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| 2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 17, 1995 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice " Response to food drive great Operation Scugog fall drive is best ever, say organizers By Kelly Lown Port Perry Star Operation Scugog saw one of its most successful food drives in years this Thanksgiving and it could not have come at a better time, volunteers said. The cupboards were looking pretty bare towards the end of the summer," said volunteer Kathy Gundry. But, the residents and groups came through and re- plenished the bank; restocking the shelves, she added Operation Scugog put out the word that they were in desparate need of items such as peanut butter, cereals, grains and other high protein foods prior to the drive. People were extemely generous," Mrs. Gundry said. While the bank saw large amounts of food brought in by organizations and church groups, individuals also made generous donations. There was a steady flow of residents dropping oft items at both the local fire halls on the Thanksgiving weekend and the drop boxes at the IGA and Dowson's Valu-Mart were filled several times over. Between 75 and 80 families rely on the food bank for monthly groceries, averaging 15 to 20 families per week, Mrs. Gundry said. Although Social Services keeps predicting the banks will get busier as welfare cuts hit, Mrs. Gundry said the local food bank has not seen an increase in clients, or many new clients coming to the bank. Accused in Port robbery still in court as anniversary of the shootout nears By Kelly Lown Port Perry Star The preliminary hear- ings looking into last year's bank robbery and shootings are winding down at an Oshawa court room. Twenty dates were orig- inally set aside for the trial for suspects Mitchell McArthur, 42, and his brother Angus, 28, both of Kingston, who face a total of 43 charges in connec- tion with the October 20, 1994 Bank of Montreal robbery, that left five peo- ple, including three police officers wounded. The men face a number of charges including at- tempted murder, robbery, kidnapping, forceable con- finement, break and enter and weapons offences, among others. Seven court dates were held in September and have run almost daily since October 3. There are five originally scheduled courtappearances re- maining, those being Oc- tober 18, 19, 20, 30, and 31. Although the dates have been set aside for the trial, all of the dates may not be used or more hear- ing dates could be added. A publication ban on ev- idence has been brought down by the judge in the case. Although it is an open court room, no evi- dence can be published until the end of the prelim- inary hearings, according to Assistant Crown Attor- ney Lori Anne Turner, who along with Michael Hill, Assistant Crown At- torney, who will be han- dling the case. Fears of funding cuts cited Board upholds rule on busing distance for Durham schools . By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star * Concerns over future government funding levels have led Durham's public school trustees to turn down a request to lower the distance kids have to walk to school. Trustees voted Tuesday night (Oct. 10) to turn down a request from parents that the current walking distance for elementary students -- 1.6 kilometres (one mile) -- be reduced when the budget is discussed next year. Students outside the the 1.6 kilometre limit are bused to school. Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew, head of the board's finance committee, put forth the recommendation. She said later that money played the primary role in the decision. School boards across the province have been handed funding cuts by the new provincial govern- ment, and trustees are bracing themselves for fur- ther cuts in the coming school year, said Mrs. Drew. "We still don't know what's going to happen with grants," she said. "At this point in time the govern- ment seems to be shifting away from transportation grants." . Mrs. Drew added that while the 1.6 kilometre limit stands, there will continue to be exceptions to the rule. Safety hazards such as construction and dangerous roadways mean busing is supplied. In addition, some students, such as special education kids and those with physical limitations, are trans- ported by the board. : The policy could be reviewed if the province insists on mandatory Junior Kindergarten next year, the resolution passed by trustees says. of \ \ J o> Saturday, October 21 8:00am to 5:30pm {EE a Hwy. 7A, Scugog St. Port Perry Plaza 20 RE." i nS AVI NGS? Don't Miss This One!