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AMe t a a f e s s J \ M. 3 8 ! NS &. 3 & w h > n e s jw a : m ? m ,m m mm IS Q m & J & te s tiS Z )) Police seize 3200 replica firearms Peel Regional Police have seized about 3,200 replica firearms from an Oakville shop. Operating under a search warrant, on May 4th, police went to S& K Toys and Crafts on Hampshire Gate in north O akville and seized the weapons. Police said the replica firearms were virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. The seizure was a result o f a onemonth investigation into a trend Peel Police saw beginning in November of last year, where replica handguns were being used in crimes. Since that time, Peel Police have investigated about 27 gun-related inci dents. "Several of these replica handguns have been identified in school yards and park areas of our Region," said Peel Police Chief Noel Catney. `T hey have been observed by citizens and believed to be actual firearms. Police officers have responded appropriately to complaints in which they believed real guns were being used in the com mission of criminal offences. Front line uniform police officers are fre quently having their personal safety, and well-being of the citizens they pro tect, compromised by the presence of these replica firearms in numerous sit uations. I have series concerns about the proliferation of this problem in our Region." M ulvale seeking new term M a y o r , fo r m e r c o u n c illo r F r e d O liv e r h a v e r e g is te r e d fo r N o v . 1 3 th e le c tio n he municipal election may be six months away, but candidates are already lining up for a variety of seats. Ann Mulvale, for example, has registered to retain her job as mayor when Oakville goes to the polls on Nov. 13th. Several incum bent O akville councillors have also let it be known they'd like to stick around, includ ing longtime Ward 2 local councillor Ralph Robinson. They also include two local/regional councillors: Stephen Sparling (Ward 4) and Kurt Franklin (Ward 6). Fred Oliver, who served Ward 2 for 14 years, has reg istered to fill the gap made by this w eek's resignation o f | local/regional councillor Kathy Graham. David B .P Councillor Ralph Lee, who ran unsuccessfully Robinson: political veter against Graham in 1997, will an ready to run again vie for the seat against Oliver. Local businessm an Je ff Knoll has registered for the Ward 5 local/regional posi tion. Nominations for these positions can be filed until 5 p.m. on Oct. 13th in the C lerk's D epartm ent at the Oakville municipal building, 1225 Trafalgar Rd. Positions up for grabs include mayor, local and region al councillor, Halton Catholic D istrict School Board trustee, Halton District School Board trustee, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre Sud-Ouest trustee and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud trustee. The new term of office will be from Dec. 1, 2000 to Nov. 30, 2003. N om ination papers are available at the C lerk 's Department. Required is a signed consent to the nom ina tion, a declaration of qualification by the candidate, prop er identification and the $100 filing fee. No one wanting to be a candidate can solicit or accept contributions for election purposes or incur expenses until that person has filed their nomination paper. T In-line skaters can blaze trails at Bronte Creek The Mice Men and M aiden's Blush Trail and Fitness Trail is receiving a smooth, paved surface perfect for the rollerblading enthusiast. This new 3km trail winds through a mature m aple/beech forest where visitors could catch a glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker or raccoon. `T h e Roll with Nature Trail" is a great addition to the park. I can't think of a better way to exercise and at the same time enjoy exploring our natural environment," says Christine Prince, the park experience and store manager. For people who wish to try this pop ular sport but do not have their own equipment, skates will be available for rent at the recreation complex. Storage lockers are also available at the recre ation complex. The trail will be ready for public use as of May 20th. Photo by Peter C. McCusker WINNING FORM: Angela Schempp of Oakville prepares for landing on the balance beam during a gymnastics competition on the weekend. The youngster finished first on beam and in floor exercises. For more on the meet, see Sports. Gay Pride Day organizers haven' t received political endorsements...yet Halton Pride 2000, the region's firstever gay and lesbian pride day, has run into its first taste of controversy, how ever small. Organizers announced last week that two of the region's four municipal ities - Oakville and Burlington - had proclaimed June 3rd "Halton Pride Day" when in fact the paperwork is still being processed. According to Oakville Town Clerk Judith Muncaster, the municipality has received the proclamation request from organizers but nothing had been for malized as of press time. Burlington, too, is still mulling over the request. Halton Pride 2000 spokesperson Kim Abbott explained that organizers plan to make presentations before Milton Council on May 15th and Halton Hills on May 29. Halton Pride 2000 takes place Saturday, June 3 at Bronte Provincial Park and will be a celebration o f Halton's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities, featuring everything from live music, crafts and displays to a barbecue and a dance. Planned by the Halton AntiHomophobia Committee, it will feature displays by involved area agencies, music, literary readings and much more. In short, a family-style picnic. Halton Pride 2000 runs from noon to 10 p.m., with an afternoon barbecue and a 7 p.m. dance. Bronte Provincial Park is located on Burloak Drive just south of Upper Middle Road. Parking will be free and there will be no alco hol. No drugs found in sniffer dog search of Blakelock In their continuing drive to keep illegal drugs out of area high schools, members of the Halton Regional Police Drug & M orality Bureau and the Canada Customs Dog Detector Service landed in on T.A. Blakelock Monday morning. The result? Nothing. No drugs were `sniffed out' during the raid which operates under the name `Project Hallwalk'. Bishop Reding High School in Milton was also searched Monday and it too proved drug-free. Project Hallwalk consists of a drugdetector dog and handler walking the halls of a selected school, sniffing for drugs. If a dog detects drugs in a stu dent's locker, it will be opened and searched. If a drug is found, an investi gation will take place and appropriate action taken. There have been 10 school searches conducted in Halton during the 19992000 academic year. Anthony's determination leads to special award for Courage to Come Back Doctors said there was no reason why he survived following motorcycle crash By Scott MacArthur SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Anthony Aquan-Assee's doctors weren't sure if he would survive, and if he did, they were certain his brain damage would not allow him to lead a normal life. `T hey told us that if he somehow managed to sur vive, he would be nothing more than a vegetable," said Josephine Aquan-Assee, Anthony's mother. That's because on September 23rd, 1997, AquanAssee was out for a drive on his motorcycle when he was hit by a car and knocked off his bike. Showing no vital signs, he was rushed to Credit Valley Hospital before being air-lifted to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Anthony's injuries were numerous, to the point where one of his doctors called his recovery "miracu lous" and felt that there was no medical reason why he survived. 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