HomeMy WebLinkAboutNA2005_02_16Cynthia Campbell found
a home with seniors’ club
By Danielle Milley
Staff Writer
PICKERING — Cynthia Campbell has
an unlikely saving grace.
The president of the South Pickering
Seniors’ Club credits the group and its
members with helping her feel at home
in Pickering.
Ms. Campbell and husband Alfred
moved from Montreal to Pickering in
1997 after they retired.
“I left my friends and my busy life to
come here and I was lost for a while,” she
said.
With no friends to keep her company
or activities to keep her busy, Ms. Camp-
bell spent her first months in Pickering
taking lots of walks and reading maga-
zines. One was a seniors’ magazine with
a piece about the Seniors’ Games.
As a young girl growing up in Jamaica
she was involved with track and field giv-
ing her a competitive spirit.
“I was always on top, so at my age I
thought if I went to those Games no one
would be able to beat me,” she said with
a smile.
Unfortunately she never made it to
the Games, but the search to get infor-
mation about the event proved fruitful.
Following an attempt to travel to the
Games, Ms. Campbell was at home one
day when the phone rang.
“I was shocked to be getting a phone
call from someone who knew my name,”
she said. “It was about lawn bowling in
Pickering.”
She was invited to play with the local
team and although she didn’t know
much about it, she decided to join any-
way.
“I thought well, I’d get out of the
house.”
It did more than that.
“It was like a duck to water,” she said.
“I was so happy.”
Her husband soon joined her and the
two also joined the seniors’ club, making
many new friends.
“This is a unique club because it is a
welcoming club,” she said. “It is like a
magnet that draws you in.”
Ms. Campbell said anyone can walk
through its doors and feel at home.
“This club is wide open to every-
one, I’m a testament to that,” she said.
“They’re warm, they’re generous.”
Last year when past-president George
Hedges and other members of the club
encouraged her to stand as president,
she was reluctant but let them nominate
her and she won.
“I have gained a lot from the club and
the friendships, therefore I would like to
give something back,” she said of why
she finally decided to do it.
This is not the first time Ms. Campbell
has held a leadership position.
In 1957, the Campbells moved from
Ja maica to Montreal with their two chil-
dren (they had three more later). She
The Pickering
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Man injured in alterca-
tion outside Pickering club:
An incident originally reported as
a shooting sent a man to hospital
with facial injuries early Monday,
police said.
While the incident, which took
place near the Aqua Lounge bar on
Kingston Road, was widely report-
ed Monday as a shooting, that’s not
the case, said Durham Regional
Police Sergeant Paul McCurbin.
“It’s not a shooting,” he said.
“It’s an injury.”
Officers were on scene at the
club around 2:25 a.m. Monday,
when they were approached by a
man who said he’d been injured in
a fight with several other people.
The Brampton man was rushed
to hospital with a facial injury that
turned out not to be life-threaten-
ing and he was treated and re-
leased, police said.
Police are investigating reports
an altercation involving the victim
and several other men took place
in a parking lot west of the club.
They’re still trying to determine
what caused the man’s facial injury,
Sgt. McCurbin said.
Charges in stabbing at
Pickering Legion hall: Police
have arrested a Pickering man for
the stabbing of two people at a
Legion hall Saturday night.
A male and female were ini-
tially identified as suspects in the
violent outburst, which took place
in a banquet room. Police were
called to the Royal Canadian Legion
Hall on Bayly Street around 11:30
p.m. for a report of a stabbing.
Police arrived and found a 21-year-
old man with a wound to his shoul-
der. The victim told police he was
stabbed during a fight.
A second man, 19, was slashed
on the arm when he attempted to
help the first stabbing victim, po-
lice said.
Tw o suspects fled the hall and
ran off into a field, police said.
On Monday, police went to
a home on Monteagle Lane and
arrested a man without incident.
Sean Michael Jones of Monteagle
Lane is charged with two counts of
aggravated assault, two counts of
breach of probation and one count
of breach of recognizance.
The young woman sought by
police has been located and inter-
viewed.
[ Index ]
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Pickering councillors want more time
Committee favours
move to longer
municipal terms
By Danielle Milley
Staff Writer
PICKERING — Pickering council-
lors want to serve residents longer.
At Monday’s executive committee,
councillors endorsed a resolution by
the Municipality of Clarington to peti-
tion the Province to amend the Munic-
ipal Act to provide for four-year terms
for councillors, up from three. It goes
before Pickering council for approval
at the Feb. 21 meeting.
“I’m supportive of the resolution. I
think this is well thought out as pro-
posed by the Municipality of Claring-
ton,” said Ward 1 City Councillor Kevin
Ashe.
Coun. Ashe is the only first-time
councillor on council. As such, he talk-
ed about the learning curve associated
with being a new member and said
having a longer term would help. He
also pointed out the cost of running a
campaign is high so having elections
less frequently would ease this bur-
den.
Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick
Johnson said it wouldn’t just ease the
financial burden of candidates, but
also campaign contributors.
“If you put that money towards a
hospital (for example) instead of a mu-
nicipal campaign there’s a lot of money
that can be put into the community,”
he said. “A lot of (contributors) are the
same people who give to the hospital,
the United Way, Big Brothers.”
Coun. Johnson was also supportive
because he said then municipal politi-
cians would be serving terms similar
to their federal and provincial counter-
parts.
“There’s a lot of merit. Federally it is
normally a four- or five-year term and
now provincial elections are every four
years,” he said. “I think if we’re going to
follow the footsteps of federal and pro-
vincial governments it’s a good thing
to have municipal campaigns every
four years.”
