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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1975-04-17, Page 3PEAR EDETOR (continued from page 2) and her life. Too bad your reporter, like so many poor, reporter didn't see things that deluded fools in the Canadian clearly. outback, still' stuck in the old ' Let's not make it any more days before women's difficult than it already is, to liberation? Like it or not, folks, #ind a suitable job or role in equality is 'here to stay. So you society. Let's erase, rather better start getting used to it, than strengthen, the resiric- and stop being amused. We tions that outdated social rules must dun* • this backward placed on individuality. mentality and face things as they are. Institutions (especially schools) in this area have failed to•encourage wider perspective and opportunities for students. This is especially the case with female adolescents. One would think, from the ivailahle in- formation, 4,that women can only be hit sewives; nurses, teachers, or r child-care workers. Girls are raised with the sole expectation of living life under someone's thumb. "Always ra secretary, never a boss." When females from our region go elsewhere, to the cities (for instance), they suddenly meet the shock of being treated as real individuals, not as serfs,or accessories. They are so utterly unprepared for this respon- yimmediately ConsfaGie awaits verdict v • GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, 4P.101.4174 L$75 Testimony and statement differs Charges concerned the discrepancies Sergeant Mery Witter the did Goderich Police force, called as Fortner, the court would have of the force is Lobe maintained. A verdict on the five c g between Constable Fortner's not recognize the discrepancies a witness by defense lawyer to prove that. the fa,j„�tficationof facing- constable Thomas F. • John Drake, testified that he the statements was eliberate. If they are to gain the respecteg written statement of the events because he was still"upset. • they must have, the police will Fortner under the °Ontario Police Act will be released to of October 27 and his testimony l`�ou were given ample time told Constable Fortner that he • Mr. Donnelly', in his sum - have to climb out of theirCom- at the trial of Constable Hills in to do what was necessary to do would probably be called as a motion, pointed out that the • cruisers and get involved in the the Goderich Police January and his neglect to were you t?" Mr. Donnelly crown witness to corroborate court was dealing with serious community,where the interests ' mission at a later date. r with the other witnesses. material discrepancies that lie. While County Court Judge P.S. correct the discrepancies made asked. In answer to the cross dealt with the nub of the of the young.; people h MacKenzie of Walkerton wit' in his written statement. "Ye,s sir," Fortner replied. Donnellyproblem rather than the the terms it is not written t, review the evidence of•the one- Under prosecution by Jim "Then the mistakes were not examination by the terms of their employment, and' render a written Donnelly of Goderich, acting the fault of someone else but concerning the performance of periphery. He suggested that in my view, it is a very im- day trial counsel for the Goderich Police originated with OW"' Donnelly Constable Fortner, Sgt. Bacon the content of the statemenfts re ort and verdict to the asked. said that Fortner was a very did not indicate that Fortner "Yes sir," Fortner replied. . loyal member' td the police was in an irrational state at the "And there was no in- department in relation to time and if he had been neither timidation as to the content. of certain specified duties such as Chief P.D. King nor Sgt. Witter your notes and no one brought' c..ecking for insecure would have taken 'the pressure on you to say one thing properties, highway traffic and statement. or another?" liquor control act enforcements "He made the mistakes "No sir." Fortner replied. but he did not prefer criminal , wilfully in his own writing, After the notes were written investigation: mistakes that were grossly Constable Fortner explained "He is not capable of taking blatant," Donnelly said. "It is that he did not read'tliem again, on an investigation because he better that he *be tried in this until January 21, - the night becomes upset and- gets mixed, „arena than in another arena for before he testified at the Hills uA, Bacon said; adding that he perjury." • trial, because of a heavy has made no progress in "What level of confidence workload. The station was in a. eliminating that incapability. can the community expect?' turmoil and he did not realize . In response' to question What degree of professionalism that he woul�i be called as a from Mr. Donnelly concerning do they have a right to witness until that night. Fortner's relationship with the demand?" Mr. Donnelly asked. public, Bacon stated that he "Although it is hard tu, Upon rereading � his notes,. Constable Fortner realized that gets along with some parts of dismiss • a man from' his there were two major the public' and not -with others profession after 13 years of • discrepancies in his statement and that the general public was service we must protect the concerning the manner in against him when he went out: integrity of the courts and the which Constable Hills drove on a call. Sgt. Bacon could not administration of justice and away from the scene on The offer any reasons for the public protect the image of the flee back to the place and