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Convicted killer back in custody Police worried escapee may have headed for family in Ajax area By Carly Foster Staff Writer DURHAM — The convicted Taber killer, who has been the focus of a 24- hour manhunt, was arrested without incident late Tuesday afternoon. To dd Cameron Smith, 20, who shot and killed a fellow student at a high school in Alberta six years ago, walked away from an open custody facility in To ronto around 3:30 a.m. Monday. He was arrested by members of Toronto Police Service’s 51 division in the area of Dundas Street East and Berkeley Street at 4:50 p.m. He had walked way from a Toronto halfway house Monday afternoon. Police, who were “concerned for the safety of the community”, initially stated he might be headed to Durham Region where he had family in Ajax. A To ronto police source said Mr. Smith left behind a note indicating he has no intention of remaining “caged” any more and does not plan to be taken back into custody alive. Mr. Smith was convicted of first de- gree murder and two counts of at- tempted murder in 2000 after he shot and killed a 17-year-old student at his high school in Taber, Alta. Only 14 at the time, Mr. Smith also wounded a second student and missed a third during the April 28, 1999 shoot- ing. The event grabbed media attention around North America since it came a week after the slaying of 13 students at Columbine High School in Colorado. The Pickering 44 PAGES ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2005 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 Come See Our New Look! PICKERING TOWN CENTREPICKERING TOWN CENTRE UPPER LEVEL SEARS WINGUPPER LEVEL SEARS WING 905.420.0744905.420.0744 EVERY FAMILY IS DIFFERENT So Rogers™ lets you bundle the services you really want. savesave15%15% Bundle 2 or more services like Wireless, Internet or Cable and save 15% off each monthly service fee. EXTREME EXPRESS LITE ULTRA-LITE basic calbe plus: ULTIMATE TV PAK DIGITAL CABLE PROGRAMMING THEME PACKAGES SPECIALTY CHANNELS 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 commit- ment 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 expiresAugust 31, 2005. ™Rogers, Rog- ers Wireless, and the Mobius design are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc. Used under License. Better Choice Bundles™ WIRELESS FA MILY PLAN FA MILY PLAN with evenings and weekends FEATURE RATE PLAN RATE PLAN with evenings and weekends INTERNET TELEVISION [ Briefly ] Check your car seat in Pickering PICKERING — The Sit Safe program and St. John Ambulance want to make sure your child is safe in the car. The two are holding a car seat safety check clinic on Thursday, Aug. 18 in Pickering from 1 to 3 p.m. at To ys R Us, 1899 Brock Rd. The seat is to be inspected for proper fit in the vehicle, proper fit for a child, possible recall and damage. Join the Hawaiian beach party PICKERING — The rec com- plex lifeguards are throwing a beach par ty and everyone is invited. It is at the Pickering Recreation Complex pool Thursday, Aug. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. In addition to having fun, partygoers can also learn drowning prevention strategies from Durham Region health department repre- sentatives who want everyone to practise water safety whether at the pool or the beach. Kids of all ages are invited to bring their beach toys, bathing suits, sunglasses and friends for a fun eve- ning. Admission is just $1. The complex is at 1867 Valley Farm Rd. For more information, call Nancy at 905-831-1711. Backpack clinic in Pickering PICKERING — The Chiroprac- tic Centre for Optimum Health wants to teach students how to carry their backpack properly. It’s holding a free backpack fit- ting clinic Monday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Children learn how to wear a backpack correctly, how to take stress off the spine and how to avoid spinal injury from backpack use. Studies have shown carrying loads that are too heavy or carried improperly can damage a growing spinal column. Space is limited to 20 children. For more information or to register, call 905-420-7231. The centre is at 1550 Kingston Rd., Unit 11. [ 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 BIG WINNER Catch artist’s new exhibit Page 7 TORRENT TIME GM sets the benchmark Wheels pullout KICKIN’ Pickering girl is Buffalo bound Page 8 Ministry says decision on units won’t affect long-term supply, but