The Pickering
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✦ 24 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 50,400 ✦ Optional delivery $6/Newsstand $1 ✦ SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2008 Get local 24/7 newsdurhamregion.com
A three-year ‘road map’ for cancer care in Ontario
Watch your backside Recently, Cancer Care Ontario released its 2008- By Jillian Follert 2011 Ontario Cancer Plan, a [email protected] three-year road map for the province’s cancer system. DURHAM — Neil Crone wants to get people talking about It sets out actions to con- their butts. trol cancer and improve pa- The Durham resident -- a colorectal cancer survivor and tient care, including these four national spokesman on the subject, who also writes a col- key plans: umn for this newspaper -- says many of us are embarrassed to talk about colonoscopies, colon health and anything else (1) Boosting cancer screen- that strays too close to the rear-end region. ing rates through aggressive “A lot of people don’t talk about it or don’t get checked education and tools for health because they think it’s this humiliating thing, but really the care providers and patients, procedure is extremely simple and painless,” he said. “Peo- including invitations, reminders ple need to know that colon cancer is very preventable.” and prompts about screening; As part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Sun- derland resident’s voice can be heard in a Ministry of (2) Improving the time to diag- Health-sponsored TV commercial, aimed at raising aware- nosis by measuring and setting ness of colon cancer and the importance of proper screen- targets for the wait time be- ing. tween a referral from a family Mr. Crone, a well known local actor, writer, comedian and physician to when the patient motivational speaker, was diagnosed with colon cancer at sees a specialist for tests; the relatively young age of 44, and today, at 48, is a survi- vor. (3) Raising the quality of The commercial he appears in is part of a larger initiative regional cancer services by called ColonCancerCheck, announced by the Province on providing better access to March 14. chemotherapy in community The campaign also includes a new website (www.colon- hospitals, making highly com- cancercheck.ca) and the launch of take-home colorectal plex chemotherapy and lung cancer screening kits, which will be available to health-care surgery safer and making providers in April to distribute to Ontario residents age 50 intensity modulated radiation and over. therapy (IMRT) the gold stan- The kits, called fecal occult blood tests, work by detecting dard radiation therapy; and, trace amounts of blood in the stool. Those who test positive will be sent for a follow-up colonoscopy. (4) Ensuring the high qual- People without a family doctor can pick up a test kit at a ity and safe introduction of local pharmacy and send it off to a central lab for results. tests that can predict people’s If it comes back positive, they will be notified by a provin- response to treatment and cial registry to arrange for a colonoscopy. cancer risks and enable indi- Colon cancer kills about 3,250 people in Ontario each vidualized therapy -- referred year and is the second-leading cause of cancer death for to as molecular medicine ✦ See Catch, Page 2 newsdurhamregion.com For more information, check News Advertiser file photo out www.cancercare.on.ca. Neil Crone plays Fred Tupper in the hit comedy series ‘Little Actor and News Advertiser columnist Neil Crone is a colorectal cancer survivor and Mosque on the Prairie’. Read his blog at newsdurhamregion.com he wants to talk about butts. A/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, April 6, 2008 durhamregion.com Catch Crone live at Crack YMCA Youth Foyer offers workshops a Smile comedy night on PICKERING — Local residents start for youth looking for jobs. tures a resume clinic and involves can get ahead of the game with The April 10 workshop features learning how to write, formatting YMCA’s Youth Foyer Workshops. information on how to remain and tailoring your resume. April 12 in Toronto Located at 1550 Kingston Rd., employed once you have found a The April 11 workshop includes Suite 7, in Pickering, the YMCA job, your rights, health and safety a mock interview. ✦ Catch from page 1 Crone said. “You can easily save Durham Employment and Com- and more. For more information, call 905- yourself from all that.” munity - Youth Foyer, offers a jump On April 7, the workshop fea- 686-7060. men and women combined, after In addition to his work on the TV lung cancer. ads, Mr. Crone will be taking to the What is more startling is that this stage for the fourth annual Crack a type of cancer can be cured 95 per Smile comedy night in support of cent of the time, if it’s caught early. the Colorectal Cancer Association “No one wants to go through of Canada on April 12 at the George chemotherapy or radiation and ob- Weston Recital Hall in Toronto. For viously no one wants to die,” Mr. tickets, call 1-877-50COLON.
