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Clarington Community/A? Hats off to the Golden Belles Sports/B1 Mosport hosts Speedfest Weekend Privacy breach feared by local family But, MPAC contends it's working within the rules to collect information BY JENNIFER STONE Staff. Writer BO WMAN VILLE - The enumeration enumeration form being sent out by the Municipal Property Assessment Assessment Corporation may contain information that some people consider private, but the provincial provincial organization is working within the Freedom of Information Information and Protection of Privacy Act, says an MPAC spokesman. The form has prompted some complaints from some local residents, residents, including Teresa Potier of Bowmanville, who was concerned concerned about the inclusion of such information as names and birth, dates of all home occupants, occupants, tax roll numbers and religion religion on an item that is addressed to either her husband or "occupant." "occupant." "If it was only addressed to my husband, I wouldn't have been so upset, but it was also addressed to 'occupant,'" she said. The document simply contains contains "stuff I don't think other people need to know." But, even if the document was opened by someone other than the person to whom.it was addressed due to a resident resident change of the property, the enumeration form is legal under the Freedom of Information Information Act, said Syd Howes, Elections Information Specialist with MPAC. , "Other than the fact that someone someone would open it and find the previous. occupants' name or birth date, that's never been a concern from a privacy perspec- 'lf it was only addressed to my husband, I wouldn't have been so upset, but it was also addressed to 'occupant.' --Teresa Potier tive because there is no link to the address," he said. "We can give ... names and are not violating the Freedom of Information Information Act, because there is no link to address." Conversely, giving out addresses without names doesn't violate the Act, he said. Assessment roll information is also public information that could be found at any town hall, noted Mr. Howes. The information gathered by MPAC has "very limited distribution" distribution" since the organization organization only provides it to those for whom they are legislatively legislatively mandated to do so, such as municipalities and school boards. Those organizations use that information for a variety of reasons,.including reasons,.including planning. MPAC does accommodate those with legitimate privacy concerns, such as people who are being stalked or sought by a violent ex-partner, by "taking whatever necessary steps to protect protect their information," said Mr. Howes. But, the information must be collected, and is kept private, he said. "At the end of the day, there's probably no more secure data depository than ours," said Mr. Howes. "Wé have one of the largest data bases of its kind in North America, and you cannot get into it, and we will not sell it." home destroyed by fire over long weekend Cause of blaze under investigation BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer COURTICE -- A cause has yet to be determined for a fire drat largely destroyed a vacant, board- ed-up house in Courtice over the weekend. . The alarm was sounded by a passerby on Hwy. 401, who noticed the glow of the blaze just after 4:40 a.m., said Clarington Clarington Emergency and Fire Services Chief Gord Weir. The housé, at 1828 Baseline Rd., was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, said the chief. "It was still standing, but most of it was involved (when they arrived.) The roof had started to collapse," said Chief Weir. "We had to demolish the walls so that we could safely conduct a thorough thorough investigation." Ensuring there was no one inside was the first priority, said • the chief. "The main thrust (of the. investigation) was to ensure there were no bodies inside," he said. No evidence of anyone having been in the building was found. Because there was no power to the house at-the time, the only potential causes are accidental 6r arson, said the chief. The Ontario Fire Marshal was called in to investigate, and some samples were taken. The property has since been turned over to its owners. Vacant Walter Passarella / Metroland Durham Region Media Group Pumping life into dummies COURTICE -- The Heart and Stroke Foundation launched the Family and Friends CPR program at Mother Teresa Catholic School recently. Grade 7 and 8 classes were given CPR kits to take home as homework and teach their families. For full story see page 3. • SERVICE 1 • PARTS MON., WED., FRI. 7:30 am - 6:00 pm TUES. & THURS. 7:30 am - 8:00 pm SAT. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm ACCREDITED TEST & REPAIR FACILITY WHITBY OSHAWAi |300 THICKSON RD. S. p WHITBY S 1-866 240-6192 0 HONDAS www.honda1.com 3 Suspension not just a holiday BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer CLARINGTON « Suspension Suspension from school won't just be a break for Catholic secondary students taking part in a program being offered through the local John Howard Society. The Community Alternatives to School Suspension program will ensure students make contributions contributions to the community, learn some life skills and work on academic materials, "This is in response to the lad that kids arc sitting at home during during suspensions," said Crystal Fordo, the program's facilitator. "The free time isn't being used effectively, and there are times when the students arc getting into more trouble (during the time away from school). It's a positive alternative to suspension." suspension." The program is running as a result of a $140,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of See SCHOOL, page A4 SAVE targets youth violence Fundraiser set for June 4 BY JEFF MITCHELL Staff Writer DURHAM - Community members are being asked to.band together to address the issue of youth violence - before it's too late. . "To ensure a community that is safe and where all members feel secure, we must take action," committee chairwoman Sandra Mackey said during the official official launch of Society Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) last Monday at Durham Region headquarters in Whitby. . SAVE, described as a partnership partnership among various community organizations, citizens and Durham Durham Regional Police, hopes to address the root causes of youth violence by supporting new and existing programs and by spreading spreading the message among youth that there are alternatives to violence, violence, said Ms. Mackey, a civilian civilian supervisor with the Durham Regional Police communications department. It is hoped the effort will reach all elements of society in Durham Durham Region, encouraging people to become involved in the effort to foster a sale environment for everyone. "Violence will destroy communities communities if we allow it to nourish," Ms. Mackey said. . Endorsing the effort at last week's launch was Durham Regional Police Chief Vernon White. "SAVE represents an opportunity opportunity for Durham Region to stand together and make a strong statement statement against violence," the chief said. The first public event for the organization is a fundraising 5- km walk scheduled for Sunday, June 4, in Oshawa. Participants can register at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium prior to the l p.m. start or sign up online at www. socictyagainstvioIenee.org. $500 - FREE _ GAS $1000 OWNER LOYALTY BONUS FORSUNFIRE, CAVALIER, SUNBIRD, MALIBU. GRAND AM, ALER0.G6 OWNERS THE 1% GST NOW CAR HEAVEN PROGRAM $ iooo FOR YOUR TRADE DIRECT LINES Pads 905436-2227 Service 905436-2228 Body À Point 905436-2229 HWY. #2 ° v ÜF 5 £ NICHOLS * E 401 s (> pit WIUM usiavtMUit <>1*14 4. 2728 Courtice Rd., HWY. #2 Courtice 905-436-2222 Toll Free 1-866-885-8822 roynichoismotors@gmcanada.com www.roynkholsmolors.com HmW fnr rktnll*