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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 12, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 26 Division HQ is on the move North Durham cont By Chris Hall Port Perry Star The North Durham Community Police Office will have a new look later this summer -- wherever it is. The Durham Region Police Services Board has called for proposals to con- struct a larger headquarters for the 26 Division detachment in North Durham. "The Durham force is looking to be very progressive in North Durham where they are planning on constructing a modern police facility to enhance our deployment and service," said Inspector Chuck Mercier, the top officer in 26 Division. He said a move to create a 26 Division headquarters in Port has brought to light the need for a larger building. "We've seen the advantage of central- ization with our moving of administra- tion from Sunderland to Port Perry; we were scattered in the past, but now everything is moving smoother," said Insp. Mercier. "With a new, larger central station we can co-ordinate our functions much better and get more bang for our buck." "Proposals will be accepted for property . anywhere within a 10-kilometre radius of the intersection of Regional Rd. 8 (Reach St.) and Hwy. 12. The police services board is inviting proposals for a number of scenarios: suitable land on which to construct a new building; suitable land with an existing building; suitable land and con- struction of a new building; or construc- tion of a new building to nieet the needs of the police force. While the current building in Port Perry -- located on Old Simcoe Rd. just north of Reach -- is too small and the lease will expire on July 1, Insp. Mercier says development of the division's cur- rent digs remains a possibility. "The lot here may be suitable for expansion, but we can't dictate to our landlord what to do," he said. "If the hgent f has outgrown its offices on Old Simcoe in Port Perry Durham Regional Police are seeking a new building for 26 Division head- quarters. They're hoping for land in the Port Perry area where they can build a station for the North Durham division's headquarters. landlord came with a plan to meet our needs, then it might be considered." The Durham force will continue to keep a presence in each township -- they patrol Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock -- no matter where the new station is set up, he said. Superintendent Tony Turner, an offi- cer working out of the administration building in Oshawa, said that the new building will be between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet, and have the poten- CHRIS HALL/PORT PERRY STAR MEDIEVAL FEAST: Students in the Grade 4 classes of Mrs. Sturgess, Mr. Murray, and Mrs. Griffin-Smith celebrated a Medieval Christmas at S.A. Cawker recently. Roasted chickens and bread were generously donated by the Port Perry IGA, and parents supplied other goodies. Many kings, queens, lords, ladies, nuns and jesters -- including Melanie Thompson, Karen Dunkerley, Mickey Peacock, and Taylor Muir -- enjoyed the festivities. tial to hold close to 60 staff. At the present time, there has been no budget set for the new North Durham headquarters, he said. "We'll have to wait for the responses to see what we're talking about price- wise. We want to spend the money wisely, but no numbers have been discussed," said Supt. Turner. The building will be a single-floor structure that will meet the needs of both the public and the officers, he said. Proposals should include designs for water, sewage, gas, electrical, and Internet access, said Supt. Turner, adding "those things are very important to us in the selection process. "We're open to anyone and any ideas within the 10 km radius." The board is-looking for a plan that includes a foyer, one large community room, a couple of meeting rooms, a lunch room and washroom, storage areas, offices for the community inspector and his staff-sergeant, an administration area, holding areas, fitness room, locker room, a lab area for scenes of crimes officers, a report writing room and a video statement room. The board gave the okay during a meeting last month to advertise for ten- ders, says Insp. Mercier. "Hopefully, we'll get some good pro- posals and we can move as fast as possi- ble on this," he said, adding that the end of the summer is a likely date for the move to be completed. "We are taking a very aggressive approach to this to make it happen." Proposals will be received at the Office of Superintendent Turner, 77 Centre St. North, Oshawa, until noon on Feb. 15. A mandatory bidders' meeting will be held at the Scugog Community Centre on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. Proposals will be reviewed between Feb. 15 to 28; interviews and presenta- tions will be given on March 1 by those selected; a recommendation will be given to the Police Services Board on March 18; a detailed proposal will be presented before Regional Council on April 7; and work will begin upon approval in May and June. * Request for Proposal documents may be obtained from the Force's financial services at 579-1520, extension 4260 and at the North Durham Community Office at extension 2672. The proposal document may also be viewed on the Internet at www.police.durham.on.ca Health department issues flu warning after cases reported The first case of Influenza A has been confirmed in Durham Region. Two cases from Bowmanville were reported to the Durham Region Health Department during the last week of December. "Influenza usually begins in November, and peaks in January - February," said Alex Connor, Environmental Health Manager with the Health Department. "So far, very little influenza activity has been report- ed in Ontario. With children returning to school and adults going back to work, more cases of influenza will likely occur soon." Outbreaks of influenza are often first observed in daycares and schools, and then spread to long term care facil- ities. Thege are also areas where the most susceptible people are found. Symptoins of influenza include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and cough. Illness usually lasts two to seven days, with most people fully recovering. Dr. Donny Reynolds, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Durham Region cautions that "some people can develop serious complications from influenza such as pneumonia, worsen- -ing emphysema, or death from heart or respiratory failure. The elderly and chronically ill are considered at higher risk for these complications." Fortunately, the flu shot can lessen and even prevent influenza infection. Influenza vaccine is made available each year and is provided free of charge to high risk individuals, and caregivers in hospitals, nursing homes, and homes for the aged. All seniors, as well as adults and children with heart disease, lung dis- ease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, kid- ney disease and other chronic illnesses, should be vaccinated annually. In addi- tion, children and youth aged six months to 18 years on aspirin for long periods should also be vaccinated annu- ally. Family physicians and the Health Department can advise people about their risk of influenza and whether they should receive the vaccine. "The flu is back. Protect yourself and others around you by washing your hands, coughing and sneezing into a tissue, and getting a flu shot annually if you are at high risk," adds Dr. Reynolds. "This year's vaccine is still available for those who have not yet been vacci- nated."