WEST DURHAM TO LOSE IMPORTANT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: « Rouge Valley Health System has announced plans to close the entire 20 bed inpatient Mental Health Services in Ajax. « All beds are scheduled to move to Centenary Health Centre even though the population of Ajax/Pickering is growing at the fastest rate in Canada and the population of Scarborough is static. « West Durham will lose the services of 4 Psychiatrists. There is already a shortage of Psychiatric services. Closing the inpatient unit in Ajax, may pose an even greater shortage as doctors move their services to Scarborough. « Ambulances and Police will be spending their time transferring Durham patients to Scarborough. This will place extra demands on emergency services. « The Ministry of Health has already approved expansion of the Ajax Inpatient Mental Health Unit from 20 to 29 beds. « There has been NO CONSULTATION with mental health professionals or community stakeholders regarding this closure. « The Central East LHIN has requested Rouge Valley Health System to conduct a 30 day consultation period with community stakeholders and the general public after a board meeting was held, Friday, March 28, 2008.
NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS PLAN!!! Please show your support by attending the following meetings:
Friends of Ajax Hospital: Central East LHIN Public Stakeholder Meeting
Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering, Ajax Community Centre 580 Harwood Ave. South, Ajax Ontario HMS Room Conference Room B and C « If you are a patient, family member, community partner or concerned citizen, please call Central East LHIN 1-866-804-5446 Ext. 218 or 1-800-267-8097
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Pickering 905.426.9362 Course start April 13 & May 13 MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER Ajax 905.426.9362 Course start April 12 & May 26 Gift certificates available. durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, April 6, 2008 PAGE 3 A/P Whitby mayor makes list, other mayors don’t
Salary disclosure councillors of both municipalities town deserve all the information Mr. Gaudet said the six-figure list encourages transparency, he would are combined on one paycheque, they can get.” is not perfect but added he is glad like to see more categories listed on document sports more said the mayor. The mayor also said for 2007 there is a list. He said that, as a rep- the inventory that explained better than 45,000 public Other members of regional coun- there were a lot of Whitby firefight- resentative for an organization that what made up salaries. sector employees cil receive money in lieu of pension ers on the list, but that was due yearly. to retroactive pay from a contract Other Durham Region mayors The mayor said this is just the settlement. The salaries for these way the system was set up years workers will not be listed next year, By Melissa Mancini ago. she said. Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan: $68,188 for council, $43,201.71 for region. [email protected] The only way OMERS would “As with any list that has over Total: $111,389.71 allow the councillors to be part of 45,000 entries there will be omis- Ajax Mayor Steve Parish: $55,663 for council, $43,201.71 for region. DURHAM — This year Mayor Pat the pension plan was if their sala- sions and mistakes,” said Kevin Total: $98,864.71 Perkins made the six-figure list, but ries were on one payroll. Gaudet, Ontario Director of the Ca- Clarington Mayor Jim Abernethy: $47,640 for council, $43,201.71 for some other mayors in the region But the mayor has said she is nadian Taxpayers Federation. region. Total: $90,841.71 would have too if they were paid OK with her constituents knowing The federation is an advocacy Oshawa Mayor John Gray: $76,185 for council, $49,180.93 for region. the same way she was. what she gets paid. organization which works to lower Total: $125,365.93 The mayor was on the $100,000 “My big thing is transparency,” taxes, reduce waste and provide for Note: numbers do not include expenses. Salary Disclosure list released earli- she said. “I think the people of this more accountable government. er this week, reporting her salary of $101,235.01. The salary listed com- bines her regional councillor pay with her compensation as mayor of FEATURING OUR the Town of Whitby. For Mayor Perkins the situation is just about logistics. LOWEST PRICE OF THE SEASON! “If any government-related cor- poration issues a T4 over $100,000 they have to disclose it, that’s just the way it’s set up,” said Mayor Per- kins. “It’s just a matter of my sala- ries being combined.” The Ontario Municipal Employ- ees Retirement System (OMERS) provides pension services to Whitby and Clarington. Organiza- tional policies for OMERS are the $ reason why the salaries for regional 400 off
