Whitby Fro. Pres8, Wer*iesday, August Whtby ewelry store theft on videotape. WHITBY FIREFIGHTER John Fenneli helps Shannon Gallogley suit UP for the junior firefighters' graduation Friday at the Thuckson Road North fire station. Gallogley and the other graduates rescued mock victims from a burning house and demonstrated theirs skills with a cutting torch and f ire extinguishers.ý Photo by Mark Reesor, WhItby Free Pres Police are r&iewing a security videotape which shows a mani stealing $2 400 worth of, wedding banâs from a Whitby- jewelry store. The theft occurred Iast Wed- nesday arourid noori when a man and wamnan, bath described as heavyset, entered Dynes and Lloyd Jewellers, 115 Brook St. N., and asked about two figurines. A price was agreed ugpan, police say, and the owner of the store went ta the back to wrap up the items. The femalo left the store "ion the pretext of going to the bank to get some cash," says Durhamx ReVion Police Inspecter Walter When the owner came brick, the mian was gone and a tray of 12 wedding bands was gone, says Hall. The theft was captured on videotape, which has been tur- ned over te the criminal investi- gation bureau for further investi- gation. MPPundeclded about remelecdon FROM PAGE 1 for third and final" reading," White said during an interview in his Dundas Street East cansti- tuency office. Pending legislation will deal with reformning the Workers' Compensation Board; recammen- dations from the Sewell Commis- sion on land use planning, and long-terni health care for seniors physically disabled adults and others in need of prolonged treat- ment, White said. There are also other matters which the government wants ta address befare the legisiature is dissolved, lho said. Included in this category are property tax reform, the report of the Royal Commission on Learn- ing, and improving family sup- port progranis. "In terme of thé process, there. are legal issues that have ta came into force as law,» said White. "And there are other issues that we need ta base aur election palicies an," he.said. The question of when ta cail an election is not an easy one ta answer, White said. -Former premier David Peter- son sought re-election barely three years after winning_ a majarit, while the Brian Mul- noe-i CanmpbelProgressive Consorvative federal government held power for aimant five years. Bath governments were soundly defeated, White obser- yod. "It's an interesting debate,» White said of how long a mrinty government should rule beore neeking endorsement, "but 'Pm not sure what the point af it is.» When Ontario voters do go te the polis, his party's record will stand up ta close scrutiny, White dlaim. «What wo as a government have done is shawn a remarkablo degzree of competency in dealing with the issues,"»lho said. "W. reduced the doficit by 30 per cent while maintaining non- profit social services." Despite the furor over last veare soialcontract legislation, Whie sidthat te his know- ledge, only two people eut of 90,000 provincial government empleyees lest jobs. Another 40,000 public sector employees (municipal warkers, teachers, health came workers, etc.) kept their jobs as a resuit of savinge from the social contract, governmentfigures claini. ",Compare that ta Newfoun- dand and Nova Scotia,» where thousands of jobs weme elimina- DRUMMOND WHITE ted without the invalvement of public employees in those pro- vinces, White said. "We did it on the basin of fairness and equity," after con- sulting with Ontaxo's public sec- tpr unions, hoe said. The NDP government's record han been «significant" over the pant four yearn, White boasted, especially sînce it was accomplished during a recension and with lesn money from Ottawa. "(Prime Minister Jean) Chre- tien has y et ta change the Tory agenda, the 28-cent dollar is stil with us," hoe said. White explained that prior ta 1984-85, the cost of Cana ads social programns were, shared an an equal basin by the federal and provincial gavernments. "If someene was getting wel- frire each government paid haîf, the same with health care,» hoe said. "Now,' more and more of the cont of these services, which we always thought of an national, ar e boing nhifted ente the provin- cial government.» Returningtohis party'nperfor- mance, White listed