The truck officially stops here

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www.oshawaexpress.ca
“Well Written, Well Read”
Vol 4 No 30
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The truck officially stops here
By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
Dan Kohn thought he had prepared himself
for this day.
He thought he could handle it.
But seeing his co-workers one last time,
Bedroom
cap shut
down
working in a plant that changed his life, was
something he was anything but prepared for.
The place where he has worked for the past
14 years will be no longer.
The General Motors truck plant has closed
down.
On Thursday, the last truck rolled off the
line signifying the end of an era, leaving thousands of workers and retirees of the truck plant
wondering what the future holds.
“I thought I had it under control until
today,” Kohn says, his voice shaky with emotion.
See GM WORKERS Page 8
Toddler
found
wandering
at 3 a.m.
By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
The Student Association at Durham
College can breathe a sigh of relief as the proposal for a four-bedroom cap in any dwelling
within the city was shot down at a special
development services committee recently.
“We look forward to working with the city
– so we can truly say, ‘prepared to be
amazed,’” says Anthony Boland, vice-presiSee JUNE Page 5
CUPE 132
still without
contract
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
The region’s long-term care workers may
be heading back to the bargaining table.
After all, both sides are willing.
“We don’t want to go to arbitration, it’s a
lengthy process,” says Jan Tutton, president of
CUPE 132.
Garth Johns, Durham Regions’ commissioner of human resources feels the same way.
“I would always prefer bargaining over
arbitration,” he says.
CUPE 132 has been without a contract for
over a year now, something that’s had a proSee WORKERS Page 5
Photo by Lindsey Cole/ The Oshawa Express
Love for a lemur
Kayden spent the day with his grandmother at the Oshawa Zoo. He fed the camel popcorn, the lemur
raisins and the baby calves milk from a bottle. What better way to spend a sunny afternoon?
A 19-year-old man got a shocking surprise
when he noticed a toddler wandering the
streets alone at 3 a.m.
Durham Regional Police were called to the
John Street and Nassau Street area when a
young man found a two-and-a-half year-old
child wandering alone in the middle of the
night, in only a diaper.
The child had no shoes on.
Officers canvassed the immediate area of
where the child was found and were able to
locate the residence of the little boy.
Two more young children were found
inside the home, including a two-month-old
baby.
Authorities from the Children’s Aid
Society were notified of the incident and conducted an investigation into the home.
During the police investigation, the father
of the child arrived home.
Police and the CAS are continuing to investigate.
Police allege none of the children were
physically injured in this incident.
Durham Police are taking this opportunity
to remind the public of the physical danger to
children and the criminal responsibility of parents and caregivers in leaving small children
unattended for any period of time.
Police and the Children’s Aid Society are
mandated to fully investigate these types of
incidents.
GM and CAW continue to negotiate
By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
Despite a Friday, May 15 deadline, negotiations between General Motors Canada and the
Canadian Auto Workers Union continue, with the
rumour of bankruptcy closely tied to their conversations.
The two are trying to come to an agreement
over cutting labour costs to make further concessions so the company can satisfy both the provincial and federal governments in a new ratified
restructuring plan, which is to be presented June 1.
CAW President Ken Lewenza told reporters
the union has just about reached the end of the line
in terms of how much they can cut. Both are also
trying to stress the importance of local products by
asking the governments to limit foreign imports to
support Canadian-made products.
However, if the two do not reach an agreement
soon the governments may not offer nearly $7 billion in guaranteed loans, which would help the
automaker stay afloat.
Recently Local 222 President Chris Buckley
said he was cautiously optimistic some sort of deal
would be reached.
“It is the most painful set of negotiations I have
been participating in my 22 years (in the organization),” he says.
“When is enough, enough? Workers did not
create this problem. This is the fault of the government.”
Mayor’s annual breakfast inspires all
By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
Ian Hill has had a rough life.
He was taken from his birthplace of Iran by
a U.S. military sergeant.
In the U.S. his adopted parents died and he
was taken from place to place, getting abused
and molested along the way.
He recalls one incident where a man abused
him in a closet, the emotion evident in his
voice.
“It was a hard life,” he told about 200 members of the business community at the 34th
Annual Mayor’s Breakfast, which was spon-
sored by the Christian Business Ministries
Canada of Oshawa and District.
The prominent business leader and creator
of TechAbility says he asked God why he had
endured such hardship and abuse. Why him?
“So you could understand what pain felt
like,” he says God told him.
Taking this knowledge with him, Hill has
made a name for himself doing God’s work.
“All I do is live my life every single day
under his guidance.”
And Hill’s life has been filled with good
deeds, which includes Let Them Be Kids, an
initiative to build playgrounds and other facilities for needy children. Oshawa is the launch
site for the trans Canada project.
“I’m a sinner. I’m rude and mean. I’m a
jerk. I deserve hell and damnation,” he says,
adding God had other plans.
“I’m going to pull you up from the muck
and mire and I’m going to give you a shot.
Oshawa and Durham Region are in difficult
and challenging times. Now is your time. What
are you going to do?” he asks. “And you are
the answers to God’s prayer.”
Hill’s talk was meant to inspire people in
the community to step up and help out in a
time of economic turmoil, regardless of the
religious views.
“How about just go and be nice to somebody. God called me to be in this country.
There’s time to make a commitment.
Committed people will win the day. What will
you commit yourself to?”
Mayor John Gray says the speech was
inspiring.
“I certainly believe that we’re inspired for
the rest of the day. I think Ian speaks to the
needs of the community. Sometimes it’s about
the actions of individuals,” he says, adding it’s
not just about politicians creating change, it’s
about everyone doing their part.
“Oshawa will continue and we will endure.
We still have a bright future ahead. I still see
Photo by Lindsey Cole/ The Oshawa Express
Ian Hill, a prominent business leader, humanitarian, and philanthropist gives an inspirational
speech during the 34th Annual Mayor’s Breakfast
at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa recently.
opportunity. We will continue to instil that
there is hope.”
Teenager stabbed downtown
A 15-year-old male was stabbed
downtown Oshawa Saturday afternoon.
The young teen was walking near
Oxford Street in Oshawa around 3:30
p.m. with his brother when a 20-year-old
man approached him.
An altercation broke out between the
pair and the accused stabbed the victim.
He then fled the scene.
The victim managed to walk home to
get assistance.
He was taken to a local hospital.
He was treated and later released from
the hospital.
The 20-year-old man is being charged
with aggravated assault, possession of a
weapon and being dangerous to the public peace.
Woman sexually assaulted
A 37-year-old Oshawa woman was
sexually assaulted in the area of Rossland
and Stevenson roads on Thursday night.
The victim was walking east
on Rossland Road around 8:30
p.m. when an unknown man
approached and had a conversation with her.
She was led to a nearby
bicycle path where the man
touched her inappropriately.
The victim was able to
escape unharmed.
The man was last seen in the Rossland
and Stevenson area.
Page 2
Police were called to the Lake Ridge
Health Centre to investigate the sexual
assault.
The suspect is described as
possibly of Hispanic descent,
between the ages of 40 and 50
years old.
He is believed to have a
heavy build, with dark curly
hair and dark facial hair.
He was wearing a black and
red sweater with dark track
pants.
The investigation is ongoing according
to Durham police.
MAY 20 2009
MAY 20 2009
Page 3
Oshawa will be
forever changed
Truck
plant is
no longer
Oshawa is a city that has been characterized by General Motors.
It was a GM town – the “city that
moto-vates”.
However, now it is a place of industry that has been plagued by hardship
as the economy continues to plunder
and businesses face restructuring to
survive.
And although the auto industry represents only 14 per cent of the region’s
economic power, the closing of the GM
truck plant is a symbol of the economic strife.
Around 3,000 employees said their
goodbyes to an old friend recently.
They said goodbye to a place that gave
them a stable wage, benefits and a reason to be proud.
The trucks built at GM in Oshawa
were iconic. When you thought about
GM, immediately the ‘Like a Rock,’
song would pop into your head as
images of a large Chevy truck
ploughed by, representing power and
strength.
But that power and strength is gone
and questions continue as to whether
GM will continue at all – let alone
build trucks in Oshawa.
CAW Local 222 President Chris
Buckley said it best when describing
the truck plant closure.
It’s like a wake. Remembering the
good and bad times, as well as taking a
look at the life of a plant that has been
in Oshawa since 1965.
Ten million vehicles rolled off the
line since the opening, but now everything has been shut down. The parking
lot will be empty, the plant left stagnant
- a distant memory.
Employees who worked at the plant
were visibly upset at the closure. Some
were simply shocked that the day had
finally come, after a year of waiting.
Others had tears in their eyes as they
said goodbye to men and women who
had worked beside them for years.
No one saw this coming.
However, it is a sign of the times.
GM is in a spot of desperation, and
while Oshawa has many other aspects
to the city, the company does have a
large presence here.
No one can deny, it was a sad day
watching the plant close down, as years
of history, dominance and success went
with it.
While the future is uncertain, the
residents of Oshawa will be impacted
if the presence of the one-time leading
automaker is no more.
GM has left a mark on this city.
Page 4
600 Thornton Rd. S.
Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7
[email protected]
phone: (905) 571-7
7334
fax: (905) 571-0
0255
MAY 20 2009
Volume 4, Number 30
Publisher
Greg McDowell
Advertising Director
Kim Boatman
Sports Editor
Wally Donaldson
[email protected]
Contributors
Bill Fox
Jennifer Weymark
Glen Goodhand
Jim Bradford
Reporters
Lindsey Cole
[email protected]
Katie Strachan
Letters to the Editor
[email protected]
Reader “Stop giving illegal refugees help”
Dear Editor,
Just when I thought all the hatred and jealousy had
finally subsided, the venom toward autoworkers starts
again. I understand that losing 50 per cent of your RRSP
is a huge loss. However, even an educated autoworker
realizes that having 50 per cent of something is far better than zero we may receive.
Autoworkers paid into their pension plan each hour
they worked. Now, the government wants it taken away
as legacy costs to secure a loan. This money was a taxable benefit. These contributions also reduced our ability to invest in an RRSP. When the banks received their
billions in handouts, did the money manager forfeit their
pensions?
The next time you open your hydro bill and see ‘Debt
Retirement Charge,’ think about who received those lavish payouts.
Perhaps governments should stop giving illegal
refugees thousands in assistance and medical coverage
each month. Lending billions to countries that have no
hope of ever repaying these loans. Then, they could fund
already established programs to help Canadians.
How typically Canadian, support everyone else while
turning our backs on the very people who built this great
country.
Leslie Gordon McCabe
Water is already too filthy, no incinerator!
Dear Editor,
Garbage is evident along our roads and literally
everywhere you look direction-wise.
So we arrive at these moments in time where we
argue over a million-dollar ‘incinerator’ burning tons of
trash from all over Durham and outlying cities.
