| Vol. 1 No. 10 1999-09-17 | |||
Bell Island Community Policing Newsletter Community Policing - Everyone’s Business |
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| CONTENTS
Nightmare
on Any Street
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View From Our Backyard.
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Stewed, Brewed and Behind the Wheel |
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by Sgt. Wayne Hebb There are a lot of discussions that go on around kitchen tables and other comfortable spots about impaired drivers. Comments like, "He really didn’t mean anybody any harm." "She was only trying to get home". "He only had three beer." and other similar statements are often heard. Attitude is a hard thing to change and while I can see some changes in the past 26 years as a police officer you can still hear comments like those above. One would think that on Bell Island, with taxi fares at $2.50 for most areas, (the lowest in Newfoundland if not the world), it would be foolish to drive your vehicle if you have been drinking or intend to drink on any particular night. However, believe it or not, people do this. Seven persons have been apprehended for impaired driving offences on Bell Island this year. A number of others have been issued with a 24 hour suspension (a $100 fine) for being close to the limit. Some have been convicted a number of occasions and just last month a Bell Island man received eight months in jail for re-offending. People would rather risk their lives, the lives of family, friends and residents of this community to save$2.50. That’s the value they put on human life. And to think some people defend them by saying they wouldn’t hurt no one. Unbelievable. I don’t know what it will take to convince some people that if you drive impaired you are committing a criminal offence. You might be the nicest kind of person, a pillar in the community, but if you take the wheel when you have had too much to drink, you are a criminal. How can that be some will say, where’s the intent? The intent starts when you know you have be drinking or you know you will be drinking and you put the keys in your hand. You are now a potential killer. Strong words, but sometimes there is no soft way to speak the truth. Well, how much can I drink before I’m actually impaired? There is no amount, that is right for everybody. Some might only have two drinks and their ability to drive would be impaired. The only safe rule is that if you are driving, don’t drink. It’s that simple. The members of the RCMPolice Bell Island have been checking vehicles and conducting checkpoints to detect and deter impaired driving over the past year and will continue to do the same. I don’t like to see impaired drivers at any time but I would much rather apprehend them before they have a serious accident. It definitely beats going to the family members of a deceased person and relating their son or daughter was killed unnecessarily for the sake of someone not taking a $2.50 cab ride.
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This past summer, this office has been trying to encourage helmet usage by children bicyclist with our Lids on Kids program. Members of the Bell Island Community Policing office have been awarding prizes to children observed wearing helmets while riding their bicycles. Prizes have been donated by Slade’s B&E, Thomas Spracklin and this office and consisted of cases of pop, baseballs, baseball cap and movie rentals. The following are winners of the prizes in this program: Erin Shea (age 7) Congratulations to all those who won prizes and a special thanks to those who donated the prizes for this program. I believe that this program has encouraged children to wear their helmets to a certain degree but no program would be successful without the involvement of parents and adults in the community. If adults won’t wear helmets how can we expect our children to wear them. Helmets are a safety issue and attitudes must change regarding adult usage. Accidents can happen so isn’t it is better to prepare for them by having the best protection available. It’s bad enough if you hurt yourself but what about the child who follows your example.
