Sixth candidate emerges in race for Smith Voc board of trustees in Northampton >Published: 7/1/2021 11:12:16 PM
NORTHAMPTON – A sixth candidate has announced plans to run for the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School board of trustees, setting up a potentially historic challenge for the board’s three elected seats.
All three incumbents are running for reelection against three challengers, and if all are certified for the ballot, it will represent the most candidates for the board in at least 22 years.
Richard Aquadro, 63, a third-generation commercial carpenter and a 20-year member of Smith Vocational’s carpentry advisory board, said Thursday that he pulled nomination papers this week.
First they were tortured, then the state failed them msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Police are hoping to release a decision in early July on whether charges will be laid over allegations of abuse in the adolescent unit at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital in the 1970s.
Detective Superintendent Thomas Fitzgerald said police admitted an institutional failing in their two previous investigations into abuse allegations at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital.
Photo: Screenshot / Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
Two previous investigations, in 1977 and 2010, resulted in no charges being laid.
The head of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Detective Superintendent Thomas Fitzgerald has told the Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the latest investigation has been wider in scope than the previous ones.
Stuff
The police investigation focused on Dr Selwyn Leeks, who was the lead psychiatrist at Lake Alice s child and adolescent unit. This part of the inquiry is focused on the unit, which operated from 1972 to 1978 in Rangitīkei. Dr Selwyn Leeks was the principal psychiatrist and director of the unit between 1972 and 1977. In 2002 the police received a number of complaints from former patients. In 2003 one complaint was chosen as representative, but there was insufficient evidence to prosecute, and Crown Law noted there should be further investigation. Burgess said there was limited progress after that, but the case was refreshed by former patient Paul Zentveld who was determined to see Leeks prosecuted.
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