Pubdate: Tue, 22 Jan 2008
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2008 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Janet French, The StarPhoenix
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

DRUG CHARGES LEAD TO BOARD RESIGNATION

Board members with the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority were
surprised their colleague Eric Braun is facing drug-related charges,
the board's vice-chair says.

Braun, who faces several charges of possession and trafficking drugs
after a Thursday bust, has now resigned from the health board,
according to a Health Ministry spokesperson. Andrew Dinsmore said
Minister Don McMorris received Braun's letter of resignation Monday.

"After three days of retrospection and communication with the other
board members, there is nobody who saw this coming," Carol Teichrob
said Monday. "Sometimes you look back, and you say, 'Hmm, is there
anything that could have (been a clue).' There's just nothing. It's
just a bolt out of the blue."

Last week, the Saskatoon integrated drug unit searched an apartment on
the 500 block of Fifth Avenue North. Officers found more than three
kilograms of marijuana, 65 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, 200
grams of hash and more than $23,000 cash. They arrested Braun and a
30-year-old man who showed up at the apartment with about a kilogram
of marijuana in his possession.

Court documents show Braun is charged with possession of more than
$25,000, at least $5,000 of which is a proceed of crime, possession of
psilocybin (commonly known as magic mushrooms), possession of less
than a gram of cannabis resin, and possession of cannabis resin,
marijuana, and cocaine for the purposes of trafficking.

His next court appearance is Feb. 11.

Last week, McMorris said he would not remove Braun from the board
unless the charges were proven in court. However, he said he hoped
Braun would take the "honourable" step of resigning.

Teichrob said she beleives Braun acted properly in his position on the
health board. All decisions are made in public by vote or consensus,
she said.

According to the health region's annual report, Braun's remuneration
for board work was among the lowest of the members in the 2006-07
year, at $6,779.

Still, the board will discuss the matter during the non-public portion
of its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Teichrob said.

"We will talk about next steps and the need to have as spotless a
profile as possible," Teichrob said. "It is a public trust."

Braun had served on the regional board since its creation in 2002. He
has a long record of public service on other government-appointed
committees and with community-based organizations.

Health region board members, who are appointed by the health minister,
are responsible for watching over the executives running the health
system in and around Saskatoon. This year, the region has a
$704-million budget.Teichrob said she has had several phone
conversations with Braun since he was charged.
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