Years ago, people sat at tables and ate and drank with
no line-ups.
Yesteryear, bottles were returned for a refund and
everyone put garbage in ashtrays, in bags and not out car
windows.
Big business has to set an example in packaging food
items.
Sad is the situation that we can’t bury it. We have to
burn it, as this filth will smoke our skies so much that we
will be gagging in its excesses 24/7. Not to mention
acquiring cancer.
Doctors are not for it. Our water is too filthy already.
Our government finds no alternative action to cope with
it.
How ironic that we pay for new cars to be checked
emission-wise, whilst big vehicles in front puff out billows of black smoke with every gearshift.
Whichever way that wind blows, we will be coughing
and our trees are already working double time trying to
clean it for us.
Bob Hooper
Cure for greed is found in way of thinking
Dear Editor,
With much interest do I read Bill Fox’s columns.
There are two especially that caught my eye.
The first is about ‘the greed disease’ and the other one
is about ‘not to be proud of our flag’.
I have to agree with Bill Fox and with the president of
the American Medical Association, that humanity is suffering from a chronic greed disease.
Now, since we know that it is a disease, we should do
something about it. We should strive to find a cure.
Actually, we should have done something about it
thousands of years ago.
At that time, the disease most likely was not so severe
as it is today.
Not doing anything against this dreadful disease will
only make things worse.
It is not only the Canadian owned gold company,
which is using cyanide to extract gold in the most economical method, leaving havoc and distractions behind.
It is also the individual who covets this gold as a precious possession, but it is not only we as Canadians, it is
all of humanity that is guilty.
Only when we comprehend that we, in our greed, are
destroying ourselves and all creation - only then will we
be able to slowly cure ourselves from the ‘greed disease’
and work on the future of humanity.
The cure is very simple. All we have to do is change
our way of thinking.
All of us have the same right of existence, and everybody leaves all of his materialistic possessions behind at
his or her departure from this earth.
This kind of thinking has a spiritual origin and will
not come easy to people who only live in the transitory
materialistic aspect of our lives here on earth.
So, the cure from this disease will not be immediate.
It will take time, since this cure is a spiritual process
and is not of the essence.
It is important that we start now and that every individual realizes that his or her task on this earth is to serve
humanity, no matter what position we are in this lifetime.
Wilfried Schwartz
Publications Mail
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MAY 20 2009
June report to provide more information
BEDROOM from Page 1
ident of the student association.
“We need to consider the repercussions of this
bylaw.”
The housing proposal stems from two years
ago when staff was asked to take a look at residential densities. The idea behind the bedroom cap was to reduce the risk of too many
people and bedrooms in a home after some
issues around student housing were brought
forth.
However, after a public meeting on May 4, city
staff realized the bedroom cap might not be
such a good idea.
“My practice is to go into those meetings with
an open mind,” says City Commissioner Tom
Hodgins, adding the story told by resident
Mareen Sooriyakumar at the meeting was particularly compelling.
She came to Oshawa from Toronto as a student, and is now married with two student
renters living with her. She says, as part of her
culture, she lived with many relatives in
Toronto, so having more bedrooms was needed. To put a cap on the bedroom limit is a vio-
lation of human rights.
City staff members were concerned about the
“When you think about her presentation...you issues she raised.
could have a family and you could want “We haven’t had that intervention before,”
renters,” Hodgins says.
Hodgins says. “Those are some of the key reaBut she wasn’t the first person to bring up sons. How does it (the bedroom cap) fit with
human rights issues, which was also a reason an overall strategy with the near campus houswhy staff recommended the cap
ing?”
be rejected.
Since
the
initial
correspondence,
Human
Right’s
Chief
Commissioner Hall has written several
Commissioner Barbara Hall has
times expressing her views on the matter.
been writing letters back and
The most recent letter, dated May 5, states
forth to Councillor and
the city should take a look at the potential
Committee Chair Louise Parkes
impact of the bylaw on large families and
expressing her concerns.
people with disabilities who may need extra
In
a
Feb.
24
letter, Robert Lutczyk space.
Commissioner Hall says the
“The strict application of this bylaw amendcommission is concerned the proposed zoning ment may impose barriers for these groups.
bylaws will “result in the exclusion of people The Supreme Court of Canada has made it
from Human Rights Code – protected groups clear that standards must be designed to be
from many of its neighbourhoods. In particular inclusive to all persons, regardless of memberthere will be an adverse impact on many of the ship in a Human Rights Code- protected
young people who attend universities in the group,” the letter reads.
area.”
When it came time to making a decision, the
It also says it could give rise to human rights committee recognized several problems with
concerns, could contribute to
the bedroom cap and decided to deny the
‘ghettoization,’ and violates the planning act.
amendment and not proceed with the city-wide
four bedroom cap.
So what’s the next step?
For some committee members the matter
comes down to enforcement.
“One of the critical components in this issue is
the problem of bad behaviour. I don’t think an
arbitrary cap is something that is going to be
productive. We really have to go to the root
cause and enforce our standards,” says
Councillor Robert Lutczyk.
Councillor John Henry says progressive fining
might be the answer to some of these problems.
“We need to use the tools that are existing.
Take a really good look at this tool.”
A report from City Manager Bob Duignan,
slated to come out June 1 at a special council
meeting, will discuss zoning and licensing
enforcement.
At the meeting, members of the committee
decided to wait until the report comes out
before any more options could come forward
as to how to deal with the housing issue.
They directed staff to ask the city manager to
consider holding a public meeting to discuss
more options as well.
Workers demand fairness across the board
CUPE from Page 1
Photo by Robyn DePratto/The Oshawa Express
Dozens of CUPE 132 members rally inside the regional council chambers as
they have been without a contract for more than a year.
found effect on the 937
workers involved, explains
Tutton.
“We want to let you
know the effect this is having on our members
morale,” she tells regional
council while dozens of
people sit behind her, clad
in t-shirts that read,
‘Fairness is not a lot to ask
for.’
According to Tutton, the
union has no legal right to
strike.
“Our residents have
given their lives for the
community and at this time
they deserve the best care,”
she says, adding the contract dispute has nothing to
do with residents who live
in the homes.
The union was presented with a possible
contract back in November,
which was in line with the
region’s other workers.
When the region realized the economy was spiraling downward they made
everyone similar offers,
says Johns.
“They took a chance and
didn’t sign at that time,” he
says.
Then in December, the
union was presented with
another agreement, which
they too turned down, states
Johns.
Tutton says the union is
only asking for what other
region staff have received.
“No more and no less,”
she says, adding the main
issue lies in the area of ben-
efits and drug cards.
The union’s website suggests if they take an inferior
deal than the other region’s
workers, it will create a twotier system.
“Our work can be very
challenging and at times the
workload can be overwhelming,” says Tutton.
They are exposed to a
number of illnesses and
injuries, she claims.
Tutton spoke about comments made by Johns in the
past about the union
squeezing more money out
of the region.
“I maintain that,” says
Johns.
In the past contract
negotiations with the region
have been fairly easy, says
the president.
Tutton asked regional
council to reopen the bargaining table.
“If you want to call HR
(human resources) and set
up a date to go back to the
bargaining table, then I
think you know how to do
so,” says Roger Anderson,
regional chair.
He added it would
absolutely be possible to reopen the bargaining table.
Johns agrees as well.
“Always, always. I’d
much rather negotiate than
arbitrate,” says Johns, who
has been dealing with
human resource related
issues for 35 years.
Both sides are hoping to
resolve the matter at the bargaining table.
Boaters, get your operating card
The Durham Region Health Department is
reminding people to get their pleasure craft operator card (PCOC) by Sept. 15. This is when it
will be mandatory for pleasure craft operators to
show proof of competency. This
will apply to drivers of pleasure
crafts with a motor, such as a
powerboat or personal watercraft
used for recreation.
Proof of competency can
include the completion of a boating
safety course in Canada prior to
April 1, 1999 or a PCOC obtained
by successful completion of an
accredited test. A completed rental
boat safety check list is also required for operators renting pleasure crafts fitted with a motor.
According to a study by the Lifesaving Society,
many boating fatalities could have been prevented if people learned how to operate their craft
more safely. Before 1999, only one third of boat
owners had taken a boating safety
course, only 68 per cent of those people said they found it useful.
With North American Safe Boating
Week this week, the health department
will be having a boating safety campaign. They will be distributing
posters, brochures and other promotional materials to area marinas.
For more information about boating safety, or to obtain resources, call
the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-6666241 You can also visit www.durham.ca.
Brighton Parade of Homes May 22-24
Over the past four years, local builders in
Brighton, Ontario agreed to showcase their
homes over the same weekend.
This event has gained in popularity and many
people now use this event to make one of the
most important decisions in their lives. The
Brighton Parade of Homes gives you the opportunity to view the whole spectrum of homes
available from condominiums to custom executive homes. The homes both fully decorated and
in construction phasing, allow you the opportunity to see first-hand the benefits and changes to
the building procedures that make these homes
so desirable for energy efficiency over conventional homes.
Homes that are on display are well valued and
cover all price ranges from starter homes to executive homes.
MAY 20 2009
If you are thinking of that move and want
‘Quality of Life,’ then why not visit this year’s
Brighton Parade of Homes?
It will provide new and exciting models in
addition to introducing
new phases being released in the near future.
Simply follow the signs from Junction 509 on
Highway 401 or the entrances to town on
Highway #2.
At the first show home you visit, you will be
able to pick up a map, details of all of the
builders and entry forms for the chance to win
great prizes.
Check out our website www.brightonparadeofhomes.ca
Come for a day and check why residents here
smile a lot. You’ll want to stay for a lifetime in
the town that has it all, beautiful Brighton.
Page 5
Citizens honoured for their bravery
Stopping knife-wielding suspects is a days work
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
Camacho and and assessed the situation.
Pearsall were in the
One of them took to caring for the woundvicinity of a con- ed woman and the other restrained the suspect
Kevin Thomas
venience store on until police could get there.
was inside his famiPark Road in down“We as a police service couldn’t operate
ly’s Oshawa home
town Oshawa when without the assistance and support of congetting ready to go
they saw a suspi- cerned citizens like those being honoured,”
out for dinner.
cious man heading adds Insp. Martin.
It was his daughfor the store.
Each year, Durham Regional Police memter’s birthday and
He
allegedly bers nominate citizens from the community for
the family was celestopped at the door offering their assistance to others, putting their
brating together on
and pulled his shirt own safety at risk.
that
November
over his face,
evening.
concealing his
While all was
identity.
well inside the
He used a
Thomas home, just
large knife to rob
a few doors down,
the
woman
police had been
behind the countcalled.
er before attemptA frantic woman
ing to exit the
had called 911. She
store.
had been stabbed
Pearsall and
and so had her husCamacho didn’t
band.