Mayor Dave Ryan had other
thoughts.
“I look at this as more of an invest-
ment than a cost-saving exercise,” he
said.
He explained that in the first year of
A DELIVERY FROM THE HART
Andrew Norman/ News Advertiser photo
DURHAM — Richard Hart delivers a shot early in Sunday’s final of the Ontario provincial curling championships. The
Pickering resident and teammates Brent Laing, left, and Craig Savill, came up just short of earning a berth in the Brier,
the Canadian championship. Mr. Hart is still searching for his first trip to the Brier after four provincial runner-up show-
ings. See full story on Page B1.
Pickering
library’s
innovation an
award-winner
By Danielle Milley
Staff Writer
PICKERING — The Pickering Public
Library is being honoured for a unique
partnership that is bringing more re-
sources to a First Nations library.
“I was delighted. It’s always an hon-
our and a pleasure to be recognized for
something that we’ve done,” said Cyn-
thia Mearns, chief executive officer.
She said Pickering is always trying to
look at new programs and ideas, add-
ing this one is particularly close to her
heart.
Earlier this month, the Ontario Min-
istry of Culture awarded the Pickering
Public Library with the Minister’s Award
for Innovation for its partnership with
the Chippewas of Georgina Island Li-
brary.
Through the program, Pickering pe-
riodically sends to the Chippewas titles
that are duplicated, donated or no lon-
ger needed.
Ms. Mearns thought of the idea in
early 2004 when Lieutenant Governor
James Barlteman ran his program to
send books to the North and First Na-
tions’ communities.
“I was looking for a more meaning-
ful and sustainable way to address the
problems faced by northern and First
Nations’ libraries,” Ms. Mearns said.
The first shipment of books was sent
to the community, located on an island
in Lake Simcoe, in the summer.
In exchange for the donations, Picker-
One call was all it took for Pickering woman
✦ See Move, Page A5
✦ See Seniors, Page A2
✦ See Library, Page A5
came with the intention of furthering her
studies towards becoming a dietitian.
“It’s all well and good to dream but
when I came here things were different,”
she said, adding the priority became her
children.
She worked at the Sir Mortimor B.
Davis Jewish General Hospital in food
supervision for 25 years and although
she never became a dietitian, she did
work with them.
It was a challenging position as she
had to know the Jewish dietary laws and
teach them to students working part-
time at the hospital.
She was also active in her church
in Montreal, a member of the Jewish
Golden Age Club, and a member of the
Caribbean Cultural Association, where
she served as first vice-president and
later president.
Despite the full and busy life in Mon-
treal, after the Campbells’ youngest
daughter moved out, the house seemed
empty so they decided to move to On-
tario to be close to three of their children
and two grandchildren.
Their oldest grandchild lived with
them and they wanted him to continue
French immersion studies. After try-
ing a high school in Scarborough, their
daughter in Pickering suggested Picker-
ing High School. He really liked it so they
settled here.
Now the Campbells set aside each
Sunday to spend time with their fam-
ily. Ms. Campbell calls it a privilege and
doesn’t let anything interfere.
“I have to be realistic and know that
my grandchildren might not always want
to come spend time with us so I harness
that,” she said. “I seize every moment of
that.”
Sunday is the only day she has free in
her busy schedule. On Monday she can
be found at the lanes playing five-pin
bowling and Tuesday through Saturday
she spends at least a few hours each day
at the Pickering East Shore Community
Centre — the home of the seniors’ club.
She enjoys carpet bowling and com-
pulsory five-card games, with the club
also offering bingo, billiards, movie
nights and shuffleboard.
As president it is her job to make sure
club affairs and activities run smoothly,
control the operations, solve any con-
cerns that arise, reach out to the com-
munity, and chair the executive board
meetings.
“My function, I would say, is the eyes
and ears of all the activities at the club,”
Ms. Campbell said.
She adds every member of the execu-
tive and every one of the more than 600
members make it a wonderful experi-
ence.
“You can’t describe the spirit and
generosity inside this place,” she said.
“If I could hang a plaque with every
member’s name on it I would, that’s how
profoundly grateful I am.”
As for those feelings of loneliness that
Ms. Campbell experienced when she
arrived in Ontario, they’ve now disap-
peared.
“When I moved her I would journey
back to Quebec every month because I
was really lost, but now I seldom go,” she
said. “It’s because I’m finally at home. I
finally feel this is home and it stems from
here and also my church.”
We want to highlight the people who
make our communities go. If you know
an interesting individual, famous or
even not-so-well known, living in Ajax
or Pickering, let us know. Call your Com-
munity Characters to news editor David
Stell at 905-683-5110 ext. 249 or e-mail
dstell@durhamregion.com.
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NEWS
ADVERTISER
Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser photo
New to Pickering and not having many connections to the community, Cynthia Camp-
bell received an unexpected phone call that made all the difference. She was invited to
join a lawn bowling team at the South Pickering Seniors’ Club and hasn’t looked back
since. She’s now the club’s president.
Seniors club may keep Campbell busy, but family time always comes first
Don’t let your energy bill limit your growth as an organization.
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✦ Seniors, From Page A1
It’s a bright idea
that won’t fly with
council, says mayor
By Lesley Bovie
Staff Writer
DURHAM — Oshawa has re-
ceived an offer from Veridian
Corporation to merge with the
Oshawa Power and Utilities
Corporation.
But local politicians, who
support looking at the idea
and feel it may even save the
City from cashing in its utility
note, doubt the offer will make
it to the council table.
