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Accidents average 4 per week Deer population should be thinned The deer populaltion in Durham Region appears to be increasing dramatically, to the point where something may soon have to be done, says a sen- ior Durham Police officer. Staff-Sgt. Bill VanDole- weerd, who's in charge of the force's 26 Division (Scugog, Brock and Uxbridge Town- ships) told the Star Monday that the number of accidents in- volving deer is averaging "at least four each week." And that's just in 26 Divi- sion. He said the problem is widespread in other rural areas of the Region, including Whitby and Pickering, and there have been recent accidents involving deer as far south as Highway 2. "I really think it is time the Ministry (Natural Resources) took a look at this problem," he said, suggesting that the hunt season should be expanded to thin out the deer population. The request to expand a deer hunt would have to come from the local councils in the Townships. Vol. 124 No. 30 "I would certainly make a recommendation that they (mu- nicipal councils) ask to do something," he stated. The deer appear to be mov- ing into farm areas to graze in the field on corn and other crops. Staff-Sgt. VanDoleweerd said that when a deer is in colli- sion with a car or truck, damage to the vehicle can be extensive. Enjoy a "World Tour' during Festival Days summer celebration Quick now, how can you visit four countries in one week- end and never have to leave Port Perry? It's easy. Just make plans to be here July 12-15 for Festi- val Days, Port Perry's annual mid-summer celebrations. Along with the Bahamas- Great Britain theme of years past, organizers have added Spain and Mexico to the itiner- And that means travellers will have the chance to savour the sights, sounds and exotic tastes of these Latin countries. The Spanish Tent (Cafe Sa- villa) will serve a variety of wines and the famous Spanish drink sangria. Sergio Suarez, a Spanish caterer will be serving up pael- la, that distinctly Spanish dish made from rice and seafood. And that should help to get you in the mood for the Spanish Fiesta, held on Saturday eve- ning July 14 in the main Festi- val Days tent in Palmer Park. Tequila, a four member Spanish band will entertain with contemporary and 'tradi- tional music, and mid-way through the evening, the Span- ish Dance Company will per- form a flamenco show. As well as traditional drinks, you can sample Spanish beer known as El Toro Loco, sangria and Spanish cham- pagne. As for Mexico, well, the foods and beverages of this country will be available in the Mexican Tent in Palmer Park, featuring the sounds of a maria- chiband. And the Festival Tent will be the scene for a Mexican Beach Party on the opening night (June 12) The British flavour of Fes- tival Days has not been forgot- ten, and will be back again at the hugely popular Barley Mow pubin the Latcham Centre. Scotch eggs and sausage rolls are just some of the hearty pub fare to tempt your taste buds, and you can wash it down with several brands of British Turn to Page 2 Say "si" to Spain. And to Mexico, Great Britain and the Bahamas. Port Perry's Festival More seriously, the driver or passengers can suffer seri- ous injury or death. So far, there have been no reports of fatal accidents involv- Turn to Page 2 Days Is just four weeks away (July 12-15) and the countries of Spain and Mexico have been added to the "tour" this year. Mugging it up, complete with wide-brimmed hats are Festival Days chalrman Larry Emmerson and Leona Sandison of the Festival Days Com- mittee. (see story in this week's Port Perry Star for an outline of some of many events lined up for the mid-summer celebrations this year) Top level meeting offers commuters hope Members of a group who want expanded commuter rail service in southern Ontario are hoping that top-level meetings with provincial transportation officials will give them some an- swers about the future of com- muter service. Paul Pagnuelo, president of the Toronto-Havelock Pas- senger Association, has a meet- ing this week (June 20) with Gerry Johnston, an assistant deputy minister with the Onta- rio Transportation Ministry. And in two weeks time, (July 4) he'll be meeting with Bill Wrye, Transport Minister for Ontario. Mr. Pagnuelo told the Star last week the group he heads is "perplexed and confused" over the Province's policies when it comes to expanded commuter rail service in this part of Onta- rio. "Hopefully, the two meet- ings will give us some kind of an indication of what the Trans- port Ministry is thinking. Has the policy changed? If so, what does it mean for commuters?" said Mr. Pagnuelo. The Toronto/Havelock Pas- sénger Association was instru- mental in having a consultant examine the feasibility of a pri- vately operated commuter rail service that would connect five cities with Toronto. They are Peterborough, Kingston, Orillia, Stratford and London. But Mr. Pagnuelo said his group was surprised when the May Ontario budget contained. provisions to expand GO-Train service to Barrie and Guelph on a limited basis. And the government has promised that GO service from Teronto to Peterborough will be studied. Mr. Pagnuelo said it's not clear to him just what the prov- ince needs to study, since much of the relevant data (number of riders, operating costs, etc.) for a Peterborough/Toronto com- muter service are contained in the private consultants study prepared for his group. For example, the consul- tants study says that acommut- er service between Toronto and Peterborough could operate at a modest profit level, starting with 450 passengers per day in 1990, increasing to about 760 each day in ten years. The five city commuter rail network would be commercially viable, if there were initial sub- sidies for capital costs for cars and locomotives. However, that viability could be seriously eroded, Mr. Pagnuelo feels, if the province provides GO Service to centres ike Guelph and Barrie. Fares on the five city com- muter network would have to be higher than GO Train fares, but they would be comparable to what VIA was charging before the federal government cut the VIA service last winter. Mr. Pagnuelo said along with the up-coming meetings with provincial officials, the fea- sibility study has been turned over to Bombardier Inc., of Mon- treal. ® That company has shown some initial interest in the pos- sibility of operating the,com- muter rail network in southern Ontario. Turn to Page 5