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8 Orono WeeklyTlmes. Wednesday. October 114, 1998 Oak Ridges Trail -Assoc. seeking support The Oak, Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) is seeking the support of hikers and conservation minded resi- dents of Northumberland County and the Peterborough vicinity to extend the Oak Ridges Trail (ORT) along the Oak Ridges Moraine east of Hope. Currently, the eight established chapters of ORTA span the Moraine from the Caledon area (where the trafi Intersects wth the Bruce Train) past the Ganaraska Forest Centre through Hope township. ORTA anticipates that the east boundary of the new chapter (working name, the Northumberland Chapter), will be in the vicin- ity of Burnley Creek Crossing on Reg. Rd. 29. ORTA President, Tom Rance, has scheduled what he calîs "a new chapter kick- off meet'ing" in Citizens' Forum in the Concert Hall in Cobourg at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28th. "At this meeting," says Rance, "we hope to generate enough interest in the Oak Ridges Trail and the proposed exten- sion east of Hope to form the new chapter." The Concert Hall is located in the heart of downtown Cobourg. Rance can be contacted at (905) 852-7128 or by E-mail at trance@interhop.net, qUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE OAK RIDGES TRAIL What is the OaLk Ridges Trail? The Trail is a path for hik- ing, skiing, and nature appre- ciation. It winds its way along a unique geographical forma- tion - the Oak Ridges Moraine. How long is the Trail? Eventually, it will stretch west from the Niagara Escarpment to headwaters of the Trent River in the East - about 230 km. Over 80 ]km. is complete. Routes have been identified over another 80 kma. On'whose land is the Trail being buit? There are five sources: -existing trails wherever possible, - unopened road allowances, - abandoned railway lunes, - provincial parks & con- servation areas, and - rights-of-way are negoti- ated wth land owners. Who will own, build and mai atain the Trail? The land over whlch the Tr ail passes will continue to be owned by its current own- ers. Subi ect to agreements with them, the Oak Ridges l'rail wlll be cleared, bridged, and maintained by the mem- bers of the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA), a mem- ber club of Hike Ontario. ORTA isgoverned by its Board of Directors according to its by-laws. The Board meets frequently; ORTA's annual meeting is in May. Chapters have been estab- lished in Caledon, King, Uxbridge, Whitchurch- Stouffville, Scugog, Clarington and Hope. What are the primary ben- efits? Why bulld it? The lrail means différent things to différent people. Key benefits are: e Bullds awareness of the environment, especially the Oak Ridges Moraine and its important benefits. a Promotes mental and physical fitness through recreation and nature appre- ciation. - Provides a relatively safe place for recreational activity together with other members of the community. 0 Stimulates local economies. e Encourages and provides a venue for family activities. e Builds and maintains a legacy for future generations. When wil l it be complete and how much will it cost? ,About one-third of the Trail lias been built since forma- tion of the Association in 1992. It may be possible to finish it by the year 2000. The Trail lias been built by membership dues and funds, labour and mnaterials donated by sponsors sucli as: Sh1ell Canada, Canada Trust, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Aggregate Producers of Ontario, Williamson's Automobiles and Wood Lumber (Uxbridge Cashway)-. By volunteers from Oak Ridges Trail Association, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and 'partner trail clubs (eg. Ganaraska Trail). By our newsletter advertis- ers and By partners sucli as: York Durham Heritage Railway, Save the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition (STORM), local pub- lic libraries and Skyloft Ski Club. Niew trustee appointed t10 S chool board At the October 9th, 1998 niglit Regular Board Meeting, trustees unanimously approved the appointment of a new trtistee to- the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Christopher M.H. Nelson of R. R. #7, Brighiton was appointed to the Board as the trustee reprebentative for the City of Quinte West (portion formerly known as Township of Murray) , Township of Brighton, Town of Brighiton, Township of Cramahe, Village of Coiborrie, and the Township of Hialdimand. His appointment Is effective immediately for the-balance of the termn of this Board. Mr. Nelson is a former trustee of the Northumberland-Clarington Board of Education, and served in that position for three years. Originally from Toronto, Mr. Nelson and bis family have lived in east Northumberland for 12 years. "We are extremely pleased to welcome Mr. Nelson to the Board,"- says Judi Armstrong, Chairperson of the Board. "His past experience at the Board table, bis knowledge of the area, the resident, and the school communities will make hlma a valuable person to have at the Board table." The appointment of Trustee Nelson cornes after the -resignation of trustee Diana Stewart, who had served that area for more than 13 years, The vacancy was advertised in newspapers throughout the Board's juris- diction, and a number of applications were received in response to the advertise- ment. Trustees narrowed the number down, and based on a Board motion, interviewed three people on October 7, 1998. in Canada 35 1577 515 40 187 367 670 45 259 535 985 50 374 790 1,495 55 577 1,275 2,465 60 868 2,003 3,920 65 1,380 3,212 6,215 Kim Littie Insurance & Investments (905)983-0512, PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL FOR LOW-INCOME SENIIOR HOMEOWNERS AND LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS WITH - DISABILITIES If you are a low-income senior homeowner or a low-income homeowner with a disability living in the-Region of Durham, you may be eligible for a deferral of that portion of any property tax increase (that is, the greater of 5 percent or $100) which resuits tram the Provincial reassessment of your property. To'be eligible for the program certain criteria must be met, such as: " The property tax increase is in respect of one principal residence in the Region of Durham. " The property tax increase resulting trom reassessment is greater than 5 percent or $100. *The applicant or spouse of the applicant is a recipient of supportunder the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Ontario Disability Support Program, or in the alterna- tive', he/she is age 65 or over and has income equal to or Iess than the limits established by the Guaranteed Income Supplement, -etc. Deferred taxes under this program.will be subiect'to interest at a rate eciual to the prevail ina grime rate as at Januarv 1 in the vear for which a deferral is sought ess 2 p ercent. Alil deferred taxes and accumulated interest must be repaid in full upon the sale or transfer of title to the property. However, the transfer of the property-to a qualifying spouse will not give rise to a repayment. In order for deferrals to be processed a nd granted in a timely manner, applications for the 1998 tax year must be received by your local Municipal Office by November 15. 1998. Application forms and -additional information are available at your local municipal office as isted below: Municipalitv Ajax Brock Clarington Oshawa Pickering Scugog Uxbridge Whitby Address 65 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax 1 Cameron St. E., Cannington 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa 1 The Esplanade, Pickering 181 Perry Street, Port Perry 51 Toronto St. S., Uxbridge 575 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby Phone Number (905) 683-4550 (705) 432-2355 (905) 623-3379 (905) 725-3356 (905) 420-4614 (905) 985-7346 (905) 852-9181 (905) 668-5803 GO!S GO&07-eaIRE e i' . These are some of the Iowest ratesi ANNUAL RATES,