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Home My WebLink AboutNA2009_11_11905-683-6074 Full & Partial Dentures BPS® Dentures Same Day Relines & Repairs Soft Liners Implant Dentures Complimentary Consultations DentureClinics we’ll give you a reason to smile... Deegan Michael Deegan DD 134 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax (In the Ajax Plaza in the corner by Home Hardware) Ajax Nissan Parts/Service Open 7:00am - 6:00pm Wednesdays 7:00am - 8:00pm Saturdays 8:00am - 2:00pm 500 Bayly Street West, Ajax (Between Westney & Church) 1-800-565-6365 905-686-0555 PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN INCOME TAX All-Canadian Tax Service $59.95*only * Most returns *GST extra 100 Westney Rd S (Ajax Go Station) (905) 426-4860 Pressrun 51,400 • 56 pages • Optional 3-week delivery $6/$1 newsstand PICKERING Wednesday, November 11, 2009 NNews ews AAddveverr titisseerrTHE Pickering war vets’ memories live on Book focuses on recollections from Second World War BY KRISTEN CALIS kcalis@durhamregion.com PICKERING -- Whether they look back fondly on adventurous times, sadly at leaving their families behind, or proudly for contributing to historically-significant moments in time, Pickering’s war veterans have a wealth of stories from the Second World War. “I was stationed in St. John’s, Newfound- land and travelled in the North Atlantic and glad to say that I had a gal in most ports. There was a great responsibility in wartime but there were also some very happy moments where you were on leave. The music and dance halls were part of life in those times,” recalled Reginald Jones, of the Royal Canadian Navy, in a book of Pickering war vets’ stories. Freedom 2 was compiled by Pickering resident Elsie Hetherman, who has no war veterans in her family, but always had a desire to learn more about their time dur- ing the Second World War. RYAN PFEIFFER PHOTO PICKERING -- British Army veteran George A. Fulton took a moment to reflect during a Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by the Bay Ridges Branch 606 of the Royal Canadian Legion at Esplanade Park on Nov. 8.See PICKERING page 3 REMEMBRANCE DAY In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, ﬂ y Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders ﬁ elds. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders ﬁ elds. Page 6 - Today’s editorial In Flanders Fields BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN MCCRAE, MD (1872-1918) CANADIAN ARMY newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20092 P Lest we forget PICKERING -- Clockwise from bottom right, Wreaths were laid at the base of the cenotaph as the Bay Ridges Branch 606 of the Royal Canadian Legion hosted a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Esplanade Park on Nov. 8. Brianna Dickerson, 4, representing City Councillor Doug Dickerson, carried a wreath to the cenotaph. A colour guard from the Legion branch at the ceremony. British Army vet George A. Fulton clutches a program. The HST is coming. Plan now and save. Cemetery and cremation arrangements are currently subject to 5% GST. With the pending Harmonized Sales Tax, the government will demand you pay an extra 8% for these essential services. Pre-arrange your cemetery or cremation plans today to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in additional taxes. Plan now – Save 8% Call us today: 905-427-5416 www.pineridgecemetery.ca Pine Ridge Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Cremation Centre & Monument SupplierChurch Street & Taunton Road West, Ajax YOUR CASINO TOUR SPECIALISTS! VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT www.funbuscanada.com As Always, Please Call For More Details. 8 MIDTOWN DR., OSHAWA 905-576-1357 O/B Fun Time Travel Co. Ltd. TICO 50008767 FALLSVIEW CASINO RESORT IN NIAGARA FALLS EVERY FRIDAY & SUNDAY $15 PER PERSON FRIDAY & SUNDAY RECEIVE A BUFFET VOUCHER Departures from Oshawa, Pickering & Bowmanville *All persons must be 19 years of age or older with valid Government issued photo I.D. to board coach. Know your limit and play within.newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20093 P CELIA KLEMENZ / METROLAND PICKERING -- Elsie Hetherman recently completed the second installment of a book- let called ‘Freedom 2’, a followup to ‘Freedom’, her first publication about Pickering’s war veterans. “I can’t hardly talk about (the Second World War) now without crying,” she said in an interview at her Pickering home. In 2005, 60 years after the Second World War ended, the Year of the Veteran was declared by the federal government. “I thought, well, it’s about time,” Ms. Hetherman said. On the executive board of the South Pickering Seniors’ Club at the time, she decided to ask who was a veteran. At first she only got a response from five mem- bers. But as the numbers grew, she ended up writing her first book, Freedom, which was distributed as a learning tool to many schools in Durham. She then decided to expand beyond the seniors’ club and cre- ated the Pickering Veterans Association in hopes of attracting even more to the group. When the numbers grew to around 40, it gave Ms. Hetherman more to work with. They began meeting once a month to share memories, over coffee and desserts, of their days defending Canada She finds it’s been great therapy for the veterans to share their stories. “They just really wanted to talk to some- body and have someone understand,” she said. And she was most impressed with the details they could call up from more than 60 years ago “like it was yesterday.” After many interviews, Ms. Hetherman wrote Freedom 2, which even features sto- ries from veterans of other wars. This book has also become a hot commodity for schools in the region. The veterans also participate in events such as singing old war songs to seniors at retirement residences and speaking to children at schools or in organizations such as Cubs or Cadets. “They just swallow it up,” she said. Ms. Hetherman was touched recently when one of the young children told her he’d never forget the faces of the war vets who spoke to the group. And Remembrance Day is one of extreme importance and pride for the veterans. “I swear they’ll crawl to that parade on Sunday,” she said, referring to the annual ceremony the City of Pickering hosted the weekend prior to Remembrance Day. Now Ms. Hetherman and the veterans are looking for people who have returned from Afghanistan. Canadians are aware of the fallen sol- diers coming back on the Highway of Heroes, but Ms. Hetherman is interested in finding out more about those who came home alive. “The older boys can offer them a lot of advice,” she said. Anyone who wants to become a member of the Pickering Veterans’ Association, or has returned from duty in Afghanistan can con- tact Ms. Hetherman at: CALL 905-839-9507 EMAIL elsiehetherman@rogers.com I can’t hardly talk about (the Second World War) now without crying. Elsie Hetherman PICKERING from page 1 REMEMBRANCE DAY Pickering woman chronicles the stories of local war veterans 24/7 LOCAL BREAKING NEWS, SPORTS, PHOTOS, VIDEO AND WEATHER: ALL DAY, EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WANT IT.>>newsdurhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20094 AP Ba (R Cl yly Street / Victoria Street egional Road 22) ass Environmental Assessment NNOTICE OF STUDY COMPLETION WORKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC NOTICE Bayly Street / Victoria Street From Shoal Point Road (Town of Ajax) To Seaboard Gate (Town of Whitby) The Regional Municipality of Durham has completed a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study for the proposed reconstruction and widening of Bayly Street/Victoria Street (Regional Road 22) from Shoal Point Road in the Town of Ajax to Seaboard Gate in the Town of Whitby. The study was undertaken in accordance with Schedule C of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. An Environmental Study Report (ESR) was prepared which documents the planning process of the study. By this notice, the ESR is being placed on public record for a 30-day review period in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class EA. The ESR identifies the need to reconstruct and widen Bayly Street/Victoria Street to: address the capacity deficiencies and to support the approved development growth in the southern urban areas of Ajax and Whitby; eliminate the transportation constraint between existing widened sections of the roadway to the east and west; support the objectives of the Durham Region Transportation Master Plan; and to provide an opportunity to enhance the Lynde Marsh. The recommended plan is to widen Bayly Street/Victoria Street from two to four or five lanes between Shoal Point Road and Seaboard Gate. Provision for a 3 metre multi-use path throughout the project limits will be included in the south boulevard, of which the section between Halls Road and Seaboard Gate, once constructed, would form part of the Waterfront Trail. In addition, provision for a sidewalk will also be included on the north side of the roadway between Shoal Point Road and Audley Road. The installation of the multi-use path and sidewalk is subject to approval of funding by the Towns of Ajax and Whitby. Given the natural environmental sensitivity through the Lynde Marsh, a series of mitigation measures have been developed, including the provision of wildlife passages under the roadway to reduce wildlife road mortality and habitat enhancement, along with a viewing platform at the Marsh which will provide an opportunity for public education. The existing bridge over Lynde Creek will be replaced with a new four lane structure. The ESR is available for review at the following locations, starting November 12, 2009: Clerk’s Office Region of Durham 605 Rossland Rd. E. Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 905-668-7711 Clerk’s Office Town of Ajax 65 Harwood Ave. S. Ajax, ON L1S 2H9 905-683-4550 Clerk’s Office Town of Whitby 575 Rossland Rd. E. Whitby, ON L1N 2M8 905-430-4300 Town of Ajax Library-Main Branch 55 Harwood Ave. S. Ajax, ON L1S 2H8 905-683-4000 Town of Whitby Central Library 405 Dundas St. W. Whitby, ON, L1N 6A1 905-668-6531 In addition, the ESR (excluding the appendices), and previous study information are posted on the Region’s website at www.durham.ca/studiesandprojects. Further information can be obtained by contacting Wendy Houlberg, P.Eng., Project Manager for The Region of Durham, at 905-668-7711 ext. 3444 or wendy.houlberg@durham.ca. Please direct any comments to Wendy Houlberg. If concerns regarding this project cannot be resolved in discussion with the Region of Durham, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II order), which addresses individual Environmental Assessment (EA). Requests must be received by the Minister by December 11, 2009, with a copy sent to the Regional Clerk and to the Region’s Project Manager, at the address indicated below. If there are no requests to change the status of the project to an individual EA by this date, the Region of Durham may proceed with design and construction. The timing of construction is subject to completion of design, property acquisition, relocation of utilities and approval of funding by Regional Council. Hon. John Gerretsen Minister of the Environment 12th Floor, 135 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 P.M. Madill, A.M.C.T. Regional Clerk The Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Road East Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Wendy Houlberg Project Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Rd. E. Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 The Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department 605 Rossland Road East, WHITBY ON L1N 6A3 Telephone 905-668 -7711 or 1-800-372-1102 www.durham.ca newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20095 AP New for 2010 - Trafalgar introduces Grade 5!All Girls Day & Boarding, Grades 5-12 The Castle has made my educational experience truly unique. With the guidance of respected teachers, I’ve gained the skills to become everything I hoped I could be. This is where I feel at home. 67,5/6<:, ;<,:+(@5V]LTILY[O WT My Home. My Castle. Trafalgar Castle School Success. For Life. 905.668.3358 www.castle-ed.com 2SHQ+RXVH7XHV1RYWKSP Kids Eat FREE Everyday!* applebeescanada.com ©2009 Applebee’s International, Inc. 9B9P)--Caf_klgfJ\=YklLg?g1(-%,*.%.,,( Coupon must be presented to redeem offer. Valid at Ajax Applebee’s gfdq&ImYda^qaf_kh]f\ak*(Z]^gj]lYp]kYf\_jYlmalqYf\]p[dm\]k alcohol. Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer or \ak[gmfl&=phaj]kG[lgZ]j+)$*((1& * One free kids meal per adult entrée purchased. Available at Applebee’s Ajax for a limited time only. Enjoy $5 OFF when you spend $20 Expires November 30, 2009. Site open Nov. 12 and 13 DURHAM -- This Thursday and Friday, Ajax residents will be able to get an H1N1 flu shot in the community. The Durham Region Health Depart- ment is holding a vaccination clinic on Nov. 12 and 13, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the HMS Ajax Room of the Ajax Community Centre, on Centennial Road. Town officials were upset when a flu shot clinic wasn’t put in the community. Ajax Mayor Steve Parish said the health department approached the Region’s works department about space for the clinics and was told there was no facil- ity in Ajax. However, Mayor Parish said the Town should have been contacted directly. “It was unfortunate in determining clin- ics, this community was at least not con- sulted. It was assumed we did not have the facility to provide the space,” he said. “I think that was a poor assumption.” There have been recent steps to reme- dy that lack of communication. “We have had discussions with the Region over the last couple of days with respect to the facilities here and we have offered up facilities at no cost at the Ajax Community Centre,” said Howie Dayton, director of recreation and culture for the Town. Glendene Collins, a spokeswoman for the Region’s health department, said staffing and availability of vaccine are two of the things that “need to be looked at when establishing a clinic.” On Tuesday, the Region received 20,000 additional doses of vaccine and with declining volumes at other clinics, the department was able to open a tem- porary clinic in Ajax, Ms. Collins said. This clinic, like others hosted by the Region, will only provide shots to people in the priority population groups. These include people from six months old to under 65 years old with chronic medical conditions; pregnant women; healthy children from six months old to under five years old; persons residing in remote and isolated settings or commu- nities; health care workers; and house- hold contacts and care providers of per- sons at high risk who cannot be immu- nized or who may not respond to vac- cines. For more information, call the Durham Health Connection Line: CALL 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729 VISIT www.durham.ca H1N1 Flu shot clinic opening in Ajax & A Metroland Media Group Ltd. Publication Tim Whittaker - Publisher Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Duncan Fletcher - Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classiﬁ ed Advertising Manager Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Lillian Hook - Ofﬁ ce Manager Janice O’Neil, Cheryl Haines - Composing Managers News/Sales 905-683-5110 Fax 905-683-7363 Classiﬁ eds 905-683-0707 Distribution 905-683-5117 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax ON L1S 2H5. Publications Mail Sales Agreement Number 40052657 Member: Ontario Press Council, OCNA, CCNA, SNA. All content copyright Editorial Opinions Lost opportunity for Pickering in Pan Am Games To the editor: Back in the 1990s, Pickering was seen as the “mouse that roared”. I commissioned a report (no cost to the taxpayers) for new infrastruc- tures capable of hosting Olympic venues. Had Toronto hosted it, Pickering would have been part of it. In 2015, almost every Durham lake- shore community is hosting something as part of the Pan Am Games, but not Pickering. What a lost opportunity. Had Pickering dust- ed off the original report or commissioned a new one, it could have been at the table with Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa. We could have benefited from new infrastructure while at the same time providing a needed economic stimulus for our struggling local businesses. If Pickering wants to be sustainable, it needs to get out there and hustle. Maurice Brenner Pickering Make sure you clean, just like mom used to To the editor: This flu bug is really bugging me. There is so much media hype and government screw up with the flu vaccine, it is driving the sanity out of all of us. Everyone is coming out in droves to get their shots, but I think we should all be using some common sense to protect ourselves in our homes, our workplace and shopping areas. I am glad to hear some businesses are encouraging hand sanitizers and the need to wash hands frequently. I am concerned that more grocery stores and restaurants are not doing the same. The cashier who is sneez- ing all over your food and using her hands to touch everything, should be wearing pro- tective gloves and cleaning those filthy belts more frequently. I also think all those reusable bags we have been encouraged to buy, are full of bacteria and how many people really take the time to clean them? Maybe it’s worth paying five cents for that plastic bag. At home we all need to go back to some basics. Open windows to get some fresh air, use that good old-fashioned bleach to disinfect and hot water to clean our clothes and dishes. Clean, just like your mom used to. Step your hygiene up a notch and pass it on to your children, your friends, your co workers. It could only help. Chris Carmichael Oshawa MULTICULTURALISM Multiple cultures make Canada great To the editor: Re: Why “celebrate” Halloween and not Christ- mas, Susan McCaveney letter, Oct. 15. I could not agree more with Susan McCaveney’s letter regarding Halloween. Christmas is a Christian event that you choose to participate in. If you do not like the religious aspects of the event that is fine, but do not expect those aspects to be removed. That would be like attending church and being mystified by the inclusion of God or Jesus in the sermon. If a passerby said “Happy Hanukkah” to me, I would smile and reply “Merry Christmas.” It is called being Canadi- an. If you are tired of this nonsense contact your local NDP or Liberal candidate and give them an earful. They are the only parties who continually fight for the removal of religion in your personal life. That does not make the Conservatives a Christian party; they simply understand that having our multiple cultures co-exist harmo- niously is what makes Canada great. It is what makes Canada... Canada. Denying everyone his or her religious and cultural beliefs serves only to homogenize the population and rob Canada of its identity. Therefore, in the spirit of the season I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Adam Alchin Clarington WE THINK... email responses to newsroom@durhamregion.com Veterans made sacrifice so we could enjoy our freedoms Be thankful for all you have The solemn procession from Trenton to Toronto down the Highway of Heroes is crystal clear evidence on this Remem- brance Day of the ultimate sacrifice of war. Our soldiers put themselves in harm’s way, knowing full well there is every chance they won’t be coming back to their loved ones. That’s a thought we should all put squarely in our minds on this day. As we look back 91 years to the end of the First World War, and 64 years past the conclusion of the Second World War, it’s important to note the incredible sacri- fices over 100,000 soldiers made in giv- ing their lives for this great country. As the number of Second World War veter- ans decreases year over year, it’s vital we recall the reasons behind Remembrance Day and why it means so much to Cana- da. The freedoms we cherish have often been earned by hard work, peaceful com- promise and the efforts put in by under- standing and intelligent men and women over many years. Too often, it has taken the blood, sweat and tears of young men and women in uniform fighting within and without our borders to make this country a reality. Over the past two centuries, from the War of 1812, when settlers banded together with British troops and Native warriors to beat back Americans intent on taking our land, to the present day in the deserts of Afghanistan, Canadi- ans have shown themselves to be proud fighters. Consider the great Canadian war-time performances of our troops in battle from Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach in France to the liberation of Holland to service in South Africa in the Boer War to peace- keeping missions all over the globe for the past 50 years. It is truly an incredible record, one to envy. Canadians can stand as tall and proud as any nation on Earth when it comes to our service to our fellow men and women. And on this day, especially, it’s so important we all take the time to thank a veteran and spend some quiet moments of reflection of what it means to be Cana- dian and to live in this great country. Remember, we have freedoms, hard won by the sacrifices of the men and women who fought to the death to achieve them for us. e-mail letters to newsroom@durhamregion.com / max. 200 words / letter writers are obliged to back up statements with verifiable facts / please include your full first and last name, city of residence & daytime phone number / letters that do not appear in print may be published @ newsdurhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20096 P WE ASKED I’ve always been a little ambivalent about Daylight Savings Time. It seems to me it’s just a thinly veiled case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Of course it really all depends on what kind of a person you are. If you’re a morning person then yes, having that sun up a little earlier in the day certainly does make it easier to get out of bed with a smile on your face. But you’re boned if you’re the guy who has to get up in the dark anyway and used to count on at least driving home with the sun at your back. Plus now you’ve got to deal with Mr. Whiney Morning Guy getting all Seasonal Affective Disorder on you when it’s pitch black at 4 p.m. Gee, he seemed OK when he got up this morning? The ugly fact of the matter is that, at this latitude, at this time of the year... it’s dark... a lot. You can set your clocks back until the cows come home (in the dark), but there’s no getting around that one. And so I was wondering if there weren’t better ways to use our “time.” If maybe the conservation of “daylight” was not our most pressing issue. What, for instance, about “Face Saving Time”? Once a year, at an expeditious moment, say, when you’ve just said something really stupid about an in-law or perhaps forgotten an anni- versary, you get to set the clock back one hour. During that 60 minutes you have the opportunity to redo whatever gaff you were responsible for and thus “save face.” Now that’s what I call handy. Some lucky shift workers are already mak- ing good use of what I would call “Money Saving Time.” If you’re golden enough to be on duty in the spring when the clocks get set ahead one hour, you suddenly get paid for 60 minutes you didn’t even have to work. If it happens near the end of your shift you might even score an hour of OT. How great is that? And what about “Gas Savings Time”? