Leamington mom hopes to raise awareness and funds for Japanese homeland

By Pat Bailey

Kae Lougheed is now thousands of miles away from the devastation in her homeland of Japan but she is still shaken by the tragedy.

For the 37-year-old stay at home mom who now calls Leamington home, the tragedy hasn’t touched her family in Japan directly but she feels it is important to raise awareness of the situation there.

Her fear, she said, is that those suffering in Japan are forgotten as the days pass.

She said she has already noticed that the Japan-based reports are fading in the headlines on the daily newscasts.

“And if you don’t see it on the news,” she said, “you forget about what happened.”

“There are so many sad stories behind the scenes,” said Lougheed, “and how the evacuees are living right now is beyond us.”

She said since the earthquake and tsunami hit on March 11, “I can’t stop thinking about Japan”.

Lougheed said she sat glued to her television set immediately following the disaster and continues to try to find solace in helping any way she possibly can.

“I wish I could fly to Japan to help them to rebuild the community,” she said, “but I have my own family here to support.”

But Lougheed is hoping that people around the world will do what they can to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have been affected directly by the disaster.

About 20,000 people are either missing, or confirmed dead, over 100,000 buildings were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated, said Lougheed.

And those most vulnerable right now, she said, are facing a shortage of food, water, fuel, medicine and other basic necessities.

In addition, Lougheed said they are also facing a nuclear crisis and a tremendous amount of uncertainty.

She said she is hoping that local residents will open their pocketbooks and donate what they can afford to assist the residents of Japan.

“Your help gives hope and strength,” she said, “to the survivors who lost loved ones, houses, jobs or everything — allowing them to rebuild and move forward, shining a little bit of light on a future which at the moment is very dark.”

 Lougheed said to donate, visit www.jccc.on.ca (the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre).

Thank you for your call and your interest in my letter.

Since the disaster happened, I can’t stop thinking of Japan.

It is hard to believe that such beautiful places and people were disappeared in a moment.

I was thinking what I can do here in Leamington.

People in Leamington don’t know much about Japan and almost no connection to Japan.

Like I said on the phone, we don’t see or hear much about the situation in Japan on TV or radio these days. People are easy to forget things especially if it doesn’t affect your daily life. However, a long-term recovery from the disaster has just begun, and people in Japan are facing to nuclear crisis on top of it. Huge expenses are expected for it.

I hope my letter gives people a chance to rethink how desperately Japan needs financial support.

Former ERCA head to challenge for Liberal provincial nomination

By Pat Bailey

Ken Schmidt knows there will be big shoes to fill should he get the nod as the Liberal provincial candidate for the Essex riding.

Schmidt, former general manager of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, made the announcement Thursday morning at the Pelee Island Winery in Kingsville that he will seek the Liberal nomination for the October 6 election.

He will square off against Kingsville’s Julia Burgess, who announced recently that she intends to seek the Liberal nomination as well.

Schmidt expects the nomination meeting will be held some time after the federal election, possibly in the latter part of May.

Whoever does get the nomination though, Schmidt said, will be following in the footsteps of a political icon — Bruce Crozier.

“He’s done so much for this region,” said Schmidt, of the retiring MPP, “and set the bar so high.”

But Schmidt said he is ready to tackle that challenge.

Recently retired as the general manager of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, where he had worked for 35 years, Schmidt said he has worked for the people of Essex County his whole life and would like to continue to work and ensure the future of the area for generations to come.

“My family has enjoyed many benefits of living and working in Essex County and we must ensure future generations can as well,” said Schmidt. “”We must build a strong economy that not only attracts the best jobs but also enriches our communities, protects our industries and gives local businesses the tools they need to compete and grow.”

“We must invest in agriculture, tourism and our rich natural heritage,” he added. “We need to continue to enhance our community in a sustainable fashion — not only for current residents, but for our children and grandchildren as well.”

Schmidt said he believes his experience dealing with all levels of government would serve him well, as well as area residents, if he became the new MPP.

“My track record is clear and strong,” said Schmidt. “I am a person who can get things done in partnership with all levels of government and with private organizations and individuals.”

He said his approach will be three-pronged — with a focus on the area’s human health, economic health and environmental health.

The prospective candidate said he knows changes can be made to improve the health care system and make it more sustainable.

As far as the economy, Schmidt said he believes this area is coming out of a depression and he will look to continue that progression.

When it comes to the environment, Schmidt is passionate about his commitment to a sustainable future. He said there is tremendous pressure and responsibilities in this area, especially with the Great Lakes, and we “must continue to show leadership in terms of action”.

As far as his stance on the construction of wind turbines in Lake Erie, Schmidt said, that he has never seen it proven scientifically that they area safe.

Therefore, Schmidt said he would listen to what he has heard and “science and the people of the region are clearly against it…”

“And if I have any say,” added Schmidt, “it won’t happen.”

Schmidt is hoping is track record speaks for itself.

 “The best indicator of what a person will do in the future,” said Schmidt, “is what they have done in the past.”

