HomeMy WebLinkAboutNA2005_07_20 The Pickering
44 PAGES ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2005 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1
HI-SPEED
INTERNET
WIRELESS
DIGITAL
CABLE
Come See Our New Look!
PICKERING TOWN CENTRE
UPPER LEVEL SEARS WING
905.420.0744
The Rogers Better Choice Bundle offer is available to new or existing customers and is subject to error, change or cancellation
without notice. Offer available only within the territory served by Rogers Cable. Minimum 24-month commitment is required.
Customer will be required to commit to a 24-month term for each of the qualifying service categories. Early termination
fees apply.
A one-time Activation fee, monthly $6.95 System Access and monthly 911 Emergency Service Access Fee also apply. Long
distance charges, roaming, additional service options selected and applicable taxes are extra. Pricing is subject to change
without notice. Offer expires July 31, 2005. TMRogers, Rogers Wireless, and the Mobius design are trademarks of Rogers
Communications Inc. Used under License.
[ Briefly ]]
Midwives meet
and greet
DURHAM — For Sages
Femmes Rouge Valley Midwives,
birth is a community affair.
The midwifery practice, which
was proposed and developed
jointly with members of the com-
munity, is holding a meet and greet
Thursday, July 21. It serves the Ajax
and Pickering areas.
Its community advisory board
welcomes members of the com-
munity to the clinic to find out
more about the board’s role with
the practice, the community and
midwifery.
The event is at 7:30 p.m. at
6758 Kingston Rd., Unit 6, in Scar-
borough. Children are welcome
and refreshments will be served.
For more information, call 905-
409-6447 or 416-286-2228.
[ What’s on ]
New members for
hospital board
DURHAM — The Rouge Valley
Health System’s board of directors
welcomed five new members at its
recent annual general meeting in
Ajax.
Pickering resident Sherry
Senis adds RVHS board member
to her long list of roles. She is the
president of the Herizon House
board of directors and has been
an adjudicator with the Ontario
Rental Housing Tribunal since its
inception in 1998. As a former city
councillor, she was director of the
Social Development Council and
vice-chairwoman of the Pickering
Hydro Liaison Committee. She also
used to be the owner and broker
of a real estate firm.
The other four additions to the
15-member board are Scarborough
residents Amorell Saunders N’daw,
Enza Ronaldi and Jackie Schleifer
Ta ylor; and Kim Kinder from To-
ronto.
Rouge Valley has hospital sites
in Ajax and Scarborough.
[ Index ]
Editorial Page, 4
Entertainment, 7
Sports, 8
Classified, 9
[ Call us]
General: 905 683 5110
Distribution: 905 683 5117
General Fax: 905 683 7363
Newsroom Fax: 905 683 0386
Pressrun 47,600
infodurhamregion.com
376 Kingston Rd., Pickering
(NE corner of Rougemount & Hwy. #2)
FINE CHINESE CUISINE
& DINING LOUNGE
For Reservations
•OR•
Great Take-Out
905-509-9888905-509-9888
ANNANDALE
CHURCH ST. AT BAYLY 905-683-3210
DAILY RATES
18 Holes Mon.-Fri. ...............................................$3900
Twilite after 4:00 pm .......................................$1950
18 Holes Weekends & Holidays .........................$4400
Twilite after 4:00 pm .......................................$2200
SPECIALS 2 ROUNDS & POWER CART
Includes Taxes
Weekdays $8500 Weekends & Holidays $9900
GOLF TOURNAMENTS & DINNER PACKAGES
Includes Deluxe Buffet
Weekdays ........................................................from $5400
Weekends and Holidays ......................................$5950
Plus PST, GST & TIP
THEY’RE OFF
Settling in for a
good day of racing
Page 8
SHE’S A NATURAL Durham girl brings story
of naturalist to little screen
Page 7
THE ULTIMATE
BMW’s driving
machine
Wheels pullout
CAW targets improved
benefits, pension plans
By Carly Foster
Staff Writer
DURHAM — General Motors em-
ployees will be rewarded for their
hard work, but it’ll come at the cost
of other areas, the company said at a
press conference kicking off contract
negotiations.
“We are not looking for a conces-
sionary agreement,” said Al Green,
vice-president of personnel and op-
erations for GM. “We feel our employ-
ees have earned a reward” in their
pensions and wages.
“But the union heard us loud and
clear today. There are ways to fund
those advances” using areas where we
have over-achieved.
The Canadian Auto Workers union
(CAW) has contracts expiring with
the Big Three automotive companies
(GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler)
Sept. 20. The union and GM started
talks Tuesday with a handshake at the
Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
Buzz Hargrove, national president
of the CAW, said Canadian plants
have increased productivity, lowered
overall costs and reduced workplace
injuries over the past few years, re-
sulting in “huge savings” for the com-
pany.
That puts the 17,189 GM employees
-- 11,991 of which work in Oshawa --
in a “good position” entering bargain-
ing, he said.
While Mr. Green refused to go into
details of what the company would be
after, Mr. Hargrove listed improving
benefits and pension plans for retir-
ees, increasing incentives for senior
employees to retire earlier so young-
er people can secure jobs, and wage
improvements on the anniversary of
collective agreements as some of the
union’s goals.
The CAW will continue informal
talks with the Big Three over the sum-
mer, before picking one company to
negotiate with. That agreement will
be the master contract for all three
companies.
