Less than a year after being appointed to one of Lakeridge Health Corporation’s top positions, Dr. Mark Taylor has left the Lakeridge hospital in Bowmanville.

Executives from the health corporation have so far kept silent on Dr. Taylor’s sudden departure and no details or statements have been released by any of the hospital’s representatives. It’s unknown if the doctor is working for another hospital at this time.

But according to Lakeridge Health Corporation’s CEO Kevin Empey, patients have nothing to worry about as the doctor’s leaving of his post won’t affect any of the hospital’s services. Patient care will remain as it is, he said.

Working for Lakeridge Corporation since 2007, Dr. Taylor rose through the ranks and was assigned as the vice president of medical affairs in the middle of efforts to cut costs aimed at saving money and replacing people who held administrative positions with those who are healthcare practitioners.

Replacing him will be Lisa Shiozaki, former VP of Lakeridge’s patient care department. She is expected to move to Bowmanville any time soon, Epney said. Shiozaki is a registered nurse who holds a master’s degree in public administration.

Attempts to reach Dr. Taylor have so far been unsuccessful.

Two men from Clarington who attempted to boost a donation box full of change and bills were recently slapped with charges for the heist. The box of change was for a local charity based in the Bowmanville vicinity.

According to police reports, two men entered a Mac’s Milk branch located on Mearns Avenue at around 10 in the morning on January 17. Apparently they had the whole “operation” planned out before the attempt. One of the two men was reported to have distracted the clerk working the cash register, while the other hid the donation in his clothing.

The two Clarington men then discreetly made their way out of the store without making a purchase, but employees from the store noticed that the donation box was missing and immediately called the police for help.

The two thieves were tracked down by Bowmanville police and brought to the station after being apprehended.

Fortunately, the donation box only contained $20 in donations as the coins and bills were only recently collected. The donation box belongs to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The suspects, namely 34-year old Andrew Benson, and 37-year old Jeffrey Watson, are currently charged with theft.

Not only are residents in the Municipality of Clarington finding ways to relieve their headaches, neck pain, or back pain, they’re also doing it for a cause, effectively hitting two birds with one stone.

Running until the last week of March, Healthworks Durham, located in Bowmanville along 161 King Street E, is presently offering doctor exams for only $25. The good news is that this cost is usually covered by most—if not all—health care insurance providers. Interested patients will undergo assessment, with doctors determining they need treatment for their back, neck, and acute or chronic headaches. Treatment will consist of therapy using advanced drug-free technology, and other holistic techniques.

Located in Bowmanville, HealthWorks Wellness & Rehabilitation is aimed at helping patients feel better through honest chiropractic care, and by providing treatment and advice to avoid to patients so they can avoid health problems.

All proceeds of the special fundraiser will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross, which in turn will be pooled together and sent to the government for the massive Canadian relief effort for the victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti 2 weeks ago.

So if you want to get a check-up for your body pains, now is the time to do it.
For details and information, you can call 905-623-8388.

What used to be a building that housed soup, nuts, and everything in between is getting a “makeover” this year, and will now play home to an unusual combination of tenants.

The building that used to house A and P at King and Liberty will be the home to two new tenants: Staples, which specializes in office supplies and the like, and Beer Store, which finally relocated to a bigger space, set to open around February.

According to Beer Store’s spokeswoman, Sandra Ward, the business had to relocate to a better spot due to Clarington’s strong growth. They expect their new local to bring in more customers with its more accessible location.

And since the market in Clarington is showing signs of growth, it’s only right that they move to a bigger space, which Ward says is more than two-thirds larger than their current store, located at King Street East. Once the outlet opens next month, it will be the biggest Beer Store in the Durham Region.

The new Staples on the other hand, will provide community members a more accessible location to purchase office and business supplies. There will also be a computer and electronics section that will offer services ranging from computer repair, photocopying, and the like. The new outlet is set to open on March.

Beer and office supplies; it’s an odd combo, so let’s see how it pans out.

In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti two weeks ago on the 12th, Canada officials have organized a massive relief effort to help the victims left with virtually nothing but the shirts on their backs.

For Bowmanville paramedic Blaine Bates, getting his hands on anything that can help those in Haiti is his way of pitching in. He says finding basic first aid equipment is his priority.

And since his mother Linda, will be heading to Haiti to do volunteer relief work, he says it’s only right for him to do his part.

Ms. Bates, together with a group of 9 volunteers left on Monday, January 25, for Haiti. Bates is the current international projects coordinator of Scouts and Guides Fellowship, and has been actively doing relief work in the country of Haiti for around 5 years. In the time that she spent volunteering in the country, she and other workers helped put up schools and a medical clinic for the less fortunate.

Other paramedics from the Durham Region are also lending a helping hand by collecting important supplies such as bandages, medicine, gloves, and oxygen equipment. All of these will be sent to Haiti over the next few days.

If you’re looking to recruit employees for your business and don’t know where to start, one Bowmanville resident just might have the advice you need to get things rolling.