Photo by Robyn DePratto/The Oshawa Express think twice and
An intruder hit The recipients of the Police Associations Citizen Awards, back row (from left) Robyn Demerchant, Randy stepped in to stop
their three and five- Gorill, Russell Morrison, Det. Daniel Dion, Chad Hervieux, Police Chief Mike Ewles and Philip Meiliunas. Front the knife-wieldyear-old sons with a row, from left, Kevin Thomas, Mark Britnell, Chuck Pearsall and Andrew Camacho.
ing robber.
hammer.
They
were
A lone officer, Constable Dargie, had put handcuffs on him.
able to gain control of the knife and grab the
“His murderous rage could have contin- money from the suspect as they shoved him
arrived at the scene on Glen Street just as the
attacker was exiting the house with the ham- ued,” says Insp. Martin.
to the ground, waiting for police to arrive.
Thomas was recently awarded with a
mer still in his hand.
“The probability of catching him was not
The officer shouted loudly, demanding the Durham Regional Police Citizens Award for likely,” says Insp. Martin of the robber, who
suspect put down the weapon. Thomas heard his efforts, along with nine other citizens of had concealed his identity.
Durham Region, five in total from Oshawa.
the officer’s plea.
Back in January 2008, Randy Gorill was
“Durham Region remains one of the safest at a bar enjoying a drink when he noticed a
He asked Cst. Dargie if he needed help.
After responding ‘yes,’ Thomas stepped in and places to live, work and play because we have man and woman arguing.
Photo by Robyn DePratto/The Oshawa Express
helped to hold the suspect down without think- concerned citizens who get involved,” says
Russell Morrison, who had just walked
ing about the consequences his actions could Insp. Martin.
into the bar, saw the man pull out a large Kevin Thomas receives his Police Association Citizen
Concerned citizens like Thomas, Andrew knife and stab the woman.
have, says Inspector Paul Martin.
Award from Regional Chair Roger Anderson. He was
The officer was able to restrain the man and Camacho and Chuck Pearsall.
The two men immediately took action one of five from Oshawa to get the bravery award.
Page 6
MAY 20 2009
Police bid farewell to deputy chief
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
The Durham Regional Police are saying
farewell, but not goodbye to what some call a
valuable asset to the force.
Deputy Chief of Policing Operations,
Chuck Mercier announced his retirement from
the force after 32 years recently.
“I don’t think it means it’s the last we’ll see
of him,” says Durham Region Chair Roger
Anderson of Mercier’s dedication to his community.
Mercier’s accomplishments include, but go
way beyond, bringing the first ever Special
Olympics Spring Games to Durham Region,
which happened last May.
“He helped establish our police service as
one of the best in Ontario and we will forever
be thankful for his leadership and his commitment to the safety of our community,” says
Terry Clayton, board chair.
Mercier graduated from Loyalist College in
1974 with a diploma in law and security management.
He later went on to attend the Ontario
Police College for recruit training, eventually
joining the DRPS in 1977.
Mercier quickly moved up the ranks from
general assignment to major crimes, working
in the sexual assault and homicide units.
He was named officer of the year in 1982,
after just five years on the force.
Mercier was the lead investigator on a number of high profile cases throughout Durham
Region including the Brinks robbery/ homicide at Knob Hill Farms in 1991 and the
Gagnon Sports robbery/ homicides in 1994.
In 1996 he was a member of Justice
Campbell’s Bernardo Investigative Review
Implementation Team.
He also worked tirelessly to research and
develop multi-jurisdictional investigative
training methods and standards across Ontario
as well as the major case management course,
something that is still used in police training
today.
He was honoured with the Royal Canadian
Mounted
Police
Commissioner’s
Commendation for assisting in the creation of
the major case management course in 1998.
In 1997 Mercier was promoted to an
inspector rank and was assigned the rewarding
task of community office leader in Durham
Region.
Just three years later, in 2000, Mercier
became the superintendent responsible for
crime management.
In 2001 he gained the title, which he currently holds, of deputy chief.
In addition to his work with the DRPS,
Mercier is also the vice president of the
Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police as
well as an active member of both the Canadian
and International Associations of Chiefs of
Police.
While Mercier’s passion may be policing,
he also dedicates a great deal of his time to the
Easter Seals Golf Week for Timmy/Tammy,
which he served as chair for five years.
“Chuck is a man of great integrity and has
a wonderful way of bringing people together,
maximizing their potential and achieving
goals,” adds Clayton.
Mercier will finish off 2009 as deputy chief
before retiring from police, something he says
he was blessed to do.
The DRPS are planning a retirement party
in his honour for later this year.
“On behalf of all the residents of Durham
Region, thank you for a job well done,” adds
Anderson at a recent council meeting where
Mercier was honoured with a standing ovation.
Chuck Mericer has been a police officer for 32
years with Durham Region. He recently
announced his retirement.
Oshawa chamber supports port authority for harbour
Who will ultimately look after the harbour?
By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
authority isn’t the answer.
“The last thing Oshawa needs is a Port
Authority which will continue the decades
The issue of who will govern the Oshawa long conflict between the City of Oshawa and
federal appointed authorities,” he says in a
Harbour has been going on for decades.
Some say the City of Oshawa should take written email to councillors and members of
the media.
back the reins and handle harbour
“Colin Carrie and Jim Flaherty
operations, while others think the fedneed to make the federal position
eral government should take control.
clear on this issue.”
These questions are becoming
However, for Bob Malcolmson,
more prominent after the federal govthe chamber’s general manager and
ernment announced last month more
CEO, the matter is quite clear.
than $9 million to clean up and create
“By having a port authority we
a green mixed-use harbour over two
are protecting the ratepayers. A port
years.
authority has to be financially selfRecently, the Greater Oshawa
Chamber of Commerce showed sup- Bob Malcolmson sufficient. We have an opportunity,
CEO of the
port in a chamber newsletter for a Greater Oshawa we’re not talking about the marina
lands.”
Canadian Port Authority for the deepChamber of
According
to
Councillor
sea port of the harbour, meaning it
Commerce
Nicholson, the chamber has ignored
would be a federally incorporated
agency with a number of directors from vari- the David Crombie report from September
2008, which stated a new governance model
ous areas.
This has left one City Councillor up in be created with the city as the sole owner and
operator of the Oshawa harbour.
arms.
The report also stated a new management
Councillor Brian Nicholson says a port
structure should be developed to involve port
users, lessees and others who may want to contribute input.
However, Malcolmson says they aren’t
going against the report as they think the city
should have some say when it comes to the
marina, not the deep-sea port.
“Are we rejecting the key recommendations in the Cromibe report – no. We have a
very short window of opportunity here,” he
says, adding if the city gets some business
when it comes to building large goods, a deep
water port will be a necessity.
“A deep water port definitely comes into
play. There is a potential there to create wealth
and growth.
This is not about rejecting anything. We
feel the federal government has to take a leadership role. Somebody’s got to take that bull
by the horns and get it done.”
Citizens want to see police more
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
The citizens have spoken.
They want Durham Police to be more visible
and engaged with the community. They also
want the non-emergency police number advertised more.
The Durham Regional Police Service
(DRPS) have been consulting with all eight
municipalities in Durham Region for the past
couple months, in an effort to create their new
business plan.
“Given the complexity of the issues today it’s
imperative that we have a plan,” says Police
Chief Mike Ewles.
The plan is a key tool in meeting operational
demands and to ensure resources are being used
properly, explains Ewles.
Particularly, Durham Police are looking to
transition from a problem-oriented policing key
to more sustainable services.
This means changing the way police do business, allowing officers time to solve problems
and interact more with the community, states the
DRPS presentation.
Some of the key priorities they’re focusing
on are youth safety, roadway safety, violence,
exploitation and property crime.
While a number of residents who participated in the survey suggested police officers need
to interact more with the community, Whitby
Mayor Pat Perkins says they have a number of
MAY 20 2009
programs geared towards community interaction.
Just last week the police launched an after
school program for youth in Whitby.
“The parents are especially grateful that their
children are working with the police in a positive
way,” says Perkins.
The DRPS are also looking to partner with
the Eastview Boys and Girls Club in Oshawa to
create an after school program, says Ewles.
Another aspect residents suggested police
improve on was the safety of green spaces.
A lot of parties and mischief go on at night on
the region’s trails, Ewles says. This has residents
concerned.
Police service boards across the province are
required by law to have multi-year business
plans, which act as blueprints for statutory policing programs and service delivery.
The DRPS operates within a three-year planning cycle, which is why the consultations they
recently conducted are to shape the 2011 to 2013
plan.
While all of the public consultation sessions
have been held, residents are welcome to complete a survey online to help police put together
their business plan.
Log on to www.drps.ca, email [email protected] or call 905-579-1520 ext. 4308 to
have your say.
The police will be developing the plan in
August or September, sharing it with the community in the fall and finalized by January 2010.
Page 7
GM workers leave boots as symbol of end
THE LAST from Page 1
“The last three days have been spent saying goodbye to people. It seems so final.”
Dozen of work boots were scattered
along the fence line, as some workers felt
they didn’t need them anymore – it was a
symbol of the end.
While some employees, like Kohn, will
move onto other areas of the large Oshawa
plant, others either took early retirement
packages or were laid off.
CAW President, Chris Buckley, fought back the
tears as he addressed media after the last truck
rolled off the line.
Approximately 3,000 workers went in
“It’s an awful shock for me. That’s
and out of that truck plant, building what at the biggest shock of my life (the cloone time was one of the leading vehicles in sure),” he says.
North America, especially with the award
“Everybody is saying the same
winning Chevrolet Silverado.
thing, that we don’t want to lose our
“This was the money maker,” says Kohn. pensions. GM’s been really good to
“This plant was the most productive in me.”
North America.”
However, despite the gloomy dark
But over the past
skies, a small
few years, the plant
ray of light
“It’s an awful
has fizzled out as
did come out
sales dwindled and
of the day as
shock for me.
the economy began
more
than
That’s the biggest
to plummet.
$90,000 was
Last year it was
raised for Sick
shock of my life.”
announced
the
Kids Hospital
-Romeo Boudreau
plant would close.
in a raffle that
GM retiree
While employmeant
one
ees of the plant
lucky person
Photos by Katie Strachan/ The Oshawa Express
were saddened by
was leaving
the closure, another worry was also preva- the GM truck plant with a brand new General Motors workers who no longer need their worklent on their minds – pensions.
truck – one the last of its kind made boots, some due to layoffs, others due to retirement, throw
The provincial government announced in Canada.
them at the fence after the closure of the truck plant.
about a month ago that there was not
But for CAW Local 222 President
enough money in the pension guarantee Chris Buckley, the day was one of
are absolutely sick to their stomachs. It’s a
fund to cover pensioners should GM go the most difficult days he has had to endure terrible day.”
bankrupt, a rumour that may just become in his 22 years in the organization.
