The Pickering
56 PAGES ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007 ✦ Optional delivery charge $6 / Newsstand charge $1 Business excellence Page A4 Totem pole story ends happily New boss Local sculptor upset to. And he was heartened when the youth created something that was ap- for police for Scarborough preciated by their friends, parents and youth when art the entire community. “And then when somebody comes project was stolen around and steals their efforts, what association kind of message does that send to By Kristen Calis them?” he said. [email protected] When it was found, it added to By Jeff Mitchell the roller coaster ride Mr. James has [email protected] PICKERING — When local sculptor been on since learning it was stolen. Dorsey James learned a project he and Since the youth were upset when they DURHAM — A year after assuming Scarborough youth spent most of the learned of the theft, he was happy the leadership of the Durham Regional summer creating had been stolen, he negative message turned into a posi- Police Association, Tom Andrews has started thinking terrible thoughts, like tive one. “It says it’s not all lost,” he ended his tumultuous tenure as presi- “maybe the world’s not that nice. said. “Yeah, there are bad forces in the dent by stepping down. “I mainly thought about the kids - world, there are people who will take Doug Cavanaugh, the man Mr. An- the fact that they had worked so hard,” from them. But they’ve got to keep the drews replaced as association boss he said. “It was all their ideas and I was faith, they’ve got to be strong, willing following a hotly-contested election just the mentor.” to go on, and sometimes things turn last October, was named winner of a Although it was reported missing last around, and turn out for the best. And byelection held Monday. He assumes week, Mr. James got the news that the I think they all learned from that.” He leadership of a board that was torn totem was found on Saturday, buried added the fact the media, friends and by controversy -- including an inves- under leaves on a hiking trail. tigation by the RCMP and a call from “I was very, very happy,” he said. “As members for the president and his a matter of fact, I was ecstatic.” ‘I don’t think they realized officers to be turfed last June -- during The project, organized by the Scar- how many lives that they were Mr. Andrews’s time in office. borough Arts Council in conjunction The election has members of the with Toronto and Region Conservation touching.’ association, which represents 800 uni- (TRCA), gave about 30 young people the DORSEY JAMES form officers and 300 civilian employ- opportunity to design and create carv- ees, hopeful for peaceful times ahead. ings on the totem pole with Mr. James Detective Larry Nobbs, who along as their mentor. It contained carvings the community became so involved with director Gary Branton challenged such as candles shooting out from the and concerned the totem pole was Mr. Cavanaugh for the presidency, barrel of a gun and urban sprawl pav- reported missing showed how much expressed a desire to move forward ing over green fields. The pole, donated their work was appreciated. under the new boss. by Toronto Hydro, was to be erected in He hopes the people who took the “He’s a proven guy,” Det. Nobbs said the native plant and butterfly garden of totem pole in the first place also learned of Mr. Cavanaugh. “I’m hoping he’ll Scarborough’s Morningside Park. The a lesson. continue to do a good job. pole was sitting in the park, chained to “I don’t think they realized how two sawhorses, when it was stolen. many lives that they were touching,” he ✦ See Doug, Page A2 When Mr. James and the young peo- said. Mr. James encourages the culprits ple first began their endeavour, he saw to get involved in their community in a lot of doubt in their eyes, but after a similar way. He believes they’ll feel three weeks, they “had the grinders the same positive feelings the youth he Worker hit just going like bats out of hell, and worked with experienced. “Be a part they were seeing things happen.” He of it; don’t be the destructor of it,” he said they didn’t only begin trusting the said. by car in tools, but themselves by sticking with Michelle Pongracz, TRCA supervisor something and seeing it through. of stewardship programs/project ecol- construction “There’s something about that that’s ogist, Highland Creek, said the totem not just about art; it’s about life,” he pole suffered some damage, and once said. Mr. James was mostly upset when that’s assessed by Mr. James, they’ll Submitted photo zone the creation was stolen because many decide when it will go up. In the mean- Dorsey James works on a totem pole that was stolen from Scarborough’s Morning- side Park last week. The story had a happy ending as the totem pole was found a few of the kids were “at-risk” and he found time, “it’s heavily guarded now” in a AJAX — A worker remains in hos- days later. Mr. Dorsey had mentored a number of youth who helped carve the pole. they didn’t have much to look forward locked storage facility. pital with serious injuries after being struck by a car in a construction zone Monday morning in Ajax. Durham police said the 54-year-old Brampton man was crossing Taunton Road near Harwood as work pro- gressed on the roadway around 11:30 a.m. when he was struck by an east- Matthew has bound Honda being driven by a 34- year-old Ajax woman. The victim was taken to local hospital before being airlifted to a Toronto trauma unit, where he was listed in critical condi- tion with life-threatening injuries. Investigators with Durham police, big boots to fill the Ministry of Labour and Durham Region attended the scene. NHL’s the goal, but Looking on were his proud parents, Jim and Christine, 8-year-old twin sisters policing’s OK with junior Kristen and Jessica, grandma Eleanor police chief from Ajax Nurse and grandfather Mitch Kostuch, FALL as well as several classmates and other MAINTENANCE PACKAGE well-wishers. By Jeff Mitchell There followed a day full of activi- • Oil & filter