Bell Island Community Policing Newsletter

Community Policing - Everyone’s Business

Not just another day off
From The Sarge’s Desk
September Stats
The Bell Island Food Bank News
Bell Island Brighter Futures
Wabana Town Council Report
Halloween Safety
Wabana Volunteer Fire Dept
Court Watch
Sports Corner
Men Don’t Cry
On the Web
Policing Stories from the Past
2410 RCACC Bell Island Cadet.
Stop Smoking Program
St. Michael’s High News
Reader’s Submission
Stupid Criminals
Fraud Alert
Counterfeit money
Katimavik
Did you Know?
Closing Remarks

November 11th is Remembrance Day

See Not Just Another Day Off

Not just another day off

I know this is a little early but this day will have come and gone before the next Newsletter is completed so I thought it would be appropriate to write something on it this month. I’ve never been much of a history buff but I certainly realize the importance of the past. Remembrance Day....Does anyone really know what it is anymore? Why the big deal every year? Well, I can’t give you any text book answers but I can tell you what I feel it is all about.

As long as there has been human civilization, there has been conflict, some of which has developed into wars. However, nothing close to the magnitude of the two World Wars in this century. Yes, but World War II ended fifty-four years ago, some might say. It’s over, done with, end of story, so why keep it going year after year. The best way I can explain the importance of this is why I attend.

Ever since I have been a police officer with the RCMPolice, I have had a love-hate relationship with the red serge uniform. On one hand, I admire it because it is the symbol of RCMPolice and seeing someone wearing it, instills a sense of pride of being a small part of this organization. That’s the key terminology here ‘seeing someone wearing it’. Someone preferably other than myself. Funny you probably thought all RCMPolice officers loved the uniform and would wear it to bed if they could. Well not me. As long as someone else wears it, I really like it. The red jacket is scratchy and as the years pass by it seems to shrink (probably from all that dry-cleaning). The pants are tight and itchy and the boots definitely are not the slip on- slip off type. To put it mildly, I find it somewhat uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to wear it but I like to grumble too, I guess. However, on Remembrance Day, I have never felt like that. Putting on the uniform that day, is very important for me. I never realized how important until a few years ago when I was working plain clothes duties in Grand Falls-Windsor. I didn’t put on the uniform for Remembrance Day that year but I did attend the ceremony. It was very cold that year and there were big flakes of snow driving down as the veterans stood unwaveringly at attention before the cenotaph. Although most everyone there was in civilian clothes the same as I was, I suddenly felt out of place. I realized then, as long as I was a police officer, I would wear my uniform on Remembrance Day. I don’t know how to explain it. The Second World War ended long after I was born (well not that long) and I didn’t have much involvement with any veterans or anything about the war for that matter. It’s mostly since I became a police officer that Remembrance Day has become important for me. Attending the Remembrance Day ceremonies in various communities around the province, meeting the veterans after the ceremony over a hot bowl of soup, and listening to stories about the war, has developed into a day steeped in tradition for me. I don’t know why but it seems the weather is usually nasty on Remembrance Day but the ceremony goes ahead all the same...because it must.

Nowhere do I know this more, than when I’m standing in uniform, before the cenotaph at attention when the last post is playing. No where do I realize more the sacrifice of those who fought so bravely for the freedom that we enjoy today. Nowhere do I realize more that the horrors and atrocities of these wars must never happen again. As I look down at the uniform I’m wearing, I understand only too well, the privileges I have. Without the sacrifice made by these men and women, I wouldn’t be enjoying the rights and freedoms I have today. All this and more goes through my mind when I attend each Remembrance Day ceremony. I am humbled by the tremendous ordeal these men and women underwent for this country and its people. The very least I can do is attend the ceremony each year and don the uniform which I am privileged to wear. Maybe this will show those that remain that I remember and maybe... the uniform I wear will show this country remembers too.

