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The Canadian Champion, Fila July 18, 1997 - 5 SBrooks backs out of buying rural newspaper A suggestion of political conflict of interest has changed the attitudes of the new owners of the Nassagaweya News. The monthly newspaper was owned by Dennis Snowden, who died this spring. His estate struck a deal to selI the publication to former town councillor Bruce Attenborough and Geny Brooks, a current councillor. Mr. Brooks first downplayed questions of impropriety due to bis councillor status. However, less than 24 hours later he did an about-face, and announced he was withdrawing from participation in the ownership of the rural newspaper. "I've decided not to become an owner of the Nassagaweya News," he told The Canadian Champion. "I see that some people are concerned about the potential for a conflict of interest and sometimes perception can be reality." However, Helen Lisi, acting town clerk, said the Ministry of Municipal Affairs told her there is no legal difficulty with a municipal politician owning a newspaper. Mr. Brooks said that he will help Mr. Attenborough witb pro- duction of the publication, lie said bis rotc with the newspaper could change depending upon the outcome of the November municipal election. Mr. Brooks would not contirm if he will be a candidate, and said only that he was considcring bis options. Gerry Brooks Bruce Attenborough As for bis monthly column of six years, the two-term rural councillor said he bad not given it much thought, however he would not mIle out a retum to print, given bis cbanged status. Mr. Brooks had said when be was still part of the ownership group, that he would cesse writing his council news based col- uni Mr. Attcnborough expressed some bitterness regarding Mr. Brooks' withdrawal announcement. "t thought it might be fun but so far the thing has cost me noth- ing but aggravation," be said. "Evcrone secs a sinister plot wben l'm involved in something. 1 don*t need this. I wisb t'd neyer got- ten invotved." Mr. Attenborough said continuing to run the newspaper is "the decent thing to do" adding that he would not want it to, die. "This is not really for me," he said. "There are some particularly political people around. They hear that t'm involved and their fur goes up.- He said that he got involved in the newspaper because bis daughter is in the journalism program ait Sheridan College and the News could provide a good learning experience. Mr. Attenborough said the newspaper was not making any money, but be added he bas no intention of changing ils editonial focus. He ecboed Mr. Brooks' comments on content, saying it was to be very community oriented and almoat devoid of political 0 ncws. Mr. Attenborough said with the changed situation he wiIl not seek a buyer but, "I'd sure as bell be happy if one knocked on the door. According to Mr. Brooks the Nassagaweya News is dropped at about 8,000 doorstepa. It is distributed as far south as Britannia Road, west to, Highway 6, east to Trafalgar Road and north of Rockwood. Mr. Attenborough said he had some dificulty with the sugges- tion that Mr. Brooks might be in a position of confliet of interest. -see CONFLICT on page 14 N"Imom )M ALL EVENTS GO TO THE MILTON Dt Aý AÀ CLARITI N ABS1 lpk. Buy 1 at $11.99 IGet One FREE CADBURY'S FLAKE Chocolate Bar 2,199* IN COCA CO LAI 2L Limit 4 par persan M 790e!i 11 m p ROYALE BOUNTY GERBER lre;.picl Ho og&P BATHROOM PAPER ISTm& 2ND plié UE Bpk. TOWEL BABY FOOD FRE Reg. $3.49 3rs 15-, OFSALON iSENIORS SECRET SELECTIVESI Jui 2, 197 ny :PANTY HOSE Umi 3pa prsn.Norancecs. With this coupon. i Buy On e & Get Ones ~~1~~e 1 Receive on. IREEuFRE 181 LOTTERY IKET Ià, with "n purchase1A Specials in effect fromn Tuesday, JuIy 22nd to Saturday, July 26th or while quanti ast. A REGISTERED NURSE WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE TO ANUWER$UE"TONS ON GMOLESTEROL & DIABETES. 4 Wro w MO b OThL wrw Oit> S>JTV2bM, SX-'y ;4~ OBUS FORME BACK REST & SEAT' MINOLTA F80 Il 35mnm CAMERA SABNT ERSONAL.SUITOASE CONAIR 1600 WATT BLOW DRYER PORTABLE STEREO Wl CD PLAYER ($120.00 VALUE) I 1 e__________ #Phone#_________ IPhone 1__________ PiPhf IPhonef__________ # . imme tlO8tS F2A! &£l - amnsfOG ALM0LIVE C o nt et NEIL L compim~ento PHARMASALES I compliments ot APOTEX J 17Y~ q