Monday, September 26, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
LeBlanc | City man said he feared going back to jail A1By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com
LeBlanc | City man said he feared going back to jail
A1By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com
Blogger Charles LeBlanc was released from custody Friday morning after being charged by the Fredericton Police Force with creating a disturbance on Queen Street
Stephen MacGillivray/The Daily GleanerCharles LeBlanc is seen leaving the provincial courthouse after he was released with conditions Friday. "This is one of the roughest feelings I ever had in my life, the last 48 hours," said a tired-looking LeBlanc as he talked to reporters outside the Queen Street courthouse.
Provincial court Judge Denis Lordon released him on an undertaking to keep the peace, to be of good behaviour and to stop using a bullhorn in the downtown to broadcast his beef with Fredericton police.
LeBlanc is scheduled to appear in provincial court Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. for a trial after pleading not guilty to causing a disturbance.
He was arrested by Fredericton police Wednesday for shouting through a bullhorn outside the police station. He's upset with the police because it issued a $140 municipal bylaw ticket to him for riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. The ticket was issued on the basis of a third-party complaint.
LeBlanc said he hopes he can find a lawyer to take his case. Friends of the social assistance recipient are offering to help him, LeBlanc said, but he doesn't want to represent himself in court because of the importance of his case, which he believes is a freedom of speech case.
LeBlanc claimed the ticket was instigated by Dan Bussieres, the sergeant-at-arms of the New Brunswick legislature. LeBlanc has had a running battle with Bussieres because he banned him from the legislature in 2006.
LeBlanc frequently mocks Bussieres on his blog, and he called him his sworn enemy Friday.
"I won't even entertain that question," Bussieres said Friday when asked for a response to LeBlanc's accusations. "So it's a crime to file a complaint against Charles LeBlanc?"
LeBlanc began his protest against the Fredericton Police Force for issuing the ticket because he said the force has a double standard.
He tried to lay a third-party jaywalking complaint by supplying police with video evidence of Speaker Dale Graham and deputy premier Paul Robichaud crossing the street illegally, but the force wouldn't issue them tickets.
"We can't have a two-tiered system, one for the filthy rich and one for the filthy poor. I was forced to protest on the street because they won't listen," he said.
LeBlanc claims the Fredericton Police Force is out to get him since he recorded video footage of Fredericton police officers using force to arrest a Quebec soldier in the Tannery bar district. An officer was found not guilty after trial of using excessive force.
LeBlanc is also upset about how he was treated in jail because he was refused access to his own medications.
"When you're in jail, you don't really know what's going on in the outside world. I have ADHD and I'm on medication at night to sleep, and the medical staff at the Saint John regional correction denied me from having my prescription and from having my inhaler.
"They said use another inhaler. I was in pain. I didn't sleep good ... I only slept about six hours the last 48. It wasn't good, and there will have to be an investigation."
LeBlanc said when he's rested, he will seek a meeting with provincial Health Minister Madeleine Dube to demand an investigation into the actions of medical staff at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.
LeBlanc said he would have preferred not to have to sign an undertaking that he wouldn't use a bullhorn in the downtown area, but he feared spending more time in jail.
"The last time I was in jail was in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1978, and I think it was better in Phoenix (than) in Saint John. I'm a strong supporter of freedom of speech, but when you're told if you don't sign these papers you can be remanded in custody for another month, moi, with no medication, I would have died," he said.
"It's a scary, scary case because it could set a precedent across Canada. If I represent myself, I might blow this case."
LeBlanc has had skirmishes with police in the past. In 2006, he was arrested when he blogged at a demonstration at the Atlantica business conference in Saint John. He was acquitted of the charge.
LeBlanc also shows up frequently at public events in Fredericton, at city council and does street interviews with local politicians.
About 20 of his friends attended his Friday court appearance.
A1By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com
Blogger Charles LeBlanc was released from custody Friday morning after being charged by the Fredericton Police Force with creating a disturbance on Queen Street
Stephen MacGillivray/The Daily GleanerCharles LeBlanc is seen leaving the provincial courthouse after he was released with conditions Friday. "This is one of the roughest feelings I ever had in my life, the last 48 hours," said a tired-looking LeBlanc as he talked to reporters outside the Queen Street courthouse.
Provincial court Judge Denis Lordon released him on an undertaking to keep the peace, to be of good behaviour and to stop using a bullhorn in the downtown to broadcast his beef with Fredericton police.
LeBlanc is scheduled to appear in provincial court Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. for a trial after pleading not guilty to causing a disturbance.
He was arrested by Fredericton police Wednesday for shouting through a bullhorn outside the police station. He's upset with the police because it issued a $140 municipal bylaw ticket to him for riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. The ticket was issued on the basis of a third-party complaint.
LeBlanc said he hopes he can find a lawyer to take his case. Friends of the social assistance recipient are offering to help him, LeBlanc said, but he doesn't want to represent himself in court because of the importance of his case, which he believes is a freedom of speech case.
LeBlanc claimed the ticket was instigated by Dan Bussieres, the sergeant-at-arms of the New Brunswick legislature. LeBlanc has had a running battle with Bussieres because he banned him from the legislature in 2006.
LeBlanc frequently mocks Bussieres on his blog, and he called him his sworn enemy Friday.
"I won't even entertain that question," Bussieres said Friday when asked for a response to LeBlanc's accusations. "So it's a crime to file a complaint against Charles LeBlanc?"
LeBlanc began his protest against the Fredericton Police Force for issuing the ticket because he said the force has a double standard.
He tried to lay a third-party jaywalking complaint by supplying police with video evidence of Speaker Dale Graham and deputy premier Paul Robichaud crossing the street illegally, but the force wouldn't issue them tickets.
"We can't have a two-tiered system, one for the filthy rich and one for the filthy poor. I was forced to protest on the street because they won't listen," he said.
LeBlanc claims the Fredericton Police Force is out to get him since he recorded video footage of Fredericton police officers using force to arrest a Quebec soldier in the Tannery bar district. An officer was found not guilty after trial of using excessive force.
LeBlanc is also upset about how he was treated in jail because he was refused access to his own medications.
"When you're in jail, you don't really know what's going on in the outside world. I have ADHD and I'm on medication at night to sleep, and the medical staff at the Saint John regional correction denied me from having my prescription and from having my inhaler.
"They said use another inhaler. I was in pain. I didn't sleep good ... I only slept about six hours the last 48. It wasn't good, and there will have to be an investigation."
LeBlanc said when he's rested, he will seek a meeting with provincial Health Minister Madeleine Dube to demand an investigation into the actions of medical staff at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.
LeBlanc said he would have preferred not to have to sign an undertaking that he wouldn't use a bullhorn in the downtown area, but he feared spending more time in jail.
"The last time I was in jail was in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1978, and I think it was better in Phoenix (than) in Saint John. I'm a strong supporter of freedom of speech, but when you're told if you don't sign these papers you can be remanded in custody for another month, moi, with no medication, I would have died," he said.
"It's a scary, scary case because it could set a precedent across Canada. If I represent myself, I might blow this case."
LeBlanc has had skirmishes with police in the past. In 2006, he was arrested when he blogged at a demonstration at the Atlantica business conference in Saint John. He was acquitted of the charge.
LeBlanc also shows up frequently at public events in Fredericton, at city council and does street interviews with local politicians.
About 20 of his friends attended his Friday court appearance.
Government may bypass FSIN, Premier says
By JASON WARICKAND DAVID HUTTON, The StarPhoenix September 16, 2011 •Story•Photos ( 1 )•Video ( 1 ) ICON
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations interim Chief Morley Watson speaks to the media about SIGA and FSIN issues at the FSIN offices on Packham Avenue on Thursday.Photograph by: Gord Waldner, The Starphoenix, The StarPhoenixThe provincial government may start to bypass the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and deal more directly with tribal councils and individual First Nations “who are doing great things,” in light of recent revelations about the FSIN and its Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), Premier Brad Wall said Friday.
“What we’ve seen in the last number of months at the FSIN, first with the chief (Guy Lonechild) situation and now with SIGA, gives this government pause,” Wall told reporters Friday in Saskatoon.
“At the end of the day, we want results for First Nations people. . . . Perhaps the best way to achieve that is to work directly with the First Nations and tribal councils, and less with the FSIN.”
Wall said he has “some real concerns” about Edward “Dutch” Lerat’s continued involvement with SIGA and will be writing to ask officials to reconsider who’s in charge of that file.
“It just isn’t giving anyone any confidence,” Wall said.
Wall said there are also concerns about recent reports of heavy administration costs for a SIGA fund meant to benefit First Nations sports and culture programs and a questionable insurance settlement SIGA accepted following a $1.2-million ATM scam.
“I think we have some real concerns about what’s happening at SIGA in a general sense,” Wall said.
“Obviously, given the events of the past in this province in SIGA, we have a real concern about the people the FSIN has assigned to basically be in charge of the file. I think a lot of people in the province would have that concern as well.”
Wall noted the five-year gaming agreement between the province and the FSIN is up for renewal before the end of this calendar year. Wall said if his party remains in power after this fall’s election, it will be “asking some very pointed questions.” Wall added that’s already happening to an extent.
“(The government is) asking some very pointed questions about where the dollars are going and about whether or not this is the right action to take, to have Mr. Lerat, who obviously has a history with respect to SIGA.”
Wall repeated his position that the FSIN is “not a government in and of themselves. They are an association.”
Federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan was not available Friday to discuss the FSIN, but his office issued the following statement: “Our department is monitoring this situation and we will ensure that the terms and conditions of any funding agreements we have with this organization are respected.”
The StarPhoenix revealed this week that Lerat, now an FSIN vice-chief, has been active on SIGA policy matters as recently as this week, even though he still has an open lawsuit against SIGA and the FSIN. The wrongful dismissal suit stems from his firing as SIGA CEO in 2000 after hundreds of thousands of dollars could not be traced.
FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson was asked about Lerat’s involvement at a news conference Thursday. Watson, who is serving as interim chief of the FSIN following the recent buyout of former chief Lonechild, said Watson assured him the lawsuit would be withdrawn. As of Friday afternoon, however, the lawsuit remained active at Saskatoon’s Court of Queen’s Bench. Lerat’s Regina lawyer could not be reached for comment.
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Government+bypass+FSIN+premier+says/5416387/story.html#ixzz1YEQvkz8M
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations interim Chief Morley Watson speaks to the media about SIGA and FSIN issues at the FSIN offices on Packham Avenue on Thursday.Photograph by: Gord Waldner, The Starphoenix, The StarPhoenixThe provincial government may start to bypass the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and deal more directly with tribal councils and individual First Nations “who are doing great things,” in light of recent revelations about the FSIN and its Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), Premier Brad Wall said Friday.
“What we’ve seen in the last number of months at the FSIN, first with the chief (Guy Lonechild) situation and now with SIGA, gives this government pause,” Wall told reporters Friday in Saskatoon.
“At the end of the day, we want results for First Nations people. . . . Perhaps the best way to achieve that is to work directly with the First Nations and tribal councils, and less with the FSIN.”
Wall said he has “some real concerns” about Edward “Dutch” Lerat’s continued involvement with SIGA and will be writing to ask officials to reconsider who’s in charge of that file.
“It just isn’t giving anyone any confidence,” Wall said.
Wall said there are also concerns about recent reports of heavy administration costs for a SIGA fund meant to benefit First Nations sports and culture programs and a questionable insurance settlement SIGA accepted following a $1.2-million ATM scam.
