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Elect/c power ra By Larry Johnston I THORNHILL â€" Hydro rates will be going up even more for many Thornhill customers than many others served directly by Ontario Hydro across the province. Ontario Hydro has annOunced in’ creases of 25.6 per cent to its revenue from the 750,000 customers it deals with directly across the province, to take effect Jan. 1. The increase to customers on the Markham side of Thornhill with an “allâ€" electric" home will be about 29.3 per cent The cost of using 30,000 kilowatt hours a year will increase from $638 to $825 per year in Thornhill, says Tom Benâ€" nett of Ontario Hydro, a Thornhill resident himself. This compares to $665 in the old town of Markham and $684 in Vaughan if preposed increases take effect. Rateshigher Ontario Hydro, which already charges higher rates than any local hydro commission in the pr0vince. Hou $11 RICHMOND HILL The redevelopment plan for the Lake Wilcox area received ministry of housing approval last week. This gave the go ahead for a $1.4 million neighborhood improvement program. N.I.P. will provide for the installation of a water system. an outlet channel to control lake water level, storm drainage improvements and park land, acquisition. ‘ The project will be 50 per cent financed by the federal government and 25 per cent from both the province and the municipality. However the cost of services will be born 50 per cent by the municipality. Work together “The program has forced the residents and local government to work together to solve a problem,” Mayor Schiller said. It is expected the program will begin with the construction of watermains by late spring. Estimated at a cost of $632,050, the town's portion of the work will be financed through water utility charges and local improvement funds, Bill Coristine, program administrator said. Thirty-nine property owners of the area, representing 9.2 of the area‘s assessment, have objected to the watermain proposal. However, the Local Improvement Act requires support of a majority of . the property owners representing 50" per cent of the assessment object, before a project can be halted. - Ownerspay Lake Wilcox residents will be charged an estimated $4.67 per foot frontage for the 01.1.1". watermain. In addition there will be a connection cost of $135 which can be paid in one lump sum or over a 15 year period, Mr. Coristine explained. Although the storm sewer project is still at the preliminary engineering stage, estimated cost for the project is $115,000, of which the town will pay 50 per cent. Consideration is being given to the outlet channel for the west end of Lake Wilcox at a cost of $137,400. MAL/WWW estimates a typical farm customer's bill of $38 will increase by $8.65. A typical residential customer‘s monthly bill of $28 in a low density area will increase by 3733 Despite the increase. Ontario Hydro expects to have a deficit of $10.9 million in its revenues this year compared to $4.9 million in 1975. Both the Markham llydro (‘oni mission. which serves the old town only and the Vaughan commission are proposing rate increases of similar ,‘Sis. a a 723 i2 percentages this year But both expect to remain below Ontario Hydro The Ontario Hydro retail rates are not subject to any form of review Local hydro utilities have to have their rates approved by Ontario Hydro Local proposals Markham Hydro is applying for a rate increase that will add to its revenue from residential users by 21.8 per cent. But. according to David Mche. Markham hydro manager. the increase Hill Established 1878 Richmond Edition W’edrnesdrayIVDecember 15, 1976 W. 'v' i r. i. to some high users could be 25 per cent on the average and may be as high :10 per cent. The increase would put the cost of hydro for the owner of an "all electric" home using 30.000 kilowatt hours per year up to 3665. about 8160 less than the owner of a similar home would pay in Thornhill. Mc\'ie feels the Markham proposed rate stands up well to any proposed in the region, Vaughan proposal ln Vaughan. where the local hydro E11 it‘ral “In Essentia/s Unity, in Nonfssentiais Liberty, in all things Charity" That big Christmas tree at Hillcrest Ma'll isn’t just there for decoration; nor are those gifts under it just ornaments. They have been placed there for the needy by Mall merchants and citizens. Anybody wishing to contribute to the growing pile can take their gift to management offices, where it will be looked after. The giftsjwill be RICHMOND HILL â€" Applications are now being accepted for home repairs in the Lake Wilcox area under the federally financed residential _ rehabilitation assistance program. A survey conducted last year suggested 300 of the 620 units identified in .the area can qualify for combination grant-loan. units in line with town maintenance and occupancy bylaw standards. the The money is for repairs to bring the “1 can't say what the budget for the project will be because these figures will not be available until Jan. 1. But we should have essentially unlimited funding," Bill Coristine, program administrator said. $10,000maximum The RRAP program instituted in conjunction with the neighborhood improvement program (N.I.P,) will provide a maximum of $10,000 per homeowner and $10,000 per unit for apartment owners for necessary repairs. “Funds will be used to effect \ structural repairs. electrical and plumbing work and other factors that would affect the safety and health of the occupants.