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NA2005_04_15
Double-digit increases expected for 2006 By Carly Foster Staff Writer DURHAM — In the grand scheme of the Region’s $827 mil- lion budget, it was the little things that mattered the most to a few councillors. Three hours were spent at We dnesday’s regional council and budget meeting battling over a little more than $600,000: the cost to add a second associate medical officer of health, 8.5 health em- ployees and to send an extra $3 per person to shelters back into the taxpayer funded $329-million portion of the budget. Despite valiant efforts, attempt- ed compromises and passionate pleas, the fight was lost. “We’ve increased police by 28 positions, no questions asked,” said Ajax Councillor Colleen Jor- dan, who sits on the health and social services committee. “Why public health? People say if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” But no amount of reasoning — including Durham’s high obesity, smoking and cancer rates, threats of non-compliance in manda- tory programs or requests from the Province to enhance service — could sway the majority of Re- gional council. “I really get ticked off... when people get up on a soapbox and say if you don’t give public health everything they want” you’ll hurt ETFO, Province agree on salary, prep time framework By Mike Ruta Staff Writer DURHAM — An unprecedented agreement between the Province and Ontario’s public elementary teachers means that starting Mon- day the work-to-rule labour action in Durham schools is suspended until June 1. The Elementary Teachers Federa- tion of Ontario (ETFO) and the Lib- eral government have signed off on a four-year accord that will see the union’s 65,000 members, including about 3,000 in Durham, receive at least a 10.2 per cent wage increase and 200 minutes of preparation time by 2008. “I understand that we’re going to have a provincial framework that we will lay on at the local level for the big issues of salary and prep time,” said Sally McIlveen, the Durham District School Board’s employee services superintendent. “That gives us an opportunity to begin bargain- ing.” She says the two sides will have a two-month window in which to come to an agreement on outstand- ing issues she would not discuss. Ms. McIlveen said there’s still work to be done at the local level to reach a deal here, but that the provincial accord puts the board in a good po- sition to move forward. The ETFO and the board next bargain April 26. Durham elementary teachers began labour action in schools on March 1. Earlier this month the work-to-rule reached Stage 2, with teachers refusing to complete report cards, take part in school fundrais- ing or special lunch days and update or initiate new individual education plans. Rachel Gencey, Durham’s ETFO president, confirmed that as of Monday morning, the work-to-rule would be suspended. “I don’t think it’s ever happened like this before,” she said of the deal. “We’re optimistic. This is what the school boards have been asking for all along, a provincial solution, so it should pave the way to an agree- ment.” ALL HANDS ON COURT Jason Liebregts/ News Advertiser photo PICKERING — Gurmelle Simpson finds his back against a human wall during a game of pickup basketball in Pickering. Gurmelle was facing Danique McGregor, left, and Ryan Rohrbach. Teachers back to full speed The Pickering 40 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 48,600 ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 SCARE FARE Amityville comes back to life again Page 26 STICKING TOGETHER St. Mary girls want another shot at hockey crown Page 29 AT PEACE New reverend for congregation Page 11 B R U C EBRUCE B I S S E L LBISSELL 201 Bayly St. W., Ajax, Ontario: (between Westney and Harwood) BB U I C KBUICK P O N T I A CPONTIAC LT D .LTD. 683-6561 www.bissellbuick.com GMAC fin. eg: $10,00 @ 0% = $208.33 mo. 48 mo. COB $0 OAC. 