One of the last trucks parked outside the
reality if the company can’t come up with a
“Our government continues to turn their plant stated it was made by the best, and
more substantial restructuring plan by June back,” he says, adding workers should be will be remembered as the best.
1.
proud of what they have accomplished.
For Buckley the day was extremely emo“Now we’re not sure we’re even going to
“Hold your heads up high. This plant is tional.
have a pension,” says Kohn.
closing because our government has
“It’s a very sad and dark day. It’s like
And he isn’t alone in that sentiment.
allowed unfair trade.
going to a wake. You pay your respects to
Truck plant retiree, Romeo Boudreau,
The Mexican workers that are going to say goodbye to a family member or friend.”
77, came out to show his support as well as build our trucks will never be able to say
The truck plant opened in 1965 and since
his concern for the future.
they built the best trucks. They (workers) then has built around 10 million trucks.
Distraught mother: “I wanted to jump off a bridge”
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
Jackie was at her wits end.
Her teenage daughter wouldn’t listen to
her, she was running away from home often
and she was skipping school regularly. She
simply didn’t know what to do.
That is until Jackie, who didn’t want her
last name used, discovered Helping Other
Parents
Everywhere
(H.O.P.E.).
That was five years
ago and now Jackie has
established a great relationship
with
her
teenage daughter, who went on to graduate
high school.
“If I had not have came (to the group) I
probably wouldn’t know where my daughter
was living and I might not even care,” she
says teary-eyed.
On the night she discovered the group,
Jackie had called the police, her daughter
had run away again.
The police passed on the organization’s
pamphlet in hopes it would help the distressed mother cope.
“I was having a nervous breakdown. I
wanted to jump off a bridge,” she says.
“I walked into the room and felt the
weight of the
world lifted off
my shoulders.”
The
group
meets on a weekly basis and
offers
suggestions and support
for parents who are in crisis with their teens.
They offer 24-hour support to members.
A fee of $50 is required from all members, which covers membership fees for
three years.
“It teaches parents how to teach their
kids that they’re responsible for their own
actions,” she says.
For Jackie, the program has done wonders for the relationship with her daughter.
“I’m
very
proud of her.
She’s going
off to college in
the fall.”
Although getting to the point
of a relationship
that
involved
anything
but
arguing wasn’t
easy.
Jackie recalls a time when she was driving behind a police car to Toronto in a
snowstorm at 2 a.m.
The police were taking her teenage
daughter to a hospital for a physiciatric
evaluation when she decided to call another
member of H.O.P.E for support.
“I walked into the room and
felt the weight of the world
lifted off my shoulders.”
Dreaming of Christmas, already
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
groceries totaling $1,500.
Tickets will be sold at Walmart locations
across Southern Ontario until Dec. 20, the day
of the hamper deliveries.
Tickets are $5 each or $20 for a package of
Guests from the Durham Regional Police
Rock Band, a western musician and a video
from the 2008 hamper drive will be playing.
In an effort to raise even more money,
While Christmas is more than six months
which in turn means more hampers for
away, the dedicated members of the Optimist
Oshawa’s needy, the Optimist
Club of Oshawa are already planning the
Club will host barbeques at the
annual food and toy hampers.
locations too.
For the past 25 years, in partnership
“Let's
step
up
to
the
plate
and
volunteer
Sausages and burgers will be
with the Salvation Army, the club has
cooked regularly.
hand delivered these hampers to needy
your help. Make it a family affair of
Tickets are now on sale.
families across the city.
While the club is dedicated to
However, for all those years, the club’s volunteers. It's a rewarding experience with
this cause, it is a major undertakBingo profits have been used to supply
a worthy cause.”
ing, explains Shaw.
the bulk of the items in the hampers. But
“Let's step up to the plate and
-Jim Shaw
things have changed this year.
your help. Make it a
On Jan. 31, the Hideaway Bingo Hall
Treasurer of the Optimist Club of Oshawa volunteer
family affair of volunteers. It's a
closed its doors, leaving the club to rerewarding experience with a
think new ways of raising money.
five. Packages are also available in 25 packs worthy cause,” says Shaw.
And that’s exactly what they’re doing.
Contact Shaw, the event manpower coordiThe Optimist Club is hosting the first ever for $100.
All of the profits raised will go directly nator, if you can help out.
auto raffle, where a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, comEmail
Jim
Shaw
at
plete with all the bells and whistles, will be towards filling the much-needed hampers,
says Jim Shaw, the club’s treasurer.
[email protected] or call 905-576given to the winning ticket holder.
At various times, at each of the ticket sale 6919.
As a bonus, the vehicle will be filled with
locations, live music will be provided.
Page 8
“They came and sat with me while I was
going through the crisis,” she says.
Jackie feels many parents are experiencing the same thing she was going through
just a few years
ago, but may not
want to admit it.
“There is a great
deal of us out there
who have problems
with our teens but
they may be too
to tell
-Jackie ashamed
anyone,” she says.
For
example,
parents like Debbie who at first was too
ashamed to admit she needed help.
Debbie, who also didn’t want her last
name used, is the proud mother of a 20year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter.
Though happy now, it wasn’t always that
way before the mother of two found
H.O.P.E.
“We were a great family that was into
sports, with no problems,” she explains.
That is until her son joined the high
school baseball team in Grade 9.
“He got into drugs and with that came
rage and violence. I didn’t know how to
cope,” she says.
Debbie ended up falling to her knees,
crying in the pouring rain, in the middle of
an intersection before finally admitting she
needed help.
She has been going to H.O.P.E for the
past four years.
“My son has turned his life around and
it’s because of the way I communicate with
him,” she says.
Although Debbie says she is going
through similar problems with her teenage
daughter now, she continues to use the support of the H.O.P.E organization to get
through it all.
“Without this group I don’t know where
I would be,” she says.
For more information on H.O.P.E, a community based support network for parents of
acting out youth call 905-239-3577 or 1866-492-1299 or you can visit them online
www.helpingotherparentseverywhere.com.
“It saved my life when it was falling
apart,” adds Jackie.
MAY 20 2009
Newcomers share their stories
The change from home to Canada
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
Jerry Xiao knows first hand what
it’s like to pick up and leave your
home country.
He was destined for a land more
than a day’s flight away, where they
speak a completely different language and have completely different
traditions.
The Grade 3 student from Mary
Street Community School and his
‘baba’ moved from China recently,
finally settling in Oshawa.
His mother was already living in
Canada when he arrived.
“I had to go to daycare to learn
how to speak Canadian,” he says.
Xiao’s first memory of Canada is
the way roofs looked on homes and
the cool weather as they arrived in
the fall.
“In China they are flat, here
they’re triangle,” he recalls, explaining he was amazed at the vibrant
colours of the changing leaves.
The young boy has overcome
many challenges and learned the tra- from Romania to Canada was a little began when his aunt, who lives here,
scary.
ditions of Canada.
told his mother of a job opening she
“(There are) so many cars. would be perfect for.
He is hoping to one day become a
doctor.
Although his mother was
“It’s going to
unsure of the big move, his
be a hard life
father convinced his family to
because I have to
seize the opportunity in front of
go to medical
them.
school and there
“My english is getting better.
are not enough
I have made new friends and I’m
doctors
in
happy with my life,” says the
Canada so I will
Grade 3 student from Hillsdale
work a lot,” he
Public School in Oshawa.
explains.
For Fibi Assad the choice to
“My dream is
move to Canada was an easy
to cure cancer so
one, although getting here was
I can help people
Photo by Katie Strachan/The Oshawa Express much more difficult.
all over the Jerry Xiao, a Grade 3 student from Mary St. Community School,
The Grade 12 student’s
world.”
mother
died of cancer nine years
tells his story of his move from China to Canada. His family has
Xiao’s story since settled in Durham Region.
ago.
is just one of
Her uncle, who had already
many that will be included in the Everyone is speeding. The highways moved to Canada, convinced her
Durham District School Boards are so big,” explains the student.
father to bring her and her older sis(DDSB) book titled ‘Journeys.’
The sites upon landing here after ter over.
The book hosts 40 stories, all a 10-hour flight were very different
Unfortunately, her father fell ill
from children who are newcomers to from his hometown, where the hous- just months before they had decided
Canada.
es look like castles.
to make the move.
For Andrei Sorescu traveling
Sorescu’s journey to Canada
“It was impossible to leave to
School enrolment numbers down
Lack of building
affects school
enrolment numbers
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
It seems the lack of new residential developments being built is
affecting the school system as well.
The Durham District School
Board (DDSB) released its official
enrolment projections for the 2009
to 2011 school year.
During this time, elementary
school enrolment is expected to start
increasing but numbers will not reach
what they were in 2008.
The secondary enrolment numbers
are projected to decline.
The decline in elementary school
enrolment can be targeted to the graduation of 5,000 Grade 8 students to
high school.
According to the DDSB report,
only 4,000 children are expected to
enter kindergarten.
On top of that, new subdivision
growth is much slower, due to the current economic climate.
Only 2,583 building permits were
issued within the jurisdiction of DDSB
last year, a significant decline from
2006 when 4,450 permits were issued.
DDSB
staff
are
predicting
about 465
students
will enter
the school
system
courtesy of
new subdivisions.
In past years, that number has been
about 800 students.
On the other hand, the increase in
high schools can be attributed to the
large number of students moving from
elementary to high schools.
The report, which was created by
staff from the property and planning
department in conjunction with the
operations staff, states that in order to
predict the future, one must look at the
past to review cycles of growth that
have occurred over time.
Boomers comprise the biggest generation in Canada’s history.
They started elementary school
from 1953 to 1972 and secondary from
1962 to1981.
After the boom, came the bust, with
those people entering elementary
school from 1973 to 1985 and high
school from 1982 to 1994.
This was also a declining period for
schools.
Children of the boomers, the echo
generation, started elementary school
in 1986 to 2001 and high school from
1995 to 2010.
Because children of the bust generation started elementary schools in
2002, DDSB expected a decline to
occur.
And it has since 2005.
A total of 45,984 elementary students are projected to be enrolled and
24,725 high school in October 2009.
In Oshawa alone, 10,812 elementary students can be expected and
6,317 enrolled in high schools, states
the report.
Canada when my father was very
sick at home,” she explains.
Assad and her sister stayed with
her father until he passed away of
cancer, six months later.
Assad’s uncle took her and her
sister in. They have since settled in
Whitby.
Martyn Beckett, director of education for the DDSB, says the stories
are remarkable.
“What struck me over and over
again is the optimism in the students,” he says of the book.
“I was truly touched at what I
was reading and the courage, perseverance and honesty from the students.”
The DDSB is hoping to make the
book and the Journeys evening an
annual event, says Luigia Ayotte,
superintendent of programs.
