ectuMiatu emerceriemsan lasmowiaisjuxitia •IdæKcsca zratïxrv | zeuzuKt-i • Total Market Coverage of Clarington from the Publishers of The Canadian Statesman • A James Publishing Community Newspaper Saturday, February 28, 1998 144th Year Circulation: 20,600 Province Seeking Corporate Money for Hwy. 407 The Ontario government government thinks it can extend Hwy. 407 out to the 35/115 Highway without asking taxpayers to pick up the tab. Instead it's counting on the private sector to kick in the necessary financing. "After a thorough and careful review, we have decided to sell the Highway 407," said Rob Sampson, Minister responsible for privatization. privatization. "The highway will be sold through a fair, open and competitive process designed to gain maximum maximum value for the province." The purchaser would be required to build, finance and operate extensions extensions to the east and west. The first section of the six-lane, toll highway opened in in June 97. It runs cast/west between Highway 410 and 404. An easterly extension from 404 to McGowan Road opened this month. The province ultimately ultimately hopes to extend the highway a full 154 kilometers kilometers across the top of the GTA. Current plans call for a western extension extension to the QEW in Burlington and another cast as far as the 35/115 in Clarington. The Ministry of the Environment is currently reviewing a partial extension extension in the cast that would see the highway going over land between Hwy 48 to the Brock Road/Hwy 7 area in north Pickering. According to the province, this east partial extension would address traffic congestion in Markham, provide additional additional road capacity across the Durham Region boundary, and support Continued on page 3 High Voltage Lesson Monica Zwart and Bradley Verwoerd, of Knox Christian School, try on safety gear while learning about the hazards of-electricity from Bill Coakley (centre). The kids got a "real charge" out of Coakley's presentation. They were especially impressed with the grand finale in which he lit up a pickle using electricity. In a continuing continuing effort to teach children electrical safety in their homes and neighborhoods, Clarington Hydro has brought the presentations at all Clarington schools. m ET TJ 41 ■T: S3 Newcastle Chamber Optimistic About '98 by Lorraine Manfredo Staff Writer Things arc definitely looking up in Newcastle. With fewer vacant storefronts and rumors of exciting downtown developments, developments, there is solid ground for optimism, says John Clark, newly-elected president of the Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce. Clark, who opened his family chiropraetic office on King Street in 1996, was elected to serve a one- year term along with ten officers and directors at the Chamber's annual meeting on Tuesday, February 24 About 100 Chamber members and guests enjoyed dinner served by volunteers from St. George's Anglican Church at the event held at the Newcastle Community Hall. Addressing the group, Clark recalled that coming to town 15 months ago, lie couldn't help noticing several several vacancies on the main street. "Now there is only one and that is a good sign." There is talk too, he says, of plans for the site of the former J. Anderson Smith factory in the village. village. "There may be exciting exciting proposals for that site which could rejuvenate business and the downtown downtown area," said Clark. Outgoing President SHOW OF APPRECIATION - One of the first duties of office for John Clark (centre), (centre), newly-elected president of the Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce, was to present appreciation plaques to predecessors Troy Young (right) and Jean Graham. Graham was Chamber president for a two-year term before handing the reins over to Young in 1997. Clark said the efforts of both were essential in keeping the Chamber a thriving entity dedicated to promoting area business, Troy Young, who now serves as municipal councillor councillor for Ward Three, said 1997 turned out to be-"a very good year for our Chamber." A successful Fall Fair with bed races and live music sponsored by the Newcastle and District Chamber drew hundreds of visitors downtown. Young said the recent introduction of new business business blood in town and the dedication of volunteers helped make the previous year a success. The general high spirits arc something of a turnaround turnaround for an organization that was on the verge of folding two years ago due to a lack of volunteers. Young urged everyone to remain involved for continued success. "It's your chance to be involved as part of the community and part of the decision-making process." John Clark agrees. Besides giving members a fantastic opportunity to give something back to their community, the Chamber can help locals build their businesses, he says, "We may have dropped the ball a little in the past, but that's where we've got to focus," The 1998 slate of officers officers includes: 1-Ians Vcrkruiscn as vice-president, vice-president, Judy Hope as treasurer, treasurer, and Joyce Kufta as secretary. Also serving arc past-president Young and six directors: Steve Ritchie, Barb Shetler, Mark Quin, Rod McArthur, Ron Radcliffe and Jean Graham.' Elected Chair For Durham? Durham's Regional Council is taking its first steps towards ensuring that future heads of the Durham Region will be elected by the public. But some councillors warn that choosing the chair of the Durham Region by a Region-wide vote would lead to costly election campaigns and the introduction of parly politics into local municipal affairs. At present, the position is decided by the 28 members of Regional Council who elect a chair at the beginning of each term of office. "I believe it's long past due that the Region move to a directly- elected Regional Chair said Ajax Mayor Steve Parish at Wednesday's meeting of Regional Council. He was speaking in support of a motion which instructs Durham's staff to investigate the implications of electing the Chair in the year 2000 municipal vote. Mayor Parish said a Durham-wide election had generally generally been considered out of the question because of the size of the Region. However, the election of a mayor in the huge Toronto Mega-City proves a direct election in a large municipality is possible, he added. Scugog Mayor Doug Moffatt observed that electing Continued on page 2 Council Told Lishman Proposal Requires Environmental Study Delegates to the latest meeting of Clarington Council have asked that the fur manufacturing centre proposed for land northeast of Orono be subject to an environmental environmental impact study. Dave Lawson, speaking on behalf of many of Clarington's anglers, said those who fish are concerned over the impact of the facility on the headwaters of the Wilmot Creek. He reminded members of Council that the municipality municipality is hoping to create a nature reserve at the mouth of the creek. A community Fisheries Involvement Project application for $15,000 has been submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources for the rehabilitation rehabilitation of the lower Wilmot Creek. "Has the municipality considered the impact the fur factory in the headwaters headwaters of the Wilmot Creek could have on the nature area?" Lawson asked. "With the absence of an environmental impact study, there is no way of knowing until it is too late." Michael Melling, counsel counsel for Linda and Herb Gasser and Frances and Bill Woods, also called for an environmental impact study. He said it would identify potential impacts of the proposed development and also identify issues such as the sensitive natural features, features, lands to be preserved in their natural state and mitigating measures to address the negative impacts of development. Such a study would also Continued on page 3 Budget Helps Durham Residents Durham Riding residents residents will see the benefits benefits of the federal government's government's new budget when they pay their income taxes or write cheques for tuition. MP Alex Shepherd says a significant orientation orientation towards education is one of the cornerstones cornerstones of the financial blueprint unveiled in Ottawa Tuesday. The latest federal budget launches a $2.5 million Millennium Fund to allow deserving lower income and middle middle income students to have access to higher education. Also, tax-free withdrawals of up to $20,000 from RRSPs will be available for persons persons who want to continue continue their education. 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