“I think we have some real concerns about what’s happening at SIGA in a general sense,” Wall said.
“Obviously, given the events of the past in this province in SIGA, we have a real concern about the people the FSIN has assigned to basically be in charge of the file. I think a lot of people in the province would have that concern as well.”
Wall noted the five-year gaming agreement between the province and the FSIN is up for renewal before the end of this calendar year. Wall said if his party remains in power after this fall’s election, it will be “asking some very pointed questions.” Wall added that’s already happening to an extent.
“(The government is) asking some very pointed questions about where the dollars are going and about whether or not this is the right action to take, to have Mr. Lerat, who obviously has a history with respect to SIGA.”
Wall repeated his position that the FSIN is “not a government in and of themselves. They are an association.”
Federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan was not available Friday to discuss the FSIN, but his office issued the following statement: “Our department is monitoring this situation and we will ensure that the terms and conditions of any funding agreements we have with this organization are respected.”
The StarPhoenix revealed this week that Lerat, now an FSIN vice-chief, has been active on SIGA policy matters as recently as this week, even though he still has an open lawsuit against SIGA and the FSIN. The wrongful dismissal suit stems from his firing as SIGA CEO in 2000 after hundreds of thousands of dollars could not be traced.
FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson was asked about Lerat’s involvement at a news conference Thursday. Watson, who is serving as interim chief of the FSIN following the recent buyout of former chief Lonechild, said Watson assured him the lawsuit would be withdrawn. As of Friday afternoon, however, the lawsuit remained active at Saskatoon’s Court of Queen’s Bench. Lerat’s Regina lawyer could not be reached for comment.
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Government+bypass+FSIN+premier+says/5416387/story.html#ixzz1YEQvkz8M
Friday, September 16, 2011
Blogger pleads not guilty to disturbance charge - New Brunswick - CBC News Posted: Sept. 16, 2011 7:41 AT Last Update Sept 16, 2011 11:30 AM
Fredericton blogger jailed again over disturbance
External Links
Charles LeBlanc's blog
Charles LeBlanc after being released. Jacques Poitras/CBCFredericton blogger Charles LeBlanc pleaded not guilty Friday to a charge of causing a disturbance and will stand trial in provincial court on Oct. 28.
LeBlanc was arrested for causing a disturbance outside of the city’s police headquarters on Wednesday and had been in provincial jail in Saint John since that time.
LeBlanc was released from custody Friday after agreeing to a condition that he not use a bullhorn or "voice-amplification device" in the downtown area of the city.
LeBlanc said he agreed to the condition because he was deprived of an asthma inhaler and other medication while in jail.
"Freedom of speech, I've always been a strong advocate, but when you're told if you don't sign these papers, you could be remanded in custody for another month, moi, without medication, I would have died," said LeBlanc Friday outside of court.
LeBlanc, who writes a blog on politics and social justice issues, had received warnings from the police that people were complaining about his use of a bullhorn outside the police headquarters.
The blogger has been protesting a ticket he received for riding his bike on the sidewalk in Fredericton.
Fredericton Police Const. Rick Mooney confirmed the blogger was arrested because of the complaints from people in a nearby office building.
"We had a number of complaints in relation to this in the area here, so we conducted an investigation and acted on that information,” Mooney said.
LeBlanc, however, is convinced that ticket was related to his long-running feud with officials at the New Brunswick legislature and the city police.
One municipal councillor is questioning the arrest of the well-known blogger.
Tim Scammell, a village councillor in New Maryland and friend of LeBlanc’s, said he's wondering why the blogger was arrested for loudly complaining about the Fredericton police force.
"I think he should be allowed to say what he wants to say, wherever he is,” Scammell said.
“As much as we may or may not agree with it, or find the method annoying, that's his rights."
LeBlanc has had a controversial past. He was banned from the legislature in 2006.
And LeBlanc made international headlines in November 2006 when he was acquitted on an obstruction charge.
He had been arrested when he was blogging coverage of a demonstration at the Atlantica business conference in Saint John in June 2006.
External Links
Charles LeBlanc's blog
Charles LeBlanc after being released. Jacques Poitras/CBCFredericton blogger Charles LeBlanc pleaded not guilty Friday to a charge of causing a disturbance and will stand trial in provincial court on Oct. 28.
LeBlanc was arrested for causing a disturbance outside of the city’s police headquarters on Wednesday and had been in provincial jail in Saint John since that time.
LeBlanc was released from custody Friday after agreeing to a condition that he not use a bullhorn or "voice-amplification device" in the downtown area of the city.
LeBlanc said he agreed to the condition because he was deprived of an asthma inhaler and other medication while in jail.
"Freedom of speech, I've always been a strong advocate, but when you're told if you don't sign these papers, you could be remanded in custody for another month, moi, without medication, I would have died," said LeBlanc Friday outside of court.
LeBlanc, who writes a blog on politics and social justice issues, had received warnings from the police that people were complaining about his use of a bullhorn outside the police headquarters.
The blogger has been protesting a ticket he received for riding his bike on the sidewalk in Fredericton.
Fredericton Police Const. Rick Mooney confirmed the blogger was arrested because of the complaints from people in a nearby office building.
"We had a number of complaints in relation to this in the area here, so we conducted an investigation and acted on that information,” Mooney said.
LeBlanc, however, is convinced that ticket was related to his long-running feud with officials at the New Brunswick legislature and the city police.
One municipal councillor is questioning the arrest of the well-known blogger.
Tim Scammell, a village councillor in New Maryland and friend of LeBlanc’s, said he's wondering why the blogger was arrested for loudly complaining about the Fredericton police force.
"I think he should be allowed to say what he wants to say, wherever he is,” Scammell said.
“As much as we may or may not agree with it, or find the method annoying, that's his rights."
LeBlanc has had a controversial past. He was banned from the legislature in 2006.
And LeBlanc made international headlines in November 2006 when he was acquitted on an obstruction charge.
He had been arrested when he was blogging coverage of a demonstration at the Atlantica business conference in Saint John in June 2006.
CTV Atlantic - Residents flee from fire at Fredericton apartment building - CTV News
CTV Atlantic - Residents flee from fire at Fredericton apartment building - CTV News This is very Sad. especially when we are coming into cooler time of the season. My prayers are with the Injured, Homeless Firefighters, and all who have been in any way affected by this tragic situation.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Brad Woodside lectures fracking protesters CBC News Posted: Sep 13, 2011 6:56 AM AT Last Updated: Sep 13, 2011 8:52 AM AT Read 61 comments
Two hydro-fracking opponents disrupted a Fredericton city council meeting on Monday night even though the contentious mining practice was not on the local agenda.
About two dozen people who were upset that trucks used for natural gas exploration were seen driving through the city sat in the public gallery during the regular council meeting.
Later in the evening, two members of the group disrupted the meeting demanding to speak to the councillors before being rejected by Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside.
“I do not appreciate anybody bringing a provincial issue into the council chamber and using it for a soap box. It's inappropriate,” Woodside said.
“And, as I pointed out tonight, it's disrespectful to those who were sitting here waiting their turn.”
Two protesters demanded Woodside and council pass a resolution that hydro-fracking would not be allowed in the city.
The mayor said they were wasting their time since he's already been clear about his opposition to hydro-fracking.
"There will be no fracking, or drilling, or exploration of any kind in Fredericton,” Woodside said.
The pair refused to leave the council chambers, so Woodside called on Fredericton Police Chief Barry McKnight to remove the two individuals.
Council resolution sought
Outside the chambers, Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy, one of the protesters, said that despite Woodside's comments on hydro-fracking, they still wanted a written commitment from the city that the procedure will be banned.
"We need a resolution in place that the next city council will have to adhere to. I just don't think the word of a politician is good enough,” Lubbe-D’Arcy said.
The protesters also want Fredericton to work with other communities, such as New Maryland, to ensure there is no natural gas development in watersheds outside the city that would affect the local water supply.
Hydro-fracking extracts petroleum using a pressurized mix of water and other substances injected into shale rock formations or coal beds.
The high-pressure mix creates or widens fissures in the rock, so gas or oil can escape from pores and fractures.
The Department of Natural Resources held public forums earlier this year on shale gas exploration.
The department has also unveiled new rules on shale gas exploration and hydro-fracking.
Among the new reforms, mining companies must now disclose chemicals that are used in the hydro-fracking process and post a security bond to compensate communities if there is any damage.
There have been several protests and blockades around New Brunswick in recent months opposing shale gas exploration and hydro-fracking.
One company has halted its shale gas exploration after some of its equipment was damaged by protesters.
About two dozen people who were upset that trucks used for natural gas exploration were seen driving through the city sat in the public gallery during the regular council meeting.
Later in the evening, two members of the group disrupted the meeting demanding to speak to the councillors before being rejected by Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside.
“I do not appreciate anybody bringing a provincial issue into the council chamber and using it for a soap box. It's inappropriate,” Woodside said.
“And, as I pointed out tonight, it's disrespectful to those who were sitting here waiting their turn.”
Two protesters demanded Woodside and council pass a resolution that hydro-fracking would not be allowed in the city.
The mayor said they were wasting their time since he's already been clear about his opposition to hydro-fracking.
"There will be no fracking, or drilling, or exploration of any kind in Fredericton,” Woodside said.
The pair refused to leave the council chambers, so Woodside called on Fredericton Police Chief Barry McKnight to remove the two individuals.
Council resolution sought
Outside the chambers, Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy, one of the protesters, said that despite Woodside's comments on hydro-fracking, they still wanted a written commitment from the city that the procedure will be banned.
"We need a resolution in place that the next city council will have to adhere to. I just don't think the word of a politician is good enough,” Lubbe-D’Arcy said.
The protesters also want Fredericton to work with other communities, such as New Maryland, to ensure there is no natural gas development in watersheds outside the city that would affect the local water supply.
Hydro-fracking extracts petroleum using a pressurized mix of water and other substances injected into shale rock formations or coal beds.
The high-pressure mix creates or widens fissures in the rock, so gas or oil can escape from pores and fractures.
The Department of Natural Resources held public forums earlier this year on shale gas exploration.
The department has also unveiled new rules on shale gas exploration and hydro-fracking.
Among the new reforms, mining companies must now disclose chemicals that are used in the hydro-fracking process and post a security bond to compensate communities if there is any damage.
There have been several protests and blockades around New Brunswick in recent months opposing shale gas exploration and hydro-fracking.
One company has halted its shale gas exploration after some of its equipment was damaged by protesters.
Father wins new trial in spanking case CBC News Posted: Sep 13, 2011 2:41 PM AT Last Updated: Sep 13, 2011 2:07 PM
The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a father convicted of assault for spanking his six-year-old son in 2009.
The province’s highest court, in a 2-1 decision that was delivered on Sept. 8, allowed the appeal saying the trial judge erred by applying “a subjective standard by delegating to an onlooker the determination of guilt or innocence.”
The family was driving from Durham Bridge to a museum in Fredericton on Aug. 1, 2009, when the six-year-old boy’s behaviour caused his father to spank him. (None of the family’s names are used in the decision.)
The court document says the boy was yelling at passing cars, unbuckling his seatbelt, throwing things and kicking the back of his mother’s seat.
The father warned the child that if he continued to misbehave he would be spanked. After repeated warnings, the father ended up spanking the child.
Millicent Boldon, a Crown witness who watched the spanking, told the trial that she could hear the child yelling, “You’re beating me senseless. Stop. You’re hurting me.” She said the boy was hit at least 10 times.
