'A good man'

There is still support for Randy Collins in Labrador West.

The former Lab. West MHA was sentenced to 21 months in jail Jan. 15 after pleading guilty to fraud and bribery charges last fall.

According to a report in the Telegram, Collins admitted paying two-dozen kickback payments to a House of Assembly official, and obtaining nearly $140,000 by fraud from his taxpayer-funded constituency allowance.

The report said the Crown sought a sentence of up to two years less a day while the defense suggested a conditional sentence was appropriate, citing recent health concerns for Collins.

Collins also has to pay restitution of nearly $140,000 he acknowledged obtaining through criminal means.

Diane Norman, however, wonders if the punishment fits the crime.

"I think it was a little bit harsh," she said. "Let him pay back the money, then let him out. Everybody does something wrong."

Betty Sheppard said the sentence is appropriate, but stressed Collins is a good man.

"He done wrong," she said. "He needs to give people back their money and serve his time for doing the wrong. That's what we're trying to teach our kids. He is a good man, actually. He just made a mistake. Now he gets to make up for it. Pay the price and pay it back and move on."

Wabush mayor Ron Barron shares Sheppard's views.

"I've known Randy for many years and he's a good person at heart," Barron stated. "He got caught up in something most of us will never understand - it's hard to grasp - but I still consider him a friend. Everyone makes mistakes."

Barron said he's not excusing Collins' actions and stressed the sentence imposed on the former MHA is warranted, but he added Collins is paying a price.

People in Labrador West, the mayor noted, will never forget what Collins did, but with the sentence, he hopes the community can get past the scandal.

"There's disappointment," Barron stressed. "Does he deserve what he gets? Yes, but the past is the past and now we'll move on."

"Does he deserve what he gets? Yes, but the past is the past and now we'll move on."