The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

(jftvannai IMWI WI lU atiiti a larington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 A James Publishing Community Newspaper Wednesday, July 22,1998 144th Year Issue 29 700 + 50 G.S.T. = 750 Dad, Daughter Help Couple Escape Fire $ 25,000 Moforhome Completely Destroyed by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer VEHICLE LOST, OCCUPANTS SAFE -- Clarington and Manvers was estimated at $25,000, but thanks Fire Departments both responded;to this motorhome fire on Highway idcnts, both occupants of the vehicle 115 near the junction with Highway 35 Monday afternoon. The loss to the alertness of two local res- escaped uninjured. -Photo by Jennifer Stone Quick thinking on the part of Bowmanville residents residents Doug and Melissa Coggan may have saved the lives of a Brantford couple whose motorhome caught fire Monday. The father and daughter were on Highway 115 north of Orono on their way home from work when they thought they smelled something odd. "It smelled like cigar smoke," said Melissa. Further examination led the Coggans to the realization that the "whole underneath of the van (travelling next to them) was blazing," said her father. They quickly flagged down the vehicle's occupants, occupants, who immediately got out. "I was glad to see they got out so quickly. As soon as they stopped, the whole thing went boom," said Doug Coggan. The Clarington Fire Department said although the blaze started in the fuel system of the van, a 1988 Ford Econoline motorhome, the exact cause is undetermined. undetermined. The vehicle and its contents, valued at $25,000, were completely destroyed. Both Clarington and Manvers Fire Departments responded. They found the vehicle fully involved in flames when they arrived on the scene. Also damaged was about a quarter of an acre of pine brush and grass along the side of the road. The occupants of the motorhome, a Brantford couple couple who were travelling to Bon Echo Park, were uninjured, uninjured, much to the relief of Coggan and his daughter. "The nicest picture in the world was seeing them get out," said Coggan. U.S. Strike Idles Nearly 12,000 GM Workers by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer Oshawa's last operating General Motors plant is no longer running at full capacity. Parts shortages resulting resulting from a strike in Flint, Green Giant Betty Roth of Haydon isn't sure where this giant hollyhock came from because she never planted the seed, But she does know that it measures 13 feet tall! Mrs. Roth's garden was one of nine included on the Bownianvillc Horticultural Society's Garden Tour that was held last Saturday. Mich, shut down most GM Oshawa operations over the past month, but until yesterday, the truck plant had continued to build vehicles. As of yesterday's afternoon shift, GM spokesperson Greg Gibson said the truck plant had experienced its "first impact" from the strike. Gibson also said that not all workers in the truck plant would be affected. Skilled trades, maintenance maintenance and some production production staff will remain on the job for at least the foreseeable foreseeable future. About 3,000 truck plant workers will be impacted by the most current plant shutdown. shutdown. The Oshawa truck plant Continued on page 2 Hit the Road Regional Chair Roger Anderson The extension of Highway 407 into Durham Region is one step closer to reality, with the environmental approvals granted recently by Ontario Environment Minister Norman Sterling. The approvals permit the provincial government to • proceed with construction of the next 15 kilometers of 407 east from Markham Road to the Brock Road/Highway 7 area in the Town of Pickering. "This is the best news Durham has heard in a long time," said Durham Region Chair Roger Anderson. "Council has long supported the extension of 407 into Durham, because we need more road connections to support future growth and ensure the Region's continued continued prosperity. Over the last five years alone, we've asked the Province on seven different occasions to speed up this essential road project, so I guess our persistence persistence has finally paid off!" The 15 kilometre project is the first phase of the planned extension of Highway 407 across Durham Region to Highway -35/115. The partial extension addresses traffic congestion problems at the current 407 end point in Markham and provides much needed additional road capacity across the west Durham Region boundary. "The presence of Highway 407 will not only benefit existing drivers, but will stimulate economic development activity throughout Durham Region," added Chair Anderson. Although the approvals permit the extension to proceed proceed immediately, the provincial Ministry of Transportation has yet to announce its timetable for construction. Timing will be influenced by the provincial provincial government's current initiative to privatize Highway 407. "We're hoping the province moves quickly with the partial extension," remarked Chair Anderson. "Given the strong spin-off benefits, we expect they'll be starting pretty soon." RAINED OUT -- Brookfield, the band featured in last Thursday night's Concert in the Park, had to cancel their show on account of the rain and, more importantly, the lightning. There was some concern that the lightning nearby was a danger to the band and the audience. The good news is that Brookfield will be back for a show on Thursday, September 3, immediately before the Labor Day weekend. cert for the younger folks, complete with song-craft, word association games and mis-mcanings. Then, John Yates will play honky-tonk piano music for the older kids. It all begins at 7 p.m., with free admission, admission, of course. The show is sponsored by Burger King Restaurants of Canada. WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND -- You can set sail for the Port of Newcastle this Saturday and Sunday for their annual annual Wooden Boat Festival. At least 80 wooden canoes, sailboats and power boats from both Canada and the U.S. will be on display. There's also a flea market, demonstrations by boat-builders, art exhibits, kids' games and lots more. BUSINESS OMITTED -- In last week's Statesman, we should have included Webco Crane and Hoist among the Clarington businesses in the running for the Oshawa Clarington Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Honors. They have been named for an award, along with Clarington firms Wilmot Orchards and Evergreen Farm and Garden. Also, we inadvertently identified the Chamber as Oshawa and District when, in fact, it's the Oshawa Clarington Chamber of Commerce, Our apologies for these errors. PLAYING IN THE PARK -- This Thursday night's featured performers performers at Rotary Park will be honky tonk piano-player John Yates, of Bowmanville, and the Doug Barr Children's Show. Doug Barr will be the first of the performers, providing a 45-minute action-packed con- CONSTRUCTION ZONE -- The back yard at James Publishing is full of footings, craters and heavy equipment these days as we add extra space on our printing plant for shipping, receiving and storage of newsprint. The work shouldn't affect our customers unless they use the back parking lot. But, things will be a little hectic around here until the work is completed. And, to repeat the words used by renovators everywhere: "It'll be great when it's finished." We will also have a new entrance and exit to the parking lot and printing plant off Church St. PHOTO CONTEST CONTINUES -- Don't forget the Day in the Life of Clarington photography contest which is now underway. Shuttcrbugs have until July 31st to take photos of the people and places of Clarington. Photos may be submitted to the Clarington Tourism Office, 181 Liberty St. S„ Bowmanville or to the Marketing and Tourism Office at the Town Hall in Bowmanville. First prize is a Kodak digital camera provided courtesy of Lange's Foto Source. You can also pick up a single-use Kodak camera at Lange's for just $5 and join the contest. They're even offering a discount of 50 per cent on photo finishing for those who purchase these cameras. Shop the Rest Buy from the Best! /H-EHZTO PONTIAC • UUICK LTD. Your load General Motors dealer for the past 25 years. 2Sdil 166 King St. E. Telephone 623-3396 COMPANY LIMITED Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. West Bowmanville mm f) | W ] •' BowipanviHe's Movers for 50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 Stork Market Report No Births Reported This Week