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PAGE A THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, SEPTEMBER 26,2001 Transit plan includes reduced automobile use BYJACQUIE MclNNES Staff Writer DURHAM - A two-year study on Durham's transportation infrastructure recommends $438 million in capital investment investment and a I5 percent reduction of automobile use by the year 2021. "The plan recognizes Durham is going to grow over the next 20 years," and needs to have transportation systems systems in place to accommodate it, says Gene Chartier, regional manager of transportation planning and design, who notes the Region is now seeking public comment on the report's recommendations recommendations at an upcoming open house. "Public transit is one of the cornerstones cornerstones of our future transit system," says Mr. Chartier. "One of the key recommendations recommendations is the reduction in automobile automobile traffic by 15 per cent by 2021," over what it would be if current patterns continue, lie says, noting, "We thought it was a realistic but challenging target for this region." Mr. Chartier suggests a range of different different services along the Hwy. 2 corridor corridor connecting the urban nodes Within Durham, combined with transit-friendly transit-friendly land use and more effective public transit for north-Toronto bound commuters commuters could help the Region reach this objective. The draft of the transportation master master plan is the result of two years of public public input and study by a political steering steering committee with representatives from all Durham municipalities and with the assistance of consultants and regional staff. It recommends numerous actions including expansion of many major regional roads and improved public transit to parts of Toronto and Vaughan not serviced by rail. "We need more bus service from the Region to various parts of Toronto to meet up with logical destinations" such as Markham and Richmond Hill, says Mr. Chartier. "It's virtually impossible today to commute by public transit to those destinations." The plan also calls for better integration integration of municipal transit systems throughout the region although Mr. Chartier notes full amalgamation of municipal systems would not necessarily necessarily make them more effective. The study, showed the need to expand expand road systems throughout the southern part of the region, to "continue widening Taunton Road from Ajax to Whitby from the current two to six lanes over the next 20 years," says Mr. Chartier, who adds most other major roads south of Taunton that are currently currently two lanes are recommended to expand expand to four lanes. These include Brock Road and Whites Road in Pickering; Lakeridge Road, Hwy. 12 and Thickson Road in Whitby; Ritson and Harmony roads in Oshawa and Townline Road and Regional Road 57 from Hwy. 401 to Hwy. 2 in Clarington. Mr. Chartier says the road expansions expansions recognize the fact "there is always going to be a role for the automobile. We're not throwing all our eggs in one basket," he says. Although the study did consider changing the infrastructure to better accommodate bicycle travel, it was determined wide-scale widening of roads for bicycles was not ideal, says Mr. Chartier. "We recognized the reality reality there is a limited market," for bicycle use, he says, noting distances between destinations in Durham and weather conditions are not conducive to bicycle use as a main means of transportation. The open house will be held at the Durham Region Works Department main boardroom, 105 Consumers Dr., Whitby on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. The draft plan can be viewed on the Region's website at www.region.durham.on.ca or contact Mr. Chartier at 905-668-7721. Durham youth keep Ark afloat Shelter for young people to reopen this fall BY CHRIST)'CHASE Staff Writer OSIIAWA - Glenn Liddell rolls another another coat of blue paint on a bedroom wall at the Ark, Durham Region's only shelter for homeless youth. The 19-ycar-oId is enjoying the work, done to the accompaniment of loud music. He knows he's picking up valuable working skills but, more importantly, importantly, lie's also helping improve the shelter for young people between the ages of 16 and 21 who have no homes. Not long ago, he was one of the residents residents of the Ark, a homeless youth. Today, lie's one of 10 former residents working to upgrade the shelter and get it ready for its reopening this fall. "1 stayed here before and I got into this so all the kids can go here if they need to," he said. "We are going to get it all fixed for them." Some of the tasks lie's done include painting, taking up carpets, fixing holes in the drywall. He's also going to put down hardwood and carpeting in the three-storey, six-bedroom building. He's grateful for the Ark in taking him in when he was homeless and for helping him find a home and then a job. It's a job that was bom out of necessity necessity on the Ark's part. Last May, a new board of directors took over the Division Street shelter, determined to keep it open. The former board had decided it was too expensive to