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Volume 134 Number 14 High hopes for police helicopter By Chris Hall Port Perry Star The Durham Regional Police Services Board has taken the first step toward buying a helicopter by agree- ing to look at the costs associated with operating an air support unit. During their regular monthly meeting held last Thursday (Feb. 17) in Oshawa, police services board members passed a motion to issue a request for infor- mation (RFI) on specific features, functions and capabil- ities of a police helicopter. The intent of the RFI would be to gather accurate pricing on the latest air support technology available, including the purchase or lease of a helicopter, equip- ment, maintenance, training and a complete well-estab- lished infrastructure. "We're looking at getting quotes from people in the helicopter business; we want to get accurate pricing on an air support unit which would meet the needs of the Durham force and the people here in the region," said 26 Division Inspector Chuck Mercier last week. "Once we have this information, we can inform regional council on the actual dollars and cents of the issue." Durham Regional Police have been using a Bell 206B3 JetRanger helicopter on a trial basis since last June, and it has been declared a success by the force. The contract with National Helicopters. in Kleinburg Please Turn to page 18 Board to debate 'zero tolerance" By Rik Davie Special to the Star Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew hopes a notice of motion on school violence by fellow Durham District School Board rep Susan Shetler won't cause a panic among parents or students in the region. Ms Shetler has stated her intent to introduce a motion calling for a "zero tolerance" policy toward vio- lence in the region's schools. The move is in reaction to concerns the Oshawa trustee said she is hearing from constituents about the level and frequency of violent incidents in Durham schools. Ms Shetler said that given the recent school shoot- Please Turn to page 18 el Gas sl COPY 75¢ 28 Pages (70¢ + 5¢ GST) DISPLAY OF PROWESS: The audience at the Scugog Commun Saturday was enthralled by a demonstration of martial arts by Shaolin Temple Monks from northern China. The monks were the finale of an afternoon of demon- - strations by students from Hiryu Bushido Kai Martial Arts Centre in Port Perry, : and Chung Wah ¥kiing Fu Centre in. Mississauga. ity Centre on _-- Scugog Township councillors are inviting the public to come out and offer their views for the future next week, when a-"town hall" meeting on the issues surrounding amalgamation is held. Mayor Doug Moffatt will chair the meeting, set to take place next Monday (Feb. 28) at the Scugog Community Centre, beside Scugog Arena on Reach St. in Port Perry. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. PHOTO COMPOSITION BY JEFF MITCHELL / PORT PERRY STAR Town hall meeting on amalgamation Amalgamation and the future configuration of munici- palities throughout the so-called 905 region of the GTA are pressing issues for local politicians, as the province insists on elimination of duplicated services and realign- ment of government. Durham Region representatives have begun preliminary talks on the future of municipal government here. For more information, call 985-7346. AAAS LAAARSAASA FL. a7" FIP YY FPYIY Tr PY FY TPR I