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l an. v v> Mfr, kRseuetoN BftttiKSWtN IWKSfiSM*#! « t j.e.'vj imirrAt-vti uowAtad IMBIBE TODAY'S ISSUE NeAA^5»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»***********PgS* 2 3 Editorial»»#••••*• 4 Christmas Memory pg. 5 Cnnrlc DOS. 6-7 Lifestyles pg* 8 m bowmanville library, 62 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE ONTARIO L1C3A8 EXPIRY DATE: AUGUST 26, 1999 k h I L W 4hXSy iTO • B: i ^ X. IS K K- v Ww ■ 1 W I' # «S' Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 • ewspaper Wednesday, Decembef 30,1998 144th Year Issue 52 700 + 50 G.S.T. = 750 Top Cats Tanya Galea and Shawn Healey cuddle up with some of the inhabitants of Orono's Jungle Cat World. The facility is open throughout the holidays, with the exception of New Year's Day. isaxaranezESMSEsaBzi School Board Elects Chair From Clarington Caroline Burke, a trustee from Clarington, was elected elected Chairperson of the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board at an organizational meeting held last week. Burke has been a member member of the Board since 1988, dedicating her time and energy to many leadership leadership roles. She has been involved with a number of educational and business management committees. In her 10 years as a school board member in Catholic education, Burke has chaired committees, worked as an employment standards investigator and auditor for the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and has been involved in her community. Burke said, in her address to the Board, she was "looking forward to working with the Board members as a team and welcomed their advice." As well, according to a Board press release, she stated "Communication is the key to the Board's success in the upcoming year. Communication will be essential in the effort to reconcile with staff once an agreement has been reached. In addition, it is .vi'jil v> develop and maintain communication between Administration, Trustees and School Councils." "It is an honour to be elected Chairperson of the Board. I will do my best to lead us individually and organizationally and provide provide a positive, Christ-cen- Contimied on page 2 Little Lost Bull The Municipality of Clarington is looking for the owners of a bull that was found at Willsona Farms in Tyrone on Monday, Dec. 14. The bull is approximately 6 months old. It is brown with white face and legs (Hereford type). If not claimed, the bull will be auctioned off in January, with proceeds being put towards the pound keeper's fees. The bull has car tags -- two orange and one yellow -- - with the first digit 2. Anyone missing the animal animal can call the Clarington clerk's department department at 623-3379. Deputy Clerk Marie Knight Stanley said there have been no inquiries about the animal to date. "The Pounds Act says we must hold onto it and advertise that we have it. But, after that, it can be put up for auction," she said. MR Lists Nuke Waste, Computer Bugs Among Challenges for 1999 by Michelle Wyton Staff Writer A year to move ahead. That's how Durham MP Alex Shepherd sees 1999 as the federal government government gets set to tackle a number of big issues before the new millennium - including the millennium itself. One of his concerns is bringing businesses in line with the Year 2000 computer computer requirements. "I have spent a lot of time working with the Year 2000 committee and am concerned that people here in Durham arc not giving the problem the attention it requires," he said. "The small business community is generally not up to speed with it and the time clock is working its way down." "That will lie a major issue in the next year as people realize that it has to be done," he added. "I'm committed to making sure businesses throughout the region take action on the problem. It's better to be worried now than sorry later." The other issue that comes to mind when talking talking specifically about Durham is Port Granby's low-level radioactive waste. "I hope we will be able to get to a point in our lives where we can put that issue behind us," he said. The community and government arc talking specifically about clean-up and Shepherd said that can only lead to change. "We're at a very positive positive place right now, with everyone willing to sit down and find a solution to the problem," he added. "It has been a long time coming, coming, hut I can see a light at the end of the tunnel." During his term in office, Shepherd has been able to introduce a number of private member's bills - a practice lie plans to continue continue next year. "I will be re-introducing re-introducing a bill requiring all proposed proposed programs to be costed costed before they are entered into the House of Commons so that we are aware of exactly what is involved," lie said. "As well, my bill to make the third Monday in February a national holiday to celebrate celebrate our flag will come up for debate next year." Shepherd has also been involved in an environmental environmental bill aimed at protecting protecting the Great Lakes. "I would like to sec legislation legislation preventing ships from discharging their bilge water here," he said. "Most countries require that bilge water be dumped before ships enter their national waters, but Canada doesn't have this requirement." The problem is that the bilge water introduces new species of fish and aquatic life to the lakes. "There arc about 400 exotic species living in the Great Lakes that come from the bilge water," he said. "In. many cases there arc no natural predators Continued on page 3 Plenty Accomplished In Past Year, Says MPP by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer ' If there's anything Durham East MPP John O'Toole will remember about 1998, it will likely be the quantity of work done by his government. "I think the amount is probably the cornerstone," says the MPP, referring to the vast quantity of new legislation put in place by the provincial government over the past 12 months. "The most important thing that's happened is the health care restructuring," he says, adding, after a decade of study, many changes to the health care system arc finally being implemented. And that's good news for Durham Region, lie says. "The government has followed through on its commitment commitment to restructuring. With dialysis, and MRI, and the announcement of the cancer treatment centre, the Oshawa site (of the newly-formed Lakcridgc Health Corporation) is going to provide move and better services," services," he predicts. O'Toole also cites improvements to in-home health care as an important accomplishment over the past year. "The job isn't finished, but it's well under way," he says. "The government's commitment to health care has been made, met and exceeded." Education has also been a hot topic, both at Queen's Park and across the province, over the past 12 months. Continued on page 2 The St. Paul's United Church "living nativity" was enacted on the lawn of the church December 20, 21, and 22. Members of the public were invited to drop by and join in the singing of the carols and the re-telling ol the Christmas Story. Volunteers helped to bring the Christmas Story to life with a wooden stable, complete complete with live animals and bales of straw. X Shop the Rest Buy from the Best! PONTIAC • 0UICK LTO. Your load General Motors dealer _ for the pant 25 yearn. , , flstin 16G King St. E. f, 2.5th ] L Aràtm| lJ Tolophono 623-3396 COMPANY LIMITED Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. Wcsl Bowmanville Bowmanville's Movers for 50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 Sfosik £M&isiw6k E©p@rï Mackey - "It's Triplets" Wilcox - "It's a Boy"