In addition to his work with ERCA, he has also been involved as a trustee for the Essex County Board of Education, as well as work with local community organizations, neighborhood groups, agencies, businesses and his church.

Schmidt has been married for 39 years to Anita and they have two daughters, Juliette and Jana and a son-in-law Brad.

Local dealer warns of deals for gold

by Mark Ribble

Leamington Post

Dan Jones is warning local jewelry owners to be careful when looking to cash in their gold.

The local dealer, who regularly buys gold from customers, is asking everyone to exercise some caution.

Jones, a former business teacher who retired in 2009, says sellers should be cautious about sending their old jewelry through the mail to some of the companies on television and on radio.

“Make sure they are reputable,” he said.

He says they will likely only get a fraction of what its worth.

He talked about a woman who sent all of her gold to one of the cash-for-gold companies on TV and then got a $30 cheque in the mail a month later. You never know what you will get back.

Jones will be at the Roma Club for his monthly coin show on the weekend of April 7 and 8 in the members room. He also deals in coins, paper money and silver.

“Ask to see the gold measured right in front of you,” he cautions.

Jones does just that and gives the customers a card with an offer on it. They can then go home and contemplate the deal or make the deal right there. There is no pressure.

He has a gold tester and a scale that will allow him to show prospective sellers the purity of the items they want to sell.

“There is a different value for each carat amount,” he said.

Jones got into coins and jewelry as a hobby when he was still teaching but he has jumped in full force since his retirement.

“I’ve been dabbling in it for about 30 years,” he said.

Epilepsy Awareness

 Saturday March 26 was epilepsy awareness day, a day on which support is shown through the colour purple. On Friday, March 25, an exception for the school week, the staff and students of Leamington District Secondary School dressed in purple as part of a new epilepsy awareness plan.

Epilepsy is a disorder which occurs in the brain causing seizures. It can be caused by almost any damage to the brain such as scarring, strokes or tumors, as a result is very common. 1 in 100 people around the world suffer from epilepsy, however the disorder has gone without public awareness, therefore attaching fears to it. The Epilepsy Support Centre is an organization with a goal to eliminate these fears.

Approached by Mrs. Newman, a representative of the Epilepsy Support Centre, with the news that in the fall a student who suffers from epilepsy will be attending LDSS, a new epilepsy awareness plan was put into action. Friday’s demonstration of support was the first step to awareness.

“This plan is to educate students about epilepsy,” stated Mr. Hawkins, Principal of LDSS, “the goal is for students to be able to assist this individual without being intimidated or frightened.”

The Epilepsy Support Centre has plans to conduct information sessions for students at LDSS, especially the science classes which already have knowledge of the brain. These sessions are currently in preparation for later this school year.

For more information on epilepsy and ways to help, visit www.epilepsysuportcentre.com.

Community policing raises funds and awareness

The Leamington Police Services Board learned at last week’s meeting that community policing was extremely busy in the month of February here.

In a report from community service officer Kevin O’Neil, the group heard that the Oldtimers’ Hockey Challenge, held Feb. 12, and organized by O’Neil, raised about $20,000 for WE Care For Kids. In its tenth year, the game has now raised more than $200,000 that has all been donated to local charities.

The Leamington OPP officer was also involved in the Race Against Drugs, held Feb. 14-17 in Windsor. For this event, all Grade 5 students (estimated at about 4,500) from Windsor and Essex County participated in the interactive educational program.

The board also heard that the officer has been heavily involved in local schools, presenting the VIP program at Queen of Peace, M.D. Bennie, Mount Carmel Blytheswood, Queen Elizabeth and Gore Hill schools.

O’Neil also participated in a ‘healthy choices’ assembly at Cardinal Carter Secondary School and served as a judge for the public schools’ area speech competition. 

Traffic stop ends with drug charges

A 26-year-old Comber man is facing drug charges, following a traffic stop by a Chatham-Kent police officer March 22 in Tilbury.

According to police, the officer stopped the man about 6:40 p.m. and learned that he was prohibited from driving.

The driver was then arrested.

During a search, the officer found a digital scale with suspected cocaine residue on it.  The officer then conducted a more thorough search and found a baggie of suspected cocaine and a pill, believed to be a Tylenol 4. A search of the vehicle turned up a pill bottle with a white powdery substance inside — believed to be cocaine.

The man was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was released with a future court date.

OPP seek armed robbery suspect

Leamington OPP are investigating an armed robbery at a Talbot Street East gas bar Tuesday night.

Police received a 911 call at 9:52 p.m. from the business.

When police arrived they learned that a white male, carrying a knife, entered the employee’s area of the kiosk and demanded the female clerk open the safe. She was unable to open it but the suspect managed to gain access and stole a large sum of money.

The Essex County OPP K-9 Unit was called in and searched the area but was unable to track the suspect.

The suspect is described as about 37, 5’6” to 5’9”, slim build, brown/reddish eyebrows with piercing blue eyes.

He was wearing a black oversized hoodie, black shoes, gray or khaki pants, black gloves and a black balaclava with a single opening for eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to the call the Essex County Crime Unit, Leamington detachment at 324-2544 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.