HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-03-17, Page 1The North Huron
itizen
Vol. 9 No.11 Wednesday, March 17 1993 600 GST included
An appropriate send off
What better way to commemorate the opening of a youth centre known as The Ark than with
the traditional launching by way of breaking the bottle — in this case ginger ale. Junior board
member Janice Jacklin had the honours, while Executive Director Sallianne Patch and her
husband Dale stood nearby watching. There was an excellent turnout on hand for the centre's
official opening this Saturday. In her remarks, Ms Patch referred to the occasion as something
very special and magical. She gave credit to the community spirit in Brussels, which has
made the dream a reality.
Blyth, Hullett talk recycling
Milestone
Area woman
celebrates
90th birthday
See pagel
Sports
Blyth Bantams
capture the
WOAA 'E' crown
See page 7
Farm
24 page
special section of
farm features
See inside
Community news
Deficit doesn't
slow Wheels Away
enthusiasm
See page 17
Man convicted on
sex assault charges
By Mona Irwin
Relatives of some of his victims
watched in silence from the court
house steps Thursday as Clifford
Stevens was taken to Walkerton
Jail.
Stevens, 51, of Ethel, was
convicted Thursday by a jury on
eight counts of sexually assaulting
local children after a trial that
lasted nearly two weeks. He was
remanded into custody until May
10, when he will appear for
sentencing.
No details can be published that
could identify the victims. The
assaults took place in Ethel
between 1977-1990, and the ages
of the victims ranged from five
years to 13 at the time they were
assaulted.
Stevens appeared in Goderich
Ontario Court of Justice, General
Division, before Justice Michael
Meahan. The jury of seven men
and five women was sent out at
about 1 p.m., and was out for about
three hours before returning with
the verdicts. Stevens sat quietly as
the verdicts were read off, staring
straight ahead.
His defence lawyers, Norman
Williams, of Hamilton, asked that-
Stevens be remanded out of
custody until sentencing so a Pre-
Sentence Report (PSR) could be
drawn up. A PSR details a person's
background and is often used in
determining .the length of a
sentence and in deciding on what,
if any, rehabilitative treatment an
offender should receive.
In a sensitive, rational letter, a
concerned Blyth ratepayer pleaded
with councillors to set aside their
differences and work together to
rebuild the good reputation and
respect in the village.
Prior to the March 10 meeting
Reeve Dave Lee read the letter
from Susan Howson, who said she
had started it many times in the
past but had lost her nerve. This
time, however, due to the reports in
Preliminary
hearing set
for May 19
A Kitchener woman made a brief
appearance in Wingham's provin-
cial court, March 10 on charges of
over 80 and impaired driving caus-
ing death.
Kathleen Falconer, 41, was
charged following an accident in
Grey Township on Jan. 28 which
claimed the life of a Brussels-area
woman, Sherry Souch.
Ms Falconer's attorney requested
Judge R.G.E. Hunter to release one
of the blood samples for analysis to
the defense. Judge Hunter agreed
on the condition that police will
make the arrangements for the sam-
ple's release after notification of
who will be conducting the analy-
sis.
Crown Attorney Robert Morris
asked that the sample be retained
until trial.
A preliminary hearing has been
set for May 19 in Wingham.
"All the classic reasons for him
being (remanded) out of custody
are there," said Williams. Stevens
has roots and family in the area, he
said.
Crown Attorney Liz Maguire of
Sarnia, said she would be asking
for a lengthy sentence, to be served
in a federal penitentiary, and
because of that, she wanted Stevens
to be held in custody.
Stevens' health is also a concern,
said Williams. Stevens has had one
complete lung removed as well as
part of the other, and takes
prescription medications.
"He has known from the start jail
was a possibility," Williams said,
expressing concern that Stevens
would not get proper medical care
in jail.
"Mr. Williams, I'm going to have
to disappoint you," Meahan said.
"Considering all the circumstances,
and the nature of the offences, I
can't find it in me to release
(Stevens).
"He's been convicted of a
substantial number of charges
against young females, and he
could be found to constitute a
danger to some members of our
community."
As far as Stevens' medical needs
were concerned, said Meahan, "in
the_ normal course of events, the
district jail has had access to
prescription drugs before this."
Medication could easily be
delivered to the jail, he added, and
reminded Williams that there is a
doctor available.
the local newspaper she felt she
could "no longer sit back", she
wrote.
"I'm not suggesting that we all
have to love each other; but it is so
important that we all and especially
those in the public eye, at least
respect each other both for their
likes and differences," read Reeve
Lee.
Recent council meetings have
resulted in lengthy discussions and
split decisions on several matters of
discussion regarding the adminis-
tration of the village and committee
appointments.
Mrs. Howson's letter also said
she had considered all the council-
lors her friends which was another
reason why it troubled her to have
to write the letter.
Noting a letter to the editor from
one Citizen subscriber, stating that
they found the Blyth council
reports a source of amusement,
Mrs. Howson expressed her con-
cern that council was becoming a
laughing stock to the surrounding
communities.
"I'm certainly not without faults
— there's no one who is — but let
me share with you what a friend
shared with me one time when I
was being critical. 'Remember that
when yOu point a finger at some-
one, you have three pointing at
yourself."
After reading the letter, Reeve
Lee said he was uncertain what or
if there should be any action or dis-
cussion regarding the letter; it was
for council's information.
Blyth and Hullett Township will
be looking into the implementation
of a recycling program for the land-
fill site, Reeve Dave Lee said at the
March 10 meeting of Blyth council.
Reeve Lee's comment was in
response to a letter from Keith and
Susan Hay read to council. The let-
ter requesting that serious consider-
ation be given to setting up a depot
at the landfill site noted many con-
cerns 'bout the present
The Hays feel that many "residents
are embarrassed" by the lack of a
recycling depot when other munici-
palities have.
Reeve Lee said that at the landfill
site meeting of March 1 the repre-
sentatives from Blyth and Hullett
agreed to pursue recycling alterna-
tives on their own, but would
implement a program jointly.
Responding to Reeve Lee's infor-
mation Councillor Doug Scrim-
geour noted that in Europe there is
a law that if you manufacture the
waste you are responsible for
removing it.
"That's the culprit," said Council-
lor Steve Sparling, adding, "Our
position has always been if the eco-
nomics are ones we can live with
and our waste isn't being stored
somewhere else we would go
ahead. I think we're getting close."
The Hays will be thanked for
their interest and request.
Blyth reeve reads letter
from concerned ratepayer