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The Huron Expositor, 1995-02-22, Page 44 -The !NINON EXPOSITOR, Ftattl»uary 22, 191111 4, HurbHuron sitar Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 TERRI-LYNN DALE - General Manager & Advertising Manager MARY MELLOR - Saks PAT ARMES - Office Manager DIANNE McGRATH - Sybscriptions TIM CUMMING - Editor GREGOR CAMPBELL - Reporter LINDA PULLMAN • Typesetter BARB STOREY - Distribution A Burgoyne Community Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL 28.00 a year, in advance, plus 1.96 G.S.T. SENIORS - 25.00 a year, in odvonce, plus 1.75 G.S.T. Goderich, Stratford oddresses: 28.00 o year, in advance, plus 7.28 posloge, plus 2.47 G.S.T Out -OF -Area addresses: 28.00 a year, in advance, plus 11.44 postage, plus 2.76 G.S.T USA & Foreign: 28.00 a year in advance, plus S76.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Published weekly by Signal-Stor Publishing at 100 Main St., Seoforth. Publication moil iegistro- tion No. 0696 held at Seoforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on condition shot in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with o rea- sonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate In the event of o typographical error, advertising goods or services at o wrong price, goods or services moy not be sold. Advertising is merely on offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, February 22, 1995 Editorial and Business Offices - 100 Main Street, Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association and the Ontario Press Council Editorial Don't go near the water! Thinking of taking a winter's walk down by the stream, tQboganning in your favourite river valley, or building a snow fort down by the river...think again) Watercourses are extremely dangerous. Although rivers, creeks, streams, and ditches were safe to be near in the summer, you must be careful to stay away, especially with the large snowbanks and drifts and the current thawing of the ice that is apparent in the ABCA watershed rivers today. Watercourses are currently filled with snow and ice and create a variety of dangerous situations. You may have a variety of ice conditions present: caverns under the newly made ice, thin ice on top of flowing water, and weak ice present on solid ice which may break with your weight and cause you to fall into a hole In which you can not get outl Although larger rivers may have thick ice present, the ice is weak. and extremely -dangerous - STAY AWAY. Remember, we often get into trouble in places where we are most familiar. Keep on guard and if you happen to fall into the chilly waters: call for help, try to grab onto a tree branch or get onto the ice on your stomach, anything that will stop you from travelling down the river with the current. Always play with friends and if someone does fall into the frigid waters, have someone run for help - don't try to rescue the person by yourself. Remember this season of winter cold - it would not take long for you to lose your strength and you would get hypothermia. Letters to the Editor Gentle person angry over Supreme Court decision Dear Editor, This letter is written in response to the Supreme Court's decision in September 1994 to allow intoxication as defence in the case against Henri Deviault, who sexually assaulted a 65 -year-old woman, who uses a wheelchair. Dr. Daviault claimed he could not form the necessary criminal intent to commit sexual assault. Please not that Mr. Daviault could do the following coordinated activities: push the woman's wheelchair, put her on the bed, sexually assault her and punch her when she threatened to call the police. When I heard about the Supreme Court's decision, I was angry and extremely saddened by their actions. I know a family that has been deeply affected by a drunk man who tried to rape the mother of the family. It was the four-year-old daughter who ordered the man to leave her alone. The charges against the man were dropped because he agreed to go to AA. As in this situation, the Supreme Court removes . responsibility from the actual crime committed - sexual assault. The federal government is thinking about passing a bill that makes extreme intoxication a criminal offence. If this law is passed, will drunk rapists and drunk drivers be held accountable for their crimes? A friend of mine often tells me that it will be the fathers *of daughters who will have the greatest influence on ending violence towards women. Indeed to challenge these fathers by asking them the following question, "What if your daughter, your partner or your mother had been raped by a man who got off because he was drunk?" I can't keep silent any longer about this issue. I look forward to the day when all people, including women and children, are treated with respect, honor and equality and the abuse against women and children becomes a non -issue. I believe that for this world to become a just society, men who sexually assault women and children need to be held accountable for their actions, despite their level of intoxication. Lets not detract from the real crime that has been committed. I urge you to tell your MP that people who sexually assault need to be held accountable for their actions, despite their level of intoxication. There is not excuse for abuse! From a gentle, angry person, Gloria Workman Diabetes campaign successful Dear Editor, Canadian Diabetes Association Another year has proven to be success. The Canadian