st in ®/MD 1 Installed Kenmore † DURHAM 13 S.E.E.R. central air conditioning & heat pumps OPEN FOR PLAY • 10-year parts warranty on compressor Th ursday April 9th • 5-year parts & labour warranty on all other components Book your tee time... • enhanced coil guard with 3/8" grill spacing for durability • 2-speed fan • 9 Executive Holes †Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio • 9 Championship Holes “You always have time for 9” Lakeridge Rd. S. at Bayly St. Ajax 905.426.4653 www.carrutherscreekgolf.ca When you use your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard® on all installed home improvements, you can choose... ** Interest Free financing’til April 2010 or Collect Points* **Pay in 24 equal monthly installments, interest free. On approved credit, when you use your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard®. Minimum $200 purchase. $70 installment billing fee and all applicable taxes and charges are payable at time of purchase. This transaction will post to your account following the completion of installation (“Posting Date”). The total purchase price will be billed in equal installments from the Posting Date until April 2010 The first installment will appear on your first account statement produced after the Posting Date and will be due on the date set out in that statement. Subsequent installments will be due on the dates set out in subsequent statements. When billed, any unpaid portion of your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard® account balance will attract credit charges, commencing on the billing date for such unpaid portion. Offer ends April 20, 2008. Offer does not apply to Furnaces, Custom Window Coverings, Carpeting, Hard-surface Flooring, Kitchen and Bath renovations, Soffit, Fascia, Gutters, Garage Doors or Home Services. Ask for details. Payment options and plan details may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Ask about other payment options. Unless otherwise stated, optional financing programs do not qualify for Sears Club PointsTM or Colours® Points. *Purchases made on the Sears Card will receive Sears Club Points and purchases made on the Sears® MasterCard® will receive Colours® Points when finance option is not chosen. Sears Club Points do not apply to taxes or installation charges (where applicable). Sears® is a registered Trademark of Sears, licensed for use in Canada. MasterCard® is a registered Trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Colours® is a registered Trademark of Sears, licensed for use in Canada.
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Renaissance Sears HomeCentral®. Products and Services from the Company You Trust® photography Call now, toll-free, for a no-obligation in-home custom estimate. Call or visit your Sears Retail store & video JUST CALL 416.727.5885 Ajax www.renaissancephoto.ca 1-866-506-7779 NE041H108 © 2008. Sears Canada Inc. A/P PAGE 4 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, April 6, 2008 durhamregion.com New networking group meets Get Local 24/7 mobile.newsdurhamregion.com Inaugural event for tium meetings will be geared to senior Durham manufacturers managers of any manufacturing sector and those involved in key functions such The Regional Municipality of York as engineering, maintenance, human and AJAX — A networking group for man- resources and health and safety. The Regional Municipality of Durham ufacturers with branches throughout “It’s aimed at CEOs, presidents and Canada is hoping to generate interest senior managers who want to build ad- and participation from local businesses. vantage through excellence, improve The Excellence in Manufacturing their competitiveness and expand their NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUMS Consortium (EMC) is hosting its first knowledge network,” she said. strategic interest group meeting April 9. The inaugural meeting is free but she’s SOUTHEAST COLLECTOR TRUNK SEWER The purpose is to share information hoping the industry representatives will about how this not-for-profit group of sign on for a one-year annual company INDIVIDUAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT manufacturers can help members im- membership of $1,200. Regarding lands in Markham, Toronto and Pickering prove their global competitiveness The consortium provides manufac- through sharing of ideas and informa- turers with access to networking and tion, said Bren McKeachnie, senior knowledge resources along with those The Regional Municipality of York (York Region) and the Regional Municipality of Durham (Durham Region) will hold two Public Information Forums (PIFs) at the following locations to allow interested community development manager with of other groups. persons to comment on the recent project activities undertaken for the Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer EMC Canada. Issues discussed in future meetings Individual Environmental Assessment (IEA): “This is an opportunity to share chal- could include customer satisfaction, lenges and opportunities in business motivating workers, skilled labour, and Date April 15, 2008 Date April 17, 2008 and anything that will help us be more the aging workforce. Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. competitive. It’s amazing what hap- The event takes place at Super 8 - Presentation at 7:00 p.m. Presentation at 7:00 p.m. pens when you get people talking about Ajax, 210 Westney Rd. S. The times are: Location: Remington Parkview Golf Club Location: Pine Ridge Secondary School their biggest challenges,” said Ms. McK- • Senior Managers - 8 to 10 a.m. 6400 Steeles Ave East 2155 Liverpool Road North eachnie. “We help companies leverage • CI/Engineers/Maintenance - 10:30 Markham, Ontario Pickering, ON information from each other. It’s very a.m. to 12:30 p.m. L3S 3J5 L1X 1V4 personable and grass roots. It’s pure net- • Human Resources/Health and Safety As part of the IEA process, Public Information Forums (PIFs) were previously held in Pickering and working.” - 1 to 3 p.m. Markham in June 2007 to present the Recommended Sewer Route for comment. Based on feedback At the same time the organization has For details and to RSVP, e-mail received, that route was confirmed as the Preferred Sewer Route (see map). The preferred route begins 10 field service advisers who can help [email protected] or call just north of Box Grove in the Town of Markham and follows along 14th Avenue to Townline Road to the members with questions, concerns or her toll free at 1-866-323-4362 x228. For Hydro corridor, travelling east along the Hydro corridor to Liverpool Road. The route proceeds south on issues as they arise. more information refer to the website Liverpool Road to Finch Avenue, continuing east on Finch Avenue and ending at Valley Farm Road in the The EMC Durham Region Consor- address www.emccanada.org, City of Pickering. Essentially all of the proposed sewer will be constructed by tunnel method, which creates little or no disturbance to the surface except at tunnel entry and exit shafts at planned intervals.
PIFs are being held to allow interested persons to comment on the following project activities:
• Detailed assessments of the potential effects on the environment associated with construction and operation of the proposed sewer • Recommended mitigation measures for minimizing potential effects • Recommended environmental monitoring plans for use during the construction and operation of the proposed sewer • Recommended ecological, recreational, and infrastructure enhancements for the area The existing Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer is an integral component of the York Durham Sewage System (YDSS). The Regional Municipalities of York and Durham are undertaking the Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer IEA to address the additional sanitary sewer flows projected from future growth as allowed for in York Region’s Official Plan. The Regions are co-proponent on the IEA, as a portion of the study area is within Durham Region and they co-own the existing Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer within Durham Region.
Comments and information regarding this IEA are being received from the public to assist York and Durham Regions in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on file for use during the project, and may be included in project documentation. Comments and information received will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Your participation is an important part of the process and we welcome your input. We encourage you to attend either one of the PIFs to review the materials available and provide any comment or information that you have with regard to the project.
A copy of the Synopsis Report #4 on the impact assessments associated with the proposed sewer, as well as other background information, is available on the project website: http://sec.cenet.ca. Copies of this information are also available for review at the Pickering Central Library, Malvern District Library, and Unionville Library, as well as York and Durham Regions’ Headquarters. Additional information on this IEA can also be obtained by contacting one of the project team members listed below.
