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

f Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 11 Agriculture Minister Opens 150th Orono Fair Few organizations have stood the test of time as successfully successfully as our own Orono (Durham Central Fair). Naturally, I was delighted that Ontario's Minister of Agriculture and Food, the Hon. Helen Johns, was on hand last Thursday night to officially open the fair. She also presented the Fair Board with plaque recognizing the occasion. As one of Ontario's fastest- growing areas, we have many new urban families joining the community. The Orono Fair demonstrates the strength of our rural roots and the importance importance of agriculture, not just in Clarington and Durham, but in all of Ontario. Congratulations to Fair Board President Charles Harris, Fair Manager Gord Robinson, the Board Members, volunteers sponsors, exhibitors and participants. participants. You have made the 150th anniversary a year to remember.. In addition to opening the fair, Minister Johns also took the time to tour a local farm and meet with leaders of Durham's agriculture and agribusiness agribusiness communities. It's always a privilege to host a Minister because it's an excellent excellent opportunity for the Minister to see the riding firsthand firsthand and give immediate attention to local issues. This was an opportunity to provide Minister Johns with an update from the Region Four Corn Producers meeting I attended in Port Perry. The producers are generally pleased with support plans this year. However, they had some further further comments for the future. I am proud of the very productive productive agriculture industry in Durham and of the successful and innovative farmers here. I am confident Minister Johns found her visit to Durham Riding informative. Funding for Police Durham Regional Police have received over $800,000 from recent provincial initiatives designed to give Ontario police additional front-line staff and improved technology- technology- The funding announced September 6th includes: • $637,062 from the Community Policing Partnerships grant program • $25,818 to cover funding for the 2001/02 1 RIDE Program • $144,190 through the Municipal Police Service Technology Fund. (This com- Staying in Touch John O'Toole mitment will provide police with support in sharing and exchanging information with other police departments and with other partners in the justice justice system.) Through the Community Policing Partnerships Program, the Province of Ontario has allocated funding for 1,000 net new front-line officers in Ontario. The funds announced last week mean an increased police presence, along with the technology needed to better serve and protect protect our communities. September 11th As the anniversary of the September 11th tragedy approaches, our thoughts and prayers are with the many families who lost loved ones in the attacks. This is first and foremost a time to mourn those who died and show our support to their friends and family. One year after the tragedy, all levels of government continue continue to work towards improved public security and safety. Immediately following the attacks in the US, the government government of Ontario committed $30 million in counter-terrorism counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness. preparedness. This included $4.5 million million to create a new rapid- response unit of the Ontario Provincial Police, $3.5 million for an anti-terrorism unit and $1 million for equipment to enable front line police officers officers to better respond to chemical, chemical, biological and other attacks. A further $2.5 million has been allocated towards generic and specialized training training for firefighters and other "first responders." While a year has passed since the shock and horror of September 11th, the safety and security of Ontario's citizens must be a continuing priority. Enjoy a meal at the New Dutch Oven All-You-Can-Eat Buffet ~ $ 12.95 Seniors: $11.95 / Children: $1.00 per year • Buffet or Full Menu ...V h "'ÇSfn/ii 1 } â M vi - u- v' ill xF II Sill!! 45\> .iîiiif y /MV Æ 11 ? rài«m • Licenced by LLBO Call for reservations 905-983-5001 C<i v 4 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK K7 8 am to 9 pm Kids' Menu Available Hwy 115/35 at Taunton Road, Orono • 905-983-5001 it MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD. SERVING DURHAM REGION SINCE 1841 ALL FUNERAL SERVICES PREARRANGED AND/OR PREPAID BURIAL - CREMATION - TRANSFERS "WHERE PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE IS IMPORTANT" FUNERAL DIRECTORS PAUL R. MORRIS DOUG R. RUTHERFORD GARY M. CONWAY DEBRA D. KELLEHER 623-5480 4 DIVISION ST.. BOWMANVILLE ■ AT QUEEN ST. Krista Lowery has an arm full of puppies for rent for the Newcastle Lion's Dog-Walk-A-Thon to be held on October 5,2002.