- - . i É>~4. ý%itbdi FeePrÊds. Wedt-idsdi. Decèmber 28,t 1994 New year brings new raies to open Uplocal governmeflt Beginning Jan. 1, municipal councils and mst local boards will be required under new legisiation te conduct. their business in open. The new.rules are part of Bll 163, the government's open local business and planning reform pacage inrodced at spring ycMunicipalAffairs Minister Ed Philip and passed Nov. 28. "For the first ie, municipal councils will have te open their decision-making te the public," Philip said. 'Most municipalities already oeprate in the open; this legislation will affect the badl apples." The new legilation makes local decision-mnaking more trans- parent, and local decision-makers ULTROI CTS $ QHOLIDAY - --9 PERM SPECIAL . ONLY $25_ Haircut Specials AFTER 2:30PM $6. COLOURS OR HI-LITES $25. STREAKS $35. MON. TO FRI. 900 -7.00 - SATURDAV 900 - 6:00 2O9DUNDAS ST E..V*IBY (IN THE "IIraY CODRATE CENTRE) IP.HY2UOS (EAST O CE 50> more accountable, by: a requiring that meeti4gs ho held in public and that coiuncils and moot local boards- put procedural bylaws in place te direct how they will cooiduct their business. Only a lited number of concerns, such as property acc1usitiofl, personnel matters and litigation, are acceptable for discussion without thie public present, and any final decisions muet be made in an open public meeting. *requiring municipalities and local boards te maintain an inventory of their pro 'rties, declare when any îanr; are surplus te their needs, obtain an appraisal, and follow a procedural bylaw for disposingofsh surplus properties. The gôverrnent's open local goverrnment and planning reform legisiation is being brought ite force in stages. The parts of the bill that set new standards for local government openneas corne into effect Jan. 1, along with the new Ontario Planning and Development Act (OPDA). The new OPDA, a small part of the planning reform package, allows the province te prepare ! ICli Toronto, Markham - $1 5.95/mo *Cali OakviIIe, Brampton, Aurora - $34,95/moI *Business Rates availabie reg. with Bell Canada & CRTC since 1992 Cali 619.6622 ext. 258 for free 5-day trialj development plans in specific areas. The major c1angs te the p lannig gytem wil take place ~ch 1, when l"'lnning Act aniendments and comnprehenive new policy statemnents come ite effect. The final part of the. package -improvements te COnflict Of intereat laws and a new requirement that members of municipal councils, achool boards, public utilities commissions and police vfillages disclose sources of Income and certain asses and liabilities -- is due te take effect April 15. The new laws on local governnient openness were developed after a thorough consultation proceas that began in 1990 when a committee representing municipal, achool board and public interests was formed te studY municipal conflict-of-interest legisiation. The committee lheld public meetings and heard input froni municipal councillors, school board trustees, and mernbers of the public before rnaking recommendations tu the governnient. Taking those recommendations into account, the government prepared draft legisiation which was circulated for comment. More than 500 responses were received. The government further reviewed the draft legislation with local government representatives, taking into account the public response, before developing the new legislation. Moemchmial agericulestroy or prclus tosoil c etoa will elreuster it. ebe fth ofn.13 to,inDurbomrouygh terban E, uhnvionn Cetr i sonoena tor(E- dein,'wAstWrkshco n Monemstc Agicua lture.' If yos u itr sted in toaic farming orgardening, permaculture and a sustainable futue this workshop ig for you. The program will include such topice as erosion control and soil regenratien strategies, windbreaks, pastures and green manuresf, the core of bees and poultry and self-fertility 6f the Baol. For further details contact Richard Griffith at 416-497-5746. The Recying Council of Ontario (RCO) will train master composters in your commumity. A master composter volunteer programw Vill help a comnmty save money as composting is a cost-efficient anad environmentally-friendly method of waste reduction. As well, the commun i benefits from fimished quality compost for its municipal park and gardons. On Feb. 20, a one-day workshop, %Maxding and Sustaining Participation in Backyard Compooting Programs,' will be held by the RtCO in Toronto. " Economnic feasibility of backcyard composting " Educational and pro)motional strategies " Learmng from municipal case studies " Social marketing and inproving public participation rates * Training, using and keeping volnter " Hands-on plannmng session: short and long-range Get involved as your municipal representative, either as government staff, corporate worker, member of aý non-profit group on ust an individual ready to help promote composting. Rates are only $30 for municipal representatives and non- profit groups and $80 for compartues. For further details and, a regisfration form, contact Jane Snyder, UCO, 1-800-263-2249. Remember te remove aIl tinsel and any other non-organic material from your tree before putting it out for municipal composting pickup. Do not put your tree inside a plastic bag. Recchng orgamics is like recyching other items h betv is not only a waste management initiative, but aIse te produce a quality finished product. GREEN 111P. For badly stained coffee cups, etc., scrub with baking soda on a daznponed soft cloth.