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0. +0 f ERIE Jo Politicians say report on police Vol.3,No.26 ° Tuesday, January 18, 1994 CIRC. 12,000 changes to 153251 26 Division not acceptable Durham Region Police Services chairman Jim Witty says dations on ch to policing in 26 Division are "totally unacceptable and not Jamie McNab, a former Port Perry resident will be one of up. 16°60 competion expected this coming weekend for the first sled dog races, sanctioned by the Siberian Husky Racing and Sunday and spectators will have a grea comer of Queen and Perry Streets in his seven year old son Graeme a racing dogs, put on a 8tugog Township. The A on will be held Saturday of the start and finish from the Port Perry. Mr. McNab seen here with of their numerous pure bred Siberian Husky on last week at the Scugog Ice Palace. He has been racing for the past ten yedrs or so, competing In up to ten events sach winter around Central Ontarig, sald he Is delighted to be able to race In his home town of Port "Perry. The riiCes this coming Saturday and Sunday will start and finish from Queen Streptr following a course of either four or six miles on Lake Scugog. if you plan to be eSpectator at what should be a very exciting event, organizers ask that you leave your gwn pets at home. See story at right. Citizen photo by Heather McCrae SNOW FLAKE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE And Scugog Mayor Howard promised "one hell of a (political) closing Any stations, that's totally ungcceptable." pon for tHe suggested reduction jel for 26 Division, he 1 orvong s "totally not feasible." The introduction of the report says clearly the recommen- "are intended to offer a fight" if some of the recommendations in a 14-page internal police department report are ever carried out. A copy of the un-dated report called "Policing: 26 Division Organization and Deployment" was put through the mail slot at the Bcugog Citizen office over the weekend and was found when staff arrived for work Monday morning. Among other things, the report suggests closing the police sub- stations on Old Simcoe Road in Port Perry and in downtown Uxbridge. It also suggests that the current numbes of police personnel in 26 Division be reduced from 53 to 42. This Division takes in all of Scugog, Brock and Uxbridge Townships with its main office in Sunderland. "I want to see police services improved, not reduced," said Mayor Hall 'after'he read the document. Mr. Witty also had not seen the document, but seid it is part of an on-going process by the department to examine all aspects of policing in the Region in light of severe budget restraints. When told of the suggestions, he said bluntly 'we will not be possible solution to policing in 26 Division." It suggests "village constables," selected from "volunteer applicants" work out of the municipal offices in Port Perry, Uxbridge, Beavertdn and Cannington. The report says closing the sub- station in Uxbridge would save $37,998 annually in rent and others costs, while closing the station on Old Simcoe Road in Port Perry would save $49,552. It doesn't say what, if any savings, would result by reducing staff in this area by 11 officers. Mr. Witty told the Citizen the report will be requested by the Police Services Board for its next meeting. He stressed that if there was ever a recommendation to close any station or reduce staff levels, he would insist on the involvement of the three northern Township mayors and senior officers with the police department in the decision making process. Durham Region chairman Gary Herrema, also a member of the Police Services Board and a resident of Uxbridge Township could not be reached for comment Monday. Dogs and sleds this weekend As many as 60 teams of Siberian Huskies are expected to be in Port Perry this weekend for two days of racing as-part of the Scugog Snow Flake festivities. The ng, sanctioned by the <Biberian Sled Dog Association ~ will be held Saturday from noon to 3:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. spectators will have an nt opportunity to catch citement as start and fi lines will be at the corner of Perry and Queen Streets. The sleds will race down Queen Street to Lake Bcugog where they will cover a four or six mile course depending on the number of dogs. Former Port Perry resident Jamie McNab is a veteran Siberian Husky racer and he's delighted at the chance to be able to race in his home town. McNab, who teaches school in SEE PAGE TEN Uxbridge and lives near Little Britain where he runs Sibanamush Kennels, had his team and sled out last Saturday afternoon for a demonstration in mighty cold weather. He told the Citizen later the pure bred Siberian teams (four dogs) should cover the four mile course in about 14 minutes. The six dog sleds will zip around the six mile course in about 21 minutes. "These dogs will be going full out," he said. As for the start and finish on Queen Street, McNab said it's a great idea for spectator viewing. And he hopes that Port Perry will be the scene for similar races in years to come. He first started racing about 12 years ago and each winter competes in nine events in south-central Ontario for prize Turn to page eleven