Although Xiao, Assad and
Sorescu all enjoy their new life in
Canada, all three say they soon hope
to visit their home countries where
they can share their remarkable stories with friends and family.
Crime down in
Durham Region
By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
To some it may be a sign to
breathe a sigh of relief.
According to a report at a
recent police board
meeting, crime is
down in Durham
Region.
So far this year,
the Durham Region
Police
Service
(DRPS) responded to
14,739
reported
offences compared to
15,908 in 2008.
Violent incidents are also
decreasing with 1,453 in 2008
and only 1,421 so far in 2009.
It was also noted at the meeting that property crime calls have
slightly decreased from 4,524
calls last year to 4,145 this year.
However, that very same sigh
of relief may end upon learning
that sexual assaults are on the
rise compared to last year when
130 were reported.
So far in 2009, there have
been 150 reports.
Just last week, a
woman was sexually assaulted downtown Oshawa.
Police are not
sure the disturbing
trend will continue
throughout
the
remaining months
of 2009.
Impaired incidents are also up
from 2008.
Coincidentally, there were
130 incidents last year and have
already been 150 this year.
“If your going to commit a
crime in Durham Region, you
better be ready to get caught,”
Chief Mike Ewles has said.
The history of the Farewell Pioneer Cemetery
The
cemetery passed away in 1943 without a will.
During the City’s expansion of Harmony
which is located
According to Section 38 of the Cemeteries Road in 1993, thirty-eight graves were found
near the corner of Act, the City of Oshawa became responsible
outside the boundary of the cemetery,
Harmony Road and for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the encroaching by 8.5 metres on the right-of-way
King Street, started little cemetery.
allowance.
out as a small famThe Toronto firm of Archaeological
December 1, 1869
ily plot designed Oshawa Vindicator
Services Inc., was engaged to excavate,
only for use by the DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT - In the proper move and rebury the remains.
Farewell family.
Before the work commenced, the
place appears the death notice of A.M. Farewell,
Acheus Moody Farewell Sr. chose the site Sr. Mr. Farewell came into Canada about seven- cemetery had to be proclaimed an ‘unapfor his family burial ground ca. 1837.
proved cemetery’ by the Provincial
Farewell later gave his sons portions of the ty-eight years ago. He moved from Michigan to Registrar of Cemeteries.
graveyard and also allowed the Brown and Toronto, then Muddy Little York, with Governor
T h i s
Hinton families to be buried in the cemetery. Simcoe. At the time of his death he was, we occurred in
The cemetery was in use by the Farewell believe, the oldest resident of this county. An July
1993,
family until 1941. The last burial took place extended sketch of his life would therefore prove permitting the
on April 1, 1941 when baby David Farewell
region to prointeresting, connected as it was with the settlement ceed with the
was interred by Armstrong Funeral Home.
The Farewell family arrived in Harmony and progress of the finest portion of this country. relocation of
in late 1801. Brothers Moodie and William We intent giving such a sketch next week. The the
human
Farewell arrived in the area from York. Ca. funeral sermon will be preached next Sunday, by remains.
1812 Moodie opened a tavern on Harmony Elder Thomas Henry, in the Christian Church. The
On
July
Road, which he operated until 1837.
27, 1993, the
sermon will begin at 11 a.m.”
The family remained in the area.
disinterment
In 1956, the City of Oshawa became the
work began
owner of the Farewell Pioneer Cemetery from
In a Lieutenant Governor Order in Council and was completed a
the estate of Carlston Horne. The property was dated March 12, 1968, the cemetery was offi- month later. The
deeded to Mr. Horne in 1874. Mr. Horne cially closed to further burials.
remains of 38 skeleMAY 20 2009
tons or partial skeletons were recovered.
Artifacts such as coffin plates and glass
from viewing windows were transferred to the
Oshawa Community Museum to become a part
of the collection.
The artifacts are currently on display as a
part of the museums new Mourning After: The
Victorian Celebration of Death exhibit.
Correction: The wrong headshot was
placed on the Archivst’s column in the May
13 edition. The Oshawa Express apologizes
for the error.
Page 9
Page 10
MAY 20 2009
Students catch glimpse into future
By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
gotten a little easier.
Recently, students from the Durham
District and Durham Catholic school boards as
Choosing a career is often difficult. It’s well as other schools were able to see a variety
hard to know what to be when you grow up.
of faculties at the Durham College campus.
But for 300 Grade 7 and 8 students from
Students could try their hand at designing
across the region, the decision may just have and building a model of an amusement park
ride.
Or they could
learn how to take
care of animals as a
veterinary assistant.
Becoming
a
police officer or paramedic was also an
option, as classes
wandered from room
to room to learn
about the programs.
“It’s all funded
through the School
College
Work
Initiative,”
says
Kathy Rhodes, the
School College proPhoto by Robyn DePratto/ The Oshawa Express
ject’s facilitator.
Nathan Moore (left), a Grade 8 student from John XXIII Catholic School and
“Kids start this
Katy Henderson, a Durham College veterinary assisting graduate, hold two discussion now, in
pugs as students crowd around them during a Durham College event that Grade 7 and 8. They
focussed on educating students about various careers.
MAY 20 2009
have to start making some critical decisions.
They have to do the homework early now.”
By reaching out to various faculties in the
school, Rhodes says she was able to put the
program together, which has been running at
this scale for around three years.
She says it is in large part because of the
people and partnerships involved that this
event can even happen.
“It really is a cooperative effort. They (faculty members) understand the importance of
outreach.”
As for the kids, they love it.
”They’re engaged. They need to be touching something and doing something.”
This was best exemplified when students
got the chance to measure and play with two
pugs during the veterinary assisting workshop.
For Nathan Moore, a Grade 8 student from
John XXIII Catholic School, the workshops
were a lot of fun.
“It could be fun to do veterinary assisting,”
he says, adding the police workshop was pretty cool too. “It’s exciting.”
For Rhodes, it just comes down to exposing
kids to these careers early, so they at least have
a chance to discover where their interests lie.
“Follow whatever your passion happens to
be,” she advises.
McHappy Day a
success in Oshawa
Oshawa raised more than $13,000 for
the New Toronto’s Ronald McDonald
House on May 6th as part of McHappy
Day in Canada.
This year, one dollar from the sale of
every McMuffin sandwich, Big Mac, and
Happy Meal went to each restaurant’s charity of choice.
Communities across the country came
together to raise $3.4 million for local children’s charities. The money will benefit
more than 170 charities across Canada.
McHappy Day was introduced in 1977,
as a national one-day fundraising event and
has raised more than $25.9 million for
Ronald McDonald charities.
Mayor John Gray tries his hand working
behind the counter on McHappy Day.
Page 11
Police in full force for Police Week
By Robyn DePratto
Durham College Co-Op student
the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
attended the annual event, which is dedicated
Dozens of officers from different police to recognizing policing services and increasing
forces were on hand at the Oshawa Centre kick crime prevention awareness.
Tables and booths were set up in the centre
off of Police Week in Durham Region recentcourt of the mall, with information about sevly.
Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), eral different topics, such as detecting counterfeit money, drug safety, and bullying.
Detective Constable Kevin
Dunlop and his four-legged partner, Magnum were there to represent the K9 unit.
While most of the officers present were there for the whole day,
Dunlop said he was the only one in
the K9 unit on duty in his platoon
and if he got a call he’d have to go.
Auxiliary Police Constable
Margaret Everingham says this
isn’t a career for her.
She says it’s strictly a volunteer
thing,
but they do go through a sixPhotos by Robyn DePratto/ The Oshawa Express
month training program.
RCMP Inspector Glenn Hanna along with Chief Mike Ewles cut
The Auxiliary Police take care
the police tape to signify the start of Police Week.
of things like crowd control at pub-
lic events, or canvassing neighbourhoods after
crimes, which is something she says DRPS
officers are grateful for.
“They appreciate us doing that, it frees
them up to do heavy duty stuff,” she says.
A ribbon cutting officially launched the
week, with DRPS Chief Mike Ewles, RCMP
Inspector Glenn Hanna and OPP Constable
Angela Dias taking on the task of snipping the
yellow caution tape.
“We want to raise awareness about all the
different programs police services run,” says
Ewles.
“Want to know one of the reasons we’re
here?” says Hanna.
“Look at that.”
Hanna pointed to a group of children who
had gathered around Constable Dunlop and
Magnum, excitedly reaching out to pet the
dog.
Ewles says often parents will use police as
a threat to kids, saying they will come get them
if they’re bad, which can make them afraid of
the police.
“We don’t want them to be afraid of us,” he
says.
“We want them to come looking for us.”
Detective Constable Kevin Dunlop and his fourlegged partner, Magnum were there to represent
the K9 unit.
Autofest revving up, getting ready to roar Stay safe on
your ATV
Chirp, chirp.
Vroom, vroom.
Spring is here, the birds are chirping, and
just behind that comes the roaring engines of
the cars involved in Autofest.
These cars will roll into Lakeview Park on
Aug. 28 through to Aug. 30.
Autofest began 16 years ago as a one-day
show and has now soared to a three-day weekend event filled with thousands of classic cars.
All the cars featured are from 1976 or older,
the perfect mix for all car enthusiasts.
But there is something for the ladies as
well. On Sunday, the 2nd Annual Women’s
World Craft show will be opened.
It’s about more than cars though.
Throughout the weekend there will be museum
tours and events for children.
A soapbox derby kicks the celebration off
the weekend before Autofest on Aug. 22.
This year in particular, the organizers of
Autofest are looking for companies, within the
same industry, to sponsor the soapbox derby.
While the economic climate, especially
within the auto sector is unstable, organizers
say sponsorship by local businesses is actually
on the rise and they’re hoping to make the
event even bigger and better this year.
The Grandview Children’s Centre will be
on the receiving end of the monies raised
through the silent auction, the Lion’s Club
50/50 draws, which worked out to be about
$5,000 last year.
The Motor City Car Club hosts the event
each year.
They have been together for 50 years.
For more information on how to enter or for
schedules visit www.autofestoshawa.com.
If you or your company can help sponsor
one of the soapbox cars, call Rick Seely at 905243-2233 or send the Motor City Car Club an
email through the website.
Can cell phones harm our youth?
Close to a dozen countries around the
world have issued warnings or cautions about
children using cell phones, but our own
Health Canada has no similar message for
Canadians.
The United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium,
Israel, India and even Russia advise that children limit their cell phone use. France is about
to make it illegal to market cell phones to children under 12.
Finland's Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Authority encourages parents to err on the
side of caution, saying radiation from cell
phones could pose a health risk, but the
research into possible effects of prolonged cell
phone use is unclear. In Russia, it is recommended children under 18 not use cell phones
at all.
