Lush memorial put on hold

By Rick Vanderlinde Sep 20, 2010I
NNISFIL – Officially dedicating a basketball court to honor the memory of slain Innisfil resident Troy Lush will have to wait.
Council decided last week to make the Lush memorial part of an over all study of placing memorials at town-owned facilities.
Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope had recommended the courts on the 25th Sideroad near Innisfil Beach Road be named after the 24-year-old, man who was killed in downtown Barrie last month.
But Coun. Dan Davidson said it would be more appropriate to develop a town-wide policy before dedicating the courts in Lush’s name.
“We have heroes in this town who also deserved dedication. We should look at doing something for them at the same time,” Davidson said.
Davidson pointed to truck driver David Virgoe as an example. Virgoe, 48, was killed in June 2007 when his rig was clipped by a speeding vehicle on Highway 400 and he steered into the ditch to avoid harming other motorists.
His wife, Debbie, has been instrumental in having Ontario’s stunt driving laws passed to curtail street racing.
Mayor Brian Jackson supported Davidson, saying a memorial for Lush can be considered as part of the study.
A makeshift memorial created by friends has been erected at the basketball courts that Lush frequently used.
Lush died after being stabbed during an altercation in an alley near Barrie’s Five Points. Charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault is Jeffery Surgenor, 23, of Barrie.