Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-08-01, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1990. PAGE IS. Caught drunk driving 5 times, man gets 9 months in jail Hall use pact still unsigned A Goderich area man who was caught driving while impaired five times in nine months was sent to jail for nine months in Provincial court in Wingham Wednesday. Melvin John Montgomery ap­ peared in court for sentencing after a presentence report was prepared by the probation officer. Judge Hunter noted that Mr. Montgomery had been charged with driving with over 80 mg. of alcohol in 100 ml. of blood five times, in Oct. 1989, in December of that year and in April and twice in June this year. Crown Attorney Kevin McHugh said it was “amazing that this man was still on the road” noting that he was a danger to other people. He noted that “on each and every occasion the readings were more than twice the legal limit,” one with nearly 200 mg. Defence attorney Michael Don­ nelly said it was obvious this was a man with a drinking problem. He appeared to be a weekend alcoho­ lic, Mr. Donnelly said, with no problems related to his work. “The problem I have,” Judge Hunter interjected, “is that in his opinion he doesn’t have a pro­ blem.” Mr. Donnelly said that since he was kept in custody on June 16 Mr. Montgomery had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and feels that with the help of that group he can beat his problem. His mother supports the idea that he has a problem on weekends but is okay the rest of the week, he said. Noting he had a good job Mr. Donnelly asked for a sentence that would allow for a Temporary Absence Program to allow Mr. Montgomery to keep his job. He is eligible for a three month leave of absence from his job, Mr. Donnelly said. Noting he had already served five weeks in jail he asked the judge to consider a term of six to nine months. Mr. McHugh asked for a term of nine to 12 months. “Nine months was what I had in mind,” Judge Hunter said. He gave Mr. Montgomery one month for the first offence and two months for each of the remaining four offences. In addition he was put on probation for 12 months following the jail term and ordered to take whatever counselling the probation officer feels necessary. There is also a three year driving prohibi­ tion. The time is to be served at Stratford jail with a recommenda­ tion Mr. Montgomery be able to make use of the temporary absence program. A use agreement for the addition to Memorial Hall has still not been signed between the village of Blyth, owners of the land, and the Blyth Centre for the Arts, builders of the addition. The agreement was to have been signed before the Centre for the Arts occupied the building but with the agreement held up with delays at the village lawyer’s, the Centre moved in its art gallery and box office recently. Meanwhile there were indica­ tions there may be even more delays in signing the agreement. Councillors at the July 24 meeting of village council said they felt the issue of use of the north wing of Memorial Hall for the village branch of the Huron County Public Library should also be included in the agreement. “The library issue has to be taken into account along with the rental agreement,” Reeve Albert Wasson said. The proposal to turn the north wing area formerly occupied by the box office and art gallery into a library first came from the Centre for the Arts but the village and the Huron County Library are in dis­ agreement with the Centre over how much space the library will get in the wing. The Centre wants to retain one room as an office for stage management personnel while the County Library insists it must have the additional room to make moving from the current location feasible. With that space the library space would be increased three times as large as it is today to about the one square foot per capita of population the library recommends. Without that room the library wouldn’t meet those standards. Councillors made noises of gett­ ing tough with the Centre over the issue. Reeve Wasson said the space in the north wing is the only available space that can be con­ sidered without a large expenditure Olden days relived at Doon this weekend Doon Heritage Crossroads on the Trail of the Black Walnut will host the 9th annual Black Powder Rendezvous on Saturday and Sun­ day, August 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each year at Doon, near Kitch­ ener, the fur traders and trappers gather to re-enact an actual fur trading rendezvous as in 1800. That was the time when the trappers from up in the hills came down to a designated spot to meet the com­ pany buyers and traders up from Montreal. Hopefully they would sell their winter’s catch, buy a few new pieces of equipment and trade some tall tales and unbelievable stories. The traders and mountain men arrive at Doon in authentic period costume, set up their canvas tents, light their cooking fires using flint and steel and lay out their trading blankets. And trade they do - all that the village can’t afford at present. A