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COMMUNITY Thursd March Group widens focus BY AMANDA Newmarket and Aurora voters protested the closing of Parliament earlier in January Last night they celebrated its return Now they are engaging democracy Members of the group Canadi ans Against Proroguing Parliament in the area are reforming to create Citizens Engaging Democracy Newmarket Aurora where the focus will be political participation in upcoming municipal provincial and fed eral elections Were getting off the computer and into the community Newmarket co-ordi- Liz Jefferson said Were not telling you who to vote for but to go out and vote is a great way to communicate but it doesnt make a dif ference if people arc not out talking to neighbours Hie nationwide group now calling itself Canadians Advocating Political Participation seeks to reignite die political flame People need to get out there and vote Otherwise die government will not represent you Ms Jefferson said CEDNAwill host monthly events through out the Newmarket and Aurora area where die focus will he on voter education Political garbage happens when citizens are and empathetic Ms Jefferson said People need to be kept Informed so we can keep our politicians accountable The purpose of the new group is to gamer polidcal participation at the lower levels of government and upwards ON THE WEB To get involved or to see a schedule of upcoming events visit Citizens Engaging Democracy on For information visit There is a really low voter turnout at municipal elections Ms Jefferson said But were growing really fast and we can make an impact CEDNA is taking a stand for democracy its about doing somediing posi tive to booster support Were angry but were positive about tak ing back die government Ms Jefferson said Being apathetic and doing nothing about it is depressing Action is energizing The real issue is participation and how we let the proroga tion happen Within the next month die group will host a presentation by Fair Vote Canada a multi- partisan citizens campaign for voting system reform The group is also seeking to work with high school students studying civics Politicians cant perform miracles Ms Jef ferson said But have to pay attention If one person writes a letter they know are hundreds out witii the same concern Last night to 50 residents celebrat ed die reopening of Parliament with and sparklers at Newmarket I own Square Aurora heads back to court Case is litmus test for greenbelt act environmentalist say Environmentalists and politicians warning a fight dial began over water in Aurora may create ripples felt a die Oak Ridges Moraine Mrs Morris said adding die towns lawyer Roger has also been directed to seek costs However council must stay the course she said as future on the moraine may yet loom as any development applica tions in under Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act were not given an expiry date the province has put councils like us in a miserable position Mrs Morris said adding it means a municipality could be of a recent divisional court decision diat e years or even decacles from indicated the Ontario Municipal Board and Ear- not a joint board hearing is the appropriate whd f 1 body to hear die arguments for and against rase has said the fight Is an the proposed Westhill Development J lla he potential to set a proposed development would see 75 den ft developments on the moraine homes and an 18hole golf course built on WU Ornately put legislation protecting part of die Oak Ridges Moraine near Leslie he est It has argued the Westhill Street and Road case may well define how die interprets Council denied developer Lebbvic Homes future development applications in die con- application iii and the company text of the appealed to die soon after The case has gone back and forth between the OMB and divisional court ever since as die town and nearby residents for their well water sought a joint board hearing to have a plethora of environmental concerns addressed Mayor Phyllis- Morris said the case may prove precedentsetting when it comes to development on the environmentally sen sitive moraine The town has pushed hard to get a joint board hearing between the and the environmental review tribunal both it and the residents rep best chance to get a fair hearing she said adding she has little faith in the impartiality- knows that the is not the place to go if youre interested in pro- jT the environment Mrs Moms said- ilc ii the OMB is life proper I he reality is if this case doesnt qualify for l0 lu lse a joint board hearing we dirii know which 1k omh l would fi to deal with this Its mandate he Councillor Evelyn Buck who was among saidTor Gods sake at least half of Aurora the three members of council who voted fc Oak Moraine as it against filing another appeal has been ci people objecting to us are on the Oak of councils direction on the issue and the Moraine too associated costs which she says are in excess Representatives from the 135000 try of Municipal Affairs and I lousing werent All council members are concerned about available for comment by deadline costs so far and those yet to be accrued day- proposed development is the litmus- test for the highly praised act die group says on its website If it bypasses the moraine act this w 11 set a dangerous precedent arid potential ly open die- doors to detrimental develop ment in other areas across the moraine arid Ontarios greenbelt Representatives for were not available for comment but executive vicepresident Lloyd has described as much ado about nothing Mr Cherulak has also insisted hose liv- the proposed development have to homes will draw from a different aquifer and the golf course will be irrigate with treited wastewater and rain Money Problems NORTH YORK CHEVROLET CORVETTE Yonge Street -905-881- rni wvvwnorthvorkchevcom Creditors calling Stop the financial insanity Call today for a FREE initial consultation and we will explain all your options Immediate Appointments Available I Canada Limited trustee in Bankruptcy wwwbdodebthelpca Unit 2 SI and Millard Ave 90 -898- Keswick 470 The South S 3nd Ave one COO Koran Com Ontario ood r BOS Email ft But Earth Hour is not just about going dark tor one hour Its about adopting longterm conservation strategies that make aonsa at home And Hydro iB an industry loader in offering programs that help consumers roduco their electricity use and lower costs lU J One of our most popular conservation v programs is back for another yean thB Great Refrigerator Roundup Wo wont to pick up that old energywasting refrigerator or extra fraezor thats chugging away in your basement Call us and then say your to thB old bear fridge mm or freezer out in the Those ancient appliances put a big strain on our power system Consider that a typical fifteenyear old fridga or freezer uses two to threo Electricity of a now one of on equivalent bIzo Through our partnership with tho Ontario Power Authority OPA this service Is to of Hydro If itB more than years old and in working condition thon toko it away to bo retired through on rocycllng to euro that only tho bare minimum goes Into landfill Book your nocost appointment online wwwovurykilpwnttaauntflcnor call toll froo 1