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be able to stick it to the petroleum industry once a year? You know, you’ve got the van loaded, the family is excited about a long weekend at the cottage, when suddenly you realize you need to gas up. Whoa! All of a sudden the price per barrel has magically leapt $10. It’s not price fixing of course. Nor is it any form of despicable collusion. It’s purely and simply economics. Just unfortunately beyond the comprehension of provincial plebes like you and I. Still, it’s OK, thanks to “Gas Savings Time”. You simply wait for the price to go up, then crank the old clock back an hour to when the greed level of big oil was only staggering, and fill ‘er up. It’s a win-win. You take a much milder “roger- ing” at the pumps and the oil industry still makes its usual gross profit. Finally, what about something like “Che- quing and Savings Time”? Under this set- up, once a year, you’re allowed to enter your bank at its normal opening time. You then make the announcement that you are invoking “Chequing and Savings Time” and roll the clock back an hour to when the bank was still closed. All the employees, of course, not being on the clock, must exit the building. Leaving you alone with an hour in which to recoup your monthly fees from the open vault. Now that’s a savings plan I could really “fall back” on. Durham resident Neil Crone, actor-comic-writer saves some of his best lines for his columns. Bright and early this past Saturday morning my wife told me we were taking the kids to the vaccination centre to get “the shot” as soon as possible. It isn’t that I disagreed with the idea, although I did object to the timeline she had in mind for my shower and break- fast. When we arrived I wasn’t sure that the expected shortage had already hap- pened, as there was no lineup out the door and even the parking lot looked a little less busy than I had expected, so we parked, wrestled the kids in the door and stood in line. Thankfully the kids had no idea why we were standing in line until we were at the very front of the line two and a half hours later. At that point my son looked up at his mother and asked, “Mommy, are we here to get a needle?” She didn’t lie to him, and as a result our little girl almost immediately started to cry. The thing that struck me most about the whole experience was how many rea- sons people seem to have now for not getting it. It seemed as though everyone in line had someone close to him or her who was not there for a “good” reason. I heard one person say their spouse was afraid it was some kind of government conspiracy to put a tracking device in us. Yes, I actually heard someone say that, which immediately made me think about all the other conspiracy theories out there, like the many Kennedy conspiracy theories. Seriously, if you have a cellphone, or OnStar in your car, use a credit card, have a bank account, or direct deposit, it’s not that hard for the government to track you. Besides which, it’s not the government you have to worry about, it’s the aliens. Please make sure you go to sleep wear- ing a tinfoil helmet, it keeps them from messing with your dreams. I didn’t set out to write a column advo- cating one way or the other, rather to point out that some of the ideas about not getting it might be a little on the silly side. My mother-in-law did point out one good reason to get the shot though, which is that if we contracted the flu, gave it to one of our kids and something awful hap- pened as a result we would never be able to live with ourselves. That one thought made standing in line for two and a half hours seem like a pret- ty small thing. Durham resident Adam Mercer is a frequent contributor to this space Do we do enough to recognize our veterans on Remembrance Day? (from left) JAN WHALEN --‘I think it is getting better but I don’t think enough people stop to remember.’ LAURIE HIGGINS --‘No, I don’t think the younger generation can appreciate it as much.’ CINDY ARNOTT --‘No, we just give our two minutes of silence and that is it.’ DIANE CZAJKOWSKI --‘I don’t think we do. We would not have the privileges today if it were not for these people.’ H1N1 lineup a small price to pay for flu shot ADAM MERCER BE OUR GUEST -- Each week in this space This Week runs submissions from our readers. E-mail your submissions, maximum 350 words, to newsroom@durhamregion.com or mail to This Week c/o Tim Kelly, 865 Farewell St., Oshawa, ON L1H 7L5. For further information call Tim Kelly at 905-579- 4400 ext. 2293 or email him at tkelly@durhamregion.com. Let’s turn back clock to save face, money and gas NEIL CRONE I have a different opinion, therefore I must hate you Occasionally in the newsroom we get feed- back from readers who believe that wheth- er a person gets positive or negative press depends entirely on whether or not we ‘like’ that person. The message that feedback sends is frustrating because it says the reader doesn’t respect that other people may have differing opinions, preferring instead to see a conspiracy behind every headline, every story, every opinion expressed in the paper. My inbox produced an email last week from a regular letter writer who was comment- ing on an editorial we had written about a motion floated by an Oshawa politician who hoped to limit the right of City staff to publicly express opinions on City business. “I must say that you surprised me with your response as I was under the impression that this councillor was one of your favou- rite people,” said the letter writer. Isn’t it con- ceivable that we just happen to disagree with the stand the politician has taken? If you tell your spouse that climbing a ladder to put up Christmas lights without someone hold- ing that ladder is a bad idea, does that mean you hate them? No, you’re simply suggesting they’re setting themselves up for a really bad fall. You don’t have to dislike someone to be critical of an action they’ve taken. We all have the right to express a reason- ably-held opinion, but I have no use for some that have crossed my desk in the last week: Anonymous letters to the editor suggesting that people of a particular race be shipped back to a country they’ve likely never even seen. The posting of defamatory statements the writer knows to be untrue on blogs, Face- book, Twitter or other social networking sites for the purpose of rallying support for a per- sonal cause or tearing someone else down. The use of mass e-mail to publicly flog your peers. Disagreeing with someone’s opinion doesn’t have to be personal, we all need to work a little harder at respectful debate. -- Joanne Burghardt is editor-in-chief of the Metroland Durham Region Media Group. Can’t we just disagree? JOANNE BURGHARDT newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20097 P newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20098 P newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 20099 P Direct Access 905.420.4660 TTY Access 905.420.1739 Service Disruption 1.866.278.9993 cityofpickering.com Customer Care Centre 905.683.7575 ATTEND PUBLIC MEETINGS AT CITY HALL November 11 Committee of Adjustment 7:00 pm November 16 Council Meeting 7:30 pm November 19 Waterfront Coordinating Committee 7:00 pm November 24 Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee 7:00 pm November 25 Accessibility Advisory Committee 7:00 pm November 26 Library Board - Central 6:30 pm All meetings are open to the public. For meeting details call 905.420.2222 or visit our website DATE MEETING TIME Monday, November 30th at 7:00 pm Pickering Civic Complex, Council Chambers Mayor Dave Ryan invites Ward 3 residents to attend this public forum. Discuss concerns or suggestions you may have in regard to some of the opportunities and challenges facing Ward 3 and our community. with Mayor Ryan Ward 3 - Town Hall Meeting Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 am “Holly, Jolly Christmas” it’s the best time of the Year! cityofpickering.com/greatevents FREE SMALL COFFEE 9:00 am - noon on parade day! at local Pickering McDonald's Restaurants 2009SantaClausParade 2009SantaClausParade Don’t forget your letter for Santa! See you there ! Don’t forget your letter for Santa! See you there ! 8JOUFS $JUZ4FSWJDFT-FJTVSF(VJEF "RVBUJDT 'JUOFTT-FJTVSF QSPHSBNTGPSZPVSGBNJMZ 3FHJTUSBUJPOCFHJOT /PWFNCFSGPSBRVBUJDTBOE /PWFNCFSGPSMFJTVSF 2VJDL&BTZ SFHJTUFSPOMJOFBUDJUZPGQJDLFSJOHDPN VTJOH$MJDLUP3FH PSSFHJTUFSJOQFSTPO CZNBJM GBY PSQIPOF$BMMGPSEFUBJMT $PNJOHOFYUXFFL UP1JDLFSJOHIPNFT The Olympic Torch is Coming! December 17, 2009 · 7:30 AM Pickering Civic Complex 905.683.6582 cityofpickering.com/recreation We Fit Your Life! Introducing... 3 NEW High Tech Fitness Studios, 2 NEW Doubles Squash Courts Get Started Today!Get Started Today! Talk to our Fitness Staff to fi nd the per fect FIT for You! Plus... NEW Equipment, NEW Classes, NEW Programs & NEW Instructors TTY 905.831.8604 My Perfect World Is ... Students of the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board are invited to participate in a “Creative Arts Contest” presented by the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity in partnership with the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. i*O:PVS8PSETi*O:PVS8PSET&YQSFTTJPOTw&YQSFTTJPOTw Description Guidelines Christmas Craft Club Pre-register to drop off your child (ages 5 to 12) for a two hour craft and game program while you do your Christmas shopping! Conveniently located at the Pickering Recreation Complex near a variety of shopping facilities. Register for all four programs for a discounted price, or register for your favourites at $15 each. November 28, December 5, 12, and 19 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. 905.683.8401 Richard the Lionheart has gone missing and Prince John is about to usurp the throne. The Sheriff of Nottingham is terrorizing Sherwood Forest and Maid Marian has become a nun! Enter Robin Hood to save the day with a bow, a song and a custard pie. Once again, Backwoods presents panto – a play chock full of puns, pratfalls, and pizzazz! Bring your kids, your grandmas, your friends for a laughter-fi lled chance to cheer the heroes and boo the villains to your heart’s content. Tickets on sale now! 1. Students are to submit a piece of writing (e.g. poem, story, essay) or an original illustration (painting, drawing, digital media etc.) on the topic, “My Perfect World is ...” 2. Entries will be separated into three (3) categories: Grade 2 - 5 , Grade 6 - 8 and Grade 9 - 12 3. Entries should address issues of diversity, equity and/or race relations. 