$1.00 Your Independent Local News Source Vol 3 No 28 Wednesday, May 7 2008 Oshawa strong in face of layoffs By Courtney Duffett and Jessica Verge The Oshawa Express Oshawa might be facing 1,000 lost jobs at General Motors this September but to any dark cloud theres a silver lining. The economy is still looking up for Durham Region, at least when it comes to the real estate market. Real estate is still pretty strong, says Ian Smith, a local real estate broker with RE/MAX Ability, adding that its too early to attribute current economics to job lay- offs that have yet to occur. Its still to far in advance. And while he believes the market is going to stay strong, Smith says the econo- my reacts to rumours and makes people more cautious. The uncertainty (with the economy) creates some delays in people making deci- sions, says Smith. However, he believes that the pressure to drop prices in the real estate market will be picked up by travel buyersthose will- ing to pay a little extra in gas and drive a Photo by Courtney Duffett/The Oshawa Express little further to get a cheaper cost in real estate. So we win either way, says Smith. Youth in action He says that even though the layoffs at GM is a downfall for Oshawa and Durham, James Wright takes some risks practicing jumps on his bike. He was one of many Oshawa youths at the official opening of the Donevan Skate Park as part of National Youth Week. See OSHAWA Page 8 Future of Oshawa Councillor opposes inspection bylaw Curling Club By Jessica Verge things, he says, referring to a palities to pass bylaws to allow city offi- The Oshawa Express bylaw currently being touched up cials to enter private property for inspec- uncertain by city staff before heading to the tion purposes to ensure compliance with A proposed inspection bylaw, finance and administration com- municipal bylaws. that will allow city officials to mittee for a council recommenda- City solicitor David Potts says prior to enter private property to ensure tion. Bill 130, the laws that gave municipalities bylaw compliance, is no need for This is routine housekeeping. the right to inspect property were scattered panic, says Oshawa Mayor John Bill 130, the so-called through various legislation. Gray. Municipal Statute Law Passing a new bylaw tidies up those Every municipality in Ontario See story page 16 Robert Lutczyk Amendment Act, which took effect powers, summing them up in one piece of will end up passing one of these in January 2007, permits munici- See BYLAW Page 5 Fight for Catholic Oshawa cop charged with assault schools not over yet A Durham cop has been charged with police say the officer became involved in a two counts of assault after police say he verbal confrontation with a female that By Courtney Duffett mendations of the Accommodation The Oshawa Express Review Committee (ARC) process and was involved in two separate on-duty inci- escalated into a physical confrontation. In prepare a report and recommendations dents. both instances, there were no serious The Catholic school board is looking for consideration of council at the On April 29, Cst. Craig Wiles, 30 of the injuries. The officer is now facing a total of at closing five of its elementary schools boards May 12 meeting. Oshawa division, was charged with assault two charges of assault. The two incidents in Oshawa due to declining enrolment but I dont believe theres a need for in connection with an incident, which were not related. one city councillor believes there will be these closures, says Lutczyk, a member police say took place at a residence in The four-year officer had been working a need for these schools in the near of ARC, which was established by the Courtice in February. in an operational support capacity but has future. Catholic board to review 11 of Oshawas During the investigation, police became now been suspended with pay, according to At its May 26 meeting, the Durham 14 elementary schools. aware of a separate incident that police say provisions in the Police Services Act. He Catholic District School Board will Lutczyk says that even though enrol- took place in the cells at the Oshawa sta- was released on a promise to appear. decide on the closing of five of its ele- ment numbers may be in the decline now tion in October 2007. In both instances mentary schools including Holy Cross they are bound to go back up. Catholic School, Father Mahoney Oshawa is a small version of Catholic School, Canadian Martyrs Toronto. It is a city of neighbourhoods Police chase ends in charges Catholic School, St. Gregory Catholic and each has its own community school, A 21-year-old Oshawa man is facing a blue Dodge Caravan that was just stolen. School and