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“I had a birthday party and the police were called and you were there." Ms Simone said after introductions were made. ifiibune SATURDAY. MAY 1 0. 2008 I SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF WHITCHURCHâ€"STOUFFVILIE I 40 PAGES/$1 INCLUDING GST BY ALYSHIA HIGGINS It was a reunion of sorts at the annual police youth forum in Stouflville Wednesday. Megan Simone, 17, and York Regional Police Const. Melanie Mofiatt, were seated at the same table during the event and real- ized it wasn’t the first time they had met. The type of reunion was a common occurrence at the forum at Latcham Hall. Ievon Crooks-Khan, a Grade 11 student from Markham, has attended the forum three times and each time sees familiar faces among the attending officers. “We try to break barriers and build bridges between the youth and police,” the former Stouffville residentsand. “We get a good perspective from the kids. It really allows youth to have a real understanding that police “It's a great experience to talk to the oflicers and have a good time," he said. “I have a good con- nection with the officers because I see them around school, too.” Const. Todd Snooks is the youth co-ordinator for District 5, which covers Markham and Stoufi'ville. The forum is run in conjunc- tion with National Youth Week, May 5 to 10. Cops, teens ’break down barriers’in Stouffville Ofiicer called to party reâ€" unites with host, 1 7 Hot Tits 17 mm ID" See I moué‘m, page 10 SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2008 I SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF WHI'I'CHURCH-STOUFFVILLE I 40 PAGES/$1 INCLUDING GST Dm'topcnyunnodtostmrgas Forpedtpafurnmccmgm uremmhmmmbocammmm‘ mpocbmyucbdingaGau‘ncHoMaoflmdfifiadmgc The traditional Canada Day cel- ebrations were in jeopardy. They were not listed on the Strawberry Festival website (strawberryfestival. ca) earlier this week. BY HANNELORE VOLPE Staff Writer One of Stoufiville's bestâ€"attendâ€" ed events has been saved. There will be fireworks for Canâ€" ada Day after all at the Strawberry Festival. The festival committee report- July 1 fireworks rescued by council Town reduces grant to Strawberry Festival, but picks up tab for popular pyrotechnics Stouflvifle District Secondary School Spartans forward Dayle Wilkinson (left) goes hard against Unionville High School Wolves Daniela Dipinto at Unionville field Monday in York Region senior Tier 1 girls high school soccer. It was the seasonâ€"opening game for the two teams, who battled to a scoreless draw. See story on page 14. ed it couldn’t put on the fireworks since it received only $5,000 from the town during budget delibera- tions in January. At Tuesday's ‘ Whitchurch- Stoufiville council meeting, Counâ€" cillor Richard Bartley made the motion to provide $10,000 to the festival committee for Canada Day celebrations. The committee usually receives $15,000. The festival’s request of $15,000 N0 GOALS IN THAT BALL wasn’t granted in January because it already receives around $15,000 in goods and services, as well as the annual donation, Councillor Rob Hargrave said. In the end, however, coun- cil approved having the commit- tee put on the fireworks, keep the $5,000 it has already received and The organization also has a reserve of about $65,000. and there are other events that could using funding, he said. Learning History . Sports . . Classifie sending the bill of approximately $10,000 to the town. The fireworks will be provided by “Pyro” Mario Vella, starting at dusk. entertainment begins at 7 pm. and there will be a huge Cana- da Day cake. Thousands of people attend the fireworks display in Memorial Park on Canada Day. The festival runs from June 25 to 29 this year, plus the July I celebra- fiona STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE