Ontario Community Newspapers

Canadian Champion (Milton, ON), 10 Oct 1997, p. 1

The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

kSKL'SWte e k e n d r *WuMifton' nenetmae ERSHOPAN Da protes ovcer Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Stamiping out fires before they start Firelighter Mark Cross holds a smoke detector while wearlng ful flreflghiing gear, as a reminder to the publie durlng Flre Prevention Week that a working amoke detector la one of the besi defercsoe against fire tragedies. Anti-j ail flyer angers politicians By KAREN SMITH The Champion Local politicians say an anti-mega jailý' flyer distributed by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union is misleading and could be considered a scare tactic. The flyer, which depicts convicted killers Paul Bemardo and Karla Homoika under the caption 'Hi Neighbours"', isn't accurate, said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. The mayor said it's far-fetched to imply that Bemnardo could be sitting in a local doctor's or dentist's waiting room, or even in Maplehurst Correctional Centre itself, as a result of the planned expansion. 1I have to wonder if it's scare tactica," said Mr. Krantz in an interview Tuesdy. And an upset Halton Regional Chair Joyce Savoline, whose name and telephone number are printed on the flyer, said Wednesday that OPSEU is distributing misinformation because the Region has no authority in the priject. However, Bill Gillies, preaident of OPSEU local 234 representing Maplehurat staff, said it'a feasible that Miltonians could be sitting next to convicted killers in their doctor or dentist's office, since inmatea require these services and the jail population will subatantially increase. The flyer includes a 'new neighbour checklist', warning that killers, kidnappera, dmug pushers, child molestera, sex offend- ers and bank mobbers will be living in town. It also states that local residential devel- opment will be put on hold due to the amount of water required. Copies of the literature were distributed by the hundreds at the Milton Go Station ,on Main Street, the Milton Faîl Fair and the Milton Farmera' Market downtown, said Megan Park, OPSEU spokesperson. She said OPSEU included Ms Savolinc'a name and phone number on the flyer because the Region gave the thumbs-up to provide water services for the project. "She's accountable," Ms Park said. "Me Region approved the water." But Ms Savoline said the Region was obligated to allow the required water ser- vicing because the development criteria was met. "We have no other course of action. We would be in violation of our own policies," she said. "They're mialeading the public. They have to get it right or the public is gettingjerked around." Mr. Krantz said he bas gotten a few phone cails from citizens who about the flyer, including one from a woman con- cemed that Bemardo could serve time at Maplehurst. More flyers will be distributed by OPSEU in conjunction with other groupa oppoaing the expansion, Ma Park said. allowance loss By KAREN SMITH The Champion About 300 Maplehurat Correctional Centre inmates are refus- ing to show up for work duty or attend classes afler the Ontario govemment took away their canteen money. 'he 200 inmates in the work unit, which helps staff perform kitchen and laundry duties, and about 85 prisoners enrolled in the jail's education programn are staging the proteat against a new govemment policy that came into effect October 1. 'he policy removes the inmates' $5-a-week allowance for the jail's canteen, where they can purehase items such as cigarettes and chocolate bars. Meals are being served more slowly than usual and classrooma are almost empty since the protest began October 2, said the jail's acting superintendent Michael Stephenson. 'he revoit was in ita eighth day yesterday. The laundry is piling up, but not reportedly as fast as the amount of wages being paid for overtime work and extra staff, said Bill Gillies, president of local 234 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Mr. Gillies said the union is concemed about the safety of staff since protests such as this can snowball into niota. He said it's his experience that in the past, the ringleaders of protests were transferred to anotherjail in an attempt to calm the inmate population. "For 20 some years we used that method and it didn't inflame it. It controlled it." But Mr. Stephenson said the Ministry of Correctional Services' strategy is to "wait it out," hold ongoing discussions and appeal for common sense and reason in hope the inmates will back down. "We're dealing with it on a day-to-day basis and encouraging the inmates to go to work," he said. Prisoners at Guelph Correctional Centre and Rideau Correctional Centre near Ottawa staged aimilar protesta October 1, but everything was back to normal by Monday, Mr. Stephenson said. juil1 f*ip cm W"Rn7 More than 40 craft vendors and entertainers will be fea- tured at Mohawk Raceway's annual fali fair next weekend. The October 17 and 18 event wilI include activities for aduhas and chîldren. Gales wiIl open at 6 p.m. followed by harneas racing at 7:30 p.m. Admission coats $4.' Children aged under 16 are admitted f ree. WINDSIIIELD REPAIR AUTO UPHOLSTERY 781 MAIN ST, #1 &2, MILTON 876-4785 I -r. B g e

Powered by / Alimenté par VITA Toolkit
Privacy Policy