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Total Market Coverage of Clarington from the Publishers of The Canadian Statesman • A James Publishing Community Newspaper Saturday, February 21, 1998 Aussie Flu Not Seen in Durham Region So lar, the newest flu bug doesn't seem to have bitten the Durham Region. The virus is called A- Sydney, says Dr. Linda Panaro of Durham's Health Department. It has hit a number of people in the United States. But, so far, "there have only been three cases reported in Ontario." The flu shots people have been given to get them through the winter may help their bodies throw off this particular bug, Dr. Panaro said. But, they may not. , She added: "The symptoms symptoms arc similar to the regular flu, with fever, a cough, muscle aches and pains and prostration -- you're flat on your back for about a week." Currently, all age groups arc being hit by the regular flu. "Throughout the region, hospital emergencies emergencies and walk-in-clinics are swamped with cases," she stated. And, more than a dozen schools have a high number of students away due to the usual flu bugs. As for A-Sydncy, a strain of virus which originated in Australia, she said she would not know about it being in Durham Region unless a spccinien is sent to a federal lab. MP Moves ©ffice • i 1 * Durham MP Alex Shepherd is on the move. The federal representative representative will be relocating his constituency office to 116 Water St., Port Perry, as of March 31st. Shepherd said the recent redistribution of riding boundaries means his current office in north Oshawa now falls within the riding of Oshawa MP, Ivan Grose. Therefore, it was decided to seek a new location He said a toll-free telephone telephone line will be available available for constituents. 144th Year Circulation: 20,600 Teacher's Pet Reggie the Sairft Bernard earns a tasty reward from Lisa Barrie during a dog training class in at Clipps & Crafts in Bowmanvillc. Lisa was one of seven dog- owners who enrolled their pets in an eight-week session run at the local pet shop by Timberlee Dog Obedience. --photo by Lorraine Manfrcdo Thefts Jumped 109% Between 1991-96 New Task Force Fights Auto Theft The Durham Regional Police have formed a new task force to tackle an alarming increase in vehicle thefts across Durham. Sixteen officers have been assigned to Project COMBAT - that's the short name for a "Community Battling Auto Æ Theft." IpÜiwi Between 1991 and 1996, Statistics Canada indicates that while the region's population grew by 12%, the number of |X auto' thefts jumped about vSj 109%. The enforcement phase of the overall plan to stem the growing car theft problem has been underway since January 12. According to police, this has resulted in 45 arrests, 184 criminal charges, three narcotic charges and five charges for provincial offences. The second phase of Project COMBAT, COMBAT, which includes a public awareness campaign and proactive proactive enforcement strategies, was launched on February 19th. Corporate partners in the task force include General Motors, Chrysler Corporation, Zurich Insurance, Pilot Insurance, Royal Insurance, Apex Auto Centre, Halifax Insurance, Insurance Bureau of Canada and GO Transit. Forum Rwnms Dbme "Caigary Framework" Durham East S Out on NaKona by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer Many Durham East residents residents who attended an open forum on Canadian unity voiced their frustrations frustrations over a lack of Bowmanville Creek One-Foot Higher than Usual Tie Road by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer A portion of Baseline Road in Bowmanville was closed to the driving public public for 24 hours on Wednesday due to ice conditions. conditions. Around 10:30 a.m., waters of the Bowmanville Creek pushed ice up and over its banks and across Baseline Road, says Ron Robinson, a supervisor with Clarington's Public Works Department. The department closed the road temporarily, but the barriers barriers were taken down on Thursday morning, Feb. 19. Robinson noted the situation situation occurred within one hour of the creek being checked by the public works department staff. Currently, Bowmanville Creek is one foot over its normal flow, adds Perry Sisson, the Director of Environmental Engineering at the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. He told The Independent this is the time of year when children should keep away from the banks of streams and creeks. "They may . not be aware of the slippery conditions conditions of the banks," he said. And, due to the winter conditions experienced this year "the ice is not strong and creek levels arc slaying high," Sisson warned. He says the Bowmanville Creek frequently frequently throws ice onto Baseline Rd. during the spring thaw. "This is a chronic