Please direct written comments on the project to one of the following team members or through the e-mail connection available on the project website, by May 2, 2008. 000-000-0000000-000-0000 000-000-0000000-000-0000 000-000-0000000-000-0000 000-000-0000000-000-0000 000-000-0000000-000-0000 (000)Local Address000-0000Local (000) Address 000-0000Local Address (000) 000-0000Local Address (000)Local 000-0000 Address 000-000-0000Local Address 000-000-0000Local Address 000-000-0000Local Address 000-000-0000Local Address 000-000-0000Local Address Wayne Green Rich Tindall David Beattie Local Address Address Local AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal Address LocalLocal Address Address Project Manager Project Manager Project Manager Local Address Local Address Local Address Local Address 000-000-0000000-000-0000(905)Local(000) Address421-9550 000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000(000)Local (905) Address 000-0000 509-5578(000) 000-000-0000000-000-0000Local 000-0000 Address (905) (000) 231-1068000-000-0000000-000-0000 Local000-0000 Address (000) (905) 000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000Local 426-4136 Address The Regional Municipality of York The Regional Municipality of York Earth Tech Canada Inc. Local Address Local Address Local Address Local Address Local Address 1050Local Brock Address LocalRd., Pickering AddressLocalLocal300 AddressKingston Address Rd., PickeringLocalLocal AddressAddress475 WestneyLocal Rd.Local Address N., Address AjaxLocal570 WestneyAddressLocal AddressRd. S., Ajax 17250 Yonge Street, 2nd Fl. P.O. Box 623 105 Commerce Valley Drive W, 7th Fl. (Between(000)Local Address 000-0000401Local and(000) Address Bayly) 000-0000LocalLocal(000)(Gates Address Address Plaza 000-0000 at(000) Altona)LocalLocal 000-0000 AddressAddress(000)(Dominion Local000-0000Local (000)Plaza) Address Address 000-0000Local(000)(Giant AddressLocal 000-0000Tiger Address Plaza) 000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000000-000-0000 Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z1 605 Rossland Road East Markham, ON L3T 7W3 000-000-0000LocalLocal Address Address000-000-0000LocalLocal Address000-000-0000000-000-0000 AddressLocal AddressLocalLocal000-000-0000Local Address Address000-000-0000000-000-0000LocalLocal AddressAddress000-000-0000LocalLocal Address 000-000-0000Address000-000-0000LocalLocal Address000-000-0000 AddressLocal AddressLocal000-000-0000Local Address Address Local AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal Address Tel: (905) 895-1200, ext. 5049 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Tel: (905) 886-7022, ext. 2205 LocalLocal Address AddressLocalLocal Address AddressLocal AddressLocalLocalLocal Address AddressLocalLocal AddressAddressLocalLocal Address AddressLocalLocal Address AddressLocal AddressLocalLocal Address Address Local AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal AddressLocal Address 1-877-464-9675, ext. 5049 Tel: (905) 668-7711, ext. 3547 [email protected] [email protected] 1-800-372-1102, ext. 3547 *Offer based on first visit enrollment, minimum 12 mo. c.d. program. Not valid with any other offer. Only at participating locations through 04/26/08. No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of 50 U.S./D.C. and Canada (excludes Quebec), 18 or older. Void where prohibited. [email protected] Sweepstakes ends 4/26/08. Subject to Official Rules, available at www.curves.com/spacontest. ©2008 Curves International, Inc. durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, April 6, 2008 PAGE 5 A/P Durham reaction mixed to minimum hourly wage hike
