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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September.29, 1987 -- § Viewpoint by John B. McClelland I may be old-fashioned, but I still believe that a per- son charged with a crime is innocent until proven other- wise in front of a judge or jury. : This quaint notion seems to have been brushed under the carpet in the case of Kirby Inwood, a Toron- to man charged with assault against his Russian wife Tanya Sedorova and their infant son Misha. Inwood, you may recall, captured the hearts of a lot of people this summer with his much publicized struggle to get his wife and son out of the Soviet Union, 39 they could join him in Canada and begin a new life ere. After fighting with the Soviet authorities for near- ly two years, he was finally successful on September 4 when Tanya and Misha arrived at Mirable amid a blaze of headlines and newspaper photos. Two weeks later, Tanya and Misha require hospital treatment for bruises. They end up in a home for bat- tered women and Inwood is charged by police with two counts of assault. He has yet to face trial. His guilt has yet to be pro- ved. But because the case has been manipulated, he's guilty as hell in the eyes of the public. His wife is being used by several groups in Toronto as a "cause celebre" to publicize the plight of battered women. A fund has been set up in her name to assist women who suffer physical abuse at the hands of their " shelters for abused women. Inwood has been tarred as a wife beater. He's been tried and convicted in the media. No matter what the eventual outcome of his court case, he will forever carry the label of a guy who roughed up his wife and infant son. Domestic violence is a serious matter in today's society. There are not enough shelters for battered women and children. wr But do the rights of an individual like Kirby Inwood need to get trampled into the dust to publicize the severi- ty of this issue? What about his right to have his guilt proven beyond a shadow of a doubt in a court of law? What about his right to even a fair trial? The fact that a fund has been set up in his wife's name to help battered women is guilt by association. Could they not have waited until he's had his day in court? What if he's totally innocent, found not guilty of the charge? The stigma will follow him to the grave, thanks to the way this case has been used and manipulated to promote a cause. Violence against women and children is ugly and vile. The many people who are working in shelters, rais- ing money to help these victims are engaged in a noble cause. But I don't think any cause is too noble or just to run rough-shot over the right of any individual to a case. Kirby Inwood has been made a victim, long before one shred of evidence has been presented to a judge or jury. It's not right. A PHILOSOPHY Port Perry Star readers are probably familiar with some of the details surrounding potential changes in the Post Office situation in Nestleton. And just to quickly recap, the Postal Corp. last week presented the owner of the Country Store in Nestleton with a new deal to keep the post office in his store. They want him to run the post office for about $1500 yearly, and that includes staffing the Post Office. The store owner; Peter Fitton, turned down the contract. He says he's too busy running his store to be able to staff the Post Office himself for 34 hours each week, and he doesn't want to hire someone to run the Post Office for him when he gets only $1500 revenue from the Canada Post. On top of that, he no longer will get the $1150 an- nual rent he now receives for the space in his store us- ed s the Post Office. He naturally would like the Post Office to remain as part of his store (it's good for business, obviously) but he was upset at the "take it or leave it attitude" of the Corporation. Some people are probably thinking that if having a Post Office in his store is good for his business, he should make some sacrifice to keep it there. Maybe so. The Canada Post people say the Nestleton Post Of- fice in Fitton's store generates about $8,000 yearly in revenue, but under the present situation, it costs about $20,000 a year in rent and wages to keep it open. That's $12,000 worth of red ink, and the Postal Corporation has husbands or boyfriends. They are using her case to chastise governments for not giving enough money to fair and just hearing in a court of law. Sadly, that's exactly what has happened in this a mandate to get out of the red, someday. (Turn to page 6) Yesterday's Memories 70 YEARS A ~ Thursday, September 27, 1917 Mr. Will Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Patterson who is a chauffeur in the American militia, made a farewell visit to his parents in Prince Albert, as he expects to go overseas in a short time. Miss Margaret Johns, Utica, left on Monday to attend Normal School at Peterborough. Chief Nesbitt has resigned his position as constable, street com- missioner etc. and is going to Oshawa to work in the McLaughlin factory. Pte. Leonard Williams of Petawawa Camp, was home last week. He is expected to go overseas in the near future. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, September 24, 1942 President Roy Cornish and Secretary Bert Hutcheson, Port Perry Lions Club, attended the Zone Advisory Council at Peterboro on Mon- day evening. Pilot Officer Glen MacMaster left on Monday morning to return to Newfoundland where he will continue his duties as Captain of a flying boat. Mr. Henry Dodd has bought the Covin property. Mrs. Dodd, Sr. and Miss Ethel Dodd will be living there. Mr. Harry Stacey, Myrtle Station, was in Whitby on Friday where he bowled in the mixed doubles tournament and brought home second prize. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, September 25, 1952 Hon. Thomas Kennedy, Minister of Agriculture will officially open the 87th annual Cartwright Fair at Blackstock on Wednesday, Oct. 1, president Neil Malcolm announced. Ray Dearborn came through with 29 points at the Port Perry High School annual track and field day, to win the senior boys crown. Freda McCullough won the senior girls crown with 25 points. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hayes, and family of Port Dalhousie, holidayed at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hayes, last week. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, September 26, 1957 Port Perry residents found themselves without water last week when the Bell Telephone Co. accidently pulled a service pipe off the water main while digging a trench for their underground telephone cables. - Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Samells, Nestleton, on the occasion of their Silver Wedding Anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Beare and Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Foster, Green- bank, left Monday morning on a trip east to take in the new seaway. Mr. Russell Batten attended the Postmaster's convention at Ot- tawa last week. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, September 28, 1967 Hon. M.B. Dymond, Ontario Minister of Health informed the Star that the Ont. Hospital Services Commission has approved capital financing assistance for the Community Memorial Hospital project. (Turn to page 8) +1 Letters Truly an accomplished musician To The Editor: Having had the privilege to have taught in Port Perry and to live in Prince Albert I have always found it very satisfying to see the Port Perry community response to the Arts generally and Music specifical- ly. The Scugog Choral Society, the Town Hall Concert Series, The Con- certs In The Park, the Church Con- certs, the School Concerts 4nd the Recitals of all the fine private teachers are part of the tapestry that make this a great place to call home. It is my perception that we all share the sense of pride when so- meone or some team brings honour to Port Perry. Sometimes that honour is in the form of an award, Friendly town! To The Editor: I have just read the September 22nd issue, and came across the let- ter from the family not having a warm welcome to Port Perry, which is a shame, but I don't think the town should be judged by one neighbour. I also moved here on September 1, 1987 and have found the complete opposite. My neighbours are nice and I love to go to the stores as they are so friendly and helpful, just like little Island I came from in England. I love it already. There is only one thing I do dislike, and that is the litter all around, especially along Water Street. It completely ruins the lakefront, and when walking through the town, I find I must keep going sometimes because of wasps (caused by garbage ). Hoping for a clean up. Sincerely, Valerie Carter Port Perry sometimes a civic deed but we always learn about the achievement in the Star. Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to hear an outstanding Port Perry resident performing on Classical Guitar at Gables Restaurant in Oshawa. Fraser Lee is a familiar name to a number of households in Port. He began studying Classical Guitar when he was a student at Port Perry High School. He has played in town on several occasions and I have always enjoyed and appreciated his effort. It has been five years since I last heard Fraser and in those five years Fraser has developed into a truly fine musician. The alumni of outstanding teachers and musicians from Port Perry is large indeed and to me that makes Fraser's ac- complishments all that more signifi- cant. He is not playing an instru- ment that is well understood by a lot of people; almost everyone has a comprehension of what a good pianist is but few can appreciate equivalent achievements on Guitar. Maybe a suggestion of comparison is appropriate. The highest profile Canadian in the idiom is Leona Boyd. As we listened to Fraser last night we realized just what a fine performer he had become. He per- formed artistically with moments of technical brilliance. He did things that even Leona Boyd would have to be impressed with. He is truly an ac- complished musician and worthy of a "'place in the Star." Sincerely, Russ Baird, Prince Albert. (Fraser is playing on Friday and Saturday nights. The food at this French Restaurant is not bad...we are prejudiced as we prefer Port Perry Restaurants.) Volunteers needed Wg are looking for Volunteers to teach Reading, Math and Grammar on Wednesday evenings at Port Perry High School. Some of the students are han- dicapped and have special needs. The teaching is on a one to one basis for two hours a week. Each volunteer has one student. If you are interested in helping please call Continuing Education Department, Durham Board of Education 579-1990. ter to the editor Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newpspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstdnces will this paper print an anonymous let- While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer.