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DAVID PETERSON, Ontario Liberal at the Whitby municipal building last. party leader, is surrounded by suppor- week. ters and media during an appearance Free Press photo 300 supporters greet Peterson The welcome mat was literally laid out for premier David Peterson when he paid a campaign visit to the Whitby municipal building last Tuesday night. Peterson's visit, his first in Whit- by since he called a Sept. 10 elec- tion, was intended to bolster sup- Letters oppose Liberal use of Town building See page 6 LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE See pages 8, 9, 13, 14 port for Liberal candidate in Durham Centre, Allan Furlong, as well as other area Liberal can- didates Cathy O'Flynn (Oshawa), Norah Stoner (Durham West) and Diane Hamre (Durham East). Peterson said Durham Region has never fielded "stronger can- didates." He also referred to the growth in Durham as "explosive. "You have growth here that other parts of the province don't have and expansion causes the sweet headaches not the miserable ones." During his speech, which was en- thusiastically received by more than 300 party workers and suppor- ters, Peterson touched on a number of issues including education. While giving no specific figures, Peterson said the Liberals are in the midst of their "biggest capital construction project. "Kids are our most important resource," said Peterson referring to his recent announcement to lower teacher-pupil ratios in elementary schools. "I think that is money well spent." Peterson said the Liberals are dealing with the "fundamental problems" of the environment. But it was on free trade that Peterson drew the loudest response from his audience. He said he has outlined six conditions which must be met before approving a free trade deal with the United States. "We are not prepared to deal away the automotive industry - it is that simple. We are not prepared to deal away our brewery workers - it is that simple. "This is a fight for Canada as well as Ontario. Sovereignty is the heart of this issue." Peterson also used the platform to remind party workers not to become complacent when polls show the Liberals clearly in front of the NDP and Conservatives. "Forty-two years of opposition teaches you humility and we still have some left." When introducing Peterson, Furlong called -the premier a man "who has opened the government to the people of Ontario." The premier was also given a 'Welcome to Whitby' doormat by Mayor Bob Attersley who was on hand along with Whitby councillor Marcel Brunelle. Whitby councillor Joe Drumm anytime. says council was not expressing 'I know theres some noiS support for the Ontario Liberal par- it, but I think it's too bad," he ty when leader David Peterson Brunelle, and Mayor Bob visited the Town's municipal sley were in attendance building last week. Peterson visited Whitby "Council is not endorsing the Brunelle denies that he. wa Liberal party," says Drumm, who as a supporter. has received "five or six calls" "I don't belong to any pa about the visit. "I was a little em- attended because 1 wz barrassed. There are some people terested," he says. upset about it." "I'm not commenting pub Drumm says the Town policy to what my political support : allow- party leaders to use the to be." municipal building should be Brunelle says he "investi reviewed, particularly during elec- when he learned of the-prE tion campaigns, a suggestion also visit to Whitby and that the made by councillor Gerry Emm. of the municipal building "s "During a campaign, discretion sensible tome. should be used," says Emm. "I "When a leader cores he don't blame Mr. Peterson but the be able to use a public fac organizers should have double- not, it will be a very sad da checked. adds that it is "petty" to co "It went over my head, or I would about Liberal use of the builc have said not to use the Town hall "I don!t think it, is'a big as a springboard. says councilor Ross Batte "At any other time, the premier acknowledges he has receiN is welcome as are the other phonecali corplaining ab leaders." visit. - But - councillor Marcel Brunelle Iarnot convinced a w] disajreed, arguing that it's a publi building" and cn be used - Inquuest called after teen death at LASCO An inquest has been callea into the death of an 18-year-old Henry Street High School graduate following an accident at the Lake Ontario Steel Company (LASCO) in Whitby early Friday morning. Alexander Connelly was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by coroner Dr. Douglas Conelly around 2 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14. He was killed instantly when he was run over by a heavy industrial truck as he walked away from a mobile catering truck. Dr. Conelly said the student died of a crushed head, chest and ab- domen. Besides the inquest, Dr. Conelly said the Ministry of Labor is also investigating the death. "It is customary to hold an inquest involving an industrial death," said Dr. Conelly who noted it was very dark at the scene of the accident. He said the area was not weli lit due to the pollution on the lights. "Consideratibn will also have to be given to the location of mobile coffee trucks," he added. The vic- tim was wearing a helmet and hearing protectors at the time of the accident. The truck did have lights on, ac- cording to Dr. Conelly, but visibility in the area was poor and the scene of the accident was noisy. He said the inquest will be held in the fall when court time has been arranged. Local candidates will meet An all-candidates forum wil take place at the Whitby Legion begin- ning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night organized by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OP- SEU) New Democratic candidate in Durham Centre Sarah Kelly and Conservative candidate Stephanie Bal told The Free Press they will attend the debate. Liberal candidate Allan Furlong said he was to attend an arbitration case in Sarnia Wednesday night, but as of Tuesday afternoon he was attempting to re-arrange his schedulein order to attend. "I expect to be there even if I am late. I expect to be walking into a bear pit," said Furlong, adding he was not happy with the way the forum was set up. Jane Wood of OPSEU said the debate will be moderated by OP- SEU vice-president Fred Upshaw. Wood said microphones will be on the floor to allow questions from the audience. Members of the public are invited to attend. Woods added OPSEU is attempting to get as many union members out to the debate as possible. ALEXANDER CONNELLY