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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-12-01, Page 1t t s�lP�S 4 & g3 Ir 23;4262 Film Developing $4.9924 roll Exeter parade PAGE 14 SEIP'S valu-matt 4 es $3 Exeter 2354262 Christmas Trees $20.00 TIMES -ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, December 1, 1999 ;1.00 (includes GST) `v.iT:i�%i: F ••lir.:.....::::.. : !'ri,:•:;i'�•-'lr.';.::: .}�`��f.•?!ff•���{ fir. ;,s:v:ii}::rr :i'�:A� i':f;��{'.;fi•; Mgr � �• ��r';>-' ' f �:�• �. Lions Ch ' p t South f �s Parade on Sat ,The Exeter Lions,Tov censored the pa rty.l : ncluded free candy bligiVt.tgponafts treats an refreshments and twta hours of free g. ('drd) OPP called to board meeting as potential closure list released By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE Two OPP officers were summoned by the chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board on Nov. 23 before trustees approved a list of seven schools facing possible closure in June 2000. Police were called after the mayor of Seaforth, which would see its secondary school close if the list becomes reality, rose from his seat in the gallery and forced an unscheduled recess. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to call the police to make me move," said Mayor Dave Scott after jumping up to chal- lenge director of education Lorne Rachlis. Neither Rachlis nor any other member of the board respond- ed to Scott's questions. Stratford trustee Ray Ford moved fol an adjournment but chairperson Wendy Anderson ignored his motion and asked for a motion of recess. After that motion was quickly provided and approved, several trustees got up and left the room, inspiring taunts from Scott and other audience members. About 20 minutes later two police offi- cers took up positions at the back of the gym as Anderson returned the meeting to order. "Can we get it into the minutes as to who called the law enforcement and why?" came one comment from the gallery. But the heckling and shouted comments remained limited through the rest of the meeting, enabling the board to complete its business. That included approval of the list, which passed on a 7-2 vole. Huron Countyband AbyArmstrong Vicki Culbert opposed the list, saying the public hadn't been allowed enough input into its formation. Anderson, though, admitted in her argument that Avon Maitland must still consider clos- ing schools. "We don't have the option in this board," she said. Lack of public input was a major com- ponent of Scott's tirade. Seaforth's mayor originally rose to his feet as Rachlis presented a report entitled 'School Program and Accommodation Review,' which contained the seven - school list and explained how conditions of declining enrollment and altered funding allocations had' forced the board to consider closure. Scott challenged Rachlis' suggestion that community groups had already been asked to compile their own reports about school accommodation. "Not Seaforth," Scott shouted as he rose from his seat. I'm sorry, but In fact, the board commis - you'll have to call sioned just four studies — the Polite to from Stratford, Listowel, make me move;' Mitchell and the Exeter area. These were presented to the SEAFORTH MAYOR board Nov., 9 and were con - DAVE SCOTT sidered by board staff as it compiled the final list of seven schools for possible closure. But in defending her • decision to sup- port the list, Perth South trustee Maggie Laprade said the real public input process is about to begin, as the board oversees the creation of community study groups around each of the affect- ed schools. Under the board's timetable, the com- mittees will study the possible effects of school closure and propose possible alternatives which would result in equivalent savings or equivalent reduc- tion in empty student spaces. Those reports are due Feb. 3, so they can be considered as the board writes its own final report and recommenda- tions, which will be offered for approval by trustees on Feb. 22. "The further study, to me, means opening the door and having further community input," Laprade said. See SCHOOL BOARD page 2 • Loner's biker gets two years in jail for weapons charges By Craig Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER -- Exeter got a taste of big city justice last week. Known biker David Michael McLeish, 36, of RR1 Kirkton, pleaded guilty to four weapons charges in Exeter court last week. Accepting a joint sentencing submission from the Crown and London defence lawyer Rob Farrington, Judge R.G. Hunter sen- tenced McLeish to a total of two years in prison. *McLeish, 36, received six months for possession of unauthorized firearms, 12 months consecutive for possession of firearms with ammunition, six months consecutive for possession of firearms while prohib- ited to own them and six months concurrent for a second prohibited charge. McLeish was also given a lifetime firearms ownership ban. Three other firearms charges were dismissed including careless storage of firearms. McLeish waived his right for a preliminary hearing and chose to be tried in front of a provincial court judge instead of the more costly and time consuming option of being tried in front of a judge and jury. McLeish, a member of the Loner's Motorcycle Club (formally the Annihilators Motorcycle Club) located in the St. Thomas area, was arrested without inci- dent by the London OPP at his home on July 28. Several OPP officers from different teams, includ- ing the outlaw biker squad, used a search warrant at McLeish's home and found a 7.62 mm military - style assault rifle, five clips and about 100 rounds of ammunition. The rifle and ammunition are prohibit- ed weapons which McLeish doesn't have a licence own. McLeish, born and raised in London, already had a lifetime firearms ban due to an earlier convic- tion. The OPP also found several Loner's shirts and jackets in McLeish's bedroom. Crown attorney Laurie Tuttle said McLeish and his common-law wife came home while the OPP were conducting their search. She said McLeish immedi- ately surrendered to the OPP, =put his hands over his head and said "You've got me fair and square." His wife's children were home with a babysitter when the OPP first arrived. Unusual for Exeter court, those entering the court room at the Exeter Legion for the short trial were searched with a metal detector. Several London OPP officers dressed in grey fatigue -style uniforms from the Emergency Response Team (ERT) were on hand for security as well as several more Exeter and London OPP officers. McLeish entered the court rdom in handcuffs and ankle shackles. McLeish's common-law wife and her son were in court to support him. At the time of his arrest, the London OPP said Mcleish's position in the Loner's Club was high ranking and involved taking care of club "discipline ';sues."