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From The Sarge’s Desk

The conviction of a 32 year old Bell Island man on 99-10-07 for two counts of arson, ended a not soon to be forgotten chapter in the lives of some residents of Bell Island. Thisman was the second individual to be convicted of arson in relation to a series of fires which caused residents and fire and police officials some anxious moments on April 27th of this year. This man and another Bell Island man deliberately set six to eight brush fires which burned approximately 189,850 square feet of brush, grass and trees on the west end of Bell Island around the Middleton Avenue area. The largest of these fires came to within a 100 metres of some residences, causing one home owner to remove furniture and belongings from his residence. The Wabana Volunteer Fire Department responded in full force and used all of their resources going from fire to fire. Police responded but also ended up running from one fire to the next. The situation was becoming very serious. There were two persons setting the fires and before the fire department could get one fire under control, they had started another. The question on everybody’s mind was, Could they be stopped before someone got hurt? No one had time to answer that question on April 27th but I think if you look at what happened that day, the answer was yes. What I mean, is it was a day the residents, fire officials and police worked as a team. Residents reporting sightings of fires and of the two culprits responsible, assisting in the fighting of the fires, assisting in the search for and apprehension of these two men. Volunteer fire fighters relentlessly fought the fires and assisted in the search for and apprehension of these men. It was an emergency and people responded not by cowering in fear but by wading right in. It was only due to this action... this teamwork...that the case was successfully concluded. Their response to this very serious situation is highly commendable. It displays a community with spirit and pride in their surroundings. Without it someone may have been seriously hurt or worse. Without it these two men may not have been apprehended. They may never have had to face the responsibility for their crime. Acceptance of responsibility is the key to change in any criminal behaviour. I sincerely hope it is a long lasting change.

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September Stats

The RCMPolice Bell Island Community Policing office responded to 50 requests for service during the month of September. The following are a few of the calls that were received:

On 99-09-01 a 33 year old Mount Pearl resident reported receiving a threatening telephone call on 99-08-27. An investigation was conducted and an 18 year old Bell Island man was charged with uttering threats by telephone. He will appear in court on 99-11-10.

On 99-09-03 at 12:38 am police responded to a call of assistance from the owner of a local restaurant. The glass to the entrance door had been broken out. A 18 year old Bell Island man and a 16 year old Bell Island youth were taken into custody as a result. The 18 year old faces charges of breach of probation and drinking under age. The 16 year old has been charged with damage to property. They will appear in court in November 1999.

During the early morning hours of 99-09-12, a 22 year old Bell Island man was struck by a vehicle on West Mines Road when he jumped in front of it. He received minor injuries as a result. He was charged with moving in front of oncoming traffic. The man had been drinking at the time.

On 99-09-15 police received a call from a 67 year old Bell Island man reporting the theft of a large quantity of money from his residence. Investigation is continuing.

On 99-09-20 at 4:33 pm the owner of a local business contacted the police to report a 37 year old Bell Island woman had stolen a six pack of beer from the store. The woman has been charged with theft and will appear in court on 99-11-10.

On 99-09-22 police were called to the scene of a disturbance on the East End of Bell Island. A 46 year old Bell Island man was charged with uttering threats and breaching his probation. He appeared in court on 99-10-06 and entered not guilty pleas to these offences and the matters have been postponed for trial.

On 99-09-23 police were called to the scene of a disturbance on McDougal Street. As a result a 13 year old Bell Island girl was charged with causing a disturbance and another 13 year old Bell Island girl was charged with two counts of assault.

On 99-09-25 police attended the scene of a motor vehicle accident on West Mines Road. No injuries were involved but both vehicles were damaged. The driver of one of the vehicles, a 23 year old Bell Island man was charged with operating a motor vehicle without insurance and driving without due care and attention.