Pickles has concerns By Keith Gilligan Staff Writer PICKERING — Although two reac- tors at the Pickering nuclear station won’t be restarted, the Province is con- fident there will be enough electricity generation to meet demand. Ministry of Energy spokesman Ted Gruetzner says by 2009 the government has a commitment of 9,000 megawatts of new generation. Those projects include the restart of Unit 1 at the Pickering nuclear sta- THEIR CHARIOTS AWAITS Jason Liebregts/ News Advertiser photo PICKERING — Pundit Damoda Sharma offers fruits and sweets as Hindus from Devi Mandir in north Pickering celebrate Rathayatra in the form of the Parade of Chariots. The group gathered at the Pickering Recreation Complex, eventually making their way to Devi Mandir, on Brock Road near Taunton Road. Residents, industries feeling the pinch as price of gasoline goes over the dollar mark By David Blumenfeld Staff Writer DURHAM — Although the price of gasoline has continued to rise, GM Canada has not seen any decline in the sale of its less fuel-efficient ve- hicles. In fact, it’s having trouble keeping up with demand. “We’re building maximum over- time at our full-sized pickup truck plant -- they can’t run enough over- time right now to meet demands,” GM public affairs manager Pam McLaughlin said. “It’s a very interesting phenomena. SUV’s would be slightly more fuel efficient than a truck... but we can’t make enough of them right now.” In recent days, the price of crude oil has topped more than $67 per barrel -- the highest since oil futures began trading in 1983. Another record has been set at the pumps, where the cost of gasoline in parts of Durham Region have topped It’s dollar daze Confidence and questions in Pickering ✦ See Killer, Page 2✦ See ??, Page A? A.J. Groen/ News Advertiser photo Nasim Yousuf, owner of the Sunoco at Brock and Pickering Parkway, says rising gas prices have had another impact. More people are driving off without paying for their purchase.✦ See Rising, Page 6 Anderson wants to talk exit strategy Province not fulfilling promise , says chairman By Mike Ruta Staff Writer DURHAM — Ontario municipalities want to sit down with the Province and talk about a downloading “exit strat- egy,” says Roger Anderson. The Durham Region chairman, and president of the Association of Munici- palities of Ontario (AMO), was speaking Tuesday from the AMO conference in To ronto. Ontario towns and cities want the Liberal government to deal with what they say is the $3 billion imbal- ance created by the former Conserva- tive government, which took over 100 per cent of the cost of education but dumped health and welfare costs in their lap. “If we had one-third of our money back we could be investing in our in- frastructure, like roads, our sewer and water plants, repairing or replacing old pipes,” Mr. Anderson says. “We could be acquiring land for our environmental protection. We could be moving ahead with our trail system for Durham, in- vesting in public transit.” He criticized Municipal Affairs Min- ister John Gerretsen for telling media at the conference, but not AMO delegates directly, that the Province first has to tackle its $3 billion deficit. Mr. Ander- son says that message is getting old anyway. “We think that the deficit is far more in check than what they’re suggesting,” he says. “I would suggest that if the gov- ernment wants to continue to use that line, they’re going to have trouble down the road.” He says Ontario voters elected a gov- ernment that promised change, not the status quo, and that the Liberals haven’t been a friend to municipalities since they took office. With just two years remaining in their term, Mr. Anderson says AMO wants the government to fulfil its promise “to help municipalities become more fiscally sustainable.” ✦ See Municipalities, Page 2 ANNANDALE CHURCH ST. AT BAYLY 905-683-3210 DAILY RATES 18 Holes Mon.-Fri. ...............................................$3900 Tw ilite after 4:00 pm .......................................$1950 18 Holes Weekends & Holidays .........................