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I 8GWmASvILLE LIBRARY 62 Ttf.PERnHCE SÏ. BOyfi»!<'jILLE. GNIARIQ Dsty Firefighters Battle East Beach Blaze V fire late Monday morning completely gutted a home on the East Beach in Bowmanville, causing damages damages estimated at $100,000. Newcastle firefighters spent four hours dousing the blaze at 67 East Beach Rd. The fire department reports that a woman was alone in the home when the fire broke out. However, Mrs. Ronald Northey was removed uninjured by her husband. She was taken to Memorial Hospital, Bowmanville Bowmanville for a brief examination and released. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Newcastle Newcastle Fire Department would like to extend their thanks to the Salvation Army who stayed for the duration of the fire, providing coffee and sandwiches for firefighters. s» J' ^ -«b' J&JL 623-3303 Issue 2 Wednesday, January 13, 1988 Bowmanville, Ontario 134th Year 26 Pages 40$ Per Copy Museum Looks to the Future Rezoning Application Denied by Carolyn Hepburn In a reversal of a committee decision decision last week, ' town councillors voted Monday to uphold a planning department recommendation to deny a rezoning application that would allow three Orono homeowners to park commercial equipment on their properties. In a 4-2 vote at the council meeting on Monday, January 11, the rezoning application was denied after lengthy and often emotional debate as attempts attempts were made to bring an end to the bitter 18 month battle that has pitted pitted neighbor against neighbor and left the council as "referee", according according to several councillors. The rezoning application would have allowed two of the homeowners to park tractor trailers, and the third person to park his landscaping equipment equipment on their Main Street properties. The whole question of allowing Hydro Bill to Jump 5% Electricity customers in Bowmanville', Bowmanville', Newcastle and Orono will set> a rate increase of 5 per cent in their bi-monthly hydro bill, beginning January January 1. For an average customer, that means an increase of $5.65 per bill. The Hydro Commission's average consumer uses 2000 kilowatt hours of hydro every two months at a cost of $112.40. The exact rate charged for a residential residential home, as of January 1, is 8.67 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the first 500 kWh and 4.98 per kWh for the remaining kWh. "The rate increases are due to a 4.7 per cent boost by Ontario Hydro in bulk power costs," explained Bud Moore, manager at Newcastle Hydro. "We buy from them and that represents represents 85 per cent of all our revenue requirements. So a rate hike by them will ultimately be felt by' the con sumer," he added. In ..additiry,!/ operating, expenses, have (risen, 'wages, ' office expenses, 1 and the purchase of a new line truck at $100,000 have all been budgeted for 1988. However future rate increases may be less, Mr. Moore revealed. Once Darlington Generating Station begins begins operation in 1989 there will be a restraint on the overall increasing electricity rates, although its operation operation will have no particular affect on rates in the Town. "The electricity generated at Darlington Darlington goes straight to Ontario Hydro," he said. "It is the long run savings made from nuclear power as opposed to other energy sources that will be felt by all consumers. The only advantage to having Darlington in this town is the benefit it provides as a major industry," industry," Mr. Moore pointed out. commercial equipment into the predominantly predominantly residential and agricultural agricultural area has been entertained at the council meètings for several months, with representatives from both sides of the situation speaking out strongly. Councillor Diane Hamre, who was in favor of the rezoning, admitted to losing patience with the entire situation situation at Monday's meeting. "Any property owner has the right to apply for a rezoning," she said. She told fellow councillors of meetings meetings with both sides of the issue, and how attempts to bring everyone together together to work out the problem had failed. , - • Ij j ; '• Councillor Harare claitm\d.t 1 ? decision to ap'p/bve the frezoping, i made at last week's general purpose and administration meeting, would have brought all parties together. The rezoning was dependent on a site plan for all three properties. Leonard Guy, a neighbor of the applicants applicants and an opponent of the rezoning, rezoning, disagreed. He stated that if the rezoning was passed it would "force the onus of appeal appeal on those of us who do obey the by-law." While Mr. Guy claimed that he wasn't trying to be unreasonable, he said that the applicants should now remove the equipment from their properties (where they are currently in violation of the town's by-law), thereby having "clean hands" in the issue. Then they could approach Turn to Page 2 ifim by Gretchen Ballantyne Now that another successful year has ended, the Bowmanville Museum is looking ahead to future expansion and additions to its permanent collection. collection. Dan Hoffman, curator at the museum, is extremely pleased with the increased interest shown in the museum over the past year and the success of the special events. In a written review of the past 12 months, he noted that a total of 3,564 visitors came to the Bowmanville Museum during 1987. The visitors came from as far away as South Wales, Holland, and France as well as many parts of the U.S. and most Canadian provinces. Oijj' of the highlights of 1987 was "^■jMjUseam's Avis a nd.Urafts Sale in August. Mr. Hoffman seated that jast. year's sale was the ( best in'the museum's history. He revealed this was in large part due to the hard work of Laurie Van Dyk, the museum's summer employee. Another highlight for 1987Was the summer edition of the Belvedere, a publication distributed by the museum