"J Vol. 14., No. 30 Wednesday, Jüly 25, 1984 24'Pageis w w. ... Renovations at the Whitby Arts Station Gallery were set back a littie Monday afternoon when a fire broke out in the building's rafters. According to Deputy Chief Tony Van- Doleweerd of the Whit- by Fire Department, the fire was started by a special propane heater which was being used by workmen to remove old paint from the building's wooden walls. VanDoleweered said that while the heater it- self did flot cause the wood to catch fire, it produced enough heat to ignit the cobwebs, dust and other materials found in buildings such as these. Damage to the gallery could -have been much worse if one of the workman had flot spot- ted the fire and acted quickly to remove bur- ning wooden boards. Remo Rotondi was taken to the Dr. J.O. Ruddy General Hospital and treated for burns to his hands. Rotondi said that he feit the fire was in danger of spreading because the wood in the attie was both old and dry. "So 1 stuck my bands in there to pull the boar- ds out." Monica Hobe, 20, of Whitby was the only gallery employee in the building at the time of the fire. She told the Free Press that she ,wasn't even aware of it until she noticed the fire trucks in the driveway. At the time of the fire, she was working in the rear of the facility. In tact, Van- Doleweerd said that someone at the nearby Wbitby, Jail first saw the smoke 'and called the fire department. VanDoleweerd said that the department was having a building expert examine the attic yesterday afternoon in an effort- to determine the extent of the damage. Two fighting for local Grit nominati:oni.I-, It wilbe a'two-way fight for the nomination of the Ontario Riding Liberal Association. The local Liberals will nominate their can- didipte to face incum- bent. Progressive Con- servative MP Scott Fenneil and the New Democratic Party's Geoff Rison tonight at the Pickering Hfigh School. Seeking the nomination are Gwen .Mowbray, a Pickering- resident and downtown Whitby businesswomen who is seeking the nod on the basis of her long term service to the local Grit organization. However, she is flot that well known outside of party circles. The obvious fron- trunner for the nomination is Durham Regional Chairman Gary Herrema, whose prominent local profile is almoot certain to give him the nod. Doug Dickerson, who' carried the Liberal ban- ner in the 1900 federal election against Fennel announced last week that business' con- siderations have forced bim to withdraw from the race. Hie said tbat wbile he will work for wbichever of the two is nominated, he b -as decided to back Herrema. Sources close to the local party have said that while Herrema is the frontrunner, there could be a real battie for the nomination as both candidates have been actively signing up new members. Dickerson told the Free Press that he bas signed up over 100 new members who be hopes will follow bis lead and support the regional chairman. Fai rs are for chi ldren and last weekend's Oshawa- Whitby Agricultural Exhibition was no exception. While most of the activities centred around agricultural events including a sheep show and varlous, horse events, it was the children who produced the most smiles while enjoylng the rides or taklng a pony, ride,. Although we couldn't get the names of the two girls on the ride, the young lady on the pony is the daughter of the editor of the Whitby Free Press, Shannon Knel. Fair organizers said that thie year's event was definitely more successful than last year's and are confildent that another wil11 take place next year. free Press Staff Photo Man charged 0i butter theft An observant citizen has led to the arrest of a Weston area man after someone was seen removing merchandise from the Mr. Grocer store on Brock St. S. last Friday. A spokesman for the Durham Regional Police Force said that the citizen alerted police who arrested a maie suspect who was leaving the building 'when they arrived. Police said that two cases -of butter, valued at $217 was stolen. Robert John Allen, 24, of Weston Rd., Weston, Ontario bas been charged with thef t over $200. He bas also been charged in connection with another theft from the grocery outlet on July 13. In that incident, $650 worth of butter and $180 worth of milk was stolen. Allen faces two charges of break and enter, -one of theft under and possession of a stolen automtobile. - Fun at the fair Art galery renovatio ns set back by minor fire