Vol. 10 No. 8
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER COVERING NORTH DURHAM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013
JULIE COLBY* Assistant
LEE COLBY** ‘The Waterfront Guy’ PROfESSIONAL REALTOR 25 YRS CAN SAVE REALTY 905-430-3000 ** sales representative * assistant unlicensed Brokerage
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
New tower going Headline up in Uxbridge DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
SCUGOG ISLAND FIRE: Fire, police and emergency crews responded to this housefire on Portview Rd. last Thursday (Feb. 14) afternoon. According to Scugog Deputy Fire Chief Rob Gonnerman, the cause of the blaze, which resulted in more than $300,000 worth of damage, is still under investigation. He added that the homeowner was treated for smoke inhalation. Two cats (inset photo - one carried by a local resident) were also removed from the home during the fire.
Region approves $54 tax hike for 2013 BLAKE WOLFE The Standard
NORTH DURHAM: Residents across Durham can expect to pay an additional $54 on the Regional portion of their 2013 tax bill, after councillors approved a 2.35 per cent tax hike last week. Durham’s mayors and Regional councillors approved the Region’s 2013 budget last Wednesday (Feb. 13), during a lengthy discussion of the document at that day’s council meeting. The increase in taxes is the same hike passed in 2012. Among this year’s new budget items: - $55 million dedicated to the expansion and improvement of the Region’s road and bridge networks; - Funding for several new solid waste management initiatives, including the implementation of #3 to #7 plastics recycling; - Operational requirements for the launch of the new Durham Region Transit Pulse service, which will provide
rapid transit options on Hwy. 2 through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa. However, the discussion was not without a few sticking points, namely the budget put forth by Durham Region Police as well as transit funding, specifically a 50 per cent cost increase for Durham Region Transit passes for students. Several councillors criticized the police for submitting a $172 million budget that includes high-profile capital items, such as the new Clarington police complex, a building that will house such functions as a new Centre of Investigative Excellence, new facilities for the DRPS’ K9 and Tactical units and new warehouse storage. The budget includes a $5.5 million charge for architectural design of the new facility. This year’s police budget also does not include any money for new officers. According to Commissioner of Finance Jim Clapp, the new building means there will be approximately $20 million worth of debt for the DRPS in 2014. T U R N TO PAG E 5
UXBRIDGE: Bell Canada recently approached council with plans to add a new telecommunications tower to the town in the hopes of improving the area’s cell phone and wireless internet service. James Kennedy appeared before councillors at their meeting on Monday, Feb. 4, to outline the project, which would see the addition of a 35-metre tower at 20 Victoria St., home to Newmarket Pre-Cast Concrete Products. Uxbridge residents have long sought improved coverage from telecommunications providers, and as Mr. Kennedy explained, the new tower will go a long way to improve coverage. “Uxbridge, as a little known fact, is in the top 10 in coverage complaints in Canada,” said Mr. Kennedy. “This site is meant to provide coverage inside of town, and compliment the existing towers east and west of Uxbridge. It’s a lot like street lights. They’re designed to cover a certain distance and when coverage from one spot ends, coverage from another facility needs to begin.” Mr. Kennedy went on to explain that the tower would look like a flagpole, as the company looks to reduce the size of towers and have them look as “stealth” as possible, and have them look like they are part of the existing landscape. According to Mr. Kennedy, in addition to Bell, the site would also provide coverage for Telus customers. Construction of the tower is expected to take place closest to the train tracks on the site, and will sit approximately 96 metres away from the closest residence. “We’ve tried to be at least three times the height of the tower away from residential, or as close as we can get without impacting the facility,” added Mr. Kennedy. Later, Mr. Kennedy responded positively to a request from Regional Councillor Jack Ballinger to have trees and shrubs planted near the base of the tower. The next step in the process, as explained by Township CAO Ingrid Svelnis is to have documentation submitted to the township as well as consultation with the building department and nearby residents.
• Water Softeners • Chlorine Removal Filters • Ultra-Violet Disinfection (5 gallons Reverse Osmosis) Systems & Lights or • Reverse Osmosis Systems Equipment & Accessories • Iron & Sulphur Filters Lowest Prices Guaranteed! • Chlorination Systems • Specialty Filters 133 Taunton Rd. W. Unit #2 • Oshawa • 905-436-2893 • www.stillwatertreatmentsystems.com
3 FREE Fills
10% Off