The trial judge sided with the Crown witnesses and, according to the Court of Appeal decision, said the appellant’s assertion that he only spanked the child two or three time was “ludicrous.”
“When the trial judge stated that 'no spanking should go on and on to the point that strangers pick up the phone and call the police,' I am of the view she applied a subjective standard. Ms. Boldon's decision to pick up the telephone and call the police in those circumstances can be nothing but a subjective one,” the ruling said.
“Obviously, some people faced with the same situation as that presented to Ms. Boldon might have called the police earlier and others might never have called,” the ruling said.
Justices Richard Bell and Wallace Turnbull allowed the appeal.
The original trial was held on June 21, 2010, and the sentence was delivered on Aug. 18. The appeal was heard on Jan. 11.
Dissenting opinion
Justice Alexandre Deschenes filed a dissenting opinion in the spanking case.
Deschenes wrote there was nothing to suggest the trial judge assessed the reasonableness of the spanking in references to the judge’s personal experiences.
“On the contrary, her decision was reached in light of the circumstances of the case and based upon the evidence she accepted. Her reference to the call made to the police was nothing else but another circumstance to consider on the issue of reasonableness of the discipline imposed by the appellant,” Deschenes wrote.
Spanking has been a contentious issue in the Canadian legal system in the past.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2004 that parents have the right to spank their children. But the country's top court also set out "reasonable limits."
The 2004 ruling said spanking could be used against children between the ages of two and 12 years old. But children could not be disciplined with an object and hits to the head would also be unacceptable.
The province’s highest court, in a 2-1 decision that was delivered on Sept. 8, allowed the appeal saying the trial judge erred by applying “a subjective standard by delegating to an onlooker the determination of guilt or innocence.”
The family was driving from Durham Bridge to a museum in Fredericton on Aug. 1, 2009, when the six-year-old boy’s behaviour caused his father to spank him. (None of the family’s names are used in the decision.)
The court document says the boy was yelling at passing cars, unbuckling his seatbelt, throwing things and kicking the back of his mother’s seat.
The father warned the child that if he continued to misbehave he would be spanked. After repeated warnings, the father ended up spanking the child.
Millicent Boldon, a Crown witness who watched the spanking, told the trial that she could hear the child yelling, “You’re beating me senseless. Stop. You’re hurting me.” She said the boy was hit at least 10 times.
The trial judge sided with the Crown witnesses and, according to the Court of Appeal decision, said the appellant’s assertion that he only spanked the child two or three time was “ludicrous.”
“When the trial judge stated that 'no spanking should go on and on to the point that strangers pick up the phone and call the police,' I am of the view she applied a subjective standard. Ms. Boldon's decision to pick up the telephone and call the police in those circumstances can be nothing but a subjective one,” the ruling said.
“Obviously, some people faced with the same situation as that presented to Ms. Boldon might have called the police earlier and others might never have called,” the ruling said.
Justices Richard Bell and Wallace Turnbull allowed the appeal.
The original trial was held on June 21, 2010, and the sentence was delivered on Aug. 18. The appeal was heard on Jan. 11.
Dissenting opinion
Justice Alexandre Deschenes filed a dissenting opinion in the spanking case.
Deschenes wrote there was nothing to suggest the trial judge assessed the reasonableness of the spanking in references to the judge’s personal experiences.
“On the contrary, her decision was reached in light of the circumstances of the case and based upon the evidence she accepted. Her reference to the call made to the police was nothing else but another circumstance to consider on the issue of reasonableness of the discipline imposed by the appellant,” Deschenes wrote.
Spanking has been a contentious issue in the Canadian legal system in the past.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2004 that parents have the right to spank their children. But the country's top court also set out "reasonable limits."
The 2004 ruling said spanking could be used against children between the ages of two and 12 years old. But children could not be disciplined with an object and hits to the head would also be unacceptable.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Harper says 'Islamicism' biggest threat to Canada Prime minister says Conservatives will bring back controversial anti-terrorism laws CBC News Poste
SPECIAL REPORT: 9/11, a decade later
Canada-U.S. border tightened in decade after 9/11
News, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the biggest security threat to Canada a decade after 9/11 is Islamic terrorism.
In a wide-ranging interview with CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge that will air in its entirety on The National Thursday night, Harper says Canada is safer than it was on Sept. 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda attacked the U.S., but that "the major threat is still Islamicism."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper talks with CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge about how Canada changed after 9/11. CBC"There are other threats out there, but that is the one that I can tell you occupies the security apparatus most regularly in terms of actual terrorist threats," Harper said.
Harper cautioned that terrorist threats can "come out of the blue" from a different source, such as the recent Norway attacks, where a lone gunman who hated Muslims killed 77 people.
But Harper said terrorism by Islamic radicals is still the top threat, though a "diffuse" one.
Full interview Thursday
CBC's exclusive interview with Stephen Harper about how 9/11 changed Canada, and how it changed him, runs this Thursday night on The National.
"When people think of Islamic terrorism, they think of Afghanistan, or maybe they think of someone in the Middle East, but the truth is that threat exists all over the world," he said, citing domestic terrorism in Nigeria.
The prime minister said home-grown Islamic radicals in Canada are "also something that we keep an eye on."
Tories to resurrect controversial anti-terrorism laws
Harper said his government will bring back anti-terrorism clauses that were brought in in 2001 but were sunset in 2007 amid heated political debate.
There were two clauses at the heart of the debate:
One allowed police to arrest suspects without a warrant and detain them for three days without charges if police believed a terrorist act may have been committed.
The other allowed a judge to compel a witness to testify in secret about past associations or perhaps pending acts under penalty of going to jail if the witness didn't comply.
SPECIAL REPORT
A decade later, revisiting Sept. 11 Video, photos, features on terror activity, border security and moreNeither clause was used by police or prosecutors in the five years before they expired.
In October 2006, a parliamentary committee recommended extending the two provisions.
The Conservatives put forward a proposal to keep the measures in place for three more years, but the three opposition parties united to defeat the proposal in February 2007 by a 159-124 vote.
The rest of the legislation remained in force.
When asked by Mansbridge if he would try to bring those laws back, Harper replied: "That is our plan."
"We think those measures are necessary. We think they've been useful," he said. "And as you know … they're applied rarely, but there are times where they're needed."
Canada-U.S. border tightened in decade after 9/11
News, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the biggest security threat to Canada a decade after 9/11 is Islamic terrorism.
In a wide-ranging interview with CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge that will air in its entirety on The National Thursday night, Harper says Canada is safer than it was on Sept. 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda attacked the U.S., but that "the major threat is still Islamicism."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper talks with CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge about how Canada changed after 9/11. CBC"There are other threats out there, but that is the one that I can tell you occupies the security apparatus most regularly in terms of actual terrorist threats," Harper said.
Harper cautioned that terrorist threats can "come out of the blue" from a different source, such as the recent Norway attacks, where a lone gunman who hated Muslims killed 77 people.
But Harper said terrorism by Islamic radicals is still the top threat, though a "diffuse" one.
Full interview Thursday
CBC's exclusive interview with Stephen Harper about how 9/11 changed Canada, and how it changed him, runs this Thursday night on The National.
"When people think of Islamic terrorism, they think of Afghanistan, or maybe they think of someone in the Middle East, but the truth is that threat exists all over the world," he said, citing domestic terrorism in Nigeria.
The prime minister said home-grown Islamic radicals in Canada are "also something that we keep an eye on."
Tories to resurrect controversial anti-terrorism laws
Harper said his government will bring back anti-terrorism clauses that were brought in in 2001 but were sunset in 2007 amid heated political debate.
There were two clauses at the heart of the debate:
One allowed police to arrest suspects without a warrant and detain them for three days without charges if police believed a terrorist act may have been committed.
The other allowed a judge to compel a witness to testify in secret about past associations or perhaps pending acts under penalty of going to jail if the witness didn't comply.
SPECIAL REPORT
A decade later, revisiting Sept. 11 Video, photos, features on terror activity, border security and moreNeither clause was used by police or prosecutors in the five years before they expired.
In October 2006, a parliamentary committee recommended extending the two provisions.
The Conservatives put forward a proposal to keep the measures in place for three more years, but the three opposition parties united to defeat the proposal in February 2007 by a 159-124 vote.
The rest of the legislation remained in force.
When asked by Mansbridge if he would try to bring those laws back, Harper replied: "That is our plan."
"We think those measures are necessary. We think they've been useful," he said. "And as you know … they're applied rarely, but there are times where they're needed."
Friday, August 19, 2011
'We're tearing down the wall of resistance'; Projects | Developers have become more open to affordable housing in city Anonymous. Daily Gleaner.
Anonymous. Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, N.B.: Aug 19, 2011. pg. A.3
Abstract (Summary)
Mike O'Brien and members of the city's affordable housing group met recently with federal Social Development Minister Sue Stultz - the provincial minister responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations. During the meeting with Stultz, representatives from Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Action Group on Homelessness were able to talk with the minister, O'Brien said.
» Jump to indexing (document details)
Full Text (891 words)
(Copyright (c) 2011 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton))
Fredericton developers are becoming more open to including rent-subsidized housing in their new apartment developments, says the chairman of Fredericton's affordable housing committee.
Coun. Mike O'Brien and members of the city's affordable housing group met recently with federal Social Development Minister Sue Stultz - the provincial minister responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations.
O'Brien said the city's affordable housing committee has had enjoyed a great relationship with Social Development ministers over the years.
"We've met with each minister in the past and explained what our committee's mandate is and that we can't move forward without their continued assistance, and we have had tremendous co-operation from the Social Development ministers, deputies and executive staff over the years," O'Brien said.
During the meeting with Stultz, representatives from Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Action Group on Homelessness were able to talk with the minister, O'Brien said.
The minister visited six affordable-housing developments in the city, including The Tannery at Brookside Court project, developed by Avide Properties.
Over the past decade, Fredericton developers have become more accepting of including affordable housing in their mix of market-geared apartment construction, the councillor said.
The city's Lutheran Church built an affordable-housing development on Regent Street with the help of Avide Properties.
Another developer opened up a project on Cliffe Street. The John Howard Society built one on Main Street.
Two other projects are located in the Brookside Drive area, including a development to open in the fall. Other developers have included government rent-supported units in other buildings.
O'Brien said by having resident property managers, the developments are being maintained properly and tenant issues are addressed.
"I think we've seen a lot of successes, quality buildings, successful projects and improvements to neighbourhoods, and one by one, we're tearing down the wall of resistance," he said.
"In the past, the money allotted to the greater Fredericton area for programing was not being used for two reasons. Our developers were maybe timid of getting into these types of projects because of the perception and the stigma attached to them. And the other reason is they were just too busy building new homes, apartments and condos."
By organizing annual affordable-housing days hosted by the affordable-housing committee, the city has been gradually educating developers to the funding options available to them and easing their concerns about government red tape.
"We made them aware that they can get into these programs with less restrictions and headaches than they thought might exist," O'Brien said.
He believes there's a shift in public attitudes toward affordable housing.
"The community is more accepting and embracing of the need," O'Brien said.
"Also, the market for expensive homes and apartments is not infinite. You can build a quality, affordable-housing development and make money off of it, and that's not a dirty word at all."
Fredericton Non-Profit Housing is another group that has done a great job of taking existing housing stock and retrofitting it for affordable housing, O'Brien said.
