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Volume 135 Number 45 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2001 COPY 75¢ (70¢ + 5¢ GST) 28 Pages rn npn han w YH; PPT 4 HAUNTED GARAGE: Halloween may be more than a week away but that didn't deter these four scary folks from getting in some practise before they host their annual Haunted Garage, set to begin at 6 p.m. on Oct. 31. Their Haunted Garage adventure -- they can be found at 84 Nonquon Dr. CHRIS HALL / PORT :RRY STAR' in Seagrave, just east off of Simcoe St. -- offers a good scare, free candy and no admission fees. Busy preparing for the big night are, from left, Elaine and Charlene Daughen and Larry and Lance Richardson. No need for Anthrax anxiety, says region By Rik Davie Port Perry Star There is no need for Durham Region residents to panic in the face of a growing number of Anthrax infec- tions across the United States. Durham Region Chair Roger Anderson told media at a press conference held last Thursday that he wanted their help to stem any panic that might arise as residents across North America become suspicious of unknown powders and envelopes. The panic comes after several employees of media outlets in the U.S. and a large number of American gov- ernment workers have been diagnosed as having expo- sure to Anthrax. According to Health Canada, Anthrax is an acute infec- tious disease caused by spore-forming bacteria and can be transmitted through the air in powder or aerosol form. Durham Regional Police Chief Kevin McAlpine -- one of several regional department heads charged with han- dling possible environmental terrorism strikes in the wake of the Sept. | 1 terrorist attacks in the United States -- said that his personnel have answered 17 calls to investigate suspicious packages or letters since the warning of possible biological attacks on North America were made almost two weeks ago. "We have answered 17 calls for suspicious packages against 3,300 calls for service in other areas," Chief McAlpine said. "We are quite concerned about things (packages and letters) that have no return address." Chief McAlpine said that he hopes the federal gov- ernment will move to make return address markings on packages and envelopes mandatory for postal delivery. Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region's Medical Officer of Please turn to Page 12 re iS 3] 5s 8 5 a 251 ; $550 iE $7 a a 0 : 4] SE Sty Future bright for Durham, Scugog, township told By Chris Hall Port Perry Star The future for Durham Region looks good, and, in turn, so does Scugog's, township officials heard recently. Durham Region Economic Development Commissioner Pat Olive told members of the township's own economic development committee on Oct. 11 that the outlook for the region's immediate future is on the rise, and that could have numerous positive affects for the area's eight municipalities. "It's an incredibly hectic time right now for us. Durham Region's time is coming very fast... the (Ontario Institute of Technology at Durham College) OIT announcement, the (extension of Highway) 407, the (Hwy.) 401 upgrades," said Mr. Olive. "Tourism is really on the move, but I'd like to see it GOW. MOTE ag wi lL Durham is basically.a day market now, "but it's not a destination. place. All that is happening here now has made us incredibly busy." Mr. Olive stressed that the three northern municipali- ties -- Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock townships -- are "very important to us", adding that North Durham "will see "growth that is phenomenal." He did, however, point out that the majority of growth in a community such as Port Perry is through current busi- nesses. "It's very important to understand that existing busi- nesses make up about 80 per cent of any growth in a community," said Mr. Olive. "A lot of time a community grows because existing businesses are retained and they expand." In an effort to help increase the attraction and growth of the northern municipalities, Mr. Olive told committee members that the region is assigning a full-time staff member to work in each of the three areas. All that would be required, at the present time, is a phone and a desk, he said, stressing that no financial contributions would be needed. "We may ask for funding at a later date, but right now we're seeking funds elsewhere," Mr. Olive said. During a question session, Ward 2 Councillor Marilyn Pearce asked Mr. Olive what drawbacks Scugog has in the eyes of potential new businesses and industrial devel- opers. "Your lack of serviced land is critical. You need ser- viced land to attract people and it has to be in an urban area," explained Mr. Olive. Please turn to Page 12