Princeton mascot survives surgery page 3
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The Similkameen
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Volume 65 Issue 46
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Accusations mar Legion’s annual meeting
Remember
Andrea DeMeer Spotlight Staff
Bob Marsh
Second World War veteran Joe McNeil took part in Princeton’s annual parade to the cenotaph Wednesday, November 11. MORE PHOTOS SEE PAGE 11.
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A meeting that began with a moment’s silence and ended with a communal prayer was punctuated Sunday afternoon by accusations, finger pointing and shouting. The Sergeant of Arms serving at the annual general meeting of the Princeton Legion was summoned to remove one vocal member from the crowd, who later received permission to remain in the room in order to cast a ballot for the new executive. “It’s sad,” said Ron MacKay, newly elected branch president. MacKay said he has never experienced a comparable meeting in 31 years of Legion membership. “It’s just really unfortunate.” After regular agenda items were addressed tempers flared over charges from the floor that a Legion member had worn medals on his uniform that he did not earn as a veteran. Greg Ghiloni, who recently renewed his Legion membership, brought the issue forward. “I would like the executive to take some action and do something about this,” he said. “The executive knows about this and has done nothing. I don’t understand why this is being hidden. Several people rose to their feet to defend the member, while president Cliff Glover, who later lost a bid to return to the executive as Legion president, attempted to bring the meeting to order, asking for all comments to be directed to the chair. While two women faced each other across
the room shouting, one banging on the table, a man left the Legion hall proclaiming “I will defend myself in court.” Glover told the crowd the matter has already been referred to Royal Canadian Legion BC Yukon Command. “It’s too big for us,” he said. Following the meeting, Legion zone commander Rick Lundin confirmed an investigation into the allegations has been launched. “It’s under investigation, that’s all I can say. It’s being looked into.” Sunday’s annual general meeting was the best-attended in the Legion’s recent memory, according to MacKay. Approximately 86 people crowded into the hall, forcing organizers to hastily set up several extra rows of chairs. MacKay said normally the AGM draws a crowd of about 20 people, and he speculated the turnout was due to the general election. “The reason people came out is because it’s the first time in many years that there has been one.” MacKay’s name was put forward by the nominating committee, while Glover was nominated from the floor. After MacKay was elected by secret ballot, Glover was again nominated from the floor for the position of vice president but declined to stand. “I would like to thank the people who support me, but I think I will continue in the role of past president,” he said.
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