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Volume 72, Number 2 GST Included $1.00 Wednesday January 14, 2009 Orono Town Hall Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono, Starkville and Tyrone since 1937 Budget increase expected Friday is budget day for Clarington Council. In a special meeting to be held at the Municipal Administration Centre, beginning at 9:30 a.m., Clarington Councillors will deliberate over the 2009 municipal current and capital budget. Clarington's Director of Finance, Nancy Taylor, is recommending a 2.54 percent increase to the 2009 tax levy. If the 2.54 percent tax increase is adopted by council, the owner of an average priced home in Clarington will be paying an additional $24.63 on the Clarington portion of their property tax bill. The property tax bill is made up of 25 percent from the local municipality levy, 50 percent from the Region and 25 percent from the province for the education portion. The recommended 2.54 percent increase is achieved through a $1 million draw from the Rate Stabilization Fund, consistent with previous years. As the municipality has consistently withdrawn $1million from this fund to reduce the tax impact, without replenishing the fund, this year's draw will leave a $2.8 million balance in that reserve fund. The $1 million draw on the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund has deflected an additional 3.2 percent from the recommended tax increase. Clarington's total debt at January 1, 2009 is $34.5 million. Ninety percent of this debt is growth related, and tied to development charges. If development decreases, some debt repayment will BUDGET see page 7 Newcastle resident Walley Boughen (R) has erected a sign on his front lawn that expresses the sentiments of some of the residents of the hamlet over their lack of amenities. Pictured with Boughen are Donna Robins (L) and Barb Shelter (C). Newtonville residents have been without their local store and postal outlet since a fire closed down the store in October. A number of local residents have launched a campaign to get Canada Post to install a temporary postal outlet until a permanent station is re-established. The Kendal Post Office has been established as an interim outlet for Newtonville residents. A Canada Post spokes person told the Orono Times that for reasons of security, they no longer install temporary postal outlets in trailers. Newtonville General Store owner Scott McCrea erected a sign of his own on the weekend in his store window, apologizing to the community for the delay in getting the store re-opened. In a phone conversation on the weekend, McCrea told the Orono Times reporter that though everything was taking longer than expected, he hoped to have the store open in eight to ten weeks. Armed robbery suspects apprehended Durham Regional Police have arrested two males wanted in connection with the robbery of Mike's Place convenience store in Newcastle on Friday night. A warrant has been issued for the third male involved in the robbery. Officers were called to Mike's Place on King Ave. E. in Newcastle at approximately 10:30 p.m. Three males had entered the store and one male was armed with a knife. A quantity of cash, lottery tickets and cigarettes was stolen. They left in a silver vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 401. The Durham Regional Police helicopter Air1 was able to locate the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and kept ground units at a distance for safety reasons. The vehicle exited Highway 401 at Whitby and traveled through numerous streets in Whitby, Ajax and Pickering. The suspect vehicle rejoined Highway 401 then exited at Avenue Road in Toronto. A short distance south of Highway 401, the suspects got out of the vehicle and were observed by Air1 fleeing the scene on foot. Two of the suspects broke into a nearby residence, and with the assistance of both Durham Regional and Toronto Police Tactical Units, both suspects were quickly apprehended. The third suspect remains at large and police have issued a warrant for his arrest. Corey Crockatt (nee Battle) age 27, and Karl Battle, age 24, both of no fixed address are jointly charged with Robbery in Disguise, Break Enter and Assault, in connection with the Newcastle robbery. Corey Crockett is further charged with Dangerous Driving, and Drive Disqualified. A warrant is outstanding for the arrest of Justin Battle, age 25 of No Fixed Address for Robbery in Disguise. The Durham Regional Police Service is working in co-operation with the Ontario Provincial Police, City of Kawartha Lakes Detachment, as they investigate robbery incidents involving these accused persons recently in Manilla, Cannington and the Fenelon Falls area. The three accused will be charged for these three robberies. The convenience store robbery in Cannington on Saturday December 27th, 2008 occurred just before 11 p.m., when three masked males dressed in dark clothing went into the store. Police ROBBERY see page 7 What's Inside see pg. 6