Diabetes Association campaign neted $3,031 from Harpurhey, Egmondville and Seaforth, during November and December 1994. A special 'Thank You' goes out to my 44 canvassers, and to all the generous residents of our 'Triple City'. I thank you - C.D.A. thanks you. Keep happy and healthy. Hulley Campaign Co- inator C Opinion Stanley could teach us something Seaforth could leam a thing or two from Stanley Township. Let's compare the two munici- palities for a moment. Seaforth faces thei loss of its police force and what happens? Protests? Petitions? Letters to the Editor? Controversy? No. The total opposition con- sists of one letter and a couple of phone calls. What apathy. Compare that to Stanley Town- ship where a recreational devel- opment proposal drew more than 120 people who forcefully, passionately and articulately debated different points of view. What a sight. A large hall was jammed with ratepayers who were filled with emotions and had done their homework. No apathy there. There were many issues asso- ciated with the debate: the econ- omic value of the proposed recreational horse farm, the proper use of agricultural lands, good planning practices, the economic prospects of farming and employment for young people. Most of all, the issue was about the future. The people of Stanley Township were discuss- ing their future. As Seaforth embarks on a strategic planning process the residents of the municipality have to show they are ready to stand up and debate their future. If the OPP debate (or non - debate) is any indication, • Seaforth should be worried. When the OPP costing propo- sal was first presented the assumption was that municipal government was making a sen- sible cost comparison of two services. When Seaforth eventually approved OPP policing, how- ever, there were no short-term savings. Suddenly the OPP was cham- pioned for reasons of fewer administrative and personnel hassles. Police officer morale was one of the problems identified by a Seaforth police officer. But why could that problem not have been addressed long before the OPP costing process was put into motion? There is still time to speak up until the final OPP contract is signed. There is still time to show that Seaforth is a commun- ity prepared to have lively debate about its future. Was the decision to opt for OPP service the right one? Per- haps...but it is a decision which should have been made in a climate of informed debate. If we sit by silently as we lose our local police force what other rural institutions will we lose by default? Our post office? Our hospital? Look at what happened in the District Health Council site selection fiasco. Seaforth was very polite .in its pursuit to be host of the new health planning board. Hibbert and Stratford, meanwhile, were aggressive lobbyists and ended up on the site selection short list. That's where being quiet will get you. Apathy and timidity aren't the roads to success. Volleyball, anyone? The Seaforth District High School Athletic Association has the impossible task of turning me into a volleyball player. The school's athletics body is raising money for Seaforth Com- munity Hospital by having me complete a Serve-a-thon. Their challenge? They are to have me serve 501 volleyballs on Monday evening, Feb. 27. I can feel my arms hurting already. It will be the last official func- tion of my 52 -event mini mara- thon fundraiser for the hospital. Congratulations to the students for their community- mindedness...and we'll sec you on the court. F/as%iael This old-time photo depicts the Seaforth Men's Euchre Club of years ago. The men are (front row) Paul Doig, Fred Harbum, James Kelly, Gill Hesslewood and (back row) Elmer Townsend, Bruce Armstrong, Will Feeney, Elmer Feeney, Russ Carter, James Doig, Jack Belfour and Tom Coiquhoun. The Men's Euchre Club has been at its current location since 1981 but will be moved to accommodate the new office for the Ontario Provincial Police in Seaforth. Winter targets rural mail delivery FROM THE PAGES OF THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MARCH 1, 1895 A runaway occurred on Main Street of this town. Miss Fowler of Harpurhey was driving her niece to school and in turning the comer at the Royal Hotel, the runner of the cutter went up on . a snowdrift, spilling the occupants out on the road. The horse ran as far as R. Willis' store and fell. * * * There died on the farm of James Walkinshaw, Hulleu, a few days ago, a peacock which had proudly strutted on that farm for 22 years, being one of a pair presented to him by Robert Henderson, Tuckersmith. * * * Wm. L. McLaren of Cromarty has purchased from Wm. McAllister, the noted pig breeder of Varna, a very fine Berkshire sow, ten months old. FEBRUARY 27, 1920 S. J. Bell, of McKillop, has sold his 100 -acre farm to Ed. Kleber for $7,000. * * * Ed. Weston, of Bayfield, is put- ting in new floors and painting some rooms in the Commercial, making a great improvement. * * * Thos. Consitt, of Seaforth, moved onto the farm on the Parr Line formerly occupied by his nephew Roy Consitt. In the Years Agone W. C. Montgomery, jeweller and optician of Hensall, has added a modem and splendid instrument for the testing of eyes for glasses. * * * Considerable grain is being brought to the Hensall market, despite heavy weeds. MARCH 2, 1945 James Robb, 80 -year-old Seaforth resident and his sister, Miss Jane Robb, 87, were taken to Scott mem- orial Hospital suffering from the effects of coal gas with which they