HEARN
HEATH
HERRON
HETHERINGTON
HEARN e@ca.nfld.saint_john's_west 2000-11-27 federal election
category e is education election employment athletics
HEARN
Loyola
Canadian Alliance Party
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HEATH e@ca.on.kent_county.wallaceburg.wallaceburg_courier_press 2003-06-04 published
category e is education election employment athletics
'Burg native wins national award
Cheryl HEATH
Courier▼
Press▼ staff
One of Wallaceburg's homegrown students is now recognized as
one of the top teachers in the land.
Kim LEWIS, who hails from Wallaceburg and is now a drama teacher
at John McGregor secondary school in Chatham, has been awarded
with a Certificate of Excellence as a recipient of the 2002-2003
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.
The award, presented by Prime Minister Jean
CHRETIEN at a May
15 ceremony, recognizes the efforts of outstanding teachers who
provide students with the tools necessary to become upstanding
citizens, develop and thrive as individuals, and to contribute
to the country's growth and prosperity.
LEWIS was one of only 16 teachers and 10 early childhood educators
to be honoured at the national level while 72 teachers and 31
early childhood educators will be presented with certificates
by their respective Members of Parliament.
It was a climactic moment in her teaching career, says
LEWIS,
who is the daughter of “Radio” Ray and Janice
AARSSEN of Wallaceburg.
LEWIS, who has been a teacher for 24 years, began her teaching
career at Our Lady of Help school in Wallaceburg. She then worked
out West and later in Fergus, Ontario, before moving back to
the area with her three children 12 years ago.
There weren't any teaching positions available in Chatham-Kent
when LEWIS first arrived, but she was interviewed by a Lambton
Kent District School Board administrator to whom she promised
that he “won't be sorry” if he gave her a chance.
He obliged.
LEWIS then began teaching English, but in time, had
the chance to teach her true love -- drama.
The program at John McGregor school proved so popular with students
over time that the number of classes offered has grown to nine
from three, which is quite a feat given that drama is not a required
course in the curriculum.
"I can't tell you how fulfilling it is," says
LEWIS. "It really
is amazing that I get paid to do this."
She says being nominated for the award by both the parent council
and school principal Ross
DAWE at John McGregor school was an
honour in itself.
"I tried to dissuade him
(DAWE,)" she says. "He wouldn't hear
of it. He insisted on putting this nomination together."
LEWIS notes "there are so many great teachers in our building"
that she was awed when she received the call from Ottawa informing
her of the win.
"It blew my mind," says
LEWIS, adding she and her entire family,
including husband Dan, who is an accomplished physical education
and math teacher as well as guidance officer at McGregor, enjoyed
the five-day trip to the nation's capital.
"It really was invigorating to hear other people who are passionate
about what they're doing, too," says
LEWIS of the experience
of meeting with Canada's top teachers.
Indeed, LEWIS says the event was inspiring as well as a real
shot in the arm for her teaching career.
"I kept walking around saying, ‘I've just been inoculated, '"
she quips.
LEWIS says her childhood inspired her interest in the dramatic
arts. She recalls that her parents were heavily involved in the
theatre and they often held cast parties at the family home.
In her later years,
LEWIS took part in theatrical studies at
Wallaceburg District Secondary School and she also joined the
Wallaceburg Little Theatre. These days, in addition to her teaching
duties, LEWIS directs, organizes and writes several community-based
drama programs, including the incredibly successful Stop Bullying
production presented in cooperation with the Chatham-Kent Police
Service earlier this year.
LEWIS notes her high praise for her students and their commitment
to drama.
"The opportunities with drama are endless and the rewards are
immeasurable," she says. "My students change the world and that's
what it's all about."
LEWIS adds her motto as a teacher is a simple one. She offers
her students with a safe environment to test their abilities.
"The biggest word of my career is risk," she says. "I provide
a safe environment, which allows for risks. Then I say to students,
‘let's find out what you're capable of.' Success is absolutely
a given if you come in here with the right attitude."
Thanks to
LEWIS's achievement, her school will also receive a
$5,000 donation to be used with
LEWIS's direction in consultation
with the school.