Interphone author and epidemiologist
Elisabeth Cardis is planning a study be done
specifically on children. The low-level radiation emitted by a cell phone is absorbed more
than halfway through the brain of a five-yearold.
“If there's a risk, it's likely going to be
higher because of the usage and because of the
Page 12
innate sensitivity of children,” Cardis said.
“So I think it's very, very important that we
study this so urgently.”
But while a survey conducted by CBCTV's Marketplace on more than 1,000
Canadian children found almost half of nine to
13-year-olds now have cell phones, Health
Canada gives no such advice about the risks of
cell phone use. And even if it did, do you honestly think teens would give up the convenience of their cell phones for something that
would possibly harm them 30 years or more
down the road? For that matter how many
adults would give it up or at least limit its use?
If I had a daughter, I am sure for safety’s
sake, I would provide her with a cell phone. I
am somewhat more secure knowing that my
wife has a cell phone for the car that she uses
in case of car problems. It also serves as a cottage phone. So cell phones do have their
place, but...
”The brain of a child literally is less dense,
it's more porous, and it’s more susceptible to
everything,” said, Devra Davis, professor of
epidemiology.
Adult brains are thicker and denser, so the
cell phone radio frequency signal is absorbed
less deeply, she said. I am tempted to mention
some adults who definitely have thicker and
denser brains, let’s just say some of them are
politicians.
The International Agency for Research on
Cancer, a UN watchdog, was supposed to
release a study investigating whether radiation
from cell phones could lead to cancer. It hasn't yet been published because the scientists
are divided over parts of the study, particularly over research that suggests long-term users
of cell phones are more likely to develop brain
cancer.
“Because the latency between exposure
and brain cancer could be 20 or 30 years…we
are basically treating ourselves like lab rats in
an experiment without any controls,” said Dr.
Davis.
Recently it has been suggested by some
psychiatrists that one in five students suffers
some kind of mental issue. Having taught over
the span of 40 years, I definitely saw an
increase in mental issues among my students.
To say that one in five had an issue is just not
my experience.
Adolescence is a tumultuous time in everyone’s development, a period of dramatic physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and
social change. It is also, apparently, the time
when most major mental illnesses tend to
emerge.
“Young people between the ages of 16 and
24 are more likely to develop mental health
problems, including serious mental illness,
than at any other stage of life,” states the
Canadian Psychiatric Association.
In my experience teens have a more difficult time today than most of us had experienced. To add to their mental health issues by
encouraging cell phone use without limits,
seems irresponsible once all the health issues
are known. Now you know.
Comments can be sent not by cell phone,
but
by
e-mail
to
[email protected]
Warm weather has come to Durham Region
and many residents are getting ready to hit the
trails on their All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
Durham Regional Police and the Durham
Region ATV Safety Coalition want to remind
ATV riders that an enjoyable and safe season
starts with knowing the rules of the road.
This includes permits, safety equipment,
the designated trails for ATVs and Highway
Traffic Act Legislations.
While ATVs can be driven on private property with consent from the property owner,
there is only one legally designated trail system in Durham Region. It’s in the Ganaraska
Forest in Clarington and you need to have a
valid trail permit.
Only one municipality in Durham Region
has a by-law allowing ATV access to local
roads. The Township of Brock passed one that
allows ATVs to be operated on open and maintained township roads between December 1
and March 31.
Here are some tips for ATV Safety.
Always ride with another machine, especially in remote areas, wear the appropriate
gear, including a helmet, eye protection, long
shirt and pants, gloves and boots, have a safety kit on board, including a flare, flashlight,
map and compass.
It’s also important to have a GPS system or
cell phone so a call for assistance can be made.
A safety course as well as learning to ride
from an expert are essential when riding an
ATV.
Ensure that children under 16 are not using
adult size machines.
MAY 20 2009
[email protected]
ARIES March 20 to April 19
You have a lively personality
with plenty of vitality. Mental
interests, ideas, writing and communication are emphasized over the next
four weeks. Calls and errands will
keep you busy.
TAURUS April 19 to May 20
Like the other fixed signs, you
do relate well to change, only
if you initiate it. You could receive a
refund, a small windfall or a new
financial opportunity. Use personal
funds to buy something nice..
GEMINI May 20 to June 21
Happy Birthday Gemini! You
always see the fun in life. An
excellent time to start a self-improvement program, what can you do to
enrich your skills, appearance and the
way you relate to others?
CANCER June 21 to July 22
Ruled by the Moon, you are
more emotional and intuitive
than other sun signs. A time to nurture
the needs of the spirit, you should
meditate on changes that you want to
make. Read an inspirational book.
LEO July 22 to August 22
Maintaining a sparkling presence and a to-die-for appearance is very important to you. This is
an opportune time to run for office or
to head a committee. A rival could
become a friend.
VIRGO August 22 to Sept 22
No other sun sign is as precise
as you are or as definite about
how you want things to be. For the
next four weeks, your career is in high
focus. Put yourself out there, but also
be considerate of others’ needs.
LIBRA Sept 22 to Oct 23
Assertive, you are determined to
have things your own way.
Broaden your mind through reading,
travel, higher education or philosophy.
In June, attend a business seminar or take
a vacation.
SCORPIO Oct 23 to Nov 22
You guard your inner world
from everyone, even your closest friends. Excellent cycle to accumulate assets you share with your partner
and pay off outstanding debts. Check
financial statements for errors.
SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 to Dec 21
You enjoy an active social life
and like sharing ideas with others. The new Moon in your partnership sector draws attention to
alliances. If you are involved in an
ongoing romance, it is time to set a date.
CAPRICORN Dec 21 to Jan 19
Ambitious, you enjoy being in
charge. Try to establish more harmonious relationships at work. Clean up
your desk and reorganize your work area.
Improve your daily routines. Go for a
health checkup.
AQUARIUS Jan 19 to Feb 19
A naturally friendly person, you
are interested in what anyone has
to say about anything. Get going on a
new project you really enjoy, some type
of craft or art form. Support children’s
activities
PISCES Feb 19 to March 20
A water sign, you are emotional, sensitive and psychic. You
absorb the feelings of other people.
Clean up your home, get rid of clutter or
redecorate. Strive for clear communications with members of the family.
The Stars Say is provided by Joan Ann of Oshawa. For personal readings, call 905-725-9179 or visit her website at www.astroconsultation.com
Chloe is a one year old brindle boxer who loves playing dress up! It’s
hard to get her to stand still for a minute to get a picture though. She’s
full of energy
The Oshawa Express would like to remind its readers to still send their child’s
picture in to run bi-weekly in the Echo Baby feature.
Across
1. Construct
6. Coarse file
10. Vesicle
14. Concur
15. Pitcher
16. Opposite of front
17. Influence
18. Cab
19. “If all ___ fails...”
20. Family
21. Bellow
23. Abbey area
24. Eager
25. Acquired
27. Rational
31. Smoothness
35. Not moving
36. Acclivity
37. Bowling target
38. Highway division
39. Express joy
41. Blow off steam
42. Ventilate
43. River deposit
44. Door part
45. Fissure
47. Knitted garment
49. Miner’s find
50. Lightly burn
51. Extinct bird
54. Annul
55. Grassland
58. Waterless
59. Hindu dress
61. Perfect
63. Poi source
64. Consequently
65. Entangle
66. Choir voice
67. Bucks and does
68. Crazily
Down
1. Support
2. Tangelo
3. Wrinkle remover
4. Romanian monetary unit
5. Take away
6. Not wholesale
7. Prize
8. Gender
9. Prudish
10. Fabricate
11. Dog’s cry
12. Back talk
13. Arborist’s concern
22. Egg cell
26. Single
27. Light purple
28. Broadcasting
(hyph)
29. Musical style
30. Wrath
31. Sweet-tasting fruit
32. All in
33. Scorch
34. “Come in!”
36. Furrow
39. Certified
40. Hearty brew
41. Through
43. A title
44. Gallantry
46. Haitian witchcraft
47. Elder
48. Roll of bills
50. Power glitch
51. Computer info
52. Using speech
53. Grime
55. Tip
56. Nobleman
57. Friend
60. “___ we there
yet?”
62. Paternity identifier
Kathleen Saxe
Word Game
May 13 Word Game answers
Tonsilitis
Page 13
MAY 20 2009
May 13 Crossword answers
May 20
The One Parent Families Association
is holding a fund raising dance at the
Woodview Community Centre. We
welcome both singles and couples.
The doors open at 7:30 and dancing
begins at 8:00 pm. and includes a
hot buffet. Dress code is in effect.
Contact Dean at [email protected] or at 289-240-2146 for
more info, 151 Cadillac Ave.
May 21
Next steps for families and friends. A
new learning series for caregivers of
people with Alzheimer’s disease or
related dementia. Communication
and behaviour is the theme for this
session. It runs from 9:30 AM to 12
noon at the Durham Region
Alzheimer’s Society at 419 King
Street West, Suite 207. For more
information and to register, call 905576-2567 or toll free at 1-888-3011106.
Learn the basics of Palmistry,
Numerology, and Chinese Astrology
on May 21 at the McLaughlin
Library. Make Zodiac crafts! Eat cosmic cookery and delve into some outof-this-world treats. Win Prizes! The
event runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
and is for teens 12-19. Free registration at any branch.
May 23
If you have ever wondered how Fido
understands your commands or what
actually goes on in your feline's head
then you won't want to miss this interactive workshop at the McLaughlin
library. Sheila Trecartin, a renowned
animal communicator and pet psychic will discuss animal communication. It starts at 2 p.m. and is for teens
and adults ages 12 and up. Free registration at any library branch.
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church
Oshawa is holding its Spring Bazaar
starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 1
p.m.
Come join the City of Oshawa in
support of Ontario’s Energy
Conservation Week. On May 23,
2009, the City will partner with the
Foundation for Building Sustainable
Communities to host an Energy
Conservation Week Fair at the
Legends Centre’s Leisure Room from
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The public
Page 14
is invited for a chance to win great
energy-efficient prizes including compact fluorescent bulbs and to drop off
any used batteries and cell phones.
For
more
information
visit
www.oshawa.ca.
An evening of music will be held at
Harmony Road Baptist Church on
May 23 to raise funds for The Denise
House, starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets
are available at Wilson and Lee
Music Store: $20 for Adults $15 for
students/seniors All proceeds will be
donated to The Denise House.
Featured artists include: Kristine
Dandavino voice Jennifer Carter
voice Mark La Flamme voice Mélanie
Harsthorn-Walton voice Marianne
Turner piano Joanne Averill-Rocha
flute and many more
May 13 Sudoku answers
May 25-N
Nov27
The Oshawa Community Museum
presents Mourning After: The
Victorian Celebration of Death. This
exhibit explores the ways mourning
was expressed by drawing on museum and private collections of funeral
announcements, mourning dress,
memorial photography, tombstone
motifs, hair jewelry and other
mementoes of the funeral ceremony.