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by Sgt. Wayne Hebb The RCMPolice Bell Island Community Policing office responded to 65 requests for service during the month of August. This brings the total complaints received this year to 475. The following are a few of the calls received this month: On 99-08-02, police and fire department members were called to the scene of a fire at a residence on Bennett Street. Damages were contained to the upstairs area of the house and were minimal. Examination of the scene determined the fire had been deliberately set. An investigation revealed a 13 year old Bell Island youth was responsible. He has been charged with arson and will appear in court on 99-11-10. On 99-08-06, police received a call regarding harassing phone calls. An investigation was conducted and a 15 year old and 17 year old Bell Island youth have been charged as a result. They will appear in court on 99-11-10. On 99-08-08, a Bell Island woman reported she was harassed by a 31 year old Bell Island man at a local licensed establishment. The man was under probation to remain away from the woman and keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He was arrested and released later this date to appear in court on 99-09-15. A Bell Island woman reported on 99-08-14 that someone had broken the glass in the entrance door of her residence. An investigation was conducted and a 16 year old Bell Island youth was apprehended for this offence. He will appear in court on 99-11-10. On 99-08-16, police responded to a complaint of a vehicle fire in the yard of a West Mines residence. Fire ignited in the vehicle during the early morning hours of this date. The vehicle which had been purchased for $200 and was being kept for parts was examined and the fire was determined to have been deliberately set. Two short males believed to be in their late teens were observed leaving the scene. Both were wearing dark coloured jackets with one having a white emblem on the back of it. On 99-08-17, police were called to the scene of a disturbance at a local government office. An investigation was conducted and a 46 year old Bell Island man was charged with causing a disturbance and breach of probation. He will appear in court on 99-10-06. On 99-08-21, a 28 year old Bell Island man was apprehended for impaired operation of an ATV near Fleming Street on the Green. He will appear in court on 99-09-15. On 99-08-27 at 11:35 pm police responded to an emergency call at the Number Two Mine Site. The caller reported there had been a short power outage to residences on The Green and there was a man caught on the hydro wire. An immediate patrol was made to the scene and power to the new Museum building was noted to be off but no one else found in the area. A witness reported that after the power outage, three fellows were noted running from the area of the Number Two Mine Site who said there was a man hanging from the wires. Police later located a 22 year old man who they determined was the individual who had been on the hydro pole. The man was apparently suffering from injuries and police convinced him to accompany them to the hospital. He was treated and released. The man related that he was alone when walking through the Number Two Mine site when he heard a cat in distress. According to him, the cat was on the hydro pole in the area of the transformer. Police re-searched the area and located the man’s hat and 25 feet of yellow nylon rope at the bottom of the hydro pole nearest the new museum building. No cats were observed in the area. Hydro officials later found a metal button from the man’s coat fused to the transformer bolt. On 99-08-28, a residence of Number 6 Range had an ornamental cow taken from the front lawn. It is described as a large wooden cow painted black and white. The horns and the udder area were a rose colour. The cow was a gift from a friend of the owner of the residence. On 99-08-28, sometime between 1:00 am and 1:00 pm damage occurred to the siding near the entrance of a local licensed establishment.
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I recently received a request from Kay Coxworthy to post something on a video tape she loaned out. In November of 1994, there was an official opening of the Seaman’s Memorial on Lance Cove Beach. The Lieutenant Govenor & his wife, government ministers, a survivor of the 1942 attacks where 69 perished and a large contingent of Legion officials. A commercial video producer taped the entire event and gave Kay the original copy of the video. She did not realize this was the original copy and she loaned it to someone. Unfortunately, Kay has forgotten who she loaned it to and although she has asked around many times since she has never been able to locate it. No doubt the person she loaned it to has forgotten it as well. Kay would like to get this video back so some copies could be made for the Legion and other interested parties. Please check your video collections and if you locate this video, give Kay a call.
