INSIDE: Happy to be home, but Afghanistan “was a privilege”
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T U E S D A Y
March 1, 2011
Hansen 14 Rick wrestlers dominate N E W S ,
SPORTS,
WEATHER
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E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
THE
Party’s over
After losing on the first ballot, Abbotsford’s Mike de Jong says he’s confident the Liberal party picked a winner by choosing Christy Clark as B.C.’s next premier ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
A
bbotsford-West MLA Mike de Jong is positive about his political future and that of his party despite being handily eliminated during the initial round of voting for the Liberal leadership on Saturday night. “There’s always modest amount of disappointment when your ultimate objective isn’t realized,” de Jong said. “But I was thrilled with the work of my campaign “There will certainly be team, and the party has made a sound decision in a different style and difelecting Christy Clark the new leader.” Everyone in a political race knows there can only ferent sense in cabinet.” be one victor, said de Jong, who added he was able to contribute some valuable ideas during his cam– Mike de Jong MLA paign. “I think I added to the debate . . . around the disclosure of MLA expenses and campaign donations. I believe that shows an openness, transparency and respect for the tax payer.” De Jong said he’s “entirely confident” Clark, who had little caucus support during see LEADERSHIP, page A5 – FILE/TIMES
Mike de Jong said Clark would be able to secure caucus support and win the election.
Abbotsford sex offender gets his release date
ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
Previously visited & stayed with his 90-year-old wife
A
ing about Campbell when he First reported @ abducted while she was walking was granted the right of unsu- abbotsfordtimes.com to school. pervised family visits in the Just recently, Campbell was area last May. denied any further unescorted temporary Campbell, a diagnosed pedophile, is serv- absences (UTAs) for visits at a Jan. 27 parole ing a 24-year sentence for five sexual assaults, board hearing because he breached one of forcible confinement and possession of a his conditions. prohibited weapon. Campbell was originally granted three 12He has more than 60 criminal convictions hour day trips a month in May, with the possidating back to 1967, including the sexual bility of extending the period of time for each assaults of several young girls, aged five to pass in the future, but a parole officer had 12, and one seven-year-old girl who was noticed the odour of alcohol on Campbell’s
sex offender who was the subject of an Abbotsford Police warning last summer will be released from prison in May. James Douglas Campbell, who has served two-thirds of his sentence, will receive an automatic legislated release as of May 11, according to the National Parole Board. Offenders can only be denied statutory release if they are deemed likely to commit serious harm or death to someone prior to the end of their sentence. Abbotsford Police originally issued a warn-
breath in September. Campbell previously breached parole in 2004 while staying at a halfway house in Abbotsford. He escaped to Falkland before being arrested by the RCMP. Const. Ian MacDonald said community security was the APD’s focus, but it was still unclear if Campbell, who has ties to the community, would live in Abbotsford following his release. “Should he elect to reside in our community, our priority is public safety and we’ll do what is necessary to ensure it,” said MacDonald. see OFFENDER, page A4
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