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Volume 6, Issue 06
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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Local youth becomes Easter Seals ambassador
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By Bryan Jessop Leamington’s Joshua Zeiter has learned to take what some would call a disability and turn it into ‘this ability’. The local 10-year-old was selected as one of two Easter Seals ambassadors for the province of Ontario, a one-year honour that will keep him busy with a wide assortment of fundraisers and other public appearances. Zeiter and 15-year-old Victoria Chen of Mississauga were officially announced as Ontario ambassadors for Easter Seals during the Rogers Conn Smythe Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction in Toronto Wednesday, Feb. 18. Applicants for ambassador underwent a recorded interview process in October of last year before an Easter Seals selection committee studied each recording to select the two representatives. Each year, one male and one female ambassador is chosen — one from the Greater Toronto Area and the other from somewhere else in the province. The Zeiter’s — including Joshua’s parents Dave and Joanna and brother Zachery — were informed of Joshua’s selection as an Ontario ambassador in early December of last year. They had to keep the news secret until the Conn Smythe event last month, when the two youths officially began taking on responsibilities associated with the 12-month title. “I was a little bit surprised,” Joshua said. “I gave my mom a big hug when I found out.” Zeiter is a Grade 5 student at St. Louis Catholic Elementary School, where he is taught by Elizabeth Cabral and educational assistant Laurie Cook. Between school hours, Joshua enjoys baseball, football, playing X-box games with his family, bowling, swimming and the outdoors. Although he was born with an underdeveloped cerebellum that affects his balance, fine motor skills and coordination, Zeiter doesn’t allow his physical challenges to compromise his active and busy lifestyle. With a friendly, outgoing personality and an eagerness to meet new people, he is enthusiastic about his upcoming role as (Continued on Page 3)
Joshua Zeiter was selected as one of two Easter Seals Ontario ambassadors for 2015, along with Victoria Chen of Mississauga. (Submitted photo)
BIA, OPP, Crime Stoppers meet to talk about crime in Leamington By Sheila McBrayne Members of the Leamington BIA, Leamington Branch Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Crime Stoppers of Windsor and Essex County held a special joint meeting to discuss problems and solutions for crime in Leamington. Leamington Mayor John Paterson welcomed a full contingent of representatives who voiced concerns including illegal drug activity, prostitution, and graffiti, among other issues. Frustrated downtown business owners heard from OPP Constable Jason Perpich who assured the group that police are focused on the downtown. Cst. Perpich and his partner Cst. Curtis Warren are dedicated officers to the downtown area. “We try very hard; we can’t see what they’re doing and we have to see the crime,” stated a frustrated Cst. Perpich. Sergeant Jerry Ribble stated officers spend a lot of time in alleys, schoolyards, parks and beaches, but they have to have help. “Phone us, don’t just talk about it and complain, call us, we’ll come and they don’t like it when we show up, but we have to be called,” urged Sgt. Ribble. “This is our community and we care. Please call, we want to make a difference, an impact,” said Cst. Perpich. “Call us so that we can start a case file on a location or individual… if there are previous reports it gives us ‘reason’ to search;
we can’t just search anyone we want,” said Cst. Perpich. Some BIA members believed that people, as well as business owners are scared to get involved; to give a report or give their name for fear of retribution. Cst. Ryan Burney, Police Coordinator for Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers attended the meeting to let everyone know that Crime Stoppers tips do NOT require any identification and you do not have to give your name or ever appear in court. Anonymous tips lead to many charges and arrests. The Windsor Essex Crime Stoppers receive between 250 and 300 tips a month involving Leamington. “I have one tipster who earns about a $1,000 a month on successful tips,” said Cst. Burney. “Not everyone calls for the rewards, but we do offer between $50 and $2,000 tip rewards if they lead to arrests,” said Cst. Burney. Anonymous tips can be called in at 258TIPS or on the website www.catchcrooks.com. You never have to give your name or make any report. They just want you’re the information about criminal activity. Leamington Community Services Cst. Kevin O’Neil also encouraged people to use the Crime Stoppers option to stay anonymous, or call the Leamington OPP non-emergency number (519326-2544) to report non-emergencies. “It’s
frustrating. Nothing bothers me more than getting at call at 8 a.m. that they heard breaking glass at 2 a.m., but waited until morning because ‘they didn’t want to inconvenience us’. This is our job. Bother us, call us when it’s happening,” said Cst. O’Neil. BIA members also voiced concern that if they are the only neighbour to the illegal activity that they may be seen as informants regardless of anonymity. “We count on the public to tell us. The public sees different than police do… You have to put some trust in us [police]… All of us have to step up and take some responsibility,” said Cst. O’Neil. Mayor Paterson admitted that Leamington has a crime problem, but also pointed out that “We [Leamington] are the next city after Windsor, so we have city problems…” The mayor encouraged business owners and individuals to call police to help be part of the solution and not ignore the problem.
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