HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-11-11, Page 211
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2 News Record • Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Vandergunst convictions a 'non -
issue' for Radars executive
Laura Broadley
Clinton News Record
Clinton Radars president,
Steve Campbell, said the fact
that one of its players has been
convicted on two counts of sex-
ual assault is a "non -issue':
Mitch Vandergunst, a
defenseman on the Radars, was
convicted on two counts of sex-
ual assault in Oct. 2014. He was
subsequently sentenced to one
year in jail but is currently in the
process of appealing both
convictions.
The London Free Press
reported that in July 2013 Van-
dergunst, a woman and the
woman's boyfriend spent a
night drinking in a Grand Bend
bar. Vandergunst groped the
woman on a cab ride to Exeter.
After arriving at the boyfriend's
home, Vandergunst entered
her room and had unwanted
sexual intercourse with her,
court heard.
Justice George Brophy said
he had to consider the psy-
chological harm to the victim
and the fact that having sex
with an unwilling person is an
act of violence, the Free Press
reported. Vandergunst was
subsequently let go from the
Stratford Cullitons.
Campbell said he wasn't
aware of Vandergunst's con-
victions prior to him being
added to the roster.
Campbell reiterated that he
doesn't condone sexual assault
in any way but doesn't want to
make decisions before the
courts have had a chance to
make its final ruling. He said
after the appeal process is com-
plete the matter will be dealt
with accordingly either way.
In an email to the News
Record Vandergunst's lawyer,
Mark Halfyard, said. Vander-
gunst was upfront with Radars
executive about his convic-
tions and that the Radars had
been pursuing him to play for
the team.
"Mr. Vandergunst indicates
that the [Radars] had been pur-
suing him to play for the team
since he was released from Cul-
litons. Talks went on
through last winter, this spring
and the summer; Halfyard said.
Radars manager Nate Bums
said Vandergunst was upfront
about his convictions but that
the Radars did not pursue Van-
dergunst to be on its roster.
Instead it was Vandergunst that
approached the team, Burns
said.
Vandergunst decided to con-
tinue to play hockey because it
is his career and is "no different
Clinton
CAREGIVER
SUPPORT
GROUP
Family Health Team
ARE YOU A CAREGIVER DEALING WITH STRESS?
The Clinton Family Health Team
is offering a Caregiver Support
Group for people who are caring
for a spouse or family member who
has chronic care needs. Caring
for another person can be very
challenging and stressful.
Please join us in a safe, confidential
environment that will provide you
with an opportunity to gain and
share information, find and receive
-tib emotional support and
.,,1i' learn new coping skills.
To register
or for more information,
please call
Danielle Johnston at
(519) 482- 3000.
DATES:
Tuesday
November 24
December 1
December 8
December 15
January 5 and
January 12.
PLACE:
Lower Level,
Clinton
Medical Centre
YOU ARE
NOT ALONE!
Laura Broadley Clinton News Record
Mitch Vandergunst, 21, was convicted on two counts of sexual
assault in Oct. 2014. He was let go from the Stratford Cullitons
as a result of his convictions but has been playing for the Clinton
Radars.
[than] anyone working while
[their] matters are before the
court of they are released on
bail"
The Free Press reported that
the woman, whose identity is
protected by a court order, said
she feels ashamed, has trouble
getting out of bed and no longer
feels safe.
°[Vandergunst] continues to
nwmo
NUCLEAR WASTE
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIZATION
maintain his innocence and
looks forward to the Court
reviewing the correctness of his
convictions in the near future,"
Halfyard said.
Central Huron Mayor Jim
Ginn said having a player con-
victed of sexual assault on the
Clinton team "doesn't look
good" but that he has faith in
the court system.
SOCIETE DE GESTION
DES DECHETS
NUCLEAIRES
Perpetual sick leave a part
of EFTO tentative deal with
province and school board
Laura Broadley
Clinton News Record
The Elementary Teachers'
Federation of Ontario has
reached a tentative agree-
ment with the Ontario Pub-
lic School Boards' Associa-
tion and the provincial
government but with a con-
troversial clause allowing
perpetual sick leave.
Right now teachers get 11
days of sick leave at 100 per
cent of pay and 120 days of
90 per cent but when that
expires they are required to
return to work for at least
one day before starting the
process over again. The new
clause will allow 131 days of
sick leave with the process
starting immediately once
that cycle ends.
It is estimated that it
would cost school boards
$10 million in teacher salary
if the clause makes it
through.
The tentative agreement
ended the work -to -rules
campaigns that have been in
effect since last year. Sports
and other clubs were under
threat last week.
"[EFTO members] are
pleased that there is a tenta-
tive settlement," Kent Cle-
land, president of the Avon
NWMO Learn More Centre
The Municipality of Central Huron is one of several
communities in the early stages of learning about Adaptive
Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe,
long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear
Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively
with the community to advance preliminary assessment
studies.
If you would like to learn about APM, meet NWMO staff,
ask questions or offer your thoughts, please drop in to the
NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Clinton.
Everyone is welcome.
Maitland Teachers' Local,
said in a phone interview
In a press release, EFTO
president Sam Hammond
said the federation believes
the tentative agreement is
"fair and meets the needs of
our members"; noting the
process has been a long one.
"I believe it's been excep-
tionally lengthy because
there were periods of time
when the Ontario Public
School Boards' Association
and the Ontario govern-
ment weren't willing to
come to the bargaining
table and bargain with our
provincial team," Cleland
said.
An EFTO all -member
vote is expected in mid-
November regarding the
tentative agreement. Until
then very few details are
being released.
"It is tentative so it has to
remain in house until
members have a chance to
review all the documenta-
tion and then vote," Cleland
said.
The Toronto Sun
reported the EFTO deal
included pay hikes similar
to those given to the
Ontario English Catholic
Teachers' Association and
Ontario Secondary School
Teachers' Federation.
clintonnewsrecord.com
NWMO Learn More Centre
(Central Huron)
38 Albert Street, Clinton ON
519.386.6711
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