Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (July 15/02) - The saga of Harvey Werner versus the Town of Hay River continues.

Werner appeared before a Justice of the Peace on July 9 for a show-cause hearing on whether he should be released from RCMP custody.

He had been arrested and charged with mischief following an alleged disturbance at town hall on July 4.

Werner had gone to town hall over his water bill, which he claims he wants to pay but the town won't accept payment. Water has been cut off to his residence.

He claims the issue is complicated by $500 he owes the town from a separate court proceeding and a deposit which he feels is not required.

The RCMP requested Werner be held in custody until an appearance on the charge in Territorial Court on July 16, claiming there was no reasoning with him. The justice of the peace was also told he could have signed a conditional release when he was arrested, but he refused.

The justice of the peace released Werner on an undertaking that he have no contact with a list of 11 town employees, and that he only communicate with the town by letter or through a mediator.

Although he signed the undertaking, Werner appeared unhappy about the conditions, claiming it was his constitutional right to have access to town hall and saying he may appeal.

The 60-year-old has been engaged in a running battle with the town over a number of issues for many years.

On a separate matter, Werner will also be in Territorial Court July 18 to hear the verdict from a recent trial on three counts of unlawfully selling alcohol and one count of breach of probation.