$4400 Tw ilite 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 DURHAM — Durham Region has re- ported its first two summer season West Nile virus cases in birds. Last Thursday, the health department indicated that two birds submitted for testing in Guelph were probably carry- ing the virus. The news release advised residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten, especially since human West Nile virus (WNV) cases had been reported elsewhere in southern Ontar- io. “We have confirmed that the birds are positive,” spokeswoman Glendene Collins said Monday. The birds, both crows, were collected in Oshawa on Aug. 4 and in Whitby on Aug. 8. One might think that the dry, swel- tering summer we’ve experienced in 2005 would mean less mosquitoes and therefore fewer cases of WNV. However Dr. Donna Reynolds, the Region’s asso- ciate medical officer of health, says the opposite is true. “We have seen in other parts of the world that hot, dry weather usually means an increase in WNV cases in hu- mans,” she says. Dr. Reynolds says the reasons are un- clear, but it could be that the dry weath- er prompts both birds and mosquitoes to come in to urban areas to find water. “I think the message with the lateness of the detection... is we have a lot still to learn about this virus and how it will affect the North American population,” she says. Mr. Smith was transferred to Co- bourg’s Brookside Youth Centre in 2002 after his family moved to Ontario. In a hearing last February, a judge in Port Hope determined he should remain in custody due to his recurring violent fantasies, lack of remorse for his crime and a family history of mental illness. But after less than five years behind bars, a judge allowed Mr. Smith to be transferred to a halfway house in To- ronto in March this year. The sister of the escaped teen mur- derer spoke at a press conference just hours before his arrest begging her brother to turn himself in before he got himself killed. “Please don’t hurt my brother,” Jen- nifer Smith said. “I’m afraid we’re going to find a body. I don’t want a body, I want my brother back.” This week’s manhunt was the first time Mr. Smith’s identity has been made public, as he was sentenced under the Young Offender’s Act. The To ronto police had to apply to the courts to get information out to the public. — with files from Torstar News Service A/P PAGE 2 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆AUGUST 17, 2005 Carinsurance made easy Although no car insurance company can claim to be the cheapest, at BELAIRdirect we do our best. And we’re pretty good at it. Get a quote*at belairdirect.com and compare today! *Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. Not everyone will qualify for a quote. BELAIRdirect is a trademark of Belair Insurance Company Inc. and is used under license by The Nordic Insurance Company of Canada. Insurance products may be underwritten by either Belair Insurance Company Inc. or The Nordic Insurance Company of Canada. WIFE WANTED Due to massive overstock, Singer Sewing Centre is offering for sale to the public a limited number of new special 2005 HEAVY DUTY Zig-Zag sewing machines which are industrial strength and sew on all fabrics, denim, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch, vinyl, silk. EVEN SEWS ON LEATHER. No attachments needed for button holes (any size), monograms, hems, sews on buttons, satin overcasts, darns, appliqués and more. 50 stitch functions, simulated serging stitch. Just set dials and see magic happen. These machines are suitable for home, professional or school room sewing, 25 yr. ltd. warranty. Your price with this ad - $299 - without this ad - $599.95. PHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED. ®REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE SINGER COMPANY LIMITED ® SEWING CENTRE 11 SIMCOE ST. S. OSHAWA 905-433-1140 OFFER EXPIRES AUGUST 20th OPEN: MON.-FRI. 9 TO 5:30 SAT. 9 TO 4 This is the machine your wife wanted! MADNESS SALE FIREPLACE PLUS 905-668-3192 900 HOPKINS ST, WHITB Y Unit #1 (Enter off Burns St.) Closed Sunday and Monday SAVE UP TO Wood, Gas, Electric, Corn, Pellet ONE DAY ONLY DROP IN AND PREVIEW “Regency, Valor, Majestic, Vermont Castings, Heritage, Pacific Energy” STOVES CHIMNEYS FIREPLACES Everything Reduced By At Least 10% 75 % Gas Fireplaces Wood Stoves Starts at noon Friday. Aug. 26th NEWS ADVERTISER Do you have some news to share with our re aders? We’d love to hear about it. Please send it to news editor David Stell at dstell@ durhamregion. com NEWS ADVERTISER In his AMO speech, Mr. Gerretsen said the review of Ontario’s Municipal Act is ongoing, and that the Province wants municipalities “to have the means to be fiscally sustainable, autonomous and accountable. “We intend to introduce legisla- tion to make that happen.” Mr. Gerretsen