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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-09-02, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010.Interlock program reduces several sentences All Girls Marching Band looking for new members Chris Corbett of Brusselspled guilty to one charge ofdriving with Over 80milligrams of alcohol in 100millilitres of blood inWingham court on August 19stemming from an incident earlier this year. Judge R.G.E. Hunter sentenced Corbett to the minimum fine under the charge, $1,000 and a minimum 12-month driver’s license suspension. That could, however, be reduced to a three-month driver’s license suspension if Corbett qualifies for the new Ignition Interlock program that has just been enacted in Ontario. The Interlock Ignition device is an in-car breath screening device that will not allow the car to be started unless the driver registers as under the legal limit. Corbett was stopped by Huron Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers at 3:26 a.m. on May 1 in Howick after the car he was driving was observed by the officer to be swerving. After the car had crossed the centre line three times, the officer pulled Corbett over on Harriston Road said Crown Attorney Theresa Donnelly. Initially, Donnelly said, Corbett denied drinking at all, eventually admitting that he had been drinking and after detecting an odour of alcohol on Corbett’s breath, the officer requested that Corbett take a breathalyzer test, which he failed. Corbett then returned to the police station with the officer where he registered with 159 and then 152 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Corbett has nine months to pay his $1,000 fine due to the costs that could be incurred through the installation of the Ignition Interlock device, should he qualify. OVER 80Corey Bridge pled guilty toone charge of driving withOver 80 milligrams of alcoholin 100 millilitres of bloodstemming from an incident onFebruary 7 in Morris- Turnberry. The incident occurred just shortly after 5 a.m. Donnelly said, when the Listowel man was pulled over by the Huron OPP. Bridge said he had three or four drinks, Donnelly said, and provided a breath sample, which failed the test. Subsequent tests revealed that Bridge had 120 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Bridge was sentenced to a fine of $1,000, which he was given six months to pay, and he was given a 12-month suspension of his driver’s license, which could be reduced to three months if he qualifies for the Interlock Ignition program. IMPAIRED DRIVING Joel Belcourt pled guilty to a charge of Impaired Driving as a result of an incident on April 16. Donnelly says that Belcourt was stopped by Wingham Police after the car he was driving was seen parked in a “suspicious location”. Once the police drove up on Belcourt’s car, Police say he drove away in an erratic fashion and was eventually pulled over by police. Once pulled over, the officer who stopped the car noticed an odour of alcohol on Belcourt’s breath and brought him back to the police station for further tests. At the police station Belcourt was found to have 175 and subsequently 173 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Belcourt was ordered to pay a $1,000, having six months to do so and a 12-month suspension of his driver’slicense, which could bereduced to three months if hewere to be approved for theInterlock Ignition program.NOT ENOUGHEVIDENCE George Brent Mills of Wingham was found to be not guilty of damaging the truck of John Beldman, also of Wingham, in an incident that occurred outside of Mills’ house on April 26. Mills was charged with Mischief under $5,000 stemming from an incident where he allegedly kicked one of Beldman’s trucks, leaving a dent that required $950 to repair. Mills, however, pled not guilty and insisted that he did not kick the truck. He admitted to making contact with the truck, but, as he represented himself in the trial, said that he stepped onto the running board and held onto the door. He said that he was nowhere close enough to reach the area of the alleged dent with his foot. The altercation occurred in Wingham where Beldman’s construction company was on site finalizing a renovation for a neighbour of Mills’. Mills said that he had become angry with Beldman and his workers, as they had been continuously parking their trucks across the end of his commercial driveway. While the police had been called to the area before for the same complaint, Mills said they had “done nothing” to curtail the incident. The two engaged in a yelling match, in which Beldman said Mills was the aggressor and Mills said Beldman was the aggressor. Beldman had local real estate agent Judy Brown testify to corroborate his side of the story, as she was there taking pictures of the home Beldman was renovating atthe time.Mills, however, counteredwith his wife, who said shesaw the majority of theincident and that her husbandwas too far away from where the dent on Beldman’s truckwas said to be to reach it witha kick.Hunter said that in acriminal case that the burdenof proof beyond a reasonabledoubt can be a hard one to prove. He said that whileperhaps Beldman may havewon the case in a civil setting,the evidence simply wasn’tthere “beyond a shadow of adoubt” that it was indeedMills who damaged the truck. THE EDITOR, Wednesday, Sept. 8 will mark the beginning of the 54th season of the Seaforth and District All Girls Marching Band. Well known in the area for participation in local parades and concerts, band membership offers much more than music instruction to girls in Huron County. Each year, the group devotes volunteer time to perform at Huronview and Huronlea, as well as at elementary school music nights. Every September, band members assist the Van Egmond Foundation with its annual Ciderfest celebration, as well as performing there. In recent years, the group has travelled and performed in England and France, Disney World, Calgary Stampede, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee. In 2008, the group travelled to Dominican Republic to reach music and perform at a school in a tiny village. The band returned to the school again in 2010. So far, the group has provided books, school supplies and uniforms to the children of Cabeza de Toro, as well as recorders to use in music instruction. Currently, members are raising money toward a lending library of books for their little school. March Break 2011 is anticipated to be another exciting adventure for band members as they plan to travel to Florida to participate in Magic Music Days at Disney World in Florida. Through the commitment of the Huron County community, this valuable volunteer-driven program continues to offer wonderful opportunities for young area women. Members learn volunteer, leadership and organizational skills along with the discipline of teamwork. In addition, the membership continues to work to enhance music skills taught in the classroom. Membership is open to girls age 10 and up regardless of their musical ability. Instruments are provided at no charge and may be used for in-school music instruction. Positions are presently open for flag bearers, flag twirlers and dancers as well as musicians and girls wishing to learn to play an instrument. For further information, please contact Charlie Kalbfleisch, director since 1978, 519-525-2244, Sharon Thompson, 519-523-3924 or Penny Breen, 519-524-9306. Sincerely, Charlie Kalbfleisch, Band Director. Sharon Thompson, Band Co-ordinator. Penny Breen, Band Co-ordinator. Letters to the Editor The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) program is a financial loan guarantee program that gives farmers easier access to credit. Farmers, including beginning farmers, can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms. Agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming. CALA features: Up to $500,000 in loans for land and buildings Up to $350,000 for all other loan purposes Eligible applicants include: Established farmerss