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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-12-01, Page 7Ne‘N THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Dec. 1. 2004-7 MDHS teacher charged with sexual exploitation Mitchell high school community stunned to hear accusations against James Sampa By Marc Hulet Mitchell Advocate Staff Mitchell District High School (MDHS) teachers were stunned to hear that a co-worker had been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation on Nov. 24, according to the superintendant of education/human resources for the Avon Maitland District School Board. Jim Sheppard said he spoke with teachers at the school the day before charges were laid on James Sampa, a teacher at MDHS for the past six years, to inform them of what was going on. "We wanted to give them an update. There were rumours going around the school," Sheppard said Monday. "I think you could say that there was silence in the room. They were quite taken aback by it." According to the Criminal West Perth OPP Sgt. Doug Sampa would be assigned to Code of Canada, sexual French confirmed that the home duties starting on Nov. exploitation is direct or alleged victims were 22 while the investigation indirect touching, with a students at the high school. continued. Home duties, part of the body or Many details of the case according to Sheppard, with an object, of are being protected by A include such things as any part of the body publication ban. marking students' work and of a young person Sheppard said he first met lesson preparation. (14 years of age or with Sampa on Nov. 18 after From that Thursday more but under the hearing about the through Monday, Nov. 18 to age of 18) for a investigation from police. Nov. 22, Sheppard said they sexual purpose by a He said he made Sampa, stood back to let the police person who is in a who has been teaching at continue their investigation. position of trust or MDHS since September "This doesn't happen all authority. 1998, aware of the the time. We're relying a lot It can also allegations and police on the police and we need to include inviting, counselling investigation. let them do what they need or inciting a young person to "He seemed totally taken to do," Sheppard said. "In touch directly or indirectly, by surprise," Sheppard said all my years of doing human with a part of their body or of Sampa's reaction to the resources work, I've never with an object, the body of allegations. dealt with allegations like the person who invites, Sheppard said he tried to this. It's extremely rare." counsels or incites the be as supportive as possible. On Nov. 23, after charges young person. "We didn't want to seem were officially laid against According to Perth that we were pre -judging Sampa, Sheppard said County OPP, they received a him," he said. MDHS Principal Jodie report on Nov. 17 of the Sheppard, Sampa and his Baker informed teachers and allegations against Sampa. union representative then asked that students be made Along with his regular went to speak with West aware of the situation. It teaching duties, Sampa also Perth OPP. was decided that students coached volleyball and was After hearing further would be told during class, involved with the school's information from police rather than in a larger, group co-operative education regarding the case, Sheppard assembly. program. said it was decided that Letters were also sent Jason Middleton photo Jim Dawe, of Seaforth, poses with some of his rusty metal sculptures that he's selling through his new business Mural in Metal. Seaforth metal worker lets career get rusty with Murals in Metal business By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff After 20 years as a metal worker, Jim Dawe, of Seaforth, is getting a little rusty. With his new business, Murals in Metal, Dawe has gone from making rusty metallic ornaments as a hobby to working 12 hour days, seven days a week, creating these ornaments in his workshop. "They say don't give up your day job, but I did," Dawe said. "With today's stress,; money isn't everything," Dawe said. "If it's something you enjoy doing, then go do it." Four years ago, Dawe started creating little metallic items for the garden and he said it "branched out" from there. Now, Dawe has created items ranging from a moose mural to a metallic cariacature of a Dublin man who has become a bishop and loves golf. "So they wanted him to look like a bishop golfing," Dawe said. "It was a tricky one." Another one of Dawe's favourite projects was etching a picture of a Second World War veteran into a piece of metal for his widow. "I like that stuff When people come in with an original design," Dawe said. "That's my favourite part." His creations can be purchased at Sumthing Special, in Seaforth, Nature's Nest, in Londesborough, Jillian's in Mitchell and at the Toy, Sports Card, Teddy Bear, Doll, Gift, Craft Sale in Seaforth held last weekend. Dawe has created several different metallic structures in Mitchell, including the pond scene near the Thames River and metal blue herons which will be attached to several light posts in Mitchell. Dawe creates the metallic items by sketching the outlines of, objects freehand on sheet metal. Then he uses a plasma cutter, which uses air and an electrode, to cut the metal and then rolls and bends shapes into the ornaments. To make the objects rusty, Dawe coats the ornaments in vinegar and leaves them in his backyard to get some "natural rain rust." Each week, Dawe expects to go through eight sheets of sheet metal creating items ranging from nature scenes to life- sized wall murals. Although Dawe is the only employee, he said that his family is helping out a lot right now. "We do the grunt work," his wife Lynn joked. News tip? Call the Expositor at 527-0240 MASSAGE THERAPIST and REIKI PRACTITIONER Becky Campbell 527-2058 137 Market St. Seaforth • Evening Appointments • home to parents, informing to say anything, as the them of the police investigation is ongoing," investigation. As well, Sampa said. counselling has been made Sampa's lawyer, Gary available to students. Hopkinson of the Toronto "It's important to keep law firm Green and people informed so there Chercover, said he was aren't rumours and stories confident that his client circulating," Sheppard said. would be cleared. Sampa, 46, appeared in "Mr. Sampa denies the bail court in Stratford on allegation," Hopkinson said. Nov. 24 and was released "He denies he has engaged with conditions. in any misconduct with any Sampa, who returned a students and we are phone message from The confident at the end of the Mitchell Advocate on Nov. case he will be vindicated." 26, respectfully declined Sampa is scheduled to comment. appear again in Stratford "At this point I don't criminal court on Dec. 13. think it's appropriate for me BARRAG.E January 22 (0 8pm Stratford Festival Theatre „a es WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS January 14 & 13 Stratford Festival 1.800.567.1600 Q Row Office: Raise A Healthy Carpet ets Will Dry In 1-2 Hours -maintained carpets and upholstery help ensure a healthy home by reducing the „a mount of dust and allergens. Chem -dry deep cleans carpets and upholstery with a patented carbonated non-toxic cleaning solution, which will dry in 1 to 2 hours, reducing the chance of mold and mildew to CHEM - DRY IS DRIER. CLEANER: HEALTHIER. 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