The Pickering 52 PAGES ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 Going topless How patriotic are you? Shelby GT drops Check out our Canada Day its top for 2008 weekend contest Wheels pullout Page A4 Kick-starting Pickering’s downtown Controversial development Along with the Home Depot (HD in picture) approved in October gets go-ahead last year, Pickering council has approved a new development By Kristen Calis located between Hwy. 401 to [email protected] the south, Kingston Road to the PICKERING — After much debate north, Liverpool Road to the east over a new development and the re- and Dixie Road to the west hop- vival of Kingston Road, council gave ing it will be the catalyst for a approval to a new commercial plan it downtown area. The accompany- hopes will kick start a new downtown. ing photo shows council’s vision Different opinions have greeted the HD new development, which will be locat- for the Town Centre West Devel- ed on land between Kingston Road and opment Concept that includes a Hwy. 401, Dixie and Liverpool Roads. number of planned commercial The development itself has not been the and office buildings. only topic up for debate; it’s the fact that it will be in a part of the city aimed to become Pickering’s downtown, called Town Centre West. ball and continue to the east,” Ward 2 put together piece by piece?” she said. utation the development is getting is another south of Kingston Road, which But at the Council meeting on June Regional Councillor Bill McLean said. “Where’s the vision?” inaccurate since “the majority of space will be an extension of Walnut Lane; a 18, the development was approved by “I certainly think it’s going to kick-start Ms. Frampton complained the needs and leasable square footage is not big- second box store (developers are cur- a 5-2 vote. The specifics still have to be the rest of the development of down- of the developers come before the resi- box.” rently anticipating a Future Shop); two dealt with at the site planning meet- town,” dents in Pickering, and said if the devel- Council approved a Home Depot on buildings with two functional floors ing, but Brookdale Centre Inc. can now But resident Janice Frampton dis- opment will be big-box, she’s against it. the site last October. On the remainder move forward. agreed. But Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer of the property, there will be: a munici- “Once this starts, I think it will snow- “Why is the city once again being O’Connell believes the box-store rep- pal road running parallel to Hwy. 401; ✦ See Mayor, Page A2 [ Briefly ] Have your say OOL RUNNINGS on Hwy. 407 C AJAX — The recommended Durham offers Hwy. 407 route is ready for public consideration. The Ontario Ministry of Trans- portation (MTO), in February 2005. initiated the 407 East environ- mental assessment (EA) study to extend Hwy. 407 east to Clarington. The MTO is now ready to present troop support the results from the evaluation of the final short list of route alter- natives and a technically recom- Hundreds line highway he said. mended route. The scene definitely hits home for A meeting is from 4 to 8 p.m. bridges to show respect Tia Woodcroft. A Port Perry resident, at the Ajax Community Centre for fallen soldiers her son, Sergeant Ray Woodcroft, is in the HMS Room, 75 Centennial still in Afghanistan and was in the Road, Ajax. same regiment as Trooper Darryl By Crystal Crimi Caswell, a Bowmanville soldier who [email protected] was killed earlier this month. She [ Index ] had been in attendance nine days DURHAM — Chin leaning against earlier when Trooper Caswell’s body Editorial Page, A6 the railing of the Brock Street Hwy. was brought back along the same Sports, B1 401 bridge, nine-year-old Brendan Hwy. 401 route. Entertainment, B4 Veninga held on to one end of a Ca- Paul Woodcroft, her husband, said Classified, B5 nadian flag draped over its side. their son was only 800 metres away The Whitby boy was among about from the bomb that killed the three [ Call us] 200 people who lined the eastern soldiers being brought through that side of the bridge, flapping flags and evening. General: 905 683 5110 showing their support for Canadian “It could be anybody,” said Ms. Distribution: 905 683 5117 troops, while waiting for the bodies Woodcroft, wearing a red ‘Support General Fax: 905 683 7363 of three recently killed in Afghani- our troops’ cap For more stan to pass on the highway below on this story and shirt, a Pressrun 49,900 them Sunday