HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-08-30, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2007.With deep regret North Huroncouncil accepted the resignation of
Wingham ward councillor Arnold
Taylor at the Monday night meeting.
In a brief letter to council, Taylor
cited personal reasons for his
resignation, which would be
effective immediately.
Wingham’s other representativeon council, Archie MacGowancommended Taylor for his work oncouncil. “I have had the privilege ofworking pretty close with Arnold for
close to 13 years. He has served his
community with integrity and
faithfulness.”
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
explained council’s options for
replacing Taylor. They can appoint a
person or pass a bylaw requiring abi-election. Either must be done in60 days time from acceptance ofTaylor’s resignation. Snell estimated the cost of a bi-
election as between $3,000-$5,000.
“It depends on the number of
applications we have for
candidates.”
The bi-election would also
lengthen the time Wingham would
be short a representative. “Therewould be another 60-75 days beyondmaking the decision to hold a bi-election. Council decided on a bi-election
some years ago to replace Blyth
councillor Ralph deVries. Initially
they had decided to appoint
someone. However, so many stepped
forward for the job, that they felt
ratepayers should have a say. After
deciding then to have a bi-election,several candidates opted out. “There is no harm in having anelection,” said Snell. “But I think it’sfairer that we let the applicants know
before.”
Should no one come forward if a
bi-election is called, the deadline is
extended another 60 days.
Council decided to give the issue
some thought, then make a decision
at the September meeting.
Wingham’s Taylor resigns from NH council
After 48 years Steven Truscott
was acquitted Tuesday of the 1959
murder of 12-year-old Lynne
Harper.
A five judge Ontario Court of
Appeal panel, led by recently retired
Chief Justice Roy McMurty was
asked to review the case in 2004
after then justice minister Irwin
Cotier said there had likely been a
“miscarriage of justice.”
Closing arguments were heard
earlier this year.
Truscott, 62, was convicted in
1959, at the age of 14, of the murder
which occurred near Vanastra.
He was the youngest person in
Canada ever to receive the death
penalty.
His sentence was commuted to life
four months after his conviction.
Released on parole in 1969,
Truscott eventually moved to
Guelph, living under an assumed
name with his wife and family.
He asked for a federal review of
the case in 2001.
Tuesday’s long-anticipated
judgment was released at the court
office in Toronto at 11 a.m. and
simultaneously posted on-line.
No courtroom proceedings will be
convened to pronounce the
judgment. As indicated above the
judgment will be released by making
it available to the public at 11 a.m. in
the court office and on the Court of
Appeal website.
The judges’ views were expressed
through the judgment.
“We are satisfied that Mr.
Truscott's conviction was a
miscarriage of justice and must be
quashed," the Ontario Court of
Appeal wrote in a unanimous 303-
page decision.“If a new trial were
possible, an acquittal would clearly
be the likely result."
Truscott’s lawyers had hoped the
finding would be one of innocence.
However, the ruling reads, “The
appellant [Mr. Truscott] has not
demonstrated his factual innocence.
To do so would be a most daunting
task absent definitive forensic
evidence such as DNA. Despite the
appellant's best efforts, that kind of
evidence is not available.”
Truscott did not attend at Osgoode
Hall but was expected to speak at a
press conference organized by his
counsel later in the day.
THE EDITOR,
Community support, helped make
our firefighters breakfasts and
peacekeepers luncheon a huge
success. We acknowledge everyone
who supported the Branch and
Ladies Auxiliary at these two
functions through participation and
contribution.
Mary Lou Stewart
Branch 420 and
Ladies Auxiliary, Blyth.
By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
Letter
to the
editor
Truscott acquitted on murder charges
As early as Sept. 14, female Grade
8 students in Huron and Perth
Counties will begin receiving the
first of three doses of a vaccine
aimed at reducing the incidence of
cervical cancer.
In a decision which has inspired
some controversy, the Ontario
Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care announced over the summer it
would fund the administration of the
Gardasil brand vaccine, on a
voluntary basis at a cost of about
$400 per person, to about 84,000
young women in the province.
The vaccine protects against four
types of a sexually-transmitted
disease known as Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV), which are among
the possible causes for cervical
cancer.
The memorandum was provided
as information as a regular meeting
of the Huron-Perth Catholic District
School Board on Monday, Aug.
27.
Although trustees received the
information without questions, the
issue did stir up some controversy
when the announcement was first
made. Some experts suggested at the
time that the administration of the
vaccine could create a false sense of
security among young women about
their risk for contracting cervical
cancer or HPV. That’s because there
are other types of HPV not affected
by Gardasil, and there are other
potential causes for cervical
cancer.
Education director Larry Langan
offered his support, however, telling
trustees the health units in Huron
and Perth are fully behind the
program.
“Gardasil protects against 70 per
cent of cervical cancers,” states an
information sheet to be distributed
by the Huron County Health Unit.
“It has been proven 95 to 100 per
cent effective against these cervical
cancers.”
Langan added the program is
voluntary, but the heath units are
hoping for a participation rate of
about 85 per cent.
“It’s based on the permission of
the parents. We’re providing
information to the parents and we’re
providing a help line for parents who
have questions,” he said of the co-
perative effort between the schools
and health units.
Find enclosed $16.96 ($16.00 + .96 GST)
for an 8 month subscription to The Citizen for:
Board approves vaccine
By Stew Slater
Special to The Citizen