On 99-09-26 police received a report of a break and enter into a residence on Quigley’s Line. Investigation conducted indicates the offence occurred sometime between noon hour on 99-09-25 and 11:21 am on 99-09-26 when the offence was reported. It appears more than one individual was involved. The person(s) took a television, VCR, CD player, a scanner, a vacuum cleaner, some jewelry, a hair dryer, a curling iron, and wind chimes.

On 99-09-27 a 69 year old Bell Island man reported that sometime between 99-09-20 and 99-09-27 his residence on the Green had been illegally entered. Twenty dollars in cash and a quantity of pills were stolen from the residence.

On 99-09-29, a Bell Island man found his 78 year old neighbour dead in the yard outside the neighbour’s residence on Dwyer’s Lane. Police responded and the investigation revealed no foul play. An autopsy later determined the man’s death was due to natural causes.

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The Bell Island Food Bank News

It remains as always a very busy time for the Food Bank. As fundraising and donations are our only source of revenue, our Board, employees and volunteers either are in the middle of a fundraising event or planning the next one. Most times, it appears that we’re doing both. Without the many volunteers we depend on, we could not achieve the goals we set for each event. Once again thanks to each and every one of you.

The SALVATION ARMY has asked for our assistance in the Registration and Distribution of Christmas hampers this year. We’re delighted to be able to help them in anyway we can.

For everyone’s enjoyment, Paul Butler will be playing Christmas Music and John Doherty will be singing Christmas Songs. Tea, coffee and soup will be available as well as sweets and candy canes for the children.

WE HEARD RUMORS THAT SANTA CLAUS WILL BE AT THE HALL GIVING OUT THE CANDY CANES.

Christmas time is the season of giving. BELL ISLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK welcomes any and all donations. You can reach us at 488-2656 or drop by anytime between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.

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Bell Island Brighter Futures

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
18 Normore Crescent
(709)-488-2699

By Holly Neary Program
Co-ordinator

What is Brighter Futures? This is a program under the Canadian Action Plan for Children (CAP-C) which is funded by Health Canada. Programs are offered free of charge to children aged 0 to 6 and their parents or caregivers. The programs have been offered on Bell Island since 1995 and for the past two years have been offered from a Newfoundland and Labrador Housing unit which gives ownership of the programs to the parents and children of the community. The programs are designed to improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Each program offers something different to every family by offering such programs as:

Parent’s & Tot’s - this is a friendly, supportive place in a "low stress" environment, where parents and children can have undistracted time together, a place to play together, meet new friends, gain new skills, share ideas, and exchange ideas for parents regarding children and their activities. This is run by the parents, has a facilitator, operated at no charge to the parent, and balances support for parents and play for their children. The program is held every Wednesday and Friday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Community Kitchens - this is a community based program which brings families together once a month to cook healthy, low-cost meals. The families plan, shop for, and cook a variety of meals using food staples and fresh produce for each family member. Each family member contributes $2.00 towards the cost of the food, Brighter Futures provides the food staples and cookware, and a community sponsor covers the remaining costs. At each session 4 to 5 meals are prepared per person to take home for each family member..

Celebrity Reading - this program is monthly and invites individuals of the community to come and read to the parents and children in a group setting. We have had such guests as Santa Clause, a Halloween Witch, Policemen, Newfoundland Power, a Nurse and many others.

Healthy Baby Club - this is for pregnant mothers and fathers who receive support from a volunteer resource mother, public health nurse, and nutritionist during the pregnancy. Everyone meets weekly at which time the pregnant mother receives a food supplement of fresh milk, oranges and eggs for each week they are in the program.

Parents Club - this is an opportunity to get together and socialize with other parents. Parents and friends get together once a month at the centre to play cards, order out, watch a movie, make crafts and much more. It is unstructured and allows parents quality time to themselves to meet their needs and interests.

