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Clarington Welcomes Junior B Lacrosse See Pg. 1 Section Two X/ Building Boom The value of construction underway in Clarington topped $2 million in the first month of 1997. The majority of building permits were for residential units having a total value of 52,068,000. That's more than triple the amount of residential construction in the first month of 1996. Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre predicted during the General Purpose & Administration Committee meeting on Monday "this will be a good year for Clarington." There were 25 building permits issued. Two of these were for commercial development, including the New Baker's Dozen outlet under construction in Bowmanville. Look Who's Coming To Dinner In Backyard See Pg. 2. 32 "FEXV.'C: -J, S0;J"AF ILlE, vN'AEF LiCEAb EOflLI? A 9 F V%ih f£f 4 Sv yX Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 • ^ B, I w Mr A James Publishing ( ommunitv Newspaper Wednesday, February IV, 1997 143nd Year Issue 7 70c + 5c G.S.T. = 75c Big Heart Day Carrie Doorenspleet holds her heart-shaped cookie decorated with brightly-coloured candies on Feb. 14, traditionally known as St. Valentine's Day, but celebrated as "Big Heart Day" at Knox Christian School, Bowmanville. Carrie joined all the kids from kindergarten up through and including grade four students, who participated in the special events. About 200 children took part. The theme of the day was 'God's love is forever.' -- Photo by Laura Richards Tie Vote Gives Sam Cureatz Durham Riding PC Nomination by Lorraine Manfredo Staff Writer Former MPP Sam Cureatz has won the federal federal Progressive Conservative candidacy for Durham riding by a single vote. And that vote was cast by the chairman of the nomination convention to break a tie. ' An estimated 400 voting members turned out to Courtice Secondary School on Saturday to elect a candidate for the upcoming federal election. election. But, when the count resulted in a straight down-the-middle tie between Sam Cureatz and Llewellyn Jones, the ballot-counters consulted the party constitution. It allowed Roger Wilson, chairman of the nomination meeting, to cast the deciding vote. It's a move that didn't go down well with some of the Tories in attendance, including the defeated candidate. "I would rather have seen a second ballot," said Llewellyn Jones after die results were announced. "I'm not a constitutional expert,'but I don't think this is the way it should have been decided." Voting member Bob Burke tried to protest the final result, but was ruled out of order by the chairman. Burke says he would have preferred the winner winner be picked by a draw rather than have the chairman vote. "It wasn't fair. He (Wilson) does not jive in the riding and should not have a vote in this riding." But Wilson defended his "very difficult decision" decision" to break the tie, saying he was merely sticking to the remedy called for in the party's constitution. "In the case of a tie, the presiding chair casts the deciding vote," he said. "I chose to invoke the constitution." Another factor limiting the options was that almost half the voting members had already left tire school by the time the tie was known. A committee of riding association members plans to appeal the decision to national party headquarters in Ottawa. An arbitration board will consider the merits of the appeal. Llewellyn Jones said the narrow defeat was "disappointing, but not heartbreaking.*' One of his reasons for running, he said, was to ensure the nomination process was "an election election instead of a coronation." "I'd like to thank everybody on my campaign campaign team for making this an exercise in democracy," he said to enthusiastic applause after Cureatz was declared the victor. In accepting the candidacy, Sam Cureatz reminded Tories to remember the real enemy. He also notes he is no stranger to narrow Continued on page two SPLIT DECISION Tories in Durham are divided over who should be their standard- bearer in the upcoming federal election. Saturday's nomination vote resulted in a tie between Llewellyn Jones (left) and Sam Cureatz. The deadlock was broken by the convention convention chairman, who declared Cureatz the winner. Municipal Staff Will Run New Courtice; Complex SSftv m | if t The new Courtice Community Complex will be managed by public servants, not a private company. That's the recommendation of the Clarington General Purpose and Administration Committee, following following discussions on Monday. A committee of municipal employees reviewed the costs of having the municipality manage the centre, compared to a price quoted by an independent firm. The staff reported that, over a five-year span, it will cost the municipality $1.2 million to operate the complex. The cost of having the facility managed by an Ottawa-based company was $1.69 million. John Frittenburg, of the JF Group of Mississauga, told the members of the General Purpose and Administration Committee the comparisons comparisons between SERCO, the Ottawa-based facility management company, and the Community Services department staff were on a equal basis. "In the evaluation, the terms were fair and equitable, giving an apples to apples comparison," Frittenburg said. He was retained by the municipality to review the two proposals. With pre-established objectives and "a target to shoot for" the committee committee which consisted of Councillor Larry Hannah, Property Manager Fred Horvath, Library Director Cynthia Mearns, and Purchasing Manager Lou Ann Birkett was consistent in looking at finding the bottom line. Frittenburg noted that while the ■ bottom line was financial, the committee committee also looked at "what does the bottom line mean" in regards to services. services. In the beginning of the evaluation process, there were two private sector sector bids, but one of the bidders withdrew. withdrew. This left, one private sector bidder and the municipal staff in contention for the management responsibilities. While the committee did "grap Continued on page 3 ! by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer Room for the Waterfront Trail and development development fees were two items discussed during a review of an application to rezone part of the Wilmot Creek Retirement Community on Monday, Feb. 17. Describing the new phase of development at the community just east of Bowmanville was Roger