Tim Ross, co-ordinator of the Community Action Group on Homelessness, said the city's housing need is like an iceberg.
"The largest part of the problem is hidden from view," Ross said.
"There's about 30,000 households in Fredericton, and there are 6,105 households that are considered to be in distress. That's based on Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. data that reports on housing affordability, overcrowding and housing that's in need of major repair."
About 1,095 households in Fredericton are considered to be overcrowded, and 2,485 households are in need of major repair.
"Overcrowding and housing that's in need of major repair can have significant impacts on an individual's health and safety, economic and social participation," Ross said.
"You can imagine if you are also a child going to school, that can have a huge impact on learning outcomes."
The 6,105 households the action group said face tough financial straits are spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. If most of the household income goes to pay for a roof and walls, then there's little left for healthy food and other family needs.
Ross agreed with O'Brien that developers are opening up to the concept of affordable housing.
"We've been building very effective partnerships with developers on the delivery of affordable housing programing, and we've also seen a significant drop in the not-in-my-backyard syndrome when developments come forward," Ross said.
"The goal, at the end of the day, is more mixed-income development where an individual's housing may be subsidized, but it's seamlessly blended into our community ... Most residents wouldn't even know where affordable housing units are located in the city ... You may already be a neighbour of a subsidized unit."
Ross said there's a need for the provincial and federal governments to sort out an agreement that will release funds committed federally in 2008 to be released into the province.
"The two levels of government have been negotiating on its implementation. We saw a lot of funding come through with the last round of affordable-housing funding, and it's making a huge impact on stabilizing health, social and economic outcomes in our community," Ross said.
The numbers are starting to show in the homeless shelter figures. In 2009, there were 377 individuals staying at the city's men's and women's homeless shelters. In 2010, those numbers dropped to 323.
Indexing (document details)
Subjects: Households, Housing developments, Affordable housing, Homeless people
Author(s): Anonymous
Document types: News
Section: Main
Publication title: Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, N.B.: Aug 19, 2011. pg. A.3
Source type: Newspaper
ISSN: 08216983
ProQuest document ID: 2429171421
Text Word Count 891
Document URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=2429171421&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=80182&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Print | Email | Copy link | Cite this | Mark Document Publisher Information
^ Back to Top « Back to Results Document 1 of 70 Next >
Copyright © 2011 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions
Abstract (Summary)
Mike O'Brien and members of the city's affordable housing group met recently with federal Social Development Minister Sue Stultz - the provincial minister responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations. During the meeting with Stultz, representatives from Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Action Group on Homelessness were able to talk with the minister, O'Brien said.
» Jump to indexing (document details)
Full Text (891 words)
(Copyright (c) 2011 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton))
Fredericton developers are becoming more open to including rent-subsidized housing in their new apartment developments, says the chairman of Fredericton's affordable housing committee.
Coun. Mike O'Brien and members of the city's affordable housing group met recently with federal Social Development Minister Sue Stultz - the provincial minister responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations.
O'Brien said the city's affordable housing committee has had enjoyed a great relationship with Social Development ministers over the years.
"We've met with each minister in the past and explained what our committee's mandate is and that we can't move forward without their continued assistance, and we have had tremendous co-operation from the Social Development ministers, deputies and executive staff over the years," O'Brien said.
During the meeting with Stultz, representatives from Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Action Group on Homelessness were able to talk with the minister, O'Brien said.
The minister visited six affordable-housing developments in the city, including The Tannery at Brookside Court project, developed by Avide Properties.
Over the past decade, Fredericton developers have become more accepting of including affordable housing in their mix of market-geared apartment construction, the councillor said.
The city's Lutheran Church built an affordable-housing development on Regent Street with the help of Avide Properties.
Another developer opened up a project on Cliffe Street. The John Howard Society built one on Main Street.
Two other projects are located in the Brookside Drive area, including a development to open in the fall. Other developers have included government rent-supported units in other buildings.
O'Brien said by having resident property managers, the developments are being maintained properly and tenant issues are addressed.
"I think we've seen a lot of successes, quality buildings, successful projects and improvements to neighbourhoods, and one by one, we're tearing down the wall of resistance," he said.
"In the past, the money allotted to the greater Fredericton area for programing was not being used for two reasons. Our developers were maybe timid of getting into these types of projects because of the perception and the stigma attached to them. And the other reason is they were just too busy building new homes, apartments and condos."
By organizing annual affordable-housing days hosted by the affordable-housing committee, the city has been gradually educating developers to the funding options available to them and easing their concerns about government red tape.
"We made them aware that they can get into these programs with less restrictions and headaches than they thought might exist," O'Brien said.
He believes there's a shift in public attitudes toward affordable housing.
"The community is more accepting and embracing of the need," O'Brien said.
"Also, the market for expensive homes and apartments is not infinite. You can build a quality, affordable-housing development and make money off of it, and that's not a dirty word at all."
Fredericton Non-Profit Housing is another group that has done a great job of taking existing housing stock and retrofitting it for affordable housing, O'Brien said.
Tim Ross, co-ordinator of the Community Action Group on Homelessness, said the city's housing need is like an iceberg.
"The largest part of the problem is hidden from view," Ross said.
"There's about 30,000 households in Fredericton, and there are 6,105 households that are considered to be in distress. That's based on Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. data that reports on housing affordability, overcrowding and housing that's in need of major repair."
About 1,095 households in Fredericton are considered to be overcrowded, and 2,485 households are in need of major repair.
"Overcrowding and housing that's in need of major repair can have significant impacts on an individual's health and safety, economic and social participation," Ross said.
"You can imagine if you are also a child going to school, that can have a huge impact on learning outcomes."
The 6,105 households the action group said face tough financial straits are spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. If most of the household income goes to pay for a roof and walls, then there's little left for healthy food and other family needs.
Ross agreed with O'Brien that developers are opening up to the concept of affordable housing.
"We've been building very effective partnerships with developers on the delivery of affordable housing programing, and we've also seen a significant drop in the not-in-my-backyard syndrome when developments come forward," Ross said.
"The goal, at the end of the day, is more mixed-income development where an individual's housing may be subsidized, but it's seamlessly blended into our community ... Most residents wouldn't even know where affordable housing units are located in the city ... You may already be a neighbour of a subsidized unit."
Ross said there's a need for the provincial and federal governments to sort out an agreement that will release funds committed federally in 2008 to be released into the province.
"The two levels of government have been negotiating on its implementation. We saw a lot of funding come through with the last round of affordable-housing funding, and it's making a huge impact on stabilizing health, social and economic outcomes in our community," Ross said.
The numbers are starting to show in the homeless shelter figures. In 2009, there were 377 individuals staying at the city's men's and women's homeless shelters. In 2010, those numbers dropped to 323.
Indexing (document details)
Subjects: Households, Housing developments, Affordable housing, Homeless people
Author(s): Anonymous
Document types: News
Section: Main
Publication title: Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, N.B.: Aug 19, 2011. pg. A.3
Source type: Newspaper
ISSN: 08216983
ProQuest document ID: 2429171421
Text Word Count 891
Document URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=2429171421&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=80182&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Print | Email | Copy link | Cite this | Mark Document Publisher Information
^ Back to Top « Back to Results Document 1 of 70 Next >
Copyright © 2011 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions
First Nation wins legal battle over clear-cutting Grassy Narrows leaders happy with Ontario Superior Court decision Last Updated: Aug 17, 2011 6:52 P
John Cutfeet is silhouetted outside the provincial legislature in Toronto, on June 25, 2007, after a teepee was erected by members of the Grassy Narrows and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nations to draw attention to logging and mineral extraction on their traditional lands. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) Supporting Story ContentStory Sharing ToolsShare with Add ThisPrint this storyE-mail this
Environmentalists block highway near Kenora to protest logging
ARCHIVES: Clearcutting and Logging: The War of the Woods
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Close
Grassy Narrows decision6:54
Grassy Narrows decision6:54Beginning of Story ContentLeaders of the Grassy Narrows First Nation in northwestern Ontario are declaring a major legal victory in their decade-long fight over clear-cutting in their traditional territory.
Ontario's Superior Court ruled Wednesday that the province cannot authorize timber and logging if the operations infringe on federal treaty promises protecting aboriginal rights to traditional hunting and trapping.
Grassy Narrows has long argued it only agreed in 1873 to sign a treaty with Canada involving the Keewatin lands north of Kenora on a promise that the federal government would protect its traditional ways of life.
Grassy Narrows' lawyers said the ruling would have reverberations across Canada for other First Nations fighting to protect traditional lands.
Ontario has provincial jurisdiction over timber and mining rights.
The provincial government has for years been selling timber leases to large forestry companies that have clear-cut large swaths of the region.
Superior Court Justice Mary Sanderson ruled Ontario has no right to infringe on rights protected by federal treaty — and urged governments to live up to their promises.
Sanderson stopped short of issuing any injunctions or making any findings of fault against the Province of Ontario. More legal arguments are expect in the coming weeks over injunctions to prevent further logging.
There will also be a complicated impact assessment that will try to measure the cost of years of clear-cutting on the forest, animals and the people of Grassy Narrows.
Environmentalists block highway near Kenora to protest logging
ARCHIVES: Clearcutting and Logging: The War of the Woods
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Close
Grassy Narrows decision6:54
Grassy Narrows decision6:54Beginning of Story ContentLeaders of the Grassy Narrows First Nation in northwestern Ontario are declaring a major legal victory in their decade-long fight over clear-cutting in their traditional territory.
Ontario's Superior Court ruled Wednesday that the province cannot authorize timber and logging if the operations infringe on federal treaty promises protecting aboriginal rights to traditional hunting and trapping.
Grassy Narrows has long argued it only agreed in 1873 to sign a treaty with Canada involving the Keewatin lands north of Kenora on a promise that the federal government would protect its traditional ways of life.
Grassy Narrows' lawyers said the ruling would have reverberations across Canada for other First Nations fighting to protect traditional lands.
Ontario has provincial jurisdiction over timber and mining rights.
The provincial government has for years been selling timber leases to large forestry companies that have clear-cut large swaths of the region.
Superior Court Justice Mary Sanderson ruled Ontario has no right to infringe on rights protected by federal treaty — and urged governments to live up to their promises.
Sanderson stopped short of issuing any injunctions or making any findings of fault against the Province of Ontario. More legal arguments are expect in the coming weeks over injunctions to prevent further logging.
There will also be a complicated impact assessment that will try to measure the cost of years of clear-cutting on the forest, animals and the people of Grassy Narrows.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Fire destroys covered bridge CBC News Posted: Aug 15, 2011 2:30 PM AT Last Updated: Aug 15, 2011 2:30 PM AT
The loss of the Stormdale Covered Bridge is being described as "significant." N.B. Department of Transportation A fire that destroyed a102-year-old covered bridge in western New Brunswick on the weekend may have been deliberately set, say RCMP.
The Stormdale Covered Bridge in Coldstream, Carleton County, was destroyed on Saturday.
A car stolen from nearby Hartland was set on fire inside the bridge, police said.
William Crouch, of the Covered Bridge Visitor Information Centre in Youngs Cove, said the loss is a significant one. "It's pretty devastating because you know it's not going to be replaced. It's not like in the old days," he said.
"It's like, you know, losing part of your history. It's part of the heritage of New Brunswick, to me anyway."
The bridge crosses the Becaguimec River. It underwent repairs in 2002.
Police believe the fire may be the work of the same arsonist who torched two businesses in the Ashland area earlier this month.
