HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-01-01, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 1, 2014
United Way Perth- Goderich lawyer named
regional director
Huron at 80 per of Ontario Criminal
Lawyers' Association
cent of 2013 goal
Support still
needed as
campaign
winds down
Dave Flaherty
Goderich Signal -Star
The United Way Perth -Huron
is well on its way to reaching its
2013 campaign goal.
Executive director Ryan Erb
said as of the week of Dec. 16,
they were at about 80 per cent of
the $1.15 million goal for 2013.
Erb said things are rolling
along well for the campaign,
stating they are ahead of where
they have been the past couple
of years.
He said United Way officials
have made a concentrated effort
to try and wrap up the campaign
a bit earlier this year (the hope is
by the end of February).
The annual workplace dona-
tion campaign and the Care -A -
Van partnership with
Scotiabank, which raised
$76,000, have been great suc-
cesses, Erb said.
"We've been very successful
at getting the word out there
about the campaign," Erb said,
thanking the local media for
their help.
The requests for funding the
United Way has received is
$150,000 more than their cam-
paign goal, so Erb said he hopes
the community can really amp
up the support over the next
few months.
"Even though the big events
are wrapped up, the campaign
is far from over."
Erb also took the time to
address the issue of administra-
tive costs.
He said of the funds raised by
the United Way, 14 per cent of
that goes to administrative costs,
information which is released
publicly in their annual report.
He has concerns because he
is aware of some e-mails and
posts on Facebook that he
believes are misleading about
administrative costs.
"We just don't want to see
things that will make people
hesitant about supporting non-
profit organizations," he said.
According to Erb, The Cana-
dian Revenue Agency states
that non-profit and charitable
organizations should not incur
administrative costs that exceed
30%.
Erb noted that without that
14 per cent that goes towards
administrative staff, the United
Way would not likely be able to
raise over a $1 million.
"I don't think anyone would
want to see the United Way una-
ble to raise that money," he said.
He added while volunteers
play a vital role for the United
Way, their paid staff also con-
tribute significantly and "they
have to make a living wage."
As the campaign rolls on, Erb
thanked everyone who has
donated so far and said United
Way is unique in that volunteers
make the decision where the
funds will go.
To make a donation, visit
www.perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
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Scott Cowan will
service Huron, Bruce
and Grey counties
Dave Flaherty
Goderich Signal -Star
A Goderich-based criminal lawyer
has been elected as the regional direc-
tor of the Ontario Criminal Lawyers'
Association.
Scott Cowan of The Ross Firm will
serve the counties of Huron, Bruce and
Grey including acting as the court-
house liaison for the courts in
Goderich, Wingham, Walkerton and
Owen Sound.
The Ontario Criminal Lawyers' Asso-
ciation is a group Cowan said is "very
active in pursuing the ideals of access
to fairness and justice in the criminal
law sphere!'
The association represents 1,200
lawyers provide -wide and is frequently
given intervener status in significant
cases before the Supreme Court of
Canada includings matters touching
on national security, civil liberties and
access to justice.
Cowan said there are several issues
facing the association, including legal
aid, which he said has "really aban-
doned the working poor."
"It is becoming less and less likely to
be represented through legal aid."
He called the maximum yearly earn-
ings for those who can apply for legal
aid a "laughable wage."
"To think someone making $11,000
a year could hire a lawyer is nonsensi-
cal," Cowan said.
He also criticized the supposed rea-
soning behind legal aid budget cuts.
"The whole idea that it's because of
tough economic times is absolute gar-
bage," Cowan said. "There is no short-
age of money for justice to flex its
muscles!'
Locally, Cowan said a big issue is
how far those arrested in Huron
County are moved into custody.
"If you're arrested in Lucknow, you
go to either London or Penetanguish-
ene," Cowan said. "We keep people so
far away from their families and law-
yers, it's a real problem."
Cowan explained while that issue is
very prevalent in northern parts of the
province, it's unique in southern
Ontario.
Cowan's term is for two years.
Medical supplies
heading to Costa Rica
Ryan Goodyear
For the Signal Star
At a recent Huron County council
meeting, David Lew, chief of emer-
gency services, brought forward a rec-
ommendation on behalf of the Can-
ada- C o sta Rica outreach team,
seeking approval for donation of med-
ical provisions. Lew explained that
every year the Canada -Costa Rica out-
reach team travels to Costa Rica to
lend a hand in medical assistance.
"The team provides medical exper-
tise with the residents. The team is
looking for supplies and we have some
that will be expiring soon," said Lew.
Provisions the team is looking
include bandages, dressings and
medications like aspirin. However,
council was guaranteed that no nar-
cotics or restricted medications would
be sent.
There was a small concern over
sending soon -to -expire medications
and what the affects could be. Lew
explained that in Canada there are
high expectations for medical prod-
ucts, but these same stringent guide-
lines may not be applied in places like
Costa Rica. Once the supplies reach
the destination, Costa Ricans would
still be able to use them for another 90
to 100 days.
"The medication will expire in the
first quarter of 2014, so by March, and
the team will be going down in Janu-
ary," said Lew.
A vote was taken and the motion
passed unanimously.