a numbor of areas where the government han been proactive. More than 146,000 jobs have been created in the past twa years from funding of works pro- jeets such anspublic transit, roads,' sewer and water treat- ment plants, govemnmont figures state. This is in addition te 14,900 jobs created through the Canada- Ontario infrastructure prograin. A furthem 48,000 jobs have been. created an a renult of the jobsOntarie Tr-aining program which offers up ta$0,000 te employers for every new persan hired. "Thèse are permanent, private sector Joýbs, not make-work jobs," Other areas where the govern- ment improved existing legsla- tion or introduced niew measures include pay euity, an employee wage protection program, an environniental bill af rights non- profit housing and tax breais for small business White said. "We're taîking significarit reforms acrass the board," he said. Locally, .White cites the $133- million redevelopment of the Whitby Pyschiatric Hospital; Durham College'n skills training centre in Whit y; advancing the start date for contruction of Hwy. 407, and extension of GO train service ta Oshawa as proof the government hasnent neglected Durham Region. In fact, White fired back at his possible Conservative opponent for criticizing his raie in Iast yearýs decision ta limit GO train service ta Whitby ta peak periads on &hiiy1awyer Jim Flaherty announced lant week that hoe will run for the Tory nomination in Durham Centre. Flaherty, the party's candidate in 1990, is being challengied by former Whitby cauncillor Lynda Buf- fett.) "I'm shocked ta see Mr. Fia. herty talk about that issue,» said White. "Who has shown the leader- ship? Yours truly,» hoe said.' 11I'vo circulated the petitian (demanding ail-day train ser- vice) Ive talked ta the people at the âxO station." In this and other local matters, "Irve taken the leadership in ensuring that aur area gets its fair share,» White added. While promising ta "continue representing my canstituents ta the bestof myability » White is not yet prepared te Aeclare 11is re-election bid, however. Irve yet te see any significant reason net te mun, but Ihaven't made up my mmid,» ho said. A social warker b profession, White, 42, was elected in the .New Democrats' 1990 sweep. Ho defeated former Liberal MPP Allan Furlong, who will again be the Liberal candidate in Durham Centre. "In oarder te do the job pro- perly, it should be dane on a fulI-time basis and that mearis taking a lot of time awaty from yeur family,» said White, a father of three. "Itfs a decision I have te make personally after talking te my farnuly.7 MASON &BENNETT BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS, TRADE MARK AGENT Real Estate~ Wills and Estates Business Law Whitby Town S qu are 3000 Garden St., Suite 200, Whitby ~ 666-4499 (N.W. Corner of Garden St. and Rossland Rd.) Where there's a Wili, there's a way Where there'.s no WiIl... No-one likes <o think of dying; thie effort, tberefore, in baving a WiIl drawn up IS easily put aside for anotier day. For many reasons, such procrastination is unwxse, particularly if you have cbildrcn or any assets (a bouse, .or example). One reason for tbe conccmn is <bat when you die without a Will (callcd an "intestacy'), thie government enters thec picture. As with many thingu where the goverment is mnvolved, <bis means greater expense, delay and, inevitably, frustrtion for your faniily at tbe worst possible time. There are other negative consequences of dying witbout a Will, wbich we will briefly explore. Here's roughly bow it works: on'an intestacy, srnieone - startmng with yor spouse, tbere is a pecking rder of who is entitled - will bive to apply to tbecourt for what are called LUe:rs of Administration. If tble court tinks tbe person is suitable, ho or she is appointed Admiinistrator.or\your e state. flue Adminigtrator is responsible for distributing the assets ini your estate. Here's where tbings start <o cost money. fIbe Administrator must give a bond to <the court to protect against bis or ber misappropdation of funds frein the estate. Typically, thc amnount of <lie bond is equal to <lie amount of tlie value of <lie property ini tbe estate, but it may be, twioe as mucb. To get thie bond, wbicb is available froin soine insurance companies, tlie