The Stormdale Covered Bridge in Coldstream, Carleton County, was destroyed on Saturday.
A car stolen from nearby Hartland was set on fire inside the bridge, police said.
William Crouch, of the Covered Bridge Visitor Information Centre in Youngs Cove, said the loss is a significant one. "It's pretty devastating because you know it's not going to be replaced. It's not like in the old days," he said.
"It's like, you know, losing part of your history. It's part of the heritage of New Brunswick, to me anyway."
The bridge crosses the Becaguimec River. It underwent repairs in 2002.
Police believe the fire may be the work of the same arsonist who torched two businesses in the Ashland area earlier this month.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Son of slain Saint John man hires criminal lawyer Dennis Oland retains Fredericton's Gary Miller CBC News Posted: Aug 5, 2011 5:16 PM AT Last Update
Moosehead scion's death ruled homicide
Prominent N.B. businessman Richard Oland found dead
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Beginning of Story ContentRichard Oland's son Dennis has hired Gary Miller, a criminal defence lawyer. CBCThe son of slain Saint John businessman Richard Oland has hired a high-profile criminal defence lawyer, CBC News has learned.
Oland, 69, was found dead in his Saint John office on July 7.
Gary Miller confirmed he's been retained by Richard Oland's son, Dennis Oland. He declined to offer any other comment.
Miller, who is based in Fredericton, is one of the most prominent criminal defence lawyers in New Brunswick.
He is perhaps best known for representing the late native rights activist Noah Augustine, who was found not guilty of second-degree murder in 1999 in the shooting of Bruce Barnaby of Eel Ground First Nation.
Miller is also past president of the New Brunswick Criminal Defence Lawyers' Association.
Saint John police are investigating Oland's death as a homicide.
No charges have been laid, and no information has been released about how Richard Oland died, whether any weapons were involved or possible suspects. All police have said is that Oland likely knew his killer.
One week after his death, police searched the Rothesay home and property of his only son Dennis.
They also searched a boat at the Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club that belongs to Dennis' wife, Lisa Ferguson.
Prominent N.B. businessman Richard Oland found dead
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Beginning of Story ContentRichard Oland's son Dennis has hired Gary Miller, a criminal defence lawyer. CBCThe son of slain Saint John businessman Richard Oland has hired a high-profile criminal defence lawyer, CBC News has learned.
Oland, 69, was found dead in his Saint John office on July 7.
Gary Miller confirmed he's been retained by Richard Oland's son, Dennis Oland. He declined to offer any other comment.
Miller, who is based in Fredericton, is one of the most prominent criminal defence lawyers in New Brunswick.
He is perhaps best known for representing the late native rights activist Noah Augustine, who was found not guilty of second-degree murder in 1999 in the shooting of Bruce Barnaby of Eel Ground First Nation.
Miller is also past president of the New Brunswick Criminal Defence Lawyers' Association.
Saint John police are investigating Oland's death as a homicide.
No charges have been laid, and no information has been released about how Richard Oland died, whether any weapons were involved or possible suspects. All police have said is that Oland likely knew his killer.
One week after his death, police searched the Rothesay home and property of his only son Dennis.
They also searched a boat at the Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club that belongs to Dennis' wife, Lisa Ferguson.
Saint John church could become clothing store CBC News Posted: Aug 4, 2011 9:37 PM AT Last Updated: Aug 4, 2011 9:37 PM AT
The building that is currently home to First Revival Temple in Saint John could become a Frenchy's store. CBCA Saint John church is closing its doors, but its new tenant could come from an unlikely source if a zoning application is approved.
First Revival Temple is selling its building at its Westmorland Street after years of struggles with declining membership. After a year of debate and a painful discussion with his congregation, Reverend James Bustard put the building on the market.
But it's already found an interested buyer — the Frenchy's franchise, currently located just off Old Rothesay Road.
'We had a lot of dreams we wanted to fulfill here.'
—Reverend James Bustard"I dread the day when you see a new sign outside the building, when it's sold," said Bustard.
"I put a lot of time into it and you hate to see something that took so long to get built up to finally dwindle away to another establishment or whatever," he said. "So, it's heartbreaking and I lost a lot of sleep over it and probably still will."
The First Revival Temple has been at its current location for 16 years.
This branch of the Pentecostal church was started by Bustard's father, who died in 2005. Since then, the congregation of more than 50 has dwindled down to 12.
"The hardest thing is letting go of the building, letting go of a lot of memories. We have a lot of dreams we wanted to fulfill here, which we won't see fulfilled," said Bustard.
Frenchy's manager Carol Liebel said the desired move also comes down to numbers.
"Over the years, the numbers have been dropping and we find the more visible the location, the more customers you have," said Liebel.
The store has applied for a zoning change to relocate to the new address. The city still needs to re-designate the space as commercial. A final vote is expected in two weeks.
Staff said they're looking forward to a larger space and more access to people in the neighborhood as well as commuters.
Meanwhile, the church has no plans to reopen its doors. But pastoral counselling will still be available and the congregation may meet in members' homes.
End of Story ContentBack to accessibility links
First Revival Temple is selling its building at its Westmorland Street after years of struggles with declining membership. After a year of debate and a painful discussion with his congregation, Reverend James Bustard put the building on the market.
But it's already found an interested buyer — the Frenchy's franchise, currently located just off Old Rothesay Road.
'We had a lot of dreams we wanted to fulfill here.'
—Reverend James Bustard"I dread the day when you see a new sign outside the building, when it's sold," said Bustard.
"I put a lot of time into it and you hate to see something that took so long to get built up to finally dwindle away to another establishment or whatever," he said. "So, it's heartbreaking and I lost a lot of sleep over it and probably still will."
The First Revival Temple has been at its current location for 16 years.
This branch of the Pentecostal church was started by Bustard's father, who died in 2005. Since then, the congregation of more than 50 has dwindled down to 12.
"The hardest thing is letting go of the building, letting go of a lot of memories. We have a lot of dreams we wanted to fulfill here, which we won't see fulfilled," said Bustard.
Frenchy's manager Carol Liebel said the desired move also comes down to numbers.
"Over the years, the numbers have been dropping and we find the more visible the location, the more customers you have," said Liebel.
The store has applied for a zoning change to relocate to the new address. The city still needs to re-designate the space as commercial. A final vote is expected in two weeks.
Staff said they're looking forward to a larger space and more access to people in the neighborhood as well as commuters.
Meanwhile, the church has no plans to reopen its doors. But pastoral counselling will still be available and the congregation may meet in members' homes.
End of Story ContentBack to accessibility links
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Lord Beaverbrook among Order of N.B. honourees CBC News Posted: Aug 1, 2011 6:48 PM AT Last Updated: Aug 1, 2011 9:31 PM AT
Ten people were named to the Order of New Brunswick Monday. The new members were announced by Premier David Alward as part of New Brunswick Day celebrations held in Quispamsis.
The recipients included William Maxwell Aitken, better known as Lord Beaverbrook, who was given the order posthumously.
The Fleet Street press baron, who was raised in Newcastle, is renowned as one of New Brunswick's most generous benefactors — he established many buildings and institutions in the province, including Lady Beaverbrook Arena, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and its world-class art collection, as well as the Playhouse Theatre, Aitken House and the Aitken University Centre.
He also set up scholarships for the University of New Brunswick and donated many pieces of art from his personal collection to the gallery in Fredericton.
Recipients of the 2011 Order of New Brunswick
Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook (posthumous)
Marjorie (Mardi) Cockburn, Fredericton
Patrick Darrah, Saint John
Robert Frenette, Woodstock
Dr. Satya Paul Handa, Rothesay
Jacques LaForge, Saint-André
Gilmond Larocque, Lamèque
Léo-Paul Pinet, Bertrand
Jessica Ryan, Bathurst
Donald Savoie, Moncton
Established in 2000, the Order of New Brunswick is the highest honour bestowed by the province.
The award recognizes individual New Brunswickers who have demonstrated a high level of excellence and achievement in their particular field and who have made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or economic well-being of New Brunswick and its residents.
"Today's recipients provide all of us ... with shining examples of what can be achieved here with vision, perseverance and an innovative spirit," said Alward in a news release.
"They offer glimpses into our province's storied past and our vast potential. I am proud to welcome them to the Order of New Brunswick."
The recipients will be invested into the order at a ceremony to be held at Government House in Fredericton on Oct. 27.
End of Story ContentBack to accessibility links
The recipients included William Maxwell Aitken, better known as Lord Beaverbrook, who was given the order posthumously.
The Fleet Street press baron, who was raised in Newcastle, is renowned as one of New Brunswick's most generous benefactors — he established many buildings and institutions in the province, including Lady Beaverbrook Arena, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and its world-class art collection, as well as the Playhouse Theatre, Aitken House and the Aitken University Centre.
He also set up scholarships for the University of New Brunswick and donated many pieces of art from his personal collection to the gallery in Fredericton.
Recipients of the 2011 Order of New Brunswick
Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook (posthumous)
Marjorie (Mardi) Cockburn, Fredericton
Patrick Darrah, Saint John
Robert Frenette, Woodstock
Dr. Satya Paul Handa, Rothesay
Jacques LaForge, Saint-André
Gilmond Larocque, Lamèque
Léo-Paul Pinet, Bertrand
Jessica Ryan, Bathurst
Donald Savoie, Moncton
Established in 2000, the Order of New Brunswick is the highest honour bestowed by the province.
The award recognizes individual New Brunswickers who have demonstrated a high level of excellence and achievement in their particular field and who have made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or economic well-being of New Brunswick and its residents.
"Today's recipients provide all of us ... with shining examples of what can be achieved here with vision, perseverance and an innovative spirit," said Alward in a news release.
"They offer glimpses into our province's storied past and our vast potential. I am proud to welcome them to the Order of New Brunswick."
The recipients will be invested into the order at a ceremony to be held at Government House in Fredericton on Oct. 27.
End of Story ContentBack to accessibility links
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Fredericton father died saving his kids CBC News Posted: Jul 25, 2011 5:12 PM AT Last Updated: Jul 25, 2011 5:12 PM AT
Fredericton man's body found in Grand Lake
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Beginning of Story ContentMitchell Clarke's obituary says he will be buried Thursday. Inmemoriam.caA Fredericton man died attempting to rescue his children at Grand Lake Saturday.
Mitchell Clarke, 43, brought his wife and two young children to the popular cottage area for the weekend. It was a hot day with a strong breeze.
Mike Calabrese, a resident of nearby Douglas Harbour, said the water was a little rough.
"The wind had blown, you know not [a] storm, [but] blown all day so it builds up fairly large waves," he said Monday.
Clarke's two children were swimming in the lake around 6 p.m. when a cold front moved through the area, strengthening the wind and waves.
Clarke's children were wearing life jackets and had been close to a sand bar. The waves started pushing them further into the lake and their father went to rescue them.
He managed to get both children safely to friends on the shoreline, but then disappeared under the water before he could get out.
RCMP Cpl. Al Vincent said many residents took part in the search.
"There was a number of people both from his family and friends and others in the area who are of great assistance and who obviously did all they could do to help," he said Sunday.
Clarke's body was found a short distance from the sandbar on Sunday.
Clarke was a Fredericton businessman. He was vice-president of Wilkins Building Supplies and a real-estate developer.
"It was just a very bad accident, it was just something that happened. You wouldn't think maybe it could happen, but it did," Calabrese said Sunday.
A funeral service will be held for Clarke at 11 a.m. Thursday at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel.
