Lake Scugog Historical Society Historic Digital Newspaper Collection

Port Perry Star, 1 May 1984, p. 1

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hw at Three years ago, doctors confirmed the worst when they told Larry Cooke he had multiple sclerosis. Since then his condition has degenerated to the point that if he doesn't get help soon, Larry could end up in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. There is hope for the 27 year old Seagrave man, but that hope costs $3,000 ---- money Larry just doesn't have. Not a group to give up, his family has in- itiated a trust fund and will host a benefit dance in July. His sister Lynn Park (left), his mother Carol and his father, Bob, can use all the help they can get. For details, see story. MS victim hopes to fry new treatment by Cathy Robb For Carol Cooke, the Christmas of "81 was a horror story she'll not soon forget. Up to that point she suspected there was something wrong with her son, maybe some- thing seriously wrong, but she had almost convinced herself it was nothing more than an inner ear problem. The Cookes were liv- ing in Ottawa at the time, along with Larry Cooke's girlfriend, - Colene Watts. Larry had been undergoing a battery of medical tests in the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas and on the day he went to hear the doctor's prognosis, Carol and Colene were wrapping presents. Colene had bought a pair of roller skates for Larry that Christmas. She knew he wasn't in the best of shape but she bought the skates think- ing they might encour- age him, cheer him up -- Council votes 5% increase By an overwhelming margin of 23-3, Durham Region councillors vot- ed in favour of a five per cent pay hike for them- selves and a similar raise for about 240 management and pro- ~ fessional employees. The increase, retro- active to January 1, will push a councillors annual salary to $15,700. They also receive sal- aries from the local area municipalities. The increase was recommended by the Region's management committee and passed at the regular meeting of council April 25. Although the vote carried by a wide margin, Oshawa coun- cillor Ed Kolodzie was very vocal in his oppos- ition claiming the increase is contrary to policy and a slap in the face to taxpayers on low and fixed incomes. He also said Durham councillors are the high- est paid of any regional government in Ontario. The pay increase for councillors will amount to a total of about $24,000 each year, while the actual direct dollar cost to cover the five per cent hike for senior staff will amount to $390,000. give him something new to try. After all, he'd never been on roller skates before in his life but he was a fine hockey player. She was just in the middle of wrapping up those skates when Larry came in and told his mother and his girl- friend what the doctor had told him. "I've got multiple sclerosis", he said. "lI started to cry," Carol recalls. 'You see, I'm just one of those people who cry and he put his arm around me and said, 'It's okay. It's not going to get worse'. But I knew a little bit about the disease and I knew it would." The roller skates would never be used. Since then, Larry has weakened to the point where he has little control over his limbs and bladder. His eye- sight weakened and he's practically deaf in one ear. Working is out of the question because he tires rapidly. Even walking is difficult. His social life has been dramatically cut down - he can't even go to a movie unless he has an aisle seat close to the washrooms. He can't be more than five minutes away from a washroom at any time. (Turn to page 12) Vol. 118 No. 22 Tuesday, May 1, 1984 36 pages 3 £ x h 488 3 hy , i L \ BN | Y pn SN <a oN major development What is expected to be one of the longest and "most exhaustive ario Municipal hearings ever in Scugog Township office in Port million dollar develop- ment proposal for a 250 acre parcel of land on Concession Two in the southwest - corner of Scugog Township. Ridgeland Holdings, the development com- pany, is seeking sapproval for 76 expen- sive estate residential homes and a nine-hole golf course, The development is being opposed by the Rapsey Property Own- ers Association, a group of residents who live in - "the area northeast of rd Chalk Lake. \| They are objecting to the proposed develop- "ment-on_environmental grounds, and as the OMB has scheduled ten days for the hearing, it is expected that both sides will call a battery of witnesses to support their case. The proposal has received the support of both the Durham Region and Scugog Township council - through passing of an Official Plan' Amend- ment and local zoning by-law, and the hearing will deal with combined objections to both. It has been about eight years since the Herrema won't seek nomination Durham Region chairman Gary Herr- ema has decided not to seek the Liberal nomin- ation in the federal riding of Ontario. Mr. Herrema, who has been chairman of Durham since 1980, cited personal and family reasons in his decision not to enter federal politics this year. As recently as eight weeks ago, Mr. Herr- ema had stated he was giving serious consider- ation to seeking the nomination, especially if John Turner is successful in his bid to win the leadership of the national Liberal party. The riding of Ontario is presently held by Conservative Scott Fennell and includes Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge Town- ship. Mr. Herrema is a former mayor of Ux- bridge, and he owns a large dairy farm north of that community. It is widely expected that the Liberals will call a federal election in late summer or early fall. Meanwhile former Regional councillor Doug Dickerson of Pick- ering, the man who ran for the Liberals in Ontario riding in the 1980 election, says he is. now giving serious thought to seeking the nomination now that Mr. Herrema is out of the running. Mr. Fennell has al- ready been acclaimed as the Conservative can- didate in Ontario riding. proposal was first put in front of the local council. The area in question was once used for gravel extraction and is located on the north side of Concession Two, west of Highway 12. The homes, on large lots, would be in the 3-4,000 square foot range, and the golf course would be built after about half the residential part of the plan is developed. Both the development company and the pro- perty owners associa- tion have hired Toronto law firms to present their arguments, and (Turn to page 2) The audience was delighted when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came to Immaculate Conception Catholic School last Thursday morning, bringing with it a trunk full of funny masks and crazy costumes. At the end of the show, members of the youthful audience were invited onstage to try out the masks, as this young fellow did quite willingly. Dr. M.B. Dymond to be Dr. Matthew Dymond will be honoured May 8 at a testimonial dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in Toronto. Dr. Dymond is one of Port Perry's best known and respected citizens of his work and interest in community activities and he served many years as the Provincial Member of Parliament. The evening will get underway at 6:00 P.M, with a reception, follow- ed by dinner at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $50 per person, and organizers say there are still a few tickets available. Any- one wishing information on tickets should con- tact Yvonne Christie at 985-2254 or Alice Whiting 'honoured at testimonial at 665-3860. Net revenues from this evening will be turned over to the Build- ing Fund for the new addition to Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry. - The Renaissance Hotel is located in Scarborough at the junction of Kennedy Road and Highway 401.

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