‘It’s hurting ally earns $15 to $20 an hour, the next year and $10.25 in 2010. who are hired at minimum wage, ing plants earn minimum wage. companies, especially increase will help during the slow- Considering labour represents said Ms. Murray. It will may cause employers to er periods like the post-Christmas one of his largest costs, combined “Our clients might say, ‘We are do their own recruiting or else manufacturing’: season. with the rising price of food and hit with 75 cents we want you to expect to pay Manpower, as their While thousands like her, espe- overall inflation, the time is ripe cut our costs,’ which will eat into employment agency, a reduced Kim Murray, cially in lower paying restaurant for increases in some restaurant our profits,” she said. hourly rate for workers it hires on Manpower Pickering and service sector jobs, will be items. Although he tries to avoid With the softening in the manu- their behalf. happy with the increase some em- price hikes and will look for other facturing sector and a competitive Still she says it brings the mini- ployers are concerned with the hit efficiencies in their operations to marketplace, “most companies mum closer to the rate workers By Kim Downey to their bottom line. offset costs it will be necessary are not making huge profits so demand. [email protected] Steve Wilson, the owner and oper- on some items starting within a this will cut into theirs.” “Most people feel entitled to ator of several McDonald’s restau- month. “It’s hurting companies, especially at least $9 per hour. They go to DURHAM — The timing of a rants in Oshawa and Clarington, “We are wrestling with it,” he manufacturing,” she said, adding school, have bills to pay,” said Ms. minimum wage hike couldn’t be says the nine per cent hike is too said. that some workers hired by Man- Murray. better for Whitby bartender Cari much too soon. Manpower services in power to work in unskilled labour “It’s always tough to sell lower Calderone. “I do not have a problem with Pickering, an employment agency or assembly jobs in manufactur- wage jobs.” The hourly wage increase from an increase in the minimum that screens and hires workers for $8 to $8.75 kicked in last Monday wage; it needs to go up but it commercial clients and then col- DURHAM — Last Monday’s minimum wage hike to $8.75 per hour giving the Boston Pizza employee could be more inflationary,” said lects a portion of the position’s from $8 per hour could result in some job loss in that group, especially extra funds she could use to help Mr. Wilson, adding that inflation hourly allocation, is concerned those in low-skilled/low-income workers with unstable employment his- pay for her July wedding. isn’t increasing by that rate. about the potential negative im- tory, says Terence Yuen, a finance instructor at the University of Ontario “I’m very excited. It makes a “The problem we have is it’s pacts of the minimum wage hike, Institute of Technology. big difference,” said Ms. Calde- arbitrary and sudden. An increase said Kim Murray, of Manpower’s “The minimum wage hike would help the low-income earners in rone, 32, from her full-time job at of nine per cent each year is sig- Pickering office. terms of pay, but it becomes more difficult for them to find a job,” said Boston Pizza on Consumers Road nificant and makes it hard for our Either the employer or the em- Mr. Yuen. where she has worked for seven industry.” ployment service who does the The minimum wage was $6.85 in 2003 and plans are to increase it years. The Province plans further min- hiring for the client will have to ab- incrementally until it reaches $10.25 in 2010. Although with tips she gener- imum wage increases -- to $9.50 sorb the increased cost of workers “This is substantially higher than the average wage growth in Ontario (less than 30 per cent) during that period,” said Mr. Yuen. “This implies an over 20 per cent increase in minimum wage relative to the average wage in Ontario between 2003 and 2010.” Still, key findings from minimum wage studies in both the U.S. and Canada indicate that an increase (relative to the average wage) would have no impact on aggregate employment. That means, the minimum wage hike would not be expected to affect the overall employment in Ontario, said Mr. Yuen. “The main reason is that the percentage of workers with current earnings around the minimum wage level is relatively small,” said Mr. Yuen.