“ Coristine said. (Photo by Hou) Kerry Gilmor . . spring election? “It doesn't include additions or anything frivolous.“ he added. The “adjusted” family income will determine the grant portion and the interest rate of the loan-grant. Children count Adjustments to gross family income will be made on the basis of number of children, working spouse income and hria cr fr nedy 50 commission serves the whole town, the proposal is to increase rates on a home using 30.000 kilowatt hours per year lrom about $544 to $684. The owner of such a house on the west side of Yonge Street in Thornhill would be paying about $141 less than the owner of a similar home on east side of Yonge Street in Thomhill. The increases are needed because of rising prices of coal. oil. natural gas and uranium which Ontario Hydro uses and the high cost of capital financing. Bennett says. a Price 20 cents ng ministry approves million for L. Wilcox (Photo by Hogg) distributed through the Salvation Army. Here members of the Army band gathered around the tree to play some Christmas music. They are, left to right: Ken Graham, John Thompson. Ches Crocker, Doug Church. lvor Snell and John Pierce. ‘ for one parent families to permit a maximum grant portion of $3,750 and a minimum interest rate of eight per cent. - The program will be handled throu Central Mortgage and 'Housing Corporation. . Those who don’t qualify for the preferred interest rate will be charged Bakerel RICHMOND HILL â€" "It‘s the bar dest thing I‘ve ever had to do.“ said Richmond Hill clerk Charles Weldon, in recounting how he told Cathy Mac- diarmid of Beechy Dr.. that there had been a mistake and she hadn‘t been elected to York County board of education after all. For awhile last week. Mrs. Mac- diai'mid, wife 0f former Richmond Hill councillor John MacDiarmid. was the winner of the third and final trustee seat for Richmond Hill. edging out Eric Baker of Gormley. 3.479 to 3.475 on the unofficial score card. ected However, those were the telephoned results. which. when checked the next day against the district returning of- ficer‘s tabulations. showed two errors. Weldon said. He said the errors resulted in an extra 17 votes for Baker. giving him a majority of 13. Topping the Richmond Hill poll was Bill Monroe. with 5.250. Incumbent Robert Houghton. with 4.604. is the other member for Rich- mond Hill. The Liberal was unable to get in touch with Mrs. MacDiarmid for her comments Asks York Centre PC nod RICHMOND HILL â€" When York Centre Progressive Conservative Association holds its convention this winter to select a candidate to represent it in the next provincial election, newspaper columnist and civic employee Kerry Gilmor will be among thOSe seeking the nomination. Gilmor announced his intention to run this week, citing the "great need" for the riding “to be represented on the side of the government and the possibility of a spring election. as the main reasons for making the move right now." Gilmor, 38. said he had already begun campaigning. starting with a breakfast for 40 people Sunday Thornhill resident A resident of the Thornhill and Rich» mond Hill aieas for the past six years. Gilmor was born in Toronto. but grew up in Fort William. now Thunder Bay. New manager of the Markham Centennial Centre. Gilmor worked for Richmond Hill Arena for 18 months. He served as production manager and news editor of Classmomm Cable Television for 21; years. As well as being involved in many aspects of the community. Gilmor has served in various capacities on executives of both the provincial York t‘entre Riding Association and York North Federal Riding Association. At present. he is first vicepresident of the York Centre Association and area chairman for Richmond Hill for the York North association. Roman bow ed out The York Centre nomination came open when Markham Mayor Tony Roman. who had been nominated. resigned to successfully campaign for reâ€"election as mayor. Richmond Hill (‘ouncillor William t‘orcoran. who ran against Roman. has not said whether he will run this time. Another man, who has been rumored as a possible candidate. is Warren Bryce of Thornhill. Gilmor. who is the only declared candidate. is married to the former Betty Simmons of Toronto. an em- ployee of the Town of Richmond Hill. Un/i/m'ted further Wilcox funds the prevailing CMHC rate. “It is difficult