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Introducing the Touareg ✦ See Average, Page 4 ✦ See Work, Page 2 Budget battle lost over health employees, shelter DURHAM — A series of upcom- ing programs are designed to help youth gain confidence in them- selves. The Catholic Family Services of Durham is offering its Free to be Me program for boys and girls. Running Tuesdays, April 19 to May 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is a life-skills program for girls ages nine to 12. Sessions are at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School in Ajax and the group focuses on issues such as body image, relationships, bullying, self-esteem, self-cure, and asser- tive behavior. Music, role playing, videos, and questionnaires are all used. Beginning May 18 and running for the following four Wednesdays at Va lleyview Park in Oshawa, is a life-skills program for boys nine to 11. The interactive group examines the ‘boy code’ and the challenges it presents in dealing with issues such as friends, school, bullying, relationships, family, friends, and self-esteem. Arts and crafts, videos, discussions, and music are used. Both programs cost $50 and sub- sidies are available to those in need. Parents are encouraged to attend a Free to Be Me information night prior to the group starting. The girls’ information night has been held while the boys meeting is Wednes- day, May 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Val- leyview park. Finally, a Loving and Living with your School-Age Child program began Wednesday, April 13 and runs to May 25 at the Ajax Public Library’s main branch. Sessions are from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. and feature presentations, videos, written mate- rial and group discussions. The cost is $60. For registration or information, call Catholic Family Services at 905- 725-3513. However, Ms. Gencey also said there’s work to be done in Durham on issues such as benefits, and that the provincial framework doesn’t mean salary won’t be a part of the local talks. “I still believe there’s some wiggle room there,” she said. “This is the baseline. This is the worst we can do.” She’s “cautiously optimistic” teachers and the board can reach an agreement by the June 1 deadline. However if they do not, Ms. Gencey said the work-to-rule won’t just pick up where it left off, but include sanc- tions that would have been imposed before the beginning of June. An Education Ministry news re- lease stated “the provincial dialogue with other teacher federations and school board associations is ongo- ing.” A/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, APRIL 15, 2005 durhamregion.com Need help getting it done? Call 310-CASH DIANE COUTURE 78 Albert St. @ corner of Bruce (905) 725-2790 Advice on proposals, bankruptcy and alternatives. Helping the people of Oshawa since 1986. Book your appointment today... Ease your mind tomorrow. Tr ustee in Bankruptcy FREE CONSULTATIONS Evening & Weekend Appointments $ 139 $ 139 $ 139 $ 159 $ 159 $ 159 $ 179 $ 179 $ 179 Tw in, Double or Queen - One Price Each piece (sold as sets only) 30 YEAR 30 YEAR WARRANTY WARRANTY Tw in, Double or Queen - One Price Each piece (sold as sets only) 25 YEAR 25 YEAR WARRANTY WARRANTY Twin, Double or Queen - One Price Each piece (sold as sets only) 25 YEAR 25 YEAR WARRANTY WARRANTY Electric Bed FREE SET-UP! $ 1 1 8 2 $ 1 1 8 2 $ 1 1 82 F ROMFROM FROM $699 $699 $ 699 7 Piece Bedroom Suite • Unbelievable price • Solid wood drawer fronts • No assembly required NEW NEW INTRODUCTORY INTRODUCTORY OFFER OFFER Futon Lounger • Reclines to 3 different positions $ 399 $ 399 $ 399 NEW NEW STYLE! STYLE! 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The plan, prepared by the Ministry of Pub- lic Infrastructure Renewal, calls for directing growth away from greenfields and into urban growth centres and promotes intensification and improving linkages between growth cen- tres, among other things. “It helps to set the vision for part of the future that Pickering can and will have,” said Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson. “We want to see Pickering become the vibrant community it is able to become,” Wa rd 1 Regional Councillor Maurice Brenner agreed. “The area that specifically does stand out pertains to downtown Pickering as an urban growth centre. That does bode well (for Picker- ing),” he said. “There are a lot of things the Province has done in the past that has upset Pickering, but identify- ing Pickering as an urban growth centre is a positive thing.” A Pickering staff report passed by council requests that the minister of public infrastructure renewal in- corporate several recom- mendations. They include making sure municipalities are engaged in the preparation of the work for their respective sub-area growth strategy, that local municipalities are given the authority to de- termine the way intensification is achieved in their areas and extending the 2015 time frame for achieving the intensification targets. “Municipalities have to have a key role in this, it’s something we have to be careful of,” said Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean. The report also requests the employment- to-population ratio for Durham Region be in- creased to one job for every two persons as opposed to the 1-3 ratio proposed by the Prov- ince. “Then we can genuinely have a community where people can live, work and play,” Coun. Dickerson said. Pickering also wants to see a “meaningful consultation process” to get comments from residents and landowners in the area. “A lot of the recommendations we are put- ting forward are to have a fuller engagement of municipalities in the development,” said Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles. “(Public con- sultation is) something that’s been very impor- tant to this council and to the City of Pickering — that the public get a chance for open consul- tation and comment.” One request didn’t go through unanimously. Ward 1 City Councillor Kevin Ashe asked that one recommendation be divided from the oth- ers. He opposes asking that the minister transfer the Cherrywood community (the southern por- tion of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve) out of the greenbelt and into the growth plan. “Here we are going to poke the Province again with a stick and I don’t want to be holding the stick,” Coun. Ashe said. The motion to forward that request passed despite his objections. durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, APRIL 15, 2005 PAGE 3 P Mon-Fri 9-8 pm Saturday 9-6 pm Sunday 9-5 pm 4038 Hwy. 7 905-479-2480 UNIONVILLE PICKERING 2215 Brock Rd. N., 905-683-5952 Mon-Fri 9-8 pm Saturday 9-6 pm Sunday 9-5 pm Pine Ridge …Plant Specialists with Great Prices… SALE PRICE IN EFFECT: UNTIL APRIL 21st, 2005 NEW Lawn Fertilizers Lawn Lawn FertilizersFertilizers IMPROVED Ultra 27-7-7 14 99 only 7kg size TRI-MIX SOIL 4/$10 Reg. 3.99. 30 L. PANSY PARADE! PANSY PARADE! 99¢99¢special box of 4 plants Pansy bowls from 7.99 $10 OFF$$10 OFF10 OFF All Deciduous Trees, including Japanese Maples priced from $99.99 & up Plant aPlant a Tree W eekTree Week Emerald CedarsEmerald Cedars THIS WEEK ONLY! 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The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pickering Recreation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Rd. There will be a light lunch, tea and dessert, entertain- ment and door prizes for the first male and female in attendance. There is no cost to attend. To r eserve a spot, call Susan at 905-420-5196, Merle at 905-471-9046, Fred at 905-428-3164, or Willie at 905-428-8244. Seniors invited to tea Get all your community news by logging onto durhamregion.com residents,” said Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson. “If public health is not com- pliant, health department staff should be bringing forward a report saying how to fix that.” These were the only de- bates about the budget, and no members of the public made pre- sentations. The final bud- get will cost an extra $98 for the average residential taxpayer with a house assessed at $250,000. When adding in education taxes ($740), an average 5-per cent increase at the local level ($1,138) and an average zero-per cent increase to waste ($107), a $3,665 bill will land on residents’ doorsteps. Not including the waste budget (which varies de- pending on which munici- pality you live in), the bud- get jumped 6.22 per cent (5.82 per cent if waste is added). But some munici- palities, such as Scugog, are fac- ing a significant waste increase, and will see a 6.6- per cent budget increase. Overall, finance commissioner Jim Clapp called the budget af- fordable and rea- sonable, adding that it faced considerable scrutiny from all levels of the Region to meet the six- per cent increase target set by council months ago. One stumbling block was the downloaded social ser- vices costs to the Region, which added an extra $1.8 million to the budget. Durham, Halton, York, Peel and Toronto all send their social housing and Ontario Works actual costs to the Province, which then redistributes the bills to each municipality using a formula based on taxable assessment. While Durham’s costs are $59.9 million in 2005, it will only pay $59.4 million. But Yo rk Region, with $55.5 mil- lion in actual costs, will be forced to pay $142.8 million. It’s the Province’s way of equalizing the huge social services burden on Toronto, Mr. Clapp said. That, combined with an automatic