April is... Tastes of
the Greek Islands Every Monday & Tuesday Jason Liebregts/ News Advertiser photo All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet Parade of cultures $9.99 or $8.99* with Rapid Rewards Players Club card AJAX — Lester B. Pearson students Hafsa Muradi, left, Ariba Alam and Paulysha Meikle walk the school hallway decorated to celebrate the UN’s International Day to Eliminate Racism. Students were encouraged to from 11:00AM – 4:30PM wear clothing typical of their culture. All You Can Eat Dinner Buffet Durham Region will once again enjoy the $15.99 or $14.99* sounds and pageantry of a Drum Corp. with Rapid Rewards Players Club card from 5:00PM – 11:00PM The Blue Saints Drum Corps now has openings for new members. Those interested !LSO You could in Music, between the WIN a Fabulous ages of 12 and 20, are Bistro Set and Arbor invited to join the fun. Receive one ballot for each “Tastes of the Greek Islands” buffet purchase. Currently there are *All prices per person plus tax, and are subject to change for special events. Prize may not be exactly as shown. openings for brass players, For complete rules and details, please visit the Rapid Rewards Players Club. drummers, and dancers. No Experience Necessary. Travel and perform for Port Perry, ON thousands in Canada and 7 For more information, or if you wish to the USA. www.greatblueheroncasino.com
join call 416.709.9149 See rules for details at the Rapid Rewards Players Club Centre. No purchase necessary. Valid government photo identification may be required. Must be 19 years of age or older. License # C000016 BAAGWATING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION www.bluesaints.com $',+1able Games A/P PAGE 6 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, April 6, 2008 durhamregion.com
NEWS ADVERTISER 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax ON L1S 2H5 Tim Whittaker - Publisher newsdurhamregion.com [email protected] Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Editorials The News Advertiser is a Metroland Media Group newspaper. The News Advertiser is a Mike Johnston - Managing Editor member of the Ajax & Pickering Board of Trade, Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Duncan Fletcher - Director of Advertising Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., and the Canadian Circulations Audit Board. Also Andrea McFater - Retail Advertising Manager a member of the Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706, Toronto, M5B 1J3, an Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classified Advertising Manager independent organization that addresses reader complaints about member newspapers.The Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. Credit for advertisement Lillian Hook - Office Manager Opinions limited to space price error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the News Adver- Janice O’Neil, Cheryl Haines - Composing Managers & tiser is copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. News/Sales (905) 683-5110 Classifieds (905) 683-0707 Distribution (905) 683-5117 Publications Mail Sales Agreement Number 40052657 Fax (905) 683-7363
We think.. e-mail responses to [email protected] Property tax, six-figure comparisons not what they seem
Numbers don’t tell ity -- Oshawa is the most costly, Toronto sands of businesses in Toronto -- Canada’s generate income from. It’s simply not an the least costly. Oshawa’s property tax of economic capital -- when compared with apples to apples comparison. the whole story $5,744.86 and its increase of 4.61 per cent is the percentage of business tax revenue In a similar vein, the appearance of far in excess of Toronto’s totals of $2,321.52 Durham municipalities can raise. Most Whitby Mayor Pat Perkins in the annual hen it comes to property tax, it’s with a 3.75 per cent increase over last year. Durham municipalities are heavily -- if not Ontario civil servant six-figure club is all about location, location, loca- If only it were that straightforward. totally -- reliant on residential taxes. That’s deceptive. Mayor Perkins’s $101,235.01 W tion, the central tenet in the real First, house prices are deceiving. Con- simply not the case in Toronto. includes both her regional and local sala- estate mantra. sider how many more square feet, how Many of the GTA municipalities nearer ries. Other south Durham mayors collect Trying to compare property taxes strictly much bigger the lot size, and how much to Toronto -- in Peel, York and Halton their pay from two different packets, but if on the basis of house price is unfair and nicer the overall quality of the $380,000 -- have had several decades of massive their regional and local salaries were com- doesn’t provide a real measure upon which home in Oshawa (or Whitby, Clarington, development, have higher priced homes bined, like Mayor Perkins’ pay is, most -- if to judge value. Ajax, Pickering, Scugog, Brock or Uxbridge) and therefore raise plenty of tax revenue not all -- would be in the six-figure club. Take for example, a $380,000 house and is, compared with Toronto. from many houses priced well in excess It’s important taxpayers get the whole check out the property tax paid on it in Also, consider the incredible amount of of $380,000. Oshawa and its Durham story, not just one view, so a fair evaluation every Greater Toronto Area municipal- tax revenue generated by the many thou- neighbours have far fewer “elite” homes to can be made. Too many people pointing out the obvious on our dime
