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aa By Chris Hall Port Perry Star While setting a township budget 1s never an easy chore, Scugog councillors planning for 1999 could have some tough decisions in front of them, Regional Councillor Ken Gadsden warns. "A lot of people are saying this (1999 budget) is going to be a lot tougher than the one we just drew up," said the chair of Scugog's finance committee. "It remains to be seen what happens, but there is some concern for the 1999 budget." Councillors are currently waiting for township departments to submit a rough draft of their expenditures for the coming year. They will review the numbers in January and February. Traditionally, budgets have been approved during the third week of March. "We are not under way with anything "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Budget blues begin for township... already ant the momont and thore 1s a lot of work to be done," said Councillor Gadsden. He said there are many variables that need to be taken into consid- eration before a final budget 1s decided upon. HR "We have to be Ken Gadsden careful to look after what we already have. There were several areas we cut back on in 1998, and roads was one of them... if we don't spend the money to maintain and upgrade our existing infrastructure, it could have long-term significance." Failing to spend properly on roads now could mean high costs for taxpayers in the future, he warns: "If we don't put more money into our capital budget, then it could have implications down the road in regards to taxes." After holding the line on tax increases for a number of years, Scugog Township was forced to impose increases of about 10 per cent last year. Downloading of services by the province and other factors helped bring the hike about. An increase is something that Councillor Gadsden wants to avoid in 1999. "We lost at least $500,000 in (provin- cial) grants last year. The municipal support grant alone was worth $440,000," he explained. Scugog was receiving more than $1 million in provin- cial money prior to the government's decision to phase the grants out. All the factors have brought about a climate of uncertainty for municipal Tough choices face finance committee: Gadsden politicians trying to budget for the future, said Councillor Gadsden. It's led to widespread discussion of how town- ships can continue to provide services and control taxes. "I don't know if there will be any (ser- vice) cuts or not. We're open to any pro- posals, but we would have to look long and hard at them," said Councillor Gadsden. "For years our operating style has been cut, cut, cut... have we cut too far? Have we created long-term pain? Down the road we could end up paying more than what we would have now." However, he concedes, the final draft will be a difficult one to come to. Interim bills can be expected out in February, with the final bill in the mail by the end of April or beginning of May. Payments will be due in June and September. Directory of Coming Events Food drive The World Issues class of Cartwright High School is holding a com-. munity food drive." We have provided drop off boxes for food donations at the Blackstock Country Convenience Store, the Nestleton Country Store and at Sunnyside Market in Caesarea. If you would like to donate food, but are unable to make it to one of the dropoff locations by Dec. 18, please call Laura at 905-986-5915 or Lisa at 905-986-5576 and arrangements can be made. Carol service Christmas carolling will be held at the Janetville United Church, Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and refresh- ments will be served after. Everyone is wel- come. Our Christmas Eve Service is Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. Our New Year's Eve Dance will be held at the Janetville Community Center at 8 p.m. Admission is $20 per person and a hot and cold midnight buffet will be provided. Music is by D.J. David Lang. Tickets are available at the Janetville Variety Store or by calling 878- 5825. Free Seminar The Wellness Network presents a Free Seminar on "How to make people like you in 90 seconds or less." An introduction to persuasion technology with the author Nicholas Boothman. The seminar will be held at The Holiday Inn, Oshawa on Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For information call The Wellness Network at (905) 404-2622 or 1- 800-576-1086. Festival of Lights Festival of Lights, Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village, 300 Taunton Rd. W., Whitby presents Every Friday is Kid's Night featuring Face Painting from 5to 9 p.m.; Visit Santa Nightly; Horse drawn wagon rides from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and Jan. 1, and 2. Kid's Christmas Shows are at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Coming Evenls sponsored Dy... TRUCK LETTERING, SANDWICH BOARDS, MAGNETICS, ETC. we also do Upcoming WALK-IN CLINICS FEELING FINE FEET FOOT GARE 10am -4 pm * In Home Visits « Brooklin - Dec. 28 e Walk In Clinics kit Monday of avery monty United Church Gift Certificates . Groonbank - e Certified Providers for Blue fabian by of every mont) Cross/D.V.A. * Treatment fees reimbursed by most health insurance » ] la Call for clinic dates regarding plans Holiday Mondays * Port Peny - Dec. 21 {3rd Monday of every month) St. John's Presbyterian Church Call (905) 439-0801 (Oshawa) [_ SCUGOG FINANCIAL | SERVICES INC. ® c Annual Rates - ® GIC RRSP 4.50% 5.00% 5.15% 30 DAYS MINIMUM $5,000 4.55% Rates subject to change without notice "Serving Scugog For Over 15 Years" 250 Queen Street, Port Perry ¢ 985-3832 (next to Shoppers Drug Mart) WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS yp Energy efficient | windows reduce draft & increase warmth. Alcan vinyl & aluminum windows. Authorized Renovator omens 0 S.A W.D.A.C. TI WC 4D WO A Sn Gold Club Skating free at local rink thanks to Tim Horton's Tim Hortons stores in Durham Region are co- sponsoring free holiday skating throughout the region. The skate is for par- ticipants of all ages to enjoy the Christmas break. Schedules, listing the times and the venues for the Free Skate, can be found in the local Tim Hortons. Times in Port Perry are: a Dec. 21: 1 to 3 p.m; a Dec. 22:1 to 3 p.m. and 0 Dec. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. "At Tim Hortons, we feel that giving back to the community is impor- tant," said Rick Cooper, local store owner/opera- tor. "Individual stores are involved in countless events, activities and sponsorships throughout the year, and holiday skating is just another way to give to our com- munity and to say thank you." The Holiday Free Skate Program began over four years ago in Burlington, and has enjoyed such success that it now has grown to include countless regions across the country. News? Call us at 985-7383 * sThe (@ [TE EI @) Xo] F-{eTole Ri: 1S LWW A gift certificate to dine at 37 gL. EMIEL'S PLACE in Downtown Port Perry 985-2066 of NTO E1000) Day Care Centres Inc. 399 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-0800 gtonemooy o 9, ® Openings now available for all ages Registration accepted for all ages 2 wt \ . WINDOW TINTING Siding + Free Estimates * si _ year round vd Products = Seniors Discount PEW. IY AL (HOME, OFFICE, AUTO) dtd. » Financing Available Cs ip Nu BANNER RENTALS Sales and Installation of (For Birthdays, Anniversaries) Doors * Windows * Troughs * Additions * Solariums Reach Industrial Park - Reg. Rd. 8 (1/4 Mie E. of Hwy. 12) Port Perry (905) 985-3333 or 985-3747 Introducing 1-888-WIN-DOOW (946-3669) Call Karen for more info YE ALL PORT PERRY 985-5277 REIL