said the gov- ernment “took an historic ap- proach by step- ping back” and allowing munici- palities to deal directly with the federal government on gas tax revenue sharing. Mr. Anderson had a different take on the issue, say- ing municipalities went to the federal government for funding help because the Province isn’t addressing their cash crunch. Ontario municipalities received $112 million this week from the federal gov- ernment, the first instalment of federal gasoline tax revenue. Durham in 2005 is to receive $9.8 million. Durham and other municipalities are also receiving provincial gas tax rev- enue, one cent per litre as of October 2004, rising to 1.5 cents this October and two cents next year for municipal transit. According to the Ministry of Finance, it amounts to $3.7 million for Durham municipalities this year. Mr. Anderson disagreed with the sug- gestion that time is of the essence in terms of AMO’s request, since a Con- servative government would be less likely to address the issue. “I’d say maybe just the opposite,” he said. “They have a new leader and their party has to come up with policies to address the fiscal imbalance.” He wanted to wait and see what Pre- mier Dalton McGuinty has to say about the funding gap. The premier is to speak to AMO del- egates this morning. Municipalities want promise keptKiller found after police warning ✦ Killer from page 1 ✦ Municipalities from page 1 Roger Anderson West Nile infects two birds, tests confirm A/P PAGE 3 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆AUGUST 17, 2005 Mon-Fri 9-8 pm Saturday 9-6 pm Sunday 9-5 pm 4038 Hwy. 7 (former White Rose location) 905-479-2480 UNIONVILLE PICKERING 2215 Brock Rd. N., 905-683-5952 Mon-Fri 9-7 pm Saturday 9-5 pm Sunday 9-5 pm Pine Ridge …See us for ‘great’ Landscape Designs & Ideas… Sale price in effect: Until Sunday, August 21st, 2005 Both Unionville & Pickering Santa’sSanta’s Secret! Santa’sSanta’s Secret!Secret! Unionville Store Only 40%4040%% OFFOFFOFF Christmas Decor during August for a successfulfor a successful 1st Year in Unionville1st Year in Unionville for a successfulfor a successful 1st Year in Unionville1st Year in Unionville Thank YouThank You We ’r e celebrating with a 4-Day sale starting tomorrow… • Trees, Shrubs, Mums, Fountains, Gazebos, Trellis’, Pots, Soil, Mulches, Roses, Fertilizers, Tools & Bird Feeders… 30%3030%% 1ST YEAR UNIONVILLE 1ST YEAR UNIONVILLE 12TH YEAR PICKERI N G 12TH YEAR PICKER ING Everything in the stores!!Everything in the stores!! CUSTOMER APPRECIATION CUSTOMER APPRECIATION 4 DAY SALE August 18 - 21August 18 - 21 Thursday 9-8pmThursday 9-8pm Friday 9-8pmFriday 9-8pm Saturday 9-6pmSaturday 9-6pm Sunday 9-6pmSunday 9-6pm OFFOFFOFF A Much VIDEO DANCE like you’ve never seen before! Saturday, August 20th 11 :00 am - 4:00 pm at Centre Court •VJ Host •Requests and Dedications •Dance Contests •Great Prizes Samantha from WHITBY LIFE DOESN’T ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL PAYDAY! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • PAYDAY LOANS • TITLE LOANS • NO CREDIT NECESSARY • BORROW UP TO 50% OF YOUR PAY Ajax 11 Hardwood Ave. S., 905-426-2331 Pickering First Pickering Place #14-1550 Kingston Rd. 905-831-0874 NOW IN NOW IN BOWMANVILLE BOWMANVILLE Providing Exceptional Service for 100 YearsProviding Exceptional Service for 100 Years DELIVERY & PICK - UP DELIVERY & PICK - UP Same Day Pick-Up • Same Day & Next Day Delivery SELECTION SELECTION Full Range of Carbon, Non-Ferrous & Specialty Metals SERVICES SERVICES Saw Cutting • Prime Painting • Shearing Rebar Fabrication • Burning 905-623-5544 • 1-866-623-5544905-623-5544 • 1-866-623-5544 222 Baseline Rd. E. Bowmanville, ON L1C 1A4 (Former Site of Greely Steel) Fax: 905-623-5564 www.salitsteel.comwww.salitsteel.com WE’VE GOT YOUR SIZE Sizes 4-15 Widths AA-EEE PICKERING TOWN CENTRE • UPPER LEVEL • SEARS WING IT’S SALE TIMEIT’S SALE TIME genuine leather woven vamp perfect for the warm summer weather Comfort and Well being with every step Available in Sizes 6-13 !.4) 342%33 ¤ Just ask Felicity Martin of Ajax who paid her carrier and won a $1,000 Shopping Spree in the Ajax/Pickering New Advertiser’s collection draw, which she has chosen to spend at Home Depot. The carrier on this route, Brian, also received a $25.00 bonus. 