Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com OUT OF INK? REFILL AND SAVE UP TO 60% Raitt moved in cabinet shuffle Page 8 (formerly Island Ink-Jet) Upper Oakville Shopping Centre (Upper Middle & 8th Line) 905-842-5600 refill refill GET READY FOR HOCKEY 10 SHARPENINGS $47.50 TAX INCLUDED 905-849-5980 At Upper Middle & Eighth Line A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 53 No. 8 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2010 64 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Oakville member of Toronto 18 sentenced to 12 years By Isabel Teotonio THE TORONTO STAR Family in middle of horror in Haiti Oakville chiropractor Dr. Cheryl van der Mark and her family -- husband Laurens and children Teagan, Bridgely and Grayden -- are currently in Haiti. Cheryl is the director of Oakville's North Ridge Family Chiropractic. She and her family are 18 months into a two-year stay in Haiti with Missouribased Mission of Hope Haiti. The family is living at the mission's compound about 30 km outside of Port-au-Prince, which was destroyed by last week's earthquake. All of the van der Marks are safe. The children have resumed their schooling while their parents are assisting other earthquake victims. Their story is unbelievable. While only a one-line e-mail from Teagan stating that the family was safe was all many had heard from the family, early Tuesday morning -- nearly a week after the quake struck -- Cheryl took time to post an update on the family's blog, The van der Mark Crew. "We are right in the middle of all this catastrophe ... that is why we have not replied," said Laurens in an e-mail to the Oakville Beaver early Tuesday. Laurens said those wishing an update can visit the family's blog to have all their questions answered. Saad Gaya, who confessed to being part of a homegrown terror cell that plotted to blow up truck bombs in Toronto, was sentenced to 12 years Monday. With credit for pre-trial custody, Gaya, who has been in jail since his 2006 arrest, will now serve an additional four-anda-half years. "Gaya was not the prime mover...he took detailed orders, he did not give them," Justice Bruce Durno, told a BrampSaad Gaya ton court. Durno said Gaya's role in the bomb plot by members of the socalled Toronto 18 was that of a "helper." Durno said he was persuaded Gaya had accepted responsibility for his actions and did not believe the young man was a dangerous offender and threat to society. The judge said Gaya's "naive and trusting disposition" played a role in his involvement and made him a "suitable recruit." MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER WORRIED: Oakville resident Vida Mobasher holds a picture of her brother, Babak, 31, and his wife, Leva, 24, who have been imprisoned in Iran for allegedly participating in anti-government demonstrations. Vida, however, suspects the couple, who, like her are members of the Baha'i faith, may be victims of religious persecution. Woman fears for imprisoned brother No contact from brother and his wife since their arrest in Iran By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF See Politically page 3 She's desperate to help her brother, but she's a world away from Iran where his fate is being decided. Oakville resident Vida Mobasher is currently living a nightmare, agonizing over every phone call and the potentially devastating information it could bring. It has been two weeks since Vida's younger brother Babak, 31, and his wife Leva, 24, were arrested in Tehran for allegedly participating in anti-government demonstrations and e-mailing photos of those demonstrations abroad. Since then, neither Vida nor her parents, who still reside in Iran, have heard a word from Babak or Leva See Baha'is page 5 See Family page 13 No Pay for 6 months and Huge Rebates PLUS We guarantee your valuable Manufacturer and Government Rebates and take care of the Paperwork for you. For Deadlines and Complete Details call 905-844-2949 Ask about our excellent Financing and Great Terms. SERVING OAKVILLE FOR 26 YEARS! 175 Wyecroft Rd. Oakville 905.845.6653 Between Kerr & Dorval VISIT OUR ALL NEW WEBSITE YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS! www.lockwoodchrysler.com