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V 1 Parents Protest Education Cutbacks Parents opposing cutbacks in Ontario's education system will stage a silent protest outside the Bowmanville office of Durham East MPP John O'Toole today. The protest is set for Wednesday, November 27th, at 10 a.m. It's part of a province-wide action which includes writing letters and sending faxes to Premier Harris, Education Minister Snobelen and local MPPs. Participants plan to stand in front of constituency offices carrying signs listing the name of their school and the number number of students in attendance. The parents are objecting to an expected reduction of $800 million in education funding. They note that cuts made earlier in the year have already meant larger class sizes and reductions in art, music, library and junior kindergarten programs programs as well as programs for children with special needs. Cynthia Harris, a Vincent Massey Public School parent and a participant in the protest, said: "Parents know that these changes are affecting the classrooms of their children." children." She believes participation by parents is necessary in order to send a message to Queen's Park. "I think parents didn't get loud enough last spring when the cuts occurred," she added. AWESOME! 83 »ÂN OPOSSUM This opossum was staying temporarily at the Animal Shelter last week after being captured under a resident's deck on Deerpark Cres., Bowmanville. Perhaps it was the same opossum that was spotted earlier earlier in the week on Simpson Ave. Shelter staff say the timid marsupials are native to South America and the United States, but are now becoming better established in more northern areas. Shelter crews have since released the creature creature not far from where she was originally trapped. They expect she will find a safer, more secluded den for the winter. <P W a EE* Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 A James Publishing Community Newspaper Wednesday, November 27, 19% 142nd Year Issue 48 70(? + 5<t G.S.T. = 75e> >1 • ' "m ; ■ Christmas 't be Far Away Seniors Centre Delayed Due to Traffic Concerns It's poinsettia season again, much to the delight of Sarah Van Belle, 5, and her big sister, Amanda, age 7, seen here surrounded by the bright red and green foliage of the traditional Christmas plants. Poinsettia lovers can feast their eyes on the festive plants at open houses scheduled this week at Van Belle Flowers and Rekker's Garden Gallery, both on Hwy. 2. Van Belle's hosts a three-day Open House starting November 28 and Rekker's has a Poinsettia Tour Day on November 30th. A great way to get into the Christmas Spirit! ■photo by Lorraine Manfreao by Laura J. Richards Staff Reporter Take a deep breath, seniors. There's going to be another delay in approving your centre. A proposed location on Scugog Street has been ruled out because of traffic. On Monday night, Nov. 25, Clarington councillors decided to Arson Likely Cause of Fire On Monday Firefighters needed five hours to fully extinguish a blaze in. Bowmanville that officials believe was deliberately set. , The fire at an old two-storey farmhouse on 132 Baseline Road was reported by an alert neighbor shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25th. "The building had been boarded up for two or three months," said Fire Chief Michael Creighton. "Kids were using it as a hang-out â.'tiiij party area. We're looking at it as Vandalism -- as arson." Fire crews from Bowmanville and Courtice remained on the scene until four o'clock Tuesday morning. The chief notes there have been other occasions where abandoned structures have been burned. Continued on Page 2 continue discussions with Vanstone Mills Inc. over locating the centre at another site owned by the company. Councillors want Gerard Gervais, of Vanstone Mills Inc., to meet with staff and look at a piece of property fronting on Hwy Two. Gervais asked councillors to consider the amount of time he and his company have spent working •with the seniors to find out exactly what they wanted. "We ask that you give us a window window of time -- four to six weeks. We would like a chance. We have the property and seven drafts of a legal agreement." He noted the exercise would probably be more fruitful before the municipality "goes back to square one." The Scugog Street location on the Vanstone Mills Inc. property proved to have two issues that all parties were unable to resolve, states a report to council from the Chief Administrative Officer. Bill Stockwell states in his report that the main obstacles to developing "a centre at this location were: • the design and grading of an internal roadway off Scugog, and • the fact that the main drop-off area in front of the building on Scugog is considered unsafe for the amount of traffic expected at the intersection. The report from Stockwell suggests suggests the municipality should look towards alternatives to the Scugog Street location. Don Welsh, co-chair of the Older Adults Centre Committee, is not impressed with heading back to the drawing board. "This is regrettable. This is the third time for us," Welsh said. Clarington Mayor Diane Harare said the $1.3 million that has been set aside by Martin Road Holdings Ltd. is still there for the seniors' ; centre. ; She noted, "we're just as frus-; : trated as you are." ; Councillor Ann Dreslinski; asked Welsh if the seniors still had; their hearts set on a site in- Bowmanville. ; Welsh quickly replied: "Have: you got a place in Orono?" : School Board Adds Student Trustee Non-Voting Position Gives Students a Voice in Debates There's going to be an extra trustee on the public school board come February. The Northumberland