A4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday August 29 , 2001 Last chance to enter photo contest Amateur photographers are invited to participate in Bronte Creek Provincial Park's annual Amateur Photography Contest, capturing moments on film that reflect this year's theme: `Gateway to Ontario Parks'. Entries must be submitted no later than Sept. 1. Pictures and completed entry forms must be dropped off at the Nature Centre in Bronte Creek Provincial Park, which is located on Burloak Drive just north of the QEW. Participants can submit up to three photos portraying the selected theme. Each entry must include a fully com pleted entry form plus the photographer's name and phone number on the back of each print. Colour or blackand-white prints up to 5" x 7" in size will be accepted. Winners will be contacted by phone by Sept. 30. For more information visit www.OntarioParks.com. H a lt o n P o lic e A s s o c ia t io n o f S IU w a n ts r e s ig n a t io n By Richard Vivian SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is going beyond its mandate and unnecessarily costing taxpayers money, charges the Halton Regional Police Association. The Halton association joined the Police Association of Ontario (PAO) in requesting the resignation of SIU Director Peter Tinsley Thursday -- stating many SIU investigations are unwarranted. "The Halton Regional Police Association certainly supports asking for the resignation of Mr. Tmsley -- unequivocally support it," said Paul LaCourse, association administrator. "We don't have a problem at all with civilian oversight -- we really don't. We just want to ensure that our members are treated fairly." At issue is how strictly the SIU sticks to its mandate unde Tinsley's direction. According to its mandate, an investigation is to be "conduct ed into the circumstances of serious injuries and d ir e c t o r availed itself of that opportunity, but on the basis of unexplained concerns they apparently wish to unilaterally define the scope of opera tions of the SIU while at the same time espous ing support for civilian oversight." The best way to resolve the issue, LaCourse said, would be to establish a code of conduct for SIU staff, investigators and the director. "We want their investigators held to the same standard our members are, which is high. There's probably not too many professions who are scrutinized as much as the action of police officers," he said. Halton Regional Police Chief Ean Algar said he hadn't seen the release by the police associ ation and couldn't direcdy comment on it. "I certainly support the independence of the Special Investigation Unit and the need for a Special Investigation Unit," he said. "I know there's issues that need to be better clarified, but with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police we're working with the Special Investigations Unit and Mr. Tinsley to address the issues." 'Proud 3 Time W inner * in the BEST WINDOWS Category.".,, deaths that may have resulted from criminal offences committed by police officers." The police association believes the SIU has gone beyond that mandate, investigating many incidents involving injuries not related to police involvement. "There has to be some reasonable cause or reasonable belief that the citizen's injuries or death were caused as a result of a criminal action by a police officer, not simply because somebody's hurt," said LaCourse. "When they come in to investigate, it costs the taxpayers money." In a written statement released by Tinsley, he expressed frustration at the news of the police association's call for his resignation. The PAO, he said, backed out of two opportunities to dis cuss the issue with him in recent months. "In regards to accountability, it seems to be that any real or serious efforts to resolve issues must be approached through communication to ensure that there's an understanding of the facts on part of all parties," he said. "Unfortunately, the PAO leadership has not Seniors' centres holding open houses next week C a ll F o r A F re e E stim ate (905) 849-7800 SHOW ROOM 4 0 2 W n s to n Churchill Blvd. The Oakville Senior Citizens' Recreation Centre and the Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors are holding open houses this fall. On Thurs. Sept. 6, the O akville Senior C itizens' Recreation Centre at 263 Kerr Street invites you to brow se through the Centre and sample a variety of programs set to go this fall. The Open House will start at 9 a.m. and run through until 3 o 'clock. Over at the Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road (Third Line and Lakeshore), they'll be holding their Open House on Friday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Join in a fitness class, sit back and watch the entertain ment, or see w hat's new in the computer lab. The Senior Centres are focused on providing an active and social atm osphere where adults 50-plus can meet and par ticipate in a number of group and individual activities. You'll find programs from hiking and fit ness to computers and music. During the Open H ouses, instructors will be on site to dis cuss the classes and demonstra tions will be held throughout the day. W hen you're ready to relax, enjoy a barbecue lunch, avail able at both Centres during the Open Houses. 