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Policing Stories from the Past by Sgt. Wayne Hebb I tend to mention Wesleyville a number of times in this section. I can only say that perhaps it is because it is one of the places I most enjoyed serving. People were easy to get along with and we made lots of friends. Seems like there was always someone at our house or we were off to someone else’s house for something or other. My wife and I really enjoyed our time there. I remember one time we had returned after I had been transferred to Marystown. We were out to a dance and the band announced someone had requested a song for Sharon and Wayne who were ‘home’ for a visit. I guess that about sizes up my time in Wesleyville. Any rate, I have a good few memories of my time spent there. So, on with it already. I was doing an investigation in Lumsden this fall day. The fall is a wonderful time of the year on Bonavista North (where Wesleyville detachment is located). The cool, crisp days of autumn bring a hustle and bustle about with people getting their berries, fish, etc. and storing it for the winter. Perhaps not too much of the fish is around these days, I guess. The sound of axes splitting through chunks of wood and chainsaws sputtering through a thick log are common place during the fall. At any rate, I had to obtain a witness statement from an elderly gentleman. I arrived at his residence around 3:45 pm in the day. The missus was hovering around busily as I entered the kitchen. She directed me to the parlour (it was an old fashioned Newfoundland home)where the old fellow was sitting peacefully and reading. I explained why I was there and started with the interview. About 15 minutes passed when I heard the missus come to the parlour door and ask for the old fellow. He went out in the kitchen, leaving me behind. I looked around the old fashioned room and admired furnishings and other articles in the room. I was looking at a bunch of pictures on the wall when I noted a picture of an older man with his eyes closed and his arms crossed across his chest. Further examination revealed it was a casket he was lying in. I guess he didn’t take too kindly to having his picture taken when he was alive. I was interrupted by the mister returning. He asked me to come out to the kitchen. When we got out there, the kitchen table was laden down with all sorts of delights. The mister related that it was time for tea and I was invited to sit in. Well, sit in I did and I immediately started to help myself. However, I noted the old fellow was sitting with his hands on his lap and was watching his tea. The missus was standing beside him with here hands folded in front of her and was watching the mister. Then the old fellow nodded his head and the missus picked up the spoon and removed the tea bag. She then poured in some milk and put in some sugar and stirred it around. Once she was finished she returned standing with her hands folded in front of her. All this while the old guy, sat patiently and when his wife was finished he picked up the tea cup and sipped it. Then with a quick nod of approval to his wife, he placed the cup back down. Then she buttered some biscuits for him and cut up a bit of hard cheese to go with it. The missus then scurried to her place to fix her own tea. Well, that was certainly something for a young husband, like myself to witness. The old guy was definitely the king in his household. Quietly I paused realizing I had witnessed a valuable lesson before continuing with my very enjoyable lunch. I thanked the missus and returned to the parlour with the old gentleman to finish the statement. I drove back to Wesleyville smiling as I thought of this incident. I went home that night and recounted the story for my wife, ensuring she got all the details about the cup of tea. Sharon never said much as I described the details of this wonderful example of married life. As I finished she smiled and got up and went to the kitchen. Thinking my story had the desired effect, I sat contently waiting for her return. A moment later, I heard the back door open and Sharon cheerfully sang out "I’m going to Gert’s for a visit. See you later, honey." Without saying a word on the subject, she had made her point. Later that evening as I sipped a cup of tea, which I made myself, I realized some traditions were never coming back.
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Fiction by Sgt. Wayne Hebb Part One of Four Billy’s eyes were burning and were beginning to fill with tears. He was afraid to blink because Mommy would see. She always said "Men Don’t Cry". He didn’t think he was a man but Mommy got mad if he questioned her. He gritted his teeth as he watched his mother grind her cigarette into his left hand. The pain was searing but he would not make a sound because Mommy didn’t like that either. Finally, his mother let go of his hand. The screaming pain in his left side was drilling a hole through his brain. Billy grabbed his hand and squeezed it trying to rub out the pain but it did little good. He wanted to run and hide but he knew things would be worse if he did. He kept his head down because his mother might see the water in his eyes. "Next time you won’t forget will you?" Mommy’s voice was all funny but then it always got that way after supper when she drank that funny smelling stuff. Her face changed too. It was like her face just melted into this ugly mask. She wasn’t pretty no more. "Don’t you even have the decency to answer me? You’re just like your deadbeat father! That no good bum