four times a year. It featured information on the Bowmanville Boy's Training School 1942-45 The Internment Internment Years. "The summer edition was an unprecedented unprecedented success. We were requested requested to send 32 copies overseas to previous prisoners of war from Camp 30, Bowmanville," Mr. Hoffman told the Statesman. During the year, the museum played host to five private collections, collections, one community group exhibit and several museum exhibits. A new addition to the museum's list of events was the well attended Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Mr. Hoffman said that the ceremony is expected to take place again this year. j Currently, twjb .rppjnji in the museum are. urMurgoinit' redecora- tioa. Mike Trudeau hasjalmobl completed completed the Boy's Toy Rdom. In addition, addition, money raised froin the Christmas Christmas Craft Sale, will go towards remodelling remodelling the master bedroom. Looking towards the new year, visitors visitors to the museum in 1988 can ex- Town Councillors to Examine Report of Needs for Library STILL PERKIN' - On Monday, the week got off to a good start when the Editor received a postcard from former 1 ' town councillor, school board member and newspaper publisher, Ken Lyall. He and wife Joan are living in Yuma, Arizona for the winter months. He writes: "No paper, no politics and the living is easy! "Ken Lyall and Joan are Woofs (Well Off Old Folks) having sold their home in Scarborough and bought a place in P.E.I. They are planning to spend six months in each place. Ken sends best regards to all. PAPER DRIVE - Bowmanville Boy Scouts arc scheduling an all out paper drive for this Saturday, January 16th and would be overjoyed if citizens would have their bundles at the curb all nicely tied by 8:30 a.m. Collecting paper has developed into an ideal way for Scouts to raise funds to take care of their ever increasing expenses. Town councillors will get a first hand look at the Library Needs Assessment Assessment Study at a special joint meeting to be held on February 16. ■ The meeting, which is being called at the request of the Newcastle Public Public Library Board, will give the consultants consultants for the study a chance to make a presentation to councillors and answer any questions there might be. A letter to the clerk's department, from Board Chairperson Carolyn Sproatt, states that the study "is of great importance in the Board's longterm longterm planning for the library service development in the Town of Newcastle." Newcastle." Areas such as branch locations, service demands and future population population needs of the library were all undertaken undertaken by the study. A report on the study will be available available in February. The meeting will be held in Courtroom Courtroom #1 at 7:30 p.m. pect an increase in the price of admission. admission. The family rate will be $4.00, children and seniors $1.00 and adults $2.00. This is an increase of 100 per cent over last year's figures. Wedding photos are also up 100 per cent. The museum will now charge $40 for indoor wedding pictures. "We had to raise the prices because we felt we were not chargingenough. The new prices are.now comparable to rates charged elsewhere in the region. region. Of course we also have to pay for the redecoration," explained the curator. According to Mr. Hoffman the number number of members this year is' down from 1987. In the non-profit member program, 79 individual, family, school and organization memberships memberships were/ ta ken out. i The starving membership fee of $20' will centime in the New Year. However However student and non-resident levels of rnembefship have been deleted in order to keep costs down. On the horizon for the museum are the afore-mentioned expansion plans. Pending approval from the Town, construction of a board and batten carriage house could begin in 1989. "The new building will be used for extra storage space, and hold future exhibits. We plan to have one-third of our doll collection (one of the best in North America) on display all the time," Mr. Hoffman added. Museum enthusiasts can also look forward to 12 off-site programs, including including participation in the Winter Harvest Program at the Visual Arts Centre in January. There will also be a wide range of new exhibits such as the Mosscrop Collection of antique toys and trains. With the new and exciting plans for 1988, Mr. Hoffman promises the museum will serve the community better next year than it did in 1987. TOUGH BREAK - Sympathy goes out to Nestleton- Caesarea correspondent Mabel Cawker who recently fell and fractured her hip. As this is being written, we understand she is still in hospital, but is contemplating being back on the job gathering the news over the phone, possibly as early as next week. Frankly, we think she is somewhat over optimistic. We've had experience experience with people who have had similar breaks and they've needed a bit more time to get back on their feet, so to speak. However, we wish her well and know the folks in her area will miss her reports. SCHOOL REUNIONS - We have three school reunions to talk about this week. Clarke High School is planning planning its 25th or silver anniversary in June and all former students and staff are requested to contact the school at Box 371, Orono, Ont. LOB 1M0 by Jan. 31, giving name or maiden name and address. Let them know if you are aware of anyone who has not been contacted by letter. Then, we have the centennial of Central Public School in Bowmanville. They are searching for class photos, old notebooks, or other curiosities former students might have stored away. Call the school at 623-5614. Then we have the really big one in 1990 for Bowmanville High School's 100th anniversary. Although the reunion is still a year and a half away, organizers are desperately seeking volunteers volunteers to act as class representatives to track down