and Clarington Board of Education voted unanimously on November 21 to add a student trustee to the board. Twenty other school boards in Ontario have already introduced similar positions. The new student representative will be chosen sometime during December by a board-wide body called the Senate, made up of delegates delegates from each of the eight high schools and five Centres for Independent Study. The individual selected will not vote, will not be paid, and will not sit in on in-camera sessions. However, the student trustee will be able to participate fully in debates with the other 15 elected trustees, explains board spokesperson spokesperson Pauline Janitch. The education act restricts voting voting to people who are elected in municipal elections. Janitch says the presence of a student has proven valuable in other boards. "It's really brought the perspective perspective of the students directly to the trustees and makes students more aware of what goes on at the board level. Clarington trustee Bob Willsher agrees. "We need to be reminded that the student is the one we are serving serving and I can't think of a better way to do that than having a student student at the board table" Interested candidates will be asked to submit a two-page essay to the student senate explaining why they want to be a student trustee. They will also need the authorization of their principal and a teacher who will vouch that their board duties will not interfere with school work. v The best applicants will be short-listed and then interviewed. Over the six-month term, from February to July, there will be approximately 11 board meetings to attend in Cobourg. Continued on Page 3 Stuffing a Bus for Christmas Police Chief and Dept Plan to Retire in Oct. '97 by Laura J. Richards Slaff Reporter Durham's Chief of Police and Deputy Chief will be retiring as of Oct. 3, 1997. Police Chief Trevor McCagherty told The Canadian Statesman on Tuesday, Nov. 26, "We informed the Police Services Board last week of our intentions to retire next year." Chief McCagherty said he will have spent five years as chief. He was appointed to the post in May of 1992. As chief, one of his priorities was bringing the community and police department closer together. "One of the solutions was for the police force to become community- based," the chief said. He pointed to the development of store-front operations, more foot patrols and the initiation of the popular bicycle patrols as examples of how the police have become more community-focused. I-Ie also cited the construction of the Children's Safety Village in Whitby. Continued on Page 3 While most folks are just hoping to stuff a turkey this holiday, the Bowmanville Legion is planning to "stuff a bus." Legion members Jim Connell, Lync Puddistcr and Cécile Bowers are appealing to the public to help them fill this school bus with toys and non-perishable food items in time for Christmas. Donations will be distributed to needy families through the Salvation Army Christmas Food Drive. The bus will be parked at the Legion parking lot on King Street in Bowmanville from Friday, NovembeT 29th, to 12 noon on Sunday, December 1st. Just come down and drop off your contribution. SENIORS' CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOUR -- The Bowmanville Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs will sponsor the annual tour of Christmas lights for seniors in less than two weeks' time. It is on Sunday, December 8th. Buses leave Trinity Church at six p.m. Those wishing to go and who are in need of transportation to the bus should call McGregor Drugs at 623-5792 or Wayne Hodge at 623-5258. WRONG ADDRESS -- In an article last week, the Internet address for The Municipality of Clarington's home page was incorrect. incorrect. It should read: municipality.clarington.on.ca. CORRECT DATE -- In an advertisement concerning season's tickets for the Kawartha Summer Theatre which appeared in last week's Statesman Gift Guide, incorrect dates for one play were given. Sleuth is running from August 20 to August 30 next summer. It's part of a four-play package available next July and August at the Kawartha Summer Theatre. To order, call the Box Office at (705) 324-9114. PULLING TOGETHER -- Hope Township lost almost all of its snow plows and heavy equipment on the weekend as a result of a devastating fire that levelled its public works depot. Clarington was among the many local governments offering assistance to the neighbouring municipality. But, it turns out that Clarington's contribution contribution of equipment may not be necessary. Mayor Diane Harare said Monday night that there has already been a tremendous outpouring outpouring support from other townships and municipalities and equipment dealerships. Seems as though there's nothing like a crisis crisis to bring out the best in people and organizations. TUNNEL VISION? -- You may recall that the pedestrian tunnel under Highway 57 has caused a lot of controversy over the last 20 years. Now, there's talk of getting rid of the tunnel altogether, in connection with improvements planned for Regional Rd. 57. However, the Northumberland and Clarington Board of Education disagrees with the move and wants the tunnel kept. It's still used by about 99 students who would otherwise have to walk a much greater distance to class. Clarington municipal staff will be reviewing reviewing the points raised by the school board. In the meantime, the tunnel tunnel stays. The Stork Market Report ^ Brand - It's a Girl! Britton-Vander Veer - It's a Boy! Brown - It's a Boy! Dehaas - It's a Boy! Grant - It's a Girl! 'Bicker - It's a Boy! 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