Top Story for 2007

The Pickering 20 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 48,900 ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 Construction 101 High hopes Anatomy of a Politicians look backyard rink forward to 2008 Page 7 Page 2 Highway of Heroes Top story for 2007 DURHAM — It started as a trick- Once it was known when the le, built into a wave and finally be- military convoy containing the cof- came a tidal bore of compassion fin of the deceased would make and patriotism. its way along the Highway of He- It was the spontaneous outpour- roes, Durham residents made their ing of grief and respect that became way down to the nearest Hwy. 401 a symbol of the event we have de- bridge. They carried Canadian clared Newsmaker of the Year in flags, designed heartfelt home- this region: the Highway of Heroes made signs and showed by their salutes which marked the arrival presence just how much they ap- back in Canada of our fallen sol- preciated what our soldiers have diers in Afghanistan. done. They wanted to be there and Before this year, the trip down people turned out by the thousands Hwy. 401 from Trenton to Toronto to pay their respects to the fallen -- a part of every final journey taken and their families. by a Canadian soldier who died The beauty of it for many was in combat in Afghanistan -- was a that it was not a specially orga- quiet one. Yes, there was a spotlight nized, pre-planned event. It came placed on the sacrifice and bravery from the heart and was a revelation of our men and women who paid that in normally quiet, reserved the ultimate price -- but it usually Canada, we can stand up and be came and went with the ramp cer- proud of our troops. And we can emonies in Kandahar and Trenton show them we love them. followed by the military funeral ser- The Maurice Brenner vice held in the hometown of the deceased. story continued to But 2007 was different. dominate the political Ordinary citizens wanted to pay a scene for Pickering unique tribute to the men and one councillors in 2007. woman who lost their lives this year Read the synopsis on page 4. defending freedom. INCOME TAX PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN All-Canadian Tax Service $ 95* only 49. * Most returns *GST extra Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser file photo 100 Westney Rd S (Ajax Go Station) Rob and Nancy McDonald, with their sons Easton and Holden, wait on the Whites Road overpass for a repatriation (905) 426-4860 ceremony in August. The family joined thousands of other Durham residents at similar ceremonies throughout 2007. New Year Specials MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Medium Large Large Round Bigfoot® Classic Bigfoot® Giant 2x8 slice 2x10 slice 10 Slice 20 Slice 28 Slice FREE 3 Toppings on each 3 Toppings on each 4 Cans 3 Toppings 3 Toppings 3 Toppings of Pop $ 49 $ 99 4 Pop 4 Pop 4 Pop Either Deal 18 + tax 23 + tax $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 12 + tax16 + tax20 + tax 0)::!35"37).'3 WE DELIVER 713 Krosno Blvd. Pickering 905-839-4411 A/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, January 2, 2008 durhamregion.com A look ahead to 2008 Holland has high hopes for clean air and animals Ajax-Pickering MP Have your say on political priorities “I think that the opposition parties have reflects on greatest no more tolerance for the government’s inaction,” he said. accomplishments What do you think our politicians should make a priority of in 2008? E-mail your comments to He believes if there is an election, [email protected]. Please include your first and last name and city of residence. the Pickering airport lands should be a and let-downs in 2007 A selection of comments will appear in Friday’s edition of the News Advertiser. major issue in the campaign, not only in Pickering, but throughout all of Durham. By Kristen Calis He said the way the government has han- [email protected] sult in conviction, and that violent activity haved in Bali when discussing the Kyoto dled it in the past two years is a “complete doesn’t usually stop with animals. negotiations “an international disgrace.” reversal” of the direction the Liberals were PICKERING — While Ajax-Pickering “It’s often a precursor to other violent Secondly, he believes Afghanistan and the going when they planned to get a proper MP Mark Holland was disappointed that activity,” he said. extension of the mission would be unjus- clear and transparent peer review, which some of his ideas Mr. Holland believes there will be an tifiable. didn’t happen. were slowed down election in 2008 since, first, he sees a There will be a vote in the spring on He also sees a disconnect