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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-01, Page 2Page 2-CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 19.87 Larry Walsh gets jail term... • from page 1 Judge Hunter, but before doing so, he read one from Elizabeth Battye, a Blyth Public School teacher. In her letter, Mrs. Battye said Mr. Walsh put in more hours than was needed, ironed out many problems, and whenever there was a problem, he was quick to respond: Compulsitle Gambling Tibor Barsony, Executive Director of the Canadian Foundation On Compulsive Gambling, was Mr. Smith's third witness. When he was asked if Mr. Walsh fell into the compulsive gambling category, Mr. Barsony's answer was "absolutely, definitely, unquestionably." Mr. Barsony described compulsive gambling as a ."progressive and over- riding urge to gamble. At first he fails to resist r gambling) and then he can't resist. "They make a conscious attempt to return or repay the money. A compulsive gambler involves more people than any other addict." Mr. Barsony first met Mr. Walsh in ear- ly June, 1986 at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Since then he has met and con- sulted with him six times. He believes that Mr. Walsh developed the personality/of a compulsive gambler between the ages of six and eight. "At an early age, you can have the per- sonality Pattern and then it progesses. All the features, the thought behind it and the way he conducted his life were there," said Mr. Barsony. He told the court that the illness was in- curable, "'but very successfully treatable." Fur long term treatment, "Gamblers Anonymous can successfully control the illness like insulin controls diabetes." As for the success rate, Mr. Barsony says that's a tricky question, noting,"We usually say 100 per cent for those who want it... In Mr. Walsh's case, Mr. Barsony believes the program will work. -When we first met I detected a higher level of honesty and desire for help than usual.,' Mr. Barsony said part of his belief in Mr. Walsh came when they first met and :Vlr. \Valsh told hire he was going to beat this problem "regardless what...,' -With that determination and that will- ingness his recovery will be a success," concluded Mr. Barsony. Harvey S., a '19 year member of Gamblers Anonymous (his last name can not be given because of Gamblers Anonymous regulations), travelled to Wingham from Toronto to testify on behalf of Mr. Walsh. He has known Mr. Walsh since last June and says he is "one sof many sponsors of Larry.,I He also said Mr. Walsh is a very active member in the group sessions which he attends each Sunday night in Toronto. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe Larry deserves a second chance," Mr. S. said. "Larry goes to every Sunday night meeting without fail, and Barb, his wife, goes too and that's in his favor." Questioning Mr. S.'s remark that Mr. Walsh deserves a second chance, Mr. Carey asked if he was aware of the fact that he was already on his second chance. Mr. S. answered with a simple, "Yes I do." Mr. S. further noted, "There is no jury out on ,Larry as far as I'm concerned. Larry has a 100 per cent chance of recovery." Making the trip to Wingham with Mr. S. were two other members of the Gamblers Anonymous group. Also in the court room were Mr. Walsh's wife, daughter and mother-in-law. In Mr. Smith's summation, he said, "We can't hide from the fact that there was a breach of trust in a very important posi- tion, but he didn't hide..." He went on to say that Mr. Walsh has re- mained in the community. He has joined Gamblers Anonymous and is helping to set up a chapter in London, and is said to con- tribute to sessions as a member with several years standing would. Mr. Smith told the court that last fall Mr. Walsh and his wife took on the job of operating the concession booth in the Blyth arena, "and that puts him in the foreground of the community." Mr. Smith said that Mr. Walsh has a price to pay to the village, explaining, "In one year or 15 years, when Larry walks down the street, people will say, 'There goes Larry Walsh, the man who stole from the village.' " The assistant crown prosecutor in his summation said, This is not the first A CaII to Action on Primary Education Attention all teachers, principals, vice -principals, administrators, board members, parents, arjd interested persons. You are invited to a PUBLIC MEETING on Early Primary Education Guest Speaker: Fran Poleschuk Director - Early Primary Education Project Place Clinton Public School Time:41:00 p.m. Date. Monday, April 6, 1987 Sponsored by Federation of Women Teachers' Associations of Ontario and Huron Women Teachers' Association vYr „ A "( lig P-14-7444 1000 \iG/i„iii: ` #.17%-,4,;4' d, 11' Ire rl I,��ri,dy' II '1,f''. offence." . He went on to explain that Mr. Walsh has held three jobs were theft could have oc- curred and he has taken advantage of the situation twice. "He didn't at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce but he did at the Royal Trust in Toronto (convicted in 1973) and at the Village of Blyth," he said. "He has tried to reform only after discovery. If not for that discovery, there is doubt he would' have." As for his motive of involvement in the community, Mr. Carey said he believes Mr. Walsh had some genuine interest as well as wanting to create a vision of "goodness when there was not goodness at the village office." Finally, Mr. Carey said, "The only feasi- ble alternative is a term of incarceration. This case cries out for it." He said the court needed to protect the public's interest, provide a general deter- rent and reflect the breach of trust. "When pillars of the community fall, and fall to this level, there is a need for a deter- rent," said Mr. Carey. Before Judge Hunter handed down the sentence, Mr. Walsh was asked if he had anything to say. Mr. Walsh's voice trembled as he apologized to the village, the reeve and councillors for all the extra work and discredit he had caused. He thanked Gamblers Anonymous and members of his family for their support, and noted, "I hope with their support this will be the last time you see me in court." 