The Pickering 48 PAGES ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2007 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 Up to the Challenger Call him a Brier champ DaimlerChrysler to build Richard Hart will join Team new Dodge in Ontario Ontario at world championships Page B1 Wheels pullout [ What’s in the paper ] Today’s paper includes the City’s Spring and Summer Guide, delivered to all Pickering homes. The guide is a great way to discover what Pickering has to offer its residents as we head into the warm months. [ Briefly ] Cops track hacker after website altered DURHAM — Durham police continue to investigate after a com- puter hacker managed to invade and alter the service’s website over the weekend. While the hacker managed to alter the website’s home page, Photos by Rob Mitchell there is no indication further dam- age was done and no major con- cerns about the security of the site linger, said Sergeant Paul McCurbin. “We’re trying to determine who’s responsible,” said Sergeant MAX AND RUBY DRAW McCurbin of the breach, which was apparent to visitors of the police website on the weekend. “It didn’t affect anything secu- A CROWD IN PICKERING rity-wise; it just affected our front page,” Sgt. McCurbin said. “We’re satisfied with the secu- PICKERING — It was standing room only on the first day rity we have on our website. As far of March Break at the Pickering Town Centre as hundreds as the long term, there’s nothing of children and parents crowded around the stage to watch of concern for us.” Alterations to Max and Ruby entertain. At right, four-year-old Mackieze the website www.drps.ca were Billings, of Ajax, watches the show in awe. The event kicked obvious Saturday to visitors, who off the Pantry Raid Food Drive with all cash and food col- were greeted by an image of a lected being distributed to those in need through the St. wolf obscuring the page, along with Paul’s On The Hill Community Food Bank. Last year, it raised several messages. The breach was 5,000 pounds of food. There are events all week at the Town corrected by later in the day. Centre. [ Index ] Editorial Page, A6 Sports, B1 Entertainment, B3 Classified, B5 Man faces [ Call us] Durham not ready for General: 905 683 5110 Distribution: 905 683 5117 prison for General Fax: 905 683 7363 Newsroom Fax: 905 683 0386 transit funding: Flaherty Pressrun 49,900 shooting durhamregion.com By Erin Hatfield [email protected] ‘Durham ‘Minister Region Flaherty isn’t at stranger DURHAM — Durham isn’t ready for public transit funding says Canada’s Transit is going to give SERVICE HOURS Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty. behind our you money Gunfire in Pickering MON., WED., THURS., FRI. A recent funding announcement, neighbouring just because neighbourhood 7:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. met with disappointment by some TUES. 7:30 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. local officials, wasn’t a slight against regions.’ you ask for it.’ SAT. 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. the Region, Mr. Flaherty said, but the By Jeff Mitchell (905) 831-5400 start of the work needed to be done to [email protected] Jim Flaherty Roger Anderson Email: [email protected] bring Durham up to par with its neigh- bouring regions. DURHAM — A report card and a pic- 575 KINGSTON RD. Of the $952 million investment in ture in a high school year book helped www.pickeringhonda.com transit funding announced by the fed- position to fund Durham Region just yet done. identify a man who fired a shot at a eral government on March 6, $5 mil- like we did York Region.” “Durham Region Transit is behind stranger on a Pickering street nearly lion went to Durham for a rapid transit Durham, at the end of February, our neighbouring regions,” he said. two years ago, a Superior Court judge study, which Mr. Flaherty said will help applied for a $150-million investment “They are behind because amalgama- has heard. Durham refine and tweak its transit to be split between the federal govern- tion didn’t happen until January of Shamal Harris is to be sentenced plans. ment, the Province and the Region 2006.” next month by Justice Alex Sosna after “I will fund them $5 million now so under the Canadian Strategic Infra- He said the government of Canada pleading guilty Tuesday to firing a gun they can get some new equipment they structure Funding Program (CSIF) to will work with the Region to ensure the with intent to injure. Mr. Harris, who need. Then they can work on the new accelerate the