Ontario Community Newspapers

Orono Weekly Times, 15 Mar 2000, p. 2

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Orono Weekly Times. Wednesday. March 15, 2000 Weekly Times Serving East Clarington and beyond since 1937 Subscriptions $23.36 + $1.64 G.S.T. = $25.00/year Publications Mail Registration No. 09301 Publishing 50 Issues Annually at the Office of Publication 5310 Main Street, P.O. Box 209, Orono, Ontario LOB 1M0 E-Mail Address: oronotinies@speedline.ca Phone/Fax (905) 983-5301 Publisher/Editor Marg Zwart Let's not be complacent The call goes out once again for community response. This time it's for the protection of the 1,000 acres of Forestry Land that remain in public ownership. The val- leyland where the Wilmot and Orono creek flow past Orono, were not sold with the 300 acre Forestry Station in 1997. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is advertising advertising a Public Meeting to discuss the future of the Orono Mill Pond Dam and the lands formerly part of the Orono Tree Nursery, for March 23rd. Greg Bales, project coordinator from the MNR says the meeting will be a kick-off to getting a .land management process in place. Since this land was acquired by Bales' department in 1997, there has been no land management plan in place. In a recent conversation with Bales, I was led to believe, the plan will rely heavily on what they hear at the public meeting. Tracy Osmond, along with a work crew put a lot of work into trail grooming and marking last year. Tracy says he will rest much easier if control of the Forestry Lands were placed in the hands of the local people. Also up for discussion is the Orono Mill Pond Dam. According to Bales, the government is looking at its dams, "They want to be able to have something that requires no maintenance, and is safe," said Bales. If the dam's not safe, they have to find out what needs to be done to make it safe. In some cases, dams have been removed, he said. We have been given the opportunity to let the powers that be, know how we feel about this 1000 acres of public park land, and related dam. If we don't make use of the opportunity, we can't complain later when they start imposing their own plans on our land. Tracy's right, now's not the time to be complacent. Our M.P.P. John O'Toole once stated, "Orono's always been feisty." Let's show the MNR people, we do things our own way here. '.The meeting is on Thursday, March 23, 7-9 p.m. at the Orono Arena and Community Centre. Letters to Editor On behalf of the Clarington Concert Band and the organizing committee of the Great Canadian Town Band Festival, our appreciation appreciation is extended to the Orono Community and all who have given their generous support to the Victorian Band Stand project. The donations received so far have been most encouraging, Construction is expected to begin very soon in the spring. We anticipate that this addition addition to the features of Orono will provide many local musicians musicians with a favourable venue at which to perform, while bringing the pleasures of live music to audiences in a friendly setting. The applause goes to you for such an example of community community spirit. Janet Cringle, President Clarington Concert Band Help save Forestry Lands Orono is a fiercely independent independent community. The time has come to stand our ground again. On March 23, 2000, Ministry ofNatural Resources (MNR) representatives will be at the Orono Arena to discuss discuss the Orono dam and the Forestry Lands. If you are at all concerned about your communities backyard, you should be there, and tell everyone you know to come. These next few meetings O'Toole consults public will be very, important, as they will determine the fate and future of the Forestry. The future of Orono is very much ' tied into the Forestry, and its role as a green belt, drawing people here. If we can get these lands designated as parkland or passive passive use recreational lands, it will be a springboard. Great things are in store for us, but we need these lands as the first major foundation block. If you don't know the location location of these lands, the main entrance is at the foot of Station St. on Ochonski Road. Within this area there are 1 36 km. of trail, wild life and flowers, and your dog can even run free. Until now we have just claimed the land as ours, and have made good use of it. It is time to make it official. Some day you won't be so busy, in fact you are hoping for it now. Stand up for the Forestry now so that it will be there for you to enjoy when you do have the time. Just think on it. Please don't be complacent, complacent, spread the word! Tracy Osmond Orono 786-2477 This week, Durham MPP John OToole is involved with committee hearings on Bill 33 - the Franchise Disclosure Act. The proposed legislation is designed to create a more balanced relationship between franchisors and franchisees in Ontario. "I am pleased to participate participate in this public consultation consultation process," said OToole. "There are an increasing number of franchises in my Durham riding and I believe that this legislation, if passed, will have positive effects for both consumers and our local economy," added OToole. There are three main goals of the Franchise Disclosure Act. The first is to set a standard standard for the disclosure of information between franchisors franchisors and potential small business investors. The legislation legislation also requires "fair dealing" between franchisors and their franchisees, which will help to prevent possible litigation, and finally, franchisees franchisees will be given the right to associate. Previous governments have not brought about the needed reforms first indicated indicated in the Grange Report, released in 1971. Franchises are an important element in the provincial economy, accounting for an estimated $45-50 billion in annual sales, or 40 cents out of every retail dollar. There are approximately 500 franchisors franchisors and 40,000 fran- ' chisees in Ontario. Alberta is only other province to have implemented this type of legislation. legislation. "I am encouraged by the changes being brought forward forward in the Franchise Disclosure Act," stated OToole. The Durham MPP added, "As small business generates approximately 80 percent of the jobs in Ontario, it is important to have a strong business environment environment in which to work." For more information, or to add your comments, please contact John OToole's constituency office by telephone telephone at 697-1501 / 1-800- 661-2433 or by fax at 697- 1506. Hall acclaimed Chair Port Hope Councillor Lany Hall was acclaimed Chair of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority at the annual meeting in February. In a brief address to the annual meeting. Hall cited some of the Authority's major accomplishments for 1999. These included completion of a strategic plan to guide the conservation authority to the Year 2004, and the Wilmot Creek Watershed Plan, a three-year conservation management management plan to ensure protection protection of that coldwater fishery fishery and surrounding ecosystem as future development development occurs in the Municipality of Clarington. Hall said the business approach of the Strategic Plan shows "conservation authorities are setting out on a new course, dictated by quickly fading government support." The 1999 financial report, approved at the annual meeting, meeting, showed a total authority budget of $848,357, up six per cent from 1998.

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