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economist sunffihune municirmj news thursday jan 13 2060 cabbies not taking chances some drivers now carry weapons while others refuse to work nights by kathleen griffin staff writer york region isnt toronto yet say local cab bies despite a frightening incident last weekend in markham when a cab driver was threatened by a 15yearold girl brandishing a knife taxi operators here dont believe their lives are at risk thats unlike many toronto cabbies who are becoming increasingly uneasy in recent days after the brutal murders of two cabbies one in etobicoke and one in brampton they have begun talking again about shields and video cameras in every car and while most drivers here still feel safe they dont take many chances you have to be very careful at night said bill sakorafas who represents drivers in the informal looselyorganized markham taxi association i know many drivers who have stopped working nights he said some drivers carry weapons such as screwdrivers just in case they avoid confrontation and never argue with customers offthestreet fares are scrutinized carefully and large groups of people especially young peopte are red flags drivers avoid dark alleys and deserted areas and they stay in close contact with dispatch thats our protection dispatch sakorafas said the bottom line is dont try to be a hero its tough out there these days give them what they want and let them go then call police its not the same as in metro but of course we have concerns said triple a spokesman jim amouri it was one of his drivers who after refusing to take the sevenperson fare because there werent enough seatbelts saturday night had a knife held to his throat and was ordered to drive the youths to a markham address anybody would get a fright he said if you get a knife pulled on you its really scary but things like that dont happen often maybe two or three times a year screening orders means getting names proper addresses and phone numbers of the fares and that helps amouri said if people are willing to give the information odds are theyre not a threat of course sometimes the customer gets angry we are asking so many questions but its for the dri vers safety he explained when we pick up a fare off the street thats when we cant track them down if something goes wrong triple a driver naz khan wont work nights neither will colleague rabee alzawahreh its too scary khan said booked trips are fine but offstreet pickups are just like fishing but i think markham is still pretty safe even scarborough is peaceful most of the stories are downtown or up north in more isolated places in december a toronto cab driver was brutally beaten in the parking lot of the aurora shopping centre about 3 am after four men he picked up in staff photosjoerd witteveen triple a driver rabee alzawahreh now drives day shifts only toronto not only refused to pay but also robbed him he recovered but police are still looking for the suspects dave tolch a dispatcher at todays taxi in newmarket agrees offthestreet fares are the biggest risk for drivers we try to get a destination from them and if its out of town we require the money up front but its not much protection he admits we have con cerns but it seems a more realistic threat in the southern end of the region the northern companies rely more heavily on regular customers and that helps keep them safe he said and there are far more incidents of fares ripping off drivers by not paying than any kind of violence tolch added we tell our guys not to get into a verbal alterca tion with a customer over a fare and not to aggra vate a situation its not worth it call the police while york regional police do not keep statistics singling out cabrelated robberies sgt john sheldon said there hasnt been a significant increase in such occurrences in recent years but he warns cabbies to not become victims and offers these tips maintain a log sheet and keep it current dont resist pick up and discharge customers in welllit welltravelled areas whenever possible maintain constant communication with dis patch updating your location frequently the fare who is contemplating robbing you maybe deterred as he listens keep money to a minimum dont let your guard down unqco 20 off super washes only with tl for a free information package call economist sun 2942200 stoufiville tribune 6402100 town of whitchurchstouffville public information meeting library and aquatic centre 700 pm tuesday january 18 2000 in the council chambers 37 sandiford drive stouffville the towns architect maclennan jaunkalns miller will present the final plans for the new facility if town of whitchurchstouffville separated divorced seminars sponsored by separated anonymous recommended by toronto doctors therapists since 1989 offer professional lectures on law grief anger children trust letting go sell- esteem sexuality healthy relationships make friends men women your age in our safe groups call 4162833305 now to apply and be registered by january 31 2000 r5 1 iflpb v k the view just got better at skyloft ski country club by bruce stapley features writer the uxbridge area ski resort has added a dramatic new 13000 square foot post and beam lodge along with night lighting enabling skiers to extend the ski day but while the resort has enhanced its image as the hidden gem of the southern ontario ski scene the emphasis is still on tradition and family fun its a family resort says skyloft owner and lifetime markham resident doug meharg my kids have been coming here since they were three years old and now they have life long friends they met here doug says it was that sense of attachment to skyloft that led him to purchase the club four years ago i have a passion for this place i just like coming up here hes not alone the newly constructed lodge which features three fireplaces zp open beamed cathedral ceiling and a breathtaking view has become the skyloft focal point people who havent been here for a few years just cant believe it says doug they are in awe of the building the lodge includes a large restaurant and special functions great room licenced lounge televisions ski rental shop and a day care facility it can also be booked for weddings corporate events and seminars for up to 300 people in the summertime outside the newly installed lights have served to maximize utilization of the resorts 18 runs a big part of our business is in the late afternoons when the kids are out of school so we put the lights in so they could ski into the evening says doug the lights are in keeping with the aggressive approach meharg has taken since taking over the resort he added a quad chair three years ago then expanded the snowmaking equipment to cover 12 runs a new beginners hill equipped with handle tow has been set on the site formerly housing the old lodge future plans will see a second quad chair and additional snowmaking added doug has also opened up the club to public skiers and boarders on weekdays and evenings members and their guests retain sole use of the resort on weekends but now have the added advantage of being able to ski on weekdays and nights perched 1455 feet above sea level skyloft boasts a vertical elevation of approximately 305 feet thats the highest vertical on the oak ridges moraine about 100 feet more than the other ski resorts in the area says doug he suggests the facility stacks up well against the better publicized ski centres to the north when such factors as convenience and the smaller crowds are factored in doug and his family joined skyloft in 1969 for the very reason of its closeness and family programs it is only 25 minutes from markham the hill can be seen from just north of 16th ave on the ninth cone looking in a northeasterly direction on a clear day skyloft can be seen from the viewing tower in niagara falls the property includes 10 kilometres of crosscountry trails snow shoeing and rentals are offered and there is also a skating rink on site hiking trails are available in summer and tennis courts are also in the works a large part of the skyloft appeal lies in the quality of the resorts instruction and competitive racing programs snow school director sandy gardner a level four ski instructor is also professional development program coordinator for the canadian ski instructors alliance race programs include nancy green mackenzie and hcrshey leagues there are also race opportunities for adults and seniors skyloft junior racing programs are sanctioned by alpine ontario south the body which coordinates all alpine racing in southern ontario our whole ski school environment is a cut above what other resorts offer says sandy pointing to such plusscs as restricting preschooler classes to two skiers its a great pjace to come and learn the resort offers a special trial plan for potential members parents of ski school members arc also offered an opportunity to try the resort before purchasing memberships skyloft is located at 722 chalk road w which runs 1km west off durham 23 lakcridgc rd and 10km north of hwy 7 the phone number is 905 6495160 website wwwskyloftcom