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Beginning of Story ContentMitchell Clarke's obituary says he will be buried Thursday. Inmemoriam.caA Fredericton man died attempting to rescue his children at Grand Lake Saturday.
Mitchell Clarke, 43, brought his wife and two young children to the popular cottage area for the weekend. It was a hot day with a strong breeze.
Mike Calabrese, a resident of nearby Douglas Harbour, said the water was a little rough.
"The wind had blown, you know not [a] storm, [but] blown all day so it builds up fairly large waves," he said Monday.
Clarke's two children were swimming in the lake around 6 p.m. when a cold front moved through the area, strengthening the wind and waves.
Clarke's children were wearing life jackets and had been close to a sand bar. The waves started pushing them further into the lake and their father went to rescue them.
He managed to get both children safely to friends on the shoreline, but then disappeared under the water before he could get out.
RCMP Cpl. Al Vincent said many residents took part in the search.
"There was a number of people both from his family and friends and others in the area who are of great assistance and who obviously did all they could do to help," he said Sunday.
Clarke's body was found a short distance from the sandbar on Sunday.
Clarke was a Fredericton businessman. He was vice-president of Wilkins Building Supplies and a real-estate developer.
"It was just a very bad accident, it was just something that happened. You wouldn't think maybe it could happen, but it did," Calabrese said Sunday.
A funeral service will be held for Clarke at 11 a.m. Thursday at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Singer Amy Winehouse found dead CBC News Posted: Jul 23, 2011 12:47 PM ET Last Updated: Jul 23, 2011 7:42 PM ET
British soul singer Amy Winehouse performs during her concert at the Volkshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday Oct. 25, 2007. (Steffen Schmidt/Keystone/AP)
Amy Winehouse performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Arganda del Rey, on the outskirts of Madrid on July 4, 2008. (Victor R. Caivano/AP)
British singer Amy Winehouse performs during the "Rock in Rio" music festival in Lisbon on May 30, 2008. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)
British singer Amy Winehouse performs wirth Mark Ronson at the Brit Awards at Earls Court in London February 20, 2008. (Alessia Pierdomenico/Reuters)
British singer Amy Winehouse performs at the Brit Awards at Earls Court in London February 20, 2008. (Alessia Pierdomenico/Reuters)
The waxwork figure of British singer Amy Winehouse is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in central London, Wednesday July 23, 2008. (Joel Ryan/AP)
Amy Winehouse pictured during a break in her trial outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London on July 23, 2009. (Shaun Curry/AFP/Getty)
British singer Amy Winehouse poses at a studio in north London, Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. (Matt Dunham/AP)
Amy Winehouse celebrates after performing the finale at the 46664 concert in honour of Nelson Mandela in Hyde Park, London June 27, 2008. (Andrew Winning/Reuters)
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P.O.V.: How will you remember Amy Winehouse?
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Close
Amy Winehouse remembered5:47
Amy Winehouse remembered5:47Beginning of Story ContentTroubled soul singer Amy Winehouse, who had been attempting a comeback after a few years battling drug and alcohol addiction, has been found dead in her London home, her record company confirmed Saturday.
P.O.V.: How will you remember Amy Winehouse?
Her record label Universal confirmed the 27-year-old singer's death in a statement Saturday, saying the company's staff were "deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer."
"Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time," the label said.
London police issued a statement Saturday saying an unnamed 27-year-old female had been pronounced dead at the scene at a home in north London.
"Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained," said Metropolitan Police.
The size of Winehouse's appeal was reflected in the extraordinary range of people paying tribute as they heard the news, from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who posted "such a waste, raw talent" on Twitter to Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, who said he was dedicating Saturday's reunion performance of his band The Faces to Winehouse.
'I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end.'
—Tony Bennett"It's a very sad loss of a very good friend I spent many great times with," said Wood on Saturday.
Tony Bennett, who recorded the pop standard Body And Soul with Winehouse at Abbey Road Studios in London in March for an upcoming duets album, called her "an artist of immense proportions."
"She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end," he said.
Soon after the news broke, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams took to Twitter to lament the loss of his friend.
"Dear Amy, you will be missed forever," he wrote. "All my love, RIP, Bryan."
Adams had done his part to try to help Winehouse. In 2007, he reportedly invited Winehouse to spend Christmas at his Caribbean villa on the private island of Mustique, where she could recuperate away from the spotlight.
Erratic performances forced tour cancellation
Winehouse rose to fame in 2006 with the success of her sophomore album Back to Black, which featured the smash hit song Rehab. In 2008, she won five Grammy Awards — including best new artist and record of the year — but her ongoing struggles with substance abuse, erratic onstage behaviour, legal battles and other personal problems overshadowed her musical achievements.
Her death comes after a recent performance sparked questions over the singer's health and rumours Winehouse had suffered a relapse into drug and alcohol abuse.
The singer showed up nearly an hour late for a concert in June at Belgrade's Kalemegdan Park and disappointed the crowd of approximately 20,000 by stumbling about, mumbling through her songs and occasionally exiting the stage — leaving her bewildered band and backup singers performing in her place.
The concert was to be the first of a 12-date tour, which was cancelled soon after.
Though she was flooded with a variety of musical accolades over the years, the performer made headlines in Britain and worldwide for her increasingly erratic behaviour, disheveled appearance, poor performance at recent concerts and substance abuse problem.
Winehouse also had a tumultuous marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil, whom she married in 2007. They had many public spats, which often turned violent. The couple divorced in 2009.
With files from The Canadian Press
Amy Winehouse performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Arganda del Rey, on the outskirts of Madrid on July 4, 2008. (Victor R. Caivano/AP)
British singer Amy Winehouse performs during the "Rock in Rio" music festival in Lisbon on May 30, 2008. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)
British singer Amy Winehouse performs wirth Mark Ronson at the Brit Awards at Earls Court in London February 20, 2008. (Alessia Pierdomenico/Reuters)
British singer Amy Winehouse performs at the Brit Awards at Earls Court in London February 20, 2008. (Alessia Pierdomenico/Reuters)
The waxwork figure of British singer Amy Winehouse is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in central London, Wednesday July 23, 2008. (Joel Ryan/AP)
Amy Winehouse pictured during a break in her trial outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London on July 23, 2009. (Shaun Curry/AFP/Getty)
British singer Amy Winehouse poses at a studio in north London, Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. (Matt Dunham/AP)
Amy Winehouse celebrates after performing the finale at the 46664 concert in honour of Nelson Mandela in Hyde Park, London June 27, 2008. (Andrew Winning/Reuters)
previousnextthumbs previous
thumbs next 1 of 9Hide Caption expand Supporting Story ContentStory Sharing ToolsShare with Add ThisPrint this storyE-mail this story.Related
Related Links
P.O.V.: How will you remember Amy Winehouse?
End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Close
Amy Winehouse remembered5:47
Amy Winehouse remembered5:47Beginning of Story ContentTroubled soul singer Amy Winehouse, who had been attempting a comeback after a few years battling drug and alcohol addiction, has been found dead in her London home, her record company confirmed Saturday.
P.O.V.: How will you remember Amy Winehouse?
Her record label Universal confirmed the 27-year-old singer's death in a statement Saturday, saying the company's staff were "deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer."
"Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time," the label said.
London police issued a statement Saturday saying an unnamed 27-year-old female had been pronounced dead at the scene at a home in north London.
"Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained," said Metropolitan Police.
The size of Winehouse's appeal was reflected in the extraordinary range of people paying tribute as they heard the news, from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who posted "such a waste, raw talent" on Twitter to Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, who said he was dedicating Saturday's reunion performance of his band The Faces to Winehouse.
'I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end.'
—Tony Bennett"It's a very sad loss of a very good friend I spent many great times with," said Wood on Saturday.
Tony Bennett, who recorded the pop standard Body And Soul with Winehouse at Abbey Road Studios in London in March for an upcoming duets album, called her "an artist of immense proportions."
"She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end," he said.
Soon after the news broke, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams took to Twitter to lament the loss of his friend.
"Dear Amy, you will be missed forever," he wrote. "All my love, RIP, Bryan."
Adams had done his part to try to help Winehouse. In 2007, he reportedly invited Winehouse to spend Christmas at his Caribbean villa on the private island of Mustique, where she could recuperate away from the spotlight.
Erratic performances forced tour cancellation
Winehouse rose to fame in 2006 with the success of her sophomore album Back to Black, which featured the smash hit song Rehab. In 2008, she won five Grammy Awards — including best new artist and record of the year — but her ongoing struggles with substance abuse, erratic onstage behaviour, legal battles and other personal problems overshadowed her musical achievements.
Her death comes after a recent performance sparked questions over the singer's health and rumours Winehouse had suffered a relapse into drug and alcohol abuse.
The singer showed up nearly an hour late for a concert in June at Belgrade's Kalemegdan Park and disappointed the crowd of approximately 20,000 by stumbling about, mumbling through her songs and occasionally exiting the stage — leaving her bewildered band and backup singers performing in her place.
The concert was to be the first of a 12-date tour, which was cancelled soon after.
Though she was flooded with a variety of musical accolades over the years, the performer made headlines in Britain and worldwide for her increasingly erratic behaviour, disheveled appearance, poor performance at recent concerts and substance abuse problem.
Winehouse also had a tumultuous marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil, whom she married in 2007. They had many public spats, which often turned violent. The couple divorced in 2009.
With files from The Canadian Press
Archeological find halts N.B. roadwork Last Updated: Thursday, September 16, 2010 | 7:47 AM AT CBC News
Roadwork in southwestern New Brunswick has been suspended in the Pennfield area after an unexpected archeological find.
The discovery of what are believed to be First Nations artifacts happened in Charlotte County after torrential rains during post-tropical storm Earl exposed the objects.
Fred Blaney, an assistant deputy minister of transportation, said department staff always do an extensive environmental review before they begin new highway construction.
When the Pennfield area was surveyed before the work on Route 1 began, the review produced no apparent archeological findings, Blaney said. But after the massive rainstorm, archeologists wanted to take a second look at the site because it held potential for a discovery, he said.
The discovery they made late last week included evidence of some tools.
"Anytime that you uncover artifacts of any significance within the province it's certainly exciting," Blaney said.
"We, from the road-building side, of course we have a schedule to meet and we want to make sure we do the right thing as far as investigation and recovery of the artifacts, and such that we can get on with our business."
Archeologists with the province's Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport are now on the site reviewing the artifacts. It will take up to three weeks before they decide the level of recovery needed to preserve the items.
The department has sent letters about the find to the Passamaquoddy Nation, the Maliseet Advisory Committee on Archaeology and the Union of New Brunswick Indians.
The discovery of what are believed to be First Nations artifacts happened in Charlotte County after torrential rains during post-tropical storm Earl exposed the objects.
Fred Blaney, an assistant deputy minister of transportation, said department staff always do an extensive environmental review before they begin new highway construction.
When the Pennfield area was surveyed before the work on Route 1 began, the review produced no apparent archeological findings, Blaney said. But after the massive rainstorm, archeologists wanted to take a second look at the site because it held potential for a discovery, he said.
The discovery they made late last week included evidence of some tools.
"Anytime that you uncover artifacts of any significance within the province it's certainly exciting," Blaney said.
"We, from the road-building side, of course we have a schedule to meet and we want to make sure we do the right thing as far as investigation and recovery of the artifacts, and such that we can get on with our business."