Jamie Allison, a native of Bowmanville, recently published his book titled Jackpot! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Winning On-Campus Recruitment Campaign – a book which he says can be a great guide for different types of businesses and companies of all sizes, looking to hire people.

Allison drew from his years of experience as a human resources professional in writing the book. He has held HR positions in a number of companies ranging from retail, health care, and packaged goods.

According to him, the best way for small businesses with no human resources personnel to look for new workers is to tap into campuses and schools. Contrary to popular belief, making use of campus recruiting doesn’t have to be expensive – that is, if you do things right.  

He adds that companies would be wise to send recruiters with the aim of showing the lives students would have, say 5 years into the future, if they choose to be part of the company. Students are receptive he says, and will listen to those who want to build rapport.

A few posts ago, we featured a story about one Bowmanville businessman who was denied permission from selling fireworks all year round.

Not surprisingly, Mike Gazo, owner of the store, Perfect Party Place in Bowmanville, remained unfazed and asserted that Clarington’s current ban on the sale of fireworks on non pre-indicated dates only pushed residents to purchase fireworks on the allowed periods, possibly storing them unsafely, and thereby defeating the whole purpose of the restriction.

Presently, Clarington’s bylaws see to it that fireworks can only be sold to the public during these times:

• 5 days before Victoria Day
• 5 days before Canada Day

Furthermore, Clarington residents can also apply for a special permit allowing them to use fireworks outside of these time frames.

Gazo adds that other municipalities even allow the sale of fireworks all year round. He doesn’t see why Clarington can’t to do the same, he said.

Clarington staff previously denied Gazo’s request to sell fireworks the whole year round, saying that making his business an exemption would only cause confusion among Bowmanville’s residents about the bylaw.

However, it looks like Mr. Gazo’s efforts are paying off. According to Clarington Councilor Charlie Trim, Mr. Gazo’s arguments opened some doors for council to make a final decision.

Council will deliberate on this matter next week.

Stacie Wilson, a native of Bowmanville, was grief-stricken in the wake of the accident that took her daughter’s life. In spite of her sadness, she says the way the Bowmanville community came together to lend their support was simply amazing.

From a special memorial service, to a card made and signed by a group of “community grandmothers”, to a bouquet of flowers brought over by her regular messenger, everyone seemed to want to honor the memory of Alexsey Gotell and assure her mother she was not alone.

And it’s no wonder; Bowmanvile has always had that small-town feel, with almost everyone knowing each other and ready to lend a helping hand in times of need and strife. These close ties were also the reason Wilson was also able to get to the hospital where her daughter was rushed.

Alexsey Gotell was crossing King Street on the evening of November 25, 2009, when she was hit by a speeding vehicle. She was taken to the local hospital but died due to her major injuries.

Wilson says that she was able to cope with her grief because she knew that wherever she looked, there was always a kind soul there for her.

Going up against some of the best gymnasts in the country, the Clarington Gymnastics Academy recently took part in its first ever Ontario provincial qualifier, which took place in Halton Hills.

And Clarington’s gymnasts certainly did not disappoint.

For the academy’s first competition, Clarington’s gymnastics team proved themselves to be a force to reckon with, performing strongly throughout the meet.  A lot of the gymnasts in the team were young up-and-coming athletes who were competing at their first big competition ever.

The academy’s head coach Christine Ormerod could not have been prouder, she said. She believes her students want to represent not just the academy, but their own communities as well.

Among the top peformers include:

• Madison Luke from Bowmanville, who won top place on vault and bars, and 2^nd amongst all competitors in the 6 to 10 age bracket
• Raine Sullaphen from Bowmanville, who finished 4^th on bars, 5^th on beam, and 7^th overall in the 6 to 11 category
• Erica Carson, also from Bowmanville, won 5^th place on the beam and 10^th on the floor.

Those are just some of the gymnasts from Clarington that performed outstandingly. The team is currently preparing for their second meet taking place next week.

Due to the recession that gravely affected Clarington’s economy and existing businesses, one Clarington resident is suggesting for the government to implement a measure that acts as a way of generating revenue for the municipality, and at the same time solving another problem in the area.

Leah Garey, a native in the region, is urging the municipal government to start ticketing cars illegally parked on the sidewalk. She notices that it’s hard to go out and take a simple walk with her daughter due to the vehicles blocking the sidewalk. She notes that this is a problem that’s especially prevalent in Bowmanville.

Numerous vehicles that are partially parked on the sidewalk still offer a path for pedestrians, but it’s the cars that totally block the way that are really annoying, she says.

With snow covering the roads, walking on sidewalks is a must. She notes that other pedestrians are forced to tough it out on the busy streets.

If the Clarington government acts on this now, revenue will be generated through fines penalized on these car owners, she adds. Perhaps, she says, a few tickets are all that’s needed to reign in these drivers.

Indeed, it’s a good way to hit two birds with one stone.