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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-10-27, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1999. MADD president, speaker at CPC meeting By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff "My story is still very trag­ ic. I don't apologize for my tears. They are part of what I live through every day.” This very personal revela­ tion was delivered to the members of the North Huron Community Policing commit­ tee (CPC) by Lynne Magee at the meeting Oct. 20 in Morris Twp. It was 1994 when the lives of David and Lynne Magee changed forever, when their 17-year-old son Patrick along with 16-year-old Kevin Rintoul were killed by a drunk driver. “This was a 32-year- old father of three, not a teenager that we usually asso­ ciate with this, a respected. E thelThe news from Compiled by Margaret McMahon 887-9250 12 tables in play at euchre The Ethel euchre was held on Oct. 18 with 12 tables in play, hosted by Grace and Harry Smith. Winners were: high lady, Marg MacDonald; high man, Ross Stephenson; ladies’ lone hands. Eva Harrison, Isabelle Bremner, Verna Crawford, Kay Whaley; men’s lone hands, Allan Kennedy, Marion Behrns; ladies’ low, Agnes Harrow; men’s low, Bob working citizen.” Full of pain, anger and frus-„ tration, the Magees knew they had to do something. “I con­ tacted MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) and said I'm mad, I need to fight back.” She was put in touch with a woman in London who was very active in the organiza­ tion, and soon after Magee, her husband and Rintoul’s mother, Barb formed the Huron-Bruce MADD chapter, with an 11-member board. But it wasn’t until after receiving the charter that they realized the work that lay before them, said Magee, now president of the chapter. “The mission of MADD is to stop impaired driving and help the victims. The first is a Bremner; 50/50 draw, Margaret Peebles; lucky tally, Mac Smith, Hazel McKenzie, Adrian Verstoep, Jean Schneider, Ken MacDonald, Marguerite Beirnes, Keith Turnbull, Violet Smith. Haroid Metcalfe, Annie McCourt, Frieda D'Arcey, Grace Stewart, Charlie Harrison and Hilda Holmes. The next euchre is on Nov. I. large enough challenge, but helping the victims is becom­ ing an overwhelming job.” Magee does most of the vic­ tim support work, she said. “To have a healthy board we realized we need people who are not victims, but they don’t have the drive. They’re not coming from the same place I am. My job is to inspire everyone to make it their mis­ sion because I don’t want any parent to have to sit in my position as a grieving parent.” That challenge can be a thankless one, she says. “For any person I convince that drinking and driving is wrong, I know there are thousands I am never going to reach.” One group on which she is focussing with particular zeal is the schools. “We have an excellent program that we take into the high schools. I present our story and after­ wards kids will come up to me crying, emotional, they want to hug me and tell me they’re sorry.” Many, too, she said, want to tell their own story of a loved one or friend who drinks and drives. “It’s gratifying that these kids are getting the mes­ sage. If we can get them even younger all the better.” “That’s the place where we see we can make the biggest difference. We can change their minds. I’m afraid to tell you that at our age, it’s too late. If they drink and drive in their 30s and 40s they believe it’s their God-given right to do so.” “It’s the habitual offender you’re never going to change,” said Mr. Magee. Monitoring court for MADD is an eye-opener to this reality, Magee said. “I have seen people there for the fifth time and the excuses they give for this irresponsibility are ridiculous.” Magee also drew attention to the problems within the judicial system. “You should be in court to see a police offi­ cer testify. These people put their lives on the line .for us every day, yet when they take the stand they are ridiculed and put down by the defense. They are doing their job, get­ ting drunks off the road and when they get to court guess who’s going to be badgered?” Magee said at this year’s candlelight vigil for victims and families, of which the number grows each year, offi­ cers were in attendance repre­ senting a policemen who had been run down by a drunk during a RIDE check. That people, despite high breathalizer readings get off on technicalities is another problem, as are the light sen­ tences, said Magee. “I have a hard time in court seeing drinking and driving treated so lightly, you hardly know it’s there.Two years, of which they’ll likely serve a third, isn’t much for taking a life.” MADD and its supporters lobby governments from the county to federal levels for legislative change. They would like to see the maxi­ mum sentence handed out for impaired drivers. They are working diligently to have the victim’s bill of rights changed “so they have a presence, a name,” said Magee. “At one point a crying mother may not have been permitted into the courtroom because it would affect the jury. God forbid a jury would see what this woman is going through.” Another thing the Magees would like to see is vehicle confiscation. Mr. Magee said, “Losing that car is a big deter­ rent. Losing a licence isn’t. Those who are irresponsible enough to drive drunk, will drive without their licence.” “People think that if they drink and drive their car it’s their own business, a social problem. But once you turn that' key, it’s a criminal offense. Driving is a privilege, not a right,” said Magee. The couple note that drink­ ing is not their issue. “What you do in the privacy of your home is your own business. But as soon as you get in the car or vehicle, you become a problem. You can kill some­ one.” Magee asked those present if the mobile watches in Blyth and Brussels reported drunk drivers. The response was affirmative. When one co­ ordinator said the volunteers lost interest when things got quiet, David Magee respond­ ed, “Tell them to sit outside any licensed establishment and you’ll have a crime every night of the week.” OPP Const. Russ Nesbitt stressed how valuable the public can be in helping the police. “We can’t know that Mr. Jones drinks and drives or that Mr. Smith beats his wife. We depend on people to tell us and their calls often lead to results.” The Magees drew attention to a frightening statistic. “On any given Friday or Saturday night, one out of eight drivers is impaired.” “Drinking and driving is an attitude we need to change.” “I get upset when people say my son was killed in an accident. He was killed in a crash. It was no damn acci­ dent. The driver should have known full well he shouldn’t be driving. That’s murder.” MADD welcomes volun­ teer support. Anyone interest­ ed in helping or offering financial contributions can contact the Magees at 357- 4552. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM FALLEN WIRES Ice storms, high winds or fallen tree limbs can bring hydro lines down. Even a fallen wire that seems dead can be dangerous. Stay away from the wires, warn others to keep clear and call your local hydro or the police to report the fallen wire as soon as possible. If there’s a live power line touching your vehicle, stay inside until a hydro crew removes the line, putting even one foot on the ground can be a fatal move to make. If you must leave because of fire, jump clear without touching the car and the ground at the same time. For advice or assistance, call our Customer Communications Centre at 1-888-664-9376 or visit our website at www.onhydro.com for more safety information. a Ontario Hydro Services Company