There are many other programs like Family Day, Crafts With Parent’s & Tot’s, Adult Literacy, Cooking With Kids, Junk Construction, Quakerly Outings, Seminars, Training Sessions, Etc... All the programs are offered FREE OF CHARGE with transportation and child care being provided for programs if needed. I would like to invite you as a parent or caregiver to take your child and yourself to one of our programs and see what it has to offer to you. There is no pre-registration required and you come to programs when you want as often as you want. As the old saying goes "You can’t knock it until you try it". If you have any questions or need a little more information please feel free to call me at 488-2699 or your Public Health Nurse at 488-2702 and we would be happy to discuss this with you further.

Some activities coming up that I would like to invite you to are the following:

October 20 - Parent’s & Tot’s - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
October 20 - Parent’s Club - 6:30pm
October 22 - Celebrity Reading - Halloween Witch -1:00pm to 3:00pm
October 27 - Parent’s & Tot’s - Halloween Party - 2:30pm to 4:30pm
October 29 - Parent’s & Tot’s
November 02 - Community Kitchens
November 3 - Parent’s & Tot’s
November 05 - Parent’s & Tot’s Cooking
November 10 - Parent’s & Tot’s
November 19 - Rummage/Bake Sale Fund Raiser

For these events please call ahead of time, if possible, as treats and space required allow for pre-planning.

NOTE: If anyone has items they would like to donate to our upcoming rummage sale or would like to donate a baked good please call me at the above number and I will gladly have it picked up. Thank you.

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Wabana Town Council Report

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Halloween Safety

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Wabana Volunteer Fire Dept

By Fire Chief Jim Pendergast

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK was OCT.3-9,1999 THIS YEAR’S THEME IS: SPARKY’S GREAT ESCAPE (PLAN AND PRACTICE FIRE DRILLS)

Last week was fire prevention, although fire prevention should be practiced all year long, this is the week when emphasis are put on this particular topic. This year it is about the planning and practice of fire drills in the home. Every year people die in fires because they cannot find their way out in a fire emergency .They become disoriented in a smoke-filled building.

DON’T WAIT. SIT DOWN WITH YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN TODAY. Draw a map of your home showing every room, and window. Mark an easy way out of each room, then find a second way out. Mark every way out of your home so you know how to get out of the building no matter where you are. Talk to the members of your family, and pick an outside place in front of your home where everyone will meet after they have escaped.

PRACTICE YOUR PLAN: Getting out of your own home sounds easy, but your home can look very different if it’s full of smoke. so practice your plan. Pick a person to be in charge and start the drill by pushing the test button on a smoke alarm and yelling,"FIRE DRILL EVERYONE OUT!"Then follow your escape plan and go directly to your meeting place. You can pretend that some ways out are blocked by flame or smoke. That’s when you might use your second way out of a room. Smoke alarms make a loud noise to tell you when there’s fire. Learn the sound your smoke alarm makes.

ANY TIME YOU HEAR THE ALARM, GO OUTSIDE-IMMEDIATELY. REMEMBER: A fire drill is not a race. Get out quickly, but carefully. Don’t run.

ESCAPE TIPS: 

• Never try to hide from a fire
• follow your escape plan to get out and stay out.
• If you see any smoke when you’re escaping, try another way out.
• If you have to escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees with your head one to two feet above the floor. The air will be cleanest, coolest, and safest there.
• When you hear a smoke alarm, leave the building immediately. DON’T TRY TO SAVE ANYTHING.

Go to your meeting place so that everyone will know you are safe. NEVER ,NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING. On fire prevention week members of the WABANA VOL. FIRE DEPARTMENT went to the schools and gave a presentation on, GREAT ESCAPE, Plan and practice fire drills. We went to St. Augustine’s school on the 6 of October 1:00 pm. and Immaculate Conception school on the 8 of October 10:30 am At the end of the presentation students were asked to submit an escape plan for their home and turn them in on OCT.13/99. Four home escape plans will be picked .A boy and girl from each schools. The winners will be FIRE CHIEF FOR A DAY. They will be picked up by the fire truck at their school and have dinner at the fire hall. Members who took part in the presentation: Jim Pendergast Sr. Fire Chief, Frank Pendergast, Fire Prevention Officer, Ron Barnes, Firefighter, and John Taylor, Firefighter.