problem problem area. It happens a couple couple of times a year," he Generous Donors Give Hospital $40,000 Christmas Present Memorial Hospital in Bowmanvillc was able to purchase $40,000 worth of operating room equipment thanks to an exceptional public response to its "We're Better Together" Christmas campaign. Pictured above with gift boxes bearing donors' names arc hospital staff Trish Down, Pal Drysdale, MHB Foundation President Anna Strike, Ethel Pot and Dr. Walid Abawi, Among the items acquired for the operating room were warming cupboards, surgical exam lights, x-ray view boxes, a hypothermia blanket and a colonoseopc. said. He explained that, just north of the road and in the floodplain area, there "is a sharp bend (a 90 degree angle) in the creek." Under certain conditions, the iec jumps the banks and takes a shortcut over Baseline Rd. On Wednesday and Thursday, chunks of ice a foot thick were piled on the road. Other local creeks which should be watched -- from a sale distance, of course -- arc the Soper, Black and Farewell Creeks. "Currently, those creeks arc staying within their banks," Sisson said. Neil McFarlanc, of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, reported Wednesday afternoon afternoon that, thus far, the creeks in their watershed have not gone over their banks. Both conservation authorities issue public Hood warnings when necessary. necessary. progress in actually unifying unifying the nation. Thirty participants packed the room where MPP John O'Toole held an "Ontario Speaks" forum at the Strathavcn Manor Wednesday night. Almost everyone had a chance to say what is foremost on their minds regarding the Quebec controversy. Facilitator John Douglas guided the group through two basic questions: questions: Where do you see Canada in five years? and Does the Calgary Framework move you in the direction of the five- year vision? The Calgary Framework was developed by the premiers of nine provinces and the two territories territories in Calgary on Sept. 14, 1997. Seven principles were identified to facilitate open discussion on Canada's future. During the first part of the session, forum participants participants were asked to write down their five-year forecast forecast for Canada. Some of the answers were: an environmcntally- conscious nation; a country country with no senate or at least a useful one and a nation with north and south economic links. Others foresaw Canada breaking up into smaller regions and others envisioned envisioned a country without Quebec and without bilingualism. bilingualism. Afterwards, Douglas asked the group for additional additional comments. One woman responded that Canada should have "sovereignty "sovereignty over our resources." An example she gave was "not to sell water," whether in bottles or in other forms, to other countries. One man asked: "if Quebec leaves -- what happens to the Atlantic Provinces? To travel to Ontario, the people would have to go through a foreign foreign country or through the United States." Another participant suggested that perhaps if Quebec leaves, a corridor should be created along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. A couple of residents questioned whether or not Quebec residents are being lured away by those who should be charged with treason by the Canadian government. Others want to be able to participate in the next referendum. "I'd like to have a say," one woman noted. She was backed up by another speaker who said, "if there is another referendum, then everyone should be allowed to vote." This speaker said there should be a two-thirds majority required for either side. When asked about the Calgary Framework which calls for equality among diverse provinces, some folks got bogged down in the fifth principle. It states that Canada's federal system system must respect the "diversity and equality which underlies unity, the unique character of Quebec's society, including including its French speaking majority, its culture and its tradition of civil law, if fundamental to the well- Continued on page 3 Independent Flyers /lllsîaîtf *Allstate Insurance (Darlene Ferguson 987-1611) *A&P SAAN (Prices in effect from Sun., Feb. 22 to Sat., Feb. 28/98) Canadian Tire (Prices in effect until Fri., Feb. 27/98) *Graham's IGA (Prices in effect from Sun., Feb. 22 to Sat., Feb. 28/98) *Newcastle IGA (Prices in effeedt from Sun., Feb. 22 to Sat., Feb 28/98) *Port Hope Value Mart (Prices in effect from Sun., Feb., 22 to Sat., Feb. 28/98) *SAAN (Prices in effect from Sun., Feb. 22 to Sat., Mar. 7/98) *Satin Touch (Opening Sun., March 1/98) ('Indicates partial distribution) For information about inserting flyers in Slic Clanugtoii/Courttce Hhtbepciibent, pleasé contact our office at 623-3303. 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