First-ever event
celebrates diversity
AJAX — The carnival comes to Pick-
ering Village Saturday.
The first-ever Carnival in the Village
runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 23 and
it’s a chance to revel in the different cul-
tures that make up Ajax.
“Carnival in the Village is about start-
ing a tradition that shows inclusiveness
and promotes local business. It’s a win-
ning combination,” says Angie Little-
field, executive director of the Durham
West Arts Centre and a member of the
organizing committee.
Donna Laurence, head of the commit-
tee, says people involved in other simi-
lar events, such as Caribana and Fiesta
We ek in Oshawa have been sought out
for help.
“We’re bringing that expertise to Ajax
to celebrate our community’s diversity.
Even in our first year, we’re going to give
people a taste of a carnival parade, with
30-plus costumed children parading to
lively music down Old Kingston Road
starting at noon. The village is going to
jump up,” Ms. Laurence says.
The emphasis is on children between
11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with three stations
offering different activities. One is Back
in the Day and includes old-time games,
such as hop-scotch, marbles and Dou-
ble Dutch. There are also Pair Games,
with water balloon tossing, three-legged
races and an apple bob relay. Culture
Games gives children a chance to learn
the heritage of activities such as the
limbo contest, kiddie’s karaoke and pi-
ñatas. There are prizes at each station.
The children’s parade runs along Old
Kingston Road, starting in the west.
For youth, there’s the opportunity
GM employees in line for ‘reward’
It’s a carnival
atmosphere
in Pickering
Village
✦ See Entertainment, Page 6
Tamil association, Rotary
offer tutoring to boost
scores and land funding
By Danielle Milley
Staff Writer
DURHAM — The Durham Tamil
Association and the Rotary Club of
Pickering are hoping to change the
lives of 300 students in Sri Lanka.
They plan to raise $10,000 to
provide coaching and guidance to
Grade 5 students to prepare them for
a government scholarship examina-
tion. Passing on the first try means a
scholarship until Grade 11.
“If they don’t pass the first time
it could change the whole course of
their life,” said Gord Dyck, past-presi-
dent of the Rotary Club of Pickering.
For children from poor families,
that 500 rupees (one Canadian dol-
lar is 80 rupees) a month from the
government means they can devote
their time to bettering their lives.
“They’re forcing the children to go
to work to help the family, depriv-
ing them of studying,” said Muttuku-
maru Chandrakumaran, of the Dur-
ham Tamil Association. He added
this would also help decrease the
incidence of child labour.
In Grade 11 students take another
exam and if they pass they get fund-
ing for college or university.
The project was proposed by the
Yo uth League for Sanathana Dhar-
mic Perception. The money is to be
channelled through Pickering Rotary
to the Rotary Club of Colombo South
in Sri Lanka, which is administering
it.
Mr. Chandrakumaran said the as-
sociation gets a lot of requests for
help from Sri Lanka and decided on
this one because “it is beneficial for
the kids.
“By doing this we’re giving kids the
opportunity to achieve more and go
on to college.”
The association contacted Rotary.
The two had previously worked to-
gether earlier this year raising money
as part of the Durham Community
Ts unami Relief Committee.
“It’s absolutely the kind of project
we would get behind, a youth initia-
tive,” Mr. Dyck said, adding it would
also raise literacy levels.
The program is going to aid stu-
Pickering groups put children to the test
✦ See Durham, Page 6
A.J. Groen/ News Advertiser photo
Gord McGregor, left, and the Land Over Landings group toured some of vacant homes in north Pickering last week, trying
to raise awareness for the need to preserve the properties. Mr. McGregor showed Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland his
mother-in-law’s old house, which has been empty for two years.
Group fights to save homes, community
Pickering family
home now sits empty
By Danielle Milley
Staff Writer
PICKERING — Myrna McGregor
is sickened at the sight of the peeling
paint in the sunroom of the boarded-
up house her mother used to call
home.
“That little room was her room,”
she said. “It’s terrible... To see it de-
stroyed is sickening.”
Her mother, Margaret Pettes, lived
there for 26-years -- next door to her
daughter and son-in-law Gord -- be-
fore moving out two years ago. The
home was boarded-up by the federal
government within three months of
Ms. Pettes leaving.
“I felt sick about it because I knew
it was a beautiful little home that a
family with two or three children
could have easily lived in,” Ms. Mc-
Gregor said, adding she and her hus-
band took care of it over the years.
Her mother’s home is one of many
in Brougham that have been boarded
up or torn down in recent years and
Land Over Landings, the steward-
ship group trying to protect the land
and buildings in north Pickering, say
it’s happening not only because of
the threat of an airport, but also be-
cause of bad management.
The area was expropriated by the
federal government in 1972 to build
an airport. That idea was shelved
until recently and so Public Works
took over the management of the
land for Transport Canada.
Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland
said it isn’t political will that is clear-
ing the land.
“It’s a lot easier to manage the
lands if there is no tenants... That’s
why I think there is such a push to
evict the tenants,” he said.
Mary Delaney, LOL’s vice-presi-
dent, and the McGregors, recently
✦ See Feds, Page 2
Extended hot spell
is straining system
DURHAM — Local residents are
being asked to reduce electricity use
for the rest of the week, as the heat
wave continues.
The Independent Electricity System
Operator (ISO), which is responsible
for managing Ontario’s bulk electrici-
ty system and operating the wholesale
electricity market, is asking consum-
ers to reduce use.
