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OPP reports great drop in traffic deaths' and injuries f or year 1976 Thie number of mnotor vehicle collisions in the Whitby OPP detachment's area of jurisdiction dropped by 14.2 per cent in 1976, the OPP reported this week. The Whitby detacliment reported that in 1976 there were 1079 collisionscompared to 1257 in 1975. Fatalities dropped 77.8 per cent, from 18 in 1975 to four in 1976. Personal injury accidents decreased 37.7 per cent from 419 in 1975 to 261 in 1976, but property damage accidents increased 4.8 per cent to 708 in 1976 from 674 in 1975. Non-reportable motor vehicle collisions (with damage under $200) de- creased 17 per cent, from 147 in 1975 to 122in 1976. The number of persons injured in all collisions dropped 45.6 per cent, from 737 in 1975 to 401 in 1976:' Police attribute these figures to the manditory use of seat belts, and lower speed limits, introduced by the province in 1976. On the criminal side, sex offenses in the Whitby detachment area dropped 70.3 per cent from il to three, break and enters dropped 9.5 per cent from 116 to 105, theft of motor vehicles dropped 24 per cent from 33 to 25,frauds dropped 36 per cent from 58 to 37, and use of offensive weapons decreased 22 per cent from nine in 1975-to seven in 1976. Assaults increased 11.3 per cent to 49 from 44, theft over $200 increased seven per cent to 31 from 29 and theft under $200 increased three per cent to 116 from 113 in 1975. Robberies remained at ode each for 1975 and 1976, whilethere wasan increase of 30 per cent in other criminal code offenses, to 247 from 189. There was a seven per cent decrease in provincial statute offences (excluding traffic), from 38 (exludng rafic) frm 89 in 1975 to 3601in 1976. Trhe following are thée following areas ofjurisditio of the Whitby OPP detach- ment: Scugog Township, Highway 401 from Port Union Road to the easterly limits of Oshawa, Highway 7 from the Toronto-Durham line to the first concession of Brock Township, Highway 7A from Manchester to the Scugog-Cartwright town line; Highwayt12 from Rossland Road to Brooklin, and Highway 47 from the.York-, Durham line to Highway 7 with the exception of the Town of Uxbridge. ____- a w 44 Vol. 7, No. 4 Wednesday, January 26, 1977 20 Pages INSIDE KALNINS, BIRD'S EYE V IEW ................................... HISTORICAL WHITBY, POTPOURRI....................... ADOPTIVE PARENTS........ CYCLISTS........................... SPO RTS.............................. COMING EVENTS............ SNOWMOBILES.................. PAGE5 PAGE 7 PAGE.9 PAGE 10 PAGES 12 & 13 PAGE 18 PAGE 19 Budget report predicts 13.2 mill tax increase for local town purposes Whitby taxpayers could get a 13.2 mill increase in their property taxes .for l-ocal purposes this year, according to a preliminary budget report, but council is trying its best to cut back on what considers unnecessary expenses. For the past two years the council has held the line on local taxes, but rising costs mean there will have to be some kind of increase this year, according to town officials. Last Wednesday the council began its budget meetings and came up against a number of financial predicaments. Fire Chief Ed Crouch is not happy about the Durham Region charging sewer costs for the water used by his men in fighting blazes in the town. Chief Crouch said his men meter water when they fill their pumper trucks, and he is trying to get an agreement with the region to avoid pay- ing the sewage charges. Previously homeowners and industry paid sewage levies, but now theregion bills everyone for the service. Treasurer Forbes McEwen blames the pili and common- law marriage for a significant drop in the town's revenues in 1976. He reported that in 1975 marriage licencestpro- duced $1,545 for the town, but last year the figure dropped to $565. This year he expects to get only $600 from that source. The resource equalization grant from the provinciffl government will take a tumble this year, according to Mr. McEwen. This grant is paid to municipalities which by provincial standards are deficient in assessment on a per capita basis. Mr. McEwen finds thathassessent has grown but the population as not kept a proportionate pace. "The pill knocks the grant all to hell', he said. In dollar terms, the town got $226,854 from this grant in 1975, and S152,738 in 1976- This year the town staff expect to get only $11,000. Whitby will have little or no surplus funds from last year to offset projected increases in 1977. If it cannot cut back the possible 13.2 mill increase, net expendi- tures would increase by $832,295. Budget Committee Chair- man Councillor Gerry Emm is sure the town will not be able to complete its budget in January. Kainins charges police Free Press Columnist Alex Kalnins, who was charged by Peel Regional Police with obstructing and assaulting Police Jan. 11, has sworn out five charges against the police officiers who arrested him. Mr. Kaînins was charged on Jan. 11 with obstructing police and assault with intent to resist arrest when he was attempting to take pictures of the arrivai of a mental patient at the Mississauga General Hospital.. On Jan. 18, police laid two additional charges of assaulting police and causing a disturbance by shouting, after police reviewed, the evidence., On Frid rMr.wKalnins appeared before a justice of the peace to swear charges of theft over $200, wilful damage, assault causing bodily harm, intimidation and unfawful seizure against the officers who arrested him. Mr. Kalnins was working as a free lance photographer for the Mississauga News at the time of the incident at the hospital which resulted in his arrest. THIS PARTY IS GETTING OUT OF HAND! A birthday toast to a friend (Sidney-Ann Lang, sitting on the sofa) turns into a drunken fiasco for ex-singer Evy Meara, played by Gail Cheyne, in the Whitby Theatre Company's production of Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady. Instead of drinking a toast, Evy manages to splash liquor over a startled actor (at left) played by Terrill Stewart, and shock her daughter (at right) played by Denise Dawson. This comedy-drama, considered to be one of Neil Simon's best plays, will be staged at the Centennial Building Theatre, Feb. 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m., with a snecial nerformance for senior citizens on Feb. 2. See Page 2. Free Press Photo by Brian Winter Separate school teachers s-trikhe on Monday if no settiement made Unless a last-minute settle- ment can be reached Durham Region's separate school teachers will strike on Monday. The teachers voted 75 per cent in favor of striking, Friday,after 83 per cent of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association members of the region voted last week to reject the Durham Separate School Board's final offer of an eight per cent pay raise. The teachers are seeking 12 per cent, to put them on parity with area public school teachers and separate school.' teachers in Metropolitan Toronto. The three major problems faced by negotiators are salary increases lower pupil- teacher ratios in classes, and the exclusion of annual experiences incremnents if any package subitted for Anti Inflation Board approval. Neil Dougherty, an OECTA provincial representative on the bargaining team, said the Durham Board is the only one that has taken the increments issue to the verge of a strike. He said recent settlements in York, Dufferin-Peel and Peterborough regions did not include increments which are paid to 57 per cent of the during teachers for successful teaching experience. The teachers' contract expired Aug. strike occurs would close 3 1, and if a Monday, it 25 separate Two youths one armed with a revolver, robbed a Whitby gas station attendant of more than $200 early Saturday morning. Durham Regional Police report that about 1 a.m. Saturday two youths wearing blue ieans, green parkas and scarves over their faces schools in the regioni involve 439 members of OECTA. Armed robbers grab $200 cash entered Hunter's Esso Service station at Dundas Street and Thickson Road and demanded cash from the attendant, Bill Hugan. Hugan gave them the money and they escaped. Police believe the pair of robbers were about 17 yearf old 9 1