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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1988-02-23, Page 4• -Plabrilibeik at , id Wenger/ PTCsident obert Ailukith3ri Editor 0 Meartber---Canadiali 0404KalitY Neata.PaPerAssoc.' .414: Ontario Conity Newspaper ASSOC. - Subscriptions $21.00 per year Six months #* • ' $23.00 beyond 40 -mile zone Second Class Mail Registration No.0021 Return postage guaranteed c n Serious flaws The disappearance on the weekend of yet another convict from a Toronto halfway house underlines the absolute urgency for major changes in the laws governing early release and parole from Canada's prisons: In the past few weeks, four such disappearances have occurred and in one, the escapee has been charged with the murder of a young woman who -lived just blocks away from the halfway house to which he had been released. Law abiding residents should not be criticized for their concern nor for expressing their anger to those in authority who are responsible for granting early release. Who, but the most liberal among us, can blame them? In each case the prisoner had been considered dangerous. As it often appears of late, the penal system, if it is to err at all, almost always errs in favor of the inmate and at the complete risk of the general public. The pendulum of justice, in order to appear protective of the accused - convict -parolee, has swung too far toward the opposite extreme. Rather than spend too much time looking for a direction. in which to point the finger of blame for the most recent escapes — and there is no other word to describe the • disappearance of a prisoner paroled to a halfway house • authorities should move swiftly to change the laws on early release and parole to assure a nervous population that our neighborhoods are reasonably safe trom_such_ • c..,ngerous - -- Police, in most cases, are in favor of the halfway house system for the early release of prisoners serving sentences for non-violent crimes, but strongly oppose such a release system for those serving sentences for violent crimes and who still are considered dangerous. More stringent supervision is ,required for these individuals than currently provided by most halfway houses, police feel. We agree with that opinion. Perhaps some of the problem rests in the privatization of halfway houses which are now operated by boards — in most cases/ of volunteers whose budgetary concerns sometimes lead to the hiring of borderline or less -than - qualified staff to run the programs. If so, then it is time for the solicitor general's department to introduce tighter legislation governing the halfway house programs and personnel. We Canadians have a right to know that people sen- tenced to prison for violent crimes and still considered likely to be dangerous have not been provided with the opportunity to walk away from a halfway house in our neighborhood to continue their attack on society. On casting stones What a difference a year makes! On Sunday, television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart — who just a year ago scathingly denounced a fellow evangelist for committing adultery — tearfully stepped down from his pulpit after admitting he, too, had sinned. Reported to have been 'photographed with a prostitute, Mr. Swaggart told his congregation he did not plan "In any way to whitewash my sin or call it a mistake ... -1 call it a sin." - ' Although church officials have said the eliangellst has shown "true humility" and that the door is open for him to remain in the ministry, should Mr. Swaggart fairly expect any different outcome than that of Jim Bakker, the »feil�w Assemblies of God evangelist he denounced last year?,Mr. Swaggart says he is leaving his fate in the hands of the Lord. Perhaps he should have done the same with that of Mr. Bakker. Adding to the irony, when he was asked -to comment on the latest development/ Mr. Bakker saki I»UffIe more than his heart goes out to Mr. Swaggart and his family. Perhaps Mr. Swaggart, who combined his singing and piano playing with old-fashioned heilfire4md-brirnstone preaching, has learned that those who speak from glass pulpits must do so with crystal clear conscience, or be _ more. forgi ving • . •a010 r.0 ale . FEBRUARY 1941 Many people are under the im- pression that County Constable Gardiner' s district includes Brussels. This is not the case. His district is Howick, Turnberry, north half of West Wawanosh, East