continue running it. "We were good," said executive director director Erin Matthews. "We read our contract contract (which stipulates annual fire inspection). inspection). We called the fire department." department." „ When the inspector from Oshawa Fire Department arrived and indicated no one had checked the place for five years, before it was a youth shelter, Ms. Matthews knew this meant trouble. Sure enough, the inspector sent back seven pages of infractions, things that needed to be done. Heat sensors on smoke alarms were painted over, batteries in many alarms weren't working, there were no fire doors, the fire alarm system was hooked up to the police station and not the fire department and the kitchen fire suppression system wasn't hooked up, she said. In total, the work amounted to $54,000. The board thought that might just be it for the Ark. !■'< "We-had: nothing" apart from one i •< week to find the 27 young residents new i ,V places to Stay, Ms. Matthews said. mmm. ■ , 9/ \i;m W i ' v , - v M r w m Glenn Liddell paints an upstairs Durham's only shelter for homeless But the federal government came to the rescue. When the board met with Durham Region, which pays a per diem per youth to the shelter, and Human Resources Resources Development Canada, members were informed the federal department could help out. HRDC came up with money to pay for the fire retrofit and $ 135,000 through Youth Services Canada to hire 10 young people to do much of the work. "These kids are rebuilding the Ark" Ms. Matthews said. HRDC also gave the Ark money to hire a consultant to develop a proper policy policy and program guide and operating money to get things going while the shelter is closed. "They rescued us," Ms. Matthews said of the federal government. government. As for Oshawa Fire Seiviccs, they've been "very supportive" to the Ark. 'They were right," she said. The Ark is also getting help from numerous numerous business and community organizations, organizations, including Home Depot which is donating labour and materials to fix the bathrooms. Ms. Matthews hopes the Seventh-Day Adventist Church will help all local shelters work on a community WALTER PASSA RELIA/ Statesman photo - room at the Ark, is one of 10 former residents of the Ark helping to fix' youth. Mr. Liddell it up for reopening this fall. .à garden, with youth from the Ark working working in it. The Ajax Fire Department dropped off a load of metal bed frames, no longer needed since new ones were purchased for the firefighters. "No one in the community has said no," she said. 'This is a good news story." However, more is needed and the Ark is about to embark on a "major begging spree" with the young people going door to door. Ms. Matthews said people who don't feel comfortable donating to them can simply drop off donations at the Ark. Money, materials, supplies and even time and labour will be gladly accepted at the shelter, she said. "I would rather see community; in- volvement with these kids rather than : cash. 1 want to see people come here and' get involved with the kids," Ms. Matthews said. The Ark, which should i, reopen Oct. 15, normally houses any-;; where from 20 to 27 young people daily. !■ They have to be homeless but the reason i doesn't matter, Ms. Matthews said.- F About 95 per cent of them come from it Durham. The Ark will provide its resi-/, dents with help accessing a number of % seivices, including literacy training, employment employment programs and housing coun->, selling. There will be a court assistant to', help anyone in trouble with the law. , ; -*d Cockerham's DURHAM REGION 2000 MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM PUBLIC NOTICE The Ontario Government announced the Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP) in October 2000, which requires municipalities to submit financial and related performance data to the Province and Public on a range of services based on year 2000 data. To view Durham Region's MPMP results for 2000, please visit our website at region.durham.on.ca or call 1 -866-693-1113 to obtain a copy. If you have any questions regarding this MPMP project or the results, please call 1 -866-693-1113. The phone number will be operational Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. between September 24 and November 23, 2001. Durham Region Finance Department 60 Bond Street West. OSHAWA ON L1 H 8B6 Telephone 1-866-693-1113 www.region.durham.on.ca r te: la: Karen Jones and staff xvould like to thank their loyal clients for a successful first year. We look fonoard to serving you in thefuure. • ^ 33 King Street West 905-623-8855 1 800 O-Canada.Talk to us. Do you have questions about child safety, jobs, parental benefits, passports or pensions? Our information officers can help. Canada Find out about the hundreds of services available from the Government of Canada. Call 1 800 O-Canada during regular business hours and a real person will answer your call. For more information on government services: canada.gc.ca : ; Vi.; u Service Canada ' Access Centres -I : in ; 1800 O-Canada (1800 622-6232) ';,;j TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735 ' • - i - -, . , '. r | ' .' J f , ' 1 v