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Tips Thumbs Down - to people who insist on abusing the use of parking spaces reserved for disabled individuals. Twice in © the past month we've seen drivers park in spaces marked with the familiar blue logo, then exit their vehicle and pro- ceed to their destination showing no sign of any impairment. It leaves us wondering how many healthy persons are abusing the disabled parking permits. They just don’t seem to get it! Thumbs Up to the new children’s playground and splash pad near the Kinsmen Beach in Palmer Park. What an amaz- J ing facility for our community. Can't say we've seen any- thing better in any town the size of Port Perry. There may be critics who disagree with the hefty price tag for the ‘children's play area’, but this facility should serve the needs of the commu- nity for years to come. Well done! Just wish we were younger. Thumbs Down - to the new 13 percent Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), coming one year from this month. This new blended PST/GST will cover a range of services reviously exempt from the sales tax, such as gasoline, heating fuel, fast food, magazines, taxi fares, dry cleaning and new homes costing over $400,000. With the current state of the economy, this is not the time for the government to snatch more from the public purse with an unnecessary tax grab! Thumbs Up to the Baagwating Community Association for their generous donation of $29,000 to the Scugog Lake Stew- 3 ards. The funding will enable the SLS to begin the “Milfoil Weevil Project” in Lake Scugog this summer. The one year pilot project will help determine the effectiveness of using microscopic weevils to help combat the invasive exotic water plant, Eurasian Watermilfoil. Thumbs Down - to the deplorable state of the boardwalk dock in front of the Latcham Centre along the lakefront. The & boardwalk, now blocked off with pylons and yellow tape, has been a safety hazard for the past couple of sum- mers. We realize this great feature of the waterfront is scheduled for redevelopment as part of the waterfront project, but it really needs immediate attention. Thumbs Up to Deb Proctor, the retiring executive director of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of North Durham. Deb’s dedication to the agency and her passion to help youth over the past six plus years has been instrumental in almost doubling the youth being helped. She will be sorely missed at the helm of the agency by everyone she worked along side. Good luck and thanks Deb. Lakeridge Health will only be better be- cause you are on their team. Thumbs Down - this one comes from a reader who suggests we give Tim Horton's in Port Perry a ‘thumbs down’ for © serving refill customers by pouring coffee in a paper cup - transferring it into the refillable cup and then throwing out the paper cup the drink was made in. These customers might be getting the 10 percent discount, but it negates Tim's intended purpose of helping reduce waste by using refillable cups. Jester’s Court 279 Queen St, al pery a @ ! a Hf ¥ tind a - tax) < NG Nt Out (| Wednesday July 15 - 6:15 pm Ask some girlfriends, a neighbour, a co-worker, your mom or your sister for some ’Girlfriend Time’ to include: Dinner: With your choice of pre-selected entreés Makeover: A“NEW" look for the “NEW YOU" For reservations call Joan Elliott: 905-728-4220 Every Sunday This Summer... 9 HOLES Sunnybrae GOLF COURSE 1430 King St, Port Perry {Prince Albert) Call for reservation 905- 985-2234 g .com Luxury Countertops within a 1/2 hour drive DON’T SETTLE FOR ORDINARY Visit our showroom for a personal demonstration of the benefits of soapstone - because... SEEING IS BELIEVING Come on in: Mon. - Thurs. 8-5, Fri. 8-4:30 T ' Also Available: 3x6 Subway ‘Wall Tiles Cabinet Knobs granite, marble, slate, hanstone, silestone, caesarstone, & zodiac countertops 8 Paisley Lane, Unit 2, Stouffville ON 905-640-6213 * 1-866-421-4425 www.soapstoneontario.com The perfect countertop for a busy lifestyle. FOCUS -JULY 2009 15