“The heat wave is presenting a num-
ber of challenges for the ISO in man-
aging the reliability of the electricity
system,” said Paul Murphy, the ISO’s
chief operating officer. “The sustained
hot weather is resulting in record de-
mands for electricity and places oper-
ating limitations on both generation
and transmission facilities.”
The near-drought conditions in
much of Ontario has caused a de-
creased supply from hydroelectric
generating facilities, noted Mr. Mur-
phy.
As a result, electricity users are
being asked to reduce consumption
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10
p.m.
“Higher consumption will mean
higher electricity bills -- any con-
servation efforts will not only help
individual consumers to offset those
higher costs, but will help us maintain
reliable service to all consumers,” said
Mr. Murphy.
The voluntary appeal for reduced
consumption is in effect until 6 p.m.
on Friday, July 22. However, more im-
mediate stronger appeals such as a
power warning or power emergency
may be issued if the situation dete-
riorates, said a media release from the
ISO.
Consumers can reduce demands
on the electricity system by turning off
all but essential internal and external
lights, setting air conditioners to 26
C or higher or using fans as an al-
ternative, closing curtains and blinds
to keep out the sun and retaining
cooler air inside, and avoiding or lim-
iting the use of major power-consum-
ing equipment such as dishwashers,
washers and dryers and swimming
pool pumps between 8 a.m. and 10
p.m.
P PA GE 2 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆JULY 20, 2005
WHITBY II
4160 Baldwin St. S.
905-655-4920
WHITBY I
1910 Dundas St. E.
905-436-3780PICKERING II
1235 Bayly St.
LIVERPOOL & BAYLY
905-831-1280
PICKERING I
376 Kingston Rd.
ROUGEMOUNT CENTRE
905-250-9741
CALL THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU TODAY!
A million
dollar
idea is
in the bag.
Now in its 10th year,
the Pickering Town Centre
Mayors’ Charity Classic has
successfully raised over
1.2 million dollars for
the Rouge Valley Health
System Foundation.
Once again, this year
everyone can get involved.
Look for the change
boxes throughout the
mall and please give
generously to this
worthy cause.
pickeringtowncentre.com
Sponsored by:
NOTICE OF SUBMISSION
PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE
SOUTHEAST COLLECTOR TRUNK SEWER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
As part of the Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer Environmental Assessment (EA), the Regional Municipality of York
and the Regional Municipality of Durham are submitting a Terms of Reference (ToR) to the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment (MOE) for formal review as required under the provincial Environmental Assessment Act. If approved,
the ToR will provide the framework for the preparation and review of the EA for the proposed undertaking.
The purpose of the proposed undertaking is to accommodate the additional sanitary sewer flows projected from future
growth as allowed for in the Regional Municipality of York’s Official Plan. A reasonable range of alternatives will be
considered in the EA. The initial Study Area presented in the draft ToR has been enlarged and is identified in the Key
Map below. Durham Region is a co-proponent with York Region on the EA since a portion of the study area is with-
in Durham Region, and Durham and York Regions are co-owners of the existing York Durham Sewage System
(YDSS) within Durham Region.
The public review period for the ToR will be from July 22, 2005 to August 26, 2005. You may review the ToR dur-
ing normal hours of operation at the following locations:
Ministry of the Environment Environmental
Assessment and Approval Branch
2 St. Clair Ave West, Floor 12A
To r onto, ON M4V 1L5
Phone: 416-314-8001
York Region Administrative Centre
17250 Yonge Street, 4th Fl.oor
Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z1
Phone: 1-877-464-9675
Scarborough Civic Centre (Clerk’s Office)
150 Borough Drive, 3
rd Floor
To r onto, ON M1P 4N7
Phone: 416-396-7288
City of Pickering (Clerk’s Office)
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON L1V 6K7
Phone: 905-420-4611
Whitevale Branch of Pickering Public Library
475 Whitevale Rd.
P.O. Box 368
Pickering, ON L1V 2R6
Phone: 905-294-0967
Goldhawk Park Branch of Toronto Public Library
295 Alton Towers Circle
Scarborough, ON M1V 4P1
Phone: 416-396-8964
Ministry of the Environment
Central Region Office
5775 Yonge Street, 8
th Floor
North York, ON M2M 4J1
Phone 416-326-6700
Durham Region (Clerk’s Office)
605 Rossland Rd. E.
Whitby ON L1N 6A3
Phone: 905-668-7711 or 1-800-372-1102
To wn of Markham (Clerk’s Office)
Anthony Roman Centre
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, ON L3R 9W3
Phone: 905-475-4744
Pickering Central Library
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON L1V 6K7
Phone: 905-831-6265
Markham Village Library
6031 Highway 7
Markham, Ontario ON L3P 3A7
Phone: 905-513-7977
The ToR is also available for review on line at
http://sec.cenet.ca. Your written comments regarding the
ToR must be received by August 26, 2005. All com-
ments should be submitted to:
Mr. Michael Harrison
Project Officer
Ministry of the Environment
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A
Toronto, ON M4V 1L5
Tel: 416-314-8221
Fax: 416-314-8452
Additional information on this study can be obtained by
contacting one of the following project team members:
A copy of all comments submitted to the Ministry of the Environment should also be forwarded to one of the above-
noted project team members.