between the due to parliament’s number of issues coming to a head. For whether to extend the mission to 2011, opposition parties and finds a lack of in- delayed return in example, he called the way Canada be- which the Liberals are strongly against. terest in finding a middle ground. October, he’s hopeful his projects will still be adopted. Mr. Holland was Budget ‘big key’ to government’s plan most proud of his role on the Bill C- 30 (Canada’s Clean Dickson wants local “The Highway 407 is always a priority. tion, such as driving instructors won’t be Air Act and Climate Mark Holland issues addressed The environmental assessment is coming licensed to do their jobs if they have any Change Act) com- close to an end. As demerit points on their driving record or mittee, which basically revised the act far as I’m concerned, any Criminal Code convictions. into a carbon-budgeting plan and ad- By Keith Gilligan the sooner it comes, “Always in the back of minds is the dressed climate change. [email protected] the better,” Mr. Dick- economy,” Mr. Dickson says, especially “I spent several months of my life living son states. “oil prices and the looney’s impact on in- and breathing C-30,” he said. DURHAM — One thing is sure at Queen’s The budget will dustry. With the decline in the American Mr. Holland’s biggest disappointment of Park. probably come out in economy, we’ll probably have to squeeze the year was it not being adopted, despite Ontarians won’t be heading to the polls late March, Mr. Dick- our belts for a while.” being well-received by both environmen- in 2008, what with Dalton McGuinty and son says. Locally, the one thing he’s looking for- tal groups and industry. his Liberals coasting to a resounding vic- “It depends on ward to is the 82-unit housing devel- For example, a key feature allows indus- tory this past October. When the legis- when the legislature opment proposed by the Ajax Munici- tries that have carbon emissions higher lature actually returns and gets back to is back. We’ve had e- Joe Dickson pal Housing Corporation. It will be built than a certain threshold to put some of the business is up for debate, says newly- mails that it will be somewhere in the Ajax downtown and will penalty money into an account they could elected Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson. one week after the long weekend in Feb- “accommodate seniors and a few chal- recover if they spent it on new capital He’s heard it could be anywhere from ruary,” Mr. Dickson says. lenged people, physically and mentally,” measures to reduce gas emissions. mid to late February to late March. However, he’s also seen a media re- he adds. He said the idea brings together both When the legislature reconvenes, the port that had the legislature back in late It’s been a decade since non-profit sides of the equation, enough that “I think top priority for the government will be the March. housing has been constructed, Mr. Dick- it is going to be the plan that will be ad- budget, he says. “There are a multitude of other things son states. opted.” “The budget is the big key. There are I’d like to see happen. The day-to-day “It’s long overdue. There’s a million He’s dedicated to updating animal cru- a number of key issues we have to deal things are being dealt with quickly.” cases out there of people who don’t want elty laws in 2008, and has introduced a with in Durham and will impact Ajax and One such item is the rate of accidents a handout, but they want a hand up.” private members’ bill. He explained the Pickering,” he says. by new drivers who have attended a driv- laws were last updated in 1897, and ani- These include “significant dollars for ing school, he says. The provincial audi- mals are still viewed as chattel, having transit and transportation,” he adds. tor general’s report released in early De- no more rights than a chair or a table. He The Province made a recent announce- cember found a higher rate of accidents To see what politicians from across noted only one-quarter of one per cent of ment of $400 million for “GO train and among graduates than non-graduates. Durham had to say see the sto- all animal abuse complaints actually re- transportation in general.” The government has already taken ac- ries at newsdurhamregion.com Beijing2008 When Durham Region athletes compete for gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, we’ll be there. Brad Kelly Ron Pietroniro Sports editor Brad Kelly and photographer Ron Pietroniro will be along for every step, jump and throw, bringing Metroland readers all of the stories and pictures from the largest sports spectacle in the world.

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