seven- to eight- per cent tax increase in 2006 because of regionwide tran- sit, means some expensive times for taxpayers down the road, said Regional Chairman Roger Anderson. Launching Durham tran- sit means a brand new de- partment with a $30- to $32- million budget, he said. “But one would hope there would be a corre- sponding decrease at the local level,” as municipali- ties are no longer respon- sible for transit, Mr. Ander- son said. “But that’s up to them.” Having a zero-per cent or minimal tax increase is a thing of the past unless the economy falls into a reces- sion, staff do not receive pay increases, growth booms and the Province takes back downloaded services such as ambulance and welfare, the chairman said. “I think there’s a time in the not-so-distant future... where I hope when we have increases they’ll be at or below the rate of inflation,” Mr. Anderson said. Residents will receive their final tax bills in the next few months after local municipalities finalize their budgets. A/P PAGE 4 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, APRIL 15, 2005 durhamregion.com SPRING SHOES ARRIVING PICKERING TOWN CENTRE • UPPER LEVEL • SEARS WING WE’VE GOT YOUR SIZE Sizes 4-15 Widths AA-EEE !.4) 342%33 ¤ Comfort and Well being with every step Available in Sizes 5 1/2 - 11 Genuine leather woven vamp perfect for warm summer weather AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING 5 ALOMAR ST. WHITBY 905-430-7678 1-800-521-7087 NONO payments payments &NO interest& NO interest for one full yea r SAVE UP TO $ FREE Estamate FREE Cover and Brakets and FREE Installation pre-season saleHURRY IN FOR OUR SPRING AIR CONDITIONING S T A R T - U P ONLY 69699595$$1 0 YEAR10YEAR WARRANTYCOMPRESS O R1 0 YEAR10YEAR WARRANTYPARTS&LAB O UR900900 ✦ Average from page 1 Average Durham homeowner can expect to pay an extra $98 Jim Clapp durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, APRIL 15, 2005 PAGE 5 P www.sourceforsports.com Ascot Jr. Soccer Shoe $19.95 & Ascot Jr. Shin Guards $8.95 Play Now! Pay Later! See Our Website for Details JOIN THE MVP CLUB TO WIN! PICKERING VILLAGE 32 Church St. South Ajax 905-683-0400 sfsajax@rogers.com MITRE JR SOCCER BALL $5995 Pulsado II Beckham Jr $6995 Pulsado II Trex Womens $119 95 Pulsion II Beckham $3995 Predito $1995 F-50 Replique $1695 Tiempo Shield Yth $2495 Jr 750 VT$3999 Jr Total 90 $4999Women’s Comfort VT $2999 MX82 $6495Sonic Boom SR $399 WITH ANY SHOE PURCHASE While Supplies Last! $3999Derby Pearl/Marine Sr Blue $3495 Derby Jr Pearl WIFE WANTED Due to massive overstock, Singer Sewing Centre is offering for sale to the public a limited number of new special 2005 HEAVY DUTY Zig-Zag sewing machines which are industrial strength and sew on all fabrics, denim, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch, vinyl, silk. EVEN SEWS ON LEATHER. No attachments needed for button holes (any size), monograms, hems, sews on buttons, satin overcasts, darns, appliqués and more. 50 stitch functions, simuated serging stitch. Just set dials and see magic happen. These machines are suitable for home, professional or school room sewing, 25 yr. ltd. warranty. Your price with this ad - $299 - without this ad - $599.95. Your cheque, cash or VISA, MASTERCARD & AMERICAN EXPRESS, LAY-A-WAY. PHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED. ®REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE SINGER COMPANY LIMITED ® SEWING CENTRE 11 SIMCOE ST. S. OSHAWA 905-433-1140 OFFER EXPIRES APRIL 16th OPEN: MON.-FRI. 9 TO 5:30 SAT. 9 TO 4 This is the machine your wife wanted! EB-2005-0257 ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND WRITTEN HEARING LEAVE FOR VERIDIAN CONNECTIONS INC. TO PURCHASE SHARES IN AND AMALGAMATE WITH GRAVENHURST HYDRO ELECTRIC INC. Particulars of the Application On March 24, 2005, Veridian Connections Inc. (“VCI”) and Gravenhurst Hydro Electric Inc. (“GHEI”) filed an Application with the Ontario Energy Board seeking leave for VCI to acquire all outstanding shares in and subsequently to amalgamate with GHEI, and for related orders. Both VCI and GHEI are licensed electricity distributors. VCI is indirectly owned by the City of Pickering, the Municipality of Clarington, the City of Belleville, and the Town of Ajax. Currently, the Town of Gravenhurst indirectly holds 100 percent of the outstanding shares in GHEI. Upon approval and completion of the proposed transactions, the City of Pickering, the Municipality of Clarington, the City of Belleville, and