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V Fiddler Defends National Title Take a Walk on The Historical Side Community News « 0 0 » . Page 2 FEÂiHFIE ...........................Page 1, Section 2 62 L ÎSipS? NPUBÜCLIBRAR Y, 62 TEMPERANCE ST BOWMANVILLE ONTARIO I irian EXPIRYDATE: MARCH 27 ?99 9 A8 V 7 %* & Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 A James Publishing Community Newspaper Wednesday, August 12,1998 144th Year Issue 32 70# + 5# G.S.T. = 75# More Bear Sightings in Clarington by Lorraine Manfredo Staff Writer After. two sightings this summer, Clarington might consider itself bear country. On Tuesday morning, Durham Regional Police received a call from a motorist about what was at first believed to be a bear cub spotted at the Hwy 401 interchange near Newtonvillc. Workers from the Clarington Animal Shelter called to the scene saw the animal and confirmed it was a bear, but possibly an adult.. "About the size of a large dog," said Sheila, one of the animal control staff who declined to give her last name. She and a colleague saw it sit up on its hind legs on the westbound side of the highway. "It tried to cross the road several times, but the traffic kept frightening frightening it back." Sheila witnessed the bear approach as far as the orange pylons at the roadside where road widening is underway. But, each time a big rig sped by, the animal ■retreated into the brush. ' Bears are rare, but not unheard of in Clarington. And, like the deer who survive in our midst, bears sometimes have to cross the road. Also called to the scene on Tuesday were OPP officers, Durham Regional Police and Ministry of Natural Resources officials. Durham Regional Police Inspector Ross Smith, of 16 Division in Clarington, said this is not the first time bears have been encountered this far south. About a month ago, one was observed just cast of Highway 35/115, north of Hwy 2. "'m i ■ ii© : ■V hb'i'S HcV-Vy UPf * TM 1 ■ -Vj Clowning Around Sonshine the Clown makes balloons into animals for Allison Bullen, 3, Michelle Jubenville, 8, and Gregory Jubenville, 6, at the Visual Arts Centre's Everything Under the Sun Summer Arts Festival held Saturday in Bowmanville. Downtown Merchants Expect Huge Turnout Friday Evening This Friday night, you'll discover bed races, pyjama-clad shoppers, clowns, entertainers, balloons, balloons, free draws for great prizes and shopping until midnight in downtown Bowmanville. . It's madness, of course! In fact, it's Midnight Madness. The annual Bowmanville Downtown Business Improvement Area Midnight Madness event takes place Friday, IIOW ABOUT THESE APPLES? -- A near-perfect growing season has encouraged many Clarington crops to ripen a couple of weeks early. Brandon Allin, age 10, helps with the harvest of some Paula Reds on his family's family's 35-acre orchard north of Newcastle, Early apple varieties are available at farmer's markets now, with the arrival of the popular Macintoshes expected around September 1st, August 14th. Garth Gilpin, the DBIA manager, notes that bedracing bedracing action on Temperance St. (between King St. and Church St.) is a new attraction this year. Teams from TJ's; King Street Bar and Grill; the Bow and Fiddle; and Hanc's Too will all be competing for the Keith Cup. Look for a few wacky new rules to give the contest an added twist. In between the heats, there will be shopping cart racing and road hockey contests that are open to the public. The Labatts "out of the blue crew" will be present. Gilpin notes that, .in addition to the new bed race, the favorite Midnight Madness events will be back for another great evening. The "Madness Man" will be on duty beneath the Bank of Montreal clock handing out free tickets to a draw for $100 in BIA shopping money. There's an early bird draw at seven p.m. and an 11 th-hour draw at 11 p.m. You must be present to claim your prize and the shopping money must be spent before the stroke of midnight. (After all, it's Midnight Madness!) The Downtown Clown will be on the lookout for shoppers dressed in pyjamas. pyjamas. Those wearing PJs will receive a balloon, along with a prize such as discount coupons, free coffee, and other gifts eourtesy of the DBIA. You eould win $100 in BIA shopping bucks if the Downtown Clown hands you the lucky balloon. Garth Gilpin adds that a second clown named Jimbo will take his roving magic show to the streets of downtown Bowmanville throughout the evening. The Teddy Bear Clinic is returning this year, under the direction of veterinary veterinary Gregory Topolie and his assistants. Dr. Topolie will examine teddy bears and issue certificates certificates of wellness. Names of the bears' owners owners will be entered in a draw for a designer teddy bear. Rounding out the evening will be honky- tonk piano music by John Yates in front of the Bank of Montreal and Washboard Hank who will be playing a variety of instruments while strolling the downtown. Of course, the downtown downtown shops will be getting into the spirit of Midnight Madness by staying open until midnight and offering many sales, surprises and hourly specials. This annual downtown Bowmanville event offers fun for shoppers of all ages. To miss it would be sheer madness! It's Smelly, But Drinkable Water Still Safe For Consumption The water may not smell great, but it's still safe to drink. Durham Region's departments of Public Works and Health have both been busy over the last few days, testing testing local water supplies to ensure they arc still safe, in spite of what they refer to as an "objectionable odor." According to Tony Wong, manager of the Region's Environmental Health Division, "lab testing on raw and treated water has confirmed the bacteriological quality is fine." The Region's Medical Officer of Health