The old broken-down, lumbering justice system that many claim puts the best interests of the guilty ahead of victims was on display, again, last week in a Cornwall court room.
A local criminal case that started in 2014 staggered across the finish line with the convicted person, high profile businessman Gilles Latour, sentenced to two years in a federal slammer.
That seemingly “light” sentence raised a lot of eyebrows. Rarely, if ever, does someone sentenced to two years for a non-violent crime serve the full sentence, or anything close to it.
It is the kind of sentence that helps the argument that some crimes do pay.
While handing down sentence the judge pointed out that the million-dollar fraudster saved the justice system time (and money) by (finally) fessing up, which eliminated the need for a “long and painstaking” trial.
Long for the clogged system. Painstaking for the accused.
A guilty plea after almost 45 months of denial and delays doesn’t sound like a time/money saver?
Just as comical was the restitution order and the convicted person’s stated desire to get out of jail so he could start paying back the $900,000.
He has been given four years to complete restitution. To be successful would require generous restitution payments of about $20,000 a month by someone who told the court that they struck out on 120 job applications since being charged by the cops and losing his business.
Sounds like there are two options (for victims): a big lottery win or dial-a-prayer.
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THIS AND THAT Please tell me Mario Leclerc, the on-again, off-again Liberal nomination contender didn’t say that he could beat Stormont, Dundas, South Glengarry incumbent Guy Lauzon because he is a “white man.” No. Not in 2018. … Former city councillor Glen Grant says that if he runs again (this fall) it will be for mayor. … Roman Catholics in Alexander-Cornwall Diocese still waiting for the long overdue decision (from the Vatican) on the fate of the diocese. … Sue Holland-Lalonde, chair of the raucous SDG Historical Society annual general meeting Saturday, performed as well as could be expected while dodging bullets fired at the dysfunctional out-going board. In short, she took one for the board. … Some folks in the crowd wondered who the lawyer being paid by the society was working for: a board employee or the society?
HERE AND THERE There was something for everyone in the provincial Liberal government budget. Even for cigarette smugglers. The $4.25 carton tax hike, with the same increase set for next year, which will drive up the price of a carton of legal smokes to at least $100 and will make those $25 carton of illegal smokes more attractive. Police estimate that 50% of cigarettes smoked in Ontario are bought on the black market. In this part of the province, it might even be higher. … Veteran CKON announcer Michael Terry, who has been in the radio biz since he was a 16-year-old high school student working part-time at CJSS, celebrates a birthday April 10. It’s a “special one”.
HITTING THE RECALL BUTTON Back before it became big business with corporate boxes and all, when regular working stiffs could get a standing-room ticket at the old Montreal Forum for $2.25 and buy a hotdog for 15 cents. … When tires had inner tubes. … Filling up the family chariot (aka car) for $20. … When you didn’t need a magnifying glass to read the telephone directory. … How did workers survive without a dozen personal days that can be used to go fishing? … When was the last time a kid was seen rolling an old tire down the street? … Police call boxes on Pitt Street and Montreal Road for the beat cop. … Before hand-held calculators and apps, we had slide rules. … VHS tapes and the dollar bill. … A mother’s apron which hung on a hook in the kitchen. .. Life Magazine and The Star Weekly delivered by the Toronto Star newspaper boy on Saturday mornings. … Kodak Hawkeye cameras and flashbulbs.
THIS WEEK IN 1975 – A consultant’s report recommended that the city push for a major commercial development in the downtown core and not look at a proposed shopping centre in the Tollgate Road/McConnell Avenue or Tollgate Road and Brookdale Avenue areas. The study also recommended a new library/civic art gallery at Pitt and Third streets and a cost-sharing agreement with Pitt Street businesses to improve store fronts. … Fire caused by a spark from a cutting torch destroyed Marlin Yachts at Summerstown. … The worst April snowstorm in years dumped 22 inches of snow on the city and area. … Det. Roger Pilon and Const. Gerald Kirkey were awarded 20-year good conduct medals by the Cornwall Police Board. … Plans for the Gray’s Creek Conservation Area were unveiled by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority. The area to be built over several years would include a marina, nature trails, picnic areas and wildlife habitat. … A letter from the Stormont Christian Council that criticized Cornwall Township Council for holding committee meetings on Sunday mornings didn’t sit well with councillors. Reeve Lorne Wheeler said the letter was “uncalled for” and Coun. Bill Fenton said it wasn’t worthy of a response. Deputy-Reeve John Cleary noted that only two committee meetings were held on a Sunday morning over the past five years. … St. Lawrence High School graduates Richard Parisien and Andre Poirier were called to the bar at Osgoode Hall. … Cornwall Township animal control officer Hubert Froats had his monthly retainer increased to $100. … Dozens of CCVS teachers showed up at a SD and G County Board of Education meeting to protest the decision to transfer principal Clifford Hart to Seaway District High School.
TRIVIA ANSWER Mohawk activist Kahn-Tineta Horn was among several protesters arrested by Cornwall police during a Dec. 18, 1969 blockade on Cornwall Island that closed the international border crossing. The protest was against the imposition of customs duties. She was charged with carrying an offensive weapon but on Sept. 4, 1970 she was acquitted by a county court judge.
TRIVIA This made-for-television movie was shot at Upper Canada Village in October, 1972. It starred Jane Wyatt and Buddy Ebsen. Dozens of extras from the city and district were hired for the production that was aired on CBS.
SPORTS STUFF If I’m Montreal Canadiens’ GM Marc Bergevin I’m kicking tires on a possible Kerry Price trade. … Forget about the suspense. Just give Gerard Gallant, coach of the overachieving Las Vegas Knights, the coach-of-the-year award. … Mat Camm, who makes Cornwall Curling Centre his home base and is a Jacques Richard Memorial Trophy recipient, had a banner year on the pro circuit throwing third rocks for John Epping. They played in all of the Grand Slams, made an Olympic trial appearance and won the Ontario provincials. The rink was semi-finalist at the Tim Hortons Brier.
ONE MORE THING If you have nothing to be grateful for check your pulse.