“I see here a lot of good op-
portunities,” said Mayor John
Gray, referring to Thursday’s
written offer. “But council dug
a hole for itself by saying it
wouldn’t look at selling or a
merger.”
A council motion passed Jan.
26 prohibits the City from sell-
ing or merging with another
utility.
It would take a two-thirds
vote of council to have the mo-
tion reconsidered, and with
all the emotion surrounding
the issue, good luck getting it
passed, said Mayor Gray.
A letter written by Veridian
Corporation chairman John
Wiersma addressed to coun-
cil and obtained by the News
Advertiser, proposes a merger
that could produce an imme-
diate payout to Oshawa of $40
million plus an 11.7-per cent
share in the corporation.
Oshawa would join Picker-
ing, Ajax, Clarington and Bel-
leville in becoming sharehold-
ers of Veridian, which distrib-
utes power to those munici-
palities, plus Port Hope, Ux-
bridge, Beaverton, Cannington
and Sunderland.
“A sale or merger — it’s
all the same thing as far as
I’m concerned,” said Oshawa
Councillor Joe Kolodzie. “You
would be selling assets or los-
ing controlling interest, and
council made the decision last
year not to sell to Veridian.
There’s no difference.”
Coun. Kolodzie was refer-
ring to the fact that Oshawa,
instead of having its own board
of directors as it does now with
the Oshawa Power and Utilities
Corporation (OPUC), would,
under a merger, have two seats
at the shareholders table of Ve-
ridian.
Oshawa Councillor Brian
Nicholson argued the City
would have more control
under a merger situation be-
cause the mayor and a mem-
ber of council could sit on the
Ve r idian board.
“The board of directors with
the OPUC does not meet regu-
larly with council. We don’t get
to set any policy,” he said.
Members of the Veridian
board are also given a remu-
neration of $10,000, which
both Coun. Nicholson and
Mayor Gray say is less than the
$20,000 afforded to the OPUC
chairman and $15,000 paid to
each director on the board.
They said a merger would
also mean the City could re-
tain its promissory note.
Council has been criticized
since it decided last month to
monetize its paper note to the
OPUC to free up $23 million
in one-time funds to
ease its debt load for
future capital proj-
ects.
When the Prov-
ince deregulated
electricity, munici-
palities wishing to
keep their utilities
were required to put
a value on them in
the form of a prom-
issory note. Oshawa
receives $1.6 million in an-
nual interest on its note to the
OPUC and groups argued that
the City would have to raise
taxes to make up for the regu-
lar revenue stream and would
lose some control because the
utility would then have to go to
an outside lender.
Mayor Gray pointed out that
a merger would free up almost
twice as much money for fu-
ture capital programs, mean-
ing Oshawa would have to bor-
row less, and the City would
still get interest on its note.
The dividend to the City from
Ve r idian would be as it is now
with OPUC, about
$1 million a year.
All that would need
to be looked at is the
effect on rates. Ve-
ridian pledges in its
offer to phase in a
harmonized trans-
mission rate over a
period of time.
Ve r idian’s resi-
dential transmis-
sion rate is said to
be higher than the OPUC, but
it’s commercial and industrial
transmission rates are thought
to be lower.
Transmission rates account
for a small portion of the over-
all electricity bill, argued Coun.
Nicholson.
“The only obstacle is pub-
lic perception that you’re los-
ing an asset, but you’re not,”
added Mayor Gray.
P PA GE A3 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆FEBRUARY 16, 2005
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Residents may set out 2 large items on their
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On Sunday, February 6th, the Choirs Festival Grand Finale
drew an excited crowd of performers, family members and
onlookers. This year marked the 10th anniversary of an event
that has brought together elementary schools across Durham
Region.
“The task of judging is not an easy one”, says Festival Founder
and host, Doug Pettigrew, who brought the idea of the Festival
to Pickering Town Centre in 1995.
The choir’s festival started in 1995 with a total of nine
participating schools. The hope was to create a program that
would inspire and celebrate local schools; and give participants
the opportunity to come outside their own walls to share their
music with their community. Now in it’s tenth year, the choirs
festival draws over 2,000 students, many of which have grown
with the festival.
To celebrate this special event, each participating school has
been awarded with a 10th Anniversary plaque to hang in their
school. All the choirs who performed during the preliminary
round were recorded live, for the production of a special CD
boxed set. This box set will be available for purchase until April
at Pickering Town Centre’s Guest Services, with a portion of
the proceeds being donated to the Canadian Red Cross for
Tsunami relief.
The top three choirs as selected by our adjudicators were: St.
Monica Catholic School, 1st Place; Pickering Christian School
Senior Choir, 2nd Place; Leslie MacFarlane Public School, 3rd
Place. We regret the misinformation causing inconvenience or
disappointment.
To all participating schools, we congratulate you on a
wonderful performance. “Pickering Town Centre is proud to
have brought this event to the community for the past ten
years, and is looking forward to many more years of beautiful
music” says Helen Edwards, Marketing Coordinator.
Festival Grand Finale
10th Anniversary Choirs Festival Grand Finale
Watch for us
Wednesday,
Friday and
Sunday for
all your local
news.
NEWS
ADVERTISER
Pickering’s Veridian courts merger with Oshawa utility
Jason Liebregts/ News Advertiser photo
Bruce Lamorie’s home has earned some special distinction. The Pickering home has been designated a heri-
tage property under the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. Lamorie was joined by friend Sharon Weller to mark the
occasion.
PICKERING — Bruce Lamo-
rie’s home is surrounded by the
present, but embodies the past.
