PAGE 16. WEDNESDAY, MAY 1. 1985, WHITBY FREE PRESS NDP candidate calling for Pickering toxic lean-up PICKERING - Durham West NDP standar- dbearer Don Stewart lias accused Bulk Carriers, a transport firm located in this community on the western edge of the riding, of using a tractor trailer with faulty brakes to transport potentially dangerous chemicals. Stewart said last week that he was told by a Bulk Carriers driver, whose name lie withheld, that the faulty brakes were discovered on April 16 but the truck Durham West NDP candidate Don Stewart is seen here at the Bulk Carriers Ltd. yard in Pickering pointing out just one location where toxic chemicals may be draining into local boglands. Stewart has also accused the firm of allowing an unsafe transport truck to carry a load of potentially toxic chemicals from Plainsfield, New Jersey into Ontario. Free Press Staff Photo was used April 17 and 18 to transport 22,000 pounds of detergent compounds and other acids from Plainsville, New Jersey to Pickering. The 34-year Whitby resident also claimed that the U.S. Depar- tment of Transportation declared the vehicle un- fit and "were under the impression that the truck was being taken for repairs when it con- tinued on its risk laden mission." The original driver of the truck was replaced at the U.S. border, he said, by another com- pany driver who was told by him that the brakes were faulty. However, the trip was continued and the original driver has since filed a grievance with Local 938 of the Team- sters Union. Stewart maintains that the fully load vehicle could not have come to complete and safe stop in the event of an emergency. He went on to compare the in- cident with another that recently took the lives of a Whitby woman and another from Oshawa. "Unsafe transport vehicles should not be on the public high- ways," he said. "People who would fur- ther deregulate the trucking industry are flirting with more disasters like the one we had on the 401." The NDP candidate noted that Bulk Carriers has one of the best reputations in the chemical hauling business. "Imagine what this means about other fir- ms hauling toxics and other chemicals." Stewart also noted that the Bulk Carrier site on Salk Rd. in Pickering is not fericed and lhas no warning signs posted. While it is not- sup- posed to be used for storing chemicals, Stewart claims to have evidence showing a load of toxic chemicals have been left in the yard for as long as four days. "Any moved by the spirit of vandalism could turn a valve on a truck here and trigger an ecological disaster," he said. The political rookie said that he was told by company management that special precautions CHOOSE FROM OUR LARGE SELECTION OF EXCITING FABRICS AND PATTERNS IN SOFA, CHAIR, SOFA-BED, LOVESEAT AND SECTIONAL DESIGNS. DESIGN THE STYLE OF LIVING ROOM FURNITURE THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS AND PERSONAL TASTE. WE'LL CUSTOM-MAKE YOUR ORDER AT A PRICE YOU'LL FIND VERY AFFORDABLE. M il CHOOSE FROM OVER-150 LIVING ROOM PIECES IN OUR FULLY DECORATED SHOWROOMS DR. CUSHION SERVICES INC. CHESTERFIELD FACTORY & SHOWROOMS MON. TO FRI. 10.9, SAT. 10.6g, ,m WE'RE THE MANUFACTURERS OF QUALITY LIVINGROOM FURNITURE -ALL WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED- 1650 BAYLY ST., PICKERING (JUST WEST OF BROCK RD., SOUTH OF 401) DIAL DIRECT 686-2951 are taken if liquor is on board one of the tankers. "Because of its value." The site is also used for the steam cleaning and rinsing of the tankers. The wash- waters, which will con- tain traces of the chemicals carried in the truck, are supposed to be hauled away by another company for safe disposal. "I've seen the rinse system back-charge and flood the floor and lot outside," Stewart said adding that the run-off also spills in the local culvert system and only the bog land property next door. He has demanded that not only a fence be erec- ted around the site im- mediately but that an environmental assess- ment of the site be held .and the company be for- ced to clean-up. "It's evidence of their priorities," Stewart ad- ded, "Liquor they protect, chemicals sit unguarded." Stewart also observed that when he first visited the site he found chemical barrels lying on their side on a neigh- bouring vacant lot and that there were runnels from the yard to the culverts revealing stains and indicating pollution of the local drainage system. "This company is not taking appropriate measures to protect either people or the en- vironment," he said. "But most of ail, I want the use of mechanically unfit vehicles investigated. They are a disaster looking for a time and place to happen." Driver arrested A 29-year old Whitby man will appear in provincial court Friday to answer charges of dangerous driving after someone drove his vehicle at a police cruiser last Wednesday evening. According to a spokesman for the Durham Regional Police Force, a vehicle was northbound on Brock St. N. in the vicin- ty of the Mr. Submarine Shop when it crossed the centre line into the path of a southbound police cruiser. The suspect vehicle then mounted onto the boulevard on the west curb and continued nor- thbound for a short distance when he retur- ned to the road passing through the intersect'ion of Palmerston Ave. The police cruiser found it necessary to pursue the vehicle for a short distance until its driver brought it to a stop. The driver was taken to the force's 17 Division headquarters in Oshawa for a breathalyser test but was found to be sober. Charged with dangerous driving is L.eo Robert Gagnon, 29, of 609 Euclid St., Whit- by. M FOR QUALITY AND VALUE BUY DIRECT FROM OUR FACTORY