 1836? Answers on page 23 This leature provide by cxog4LC:: Program room should reopen in mid-January 1- 1 %T BA N D Fi-esliît7atei- Druin tý Nr niorl v Fi li ( )ii t t )t ý\'.i tor OPFN 4:00pill - 1:00ani