2nd prize winner of a $100 Shopping Spree is Judi Clarke (not shown) of Ajax, which she has chosen to spend at Home Depot and our 3rd prize winner of a $50 Shopping Spree is Brenda Deisinger (not shown) of Ajax, which she has chosen to spend at Shoppers Drug Mart. To enter the draw for your chance to win a $1000, $100 or $50 Shopping Spree, just pay your carrier the $6.00 optional delivery charge and send us your ballot which is located on your “Thank You” coupon, before noon on Monday August 22, 2005. Your carrier keeps 100% of what they collect as payment for their delivery. “SERVICE WORTH PAYING FOR” It Pays to Pay your News Advertiser Carrier $1000 WINNER Metroland Durham Region A.J. Groen/ News Advertiser photo Fa tal crash PICKERING — A 19-year-old Bowmanville woman is dead after a collision on Hwy. 401 eastbound, just east of Whites Road in Pickering, early Monday morning. Police say a black Oldsmobile was in the right collector lane, just east of Whites Road, and, for a yet-undetermined reason, left the road and hit the south concrete barrier. The car then veered left, crossing all lanes of traffic and hitting the north concrete barrier. The ac- cident happened around 6:25 a.m., and the eastbound collector lanes were closed from 6:30 to 10:15 a.m. for police investigation. The driver, 19-year-old Nichola Marie Samuels of Bowmanville, was found at the scene without vital signs and pronounced dead. The 18-year-old passenger, Marshall Bingham of Whitby, was in the backseat at the time of the collision, and was taken to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital with broken ribs and a broken leg. PICKERING — Durham po- lice have issued a warrant for the arrest of the man responsible for several thefts from lockers at the Pickering Recreation Complex. According to police, on June 8 shortly after noon a male ap- proached an employee of the recreation complex and claimed that he had lost his access card and needed to gain entrance to the membership area and locker room. After being allowed access, the man was seen running from the change room approximately five minutes later. Three victims later reported that the locks had been cut from their lockers and wallets containing cash and credit cards had been stolen. The cards were later used at the Pickering Town Centre. The suspect was cap- tured on video using the stolen credit cards and police posted digital photos on their website. The suspect has since been identified as Shawn Bolby, age 23, of no fixed address. Anyone with information is asked to call 905-683-9100 ext. 2520 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Pickering locker thief identified, sought PICKERING — Whitevale is cel- ebrating summer with a good, old- fashioned corn roast. Heritage United Church’s annual corn roast is Thursday, Aug. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. People have their choice of sausage on a bun or a veggie dog or hotdog, as well as all-you-can-eat corn on the cob -- with fresh cream- ery butter -- a slice of homemade pie or cake, and coffee, tea or lem- onade to wash it all down. Prices are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12, and $22 for a family of four (two children and two adults). The church is at the cor- ner of North and Whitevale roads. For more information, call the church at 905-294-0312 or e-mail heritageuc@bellnet.ca. Summer corn roast in Whitevale 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 We b 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. - 5 p.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 w elcome 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. P PAGE 4 ◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆AUGUST 17, 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. EDITORIAL Changing parties doesn’t always hurt To the editor: Regarding the recent letters in connection with Belinda Stronach crossing the floor of the House of Commons, I do not comprehend how people can get their knickers in such a twist. These individuals are not familiar with the politi- cal career of that well-known statesman, Sir Winston Churchill. He was born into a fam- ily well known for its strong Conservative Party connec- tions. This did not prevent him from changing party af- filiation when following the dictates of his conscience. He entered Parliament in 1900 as a Conservative MP. In 1904 he crossed the floor in disagree- ment with the government’s tariff proposals. Initially he sat as an Independent, but later as a Liberal. He made numerous unsuccessful attempts to get re-elected. First, in 