has also said the water is safe for human consumption. Some Clarington residents have been complaining of a musty or swampy odor in the water over the past few days. Wong says it has been happening across the Region. He says it's "a natural phenomenon associated with higher temperatures and the decomposition of algae." Tests are done on a daily basis. "The treatment plants can't remove all of the odors, but they are working on a filtration system" to remove the smell from the water, he said. According to the Public Works department, the same problem occurred in 1993 and 1994. The problem occurred in Durham Region and other areas with Lake Ontario based municipal water supply systems. Councillors Vote Today On Properly Tax Hike by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer Regional council will be faced with the task of deciding just how much area residents' property tax bills will increase when it meets today (Aug. 12). Tile Region's Finance and Administration committee committee met last Thursday to attempt to come up with recommendations for council to vote on. All decisions must be approved in a bylaw this week, in time to meet the province's August 14th deadline. The province's new system is based on current market value assessment of properties as of June of 1996. In Durham Region, the new system could mean tax increases for many property owners whose land and buildings have not been assessed in decades. Clarington's last assessment occurred in the 1980s. After much discussion and pleas from several groups, including General Motors, last Thursday, it was decided Finance and Administration will not recommend council implement a phase-in plan. Such a plan would have allowed people up to three years before the total impact of a possible tax hike was felt. According to Clarington regional councillor councillor John Mutton, a phase-in of taxes would have negatively affected this municipality. Clarington receives payments-in-lieu payments-in-lieu of taxes from the provincial government government for properties such as the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. But, if new tax levels are phased in over a three-year period, Clarington would lose revenue revenue from payments-in- licu. "I couldn't have supported supported phase-ins in any of the (taxation) classes because it would affect our payment-in-lieu revenue, and that would be passed on to the other classes, specifically the residential class. They would have to Continued on Page 2 STRIKE UP THE BAND -- The Cobourg Concert Band will be showcased this Thursday, August 13th, at Rotary Park in Bowmanville. The concert commences at 7 p.m., rain or shine. Admission to this concert scries is free, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors. -Goodyear Canada will be the sponsor of the Thursday evening performance. This band has been in existence since 1921 and its performance will include not only marches, but also Broadway musical selections and transcriptions from the classics. The director is Bandmaster Roland White. FALL AND WINTER ACTIVITIES GUIDE -- Look for your free copy of the Municipality of Clarington's fall and winter activity guide this Saturday, August 15th. It will be inserted in the Clarington/Courticc Independent and contains a listing of recreational activities available throughout Clarington in the coming months. It's also a subtle reminder that summer is fading fast. THEY'RE AT THE (BED) POST! -- /\n added attraction for the Midnight Madness Sidewalk Sale in downtown Bowmanville this Friday night (August 14th) will be the bed races. They'll take place between 7 p.m, and 9 p.m. And, in between there will be shopping shopping cart races and road hockey games that are open to the public. Of course, the usual Sidewalk Sale attractions attractions will be underway, including great bargains in the stores and a chance to win $100 in BIA shopping money during two draws. (The catch is, of course, that the lucky winners must spend their windfall before midnight). There will be prizes for folks in their pyjamas pyjamas plus a teddy-bear clinic, clowns, honkylonk piano, and much more. It's madness. And it's fun. WATER FLUNKS TASTE TEST -- We've heard from many readers who all agree that the municipal water supply in urban areas tastes and smells bad. It's supposedly connected with the hot weather and the growth of algae in Lake Ontario. Health authorities say the water is safe to drink and they're working on filtering filtering systems to help. We also understand that most nearby nearby cities and towns relying on Lake Ontario water are in the same predicament. But it's no consolation. A few boxcars of Kool-aid and a bargeload of sugar might also disguise the flavor. On second thought, let's hope for cooler weather which might bring the water back to normal. LOOK UP! LOOK WAY UP! -- The public is invited invited to view the Pcrseides meteor shower from the Ganaraska Forest Centre Saturday, August 15th. The star-gazing event takes place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. You must register in advance by calling the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority at (905) 885-8173. A fee is charged ($10 per family, $5 for adults and $3 for children). Don't forget your binoculars. (S' Shop the Rest i*; Buy from the Best! innsnano PONTIAC • UUICK LTD. Your limit General Motors dealer for the lias! U5 years. 106 King St. E. Tolophono 623-3396 COMPANY LIMITED Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. West ■ Bowmanville Bowmanville's Movers for 50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 ï Report Chandler -- "It's a Boy" Higgins --- "It's a Boy" Noyes -- 'It's a Boy" Peters -- 'It's a Boy" Stainton -- 'It's a Girl" Young -- 'It's a Boy" Wood -- 'It's a Boy"