Whltby Fiee PeSu, We4nesday, Apuil 20, 1994, Page 30 Legion donation earmarked for lap choie equipment Whitby General Hospital's outpatient surgical department bas received the second instalment of a substantial donation from the Whitby Legion, earmarked specifically for laparoscopic cbolecystectomy equpment (known as lap choie equipment). The equipment is designed to cut down on the need for major gall bladder surgery. Typical gaîl bladder surgical procedure requires large incisions, long recovery perid and great discomfort, says Elizabeth Barton, chief executive officer at the bospital. "The equipment bas dramaticalhy affected the way that gall bladder surgery is perfornied -- nu big incisions, shorter recovery times for patiénts and less expense ta the system in the long run." The Legion bas raised the money to pay for the new equipment througb their annual poppy drive and the sale of Nevada tickets. GREG LUKE comforts (?) Jim Pirie at a blood donor clinio held last week at the Legion. The clinio was sponsored by the Kinsmen Club of Whitby, of which both are members. Luke gave his 51 st blood donation and Pirie his 36th. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whihy Free Press Crime Stoppers and the Durham Regional Police robbery squad are aéif or the public's help in solving a robbery that occuýrred in Ajax on Saturday, Feb. 26. At 10:25 p.m two suspects entered the Petro Canada gas station at 1 'Wêstney Rd. N. and confronted the mie attendant who was counting stock. The one suspect was in possession of a black, semni- automatie handgun. He struck it into the victim'a back and forced him to open the cashier's tili. After the robbers got the money, the second miale suspect grabbed the victimi and struck hlmi twice in the face, knocking him ta the ground. Both suspects then fled the kiosk, Ieaving the victim lying on the floor. Suspect #1, with the gun, is described as maie black, early twenties, six feet to six feet two inches, with short, shaved hair at the aides and short dreadlocks on top. Hlis face was unshaven. He was wearing a three-quarter-length black leather jacket and black jeans. Suspect #2 is male, black, early twenties, wearing mustard-coloured pants and white Fila runnnshoes. Crime Stoppers will pay up ta $ 1,000 for information on this robbery or any other serious offence. Cali 436-8477 (that's 436-TIPS) . As a caller you will not have ta identify yourself or have ta go ta court. A code number will be issued to you to protect your identity. Sergeant Grant Arnold is the co-ordinatar with the Durham Regional Crime Stoppers programn and wrîtes this article to help combat crime. 'Garde...ns'1pirsenttati on at society meeting he Brooklin Horticultural k-.ety will meet Wednesday, April 27, 8 p.m., at Brooklin United Church. This wii! be a fundraiser bake sale. Lug-a-mug for refreshments. Eileen Slute will have a slide prese ntation of 'Gardens of Europe' and- 'Gardens of the Caribbean.' MeTeague aims to amend pensions bill I pj m o Ontario riding MP Dan McTeague hast week introduced in the H-ouse of Commons a Private Members Biulta amend the pension plan for members of Parlianxent. "Notwithstanding the commit- ment the goverrnment bas made ta reform pensions for former Members Of Parliament, Canadians want action taken on By Erin O'Connor With the number of reported cases of HIV and AIDS in Dur- bam on the rise, fundraising continues ta estabhisb James House, a proposed AIDS home in Durhm egion. At the end of February, there were 159 cases of known and AlbSineduhIVand54 cases of AIDSin DrhamRegion. Bob Pigden, president and founder of James House, says an AIDS home is needed ta help the growing number of people being infected eacb day. Athough the home is sti in the planning stages, Pigden and the board of directors for James House are hoping ta raise $1 million, and are doing su througb various fundraising endeavours. These events have included karaoke nights, a youth concert and fiîfties and sixties theme dance. Although they are "not close" ta, their goal, Pigden sayq they this contentious issue," said McTeague- "During the ehection, I campaigned on the need for pe nsion reform and this bill is in keepmng with that position. As a governiment member, 1 hope the bill will assist in maintain'Igthe momentuin that bas ben bilt acroos Canada for real reform ta the present pension format. "Members' pensions bave ta be have rnany more events planned to raise money. In addition, he is asking for interested persons ta get invol- ved witb James House, whether it be tbrougb donations or by simply offering time ta help with the fundraising. He points out that "one single person can change everything." and that tbey "are open ta new ideas." Pigden, who prefers James House ta be called a 'home', as "the name 'hospice' tends ta be used in cases of death," feels that there is a "need for a borne like this in Durham...ÀIDS affects everyone, and if not now, it will in five years." Although it is stili in the "baby stages" of planning, Pigden has plans ta include a medical staff, counsellors, outreach committee and, if possible, places for fam- ilies of patients ta stay at James House. He says, "AIDS will hit Dur- ham ...and we want ta be ready." brought in lime with those that eist in the private sector, and the sooner this bappens the better,- said McTeague. The bill, entitled an Act ta Anxend the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, prohibits former Members of Parliament from collecting pensions while employed by the Government of Canada. This would eliminate the su-called practice of double- dipping. lhe bill also prevents former members from receiving a pension until they are age 60 and have served at least three consecutive ternis with a minimum of 10 years' consecutive service. Currently, members with six years of service are immediately eligible for a pension, regardless of their age, upon ceasing to be a member. "in addition, beneficiaries of a deceased formýer member who died before age 60 would flot be able ta receive pension benefits until the former member would have reached that age," said McTeague. It is my hope that this bill will be successful in being returned ta the House for second reading and further debate." Stereo equipment and other property valued at some $4,000 was taken after a bréak-mn at a Cedarbrook Trail home Friday, April 8. Police say the cuiprit(s) broke the lock on a sliding glass door to et into the house, sometime etween 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p. The bouse was ransackeg*and numerous items, including jewelry, a sterea, video and camera equipment, were taken. J........ a m e s H o u s e fundiraising continues g a