The home on Arathorn Court,
called the Dillingham House,
has been designated as a heri-
tage property under the Ontario
Heritage Act. In recognition, Mr.
Lamorie was recently presented
with a plaque by Heritage Picker-
ing.
The Dillingham House was
built sometime in the 1850s by
Stephen and Mary Dillingham,
making a home for them and
their nine children.
The title of the home went
through four other owners be-
fore Mr. Lamorie purchased it in
1980.
“I think it’s a wonderful exam-
ple, such a beautiful house,” he
said. “I’ve owned it for 24 years
so there’s a part of me in it.”
The one-and-a-half storey
fieldstone house was surrounded
by 100 acres of rolling country-
side, cultivated fields, orchards,
woodlots and meadows on the
banks of Duffins Creek when it
was first built.
To day, it is almost obscured
from view, nestled in the corner
of a subdivision.
While Mr. Lamorie under-
stands the heritage designation
can’t provide complete protec-
tion, he hopes it will make the
community and developers
aware of the home’s significance,
and maybe shelter it from the
wrecker’s ball and encroaching
subdivisions.
Dillingham House is the first
designated building that the
newly reformed Heritage Picker-
ing is officially recognizing.
Heritage Pickering is a com-
mittee of volunteers appointed
by the City of Pickering to advise
council on the means of con-
serving heritage properties and
areas, and to advise on programs
to increase public awareness.
John Wiersma
Dillingham home earns heritage designation
A/P PA GE A4 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆FEBRUARY 16, 2005
pickeringtowncentre.com
Pickering Town Centre, in partnership with
over 30 school choirs from across Durham
Region hosted the 10th Annual Choirs
Festival on Sunday, February 6th at Centre
Court.
St. Monica Catholic School celebrated a
first place finish, followed by Pickering
Christian School who placed second, and
E.A. Fairman who placed a respectable
third.
The Choirs Festival preliminary rounds took
place at Pickering Town Centre on January
24th, 25th & 26th with a total of 32
schools competing. Over 2,000 children
participated in the event, showcasing their
talents to an audience of several hun-
dred shoppers, parents, grandparents and
Choirs Festival Finale
friends.
Congratulations to the following
participating schools:
C.E. Broughton Public School
E.A. Fairman Public School
Bellwood Public School
Ecole Corpus-Christi
Fairport Beach Public School
Frenchman’s Bay Public School
Gandatesetiagon Public School
Holy Redeemer Catholic School
Immaculate Conception Catholic School
Jack Miner Public School
Leslie McFarlane Public School
Lord Elgin Public School
Pickering Christian School
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
St. Monica Catholic School
St. Theresa Catholic School
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
T.R. McEwan Public School
Uxbridge Public School
Westney Heights Public School
Whitby Montessori School
William Dunbar Public School
A live CD was recorded during the preliminary
rounds of the festival, and will be available
for purchase at Pickering Town Centre’s Guest
Services as a fundraiser.
Marketing Coordinator, Helen Edwards
describes this event as “an inspirational
concert, appealing to the child in all of us…
The Choirs Festival brings back that magical
feeling of being a child.” With the contin-
ued support of its local community, Pickering
Town Centre has funded the festival for the
past nine years. “Pickering Town Centre
recognizes its role as a “community centre”
for many people in Durham Region”, says
Edwards.
1st Place - St. Monica Catholic School 2nd Place - Pickering Christian SR
3rd Place - Leslie McFarlane Public School
The 2005 Choirs Festival The Choirs Celebrate 10 Years of Beautiful Music
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CORRECTION
The ad in the
Friday February 4
News Advertiser for Pickering
Soccer Club for Boys League
1993 U12 should have read
CSL-RP instead of CSL-R1.
Sorry for any inconvenience
this has caused.
Andrew Norman/ News Advertiser photo
Barron down for fundraiser
AJAX — Team Diabetes members Ian and Brenda Barron were front and centre before the start of the
Valentine’s five-kilometre Walk-Run for Diabetes at Rotary Park in Ajax on Sunday. The Barrons are training
to run in the Honolulu Marathon this December.
DURHAM — Ontario’s Educa-
tion Ministry is looking for new
ways to organize parents’ views
and concerns.
To that end, a number of
consultation meetings are tak-
ing place across the province
as part of the ministry’s Parent
Voice in Education Project. And
while a meeting was not origi-
nally scheduled in Durham, the
school community council at
E.A. Fairman Public School in
Whitby took the lead, contacting
the ministry and is hosting a Feb.
22 session.
“We thought, you know, it’s
not very often that parents are
asked what our opinions are
about different issues,” council
member Karin Sheppard says.
The meeting is at the Durham
District School Board’s educa-
tion centre, 400 Taunton Rd. E.
(at Anderson Street) in Whitby,
starting at 7 p.m.
Ms. Sheppard says an overview
of the project will be presented
and those attending will have a
chance to fill out a questionnaire
to be forwarded to the minis-
try. Any questions or concerns
that cannot be answered are also
being sent on to the ministry, she
says.
All are welcome to attend the
meeting. RSVP Dania Millington
at 905-665-3161, Ms. Sheppard at
905-430-2714, or e-mail KARIN.
SHEPPARD@rogers.com. For
information on the project, visit
www.ontarioparentcouncil.org.
Aj a x, Pickering parents can bend Education Ministry’s ear
Ajax stop on Friday one
of five across Ontario
AJAX — A big meeting is being held for small
business in Ajax on Friday.
Chaired by Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge MPP
Wayne Arthurs, the Doing Business with the
Ontario Government Task Force is hoping to
identify the barriers that exist for small- and
medium-sized business when dealing with the
government, while continuing to examine and
improve the Province’s procurement policies.
The Ajax meeting, at the McLean Community
Centre, is one of five being planned on a prov-
incewide tour and the only meeting in Durham
Region.
The first half of the session, on Feb. 18,
scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will cover
the existing procurement
policies, followed by a
question-and-answer pe-
riod and open dialogue
discussion.
If necessary, the after-
noon meeting, tentatively
scheduled for 1:30 to 3
p.m., will be dedicated to
oral presentations by local
businesses.
Businesses must regis-
ter to take part in the session. For registration
and other information, call 1-866-260-7650.
P PA GE A5 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆FEBRUARY 16, 2005
Notice of Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference
Approval & Study Commencement for
407 East Individual Environmental Assessment
APPROVAL OF EA TERMS OF REFERENCE
On January 17, 2005, the Minister of the Environment approved the Environmental Assessment (EA) Terms of Reference (ToR) for 407 East.
The approved EA ToR is available for review on the project Web site www.407eastea.com or at the following locations:
Regional Municipality of Durham Township of Brock City of Pickering
Clerks Department Clerks Department Clerks Department
605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, ON 1 Cameron St. E., Cannington, ON 1 The Esplanade, Pickering, ON
905-668-7711 705-432-2355 905-420-2222
City of Pickering Public Library City of Pickering Public Library Town of Ajax
Main Branch Greenwood Branch Clerks Department
1 The Esplanade, Pickering, ON 3540 Westney Rd., Ajax, ON 65 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax, ON
905-831-6265 905-683-3844 905-683-4550
Town of Ajax Public Library Town of Ajax Public Library Town of Whitby
Main Branch McLean Branch Clerks Department
55 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax, ON 95 Magill Dr., Ajax, ON 575 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, ON
905-683-4000 905-428-8489 905-668-5803
Town of Whitby Public Library Town of Whitby Public Library City of Oshawa
Main Branch Brooklin Branch Clerks Department
405 Dundas St. W., Whitby, ON 8 Vipond Rd., Brooklin (Whitby), ON 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, ON
905-668-6531 905-655-3191 905-725-7351
City of Oshawa Public Library City of Oshawa Public Library Municipality of Clarington
Main Branch Northview Branch Clerks Department
65 Bagot St., Oshawa, ON 250 Beatrice St. E., Oshawa, ON 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, ON
905-579-6111 905-576-6040 905-623-3379
Municipality of Clarington Library Municipality of Clarington Library Municipality of Clarington Library
Bowmanville Branch Courtice Branch Newcastle Branch
163 Church St., Bowmanville, ON 2950 Courtice Rd., Courtice, ON 50 Mill St. N., Newcastle, ON
905-623-7322 905-404-0707 905-987-4844
Municipality of Clarington Library Township of Scugog Township of Uxbridge
Clarke Branch Scugog Public Library Clerks Department
127 Church St., Orono, ON 231 Water St., Port Perry, ON 51 Toronto St. S., Uxbridge, ON
905-983-5507 905-985-7686 905-852-9181
Township of Uxbridge Public Library Township of Scugog TSH Local Project Office
9 Toronto St. S., Uxbridge, ON Clerks Department 300 Water St., Whitby, ON
905-852-9747 181 Perry St., Port Perry, ON 905-665-3474
905-985-7346 Please call ahead to book appointment
City of Peterborough County of Peterborough County of Northumberland
Clerks Department Clerks Department Clerks Department
500 George St. N., Peterborough, ON 470 Water St., Peterborough, ON 860 William St., Cobourg, ON
705-742-7777 705-743-0380 905-372-3329
COMMENCEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO), in consultation with the Region of Durham, its constituent and surrounding municipalities, is commencing
an Individual Environmental Assessment (IEA) Study to address transportation deficiencies in the Region of Durham by providing additional
transportation opportunities and capacity within and through the Region of Durham for a 30 year planning horizon and beyond. The interactions
among the Region of Durham, the GTA, the City of Kawartha Lakes, the City of Peterborough and the Counties of Northumberland and
Peterborough will become more critical as population and employment levels in all of these areas continue to grow.
THE PROCESS
This Study will fulfill the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA) as well as the Canadian Environmental Assessment
Act (CEAA) and will be undertaken by MTO’s Central Regional Planning and Environmental Office, in accordance with the approved process
detailed in the EA ToR.
Public involvement is an important element to the success of the Study in terms of identifying transportation needs and assessing potential
environmental impacts and mitigation. In order to facilitate this participation, an extensive public consultation process will be undertaken and
Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held at key points in the Study, with the first expected in mid-2005. The time and locations of these
PICs will be advertised in local newspapers and on the project Web site: www.407eastea.com
At any time during the environmental assessment process, the public and stakeholders can provide input and comments related to the IEA
Study. At the conclusion of the Study, an IEA Study Report will be submitted to the Minister of the Environment for review and approval. If, at
the completion of the Study, any member of the public feels that serious concerns remain unresolved, he or she has the right to request that the
Minister of the Environment refer the project to a hearing.
COMMENTS
Any comments and information regarding this project will be collected to assist the Ministry of Transportation in meeting the requirements of the
Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on file for use during the project and may be included in project documentation.
Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal
information, all comments will become part of the public record.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list or have any project-related questions, please contact either of the individuals listed below.
Mr. Doug Allingham, P.Eng. Mr. Dan Remollino, P.Eng.
