Times Advocate, 1999-12-22, Page 63Wednesday, December 22, 1999
Exeter Ti'mes-Advocate
61
News
Huron OPP takes over Exeter detachment on Jan. 1
By Craig Bradford
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Exeter OPP
officers will have a new
boss as of Jan. 1, 2000.
The Huron OPP will
assume the administra-
tion duties for the Exeter
OPP at that time, taking
over for the London OPP.
The announcement was
made by London OPP
detachment commander
Karen Moffatt at the
recent Exeter Police
Services Board meeting.
The takeover was origi-
nally announced by the
Times -Advocate last
August.
Based out of the
Goderich OPP detach-
ment, the Huron OPP had
been responsible for
South Huron's (Exeter,
Hensall, Zurich, part of
Grand Bend, Dashwood,
St. Joseph and Stephen,
Hay and Usborne town-
ships) policing adminis-
tration before the London
OPP took over about two
years ago.
The responsibility was
shifted to London when
the Mount Forest OPP,
who handled the Huron,
Perth, Bruce, Grey and
Sorry to see you go. The Exeter Police Services Board said goodbye to London
OPP commanding officer Karen Moffatt, second from right, at last week's meeting
since the Huron OPP will take over the. administration duties for the LCxeter OPP
detachment on Jan. I. from left are board member Jerry Downie, secretary
Marlene Taylor, Mayor Ben Hoogenboom and at far right is board chairperson Dan
Meidinger. (photo/Craig Bradford)
Wellington OPP commu-
nications, became over-
loaded.
The London OPP helped
lessen Mount Forest's
load by taking over the
South Huron policing
administration. Mount
Forest will now take back
the communications
duties for the region.
Moffatt said there will
be no noticeable differ-
ence for the average citi-
zen in police service after
the Huron OPP takes over
and the same 14 officers
who report to the Exeter
OPP will continue to do
so.
"Police service as it is
now will remain the
same," Moffatt said. "The
only change is on paper."
The London OPP will
continue to service the
Lucan Biddulph area.
Huron OPP Staff Sgt.
Gary Martin will become
the area's commanding
officer and Exeter OPP
Const. Brad Sadler will be
the liaison officer
between Exeter and
Goderich.
Moffatt said Sadler will
work Mondays to Fridays
with the aim of being
more accessible. '
Martin, 52, echoed
Moffatt's take an the
takeover.
"Most of our detach-
ments operate in a simi-
lar fashion," he said. "I
don't expect you'll see
any discernible change."
One area the Huron
OPP will focus on
throughout the county is
drug prevention and
enforcement in schools.
Martin said officers will
be assigned to the task
and the OPP will be more
visible in Huron's schools.
"It's a significant prob-
lem that results in other
crimes like theft to sup-
port the habit," he said.
Martin, ,a 30 year veter-
an with the OPP, came to
the Huron OPP and the
Goderich detachment last
April after five years with
the London OPP.
He spent '88-94 with
the Tillsonburg OPP and
had stops at Kincardine,
Goderich (five years),
Minaki (White Dog Native
Reserve near Kenora)
and Whitby before that.
Martin is married with
two grown children.
He will be introduced to
the Exeter PSB at its next
meeting scheduled for
sometime in early
January.
At her last Exeter PSB
meeting, Moffatt thanked
the board for a "produc-
tive" two year partner-
ship. She said all issues
brought to the board
were addressed.
Moffatt also thanked the
Exeter OPP staff who she
will miss.
Outgoing Exeter PSB
chairperson Dan
Meidinger in turn
thanked Moffatt for her
efforts.
"You'll be a tough act to
follow," he said.
Incoming Exeter PSB
chairperson Jerry
Downie said Moffatt and
her London OPP col-
leagues improved upon
the service the Huron
OPP had offered before
them.
"Exeter has definitely
been the winner with
you," Downie said.
Moffatt assured the
board Martin, Sadler and
the Huron OPP would
continue the high level of
excellence.
Feeding the community
Hensall Public School students raised $ 100 through a raffle and used the proceeds to buy food for the Exeter
food bank. McTaggart's Food Market contributed $50 in products to the cause. From left, students Jane
Simmons, Jeremy Thompson and Amber Kehn and grocery store owner Ron McTaggart have the grocery cart
loaded and ready to go last Friday. At Thanksgiving, the students had a food drive for the Zurich food bank.
(photo/Kate Monk)
POLICE BRIEFS • POLICE BRIEFS
Girl charged for break-in
EXETER — A 15 -year-old Hensall girl is charged in
connection with a break-in at an apartment on Simcoe
St. in Exeter.
Eighty CDs were stolen in the crime, London OPP
Const. Doug Graham said.
Christmas Candle
By Karly Bryson, Gr. 2
Exeter Public School
C is for Christmas
A is for angel
N is for needles
D isforDec.25
L is for lemon
E is for evergreen
Santa Claus
By Brittany Holmes, Gr.
3
Exeter Public School
Santa
Black belt
Rides in sleigh
Red hat
Father Christmas
Rev. Vernon Dean
A Point
to Ponder
Twas the fight before Christmas and all
through the house,
Not a creature was peaceful, not even my
spouse,
The bills were strung out on the table with dread,
In hopes that our checkbook would not be in the
red.
The children were fussing and throwing a fit,
When Billy came screaming, and cried, "I've been
bit!"
And Mamma with her skillet and I with the remote
She said, 'Change one more channel, and I'll grab
your throat!"
When on the TV there arose such a clatter,
I sat up on the couch to see what was the matter.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The cable was out - it vies -my worst fear.
The 49ers! The Giants! The Sharks! and the
Warriors!
Without the sports channel, I'd soon need a fix.
And then in the midst of my grievous sorrow,
I remembered the times I had promised,
"Tomorrow.
Not now my children, but at some soon time,
Dad will play with you, and things will be fine."
Now under conviction, I looked at my wife.
Where was my kindness? Why all the strife?
My heart quickly softened, I now saw my task -
Some love and attention was all that they asked.
I gathered my family and called them byname,
And told them with God's help I'd not be the same.
We'll keep Christ in Christmas and honour His plan,
No more fights before Christmas, on that we will
stand!
My children's eyes twinkled; they squealed with
delight.
My wife gladly nodded; she knew I was right.
It was the fight before Christmas, but God's love
had come through.
And just like He does, He makes all things brand
new.
Merry Christmas and God Bless you!
(passed on by Pastor David Calcagno in
Cal(fornia)
.r-