1923 as an Independent, and then early in 1924 as a Constitutionalist. In the General Election held in late 1924, he was at last suc- cessful and got elected repre- senting the Liberal Party. He later rejoined the Con- servatives, however, holding numerous ministerial portfo- lios and became party leader in 1940. To r at, as he called chang- ing party affiliation, was one thing, but to re-rat, as he did, obviously did him no harm. Guy Colm, Ajax It’s Liverpool raceway To the editor: Start your engines at Liver- pool and Bayly. You will not encounter a stop sign at all. Yo u can speed down Liverpool at 100 km/h. Oh, you might kill a dog or a cat, but that will not stop you. Just keep on going until you hit the parking lot at Frenchmen’s Bay. Then you can go north again at the same speed. I would only hope that this time you will stop when you hit an animal. I wanted you to see the horror on my kids’ faces as they watched their cat ‘Twice’ die in agony as you fi- nally slowed down to 60 km/h and then drove off. I also want to thank the other cars that flew down the road as my kids huddled around as I picked up its lifeless body. I have been asking for years to put a stop sign at Liver- pool Road and Krosno Bou- levard. This would not elimi- nate speeders, but it would definitely slow you down to at least 40 km/h. This seems to be an issue for the City of Pickering. Maybe when a child gets hit at 100 km/h and his father has to pick up his lifeless body, somebody will listen. To the person who ran over my cat, I buried Twice tonight and she does not forgive you. Ira Abroms Pickering It’s not NIMBY, it’s saving history To the editor: Re: ‘To move forward, we must stop saying ‘no’ to prog- ress’, letter, Aug. 10. It is a little disturbing to be classed as “thinking about yourselves” when you are try- ing to save an ancestral home and a whole community from being bulldozed into oblivion so that future generations won’t have to head to their local library to find out that these places actually did exist at one time. As for grandparents getting on the bandwagon: Perhaps, Ms. Lewis has missed all the brouhaha about a certain gen- tleman named Elder George Barclay who got on his “band- wagon” in 1837. I’m opposed to an airport in north Pickering because it is such a hugely bad idea on so many levels. I’m fighting for my kids and your kids. I’m fighting so that the kids in the Pickering area will have local produce to eat, clean air to breath and if they want to take a ride in the coun- try they won’t have to go all the way to Haliburton to do it. My kids finding jobs close to home is the least of my worries. Laurie Barclay Claremont LETTERS TO THE EDITOR “ T he only problem with the island, is that it ruins you.” These were the words of my friend Brian as he left my fam- ily and I on the shore of his island cottage retreat. At the time, day one of a week-long vacation on one of the most beautiful hunks of granite in the Canadian Shield, I didn’t know what he was talking about. Now, three days home, I understand all too well. At the risk of sounding like a Luddite there is no question in my mind that we are pay- ing a huge price for the busy, info-saturated lifestyles most of us have chosen. I expect the salmon, manically swimming upstream with thousands of his likewise frenzied compa- triots, rarely takes the time to notice the beauty of the water surrounding him. But take him out of the swarm and turmoil, let him swim quietly by himself and very soon he remembers how delightful it really is to be a fish in this wonderful sea. Over six blessedly quiet days, in a cozy cedar cabin, surrounded by towering hemlocks, white pines that would’ve made Tom Thom- son drool, and emerald green waters so clear you could see a bass fart 20 feet down, I watched my family rediscover something long dormant with- in ourselves. The cabin had no radio, tele- vision, Internet or phone. No DVD, no VCR, no MSN. Just air, H20 and sun. We unpacked and the metamorphoses began almost immediately. There is something almost baptismal about diving into a lake. When you dive into a lake you be- come a visitor in a world not your own. It is dark and cool and silent and while you thrash about and peer goggle-eyed into the depths, there are things look- ing back. You get smaller. Your place on this earth falls more into perspective. Swimming naked accelerates the process. Believe me... especially when part of