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i i I EE I i i a i ES RS ES RAE SE LEE A 6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 11, 1995 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" The Port Perry Star gm 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 PHONE (905) 985-7383 Subscription Rate: 6Months-$17.65 includes $1.15GST - 1Year-$32.10 includes $2.10GST Foreign -$90.95 includes $5.95GST EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten General Mgr. - Don Macleod Managing Editor - Jeff Mitchell Sports Editer - Kelly Lown ADVERTISING Advertising Manager - Anna Jackman Advertising Sales - Rhonda Mulcahy, Joanne Brambrough, Sandy Dunham, Debbie McEachern, Bill Eastwood BUSINESS OFFICE SUS RIBBON Accounting - Judy AWARD 1994 LoL 187 Telemarketing - Cindy Jobin PRODUCTION Annabell Harrison, Trudy Empringham, ~ Pamela Hickey,Susan Milne Robert Taylor, Richard Drew Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Ashby, Louise Hope Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Nancy Lee *# CNA Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. Port Pérry, Ontario Editorial Comment Getting the story straight It's always best to know all the facts before you make sweeping claims. | Such was the case in the past couple of weeks, when some residents in Caesarea went public with claims that firefighters from the local stations didn't do enough to try and save the life of a woman who was killed in an intense housefire March 18. Sigrid Beehm, 70, was overcome by thick smoke from a fire in her couch and died near the front door of her home, according to a report by the Ontario fire Marshal's office. The report concluded that she was, in all likelihood, dead by the time firefighters arrived on the -Sgene. Some residents, who went to the fire scene after the fire crew had arrived, were angered by what they thought was a lax effort on the part of the firefighters. they claimed just after the fire -- some continue to -- that, despite pleas from bystanders, the firefighters made litle or no effort to gain entry to the house and save Mrs. Boehm. But several reports of the blaze, reviewed after the allegations came forth, tend to corraborate a different story: That at least two firefighters made a validnt effort and | § succeeded in gaining entry to the house, although Mrs. Boehm"s body blocked the door. Once inside an attempt was made to remove her, but it was too late. The woman was dead, and he flames and smoke beat the firefighters ack. The Star became aware of the allegations a few days after the fire. It was a tough call, but the decision was made to hold off on the story until more facts were known. The story appears today in an effort to set the record straight, and clear up the rumors, in hopes the damage done can be corrected. a aS SS SS eS ini SS OSOSOS SUNS, SOB ND RAT A NRT SRS SYSSS ND ~ ACF LIER TRRERRTNR 0 DIRTY ROTTEN NO G00D..-- (UR STANDARD \ OF LiViNG 15 DOWN BECAUSE NF HIM AND dis s1UPp 40GAL CONTRACT/ To the Editor: When you lose someone dear to your heart, you tend to believe all kinds of stories that you may hear regarding his or her demise. When I heard about Sigrid's death and the fire that claimed her life, there were many different ver- sions of that night's activities, and they all le me feeling lost and angry. | I've spoken before about the errors of pre- judging, but on that night, the 18th of March, I was prepared to believe the worst. After all, this was a woman that was tormented, ay Reports show dept. acted properly threatened with fire, had her dogs poisoned and lived a life of fear and regret. I am not one who can hide my feelings, nor am I willing to attach blame to anyone, just because of hear- say, although admittedly, I was concerned about our volunteer firefighters' behavior. To that end, it was important for me, and for several others, to understand just what hap- pened on that dreadful night. We held an infor- mal gathering of the witnesses, and listened to each person's memory of that night, including Please Turn to Page 7 REMEMBER 45YEARSAGO Thursday, April 13, 1950 At a Vimy banquet arranged by the Port Perry Legion Branch, M. McIntyre Hood of Oshawa, a former Provincial and Dominion Officer of the Legion, was guest speaker. A start was made on the new recreation centre to be built in Port Perry. One thousand bags of cement was transported from Myrtle Station in four hours. This was made possible by the free service of several trucks and many men, making a net savings for the centre of $50. 30YEARS AGO Thursday, April 15, 1965 Four boys, members of the First Scugog Cub Pack, received badges and awards. They were Roland Skinner, John Steer, Rodger Holtby and Dennis Pugh. At a special meeting of Port Perry Council it was decided to close Silver and Reno Streets in Port Perry due to the new WHEN....? : of cards and dancing at the Odd Fellows 1 Hall. 20YEARSAGO Wednesday, April 16, 1975 Helmut Hitscherich of Brooklin was | surprised when he heard a crack in the rear of his panel truck and upon inspection found a bullet had pierced the side of the truck and the slug was embedded in one of the van's support struts. The bullet was of small caliber, probably a .22 and police feel the incident was an accident. Dr. Jack E. Cottrell., a recent graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry has joined the dental practice of Dr. James Hardy. 100YEARS AGO Tuesday, April 16, 1985 Janet Simmons was named Queen at the Port Perry High School At Home and Molly Morris was named Princess. March building figures indicated Scugog addition being added to the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Pearce of Blackstock celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. Mrs. and Mrs.. Merle Dowson entertained their staff to a turkey dinner and an evening The date is unknown for this casual photo of a group of area residents sitting on a split rail fence, but they seem to bee good friends having a good time. They are, from left, Kathleen McCaw, P. Ingram, Edna McKee and Aileen McCaw. was headed for a banner construction year in 1985. The Port Perry Bantam As defeated Six Nations to win the All-Ontario B championship.