Page 8, Whitby Free Prous, Wodnosday, June 2e, 1M9 Ab sie. Businesses boost Big Bi"ke ride fund-raising About $20,000 was raised from the 10 Big Bke rides held in Durhamn egon in May, in fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. The rides in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa included support from over 15 businesses in the area. "The Big Bike Ride for Stroke was particularly good in the Durhamn comrnunity in heightening awareness of the stroke and demonstrating that exercise can be fun," says Anne Capn the foundation's area cordinator for Durham East. Noël Mowat, event organizer in Whitbhy, says "Raising money was important for reserach and public education but demonstrating stress release and healthy lifestyle through doing is equally important and the Big Bike did just that." Challenges were put to riders to increase participation including the fastest ride and the most money raised by a team and an individuel The fastest riders were the retailers of the Pickeing Town Centre, Town of Ajax Police Ride, Totten- Sims Hubicki and Associates of Whitby and the Heart Throbs of Oshawa. Individuals raising the most money included Sheila Jones of National Trust in Whitby; Barbara Robinson of Totten, Sims Hubickci and Associates, Whitby, Martha Killoram of the Insurance Brokers Association, Whitby; Dan Seaton of Investors Group. Funds are raise on DAD'S day IMMM/MI Local members of the Building Trades Council raised more than $4,000 in the Dollars Against Diabetes (DM)) fundraiser held nationally on June 17. About 40 volunteers in an area stretching from.Belleville to Dur- ham Regon raised the funds on what is known as DAD's day. Volunteers were at shopping Tomlinson earn serviceseaward. Whitby resident Kevin J. Tomlinson recently*received the Certifled General Aýccountants Association of Ontario's chapter distinguished service award. Each year the association recognizes individuals who have renclered distinguished service, well beyond the cail of duty, to an . association chapter. Tomlinson is one of 20 individuals in Ontario'to'be presented with the award this year. Tomlinson has been a member of the Durham chapter board of directors s ince 1990. His activities include terms as director of the programs and professional development committee and vice-chair and JASON DEAN portrays country singer Dwight Yoakamn as the Living Legends of Country Music entertained at the recent ceIebration to mark the completion of the expansion at Satum Motorcity on Dundas Street East in Whitby., Photo by Peter Nilas, WhItby Free Press Builders more optimistic about Harris "Greater Toronto Area (GTA) new home sales showed an encoureging upward climb during May, as 1,064 new homes were sold," Myer Godfrey, the president of the Greater Toronto Home Buildersd Association (GTHBA) said recently. There were 1,064 new homes sold in May, up 15 per cent from April, 1995, and down 17 per cent from May, 1994. "Given the resuts of the June 8 provincial élection, we are confident that the upward trend will continue during June. Sales offices around thie GTA are roporfing healthy levels of traffic and stedy sales," Godfrey seid. "In hi. campaign platform, Mike Harri.s made several coniritments te the home building industry that~ if implemented, will serve te sub- gover'nment stantially imprve not only our id stybtaid l business in Harrs suq= dea that loglislative cagsshould flot increase the cost cf housing, in turn .tifling demnd, curbing growth and kligjobs; intends to repeal bohBfi 40 which amended the Labour Relations Act in 1993 and Bfi 163 which increased provincal land use planning regulations; proposes to replace cosly and wasteful non-profit housng with a Shelter Allowance program. Godrey noted that in order for the residential construction our industry to continue growmng, Harris must fulfil his proiuses. rWr are sill a long way from =bein back on top, but the May reutis somewhat encoureging," h. said. A goal properly set is halfway reached. Let me help with the other- hait. CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 500fl.Financial concet~ DEREK DUTKA Financial concept Corporation is a licensed Mutual iund delaer. Serving Whitby and Oshawa since 1986 F.C.G. Securities Corporation is a icensed Securities cieamer.- - 106 Stevenson Rd. S, Oshawa e ;SPý2rr;i7g director of the education committee. In 1993/94, he was chapter chair. H. is currently director of student recruitment. At the provincial level, Tomlinson is a member of the maintenance of standard committee and is a professional development sem- inar presenter. Tomlinson has served as the CGA Ontario Durham Chapter representative for the Oshawa and District Chamber of Commerce and vice-president of the Comunty Volunteer Accountannts, Durham Region. Tomlinson received his CGA designation in 1989. He is a financial analys.t with Werner Lambert Canada nc Choosing afnilpa nner Financial planning is a process that is relatively simple: you set some goals, pay down your debt, live within your income, invest regularly, have the proper amount of insurance, etc. Simple - but not easy. There are ail sorts of books, articles, seminars, etc. on financiel planning. -You could do it yVourself. You could aIse repair your own car, cut your own haïr, make your own clothes .. You start b looking at the products available and the services provi ded. You can buy similar products fromn a wide variety of sources. For exemple, if prou are considering a mutuel fund, you could buy it fromn an 'independent" source or a "captive" source. The independent broker or planiner widll have funds available from many different groups, while the ca tve agent represents only one fund grouj. awdr o Zindependent broker or planner may offra îer range o produets than a captive representative. But this has little bearing on the quality of the funds themselves. Some funds sold by captiva, sales agents have performed as well as funds sold by independents. The same thing could be> said for inestmein avc - good advice is made ybthe individual you are dealing with. And there are good adv'isors with captive compenies as well as with independent ones. Your major judgment criterion should be how well the planner understands your investmnent needs and goals. Regardless of his or her affiliation, the planner should tailor your investment portfolio to your specific requirements. The investments should b. compatible with your investment philosophy. Service is a major factor. If you have decided which fund you went, then virtually any planner can take your order. If you need more service find ou tif the planner offers what you need. A financial plan siould encompass your total financial picture. This includes your goals, net worth, income statement, life insurance coverage, pension plan and group benefits. Decide from the beginning what type of service you expect from your planner. Most planners offer a complimentery meeting te review your situation and show you what they can offer. Thi is the time to ask them about their prectice and how they run it. Find out how they get peid -- is it through front- load or back-load commission, hourly fees, a combination, etc.? Interview two or three planners for the job of being your financial "coach." Select your coach cerefiilly and give them the mandate and time frame necessary te achieve your objectives. Derek Dutka is an I'ndée ndent financi planner ith FiYnancial Concept Group izn Oshawa. lu