you looks like bait. With each passing day we seemed to settle. Our pace and our pulse slowed, our focus sharpened. Even the boys, normally rockets of impatient energy, began to fall under the island’s primal spell. With no media to tell them what was entertaining, they discovered their own vast resources. They improvised long, hilar- ious one-sided conversations on an antique phone in the cottage. They lay on the sun- baked granite and sketched. They read ferociously, played cards, snorkelled until they had permanent rings around their faces and, wonder of wonders, they talked to one another. Not fighting, not taking shots at each other. But actually listen- ing and connecting. As for me, I am never far away from my inner salmon. The island had me the first time I could whiz off of the deck naked, while gazing up at the stars. But of course eventually the world beckons and, after our week, we regretfully headed back into the magnetic field. Once home, I watched, bro- ken-hearted, as the television and computer slowly lured my kids back into their cold blue world, I could almost hear their frontal lobes atrophying. This was all here before we left, I know, it just didn’t seem so pathetic then. Brian was right, the island ruins you. Durham resident Neil Crone, actor-comic-writer, saves some of his best lines for his col- umns. Oh, the joys of going to the island Neil Crone enter laughing The world stopped fighting 60 years ago VJ Day marked end of worst slaughter in mankind’s history T hough it is not celebrated with the same ceremony as VE Day (May 8) and D-Day (June 6), VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, marked the real end of the last time the world was at war. That day was 60 years ago this past Monday, when Emperor Hi- rohito surrendered to the Allied Forces. For many, the day is remembered by “the kiss,” when a happy sailor swept an unsuspecting nurse in his arms in Times Square. The pair are forever immortalized in that joyous occasion. Oth- ers recall the horrific atomic bombings of Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9) which killed hundreds of thousands and brought Japan to its knees. But we in Canada would do well to remember that it was the end of nearly four years of suffering and pain for Canadian soldiers who were captured on Christmas Day, 1941. It was just a few weeks after Pearl Harbour, and Japanese forces were striking at areas throughout Southeast Asia. A hardy band of Canadian soldiers -- along with some Brits and Indians -- were ordered to protect the British Colony of Hong Kong. Against over- whelming odds, they held out for two weeks but were eventually overcome. Some 1,975 Canadians fought in the battle. Those who survived, including Durham resident Sergeant Robert ‘Flash’ Clayton of Brechin, faced a grim future of torture and suffering. Many worked in Japanese plants as they lasted out the conflict as prisoners of war. Some 557 died either in battle or in POW camps. Few are left today. VJ Day is also an opportunity for us to recall our own unfortunate part in the war -- on the home front. Because we were at war with Japan, some 22,000 Japanese-Cana- dians, three-quarters of whom were naturalized Canadian citizens, were stripped of their belongings and forced to live in camps for years until the end of the war. The Government of Canada has since formally apologized to those affected by this treatment. Aug. 15 is a day that allows us to remember that we can never again become embroiled in a world war. That war left 50 million dead and many countries devastated. Never again. CLICK AND SAY IN THE COMMUNITY Women only event Victoria McLean of Pickering sent us this photo of a recent fundraiser she organized for a friend who was getting married. Ms. McLean says the Cook for the Cure weekend in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation was a women’s weekend up at her cottage for her friend’s stagette. They felt that it would be a perfect opportunity to donate money to a women’s cause. In front, from left, are Shawna Martin (bride), Dervla Kelly and Kim Wilson. In back are Catherine McLean, Christine White, Lise Bourjot, Jody Scopeletti, Elaine Barber, Liza Jornacion, Nicole Bourjot and Ms. McLean. According to Kitche- nAid, sponsor of Cook for the Cure parties, it’s a grassroots fundrais- ing initiative where people host parties and ask their guests to bring a donation to the CBCF. This Week’s Question: