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• SINCE 1854 • AMALGAMATED 1999 WITH CLARINGTON THIS WEEK • Durham steps JIM WILSON 'Every measure necessary is being taken 'for safety at nuclear plants. Region is prepared, officials assure BY JACQUIE MclNNES Staff Writer DURHAM - More measures are currently being investigated to improve the region's defence against nuclear or bio-terrorism, but residents should be assured the risks of either arc low, say Durham officials. Durham's Emergency Mea sures Ontario (EMO) office is continuing to monitor the events unfolding on the world stage but currently its emergency operations operations centre is not activated because because "Canadian targets aren't exactly high profile," reports Steve Marchi, training co-ordi- nator for Durham EMO. "Emergency Measures Ontario Ontario has just finished a bio-tcr- rorism plan," reports Mr. Marchi, who says it has not yet been released to the Durham office. office. He expects local co-ordination co-ordination of the region's various agen cies to take place once the report is released. If Durham was targeted for a biological attack, it would be "well managed" says Dr. Donna Reynolds, Durham's associate medical officer of health. "Certainly there is no indication indication there is a threat to Durham Region or Canada," says Dr. Reynolds. However, she adds, if anthrax or small pox was released released somewhere in-the region, "we have one of the best local emergency response plans," due to the location of the nuclear plants here. "All the ties we need arc in place," she says. Dr. Reynolds says Health Canada is prepared in the event either anthrax or smallpox is released. released. It has 250,000 antibiotic doses available to combat anthrax anthrax in addition to stores currently currently available in pharmacies, she says. In the event of a smallpox smallpox outbreak there are "hundreds "hundreds of thousands" of smallpox immunization doses available. When questioned on the effectiveness effectiveness of purchasing a gas mask, the doctor suggests, "You're better off getting your flu shot" as a means to preventative preventative health care. Meanwhile, the Pickering and Darlington nuclear plants continue on enhanced security, confirms John Earl, spokesman for Ontario Power Generation (OPG). In a Sept. 26 letter to Art Egglcton, federal minister of national national defence, Clarington Mayor John Mutton called upon the federal government to inves- See RESIDENTS page 4 Take your pick at Apple Festival BOWMANVILLE - The once-a-year opportunity to dig in to apple fritters, apple cider, apple pie and well, apples of all varieties on Bowmanville's main street returns this Saturday, Oct. 13. "If it's a nice day and twice as many people come as last year the crowd will be in the tens of thousands," predicts BIA Manager Manager Garth Gilpin, who estimates last year's attendance to the Bowmanville Apple-fetivaland - Craft Show at 30,000 to 40,000 people. When asked why the crowd may double in size, without hesitation hesitation Mr. Gilpin replies, "Well everybody who came last' year was so pleased they're sure to bring another family with them." The event, which draws people people from all over Ontario, will return return for its 12th year with some of the favourites from previous events including five tents housing housing 40 craft vendors, the Ontario timber sport competition, live entertainment and music throughout the downtown area, the ever-popular apple pie contest contest and displays by many local groups. There will be the traditional traditional fare for the kids including the 'Big Apple Bounce' and Simon's Jumping Castle and kiddie rides in support of various charities. Jenny Appleseed will hand out free balloons and candies candies and the kids can take home balloon apples and balloon animals. animals. The event runs all day on King Street, Bowmanville, which will be closed to traffic from Scugog Street east to George Street. ANDREW IWANOWSKl/ Statesman photo Pumpkin patch work CLARINGTON - The 1st Hampton Beavers are in the pumpkin business now until Halloween, Halloween, with a sales wagon on Taunlon Road, west of Hwy. 57. The Beavers picked the pumpkins themselves at Price's Country Market. Ready for customers are Curtis Stain- ton, left, and Mitchell Puersten. Fire chiefs call for terrorism training Province, Ottawa asked to provide . training funds BY CINDY UPS HALL Staff Writer DURHAM - Ontario's fire chiefs are calling on the government