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Lhe Port Perey Star (© 8 8 [OI DOI DAY B14 B 985-7383 CLASSIFIEDS Students to take part in career day More than 160 students from across Durham Region are expected to take part in a forum that will give them an inside view on careers in policing this Thursday (Dec. 8). The career awareness day is a project of Durham Regional Police and the public and sepa- rate boards in the region, and will take place at Durham College's Police Learning Centre. It's designed to present an accurate view of policing as a career to high school students here. A panel of officers ranging from Cadet to Sergeant will flled questions from the stu- dents, and hope to relay to them the many aspects of life as a police officer, say organiz- ers. During the afternoon the kids will have the opportunity to gain insight into several facets of policing, including forensic identification, tactical support, and the canine unit. Equipment used by officers will be presented for the stu- dents to view, and organizers say it will give them a realistic look at the work often glamor- ized by the media. 'They will also be able to take part in a mini-version of a recruitment test, and learn how important basic reading and spelling are to pursuing a . career in policing, organizers said. "Tis the s season Local Scouts, Cubs and Beavers are once more this year selling Christmas trees, and they've got a fine se- lection in their lot by the Canadian Tire store in the Port Perry Plaza. Here, Scout Matt Hvidsten (left) and Beaver JEFF MITCHELL/PORT PERRY STAR Adam Farnley are overwhelmed by one of the towering trees. it's time to start thinking about decorating for the festive season, so why not drop by and help out the Scouts? $5M savings over 20 years By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Construction of a new administrative centre for the Durham Board of Education will save taxpayers almost $5 million over 20 years, says a report released last week. Trustees meeting Nov. 28 received a staff report that shows building the new edu- cation centre in Whitby and financing it over 15 years will be far less costly than if the board had continued leasing office space. Figures in the report show that the new building will cost the board $21.9 million over the next two decades. That's $4.9 million less than the $26.8 million estimated cost the board would have faced if it had continued to lease four separate buildings for staff. Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew said following the meet- ing that those figures prove New Ed Centre will result in tax savings, board told the board was on the right track when it opted to build the new centre. It was offi- cially opened a couple of weeks ago. "We've been saying to peo- ple that in the long run, this will save you money," said Mrs. Drew last week. "A lot of people said now is not the time, but we argued that during a recession, now is the time." The static economy allowed the board to build the new centre at a lower cost and obtain lower interest rates for financing, she explained. "With the recession and everything, and lower inter- est rates, we were able to get a 15-year debenture, and pay it off earlier." The board also insisted a high ratio of workers hired for construction of the new building be local, said Mrs. Drew. "That's a lot of people put back to work." Smoking law a 'great legacy' for NDP, says local rep Mills Tough new laws on smoking in Ontario are a legacy the New Democratic Party can be proud of, says Durham East MPP Gord Mills. "If we never, ever get elected to anything again ever, I see this legislation as being a lega- cy we can be proud of," Mr. Mills said last week, after pas- sage of the Tobacco Control Act. The legislation ups the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 19 and restricts smoking in most public places. And it rep- resents what will prove to be an effective step in preventing a new generation of smokers from taking up the habit, said Mr. Mills. "I think it's a great legacy to leave." The New Democrat MPP said there was some backlash when details of the pending legislation was released months ago, but noted there has been little in the way of negative commentary at his Bowmanville constituency office since passage of the bill last week. "When you tinker with the status quo, there will always be some who are angry," said Mr. Mills, adding, however, that most smokers have real- 1zed for some time that their habit is not socially acceptable. "I think people are polite and recognize the laws," he said. RIDE, time officers to the for all and throug partment closer toits goa ets have been instrumental _ province. Variety. Club Joungaters with fpecia program : The Durham Rogen Police Service will dedicates six ¢ full a LD.E. program this year. These officers = will be supplemented by Divisional Officers as they are availa- ble. The officers' duty is to reinforce the patrol officers who en- force drinking and drivinglawsall year. . 7 The point of the program isto ol the holiday season safer increased public awareness n raisin more { bring the de- £2 lofhavingnodrinkingand driving. Beginning this Thureday and continuing over the next our weeks, officers will be setting up spot checks in all areas of the region, including Scugo Township ona random basis. - . ot checks do more than just tak e imp: . roadways. Officers and the sponsors in the Spe GE NAAN pI So) Com A