The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, OCTOBER 17,2001 PAGE 5 ANDREW IWANOWSKI/ Statesman photo Chris Kooy, chief operating officer of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, in the hospital's new gazebo. Hospital opens gazebo White 'powder' found on roll of coins by staff member Police respond to 'suspicious' powder calls POLICE from pane I by a female employee at the Dundas Street riding office, was not opened, but the unknown powder was spilling out of the envelope. It was seized for analysis analysis and the worker was directed by health department officials to "take the necessary precautions," Sgt. Malik said. In another case a crystallized substance substance found by a janitor in a washroom at Durham College's main campus in Oshawa was packaged and sent for analysis. And four workers were taken to hospital hospital as a precaution following a scare at General Motors' truck plant during the third shift yesterday morning. "A powder was noticed on some of the parts at the receiving dock," says Richard James, GM spokesman. "It didn't get into the plant. We called in emergency services -- fire, police - and our own security. A sample has been taken to an independent lab for analysis." analysis." A Bowmanville chiropractic office was closed until tests arc completed on a white "filmy" powder found in a plastic plastic roll of two-dollar coins. Meanwhile a suspicious package received received last week by a local radio station employee triggered alarm bells and was sent for analysis. It turned out to contain free concert tickets. According to Glendene Collins, manager of health communications for the Durham Region Health Department, Department, suspect substances are tested at the Central Public Health Laboratory of the Ontario Ministry of Health. If something does turn out to be positive at the provincial lab. she says the substance substance could then be sent for further analysis to Health Canada's national testing facility in Winnipeg. And although some Durham residents residents who have come in contact with what they fear might have been a powder powder form of the anthrax bacteria, Ms. Collins stresses it is not necessary to go to the hospital. "If you feel you have found something, call police," she advises. advises. "The police will alert DEMO (Durham Emergency Measures Organization) Organization) and they will alert various other agencies." Durham prepared Despite 10 reported incidents in Durham Region over the last few days where a variety of individuals came in contact with suspicious powders, Durham's associate medical officer of health, Dr. Donna Reynolds, emphasizes emphasizes how well prepared the Region is because of the two nuclear power plants located here. "We have one of the best local emergency response plans," she said. "All the ties we need are in place.". And even if the unthinkable happened, happened, she assures there are 250,000 antibiotic doses available to treat anthrax bacteria. It is unlikely that anyone in Durham Region has been or will be exposed to anthrax. But due to the actual attempts to spread the disease in the United States, it is understandable people want to be aware of possible signs of infection. Symptoms include: fever, malaise, fatigue, fatigue, cough, and mild chest discomfort followed by severe respiratory distress. BOWMANVILLE - Patients, visitors visitors and staff of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville now have a place for conversation, reflection and refuelling from the stress of hospital life. A 14-foot cedar gazebo project, which began in 1999 to mark the new millennium, is complete and standing outside the hospital's main entrance. The cost of the gazebo was covered through the fund-raising efforts of the Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Horticulture Horticulture Society, CUPE (formerly Local 137), the Association of Hospital Hospital Volunteers in Bowmanville and donations. donations. WHITE from pose I worker opened a roll of coins, and found a film of white powder within the roll. Clarington Emergency Services personnel personnel were then called in, and the building, which had four occupants at the time, was evacuated. On Tuesday, although the lab results weren't back, officials at the Emergency Measures Ontario, Durham office were reporting their office was operating business business as usual. "There's no increased threat from bio-terrorism in the region. The threat is still considered to be low," said Ivan Ciu- ciura, director of Emergency Measures Ontario, Durham. "Chances arc there won't be one (Anthrax occurrence) in Ontario," noted Dr. Donna Reynolds, the Associate Medical Officer of Health for Durham Region. However, she added, "The fire, police, ourselves all take this very seriously." seriously." Dr. Reynolds said the threats arc the department's "top priority." Although the results of the lab tests were expected back within 24 hours, "the public health lab capacity has been strained" due to the large number of possible possible Anthrax reportings in the GTA, Dr. Reynolds said. 