St. Michael Catholic School says Lutczyk, adding that he was shocked number of charges after two separate pursuits Officers attending the scene located the van in Oshawa. to hear that staff brought a recommenda- over a 75-minute period with cops. and began following it. In hope of saving these schools from tion to the board to close these schools. On May 4 around 10 p.m., Durham police The vehicle fled east onto Hwy. 401 and closure, Oshawa Ward 2 councillor Lutczyk says that the number of sen- were dispatched to the area of when the marked police cruisers Robert Lutczyk brought a motion for- iors in Oshawa is high with the majority Montrave Avenue for a male activated their emergency equip- ward endorsed by council that: over 80 years old. He adds that its the attempting to steal a van. Attending ment the suspect refused to stop. The city request that the Minister of elderly people that free up the affordable officers located a white Plymouth The officers identified the sus- Infrastructure Renewal and the Minister housing for those with young families, Voyager van near Simcoe Street and pect and disengaged the pursuit. of Education be requested to consider which is incentive for families with small Gibb Street and began following it. The fleeing suspect made an special capital and operating funding for children to regenerate to these areas. Officers attempted to stop the aggressive lane change, lost control Oshawas heritage elementary Catholic van as it approached a stop sign at and crashing into a cement barrier, schools as a component in the successful Lutczyk says that when dealing with Toronto Avenue and Drew Street while attempting the ext Hwy. 401 implementation of the Governments demographics, now is the time for the but the driver ran the stop sign and at Ritson Road. Places to Grow Act and that a response be boomerang kids, the grandchildren of fled onto Hwy. 401 in the west- The driver and a female passen- heard before May 26the date in which the baby boomers, adding that they will bound lane. ger fled the vehicle but were arrest- the Catholic board will vote on the issue. all be ready to go to school in another A pursuit was initiated but was discontin- ed a short distance away. Council request the Catholic board three or four years. ued near Whitby, after the pursuing officers A 21-year-old man of Rideau Street in defer any final decision until the city and There are 12 million people in identified the driver from a previous investi- Oshawa is facing 28 charges board have an opportunity to meet and Ontario, says Lutczyk. Not everyone is gation. A 20-year-old woman of Concordia Court discuss the impact of the recommenda- rushing to Alberta for work. The numbers At 11:15 p.m. officers were called to an in Oshawa is also facing charges. tions on the City of Oshawa will show a return eventually. address on Dawson Street for a report of a Council instruct staff to meet with These schools are intricate compo- Lutczyk to review the background nents of our neighbourhoods, says See news happening? Call The Oshawa Express at 905-571-7334 reports, public consultations and recom- Lutczyk. Wed like an answer. Page 2 MAY 7 2008 Student housing issues draw annual symposium to Oshawa Councillor objects to bylaw exemptions By Jessica Verge licenses from the city and expects community partnerships, student tions, and licensing rental residential on Oshawas Town and Gown The Oshawa Express the bylaw to take effect with few purpose housing, safe communities, housing, which makes Oshawa a fit- Committee. problems as long as council ceases best practices, identifying and ting host. Those interested in attending An Oshawa bylaw that regulates granted exemptions. But he knows understanding differences, stake- Were at the forefront in regards must register by May 7. For more rental units in the citys north end the battle is far from over. holder input to Town and Gown rela- to the licensing, says Neal, who sits information call 1-800-667-4292. might have paved the way for other Its not going to be done municipalities but one councillor overnight, he says, adding believes its still to early to celebrate that its far too early to know the milestone. whether the bylaw is working. While a residential rental licens- But the bylaw has gar- ing bylaw passed by city council last nered much attention for February might have been a land- Oshawa, especially from mark move setting an example for other university and college other Ontario municipalities, Ward 7 towns, prompting the provin- councillor John Neal says Oshawas cial Town and Gown organi- running into problems before the ini- zation to hold their annual tiative has even been rolled out.