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Merrier Christmas for Yorks needy NEWMARKET Thanks to the work of the Salvation Army and area Lions Clubs about needy families across York Region will get a Christmas boost again this year In some areas food ham pers worth about each are distributed directly by the Salvation Army In others local Lions Clubs take over the cost and distribution of hampers or food vouchers to families whose names have been furnished by the Salvation Army Last Sunday Aurora Lions delivered food baskets to be tween 25 and 30 families in their community The Newmarket Lions distribute food vouchers to the families on their There is great cooperation Salvation Army said in an in organization has built up a file of needy families over the yean and each year new names come in The names are supplied to and Mount Albert Persons who call the Salvation Army and ask to be placed on the list are visited and As far as Im concerned anybody who gets a food hamper through us is really in need he said We dont turn anybody down Major Frost has screened said Hugh Allan who heads up the Christmas project for the Newmarket Lions Names were still coming in test weekend Mr Allan said although he noted that the number of persons on the list has dropped in recent years The Lions clubs canvass local businesses to help If the amount collected doesnt cover the costs the Lions make up the difference centres the Salvation Army handles direct distribution of food baskets to communities along the south shore of Lake Simcoe and In other villages such as and Sharon where local service clubs are not available On Dec the Newmarket Citizens Band radio club conducted a suc cessful toy drive to help the Salvation Armys Christmas project THE ERA Since NEWMARKET AURORA KESWICK Sport Ontario endorses Seneca sport complex bid Pefferlow mother dies offer crash Firemen used crowbars last Wednesday night in a desperate effort to dying woman who lay The mother Lynda Anne York County Hospital in the front seat with her mother Sherri werer treated for minor injuries and s northbound on Hwy just north of the Rnvenshoe and was making a left- northbound car driven by David Williamson of Mount Albert Mr Williamson has been charged with impaired driving He was treated for rib bruises and released from hospital A passenger John Police arc looking for any witnesses who saw the accident on at Brown Hill or who observed a 1967 light green Dodge with white top on the highway between Baldwin and Brown Hill at about pm Dec Anyone seeing the accident or the car is asked to contact the Ontario Provincial Police NEWMARKET Sport Ontario has enthusiastically endorsed Mayor Bob proposal to develop a major sport complex at Seneca Colleges King campus and its chairman Dr Jones said he thinks the Ontario govern ment is reconsidering its decision to put such a development at Bronte Mayor proposed the complex be built with Wintario funds and Dr Jones offered the assistance of his organization in promoting the projects He told the mayor in a letter his organization has been urging the Ontario government to develop such a project for the past two years Jones a complex at Bronte but he pointed out the site was chosen by the cabinet not by his organization officials for development of a sports complex at the King campus before the decision was taken out of our hands Mayor Forhan made the proposal before the Dec meeting of York regional council following its publication the day before in an exclusive Era slory He asked each regional member to poll his own municipal council on whether or not it would favor a joint effort of the nine local municipalities and the region in securing a longterm agreement with the fund for construction of the complex Mayor Forhan who foresees the project taking to 15 years to complete said it would have Olympicsized swimming and diving facilities indoor tennis courts of Wim- standards basketball courts tracks and gymnasia as see SENECA page 2 Twinney seeks discussion of Mason case by commission Constable Gordon Mason The case should have been handled by the commission at the local level instead of being sent to a judge in York County Court Mr said in an interview prior to yesterdays decision by Judge Joseph Kelly how this whole thing handled from the beginning of the investigation to the end of the trial Mr said of the big reasons the mission refused to deal directly with the disciplinary charges against PC Mason said Mr Twinney PC Mason was charged with using unnecessary violence during questioning of Mr Morrisons son Paul and another Township last July Mr Morrison was the judge hi Ntwmarket Provincial Court at the time His letter of com plaint to Chief Bruce Crawford helped precipitate the in vestigation Cost to the taxpayers is another major reason why the see page MASON IS INNOCENT TORONTO Judge Joseph Kelly yesterday found a York Regional constable not guilty of assaulting two township juveniles during an investigation last July Constable Gordon Mason was brought to trial on disciplinary alleged assaults Judge Kelly said in York County Court I find that the conduct of these two boys was despicable putting this officer and the fort and the public to great expense I dont Intend to do anything to these two boys They have done enough already said the judge Paul Morrison Is the son of former provincial Judge Clare Morrison Judge Kelly said Young Morrisons actions put his father in a most unfortunate position The two boys alleged were assaulted while Const Mason was investigating a breakin at the Oasis snack bar at Jacksons Point Judge Kelly said he found the police and the York Region Police Finally its here Bedtime on Christmas Eve the time when little children set out a snack for Santa Claus make one last check under the tree say their prayers and go to bed early Along with the traditional visions of dancing sugar plums goes the firm resolve to stay awake until the clatter of reindeer hooves Is heard on the roof Above Nicky McLean whispers a final Christmas wish into the car of friend Mark Aurora Day Care Centre