o you, like me, find yourself shaking your head several D mornings a week as you hear the results of the latest study revealing such world-rocking truths as smoking is detrimental to your health, or that people who eat poorly tend to be over- weight, or that exercise is in fact good for you? Neil Crone/ Enter Laughing Is it just me, or does it seem like mil- lions of dollars, usually taxpayers’ dol- live in poverty tend to be less happy lars, are yearly being flushed down the than those who don’t? That nine out dumper on projects designed to prove of 10 people who strapped a live cat to what most of us who can dress our- their head got scratched? Hello? selves already know? I am convinced that, hardwired into Alcohol consumption during preg- all of us at a cellular level, is the requi- nancy is not a good idea. site knowledge to look after ourselves Seatbelts save lives. and lead safe, happy lives. It’s there. We The earth is round. Yeah, OK . . . kinda know, deep down, that it’s not a great already figured that one out myself, idea to consume nothing but alcohol thanks. and fried food. I can only assume that there are a We know that we’ll live longer and great many people making a dandy happier lives if we exercise now and little living pointing out the obvious in then. a great many thousand-page reports. We know that strapping a live cat to Our readers think... And frankly, I think I’d like a piece of our head is only funny some of the that action. If someone wants to float time. me a multi-million dollar research We understand these things. Let’s bring troops to peacefully aid the less fortunate. This grant, I’ll happily put my acting career The problem is that we are human time is different because they’re there in on hold for a few years to study any and that we don’t always make good home now direct, aggressive combat. As a citizen and number of ridiculously obvious tenets. choices. taxpayer of Canada, I’m not happy in faith As a result of intensive study we can But that’s OK, too. It’s called natural To the editor: and conscience allowing my vote or my now conclusively state that: Pants keep selection or, in more common parlance, As someone who lives near and drives money to support this combative endeav- your legs warm. Women are more effec- vacuuming the gene pool. I don’t think on The Highway of Heroes every day, I’m our. tive breast-feeders than men. And, we need any more studies to point out emotionally moved every time another I believe in the Canadian military for asbestos pillows are bad for you. our failings. We are aware of them. And trooper is brought home in a hearse. humanitarian reasons only; for saving and My work here is done. sometimes we have to learn the hard It’s my desire that the Canadian troops nourishing lives and I believe they can I’ve no doubt, in fact, I desperately way. That’s why God invented para- be brought home now while they’re still achieve the same high standards of helping hope that there is a great deal of very medics. alive and I’m asking all who support this people and doing good things in the world important research being paid for in Besides, how might our society look opinion to write your MP to ask our federal as they have in the past, in ways other than the world. We need to monitor the if the millions used to study and cata- government to bring the troops home alive this combat. Please help bring our troops health of the planet, we need to keep an logue its ills were instead used to pre- now. home alive by writing to your MP today. eye out for medical breakthroughs, we vent them? In the past, Canadians have been peace- Rhonda Roberts need to explore the universe. That’s all An interesting question. Someone keepers and have gone to other countries Newcastle money well spent, in my book. should do a study on that. But do we really need a study to tell us Durham resident Neil Crone, actor-comic- e-mail letters to [email protected] / max. 200 words / that people who fill their grocery carts writer, saves some of his best lines for his col- please include your full first and last name, place of residence & daytime phone number / full of pop and Twinkies tend to be as umns. He is currently starring in the CBC hit letters that do not appear in print may be published @ newsdurhamregion.com big as a house? That individuals who sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie. GXUKDPUHJLRQFRP 4(% .%73 !$6%24)3%2 !PRIL 0!'% 0