Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 3
Council approves extra policing for weekends
LEAMINGTON — Leamington Council has approved the hiring of OPP paid duty officers to patrol the Leamington waterfront every weekend this summer. According to CAO Peter Neufeld, during the summer of 2020, staff who were cleaning washrooms and doing maintenance at Seacliff Beach were experiencing some conflict with patrons and were hindered in doing their jobs safely and efficiently. Once OPP officers were put in place, it was considerably easier for the staff at Seacliff Park to perform their duties. The officers will also be there to deter any overly-large gatherings. With the recent opening of the splash
pad, it’s expected that Seacliff Park will get that much busier and the beach will be teeming with sunbathers as well. The officers will patrol on Fridays from 5-10 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 10 pm, and on statutory holidays from noon to 10 pm. The total cost to the municipality would be approximately $71,000, which will be mostly covered by the COVID-19 Recovery Grant. Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation and contract the OPP officers through September 10, unless COVID restrictions lift to the point where they are considered no longer necessary.
C-K Police looking for cold case help CHATHAM-KENT — The Chatham-Kent Police Service is looking for the public’s assistance regarding a fatal collision that happened 35 years ago. Charlie Gammage, 36, was walking west of Ridgetown on Ridge Line, just east of Scane Road, around 2 am on May 24, 1986, , when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist. The driver failed to remain at the scene of the collision. OPP initially responded to the collision due to the incident occurring in their jurisdiction. Chatham-Kent Police have since taken over the investigation. “As we observe the 35th anniversary of the collision, we are appealing to the public for any information that may help us identify the person responsible for this collision,” said D/Sgt Gabe Tetrault
of the Major Crime Unit. “We have interviewed several people over the years and believe that there are people who have intimate knowledge of the collision and the informa- CHARLIE GAMMAGE tion we need to solve this crime. If you can help us bring closure to this family, please call us.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Mark VanderGriendt at markvan@chatham-kent.ca or 519436-6600 ext. 207. Anonymous callers can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) for a possible cash reward.
VETERAN HONOURS BROTHERS
LEAMINGTON — Local veteran Monte Holland has helped kick-start the 2021 Hometown Heroes banner campaign by honouring his three brothers and himself with banners for display in uptown Leamington. The Holland brothers all returned from the Second World War and Monte thought it would be good to have them hanging together on the light poles this fall. Here, he poses with his own banner in hand, while his brothers, Milford, Ray and Ken, hang behind. The campaign for this year is now open and accepting applications. Please contact Mark Ribble at mark@southpointsun.ca or stop in at the Southpoint Sun office to pick up an application form at 194 Talbot Street East, Unit 2. Sun photo