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HEATH e@ca.on.kent_county.wallaceburg.wallaceburg_courier_press 2003-07-16 published
category e is education election employment athletics
Man's sentence offends family
Cheryl HEATH
Courier▲▼
Press▲▼ staff
Things▼ didn't always come easily for William Bob
HETHERINGTON,
know to Friends and family as "Bobby," but he is nonetheless
described as a "happy go-lucky" sort of person.
On January 25, 2002, Bobby was walking across the Murray Street
bridge when he somehow lost his footing and ended up laying on
the road. The Chatham-Kent Police Service knows that much is
true as a witness flagged down a cruiser to report the sighting.
The motorist then headed back to where the man was laying. It
was at that moment when the witness saw another motorist drive
over Bobby.
According to the coroner's report, the 39-year-old was killed
instantly. The now 48-year-old motorist took off, but was later
tracked down and charged with a number of offences, including
impaired driving causing death.
HETHERINGTON's family in Wallaceburg, including older sister
Diana and elder brother Ron, arranged for his funeral with the
assistance of Kevin
CAVANAGH of the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral
Home. Bobby, who had never married and did not have children,
had been searching for work ever since Libby, known as The Glass,
closed in 1999.
Up until recently, the
HETHERINGTON family did not know of the
fate of the man who ran over Bobby. They had not received any
information from the courts about the accused's court appearance.
Then, a few weeks ago, Diana
HETHERINGTON was working at her
job as a security guard when a friend came by with a copy of
a Chatham newspaper, which detailed the sentence handed to the
man charged in her brother's death. The motorist, Harvey
SEARLE,
was given 20 months of house arrest on the charge of impaired
driving cause of death.
SEARLE was also given two years of probation
and a four-year driving prohibition.
Diana couldn't believe her eyes. She had imagined the perpetrator
would be facing a couple of years in jail. It hadn't crossed
her mind that the accused would be allowed to continue going
to work while serving a sentence at his own residence.
"We figured he wouldn't have gotten a slap on the hand and sent
home," she says. What she finds particularly ironic is society
largely condemns impaired driving, but once convicted, drivers
tend to face lenient sentences meted out by the courts.
"Police work hard to get those drunk drivers off the streets
and the judge just sends them home," she says. "There is no justice
here."
Diana says her family is also saddened to note light sentences
for impaired-driving related deaths are relatively commonplace.
"It happens all of the time," she says. "The
HETHERINGTON family
is not alone."
The sentence meted out to the man who took Bobby's life brings
no comfort to the
HETHERINGTONs.
Indeed,▼
Diana▼ notes the driver's
apology, which was read in the courtroom, has not been seen or
heard by the
HETHERINGTON family.
Family▼ friend Dan
JANSSENS echoes Diana's sentiments and says
the lenient sentence handed to
SEARLE highlights the need for
reform to the justice system.
"I definitely think they should enforce the law a bit more --
not that it's going to help Bobby."
Diana, who was closest to Bobby, notes the family has also grieved
the loss of their mother, who died of breast cancer when Bobby
was a teenager, a brother who died from heart-related complications
and the family patriarch a few years ago.
The type of sentence given to the man responsible for Bobby's
life suggests the court system ascribes little value to human
life, says Diana.
"Bobby was just a happy go-lucky guy. He was always laughing
and happy," she says.
Family members are still attempting to set aside enough money
to purchase a grave-site marker for Bobby, whose remains are
resting beside his brother.
Brendan CRAWLEY, a spokesman for the Ministry of Attorney General's
office, reports Chatham-Kent's Victim/Witness Assistance Program
was set up after the initial charges against
SEARLE were laid.
Nonetheless, a protocol was in place. According to Ministry documents,
the Crown was following orders to remain in contact with the
victim's girlfriend. It seems it was assumed all pertinent court
information would be passed along to Bobby's family members,
says CRAWLEY.
"I suppose that it wasn't the case," he says, noting it is unfortunate.
CRAWLEY adds the Crown was seeking a jail term of between 18
to 24 months for
SEARLE, but the judge chose to mete out the
sentence as presented.