evening. Canadian flag “I came out here to see the soldiers folded under because they do so much work for us her arm. Even to keep us safe,” said Brendan. her dog wore a He doesn’t know any soldiers in red hanky around its neck with a yel- Afghanistan, but at school they talk low ‘Support our troops’ pin. about them often, he said. She said the soldiers really support Ajax Nissan “Everyone should be here because what they’re doing in Afghanistan. we have to make them proud that Even after her son’s vehicle was de- Parts/Service they keep us safe and we care about stroyed by a land mine around Eas- Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 8:00pm them,” said Brendan. ter weekend, he was back in the field Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am - 2:00pm Kevin Thompson, who lives at the a couple days later, she pointed. Oshawa/Whitby border, held on to To see so many people supporting 375 Bayly Street West, Ajax the other end of the flag with Bren- the soldiers makes her happy to be (Between Westney & Harwood) dan. Over the blaring honks from Canadian, she added. 1-800-565-6365 vehicles below, he said it is impor- “This shows the guys whether they 905-686-0555 tant not only to show support to the believe in the mission or not, they families who have lost a loved one really support our troops.” and but also to the soldiers still in “Whether we agree with the mis- INCOME TAX Afghanistan. sion or not, it’s our duty and re- One driver just gave the peace sponsibility to support the troops,” PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN sign, noted his wife, Nancy Thomp- said Frits Scheltema, who awaited All-Canadian Tax Service son. Others were waving their arms the procession at the Henry Street out their windows at the people on bridge in Whitby. “Canadian troops AJ Groen/ News Advertiser photo only $ 95* the bridge. have had a proud record through the 49. Grade 5 and 6 students from Holy Redemer Catholic School had a cool day Mr. Thompson doesn’t personally years, and they should continue to at Millenium Park on Tuesday. Marissa Misick, left, and Samantha Cuizon ran * Most returns *GST extra know anyone who has been in the be supported by the population.” 100 Westney Rd S (Ajax Go Station) through the sprinkler to cool down. war, but his sister-in-law’s nephew (905) 426-4860 died there about a month ago. “That kind of makes it hit home,” ✦ See Heart, Page A2 AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE FOR EVERYONE LOANS AUTO DURHAM CREDIT ZONE A DIVISION OF AJAX NISSAN we’ll make it happen! 24 hour approval at: 1-866-355-4495 www.durhamcreditzone.com 10 0% Just call us Sunita Tish OAC Private, friendly APPROVAL Namdeo Mackenzie FREE CONSULTATION ! ext.224 ext.225 no money down Interest rate may vary from 0 to 29.9% depending on credit history, some down payment may be required. Fin. Example: $10,000 @ 0%=$208.33 mo. for 48 mo. with $0 down. AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE FOR EVERYONE LOANS AUTO AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE AUTO LOANS FOR EVERYONE P PAGE A2 ◆ NEWS ADVERTISER ◆ June 27, 2007 ‘Heart and soul’ to parents Mayor disappointed with ✦ Heart from page A1 ‘mediocre’ development Fellow Whitby resident Debbie Gilroy agreed. “When people die ✦ Mayor from page A1 When Mr. McKay said they didn’t find fighting for this country, fighting for a market for that yet, Coun. Littley com- the rights we have and helping other running along Walnut Lane and front- pared it to the foot of Liverpool Road. “A countries, it’s the least we can do,” ing Kingston Road; and a one-storey lot of people gave the same story on that she said. “As a parent I can’t possibly building (minimum of 6.5 metres) to and now it’s wonderful,” she said. imagine what their families are feel- accommodate multiple tenants. Coun. O’Connell criticized the exten- ing right now.” Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles sion of Walnut Lane, saying it should be In Ajax, the gathering formed at suggested the last change at a previous a pedestrian priority. the highway overpass on Harwood planning and development meeting. It “I don’t feel comfortable supporting Avenue and Ajax resident Douglas was originally going to be a single-unit a four-lane road that I think should be a Corrigan was moved by the turnout. building, most likely housing a restau- pedestrian road,” she said. “A tear comes to my eye and a soft rant. He said he was pleased with the Coun.