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0 p m Total Market Coverage of Clarington from the Publishers of The Canadian Statesman ,>f- - : < ' v i J* A James Publishing Community Newspaper Board Of Trade Elects Officers Clarington's new Board of Trade took another big step forward on Tuesday night with the election of its first Board of Directors. Michael Patrick, the interim president of the group, said the organization organization has signed up 149 businesses and is planning to present a proposed three-year budget to Clarington councillors later this month. He added there is an estimated 1,100 to 1,200 businesses in Clarington and he believes a realistic goal is to have half of them become members of the Board of Trade. The objective will be to boost job and business opportunities in Clarington. "I really don't want to see our community community just become a bedroom community for the GTA," Patrick told supporters of the Board of Trade who met at Bowmanville's Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex to elect the directors, "I'd like to see a community that creates its own jobs," he observed, ■ Ron Strike, the chair of a committee which drafted by-laws to goverh the group, said the directors will provide Clarington- wide representation. Bylaws Bylaws approved Tuesday night specify that Clarington's three BIAs, along with the Newcastle and District Chamber of -Commerce, the Courtice business community, agribusiness agribusiness and small business business each send one representative representative to the board. In addition, six members are elected at large. The following representatives representatives were elected Tuesday night: Ron Hooper, Bowmanville BIA; Ron Hope, Newcastle BIA; Dan Banting, Orono BIA; Dr, John Clark, Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce; Valerie Gardiner, Courtice Business Community; Tom Morawetz, Agriculture; and Adrian Foster, Clarington Business Group (representing (representing small business,) The six representatives elected at large are: Michael Patrick, Ron Strike, Rick James, Penny Waghorne, George Khouri Continued on page 3 Saturday, June 6, 1998 144th Year Circulation: 20,600 §§ m till ... i . : - ■ ' cm/// Spirit Regional Taxes Up More Police, More Road Work- In Durham's 1998 Expenditures by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer Durham Region's property taxes are going up 1.6 per cent for the home owner. And that's before any downloading downloading numbers from the province are figured in. This will add between $12 to $15 onto tax bills across the Region. Durham's current and capital budget stands at $57 million. The police budget for this year is $59.3 million. There will be an increase of $12.40 on the regional tax bill for an average Clarington taxpayer, said Clarington Regional Councillor John Mutton, who serves on the Finance Committee at the Region. He told the Clarington/Courtice Independent all of the departments at the Region came in at "a zero per cent or less increase, except for the police." The police service had been asked to trim $1.2 million million from their budget this year, and only cut $300,000. The police department will be adding 20 more officers officers to round out its 1998 complement and will be hiring five civilian staff. It is estimated that these new officers and civilian employees will cost $413,652, plus benefits. Mutton says while he is somewhat uncomfortable with the increase, it is something he can live with -- for this year. "I am extremely happy with the budget, but I am uncomfortable with the police budget, but willing to accept it this year. We have three new members on the Police Services Board this year, and they need time to sink their teeth into their new jobs," Mutton said. Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre said no one is going to be happy with the increase, but should think about the fact that there will be more police officers on the streets! "The general public is demanding more policing in our municipalities," Mayor Hamre stated. "With resi- Continued on page 2 Over 59,000 Visitors to Clarington Web Site Heather Kalka and Nikki Atkinson speed down a giant inflatable slide at Courtice Secondary School last week during the school's annual May Day Celebration. Besides the blow-up midway, there were human-sized beach balls, sànd-castle making and obstacle courses. The event gave students a chance to have some fun and show their school spirit. -photo by Lorraine Manfredo The Durham Regional Police are continuing their search for 19-year-old Michael James Leipsig along with a police surveillance surveillance vehicle taken from a police officer's