Archeologists with the province's Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport are now on the site reviewing the artifacts. It will take up to three weeks before they decide the level of recovery needed to preserve the items.
The department has sent letters about the find to the Passamaquoddy Nation, the Maliseet Advisory Committee on Archaeology and the Union of New Brunswick Indians.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Anti-Islam group finds fertile ground in Nashville
Act! for America's local chapter is the nation's largest
6:38 AM, Jul. 10, 2011 | 492Comments
Purchase Image J. Lee Douglas, a member of the Middle Tennessee chapter of ACT! For America, said he opposes Islam because he thinks it will be forced on people of other faiths. / Samuel M. Simpkins / The Tennessean
Written by Bob Smietana | The Tennessean Filed Under
News Tennessee State University
ACT! for America sums up its mission in four words: “They must be stopped.”
The “they” in question are Muslims, who ACT! for America’s leaders insist are involved in a stealthy jihad to destroy the United States from the inside out, replacing the Constitution with the Islamic legal code known as Shariah.
The Virginia Beach, Va.-based national nonprofit claims 150,000 members and spreads its message through books, websites, radio ads, cable television and the work of local chapters.
It has become a potent political force in Nashville, home to the largest ACT chapter in the nation. Local members have opposed new mosques and lobbied for laws limiting Islamic influence — including a new state anti-terrorism law that originally referenced Shariah law.
Their message appeals to Bible Belt Christians, who fear that Islam and secularization threaten their way of life, and Jewish and Christian supporters of Israel, who see Muslims as the enemy of that nation. Members point to the 2009 case of Carlos Bledsoe, a Muslim convert and former Tennessee State University student who confessed to murdering an Army recruiter in Little Rock.
Critics say ACT distorts the nature of Islam and labels law-abiding Muslims as terrorists. Local Muslims say they will stand up for their rights to religious freedom.
“We are not afraid of this ACT group,” said Rashed Fakhruddin, a member of the Islamic Center of Nashville. “But we are concerned about the climate of fear they are trying to create.”
ACT has nine chapters in Tennessee: Middle Tennessee — based in Nashville — Cleveland, Hermitage, Jackson, Lebanon, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown and Niota. Charles Jacobs, president of Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a Boston-based anti-Islam group, said he’s not surprised that ACT has caught on in Middle Tennessee.
“The extent to which ACT has been successful in Nashville reflects its strong leadership nationally and locally and the frustration of many citizens with the failure of Nashville’s civic leadership and the media to deal with this threat,” he wrote in an email.
Anti-Islam groups fight for new laws
Daniel Bregman, a Nashville eye surgeon, leads the Middle Tennessee chapter. Bregman’s wife, Joanne, an attorney, has been one of the group’s chief lobbyists at the state Capitol.
Bregman turned down several requests for an interview. He appeared in a promotional video produced by the charity’s national office for its recent annual conference, held in Washington, D.C. The video states that Nashville has the largest chapter in the country, although the group won’t reveal its membership numbers.
“There are a couple reasons why a large chapter is good,” he said on the video. “The larger you are, the more power you have.”
The video includes images of the couple, as well as images of the outside of the Islamic Center of Nashville. Bregman repeats the claim that Muslims in the U.S. want to impose Shariah law in the place of the U.S. Constitution and are threatening non-Muslims.
“The imposition of Shariah law, which is the objective of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamists in this country, is that I become a second-class citizen,” he said. “If I don’t get killed first.”
ACT members see themselves as warriors in a clash between Western civilization and Islam. That belief is reinforced at local chapter meetings, which feature speakers from other national anti-Islam groups.
They include Frank Gaffney of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Security Policy and a star witness for opponents of the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. He has argued on ACT! for America’s cable show that Muslims should be arrested and tried as traitors if they follow any part of Shariah law.
He spoke at a March 15 ACT meeting held at New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, and a recording of his speech recently was posted online.
“Frankly, I feel I am in the presence of a lot of heroes,” he told audience members. “Folks like you are, in the end, what’s going to make a difference between victory and defeat in what I think of as the war for the free world.”
That message appeals to ACT supporters such as J. Lee Douglas, a Brentwood dentist.
Douglas said he usually takes a live-and-let-live approach when it comes to religion. But he doesn’t believe Islam shows the same respect to other faiths.
“I think with Islam, there is an effort to not just leave people alone,” he said. “There is a compulsion to force people to join that faith.”
Defenders called apologists, ignorant
Douglas was one of 100 or so people in attendance at a workshop Tuesday night — also at New Hope Community Church — sponsored by the local chapter of ACT! for America.
The session was titled “Persuading the Near Enemy.” According to the workshop leader, Bill French, a near enemy is anyone who thinks Islam has good points.
“The near enemy is the apologist for Islam, who, I have found, doesn’t know anything about Islam,” French told the group.
French is a former Tennessee State University physics professor who writes under the pseudonym Bill Warner and runs the Center for the Study of Political Islam. He has no formal training in Islamic studies and doesn’t speak Arabic.
He recently was listed as a member of “The Anti-Muslim Inner Circle” by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Report magazine, along with Gaffney, ACT founder Brigitte Gabriel and David Yerushalmi, a Phoenix attorney who drafted Tennessee’s anti-Shariah bill.
That law passed after all references to Shariah and Islam were removed. The final version made giving assistance to a terrorist group a class A felony.
Shariah law's meaning debated
French’s books, with titles such as Shariah Law for Non Muslims, and talks are based on counting verses in the Quran and other Islamic texts. He says that more verses in those texts are about politics and violence than religion.
Therefore, he argues, Islam isn’t only religion. Instead, he sees it as a political system bent on world domination, disguised with a thin veneer of religion. Real Muslims who follow the true Islam want to spread their religion by force.
“Jihad is what made Islam great,” he said.
Page Brooks, assistant professor of theology and Islamic studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said ACT! For America confuses radical Islam with the more moderate mainstream version of the faith.
Brooks, who is a chaplain in the Army National Guard, spent 2010 in Iraq. He said the Muslims he met there were thankful that American troops were opposing terrorists, who used Islam to justify violence.
“Even the average Iraqi knew the difference between the radical jihadists and the average Muslim walking around the street,” he said. “We have to be careful about who we label as a radical Muslim.”
Brooks also took issue with how ACT! for America and its supporters describe the Islamic legal code known as Shariah. That code guides religious practice — such as how to pray or what to eat — as well as family law, business practices and rules for ethical warfare.
“A lot of it has to do with religious compliance and personal holiness,” Brooks said.
Ron Leonard, ACT chapter leader in Hermitage, said his group is only worried about terrorists.
“I want to make that real clear,” said Leonard, who retired from the Army National Guard in 2004. “It is not Muslims. It is the extremist elements that we are dealing with. Muslims are good people. There are people that take their extremist views to the point of killing people. And ACT is in a position to stop this from going on.”
War, religious right are at group's roots
ACT! for America is the brainchild of Hanah Kahwagi Tudor, a Lebanese Christian who fled her homeland during that country’s civil war, which raged from 1975 to 1990.
Tudor, who goes by the pseudonym Brigitte Gabriel, first moved to Israel, where she worked for a television network owned by Pat Robertson.
She married a co-worker named Charles Tudor, a former cameraman for Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Jim and Tammy Show . The couple eventually settled in Virginia Beach.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she began speaking out about terrorism. She wrote two books — They Must Be Stopped and Because They Hate — which became best-sellers.
In books and speeches, Tudor says that Islamic terrorists took over her home country, and she wants to stop them before they take over America.
Tudor declined to be interviewed. On Friday, the ACT! for America website announced she’d visit Nashville on a November date to be announced.
ACT and Tudor’s other nonprofit, the education group American Congress for Truth, took in a combined $1,612,908 in 2009, according to their latest federal tax returns, known as Form 990s. The groups asked for an extension for filing their 2010 tax returns.
Tudor was paid $178,441 in salary by the two charities.
The nonprofit uses constant email updates, conference calls with Tudor and other electronic means to keep in close contact with local leaders.
Email updates sent to supporters also regularly include a request for donations.
Julie Ingersoll, associate professor of religious studies at the University of North Florida, attended ACT’s recent national convention and wrote about her experience for religiondispatches.com.
Ingersoll, who is critical of ACT, said the event was well organized and professional and focused on an “us versus them” approach to Islam and to liberals, who are seen as supporting Muslims.
“It’s framed as this real fear of outsiders,” she said. “It’s tied to all of the tea party rhetoric about the real America.”
Middle Tennessee Muslims organize
ACT’s growing influence has led local Muslims and interfaith groups to become more organized.
Hillsboro Presbyterian Church recently hosted an interfaith Scripture study with local Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders. About 50 people attended.
Fakhruddin, of the Islamic Center of Nashville, helped organize opposition to the anti-Shariah bill, working with the American Civil Liberties Union as well as people of other faiths.
“It made us a stronger group,” he said. “We will not tolerate any acts of injustice. Not just to Muslims, but to all Americans.”
Local Muslims haven’t been politically active until recently, Fakhruddin said. Now they are more aware of how to get involved in the political process and have now gotten to know their state legislators. They also are committed to defending the U.S. Constitution.
“People know us a little better than they did in the past,” he said. “People will see what we stand for and who we really are now. We are Americans. We are not some other group. We stand up for America.”
An earlier version of this story had an incorrect name for Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's television show. Contact Bob Smietana at 615-259-8228 or bsmietana@tennessean.com.
View Comments (492) | Share your th
6:38 AM, Jul. 10, 2011 | 492Comments
Purchase Image J. Lee Douglas, a member of the Middle Tennessee chapter of ACT! For America, said he opposes Islam because he thinks it will be forced on people of other faiths. / Samuel M. Simpkins / The Tennessean
Written by Bob Smietana | The Tennessean Filed Under
News Tennessee State University
ACT! for America sums up its mission in four words: “They must be stopped.”
The “they” in question are Muslims, who ACT! for America’s leaders insist are involved in a stealthy jihad to destroy the United States from the inside out, replacing the Constitution with the Islamic legal code known as Shariah.
The Virginia Beach, Va.-based national nonprofit claims 150,000 members and spreads its message through books, websites, radio ads, cable television and the work of local chapters.
It has become a potent political force in Nashville, home to the largest ACT chapter in the nation. Local members have opposed new mosques and lobbied for laws limiting Islamic influence — including a new state anti-terrorism law that originally referenced Shariah law.
Their message appeals to Bible Belt Christians, who fear that Islam and secularization threaten their way of life, and Jewish and Christian supporters of Israel, who see Muslims as the enemy of that nation. Members point to the 2009 case of Carlos Bledsoe, a Muslim convert and former Tennessee State University student who confessed to murdering an Army recruiter in Little Rock.
Critics say ACT distorts the nature of Islam and labels law-abiding Muslims as terrorists. Local Muslims say they will stand up for their rights to religious freedom.
“We are not afraid of this ACT group,” said Rashed Fakhruddin, a member of the Islamic Center of Nashville. “But we are concerned about the climate of fear they are trying to create.”
ACT has nine chapters in Tennessee: Middle Tennessee — based in Nashville — Cleveland, Hermitage, Jackson, Lebanon, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown and Niota. Charles Jacobs, president of Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a Boston-based anti-Islam group, said he’s not surprised that ACT has caught on in Middle Tennessee.
“The extent to which ACT has been successful in Nashville reflects its strong leadership nationally and locally and the frustration of many citizens with the failure of Nashville’s civic leadership and the media to deal with this threat,” he wrote in an email.
