Oshawa Generals next home game Sunday, Nov. 9 VS Barrie Colts at 6:05 p.m. at GM Centre $1.00 www.oshawaexpress.ca Well Written, Well Read Vol 3 No 54 Wednesday, Nov 5 2008 Oshawa shocked Poppies to Young remember By Cynthia McQueen mother The Oshawa Express Poppies are a symbol of remembrance. murdered As the slogan says on the flag flown at city hall, “Lest we forget.” By Cynthia McQueen Members of the Royal Canadian Legion The Oshawa Express launched Poppy Week with Mayor John Gray at City Hall and even broke through an old lock to do Four days after a 21-year-old young mother it. was reported missing, she was found murdered Because of the construction at the building, the during a routine response by Durham Regional local Legionnaires were going to have to salute the Police Services (DRPS). flag from behind a fence until Mayor Gray was DRPS received a call about a marijuana motivated to have the flag raising ceremony done grow operation on Bloor St. in Oshawa and properly. upon entering the house found a scene When asked why she thought it important for described only as indignity to a dead body by people to remember and to wear poppies, Marilyn police reports. Roach couldn’t speak and began to cry. Out of respect for the young woman’s fami- For her the memories are still as pressing as they ly details about her mysterious death remain were all those many years ago. scarce and DRPS aren’t giving any clues as to Alan MacGregor was far more impassioned and what happened. said, “I don’t want my grandchildren to be fighting The victim’s family was unavailable for in wars. No one should have to live through that.” comment. Gord Cormie was a navigator on a bomber in The World War II and said, “We lost a lot of friends. We accused lost more than we had and some of them were only murderer, a 19, 18, 17.” 25 year-old All the members of the kick-off celebrations Oshawa were proud of their service, but solemn about the man, has loss of so many young men. been In support of Poppy Week, visit your local charged Legion 471 Simcoe St. S., or 1251 Simcoe St. N. with sec- ond degree murder; indignity to a dead Photo Supplied body; pro- Murder victim, Amber Francis ducing Photo by Cynthia McQueen/The Oshawa Express Young and her family. marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking. A 30 year-old Oshawa man is also facing The time of their lives charges in relation to the grow operation found Nolan sisters, Saleen and Chelsea point out the milestone brick that Chelsea carved her name into when inside the Bloor Street home. He is charged their home was being built by Habitat for Humanity. “It’s exciting and it’s full of hope and dreams and with producing marijuana and possession for it’s the bestest thing,” says Chelsea of the new move. See EVERYTHING page 9. the purpose of trafficking. The homicide investigation is ongoing. Survey says Anyone with information about this investiga- tion is asked to contact Detectives Dave Henderson (ext. 5326) or Detective Tom Cheaper housing, more jobs Dingwall (ext. 5319) of the DRPS Homicide By Katie Strachan our parks. Unit at 1-888-579-1520. The Oshawa Express Community Living Oshawa/Clarington If you would like to comment about this took to the streets to find out what residents untimely loss for the victim’s family, there is a Oshawa residents have had their say and Father John Toon, Mayor John Gray, Royal thought about the city we live in. Canadian Air Force navigator Gord Cormie and Facebook Memorial page for Amber Francis they are not impressed with the downtown and Surveys were handed out to residents of all Legionnaire Alan MacGregor salute the raising of Young. want more affordable housing, but they do love See QUESTIONS Page 3 the Poppy Week flag at City Hall. The taxman, like Robbery at Five Points Mall death, always calls Police are asking for your fill his plastic bag with husky build, 30 to 40 years help in identifying a robbery money. No weapon was old, clean shaven with a By Cynthia McQueen buildings and farmlands. Region, suspect. On Oct. 27, a lone seen. The suspect obtained wide nose. He was wearing The Oshawa Express Unfortunately, farmers in R.J. Clapp suspect wearing a mask cash before fleeing into the a black balaclava, black the greenbelt will likely feel suggested, entered the Auto Workers mall. coat; grey jogging pants and Given the current econom- the impact of these changes “A four Union Bank at 285 Taunton Officers searched the black runners. ic climate, referred to by most the most as Pickering council- year cycle Road East and approached area but couldn’t find the Anyone