Howard, representing Ridge Pine Park Inc. The company wants rezoning which would permit seniors-oriented single and semi-detached dwellings east of the C.N. Railway Overpass, The plans include town- houses, apartments and a retirement and/or nursing home with a beauty shop, barber shop, and tuck shop,. The 89-acre property to be developed is located immediately north of the Lake Ontario shoreline, south of the C.N. Railway, and east of Bennett Road. During the committee discussion on the applicant's request for rezoning, the councillors councillors discovered the Planning Director thought that the Waterfront Trail was to keep north of the retirement community. Councillors Larry Hannah and David Scott echoed Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre's view that "this is a new phase for Wilmot Creek. When we were approached by the developer of the Bond Head property, we ensured the trail would be along the waterfront. It is unfair to demand it at one development and not the other." Another issue the mayor noted was the updat- Tracks Lead to Theft Charges An Enniskillen father and son teamed up to track down a susppet who took off on the family snowmobile during the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, Feb. 15. The two woke up as the snowmobile was started and then driven from the family's Potter's Lane residence, 16 Division Inspector Ross Smith said. They then followed the suspect's tracks to Pebblestone Road in their vehicle, "The police were contacted and followed the tracks from Pebblestone Road to a residence on Trulls Road, Courtice," Inspector Smith added. A search warrant was obtained and a man at the residence residence was charged with theft. ing of development charges. She stated the playing playing field should be level for this new development on the property. "It's time to get into the same rules. Let's have a modern agreement," Mayor Hamre stated. Currently, the property is zoned to permit mobile home dwellings and/or single detached units. According to Clarington's Planning Report, "the applicant wishes to expand the type of allowable residential uses and hence made the rezoning application." The report from Clarington staff notes that only one member of the public called to inquire about the project during the review process. However, the Clarington Fire Department noted, "there have been concerns concerns raised from the residents of this site regarding emergency egress, should it be necessary. With expansion and increased population, this concern may well increase and should be addressed before any expansion expansion takes place." The department awaits comments from a number of commenting agencies including the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Bell Continued on page 2 CORRECTION -- In a February 5th article concerning the United Way Campaign's final-tally, we incorrectly stated that the YWCA fund- raising effort may have had an impact on the success of the campaign. In fact, the United Way spokesperson was referring to a YMCA capital fund-raising project which may have had an impact on the United Way. We apologize for this error. PHONE SCAM ALERT -- For some reason, there have been a number number of recent attempts by telephone scam artists to convince local folks to part with huge amounts of money. Sadly, it seems that seniors are often the targets. What happens is this: A trusting person is asked to send a company hundreds or even thousands of dollars in order to pay a fee which will entitle them to receive something like a new car or boat or maybe a huge sum of cash. We cannot emphasize enough the fact that these offers are potentially dangerous. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. No matter how smooth-talking the person on the phone might be, you should think twice about these offers. At least get an opinion from someone you trust, or consult the police. If you really have won a prize, you shouldn't have to send money to a stranger in order to collect it. CHECK CREDENTIALS OF CANVASSERS -- The Heart and Stroke Foundation advises us that a few unofficial canvassers are taking advantage of the Heart and Stroke fund-raising campaign to go door-to- door asking for pledges. As long as the volunteer calling on you has an official badge or pin and a receipt book, you can rest assured that the canvasser is genuine. Beware of anybody else. Some children may also be canvassing their neighbourhoods for sponsors in Jump Rope for Heart. This is a legitimate fund-raising project. However, the children should have official sponsor sheets. We wouldn't want to discourage anyone from making a donation at the door. But, if you don't recognize your canvasser, it never hurts to ensure they are genuine. BOWLING FOR MILLIONS -- The annual Big Brothers Bowl for Millions event is under way throughout the- week. And, the big Celebrity Bowl afternoon is this Saturday, February 22, at Liberty Bowl in Bowmanville. Please give generously. Since this is Big Brothers Month, why not consider becoming a Big Brother? Qualified volunteers are always in demand. OLDEST SWEETHEARTS -- We are pleased to announce that Ross and Mae Pooley, of Bowmanville, are the winners in The Statesman's Oldest Sweethearts Draw. They will receive a prize package which includes dinner for two at Silks Café and a chauffeur-driven car supplied supplied by Deluxe Limousine to take them to dinner. Other prizes include a box of Laura Secord chocolates courtesy of McGregor I.D. A. Drugs, a dozen long-stemmed roses from Cockerham's Florists and a 400-Day Heirloom Clock from Hooper's Jewellers. SHELTER COLLECTS CASH REGISTER TAPES -- Bethesda House, a local shelter for abused women and their children, is collecting collecting A&P cash register tapes as a fund-raiser. Collected tapes can be mailed to Bethesda House, P.O. Box 82., Bowmanville. L1C 3K8 z TWjtJ/ t IYWL fw V -L J The Stork Robinson- "It's a Boy" Totals for >97 Boys 10 Girls J) 'tod) Specialists In Heating and Air Conditioning SALES-SERVICE «INST 350 Lake Road, Bowmanville • 623-5516 Shop the Rest Buy from the Best! mBBiLnH Your local General Motors dealer for the past 25 years, 166 King St. E. Telephone 623-3396 James COMPANY LIMITED Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. West Bowmanville Bowmanville's Movers (or50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 Patrick G, ®ee$m A complete denture sery^e. Telephone: 623-4473 3 George Street, Bowntanvi I