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j -j h ü m The Durham Region and the provincial government both agree there was a drop in the number of welfare cases in January. Whitby Mayor Tom Edwards, Chair of the Regional Health and Social Services Committee, told The Clarington/Courtice Independent: "We had a drop of 2.3 per cent over previous months." While he could not say why the numbers declined, he noted: "I wish it was due to employment figures going up." He hoped the decrease could be attributed to "more young people staying in school" or more people finding work. "I know there was temporary work available available over the Christmas period," Mayor Edwards said. The drop is consistent with decreases the Durham Region has been experiencing over the past four to five months. December of 1995 was the only exception. The number of persons receiving assistance climbed slightly in December. "We budgeted a year ago for a five per cent decrease in 1995 and we achieved that, and beyond," the Whitby mayor explained. "This year we'll be budgeting for another decrease," he noted. A news release from the Ministry of Social Services states caseloads across the province dropped for the first time in over 20 years. Community and Social Service Minister David Tsubouchi says, "It is encouraging that people are breaking their dependency on Ontario's welfare system, especially in January when the caseload usually increases." increases." Last month saw 2,061 fewer households relying on welfare assistance in Ontario. That means, "a total of 293,000 households received General Welfare Assistance in January. There were 323,970 households receiving longer term assistance through Family Benefits. "Over 119,000 people have left Ontario's welfare system since the end of June," said Tsubouchi. Advertising / Printing ' .A ,J J \ v\7 H . ' à fi ],) vx Q) y jj. jj. ji r wibo! Advertise in the Statesman/Independent during February, and 25% of the value can be used toward the cost of printing and services. See Page 12 for details mm ■ wÊÊÊHKm-- üp ▲ ®s ilx' A Fl ** * wà wmÊm ' ÿ /ML' F.:-,; •' • Delivered Free of Charge to 18,700 Homes serving Clarington and Courtice. from The Publishers of Canadian ^taUsmau W-y.' M 'Wmm. r ^ iowmanville, Ontario rday, February 10,1996 fg 19th Year, Issue 6 m msm fmm ÆÆfo fy/vÆ F WM BvSfH mmà IsŒË MM ïv5 : «r Clarington Planners Predict Commercial Growth in 1996 by Laura J. Richards Three large commercial developments, including a Bowmanville shopping shopping plaza, are on the Clarington horizon for 1996. "From all signs, it appears 1996 may not show any major increase in building activity from last year," said the Clarington Planning Department in its annual report. "However, we do expect significant improvement in the commercial sector as a couple of large commercial projects are poised to proceed this year." New commercial, projects which might begin this year include the 10-theatre cine- plex complex just west of Bowmanville and the nearby Markborough shopping plaza which is to include a Zellers store, a Loblaws supermarket and an assortment of complementary stores. Also in the category of commercial development on the drawing board is a business park on the north-west side of thé Green Road and Hwy 2 intersection. The project by The Kaitlin Group was recently given approval from Clarington Council. "This should provide good news to the municipality, particularly in terms of improvement to its non-residential assessment base and the creation of local employment," added planning staff in their review of 1995 and forecasts for 1996. "This should be an interesting year in the Planning Department," agreed Ward Three Councillor Ann Dreslinski. She is chairman of the Municipality of Clarington's Planning Department. During 1995, the department was involved in not only the review and finalization of a new local official plan, but also other projects such as the Waterfront Trail. The department worked with community groups, including the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC), the Healthy Communities Committee and the Ontario Hydro Site Planning Committee. The department also undertook speaking engagements. The department issued 785 building permits, which produced $493,464 in fees. However, the value of construction projects receiving permits declined in 1995 to $57,104,802. The 1995 figure is down from the 1994 tally of $80,807,505. Most permits were for residential construction. This should provide good news to the municipality, particularly in terms of improvement to its non-residential assessment base and the creation of local employment." Now That's Horsepower The ever-popular horse-drawn sleigh rides are being offered at the Enniskillen Conservation Area this month, with Bob Gilbank's team providing the horsepower. In this photo, Bettina Thumiger, of Mississauga, gets acquainted with Casey, one of the horses who was pulling the sleigh last Sunday, February 4. Rides will also be offered Sunday, February 11 and 18, from noon to four p.m. n 1 W P/3X sea: V,./ ù Continued on Page 3 *)adefrevicte*tt A&P Canadian Tire* Graham's IGA Miracle Food Mart Sutton Group Realty (* Indicates partial distribution) For information about inserting flyers in The Independent, please contact our office at 623-3303. Members of Project "P" of the Ontario Provincial Police Pornography Crime Unit, Durham Regional Police and United States Customs have laid criminal charges against a Bowmanville man following a seizure of pornographic material on October 5, 1995. The ten-month undercover investigation resulted in search warrants being executed on October 5th at 2398 Maple Grove Rd., near Bowmanville. Police said approximately approximately 2,000 computer graphic image files were seized at that time. All of the material material contained child pornography. Charged with importing child pornography and possession possession of child pornography is Todd mg southwest end of town. The charges ended a three-week investigation by Durham Regional Police. Staff Sgt. Sandy Ryrie told the Clarington/Courtice Independent the investigation took the RCMP to the airport in Toronto last Wednesday, Jan. 31, to nab one of the youths prior to boarding a plane headed to Vancouver. Continued on Page 2 Ivey, 29, of 2398 Maple Grove Rd., Bowmanville. The accused is scheduled to appear in Ontario Court (Provincial Division) on March 6, in Oshawa. Police say the investigation is continuing. Police have also announced that a 46-year-old Beaverton man was charged, following an investigation by Project "P", Durham Regional Police and Canada Customs. Brian Waggoner, 46, of 283 Bay St„ Beaverton, was charged with attempting attempting to import child pornography, making child pornography, possession of child pornography, and mischief. He is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court, Oshawa, February 13 and 14. Four young offenders from Bowmanville were arrested dur-