were overcome. They were two of Seaforth's oldest residents both in years and point of residence. * * * The Brucefield rink has been a busy spot all winter but the carnival surpassed all expectations when a record crowd turned out to contest and be onlookers. This winter was never invented for the rural mail courier. Zero weather, blizzards filled or icy roads, when there is neither sleigh- ing nor wheeling in some parts of the routes and snow piled mail boxes on all of them do not add much to life's pleasure. « «« Hensall South Branch of the Red Cross held a quilting bee at the home of Mrs. Oliver Rowcliffc. * * * FEBRUARY 26, 1970 John Talbot was named general chairman of the Seaforth Lions Carnival, In charge of the draw is Dr. J. O. Turnbull and Earl Ritchie and the program will be arranged by Marlen Vincent and Bill Pinder. The games committee includes Ed. Taylor, Leo Teatero and Gord Rimmer and the refreshment com- mittee, Bob Beuttenmiller and George Hildebrand. * * * A Seaforth fireman for 37 years, D'Orlean Sills retired from the brigade at a gathering in the Fire Hall Friday evening. Carrying on a tradition that began when his great grandfather became a member of one of the earliest Seaforth brig- ades, James Sills is continuing the Sills family representation on the brigade. * * * Frank Falconer, RR 5 Clinton, and Bert Pepper, of Ncustadt and formerly of Tudkersmith, were elected directors of the Ontario Shorthorn Club at the recent annual meeting in Guelph. * * * A former Scaforth resident, Aub Baker, was dealt a perfect cribbage hand on Saturday while playing in a Legion tournament at Caledon East. Letters 'No excuse for abuse': letter Dear Editor, S.W.A.N. (Stop Woman Abuse Now), the Coordinating Committee Against Woman Abuse in Huron County, is organizing a demonstration to take place on Saturday, February 25. This is part of a national campaign to call attention to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision regarding: • the defence of intoxication in a case of sexual assault, and • the creation of a new offence - 'criminal intoxication' This National Day of Action is for both women and men to express their opinions and anger and to raise public awareness about this injustice in our legal system. We will be calling upon the Federal government to pass a law prohibiting the use of intoxication as a defence in all crimes of male violence against women and girls. This statute must have a preamble, similar to the one that women's advocates fought for in Bill C49, the "No Means No" law, that should address the following points: • the prevalence of male violence against women and girls and • that while alcohol does not 'cause' male violence, it is used legally and socially to justify and excuse it • that the intoxication defence is used in a gendered way, • and the law is justified based on women's equality rights and security of the person under section 15 of The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We wilt also be protesting any legislation which creates a new offence of 'Criminal intoxication' as it removes the hann done by the violence towards women. It is unacceptable to anyone who has been raped that the perpetrator may only be found guilty of 'criminal intoxication'. As much as we appreciate Justice Minister Allan Rock's taking action, we recognize the need for a more comprehensive consultation with women's advocates, victims of violent crimes and feminist lawyers before any legislation is designed regarding this and other issues concerning violence towards women. In order to make a difference, we need to hoar many different voices "speaking out" on this National Day of Action. On behalf of the organizing committee, I would like to extend to you an invitation to attend the rally at the Beer Store, 395 Huron Road, Goderich, Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1-2 p.m. Sincerely Catherine Armour, Coordinator Women Today of Huron/S.W.A.N Committee for NO Excuse for Abuse Court using 'too drunk' excuse At the end of September 1994, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered a new Mal in a sexual assault case involving a man named Henri Deviault, who was accused of sexually assaulting a 65 year old disabled woman. Mr. Daviault claimed that he was so drunk at the time that he could not have formed the necessary criminal intent to commit sexual assault. In fact, he was able to perform a series of coordinated actions - pushing a wheelchair, taking the woman out of the chair and putting her on the bed, sexually assaulting her, and punching her when she threatened to call the police. Daviault and his lawyer do not dispute these facts, but they claim that he had no idea what ho was doing because he was so intoxicated that he was like a sleepwalker, and therefore should not be held accountable for his behaviour. The Supreme Court agreed with Daviault, and in a 6-3 vote, said that suspects should be allowed to raise the defence that they were so drunk when they were "in a state of extreme intoxication akin to automatism or insanity" when the crime occurred. If a suspect proves that they were in this state, they can be acquitted of sexual and physical assault because they could not form criminal intent to commit a crime. The Supreme Court said that this defence would rarely be used, but since that time, there have been at least three other occasions when this defence has been successfully used to acquit men charged with physical and sexual assault.