the Town of Ajax would indirectly hold 100 percent of the outstanding shares in GHEI. Copies of the Application are available for inspection at the Board’s offices and at the local offices of VCI and GHEI, at the addresses indicated below. How to Participate in the Hearing The Board intends to proceed with the Application by way of a written hearing unless a party satisfies the Board that there is a good reason for not holding a written hearing. If you object to the Board holding a written hearing in this matter, you must provide written reasons as to why an oral hearing is necessary. Any submissions objecting to a written hearing must be received by the Board within 7 calendar days of the date of publication of this Notice. If you wish to participate in this proceeding you must forward three copies of your written submissions to the Board Secretary and one copy to each of VCI and GHEI at the addresses below. All submissions must be received no later than 14 days after the publication of this Notice. If either VCI or GHEI wish to respond to the written submissions, such response must be received by the Board no later than 21 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All submissions must quote file no. EB-2005-0257, clearly state the sender’s name and address, and be received by the Board Secretary by 4:45 p.m. on the required dates. IF YOU DO NOT FILE A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OBJECTING TO A WRITTEN HEARING OR DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE HEARING BY FILING WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS NOTICE, THE BOARD MAY PROCEED WITHOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION AND YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY FURTHER NOTICE OF THIS PROCEEDING. ADDRESSES All communications should be directed as follows: Ontario Energy Board P.O. Box 2319 2300 Yonge Street Toronto ON M4P 1E4 Attn: John Zych Board Secretary Toll free: 1-888-632-6273 Fax: 416-440-7656 Veridian Connections Inc. 55 Taunton Road East Ajax ON L1T 3V3 Attn: David Clark Treasurer Phone: 905-427-9870 Fax: 905-619-0210 Gravenhurst Hydro Electric Inc. P.O. Box 250 195 Progress Road Gravenhurst ON P1P 1T6 Attn: George McEachern President Phone: 705-687-2321 Fax: 705-687-6721 DATED at Toronto, April 6, 2005 ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD Peter H. O’Dell Assistant Board Secretary Second arrest in drive-by incident PICKERING — Police have arrested a second suspect in what’s being de- scribed as a drive-by shooting in Pick- ering Monday. An 18-year-old Scarborough man turned himself in at a police station Tu esday evening, Durham Regional Police said. He is the second teenager charged in connection with the shooting, which one police source said appears to have been a case of mistaken identity. Police said a man was in his car at the intersection of Alwin Circle and Denmar Road around 6 p.m. Monday, when a grey car pulled up beside him. A youth in the car said something to the man before firing a single shot that hit the man’s car door, police said. The victim was not hurt in the inci- dent. On Monday at around 6:50 p.m. police arrested 18-year-old Stephen Miller of Castle Street in Pickering on numerous weapons charges. He is be- lieved to have been the driver of the car. Tuesday night, police charged Sha- mal Harris, 18, of Ling Road in Scarbor- ough with weapons charges, including pointing a firearm and firing a firearm with intent. T een charged in Pickering shooting PICKERING — Two women were robbed at gunpoint during a home in- vasion early Monday, Durham Regional Police said. Police were called to a residence on Glenanna Road after the 4 a.m. inci- dent, during which a man and woman forced their way into the house as a visitor arrived, according to a report. Police said the woman in the res- idence had left the door open for a friend. When the friend arrived, she was followed into the house by the male suspect, who pushed her out of the way and pulled a silver handgun. He was followed by a female accomplice. The man ordered the women to lie on the floor and left his female accomplice to watch over them while he ransacked upstairs bedrooms, police said. The two suspects left after stealing cash. Police are looking for a light-skinned black man, about 5-foot-8 with a skinny build, who wore dark clothing and car- ried a silver handgun. The woman is described as stand- ing about 5-foot-10 and weighing 180 pounds. Handgun