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act,unless oth-
erwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property
location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this matter and can be released if
requested, to any person.
Wayne Green
Project Manager
York Region
17250 Yonge Street, 4
th Floor
Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z1
Tel: (905) 830-4444 ext. 5049
wayne.green@york.ca
Rich Tindall
Project Manager
Durham Region
105 Consumers Drive
Box 623, Whitby ON L1N 6A3
Tel: (905) 668-7721 ext. 5363
rich.tindall@region.durham.on.ca
John Bourrie
Project Manager
Earth Tech Canada Inc.
105 Commerce Valley Drive W.
7th Floor
Markham, ON L3T 7W3
Tel: (905) 886-7022 ext. 2469
john.bourrie@earthtech.ca
DURHAM
REGION
ISO appeals for residents to restrict power use
KNOW YOUR NEEDS
List of Appliances Average Monthly Monthly
Room or Type wattage hours use kWh
Air cleaner (room and furnace) 40 250-720 10-29
Air conditioner (room) 6,000 BTU 750 120-720 90-540
Air conditioner (room) 9,000 BTU 1,050 120-720 126-756
Air conditioner (central) 2.5 tons 3,500 240-860 850-3,000
Dehumidifier 350 120-720 42-252
Fan (portable) 115 18-52 2-6
Humidifier 100 80-540 8-54
Dryer 5,000 6-28 30-140
Washer (electric, hot water) 500 7-40 33-196
Washer (non-electric, hot water) 500 7-40 3-16
Hedge Trimmer 125 4-8 0.5-1
Lawn Mower 1,500 2-4 3-6
Swimming Pool Filter Motor - 1/2 HP 900 720 648
Swimming Pool Filter Motor - 1.0 HP 1,500 720 1,080
— from www.powerwise.ca.
newsdurhamregion.com
searchkeyword: staycool
Electricity usage chart
took Mr. Holland on a tour of Brougham
and area to show him the condition of
the homes being boarded up by the fed-
eral landlords.
“We want to show Mark what these
houses look like, not necessarily heri-
tage but nonetheless perfectly inhabit-
able homes that either are lived in now
or could be lived in,” Ms. Delaney said.
In particular, they were able to take
Mr. Holland into a home where the ten-
ant has moved out but the lease isn’t
up until the end of the month. Ms. Del-
aney said they’ve been told by Transport
Canada that when tenants move out the
homes are not going to be re-tenanted,
regardless of condition.
Transport Canada spokeswoman Paul
Fairfax said they are in the process of
updating their re-renting policy, with the
plan to be complete by the fall.
A decision was made that “until its
policy was updated, re-renting would be
placed on hold,” she said.
The three-bedroom bungalow on
Brougham Road could use a makeover
to bring it into the 21st century, but other
than that it is quaint and tidy. Even the
40-year-old green tub is spotless.
“I’m going to definitely try and make
sure it is tenanted,” Mr. Holland said. “I
am very concerned about it in the area,
especially in Brougham, because what
we’re going to see is the systematic de-
struction of a hamlet.”
LOL feels the same way.
“The driving force behind me is we
have to stop the evictions... I don’t want
to see any more houses knocked down,”
Mr. McGregor said. “I want to see kids in
them and playing on the street.”
Ms. Delaney agreed.
“I don’t believe the airport is going
to happen but we have to save these
homes, these farms and these commu-
nities,” she said.
✦ Feds from page 1
Feds taking look
at rental policy
Crops need rain
By Jennifer Stone
Staff Writer
DURHAM — Let it rain, let it
rain, let it rain.
That’s the song local farm-
ers are singing, as Durham goes
through an extended dry spell.
According to Environment
Canada senior climatolo-
gist Dave Phillips, up to last
Wednesday, July 13, Durham
Region had received a measly
50 millimetres of rain since the
beginning of May -- not even
enough to fill a thimble. By com-
parison, in the same period last
year, Durham had received 158
millimetres. There was some
relief over the weekend with a
number of intense showers.
Substantial rain is needed
right away, said Paul Watson, a
Bowmanville farmer.
“If we don’t get rain in the next
week, some crops will be done
before we even get started,” said
Mr. Watson, whose family farm
has pick-your-own and ready-
picked fruits and vegetables, in-
cluding strawberries, peas and
beans.
Already the extreme heat and
lack of rain have impacted one
crop at the Watsons’ farm.
“For strawberries it was the
shortest season on record,” said
Mr. Watson, Usually, the farm is
open for pick-your-own straw-
berries for “at least 28 days. This
year, it was only open 17 days.”
Snap freezes last winter also
played a role in the relatively
short strawberry season, said
Mr. Watson. The farm has ready-
picked varieties of strawber-
ries still available at the market
stand.
The dry weather has also
heightened the Watsons con-
cern in terms of their irrigation
system -- lack of rain means at
least one pond is only half full,
so they’re having to conserve.
The type of rain called for
over the weekend, which was
expected to come in the form
of short storms, wouldn’t do
much good, said Dale Mount-
joy, an Oshawa cash crop and
beef farmer. He said at least an
inch, and preferably two inches,
is necessary to do the crops any
real good.
“It would have to be over a
couple of hours, and not in a
thunderstorm,” said Mr. Mount-
joy from his Harmony Road
North area farm. Earlier in the
season, it looked like it could be
a bumper crop year, he said.