Administrator bas to pay a fee, whicb is usually up to onc per cent of tlie value of thie estate, per year. For an estate wortii $150,000, therefore, <lie bond would probably cost $1,000 ta S$1,500 per year. Tbe insurance company may well require tlie premniums for two or tbree years <o be paid up front This money will ultimately corne out of your estate. Thbat appears <o be minimum cost as <lie legislation also states <liat nothing can be paid'-out of tlie estate for one ycar. (Wben thic estate is valued (after debts) at $75.00or less, no bond is rcquired.) The governmeu< also demnanda a piece of tlie action. In fact, it recently increased its fées. For <lie.first $50,000 of thie estait, lie estate must nuw pay $5 per $1 ,000 ta <tie government; for any amount over $50,000, thic fée is now $15 per $1,000. Therefore, if an estate is worth $150,000, <tie govcrnrent gets $1,750. 'fic Administrator <lien bas to distributc <lie esiate according to <lie rigid scbeme set ont ini <le legislation. In ailer words, your Administrator must ignore your wisbcs -- even wisbes you bad verbally cxpressed clearly and frequently beforc your deatb. Subject ta possible dlaimns for support by yaur dependents, an election by your s se under family law legislation for property division, and tlie payment of ildeb<s and liabilities of tlie estate, tlie scbeme works preuty mucli like;<lus: y aur spouse receives $15,000 <or thic wbole estate if it is wouili less <han $5,000). If you bave a cbild or cbildren, thie rest of the estate (tlic amaount above $75,000) is divided equally between ecd of your children and yorspause. For example, if after payment of debts, your estate is worth $1I50O,000 and you bave two chidren, your spause wiil receive $75,000 plus one- <ird of tlie remaining $75,000 (<bat is, $25,000) for a total of S$100,000. Bacli of your cildren will receive $25,000. If you bave no chlldren, yaur spouse wil receive tlie full esta<e. If you have neither a spouse nor cbildren, tlie statute lists i order of priority hose wlio are entitled ta your estate, essentiaily in <is order. your parents, your brothers and sisters, your nieces and nepliews, and yaur ailier next-of-kin (tlie cbldren of certain of <hese people wili bave entitlemnent, if <heir parents are deceased). Lastly, if you bave no next-of-kin, your astate Winlpass ta -- gues: who - the government. Ask yourself if you are content with <his mariner of distribution. A Wiil belps avoid this sdieme and mucli of<the frustration aid expense whicli cornes witb an intes<acy. Firit, you cari choose your Executor, tlie ersoeu who distributes your estate under a Will, radier <han bave thie court pick an Administrator for you. You cati also appoint a temporary guardian for your minor cbildren (within 90Odays of your deaii, <die Guardian must apply to <he court to confirni bis or ber appointaient). Subjec t o oeriiin limitations, yen cmn distribute your estate as yoo wisli. For example, yen cmn make a bequest go a cbanity or ailier organizatien, soniething which cmn only be ccoilished <hrougb a Will, and yen cari distribute specific items (jewehry, fam=ly beiRicons) ta particular peovie (the Administrator would pmobably bc required telsoU <ese itemns and distribute heprocceda as entlined above). By the vesy fact of bavitig a Willyen cari ensure <bat certain family members receive nolhig frnun your estate (unles<bey are yeur depesidents or. yenr spouse). Yeuncon avoid the expense involved in your Adminustrator obnainihig a bond. Yen cmn make better provision for the needs of minorsanmd disabled people <o whonu yen may wish ta leave Mone". Yen CaU also benue provide for <nagedy, sucli as wlien people die in an unexpected erder or if aIl of yrenr imediate family die in a single accident. Yen cm alio bave peaoe of mind. A word of-caution: havtg a WinI does tnt neessarily méam your cs<ate cari conipletely avoid fees inuposoe bthle govertment (Wbere them is 'a Wiil, <bote ame called probste feus=athul in certai n istnces dma is possible. A Will is simply thie firs stcp inu estate planning. There are alto ailier ways of reducing thie capeuses involved in estate administration and cnsuring <bat as mucid moncy as possible is available for <base yen wish to betriet. F I 3, 1994, Page 9