4. Entries that include personal experiences or personal thoughts about the topic are recommended. Visit the city’s website for more details Centrally located at 1867 Valley Farm Rd. bewteen Brock Rd and Liverpool Rd., south of Kingston Rd. BUILDING A DECK OR ANOTHER HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT? You may need a building permit…. Permits for most home improvement projects are issued promptly if the proposed construction meets zoning standards, the Ontario Building Code, and the requirements of other agencies such as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority or the Region of Durham Health Department. You can commence construction any time within six months after obtaining a permit. Inspection requirements will be noted on your permit drawings, and must be arranged by calling 905.420.4631 prior to covering the work. For detailed information on obtaining a building permit and what projects a permit is or is not required for please call us at 905.420.4631, or email us at plan&devl@cityofpickering.com or you can visit our website cityofpickering.com, select Planning & Development Department and choose ‘Building Permits’ from the menu. Helping You To Build It Right ! ROBIN HOOD AND THE SINGING NUN newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200910 AP BY JILLIAN FOLLERT jfollert@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- Municipal councillors are often hailed as the politicians closest to the people. After all, they’re the ones who set municipal budgets, hike proper- ty taxes, re-zone land, allot cash to fix roads and approve funding for snowplows, fire trucks and other everyday services. And, councillors are often more accessible than their counterparts in Ottawa and Queen’s Park -- anyone can go to a public council meeting and make a deputation. But, fewer people are taking the time to cast a ballot for their munic- ipal politicians. Federal and provincial elections in Canada have recently drawn voter turnout numbers in the high 50 to mid-60 per cent range -- which is actually low compared to past decades -- while voter turnout for the 2006 municipal elections in Durham Region ranged from a low of 23 per cent in Ajax to a high of 49 per cent in Brock and Uxbridge. “There is just an overall apathy, people aren’t interested,” said Ajax Clerk Marty de Rond. “It’s hard for local candidates . . . At the local level, voters have to do a lot more homework to find out who the can- didates are and what their plat- forms are.” Municipalities in Durham have all tried new strategies to get people to the polls. In 2000, Brock, Clarington, Uxbridge and Scugog began offer- ing vote by mail instead of tradi- tional polling stations and all four saw increases in turnout between 1997 and 2000. In 2006, Oshawa and Pickering extended the number of days advance polling was available, to make it more convenient for com- muters and snowbirds to get to the polls. Whitby has started offering use of its municipal facilities to communi- ty groups that want to host all-can- didates meetings and posts candi- date information on the Town web- site. Local municipalities also get the word out through massive adver- tising campaigns, including direct mail flyers, newspaper advertising and signage at municipal facilities. When Durham’s clerks meet to talk about the 2010 election, bus advertising will be one of the new ideas on the table. But, local clerks agree innova- tive voting methods and catchy ads only go so far, if the races are dull. For example, Clarington Clerk Patti Barrie noted voter turnout in her municipality jumped from 28 per cent in 1997 to 41.5 in 2000, but dropped back down to 35 per cent in 2003. 2000 was the first year vote by mail was offered, but it was also one of the most interesting mayoral races in recent memory with three sitting councillors and the munici- pality’s former chief administrative officer vying for the top spot. “That increase wasn’t all from the vote by mail, the race had a lot to do with it,” she said, noting Claring- ton’s turnout dropped back down to 35 per cent in 2003. Interesting races are one of the reasons small communities tend to see better turnout than large ones, regardless of voting methods or public awareness campaigns. “In small towns, almost every- one knows one of the candidates or knows someone who knows them so they’re more likely to vote,” said Mr. de Rond in Ajax. The statistics seem to support that theory. In the last three municipal elec- tions, Durham’s smallest com- munities -- Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock -- all saw voter turnout of 40 per cent or more, while Whitby, Oshawa and Ajax hovered in the 20-per cent range. Smaller populations also mean fewer people to mobilize. Whitby’s 24-per cent turnout in 2006 represented 19,664 people casting a ballot. In comparison, Brock Township had 49-per cent turnout that same year but that only represented 5,297 people voting. “It’s really unfair to compare turnout for large and small munic- ipalities,” said Oshawa Clerk San- dra Kranc. “In smaller communi- ties, the candidates could be well- known, there may be more interest in local politics, because the com- munity is more tight knit and there are fewer people to get to polls. It’s apples and oranges.” READ the Special Report @ newsdurhamregion.com A variety of ideas for getting out the vote MAKE A DIFFERENCE Ajax The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Ajax who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 32.9 % 1997 31.2 % 2000 32.3 % 2003 26.7 % 2006 23.2 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Brock The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Brock who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 45 % 1997 42 % 2000 47 % 2003 49 % 2006 49 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Clarington The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Clarington who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 33.6 % 1997 28 % 2000 41.5 % 2003 35 % 2006 40 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Oshawa The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Oshawa who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 33.5 % 1997 28.2 % 2000 27.6 % 2003 27.6 % 2006 25.1 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Pickering The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Pickering who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 38.5 % 1997 37.04 % 2000 30.68 % 2003 28.65 % 2006 28 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Scugog The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Scugog who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 44.4 % 1997 40.2% 2000 52 % 2003 44 % 2006 44 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Uxbridge The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Uxbridge who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 No data available 1997 39.6% 2000 40.8 % 2003 47.9 % 2006 49.9 % SOURCE: Elections Canada Whitby The number of people who cast their ballots in municipal elections fluctuates. See below for the percentage of residents in Whitby who voted dating back to the 1994 municipal election Year Percentage 1994 No data available 1997 No data available 2000 27.8 % 2003 20.9 % 2006 24.3 % SOURCE: Elections Canada OPINION Make a difference, take local government seriously Today we launch a year-long campaign to improve voter turnout In 2006, seven of 10 eligible vot- ers in Durham Region chose not to participate in the democratic pro- cess. For 295,213 people in our little corner of the world, local govern- ment just wasn’t important enough to lure them away from the televi- sion, the Wii or the hockey rink and into a polling station. That’s an embarrassment. Here we are on Remembrance Day, a day on which all Canadians reflect upon the sacrifices our men and women have made in wars fought to win democracy for others on foreign soil, and we are guilty of taking that same democratic right for granted. Provincially and nationally, the number of Canadians who choose to vote has fallen dramatically in the last decade but at more than 50 per cent, it still hovers well above municipal voter turnout. So why is it that we choose to ignore the political level that most affects our day-to-day lives: from garbage collection to snow clear- ing; from educating our children to caring for our aged; from approving new housing and industry to build- ing arenas and libraries and swim- ming pools? Granted, public office is not for the faint of heart. Given the tenden- cy of the electorate to criticize fre- quently, praise almost never, being a local politician is, for the most part, a thankless job. Perhaps that’s the greatest reason of all to take an interest in municipal government. Instead of complaining about city hall, why not get out and do some- thing about it? You don’t like the fact they’re con- sidering a new subdivision in your area? Talk to your local councillor. Your child is being bused an hour to school each way due to overcrowding? Appear before the school board and suggest an alter- native solution. Your city council is not reflective of the cultural make-up of your community? Run for office. Beginning today, this newspaper is launching ‘Make a Difference’, a year-long awareness campaign focused on the role of local govern- ment. Our hope is that come Oct. 25, 2010, many, many more than 124,081 eligible voters in Durham Region will exercise their right to vote. -- Joanne Burghardt is Editor-in-Chief of the Metroland Durham Region Media Group which publishes Oshawa This Week, Whitby This Week, Clarington This Week, Ajax & Pickering News Advertiser, Uxbridge Times- Journal and the Port Perry Star JOANNE BURGHARDT A year-long series looking at improving voter turnout for municipal elections newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200911 AP Mayor welcomes another business to city PICKERING -- A business that’s been with- out a home for six years has officially found one in Pickering. Renewable Energy Management Inc. plans to develop, own and manage projects related to energy-from-waste. The company has two energy-from-waste- related projects in Canada: one in Brant County and another in Wesleyville (Port Hope). Both are currently in the environmental assessment phase. Both facilities would use the gasification process that turns waste into a gas with properties similar to methane. This can then be used to produce the gases needed to produce thermal and electric energy. The technology converts 98 to 100 per cent of waste from landfill, said executive director Doug Starr. Members of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, federal and provincial government officials, Mayor Dave Ryan and councillors were on hand for the opening celebration. Mayor Ryan spoke of the increasing busi- ness presence in the city. “You came at the right time,” he said. You came at the right time. Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan SABRINA BYRNES / METROLAND PICKERING -- Renewable Energy Management Inc. officially opened its office in Pickering with a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left are MPP Wayne Arthurs; Ian Smythe, director of business development for North America and the Caribbean; Mayor David Ryan; Stan Kinsman, CEO and managing director of REM-RECI; and MP Dan McTeague. BUSINESS Energy-from-waste company opens its doors in Pickering CRIME Pickering man charged in tractor trailer theft DURHAM -- A Pickering man faces more than a dozen charges after nine stolen tractor trailers were recovered. On Sept. 25, Ministry of Transporta- tion enforcement officers pulled over a pick-up truck towing an enclosed cargo trailer at Squires Beach Road and Bayly Street in Pickering. The trailer was seized by Durham Regional Police officers after it was found the vehicle identification number had been removed. The trailer had been reported stolen in Peel Region in early 2009. The Durham police auto theft unit investigated, executing three search war- rants on Oct. 2 in Durham and the GTA. Several trailers were seized, including two reported stolen in Peel earlier this year. Further investigation led police to five other trailers stolen from Peel and one from Toronto. Moenes Salib, 47, of Amberwood Crescent in Pickering, faces 10 counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, two counts of fraudulent conceal- ment and two counts of making a false statement. MP hosts crime, safety forum AJAX-PICKERING -- Residents are invited to have their say on crime and community safety issues at a forum hosted by Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland on Nov. 12. Mr. Holland is the Liberal critic for public safety and national security and the event is part of a national tour aimed at consulting the public about measures to stop crime and increase community safety. The event runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Ajax Community Centre’s Admi- ral’s Room, 75 Centennial Rd. newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200912 AP FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER AT: www.flemingcollege.ca/openhouse or call 1-866-353-6464, ext. 1844 1&5&3#0306() t -*/%4": t $0#063( t )"-*#6350/ t .FFUPVSGBDVMUZBOEmOEUIF SJHIUQSPHSBNUPTVJUZPVSHPBMTo Fleming offers over 90 programs t 'JOEPVUBCPVUBENJTTJPO SFRVJSFNFOUTBOEIPXUPBQQMZ t(FUJOGPPOmOBODJBMBJE CVSTBSJFT MPBOTBOETDIPMBSTIJQT UPIFMQQBZGPSDPMMFHF t -FBSOBCPVUDPMMFHFFEVDBUJPOGPS BEVMUT GET THE SKILLS FOR A CAREER IN: t 4 L J M M F E 5 S B E F T t - B X + V T U J D F t & O W J S P O N F O U B M / B U V S B M 3 F T P V S DF4DJFODFT t # V T J O F T T t 5 F D I O P M P H Z t $ P N N V O J U Z 4 F S W J D F T t ) F B M U I 8 F M M O F T T t ( F O F S B M " S U T B O E 4 D J F O D F T t " S U T OPENHOUSE sATURDAY,november 21, 2009 9am -2pm JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND A little pampering in Pickering PICKERING -- Jennifer McKeown had her makeup applied by Roxanne Chandoo during the Diamond Divas event for the Ajax-Pickering- Uxbridge United Way at the Lake House Event Centre on Nov. 5. Kathleen Hopper hopes to create a movement in lowering price for schools DURHAM -- Public school trustees are taking on the mission of challenging Access Copyright rates applied to Canadi- an schools. The Durham District School Board is forming an ad hoc committee to discuss how it can start a campaign and work toward lowering copyright prices for pub- lic education, instead of just sending the federal government a letter as previously suggested. “I really wouldn’t want to just see this as a letter that’s shot off and filed in a cabinet somewhere,” said Oshawa Trustee Kath- leen Hopper, who suggested the board take action against the fees. She pointed out the U.S. Congress has exempted public school boards from pay- ing copyright fees. Trustee Hopper wants to start a cam- paign to get high prices for copyright low- ered for public education, and added it’s not about copying a whole textbook. She’d like the board to start more of a movement than just make a comment, she said. Board chairman, Oshawa Trustee Larry Jacu- la, was charged with setting up a meeting date for the committee. Trustee Hopper first brought up her con- cerns about the rates in September, fol- lowing a ruling by the Copyright Board of Canada to increase the tariff from $2.50 a student to $5.16. The fee is mandatory unless school boards can prove they abso- lutely do not copy any copyrighted materi- als. The Ministry of Education is paying for the retroactive portion of the increase, which is more than $700,000 just for the Durham public board, but the board is still currently responsible for the $59,000 in interest and the extra $165,000 for this fis- cal year. EDUCATION Durham trustee wants copyright rates changed I really wouldn’t want to just see this as a letter that’s shot off and filed in a cabinet somewhere. Oshawa Trustee Kathleen Hopper PICKERING -- Pickering Museum Village is offering a club that will provide fun for kids and free time for parents to get some Christmas shopping done. The Christmas Craft Club will run on Saturdays beginning at the end of November and through December at the Pickering Recre- ation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Rd., which is just around the cor- ner from the Pickering Town Cen- tre and other shops. The first workshop will run on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Kids will make Christmas cards and gift tags like the Victo- rians used to, and play heritage games. Programs on the following Sat- urdays (Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19) will include making table dec- orations, house decorations and homemade gifts plus learning and playing heritage games. Each class is $15, or all four for $50. For registration information: CALL 905-420-4621 VISIT www.cityofpickering.com COMMUNITY Fun for Pickering families newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200913 NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No. 2 Greenwood Bypass Westney Road (Regional Road 31) The Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department 605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby ON L1N 6A3 Telephone 905-668-7711 or 1-800-372-1102 www.durham.ca WORKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC NOTICE Greenwood Bypass - Westney Road (Regional Road 31) Class Environmental Assessment Study City of Pickering In response to growing traffic volumes, the Regional Municipality of Durham has initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to examine the need for the proposed realignment of Westney Road around the Hamlet of Greenwood, in the City of Pickering. The map below illustrates the preliminary study area for this project. Due to the feedback received from the first Public Information Centre (PIC) held in June, the project team has revisited and further refined alternatives within the East 1 and East 2 Corridors. A Public Information Centre (PIC) has been scheduled to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to review the impacts and detailed evaluation of the refined alternative corridors. Public comments obtained at the PIC will be incorporated into the next phase of the study. The PIC has been scheduled for: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m. Presentation will commence at 7:15 p.m. Valley View Public School 3530 Westney Rd., Greenwood Following the PIC, the material presented at the meeting will be posted on The Regional Municipality of Durham’s website, www.durham.ca/studiesandprojects. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the following staff member from The Regional Municipality of Durham, Works Department: Victorina de los Reyes, Project Co-ordinator 905-668-7711 ext. 3420 victorina.de.los.reyes@durham.ca Christmas 20082008 CCarolsarols METROLAND DURHAM REGION MEDIA GROUPPRESENTED BY Christmas Carols 2009 available FREE Call 905-579-4400 ext. 2314 to place your order Sing your way into the Holiday Season with your copy of our NO LIMIT ON ORDERS Order books for your church, organization, school or private function While quantities last ORDER YOUR COPIES NOW! For those who love the Holidays ... You’ll fi nd Christmas Carols, Colouring Contests, Recipes and Holiday-Inspired Stories AP RYAN PFEIFFER PHOTO Checking out the pottery show AJAX -- Rosemary Parish inspected a necklace made by Carol Davis-Kerr during the Durham Potters Guild 22nd annual Christmas Pottery Show and Sale at the Ajax Kinsmen Heritage Centre on Nov. 8. newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200914 AP Wednesday November 11, 2009 Ajax & Pickering Locations 255 Salem Rd. S. D#1 42 Old Kingston Rd., Ajax 465 Bayly St. W. #5, Ajax Flyers in Todays Paper If you did not receive your News Advertiser/fl yers OR you are interested in a paper route call Circulation at 905-683-5117. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6:30 Sat. 9 - 1:00 Your Carrier will be around to collect an optional delivery charge of $6.00 every three weeks. Carrier of The Week Remember, all inserts, including those on glossy paper, can be recycled with the rest of your newspaper through your blue box Recycling program. SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY View Flyers/Coupons At * Delivered to selected households only 1899 Brock Rd. #24, Pickering 300 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax 6 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax Today’s carrier of the week is Alex. He enjoys math and working out. Alex has received a dinner voucher from Subway, McDonalds and Boston Pizza. Congratulations Alex for being our Carrier of the Week. 8 Salem Rd South Ajax, ON L1S 7T7 * Arrow Furniture Ajax * Bouclair Ajax/Pick. * Car Guide Ajax/Pick. * Formula Ford Ajax/Pick. * Henry’s Camera Ajax/Pick. * Home Depot Ajax/Pick. * Home Hardware Ajax/Pick. * JYSK Ajax * Lowes Ajax * Millwork Ajax/Pick. * Mts. Hair Design Ajax/Pick. * News Advertiser Ajax/Pick. * Pickering Mitsubishi Ajax/Pick. * Real Estate Ajax/Pick. * Rona Ajax/Pick. * Second Cup Pick. * Sheridan Nurseries Ajax/Pick. * Sport Chek Ajax/Pick. * Sport Mart Ajax/Pick. * Staples Ajax/Pick. * Wheels Ajax/Pick. Seniors, retirees said to be suffering under current system BY KEITH GILLIGAN kgilligan@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- Seniors and pensioners shouldn’t have to worry about their financial well-being, says NDP leader Jack Layton. “No senior should be living in poverty,” Mr. Layton said to about two dozen party faithful while in Oshawa Monday. He outlined the federal New Democratic Party’s plans to protect pensions, including increasing the Guaranteed Income Supple- ment to help move seniors out of poverty. Other measures include strengthening the Canadian Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan with the aim of doubling benefits and developing a national pension insurance that would guarantee benefits if a plan fails. “I say there is a better way forward. The needs of pensioners and young people are put first, not the banks and oil companies,” Mr. Layton said. “Maybe retirees have been a little too quiet. They haven’t used their clout enough,” he stated. “Their retirement is being eaten away by what can only be called theft.” While private pension plans have lost value, “one part of the pension plan that’s held firm now is the Canada Pension Plan, the public pension plan,” Mr. Layton said. “I think it’s time to strengthen that plan,” Mr. Layton continued, adding it only pays $900 a month. “You can’t do much on $900 a month.” The NDP is proposing to double the bene- fits to $1,800 a month. “It’s entirely affordable and it would give people the base on which to live their lives.” The plan could be paid for by eliminating a corporate tax cut set to start on Jan. 1. “For half of that (cut), we can lift a quar- ter-of-a-million seniors out of poverty,” he noted. “We’ll provide protection for those who have a company pension, so a company can’t go off and gamble the pension away,” he said of the insurance plan. “Hopefully, it will make companies a little less cavalier with their practices.” The aim would be to ensure seniors would “live with a basic standard of dignity and respect. Seniors don’t want to live high off the hog. They want the basics. It’s really what our country is all about, fairness for everyone,” Mr. Layton stated. Mr. Layton also criticized the HST, saying it will “take the tax off the shoulders of busi- ness and put it on the consumers. It’s a new tax on everything from a haircut to a funer- al.” Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said harmonizing the tax is a provincial issue, but the federal government included billions of dollars in its budget to help with the merger, Mr. Layton said. “It can’t happen unless it’s voted on by the House of Commons,” he said. “The NDP will vote against it and when he brings in a vote to change the tax structure, we’ll vote against it.” POLITICS NDP will protect pensions, Layton vows Maybe retirees have been a little too quiet. They haven’t used their clout enough. NDP leader Jack Layton on eroding pensions PETER REDMAN PHOTO Throwing cancer a Curves PICKERING -- Curves manager Melissa Powdhar, left, and assistant manager Gloria Zamanis set out breast self-exam aids at the fitness centre’s recent breast cancer fundraising evening. The event included a silent auction and raffle, with proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200915 APADULT DAY SCHOOL IN JUST 7 WEEKS NO DIPLOMA?NO PROBLEM! COMPLETE YOUR GRADE 12 OR BE READY FOR A NEW JOB You’re closerYou’re closer tt han you han you thinkthink !! 120 Centre St. S., Oshawa • Our Guidance Department will develop a plan that works for you! • We’re here to help our adult learners achieve their goals. • We provide a supportive environment and experienced teachers. • We provide class options that fi t your life. • Our courses have no tuition fees. Registration and certifi cation fees may apply. • Ask about our cooperative education program. TO REGISTER TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24 - 10 AM AND TUESDAY DECEMBER 1 - 10AM EARN UP TO 3 CREDITS IN JUST 7 WEEKS WHY DURHAM CONTINUING EDUCATION? REGISTER NOW FOR JANUARY 5, 2010 START REAL TRAINING FOR REAL JOBS Come to a free information session at the E.A. Lovell Centre, 120 Centre St. S., Oshawa Please bring previous transcripts, proof of Canadian citizenship/residency and photo identifi cation. No appointment necessary. Limited parking on-site Municipal parking adjacent to E.A. Lovell • ART • BIOLOGY • CANADIAN HISTORY • CHILD DEV. & GERONTOLOGY • COMPUTER STUDIES • DESIGNING YOUR FUTURE • ENGLISH • LIVING & WORKING WITH CHILDREN • MATHEMATICS • ONTARIO LITERACY COURSE • PHYSICAL EDUCATION • TRAVEL & TOURISM • HOSPITALITY PATHWAY - 2 credits • BUILDING MAINTENANCE PATHWAY - 2 credits • OFFICE ASSISTANT PATHWAY - 4 credits To be hosted in Oshawa Nov. 16 DURHAM -- Bullying is “not just a schoolyard phenomenon”, says Debra Cockerton. Ms. Cockerton works for the Red Cross, one of a number of mem- ber groups of the Coalition for Action Against Bullying - Durham (CAAB-D). The group is hosting a forum called Recognize, Respond to and Reduce Bullying in Dur- ham Region Across All Ages and Stages. The day-long forum will be held Monday, Nov. 16 at Canlan Ice Sports in Oshawa. The goal of the event is to “show the public how bullying isn’t just a schoolyard phenomenon,” Ms. Cockerton said. Keynote speakers will discuss child abuse, peer-to-peer bully- ing, relationship violence, work- place harassment and elder abuse. Registrations will be accepted up to Friday, Nov. 13, by e-mailing brad.arbour@jhsdurham.on.ca. The cost is $20 per person, which includes a buffet lunch. FORUM Anti-bullying event in Durham newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200916 P Durham photographer finds much more than haggis and tartans BY JEFF HAYWARD AND CELIA KLEMENZ cklemenz@durhamregion.com SCOTLAND -- When some people think of Scotland, they might think of scotch and kilts. And perhaps the movie Brave- heart. But there’s more to the northern reaches of Great Britain than some may think, as Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser photographer Celia Klemenz discovered on a recent trip to the bonnie lands, this year being Homecoming Scotland 2009 -- a celebration marking the 250th birth- day of its famous native poet, Robert Burns. The warm, inviting smell of coal fires wafting from house chim- neys and salt-tinged air greeted the group she was traveling with, as it embarked on a luxury coach tour that took Ms. Klemenz and her trav- el mates from Glasgow, to the Isle of Arran, north to Mallaig (by heri- tage train), then to Aberdeen and beyond, criss-crossing the high- lands. While the tour bus made its way down roads barely wide enough to accommodate it, making stops along the way, the photographer witnessed her fair share of tartan apparel and misty highlands. But she also saw palm trees next to cas- tles, seals off the west coast, a variety of sheep at every corner, amazing- ly clean pay-per-use public toilets, fields of wind turbines and plenty of sunshine despite Britain’s stereo- type of being a rainy, dreary place. While Scotland offers overwhelm- ing views in every direction, some must-see sites include Dunnottar and Edinburgh castles. And next to the Edinburgh castle is a ‘scotch museum’ (formally known as the Scotch Whisky Experience) for those who enjoy a taste of the finer stuff. There, one can learn about the pro- cess of creating scotch (which actu- ally starts as beer) as well as ‘nosing’ some of the product. Also be sure to bring a big appetite to Scotland, as the portions are typi- cally larger than Canadian meals. It’s more than just potatoes and haggis; macaroni and cheese, hearty breads, porridge with a touch of Drambuie, kippers and black pudding are some of the items that can be found in Scottish pubs, which have a bois- terous, friendly atmosphere. In fact, all around the countryside, it’s easy to strike up a friendly conversation with the locals. Scotland welcomes visitors with open arms; it’s worth a wee trip to check out. Scotland: worth a wee trip to see SCOTLAND -- Photographer Celia Klemenz stood next to The Jacobite, a heritage train which took her travel group north to Mallaig. Clockwise from bottom right, a doorway to the past in Auchrannie House Hotel, circa 1869, on the Isle of Arran. Scotch thistle grew at the Glenfinnan Monument on the shores of Loch Shiel. The monument commemo- rates the supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie dur- ing the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. A barkeep poured a refreshing draft at The Carvery in Perth. A sweet smell of burning coal wafted from chimney pots of homes in Kenmore. Kilmartin Stones, ancient graveslabs in the cemetery at Kilmartin Parish Church. Some stones date to the 13th century. newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200917 AP 2010 Forte Koup SX model shown. INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW 2010 FORTE KOUP. STARTING AT $18,495. Experience the kick-back performance and attitude at your nearest Kia dealership. mykiaforte.ca BESSADA KIA of AJAX & PICKERING, 1675 BAYLY ST. PICKERING (905) 421-9191 • www.bessadakia.com Station N X Initiative has 93 per cent of its participates graduate BY CRYSTAL CRIMI ccrimi@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- For teenager Jordyn Battista, a school-college-work initiative has helped keep her in class. The program provided her with an alternative to high school, she told the Durham District School Board’s standing committee recently. “I withdrew from school in the spring 2009,” said Ms. Battista, 18 years old, in her presentation about the Centre for Success pro- gram. She felt high school was too chal- lenging to finish and referred to it as boring and immature. “I knew I could finish high school but I wasn’t ready to go back to Eastdale,” she added. Through the Centre of Success dual credit college program, she now attends courses at Durham College and is gearing up for post- secondary, she said. “I feel this is more my pace than high school was,” she said. The program allows students to take high school and college courses on campus with the goal of meeting their graduation require- ments. Each student receives an individualized plan and works to recover secondary school credits and credits that count for both col- lege and high school, according to a Durham District School Board staff report. Those attending the centres are students in their last year of high school who have been identified as disengaged and at risk of not grad- uating. The program has a success rate of more than 93 per cent. Students participating receive access to college facilities and activities. They learn about career pathways to help them make deci- sions for the future. More than 60 per cent of them proceed to col- lege as a result. Currently, Durham District School Board has 13 classes from 12 schools participating, with 180 students enrolled. Scott Rye, a teacher at Eastdale Collegiate Vocational Institute, has been involved in the program for three years. “Some previous students phone the school or stop by the classes at DC just to let me know how they’re doing,” Mr. Rye said. He feels that through the program, Grade 12 students at the school are able to earn their diploma where- as they would not have otherwise been able, he said. newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200918 AP 3 LOCATIONS FOR QUALITY & CHOICE 2 for 1 Bill direct to Most Insurances and Social Services 905 905 905 AJAX OPTICAL Heritage Market Square 145 Kingston Rd. E., Unit 7 AJAX OPTICAL 56 Harwood Ave. S. Ajax Plaza PICKERING OPTICAL 1360 Kingston Rd. Pickering (Hub Plaza) 683-7235 683-2888 839-9244 GLASSES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY BROKEN WINDSHIELD? 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We’ll publish selected letters in our 11th Annual Christmas in your Community feature on Friday, November 27th. Send letters to: Letters to Santa C/O News Advertisier 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax ON L1S 2H5 or email: lmccaig@durhamregion.com by Wednesday, November 18th Favourite Holiday Recipe DrawFavourite Holiday Recipe Draw Do you have an all time favourite holiday recipe that you’d like to share with your community? Send it in for your chance to WIN A $200 SHOPPING SPREE at Sobeys South Ajax We’ll publish selected recipes in our 11th Annual Christmas in your Community edition, Friday, November 27th, 2009 along with the winner. Drop off or mail your entry to: “Favourite Holiday Recipe Draw” c/o The News Advertiser 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax L1S 2H5 or email: lmccaig@durhamregion.com Remember to include your name, address and phone number Deadline: Wednesday, November 18 @ 5:00 pm As a professional Provider with Wee Watch, you canfocusonwhatyou enjoy the most – quality time with the children – becausewetakecare of the rest. Enjoy this rewarding career from your home and you will receive competitive pay rates including pay for children’s sick days, statutory holidays and overtime. www.weewatch.com t"REGUL"3P":CHEQUE tWORKSHOP4FO3PROFESSIO/"-DEVELOPMENT tEQUIPMENT RESOURCES"N%CR"FTSUPPLIES Exclusive“WeeLearn”EducationalProgram Caring for children can be very rewarding with Wee Watch. Ajax / Pickering 1-866-333-3299 1-866-873-9945 www.welcomewagon.ca If You Are... Moving Expecting a Baby Planning a Wedding New Business Appointment Looking for a Career Call Welcome Wagon Today! It’s absolutely FREE! AP24/7 LOCAL BREAKING NEWS, SPORTS, PHOTOS, VIDEO AND WEATHER: ALL DAY, EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WANT IT.