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Police discover
identity of South Baymouth body
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by Neil Zacharjewicz
SOUTH BAYMOUTH - Investigators with the Manitoulin detachment of the
Ontario Provincial Police have solved the mystery of the identity of
the body found on the shores of South Baymouth.
After over three months of investigation, the Ontario Provincial
Police (OPP) have positively identified the deceased male as Henry
Leyman, of Ann Arbour, Michigan.
The investigation began on Saturday, October 26, 2002, when the OPP
received a call from a resident of South Baymouth who reported
finding human remains washed up on shore approximately one and a half
miles west of the community. Members of the Criminal Investigation
and Technical Identification Units were called in to assist in the
investigation.
However, the investigation was hindered by the fact that, the body
had been submerged in cold water for an extended period of time, it
had developed a condition known as adipocere, a brown, fatty, waxlike
substance that forms on dead animal tissues in response to moisture,
which has made it difficult to determine the cause and time of death.
It became apparent from the condition of the deceased that the body
had been in the water anywhere from a few months to several years.
The only items on the deceased were a Speedo style swimsuit and a
gold chain. A forensic pathologist was called in to conduct a
post-mortem examination, but the cause of death could not be
determined.
Further forensic resources were called in to assist in the
investigation, including an osteologist, anthropologist, and
odontologist, as well as the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario,
the provincial Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System Centre, and the
Centre of Forensic Sciences.
The OPP were also faced with the possibility the body had migrated
from somewhere other than Lake Huron. Therefore, the investigators
widened their search area, following up on tips from the public and
other police services, reviewing over 900 missing person reports from
Ontario, as well as the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana,
Illinois and Minnesota before identifying Mr. Leyman. Information
provided by forensic experts enabled police to narrow down their
missing person searches.
On July 26, 1997, Mr. Leyman had been reported missing and presumed
drowned to the Iosco County Sheriff's Office in Tawas City, Michigan.
He had reportedly been fishing with his father and a friend
approximately five miles outside of Oscoda, Michigan, on Lake Huron,
when some fishing gear and rigging became tangled. Mr. Leyman entered
the water in an effort to untangle the equipment, but developed
cramps and drowned. He was 50 years of age at the time of his death.
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New fishing regulations take effect for Divisions 16, 17 |
by Neil Zacharjewicz
MANITOULIN - Those heading out to catch fish on "the big water" are
advised to keep in mind that the new fishing regulations for
Divisions 16 and 17 have come into effect.
Under the new regulations, the new Walleye and Northern Pike limits
are a catch limit of two per day and a possession limit of four per
day for those with a Sportfishing license, and a catch limit of one
per day with a possession limit of two per day for those with a
Conservation license. As well, none of those fish can be between 41
to 56 centimetres, and only one can be over 56 centimetres in length.
The Walleye and Northern Pike seasons are open from January 1 to
March 1, and from May 1 to December 31.
The new Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass limits are a catch and
possession limit of three per day for those with Sportfishing
licenses, and one per day for those with Conservation licenses. The
season runs from June 28 until November 30.
The new Yellowperch limits are a catch limit of 25 per day and a
possession limit of 50 per day for those with Sportfishing licenses,
and catch limit of 12 per day and a possession of 25 per day for
those with Conservation licenses.
"Due to the overwhelming support for the new regulations shown by the
public during consultations, the (Eastern Georgian Bay / North
Channel Fisheries Stewardship Council) is hopeful for a high degree
of compliance with the new rules," stated Terry Crawford, co-chair of
the council, which developed the new regulations. "The council is
working in conjunction with the (Ministry of Natural Resources) to
'get the word out' and is hoping the (ministry) will give their
Conservation Officers additional resources to ensure the new
regulations are enforced."
The new regulations are the result of nearly two years of work by the
council, gathering information, consulting with the public and
advocating for new conservation-oriented fishing regulations, Mr.
Crawford indicated.
"The new regulations represent the first significant changes to
Division 16 and 17 in over 40 years," he said.
Bill Strain, owner and operator of Whitehaven Cottages in
Sheguiandah, represented the Island on the committee. He indicated
the main reason the committee chose to proceed with these limits was
in order to preserve the fish stocks which exist, and try to assist
in bringing them back to the levels previously enjoyed in these areas.
