> oa Victoria — If I’ve learned one thing in my 30-year career as a reporter and columnist it’s that there are two sides to every story. The story of Jack Kempf’s conviction on a breach-of-trust charge is no different. The one side everyone who followed the Kempf case knows by now is that he changed his plea to guilty, was fined $11,000, and’ put on probation for one year. I’d like to write one more column about Jack Kempf and tell you about the other side of that story. A week before Kempf was to be sentenced, I _ phoned his lawyer, Brian Davis, to ask whether I could be of any help. I said I would be quite willing to appear as a character witness for Kempf. I asked for one condition, that I pay my — own way, and not be reimbursed by Kempf. Davis accepted both my offer and my condition, and a week later, I found myself in a Vancouver courtroom as a character witness on behalf of Kempf, along with Graham Lea, former NDP Member of the Legislature, and Linda Babb, a former assistant to Kempf. Steering me gently through my testimony, Davis asked how long had I known Kempf. For about 10 years, I said. Wasn’t it a bit unusual for a journalist to stand up for a politician? Maybe, but I wasn’t here as a journalist. I was here as someone standing up for a friend. And just in case the judge was still wondering what a political columnist, who is supposed to eat politicians for breakfast, was doing in his cour- troom as a character witness for a politician in trouble, I thought I’d better elaborate a bit. Contrary to opinions held in some quarters, I said, not all journalists are “a pack of wolves catering to the worst instincts of our society.”” I’m sure the judge recognized the quote. It was from one of his fellow judges, Mary Southam. What did I know of Kempf’s abilities as an administrator? Worse than mine, I replied. Kempf was a great politician, buta terrible administrator. What was my opinion of Kempf’s honesty and integrity? I had no reason to doubt either. Lea told the court of his association with Kempf, which saw the two on opposing sides of the political fence. Lea, too, left no doubt that Kempf had a propensity to get into frequent trouble by refusing to put his brains in gear before his mouth. Other side of the Kempf story But Lea also pointed out that he considered Kempf an honorable man, whose word was his bond. And so did dozens of written testimonials from both former colleagues and constituents. There were letters of support from people such ‘as Grace McCarthy, Pat McGeer and Bruce Strachan, and there were letters from ordinary folks whom Kempf had represented in Victoria. Why did I choose to come to Kempf’s aid? The simple answer is because I like him, and because he seemed to need a friend when the chips were down. I usually treat poliitetans at arm’s length. It’s generally not a good idea for a journalist to get too close to politicians, because sooner or later, there are critical things to be written. With Kempf I made an exception, and I’ve never regretted it. Jack has been and still is as good a friend as one might wish for. Kempf always embodied what I thought a northem politician should be. He fought fiercely for his constituents, but he never fit any political mold. He would just as soon savage his own party than give in to the temptation of political expediency. He was at his best as an independent. But he did breach the trust, didn’t he? After all, he pleaded guilty to the charge which involved leasing a motorhome with constituency funds and using the vehicle as collateral for a personal loan. There was nothing wrong with leasing the motorhome per se. Kempf used the vehicle as a mobile constituency office, which made perfect _ sense in a huge a riding as Omineca. What got him into trouble was that he used the motorhome as collateral for a loan. The judge appeared to take a rather lenient view of the whole thing, suggesting that it was more of a technical breach of trust, but the prosecutor disagreed. Under most circumstances, the judge said, the case would qualify for an unconditional discharge. The high office Kempf had held, however, made it impossible to discharge him. In the end, the judge had to walk a fine line between satisfying the prosecution or risk a Crown appeal. The fine and the probation were the result. As for my involvement in the case, I’m glad I was able to help out a friend and I wouldn’t hesitate a moment to do so again. Easter egg huni Sunday in Centennial THE ANNUAL EASTER nmitual in Centennial Park in Central