should be closed committee The decision is an historic one because it determines for the first time whether the criminal or civil standard of proof should be used Judge Kelly ruled that a York Regional Council will be asked next Tuesday to close the Aurora Day Care Centre and leave this community without a public day care facility In a 32 vote last Thursday to shut down the centre In Emmanuel United Church hall on Murray Dr The committee report will go to regional council for debate Tuesday At the same time it decided the regionallyoperated centre should be closed the committee also directed staff to remedy fire safety problems in the building The centre will remain open at least until a new private centre starts operation likely in February in the old Salvation Army citadel on Mosley St Committee members felt the fire safety problems should be rectified to safeguard the children during the interval As far as Yorks social services staff is concerned there is only one issue But Thursdays meeting showed that the affected parents believe much more is involved They suspect the region hasnt tried hard enough to find alternative quarters for the Aurora Day Care Centre While conceding that demand is down they argue that increased fees and the centras uncertain future have con tributed to the drop They wonder why the Aurora While agreeing that the building is substandard and should be closed they wonder why long standing structural problems werent remedied before now when they are being used as reasons to close the centre They suspect that the region Is giving tacit support to Auroras new private day care centre operator and wonder whether the private centre could survive if the public centre stayed open Not mentioned in the public part of the debate is the status of the centres staff They would be offered jobs in other regional centres If the Aurora facility closes but it is clear from their involvement in the protest that they wish to remain as a unit in Aurora The parents agree and urge the region to find other quarters for a public centre On Thursday several committee members were clearly alarmed when they read a staff report outlining the safety problems in the building If I were a parent Id take my child out of there tomorrow after reading that report said Markham Councillor Alma Walker Were leaving ourselves wide open to problems which may arise said East Gwillimbury Mayor Gladys who chairs the committee argued against spending public money to improve a private facility the region rents the building from he church The renovations would require a very substantial investment she said But in two separate in terviews on Friday The Era was told the fire safety problems in the building are not critical The cost of effecting the remains in dispute however Aurora Fire Chief Burling who inspected the building once in July and twice in November said its not a dangerous building An expense of between and would make it safe from his point of view he said Two charged with cruelty to animals in Pefferlaw by the Ontario Humane Societ with cruelty to animals aftei three part Labrador dogs wcrt found a month ago abandonee and tied to a tree One pup had strangled itself to death by wrapping the rope which held it by the neck around the tree second pup was in only slightly better condition It had also wrapped itself around a tree and showed early stages of The third adult animal was in reasonable condition ac cording to Inspector Dick Parry of the Human Society William and Catherine Thompson of Irving Dr are specifically charged with wilful neglect or failing to provide suitable and adequate food water shelter and care The couple was scheduled to appear in Newmarket Provincial Court Tuesday GRACE CHURCH DAY CARE CENTRE Church offers child care as community service Elinor Lett secretary treasurer of Grace Church Day Care Centre and the church pastor Rev Graver Crosby have the new to a January opening It supervisors By CAROL Era staff reporter NEWMARKET- With a view to offering a community service and fostering character development in young children Grace Church plans to open a non- denominational Christian day care centre in January As envisioned by the pastor Rev Grover Crosby the centre supported by about 43000 in provincial and Local Initiative Program grants will be more than just a babysitting service Well be doing our bit to take the place of parents while they are working he told The Era Its conceptual but we feel its a workable thing Ihe Grace Church minister Rev Crosby admitted he is afraid people might mistake his concept Were not interested in foundalio The role of the Associated Gospel Churches will be played down Rev Crosby added He said he hopes to be able to instill respect for authority and truth in a child as a part of character development The concept will be fully explained to parents when they enrol their children the Well not be thumping the Bible into the mind but it will be biblically based he explained The centre will be open for about 60 to children As a nondenominational centre will be available to anyone Thats the standard choose he noted Community community and cut ourselves off he said We want to be known as a community- minded church The day care centre will open in January Rev Crosby hopes There has been a problem getting a supervisor he said The purpose of an LIP grant is to provide em ployment for local people and Rev Crosby said he had to hire his supervisor through the local Canada Manpower The day care centre will be certified for from to children Rev Crosby said It will operate from 7 am to pm initially for children from to years of age I However Rev Crosby is thinking of offering after school care and temporary day care as a future project The centre will begin modestly with about children and add another per month as it progresses he months and is eligible for an additional to during that period if needed Another camel from the provincial govern as a capital grant for renovations to the church basement Of that amount per cent was allocated to building costs and per cent for equipment