$1.00 Your Independent Local News Source Vol 2 No 43 AUGUST 29 2007 Step one of rail spur plan approved By Jessica Verge The Oshawa Express A proposed harbour rail line is a step closer to becoming a reality but that’s not getting in the way of one activist’s dreams for Oshawa’s waterfront. Larry Ladd, chair of the Marina Users Committee, is staying positive despite the first step in the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) decision process that could result in approval for CN Rail’s plan for a rail spur leading into the Port of Oshawa. “I’m extremely, extremely disappoint- ed,” says Ladd, regarding the first approval. Photo by Bruce Jones/The Oshawa Express But Ladd, who says he is grateful to Oshawa residents line bridges showing support for fallen soldiers. all the Oshawa residents who are sup- porting his campaign against the rail spur, isn’t giving up yet. Highway of Heroes In step one of the two-step decision, Local residents and emergency services Doos. It was recently announced that the 173- the CTA, an independent federal govern- personnel lined bridges along Highway 401 km stretch of road on Highway 401 from ment quasi-judicial tribunal, took a look Sunday evening to show their support for the Trenton to Toronto is being renamed the at the environmental aspects of the proj- lives of two Canadian soldiers killed Aug. 22 Highway of Heroes to honour the Canadian ect. They determined that CN’s proposed in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb detonat- soldiers killed during the Afghanistan War. project wasn’t likely to cause significant ed. The hearses carried the bodies of Master About 47,000 Canadians signed a petition adverse environmental effects on the area Warrant Officer Mario Mercier and Master calling for that section used to transport the through which it will be built. Corporal Christian Duchesne, traveled from bodies, to be named in honour of the fallen See RAIL Page 5 Canadian Forces Base Trenton’s airbase to the Canadian soldiers. Government leaders dis- coroner’s office in Toronto, as Oshawa resi- cussed and approved the change that will be dents, shown above, waved flags and saluted noted with new road signs, although it will Photo by Bruce Jones/The Oshawa Express the fallen soldiers of Canada’s famed Van still be officially known as Highway 401. Twenty-five claimants join lawsuit a tattoo of a lion’s head on his $10-million class action claim going into my skin and into my Tattoo parlour forearm in July, later learning against Longhorn on Aug. 20. He blood, and I want to be safe,” he that he may be at risk for a is still waiting for his test results added. targeted in blood-borne disease. to come back to see if he tests Hugh Towie, owner of Ten other men and 14 women positive for Hepatitis B or C, and Longhorn Custom Bodyart, told $10-million have joined the claim. will have to wait another six The Express that his lawyer Most of the claimants months before knowing if he advised him not to comment on class-action claim received tattoos at the Centre contracted the HIV virus from the issue. Street South parlour, which also the faulty equipment at the tattoo In an earlier interview he By Courtney Duffett provides body-piercing services. parlour. maintained his equipment is ster- The Oshawa Express The business, which has since “It is always in the back of ile and they have always main- re-opened, had failed some ster- my mind that I might have a dis- tained a clean operation. None of About 25 people have joined ilization tests between Nov. 17, ease,” Beaulieu stated through the claims against him have been in a class-action lawsuit against 2006 and Aug. 1, 2007, putting Colleen Arsenault, one of the proven in court. a local tattoo parlour after if was about 1,500 people at risk. These lawyers representing him in the Arsenault, one of three shut down earlier this month for people were notified and urged action. “When I got my tattoo at lawyers representing Beaulieu in improperly sterilizing equip- by Durham Region Health Longhorn, they told me that the case, says the next step is to ment. Department to be tested for the everything had been properly wait for the statement of defence Oshawa resident Kaleb small risk that they may have sterilized and that it was safe. I by the company and the owner. Beaulieu is making a class- become infected with Hepatitis have other tattoos, so I always They have 30 days to file. action claim of $10-million B, C or HIV and AIDS. make sure to ask if everything “It’s emotionally traumatic against Longhorn Custom Beaulieu, a mechanic in his has been properly sterilized, for him (Beaulieu),” Arsenault Bodyart in Oshawa. He received mid to late twenties, issued