18 Month Incarceration Weighing everything he had heard, Judge Hunter said he had to take into con- sideration the fact that Mr. Walsh was con- victed of fraud in 1973 for "a sizeable amount of money" and was jailed for 12 months. In this most recent case, the village has been reimbursed by the bonding company, "but sooner or later that amount will wind its way down to various municipalities and the people on the street will have to pay," Judge Hunter said. "And it's fair to say that restitution is out of the question." Judge Hunter agreed with the assistant crown prosecutor about a general deter- rent being needed because of Mr. Walsh's breach of trust and the need to protect the public. However, on the other side of the coin, "It is clear you have a gambling problem and that is recognized as an illness." The fact that Mr. Walsh has taken steps to rehabilitate himself brought mixed reactions from Judge Hunter who said, "The courts can't help but be suspicious of steps such as these taken (during the time of the charge and conviction ), but I have to credit you for that." Other facts that the judge considered were the large degree of support from the village and his age. "I have to consider your age (46), the prospect of you getting out and getting your life hack together," Judge Hunter said. Judge Hunter sentenced Mr. Walsh to 18 months in jail and two years probation thereafter. Terms of the probation are to keep the peace and receive counselling as his probation officer directs. For Complete Lawn & Garden Maintenance... See Us! Residential and Commercial PROFESSIONAL ON -THE -SPOT LANDSCAPE DESIGNING *Complete landscape materials * Lawn seeding and sodding *Weeding flowerbeds and preparing beds for plants * Rotortilling gardens * Grass mowing and trimming, 18 in. mower to 5 ft. mower * Pruning all types of trees and shrubs and all necessary tree care * Dethatching lawns * All general lawn and garden clean-up A few local merchants, Carol Wammes (left), owner of Mary's Sewing Centre and Diane Ryan (centre), manager of Vanastra Factory Outlet were at the introductory meeting of the Creative Needle Craft Club at Goderich Township Hall on March 24 to display their fabrics. Also pictured is the club president, Audrey. Middleton. (David Ems.lie photo) Creative Needle Club starts HOLMESVILLE - Sewers take note, the Creative Needle Club has arrived. For a long time many have yearned for sewing news and publications more closely connected to Canada and hardly dared dream of it being Ontario based. The Creative Needle Club was begun in London one year ago and grew in size and enthusiasm so that now five branch clubs have just started in Owen Sound, St. Thomas, Port Colborne, Innerkip and Clinton. So what is a Creative Needle Club? It is committed to being an organization that encourages creativity and generates enthusiasm for the art of sewing - a club to elevate and strengthen the position of the sewing community. A free information night was held Tues- day March 24 at Goderich Township Hall with 25 ladies in attendance. President Audrey Middleton explained how the Creative Needle Club would provide a network of communication and skills amongst sewers. Thanks to the local business, Pete's TV, the ladies enjoyed video presentations from the Butterick Company on the making of a commercial pattern plus. Fashion and Fabrics 1987. • Diane Ryan of Vanastra Factory Outlet and her staff presented fabrics and fashions from .their store, while Carol Wammes, owner of Mary's Sewing Centre, presented fabrics and new notions. These showings brought everyone up-to-date on the latest aids in sewing. There will be 10 meetings a year. In Clin- ton's case, July and December months will be skipped. Everyone is welcome to come to the meetings, the inexperienced or experienced sewers, as guests or as members. A fabric shopping bus trip was discussed and a suitable date was difficult to find. Please note: since the meeting organi-ers have taken the liberty to set another date - that of April 15 to Cambridge, Paris"and Kit- chener areas. The next and first official meeting will be held April 28 at the Goderich Township Hall. At this meeting two of the owners of the Lon- don club will demonstrate chartered embroidery. Rotary member shares experiences CLINTON - The March 24 meeting for the Zeta Omega Phi sorority was held at the home of Janice Rose. The guest speaker, Tim Jewson, shared with the members his experiences while on a two month Rotary Exchange to India in early 1986. The business portion of the evening began with the roll call question: "What was the most unusual thing you did during the March Break this year or any other year?" Final arrangements and plans were made for the April 7 Fashion Show at Goderich Township Hall. Members were asked to in- dicate whether they planned to participate in the Mother's Day Brunch on May 9 and they were reminded about the Progressive Dinner on May 30. The evening ended with elections for next year's executive and an "Indian" dessert made by Janice. The next meeting is the Fashion Show, April 7, followed by the April 21 meeting at Kathy Chambers'. WEEKLY WEATHER 1987 1986 HI LO HI LO March 24 19 2 2 -6 25 16 7 17 -1 26 10 4 16 5 27 9 4 3 28 11 5 14 29 20 4 21 30 12 2 Rain 26 mm Snow 6 cm 0 -3 6 22 4 Rain 6mm ANOTHER WINNER! *FREE ESTIMATES O AU; CARE SERVICE ' 6/"FARN4c,,, GARDPI CENTER. Hwy. 8, 1 mile E st of Goderich 524-9522 ABOVE: Hope Lobb of Clinton was this week' lucky winner of a $50. Grocery Gift Certificate. Hope accepts the certificate from Aaron Bensette of Kuenzig Food Market. COME IN AND PLAY TODAY! YOU COULD BE OUR NEXT WINNER. "Your Kttechter Associate Store''° eLINTON {