The powers of municipal governments are determined by the provincial government. Municipal governments in Ontario are responsible for providing many of the services within their local boundaries
Regional governments are a federation of all of the municipalities that are within their boundaries.
During municipal elections we elect a mayor and local councillors who represent people in their area on the local city, town or township council. At the same time, representatives are elected from each municipal area to also sit on Regional Council.
Regional Council is made up of the 8 Mayors of the local municipalities and 20 Councillors representing those municipalities, according to population.
Regional Council and the Region of Durham are headed by Regional Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Roger Anderson. This is an appointed position. A list of the Mayors and the Regional Councillors can be found at "Region of Durham Regional Council 2010 - 2014"
All residents and taxpayers in each municipality in within the Region of Durham can vote in municipal elections if they are over the age of 18 and are Canadian citizens. Canadian citizenship is still a requirement as it is in Provincial and Federal elections.
Municipal elections are held every 4 years and will be held in October of 2010 and then October of 2014.
An overview of Durham Region and its corporate priorities, mission and vision can be found at "Overview of Durham Region".
You can learn more about Ontario and how it is governed at "Know Your Local Government".
As mentioned earlier, public education is funded and governed by the Province of Ontario through the Ontario Ministry of Education but it is administered locally. Local schools are administered by regional school boards that report to publically elected School 
Trustees. The West part of Durham is administered by the local School Boards. Learn more about the role of local school boards at "How Schools are Governed in Ontario". If you need to enrol your children in school you can find information at "Enrolling Your Child in School".