“Before this drought, we were
on a very good crop year,” he
said. “But we’re a long way from
over. If we start to get some rain,
we could be on the way to a
good crop year.”
Without rain soon, “there are
going to be a lot of guys in the
area in dire straits for the end of
the year,” said Mr. Watson.
It’s the same across the prov-
ince, said Charles Stevens, of
Wilmot Orchards, a Newcastle
farmgate business that grows
mostly blueberries and apples.
Crops that have trickle irrigation,
which gets water to the roots, as
opposed to overhead irrigation,
which cools the whole plant, are
really suffering, he said.
“In that case, the intense heat
has shut down most plants,”
he said, noting even trees and
flowers are going into “survival
mode.” That means plants are
maturing more slowly.
“In the next two weeks, if this
continues, there will be damage
to most crops. Yields are going
down by the day,” said Mr. Ste-
vens, who attended a meeting
with horticulturists from across
the province earlier this week,
and heard similar concerns
from most growers.
“We really need an all-day
one- or two-inch soaker,” said
Mr. Stevens. Still, the blueberry
crop is showing signs it should
be a decent one, he noted.
After that, there would still
need to be regular rain to keep
crops going, noted the farmers.
“The ideal would be an inch
of rain every week on the week-
end, which would make the
cottagers unhappy, but me very
happy,” said Mr. Mountjoy.
newsdurhamregion.com
searchkeyword: staycool
900 Champlain Ave.,Oshawa
1-800-642-4561 or (905) 723-5211
OSHAWA
Floor Model Sell Off
Store Hours :Mon.- Wed.9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.Thurs.& Fri.9:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.Sat.10 a.m.- 6 p.m.Sun.11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Does not apply to previous sales.
Limited Quantites - First Come First Served!
40%40%OFFOFF Store Wide
on all instock merchandise
• Loveseats• Sofas • Chairs
• Recliners • Accessories
• Pictures • Tables
• Area Rugs
• Lamps
Everything must be sold to the bare walls!!!!
LAZB
O
Y
FURNI
T
U
RE G
ALLE RIES
WI
L
L BE RE
L
O
C
A
T
E
D T O L ARGE
R
L
O
CAT ION
STOR
E
C
L
O
SI
N
G
* Includes 40% discount
May not be exactly as shown
* See store for details.
* Includes discount
May not be exactly as shownTHE C
O
U
NT
D
O
W
N IS ON - 1 WE EK LEFT!!Recliner Rockers
$299 99*
as low as
Genuine Leather
Rocker Recliner
Reg.$1479.99
$799 99*
NOW ONLY
A/P PA GE 3 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆JULY 20, 2005
BROKEN WINDSHIELD?
www.premiereautosalon.com
Serving Durham Since 1985
1010 Brock Road South (Northwest corner at Bayly)
905-831-4290
AUTO GLASS & CUSTOM UPHOLSTERYAUTO GLASS & CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY
■ Custom
Upholstery
■ Boat Tops
■ Mooring Covers
■ Automotive &
Marine Interiors
■ Convertible Tops
$300.00 Deductible
We Pay Up To
based on insurance coverage
for all purposes from 4 passengers to 10 passengers with stretch
limos and special weekday rates Monday to Friday
kimo limo
Limousine Services
Ask for Berger
416-453-5696 • 905-839-0457
Limousine Services
Rolls Royce for weddings or corporate functions – weekly /monthly
AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE
“Idecided to
shop today.”
For a much better quote,
lo g on to belairdirect.com.
And shop for your auto insurance in just five easy steps.
It’s that simple. Buy online and get 5% off your auto insurance.
Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. Not everyone will qualify for a phone or online quote. BELAIRdirect represents The Nordic Insurance Company of Canada.
CORRECTION NOTICE
To our valued customers: We apologize for any inconvenience
caused by an error in our flyer dated: July 15 - July 21.
Product: Lexmark Inkjet Printer with up to 22ppm black
and 15ppm colour.This product advertised on p.15 of our
July 15th flyer, actually only prints 13ppm (pages per
minute) black and colour. As a result, customers who
purchase this printer may receive a $10 gift card.
SKU: Z730GNG: 10062671
Durham Region farmers feeling dry this growing season
Joanna
from
PICKERING
SUMMER
SIDEWALK
SALE
Monday,
July 18th -
Sunday,
July 24th
Receive a FREE
medium (16 oz.)
Dairy Queen Blizzard
(retail value $3.99) when you
spend $50 or more* at one or
more Pickering Town Centre
stores, restaurants or services.
Just redeem your receipts at
the Guest Services kiosk (located on
the lower level near Centre Court)
to receive your free coupon.
*Same day sales, before taxes.
Receipts must be dated
after July 17th, 2005.
One coupon per person, per visit.
While quantities last.
Celia Klemenz/ News Advertiser photo
A line on a prized catch
PICKERING — Melissa and Evelyn Hioe spent some time working on their fishing technique while out with
their mom, Livia, at the Pickering waterfront.
P PA GE 4 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆JULY 20, 2005
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.