day and age? citizens, young and not -so- morn Square and the distance which being against Fortner but that police," he said. drudgery they just left. � So the parks' department has young. If everyone gives the "testimony' during the Hills trial Constable Fortner testified agyouth was dragged by the the situation simply existed, as Mr. Drake responded saying Why? Because it represents, hired a female employee. "Why Commission and Mrs. Haydon prompted a police in- that he was so upset by thesuch. that because of the very serious •events that tookplace that his- cruiser as he left. in a perverse sort of way, the Not?" • the encouragement and support vestigation ruise dbsequent charge of In his final summation Drake nature of the allegations due Sincerely, they e � neglect arose out ompson, police may once again receive Judge MacKenzie explained recollection of the incidents and Fortner's failure to point out has to demonstrate that For- to the fact that Constable Clinton. from the younger citizen's the that nder, the terms of the because of his unstable state he did not recognize that the the mistakes until the trial was tner knew his statements were Fortner is a police officer who respect and admiration we had charges under. the police act g in progress. Fortner was still false when he signed them and > has . served the town of Years ago for Chief Postlewaite there is no middle o the road, y. � and uncertain that he would be thus show neo Especially since the rules were portant part of their work P Commission, Constable For - based on superficial dif- nevertheless. Goderich Police Commission 1ksex-stereotypes) ferences (i a who sought the option under the trier told the court that he did ;in the first place. Police Act to have a county not realize there were Havinggrown up in Goderich judge hear the charges. discrepancies in his notes until Let's encourage thought and � g the night before he took the development that will help at a time when the town force Constable Fortner, a 13 year g people to fulfill their potential. was comprised of two officers veteran of the Goderich Police stand which was the first time Let's have 'more erilighten-, only, Chief Postlewaite and Mr. Force was, charged with five he read the notes since they Art Ross, ,I was astonished to major charges under the Police were written on the morning of meat. bet's step treating Susan J g • October 27. - � ,�� and others as oddities or "cute learn, from a letter written to Act by Police Chief P.D.. King young things". Let's not cling your paper some months ago by following the trial and acquittal He also admitted that as a to ideas or , prejudices from • the Chief of Police, that the of fellow constable John Hills, result of the discrepancies gone times. Those days are force has now increased to ten Constable Hills was charged coming to light in the cour- behind us, and I think if we are including the Chief, if my with unlawful use of a firearm troom, his credibility was . honest with ourselves, we have ., mathematics is correct, There and careless driving following destroyed. However Constable to admit that we would not like are factors, of course, which a confrontation between a Fortner reiterated that the to return to them. • have contributed- to the large group of young people on The discrepancies in his written Hopefully, in the future, the increase in numbers but I am Square early on the morning of statement . about ' Constable. Signal -Star will purge • the certain that the' problem October27. Hills shooting at a fleeing youth traces of surprise or curiosity, present by„being faced by thec Constable Fortner was and then driving off in a such as were evident in the Commission is one of them. r charged with two counts of careless manner that could story of the parks' department ,. deceit, two of . -discreditable have killed himself and a youth hiring its first female 'ern- The issue'of public image and conduct and one of neglect after who clung to the cruiser were ployee. How can we really be respect for the:police should be discrepancies between his honest mistakes made while -he surprised at this event, in this a matter of great concern to all written statement on the was very upset from the traumatic experience. sibility many in of October 27 and his P fl boring security that ,they choose since it is familiar, and is all they have ever known. Our papers, as com- municative media, have a s. Si 1 deserve, the Goderich In his concluding remarks emotional state hindered his of Constable told the court that the crown ,consideration should be given • Reginald Th Elsa's right distinct obligation to enlighten us -on .trends and 'modes -of -hf e. -....:Dear d • f h statements he was entering into deliberate Goderich for 13 years wand Mr; Ross and Hallowe'en', ` approach. If Constable Fortner his notebook were false. At that falsification of the statements. during that time/be has o instead of a nightmare, may be is found guilty on any one of the time he believed them to •be .called' as a ' witness despite "AG matter aof conscience good job, and ine/ that respect .._ _. .............. __..__. ..g .. _-..__._..-� :— _._.__-..-.., . _._ .. •. st � of being served a subponea on • • . _ -,- - --true- his emotional �_ _ _ . '_.