treated me like crap. Crap!! You hear that!!! Like crap!!! Then he walks out and leaves me with a little snot nosed......." The woman stopped yelling and started to cry. "Mommy, I’m sorry I forgot to wash the dishes" "Dishes! I don’t give a darn about dishes!!!" She grabbed the table and with a violent jerk she overturned it sending everything crashing to the floor. She grabbed him and shoved him toward the mess. "Now, are we going to forget any more? Are we?" "No....." The words jammed in his throat as she pushed him towards the hallway. "NOW GET TO BED, YOU LITTLE JERK." He quickly ran to his room.....to safety. As he closed the door it almost shut out his mother’s anguished moans. The tears flooded his eyes and he started to sob uncontrollably. Realizing that his other might hear, he grabbed his pillow and shoved his face into it. He cried until sleep soothed his tortured spirit. When he awoke, the room was dark. He felt warm and comfortable until the throbbing pain from his hand made him remember. Then terror seized him and he frantically groped for the light beside his bed. The light flooded the room and he could see that he was alone. This calmed him for he had learned to appreciate the brief moments of security. He knew it wouldn’t last long. He looked about his room and his eyes came to rest on a brightly colored card on his dresser. A broad smile came across his face. It was a birthday card from his uncle Paul. There was a big number nine on the front with clowns and happy children holding hands and dancing around it. Inside his uncle had written , "ALL THE BEST FOR MY FAVORITE LITTLE GUY". Saturday, would be his birthday, only four days away. Uncle Paul always sent him a card and he sometimes would phone him. Uncle Paul made him feel like he was ten feet tall....with Paul he was special. Everything was alright when his uncle was near. Paul was sort of like a dad to him since he never knew his real father. Sort of because he only got to see him a couple of times a year. He wished his uncle lived close and not in St. John’s which was so far away. He had opened the card earlier today because he just couldn’t stand the suspense but mostly because his mother had urged him to open it. There had been a crisp new twenty dollar bill inside. He had just started to look at the card when his mother snatched the money from the card. She said she needed it for milk for breakfast and that she would pay him back. He knew he would be eating dry cereal in the morning and he would never see the money again. At least he knew when she had come back from the store with the bottle.
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by Peter Kent Sgt. Wayne Hebb was transferred to Bell Island in Aug. 1998. In Dec. 1998 he started the Community Policing Newsletter. In his first newsletter he made mention of his commitment to community policing and this has certainly proven to be true. He is the main man behind this newsletter and nine months later it is becoming a community newsletter rather than a police report of activities. Sgt. Hebb is a very active member of many organizations on Bell Island and attends all regular council meetings. This is a very professional newsletter and many organizations now use it to inform and promote special activities. Council fully endorses and recommends that Sgt. Wayne Hebb be considered by his superiors as POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR. Many streets have been repaired with new asphalt over the past few months. Some new street signs have been painted and installed. Over the coming months all street signs should be painted and erected around town. One of the services that council provides to its citizens is street lighting. At the present time we have 219 street lights, which cost $3497.62 a month or $41,971.44 a year. There is a street light committee of council, the members of this committee are: Councillor Helen Pitts, Councillor Brian Kent and Councillor Pat Joy. Street lighting is an expensive service to provide but council feels it is an essential service especially to our senior citizens. If a street light is not working properly on your street please contact the council office so that it can be repaired. The students this summer were engaged in many activities with good worthwhile projects accomplished. They painted street signs, bus stop shelters, cutting grass, worked on the walking trails, planted flowers, conducted surveys, etc. Council wishes to thank the students for their assistance and wish them well in their studies. Tourism is the world’s fastest growing industry and has the potential to become one of Bell Island’s most important generators of wealth, jobs, and investment. Developing Bell Island as a recognized tourism destination requires a diverse range of quality attractions, accommodations and services, and tourism products which reflect the island’s unique natural setting and culture. Bell Island is seeing rapid growth in visitation especially over the last few years with the development of the No. 2 Mine Underground Mine Tour, the Lance Cove Marina, the Murals and many other developed attractions. Please support the many individuals, groups and organizations that are working hard to promote and encourage new developments for our island. Water Service: Residents have been advised about the low levels of water at our pumping stations. Council has placed a ban on watering lawns, washing vehicles and any excess use of water. Please refrain from any excess use of water especially during this period of low water supply.
