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LAE Ad AES BESSA FIERA FPR ARO Whe Hustling Huskies There was plenty of action for Sled 'Dog Race enthusiasts last weekend at Pleasure Valley Park near Claremont as dozens of three, five and seven dog sleds competed for awards during the Maple Leaf Challenge. The two days cf racing took place in bitter cold weather, but a good crowd was on hand to see this interesting sport despite the elements, One of the entries in the five dog sled race is seen here as they climb the first hill on the five mile course. More photos on page 8. : } Hospital gas switch could save $18,000 Port Perry Community Hospital is converting its oil-fired boilers to natural gas, and administrator Dave Brown estimates the annual savings could be as high as $18,000. Tenders for the project will close this week, and the conversion should be finished by the end of March, said Mr. Brown. Vol.116 No.8 Because tenders are still open he declined to say what the estimated cost of the conversion is, but did say that the pay-back in heating cost savings for the hospital will be less than five years. By agreement with the provincial Health Ministry, the Hospital will pay one- third of the conversion cost, with the Ministry picking up Wednesday, January 20, 1982 the remainder. The conversion to natural gas is attractive to the Hos- pital because the Health Ministry has given assur- ances that the savings in heating costs will not be removed from the Hospital's annual operating budget. Also, under federal regula- tions, the cost of natural gas (Turnto page 3) 28 Pages Township removes old and decaying trees Normally quiet residential streets in Port Perry have been buzzing with the sound of chain saws recently as Scugog Township work crews removed several large trees from municipal property. Works superintendent Ron MacDonald says about 34 of the trees will be removed because they are dead or dying and could pose a safety hazard if left standing. The branches of other trees have been removed if they are found to be too close to overhead hydro lines. It is Township policy to replace each tree removed with two new ones, planted if possible in close proximity to the old tree. And just in case you're wondering what happens to the wood from these trees after they are felled, it is first offered for sale to the closest property owner. If the owner does not wish to buy the wood, it is offered for sale to those who have (Turnto page 3) Propane truck passes with flying colours Scugog Township's: pro- pane powered snow plow has passed its winter test with flying colours. "Works superintendent Ron MacDonald said last week the truck, which is equipped with a front and wing plow, has 'performed 'very 'well during the recent cold snap and high winds which have caused heavy drifting snow on rural and urban roads in . Township. And operator Mike Donnelly agrees completely. He told the Star Saturday he has had no problems with the propane powered truck this winter. i The decision to convert from diesel to propane was made last summer before the new truck left the Ford factory. At that time, Mr. MacDonald told Scugog councillors he estimated the fuel savings would amount to about $1000 annually, but he was uncertain 'if it would 'have enough power 'for (Turnto page 2) Man rolls car, dies of exposure An Ashburn area man died sometime early Friday morning after the car he was driving left Regional Road 23 near Dagmar, rolling over at least three times before hitting the bottom of the gully. Durham Police report that Harvey Williamson, 23, died of exposure after apparently trying to crawl back up the steep 45 degree grade and rolling back down to the bottom. He was found about 10 metres from the road wearingonly a jean jacket, shirt, pants and snow boots. A police spokesman said that Williamson, who was a full-time clerk at the he ski resort's rental at Dagmar, was alone at the time of the accident. He had been lying . inthe snow for over six hours when his body was found. High winds have created heavy drifting recently, % Township's new propane equipped snow plow has especially on rural roads in Scugog Township, but the passed its test with flying colours. [See story]