change • Tire rotation [email protected] ties, but first Matthew took a walk to • Coolant check • Brake Inspection the Chief’s corner office, where he en- $150 Value $59.95 DURHAM — It wasn’t a call-up to joyed the view of a sparkling autumn For Only $59.95 skate with the Toronto Maple Leafs, day below and chatted about the job. 905-831-5400 but Monday turned out to be pretty “You never know what comes across 575 KINGSTON RD cool for Matthew Kostuch, this desk in a day -- it’s full of www.pickeringhonda.com For more anyway. on this story surprises,” Chief Ewles told Matthew, 10, was decked his junior counterpart, who out in a tailored uniform and sat perched in the top cop’s had the run of the Durham chair. Regional Police Service for “I bet it’s an exciting the day as the winner of the job,” Matthew mused. annual Chief for a Day contest. “It’s an exciting job,” Chief Ewles AJ Groen/ News Advertiser photo The Grade 5 student was picked up confirmed. Matthew was one of a Matthew Kostuch, a Grade 5 student at Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School, puts his at Roberta Bondar Public School in number of contestants in the annu- feet up on Durham Regional Police Chief Mike Ewle’s desk while being interviewed by Ajax and escorted in a cruiser to po- al competition, submitting an essay various media. Matthew spent a day with the police service after he was named po- lice chief for a day. He’ll be a guest of honour Thursday night, when the annual Police lice headquarters in Whitby Monday for consideration by judges. He said Appreciation Dinner and Awards Night is held in Ajax. morning, where he met erstwhile Chief Mike Ewles and took his oath of office. ✦ See Police, Page A2 Get approval anytime at DURHAM CREDIT ZONE www.durhamcreditzone.com A DIVISION OF AJAX NISSAN % 10 0 Private, friendly FREE CONSULTATION 1-866-355-4495 Approval OAC We’ll Tish Mackenzie no money down make it happen! Interest rate may vary from 0 to 29.9% depending on credit history, some down payment ext.225 may be required. Fin. Example: $10,000 @ 0%=$208.33 mo. for 48 mo. with $0 down. P PAGE A2 ◆ NEWS ADVERTISER ◆ October 24, 2007 Doug Cavanaugh wins police byelection Swap your seeds ✦ Doug from page A1 intercepting and reading members’ e- have helped to blunt some of the rough mail (the probe concluded with no edges from the firebrand cop’s leader- “He knows his stuff and he knows finding of criminality). ship style. at Seedy Saturday what needs to be done,” Det. Nobbs And in June Mr. Andrews weath- One association member, who said. ered an overt coup attempt when sev- spoke on condition of anonymity, said Mr. Cavanaugh could not be reached eral association members presented that over time Mr. Andrews developed DURHAM — October is the time to rite plant seeds and swap them with for comment. a petition calling for a vote to remove into an effective president, delegating clean up your garden and prepare it other gardeners. Mr. Andrews swept into office in Mr. Andrews, Mr. Robinson and Secre- more and working in harmony with his for winter. Admission is $3 and is from 10 October 2006 with confidence and the tary - Treasurer Mike Glennie. Among board of directors. But, don’t forget to save your fa- a.m. to 3 p.m. in the O’Brien room. demeanor of a man with a vision. He those who signed the petition -- it was “He was leading,” the source said. vourite plant seeds. On Feb. 2, bring The event features speakers every quickly drew a line in the sand for Dur- ruled unconstitutional -- was Doug “I think if he’d run this time it would some of them to the Pickering Rec- half hour, garden-related vendors ham police management, declaring Cavanaugh. have been a close election,” the source reation Complex for Seedy Satur- and, of course, seed swapping. he’d fight for the staffing and resources And interestingly, some say the added. “A lot of people still had faith in day, held by Bloomers and Britches. For more information, contact necessary to police the burgeoning tough times he endured early on may him.” Gardeners can bring there favou- Mandy Smiles at 905-683-8401. community. But he just as rapidly ran afoul of some directors and association mem- bers who objected to his management style, described variously as confronta- tional and even reckless. By January 2007 he was being chal- Whitby lenged by some members for his de- cision to take a young offender on a “scared straight” tour of the Lind- 1400 Victoria Street East say jail last Christmas and in May the RCMP were called in to investigate when it was revealed Mr. Andrews, 905-430-3057 Vice President Dave Robinson and other members of his circle had been From October 24 to 30, 2007 Police officer a fine backup for Ajax student ✦ Police from page A1 he took part because, quite simply, it sounded like a great day. “I saw the stuff you could do -- it looked incredible,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportu- nity.” Indeed. Among the activities Matthew enjoyed during his day as chief were a visit to the motorcycle unit -- his own special request -- and a demonstration by the canine unit, as well as a tour of the cells at 17 Divi- sion in Oshawa, examination of the forensics department, and, best of all, edn a fly-by of his school in Air 1, the police W esday, Octo helicopter. ber 24 So Matthew must really be con- sidering a career in law enforcement ...right? “Honestly, I want to be in the NHL,” Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday the youngster replied with candor, al- FREE lowing, however, that the position of police officer would be a fine backup plan in the event hockey does not pan for the first out. “I think it’s a very important job,” Matthew said. “They protect all of Dur- 500 customers RONA Working Gloves RONA Biodegradable Leaf Bagsg ( 5-pack ) $5 RONA Gift Card RONA Cap ham and keep it safe for us.” Matthew’s official duties concluded at 3 p.m. He’ll be a guest of honour Thursday night, when the annual Police Appre- ® ciation Dinner and Awards Night is held in Ajax. 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