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8 Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, February 25, 2016 | The Stouffville Spirit are playing a must-win game in Markham Friday night, but one local business owner hopes it will be more like a home game. Farmer Jacks' Scott Burrows is giving away 1,000 tickets to the Ontario Junior Hockey League game Friday, which has the Spirit facing off against the Markham Royals. If Stouffville wins, they move onto the playoffs. If they lose, they head off to the proverbial golf course. (A tie or overtime loss and they have a play-in game against the Newmarket Hurricanes.) "We want to fill the house down there. We want to make it a home game for Stouffville," Burrows said. "If the crowd shows up, maybe that will make the difference." The 1,000 tickets are available at Farmer Jacks, 11862 Business has free tickets for Spirit finale Sanctuary offers to rescue dogs Hwy. 48, or by calling 905-642-5380. "It doesn't necessarily mean 1,000 people will go to the game. If we can get 300 to 400 that would be fantastic. But we're hoping for more," Burrows said. However, if people do snap up all 1,000 tickets, Burrows will buy 500 more and more after that, if necessary, to give away until game time. Markham Centennial arena has a capacity of 2,300. Although Burrows is a long-time fan of the Spirit, a win would make the dinner table a little bit more pleasant. His brother, Ken, is the Spirit's general manager and his nephew, Chad, plays for the team. ­ Sandra Bolan By Tim Kelly tkelly@yrmg.com Town of WHITCHURCH- STOUFFVILLE 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville, Ontario L4A 0Z8 · 905-640-1900 or 1-855-642-TOWN (8696) · www.townofws.ca COMMUNITY OF STOUFFVILLE PLACES OF WORSHIP REVIEW PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE Wednesday, March 9, 2016 7:00 ­ 9:00 PM Council Chambers, 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville Background The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is undertaking a review of land use planning policies and regulations related to places of worship in the Community of Stouffville. The objectives of the review are to identify the particular issues applicable to these facilities in the Town, with specific regard to employment areas; and, to determine the policies and regulations that will most appropriately respond to the interests of faith groups while minimizing land use concerns and conflicts. On June 16, 2015, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville passed By-law No. 2015-098-ZO, being an interim control by-law. The By-law was enacted to prohibit the development of places of worship for a period of one (1) year on certain Employment Business Park lands within the Community of Stouffville, until the study is completed. Places of worship are major contributors to the well-being of the community and are important for the creation of a healthy and complete community. However, there are a number of general issues associated with the development of these important facilities related to their location in areas not designed to accommodate such uses (e.g. employment areas). A "Future Directions Report" has been prepared by the project consultants ­ Macaulay, Shiomi, Howson LTD outlining the background into this matter as setting out draft directions for comment and consultation. A King City dog sanctuary is ready and willing to come to the rescue of 21 dogs facing the prospect of euthanasia. Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary has publicly vowed to take care of the dogs, among 31 seized from a Tilbury, Ont., residence last October after police rescued them from an alleged dog-fighting ring. Three people were charged with animal cruelty and firearm-related offences and the dogs were transferred to the care of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) where they remain. Three dogs have since been euthanized following a recommendation from two veterinarians. Seven other dogs are believed to be good candidates for rehabilitation but 21 of the canines are being recommended, on the advice of experts, for euthanasia. The OSPCA has filed a court application, to be heard March 10, to have the 21 animals euthanized. A group of protesters appeared outside the OSPCA office in Whitchurch-Stouffville on Saturday, demanding the society not euthanize the dogs. Dog Tales wants to take the animals off the OSPCA's hands and rehabilitate them so the pitbull-like canines, once they are ready, can be adopted out of province. "We have offered to take in all 21 of the dogs, do all of the vetting that they need, food, lodging, rehab, all at no cost to the OSPCA," said Clare Forndran of Dog Tales. She said Dog Tales had originally made an offer to the OSPCA to look after the dogs back in November, but didn't hear back from the society at that time. Forndran said in the past Dog Tales has taken on animals that have been involved in dog-fighting and has managed to rehabilitate them to the point they can be adopted out. She is confident they can do so again. Forndran said an OSPCA spokesperson told her dog behaviourists were brought in from the United States to vet the dogs, and that, "it was their (expert) conclusion they could not be rehabilitated. They said it was in the best interests of the dogs and for public safety that all 21 dogs be euthanized." "We're kind of known at Dog Tales for taking in dogs that are unadoptable. We're not looking for the easy cases here. We've even taken in dogs that the OSPCA has deemed unadoptable. We've adopted them out to homes without incident. It's not like we're going to run out of time and patience. They could be here a year. There's no rush," she said. Alison Cross, director of marking and communications for the OSPCA, said even if she wanted to let Dog Tales have the 21 dogs, she couldn't because the OSPCA does not have ownership of the animals. "The OSPCA doesn't legally own the dogs, they're part of an investigation, they're in our care, but we do not have the jurisdiction to relocate the animals," said Cross. She said it will be up to a justice of the peace who will rule March 10 whether the dogs can be returned to their owners, the three people who face animal cruelty charges. Public Information Centre Staff and consultants Wednesday March 9, 2016 from 7:00 PM ­ 9:00 PM at Town Municipal Offices 7:00 ­ 7:30 PM ­ Staff and consultants are available to discuss the Future Directions Report 7:30 ­ 8:00 PM - Presentation 8:00 ­ 9:00 PM ­ Staff and consultants are available to discuss the Future Directions Report Study Contact You can obtain more information on the Places of Worship Study on the Town's website at http://www.townofws.ca/POWStudy or by contacting: Paula Viola, MCIP, RPP, Planner Department of Development Services Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville, Ontario L4A 0Z8 (905) 640-1910 or 1-855-642-8697 Ext. 2326 | Fax: (905) 640-7957 Email: paula.viola@townofws.ca