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Huron Expositor, 2005-11-09, Page 26Page 26 The Huron Expositor • November 9, 2005 News Gomery commission has taken too much attention away from other issues, say local politicians Cheryl Heath The Gomery report spells relief to all but a handful of federal Liberal party members, says Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle. All told, says Steckle, Prime Minister Paul Martin Jr. and the Liberal cabinet are exonerated of wrongdoing while the Quebec wing of the Liberal party "did share in some of the wealth that was wrongly given to them." And, he notes, that money — believed to be in the $1.4 -million range — has now been paid back through the Liberal party's coffers. Steckle says while it is disheartening to learn some party members dug into the public purse, it is refreshing to see how quickly those involved were dealt with, including 12 members that have been banned from party membership for life. The four -term MP also gives kudos to Martin for taking a "bold step" in ordering the inquiry since "no one knew the outcome" at the time it was ordered. Steckle believes it is no small coincidence that his telephones at his constituency offices are not ringing off the hook following the publication of the Gomery report. "There hasn't been a storm of mail or calls," says Steckle, adding it is his firm opinion the public is "sick and tired" of both the investigation and the Conservative Party -led attacks on the character of Liberal MPs. The verbal attacks, says Steckle, are patently unfair given the entire party is being painted with a brush that should be reserved only for those responsible for the mess. He adds that while he has "always trusted" Martin, he has also held a fondness for former prime minister Jean Chretien who has been implicated by the report. "I don't think he knew of the details of this disaster," says Steckle, adding though Martin was the finance minister for much of the time Chretien was at the helm: "They were a great team but they did not communicate." Steckle adds one a minister gets his/her budget allocation, he/she is responsible for what happens with it. The MP notes during his 12 years in office, he has never been approached by a lobbyist or person seeking to earn favour with the party. At the end of the day, says Steckle, the most important thing for the party to do is get on with the Community Calendar WED. NOV. 9 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Rhyme Time Ontario Early Years Program at Duff's United Church, Walton 1:00-4:00 p.m. Seniors shuffleboard at the arena THURS. NOV. 10 10:00 - 11:30 am - Baby Time Ontario Early Years at Seaforth Co -Operative Children's Centre Centre FRI. NOV. 11 9:30-11:30 a.m. Story Fun Ontario Early Years Program, Brussels Library basement 9:30-11:15 a.m. Play and Loam Early Years program, Grey Central School, Ethel 10:00 a.m. - Morning Out at Bethel Bible Church, Seaforth SAT. NOV. 12 6:30 o.m. Sharks vs Kings 7:30 a.m. Bruins vs Ducks 8:30 a.m. Panthers vs Blues 9:30 a.m. Oilers vs Leafs SUN. NOV. 13 2:30-4 P.M. Public Skating MON. NOV. 14 9:30-11:00 a.m. ABC 123 Ontario Early Years Program at St. James School TUES. NOV. 15 10-11:30 a.m Ontario Early Years Play and Learn at Seaforth Public School 4-5 p.m. After school shinny . 7:30 p.m. - Seaforth Harmony Hi -Cites rehearsal at Northside United Church WED. NOV. 16 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Rhyme Time Ontario Early Years Program at Duff's United Church, Walton 1:00-4:00 p.m. Seniors Shuffleboard at Arena If you're orgarrnrig a non-profit evert of interest to other Seaforth area residents, phone the Expositor at 527-0240, or mail the information to Community Calender, The Huron Expositor. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NCI( 1 W0 well in advance of the scheduled date. Free fisting includes date, Orr*, name of event and location only. Space for the Community Calender is donated by The Huron Expositor. business of governing and dealing with issues, like the farm -income crisis. "The people are sick and tired of Gomery," he says. "These guys (Conservatives) are in a vacuum. Quite frankly, the public is getting disgusted by it." Grant Robertson, who will once again be seeking the Huron -Bruce seat as an NDP candidate, disagrees with Steckle's view of the Gomery report. Rather than being sickened by the subject, the electorate is sickened by its outcome, he says. "When you cut through the Liberal spin, this report confirms the worst," says Robertson, a Paisley -area farmer and librarian. Robertson says that what while on a personal level he finds Steckle to be an honourable person, it is nonetheless true that Steckle is an ineffective leader for the riding because he holds no power within his own party. Plus, says Robertson, the party itself must be held accountable for the Gomery report's findings. More importantly, says Robertson, an election must be held soon so an effective government can take the helm. "Layton and the NDP stated clearly from the beginning that getting things down is a priority," he says, adding the current problem with health care can be affixed to Martin since he was the one to cut the budget in the first place. Ben Lobb, a Holmesville resident and Wescast Inc. of Wingham employee and family businessman, is seeking the Huron -Bruce seat under the Conservative Party of Canada banner. He says the Gomery report's findings were less than surprising. "That was what was anticipated," he says. "I am mostly disappointed that the financial controls within the finance minister's office were that loose." Lobb is also disheartened by the fact the Gomery report has taken so much attention from more pressing issues, namely the farm -income crisis. "There are some major problems and they are not being addressed," he says, adding when party supporters call him, they want to talk about the rising cost of living and not the Gomery report. Lobb adds he is somewhat perplexed by the NDP's willingness to work with a party that is perceived to be corrupt. "The point is he (Layton) has an agenda," says Lobb. Theft and arson among the 20 -plus charges facing two Seaforth youths. Two Seaforth-area youths, both 17, have received a number of charges after the car they were driving was stopped by police. in Brussels on Nov. 2. Police attempted to stop a white 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, going southbound on a street in Brussels but the car sped off out of town. The car, reported stolen from a Maria Street residence in Clinton sometime overnight, was stopped after the driver failed to negotiate a turn and struck a cruiser, causing some damage. Further investigation showed one of the youths was involved in other vehicle thefts and was charged with five thefts over $5,000, three counts of arson damage to property, nine counts of failing to comply, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime and failure to stop for police. He is in custody awaiting a bail hearing. The second youth was charged with one count of property obtained by crime and possession of a controlled substance when a small amount of marijuana was found on his person. Stolen vehicle from Clinton found in Seaforth A car stolen from a Clinton residence in the early morning of Nov. 1 was found in Seaforth several hours later, reports the Huron OPP. A four -door tan 1992 Buick Regal, with licence plate ARJJ383 was stolen from a Gordon Street home in Clinton and was found around 8 a.m. behind a Main Street business in Seaforth. The car received damage to its dash. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers.