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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-02-24, Page 140c PER COPY CELEBRATE IN 1988 LUCKNOW'S 130th CELEBRATION JUNE 30 • JULY 3, 1988 `PUBLISHED IN LUCKNOW ONTARIO Wednesday, February 24, 19$i Fired constables speaks in Kingsbridge BY SAM KINSMAN "I can see no difference in standing guard at an abortion clinic and standing guard at a concentration camp," said Toronto police constable David Packer, in an address Tuesday evening, Feb. 16 at the Kingsbridge Parish Hall. Packer's speaking engagement was organized by the Catholic Women's League and the Knights of Columbus of rt Joseph's Church, Kingsbridge Parish. Packer, 36, who was fired in January for refusing to stand watch at the Morgentaler abortion clinic,'told the audience of over 150 people about.the events that led up to his dismissal. Packer remains on the Toronto police force while his appeal of the dismissal is heard. Louise Martin of the CWL introduced Constable Packer, by saying that before the meeting she had discussed the abortion issue with her children. "They asked me to explain what abor- tion was," she said. "When I did their response was,`how could anyone do that?"' "Constable Packer in good conscience refused to stand guard at that clinic," she continued. "He was willing to put his job on the line to prove thatpro-lifers can have a voice. We don't have to get violent or rowdy, but by firm, quiet, resolve we .can show our commitment to the welfare of the unborn." Packer related some events in his per- sonal history. He was born in a rural area outside of Oxford, England. "Rural living has a way of making you close to issues of life and death," Packer said. "Every day you see things born and you see them die. I grew up with an in- credible respect and reverence for this mysterious thing called life." Packer said he attended Cambridge Const. David Packer University in order to study Spanish and -French but that he did not do well there academically because he failed to apply himself. He said he did not, however, con- sider his time at university to have been totally wasted. "I did not learn how to speak French or Spanish, but I did learn how to think for myself. I learned how to .think through a problem, and not just swallow something simply because I was being spoken to by someone who thought they had a corner on the truth," he said. It was at university that Packer met his wife Ann, a nurse. Packer credits his wife, a Roman Catholic, with helping him to find spiritual faith. "My wife helped me to become a person who is not ashamed to say, `I am a Roman Catholic'." There are some things in life that perfectly fits and suits a person. Roman Catholicism is the center of • my The MacLeod home just east of Lucknow was completely destroyed by fire late last week, despite the good efforts of the local fire fighting squad. The blaze, which started • late Thursday evening, was not completely extinguished until mid-morning Friday. Community donations to ald the MacLeods following their great loss are now being accepted at various points in the Lucknow area. (Pat Livingston photo) life," said Packer. Packer said that before he became a police officer he had numerous jobs. "Police work was one of the few remain- ing types of jobs which I hadn't had that appealed to me," he said. • Packer passed his police exams and worked as a police officer for three years in England. The Packers moved to Canada in 1977. Packer went to the police training college in Aylmer, then joined the Metro Toronto police force. Packer said that until 1982 the issue of abortion was not high on his list of in- terests or priorities: "1982 was the turning point in my, life. One evening I came home from work and was looking for something to read, " he said. "I picked ups one of the magazines which my Wife subscribes to, My eyes were attracted to just three little words, DO NOT FEED." Packer went on to say that the article concerned the "Baby Doe" case in In- diana.' "Baby Doe" was a new-born infant which starved to death when his parents refused to allow doctors to perform correc- tive throat surgery. The baby was put aside into a room and took twelve days to starve to death. "Reading about this hurt me more than anything else in my life," said Packer. "As a policeman I've seen a number of strange and tragic manners of death, but I can't imagine a more horrid way to die then to starve to death. I've met up with a lot of rotten guys too, guys whose violence ac- tually scares me, but I don't think that even the most vile criminal I've met would be so cruel as to allow a child to starve to death." Packer said that he could not find a ra- tionale for why such an incident could have been allowed. In the same magazine issue, however, was an essay by noted journalist Malcolm Muggeridge. In the essay, Muggeridge identified what he called society's `slippery slope' to destruction. The first downfall, according to Mug- geridge, was the legalization of abortion. He predicted that abortion would lead to state sanction::of infanticide, and that the ultimate end wouldbe the allowing of euthanasia. Packer said he promptly tried to forget the matter because it was ton horrid for him to consider. "Life went on," Packer said. "I had my daily tasks as a policeman to do, and I was interested in earning a decent living for myself and my family." Packer said his biggest ambition was to own'a nice home in Mississauga. "I figured that once I got that home and piece of property,.I could live out my life with no other ambitions and without any major problems."• Packer asked to be transferred to 14 Division in downtown Toronto. That divi- sion includes Henry Morgentaler's clinic. "I asked to be transferred in order to earn more money," Packer said. "I had no intention of taking a public stand .. on abortion." Packer said that his first guard assign- ment at Morgentaler's occurred a couple of years ago. "I sat outside while people were being killed inside. I never felt more rottenin my life, because I knew what I was doing was utterly wrong." Packer said he stood guard three more times at the clinic in the next twelve mon- ths; but that those instances were at night and so he did not feel as badly. Turn to page 7 • Despite best efforts, fire destroys home The home of Don and Marj MacLeod, located just a mile and a half east of the village of Lucknow, was completely destroyed by fire late last week. While the home was burnt to the ground, Fire Chief Bud Hamilton says it is fortunate there were no injuries to report. The Lucknow and District Fire Depart- ment responded to the alarm at about 11 p.m. Thursday night last week. When they arrived on the scene, the addition to the north side of the MacLeod's log home was in flames. Despite their best efforts to contain the blaze, it quickly spread to the rest of the dwelling which, by morning, was com- pletely destroyed. Fire Chief Hamilton says the confusion that generally surrounds a fire such as this was multipied when it was falsely reported that someone was still in the house at the time. Immediate investigation by firefighters proved that the home was, in fact, free of occupants. With the blaze under control by 3 a.m. Friday morning, the firefighters took their leave of the site but were called back at 8 a.m. when it was discovered that wind had rekindled the blaze and threated to con- sume a near -by out building on the property. No cause has been reported in the blaze and it is doubtful an investigation will be mounted. With their home and personal belongings lost in the fire, the MacLeods will soon be the recipients of the blessings of this com- munity. Anyone wishing to make a cash donation to the victims of this tragedy are asked to call on Bain's Groceteria in Lucknow. Donations of cash, clothing and household items are also being accepted at the Pinecrest Nursing Home and at Don Caesar's in Whitechurch. Last week's fire is said to be the worst so far this year in the Lucknow area.