development of its tran- due diligence is done, transit is costed entered the plea just before his jury study they submitted to the govern- sit system. out correctly and that the business trial was to begin in Whitby, faces a ment of Canada, with the government But, Mr. Flaherty said the Region plan is up to standard, all to ensure tax minimum of four years in prison. of Canada,” Mr. Flaherty said. was behind in it’s CSIF application “When that is ready we will be in a process and the due diligence is not ✦ See Feds, Page A2 ✦ See Sentencing, Page A2 P PAGE A2 ◆ NEWS ADVERTISER ◆ March 14, 2007 Feds take care of transit while Province handles highways ✦ Feds from page A1 and that positive assurance came out of the March 6 announcement. dollars are spent effectively. “What we have for Durham now is “The government is not a banking a firm commitment for highway con- machine that you can push a couple struction and the Province is going of buttons and $50 million comes out,” to spend more than a billion dollars Mr. Flaherty said. doing that,” he said. “It is a good thing The application is still being re- for Durham.” viewed by Transport Canada. Although Hwy. 407 will be extended eastwards Mr. Flaherty said he will advocate for by 67 kilometres from Brock Road in transit dollars for Durham there is no Pickering to Hwy. 35/115 in Claring- immediate funding on the horizon. ton, and Hwy. 7 is being widened from AJ Groen/ News Advertiser photo Nicole McNeely, a spokeswoman Brock Road to Hwy. 12 to alleviate traf- with Transport Canada, explained a fic congestion. timeline for the review is subjective He said he is sure the residents of Enjoying the sun and cool winds because it depends on how long the Brooklin, north Oshawa and Claring- review steps take. There are a number ton will be happy to know that the PICKERING — Despite the cool wind coming off the lake, Horst and Hanni Kuether enjoyed the sunshine at Millenium Park on the weekend. of steps and she said it could take some completion of Hwy. 407 is going to be time. expedited. “But, we do look forward to work- Highways are a provincial respon- newsdurhamregion.com ing with them to help them refine so sibility, but Mr. Flaherty said the fed- they can better prepare for future tran- eral government was able to push the Spring Fever! sit needs and develop future transit Province to get this work done on the plans,” she said. highways. Just one more way to get your news Regional chairman Roger Anderson “My position with the Province is said Durham is ready to make strides we will put money into transit but you thanks to the in its transit system and is making the have to put money into highways,” he necessary plans for it in the 2007 bud- said. “If they want funding for transit PICKERING NEWS ADVERTISER get. then they better fund the highways.” “We will make the necessary com- mitments if transit dollars flow this year to start implementing transit plans if possible,” Mr. Anderson said. “I would like to see it announced as soon as possible but, I understand Insurance Problems? they want to ensure it meets all their requirements,” he said. “Minister Fla- Getting No Respect or Response? herty isn’t going to give money just because you ask for it. They want to √ At Fault Accidents √ No Prior Insurance make sure what we say we will do, we can do and will do.” √ Tickets √ License Suspensions He added that he hopes the Prov- ince plans for it as well in its budget. Transit aside, Mr. Flaherty said what Call the Region is ready for is for work to be completed on Hwy. 407 and Hwy. 7 MANDY(ext. 117) or LAURA(ext. 120) Registered Insurance Brokers Stay Your Way with more than 25 hotels WIN 2 LEAFS TICKETS to choose from… Sentencing Call us for a no obligation quote to be entered in the draw We’ve Got You Covered! 905 427-9973 or 416 281-6880 Brown Pineo Insurance and Financial Brokers Ltd. Plan a short escape to visit family or friends; set for tour fun attractions with the kids; experience a change of pace! April 24 Book a Spring Fever package & Stay Your Way ✦ Sentencing from page A1 by adding: Reading from an agreed statement breakfast for 2 OR of facts, Crown counsel George Hen- 2,000 bonus reward points. dry told the judge Mr. Harris, then 18, was a passenger in a car driven by his For reservations, call the hotel directly, visit their website friend Stephen Miller on Alwin Circle or contact your travel agent. on the evening of April 11, 2005, when For additional information on participating hotels, special offers they encountered Derek Rogers.