driveway driveway in Bowmanville between Friday evening, May 29, and Saturday morning; May 30. As of The Independent's deadline on Thursday evening neither the teen nor the vehicle had been found. The vehicle, a red, 1998 Ford Windstar van with dark tinted windows, contained contained a shotgun, handgun and police radio. The vehicle vehicle may no longer bear the original licence plates ABCY 549. Police have learned that Michael Leipsig stayed with a friend in Port Hope this past weekend, leaving Fun and Games A youngster aims a mighty swing at the bell-ringing game during Saturday's Safe Kids Day at the Bowmanville Police Station. The Durham Regional Police welcomed children out to the station to enjoy free hot dogs, games and demonstrations demonstrations by special police units. there on Monday morning. On Monday afternoon, a young male wearing a "police" raid jacket was seen in a coffee shop in Havelock, Ontario, and was seen leaving in a red van. On Tuesday morning, the Port Hope friend contacted contacted police when he read about Michael Leipsig and the missing van in a Toronto newspaper. Police again remind the public not to approach the vehicle if located, but to contact police immediately- immediately- Michael James Leipsig, 19 years of age, of Bowmanville, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for theft over $5,000. He is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, 142 lbs., with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black pants Watershed Plan The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority is hosting a public public open house on Monday, June 8; '98 at the Fire and Court Building/Community Centre in Bowmanville, The aim of the meeting is to launch the Bowmanville Creek Watershed Management Aquatic! Resources Management Plan (ARMP). The Open House takes place from 5 p.m, to 8 p.m. "The management plan is aimed at maintaining, protecting and enhancing fish habitat of the Bowmanville and Soper Creek in Clarington," stated Perry Sission, Director pf Environmental and Engineering Services at CLOCA. and white runners. He has scars on his nose and left hand. Anyone with information information on Michael James Leipsig or the location of the vehicle is asked to contact contact the Durham Regional Police at (905) 579-1520 or Crime Stoppers at (905) 436-TIPS. The Municipality of Clarington's web site is on track to welcome over 100,000 visitors this year, according to figures for the first five months of 1998. Jennifer Cooke, Clarington's marketing, tourism and economic development officer, says in 1997 a total of 78,853 "hits" were recorded on the web site. But, in just the first five months of 1998, a total of 59,985 visits visits were recorded. Many of the web site- visitors are business people people interested in locating in Clarington. Cooke suggests one of the reasons for the increase is the additional advertising Clarington is doing among corporate clients who may be interested interested in developing a new site., Four major American publications directed at executives deciding new sites for plants and facilities facilities are carrying Clarington ads. Each ad lists the municipal web site where further details about the municipality can be found. "The whole idea of web sites isn't to do the sales pitch," Cooke explained. Rather, the site is intended to give potential customers a positive view of the town. "If a business is looking looking at our web site, we hope they get a sense of what the community is like and what they can find if they come here," Cooke said. Follow-up calls would. be needed to turn curious! web-browsers into commercial commercial clients. Independent Flyers /lllsîaiB" 'Allstate (Darlene Ferguson 987-1611) *A&P v Beaver mnrbai Qplomo eiiMhaidwCTO (Prices in effect from Sun., June 7 to Sat., June 13/98) 'Beaver Lumber (Prices in effect until Sat., June 20/98) Canadian Tire (Prices in effect Sat., June 6 to Fri., June 12/98) 'The Comfort Shoppe (Huge Pre-Season Deal) 'Graham's IGA (Prices in effect from Sun., June 7 to Sat., June 13/98) 'Home Hardware (Savings available until Sat., June 13/98) *M&M Meats (Prices in effect Sun., June 7 to Sat., June 20/98) 'Orono Lumber (Prices in effect until Sat., June 20/98) 'Pharmasave Health Centre (Prices in effect Mon., June 8 to Sun., June 14/98) 'Port Hope Valuemart (Prices in effect from Sun., June 7 to Sat., June 13/98) , 'South China Buffet Restaurant (Open 7 days a week - Since 1986) ('Indicates partial distribution) For information about inserting flyers in Site Claviiigtou/Coufttce 3tntmpenbcnt, please contact our office at 623-3303. ■r.«v3 t r*r • ■«ItWnme .-'4&2.554J