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

Editorials Page 4 Sports 8,9 Community Calendar 10 Classifieds 12,13,14 TV Listings 18 Jr. A Eagles Edge Trenton in 5-4 Game SPORTS «•••••••*• Page 8 • Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854 • A James Publishing Community Newspaper Wednesday, February 11, 1998 144th Year Issue 6 Cement Workers 700 + 50 G.S.T. = 750 Blue Circle by Laura J. Richards ■ Staff Wriler As of The Statesman's deadline, it was still not known if yesterday's negotiations between the CAW and Blue Circle Cement (formerly St. Marys Cement) settled remaining contract issues. However, on Tuesday morning, Feb. 10, about one-third of the plant's 90 employees were taking their turn on the picket line at the main entrance to the Bowmanvillc plant. A blue tarp was stretched across the main entrance, preventing entry and exit. The men on the roadside roadside said they are not happy with the situation and would rather be working. working. Brian Smith, a member of the CAW Local 222 bargaining committee, told The Statesman, negotiations negotiations broke off on Friday night, Feb. 6 at midnight. "Our three-year contract contract expired on Jan. 31 and the negotiations arc for a three-year renewal," Smith said. He noted there are three issues at the bargaining bargaining table: the current pension pension plan, the benefits plan for retiring employees and the benefits package for current employees. As of Saturday, the employees from three departments: mainte nance, production and the quarry, were walking the 24-hour picket line. Smith said company negotiators also called back the Bowmanvillc plant to "start the winding down process" on Friday afternoon. Smith thought that to be ironic, since "we didn't think the negotiations broke down until later." Royal Hi jinks at Winter Beaveree West Durham District Beavers enjoyed a Royal Winter Beaveree on Saturday, February 7th, at Clarke High School. Outdoor fun included sledding and obstacle races with a medieval theme. Here, a group consisting consisting mostly of First Pontypool Beavers waifs its turn at the starting line. The day concluded with a lunch and "mock campfire" inside the school, complete with a visiting clown. About 150 boys attended the event. No GO? Oshawa - Courtice Bus Could Kill GO Transit Service to Bowrncinville by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer Youth Centre Opens Saturday by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer It's been a long time in coming, but this Saturday afternoon from 1 to 9 p.m. the Clarington Youth Centre will be opening the doors, Reeza Shaffaf, the Youth Council Chair, told The Statesman on Monday, the centre "will be open once a week" until they have enough volunteers volunteers in place. "We'll see how things go," Shaffaf said. So, on Saturday afternoon, afternoon, local teens and youths are invited to drop into the open house to have a look around. As a bonus Shaffaf is hoping to have a couple of local bands "come in and jam." Beside the bands, visi- Cookie Campaign The Girl Guide cookie season has arrived! Throughout the month, delicious cookies will be available from all branches of the Guiding organization. organization. Pictured with the taste-tempting treats arc: (back row) Amber Ashton and Erin Ashton and (front row) Lacy and Jennifer Lia. tors arc welcome to play some board games, or watch a movie, or just hang out with their friends. The Youth Centre Council has been working away putting together policies policies and putting the all out for volunteers. "We wanted everything done before we had the open house," he said. Of course, they couldn't really really do anything inside the centre until recently because "they (the municipality) municipality) were doing renovations renovations until two weeks ago. "We wanted to look professional and to be able to leave a better impression," impression," he said. One of the biggest issues the Youth Centre Council will be tackling over the next few months will be transportation. The centre is not just for Bowmanvillc and area youth, but for those in all of Clarington. "The centre is for everyone. Kids in Courtice, Hampton and Newcastle will want to come," Shaffaf said. The problem lies in getting the youth to the centre. He noted that the Clarington Project, which runs daytime prograriis out of the same space, has people car pooling to get to their program times. He sees car pooling as an option for the youth. At /his time, as the 3 Youth Council gets ready for the open house, Shaffaf says the one thing the centre centre really needs is volunteers. volunteers. "We need youth between 16 to 25 years to Continued on page 2 If the Oshawa-Courticc bus continues its infiltration into the ridership of GO Transit, it looks like Bowmanvillc could lose its Hwy 2 GO service. At least that is how Richard Ducharmc, the managing director of GO Transit, put it in a letter to Clarington Mayor Diane Ham re. In fact, lie wrote that "GO Transit will be closely monitoring the performance of its Bowmanvillc to Oshawa service over the next six months. If the deterioration of the rcvcnuc/cost ratio for this service continues, GO Transit will reluctantly consider consider its termination." It is further revealed that duplication of the service has been witnessed in other municipalities, not just on the Bowmanvillc route. Last Resort The letter from GO adds: "Any withdrawal of services services will only come about as a last resort." Ducharme's letter brought the topic of a municipal transit system into the council chamber on Monday night, Feb. 9, where the idea of purchasing a transit service service was discussed. Mayor Diane Hamre asked council about the issue, and whether they would support the idea of having the Oshawa to Courtice route exclude Hwy 2. Wards Three and Four Regional Councillor