Saanich is again being organized by the Central Saanich Lions Club. Children will have the opportunity to chase the Easter Bunny and search for golden Faster eggs, starting at the south end of the park on Wallace Drive. Prizes will be awarded and there will be special events fro children under 12 years of age. It all begins at 12 noon, Easter Sunday, April 19. * * x AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS are invited to load their cameras for the Eighth Annual SPCA Photography Contest. The event is organized in part as a reminder that the first week of May is “Be Kind to Animals Week.” The winners of the contest will receive prizes of books and ribbons and prize-winning photos will be displayed in a Victoria shopping mall. Color or black-and-white prints are accepted, the picture must be taken by a student in Grades 1-12, the theme must be centered on animals in a serious or comical pose, and they must be mounted on black cardboard with the name, school and grade listed on the back. The deadline is 12 noon April 29 to 3150-Napier Lane, Victoria V8T 4V5. *k Kx PEOPLE WITH failing eyesight can take advantage of a new service offered by Shaw Cable, community television. A new audio service has been added to the FM Stereo Band called Voice Print. It features non-stop reading by professional readers of magazine and newspaper articles, book and movie reviews, current affairs columns and editorials, as well as sports and entertainment news: Its purpose is to make print materials available for people with visual impair- ment. Dial in 107.3 on your stereo receiver, providing its linked to cable. LOSING A LITTLE on top turned out to be a victory for Ron Kuwahara of Saanichton, whose humorous speech, “Hair Today, Gone Tomor- row,’ took first place in the Island division Toastmasters’ speaking contest Saturday. A char- ter member of the Context Shifters Toastmas- ters Club, Kuwahara will now represent the island in the provincial finals in Richmond May 2. The winner from the provincial finals goes to the regional division finals in Reno. Regional winners go to the world championships which will be held in Las Vegas. Kuwahara joined toastmasters in 1986 and is a past president of the Context Shifters club. * oe x THE SIDNEY VOLUNTEER chairman of the ALS Society Flower Day committee will have some help this year. Peter Chance announced the appointments of John Smedley and Mike Consid- ine, both of Victoria, as vice-chairmen. Smedley will look after the south Island. Flower Day is June 13 and last year over $45,000 was raised for research into a cure of Lou Gerhrig’s Disease. FEE STER BURGER 2 5 Notes: cy y aN cue ¥ Weds les or 23 @@ : ries. Reg. $4.50 11:30am. -9 p.m, 2 Milkshakes, ‘. Good 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. soft ice cream _ ‘ov les wists Free Delivery on Orders ($9.00 min.) 4p. ATTENTION SCHOOL DISTRICT 63 RESIDENTS!! SAANICH PENINSULA HOSPITAL INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL CLAUDE BUTLER BURSARY ($1000) For information/applications contact SPH Administration Office 652-3911 0830 to 1630 hours, Monday to Friday APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 31 TSS MOS 22 @: « Sig pews Oe ee a 5 ) a Sods S ‘Se Aw rie . ed. © © EASTER IN THE COUNTRY OD % Thur, Fr, St ote 16, 17, 18 & 19th Ss STHE PRAIRIE INK. - @ HONEY GLAZED CORNISH GAME HEN | OY Ee Tender slow roasted large Game Hen stuffed with @ our Own Sage dressing and honey-orange glaze. ‘Se >) 8 Served with rich country gravy, vegetable du jour,’ cane » roasted potatoes and shrimp salad $7.95 nan, 5 Includes G.ST. © Mi STUFFED FILLETS OF core SUPREME ace wee Delicious Holland Sole Fillets (2) wrapped around Cc © a crab and scallop mixture, oven baked topped with om Norwegian shrimp and hollandaise sauce. Served & Se with rice pilaf or choice of potato. Vegetable du jour. TT PH $7.95 includes GST. @ KH OUR FULL DINNER MENU Ee Say ALSO AVAILABLE 7 Cx INCLUDING 0) es 8 0z. Prime Rib Of Beef... $7.50 “22 AX Filet Mignon Steak Dinner ae. 40z.$5.95 8 0z. $8.95 BS I Juicy Danish Baby Back Ribs SS, 8 0z. $5.95 16 0z. $8.95 KN Fish 'N Chips, Hamburgers, Sandwiches, So & ee Appetizers and Salads F) (Sunday Tiger Prawn Feast $6.95) @ EASTER SUNDAY TRADITIONAL Ze Ee _ BREAKFAST 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 4 LUNCH MENU 11:30- 4:30 DINNER 4:30 - 11:00 p.m. > D> Neighbourhood Pub EY “20, MT. NEWTON & EAST SAANICH RD. mae (S All Prices Include G_S.T. No Se Y WS; gneoses If It’s Sports Call The Review 656-1151