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Operation Sunshine Garden Centre OPERATION SUNSHINE GARDEN CENTER GRAND OPENING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH A LOT OF WORK A LITTLE TIME TO CELEBRATEby Doug Jackson During the past two months many of you probably will have noticed the continuing development of #3 Yard. This greenhouse project aims at providing workplace experience for individuals historically not given the opportunity to fully participate in the workforce. This will be a competitive, innovative business venture. The Bell Island Association for community Living developed and solicited the financial support necessary for this project. Human Resource Development Canada funding for this phase is greatly appreciated and we hope our success will warrant their continued commitment. Our construction crew members have done a fine job with limited funds, providing us with functional facilities. Our workers have produced superior quality perennials for the horticultural industry as well as herbs and ornamental sunflowers for Thanksgiving. Our workers are proud of their efforts and we think you will be too. On Saturday, September 18th, we would like to invite all of you to come to the greenhouse for our Grand opening, meet our staff and take a look at what our workers have accomplished. We look forward to meeting you at the opening and providing you with information regarding our plans and aspirations. On Monday, September 20th, we are proud to host the welcoming party for the Katimavik participants who you will no doubt be noticing in the next few weeks providing valuable services to the community in the months ahead. These young people deserve our encouragement as they show their support for our community and country. Some individuals, organizations and businesses of the community have provided services and material support beyond the call of duty. God bless you. The spirit of community commitment is a contagious positive force. We need your support in acquiring a sofa, a freezer, and mountains of used tobacco tubs. Occasionally a bit of skilled and not so skilled labor would be appreciated as well. If you could donate any of these items, please call us at 488-7866 or 488-SUNN.
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The Bell Island Alternate Measures Committee was formed in the fall 1998 and commenced the Youth diversion process in January of this year. Youth diversion is a community response to crime. It gives a community input into the raising of our children. This program offers an alternative to the court system for first time offenders. Should they successfully complete the program then this results in the youth not having a criminal record. It gives the youth a second chance. The offences which can be dealt with through youth diversion are minor property crimes, some minor assaults, liquor offences and other provincial statutes. Serious criminal matters would not be acceptable for this program and must proceed through the court system. The youth must complete the program by first accepting responsibility for the crime he/she committed. They then must complete an educational process as well as community service program before they complete the process. The Bell Island group of the Alternate Measures program has been very busy in the past year, administering this program. They have processed 20 cases to date with only two being referred back to the Crown Attourney for charges. They are processing one case now and there is 4 cases on the waiting list. This involves a lot of work and dedication which has directly affected our youth in a very positive manner. The process involves not only in dealing with the youth but in continually looking for businesses or persons to assist with educational and community service portions which are a very necessary ingredient. The Bell Island committee consists of 5 volunteers but unfortunately two members had to resign recently due to other commitments. These volunteers have devoted a lot of their own time and have put a tremendous effort into this program which is why it is the success that it is. They are to be commended for their dedication and determination. However, the program cannot continue without community support. It is the necessary ingredient and without it the program cannot function. This program has made great strides towards helping the youth of this community become responsible persons. As previously indicated the committee is down to three volunteers and is in need of others. Should you have some time to devote to the youth of this community, your services are needed. If you are interested please contact Sgt. Wayne Hebb at the RCMP Bell Island Community Policing Office telephone number 709-488-3312 or Ms. Lori Hann at the Bell Island Human Resources and Development Office, telephone number 709-488-2708 or 709-488-3376. Also, we are looking for community businesses, organizations and/or individuals who could assist with community service opportunities for the youth involved in this program.
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On 99-09-02 at 1050 hrs police responded to a report of assault from a Bell Island woman. Her 43 year old husband was arrested later this date and charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault, uttering threats and three charges of breach of probation. At 12:49 am on 99-09-03, police responded to a report of damage at a local restaurant. The plate glass in the entrance door had been broken out. A 16 year old and an 18 year old youth were apprehended and taken into custody as a result. At 1055 hrs on 99-09-03, police responded to the scene of a vehicle off the road in Lance Cove. A 69 year old Bell Island man was apprehended for impaired driving as a result. The man was held in custody and released on 99-09-04. He is charged with impaired driving and refusing the breathalyzer and will appear in court on 99-11-10. At 6:40 am on 99-09-13, police responded to a call from the Bell Island Ferry Service. A 36 year old Bell Island man was blocking traffic with his vehicle and was refusing to move. Police spoke with the man briefly and he moved his vehicle as a result. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
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The RCMPolice Bell Island Community Policing office has a staff of five members and one public service. Our office is open from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Should you attend our office and there is no one available our members can be reached on a twenty-four hour basis by contacting the following numbers: 709-488-3312 800-709-RCMP(7267) Cell phone #RCMP (7267)
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Cst. Hazel Duncan of this office tied the knot on Saturday 99-09-11. In a quiet ceremony at the Waterford Manor, St. John’s, attended by family and friends, she married Cst. Greg Ford who is presently stationed with the RCMPolice Deer Lake District Office. Several attempts were made to obtain details on the location of where they are honeymooning but both were secretive about this. Efforts will continue in this regard. Congratulations and all the best to Hazel and Greg.
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SCHOOL OPENING: St. Michael’s High got off to a very smooth opening on Wednesday, September 8 with an assembly in the school gymnasium. After some general comments by the school principal, Mr. Jerome Delaney, the students met with their homeroom teachers where they were given textbook lists and various other information about the new school year. Student behavior was indeed excellent. SCHOOL STATISTICS: This year’s enrollment is approximately 260 students from Grades 9-12. We have 19.75 teacher units which include 1.0 units for administration, 0.75 units for guidance, 0.50 units for music, 1.0 units for challenging needs, and 2.0 units for special education. LAST YEAR’S GRADUATES: Congratulations to the following students who passed with honors: Chris Benoit, Wally Butler, Amanda Craig, Deanne Hiscock, Jackie Hynes, Gavin McCarthy, Monte Noseworthy, Sherry Rees, and Cory Verge (Honors - has satisfied graduation requirements and attained 550 or more marks in 7 level 3 and/or level 4 honours courses, including at least 1 course in each of English Language, English Literature, Math, Science, and Social Studies or French). Congratulations also to those students who graduated with distinction: Jeff Crane, Erin Hussey, Amanda King, Lisa Martin, Todd McCarthy, Lori O’Brien, Amanda Pendergast, Krista Skehans, Amanda Verge, and Daisy Wade (Distinction - has satisfied graduation requirements and attained 550 or more marks in any 7 level 3/level 4 courses). AREAS OF FOCUS FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT: At the faculty meeting on September 7 teachers and administrators at St. Michael=s decided to focus on the following 3 areas for improvement during the 1999-2000 school year: attendance, motivation and work ethic. Student attendance is a concern at many high schools throughout this province and St. Michael’s is no exception. It’s quite obvious that the higher the student attendance, the higher the student achievement. Motivation and work ethic are also extremely important as these factors will also have a significant impact on student achievement. During the year teachers and administrators hope to introduce a number of initiatives which will encourage students to do better in their school work. Communication to parents and guardians is an obvious place to start and this school news insert in the Monthly Police Newsletter is one of those initiatives. We thank Sgt. Wayne Hebb for the invitation to be a regular contributor to this newsletter. In fact it’s interesting to note that this possibility was suggested by our Math Department Head, Mr. Ken Kavanagh at our first faculty meeting and before Mr. Delaney could