NEGATIVE PAMPHLETS UNSETTLE THOROLD SOUTH

Thorold South residents got an unwanted surprise when they opened their
mailboxes and found pamphlets saying thieves, vandals and drug dealers will
be chastised.

A disgruntled man distributed the pamphlets March 11, suggesting people
"get tough with lowlifes" that vandalize property, do drugs and steal cars.

The pamphlet says signs with the offenders' names will be posted on their
front yards and telephone poles.

In the pamphlet, the man identified himself as a member of the Citizens
Taking Action (CTA) committee and invited Thorold South residents to the
committee's meetings at the Thorold South fire hall. He said Mayor Robin
Brock has given up and is desensitized to the residents' needs.

Last month, local residents formed the Thorold South Neighbourhood
Committee (TSNC). It is an independent subcommittee of Thorold Association
Supporting Kids (TASK). The committee's goal is to put a stop to vandalism,
rowdiness and substance abuse in the Thorold South Park. But it takes a
positive approach, planning to deter youth from doing drugs and vandalizing
by increasing adult presence in the park and organizing events.

The committee meets every two weeks at the Thorold South fire hall.
Therefore, some residents assumed the TSNC is associated with the CTA. They
called Mayor Robin Brock and TASK chair Heather Strachan to voice their
concerns about the pamphlets.

But Strachan and Brock say the unidentified man has no connection with TASK
or TSNC.

"What he is doing is unauthorized by TASK," said Strachan. "It has nothing
to do with us."

The man attended the CTA's first meeting Feb. 21, where he voiced his "get
tough" approach but was rejected.

Strachan said after he distributed the pamphlets, she got phone calls from
people who were concerned the committee is taking such a negative approach.

"I was upset about it," she said about the pamphlets. "How can someone
undermine the positive work we have done?"

At Tuesday night's council meeting, Brock said the CTA is a "committee of
one" that has nothing to do with the city, police or local committees.

Susan Labatte, bylaw enforcement officer, said she has reported the man to
the police.

She added the city does not have the authority to deal with the problem
even if the man follows through on anything he has vowed to do.

The TSNC meets again March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Thorold South fire hall. It
will organize a graffiti cleanup in the park April and plans to hold a
bicycle rodeo at Thorold South Park June 4 or 11.