Anti-Islam groups fight for new laws
Daniel Bregman, a Nashville eye surgeon, leads the Middle Tennessee chapter. Bregman’s wife, Joanne, an attorney, has been one of the group’s chief lobbyists at the state Capitol.
Bregman turned down several requests for an interview. He appeared in a promotional video produced by the charity’s national office for its recent annual conference, held in Washington, D.C. The video states that Nashville has the largest chapter in the country, although the group won’t reveal its membership numbers.
“There are a couple reasons why a large chapter is good,” he said on the video. “The larger you are, the more power you have.”
The video includes images of the couple, as well as images of the outside of the Islamic Center of Nashville. Bregman repeats the claim that Muslims in the U.S. want to impose Shariah law in the place of the U.S. Constitution and are threatening non-Muslims.
“The imposition of Shariah law, which is the objective of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamists in this country, is that I become a second-class citizen,” he said. “If I don’t get killed first.”
ACT members see themselves as warriors in a clash between Western civilization and Islam. That belief is reinforced at local chapter meetings, which feature speakers from other national anti-Islam groups.
They include Frank Gaffney of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Security Policy and a star witness for opponents of the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. He has argued on ACT! for America’s cable show that Muslims should be arrested and tried as traitors if they follow any part of Shariah law.
He spoke at a March 15 ACT meeting held at New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, and a recording of his speech recently was posted online.
“Frankly, I feel I am in the presence of a lot of heroes,” he told audience members. “Folks like you are, in the end, what’s going to make a difference between victory and defeat in what I think of as the war for the free world.”
That message appeals to ACT supporters such as J. Lee Douglas, a Brentwood dentist.
Douglas said he usually takes a live-and-let-live approach when it comes to religion. But he doesn’t believe Islam shows the same respect to other faiths.
“I think with Islam, there is an effort to not just leave people alone,” he said. “There is a compulsion to force people to join that faith.”
Defenders called apologists, ignorant
Douglas was one of 100 or so people in attendance at a workshop Tuesday night — also at New Hope Community Church — sponsored by the local chapter of ACT! for America.
The session was titled “Persuading the Near Enemy.” According to the workshop leader, Bill French, a near enemy is anyone who thinks Islam has good points.
“The near enemy is the apologist for Islam, who, I have found, doesn’t know anything about Islam,” French told the group.
French is a former Tennessee State University physics professor who writes under the pseudonym Bill Warner and runs the Center for the Study of Political Islam. He has no formal training in Islamic studies and doesn’t speak Arabic.
He recently was listed as a member of “The Anti-Muslim Inner Circle” by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Report magazine, along with Gaffney, ACT founder Brigitte Gabriel and David Yerushalmi, a Phoenix attorney who drafted Tennessee’s anti-Shariah bill.
That law passed after all references to Shariah and Islam were removed. The final version made giving assistance to a terrorist group a class A felony.
Shariah law's meaning debated
French’s books, with titles such as Shariah Law for Non Muslims, and talks are based on counting verses in the Quran and other Islamic texts. He says that more verses in those texts are about politics and violence than religion.
Therefore, he argues, Islam isn’t only religion. Instead, he sees it as a political system bent on world domination, disguised with a thin veneer of religion. Real Muslims who follow the true Islam want to spread their religion by force.
“Jihad is what made Islam great,” he said.
Page Brooks, assistant professor of theology and Islamic studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said ACT! For America confuses radical Islam with the more moderate mainstream version of the faith.
Brooks, who is a chaplain in the Army National Guard, spent 2010 in Iraq. He said the Muslims he met there were thankful that American troops were opposing terrorists, who used Islam to justify violence.
“Even the average Iraqi knew the difference between the radical jihadists and the average Muslim walking around the street,” he said. “We have to be careful about who we label as a radical Muslim.”
Brooks also took issue with how ACT! for America and its supporters describe the Islamic legal code known as Shariah. That code guides religious practice — such as how to pray or what to eat — as well as family law, business practices and rules for ethical warfare.
“A lot of it has to do with religious compliance and personal holiness,” Brooks said.
Ron Leonard, ACT chapter leader in Hermitage, said his group is only worried about terrorists.
“I want to make that real clear,” said Leonard, who retired from the Army National Guard in 2004. “It is not Muslims. It is the extremist elements that we are dealing with. Muslims are good people. There are people that take their extremist views to the point of killing people. And ACT is in a position to stop this from going on.”
War, religious right are at group's roots
ACT! for America is the brainchild of Hanah Kahwagi Tudor, a Lebanese Christian who fled her homeland during that country’s civil war, which raged from 1975 to 1990.
Tudor, who goes by the pseudonym Brigitte Gabriel, first moved to Israel, where she worked for a television network owned by Pat Robertson.
She married a co-worker named Charles Tudor, a former cameraman for Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Jim and Tammy Show . The couple eventually settled in Virginia Beach.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she began speaking out about terrorism. She wrote two books — They Must Be Stopped and Because They Hate — which became best-sellers.
In books and speeches, Tudor says that Islamic terrorists took over her home country, and she wants to stop them before they take over America.
Tudor declined to be interviewed. On Friday, the ACT! for America website announced she’d visit Nashville on a November date to be announced.
ACT and Tudor’s other nonprofit, the education group American Congress for Truth, took in a combined $1,612,908 in 2009, according to their latest federal tax returns, known as Form 990s. The groups asked for an extension for filing their 2010 tax returns.
Tudor was paid $178,441 in salary by the two charities.
The nonprofit uses constant email updates, conference calls with Tudor and other electronic means to keep in close contact with local leaders.
Email updates sent to supporters also regularly include a request for donations.
Julie Ingersoll, associate professor of religious studies at the University of North Florida, attended ACT’s recent national convention and wrote about her experience for religiondispatches.com.
Ingersoll, who is critical of ACT, said the event was well organized and professional and focused on an “us versus them” approach to Islam and to liberals, who are seen as supporting Muslims.
“It’s framed as this real fear of outsiders,” she said. “It’s tied to all of the tea party rhetoric about the real America.”
Middle Tennessee Muslims organize
ACT’s growing influence has led local Muslims and interfaith groups to become more organized.
Hillsboro Presbyterian Church recently hosted an interfaith Scripture study with local Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders. About 50 people attended.
Fakhruddin, of the Islamic Center of Nashville, helped organize opposition to the anti-Shariah bill, working with the American Civil Liberties Union as well as people of other faiths.
“It made us a stronger group,” he said. “We will not tolerate any acts of injustice. Not just to Muslims, but to all Americans.”
Local Muslims haven’t been politically active until recently, Fakhruddin said. Now they are more aware of how to get involved in the political process and have now gotten to know their state legislators. They also are committed to defending the U.S. Constitution.
“People know us a little better than they did in the past,” he said. “People will see what we stand for and who we really are now. We are Americans. We are not some other group. We stand up for America.”
An earlier version of this story had an incorrect name for Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's television show. Contact Bob Smietana at 615-259-8228 or bsmietana@tennessean.com.
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Sunday, July 3, 2011
Miles Motture, on the University of Victoria campus, has complained to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. Photograph by: Adrian Lam, Times Colonist,
Thank you Graeme for letting us know about this article.
Long lines at the bookstore is usually all the waiting most students have to do before getting their textbooks. But for those with sight problems, the wait is even longer, and that is discriminatory, according to Miles Motture.
That is why the University of Victoria law student has filed a complaint against the university and six textbook publishers with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
"It's a frustrating process," Motture said. "Other students don't even have to go through the process of asking, never mind asking and then getting unacceptable delays."
For students to get an electronic copy of a textbook, they must first purchase the hardcopy and submit their booklist to the university.
The university places a request for the alternate-format book to the publisher once the student has given them a booklist for all their courses. It may take up to eight weeks to get the book in the right electronic format, UVic said.
"If a student registers with the resource centre, gives enough lead time, and does their piece ... then generally the resource centre has the ability to get the materials by the time they are needed," said Kim Hart Wensley, associate vice-president at UVic.
The electronic copy is typically available within a few days of the publisher receiving a request for the book - whatever time it takes for the CD-ROM to be burned and couriered to the school, says textbook publisher LexisNexis.
Hart Wensley said there can be some delay if a student switches courses, the professor does not have the booklist available or if an electronic copy of the book is unavailable and needs to be created from a hardcopy.
Motture, 46, is partiallysighted, and says the delay affects his ability to tackle the large reading load that comes with law school. Delays in acquiring the booklist have often slowed him down, w which is why the law faculty is also named in the complaint, he said.
Hart Wensley said there are occasional complaints about the delays, but said the university is working hard to improve its processes for students who need alternate-format books. "I appreciate that there is a finite amount of time in a term," she said.
There are typically fewer than 100 students in a given year requiring an electronic copy of their books, Hart Wensley said.
What irks Motture further, he said, is that e-books are a rising trend, and many textbook companies make other books available in electronic format. Motture said he wishes the textbook side of the industry would catch on to the electronic craze a bit quicker.
"It'd be different if this was some crazy thing that was really difficult for the publisher to solve, but obviously it's not. Electronic books are readily available. People download gazillions of them every day," said Motture.
LexisNexis says it has three e-books available and plans to have another four ready for the end of 2011. "Over time, we'll be providing an increasing number of our print publications in e-book format," said communications manager Tracy Smith via email. kburnham@timescolonist.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Long lines at the bookstore is usually all the waiting most students have to do before getting their textbooks. But for those with sight problems, the wait is even longer, and that is discriminatory, according to Miles Motture.
That is why the University of Victoria law student has filed a complaint against the university and six textbook publishers with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
"It's a frustrating process," Motture said. "Other students don't even have to go through the process of asking, never mind asking and then getting unacceptable delays."
For students to get an electronic copy of a textbook, they must first purchase the hardcopy and submit their booklist to the university.
The university places a request for the alternate-format book to the publisher once the student has given them a booklist for all their courses. It may take up to eight weeks to get the book in the right electronic format, UVic said.
"If a student registers with the resource centre, gives enough lead time, and does their piece ... then generally the resource centre has the ability to get the materials by the time they are needed," said Kim Hart Wensley, associate vice-president at UVic.
The electronic copy is typically available within a few days of the publisher receiving a request for the book - whatever time it takes for the CD-ROM to be burned and couriered to the school, says textbook publisher LexisNexis.
Hart Wensley said there can be some delay if a student switches courses, the professor does not have the booklist available or if an electronic copy of the book is unavailable and needs to be created from a hardcopy.
Motture, 46, is partiallysighted, and says the delay affects his ability to tackle the large reading load that comes with law school. Delays in acquiring the booklist have often slowed him down, w which is why the law faculty is also named in the complaint, he said.
Hart Wensley said there are occasional complaints about the delays, but said the university is working hard to improve its processes for students who need alternate-format books. "I appreciate that there is a finite amount of time in a term," she said.
There are typically fewer than 100 students in a given year requiring an electronic copy of their books, Hart Wensley said.
What irks Motture further, he said, is that e-books are a rising trend, and many textbook companies make other books available in electronic format. Motture said he wishes the textbook side of the industry would catch on to the electronic craze a bit quicker.
"It'd be different if this was some crazy thing that was really difficult for the publisher to solve, but obviously it's not. Electronic books are readily available. People download gazillions of them every day," said Motture.
LexisNexis says it has three e-books available and plans to have another four ready for the end of 2011. "Over time, we'll be providing an increasing number of our print publications in e-book format," said communications manager Tracy Smith via email. kburnham@timescolonist.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
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