"There was an aweful lot of discussion and debate on (the new
limits)," Mr. Strain stated.
He pointed out a survey was circulated last summer to provide an
opportunity for public comment. There was a strong response in favour
of accepting the new regulations in order to help restore the fish
populations.
"There was also a lot of comment from people hoping the ministry
would do something about the cormorant problem," Mr. Strain pointed
out.
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Hospital delegation pleads case for million dollar
funding increase
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by Michael Erskine
TORONTO---A high-powered delegation of officials from the
Manitoulin
Health Centre traveled south to meet with a third-party
evaluation
committee where the delegation pled the case for funding the
two-site
Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) as two separate sites, rather
than a
single-site as is presently the case.
With single-site financing, the hospital is penalized for low
efficiency numbers, even though the operation of each site, on
its
own, have been ceded as running at high efficiency by Health
Ministry
auditors. It is a high stakes issue, as the MHC needs an
increase in
funding to the tune of $1 million in order to deliver the
services
needed in their service area.
A delegation of MHC Chair Les Cramp and CEO Jim Van Camp were
backed
up by Vice-chair Ivan Edwards, CFO Kim Roy and Patient Care
Coordinator Deborah Bennett. The independent committee they met
with
was composed of an 'observer' representative of the Ministry of
Health and Long-term Care, two out-of-province representatives
and
four members of the audit firm conducting the third party
assessment.
The MHC delegation had sent a 500-page document outlining the
fiscal
case for the funding issue ahead, yet to some of the delegates
the
Toronto-based assessment committee seemed woefully ill-informed
about
operations in the North.
"I wish we had held the meeting in Sudbury or another more
Northern
local," said a snow-bound Jim Van Camp, calling from a motel
outside
Barrie. "Then they would have a better idea of the challenges we
face
here in the North."
The delegation faced a strict deadline on their 20-minute
presentation period, followed by an 80-minute question period.
"We reflected on the phenomenon of a two-site, the issues and
the
progress we believe we have made," said Mr. Van Camp. "The
programs
we offer are not superfluous, there is a strong need for
chemotherapy, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedics, triage and
out-patient service, teleconferencing, these are important to
the
delivery of health care in our area."
The process has left some of the delegates with a mixed feeling
on
the efficacy of the process.
"We think they understand our financial plight," said Mr. Van
Camp.
"But I am not sure they have the authority."
Mr. Van Camp described the meeting as 'very challenging.' "The
hospital was very patient in its plea," he said. "The
representatives
were very consistent, didn't back off an inch. They were very
steadfast in our plight. We think they understand."
The hospital is currently facing a $100,000 deficit in
operations.
"We are looking at basic essential services here," said Mr. Van
Camp.
Still, Mr. Van Camp was not brimming with optimism that the
hospital's plight would soon be rectified.
"We felt frustrated, they didn't seem to understand the issues
facing
the rural health system," he said. "It is over a four-hour drive
from
Gore Bay to an obstetrics emerg in Sudbury or the Sault. We are
not
offering superfluous programs."
It will be some time before the final result of the delegates
efforts
on behalf of local health care are known, but Mr. Van Camp said
he
was very impressed with the determination and efforts of the
board
and his fellow administrators, and that the hospital would
continue
to pressure for increased funding needed to adequately meet the
challenges of rural health care.
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Majority of Islanders favor no smoking by-laws |
by Neil Zacharjewicz
MINDEMOYA - Manitoulin municipalities are being encouraged to
consider by-laws to eliminate smoking in public places after a
survey
by the Sudbury and District Health Unit revealed that the
majority
of Islanders are in favour of such by-laws.
As well, an Island-wide taskforce is to be set up to petition
the
province to initiate a 100 percent ban on smoking in public
places
throughout Ontario.
These decision were made at the January 30 meeting of the
Manitoulin
Municipal Association (MMA), at which representatives of the
Sudbury
and District Health Unit (SDHU) presented the results of a
public
opinion poll conducted on the Island which illustrated that the
majority of residents are in favor of no smoking by-laws.
The survey was conducted by Veri/Fax, in coordination with the
SDHU,
and was the fifth survey done on smoking in public places in
Northern
Ontario.