EDITORIALS & OPINIONS
infodurhamregion.com
[ Proud Members Of ]--
ONTARIO PRESS COUNCIL
NEWS ADVERTISER
Metroland Durham Region
Media Group
Tim Whittaker
Publisher
twhittaker@durhamregion.com
Joanne Burghardt
Editor-in-Chief
jburghardt@durhamregion.com
Tony Doyle
Managing Editor
tdoyle@durhamregion.com
Duncan Fletcher
Director of Advertising
dfletcher@durhamregion.com
Andrea McFater
Retail Advertising Manager
amcfater@durhamregion.com
Eddie Kolodziejcak
Classified Advertising
ekolo@durhamregion.com
Abe Fakhourie
Distribution Manager
afakhourie@durhamregion.com
Lillian Hook
Office Manager
lhook@durhamregion.com
Cheryl Haines
Composing Manager
chaines@durhamregion.com
Janice O’Neil
Composing Manager
joneil@durhamregion.com
[ Contact us ]--
News/Sales 905-683-5110
Classifieds 905-683-0707
Distribution 905-683-5117
News Fax 905-683-0386
General Fax 905-683-7363
E-mail
tdoyle@durhamregion.com
Web address
durhamregion.com
Mailing Address
130 Commercial Ave.,
Ajax, Ont. L1S 2H5
Publications Mail Sales
Agreement Number 1332791
[ Hours ]--
General office:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5p.m.
Distribution:
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
[ About Us ]--
The News Advertiser is one of
the Metroland Printing, Publishing
and Distributing group of news-
papers. The News Advertiser is a
member of the Ajax & Pickering
Board of Trade, Ontario Commu-
nity Newspaper Assoc., Canadian
Community Newspaper Assoc.,
and the Canadian Circulations
Audit Board. Also a member of the
Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton
St., Suite 1706, Toronto, M5B 1J3,
an independent organization that
addresses reader complaints
about member newspapers. The
publisher reserves the right to
classify or refuse any advertise-
ment. Credit for advertisement
limited to space price error oc-
cupies. Editorial and Advertising
content of the News Advertiser is
copyrighted. Unauthorized repro-
duction is prohibited.
[ Letters Policy ]--
We welcome letters that include
name, city of residence and phone
numbers for verification. Writers
are generally limited to 200 words
and one submission in 30 days. We
decline announcements, poetry,
open letters, consumer com-
plaints, congratulations and thank
you notes. The editor reserves the
right to edit copy for length, style
and clarity. Opinions expressed by
letter writers are not necessarily
those of the News Advertiser. Due
to the volume of letters, not all will
be printed. Fax: 905-683-0386; e-
mail: tdoyle@durhamregion.com.
The newspaper contacts only
those whose submissions have
been chosen for publication.
EDITORIAL
Karla has been
punished enough
To the editor:
Re: ‘Karla should atone for
her crimes’, Neil Crone column,
July 13.
Reading Mr. Crone’s col-
umn has finally pushed me to
respond to the Karla ‘terror’.
Really, what was the point
of it?
Following weeks of media
hype, Mr. Crone’s column was
by far the most vicious I have
ever read on anyone!
His column spewed hatred,
insults and defamation with-
out ever coming to a point.
While I have never con-
doned Homolka’s actions, Mr.
Crone’s anger shouldn’t be di-
rected at her for serving “just”
12 years.
Rather, why isn’t he focus-
ing his anger towards the same
government which made the
deal in the first place?
We should never forget the
crimes she committed against
Kristen, Leslie and Tammy,
but, as a society we must ac-
cept the fact that people make
mistakes.
If we cannot accept this fact
and cannot accept that peo-
ple can rehabilitate then why
have a justice system at all?
My words of advice to
anyone out there: leave her
alone.
For the rest of her life she
will be known as a killer, tor-
turer and a rapist.
That is her scarlet letter and
not many people will want to
associate with that.
Frank Duguay
Brooklin
Pro-life group hurts
its own cause with
‘horrible’ images
To the editor:
In Pickering recently I was
driving on Hwy. 2 at Whites
Road when I saw a large num-
ber of people spread out along
the street. To my utter horror
they were standing with mon-
ster-sized posters of dead fetus-
es in horrible circumstances.
One such picture was of a pair
of tongs and a baby head. It
was absolutely appalling. I was
with my four-year-old son and
had to tell him to look away,
not to look out the window.
I am so offended and angry
at their pitiful display. Who do
these people think they are?
What gives them the right to
throw in our faces these hor-
rible pictures of what they say
are fetuses from abortions?
Are they helping take care of
all of our unwanted children
in this society and the world?
I am more offended that they
have the right to thrust their
beliefs in the face of the public
without any consent from the
public.
Driving down the street,
stopped at the lights, we have
no option but to see what is
going on and then realize that
we and our children have just
been victimized with these hei-
nous pictures.
Anne Kipp,
Pickering
English visitors loved
50th anniversary
festivities
To the editor:
We would like to express our
appreciation to residents for
the way they greeted us on our
recent visit for 50th anniver-
sary celebrations in Ajax.
The staff at Super 8 hotel
and the management could
not do enough for us. The
people who lined the streets to
greet us on parade, you were
all superb.
The guests at Table 34 at the
banquet, we wish we could
meet you all again to tell you
all personally. We took our
menu with your names, but
unfortunately, we have no
photographs or addresses to
write to tell you personally. We
had a great holiday in Canada.
Syll Wilson and
Tim and Brenda Haynes,
England
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Balloon popped on
masculine moment
The other day I had to
have a flat tire repaired.
I removed the flat and
put the ‘donut’ on myself and
I’ll admit I was feeling pretty
darn masculine at that point.
