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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-06-13, Page 3ENTIRE SUMMER INVENTORY � ISI r'1 '"ING e ■ v Vl�VL�11 V1G CLOTHES BY... • OCEAN PACIFIC • NIKE •CONTEN ENTAL PANTS p‘-uS vQ �o 5 OFF SELECTED MERCHANDISE 4URy iWTcwNi WHILEOME SAVINGS ARE *0 • (Boys & Girls sizes 7-16) Linda's Pre Teen Scene BOYS' & GIRLS' WEAR BRUSSELS m 887-6214 OPEN: MONDAY SATURDAY - 9:30 A.M. -5:OO P.M. The f' i tghain A4vancetTimeo 4iint,.1 T CONFRONTATION—Harris Stewart of Fordwich threatened offi- cials with a pitchfork when they came to enforce Howick Town- ship's Property Standards Bylaw by taking down a dead tree and an old shed. He was subdued by police officers. (Photo by Stephan Kleiser) Police subdue elderly man, as Howick cleans up property FORDWICH—Last week work- ers executed an order from Howick Townshipto enforce its Property Standards Bylaw against the Harris Stewart property in Fordwich. It was not an easy task. Officials from Howick Township, workers from the Huron County Road Department, and three offi- cers from the Wingham detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police assembled at 9 a.m. Thursday to take down a dead tree and an old shed on Mr. Stewart's property. Police attempted to talk to Mr. Stewart but he refused to answer the door. When workers moved in to do the job he came running out of the building brandishing a pitch- fork and shouting at the officers who then were obliged to subdue him. Mr. Stewart was handcuffed and put into the cruiser by two officers who were instructed to calm him down and return him to his home later. Sgt. Greg King and Constables Dennis Thompson and Carl Ricker said it was a regrettable incident. They said they felt uneasy subdu- ing the elderly man but said it is their job to prevent a breach of the peace. "There were three of us to make sure we could control the situation without having to resort to more stringent measures," said Sgt. King. "One officer would have had to use much more force and we wanted to make sure no one would get hurt." Mr. Stewart told police he want, ed to keep the wood from the tree and the old shed and his wish was granted. After the demolition was completed all wood was left in Mr. Stewart's yard. He was returned to his home after police talked to him. Later that morning Mr. Stewart was observed sorting through the wood workers had left for him. Officers told this paper they will not charge Mr. Stewart. However, Building Official Wray Wilson said Mr. Stewart will be billed for the cost of the demolition, and failure to pay will result in the cost being added to his flax bill. COMPLAINTS Neighbors first complained to the township about Mr. Stewart's prop- erty over two years ago. At that time attempts were made to cut down the dead tree on the county's road allowance, but Mr. Stewart threatened workers with a pitch- fork and scared them off his prop- erty. The issue was not resolved at the time and after repeated complaints from neighbors, the township last year renewed its attempts to com- municate with Mr. Stewart. Since he does not have a. telephone, ` gis- tered letters were sent to inform. him the dead tree and the old shed were in violation of the bylaw, but he never replied. After months of attempts to com- municate with Mr. Stewart in per- son or by mail proved fruitless, Howick Township Council gave its building official, Wray Wilson, per- mission to proceed against Mr. Stewart under the Property Stan- dards Bylaw. ONLOOKERS Alerted by the commotion and the noise of the chainsaws villagers assembled to observe. Some were pleased to see something was being done about the unsightly tree and dangerous shed, while others were shocked to see thetownship invade a citizen's private yard. There were also concerns about Mr. Stewart's reaction after his release by police. He is known to do unusual things such as jump into someone else's car to hitchhike to Gorrie or Harriston. Most Ford- wich residents are aware of this strange behaviour and lock their cars upon discovering Mr. Stewart standing on a street corner. He is also described as 'some- what of a hermit' who never talks to anybody. "When I see him on the street I usually say hello," said one women, "but he never answers." Mr. Stewart was also described as an intelligent fellow who finished in the top of his class in school, who worked hard all his life but became very withdrawn after the death of his mother. He has neither hydro nor a tele- phone and bystanders said they couldn't remember the last time they saw as much as candlelight in the house. And while he is not described as a dangerous man, there is some concern about his reaction as peo- ple feel there is no telling what he will do. It was reported on one occasion he had threatened postmaster Nel- lie Allan with a board. Others, however, described Mr. Stewart as a harmless eccentric who only acts up when he feels both- ered, and the officers who spent some time talking to Mr. Stewart agreed, saying he is just a disturbed man. Turnberry building permits Turnberry council approved three building permits at the first monthly meeting for: Doug Filsinger, south part of Lot 1, Con. 2, a grain -drying bin; Bill Stacey, Lower Town, a storage shed and erald Benxtirtggra .fit.ite. Can. a mobile home. ALL MEN'S 0 0 . Frx N � 1 -i+ 2 b JACKETS & 2 xfw w SWEATERS OFF ' MEN'S FLEECE nno, ACTIVE WEAR /0 off Hours: Daily 9-5:30 Friday till 9 pm NEW STX LAWN TRACTOR FROM JOHN DEERE • `r. ¶I JDNM DEEgE ffI 1):f+ri STX30 Lawn Tractor Starting at STX38 lawn Tractor John Deere's new STX suburban lawn tractor looks and feels right at home on your lawn. Built with an overhead valve engine and tight turning radius, the STX lawn tractor has enough power and manueverability to get you through thick and thin. And you can get an STX with John Deere quality at a price you can afford. Come see our complete line of STX lawn tractors today. •EXETER•i. • HWY NO. 4, N. (519) 235.1115 Erian Meiurny, 33 Lawn &Garden CENTRE (A Division. Of Huron Tratbtory 5.- Mon. thru FrL 8 to. • Saturday 8 to 3 • RLYTH - HWY NO 4', i s• 0019) 523.4244. 3761. Tom Paliard, 5234310