CALEDONIA -- If Sam Gualtieri had died when he was attacked by a pack of goons last year, would Premier Dalton McGuinty have come down for his funeral?
That was the main question people here asked yesterday.
Another: If Gualtieri had become Caledonia's Dudley George, would McGuinty have called a multimillion-dollar inquiry to get to the bottom of it?
We may never know the answers since the people of Caledonia have never been able to pose any questions to our fearful leader.
The start of the crisis and standoff between the police and native occupiers at Caledonia is about to celebrate its two-year anniversary this month, and so far there has been no sign of the premier. His own staffers acknowledged he has not been here once.
If he ever decides to check out one of the province's most embarrassing messes, the first place he ought to stop is the home of Gualtieri, a 53-year-old former homebuilder who believes he was one blow away from being murdered.
'THROUGH SO MUCH'
Instead, after being viciously attacked by native protesters who were squatting in a home he owned, he spent a week in intensive care with numerous broken bones and severe brain trauma.
"He has been through so much," wife Sandy said. "We are just glad we have him."
This May he will walk his daughter Michelle down the aisle for her wedding. He was attacked in a home, in a neighbouring development to the occupied Douglas Creek estates, he was building for her. "I just went there to check it out and was jumped when I walked in the door," he said.
"One witness told me that there was a guy about to hammer him with a piece of wood to the head when people came to break it up," said his brother, Joe, who added he feels the police were ordered from "above" to not help.
OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said last night that upon hearing those concerns last year, he immediately conducted an investigation and found this was not the case. "I can guarantee you there was no such order," he said. "This is before the courts but under the circumstances I realize I should go and speak with Mr. Gualtieri personally to clear up any misconceptions."
The truth is, Fantino said, his officers felt terrible about what happened. "We know he is a conscientious and decent man and we feel badly for what happened."
Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory was calling for a provincial inquiry yesterday and for McGuinty to make a "clear, unqualified statement that there is one rule of law for everyone in Ontario, a policy that the government will not negotiate on the substance of any legal dispute with any person or group involved in an illegal occupation, a commitment to use the courts to ensure one rule of law and to not stand in the way of police enforcing the law."
Sam is no longer a homebuilder because since he was ambushed he has lost his business, can't drive, is constantly dizzy, is unable to remember very much of the past and still has difficulty speaking.
He was a champion bowler who has nailed five perfect games but now can only dream about getting enough rehab to return to the lanes.
"It is very frustrating," Sam said in his first interview since the incident last September. "I just find myself with tears coming out of my eyes for no reason."
Another question that came up in my visit to Caledonia yesterday was: Has McGuinty forgotten about Caledonia?
John Tory had the best line of the day. "He hasn't forgotten I guarantee you. It is on his conscience."
GUTLESS APPROACH
It should be. What a disgrace it has been. His gutless approach then and his gutless approach now is unbecoming a premier of this great province. The lawlessness that went on down there should not have been condoned or accepted by anybody.
"The people of Caledonia have had to deal with arson, extortion, barricades, land seizures, occupations, militant protests, harassment, intimidation, mob violence and threats to public safety," Tory said.
Now, everybody understands what went on down here is not entirely McGuinty's fault. But his lack of leadership and lack of action has got to be pointed out.
But it is not too late, Mr. Premier.
"He really should come down and see Mr. Gualtieri," Tory said.
"And, he really should come and see the fine people of Caledonia, too."
In fairness, Aboriginal Minister Michael Bryant has been down here and has been meeting with all sides of this issue. "The McGuinty government's approach, is the approach of the Linden Commission Report, and that means negotiation," said spokesman Greg Crone last night. "Justice Linden tells us that the rule of law is best preserved when these matters are negotiated, and the McGuinty government is following his recommendations."
Crone added, "Bryant has met with Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer, local faith leaders, local business people, a local historian, local community leaders, Six Nations Confederacy Chief Allen McNaughton, elected Six Nations Council Chief Bill Montour, Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock, and Brant County Mayor Ron Eddy."
And while that is fine, the Gualtieri family has not heard from him. This is an out-of-the-box situation and the province owes this family a courtesy call -- if not compensation and an apology for what he has been through.
And it should be the premier who comes down here to the beautiful little town on the Grand River to deliver it. And while he's here he can stop off to say hello to the hundreds of equally frustrated OPP officers who have been stationed down here away from their families for two years.
On second thought, maybe he better not come. He'd get an earful.