with information financial pundits as a crisis, lor Bill McLean pointed out may be too the bank clerks. suspect. He is described as is asked to contact police or getting good news in the mail the land under houses on long” for He then demanded they white about 6 feet tall, Crime Stoppers. from your local property tax farmland is still assessed as taxes to Roger Anderson office sounds impossible. farmland. stand with- However, Oshawa resi- McLean suggested the out reassessment. Weapons seized in furnace ducts dents may be in for some homes be assessed as residen- The major drawback to the A 33 year-old Oshawa As a result of the search and other edged weapons, unusual news arriving by mail tial apart from the farmlands, length of the cycle is that if man is facing 22 weapons warrant, investigators dis- including a sword. in the next few weeks. especially with a situation he the housing market goes charges after officers seized covered four long guns, The male was at his resi- The provincial govern- referred to in the greenbelt down over the next four guns and ammunition from including two rifles and two dence and was arrested ment has reviewed property where “God isn’t making any- years, your assessment will his residence. shotguns. without incident and has taxes and made a surprising more” topsoil or good healthy stand as is. Officers from the Gang All four of the weapons been charged with 22 change. crops. Not to mention the Because of the phase-in Enforcement Unit executed were found hidden in fur- weapons related charges In Oshawa that means local economy offering period, “The information will a search warrant recently at nace ducts. including possession of a lower residential and large appropriate food prices for likely be confusing to most a home on Celina St. as part Investigators also dis- firearm contrary to prohibi- industrial property taxes. locally grown produce. taxpayers,” commented of an on going investiga- covered a large bag of tion order. What’s the catch? Farmers aren’t the only Anderson at the Regional tion. ammunition, two crossbows There will be a hike in residents who will feel the Council meeting on the sub- taxes for commercial opera- effects, and as Regional ject. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards. tions, shopping centres, office Chair, Roger Anderson says, Regional Council did reit- “Everyone pays for erate that the onus is on the the program, even Municipal Property those who will bene- Assessment Corporation fit in the long run.” (MPAC) to explain the assess- Somebody has to ments. fund the decreases MPAC has made it easier and that responsibili- for the average taxpayer to ty falls on all taxpay- make sense of all this.The ers. statements now include more For those getting information and if you dis- good news, the agree with your new tax state- decrease will take ment, MPAC offers a property effect right away in review, including tax assess- 2009. Those getting ment information on 25 other bad news can take properties comfort in a four- MPAC can be reached at year cushion period 1-866-296-MPAC (6722) or wherein the increase by email at will be phased in [email protected]. Be pre- over four years. pared to wait though. MPAC Commissioner of is expecting a number of calls Finance for the and e-mails. Teacher gets A+ Outstanding teacher wins award nominated as an excellent teacher, mentor, counselor and coach. Ken Scott teaches at Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute in Whitby and recently received the “Bruce Mather Award” for 2007/2008. Students and other teachers at the Whitby high school nominated Scott for the honourary award because of his many contributions over the years.When the school board received a nomination package includ- ing numerous letters of praise for Scott’s great teaching abilities from students past and present and teachers, the decision was already made for the judging panel. Scott’s optimism, creativity, ability to adapt to situa- tions and his growing admiration of his students make him a true leader. His talents go beyond the classroom as well working with students who are having issues with school or per- sonally, teaching community hockey and coaching base- ball teams. Scott was chosen by a panel of judges, including Chair of the Board of Education, Marilyn Crawford, vice-chair, Larry Jacula and Director of Education, Martyn Beckett. The panel reviewed the 10 nominations carefully before announcing Scott as the recipient. Scott thanked the Board, current and past administration, his colleagues and students for nominating him for the award at the Oct.