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Court Watch

by Sgt. Wayne Hebb

The following Bell Island cases appeared in provincial court during the month of September and October.

The list of cases reported during the month of September was not complete at the time the newsletter was published so the remaining cases have been reported here:

On 99-09-15 a 36 year old Bell Island man entered pleas of guilty to charges of mischief and obstruction of a police officer. The charges resulted in relation to an incident which started on Grammar Street on 99-07-24. The man received a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for 18 months. He was also given a victim fine surcharge of $70.00.

On 99-09-15, a 25 year old Bell Island man entered pleas of guilty to charges of mischief, causing a disturbance and obstruction of a police officer. The charges resulted from an incident on Grammar Street on 99-07-24. The man received a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for 2 years. He was also given a victim fine surcharge of $105.00

On 99-09-15, a 19 year old Bell Island man entered a guilty plea to a charge of causing a disturbance. The charge resulted from an incident on Grammar Street on 99-07-24. The man received a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for 1 year. He also was given a $35 victim fine surcharge.

On 99-09-15 a 39 year old Bell Island man entered a plea of guilty to a breach of probation charge. He was fined $250 and given a victim fined surcharge of $35.

On 99-09-16, a 32 year old Bell Island man, convicted on 99-09-15 of the break and enter into the residence of an elderly Bell Island couple and eleven other offences, was sentenced. He received a sentence of 17 months in jail and will be on supervised probation for a period of two years after the expiration of his sentence.

On 99-09-28 a 13 year old Bell Island boy was found guilty of mischief and making false fire calls. He received twenty-five hours community services.

On 99-10-06 a 41 year old Bell Island man entered a plea of guilty to a charge of assault causing bodily harm in relation to an incident which occurred on Grammar Street during the early morning hours of 99-07-24. He was convicted and given a suspended sentence and placed on probation for six months. Several others charged in this incident will go to trial in December of this year.

The trial of a 38 year old Bell Island woman charged with two counts of allowing her dog to be at large was held on 99-10-06. She was convicted and received a fine of $100 on each count.

The trial of a 32 year old Bell Island man charged with several counts of arson was resolved quickly on 99-10-07 when the man changed his plea to guilty to two counts of arson. He was convicted and given a six month conditional sentence (house arrest) and will be placed on probation for two years upon the expiration of his sentence. He was also give a victim fine surcharge of $35.

On 99-10-10, a former Bell Island resident was arrested in the St. John’s area on a warrant of arrest on a 1998 Bell Island file. The man was charged with obstructing a police officer as a result of an incident outside a local licenced establishment on 98-10-18. The man left the province and did not appear in court on 98-12-16. As a result of this he was charged with failure to appear in court. The man was held in custody until 99-10-12 when he entered guilty pleas to both charges. He was fined a total of $660 and placed on probation for a period of one year.

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Sports Corner

by Sgt. Wayne Hebb

The Bell Island Junior Blues put the Avalon Pacers in their place this past Saturday during the opening game at the Monsignor Bartlett arena. The 450 fans who attended the first game of the 1999/2000 season on 99-10-09 watched intently as the local team blasted the Avalon Pacers 6-2. Carl Connors rifled the first two goals past the Pacers goal tender to start Bell Island on the move. Chris Benoit popped in another pair of goals for the Blues and Dion Durdle and Calvin Power tipped in a goal apiece to round off the Blues total to six.

Mike Carroll and Steve Benmore for the Avalon Pacers were lucky enough to get a goal each past the Blues net minder, Steve Pomeroy but his nettending prevented any further scoring. This is the first win of the season for the Blues who lost a 4-3 clincher to the Avalon Pacers earlier in the week.