approach Sgt. Hebb about such a possibility, Sgt. Hebb dropped by and offered the invitation to the school. Quite a coincidence and we’re delighted that this has now become a reality. EXEMPLARY ATTENDANCE AWARDS: St. Michael’s teachers and administrators are still working out the details but at the end of each month the school will be rewarding students who have maintained between 95 and 100% attendance. We’ll have the specific details in next month’s newsletter. POSITIVE PHONE CALLS FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE: Very often the principal of a high school has to make calls of a negative nature to parents - that is informing parents that their sons/daughters are involved in unacceptable behaviors at school. At. St. Michael’s the principal also makes calls of a positive nature - that is informing parents of how well their sons/daughters are doing. During the first week of school Mr. Delaney made 2 such calls - the first to Mrs. O’Rourke, mother of Grade 12 student Mary O’Rourke and the second to Mrs. Pitts, the grandmother of Grade 12 student Melissa Pitts. Both Mary and Melissa are exemplary students and Mr. Delaney thought it was a Agood thing@ (as Martha Stewart would say) to call Mrs. O’Rourke and Mrs. Pitts and tell them that. Needless to say, both Melissa and Mary were delighted, the parents were even more delighted and Mr. Delaney felt pretty good too!!!! Noteworthy is the fact that Mary has been maintaining 100% attendance since kindergarten - quite an achievement! It must run in the family as Mary’s brother, Bill (last year’s Grade 12 student) also maintained a 100% attendance from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT: We’re hoping to have this info night on Thursday, October 7 from 7:30 - 9:30. This will be an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet teachers and administrators and to receive some information on the courses their sons/daughters are doing. We’ll be sending home a notice to remind parents about this meeting. FIRST ANNUAL ACADEMIC AWARDS NIGHT: To highlight academic achievement at St. Michael’s we’re also planning to have an academic awards night in late November/early December. Honor roll certificates, Grade 12 diplomas and various academic awards and scholarships will be given out during this function. More details on this initiative in future newsletters. STUDENT ABSENTEEISM: A friendly reminder to parents and guardians that students should only be absent for 1 of the following: a) a medical/dental appointment and b) any other reason deemed appropriate/reasonable by the school principal in consultation with the parent. Parents/guardians are requested to send a note in with the student upon his/her return to school or to call into Mrs. Angela Cobb (488-2828) and she’ll put a note in the homeroom teacher’s mailbox. Keep in mind that the higher the absenteeism, the lower the marks and the greater the failures! That’s it from St. Michael’s High School and as we say to students on a regular basis "success lies not in being the best but in doing your best"! Best regards.
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by Mary Murphy The Bell Island Community Food Bank has had a very busy summer. Our list of fund raising events & donations from other people’s fund-raising events were as follows: Knights of Columbus in Georgetown, Ontario, Jim Clark, Tom Kent & Michael Jackman for their efforts on our behalf. Our thanks also to Wink & Carm Power for their ongoing donations. We want to thank everyone who made Bell Island Day so successful. Gerald & Lorraine Kitchen for building the dunk tank & being with us all day to assist us. Jim Walsh, Gary Gosine, Wayne Hebb, Bill Bennett & Marilyn Sheppard, who were such good sports & earned us quite a fair sum of money. Thanks to Bride Bennett & Barb Bickford for their assistance in calling people for donations on our behalf. Thanks to Helen Gosine for selling so many calendars, to Marjorie Basha for her assistance in selling more ads. Thanks to Gerald Hynes for being our Chef at all our BBQ fund-raisers. Thanks to Roz Verge, Eileen Power and Sandra Curnew who assist the Food Bank every week. Last but not least, a big thank you to our youngest volunteer, Ida Verge, who with her mother, helped me deliver calendars all day last week. During all of our fund-raising events this past year, one thing stood out above everything else. Donations come in all forms, money, merchandise, gifts, however, one of the most valuable forms of donations is the time people give of themselves. My thanks to each and every person who has helped the Food Bank & continues to do so, in every way. Our thanks also to all the business people who donated so many gifts for all our events. You are all great people. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Mr. Charlie Bown. Get well soon, we miss you.