to determine exactly when repairs can get under way," Coristine said, “since a large concern will be with septic systems that may have to wait until spring before inspections are complete.” Homeowners applying for RRAP funds will have their homes inspected by town building inspectors to list repairs. Homeowners are then responsible for employing contractors for the work. Costs limited Costs must fall within 20 per cent of building department estimates. Coristine said. ' To date Coristine has received seven inquiries about the program and has now established an office in the Lake Wilcox Community Centre on Wildwood Avenue to answer questions about both the N.I.P. and RRAP programs. Office hours are Mondays 9 am. to 5 pm. and Wednesdays, noon to 8 pm. For further information call 773-5903 or town municipal offices at 884-8101. L'nionville (‘7 Gardening C5 Editorials A4 ' 1 Sports Bi-s Real estate 86-7 Letters . A4 Classified 37-10 Service directory C6 Sharon's sunshine A5 King AG Church directory C3 Lynda's lashes A4 Oak Ridges (‘1 In the Hill C2 Vital statistics 89 Maple (‘4 Scheduled events C3 GEM Stores 651-8 (‘9 Yesterdays A5 Hillcrest Mi Hm1-12 Entertainment //73/ The Liberal Business with difference Retired local engineer is vicevpresident of business consulting team with a difference. Page C1. Oak Ridges Dynes humbled first time by Thunderbirds in Mid- Ontario Junior 8 hockey. Page Bl. __._â€"__ This week‘s index of news and advertising features is: .crease uneven/y w The increase is not the 30.3 per cent recommended by the Ontario Energy Board for all hydro users including wholesale customers. Among the wholesale customers who will be paying these higher rates are the local hydro commissions, such as Vaughan and Markham Hydro. Schools will ask parents. AURORA ~ Parents will now get a chance to have a say as to whether their children should participate in research projects in the social and behavioral sciences in York Region. Following a brief discussion Monday night, York County board of education agreed to an amended motion by Don Cameron of Vaughan, calling for the board to instruct staff to obtain parental appr0val of such projects "from time to time." The motion also stated that, “Requests to conduct research in the board‘s schools. must be made to the director of education, and he shall either refuse or recommend approval by the board.“ The motions would allow researchers tb proceed with r0utine. projects with little delay, and, at the same time provide the necessary safeguards for all concerned. “I think we should just say that we shouldn't have any research," said Trustee Doreen Quirk of Markham. “It makes the whole project logistically impossible." Most of the projects were of an educational nature and only took five to 10 minutes of a student‘s time, she said. Trustee Chris McMonagle, also of Markham, said that approval was very necessary; damage could be done in testing “something as innocuous" as basic skills. The motion arose out of a con- troversial research project carried on in some of the schools earlier in the year. The project, which dealt with student bowel movements and parent relationship, aroused considerable controversy, and a survey connected with it, was ordered destroyed by the board. $1,500 new home blaze RICHMOND HILL â€" A fire Sunday in a new home owned by Frank Scarfo of 120 Edgar Ave. caused about $1,500 damage. Flames were noticed above the fireplace mantle, shortly after Scarfo had lit up the fireplace for the first time since moving into the house this year, Fire Chief Bob Kennedy said. That is a common happening in many new homes, Chief Kennedy said, a gap having been left ‘when there is no flue pipe. A fire Dec. 9 at the home of David Coppin, Con. 3, Gormley, caused an estimated $25,000 to the house and $7,000 to the contents. The fire, which broke out while the house was unoccupied for about 20 minutes, is believed to have spread from a wood stave. ‘ Hot line NEWMARKET York Region’s engineering department is now operating a 24-hour, year-round, emergency road and water-sewage service, with dispatchers on continuOus duty. it was announced this week. It will provide service and information on road conditions throughout the region, and will also respond to emergency calls on water and sewage service breakdowns. Contact number at any time is 895-2303. Shooting accident RICHMOND HILL â€" Ricky Moss of Beechy Dr., Richmond Hill, was treated at York Central Hospital, Dec. 10, after being injured in a shooting accident. Police. said that Moss and a com- panion were firing a .22-calibre rifle in a field east of Bathurst St. on Aurora Sideroad, about 11:45 am, when the latter missed a can he was shooting at and the bullet ricocheted off a rock. The bullet then struck Moss in his left hand and left leg, police said. Ivan Smolcic, 18. of Felix Rd., Rich- mond Hill, faces a charge of dangerous use of a firearm.