The momentum from Saturday’s win was not enough to carry the Blues through the first game with the Trinity-Placentia Flyers on Sunday. The Blues lost to the Flyers 5 - 3.

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Men Don’t Cry

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On the Web

Attention all net surfers out there! If you are having trouble finding a good site, you don’t have to look past your back door. The September/October 1999 issue of the Canadian magazine, Sympatico Netlife lists the Bell Island website (www.bellisland.net) as one of the Top Sites to visit. The following is reprinted from that magazine:

"The Big Bell, the Iron Bell, Belle of the Bay- there seems to be no shortage of names for the island in Conception Bay on the eastern end of Newfoundland. First settled by farmers, Bell Island became a thriving mining community during the late 1800's. The mines were closed by 1966, and , sadly, the island’s population dwindled to a mere 4000 since. Like many resource-based communities going through hard times, Bell Island is looking for new ways to thrive. The site profiles what the community has to offer tourists, including underground mine tours and scenic hiking. It also presents a detailed history of the island, a photo album and a mailing list to keep abreast of what’s happening there. Locals will be interested in the e-mail addresses for present and former islanders, a community policing newsletter and a message board where you can drop by to post greetings or dig for clues to possible family connections."

This site has been developed researched and maintained by Reg Durdle of Bell Island. He has made a tremendous effort to make this site an extremely interesting one. It is a site well worth visiting again and again. I haven’t checked the site recently but a couple of weeks ago I did and noted there had been almost 12,000 visitors to the site since March 1999. Congratulations to Reg Durdle for the fine work he has and continues to produce. Dedication like this is not easily found and it goes a long way to promote our community. Keep up the good work, Reg.

Hey, don’t just take my word for it, take a visit and see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

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You learn very early on in this job that you are not always the strongest, fastest or even the coolest person. There are often times when you can’t just wade in and do it the same old way that has proven true many times in the past. Sometimes you just have to improvise to get the job done. No truer statement could have been made when it comes to this month’s story.

One night I was on patrol in Wesleyville with my co-worker, Cst. John Butt. We only had three members stationed in Wesleyville and it was unusual to have two members on but this was one of those nights. Usually on the weekend you tried to make contact with as many of the local trouble makers as possible. Seems if you make some contact with them they think twice about causing trouble. This generally meant liquor act enforcement because weekends are times when people like to party. Now some people might say "Why do they bother someone for drinking a bottle of beer". I’ll tell you that well over 50 percent of our crime involves persons who are under the influence of alcohol so enforcement under the Liquor Control Act goes a long way to curbing other activities which are less desirable to a law biding community. Not all persons we apprehend for liquor offences are criminals but it causes problems if you don’t treat everyone alike. I’ve always been an equal opportunity kind of guy so I never had a problem with this. Anyway we were on patrol in Badger’s Quay and we noted two fellows standing by a rock hill across from the drug store. One fellow was one of our regulars especially when he was drinking. As we approached the two we noted an open dozen box of beer and they were drinking the beer right on the side of the road. We stopped the police car and immediately our regular guy took to the hill. The other guy stood there with the beer case and John approached him. I raced up the hill after Mr. Regular. I breathed heavily as I reached the top of the hill and cursed that extra chicken leg that I had for supper. However, I still had buddy in my sights and I continued on. Now, there’s something about a chase when you start. You just can’t seem to give it up once you begin. You kind of get caught up in it. There’s some little voice inside of you saying "Can’t you even catch a drunk. Boy, time for you to hang up the twinkies. Is that your gums or your belly I hear flapping." At any rate, stubbornness keeps you going despite everything else. On top of the hill, the terrain had rocks jutting out, holes in the ground and boggy parts which made running in the dark very hazardous. I began to think my buddy was going to get away when my inspiration came to me. I opened my mouth and barked loudly. Yes, I barked like a dog, hopefully, like a large dog. Well, at that moment my buddy took a worried look behind but unfortunately for him, he kept running at the same time. He tripped up and fell and I was able to catch up to him. I got him to his feet and both of us stood facing one another doing nothing but breathing heavily for a few moments. Finally, between breaths he said, "Gees, I thought it was a purebred German Shepard." I smiled as we walked back to the police vehicle thinking the success of this chase could be attributed to my good ‘breeding’.

