Pedophile arrested --
discovered living with
his 11-year-old niece
By
Darlene Casten
Staff Reporter
A convicted pedophile who moved into town three weeks ago is in police
custody after being arrested for breaching conditions of his probation.
Dwayne Jonathon Doucette was ordered not to have contact with girls
under the age of 14 years old following a 2002 sexual interference
conviction.
Crown prosecutor Dave Fowles said the accused and his sister deceived
a Victoria probation officer by not disclosing that the women has
an 11 year-old daughter.
“It is the crown’s position that this information was
intentionally withheld by the accused and his sister,” Fowles
stated, during a show cause hearing held in Okotoks Provincial Court
Oct. 23.
Doucette was ordered to not have contact with girls under the age
of 14-years-old, except with prior approval from a probation officer.
Nelson Eshleman, who appeared as duty council on behalf of Doucette,
said his client had informed the probation officer that he would be
living with his sister, brother-in-law, three nephews and a niece.
“Although this is an inflammatory situation in Okotoks this
is an ordinary, run of the mill bail application,” said Eshleman.
“It is not part of an egregious breach, if it is even a breach.”
However, Fowles disagreed saying a statement from Doucette’s
probation officer in British Columbia is expected to indicate they
believed there were only teenage boys in the home.
“His residence in Okotoks would never have been approved if
all the information had been disclosed,” he asserted.
Fowles opposed release, saying the man would have nowhere to go and
would likely be forced to return to his grandmother’s home in
Duncan, which could result in difficulty meeting court dates in Okotoks.
Eshleman said another residence could be secured in High River or
he could find a home in Okotoks, but Fowles said it would likely take
four to six months for another residence to receive probation’s
approval.
Judge G. Meagher adjourned the hearing saying more evidence was needed
to determine whether probation had been informed that a young girl
was living in the home. The show cause hearing will reconvene today
(Oct. 29) in Okotoks Provincial Court. 
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One
for me . . . and another one for me
Two-year-old Keelin Fenske of Okotoks
takes stock of her mini marshmallows and jelly beans at the annual
Halloween Bash at the Okotoks Recreation Centre on Friday morning.
photo by John Barlow |
Black Diamond - Improvement tax to pay for paving
By John Barlow
Editor
Some residents in the Town of Black Diamond may be
assessed a local improvement tax beginning in 2005 to assist with
covering the cost of a proposed $3.2 million paving project which
will begin in the spring of 2005.
Town Councillor Jane Toews discussed the issue at council's regular
meeting on Oct. 22 saying the paving project is a better long-term
solution than oiling roads each summer.
The cost of oiling Black Diamond roads this past year cost more
than $38,000.
“We want to eliminate this yearly cost that is paid by all
of the taxpayers,” said Toews in an interview on Friday. “The
costs for maintaining these (oiled) roads is going up every year
and they are difficult to plow and clean. Long-term, paving is something
I think we will have to do.”
In order to complete the project the town will have to borrow the
majority of the funds to be paid back over a 15-year period.
The total project is estimated to cost $3.2 million with approximately
$447,000 to be covered through provincial grants leaving about $2.8
million to be funded jointly by the town of Black Diamond and a
local improvement tax.
Council has proposed a 60/40 split for the remainder of the project
whereas 60 per cent of the $2.8 million ($1.7 million) would be
funded through a local improvement tax levied to residents and businesses
on the streets that will be paved.
The town has committed $1.1 million from reserves to complete the
paving project.
The local improvement tax will be based on lot frontage and range
from $318 per year for a 50-foot lot to as much as $572 per year
for a 90-foot lot. The local improvement tax would be assessed to
the property for 15 years.
Councillor Tim Burton said it would benefit the town to borrow the
funds and complete the project now rather than continue to do annual
patchwork on the roads.
“On projects where there are high up front costs it is better
to borrow the money now and spread the costs out over time,”
he stated. “If we continue to put it off it will catch up
to us and then we will be in trouble.”
Councillor Marvin Garriott added that it was logical that the paving
be funded over time so residents now and in the future will help
pay for the paving.
“If we try and pay for the project with cash now current residents
will pay for everything (through taxes) and future residents will
pay nothing,” he said. “This way future generations
will also pay for the benefits.”
Initially, council had hoped to begin the paving project in 2004,
however, planned upgrades to gas lines within the town convinced
the councillors to delay the project for one year. Atco Gas has
planned for a substantial line replacement project in Black Diamond
next year meaning they will be digging up several roads and lanes.
Due to the delay, the paving project may become a significant issue
during the 2004 municipal election.
According to town manager Diane Kreh, notices will be sent to residents
and businesses in Black Diamond who will be liable to pay a local
improvement tax for the paving project. The project has not been
given third reading by council as it must proceed through the public
consultation process.
This will allow any residents who have concerns with the project
to voice their concerns or even promote a petition in objection
of the local improvement tax.
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In this issue...
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CLINCHED
Falcons advance to league final
See Sports
STANDING
FIRM
User fees not likely to be reduced
See News
SIGNED
OFF
Habitat keys handed over
See News
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