Will the price of gas figure into your next car purchase: Yes or No? Cast your vote online at infodurhamregion.com Last Week’s Question: Is Michaelle Jean a good choice for Canada’s next governor general? Votes cast: 505 Yes 60% No 40% P PA GE 5◆NEWS ADVERTISER ◆AUGUST 17, 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 Sept. 12 Management Forum Meeting 1:30 pm Sept. 12 Executive Committee 7:30 pm Sept. 15 Statutory Public Information Meeting 7:00 pm Sept. 19 Council Meeting 7:30 pm Sept. 26 Executive Committee 7:30 pm 905.420.2222 cityofpickering.com 24 Hour Access 905.420.4660 CITY OF PICKERING HOLIDAY OPERATING HOURS CLOSED Monday, September 5 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 Bring A Lawn Chair Sundays in August City Hall, Gazebo @ 2:00 pm Outdoor - Free Concerts 905.420.4620 2EGISTER ./7 FOR ,EISURE 0ROGRAMS #HOOSE FROM !RTS !QUATICS 3PORTS OR#HOOSE FROM !RTS !QUATICS 3PORTS OR 3ELF )MPROVEMENT &ROM 0RE SCHOOL TO 3ELF )MPROVEMENT &ROM 0RE SCHOOL TO /LDER !DULT WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU YOURSFOR YOU YOURS #HOOSE FROM !RTS !QUATICS 3PORTS OR 3ELF )MPROVEMENT &ROM 0RE SCHOOL TO /LDER !DULT WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU YOURS 3IMPLE 7AYS TO 2EGISTER 4ODAY 3IMPLE 7AYS TO 2EGISTER 4ODAY 4ELE 2EG FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME4ELE 2EG FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME OR &AX -AIL )N $ROP OFF OR 2EGISTER IN 0ERSONOR &AX -AIL )N $ROP OFF OR 2EGISTER IN 0ERSON #ALL FOR 2EGISTRATION )NFORMATION#ALL FOR 2EGISTRATION )NFORMATION 3IMPLE 7AYS TO 2EGISTER 4ODAY 4ELE 2EG FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME OR &AX -AIL )N $ROP OFF OR 2EGISTER IN 0ERSON #ALL FOR 2EGISTRATION )NFORMATION Register Now Fall Leisure Programs Pre-school to Older Adults Tele-Reg from home 905.420.4621 SEPTEMBER 10–18,2005 Join thousands of volunteers. Help clean up Canada’s rivers, streams,lakes and ocean shore- lines.Supplies,educational materials and support are provided free of charge. Extend a hand. Register yourself,your family or your group for this national event. Sign-up online. Visit www.vanaqua.org/cleanup or call toll free 1-877-427-2422. Founding Sponsor: Conservation Partners:© 1986 Panda symbol WWF® WWF Registered TrademarkClaremont Community Centre Fr iday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm - gymnasium - volleyball & ball hockey. Delmeade Community Centre - Brougham Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - air hockey, foosball, games, PS2, outdoor sports & more. FREE for Teens 13 - 19 living in Pickering (Claremont & Brougham) Come out & have fun! cityofpickering.com/teen MEMBERSHIPS & RATES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY HEALTH CLUB as low as per month Annual $420 3 Month $180 GROUP FITNESS CLASSES as low as per month $27.50 Annual $330 3 Month $134 $37.45 YOUTH HEALTH as low as per month $14.25 Annual $171 3 Month $83 Family* $660 Youth* $135 *13 years and older SQUASH as low as per month $46.23 Annual $519 3 Month $213 Family $946 TENNIS as low as per month $39.71 Annual $446 3 Month $189 Family $856 RAQUETBALL as low as per month $39.71 Annual $446 3 Month $185 Family $856 Pickering Recreation Complex 905.683.6582 MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS Memberships, include Health Club privilages (all prices are pre-GST) Fire Won’t Wait! A fire in your home can turn into a raging inferno faster than you could ever imagine. If a fire breaks out in your home, don’t waste time trying to save posses- sions. Get everyone out and away from the building as quickly as possible and go to your designated meeting place. Then call the fire department from a neighbour’s phone. Never re-enter a burn- ing building. Remem- ber: your most valuable possession is your life. A message from the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and the Pickering Fire Services. For more infor- mation contact the Pickering Fire Services at Phone: 905.420.4628 or email: fire@city.pickering.on.ca or visit our website at cityofpickering.com. Want to LearnWant to Learn about things that goabout things that go BUMP in the nightBUMP in the night Join the Frenchman's Bay Project on August 24th from 8pm to 10pm as we explore Pickering's natural night life on a NIGHT HIKENIGHT HIKE Hoot with owls, explore the night sky and much more. Flashlights are a must! Call 905.420.4660 ext. 2212 to register 3%26).'