I read with interest the July 16, 2010 Daily Townsman article “Restorative Justice seeking funds from community.”

I like to count as a friend a man by the name of Russell Kelly. Kelly’s criminal case, many years ago, was the first time Restorative Justice was ever tried — and very successfully, I might add.

It was a probation officer by the name of Mark Yantzi who came up with the idea for Restorative Justice from Kitchener, Ontario.

Russ Kelly has written a book about his case and himself — I believe self published, and the last time we spoke it was to update me on his speaking engagements regarding Restorative Justice.

The man, Russ Kelly is very much a model citizen since his experiences with Restorative Justice and I would really encourage the people of this area to support financially this program and assist Cranbrook and District Restorative Justice to meet its funding goals. This idea is going worldwide, as Kelly has informed me.

Really, I can’t think of one reason not to keep this program going for the betterment of everyone, victims, offenders and the wider community, with full funding.

J.T. Corbett

Cranbrook