brandished during home invasion P PAGE 6 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, APRIL 15, 2005 durhamregion.com EDITORIAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR Pickering needs a balanced approach I magine hitting the lottery jackpot and then having to stick it all in the bank. Nary a cent to spend on a new car, home, trip south, or a pedestrian walkway spanning Hwy. 401 between the Pickering Town Centre and the Pickering GO Station. That exact predicament is where the City of Pickering finds itself these days as it works toward finalizing its 2005 budget. The proverbial jackpot of sorts is the recent $2.5 million the City received in a legal settlement over the removal of agricultural easements on the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve. As it stands with City staff’s recommendation, taxes would be going up 6.7 per cent on the Pickering portion of property bills, or about $59.80 on the average home. But a number of councillors are making a strong case for getting that number down to 5.5 per cent, while adding items such as the pedestrian bridge, a second floor for the East Shore Community Centre, and extensive roadwork, primarily in the north. Naturally, the bill would be covered by the aforemen- tioned windfall. Over the past few years we’ve heard grumblings from council that it just didn’t have the dollars to meet urgent needs as tax increases grew rapidly. The projects and needs are many. Councillors have even called on the Region to direct more dollars toward city roads. But throwing all the extra money away at once would be shortsighted. Municipalities have reserve accounts to ensure they’re not caught with an empty piggy bank when unexpected needs arise or a rainy day arrives. Residents would be better served by councillors putting a three-year plan in place that clearly sets out where the extra dollars will be spent. Then they’re not raiding reserves en- tirely and if Councillor Rick Johnson is correct and assess- ment growth takes off in three years with the development of the Seaton lands, a plan bridging the time between now and then makes the most sense. And by taking a three-year view, priorities can be re- viewed annually to ensure needs are being met. By all means use the extra money to meet pressing needs. Just have a plan in place that tempers enthusiasm so Pick- ering is protected short-term and in the coming years. NEWS ADVERTISER Metroland Durham Region Media Group Tim Whittaker, Publisher Joanne Burghardt, Editor-in-Chief To ny Doyle, Managing Editor Duncan Fletcher, Director of Advertising Andrea McFater Retail Advertising Manager Eddie Kolodziejcak, Classified Advertising Abe Fakhourie, Distribution Manager Lillian Hook, Office Manager Cheryl Haines, Composing Manager Janice O’Neil, Composing Manager [ Contact us ]-- News/Sales 905-683-5110; Clas- sifieds 905-683-0707; Distribution 905-683-5117; News Fax 905-683- 0386; General Fax 905-683-7363; E-mail tdoyle@durhamregion.com; Mailing Address; 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax, Ont. L1S 2H5 [ About Us ]-- The News Advertiser is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The News Advertiser is a member of the Ajax & Pickering Board of Tr ade, Ontario Community News- paper Assoc., Canadian Commu- nity Newspaper Assoc., and the Canadian Circulations Audit Board. Also a member of the Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706, Toronto, M5B 1J3, an independent organization that ad- dresses reader complaints about member newspapers.The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. Credit for advertisement limited to space price error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the News Advertiser is copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Publications Mail Sales Agreement Number 1332791. [ Letters Policy ]-- We w elcome letters that include name, city of residence and phone numbers for verification. Writers are generally limited to 200 words and one submission in 30 days. We decline announcements, poetry, open letters, consumer com- plaints, congratulations and thank you notes. The editor reserves the right to edit copy for length, style and clarity. Opinions expressed by letter writers are not necessarily those of the News Advertiser. Due to the volume of letters, not all will be printed. Fax: 905-683-0386; e-mail: tdoyle@ durhamregion. com. The newspaper contacts only those whose submissions have been chosen for