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East & QEW(905) 631-9655 Erin Mills Town Centre (905) 607-2300 Georgetown Dealer Store (905) 877-5172 Hamilton Centre Mall (905) 545-4741 Limeridge Mall Hamilton (905) 389-4441 Mapleview Centre Burlington (905) 632-4111 Milton Dealer Store (905) 878-4104 Mississauga Dealer Store (905) 848-8882 Mississauga Furniture & Appliances Store Hwy. 5 & 403 (905) 820-6801 Oakville Race (905) 842-9410 Square One Shopping Centre (905) 270-8111 Save now during our National Applian plus everyday good values Major appliances from Sears are Canada's Bestsellers Based on independent national surveys current at time of advertising preparation Major appliances online at www.sears.ca *Don`t pay until September 2002, on approved credit, only with your Sears Card. Minimum $200 purchase. $45 deferral fee and all applicable taxes and charges are payable at time of purchase. Excludes items in our Liquidation/Outlet stores and Catalogue purchases. Offer ends Sunday, September 30, or where Sears is closed, Saturday. September 29,2001. Ask for details. S e a rs O a k v ille P la c e Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am-9 pm. Sat. 8 a m -6 p m . S ears Furniture & A p p lia n c e Store M is s is s au g a Mon.-Fri. 10 am-9 pm. NP0910401 . S un.11 a m -6 p m . sat. io a m -6 p m . s u n .11 am -6pm . Copyright 2001. Sears Canada Inc. Tomorrow has been declared as a date to remember the "disappeared" in India. Amnesty International is con cerned about the continuing occurrence of "disappearances" in Jammu and Kashmir in India. The Association of the Parents of Disappeared Persons [APDP] has declared Aug. 30 as a date of com memoration and awareness for "disap pearances". Following the publicity which surrounded this date last year, the National Human Rights Commission [of India] approached and asked APDP for a list of all those who have been on record as having "disap peared." The APDP supplied the list and is now awaiting a response from the Commission. Victims of "disappearance" are cut off from the world and placed beyond any form of protection. Completely in the power of their captors, they suffer from various forms of abuse and the hopeless certainty that no one in the outside world can help them. They must face the prospect of being killed, and indeed this is often how their life ends. The impact of a "disappearance" upon the immediate family of the vic tim is now beginning to be internation ally recognized as a further form of tor ture. There are economic hardships in a household that has lost its breadwinner. This can have devastating results for the children in the family. A widow and her children may have to leave their home and move in with relatives or in-laws who see them as a financial burden leading to a loss of domestic security and affection. The death or "disappearance" of a family member seriously affects chil dren and can have a devastating affect on the emotional welfare of a child. When a child's father or elder brother "disappears" they experience fear and anguish at a time when they should grow in trust and confidence. The impact on a child's emotional welfare will be even greater if they have wit nessed the violent death of a loved one. Unfortunately children are not only affected indirectly by "disappearances" - sometimes they are the victims of "disappearance" themselves. Amnesty International is particularly concerned about the "disappearance" of children and juveniles in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the growth of pro-indepen dence militancy in India in the early 1990's anywhere from 1,000 to nearly 3,000 people have "disappeared" in Jammu and Kashmir. People allegedly "disappear" in the custody of state police as well as the Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, and the Rashtriya Rifles. Police regu larly refuse to file complaints about incidents of "Disappearances." Publicity that can be generated to support The Parents of the Disappeared will increase the chances that "disap pearances" will stop and that the National Human Rights Commission [of India] will speed up its investiga tion as to the whereabouts of those peo ple who have disappeared. On August 30 , take the time to appreciate how it would feel if any member of your fam ily "disappeared". If you would like to support this cause, please contact Amnesty International, Group 75 in Oakville, by e-mail at ai75oak@icomm.ca to obtain suggestions regarding whom to contact and where to send letters. R ita M c P h e rs o n is w ith A m n e s ty In te rn a tio n a l, G ro u p 7 5 in O a k v ille