Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 1

a The Edmonton Journal, Saturday, September 30, 1989 A7 IVI Alberta 1 1 Catholic lashes law barring her from public school candidacy She claims legislation violates freedom of religion KAREN SHERLOCK Journal Staff Writer "I can't believe the taw denies me the right to choose the public school district because of my religion. tween the two school districts. Steve Cymbal of Alberta Education says the law in question is essential to protect the integrity of minority school systems in the province. Changing the legislation would put a school district in an "untenable position" since it could end up with board members from outside the faith and unsupportive of its goals, says Cymbal, director of school business administration services for the province. He says that under the legislation, Paradoski's taxes should never have been paid to the public school district.

Cymbal adds that a change in the new School Act does allow dual-faith couples to split their taxes or have them directed to one system or the other. Doug McLellan of the province's Municipal Affairs Department says he has received a number of inquiries about the law during this election, but no major complaints. McLellan, municipal adviser for the municipal services branch, says the problem seems to be that many people don't understand or aren't aware of the legislation. He and Cymbal say as far as they know, the law has never been challenged. Edmonton A provincial law that has snufl'ed a Catholic woman's bid to become a public school trustee is an assault on freedom of religion, she charges.

Catharine Paradoski of Cold Lake found out this week it's against the law for her to run in local public school board elections because she's Catholic, even though her taxes and children go to the public district school. "I couldn't believe it. I'm really upset because I think it's wrong," Paradoski said Friday, after calling politicians, education officials, the provincial ombudsman and a lawyer. "I can't believe the law denies me the right to choose the public school district because of my religion. It's against freedom of religion." The provincial School Act stipulates Catholic ratepayers must direct their taxes to the Catholic school system, while the taxes of all other property owners go toward the alternate system.

It also prevents supporters of one system from voting or running for office in the other. Paradoski says although she's a church-going Catholic, she believes in public school education for her family. "I want my children educated in public schools, not Catholic schools, because whatever religion I want them to have, I believe I'm in charge of giving it to them or seeing they get it." She says she also feels it's wrong for her to have to renounce her religion in order to pay taxes, vole or run for office in the district in which her children go to school. Paradoski was entered as a trustee candidate for Lakeland School District No. 5460, the region's public school authority.

Iler two children have attended public schools in the district since 1985. She has been told, since the mistake was discovered, that her taxes will go to the separate school system. Her children can continue attending the public school because of a tuition agreement be Police blame rise in petty crime on release of mentally disabled The Canadian Press Hil IIHliP ''I Centre, we're not responsible for "It's unfortunate if any of our former residents end up in trouble with the law, but it's the same as if someone outside has problems." Judge M. H. Porter asked Morrison ii he knew the meaning and consequences of stealing.

"You get in trouble, go to jail," Morrison mumbled. "I know that's not right, but I didn't take anything. Someone else look it and I told him to take il away from my place." Morrison pleaded not guilty. The case has been adjourned to Oct. 11 when a trial date will be set.

ry Morrison, a former Michener Centre resident, appeared on a charge of possessing a stolen accordian. Court was told Morrison was a permanent resident of Michener Centre until April 1988 when he was released under the guidance of Roman Catholic Social Services. The Catholic supervision ended in August. Michener Centre spokesman John Stanley said the institution has no control over who slays or leaves the centre. "We have advice for the guardians, but they have the ultimate decision over where the person resides," Stanley said.

"For our part, once a person has left Michener Red Deer The transfer of mentally handicapped people to the community from a Red Deer institution has caused an increase in thefts and other petty crimes, police say. Officers at the court hearing of a former Michener Centre resident say they're being flooded with complaints about small crimes committed by former residents of the mental-health facility. "We've been inundated with these people lately and it's for petty things like theft," Const. Terry Clovechok said in court. He made the comment after Jer Calgary woman abducted, slain in Florida The Canadian Press creek about 80 kilometres west of Lake City.

"She was probably killed the night she was taken from the store, because her body had been in the creek for quite some time," said her shaken father Ken Grant, a 52-year-old TransAlla Utilities worker. Messer moved to Florida two years ago to marry her pen-pal. a prison inmate serving a 12-year sentence for involvement in the robbery and murder of a convenience store clerk. (Irani said Charles Messer was scheduled for parole at the end of this month. Police reports say Darlene Messer was taken hostage at the Suwannee Swilly convenience store around 1 a.m.

Sept. 18. A 31-year-old man is now in custody. Mosser's mother Helen was visiting her daughter in Lake City when tragedy struck, said Grant. "Darlene was happy as a lark." he added.

"She never seemed to be worried about working the night shift." Calgary A 36-year-old Calgary woman waiting for her convenience store-robber husband to be freed from a United States jail has died in a bizarre hostage-taking in Florida. Darlene Messer was working as a convenience store clerk in Lake City, Fla. She was abducted Sept. 18 as she worked the graveyard shift. Her badly beaten body was discovered two days later in a swampy OPEIVIIIINIG LJU uu ViU If you're overflowing with good cheer, would like to go the 'extra smile' and earn great money we'd like to meet you! We have lots of Sales Associate positions open for the Christmas season.

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