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Vol.115 No. 36 Wednesday, August 5, 1981 36 Pages ~ Angry riders fight to save VIA rail service Patrons who use the Havelock-Toronto rail line are gearing up for a fight to save the service which they say is the most "profitable" passenger run country. Les Parkes of Port Perry is one of those spear-heading the drive to save the VIA service which he has used for the past 12 years to get to his job in mid-town Toronto. "We are very angry about the whole affair," was the way Mr. Parkes summed up reaction to the announce- ments- made July 27 by federal Transport Minister Jean Luc Pepin to cut 17 VIA passenger lines in several Canadian provinces. Mr. Parkes said in an in the' interview with the Star last week that a Toronto-Have- lock Line Passengers Assoc- iation is now in the process of being formed with a steering committee to hold an initial meeting August 9 in Port Perry. ; A petition urging that the service be retained has gathered some 1700 names and will be sent to Mr. Pepin, and James Snow, the Ontario minister of Transportation. Mr. Parkes said he was not completely surprised by the government announcement last week as there had been persistent rumours floating about that the service would be discontinued. . However, he says 'the suddeness of the announce- ment caught us by surprise." The daily train from Have- lock to Toronto consists of two self-propelled diesel coaches with a total seating capacity of 88. Mr. Parkes says that by the time the train makes a stop in Agincourt, all the seats are taken and it is not unusual to see up to 100 passengers standing. Mr. Parkes and other regular users of the line feel the cuts are unjust because there is no other convenient form of mass public transit from the areas served by the line. And even though the line loses money at the present, he is convinced it could (Turn to page 2) 'Commuters boarding the 7:43 A.M. VIA train at Myrtle Station bound for Toronto could be a thing of the past this time next year if the federal government follows through on its announcement to cut the Havelock-Toronto run fo save money. However, a group of passengers who rely on the train service are forming an association to pressure Ottawa into reconsidering the cuts. page 20. N Caesarea Regatta Queen | Attractive Cheryl Grant won the title of Miss Caesarea Regatta Queen last Saturday morning during the opening day of the three-day event. She was one of seventeen girls who entered the competition. More photos on Scugog Township council has agreed not to charge the building permit fee for con-. struction of the new Scugog Library on Water Street. Not charging the fee for municipal projects such as - this is a routine procedure for councils, as in fact the new building will be owned by the Township, once completed. Fees for building permits were not charged against the Scugog Arena * and the Central Seven Work- shop for the Mentally Handi- capped. The decision to wave the fee came at a special meeting of council July 27 called to allow members of council to hear details of the contract awarded by the Library Board July 23 for construction of the $324,000 structure. The decision not to charge the fee was approved by the six members of council present at the meeting. Ward 4 councillor John Wolters did not attend as he is away on holidays. At the same meeting, council also agreed that the municipality will '"'bridge finance" for the project, if that becomes necessary. This is a term used to describe a process whereby the municipality would pay some of the construction bills and then be re-paid by the Library Board when it receives the final portion of the committed Wintario grant or collects the written pledges from the public in 1982 and 1983. Nelson Patterson, chair- man of the Library finance committee told the council that about $13,000 has been | | Counci I waives permit |] for library building pledged in 1982-83, but even so it may not be necessary for the municipality to "bridge finance' in the final stages of the project. Although the motion by Ward 2 councillor Robert Espey for bridge financing, if necessary, was passed by the council. Regional coun- cillor Lawrence Malcolm (Turn to page 3) the Scugog arena. much more. Enjoy The Fun It's time to dust off the cowboy-cowgirl boots, shirts and hats as Western Weekend gets under- way this Thursday evening with a Lob Ball tournament at the ball diamond and a dance at This is the eleventh year for this popular summer event, and the Scugog Chamber of Commerce is hoping for good weather and crowds to make it another success. There is something of interest for everyone during the three-day extravaganza. For the kids there's a kiddies parade Friday, mutt show on Saturday and soccer tournaments on Sunday. Of interest to the general public are a merchants market, flea market, street and arena dances, ball tournament, barbecue, musky derby and For full list of activities and times, see ad on page 2 of this week's Star or watch for posters in participating merchants windows. CHENIER op Sri SP a ee NAST Se ey 4 mg ae