Wawanosh, Morris and» the north half of Grey. This does not include Brussels, it being in the Seaforth district. Drilling ,operations for oil on the Allin fain, near Blyth, have been halted temporarily but will be resumed when road and weather conditions are favorable. The well has been sunk to about 1,500 feet and it is hoped that» oil will be struck before going much deeper. Rev. Dr. J. H. Barnett was re- elected president of the Children's Aid Society of Huron County, Mrs, Albert Taylor and Miss Ann Wurtele are vice-presidents and A. M. Robertson is secretary. There are 57 children under the supervision of the Society in » Huron. » The Children's Shelter was closed during the year. This year the pupils of Teeswater Public School made a sacrifice on St. Valentine's Day in order to help the PRESS COUNCIL • The Advance -limes is a member of -the Ontario Press Council which will consider written com- plaints about the publica lion of news„ VOWS, and advertising. IN com plaint can't be resolved -with the newspapr, it should be sent to the On - trio Press Council, 151 ter St., Suite 708, Ot- tawa, Ont, Kl P 5-13. kiddies in war-torn England. Ins of buying valentines, the 'chil substituted with pennies otherwise would have purcha valentines. Some $8.84 was realiz in this way and sent to a fund to the bombed -out youngsters Britain.• Re. H. C. Wilson has accepted invitation extended by his th congregations, Auburn, Wes and Donnybrook United Churc to remain for the coming year. has been there for the past six yea It is with regret that residents Belmore learned that Norm Baiers has sold his stock in t general store to a Mitchell ge tleman. Mr. and Mrs Baiers ha made a host of friends who are sor to see them leave. FEBRUARY 1954 Arrangements were completed the sale of the house of the la James Isard on Victoria Street. The house has been purchased by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and will be, used as a residence .for one of their ministers who is coining to Wingham. It is planned to erect a new church in Wingham and parties are now looking for a suitable site, • Clint Godwin, formerly of Station CKOX, Woodstock, arrived in town to take a position as announcer with atNX. He replaces Don Hildebrand who left to, tale a position with the new television station in Kitchener. •Citizens of town were surprised See a deer walking up John Stree • toward the. school one day last week WhiIe applauding any desire fo learning we doubt if he found ac commodation, what with the overcrowding there. Mts.Charles b. Cox was presented with a life membership in the Welnen's Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church at a meeting held at the home of Mrs. Leslie Wightman of Belgrave. I.ErneSt Wylie has'skl ohisofarmion tead ,the 17th concession of Howick to dren Walter Renwick, Howick-Canick that Boundary. Mr. Wylie is having an sed auction sale. ed Ruby Haskins was the youngest help child on skates at the Belmore ice in carnival. Russell Press won the tricycle race; Rowland Ballagh and the Mrs. W. King were the oldest couple ree ,on skates; Mr. and Mrs. Archie ieid Blair were. the best couple -skaters hes, and Vera Sharpe and Bruce He McTavish were the best figure rs. skaters. of FEBRUARY 1964 an Bruce Lott, who has been with the he hydro in Owen Sound for the past n-• several months, has been trans- ve feiyed to Bala as chief clerk and took Ty over his new position a couple of weeks ago. He and his wife will move to Bab as soon as suitable for accommodation can be found. te » Turnberry Reeve A. D. Smith was to electecj a director of the Huron County Children's Aid Society at the annual meeting of that group in Goderich. A party of nine Grade 13 students from the Wingham District High School visited Western University at London where they spent an in- teresting day finding out about university life. The group included Hugh Mundell, Alex Hamilton, Elwin Moore, Wayne Martin, Susanne Reynolds, Brenda Conran, Adeline, McKinney, Elaine Moffat and Wayne Caslick. A meeting will be held in Bluevale to investigate the possibilit of r organizing a Resource Rangers - Club. Ernie King of Bluevale will act as chairman of the council, »with Larry Taylor of Wingham as secretary and Duane Fenwick, also of Winghtun, as treasurer. The new - club will be for boys 10 years and older who are interested in all aspects of conservation. A 4 -II Forestry Club was tit !AU v',j tt000ntinuedvnkpagEf GA)