solution to the problem had to be worked out, he said. Councillor Steven Sparling said that if it was the original intent that the village have the entire lower floor for a library then the village should stick to its guns. The Centre has to consider the village’s needs, he said. “We’re looking for a library and we’re going to get half a library.” manner of antiques, reproductions and handmade leather goods are bartered. Twenty to thirty camp- sties housing about 75 traders and their families are pitched on Doon’s Willow Green. The rendezvous is a real family affair. Don Miller, the local organi­ zer says that the children are very much a part of the rendezvous. They have a chance to run barefoot all weekend. “Children are natural traders. You can see it in every schoolground as they trade their modern baseball cards and mar­ bles.” Hotel California Live at B. M. & G. Centre SAT., AUG.188-1 Advance Tickets $10. Call 887-6572 or 887-6072 Summer is the season to watch for tornadoes Most Canadians have never ex­ perienced a tornado, but they still pose a very real threat to life and property. There are, on average, 75 tornadoes a year in Canada causing deaths and injuries, not to mention millions of dollars worth of dam­ age. According to Environment Can­ ada’s Atmospheric and Environ­ ment Service, tornadoes have occurred in every part of the country except the Arctic. They occur most frequently in the area stretching from the Rocky Moun­ tains eastwards to New Brunswick, with the highest risk areas being southwestern Ontario and south­ eastern Manitoba. Chances are you’ll never experi­ ence a tornado, but if you do, you’ll want to be prepared. Emergency Preparedness Canada proposes the fpllowing quiz to test your know­ ledge of tornado safety. The an­ swer you give today, may save your life tomorrow. •1. The best place to be during a tornado is the southwest corner of your house. False. The best place to be during a tornado is in your basement under a work-bench or table; either will protect you from debris hurled into the basement. If you don’t have a basement then seek shelter in a small interior room such as a bathroom or closet. Stay away from windows and outside walls. •2. If you live in a mobile home it is safer to stay inside during a tornado rather than seek shelter elsewhere. False. Mobile homes offer no protection against the power of a tornado. It is far better to seek shelter elsewhere, preferably be­ low ground. If no such shelter is available then lie down in a ditch, depression or culvert and protect your head with your hands. •3. If you are in a vehicle when you spot a tornado, it is safer to remain in the vehicle and try to outrun or avoid the tornado. False. It is extremely risky to try and drive to safety. Given the unpredictable nature of tornadoes, it is far better to get out of the car and seek shelter in a ditch, depression or culvert. Make sure you’re a good distance from the car so it can’t roll on you. •4. Partly opening the windows of your residence before a tornado strikes will help prevent windows from being blow in or out. False. Tornado winds are so strong that opening windows will have little effect one way or the other. The best rule to follow is always stay away from windows. •5. Avoid seeking shelter in build­ ings with wide freespan roofs such as gymnasiums, church sanctuaries and auditoriums. True. These types of structures are far more likely to collapse if hit by a tornado. If you are in one of these buildings and have no time to get out, try to seek shelter under a table or some other kind of sturdy cover. •6. Modern reinforced concrete buildings are completely immune to the effects of tornadoes. False. While the basic structure of a high-rise is immune, the windows still present a considerable danger. If you are in a high-rise threatened by a tornado, you should take shelter in an interior hallway or room, preferably on the lower floors or in the basement. The same rule applies to schools. Don’t use the elevators as power can be cut off during a tornado. •7. There is no way to get advance warning of a tornado. False. When severe thunderstorms threaten, turn on your radio or TV and listen for local weather infor­ mation. If a tornado has been reported or sighted a tornado warning will be issued. If you seek shelter, take along a battery- powered radio so you can find out what is happening. •8. Tornadoes always jump over valleys or low spots. False. Tornadoes have been known to climb ridges and descend into valleys and low-lying areas. Ontario Wheat Producers We are now ready to receive your 90 Wheat and Barley Crop Howson & Howson are agents for the Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board, and we also Buy, Sell and Store Barley ★ Fast Unloading ★ Accurate Probe System ★ Trucking Available I FORWARD CONTRACTING OF CORN AND SOYBEANS | £MILLS 7 Howson & Howson kJ Flour & Feed Millers, LTD. Complete Farm Supplies, Grain Elevators 523-9624 BLYTH, ONTARIO 523-4241 Elevator Main Office Elevators 1!4 mileseastof Blyth on County Rd. 25then 1/2 mile North