Continued from Page A6- been given to the perpetrator and Not to the victim. Of course such is not the case. The letter was addressed to the judge solely to present another small piece of evidence to assist him in fixing an appropriate sent- ence. The very people we need to represent all of our interests in the legislature are those who not only have compassion but also integrity and courage. Clive Tanner is such a person. Robert H. Harman Central Saanich Business characier is not the real issue Editor: Iam writing to express my anger and disappointment with Clive Tanner and the recent publication of his letter of support for a convicted sex offender. The fact that it was written on legislature letterhead, although very Stupid on his part, is secon- dary to the fact that my elected official supports an individual who has had three previous con- victions for sex-related crimes. The fact that Theo Gardener is a good businessman and provides employment in the community does not begin to compensate in anyway for his reprehensible behavior. It is reported that Clive Tanner also wrote a letter of support for another sex offender. This now creates great suspicion on Mr. Tanner’s own moral conduct. I want Clive Tanner’s resigna- tion and some back-bone instilled in Liberal Leader Gordon Wilson for hoping the matter would qui- etly slide away. However at this time the only choice I can make is to withdraw my support from the Liberal Party. Barbara Russell Sidney Power of apology requires character Editor: In reference to Clive Tanner: The times they are a changing. Tanner just does not get it, does he? Society will no longer tolerate the status quo from the old boys’ network. The next time Tanner takes quill in hand I suggest it would behoove him to consider the ramifications of the actions of those for whom he chooses to write character refer- ences. Most victims will never come forward, and as Mr. Gardener has been charged several times previ- ously one would expect this to be the tip of the iceberg. The more public authority the wrong-doer has the worse the crime. That is the point you seemed to have missed. Mr. Gardner’s other good qualit- ies are exactly what make the crime so bad. A sheep in wolves’ clothing is harder to deal with than a wolf that you can see, that you can hear, and that you can smell. I view your response with the understanding that this is an area in which you need to do research and acquire knowledge. The harm done by activities such as Mr, Gardner’s is far reach- ing, both to the individual and to our society. To be the victim of exploitation is bad, to go to court is probably worse, and to hear the exploiter given character references 1s worse. Whom does one trust? It is quite acceptable to change one’s mind upon acquiring more information, knowledge and unde- rstanding. The power of the public apology is awesome. It takes char- acter. Noreen Teague Sidney Direct concern right fo source Editor: After fielding numerous calls about Clive Tanner’s complete lack of judgment in writing a letter intended to help a convicted rapist receive a lighter sentence, I feel there are some things that need to be said about how we are all responding tO this issue. First I’d like to say something in defence of employees at Tanner’s book store. The young people who work at Tanner’s Bookstore are not in any way to blame for Tanner’s act. To phone the bookstore and harass the employees is an act of cowardice. It is also ridiculous to abuse his constituency assistant: be polite to her, but insist on having him retum your call. If she’s testy just remember she’s been on the receiving end of a lot of abuse — she’s a victim too. If our MLA were responsible he would be answering the phone himself for the next few days and listening to the concerns of his constituents without being abu- sive. They re paying his salary and they have a right to be heard. What Mr. Tanner did was wrong, completely wrong, and because Our justice system allows such letters to be written doesn’t make it right to do so. It was wrong to use MLA Sta- tionery. It would be wrong even to add the initials MLA after his signature. As an MLA he’s speak- [YJ 100’s in stock for immediate delivery authorized dealer. LA-Z-BOY [VM The Island’s largest selection [Y/ Guaranteed lowest pricing from the Island's largest HOURS: Mon. - Sat. 9:00 - 5:30 Sun. Noon - 5:00 yt SIDNEY STORE (next to Safeway) Ch) 2s STANDARD ing on behalf of his constituents. Mr. Tanner chose to ignore that fact. But even if Mr. Tanner was not an MLA, writing this letter would be wrong because Mr. Tanner says he didn’t know this side of the man. How can he wnite a letter of reference for a man he doesn’t know completely? The letter was written to try to influence the judge in his sentenc- ing of a man for a crime. No amount of mumbo-jumbo can change that fact. Every such letter is not wrong. If the offender had immediately and sincerely sought counselling or if in some way he had tried to make amends then it would have been all right for Mr. Tanner to write a letter stating that fact, but not as an MLA and not on any other point. Mr. Tanner has said that he was trying to help a constituent. The young victims are constituents too and because they are not old enough to vote Mr. Tanner was under an extra obligation to protect their interests. This whole incident is sad because it has made the young women and their families into viclims again, but maybe some good can be brought out of it yet. First we need an unqualified apology to the victims and their families from our MLA. Then he should seek some enlightenment on the subject, perhaps by volun- teering for a crisis line, but cer- tainly be getting some guidance from the Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre. Next we need to examine the justice system and decide whether it is appropriate for the court to be receiving letters that have no direct bearing on the case. Perhaps there should be a ban on letters which are not presented during the tral itself. Perhaps the sentence should be based on the facts of the case and not on any other factors. I want to say that our judges can be trusted to do the right thing (and I’m sure the judge did in this case), but recent disparaging remarks by some of our judges Worry me. What can you do? I would suggest. you write to Clive with copies going to Gordon Wilson and Colin Gabelmann. If you haven’t got time to write, then phone, but remember you catch more flies with honey — be polite. I will ask the government to make it clear in MILA handbooks and through legislation that MLA letterhead may not be used to influence judges. And we can all be vigilant. If we want our daughters and sons to have respect for the system we are bringing them into then we must see that that system respects and protects them. Finally, ’m signing this letter with my title so you can see than I'm not hiding anything. If know- ing which party I represent causes you to take my letter less seriously, then I would suggest that you haven’t read it carefully enough. Sue Stroud, President. Saanich North and the Islands New Democrats LIKE STEELED GLASS Property and personal protection againsi violent weather accidents and crime with SCOTCHSHIELD (TM) Safety and Security Film for windows. 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