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2410 RCACC Bell Island Cadet.

Capt. W. Fitzgerald, C.O.

2410 Cadets are pleased to welcome an additional 15 cadets into our ranks, we hope you will enjoy your time with us and decide to stay. Parents are asked to encourage their children to remain in cadets and develop their potential.

The green star cadets (1^st year cadets) held an training exercise on Saturday, October 9^th, at Long Harry. Capt. Crosbie & Lt. Jackman, along with several senior cadets, ran a successful training day teaching the cadets bush craft, field craft, and generally how to survive in the field. The cadets came home tired but had a good day. Thank you to Mr. Cyril Dwyer for allowing us to utilize his land for this outing.

O/cdt. Denita Hammond & Kevin Delahunty ran a successful recruiting program at IMC School on Thursday, Oct. 7^th, thank you for a job well done and thank you to Mr. Francis Fitzgerald for allowing us time to conduct the program. We hope to gain even more cadets from the recruiting program.

I am pleased with the effort being made by all cadets, officers and volunteers with 2410. Together we are stronger.

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Stop Smoking Program

Hey, smokers, are you ready to take your health into your own hands? Tired of being a slave to a stick of tobacco? Well, here’s your chance to breathe easy again. The community Health Services is offering an 8 session program to stop smoking commencing on Wednesday 99-10-13 at the Walter Templeman Health Care Center, Bell Island. If you are interested or require further information you can contact, Penny Moore at 709-488-2701.

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St. Michael’s High News

EXEMPLARY ATTENDANCE AWARDS: In last month’s newsletter we mentioned that this year St. Michael’s would be initiating a program to encourage students to achieve high rates of attendance. Part of that program will be referred to as Exemplary Attendance Awards. The specifics of these awards are as follows: 1) to qualify, students must obtain anywhere from 95 - 100% attendance rate for the month (e.g. there were 17 school days in September so for students to qualify, they could have missed only 1 school day for the month); 2) those students who meet this criterion, will have their name written on a voucher and placed in a draw at each grade level; students with 100% attendance will be entitled to 2 vouchers per draw; 3) the winner of each grade level draw will receive a $20.00 gift certificate redeemable at one of the St. John’s music stores. All vouchers for each month will be saved for a grand prize draw at the end of the school year in June; the specific prize is yet to be determined. Each student who meets the 95-100% monthly standard will receive a specially designed Exemplary Attendance Awards Certificate for the specific month.

SCHOOL AND GRADUATE PHOTOS: Atlantic School Photos will be taking regular school photos on Tuesday, November 9 and graduate photos on Monday, November 22. Students will be given the information packages with the prices etc. on Monday the second of November.

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT: Our annual information night for parents was held on Thursday, October 7 from 7:30 - 9:30. The turnout was a respectable one and parent feedback was very positive. Our thanks and appreciation to those parents who attended and a special word of thanks to the following Grade 12 (Level 3) students who helped us out that night: Christy Foley; Mary Ellen Kent; Mary O’Rourke; Melissa Pitts; and Melissa Skehans. We thought we’d pick the most difficult students in Grade 12 to help us - just kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPCOMING REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE: As usual, St. Michael’s will be holding a special Remembrance Day Service on Wednesday, November 10 at 11:00 in the school gym. Various dignitaries and Legion representatives will be in attendance.

STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS: Elections for this year’s student council executive will take place on Wednesday, October 20.

Success lies not in being the best but in doing your best!

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Reader’s Submission

Ms. Debbie Tucker of Beothic Boats Limited, Bell Island dropped this poem to our office a few weeks ago. The author is anonymous but it has a nice message.