Consultant Project Manager MTO Project Manager
TSH engineers architects planners Central Region Planning and Environmental Office
300 Water Street Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Whitby, ON L1N 9J2 Building D, 3rd Floor
Phone: 905-665-3474 or 1201 Wilson Avenue
1-866-840-5529 toll-free Downsview, ON M3M 1J8
Fax: 905-668-0221 Phone: 416-235-5576
E-mail: projectteam@407eastea.com Fax: 416-235-3446
E-mail: Dan.Remollino@mto.gov.on.ca
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To our valued customers: We apologize for any inconvenience
caused by an error in our flyer dated: February 11 - February 17
Product: Bell Mobility's Prepaid Nokia Cell
Phone. Due to overwhelming demand, this
product from p. 19 of our Feb. 11th flyer will
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caused by an error in our flyer dated: February 11 - February 17
Product: Sylvania 3-In-1 DVD/CD/VCR Combo.
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NEWS ADVERTISER
There’s lots more news online
at durhamregion.com
a term a councillor is learning and in the last year
he is gearing up for an election.
“This will give us a much better investment in
the decision making and implementation pro-
cess,” he said.
Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean felt
longer terms would benefit the budget process.
“As we go through our
budget more and more
we’re looking at long-range
projects. What I like about
this motion is it gives coun-
cillors a longer time to fin-
ish those projects,” he said.
“This motion is certainly
going to give us more time
to finish projects and to
keep the budget on track.”
Wa rd 3 City Councillor
David Pickles thought hav-
ing fewer elections might decrease voter fatigue
and confusion if different elections were planned
to avoid overlapping one another.
“In staggering the elections it gives people very
clear choices. It gives people a clear idea of who
they are voting for and what the signs mean,” he
said.
“I found in the last few elections people were
very confused over who was running for what.”
Part of Clarington’s reasoning for bringing for-
ward the resolution was because it felt the posi-
tion of municipal councillor is becoming more
complicated and the elections are becoming
more expensive to administer.
ing receives cultural resources such as storytellers
and performance groups. Ms. Mearns said they are
hoping to expand the relationship.
“We are working on taking the partnership to
sharing expertise and best practices,” she said.
The program is a great way for libraries to ben-
efit from one another and get to know more about
people from a different part of Ontario, Ms. Mearns
said.
“We’re hoping to set up a pen pals group from one
of the library clubs to the Chippewas,” she said.
She encourages other libraries in the region to
look into similar programs.
“Even without the award it would be a very valu-
able partnership,” Ms. Mearns said. ✦ Move, From Page A1
✦ Library, From Page A1
David Pickles
Pickering MPP chairs provincial task
force meeting for the little business guy
Move could boost voter turnout: Pickles Wayne Arthurs
Library continues work
on new partnerships
P PAGE A6 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆February 16, 2005
Give a little p ositive
reinforcement and
you never know
what will grow
A million years ago, I was
a high school teacher.
I liked it a lot, and I
think I was good at it.
I wasn’t particularly bril-
liant, in fact I once subbed
for a Grade 13 math teacher
and it was painfully obvious
to many of the brighter kids
that even on my best day I
couldn’t find a parabola with
both hands.
But what I did have, in
abundance, was energy.
I had loads of positive en-
ergy, which I was more than
happy to smear on any kid
who’d let me near him.
I still maintain that this
is the one thing any good
teacher requires.
It’s the one thing I ask of
my children’s teachers.
Pump enough energy and
positive light into any kid
and they’ll do wonders.
It’s also why I was com-
pletely floored when an ac-
quaintance showed me a
piece of art his 10-year-old
son had worked remarkably
hard on.
Scribbled on the back was
the mark “6 out of 10” and
the words “could be neater.”
That’s it. “Could be neat-
er.”
Never mind the fact that
I think grading any kind of
art is a completely ridiculous
notion.
Te ach them technique;
show them oodles of great,
soul-stirring art.
But numbers — 6 out of
10? Or, for that matter, 10 out
of 10!
How does that help this
boy love art and discover the
art within him?
This guy could’ve said so
many things that might’ve
caught this child’s interest,
fired him up about creativity
and his own abilities.
He could even have been
critical, but done so in a way
that ignited the child, not
dampened him.
“Your use of colour is fabu-
lous. I love it. Next time, see
what effect really separating
the colours has!” instead of
“c ould be neater.”
As it stands, nothing on the
back would’ve been better
than those three lazy words.
He didn’t even have the
energy to use upper case.
Imagine walking through
the Louvre with a guy like
this?
“Oh, Van Gogh. Nice. Mr.
Jiggly lines. What, was the
guy, drunk?”
“Dali, what is that? Like a
clock could bend like that.
Right. Sorry, 6 out of 10, Sal-
vador.”
“I’m not even gonna look
at that cubist junk... gives me
a headache.”
As a teacher, I had my kids
write in journals for five or 10
minutes at the beginning of
every class.
Once a month, I would
gather all of the journals up,
take them back home, read
them and write back to the
kids.
My classes were often
noisy, but on the day when
those journals were handed
back, you could hear a pin
drop.
The only sound was the
busy shuffling of pages as the
kids eagerly skirted to the
backs of their books to read
what I had written to them.
It wasn’t much, just a line,
or two or three, but always
something positive and per-
sonal and wonderful about
them.
They sucked it up like it
was manna from heaven.
And it was so easy to do.
Our children may never
be Picassos or Monets or
Einsteins, but who are we to
say?
And how will either of us
ever know if we don’t believe
in at least the possibility.
Neil Crone, actor-comic-
writer, saves some of his best
lines for his columns.
Heritage homes
shouldn’t be
demolished
To the editor:
Re: ‘Slow down and save
Pickering’s history’, editorial,
Feb. 11.
