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| Vol. 132 Number 12 WINGIN' IT: Members of North Durham's Big Brothers/Big Sisters program got together with various local pubs and friends last Friday evening for a Wing Nite fundraiser. The event, which saw money raised for the local program, .was a prelude to Intercede pro By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star At a time when Ontario courts are backlogged with cases and jails overcrowded, a program that effectively works in both areas is begging for funds just to survive. Intercede Diversion, operating in Durham for the past couple-of years, has become involved in 70 cases. And not one of the 70 accused involved has gone on to get in trouble with the law again. Intercede volunteers -- there are no paid staff -- Siri Brown and Carol Brown told Scugog Township councillors last week the program is well respected by police officers. In fact, most of its referrals come from police forces. And provincial politicians in the region like it as well, or at least have listened with a sympathetic ear. But they have been unsuccessful in securing any kind of funds from Queen's Park, or any level of government, for PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1998 JEFF MITCHELL / PORT PERRY STAR Saturday's fun where numerous teams gathered at Centennial Lanes in Port for the Bowl For Millions competition. Here, Executive Director Patti Goreski gives treasurer Rich Henry a taste of one of her favorite wings. ram may fold that matter. That's why they are meeting with municipal councils. And even that's been tough; some councils have not had the time to fit them into the agenda yet. The volunteers -- Siri is working on a master's degree in psychology, and Carol is an Oshawa businesswoman -- told councillors that unless the organization can get a commitment for money, it will fold. Not only is Intercede Diversion proving successful in dealing with first-time offenders, it's a lot cheaper than churning them through the courts. The women told councillors it costs just over $500 for Intercede to handle one case, as opposed to an average $2,500 to have it go through the courts. And the potential for future savings is enormous in Durham Region, they said. Of the 30,000 criminal cases in the Region last year, some 22,000 of them -- 75 per cent -- Please turn to Page 12 COPY 65¢ (ic: 4c Gs) 32 Pages Blue Heron to ask for help in VLT application By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Representatives of the Scugog Island First Nations band met with Scugog councillors shortly after the last municipal election to seek council support for VETs (video lottery terminals) and a higher gambling limit at the Blue Heron Charitable Casino. While they tend to agree that VLTs and higher stakes were discussed, councillors present at the meeting walked away with dif- fering views on the progress and future of the casino, and even what was said. Some council members were left with the impression the changes are necessary for the casino to achieve the levels of income neces- sary to make the project viable. But others, including the Mississaugas band chief and casino officials, say that's not the case. Ward 4 Councillor Dave Dietlein felt the message relayed was that the casino needs the VLTs in order to remain viable. "I had the impression that they (the casino) need the terminals to increase business," he said. "I got the impression that they felt they Please turn to Page 17 ModJacks slip into playoffs » After sitting out last year's Junior C playoffs, the Port Perry ModJacks have been invited to this year's party. Thanks to some last minute heroics, the ModJacks swept the Georgina Ice in back-to-back games over the weekend, which propelled them into a third-place tie with the Uxbridge Bruins and a post- season berth. The ModJdacks downed the Ice 5-3 in Beaverton Saturday night and then 24 hours later edged them 5-4 in front of a large home crowd. Look in Friday's Weekend Star for the ModJack's opposition in the first playoff round and game times. RELL, PONTIAC BUICK LIMITED 10 Vanedward Drive, Port Perry i 985-8474 hy ER I a mE TE a IEE, TE a a RE ER TTT, a A zai aan 3 gl ts Rn ZR th an aA. mn A as