Independent & Free Press (Georgetown, ON), 29 Nov 2006, p. 4

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Senior's standoff with Town to continue meetings, something he has done regularly for several years, or watch his grandchildren's hockey games in local arenas. If he doesn't sign the Town Derrick Williams, the Georgetown senior agreement, the ban will remain in place indefibanned indefinitely last month from all Town- nitely. "I will miss seeing my grandchildren playing owned facilities, could be allowed back in if he agrees to a couple of conditions, but Williams hockey, but I would rather stand up for my says he won't because he believes it would be an rights, and in the future, my grandchildren's rights." admission of guilt. Williams says he will take legal action against Williams says he won't sign off on the Town's conditions-- (1) to be respectful of staff and visi- the Town for the "slander" of his name and reputors at all Town facilities and in council and com- tation. "The only way I won't take legal action is if mittee meetings and (2) any comments he makes to or about councillors in those facilities be of a they settle and compensate me for what I've gone through," said Williams. non-threatening nature-- because "then Town CAO Dennis Perlin said when I'm admitting guilt (based) on hearsay." the Town first notified Williams of the Williams, 70, is referring to the ban, it was not meant to be permanent. "remark of a serious, threatening nature" "We thought he would give us a he is alleged to have made at the Civic call, ask what this was about...and Centre Tuesday, Sept. 5 directed at a (there would be) some discussion of female councillor. The remark was how we might resolve the ban," said alleged to have been heard by a third Perlin, who added he left a message on party and was one of the reasons the Williams' answering machine at the Town implemented the ban against time. DENNIS Williams. But he said Williams never called Williams stresses he didn't make the PERLIN back. remark, and Halton Police did not lay So the Town decided to send the charges, determining the alleged comsecond letter outlining access conditions and also ment was not of a criminal nature. Williams received a letter from the Town last inviting Williams to call Perlin or the Town's Friday stating it "has given further consideration Director of Recreation and Parks, Terry Alyman, of the indefinite nature" of the ban against him if he had questions. "The purpose of the commitment was to try to and based on the two conditions will provide him access to all Town properties except for the Civic make sure he understood these are serious Centre effective December 26, 2006, and if his issues," said Perlin. He said the length of the bans are in keeping conduct is "satisfactory," he will be allowed into with the Town's zero tolerance and workplace the Civic Centre April 26, 2007. "They could do this to anyone in our commu- discrimination harassment policies. Perlin said the Town respects citizen's rights to nity on hearsay and ban them from all facilities," says Williams, who has consulted with his the democratic process, but there is also a responsibility for citizens to treat others in a fair way. lawyer. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at Since the ban was put in place Oct. 27 ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Williams has not been able to attend council LISA TALLYN Staff Writer

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