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Police have once again laid charges against Aylmer’s Church of God after it held yet another lockdown-defying Sunday service – and a judge may come down hard later this week on the church and Pastor Henry Hildebrandt, having already found him in contempt of the laws aimed at slowing COVID-19’s spread. With that looming, Free Press reporter Jonathan Juha spoke with Aylmer police Chief Zvonko Horvat about what the situation has meant for his small police department, his approach to the impasse and what’s to come:
Q: Let’s start by talking about the approach you and Aylmer police have taken so far when dealing with the Church of God.
Author of the article: Duane Bratt
Publishing date: May 09, 2021  â¢Â 5 days ago  â¢Â 5 minute read  â¢Â Supporters gather during a rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror, Alberta, on Saturday, May 8, 2021. The Whistle Stop was shut down by AHS for not following public health rules. Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
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What a week in Alberta politics! On Apr. 28, Premier Jason Kenney warned against COVID-19 lockdowns. The next day, he reversed himself and introduced some limited measures that simultaneously exempted rural hotspots.
Nevertheless, over the course of the weekend, COVID-19 cases skyrocketed to their highest totals during the 15-month-long pandemic. This led government house leader Jason Nixon to announce on May 2 that the Alberta legislature would be suspended for two weeks.
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Charges are looming following yet another service at Aylmer’s Church of God over the weekend, the town’s police say.
Officers monitored the Sunday service at the John Street church, which was attended by “a large number of participants” in violation of provincial rules to slow the spread of COVID-19, Aylmer police said.
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“Charges against the organization and two directors who organized and actively participated in the service are pending,” police said.
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Breadcrumb Trail Links COLUMN: MPP Randy Hillier has lost his way on anti-lockdown roadshow He has polarized his riding, turned other community leaders against him, had cops running around slapping him with multiple charges, had recall petitions started. Thatâs leadership in a crisis?
Author of the article: Kelly Egan  â¢Â Postmedia Network
Publishing date: May 11, 2021  â¢Â 4 days ago  â¢Â 3 minute read  â¢Â A man carrying a bible waves to Eastern Ontario MPP Randy Hillier as he and an unidentified woman enjoy cigarettes in the company of a child prior to entering the Church of God for Sunday service in Aylmer on Sunday May 9, 2021. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
Congratulations to columnist Kelly Egan for saying out loud what many have thought for some time. MPP Randy Hillier, the self- styled populist, has engaged in reckless and irresponsible behaviour during the COVID crisis. He has knowingly spread false information and encouraged defiance of public health orders. He has failed his first duty, as a public official, to promote the wellbeing of his community. His recent actions are not a question of conviction: they are criminal.
Michael Kaczorowski, Ottawa
Government whiffs on golf
I can’t figure out why golf is on the list of being too dangerous to do. Four people outdoors, physically distancing, plus the distance between the tees. And the fact that there have been no known case of COVID associated with playing golf. Really?