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,F a m i The Canadin Champion, Friday, August 5, 2005 - A9 ~Famiy devastated over damage to memori By MELANIE HENNESSEY Mill Pond bas always heen'a special place. It's wbere he and younger brother Dustin Kruyff spent tbeir cbildbood days fishing and boating. After Dustin died unexpectedly four years ago at the age of 18, Mr. Pickering and bis faily had a memorial tree planted -wbicb tbey bought and donated to tbe Town - and a plaque placed in Livingstone Park, next 10 the pond. Now, tbey stop by about once a week to water the sugar maple and rernember a sib- ling. a son, an uncle and a friend sinîply described as a "big-hearted. extraordînary person." But the place that once brougbt so rnuch happiness and solace bas become a sore spot for Mr. Pickering and hîs family now tbat the plaque bas been damaged on more tban one occasion. "It's (tbe plaque) only two-and-a-baîf years old and it's al] banged up," be said, pointing out the scratches on the surface of the plaque and the chips in the marble stone it sits on. 1I thînk ifs just a blatant lack of respect for a memorial. I'm devas- tated." Mr. Pickering alleges it's the Town of installing the plaque svith the family. sarne equipment that's sprayed the mulch be and bis family placed at the base of the tree around the park. Wbile Town staff bas repaired the memorial in the past witb some caulking -sometbing Mr. Pickering called "dis- gusting" b e's now calling on the Town to replace the plaque and resurface the marble to return it to its original condition. "I'm very concerned with the destruction of the plaque," be said. "I'm worried that they're (Town staff) getting too close to the trees svitb the lawn mower.* Milton Manager of Operations Doug Thompson told The Champion be's svait- ing for an answer froru the Tosvn's coin- munity services department wben it cornes to restoring the memorial. since operations staff set as contractors for that division. While Director of Comrnunity Services Jennifer Reynolds said the Town doesn't bave a formaI policy to deal with the plaque damage, she said, 1I think sve would wisb to svork with the person to replace tbe plaque." She added she also thînks tbe Towîî would like to discuss alternatives for damnage to the memonial. but it's being investigated. "There's a possibility it could've been someone else in tbe park," be said. "Tbere's ATVs, four-wbeelers... even cars get parked in the park." While lawn mowers are used for park maintenance, Mr. Thornpson said weed trimmners are also used around trees and stones. "It could even be that a stone came from a mower and bit the plaque," be said. He eiiplîasized that there's been no dis- respect from the Town for the memorial. "Nobody would intentionally try to dam- age sornething." he said. For Mr. Pickering and bis family. a reso- lution to tbe rnessy situation can't corne soon enougb. "I can't tell you how much this trce and plaque mean t0 us," he said, bis voice full of emotion. "This is the only place that we bave to corne to mouru and grieve. This bas a lot of significance t0 us." Melanie I-euîie.sse v con he reac/ied at nîhennesses'@Cmiltoncýaîîadianchanîpion.c om. Web site shows West Nule virus activity from MORE on page 2 of West Nile virus in Halton tbis season, recent heat waves bave created perfect conditions for mosquito activity and popu- lation growtb. Residents are being encouraged to pro- tedt tbemselves frorn mosquito bites by avoiding areas witb higb mosquito popula- tions, using approved repellents, covering exposed skin while outdoors and by removing any standing water outside their homes. Mosquitoes can transmit the virus to bumans after becoming infected by feed- ing on tbe blood of birds cariying the virus. To report a dead bird sighting, standing water, or for more inform-ation about West Nile virus, caîl the region at 905-825-6000 or visit www.region.balion.on.cabealtb. The Web site includes maps sbowing the location of West Nile virus activity. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Adam Pickering looks In disgust et the damaged plaque In front of the tree plented In Livingstone Park in memory of his brother, Dustin Kruyff. OUR NEW LOCATION the corer of Mai-n St & Wàlftj -m ff our new location toi sen'e you &&r A~Nna, Shannon, Jane & Stacy toom ourf *tit* andnew clients. Roek YfurAmninbnentNArS .. FULL MAIR & ESTMETIC SERVICES_ 17 W ilson Drive, -Milton (905) 693-0878 .e Sam Sherratt Public School ~would like to extend a very special -3 to the Raffle Winners. 24" Norco Bike Weight Loss Certificate Designer Water Cooler Donated by: Donated by: Donated by: Cyclepath Herbai One The Water Depot Winner: Winner: Winner: Dawn Eglitis Garry Sclisizzi Teresa Wagget Snowboard with Bindings 4 Biue Jays Tickets 5 Piece Tsspperware Set Donated by: Donated by: Donated by: Boardtopia The Stockall Family Helena Church Winner: Winner: Winner: Otha Rae Greg Witjes Florence Robinson 24" Norco Bike 2 Child Bike Trailer Children's Bike Donated by: Donated by: Donated by: Spokes 'N'Siopes Stoneridge Sales The Sclisizzi Family Winner: Winner: Winner: Tom Marchment Katie Struck Graham Redsbaw Harrop Cottage Print THANK you Giant 6" Party Sub Dsnated by: Donated by: Harrop Art Gallery ta t/he conîpanies, individu(als 24hr Subway and Framing & %'allunteers lt/l danated (Market Drive) Winner: prizeî and their tinie to ia/te Winner: Norm Senra t/lis eient a success! Christopher Mikulic ân(t q: .1, 10 âp