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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2003-12-03, Page 5News Teatero eager to prove innocence regarding recent fraud charges By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Len Teatero, owner of Teatero Motor Products in Seaforth, says he is eager to face fraud charges made against him. That's because he can prove he's innocent of fraud in his dealings with a U.S. car broker, he told the Huron Expositor last week. Teatero was charged last week after police received complaints that a Michigan car broker claimed he had sent Teatero $35,000 U.S. for two vehicles on Oct. 31, 2002, only to find that the two vehicles were not sent and did not exist. But, Teatero, who says he has sold the broker close to 300 cars over the past several years, also says he has the manifests to prove every car he sold crossed the border and was collected. "We have to have crossing papers for tax reasons," says Teatero."Because Americans can buy cars in Canada tax- free if the car leaves the country within 30 days, we have to prove the car left the country or we have to pay the taxes ourselves." Teatero says that prior to the charges being laid, he had planned to launch a civil suit against the broker to sell a boat held as collateral and to recoup some losses on NSF cheques he says he received. "My lawyers said we can sell the boat but we won't until we sue him in court," says Teatero. Teatero says police involvement with what he assumed was a civil matter, began in August, shortly after Teatero says he sent a letter to the broker telling him he would no longer do business with him. "The police came to question us in August and their main concern then was the boat. We told them then it was a civil matter," he says, molding he was never questioned about the two vehicles named in the charge. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 3, 2003-5 Excavating? Bulldozing? Backhoeing? Gravel Delivery? VANDRIEL 482-3783 Excavating Inc. Simon VanDriel CLINTON Share an extraordinary dinner this holiday season. Experience our "made right here" Len Teatero While the past week has been one of the most difficult of Teatero's life, he says he is grateful for all the support he's received from friends and families since the charges were laid. "I've had customers drive from an hour away to come here and tell me they know I'm innocent. I didn't know we had so many friends. The silver lining is all the people saying they know -it isn't true," he says. His first appearance in court on the charges is Dec. 15. joinHuron roups together to plan how to improve lake water quality Health unit hosts meeting with farm, tourism, cottage and industry reps By Matt Shurrie Goderich Signal -Star Editor , Realizing water quality adversely affects everyone, interested parties agreed in Clinton last week to continue meeting on the issue during a day -long discussion hosted by the Huron County Health Unit. Representatives from the health unit and a number of organizations including cottage associations, farm groups, members of the tourist industry, environmentalists and municipal leaders spent Nov. 28 looking at how water quality is currently measured and what they might do collectively to improve testing results along Lake Huron in the months and years to come. "Everyone at this table has a study," Huron County Warden Dave Urlin said. "We need to sit down and put the studies together and come up with a solution." Bluewater Shoreline Residents Association (BSRA) past president Bob Campbell suggested the group look at the water quality issue through a wide angle lens as they move forward. "This is not as complicated as we make it out to be," Campbell said. "We need to zero in on the issues and the next step should be zeroing in on those areas." "We could spend 10 more years on looking at wind direction or we can just point the finger at ourselves. I think that's a better idea." Originally planned as a session to update stakeholders on how the health unit's water quality sampling process had been undertaken over the summer, recent national headlines calling Lake Huron a polluted mess sparked renewed jnterest In fact, the meeting attracted close to 25 panelists and another 35 interested audience members. After the morning session was spent outlining changes to water sampling with the health unit's Penny Nelligan and Pam Scarfe explaining the sampling process, any misconceptions that beaches along the shoreline have been closed - a common error found in national stories - were quickly cleared up. While it's true that seven beaches are permanently posted - five along Lake Huron and two dams in Exeter and Wingham — the health unit made the decision to permanently post beaches in order to increase the amount of sampling at beaches deemed unstable. "We are posting a warning — not closing the beaches," Scharfe said during her presentation. University of Guelph scientists Michael Brodsky and Shu Chen also attended the session and explained the methods of sampling and the scientific background of E.coli. "We all realize that over the last 150 years we're all part of the problem," Urlin said during an open session amongst panelists. "However, we can all be part contributing to Lake Huron's problems including cottagers, farmers and municipalities. However, he said it's important to realize that this problem has been ongoing for many years. "Are we dealing with a n e w problem?" Bennett asked. "No. We're dealing with more people and a more e ducated public and the need for more information." "I don't think that there's any question that Quoted 'We could spend 10 more years looking at wind direction or we can just point the finger at ourselves,'-- Bluewater Shoreline president Bob Campbell of the solution too and I'd like to see a committee come out of this." "I'm tired of pointing fingers at each other. It's not who's at fault because we're all at fault and we have to work with provincial and federal governments to find a solution." Ontario Ministry of the Environment representative Ron Bennett said there are three potential polluters people want to do something." Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt, who also serves as chair of Huron County's board of health, said Goderich continues to work on an extensive program to separate sewers and water systems. To date the town has invested millions of dollars to ensure that 98 per cent of all systems have been separated. "We look forward to spending money to go further," Shewfelt said. "We know we've been part of the problem but hopefully we'll be part of the future." While the overall tone of the meeting was positive and one that looked ahead to find a solution, there clearly were times when the discussion became heated. Late in the meeting both the agriculture and tourism sectors clashed when farmers were accused of not doing more to help find a solution. "We don't have a good feelin,g�," said one bed and brea,tffast owner from the audience. "We don't want bad players." Shewfelt interrupted saying it's time for Huron County and the health unit in particular to step up and take a leadership role in developing a model for the future. "It's time to pull a group together and time to try and come in with some solutions," Shewfelt said. "Right now we're all shooting off in different directions but I'm pleased with what I've seen here." While no date for future meetings were announced it is expected the health unit will host a similar meeting sometime in January. specialty meats for special occasions. Call ahead to order... • Wine -cured ham Stuffed pork • Hickory -smoked loin roast ham • Marinated • Boneless smoked beef roast turkey breast • Cold cuts platter And, our Gift Certificates make the perfect gift! rev eleseiediitiog trate 180 BROCK AVENUE, HENSALL • (519) 262-3130 /111# ri 11 t Shop at Keating's Pharmacy this Christmas and you could WIN ONE OF 3 1 AASH�PPING' SPREES! • Ulie Draws to take place December 6, 13 and • ift02,0400 • .4i Ask for our "Holiday Magic" catalogue. It's filled with great Christmas gift ideas! KEATING'S Guardian PHARMACY 67 Main ., Seaforth 527-1990 tri IA Church Services BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A CHURCH PLANT OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH 527-0029 Fellowship at 7:00 pm Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Sa north Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 482-7861 Sunday, December 7 The Second Sunday of Advent Worship at 930 a m Festival of Lessors and Cards at 1100 a m followed by oorg epsiond poi AA. Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Cotumben RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 128 Main St. Seeforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Jim Wyllie - Pasta Egmondville United Church Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday Dec. 7 Stew Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister In training Christmas Bureau Headquarters Open Dec. 8-12 NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9 30 a m 11 00 a m Northside Winthrop 54 Goderich St W Sunday December 7, 2003 Guest Speaker - Mr. Dave Matson Youth Group (Grades 3-8) Thursday, Das, 11 First Presbyterian Church Goderich St W Seaforth Rev. Ted Nelson Interim Minister Sunday, December 7 Worship Service - 11.15 am Sunday School During Worship