May 26
Are you the ultimate Guitar Hero?
Show off your mad guitar skills at
this tournament, held at the
Northview Library at 7 p.m. The
Guitar Hero and runner-up will win a
prize! For ages 12-18. Registration is
limited. Free registration at any
library branch.
May 27
Annual plant auction. Get lots of
great plants and seedlings at bargain prices! Everyone is welcome!
Durham District School Board . 7:30
p.m. For more info contact Dianne
Pazaratz at 905-433-7875 or Peggy
Clark at 905-623-5278
May 28
Got Game? Bring it to the
McLaughlin library at 7 p.m.! They
will be featuring a Mario Kart Wii
Tournament for ages 12-19. Snacks
and water will be available throughout the tournament. Space is limited.
Free registration at any library
branch.
The wagon
A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagon-load
of corn. The farmer who lived nearby heard the noise.
“Hey Johnny!” the farmer yelled. “Forget your troubles. Come in with us. Then I'll help you get the wagon
up.”
“That's mighty nice of you,” Johnny answered, “but
I don't think Pa would like me to.”
“Aw, come on," the farmer insisted.
“Well okay,” the boy finally agreed, and added, “but
Pa won't like it.”
After a hearty dinner, Johnny thanked his host. “I
feel a lot better now, but I know Pa is going to be real
upset.”
“Don't be foolish,” the neighbor said with a smile.
“By the way, where is he?”
“Under the wagon.”
Send us your jokes to [email protected]
Photo by Lindsey Cole/ The Oshawa Express
This peacock shows off his feathers in hopes of impressing his
female friend, another peacock at the Oshawa zoo recently.
MAY 20 2009
Dodgers’ attempt for a home opener stalled…again
At least the baseball Leafs look good
By Wally Donaldson
The Oshawa Express
opening game last Saturday at Kinsmen
Stadium was stalled once again, although the
tilt did get started with the Mississauga Twins
The look of disappointment on the face of in town. Rain washed away the opener and for
each player inside the dressing room at the third straight week. The Dodgers have yet
Christie Pits
to play a home
in
Toronto
game.
spoke
volJ e r e m y
umes followWalker collected
ing
last
three hits for the
Sunday afterLeafs, including
n o o n ’ s
a
three-run
Intercounty
homer
while
Baseball
Drew
Taylor
League (IBL)
went six strong
contest.
innings on the
And it was
mound for his
a look that
third win of the
brought
a
young season.
smile to the
Taylor
has
face of Dino
allowed just one
Roumel, who
earned run in 16
served as the
innings pitched.
bench boss of
Photo by Wally Donaldson/The Oshawa Express
Meanwhile,
the Oshawa Tyler Hibbert of the Oshawa Dodgers slides safely back into first Oshawa starter
Dodgers on base in a pickoff attempt at Kinsmen Stadium during a failed Chris Nigarski
this day.
Intercounty Baseball League attempt to get the game in before the did not receive
“ T h e r e rain fell.
much support
wasn’t
a
based on the Dodgers’ error count. He allowed
happy face in there at all and that really told five runs, all unearned in taking the loss.
me something,” said Roumel who, ironically,
Dodgers were able to bring the tying run to
had served as manager of the Leafs the previ- the plate in the ninth, but fell shy of a comeous two seasons. “These guys have character back attempt. They did score in bunches with
and they all realized we did not play well as a three runs in each the fourth, seventh and
team, certainly not
eighth innings.
for the calibre of
“We threw the ball
team
we
are
around. There’s no quesexpecting to field
tion about that,” adds
this year.”
Roumel, who will shoulDodgers comder much of the load as
mitted a total of
manager this season
seven errors and
while Dan Blaiwas
although making
focuses on the Ontario
it interesting in the
Blue Jays. “I guess the
ninth
inning,
only good thing to be
dropped a 12-9
said is I hope we got that
decision to the
type of game out of the
first-place Leafs
way early in the season.”
for their first loss
Roumel knows about
of the campaign.
success, having guided
The outcome
his hometown Guelph
was particularly
Gryphons to a couple of
Photo by Wally Donaldson/The Oshawa Express
unsettling on the
titles during the early
heels of a master- Brandyn Agnew drew the starting assignment on the 1990s before turning his
ful performance mound for the Oshawa Dodgers Saturday after- attention to the Leafs
in Brantford one noon.
where he also rang up a
week earlier when
title.
the Dodgers swept a pair from the defending
Thus, the homecoming against Toronto
champion Red Sox.
took on a special significance when the
Oshawa’s bid to get in a complete home- Dodgers stepped onto the field.
“The timing was right for me to leave (the
Leafs). I know that,” adds Roumel.
“It was getting to be an interesting situation
there. I could have gone back to coach in
Guelph but, to be honest, I was so impressed
with what the Dodgers
did last year.
And to be reunited
with Dan (Bleiwas)
and Sean (Travers),
I’m really excited
about this year.”
Kyle Fillier led the
Dodgers with three
hits and three RBI’s,
while former Leafs
player Travers chipped
in a pair of hits.
As could be expected with a young team,
several regular players
remain
at
U.S.
Colleges, but they are
expected to be back
for this weekend’s
home-and-home series
against the winless
H a m i l t o n
Thunderbirds.
Dodgers will try
once again to open the
home portion of their
season on Saturday
afternoon, starting at 2
p.m.
They travel to
Hamilton on Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to getting everyone back on the weekend,” adds Roumel.
“Because, really,
we have not had a full
practice. And yet,
we’ve still played fairly well.
From what I have
seen so far, these guys
have so much pride
and even with the loss
in Toronto, it would
have been easy to lose
18-5 after letting the
wheels
fall
off.
Instead, we brought
the tying run to the
plate in the ninth
inning.
“I am very encour-
aged about this year and I think the fans who
come and watch us play will sincerely be
impressed. These guys have so much to offer
and I know we will be very competitive.
Volley, set, spike through the summer
Volley, set and spike!
Durham Region Volleyball is running an
indoor court volleyball league this summer.
It is co-ed groups of six for adults of all skill
levels because various divisions are available to
play in.
Participants can register as an individual or
bring along a whole team of their friends.
The games will run on Sunday evenings from
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
However, there is no volleyball scheduled during any of the long weekends.
Please check out Durham Volleyball’s website
to register and for more specific details.
Those wishing to join can contact the league
coordinator, Amanda.
Visit www.durhamregionvolleyball.com or
call 905-995-2031.
Amanda is also available via email at [email protected]
Games start on May 31 so register as soon as
possible.
MAY 20 2009
Page 15
Redmen players
prominent on a
professional level
Oshawa senior
citizens slow
pitch league
For the 12th
year in a row,
the Northview
Branch of the
Oshawa Senior
Citizens Centre
(OSCC)
is
going to have a
55 and over SloPitch league.
Experienced
ball players will get to have fun while keeping in shape
over the summer by being a part of this league that
meets every Thursday at Alexandra Park.
Games run from 9 a.m. to noon and league play
begins on May 21.
Both men and women are welcome to play.
To register, players need to be 55 and over, be physPhoto by Robyn DePratto/The Oshawa Express
ically fit, have prior experience playing softball and be
willing to come to the games on a regular basis.
Those interested can sign up at any OSCC branch.
The cost is $30 with a valid membership.
For more information contact the OSCC at 905- Mark Krycia, a coach with Tennis Club Canada, shows off some of
576-6712
his moves during a tennis lesson at the Civic Dome.
Tennis anyone?
Ridgebacks add McCullough
University of Ontario Institute of
Technology (UOIT) men’s hockey squad has
added depth to its blueline corps for the forthcoming Ontario Universities Association
(OUA) season.
Coach
Marlin
Muylaert will be welcoming
defenseman
John McCullough to the
2009-10
Ridgebacks
team.
McCullough, a native
of Barrie, was the assistant captain for the 200809 Couchiching Terriers in the Ontario Junior
Hockey League.
In 50 games played, he picked up three
goals and 15 assists for 18 points on the year,
with 99 penalty minutes, while his team finished in first place with a 38-3-7 record.
In 2007-08, McCullough split time between
the Newmarket Hurricanes and Couchiching
Page 16
where he amassed six points and 125 penalty
minutes in 48 games. In the playoffs,
McCullough was named the team’s MVP.
“John is a big defensive defenseman with a
physical presence. We
were impressed with how
quickly he moves the
puck up ice, and his hard
work in the corners and
around the net,” said
Muylaert.
“We feel John has a
very good upside and
will develop into a very
solid university defenseman.”
Muylaert is hoping this year’s freshmen
class is as good as last year’s, which saw forward Josh Vatri and defenseman Mike Noyes
named to the OUA All-Rookie Team.
McCullough is the newest addition to this
year’s squad after goalie Jason Guy committed
to UOIT earlier this off-season.
Two members of the Brooklin
Redmen fell on the short end of
Friday’s National League League
(NLL) championship and another
two with a Brooklin connection are
hoping to make
their mark with the
outside game.
Kurtis
Wager
was a back-up goaltender and Mike
McLellan was held
off the scoresheet as
the New York
Titans dropped a
12-10 decision to
the Calgary Roughnecks before
13,042 fans at the Saddledome in
Calgary.
On the same night, the Toronto
Nationals (formerly Rochester
Rattlers) opened their professional
field lacrosse season with a 17-16
victory over the Bayhawks in
Washington.
Shawn Williams chipped in an
assist and Stephen Hoar is the
other Brooklin connection to suit
up with the Nationals.
Toronto opens its
home portion of the
season this Friday
night against the
Chicago Machine this
Friday night, starting
at 7:30 at BMO Field.
The Redmen are
gearing up for their
Ontario
Lacrosse
Association
Major
Series season with a full practice
tonight. Their first taste of action is
a weekend series at St. Regis
before opening the home portion
of their campaign on Wednesday,
May 27 against the Barrie
Lakeshores at Iroquois Park Arena.
Game time is 8 o’clock.
Hockey seers on ice
In 1899
Charles H.
Duell, commissioner of
the
U.S.
P a t e n t
Office, asserted, “Everything that can be
invented has been invented!”
In 1927, H.M. Warner, founder of Warner
Brothers Pictures, said, “Nobody wants to
hear actors talk!”
In 1977, Ken Olson, founder of the Digital
Equipment Corp., proclaimed, “There is no
reason why anyone would want a computer in
his home.”
Based on those statements, predictions can
be futile at best. But for a number of pro hockey players their specific prognostications
about scoring goals have proven to be right on
target.
Just about the time the stock market
crashed in 1929, the now defunct Montreal
Maroons were being hosted by another
defunct club, the New York Americans.