Yo u hit every nail squarely
on the head and managed to
bring in many facets of the
struggle to save our heritage.
From the volunteer com-
mitment of groups like the
Pickering Museum Village
Foundation and the restora-
tion of the Brougham Cen-
tral Hotel, to the essential
support of Pickering council
and the non-support of the
federal government, to the
efforts of activist groups like
the newly formed Land Over
Landings, which is fighting
to keep these lands, build-
ings and communities oc-
cupied with farmers, tenants
and families. What a fitting
kick-off to National Heritage
Week.
As the race continues to
research the remaining
buildings on these lands,
Public Works continues to
bulldoze and asserts that the
only structure of heritage
value is the Bentley House
in Brougham. Ironically, it
is the only building to have
been restored and protected
— as the office of the Greater
To ronto Airports Authority.
Heritage Pickering recent-
ly had its first plaque instal-
lation ceremony, with more
planned in the near future.
On the federal airport lands
there are the two Barclay
houses north of Brougham,
threatened with demolition
several years ago. One of
them is the 1840s home of
Elder George Barclay, a rab-
ble-rousing Baptist minister
who preached the gospel of
reform to the Rebels of 1837.
Another building is the grand
old Brougham Hall, built
with the sweat and money
of the residents of Brougham
150 years ago, home for years
to the Pickering Township
Council — but not worthy of
heritage designation accord-
ing to Public Works.
These issues need contin-
ued support. Where we came
from is just as important as
where we are going.
Mary Delaney
Brougham
More important issues
to worry about
To the editor:
Re: ‘MP should vote for con-
stituents’ interests,’ letter to the
editor, Feb. 11.
When my daughter, age
23, read the anti-same-sex
marriage letters by Brendan
Witton of the Church With-
out Limits, her first response
was that his church has some
major limits.
Perhaps it is time that we
started to remove the limits
set by poverty, (see maximum
social assistance one adult =
$535 a month) disease, starva-
tion, violence etc., instead of
spending so much time trying
to impose more limits on who
people can love and marry.
It will be nice when we get
this excited about helping
others.
Reverend Glen Eagle
Ajax
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Believe it: the children are our future
Neil
Crone
enter laughing
EDITORIALS & OPINIONS
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Ve terans creating a living legacy
Elsie Hetherman, second from right, above, sent us this photo of
her recent meeting with the South Pickering Seniors’ Club #753.
With Ms. Hetherman is, from left, Cecil Turner, George Bourner
and Patrick Tranquada. She tells us she is writing a newsletter to
honour the veterans in the club and says it is simply a thrill to
sit with these veterans and talk about their service in the Second
World and Korean Wars. She adds they are really excited to leave
this newsletter as a legacy to the club. Below: Gordon Warren,
George Dowding, Ab Blake and Mary Spence are also part of the
project.
Do you have a photo to share with our readers?
If you have an amusing, interesting, historic or scenic photo to share
with the community we’d like to see it. Send your photo, along with a
written description of the circumstances surrounding the photo (max.
80 words) identifying the people in the photo and when it was taken
to: The News Advertiser, 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax, ON, L1S 2H5. Or,
e-mail photos to dstell@durhamregion.com.
E xperts provide necessary information
when million-dollar projects are at stake
C onsultant crazy or due diligence?
That important question was raised last week as Uxbridge
Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor made the “consultant crazy”
comment while noting Durham Region has spent almost the same
amount of money ($130,000) to have someone consult on the move
to its new headquarters, as it will actually spend on the physical
moving of resources ($170,000).
The issue of Durham’s use of consultants is nothing new. Back in
1999, then-Oshawa Mayor Nancy Diamond questioned the seem-
ing ongoing reliance on consultants to carry out regional business.
A subsequent report revealed Durham spent $7.4 million in 1998
on consultants, $5.5 million of which was for capital projects.
This time around, finance commissioner Jim Clapp says the Re-
gion’s current annual expenditures on consultants aren’t tracked
on a line-by-line basis, meaning an exact figure isn’t readily avail-
able.
However, Mr. Clapp says the Region uses in-house expertise
whenever possible, before going outside with the work. Still,
even when a consultant is deemed necessary, council approval
is required for anything more than $50,000, which was the case
with the headquarters’ move. Anything less has to work within a
department’s budget.
Truly, it would be absurd to suggest Durham have someone on
staff to consult on any and every situation that arises. The cost
in salaries alone for what many times amounts to a one-time job
would be through the roof. And we think taxes are high now. Some-
times an outside expert is the only cost-efficient option.
But that doesn’t mean scrutiny of projects and their costs
shouldn’t be part of the due process. Particularly where the new
headquarters is concerned. The controversial project has already
witnessed one attempt to have $20,000 included in the budget to
help staff cope with the move, added $14.5 million to build a park-
ing garage, and now the $130,000 to consult on moving into a new
home. It certainly seems high on the surface, although Mr. Clapp
notes it’s necessary given co-ordination is needed for the moving
of nine or 10 locations.
With taxpayers continually being asked for more each year, and
all regional departments being encouraged to find savings, ensur-
ing we’re getting the most bang for the buck is a must. And some-
times that means paying for outside help.
