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M.P. P. Letter clarifies District Plan procedure A letter from Sam Cureatz, M.P.P. for Durham East, to the Town of Newcastle outlines outlines that the Town may proceed with development following one of two procedures. procedures. Some weeks ago council was somewhat upset when they were informed that the Ministry of Housing had set certain guidelines that could slow down the planning process in the Town. The local M.P.P. since has met with the Ministry and the way now seems open so that the Town could proceed with District Plans for Bowmanville, other areas, and especially the Village of Newastle. Sam Cureatz points put that the Town could proceed by following existing Official ; Plans that cover specific arpas as the Village of Newcastle or by following the Regional Official Plan, which in many cases, as in the Village of Newcastle, is detailed enough for planning purposes for the council to follow. Mrs. D. Santo, director of Official Plans Branch, has informed by letter, Sam Cureatz that development in most situations could proceed without a Development plan for the whole of the Town, as long as the development conforms to an existing approved Official Plan. Mrs. Santo said her department would be discussing the Newcastle situation with the Regional planning staff the week of February 12th. Ski Hawks enjoy Oshawa club 250 question new assessments Above Bob Barrie of the assessment office and Allison Cowan, Toronto and à local land owner locate his property property on one of the maps, Mr. Barrie pointed out that the market < value assessments assessments were placed on the properties during iavb ana that these figures were again checked in 1978. TAXES UP 800 PERCENT One indication of vacant land assessment increase and thus tax increases comes through the Ganaraska Region conservation Autnor- ity. In 1978 the Conservation Authority paid in taxes for land owned in the Town of Newcastle a sum of $3,606. Under the new system the tax bite on the Ganaraska Budget would be 28,936.00. The cold temperatures we experienced over the past weekend went well at hand with skiing conditions in the area. In fact if one dressed properly and could endure a bit of frost bite the conditions couldn't be much better. One group that was not discouraged in the least were the Ski Hawks who spotted the Kirby hills in their .bright yellow jackets and familiar Ski Hawks insignia. In case anyone wonders what is so fantastic about this you have to realize that the Ski Hawks are solely made up of blind men; women and children. These people make up the only touring ski club for the blind in Ontario. t A few members from this ski club claim they would and cotild ski any mountain in the * world. -According to John Houston one of the club members, it takes a lot of practice and a lot of confidence confidence in the instructor or partner that is skiing with you, Your partner skiis a few feet behind and picks your course down the hill with simple commands such as quick right, left, or stop. If the blind person can't hear or comprehend a command they' will just automatically stop. Most of the club members ski at King City near Toronto every Wednesday night. During During this time the members learn the thrills and spills of the skiing sport. Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, February 14th, 1979 Provincial funds may be limited The Town council of the Town of Newcastle supported a proposed resolution from the Association of Municipalities Municipalities of Ontario concerning transfer payments to the municipalities Through the correspondence correspondence from the AMO it is revealed that the Province is providing transfer payments to the municipalities in the amount of five percent rather than six percent. Council members did ask what effect this would have on the Town of Newcastle. Klaas. DeGroot, town treasurer, said he was not sure at this time as transfer payments were considered considered province wide and it would be difficult to determine determine what effect it would have on the Town of Newcastle. Newcastle. He did point out that ip one payment to the Town the amount dropped by approximately approximately $100,000 while in another area it would rise by $10,000? As to roads the province has committed a sum of $1,142,000 compared to $1,066,000 in 1978. Mayor Rickard said that the allotment to roads by the province was up some five percènt but it was difficult and,impossible to determine at this time the number of dollars «to be received by the Town in transfer payments. Counc. Cowman said it ^ certainly appeared that the province was shifting tax dollars to the property owners. owners. The AMO letter to the Town said that if even normal operating expenditures are constrained at the 5 percent level, with current level of Provincial transfers theije will have to be substantial property tax increases tp meet thcshortfall in transfer revenues. (mppemngs... CALLED TO A NEWTONVILLE FIRE The Orono and Bowmanville tanker trucks were called to a fire in Newtonville on Monday afternoon as well as the pumper from Newcastle Village. A fire in the home of Jurgon Wo Iters on Highway No. 2 was brought under control with a minimum of damage. The Orono Department was also called to a chimney fire at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hooey, north of'Orono on Friday night. There was no damage. LIFE SNUFFED OUT BEFORE WEATHER PREDICtlON If one wonders what happened to the groundhog's weather prediction on February 2nd it so happens its life was taken prior to that date. On January 27th the groundhog at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. E. Blewett south of Orono took off across the field in a premature trip to the surface and was spied by the family dog. This ended the life of the gPoundhog with the result that he wasn't around to look over the nation on February 2nd. If you are interested in our future v .iter weather pattern you will have to turn to another media to determine when the spring winds' are to blow. Sir Sanford course for farmers Sir Sanford Fleming College, College, Cobourg, Ontario, is offering a course on "Farmers "Farmers Rights". This course is designed to provide information information regarding the various rights and concerns of the farming community and will run for three, consecutive Tuesdays beginning February February 20, 1979 from 8 p.m. till 10 p.m. in the evening. On February 20th, the first lecture will deal with a brief introduction to the series of topics that will be discussed over the period of three lectures, also, a brief outline of the course, incorporation and partnership agreements between members of the family farm, or members of a joint farming venture will be discussed. A short présentation présentation will be given on the topic of Family Law Reform, dealing with the legal rights of a spouse in the farm assets. Also, a presentation will be given on the planning in a review of rural policy with emphasis on farm severances. severances. On February 27th, the second lecture will deal with property rights and also, the topic of expropriation will be dealt with. On the 3rd and final .lecture on March 6th, Commercial Contracts will be discussed. Also, a short presentation will be made on the sale of the farm from the signing of a listing agreement to the offer to purchase and the tax ramifications on {he sale. Banker-farmer relationships relationships will also be discussed in the final lecture. A $5.00 registration fee will be charg- (Continued to page 2) ' Ski Hawk ready for ski outing John Houston, left and Bud Flemming on the right prepare prepare to venture out for a day op ' the Oshawa Ski 'Club slopes. John Houston of Toronto is a member of the Ski Hawks which is a ski club made up of blind men, women and children. Bud Flemming, a member of the Oshawa Ski Club will be John's partner for the day. John and Bud skied together last year when the Ski Hawks spent some time at the Kirby hills.