"The telephone survey was conducted using a stratified random
sample
for the areas that make up the District of Manitoulin. Veri/Fact
surveyed 985 people within Manitoulin District to produce a
confidence interval of plus or minus three percent of 95 percent
or
19 times out of 20," explained Tammy Gran, representative for
SDHU.
"When asked if they would support a by-law that would make all
indoor
public places 100 percent smoke free, 71 percent of respondents
suggested they would support such an endeavor."
The survey also indicated a majority of respondents, 87 percent,
believe that second-hand smoke can cause health problems in a
non-smoker. On average, 88.5 percent of respondents felt
children who
are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer ill
health
than children who are not, and 78.9 percent of respondents
believe
that children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more
likely to
suffer developmental problems than children who are not. A total
of
87.9 percent believe that second-hand smoke can cause lung
cancer in
a non-smoker, 85.3 percent believe that second-hand smoke can
cause
heart disease or heart problems in a non-smoker, and 82.1
percent
believe that second-hand smoke can cause a stroke in a
non-smoker.
The survey revealed 88.7 percent believe that second-hand smoke
can
cause bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma in a non-smoker.
Approximately
89 percent of respondents indicated they would not travel
outside of
their area to attend events at non-smoking facilities.
As well, 34 percent of respondents indicated they currently work
in a
smoke-free environment, however, a majority of respondents
suggested
their work environment is not one which is formalized (they are
retired, work at home, or work outdoors). When asked if they
would
support a by-law that would make all workplaces 100 percent
smoke-free, 76 percent of respondents suggested they would.
A total of 37 Island businesses were also contact, Ms. Gran
explained. The results of this poll show: 44 percent of
respondents
have less than five employees; staff spaces in 22 percent of
responding establishments are 100 percent smoke-free, while 22
percent of public places are 100 percent smoke free; 44 percent
stated they would prefer a 100 percent smoke free establishment.
When
asked what challenges businesses would face, 33 percent
suggested
their business would be affected because of a loss of smoking
clients, with 27 percent suggesting smokers have rights. As
well, 55
percent said they were concerned in some way about their
exposure to
second-hand smoke.
The representatives of the health unit pointed out the City of
Greater Sudbury will become 100 percent smoke free on May 31 of
this
year, and both Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay are in the process
of
developing similar by-laws.
"My question is on minimizing the impact on charities. When we
first
talked about this in our township this was the biggest barrier,"
said
Mary Nelder, Reeve of Central Manitoulin township.
"We are modeling the by-law in Sudbury after Ottawa which formed
a
task force and created a plan, involving the city, health unit,
bingo
operation and bingo and charity operators themselves as well as
other
businesses," said Ms. Westhaver.
The SDHU would help communities enforce these by-laws, through
negotiations, said Ms. Westhaver.
"This was one of the biggest problems we had when we went with a
50
percent no-smoking policy. The businesses said this wasn't
right, and
we didn't have a right to enforce anything," said Derek Stephens
a
Central Manitoulin councilor. "They felt we were dictating to
them,
and since they pay taxes what can you do? It was a hard hurdle
to get
past here," he said, noting, "it's enforcement of the by-laws
that is
the most important thing."
"The bottom line is municipalities have the right to pass
smoking
by-laws," said Ms. Westhaver. "But, it would be better if there
was a
level playing field and everyone had the same by-laws across the
Island."
"Health is generally the responsibility of the province, and I
think
it should be the province that moves to have all public places
smoke
free," stated Jeff Hietkamp, Reeve of Gordon Township. "It would
be
so much simpler for the province to do this instead of the
municipalities."
As for enforcement of the by-laws, in Sudbury there is a maximum
fine
of $5,000 involving employers or individual persons, it was
noted.
The MMA unanimously agreed to take the resolution back to their
municipalities for further consideration. They also agreed to
appoint
representatives to be on the Island-wide taskforce to petition
the
government of Ontario to make the entire province smoke-free.
It was pointed out at the meeting that the M'Chigeeng First
Nation
and Wikwemikong are already considering no smoking by-laws in
their
communities, and the Ojibwes of Sucker Creek have already
established
a no smoking by-law for the public places in their community.
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