Nels Stewart, who was nicknamed ‘Old
Poison’ because of his deadly scoring
prowess, put one by the Amerc’s Roy
‘Shrimp’ Worters. After the game the New
York Times’ Art Daley interviewed the little
backstop. Worters revealed how Stewart had
casually skated up to him and told him that
very shortly he would find the disc deposited
in the lower, left-hand corner of the cage. The
next shift he followed through exactly as he
had predicted.
During the 1932 post-season, the Maple
Leafs were pitted against those same
Maroons. In the two-game, total-goal series,
the first match had ended in a 1-1 deadlock.
In the second match, regulation time concluded with that identical score.
A cocky young Toronto rookie by the
name of Bob Gracie told coach Dick Irvin Sr.
that he would notch the tie-breaking tally.
The words had barely escaped his lips
when he fired one past ‘Flat’ Walsh. But, it
was called back on the offside.
His next shift, he coasted over the official
scorer and instructed him to write his name
down for the winning marker. Thirty-two seconds later he made good his claim.
‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion might as well
have been Irish the way he was so free with
the blarney.
But when his Habs faced the Blackhawks
in the 1953 playoffs, even before the first
puck dropped, he said, “I’ll get the tying
goals—let somebody else take care of the
winners!”
In game one, which the Canadiens won 31, he countered ‘Doc’ Couture’s opening goal.
In game two he rammed home a shot to make
it 3-3 in an eventual 4-3 Montreal victory.
And in the third tilt he notched the opening
goal, which was countered by Mosienko’s
equalizer.
Two years later, again in the post-season,
the great Gordie Howe skated over the Detroit
News photographer and warned, “Get set! I’ll
pop one in!”
Two minutes later, true to his word, he
bulged the twine behind Harry Lumley.
On March 25, 1963, Bobby Hull tied
‘Rocket’ Richard’s record of 50 goals in a season. Five weeks previously, the bombastic
Reg Flemming told the ‘Golden Jet’ that he
would be the one who would feed him the
puck when he got the magic number 50.
He did.
One of the most recent situations of this
kind involved the talkative Jeremy Roenick,
who was then with the Blackhawks.
Previous to the May 20, 1992 playoff
match against Edmonton, he confessed he had
a premonition he would chalk up the winning
goal of the game.
He did—a one-timer, as he had told his
captain, Dirk Graham.
NEXT WEEK: THE ADVENTURES OF
THE STANLEY CUP
MAY 20 2009
Dedication to football reason why the senior Hawkeyes stepped away
Hawkeyes sacrifice to honour their team
The ongoing battle between Gary
Bettman and Jim Balsillie, two very
accomplished businessmen with a
flair for the dramatics, over the
Phoenix Coyotes situation lends credence to the fact the one with the
loudest voice isn't always the one
with the right answer.
The fact Balsillie wants to parachute the Coyotes to southern
Ontario, preferably Hamilton where
the newspaper Spectator has already
determined through a consensus the
name should be the Tigers, and
Bettman's insistence on sporting his
commissioner's cap sets the table for
a real barn burner in and outside the
courtroom.
And yet, on a much smaller scale,
the president of an Oshawa league
involved in an entirely different
sport quietly goes about his duties
while its senior football offering is granted a leave of
absence.
Okay, so professional
sports organizations are
not commonly adept at
taking a year off in a bid
to, coining a popular
word, retool.
Pro and amateur teams have
in the past taken a deliberate
step to parting ways from their
respective leagues with the
high hopes of returning one
year later with all guns blazing.
In most cases, it's like the
restaurant, which is closed for
“renovations.”
The next sign you see
belongs to a realtor.
There are the exceptions, of
course.
And when Ian Bunting, along
with general manager Dan Draffin
elected to place the senior men's
Hawkeyes organization on the sidelines for the 2009 season, the
Northern Football Conference reluctantly gave them its blessing.
With their respective caps in
place, Bunting and Draffin chose to
do what is best for the Hawkeyes.
Perhaps even more importantly, they
chose to do what is best for the
Northern circuit.
These guys deserve props. No
loud bantering required.
No pounding of the fists on the
table.
The loss of a head coach, compounded by the retirement of returning players, prompted a reality
check.
As Bunting emphasized a short
while back,
“We are a proud organization and
if we can't do it right, we won't field
a team strictly for the sake of putting
a team on the field and hoping some
of it works out.”
Adding to their structure is a
strict code abiding by “local talent,”
be it in a coaching capacity or certainly the talent on the field.
It makes sense. Toronto players
and coaches are not always available
for a 7 p.m. practice on a Wednesday
night.
Football is no different from any
other sport.
Practice might not make perfect,
but it does combine confidence with
on-field knowledge in preparation
for future outings.
It is in hockey parlance the same
as line combinations getting to know
each other.
If you can't make a practice, the
passing game is off.
What the Hawkeyes are endeavoring to do is bring aboard a boat full
of keen Durham Region talent, supported by a dedicated area coaching
staff in the same fashion as their very
successful minor program.
The search is on right now for a
coaching staff.
It is paramount to the success of
the senior organization.
For anyone wanting to take on
this special challenge, it is wide open
to you.
It has not been uncommon in the
past for the Hawkeyes to welcome
high school coaches to their program.
Tom Chase and Tony White come
to mind when the Hawkeyes were
fielding a junior program.
The people you would be answering to are highly skilled executive
people with a passion for football
and fair play.
Their passion is hihglighted with
their recent decision.
This is the reason why the
Hawkeyes chose to step away from
the Northern league, albeit for only
one season.
It didn't look right in the playbook and so it was a time to revise. it
was time for change.
No loud bantering required.
No pounding of the fists on the
table.
Just a realistic look at what is best
for the Hawkeyes, what it best for
the team, and what is best for the
senior league they represent.
Ridgebacks get
nod to compete
The University of Ontario Institute and Golden Hawks, Guelph Gryphons, Windsor
Technology athletic department is all smiles Lancers, Brock Badgers, Western Mustangs,
after learning the new soccer program has been McMaster Marauders and the 2008 CIS
given thumbs up to compete in the
National Champion York Lions.
Ontario Universities Association
The Ridgebacks’ conference
(OUA) Conference, beginning in
schedule will consist of 16 games.
2010.
The next step for the
It was learned here Friday
Ridgebacks soccer program will
morning.
be assembling the team’s first
“We are very excited to enter
coaching staff and playing an exhiOUA men’s soccer in 2010,” statbition schedule during the 2009-10
ed Ken Babcock, UOIT Athletic
varsity season.
Director.
As announced at the 3rd annual
“We are looking forward to
UOIT athletic banquet last March,
Ken Babcock
beginning another varsity program
UOIT Varsity Dance will also start
and having the Ridgebacks compete against up in the 2009-10 season.
the top players and teams from across the
For the latest information on the UOIT
country.”
Ridgebacks, you can visit the official
UOIT will play in the OUA West Division Ridgebacks official website at www.uoitridgejoining the Waterloo Warriors, Wilfrid Laurier backs.com.
Saturday boxing
scheduled for Oshawa
Oshawa Motor City Boxing
Club will be playing a prominent role when Boxing Ontario
stages its year-end gala on
Saturday, May 30 at the
Holiday Inn in Oshawa.
Five fighters from the
Oshawa club have signed on
for this card, which also
includes a full dinner for spectators prior to the first bell.
Frankie Rill with 43 bouts
under his belt, will be taking on
Shavar Henry of Cabbagetown, who has
fought 23 times. Both are in the Elite level.
Brandon Cook is slated to fight Waseem ElMAY 20 2009
Sinani of Windsor.
Cody Nixon will step into the
ring against Mike Affainie of
Ajax and Canadian Junior 35kg
champion Evan Gillard will
meet Bradley Wilcox of
Steeltown.
Also scheduled to fight from
Oshawa is Tyler Tilley against
Lawrence Hay of McGory’s.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. with the
first bout at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the dinner and
card can be purchased individually or by table.
A limited supply of tickets for the boxing only
are available.
Page 17
Residential Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334
$25 (plus gst) for 25 words
Business Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334
$25 for a 1 col x 1” (Boxed) (plus gst)
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BUSINESS
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CLUBS
SINGLE & HAPPY CLUB
If you are single and content
or single and searching.
We have eventslive theatre, hiking, socials,
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Call Heather
at 905-493-2254
www.meetup.com/singlesfun
DENTISTRY
AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS
WORLD’S
GREATEST
POOL PLAYER
1 DAY ONLY!!
May 23rd from 2 to 5
p.m.
Coles Book Store, Oshawa
(Five Points Mall. Ritson/ Taunton)
#1 pool player/ promoter
“Superstroke” book
signing at Coles
Limited autographed copies
Page 18
MAY 20 2009
Residential Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334
$25 (plus gst) for 25 words
Business Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334
$25 for a 1 col x 1” (Boxed) (plus gst)
$42 for a 1 col x 2” (Boxed) (plus gst)
DEATH NOTICES
HUARD
Joseph John “Barry”
(Member Durham Region Injured Workers Network; Former Board
Member of the United Way)
Suddenly at Lakeridge Health Corp., Oshawa, on Thursday May 14,
2009 Barry in his 64th year. Dearly beloved husband of Gloria (nee
Patterson) for 40 years. Loving father of Krista Huard. Proud Grumpy
to Nicholas Sasseville and Papa to Kristin Beck. Beloved son of
Barbara and the late Clifford. Dear brother of Shirley and her husband
Bruce Jamieson of New Brunswick. Relatives and friends called at
McINTOSH-ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME LTD., 152 King Street East,
Oshawa (905-433-5558) on Sunday May 17, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m. and
on Monday from 12:00 noon until time of service at 1:00 p.m. in the
chapel. Donations in memory of Barry made to the Oshawa Hospital
Foundation-Paediatrics or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be
appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at
www.mcintosh-anderson.com
Estate planning
FINANCIAL
Flooring
McCRIMMON
Gladys Mary
(Former 23 year Bell Canada employee who upon
retirement became Toronto Maple Leaf's number
one fan)
Peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on
Sunday, May 17, 2009.
Beloved mother of Kevin McCrimmon. Cherished
daughter of the late Melville and Anna
McCrimmon. Predeceased by brothers Wayne
and Douglas. Loving sister to Florence Beales(Bob), Cameron (Molly),
Cecil (Heather), Grant, Anne Sypher(Russ), Ronald, Heather
Wideman(Jim), Barbara Branton(late Ralph), Robert (Liz), Shelley
(Daryl), Donald and Beryl How(Gary). Adored aunt and great aunt.
Resting at McINTOSH-ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 152 King Street
East, Oshawa (905.433.5558). The family will be in attendance
Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday
May 21, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., followed by service in the
chapel. Interment at Union Cemetery. Memorial donations may be
made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences may be
made at www.mcintosh-anderson.com
Home Repairs
Automobile service
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Call 905-571-7334 or email
[email protected]
MAY 20 2009
Page 19
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MAY 20 2009