publication. EDITORIALS & OPINIONS infodurhamregion.com W hen Leah Casselman, presi- dent of the Ontario Public Sec- tor Employees Union (OPSEU), claimed many of her workers, especially in health and social services, were living below the poverty line, I was shocked. Public sector workers just scraping by? I never expected these people were working for minimum wage, forced to seek help from area food banks. I was about to be even more bewildered when I saw a list of the hourly wages these unionized workers were pulling in. There were a couple of positions that were sub $10/hour, but many were in the $16 to $23 per-hour range. Was this poverty? I had to find out what the poverty line was. So a short search on the Web turned up a chart from the Canadian Council on Social Development (2003). Turns out salary is just one compo- nent. The population size of the com- munity you live in and the size of your family are all factored in when calculat- ing the poverty level. So if you are working in Oshawa mak- ing $42,249 per year you wouldn’t ex- pect to be under the poverty line. But you would be if you were in a family of seven with a single income. So last year when Leah “I’m certainly not living under the poverty line” Cas- selman wanted Canadian taxpayers to pay more for her impoverished union members, weren’t we really just talking about choices? Isn’t having a large family a choice? I don’t think a person without a family making that same $42,249 should have to subsidize a peer with seven kids. If that same single person decides he wants a Corvette and a $400,000 home should he be subsidized because he’s now in a financial crunch? Ms. Casselman’s solution would see a three-per-cent hike in personal and corporate income tax to meet OPSEU wage demands. I have no problem with people get- ting a fair wage for their work, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize those mak- ing a fair wage because of the life choic- es they have made. I’d like to see Ms. Casselman explain to a family who has decided to have only one child for financial reasons that they should pay more to help a family with five kids. We have to make tough choices in life when it comes to money and if some OPSEU members are living out- side their means, Ms. Casselman should come up with a solution that doesn’t involve more taxpayers’ money. Chris Bovie is a managing editor with Metroland Durham Region Media Group. E-mail cbovie@durhamregion. com. Wages not only factor in poverty Chris Bovie staff editor Councillors don’t understand housing problem To the editor: Re: ‘Questionable priorities in budget’, Carly Foster column, April 3. I think Ms. Foster hit the nail on the head. According to Ms. Foster, we the regional taxpayers, pay approximately $327 million directly to the Region. And our elected councillors decided not to give the hostels of our region an additional $3 per person, per day. Seriously? Have any of these council- lors ever been in a position to need a hostel? Have they ever needed affordable housing? Housing access centre tells me the waiting list for affordable housing is four to seven years. There are people on this waiting list from 1997. Correct me if I’m wrong, but chances are that when a unit becomes available, the applicant will not need the help. When people apply for affordable housing, it’s because they need the help now, not in about seven years. With the lack of affordable housing, and the very minimal $3 per person, per day not given to hostels, how can the councillors justify $84 million for the new headquarters and parking garage at 605 Rossland Rd. in Whitby? Sandi Conway, Ajax durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, APRIL 15, 2005 PAGE 7 A/P 905-427-4202 Combo’sMouthwateringMouthwatering Mario’s • 6 N.Y. Striploin Steaks (8 oz) • 5 Homemade Burgers (6 oz) • 5 IQF Chicken Breasts (5 oz) • 6 Pork Chops • 5 IQF Chicken Breasts (5 oz) • 5 Homemade Burgers (6 oz) • 5 Sausages (mild, hot, honey garlic) • 5 Chicken or Pork Souvlaki (100 g) Plus PacPlus Pac ##22 $$35350000 Plus PacPlus Pac ##11 $$40400000 • 5 IQF Chicken Breast (5 oz) • 5 Pork Souvlaki (100 g) • 5 Chicken Souvlaki (100 g) • 5 Homemade Burgers (6 oz) • 5 Homemade Sausages (mild, hot, honey garlic) Plus PacPlus Pac ##33 $$33000000 • 6 N.Y. Stiploin Steaks (8 oz) • 5 Chicken or Pork Souvlaki (100 g) • 1 Pork Back Rib Plus PacPlus Pac ##44 $$44550000 • 1 Eye of Round Roast (5 lb) • 6 N.Y. 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