The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - A5 Turner responds on blog Cops to get office at Town Hall ecively questioning the authenticity and loyalty of Canadians who reside in Lebanon and is advocating that they be treated as sec- ond-class citizens." But in an interview with The Champion Friday after- noon, Turner stated hes "not withdrawing anything." "i think its just politics," he said of Alghabra's claims. "He's taking shots, but J'm not too concerned. I have no issue with him." The local MP said Alghabra's press release is misleading, noting he has never talked about first or second-class Canadians. He emphasized that Canada's humanitarian effort in Lebanon is definitely worthwhile, and hes not suggesting for a moment that it shouldn't be done. The release also alleged Turner "claimed because many hold dual citizenship, they don't deserve the same treatment as other Canadians and that the gov- ernment shouldn't be obli- gated to rescue them." The feisty Halton MP did- n't take those comments lying down either and rebutted on his highly-popu- lar Web blog, which gar- nered more than 100,000 vcisyx on the evacuation issue grew. "Of course I said nothing of the kind," Turner writes, going on to say, "I stick by my assertion that people who live permanently in other countries, where they pay taxes and have their own governments, should hardly expect taxpayers here to gladly fly them across the world. Even Canadian citi- zens who get lost in a national park in Alberta have to pay big money to be res- cued." When asked about his comments in various media sources on giving those who actually live in Canada res- cue preference, Turner asserted, "I think we should give preferential treatment to people truly in homeless emergency situations." While he lists several questions on his Web site that he hopes will be dis- cussed sometime soon, such as whether the federal gov- ernment's move is setting a precedent or "how it is so many people who are not part of this country are run- ning around with our pass- ports," Turner acknowledges now isn't the time to debate it. "Right now the focus is moreimprtatlygeting will soon have an incr-cascd Town are that there will be area that will resuit in an more imporitantly, getting the idiot generals and the presence n the downtown irregular and after-hours even doser working rela- politicians behind them to area. police presence at Town tionship and enhanced co- stop shooting at each other," The force is planning to Hall, which will benefit operation on joint enforce- the blog concludes. open a community police securiîy," Town Clerk Troy ment matters." Melanie Hentiessey can be office at Town Hall, receiv- McHarg reported to council. Police will pay the Town reached at mhennessey@mil- ing support from town "Also, the officer wull $600 per year for the office toncanadianchampion.com. council last week to do so. evenually be located in the space. Town Iooks to build board connections The Town is looking to expand its relationship with both Halton school boards to ensure future Milton schools are built in a timely fashion. A motion to that effect was passed by town council at its meeting last week, when staff was also directed to explore potential formal partnerships with the boards regarding joint facilities like sports fields, libraries and theatres. A report from Town Director of Planning and Development Mel lovio to council explains that while the ongoing relationship with the school boards has generally worked well, there've been problems with new home owner- ship patterns and how they relate to schools. "Coupled with the individual school boards' siting and area requirements, there have been situations where the site which had been identified (for a new school) is just no longer appropriate," it notes. The motion approved by council also expresses support for the new high school the Halton District School Board is proposing at the intersection of Thompson Road and Louis St. Laurent Boulevard. No contact allowed • from HFT-AND-RUN page Ai reasons for granting bail. As reported last week in The Champion, Lauren was struck by a vehicle while she was rollerblading between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m. She was discovered by her father lying in a ditch close to their Second Line home, just north of No. 15 Sideroad, at about 10:40 p.m. She was pronounced dead at Milton District Hospital. Alchin, of no fixed address, was arrested at the Halton Country Inn on Sixth Line in Nassagaweya just before 7 a.m. the next day. lits next court appear- ance is scheduled for August 16 in Milton. Lauren's funeral is to take place today at 2 p.m. at Grace Anglican Church, 317 Main St. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@milton- canadianchampion.com. 547 Main St. E. MILTON 878.0931( IfBýCL]VD -J