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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2007 13THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 200712 ?????????????????? ????????????????????? ???????????? ?????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????Nov. 17/07 ????????????????????? ????????????????????????? Second Hand Shop ???? ?????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????? OPEN every day during sale 11-5 CASH OR CHEQUES ONLY PLEASE. LAST 3 DAYS - NOVEMBER 10 - 17 50% OFF EVERYTHING ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT HUGE SALE! HUGE SALE! ??? ???? ????? ??????????????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ???????? Briefcases, cash, comput- ers, cell phones, purses or wallets, CDs and MP3s or I- Pods. Do these items sound like a shopping list for gifts at Christmas? They do and it is also the list of the most common items stolen from unlocked cars throughout Wellington County. Wellington OPP has seen an increase in this type of crime lately. Officers have responded to 12 thefts from autos, all from unlocked cars so far in the month of November. Tips can help prevent peo- ple from becoming victims from a Lock It or Lose It campaign: Never leave valuables in plain sight. Secure all doors and win- dows, even at your own home. Park in a well-lighted area. Remove packages or parcels from inside the car and lock them away in the trunk. Close all windows, in- cluding vent windows and sunroofs. Buy an alarm and use it! Many people believe alarms no longer make a difference, however, they still remain an effective de- terrent to a thief, the OPP Lock it or lose it The Rockwood MILLER Judge throws out assault charges against Scott By Rebecca Ring Provincial Court Justice Norman Douglas dismissed the assault charge against Guelph/Eramosa Councillor John Scott last Monday in Guelph. He found no clear evidence of an assault and said that a criminal court is no place for a council dis- pute, calling it a tempest in a chamber pot. Councillor Reta Moyer accused Scott of making threatening gestures and yelling at her in a closed session of council on March 19. Earlier in the regular meeting, Moyer refused to pass the minutes from a council meeting held outside of the township on March 7, which she claimed was not properly announced and called it inappropriate and unethical. She told the press that this enraged Scott and after the public and press were gone, he jumped out of his chair and stood over her swinging his fists around her head. She said he leaned over her, shouting with rage, and punching at her, coming within an inch or so. She called the O.P.P. on March 28 and Scott was charged with assault. She testified in court that Scott was in a blind rage and out of control; He started swinging his fists right into my face. She added that he never struck her but his saliva was hitting her face as he was yelling. I was very uncomfortable and I was scared, she said, I tried to scrunch down into my chair as far as I could. Crown prosecutor Steve Hamilton also called Coun- cillor Roger Knapp as a witness for the prosecution. Knapp more or less cor- roborated Moyers account. In a statement to the press last March he said, [Scott] slammed his hands on his chair and said he had to speak out, then he ranted and raved at Reta. He smashed his chair off the podium. Johns face was purple, his hands were clenched, and he was waving his arms over top of Reta and she shrunk down in her chair. I dont think he was trying to hit her though. But hes a big man and he was intimidating to a 70-year old woman. He claimed that Deputy Clerk Meaghan Reid was asked to leave the room before the al- leged incident took place. In court, he testified that Scott was shaking his fists in the air, but not in Moyers face. He maintained that Scott was towering over her, and smashed his chair into the table near her. Douglas said this did not match Knapps recorded statement that Scott had thrown or kicked the chair at Moyer. Defence Attorney Martin Dykstra called Clerk/CAO Janice Sheppard and Reid as witnesses for the defence. Their testimony effectively presented reasonable doubt, as their accounts were dif- ferent than Moyers and Knapps. Sheppard testified that is was Moyer who ini- tially hurled insults, calling Scott an asshole and a smart mouth. She said she saw no assault and heard no shouting, but admitted that she may have been out of the room at the time. In a state- ment to the press last March, Moyer said that Sheppard was indeed present smiling and chuckling during the al- leged assault. Douglas asked Sheppard if this council was usually split three-two, to which she answered, Yes. Reid testified that she saw no assault and heard no shouting but admitted she may have been out of the room at the time. Accord- ing to Reid, Moyer was first hostile to Scott, claiming that he asked Moyer why she wanted to make them look like asses in front of the public and press, to which Moyer answered You dont need any help in that direc- tion. I am disappointed, but not surprised, Moyer said of Douglas decision, The judge felt the Crown had not proven the case be- yond reasonable doubt and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. She added that there had not been enough preparation on the part of the Crown. Council ChipsGuelph/ Eramosa by Rebecca Ring Engineer nominated for committee Council supported the nomination of Dale B. Murray as its municipal representative for the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee. Murray is a P. Eng. with Triton En- gineering Services Ltd. His qualifications were outlined and include vast experience in water services and issues in the Grand River Watershed. The formation of this committee is required under Ontarios Clean Water Act. It will determine who is responsible for source protection plans, how to con- sult with property owners, the public and resolve disputes; identify water sources and potential threats to quality and supplies; set out policies on how to reduce threats, who is responsible to take action, timelines and measuring progress. Of those nominated, the GRCA will choose the representa- tive for Guelph/Eramosa, which is part of a group of about 12 municipalities in WellingtonDufferin-Grey Counties and Halton Region. More traps in public waterways Councillor Reta Moyer was sitting on the fence about granting Paul Parkinson permission to trap raccoon on town- ship road allowances and mink and muskrat in waterways. I have a lot of discomfort with trapping, she said, There is a lot of emotion around it regarding wildlife and the en- vironment. Councillor Doug Breen asked that a condition be added to the motion that the trapper must ensure that no dogs are in Continued on page 14 Tanner Ads work!