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HERRON e@ca.nb.fundy-royal 2000-11-27 federal election
category e is education election employment athletics
HERRON
John
Canadian Alliance Party
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HETHERINGTON e@ca.on.kent_county.wallaceburg.wallaceburg_courier_press 2003-07-16 published
category e is education election employment athletics
Man's sentence offends family
Cheryl HEATH
Courier▲
Press▲ staff
Things▲ didn't always come easily for William Bob
HETHERINGTON,
know to Friends and family as "Bobby," but he is nonetheless
described as a "happy go-lucky" sort of person.
On January 25, 2002, Bobby was walking across the Murray Street
bridge when he somehow lost his footing and ended up laying on
the road. The Chatham-Kent Police Service knows that much is
true as a witness flagged down a cruiser to report the sighting.
The motorist then headed back to where the man was laying. It
was at that moment when the witness saw another motorist drive
over Bobby.
According to the coroner's report, the 39-year-old was killed
instantly. The now 48-year-old motorist took off, but was later
tracked down and charged with a number of offences, including
impaired driving causing death.
HETHERINGTON's family in Wallaceburg, including older sister
Diana and elder brother Ron, arranged for his funeral with the
assistance of Kevin
CAVANAGH of the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral
Home. Bobby, who had never married and did not have children,
had been searching for work ever since Libby, known as The Glass,
closed in 1999.
Up until recently, the
HETHERINGTON family did not know of the
fate of the man who ran over Bobby. They had not received any
information from the courts about the accused's court appearance.
Then, a few weeks ago, Diana
HETHERINGTON was working at her
job as a security guard when a friend came by with a copy of
a Chatham newspaper, which detailed the sentence handed to the
man charged in her brother's death. The motorist, Harvey
SEARLE,
was given 20 months of house arrest on the charge of impaired
driving cause of death.
SEARLE was also given two years of probation
and a four-year driving prohibition.
Diana couldn't believe her eyes. She had imagined the perpetrator
would be facing a couple of years in jail. It hadn't crossed
her mind that the accused would be allowed to continue going
to work while serving a sentence at his own residence.
"We figured he wouldn't have gotten a slap on the hand and sent
home," she says. What she finds particularly ironic is society
largely condemns impaired driving, but once convicted, drivers
tend to face lenient sentences meted out by the courts.
"Police work hard to get those drunk drivers off the streets
and the judge just sends them home," she says. "There is no justice
here."
Diana says her family is also saddened to note light sentences
for impaired-driving related deaths are relatively commonplace.
"It happens all of the time," she says. "The
HETHERINGTON family
is not alone."
The sentence meted out to the man who took Bobby's life brings
no comfort to the
HETHERINGTONs.
Indeed,▲
Diana▲ notes the driver's
apology, which was read in the courtroom, has not been seen or
heard by the
HETHERINGTON family.
Family▲ friend Dan
JANSSENS echoes Diana's sentiments and says
the lenient sentence handed to
SEARLE highlights the need for
reform to the justice system.
"I definitely think they should enforce the law a bit more --
not that it's going to help Bobby."
Diana, who was closest to Bobby, notes the family has also grieved
the loss of their mother, who died of breast cancer when Bobby
was a teenager, a brother who died from heart-related complications
and the family patriarch a few years ago.
The type of sentence given to the man responsible for Bobby's
life suggests the court system ascribes little value to human
life, says Diana.
"Bobby was just a happy go-lucky guy. He was always laughing
and happy," she says.
Family members are still attempting to set aside enough money
to purchase a grave-site marker for Bobby, whose remains are
resting beside his brother.
Brendan CRAWLEY, a spokesman for the Ministry of Attorney General's
office, reports Chatham-Kent's Victim/Witness Assistance Program
was set up after the initial charges against
SEARLE were laid.
Nonetheless, a protocol was in place. According to Ministry documents,
the Crown was following orders to remain in contact with the
victim's girlfriend. It seems it was assumed all pertinent court
information would be passed along to Bobby's family members,
says CRAWLEY.
"I suppose that it wasn't the case," he says, noting it is unfortunate.
CRAWLEY adds the Crown was seeking a jail term of between 18
to 24 months for
SEARLE, but the judge chose to mete out the
sentence as presented.
H... Names HE... Names Welcome Home
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