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BY [0E FANTAUZZI Staff Writer A veteran crossing guard questions if a proposed ban on motorists using cell- phones in school zones can be enforced. Provincial Progressive Conservative MPP lohn O’Toole introduced pri- vate members legislation Wednesday that, would ban the use of a cellphone. pager, personal data assis- tant, portable computer and fax machine in a commuâ€" nity safety zone, within 100 metres of a school crossing and within 200 metres of the scene of a vehicle colâ€" lision. Phone ban met with skepticism Standing at the busy corâ€" ner of Stoufier and 'Main streets during Thursday’s lunch hour, clad in a fluo- rescent orange jacket with a reflective green ‘X’ on the back and stop sign in hand, Stouffville’s Sharon Nor- ton said she has witnessed many distracted drivers on cellphones whipping around comers. Ms Norton, who has served as a crossing guard for nearly two decades, doesn’t disagree with the ideas contained in the pro- posed legislation, but ques- tions the practicality of the plan. “How are you going to enforce it?” Ms Norton said STAFF PHOTO/JIM MASON Sharon Norton, a crossing guard at Summitview Public School in Stouffville for 19 years, wonders if a car phone ban near schools can be enforced. )vincial Progressive arvative MPP John rle introduced pri- members legislation lesdav that would between guiding groups of children safely across Main m Irc Public “I’m not phones are a b there is a time think.” If passed, the bill would also require the province to keep records of collisions in which a cellphone or similar device was used, according to a news release issued by Mr. O’Toole. Student drivers would be tested on their knowledge of the cellphone bans. Excep- tions would be made for the emergency use of cell- phones, the release said. “Each of these locations demands the utmost atten- tion from the driver," Mr. O’Toole said in a statement. “Not all Ontarians agree with a total ban on the use of cellphones while driv- n mg. The ministry of trans- portation will be moni- toring the bill as it moves through the legislature, said Bob Nichols, media liaison officer. “Our ministry continues to review the latest research and best practices on driv- er distraction, including theeffectiveness of laws in other jurisdictions that ban the use of cellphones while driving.” he said. front ‘nt of School 1 not ht saying cell- a bad thing. but me and place, I Summitview York Regional Police Staffâ€"Sgt. Shelly Rogers (from left), guest speaker and sexual assault survivor Galit Solomon and York Region Abuse Program executive direc- tor Alison Peck chat prior to a sexual assault awareness workshop at the Com- munity Safety Village on Stouffville Road. In August 1988, Ms Solomon visited her best friend. She had walked the same route as she did so many times before. This time it was different because her friend's father molested her, she said. At times emotional, Ms Solomon recounted her story as part of a com- munity forum May 2 at the Community Safety Village in Whitchurch-Stoufl‘ville. May has been declared Sexual Assault Awareness Month. York police and the Women's Support Network of York Region held the workshop to increase awareness of the issue. “I had no idea it was going to be the last time I was going to take that walk and be myself," Ms Solomon, now a C W reporter, told a packed room. “Speaking today is a very important part of my healing process,” Ms Sol- omon said. “After 20 years, I learned something: you never quite get over it, but you do learn to manage it.” There Were 290 incidents of sexual assault reported in York Region last year, Deputy Chief Eric lolliffe said, adding fewer than 10 per cent of sexual assaults are reported. "I was young, innocent and full of life and I was looking forward to my life," Ms Solomon said. “I left there broâ€" ken and feeling damaged and used. That word: ‘damaged’ has shaped me over the years because there have been moments where I have described myself to people, at least feeling like I'm damâ€" aged goods.” Halting only a moment to weep and then collect herself, Ms Solomon moved on. Talking abeut sex assault helps CTV reporter heal He struck when Galit Solomon was BY [OE FANTAUZZI Staff Writer She kept the abuse 3 secret until recently because she could not compre- hend what had happened and worried about how people would view her and her family, she said. “You can never really run away from the images etched in your mind," Ms Solomon said. “There is so much dam- age done because of the culture of silence around the issue." It is time for the issue to come out of the closet, Ms Solomon said. She added while she still struggles with the abuse, she believes speaking out may be why she is feeling a Change inside her. “We have to start calling it what it is because if we don’t, how can we expect our Children to come to us and tell us what they are going through?" she asked. Ms Solomon chose to speak out because when she was attacked, she felt alone and she knows there are other young people being victimized the same way, she said. “I want to tell that child you’re not alone â€"- I know exactly what you're going through,” Ms Solomon said. “I also want to tell that child there are services out there and there are people who are paid to help you and there are people who just care to help you." She kept the abuse a secret until recently because she could not comprehend what had happened and worried about how people would view her and her family, she said. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN Stoufli/ille Sun~'1‘ribune I Saturday. May 10, 2008 Sunday runs, theme rides on track for tourist train Whitchurch-Stouffville News Digest The York-Durham Heritage Railway is back on track for this season. June 1 is the official opening for the tourist railway, which will run regularly between Stouffville and Uxbridge on Sundays. The train leaves Uxbridge at 10 am and 2:30 pm. and leaves from the Stouffville station at noon. l-lorse drawn carriages will meet the lunchtime passengers and offer a tour of downtown Uxbridge at no additional cost. In addition to the Sunday runs, several theme days take place, including the Unionville Festival June 7, Father's Day June 15 and the Stouffville Strawbeny Festival June 28. Halloween and Santa trains also start in late October through to December. The return adth fare is $22 and $14 for Children under 12. Seniors 65 and older and stu- dents 13 to 17 are $20. Children under two travel free. The train is available for birth- day parties, school field trips and corporate events. For information go to ydhr. on.ca, e-mail info@ydhr.on.ca or call 905-852-3696. Prayer breakfast sold out It's too late if you still need tickets for the Whitchurch- Stouffville Praver Breakfast. , Tickets for the Thursday's annual event at Station Creek Golf Club in Gorrnley sold out this week. Hilary Price, a Stouffville resi- dent and native of England, is this year’s guest speaker. Editor chairs faith meeting TheAhmadiyya MuslimYouth Association presents an inter- faith seminar at Christ Church Anglican today from 4 to 6 pm. Registration starts at 3:30 pm. Hears Hindu, Christian and Islamic speakers. Sunâ€"Tribune editor lim Mason will act as moderator. Young people are particularly welcome. A discussion period and refreshments follow. To reserve 3 5pm, call 416 562â€" 0596. To reserve a spot, call 416 562~0596. The church is at 254 Sunset Blvd., next to Orchard Park Public School in Stoufiville. Visit yorkregion.com for on these and other Stu omelal opemng lilway, which will tween Stouffville n Sundays. wes Uxbridge at n Heritage ‘ack for this {or more Stories