I was out in the sun, sweat-
ing like a man and cranking
a vehicle up on a jack. My
fingers were covered in real
dirt and grease, not the make-
up kind I usually have applied
in a trailer. I even managed to
curse a few times during the
procedure. Pretty manly stuff
for a guy who pretends for a
living. I was feeling my oats.
Why then, did it take just
five seconds of talking with
a “real” mechanic for me to
start feeling like a sissy? I hate
when that happens. And it
starts as soon as I pull into the
gas station.
Maybe it was my ward-
robe. Mechanics wear grease-
stained work pants, baseball
caps with grimy finger marks
on the brim and big steel-
toed work boots. They are all
business. I got out of the car
wearing a tank top, bathing
suit and Birkenstock sandals.
The only thing missing was a
feather boa.
Plus, I think a big part of my
problem in these encounters
is my natural curiosity. I am
endlessly fascinated by things
I have little experience with.
Carpenters, crane operators,
adult film stars, I can watch
them for hours. So, when my
mechanic friend started the
job of repairing my tire, some-
thing about as exciting as but-
tering toast for him I am sure,
I became like a seven-year-
old kid.
“What’s that for?
“Wazzat thing do?
“Whaddya puttin’ that in
there for?”
Even as I heard these words
leave my mouth I knew I
must’ve sounded like a knob
to this guy. I certainly looked
the part. But I couldn’t help
myself. I never can. It’s only
through massive amounts of
willpower that I am able to
keep myself from blurting,
“Can I try? Can I try?”
To make matters worse,
the only reply I could seem
to come up with whenever
he patiently explained what
he was doing, was “Cool.” Al-
though it usually came out
more like “Cooooooool.”
And of course, whenever I
tried to dig myself out of this
behavior, I only compounded
the problem. For instance, I
would try to raise my status in
his eyes by brilliantly stating
the obvious.
“Oh, so you just snip ’er off
right there do ya?
“Oh, so that’s where she’s
leaking? How about that?
“Wow, she sure was flat,
huh? Cooooool.”
To his credit, my mechan-
ic friend managed to keep a
straight face throughout our
encounter, although I am sure
there were a couple of mo-
ments where he must’ve bit-
ten his tongue clean through.
In fact, all of the mechan-
ics within earshot of my mo-
ronic performance retained
their professional demeanors
throughout.
“Relax,” I thought, as I
climbed back into my car,
“They probably get guys like
me in there all the time.”
I finally drove away with
both my tire and my ego a
little better inflated.
It’s remarkable though, how
much an air compressor and
pneumatic hoist can sound
like laughter.
Durham resident Neil
Crone, actor-comic-writer,
saves some of his best lines
for his columns.
Pretender bows to the professionals
Neil
Crone
enter laughing
IN THE COMMUNITY
Durham diners
can eat out
with confidence
D iners in Durham can take up their knives and forks in the
region’s restaurants with confidence the health depart-
ment’s inspections do work.
The evidence is revealed in the latest report on food safety
inspections which shows a dramatic decrease in violators in the
past 18 months.
In the winter of 2004, 35 restaurants across Durham were
slapped with various charges and fines.
Last summer, 20 restaurants were nabbed. This winter and
spring, just seven restaurants were charged after extensive in-
spections at numerous eateries around Durham.
That’s a five-fold decrease, an impressive rate of decline and a
clear indication that Durham’s restaurant owners do not want to
be charged and fined for health infractions.
The health department reports restaurants are not charged
after a first inspection.
Inspectors will note whatever problems they detect on an ini-
tial visit and issue a warning to the offending establishment.
If, on a followup visit, the inspector finds the same problems
he encountered during the primary visit, he can charge the
place.
A possible conviction and fine might follow.
The point then isn’t to surprise restaurants as much as it is to
make sure they clean up their acts, once notified.
As Alex Connor, manager environment health with the Region
of Durham says, “It’s only because we’re continually having to
nag, that we have to write these tickets.”
The twice-yearly inspections certainly seem to be having the
intended effect.
The health department makes the results of the inspections
public and the resulting public scrutiny can hardly be a desirable
outcome for any business that must live and die by the quality
and safety of its food.
“I do think the fact the convictions are posted is having a real
serious effect on operators. Their level of compliance has in-
creased,” said Mr. Connor.
Hats off to those who have complied -- and continue to com-
ply.
This is one Durham trend we can only hope will continue -- for
the sake of our stomachs.
Region’s inspectors are doing a great job
looking out for our health in restaurants
Budding artists
Several students from the Literacy Program of Community Living
Ajax-Pickering and Whitby celebrated the end of class with an art
project. The proud artists are, from left, Debbie Gates, Susan Alex-
ander, Leanne McEachen, David Blair, Suzanne Unbehaun, and Julia
Bradley. Sandy Dorsett, of the Community Living Ajax-Pickering and
Whitby, Ajax office, sent us the photo and added that volunteer teach-
ers Jean Harrison, Phyllis Bizzoto and Mary Jo Dynan gave their time
to teach the class. As well, the Durham Catholic District School Board
gave the use of its facilities at St. Theresa Catholic School in Whitby
for the program.
CLICK AND SAY
This Week’s Question: Are you taking extra measures to
conserve electricity and water right now? Yes or no?
Cast your vote online at
infodurhamregion.com
Last Week’s Question: Are you more concerned about a
terrorist threat in Canada after the bombings in London?