John Mutton would like to see a transit system branch out to include Bowmanvillc and Newcastle. BIA Groups Consulted Ward Three Local Councillor Troy Young says, while that is fine, he would like to know what the local BIAs think about the concept. . "They wouldn't want to sec the buses taking away their customer base," he said. Ward One and Two Schoolyard Two Sides to Auto Pact Regional Councillor Mary Police are investigal- : Novak noted that she is on __ ...ui„u the Durham Region Transit Committee which "is working working towards a seamless tran- ' ing an incident in which - ;■ a male teenager removed ■ his clothes and danced in ; „ . _ , : view of students in the sit system for Durham. yard of Ontario Street i Hamre p,,hlic School last 1 by Laura J. Richards Staff Wriler Municipal politicians are running scared over the question of reviewing Canada's Auto Pact, says Durham's MP, Alex Shepherd. Shepherd noted that, during a round-table discussion last month, Oshawa Mayor Nancy Diamond and others attending only heard one side of the Auto Pact review. "They're putting their best foot forward, but there's another story out there," Shepherd said last week. The review of the auto pact comes 33 years after it was first signed by the Big Three auto manufacturers: General Motors,Chrysler and Ford. During the two-hour session, Mike Shields, a CAW union representative, and Mayor Diamond slammed the government for even suggesting a review. Shepherd told The Statesman it all began as a "separate "separate review by Industry Canada" which put together "a private sector task force." Shepherd said the Auto Pact has been in existence since 1965 and it impressed on the "Big Three" auto Continued on page 3 However, Mayor noted the committee is . Friday, known for its lack of action. School Principal Mutton added that now Steve Fortier told The "is the time for Clarington to take control of our future." Further investigation is needed, he said. Northern Buses? Young observed that transit system is not only needed for the Hwy 2 corridor corridor but also for residents in the northern areas of Clarington. ÆLtïÜ of Ward 2, has been investigating investigating the issue. She told the councillors "we already know it (transits) (transits) is an expensive business business to get into. We can hope to purchase services from an already existing service." service." Public School last - Statesman yesterday: : "There were four : i teenagers -- two males : and two females -- on : Victoria Street, off Duke on the corner by a. house ; when one lad put on a show." According to police, \ the male, aged 14 or 15, j : stripped down to nothing and proceeded to do a dance in full view of the ; children who were, on their recess break. Police officer Doug » McFeeters told the Statesman, "the teen had ; black hair, a buzz cut, : and wore a blue-green, ; Continued on page 3 : OLDER SWEETHEARTS WANTED -- This is your last chance to submit nominations to The Statesman's Oldest Sweethearts Contest. Entries must be in by noon on Friday, February 13th. We'll select the winners from a random draw and the couple chosen will be announced in next week's Statesman. See the advertisement in this edition for details, including a list of the prizes our winners will receive. CENTENNIAL SOUVENIRS -- The Bowmanvillc Museum at 37 Silver St. has on display a variety of Bowmanvillc souvenirs souvenirs from the 1900s, the Bowmanvillc Centennial and the 125th anniversary. Most of the exhibit features china and glassware, glassware, including German china souvenir pieces featuring scenes of local buildings and streets. Mugs, spoons, 1 buttons and paper goods are also featured. It's been 40 years since the Bowmanvillc Centennial was celebrated in 1958. HAVE A HEART -- Saturday, February 21st, there will be a Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic at Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church in Bowmanvillc. Hours arc 11 a.m, to 3 p.m. The Red Cross needs at least 90 donations at this clinic to meet the needs of cancer patients, trauma victims, new mothers, and all who require The Gift of Life, If you have any questions, just call 1- 800-701-7803 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.' UNITY FORUM COMING UP -- There's an important opportunity to voice your views on Canadian Unity next Wednesday, February 18th. The provincially-sponsored forum is at the Strathaven Nursing Home in Bowmanvillc (264 King St. W.,) at seven p.m. Further information is available from the office of Durham East MPP John O'Toole (697-1501). CLARIFICATION -- The Newcastle Optimist Club will be sponsoring a dance at the 1998 Orono Fair. However, it won't be featuring Blue Rodeo, as suggested in an article in last week's Independent. Instead, they'll be offering their regular dance, featuring music by a DJ. Profits will go to Optimist Club community community projects. BIG BIRD -- One of our readers phoned Tuesday afternoon to tell us he had spotted a great blue heron near Regional Rd. 42, just north of Highway Two. That's an unusual sight any time, but especially in what is supposed to be the middle of winter. Must be the warm weather. BAD CORNER-- It's about time All-Way Stop signs are erected erected at the corner of Church and Silver Streets. We come through there daily and it's the most dangerous intersection in town. A lot of misery could be saved with two more stop signs. SI Shop the Rest us Buy from the Best! jgnsozna PONTIAC ■ DUICK 111). mfflffli'HTrauai Your local General Motors dealer ___ for the past 2G years, . , 25th 1 166 King St. E. f »h Telephone 623-339G h»* E5S COMPANY LIMITED Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. West Bowmanville Bowmanville's Movers for 50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 Zondervan/Aldridge It's a Girl! See the Classifieds on Page 12