In announcing at the end of July she would not seek re-election, MP Karen Vecchio praised St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston as someone who “will always be one of my confidants.”
And, speaking with Preston this week, he reciprocated with a quip he has laid on me more than once.
“I took five minutes and taught her everything I know.”
While it is generally acknowledged she first got a taste of politics working in Preston’s constituency office, the former Elgin-Middlesex-London MP reminded me that Vecchio’s introduction to political representation goes back even further.
Many years ago she went door-to-door campaigning for Bill Aarts as he sought a seat on St. Thomas municipal council.
Tag Archives: Brian Lynch
Zero tolerance versus common sense when dealing with trespassing issues at the CN Rail yard in St. Thomas
A leisurely Saturday afternoon bike ride down memory lane proved an expensive outing for St. Thomas resident John Van Duynhoven and his wife.
As they briefly rode their bikes near the tracks at the CN yard at the end of St. Catharine Street, they were stopped by CN police and ticketed for trespassing.
The incident occurred last Saturday and we spoke with him midweek.
Because of a lack of clear signage, 71-year-old Duynhoven stressed they were unaware of where the CN property line is.
“I am a senior and if I sounded nervous on the phone when I left you a message, it’s because I have a lot of anxiety over this.
“I haven’t slept for a couple of days very well because it was an innocent bicycle ride on a Saturday afternoon.
“We were going out to see how the construction was going on Scott Street.”