the because it’s something that is said. “He’s really nervous.” New cops join Durham police Durham Regional Police welcomed 20 Durham Regional Police Service’s Police new recruits to the force at a recent gradu- Learning Center. The officers will join pla- ation ceremony in Oshawa. toons across Durham Region and receive Family and friends looked on as the new on-the-job training from coach officers for officers were sworn in before embarking the next three months. on their new careers. Ewles says this new graduating class From the 20 new graduates, eight new was a very diverse class in age and experi- officers will join 17 Division in Oshawa, ence. four officers will join 18 Division in Some are newcomers coming out of Whitby and eight will join 19 Division in school and others are coming from other Ajax-Pickering, bringing Durham’s police careers and experiences. force count to roughly 800. “One of the strongest points of the offi- “We do have a plan for growth,” says cers is their individual life experiences,” Durham Regional Police chief Mike Ewles, says Ewles. “It will help us to interact with adding some of the new hirees will be the community.” replacing some upcoming resignations and Ewles along with Police Services board retirees. chair Terry Clayton, deputy chiefs Chuck Const. Jarah Knock-Archer – the only Mercier and Sherry Whiteway and MC act- female in the course - spoke on behalf of ing superintendent Mike Ennis welcomed her fellow recruits and commented on the the officers to the Durham Regional Police close relationships they have built over the team and wished them well. past few months. They will continue to The winner of the Allan Christiansen support each other as they begin their Memorial Award was Const. Marcin careers, she said. Gajewski for his outstanding leadership The group completed an 11-week train- abilities, positive attitude, commitment to Photo by Jessica Verge/The Oshawa Express ing program at the Ontario Police College physical fitness and ability to foster cama- From left, Dalton Tucker, 6, joins forces with his brother Jacob, 10, mom Melanie, dad and a four-week in-service program at the raderie amongst his peers. Michael (not in photo), and local Scout troupes getting backpacks ready for school chil- dren who can’t afford their own supplies. Backpacks filled for needy kids By Jessica Verge with Scouts Canada, which gets funding from The Oshawa Express United Way. Groups like United Way make it possible for It’s back-to-school time, which means stores youths who can’t afford to join Scouts to get finan- will be packed with families stocking up on paper, cial assistance so they can take part, said Benson. pencils, calculators and school supplies in time for Scouts never turn children away because they can’t the first day back Sept. 4. afford the program and the group makes every But for some local children, those much-need- effort for all prospective members to join. ed supplies aren’t easy to come by. There are fam- “We will make it happen,” she says. ilies across Durham Region that can’t afford things It’s the second year for United Way’s Backpack like backpacks and binders. That’s why the United Program, which was previously organized by Way is stepping in. another community group. The United Way of According to United Way campaign manager Oshawa/Whitby/Clarington/Brock and Scugog is Lynn Martin, they stepped in when the previous teaming up with the United Way of group could no longer offer the program as the Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge to provide more than school boards still saw a need for the donations. 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to chil- Donations go to students in the Durham District dren who couldn’t otherwise afford them. School Board, the Durham Catholic District United Way got a helping hand this year as vol- School Board as well as those attending school in unteers from Scouts Canada came out to pack the Clarington with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District binders and school bags. Public School Board and the Peterborough, Durham Regional Police recently welcomed 20 new recruits to the team and will be posi- The partnership is a good fit, according to Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic tioned at different platoons across the Region. Natalie Benson, manager of revenue development District School Board. Senior hurt in home invasion A 37-year-old Oshawa woman has been charged in During the struggle the victim was knocked down connection with a home invasion style robbery in which some stairs and had his wallet with cash and credit cards an 82-year-old man was knocked down a flight of stairs.