government to provide bio-terror- ism and urban rescue training for the province's firefighters. The Ontafio Association of Fire Chiefs made the demand in a letter to both the provincial and federal governments asking funds be re-allocated so the appropriate appropriate ministries can prepare firefighters for incidents of biological biological terrorist attacks and urban rescuing techniques. Oshawa Fire Chief Milt Wilson, Wilson, who is provincial president, president, explains the need for this type of training has long been advocated by Ontario's fire chiefs. However, the recent terrorist terrorist attacks on the United States have brought the issue to the forefront. "It's like anything, as soon as we do have an occurrence it gets back on the front burner and there's a more serious demand," demand," he says. Although the United States federal government supports fire services to the tune of $300 million, with the possibility of an increase to $600 million, no federal funding for fire services exists in Canada. "When terrorist attacks occur political jurisdictions disappear disappear and all levels of govern- MICHAEL CREIGHTON 'We should be prepared just in case.' ment become involved," Chief Wilson says. "Those same levels levels of government must also be involved in providing the training training required to ensure firefighters firefighters can function safely in these situations." He explains funding for additional additional training is especially important for firefighters because, because, "it's usually us that get the job of going in and cleaning up and dealing with the after- math so we need that training as well." Clarington Fire Chief Michael Creighton says he "concurs completely," with Chief Wilson. The events of Sept. 11 have raised the awareness "there is the potential there for more problems," says the Clarington chief. "And even if there isn't, we should be prepared just in case." ACCREDITED TEST & REPAIR FACILITY •An official murk of the Province of Ontario used under licence. Whitby - Oshawa o t 1110 DUNDAS. ST. E. WHITBY. LOCAL (905) 666-1772 HCTMDA. www.honda1.coni T * J W S» Generous residents come through for drive WHERE TO FIND IT Editorial Page 6 Classified 10 Sports 15 GIVE US A CALL General.. .905-623-3303 Distribution 905-579-4407 Death Notices ..' 905-683-3005 Sincerely Yours 1-800-662-8423 Web site durhamregion.com email jbobbitt@durhamregion.com FAX 905-623-6161 Thanksgiving food drive collects 20,000 pounds of donations DURHAM - Organizers of the Thanksgiving food drive for Salvation Army food banks are giving thanks for the generosity of local residents. residents. "We're extremely pleased," said Maryannc Sholdra, food drive co-ordinator. Approximately 20,000 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected on the first weekend of the drive, about half of this year's goal for food banks in Oshawa, Whitby, Clarington and Ajax, she said. "The people are very generous generous at this time of year with all that's going on in the world," Mrs. Sholdra said. Most of the food is being dropped off at fire halls in the four communities although several grocery stores are also accepting donations. Food bins will be set up through to Oct. 15, the last day of the drive. Basic foods such as peanut butter, pasta and sauces, soups, canned meats, fruits and vegetables and cereals are needed to help the many homeless people who use the Salvation Army food banks. Mrs. Sholdra said the food collected in each community will stay in that community. In Oshawa, food can be dropped off at all four Oshawa Fire Services halls, A&P stores on King Street East, Midtown Mall and Five Points Mall, IGA at Grandview Plaza and Lake Vista Plaza, Price Chopper on Simcoe Street North and King Street East and No Frills on Simcoe Street North. In Whitby, drop off food at the three Whitby Fire Department Department stations and A&P stores on Dundas Street West and Thickson Road South, No Frills at Brock Road South, Thickson, McQuaid Boulevard Boulevard and Dundas Street, Pringle Creek IGA and Price Chopper at Brock Street South and Kendalwood Plaza. In Clarington, food can be taken to Clarington Fire Department Department halls which arc accepting accepting food along with A&P on Hwy. 2, Price Chopper at Townline Road and Hwy. 2. In Ajax, food can be dropped off at Ajax Fire Department Department stations, Loblaws on Harwood Avenue, Dominion on Westney 'Road North, Food Basics in the Harwood Plaza and No Frills in the Baywood Plaza.