$1.00 Your Independent Local News Source Vol 3 No 24 Wednesday, April 9 2008 GM workers are back on the line By Courtney Duffett according to Patty Faith, director of communi- The Oshawa Express cations for GM. The strike is also affecting more than 2,400 Oshawa area families. Truck plant employees at General Motors of If the strike continues past April 16, Canada in Oshawa will be heading back to Osborne says GM will be forced to shut down work temporarily this month despite a continu- its car plants as well, meaning another 3,500 ing auto supplier strike in the U.S. employees will be without jobs. The truck plant is in its sixth week of lay- However, Faith says that the car plant is cur- offs, but will be starting back to work on April rently up in production and has been giving 21 for three weeks. The plant will be working overtime to its employees. on validation of the 2009 models, according to On Feb. 26, some 3,600 American Axle Keith Osborne, vice president of CAW Local workers walked off the job in Michigan and 222 and plant chairman for Oshawa. New York after talks broke off between the The changeover is in late June, says employer and the United Auto Workers Osborne, adding that theres changes to be (UAW). The UAW claims the company is made to the line before then. demanding wage reductions of up to $14 per Since the strike, the truck plant in Oshawa hour as well as the elimination of future retiree has lost five weeks of production, losing 906 health care and defined benefit pensions for units per day and about 20,000 vehicles overall, active workers. Global Spectrum rescues GM Centre By Jessica Verge currently tying up loose ends in negotiations The Oshawa Express with Global Spectrum, another facility manager. As far as big announcements go, the news of Less than two years after opening the doors MLSE backing out of their contact caused little to the General Motors Centre, management is surprise. calling it quits. I saw it coming, says Ward 7 councillor Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. John Neal. (MLSE), one of the largest companies of its Since the GM Centre opened in November kind in North America, requested the City of 2006, MLSE drew criticism for their lack of Oshawa release them from their management entertainment programming, saw two general contract at the GM Centre. managers quit without explanation and expect- According to Mayor John Gray, the city is ed a deficit of $300,000 for 2007. However, MLSE chalks their decision up to a company-wide strategic move to step away Rundle House from the facility management business where it Rundle House does not have a sports team they own. In their place, MLSE has suggested the city demolitiondemolition hand their contract over to Global Spectrum, a worldwide manager of sports and entertainment on the horizon facilities currently in charge of London's John on the horizon Labatt Centre and the WCFU Centre in Windsor. The city expects to settle all details of Generals vs IceDogs this changeover by June 1. I think its a positive move, says Mayor Sierra Hysert, 7 of St. Catharines and Victoria Fita of Courtice were seen at the first game of the second See page 9 for story See MLSE Page 7 series between the Oshawa Generals and the Niagara IceDogs cheering on their teams. The Generals Oshawa prof named Ontarios best lecturer Oshawa man stabbed Durham police are investigating after a 24- the scene heading north through the apartment By Courtney Duffett Dr. Christopher diCarlo, an assistant year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen complex. The Oshawa Express professor cross-appointed with the facul- with an edged weapon in Oshawa on Sunday. The victim was taken to hospital with seri- ties of Criminology, Justice and Police On April 6, around 6 p.m., Durham police ous, non life-threatening injuries. An assistant professor at Oshawas uni- Studies, Health Sciences and Science for attended Pentland Street in Oshawa for a The first suspect is described as a black versity has been named the best lecturer in the University of Ontario Institute of report of a stabbing. Police located a male male in his mid-20s. He is about 56 tall and Ontario. Technology, was announced the winner of with cuts to his face, arm and stomach. The 135 pounds with short black hair in cornrows. TVOs 2008 Big Ideas Best victim reported that he was loading a U-Haul He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt Lecturer Competition. truck with furniture when an acquaintance and and blue jeans. It is a great honour, says an unknown man approached him and The second suspect is