The Standard Newspaper December 12th, 2013

Page 1

Vol. 10 No. 50

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER COVERING NORTH DURHAM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Uxbridge talks representation at Region DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

UXBRIDGE: The debate over representation from the three northern municipalities (Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge) at Durham Regional Council continued in Uxbridge this week. Included in council’s agenda for their meeting on the morning of Monday, Dec. 2, was a motion recently passed by the Town of Whitby requesting that Durham Region establish a committee to review the representation and composition of the Durham Region Council, and a question concerning the matter be included on the ballot for the 2014 municipal election. Whitby’s council, along with Ajax have been vocal in recent months about reviewing the distribution of seats at Regional Council brought about by population growth in South Durham. Currently, the three northern municipalities each have two representatives on Regional Council. Ajax and Clarington, with populations approaching 100,000, both have three seats. Pickering and Whitby have four seats apiece to represent their more than 100,000 residents, while the City of Oshawa maintains eight seats on Regional Council. “Oshawa has to be prepared to give up some of those seats to Pickering, Ajax and Whitby,” commented Ward 5 Councillor Gord Highet. To deal with the ongoing matter, Ward 4 Councillor Jacob Mantle suggested establishing an ad-hoc committee to deal with issues surrounding fair and efficient representation on Regional Council. “I don’t think we should wait, and I think there’s merit to doing the research,” Councillor Mantle explained. “Representation on Regional Council could have some impact on our local representation at municipal council.” As well, Regional Councillor Jack Ballinger questioned whether area will enter the equation when dealing with a possible redistribution of seats at the Regional level. “It all seems to be driven by population, but at some point, area has to be factored in,” said Councillor Ballinger. “The three northern municipalities make up more than half of the total area of Durham Region.” TURN TO PAGE 10

YOUR HOME MAY BE WORTH MORE THAN YOU THINK. Receive a free market analysis over the phone

1-800-793-7315 Ext #5015

LEE COLBY

Ext#5015

Professional Realtor Realty Executives Systems Brokerage

A HOLIDAY TREAT: Ethan Mavor begs mom for a piece of the delicious 2013 Bakersville gingerbread village to snack on. The annual village of candy and gingerbread is on display in the Scugog Memorial Public Library until Dec. 28. The scrumptious annual display even features sights from Port Perry. BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard

Scugog eyes dedicated roads money BLAKE WOLFE The Standard

SCUGOG: While Scugog’s 2014 budget will not see final approval until February, Scugog Council is already discussing a one per cent increase to be tacked onto the tax bill for 2014 - and possibly the following 24 years. Councillors approved the staff recommendation for the increase following discussion of the township’s new asset management plan, which will guide future infrastructure investments in Scugog, a document required by the province to be completed by year’s end in order for municipalities to qualify for future infrastructure funding programs. According to staff, the one per cent increase will be put toward maintaining

the township’s roads, bridges and culverts - costs that sit in the hundreds of millions of dollars - to a 60 per cent ‘adequacy level’ (the township currently sits at 55 per cent), a somewhat drastic measure in the face of decreasing Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) contributions. However, to achieve that goal, funding will need to be generated over 25 years and only in 2060 do staff expect to hit that target. According to the report, a one per cent increase is roughly equal to $105,000. “Not knowing what the province is going to do for us,” said Public Works Director Ian Roger, “an increase like this is the only thing we can recommend at TURN TO PAGE 4 this point.”

r e f Guaranteed local f o w o n and worldwide delivery! We LET OUR FULL SERVICE FLORAL DEPARTMENT DELIVER FOR YOU.

905.985.2159

278 Queen St., Port Perry

Flowers say it better. FTD says it best.™


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.