When I spill some food on my nice clean dress
Or maybe forget to tie my shoe
Please be patient and perhaps reminisce
About the hours I spent with you
When I taught you how to eat with care
Plus tying shoe laces and your numbers too
Dressing yourself and combing your hair
Those were precious hours spent with you
So when I forget what I was about to say
Just give me a minute- or maybe two
It probably wasn’t important anyway
And I would much rather listen to you
If I tell a story one more time
And you know the ending through and through
Please remember your first nursery rhyme
When I rehearsed it a hundred times with you
When my legs are tired and it’s hard to stand
Or walk the steady pace I would like to do
Please take me carefully by my hand
And guide me now as I did for you.

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Stupid Criminals

I came across these stories while surfing the net. It’s comforting to know there are criminals like these out there. Hope it gives you a chuckle.

Washington, DC (1975) A DC man was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of committing five bank robberies. A common link in three of the robberies was his poor spelling in a note which he handed to the tellers, telling them to put the money in the bag and that he meant ‘no bullshirt’.

South Carolina: A man walked into a local police station and dropped a bag of cocaine on the counter, informed the desk sergeant that it was a substandard cut, and asked that the person who sold it to him be arrested immediately.

Texas: A man convicted of robbery worked out a deal to pay $9600 in damages rather than serve a prison sentence. For payment, he provided the court a cheque--a *forged* cheque. He got 10 years.

Newark, NJ(1987): A robbery suspect was arrested after reportedly removing his mask during a holdup at his former place of employment. When he approached an employee and asked for the firm’s money, the victim recognized his voice and said "Bill, is that you?" The robber then removed his mask and asked, "How did you know it was me?"

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Fraud Alert

I found the following article written by Linda Swain on the VOCM website:

"The RCMP are advising the public to be aware of a letter being circulated to local businesses and individuals. Ferryland RCMP say a local resident contacted them after a letter was faxed to him from someone claiming to be an advisor to the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Police say the letter claims that due to political unrest in the country, the government must hide some 14.2 million dollars in US funds in personal bank accounts, until the political situation settles down. The letter then lists a phone number to call if you are interested in keeping the money in your account. RCMP advise the public not to call the number and never give your bank account or credit information over the phone."

The old saying "if it sounds too good to be true then it probably isn’t" comes to mind.

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Counterfeit money

Some counterfeit $100 bills have been circulating in the Harbour Breton area.

RCMP there have received a total of five of these bills. They are significantly smaller than the regular $100 bills and the color has a washed out appearance. The small foil tag appears on the bill but it is obviously fake. There is no indication at this time that these bills are circulating outside the Harbour Breton area. However, businesses and their employees may want to scrutinize any $100 bills they come in contact. Should you find anything suspicious contact the RCMPolice office immediately.

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Katimavik

By Bebhinn Jennings
Toronto, Ontario

Hello Bell Island from your local Katimavik group! We began our stay on September 15^th and we have been kept busy since day one. Beginning with orientation, our group, consisting of 11 young adults from across Canada have been through caves, down mine # 2, up the Cape Spear lighthouse, hiking along the east coast trail system and sea kayaking along the coast.

We are now situated in our work placements around the community, and we are anxiously awaiting our stay with our billet families starting on the 10^th of October. We will also be helping out at local events in the community including family on October 9th and children`s day on November 20th.

We are going to continue our Katimavik adventure on December 1^st heading to Brandon, Manitoba and then to Drummondville, Quebec in early February.

Thank you for your hospitality and we are looking forward to the rest of our stay on Bell Island.

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Did you Know?

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Closing Remarks

You will note there are a few more submissions from the community in the newsletter this month. If you are interested in placing an article in the newsletter, submit your article in WordPerfect format (preferably) and on disk. 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
Fax 709-488-2311
E-mail whebb@nf.sympatico.ca

Everyone is

Worthy of

Respect

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