__ k .. - - _ elected to should- iven_a�i opportunity - •-E rtor . such I make 'reference to your a time for fn as it is intended charges n could faccomple a to L. reprimand or complete that morning was something November 25, newspaper • "constable• Fortner h d h' publicity of the trial and point out his mistakes and bear to continue in that capacity. Instead of treating news as Susan Brunk's new oc- issue of March 27, 1975, which that had never happens to him P i i Drake • cupatiop as novelty, we should carried a front-page article on before. discussions with other mem- the embarrassment, view it as proagress a special meeting sponsored by — of the evidence' heti-r-epi • Yours truly, dismissal. ' - Colin M. Young. The ma'orit Don Mills brought forth at t e ria lsc bees of the'force to discuss his said: "He elected to tell the A good way for parents to Constable Fortner that his evidence with t e - Mr. Drake then . reiterated have a few minutes alone is to standards your reporter I •am rather disturbed by the the Police Commission where e ense performance to citizens were invited to offer notes , were `grossly lawyer. start doing the dishes. measure,Susan's •performance • r convict Constable • suggesti"ons as to how exaggerated overstatements Sergeant George Bacon of -the that o shefrom away shouldcandrove .,..:.::.; . Whyvandalism of how Hills ,::.. ) alitand ... .::::r:.:;::::.; ::.......... and'swtab yrowdyism - .. . ....r ....r r .................... ........... "cut grass like, a man"? How be curbed. the scene. Constable Fortner - .- � does a man cut ' grass? In the same article it was retorted that his notes were notr Shouldn't she • cut itthat Mrs. Elsa Haydon exaggerated overstatements ho juststated Y properly, with the skill of a had presented a (brief wherein but simply honest mistakes groundskeeper? she suggested that the police made while he was stills tilvery . And what is implied in the should try to . improve and - upset phrases "nothing seemed out of promote the positive side of the DEAR READERS "If you are that honestly the ordinary", ande t thatforce's image, stating that the " f 1 h stupid you are grossly in - Susan was all right"?: Just what police image and relations with want in competent,"' Mr. Donnelly is ``a woman's touch"? Does younger citizens • have a direct' lues of replied. one's gender actually go'vern effect on vandalism. 1 al Constable . Fortner told the the ability. to raise flowers or . • Mrs: Haydon, of course, is' OPP po g court that although he did not bake bread or decorate a completely right. She has home? brought the root of the problem h th will give nay bddok t ntil fivenhours after The crowning blow in the, to the, surface where it belongs he had given his statement to story was the last line:* and- I am 'sure that the Com- Despite the original. thinking mission will give her brief the that there is no room for a earnest consideration that it woman in the all male , deserves. Since the younger ' department, the general ; citizens are involved in - the ' ' consensus is after the job; has . problem they should also be been filled by a woman that she involved in the solution and . will be just one of the guys." should be . encouraged to Wow. She must feel some - present their views. By the honored, eh? The highest . same token the ,police, who are standard in the land — "one of also part of the problem, should the guys". It's 'too bad your be involved in the solution as - reporter was not able to well. ' restrain the urge to use that Those of us who have par - cute little play on words. But 'ticipated over -the years in naturally, such a finale was Scouting, Coaching sports, predictable from the tone of the Church, groups' and other youth whole article, which smacked oriented organizations are disgustingly of the con• deeply concerned about the' descension and' hick -town indifferent and negative at - smugness for which many titude toward the younger weekly.papers are notorious. citizens that is , so prevalent We have 'come to expect far among the police today. better things of the+Signal-Star. Young people are a very Ten lashes with a typewriter important part of every! ribbon for whoever dashed off community. They relate ,very ,. this smarty bit of back -patting. quickly to those who take the The only decent line was this:, trouble to know and understand • "She did not take on the job to them and they react just as' break down any barriers or' to quickly to those .who are in - prove that a .woman can cut different where their, interests grass like a'' man.: She just are concerned. But to gain the didn't like her previous job and respect of a teenager you must she left:'"" first of all earn it. So it falls on Well, I say, "Good for her!" the police to ,earn .the respect She has a very truthful, n- that they should have, in fact' complicated outlook on herself must have, if the effectiveness • the way of police protection.We must ask our- selves about the real"va licin versus.municip policing. Maybe another column another time opportunity to explore ' this fascinating subject. N. (-continued from page 2) 1974,an OPP constable's salary was $13,356 while the salary ofa Goderich constable was $12,500. A Goderich police sergeant at that time was making less than an OPP constable - $13,100. The Goderich Police Chief was making more than an OPP Corporal, however $16,500 to $14,779. But . it makes interesting conversation to do some -simple mathematics. Goderich police salaries totalled $117,700 for a staff of nine. A staff on nine OPP officers would,„ cost $121,627. All these ' are 1974 figures, mind you. The savings, if • there are savings, 'quite obviously are not in salaries to police officers! • And here's another in- teresting point. If Goderich Township was . paying for policing, OPP