'The emergency folks have had a little bit of practice this week. They have made sure they're fully able to respond," she said. Soon after the call to police Monday morning, fire department officials were on scene, donning blue hazardous material material suits before entering the building and removing the material. The new type of threat requires new types of protocols, says one official. "Basically, what happens is, because it's something that's an unknown substance, substance, we work through the Durham Emergency Measures Office," and notify notify the local health unit, says Chief Michael Creighton, of Clarington's fire department. Under a newly-developed procedure, "our staff will respond to the situation, isolate the area, and from there, put on the haz-mat (hazardous material) suits... enter the building, find the material, contain contain it, triple-bag it, and put it in a puncture-proof puncture-proof container," says Chief Creighton. The package was then given to police, who transported it to a Toronto Toronto lab. "Our responsibility is to attend, contain contain the area and it's our responsibility to call in the appropriate agencies," such as the health or fire department, says Constable Constable John Payne of the Durham Regional Regional Police Clarington Community Office. The material, along with paper towel the staff member had used to wipe her hands, was removed from the building at about 1:55 p.m., says Const. Payne. Throughout Durham, some mail handlers are taking extra precautions. "There is nothing from the Region specifically put forward but I'm sure various municipalities and agencies such as lire and police are all looking at it," said Dr. Reynolds. In Clarington, Mayor John Mutton says disposable gloves have been made available to all employees for mail handling. handling. Postal workers arc operating essentially essentially business as usual but have been reminded reminded of some protocols, says Mamie Thorp, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers spokesman. "Canada Post has policies in place and they're using them. Postal workers deal with suspicious packages pretty regularly. It's just getting getting more media attention now," she says. In the event a citizen should come across a suspicious substance, Dr. Reynolds is advising, "Leave the area, wash your hands with soap and water and call 911," in that order. Newcastle Lions Club would like to thank all the participants in our SEVENTH ANNUAL WALK FOR DOG GUIDES. "WALK YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR SOMEONE THAT NEEDS ONE". With your generous support approximately $17,500.00 was sent to The Lions Foundation of Canada in Oakville to assist in the training and support of guide dogs for the visually impaired, hearing impaired and special needs. Thanks to the business that support our flyer each year. Their support helps cover our expenses to operate the walk. 100% of the pledges are sent to the Lions Foundation of Canada. Thank you to our corporate and local sponsors - - Bank of Montreal - Information Management Systems -Pet Value - Newcastle Veterinary Clinic -Walters & Dizembach Barristers - Property Valuators - Durham Farmers co-op - Money Concepts - Newcastle Golf Course - Fidelity Investments - Goodyear Canada - Newcastle IGA -Welcome Feeds - General Printers - Paulmac Pet Store - Keyon Dry Wall Inc. -Algoma Orchards - North Shore Radio Club Ralston Purina - Canada Everyone participated so "THEY WILL NEVER WALK ALONE" www.durhamc.on.ca Find out everything you wanted to know about college. Durham College is hosting an information program which features "hands-on" workshops, demonstrations and information on the wide range of programs offered at Durham College. There will also be representatives representatives from 26 other colleges available to answer questions regarding programs, facilities and sendees. Prospective students of all ages and their families, guidance and employment counsellors are invited to attend this information program on Monday, October 29 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and Tuesday, October 30 from 9 am until 1 pm. Both are conveniently located in the gymnasium at the Oshawa campus. Call 905-721-3046 or e-mail us at info@durhatnc.on.ca Were you in the dark? About 4,400 Veridian Connections Connections customers were without power Sunday evening when a tree branch took out an electricity line. The tree branch fell on the line near the intersection intersection of Wellington and Silver streets in Bowmanville at about 6:30 p.m., and residents were without . power while the branch was removed removed and repairs repairs were made. The outage affected customers customers in the areas bounded by Concession Three and Baseline Road, and Scugog Street and Mcarns Avenue. Power was restored to most customers by about 7:10 p.m., with the last customer getting power at 7:40 p.m., says Veridian Veridian spokesman George Armstrong, Armstrong, The 40th Anniversary BOWMANVILLE SANTA CLAUS PARADE Saturday, November 17th at 10:30 a.m. For Entry Information Please Call 434-6535 Children to be part of the parade. We are looking for friendly, energetic children who are age 12 and older to participate in this years event* If you are interested in being part of the parade, costumes can be picked up on Saturday November 3rd and Saturday November 10 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at 21 Rhonda Blvd., Bowmanville. Kids.picking up costumes must be accompanied by an adult. For more information please call 905-623-9804