described as a black diCarlo. attacked him. The victim was cut on the side male in his mid-20s about 510 tall with short Throughout the month of of the head and stabbed in the abdomen and black hair. He was wearing a red hooded March, viewers watched each arm with an edged weapon. The suspects fled sweatshirt and blue jeans. of the 10 finalists lectures on television and were asked to grade each one. DiCarlo was selected as the winner of the Two busted for cocaine top 10 finalists. A police investigation has resulted in two p.m. Police located and seized 412 grams of Along with a trophy and arrests and the seizure of more than $50,000 in cocaine, $1,500 in cash, throwing knives and accolades from students and cocaine over the weekend. drug paraphernalia. Police estimate the street staff at UOIT, a $10,000 TD On April 4, around 5 p.m., Durham police value of the seized drugs at $52,500. Meloche Monnex scholarship arrested a male and a female at a Whitby resi- A 22-year-old of Durham Street in Oshawa will be awarded to the univer- dence as part of an ongoing police investigation has been charged with four counts of trafficking sity for future students. into the trafficking of cocaine in Durham cocaine and possession for the purposes of traf- I feel as though it was a Region. ficking cocaine. group effort, says diCarlo. Durham police seized 112 grams of cocaine An 18-year-old of Sarcee Street in Oshawa Im very grateful for the stu- and a search warrant brought investigators to an has been charged with possession for the purpos- dent and staff support. address on Cabot Street in Oshawa around 9 es of trafficking cocaine. It was diCarlos lecture, We are All African, that got him in the finals and his lecture on the Suspected robber caught Relations of Natural Systems that got him his first place win. Durham Police have arrested one of two extortion, theft of a motor vehicle, possession But despite having this great males wanted on arrest warrants. of stolen property, possession of a prohibited accomplishment, diCarlo is A 52-year-old man of Toronto Street North weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, pos- also pleased at the recognition in Uxbridge was arrested at a residence on session of dangerous weapons to the public it will bring to the university. Daytona Avenue in Oshawa. He is one of two peace, breach of recognizance, breach of an Its what Im most pleased outstanding suspects from an Uxbridge rob- undertaking and possession of a controlled about, says diCarlo, adding bery that took place on March 22. substance. that its great publicity for the When arrested, the 52-year-old was found A warrant remains in effect for a 29-year- in possession of a stolen car, a pair of brass old man. Dr. Christopher diCarlo, an assistant professor at UOIT has been university. named Ontarios best lecturer for his talk about the Relations of Id like to offer congratula- knuckles and a quantity of Cannabis Resin. Anyone with information is asked to con- Natural Systems tions to Dr. diCarlo for his pur- He has been charged with robbery, assault, tact police at 905-579-1520. suit of this chal- lenge and for his success against such Weekend robberies hit Durham a large field of com- Durham police are investigating after two ing his face. He was also armed with a knife. petitors, said Dr. commercial robberies in Oshawa and Whitby On April 7, around 12:30 a.m., a 29-year- Ronald Bordessa, over the weekend. old clerk reported that he let a male into the president of UOIT On April 6, around 9:45 p.m., a male armed Petro Canada gas station on Simcoe Street in a recent press with a large knife walked into the Macs Milk South after hearing him pulling on the locked release. UOIT pro- convenience store on Bonacord Avenue in door. Once inside, the suspect approached the fessors arrive here Whitby. counter and produced a knife. The suspect from around the The suspect approached the sales counter threatened the victim and demanded money. globe and they are and demanded cash from the register. When The victim removed the cash drawer and leading experts in the register was opened the suspect removed placed it on the counter. The suspect removed their fields. the cash drawer and placed it on the counter. the cash from the register and exited the store. Through the power The suspect placed cigarette packs and cigars The suspect was last seen running northwest of diverse thinking, into his pockets before fleeing westbound from the store. our professors from the store, with the cash drawer and a Responding officers and the Canine Unit broaden our stu- small amount of cash.