estimates the • service would presently cost $27,078; in Colborne, $17,895; in Ashfield, $22,008. - - • .Mr. Bell described this as a "free service" to these -municipalities ... paid for out of provincial government funds! + -1- -t- North Ashfield to close doors lune 30 On recommendation of the this position could be incfnded education and management on the South Huron staff in lieu , conimittee, ,Huron -County of a secretarial staff .5 teachers. board of education members Asked about procedures used Monday afternoon agreed to by other boards; Cochrane close the North Ashfield public replied, "There are as many school effective June 30 of this systemsasschool boards." year. The only high schools in the Pupils' who would normally. ' county presently having this attend the Ashfield school for audio visual technician service and after the 1975-76 term will are at Exeter' and Wingham. be enrolled at Brookside public The South Huron brief had school, a distance of about 12 suggested the technician • miles. - service be extended to include all secondary schools and the Trustee Marian Zinn, while in 'favour of the move, suggested Summing it all up - and I am ratepayers in the area should by no stretch of the imagination be given a say in disposition of an expert of any degree on the . the school property. subject - the decision con- In answer to a question of cerning policing cannot be- getting any opposition to the according to costs alone. proposed move, Mrs. Zinn said, must decide What we "No. . It's • . been taken for granted. But, the.sehool is only 14 •years old and I ' think' ratepayers should have a say about its disposal.". She - was assured by vice- request by chairman Herb Turkheim that Wingham Rrboard eber Jack an Ontario Select Committee .Alexander that a poll be taken has suggested' meetings of this type before closed schools are at E.E. Madill secondary disposed of, , - s-c-hool to consider the possibility of establishing a music program in the school. Director Cochrane will be in- vestigating. Trustee Alex Corrigan said a similar req est two years ago failed to sl bw enough interested students. + Learned . arrangements have been made for a special meeting at the Exeter public made We •••.••••••01••••'••••••••••••••••••`••••••i••••••••• AINSLIE MARKET LIMITED Short Rib Roast LB. 77t Boneless Pot Roast L. 77c HOME-MADE Head Cheese $8t FRESH WHOLE 'OR HALF Ham Roasts of Pork c STEAKETTE STYL - FRESH Minute Steak s L13.19c • FREEZER - SPECIAL Sides of Pork CUT FREE ' LB. c placing of a technician at Central Huron in Clinton in- stead - of the board's ad ministration office. In other business, the board-: +Approved a swimming program at the Vanastra pool for 30, grade 4 students from Hullett Central school: Similar programs are being operated by Huron Centennial and • Clinton public schools: . To Hire Technician After considerable discussion, the board decided to hire an audio visual technician for the media centre located at the board's offices in Clinton and not replace a retiring technician at South Huron High School in Exeter. ' • Ken Bridges, who has been the 'au io visual technician at school on Wednesday, April 23. The Bayfield-Ausable and South uron since before the . Maitland Valley Conservation creation of the county board, Authorities will be presenting wishes to retire. their "Lands for Learning" f from SH- program, In an earlier brie DHS, it was stated Mr. Bridges would continue for another year if no solution to the staff of the Exeter school could be reached. The board will allow South. Huron to hire a, para- professional or teacher's aid to fill the position. Director of education, la J. Cochrane, said a person to fill 4 Procedures to be used by principals who wish to have classes visit Authority properties will be outlined. At the conclusion, Exeter . principal James Chapman will conduct members of the board on a tour indicating the recently expanded facilities and describing further changes which are planned. • ti Huron Co'unty's newest citizens gathered Tuesday night'for an I.O.P.E. social after citizenship, court where they took the Canadian oath of allegiance. They are (left,to right,- top to bottom) Mrs. Jelte Burns, Mrs. Maria Raymond; Mrs. Arlene Whiteman, Mr. Stanley Whiteman, Mrs. Clurolyn Snell, Mrs'. Tryntje Verhulst, Mr. Jaco. us Verhulst, Mrs. Elisabeth Rosenberg, Mr, Manaus Rosenberg, Mrs. Linda Edward,,Mrs. ier`ina Bartolotto, Mr. Armando Bartolotto, Mr. Johannes DeJong, Mrs. Denise Bilcice, Mrs. Maria Plasschaert, Mr, Sylveer Bilcke and . Mr. 'Albert Plasschaert. Not available for photo Mrs. Dorothy McNeil and Mr. Wolfgang Schedler. (staff -photo) " ew citizens welcomed Judge Frances Carter gave 19 deople the oath of allegiance Tuesday night in the Huron County courthouse making thein all Canadian citizens. The people represented seven different 'nationalities prior to taking the Canadian oath originating from Germany, Italy, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium; Por- tugal and Denmark. Representatives of Goderich, Huron County and the. Royal Canadian Mounted Police were at the ceremony welcoming the new citizens. Mayor Deb,, Shewfelt of ' Goderich and Warden Anson McKinley of- ficially congratulated- the 474 .,, people on behalf of their -con- stituents. The traditional red tunic of the RCMP was worn by Constable Pat Whalen. Witnesses in the 'courtroom included a contingent of cubs and girl guides and several members of ' the I.O.D.E. A reception sponsored by the women's group followed the ceremony. 5'