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7 % 1 J ! 1 ¥ > i A | { 8- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 15, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Theft came as a shock To the Editor: Twice a year, I partic- 1pate in that wonderful children's clothing and accessories sale benefit- ting Operation Scugog. This fall I couldn't believe that a part was stolen from my stroller while in the sale. At first, I thought that it had fall- en off, or been placed inside the stroller. But, to my disbelief, someone had stolen an integral part from the front called a "front bar clip." Basically my Perego stroller ($200 brand new) was virtually worthless without this part. I called Peg-Perego Canada, fearing that the part had either been dis- continued or too expen- sive to warrant putting on a used stroller that was still "for sale." Not only did they have the part, they also sent two clips, free of charge. Unfortunately, the clips are a different colour than my stroller, but they work, I am happy. Too bad the dishonest person who resorted to stealing my clip hadn't thought about calling Perego themselves. Obviously, they will not be teaching their child very good values by the example being set. Tracy Pastic, Port Perry LETTERS Family's beloved Santa goes missing To the Editor: Santa Claus has gone missing. For some years the Jolly Old Elf has stood outside our front door, ushering in the Christmas season. Santa was a gift from our son many Christmases ago, and he has been lighting the pathway to our home ever since. Our grandchildren, ages five and three, have taken over the ritual of hauling Santa upstairs from his tem- porary home in the furnace room and proudly displaying him in his rightful place. The highlight for them is, of course, when Santa is lit up as soon as the first hint of darkness appears. Our Santa Claus has seen better days, to be sure. He's been knocked around by the wind. He's suffered through blinding snowstorms and freezing rain. He's endured every element Mother Nature has thrown his way and has managed to come out of it relatively unscathed. We realize that losing a plastic replica is miniscule in comparison to much greater tragedies that befall this world, but to us the impish little fellow signified an interlude where one could tuck away the world's woes, if only for a short while. It would be presumptuous to assume that a person or persons deliberately stole Santa. We prefer to believe that someone returning home late at night after work, bone-weary, and without the resources to buy decorations, borrowed it in a moment of temptation. We hope Santa, in his mystical ways, will bring him or her the joys and blessings of this spiritual season. Helen Birchall, Port Perry beyond into England. RELL, PONTIAC BUICK LIMITED Bryce Philp, president of Philp Pontiac Buick Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Hall to the dealership 's sales staff. Jim bas worked almost every facet of the automotive business including a service counter, been a shop Jforeman and more recently Fleet Service manager for General Motors Corp. headquarters in Oshawa. His territory covered all of Ontario. His experience in the field in both sales & service has taken him all over Canada, into the United States and He's an enthusiastic member of his community, Port Perry, where be and his wife Marilyn have resided and raised 2 daughters. Jim is chairperson for the local Blood Donor Clinic, a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Pont Perry Curling Club member as well. Join the entire staff of Philp Pontiac Buick in welcoming Jim Hall It's time for a 'made To the Editor: With the GTSB and its taxing authority becoming a reality, it is obvious that the second phase is the elimination of regional governments. From a Scugog taxpay- er's prospective, if elimi- nating the region would result in better, less costly government, the net impact would be positive. The fact is that Scugog should never have been part of Durham Region in the first place. Before 1974, the villages and hamlets that now make up Scugog operated inde- pendently, and the average property tax bill was $328. In 1997, the average roperty tax bill was 2,372; the actual rates of increase are: a Consumer price index 1974 to 1997, increase 246 per cent 0 Scugog municipal tax rate 1974 to 1997, increase 231 per cent in Scugog' solution a School tax rate 1974 to 1997, increase 528 per cent a Durham tax rate 1974 to 1997, increase 1,191 per cent Scugog 1S now paying the region taxes that may be considerably more than it would need to pay under a different umbrella. In the case of welfare, Scugog 1s paying double the amount for its actual caseload. If Scugog' s current tax rate for Durham Region services is unfair, its asso- ciation with the GTSB will be even worse. It 1s time for Scugog's citizens to work with local council to find "a made in Scugog" solution to resolve outstanding questions and issues including our asso- ciation with Durham Region. Colin Kemp, Nestleton You can e-mail us: port. perry. star @ sympatico.ca RBC DOMINION Personal Wealth Management™ Robert J. Gow/Kerri Couch 434-7156 or 1-800-267-1522 SECURITIES 111 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa, ON L1G 454 Member CIPF Tennis Bracelets Dinner Rings Anniversary Bands Diamond Studs amond Hoops Diamond Pendants Engagement & Wedding Rings SAVE 15% ON ALL DIAMOND JEWELLERY & uw &CITIZEN WATCHES NOW TILL CHRISTMAS « Nites ol bimithn, QV 7/8 J ins Lost for a gift?... 3 g A == A gift certificate to dine at J S| Re o Wile 3 : Xr "in Downtown Port Perry 985-2066 0 IT OVE (oY [=] 5 BIg VCH Nol VU) {oT gle fo] For Our Service And Good Deals! Diane Richardson Mobile: 905-404-5254 14 yrs. Sales Experience CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC GEO 852-3331 1+800+263-2000 Brian Norrish Mobile:905-985-8997 Mobile: 905-433-7351 22 yrs. Sales Experience 20 YEARS 10 Vanedward Drive, Port Perry 985-8474 1-800-417-6780 FINE JEWELLERY DESIGN REPAIR Mon. - Wed. - 9:30-5:30 186 Queen St. Thurs. - Fri. - 9:30 - 8:00 Port P Saturdays - 9:30 - 5:00 O erry Sundays - 12:00 - 4:00 (905) 985-2953 ongraving Now Done On Premises 04 DY DOO BO BAW PRY Ld BJ ANT BUICK x. Willi GMC TRUCK 852-3357 1-800-757-2004 xbridge