Vol. 10 No. 25
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER COVERING NORTH DURHAM
THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014
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Fire Dept. review finished BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard
RIDING FOR DAD: Numerous bikers filled the parking lot and ice pad of the Scugog Arena on Saturday, June 14, for the annual 200 kilometre long Poker Run - Ride For Dad. This year’s ride was a great success, and marked the third year that Scugog played host to the fundraiser, which has collected over $255,000 to date. BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard
Granville Anderson wins in Durham DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
NORTH DURHAM: Last week’s provincial election brought about a new era in the Durham Riding, as Granville Anderson became the first Liberal candidate elected to serve the riding in more than 40 years. Anderson, a professional mediator and former seperate school board trustee won a slim victory over Conservative challenger Mike Patrick in the election on Thursday, June 12, winning by a margin of just over 1,200 votes as the Kathleen Wynne-led Liberals won a majority government in Ontario. With 19,816 votes, Anderson prevailed with 36.40 per cent of the ballots over Patrick, who accumulated 18,580
votes or 34.13 per cent of ballots cast. NDP candidate Derek Spence finished in third place with 13,094 votes or 24.05 per cent. Green Party candidate Halyna Zalucky finished a distant fourth with 2,326 votes (4.27 per cent) and Libertarian Connor Toye rounded out the ballot in fifth place, with 620 votes (1.14 per cent). “I expected a close race. We worked hard, I had a great team and we pulled it off. Now the work begins for Durham Region and I’m going to work harder than ever. I’m going to try my best and work hard to make this one of the best communities,” Anderson said, pledging to do his part to bring added infrastructure to North Durham, as well as GO Train ser-
vice into Bowmanville. The win for the Liberals broke up a dominant stretch for the Conservatives in Durham, as they had held the seat since 1995 under former MPP John O’Toole, who had announced earlier this year that he would be retiring from public office. In the previous provincial election, in 2011, O’Toole routed Liberal candidate Betty Somerville by 9,000 votes to win re-election. Anderson noted that he will be an active voice for Durham at Queen’s Park. “I’m going to represent Durham first and stick up for Durham. Durham Region is my priority and I’m going to make sure we get things for Durham,” commented Anderson.
SCUGOG: The final report from the Organizational Review of the Township’s Fire Department will be seen at next week’s Council meeting, on Monday, June 23. On Monday, June 16, Mariano Perini Fire Protection Advisor with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office - advised councillors that there is still some work to be done, but that the Fire Marshall’s Office is pleased with the results. Mr. Perini said, “although we haven’t seen the final report yet, I’ve been advised and have seen that certain actions being put in place to fix the issues.” Among the list of improvements made over the past months, Scugog Fire Department has seen a new communications system, a review of operational guidelines for firefighters, a fire risk analysis and increased training. “The Alarm for Life door-to-door smoke alarm program, which is already in use, is an excellent example of where we plan to build moving forward,” said Mr. Perini. Councillors were skeptical of the public education and smoke alarm programs. “Alarm for Life doesn’t meet the litmus test,” said Ward 5 Councillor Howard Danson. “With an estimated 20 per cent compliance rate, and most of the homeowners not letting firefighters in the front door, we don’t reach enough homes.” Mr. Perini prescribed a systematic study of how and why Scugog residents aren’t getting the message of fire safety, and vowed that the Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to provide support and expertise to Chief Miller and Scugog firefighters. “I see progress and we’re moving forward,” said Mr. Perini. “Scugog has been very progressive and uses a strong approach - from the viewpoint of the Fire Marshal’s Office, the review has concluded.” The Fire Operational Review report is expected to be spoken to on Monday, June 23 in Scugog Council chambers.