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8 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,October 19, 2010 Police try to find solution for Acton man's identity woes By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Halton Police believe they have come up with a way to help ease the problems a local man who shares his name and birth date with a convicted criminal has been having. For the past 20 years Michael Gordon of Acton has been hounded for his namesake's mistakes-- receiving letters saying his driver's licence was at risk of being suspended for non payment of fines-- letters intended for the other Michael Gordon, and being hassled at the border. Until recently, U.S. border agents always managed to verify, eventually, that Gordon is not an outlaw. But things changed this past summer, Town of Halton Hills. when Gordon and his father, Van der Lelie said Gordon has Don, tried to cross the border to provide his fingerprints so he at Queenston for a few hours of can be cleared through the RCMP shopping and dinner in Lewisdatabase of sexual offenders, then ton, N.Y. police can provide him with a letWhile their vehicle was ter permitting him to volunteer at searched, Gordon was taken to his kids' school. a secure room and questioned He said Halton Police will be about why he was attempting to cross into the U.S. He was also able to go a step further in helpasked to remove his clothes so ing Gordon by running his fingeragents could search for tattoos prints then providing him with a MICHAEL and scars-- some of the other certificate he can take with him GORDON Michael Gordon's distinguishwhen he travels across the boring features. Gordon has been der stating he does not have a convicted of something bad, police have told criminal record. him, while refusing to provide any details. Van der Lelie doesn't think it will stop Gordon said he spent about six hours border agents from doing a second check, waiting for the mix-up to get resolved, dur- "but with extra documentation he will be ing which time agents photographed and starting on a positive note." fingerprinted him twice. Gordon is appreciative of the efforts of It never was ironed out. Gordon and his both Van der Lelie and Bonnette to help. father were denied entry. "They've done a fantastic job in addressSince then, Gordon has applied to be a ing this," said Gordon. parent volunteer at his sons' school, a job He said getting the clearance to volunrequiring a police security clearance, which teer at school is one hurdle and he's hopeful at the time Halton Police couldn't provide the certificate from Halton Police will help because a convicted person with his name him at the border. keeps popping up on their computer. "I've got young kids and I want to take After reading about Gordon's plight in them to Florida," said Gordon. the Toronto Star Halton Regional Police InIt's been suggested he change his name, spector John Van der Lelie called Gordon but Gordon doesn't want to do that. offering to help. Halton Hills Mayor Rick He thinks that will just serve as red flag Bonnette has also been involved in attempt- to border agents, and also, "I would rathing to clear up the situation for Gordon, er stay in Canada than have to change my who works as a parks employee for the name." HAIR SALON Cuts, Highlights, Colour, Updo's, Chemical Straightening, Keratin Smoothing Treatment & More Donna - Certified Medical Esthetician AESTHETICS OCTOBER SPECIALS Improve blood circulation and metabolism, cleans out This procedure removes skin Using pulsed-light, we treat the pores and makes the pigmentation on the skin. this common skin disease skin clean and fresh Providing quality cuts, styles & treatmens for women, men & children. Diamond Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments Skin Scrubber Chemical Peel For treating congested skins, Face Lift rosacea and assists with the Targets the college and initial treatment of thick elastic fibers of the facial rough skins. layers Ultrasound Deep Cleansing Facial Deep cleaning of pores, toning and a mask treatment Free Aesthetics Consultation 10 Mountainview Road South - Georgetown 905 702 2552 Busy Schedule? No time to Cook? Call Pat to get your Roast Chicken (Wed. & Fri.) Roast Beef or Porchetta Roast 333 Mountainview Rd. S., Georgetown 33 905-873-0352