Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-05-05, Page 1Blyth was besieged Monday by over a dozen members of the London Tactical Rescue Unit who were called to cope with a police standoff which began early that morning following a domestic assault involving Murray Walsh, who was believed to be armed.The team geared themselves at the Blyth Veterinary Clinic before surrounding the Walsh home late Monday evening. They found Mr. Walsh's body in the house at 11:25 Monday night. The North Huron itizen Vol. 9 No.18 Wednesday, May 5, 1993 600 GST included Environment Few turn out to discuss Turnberry waste proposal See page 6 Government County council agrees to rejoin SWOTA See page 7 Special Home & Garden issue gives tips for indoors & out See page 13 News Entrepreneurs hear marketing strategies at brochure swap See page 34 TRU Team ends 12-hour standoff A day-long standoff ended at 11:25 p.m. Monday night when police stormed the Blyth home of Murray Walsh and found him dead. The body of the 42-year-old man was found in a bedroom with a 22 cal- ibre rifle, states a press release issued by the OPP. The standoff began Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. when Wing- ham OPP were notified of a domes- tic assault involving a firearm at the Walsh residence at 570 Morris Street. Police arrived, secured the afea and determined there was a threat since firearms were involved. All neighbouring residents were evacu- ated from their homes. Trained OPP negotiators and the London Tactical Rescue Units (TRU Team) were called and arrived around 6:30 p.m. Approxi- mately two hours later, the TRU team was seen prowling around the home and five gun shots were heard. No explanation for the early shots was provided in the press release, however, a tire on the Walsh vehicle was later found flat. During the early evening hours, continuous attempts were made by negotiators to contact Walsh by phone with no results. At 10:45 p.m., the TRU team moved on the house. At 11:25, they found the body. A post-mortem has been sched- uled for May 4 at Stratford General Hospital. - Mr. Walsh was-a long-time resi- dent of Blyth. He was married and had three children who were all liv- ing at home. Blyth councillors vote for by-election BIG talks of farmers market The idea of a farmers market to sell produce and hand-crafted goods was discussed at the second meeting of the Blyth Idea Group (BIG) held Wednesday night in Blyth. There were not enough people in attendance to set up committees to tackle various projects as had been discussed at the March BIG meet- ing so the small group did some brainstorming on possible activi- ties. Peter Smith, artistic director of the Blyth Festival suggested the farmers market idea. He suggested a pilot project could be set up for a few weeks late this summer to test the idea. A main street location would be best, he said. If there is interest this year, and if the idea proves feasible, an expert from Farmers' Markets Ontario could be brought in to give advice in starting up a season-long project in time for next year. Anyone who would be interested in taking part in a market or help- ing organize one should contact Peter Smith at the Blyth Festival, 523-4345. Other ideas for local businesses were also discussed. Another meeting to set working committees will be held soon. By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Coming soon—a by-election to fill at least one seat on Blyth coun- cil. At their April 27 meeting, Blyth council discussed how to fill the vacant seats left on council when Robin Lawrie and Doug Scrim- geour resigned. Councillor Steve Sparling sug- gested the seat be offered to the next names on the ballot from the most recent election and if they refused, host a by-election. "I have felt for some time council should develop an appropriate pro- cedure for filling vacancies," he said. "It would be a benefit to coun- cil and to the ratepayers to know what would happen to vacant seats." However, since there is no proce- dure, Councillor Sparling suggest- ed they follow the precedent set when John Elliott's vacated seat was filled by Doug Scrimgeour, the next name on the ballot, "It seems appropriate in recogni- tion of that precedent, that we open the vacancies to Al Donaldson and Lorna Fraser," he said. "If either one of them declines, we'll open the remaining seat to George Zurich (the final name on the ballot) and if all decline, have a by-election." He added he felt strongly about having a by-election if vacant seats were left following the above-men- tioned procedure. Councillor Shirley Fyfe stated simply, "I agree" and the motion was passed. Ms Fraser and Mr. Donaldson were both contacted by Reeve Dave Lee and have chosen not to fill the seats. "No way do I want that seat," Mr. Donaldson told The Citizen, Mon- day, "who needs the aggravation and frustration?" He said if three qualified busi- nessmen have resigned in the mid- dle of their terms, there must be "something drastically wrong." He also admitted he didn't feel he would be able to get anywhere because the remaining council is too one-sided. "I've sat in at a lot of council meetings and I could see there were two sides one against the other. I originally ran because I felt I could do some good for the village but after sitting at the meet- ings and seeing the way things hap- pen, I think I would be in the same position as Lawrie, Scrimgeour and Elliott." Ms Fraser felt she no longer had the time to devote to the position given new commitments in her life. With these refusals, Reeve Lee contacted the final name on the bal- lot, George Szarek. He told The Citizen Monday he hadn't as yet made a decision but planned to announce his intentions by the end of the week. Whether he takes the seat or not, council will still have to host a by- election for the remaining seat. Already, resident Mason Bailey has announced he would like to have a seat on council. Thieves take mowers from Co-op Wingham OPP are investigating an early morning theft which occurred at Belgrave Co-op, Mon- day. Police were called after the alarm went off shortly before 7 a.m., a spokesperson said. Missing are seven push mowers and one shred- der valued at approximately $1700, police said.