A/P PAGE 4 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆FEBRUARY 9, 2005PPAGE 7 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆FEBRUARY 16, 2005
AT TEND PUBLIC MEETINGS
AT CITY HALL
All meetings are open to the
public. For meeting details call
905.420.2222 or visit our website
DATE MEETING TIME
Feb. 17 Statutory Public Information Meeting 7:00 pm
Feb. 21 Council Meeting 7:30 pm
Feb. 23 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting 7:00 pm
Feb. 28 Management Forum Meeting 1:30 pm
Feb. 28 Executive Committee 7:30 pm
905.420.2222 cityofpickering.com 24 Hour Access 905.420.4660
Ages 3 - 12 years • March 14 to 18, 2005
Half Day Mini Pidaca
(Ages 3-5 years)
(All Children Must Be Toilet Trained)
Mini Pidaca provides children with a learning and
cooperative experience in arts & crafts, music and
singalongs, indoor games, theme days and special
events. This camp is a great way for children to
participate in enjoyable activities while interacting
with other children their age.
Sports camp (Ages 5-12 years)
This camp is ideal for the active camper who is
interested in learning indoor soccer, fl oor hockey,
basketball, indoor games and many other team
events. Special events and theme days will be
planned throughout the week. Daily swim will
be provided with qualifi ed lifeguards. Location:
Pickering Recreation Complex.
Arts Camp (Ages 5-12 years)
Campers will have the opportunity to develop new
skills and express themselves through a variety of
activities: drama, art, creative games, crafts and
special theme days. A daily swim with qualifi ed
lifeguards on duty will be available for all campers at
the Recreation Complex.
Extenda Camp program
7:00 am to 9:00 am & 3:15 pm to 6:00 pm
regular day camp program
9:00 am to 3:15 pm INCLUDES BUSING
CALL 905.420.4621 FOR
REGISTRATION AND BUSING DETAILS
Theatre & Dessert
Backwoods Players
@ Brougham Hall
Feb. 18, 19 & 20
Call the Box Office
905.683.8401
APTA
Public Transit Survey
Ask Your Driver
for your copy
905.683.4111
2005 INTERIM TAX NOTICE
First Installment of the
2005 INTERIM PROPERTY TAX BILL
is due for payment
Fe bruary 25, 2005
If you have not received your Tax Notice, please telephone the
Civic Complex at 905.420.4614 (North Pickering 905.683.2760)
or Toll Free 1.866.683.2760. Our offi ce hours are 8:30 am to 4:30
pm Monday through Friday.
Questions regarding your property assessment?
• Please note that property assessment is the responsibility
of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
(MPAC) and that all assessment related inquiries should
be directed to them at 1.866.296.6722.
• Additional information regarding property assessment
can be found on MPAC’s website: www.mpac.ca
Tired of standing in line to pay your taxes?
Please note that the City of Pickering offers the following payment
options and encourages you to try these convenient alternatives.
You can pay your taxes:
• At participating fi nancial institutions. Please allow fi ve
days before the due date for your payment to reach
our offi ce. Note: Your tax account is
credited when payment is received at our
offi ce, not the day funds are withdrawn from
your bank account.
• By mail. To avoid the late payment penalty fee, please
ensure that your tax payment is mailed fi ve days before
the due date. Cheques post-dated for the due dates
are acceptable. Note: Your account is credited
when payment is received at our offi ce, not
the post-marked date.
• After hours “outside” drop box at the City municipal
building on or before the due date.
• By telephone/computer banking. Please check with your
fi nancial institution for details. Please allow fi ve days
before the due date for your payment to reach
our offi ce. Note: Your tax account is credited
when payment is received at our offi ce, not
the day funds are withdrawn from your bank
account.
Failure to receive a Tax Notice does not reduce YOUR
responsibility for the payment of taxes and penalty.
A late payment fee of 1.25% is added to any unpaid
taxes on the fi rst day of default and on the fi rst day
of each month, as long as the taxes remain unpaid.
The penalty and interest rates are set by City by-
laws, pursuant to the Ontario Municipal Act. The
City does not have the authority to waive penalty
and interest charges.
You have a voice in
Pickering’s 2005
Budget Process
Pickering’s city budget is a blueprint for how your
property tax dollars will be spent. It spells out the
priorities for the municipal services and programs
that you have come to depend on each and every day.
The City’s 2005 budget process has been planned
to provide residents with an opportunity to provide
their comments on the proposed 2005 capital budget
program.
To provide your comments, please access the City’s
website (cityofpickering.com) in the key highlights
section.
In addition you can write to the following address at:
Budget 2005
City of Pickering
Pickering Civic Complex
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON L1V 6K7
For more information contact the Pickering
Fire Services at 905.420.4628,
email: fi re @city.pickering.on.ca or visit our
website at cityofpickering.com.
March Break CampsMarch Break Camps
Hurry In! Last Chance!
Enjoy the live cultural performances and
visit the displays at the …
2005 Heritage Day
Celebration Event
Hosted by
The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity
Saturday, February 19 starting at 11:00 am at Pickering Town
Centre (Centre Court)
Live Cultural Performances Include:
The Joy Allen Highland Dancers
Grupo Folklorico Nicaraguënse
As-Sasa Lebanese Dance Group
Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association features Joy
Lapps on Steel Pan
Shamla Persad Dance School
J. Clarke Richardson Dance Groups
Zahra’s School of Middle Eastern Dance
Sinclair Secondary School Dance Groups and Steel Drums
Durham Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri
Displays Include:
The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity
Canadian Multicultural Forum
Durham Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri
Pickering Museum Village
Heritage Pickering
Whitevale Residents Association
Durham District School Board
Durham Catholic District School Board
Durham Regional Police Service
Pickering Public Library
Wo men’s Multicutural Resource & Counselling
Centre of Durham
Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region
Please join us as we celebrate Pickering’s rich heritage and cultural diversity!
A/P PA GE A8 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆FEBRUARY 16, 2005
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