Vol. 10 No. 6
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER COVERING NORTH DURHAM
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CLIENTS COME FIRST! CALL LEE COLBY
905-430-3000 re.trader55@gmail.com
Professional Realtor Realty Executives Systems Brokerage
Proposed Scugog tax Headline hike draws a protest BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard
MOJACKS SOAR OVER EAGLES: Port Perry MoJacks forward Jeff St. Pierre goes airborne in front of Clarington goalie CJ Sharp during the MoJacks’ 6-1 win at Scugog Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2. St. Pierre notched three assists in the win, which clinched a playoff spot for the MoJacks. For a full recap from the game, please see Page 15 of this week’s Standard. DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
Blaze at Mount Albert fire hall leads to increased service for Uxbridge FD DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
UXBRIDGE: The township’s fire department will be extending its coverage area temporarily following a fire at the Mount Albert fire hall on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 2. Uxbridge Fire Chief Scott Richardson addressed the situation at council’s meeting on the morning of Monday, Feb. 2, and discussed changes in services in parts of the municipality covered by the neighbouring department in Mount Albert. The fire, which began at approximately 8:15 a.m., left the station completely destroyed, resulting in the loss of several vehicles and all equipment on-site. No injuries were reported in the blaze, which was brought under control at around 1 p.m. on Sunday.
As part of an agreement between Uxbridge Township and the Town of East Gwillimbury, fire protection services in Zephyr, and other areas of northwest Uxbridge Township are provided by the East Gwillimbury Fire and Emergency Services, based in Mount Albert. “Uxbridge will now assume responsibility for any residence in that area,” said Chief Richardson. “Hopefully East Gwillimbury is back up and running shortly. And in the meantime, response times in that area will be extended because of the distance covered.” Chief Richardson added that offers of assistance from other departments including Uxbridge - have come pouring into Mount Albert in the wake of the fire, and East Gwillimbury is trying to locate a temporary building to house its fire department.
Affected residents will be notified when East Gwillimbury Fire and Emergency Dervices resumes fire protection coverage in the area of northwest Uxbridge Township. Uxbridge Fire Service is reminding all residents to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly, and replace defective alarms and detectors immediately. Under Ontario law, failure to provide functioning smoke alarms on all levels of your home could result in the owner being fined $235 per alarm. In addition, according to an Uxbridge Fire Department press release, all families should have and practice their home escape plan. Any further questions can be answered by the Uxbridge Fire Department at 905-852-3393.
SCUGOG: Scugog council chambers were filled to the brim on Monday, Feb. 3 as over 40 local residents and business owners turned out in protest of the 5.8 per cent tax hike being imposed in 2014. Feelings of discontent and confusion with the increasing taxation in Scugog was presented to Scugog Mayor Chuck Mercier and his councillors, as three prominent business owners and Chamber of Commerce representatives made a deputation. Scugog councillors expressed their understanding and regret for the tax levy, which they explained was necessary for the upkeep and growth of Port Perry and North Durham at large. The Scugog Chamber of Commerce, alongside numerous local business owners, agreed to correspond with councillors and form a de-facto steering committee, in advance of the Township’s budget open house and presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Scugog Memorial Public Library, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Tony Janssen - the first vice president of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, Roman Semeniuk – owner of the Canplex manufacturing facility on Scugog’s Sixth Line, and Ken Koury – owner of The Nutty Chocolatier on Queen St. as well as a manufacturing plant on Northport Rd. raised a deputation together, which asked councillors to explain the consistent increases of taxation and to work with the local Chamber of Commerce to “look at all of the avenues” and find a viable solution to the Township’s expanding budget needs. Mr. Janssen expressed that he has seen many local residents and business owners explain that they cannot continue to pay the cost of doing of doing business due to rising property taxes, while Mr. Semeniuk expressed dissatisfaction by saying, “If businesses and residents have to suffer to make it through tough financial times, I think that council members should have to do the same. It’s a tough job, but it’s your job.” The final statement was made by Mr. Koury, the wellknown proprietor of the Scugog-based Nutty Chocolatier franchise and resident for more than 25 years. “I have to dig in and make it work, which is what I ask you people to do,” said Mr. Koury. “The business climate is poor, and we just don’t have the money. As for my facility, I cannot afford the expenses and taxes, it is up for sale and I am being forced to leave Scugog.” Trena DeBruijn, Director of Finance, informed councillors that the levy is equal to $58 per-year to the average household. Mayor Chuck Mercier asked attendees, “Is a roughly $5 increase per-month on your tax bill worth investing in the roads, businesses, and livelihood of Scugog?”
LICENSED OPTICIANS EST 1982
ENJOY WEARING GLASSES EYE EXAMINATIONS ARRANGED - walk in appointments available 905-985-9388 • 30 water street • port perry
T U R N TO PAG E 4