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by Capt. W. Fitzgerald Cadets started up again on Sunday, September 12th, 1999 with a good turnout of cadets and officers. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back and congratulate all those who did so well in summer camps throughout Canada. Once again you’ve made us proud. Those who did not get the opportunity to attend camp this year, I trust you had a good summer and perhaps next year you will be able to attend one of the camps. Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 are invited to join cadets, a great youth movement, which promotes all the best qualities in young people. We work hard, but we also have fun. You get the opportunity to meet many young people and travel to places throughout Canada, as well as countries such as England, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, etc. We expect hard work and dedication, but you are repaid many times over in golden opportunities. Just ask some of the senior cadets who have traveled to Banff, Alberta, Vernon, B.C., P.E.I. or one of the seniors who had the opportunity to work in a summer camp this year and earn money, they will tell you the opportunities are there, you just have to work hard to attain them. In a time when it is so easy to sit back and do nothing, it is very gratifying to see a group of young people who are willing to do something with their Sunday afternoons, other than sit home and "bored".
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by Sgt. Wayne Hebb The following Bell Island matters appeared in provincial court, St. John’s during August and September: On 99-08-11 a 52 year old Bell Island woman was convicted of shoplifting at a local business. She was fined $125. The value of the stolen items was $18.77. On 99-08-28, a 58 year old Bell Island man was convicted of offences of impaired driving and refusing the breathalyzer. He was sentenced to serve eight months in jail, place on probation for three years and prohibited from driving for a three year period. The offence occurred on 98-05-03 and was the man’s seventh criminal code driving conviction. On 99-08-31 a 32 year old Bell Island man appeared in court to commence a trial in relation to a break and enter into the residence of an elderly Bell Island couple and eleven other criminal charges. The man advised the court he had fired his lawyer and the court granted him until 99-09-15 to obtain a new lawyer and to set a date for trial. On 99-08-31, a 13 year old Bell Island boy appeared in court to answer to charges of mischief and making false fire calls. He also appeared on a charge of assault and breach of probation which occurred in St. John’s. The boy entered guilty pleas and all matters have been set over to 99-09-28 for sentencing. number of Bell Island cases were set for 99-09-15. Unfortunately, a complete court report was not available at the time this newsletter was being printed. The following is some of the cases that we have details on: The 32 year old Bell Island man who fired his lawyer on 99-08-31(reported above) appeared in court again this date. He entered guilty pleas to all charges. A 22 year old Bell Island man entered a plea of guilty to assaulting a 29 year old Bell Island man at dance at the Monsignor Bartlett Memorial Arena. He was given a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for one year. A 28 year old Bell Island man was convicted of impaired operation of an All Terrain Vehicle which occurred on 99-08-21. He was fined $600.00 and prohibited from driving a motor vehicle for 12 months. A 49 year old Bell Island man was sentenced to serve 10 days in jail in relation to a charge of uttering threats and breach of probation. A 45 year old Bell Island man was convicted of selling beer to an underage youth on this date. He was fined $250.00. A number of other matters were postponed for trial dates and other purposes. Full details will be reported in the next newsletter.
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Special Constable Kerry Thistle hangs up her uniform after a very busy summer. Kerry was hired on as a student constable in May of this year. She worked with the RCMPolice Bell Island Community Policing Office and got to experience all aspects of rural policing. The most important part of her duties was the completion of a client satisfaction survey. It was a large undertaking but she handled it well and completed it well ahead of schedule. Kerry is a very pleasant person who easily handled all tasks she was given. She finished up on August 20 and will be returning to Dalhousie to complete her studies. She will be missed by the members at this unit. All the best to Kerry in her future endeavours.
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Anyone interested in placing an article in this newsletter is welcome to do so. It is preferred if the article is submitted in WordPerfect format and on disk as this makes inputting much simpler. Submissions are required on the Monday before the 15th of each month. All submissions are welcome. If you have any comments, suggestions or you wish to discuss a personal or community problem, by all means visit our office situated on Memorial Street or contact us at the following: Telephone 709-488-3312 Everyone is Worthy of Respect
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