former classmates. If you would like to be involved in one of the biggest reunions in Canada, please call Marilyn Cole at 623-5289, Rick James at 623-3303 or Joe Dalrymple at 576-0520. More on this next week. NO SIGNATURE - Yesterday, the Editor received a letter from a Ncwtonville area resident with some strong views concerning the proposed expansion of the garbage dump in that section of the community. Unfortunately, the letter ended with the word "Sincerely" "Sincerely" and no signature. Our long term policy prevents prevents us from publishing unsigned letters. We have to be able to contact and check on the sources of these epistles. GRAND OPENING - Citizens are invited to attend the official opening of Stafford Monuments this Friday, Jan. 15th at 1 p.m. It's located at 143 King St. East and such dignitaries as MPPSam Cureatz, Mayor John Winters Winters and possibly other members of council are expected expected to attend and take part in the opening ceremonies. ceremonies. Various monuments will be on display in their heated indoor showroom. This might be considered almost almost a first. We can recall promoting the opening of new or renovated funeral chapels or homes, but don't recall doing it for a monumental event like this one. FESTIVAL HARVEST - Tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 o'clock there's an important public meeting in Court Room 1 of the Fire & Court Building on Church St. It's an open meeting for persons or organizations interested in helping discuss the concept of an annual Town wide event for the Town of Newcastle. The purpose purpose of the meeting is to share ideas and form a committee committee of interested persons and organizations willing to implement the concept of a "Festival Harvest." GOOD REACTION - We're finding that it's almost impossible impossible to get a united front where suggestions are concerned for new features in this newspaper. A couple of our young male staff members suggested they might like to work on taking cheese cake pictures like The Sun's page 3 has, but female members shot that idea down and instead wanted a Statesman boy. Still another reader threatened to quit buying the paper if we went ahead with either idea. She wanted something similar to "Heartbeat" on CFTO featuring persons or groups who have contributed to the community. community. We appreciate all the ideas phoned in and submitted submitted and will certainly decide on something that we hope will meet with general approval. Overwhelming Response to B.M.H.A. Bottle Drive Bottle, bottle, who's got the bottle? Members of the Bowmanville Minor Hockey Association certainly did on Saturday, January 10th, as players went door to door collecting bottles to help finance a European hockey tour next December. Organizers of the bottle drive report report a phenomenal response to the bottle blitz, raising more than $3,000 in one clay. However, because of the great response, the bottle crews wore not aole to cover the entire town, and will finish the job early in the spring. Shown above with an armful of returnable glass are, left to right, Chris Brown, Fred Brown, and Steven Smith. If the Region Will Agree... The Town of Newcastle can loan the Durham Region $200,000 from its OHAP funds. But it can't instruct Durham to use the money for future watermain construction in Courticc. The OHAP (Ontario Housing Action Program) funding was originally provided provided to the Town of Newcastle in the form of a provincial grant to help ease the problems of growth in Courticc. Newcastle's town council learned Monday that they could "loan" some of the money to the Region, in the form of an investment in promissory notes, in hopes that it would be used for such future construction. At a meeting held on January 4, town councillors asked that the tovvn treasurer investigate the possibility of using OHAP funding for. future water projects in Courticc. At the most recent council session, a letter from the town's lawyer said that the "Town could not expend the OHAP Fund lawfully for the purpose of the town constructing a portion of the water supply and distribution system system located within the Town." The reason for this is because Durham Region is responsible for water and sewer installation. After the meeting, Chief Administrative Administrative Officer Larry Kotseff said that an "investment" from the town to the region, without any specifications for its use, would allow the town to contribute contribute to future watermain construction construction in Courticc. "We can invest money into the region region for whatever purpose they want," Mr. Kotseff told councillors. Presently, there is a request before the region (which is to. be discussed at the January 13 regional council meeting) for an extension of the watermains on Prestonvalc Road to include at least five homes whose wells have gone dry or been polluted from area development. In December 1987, a request from another Courticc resident to be included included in the recently struck deal that allows the affected homes to connect connect to regional water for $300, and no frontage charges, caused councillors councillors to first consider the use of OHAP funding for the projects. Councillor Ann Cowman said that one roadblock to regional approval of the watermain extensions on Pre- stonvale Road is the fact that many members of the regional council still don't believe that the town has made any financial contribution to the resolution resolution of the Courticc area water problems. "Region still doesn't think that we have contributed," she said. "Through the developers (which put up $600,000 of the estimated $2 million water main construction costs) we did contribute," she added. With the request for watermain extension extension coming before regional councillors councillors today (January 13) it was hoped that the "loan" could encourage encourage some settlement to future water problems.