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history of the nation. Brian Orser Howard rink Highest honours Moments like the one Thursday evening in the Cincinnati arena, and the one Sunday afternoon at the Agricom in Edmonton bring tears of joy to most people's eyes. Seeing Brian Orser of Penetanguishene receive his gold medal in the Men's Figure Skating Championship and watching the televi- sion screen as Penetanguishene's own Russ Howard and his rink swept their way to the Silver Broom are two moments that will be carved in most people's memories. To many Canadians these two feats may not be something special, but to this small community they are fantastic. Right out of our midst have come champions who will long be remembered. Their names will be etched in stone in the sporting There are no words strong enough to describe the admiration and respect this community has for these five individuals, Orser, Howard, and Howard's teammates younger brother Glenn, Tim Belcourt and Kent Carstairs, who are ultimate models of perseverance, determination and sportsmanship. Stand up and take your bows gentlemen. From what the world has seen in the last few days, they are well deserved. Decision frustrates resident Dear Editor: : Victoria Harbour is in the midst of a crisis with respect to planning. In council meetings this past week, coun- cil has passed several motions with severe long range implications. In a recorded vote, council disbanded the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC), and therefore PAC's subcommittee, the Water- front Co-ordinating Committee. In a separate motion, it voted to instruct Stevenson & Associates to complete the Waterfront Master Plan study using option 4. The Planning Advisory Committee was created in the Summer of 1983 to carry out duties assigned by council with respect to planning, mainly in the area of land use plan- ning. At the March 9, 1987 meeting, Coun- cillor Charlebois stated that council will in future perform the functions previously per- formed by PAC. As a result of this decision, there will be limited public input into the planning activity of the village. Committee meetings must now be open to the public if there is to be any communication of plann- ing activities to the general public. Council has already endorsed in principle Bill 16, an ammendment to the Municipal Act which opens all committees of council to the public. It must now put those principles into practice. j Stevenson and Associates were contracted by council to investigate possibilities for Vic- toria Harbour's waterfront and central core. The consultants returned 6 possible water- front development plans after collecting in- formation from the village via questionnaires circulated last Spring. At a meeting in September 1986, Stevenson and Associates presented the 6 options to the villagers. Of those present, most expressed an interest in option 6, but were concerned about the cost of implementing the plan as proposed. To in- struct the consultants to procede with option 6, the most energetic of the 6 plans, would not obligate the village to actually implement option 6, but would provide complete infor- mation on all of the six plans. By stopping at Option 4, the village simply does not gain any further information on option 5 or 6. Op- tions 5 and 6 are the 2 options that include a community centre in the plan. The coun- cillors who voted in favour of option 4 are either members or supporters of VOICE. VOICE is a group that wants to build a com- munity centre adjacent to St. Mary's School. Option 6 is the one option that offers truly innovative alternatives for a village such as Victoria Harbour. It can be supported by the highest percentage of government grants at the outset, and provides for an expanded commercial base. The decisions made by the present coun- cil will continue to affect us for years to come. Come out to council meetings and be a part of the planning process. Yours truly Mary and Bill Jarman Angela and Neil Evans Couples say thank you Dear Editor: "Communications"' a-skill people have but neglect to develop. An opportunity was of- fered in the community récently to learn how to develop this particular personnel art. The Catholic Family Life Centre presented their first Couple Communications course at St. Mark's Church in Midland. My wife and I took part and enjoyed these four evenings out, met new friends and did learn how to communicate better, as did the other five couples. Joan Gallagher-Main and Albert Leering did a fine job and I would like to acknowledge them for it. Many thanks, Joan and Albert. I do hope the course is offered again so other couples can take advantage and refresh their communications skills. Yours truly George and Catherine MacDonald (on behalf of the First Graduating Class of Couples Communications) Donations appreciated Dear Editor: é Thank you to the Penetanguishene Rotary Club for donating the lovely piano to our residents of Georgian Manor. We greatly appreciate your generous gesture and will look forward to the many hours of enjoyment it will provide for us! Linda Bellisle Program Director by Simcoe East MPP Alan McLean The Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP) budget will be increased by 17 per cent for 1987-88 colleges and universities. It will jump by $25.2 million to $171 million for the coming year. In my opinion, this will provide a better ser- vice to the students of Ontario, but there is still room for more improvement. Most of the new funds will be directed towards increasing the grants that are available generally, and to students from farm families particularly. This was based on the fact that declining farm prices have had a serious impact on farm incomes. Grants will also be extended to students at- tending degree-granting religious schools and approved creative arts schools. Until now, "PeENetaNGuishEene Citi ZEN =ris%ee. sssev sere Published by Bayweb Limited every Tuesday at 74 Main Street, Penetanquishene, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Year subscription rate $39.00 Page 6, Tuesday, March 17, 1987 students attending institutions such as the Ontario Bible College or the National Theatre School have been eligible only for loan assistance. Other changes in the OSAP program will include: e A sharp reduction in the financial con- tribution from parents of students from low- income families. For example, Mr. Sorbara said, a student from a family of three children with a total income of $30,000 will now be eligible for $4,000 in grant assistance, an in- crease of $900 or 33 per cent; e Anew program for sole-support parents, with a maximum grant assistance of $3,500 a term, a rise of $1,000 or 40 per cent if they qualify for the maximum. The increased 549-2012 Manager: Judy French Penetanguishene Editor: David Wright Managing Editor: Michele P. Gouett Reporters: Murray Moore, Arnold Burgher (CNA Member grants are to cover all educational costs; e "An increase in the grant ceilings for single, independent students of 31 per cent, from $1,150 per term to $1,500; ¢ An increase of 50 per cent in grant assistance for students attending approved, private post-secondary institutions, from $1,000 a term to $1,500; e An increase in personal living allowances for students studying away from home from $99 to $106 a week; ¢ A major boost in funding for the Ontario Work-Study Program of $700,000. That means $1.5 million will be available to pro- vide about 800 new campus jobs for students who need financial assistance; ¢ More assistance to students from farm families because farm assets will now be con- sidered at half their net value; ¢ The introduction of interest relief on loans for graduating students who can't find employment or have low incomes. The added mobility of the OSAP program will be of benefit to those students that wish to attend approved educational institutions in other parts of Canada. As an example, if a student from Orillia wished to attend a post- secondary school in New Brunswick, the OSAP assistance would still be available. Simcoe East students who believe they may require assistance in order to attend college or university should contact the Ministry of Colleges and Universities at Queen's Park, Toronto and request an OSAP application. Letters Member : The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to | the Editor. They must be legible. signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allow- ed and anonymous letters will not be published. Lettets published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect.the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor.