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News/3 Textbook funding raises optimism CLARINGTON'S AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1854 Sports/13 Old rivalry heats up again WHAT'S ON March 30: It's never too soon to think about going to college. But on Sunday, March 30, kids are welcome to attend - for free. The Durham College Student Association is hosting 'Children's Carnival 2003' in the E.P. Taylor pub from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A jumping castle, games, face-painting, magic show, cotton candy, gingerbread gingerbread men, popcorn and balloons balloons will be waiting. Durham College is located at 2000 Sim- coe St. N. Oshawa. April 10: Safety around the farm will be up for discussion when Clarington Family Farm Safety Night is held Thursday, April 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Garnet B. Rickard Complex, 2240 King St. W. in Bow- manville. Mark Urquhart, of the Municipal Health and Safety Safety Association, will speak on hazards around the farm, and safety around farm machinery. Fred Young, of the Ontario Farm Safety Association, will speak on child safety, slow- moving vehicles, safety around livestock, and visitors to the farm. Anyone wishing to attend attend can call 905-623-3379, ext. 213, or e-mail planning planning @municipali ty.claring- ton.on.ca. INSIDE Wheels: To latch onto its fair share of the action, Mazda has developed the Mazdaspeed Protege, a reason- I a b 1 y -priced turnkey performance machine that includes most of the go- fast goodies that typically would be available from a variety variety of aftermarket suppliers. INDEX Editorial Page. Classified Sports ..4 ..9 .13 GIVE US A CALL General 905-579-4400 Distribution 905-579-4407 Death Notices 905-683-3005 Sincerely Yours 1-800-662-8423 General FAX 905-579-2238 Newsroom FAX 905-579-1809 durhamregion.com • SERVICE •PARTS • NEW & USED SALES & LEASING EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS MON., TUES., THURS., FRI. 7:30-6:00 WED.- 7:30-9:00 SAT.-9:00-1:00 ACCREDITED TEST & REPAIR FACILITY ♦An ofllcltil murk of the Province of Ontario used under licence. Whitby - Oshawa H onda 1110 DUNDAS. ST. E. WHITBY LOCAL (V05) 666-1772 XV Horror www.honda1.com A rotting shame Dead fish found in Bowmanville creek a natural occurrence: CLOCA BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer BOWMANVILLE - A mass of dead fish in Bowmanville's Westside Creek Marsh is the result result of a natural phenomenon, the local conservation authority and Ministry of Natural Resources has determined. About 200 carp, along with significantly smaller numbers of other fish species, have turned up dead in the marsh. There are likely likely many more still trapped under the ice, says Jeff Andersen, Aquatic Resource Technician with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. "On the basis of on-site inspection, inspection, we're confident with the fact it's winterkill, which is a normal occurrence," says Jane Sirois, information officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources Resources Aurora District Office, which has jurisdiction over Durham. Winterkill is a result of oxygen oxygen depletion after a long winter, explains Ms. Sirois. The dead fish became stuck in the marsh area due to "ice and wind action (which) has cut off the lake (Ontario) from the marsh," says Mr. Andersen. Resident concerns that, the dead fish are a result of reconfiguration reconfiguration work currently going on in the marsh are unfounded, says Mr. Andersen. "It has nothing to do with that," he says, noting winter kill "does happen with some frequency frequency on that system." Mr. Andersen says it will likely likely be left to natural forces to get rid of the dead fish. They could, if there is enough water, be pushed out into Lake Ontario, or other scavenger animals, animals, like raccoons, could arrive on the scene to help clean up the mess. RON PIETR0NIR0/ Statesman photo The sight of more than 100 dead carp floating under the bridge at West Beach Road in Bowmanville attracts the attention of some local residents. Ministry of Natural Resources Resources officials arc saying the high numbers of dead fish in the creek is a natural phenomenon. Wider Taunton Road needed BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer CLARINGTON - The widening of Taunton Road through Clarington is on council's council's wish list to the Region. Clarington passed a motion Monday asking the Region of Durham to consider expansion of the road from Claringlon's Townline Road to ITwy. 35/115. "The intent of the motion is to move this on to the Region and give them something to consider," says Clarington Regional Regional Councillor Jim Schell. "At least this motion puts this on the agenda." Widening Taunton Road in Clarington isn't currently on the Region's radar, says Kevin Wilson, project manager with Durham's works department. "We have a five-year program program of road improvements and none of that section (of Taunton) is in (he five-year program," program," lie says, noling lhe five- since it acts as the main northern northern cast-west route in the municipality, municipality, says Clarington's motion. With no definite date for the extension of Hwy. 407 cast of the Courtice link, it is necessary to expand the road, the motion indicates. But other areas of Taunton may actually have bigger problems, problems, says Mr. Wilson. "It's hard to justify widening widening Taunton Road out there, when you look at Taunton Road in Pickering, which is a parking lot," he says. Clarington riders can get back on the bus 15-day transit strike comes to an end BY MARTIN DERBYSHIRE Staff Writer OSHAWA - For those who've been waiting patiently, patiently, don't worry, the bus is coming. The 15-day transit strike is over. Service was set to resume resume this morning for the 10,000 riders who use Oshawa Oshawa Transit every day, both in the city limits and in Whitby, Whitby, and the 400 who take Clarington buses staffed by Oshawa Transit. A tentative agreement was reached late Sunday night and the more than 100 members of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 222 Transit Unit voted 90 per cent in favour of ratifying ratifying it Monday morning. Both the Oshawa Transit Commission and City council approved the deal later Monday,' Monday,' which will give transit staff a one per cent annual raise plus a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), for the next ibree years. Full on-street service was set lo begin this morning at 5:30 a.m. and the transit commission commission said, as a gesture of goodwill, free rides will be provided all day. March bus pass holders will also be given a 60 per cent discount on the purchase of an April pass. "I'm happy to see the strike is going to be over and service resumed...for both those who use the service regularly regularly and the workers," said Bob Goody, general manager of Oshawa Transit. City councillor and Transit Commission acting chairman Warren Young said lie would not be surprised to see rider- ship numbers drop in the wake of the strike as regular users of the service stick with the alternative arrangements they were forced to make over the last two weeks. However, he believes eventually eventually people will get back on the bus because of the convenience convenience the service offers. For the union, the paramount paramount issue had been COLA, a benefit meant to help wages keep pace witli inflation. The See BUSES page 7 Jim Schell: Wants Taunton Road expanded from Townline Road to Hwy. 35/115. year plan is revised annually based on the need to keep up witli growth across the region, and on Regional Council's requests. requests. Taunton's current status as a two-lane road is inadequate to handle current traffic flows,' Has deadly strain of pneumonia hit Durham? Health department investigating BY KEITH GILLIGAN Staff Writer DURHAM -- At least one person in Durham Region is being monitored in the outbreak outbreak of a potentially deadly strain of pneumonia. Dr. Donna Reynolds, the associate associate medical officer of health for Durham Region, wouldn't disclose the community community where the person lives, adding it's only an investigation investigation and not a confirmed case. The health department expects results within days. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is also being called 'atypical pneumonia', she said, and symptoms include high fever, coughing, chills, and breathing difficulties. Two Canadians have died from the disease, along with seven others others worldwide, while hundreds more have become ill. The outbreak seems to be linked to Guangdong Province See PNEUMONIA page 7 THINK THE NEW DESIGN Chev Olds & Chev Trucks HWY. #2 d / H ™ / HOY u (V. NICHOLS 101 LOOK WHAT OUR ACCOUNTANTS HAVE DONE. • Mjfowl •a virtually all naw h (or easy VO GET into: | DIIVB-AWAY WITHOUT PAYINU I.MAIlIJ $12,978t$225" Payment $016 $1,000 Payment $000 $104 Total Du a* 8018 81,000 CMimaMMiaMOl I $1,000 $170 88,000 Y v CIIFA/IUILET Okl.,mob:!if or ilODY&l'Aini wid«al«« lEJ Goodwrwch Sfïkt res detail! ' ...Wjhr.Ontlm»,