Yes or no?
Votes cast: 278
Yes 52.9% No 47.1%
P PA GE 5 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆JULY 20, 2005
ATTEND 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
July 25 Executive Committee 7:30 pm
July 25 Council Meeting 7:30 pm
Aug. 4 Statutory Public Information Meeting 7:00 pm
Sept. 12 Management Forum Meeting 1:30 pm
Sept. 12 Executive Committee 7:30 pm
905.420.2222 cityofpickering.com 24 Hour Access 905.420.4660
CITY OF PICKERING HOLIDAY
OPERATING HOURS
CLOSED Monday, August 1
CIVIC COMPLEX 905.420.2222
RECREATION COMPLEX 905.683.6582
DUNBARTON POOL 905.831.1260
PICKERING MUSEUM VILLAGE 905.683.8401
PICKERING PUBLIC LIBRARIES 905.831.6265
AJAX & PICKERING TRANSIT AUTHORITY 905.683.4111
Hourly Service (Saturday Service) commencing at 5:55 am.
No Specialized Services. Pre-booked dialysis customers by
special arrangement only.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
City of Pickering Emergency Telephone Number
905.683.4319
Summer Recreation
Skating/Hockey School
Pickering
Recreation Complex
Aug. 22 - Sept. 2
905.420.4621
FREE Teen
Skateboard
Competition
Pickering Teens
13 - 19 years
Thurs., July 21 4 pm - 8 pm
behind Pickering Rec. Complex
905.420.6588
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
July 26, 2005 at 7:00 pm
Pickering Civic Complex – Council Chambers
One The Esplanade, Pickering Ontario L1V 6K7
STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING ON
OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT
APPLICATION OPA 05-002/P
CITY INITIATED: MODIFIED
SEATON PLAN
File Type & Number
Official Plan Amendment: OPA 05-002/P
Property Location
The Amendment affects an area generally bounded by the C.P.
Rail line to the south, West Duffins Creek
to the west, Highway 7 to the north, and Sideline 16/Pickering-
Ajax boundary to the east
(see location map below).
Proposal
The purpose of this Amendment is to propose new policies, land
use and transportation designations for the Seaton lands.
Written Information Available
An Information Report is available on or after July 22, 2005 from
the office of the City Clerk, Civic Complex; at the Information
Meeting; and on the City’s website.
Last Date for Comment
August 12, 2005
Planning Contact
Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP, Manager, Policy at 905.420.4660
extension 2038, or toll free at 1.800.683.2760, or by email at
crose@city.pickering.on.ca
OR
Grant McGregor, MCIP, RPP, Principal Planner – Policy at
905.420.4660 extension 2032, or toll free at 1.800.683.2760, or
by email at
gmcgregor@city.pickering.on.ca
To re ceive notice of future meetings
Write to, the City Clerk, Debi A. Bentley, at the address above; or
by email at dbentley@city.pickering.on.ca
Planning Act Requirements
If you wish to reserve the option to appeal a decision of the
City of Pickering, you must provide oral comments at the public
meeting, or written comments to the City before Council adopts
an official plan amendment for this proposal.
If you wish to be notified of the adoption of an official plan
amendment, you must make a written request to the
City Clerk.
A copy of the proposed official plan amendment is available at
the Planning & Development Department. It is anticipated that
recommendations on the proposed official plan amendment will
be dealt with by City Council at a Special Council Meeting on
September 6, 2005, in the Council Chambers of the Pickering
Civic Complex, One The Esplanade, Pickering, Ontario.
Date of this Notice
June 27, 2005
7ATCH NEXT WEEK FOR
&ANTASTIC &ALL 0ROGRAMS &ANTASTIC &ALL 0ROGRAMS
%VENTS AT YOUR &INGERTIPS
&ANTASTIC &ALL 0ROGRAMS
%VENTS AT YOUR &INGERTIPS
!RE YOU READY TO 2%')34%2
$O YOU HAVE YOUR 4ELE
2EG .UMBERS $O YOU HAVE YOUR 4ELE
2EG .UMBERS
&AMILY "ARCODE&AMILY "ARCODE
#ALL FOR INFORMATION#ALL FOR INFORMATION
!RE YOU READY TO 2%')34%2
$O YOU HAVE YOUR 4ELE
2EG .UMBERS
&AMILY "ARCODE
#ALL FOR INFORMATION
#USTOMER SERVICE IS A KEY PRIORITY FOR THE #ITY !T THE #ITY OF
0ICKERING WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A CITIZEN
CENTRED
APPROACH TO OUR SERVICE DELIVERY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TIMELY
KNOWLEDGEABLE COMPETENT COURTEOUS AND FAIR 4HE
#USTOMER #ARE #ENTRE PROVIDES A LINK BETWEEN MUNICIPAL
DEPARTMENTS AND YOU OUR CUSTOMER AND CONTINUALLY STRIVES TO
ENHANCE OUR SERVICE DELIVERY
)F WE CAN ANSWER A QUESTION OR RESOLVE A MUNICIPAL CONCERN
PLEASE VISIT US IN PERSON OR CONTACT OUR FRIENDLY STAFF
/NE 4HE %SPLANADE 0ICKERING /. ,6 +
6OICE OR \ 449
&AX \ EMAILCUSTOMERCARE CITYPICKERINGONCA
CITYOFPICKERINGCOM
3%26).'