>>newsdurhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200920 AP newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200921 Recieve50%Offyour Next3OilChanges! Recieve50%Offyour Next3OilChanges! We repair all Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, GMC Trucks, Chevrolet Trucks & Hummer. We repair all Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, GMC Trucks, Chevrolet Trucks & Hummer. 5000 Sheppard Avenue East Scar. (Just West of Markham Road) 416-291-3956 Check out our great Service deals at: hoganchev.com $3995*$39 95*$1998 *$1998 * Hogan is here to Service you Today and Tomorrow. Now just each with coupon. Regular Price We can provide GM Factory Warranty repairs only to Chevrolet cars and light duty trucks. 50%*50%* off Oil,Lube&Filter Receive 50% OFF LUBE, OIL & FILTER with this coupon. Taxes and Environmental Fees extra. Limited Time offer. 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Must present coupon at time of repair order write-up. 1 per Brake Check per visit. FREEFREE GM Glass Cleaner or GM Optikleen Expires April 30th, 2010. Limited Time offer. Must present coupon at time of repair order write-up. 1 per per service visit. AP DINING OUT ADVERTISING FEATURE In Ajax & Pickering Choose the Right Restaurant for Your Next Party Hosting a party can be a wonderful opportunity to share a few laughs and good times with family and friends. However, hosting duties come with an array of respon- sibilities, often making the day of the party a hectic one for even the best of hosts. Avoiding such responsibilities is one popular reason for choosing a restaurant to host your next party. Restau- rants take care of the cleaning and preparation, allowing hosts to enjoy the party as much as their guests. Those thinking of using a restaurant to host their next party should consider the following tips. * Comparison shop. While you might have a favorite restau- rant in mind, it pays to compar- ison shop when looking for a restaurant to host your next party. Prices can vary greatly when it comes to private par- ties, and some might not even be capable of accommodating larger parties. To be certain you’re getting the best deal, use the time you have to compar- ison shop. * Choose a central location. When hosting a party at home, there’s always the potential to allow guests to stay overnight should the party run late. Howev- er, when having a private party at a restaurant, all guests will eventually be driving home. To make it easy on everyone, choose a cen- trally located restaurant that’s within a short driving distance for most. If pos- sible, choose a restaurant that’s near public transportation as well. This can provide a safe fallback option should a guest have too much to drink and not be able to drive home. * Negotiate with the restaurant manager. The restaurant manager should be open to negotiation regarding the menu, both food and beverages. Flexibility is a must, as your guests will no doubt have varying diets. Be sure to ask about the availability of vegetarian meals and other diet-specific foods that guests with health ailments might need. Restaurants might not be as flexible for larger par- ties, but smaller parties should expect flexibility with respect to the menu. * Arrive early. Hosts should arrive at the restaurant ear- ly to ensure that everything is going smoothly. The host should always arrive before the guests and put up deco- rations if that’s part of the party.newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200922 AP Historic Pickering Village 60 Randall Drive, Ajax 905-619-2636 for more info visit www.safaribarandgrill.com Celebra t e Celebra t e Harvest F e s t i v a l Harvest F e s t i v a l at Saf a r i B a r a n d G r i l l at Saf a r i B a r a n d G r i l l Showcasing Fresh Local Ingredients including farm fresh produce, Ontario AAA Beef, Lamb, Elk, and Pork Ontario VQA Wines Ontario Craft Beers FOOD PREPARED BY INTERNATIONAL CHEF Lunch Buffett $8.99 ~ 7 Days A Week! We specialize in catering Mon. - Fri. 11:30 am to 3:00 pm • 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm Sat. - Sun. 12:00 pm to 10:00pm FINE DINE IN • TAKE-OUT • CATERING 619 KINGSTON RD. E. AJAX 905-239-4077 www.thebombaygrill.com COOKS NEEDEDCOOKS NEEDED CALL SHYAM AT 905-239-4077 OR 416-818-2527 10 % Off Any Dinner Menu Item Limited Time Offer. Limit Of One Coupon Per Table. 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(Just North of Hwy 401) 905.831.0355 AJAX 50 Kingston Road East RioCan Durham Centre (Just East of Harwood Ave) 905.427.2726Vaughn Location Now Open! newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200923 AP PICKERING TOWN CENTRE • UPPER LEVEL • SEARS WING MADE FOR WALKING Comfort and Well Being with every Step! WE’VE GOT YOUR SIZE Sizes 4-15 Widths AA-EEE CALL ROSE 1-866-550-5462 CHILDCARE AVAILABLE www.durhamLINC.caTHEDURHAMCATHOLICDISTRICTSCHOOLBOARDCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DURHAM Funded by: LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA Joe Dickson MPP Remembering the peopleRemembering the people who gave up their lives forwho gave up their lives for our freedom!our freedom! Joe Dickson MPP Ajax-Pickering Exclusive Exclusive newsnewsviewview maps maps pinpointing pinpointing the stories that the stories that matter to you!matter to you! Brighter page, bigger Brighter page, bigger pictures, brand new look!pictures, brand new look! Your best local coverageYour best local coverage Breaking news, weather, sports and moreBreaking news, weather, sports and more JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND Living Out Loud...really loud at Ajax teen event AJAX -- Sam Kalnitsky performed with fellow band members from Nothing Eternal during the Teen Band Challenge at the Live Out Loud event at Lincoln Alexander Public School on Nov. 6. In addi- tion to Nothing Eternal, three other bands performed during the evening. In addition to music, there was free food, games and prize giveaways.BREAKING NEWS: ALL DAY, EVERY DAY >>newsdurhamregion.com Music, dancing, buffet PICKERING -- An upcoming night of music, danc- ing, food and drink is planned to benefit a Clare- mont landmark that was lost to a fire. The Claremont Community Centre (4941 Brock Rd.) will be the site of a benefit for the Claremont General Store on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Doors will open at 8 p.m. The long-time community staple burned down in July and the owner is now operating his business from a temporary location. The evening will include dancing, a DJ, a cash bar, and a light buffet. Tickets are $50 per couple, or $500 per corporate table. Cheques can be made to CDCA Building Fund. For tickets: CALL 905-649-1590 or 905-649-3456 COMMUNITY Benefit for Claremont General Store by Tom Hawks, Oxford Learning Centre Every school year begins with students, parents and teachers who are full of opti- mism and committed to making this the best year ever. Unfortunately, for some, it doesn’t take long for the sizzle to ﬁ zzle and for students to fall behind, leading to anxi- ety, stress and frustration for students, their parents and even for some teachers. Too often parents expect miracles. Chances are that if your child had trouble with a subject last year and didn’t work on it over the summer, the challenges could be even more overwhelming and demoralizing in the new school year. If you wait until the ﬁ rst report card, it’s often too late. Let’s help our children avoid falling behind this year then trying to play catch-up all year by quickly recognizing the symptoms of academic challenges. Parents often allow six to eight weeks for a “settling in” period but doing so can be det- rimental to a student’s learning momentum. By the time October rolls around, some students are already becoming frustrated and the learning curve is too steep. All of a sudden, minor problems become major obstacles to success, and very stressful situ- ations develop for everyone involved. Make goal setting a family affair It’s critical to set goals early to ensure your child is happy and has the conﬁ dence and know-how to thrive and enjoy school. Setting goals helps motivate students, give purpose to their work, and better plan their time. Oxford recommends that parents and children set goals for success together because “we decisions” are better than “me decisions”. By collaborating during goal setting, parents and kids can open the lines of communication. To begin, simply sit down with your child, review last year, let him tell you about his goals for the new school year. Listen carefully to what your child would like to strive for and achieve. Be supportive, respectful and encouraging. Achievable, Measurable, Believable Goals Work with your child to develop and set goals that are relevant, but most importantly the goals must be achievable, measurable and believable. This is critical and the underlying key to setting successful goals. Once the goals are set, the time is right to build a reasonable, realistic plan to achieve them and measure success. Periodic reviews between you and your child about how he/she is doing will keep the positive momentum going. If you have difﬁ culty identifying your child’s goals, strengths, weaknesses or learning style, or helping them build the skills to achieve those goals, con- sider involving a professional who can assess your child and help you plan and learn strategies for success this year. A third party like Oxford Learning can help open the door of communication to set goals and rekindle conﬁ dence and a willing- ness to step outside of the comfort zone when it comes to tackling academics. Let’s not let our kids’ sizzle for learning ﬁ zzle out this year. Oxford Learning is Canada’s leading provider of supplemental and enrichment education services – see www.oxfordlearn- ing.com for more information. If you want to help your child make this their best year ever call or visit Oxford today in Pickering 905-420-3141 or Ajax 905-683-6660.newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200924 AP FIRST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN PICKERING “Knowledge with Understanding” ~ Infants to 14 years. QUALITY EDUCATION IN ONE LOCATION FREE Trashology Clinic every Wednesday @ 5:30 All Ages Welcome! Come help us turn trash into “bedmats” for those in need. 401 KINGSTON RD. PICKERING (Rougemount & Hwy. 2) P: 905-509-1722 • montessorilearningcentre.com CHRISTMAS SHOPPING on Sunday, November 22, 1:00 - 4:00p.m. Tupperware, Partylites, Pampered Chef, Avon, Comics and more!!! GREAT REPORT CARDS Motivation Confidence Better Grades Ajax 905.683.6660 | Pickering 905.420.3141 | Whitby 905.668.6800 Reading | Writing | Math | French | Study Skills | Homework Support | JK to Grade 12 oxfordlearning.com Results Today Skills for Tomorrow www.gradeexpectations.cawww.gradeexpectations.ca • Diagnostic assessments • Individualized programs Reading • Writing • Math • Study Skills ® AAJAX/PICKERING 905-420-9930 • Ontario Certifi ed Teachers • Grades 1 and up Finch Ave Kingston Rd. 401 Whi tes Rd .Al tona Rd . Pickering Campus 1884 Altona Rd. (Between Sheppard & Finch) 905-509-4773 www.scholarmontessori.ca Give Your Child a Solid Educational Foundation!Give Your Child a Solid Educational Foundation! • Spacious Classrooms • Qualifi ed Montessori Trained Teachers • Catered Hot Nutritious Lunches • Extended Hours Available(7:00am to 6:00pm) • Certifi ed Ministry Licence School • Affordable Rates - 2, 3, 5 day Programs Avail. • Childcare Subsidy Available • Music, Yoga & Sports Programs Available Scholar Montessori Scholar Montessori AcademyAcademy Montessori Toddler Program 16 Months - 2.5 Years Montessori Casa Program 2.5 Years - 6 Years InfantInfant ProgramProgram Coming Soon Coming Soo n Call For Details Call For Det a i l s FROM SIZZLE TO FIZZLE Education ADVERTISING FEATURE Talented forward pursuing scholarship BY BRAD KELLY bkelly@durhamregion.com PICKERING -- Tyler von Engel- brechten and the Pickering Pan- thers are a good fit. The 19-year-old forward from Markham wants to advance his hockey career to the next level, hoping to mix athletics and aca- demics by virtue of a scholarship to the United States. “My plan is to move on to some- where next year, hopefully school, and I’m hoping Division I as well, so that’s why I’m trying to work hard this year,” he said following a recent game. “I do have one more year left of Junior A, but I hope to move on before then.” The Panthers would like to make that happen for him. “We want to help set him up to be the best he can. Hopefully, we can move him on (to anoth- er level),” said head coach Bill Brady. In his third year in the league, von Engelbrechten is putting his previous experience to good use. Last season, in 43 games with the Panthers, he collected 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points. He has almost reached those totals already this season, putting up 13-18-31 numbers through just 22 games. Those totals include three assists in a 10-2 hammering of Seguin on home ice Sunday, but he was held off the scoresheet dur- ing Friday’s 4-2 loss in Markham. He is among the league leaders in the Central Canadian Hock- ey League scoring race, sitting in the top 15 after weekend games, and is also expected to be a leader within the hockey club, named an alternate captain this season. “Tyler works hard and com- petes every night,” said Brady. “Sometimes he’s getting the right bounces. All in all, he’s paying the price and being rewarded. “He’s a quiet leader, but he’ll speak when he has to.” A couple of schools in the U.S. have been in touch with von Engelbrechten, but nothing more than just casual interest at this point. But he is fully aware each night he takes the ice, scouts and recruiters are watching his every move. “There is pressure, but you have to try and not think about it like that,” he said of his approach. “You have to play your normal game and work hard every game. Even if there are no scouts there you still have to work as hard as you can. “You have to play your own game, not try to do more hits or dangles if it’s not your game. If you play your game, they will notice you no matter what.” His next opportunity to impress the scouts will come on Friday when the Panthers host North York at 7:30 p.m. Sports Brad Kelly Sports Editor bkelly@durhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.com JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND PICKERING -- Tyler von Engelbrechten is leading the Pickering Panthers in scoring this season. The talented forward is hoping to land a scholarship to a U.S. school. PICKERING PANTHERS AJAX ATTACK Boddy Player of the Month for October Forward leads Central Canadian Hockey League scoring race AJAX -- A little deserved recogni- tion came the way of Ajax Attack forward Blake Boddy after he was named the Central Canadi- an Hockey League East Division Player of the Month for October. The 19-year-old Boddy, play- ing in his second season with the Ajax Attack, put up 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points in the 12 games he played during the past month. “I think that he’s the type of player that every coach wants to have,” said Ajax Attack head coach Carey Durant. “He’s a great kid, he’s a great athlete, he’s a good student and he’s just an all around team guy.” The Attack, building on the success of their fifth place finish in their division with a record of 25-24-0 in 2008/2009, have been boosted this season by Boddy and teammate Jordan Reed. Despite losing 10-4 on Friday in Wellington, Boddy turned in his usual performance, scoring twice and adding an assist. It was a rar- ity on Sunday when he was kept off the scoresheet, but so was the entire lineup, as the Attack were blanked on home ice 4-0 by the visiting Lindsay Muskies. As one of the older players on the team, Boddy earned the posi- tion of assistant captain with the Attack this season. More of a quiet leader, one who prefers to lead by example, Boddy’s play on the ice so far has served as an excellent illustration to the Attack’s young- er players of what needs to be done in order to be a consistent contributor at the Junior A level. “Blake’s never really been a rah-rah type of guy, he just leads by example,” said Durant. “On the ice, he competes hard, he’s a very smart player, he’s very disciplined compared to some of the high penalty minutes on our team. When he talks to the younger guys on our team, he just talks about having patience and making sure you work hard every game.” Durant, in all of his years of coaching including time spent working with current NHL play- ers Mike Cammalleri and Steve Eminger as teenagers, does not hesitate to rank Boddy among the best players he has coached. After concluding a seven games in 10 day stretch with Sunday’s loss to Lindsay, the Attack get a much deserved break, return- ing to action at home to Streets- ville on Saturday and Stouffville on Sunday. Both games begin at 3 p.m. Monday they head to Whitby. von Engelbrechten looking to move on HIGH SCHOOL PICKERING -- A late surge by the St. Mary Monarchs has booked them a ticket to the LOSSA senior football final. Tied 14-14 with the Pickering Trojans late into the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s semifinal, St. Mary’s Mark Michalicka kicked a 23-yard field goal with under four minutes to go, and punter Conner Trepani- er added a rogue with just 14 sec- onds remaining in the game for an 18-14 victory. “We changed the way we came at them and they weren’t ready for it,” said St. Mary head coach Enzo Antonucci of the difference in the game. “We finally had a day with no rain and a sloppy field and we were able to execute our plays. The boys real- ly worked hard to get ready for this game.” St. Mary quarterback Keith Cyrus completed touchdown passes to Dan Tomei and Dillan Campbell in the victory. Pickering got touchdowns from Chris Johnson on the ground and Lyndon Whittaker-Baston on a pass from quarterback Mike Stob- bart. St. Mary will now face Donald A. Wilson in the LOSSA final on Satur- day. Wilson beat Holy Trinity 20-15 in Tuesday’s other semifinal. St. Mary advances to LOSSA finals newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200925 AP newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • November 11, 200926 AP Grassroots program begins for athletes PICKERING -- The mission of the Pickering Soccer Club (PSC) is to provide opportunities for the members of the community to participate in soccer. Every child wants to belong to a group, to put on a uniform and be part of a team, to enjoy the great outdoors and feel the thrill of friendly competition. The Pickering Soccer Club provides those opportunities to some 4,500 soccer players, and reach- es almost 20 per cent of the local population through the players, coaches and team staff, referees, and countless volunteers. However, there are many chil- dren and youth in the community who want to play soccer but are unwilling, or feel unable, to par- ticipate in the programs offered. Therefore, in a partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, the PSC is offering a grassroots soc- cer program to those in the com- munity with special needs. Spe- cial Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellec- tual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from par- ticipation in individual and team sports. Special Olympics are an unprec- edented global movement which, through quality sports training and competition, improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch. The PSC’s winter Special Olym- pics Program will focus on soccer training, skill development, and plenty of fun and spots remain available for athletes and volun- teers. For more information e-mail girlsrep@pickeringsoccer.ca. SPECIAL NEEDS ATHLETES Pickering Soccer Club offering new winter program SUBMITTED PHOTO PICKERING -- In partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, the Pickering Soccer Club is offering a grassroots soccer program to those in the community with special needs. DURHAM COLLEGE Lords rely on Ajax talent SUDBURY -- By half-time of Sun- day’s game against the Cambrian Golden Shield, the Durham Lords men’s basketball team had built a nice, comfortable lead. Up by 26 at the break, the Lords almost let the Golden Shield climb all the way back, but managed to hold on for a 70-65 victory. Playing the starring role once again for the Lords was Ajax’s Tyler Pelley. The former J. Clarke Rich- ardson athlete had nine points, but more impressively managed eight steals in the game. Those eight came two days after a 12-steal per- formance against the Loyalist Lanc- ers in the Lords’ home opener. Through four games, Pelley has 28 swipes to his credit and is well on his way to obliterating last year’s OCAA-leading total of 47 in 20 games. Fellow Ajax product Eric Smith had another outstanding game also, netting 22 points, while Liv- ingston Cunningham, who also hails from Ajax, was solid in scoring 19 points for the Lords. In the home opener Friday night, the Lords literally stole one from the Lancers. Led by Pelley’s 12 steals, the Lords totaled 32 as a team in an 86-56 demolition of the Belleville- based school. Four players achieved double- doubles in the game, led by Pelley with 10 points and 12 steals, Smith with 21 points and 10 boards and Cunningham with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Oshawa’s Courtney Small also hit the mark, finishing the game with 16 points and 11 boards. LACROSSE Durham Masters holding registration WHITBY -- The Durham Masters Lacrosse League will be holding registration on Thursday, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at WISC Dome in Whitby. The 2010 season starts Thurs- day, Jan. 7, and runs into April. All games are played at WISC Dome. The league is open to players aged 16 years and up. This recreation- al lacrosse league is non-con- tact and follows Masters lacrosse rules. For further information contact dmlllax@hotmail.com or visit www.dmlllax.ca.