NewsNow E-Edition July 27, 2023

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Lincoln, West Lincoln

Winona

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Vol. 12

Issue 13

www.wn3.ca

100% Niagara West owned & operated Circ: 29,006

Helping hands for McNally

Niagara Region to opt out of residential blue box

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

Niagara Region will be opting out of residential blue box financial responsibilities effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Regional council ratified the move at last Thursday’s regular meeting.

“This has been an on going initiative from

the Province to make producers responsible for the collection and processing of their material. Now that we have taken a position in this process of opting out as of Jan. 1, 2024, the producers will negotiate with the collectors to provide this service to our residents,” said

West Lincoln Reg. Coun. Albert Witteveen.

“Neighbouring regions have already transitioned and the process has gone smoothly.”

The decision will set the direction for responsibility of residential recycling collection to be removed

from the Region and placed solely in the hands of Circular Materials Ontario (CMO).

CMO is the organization responsible for setting up contracts to collect and receive recycling materials across the province, on behalf of producers. The decision was made due to potential

risks with the agreements being offered by CMO that would have seen the Region maintain responsibility as a recycling collection provider, on CMO’s behalf, until Dec. 31, 2025. Beyond 2025, producers take full control (operationally and financially) of the residential

Blue Box program across Ontario.

There is still considerable detail to work on the shift, so an exact savings has not been projected, but it will be several million dollars.

For regional council, there will still be key decisions to make,

See BLUE BOX, Page 3

Event coordinator Charlene Van Huis, standing centre, had a great team of volunteers for Saturday’s fundraiser for McNally House Hospice held at Smithville’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 393. (L-R) Lois Smith, Chris Waite, Alicia Wojcik, Fred Smith, Victoria and Mario Turco. For more details on the event, please turn to Page 4. McDonald – Photo

Is your Air Conditioning ready for Summer?

Queens Real Estate Inc. Brokerage; The Newest Brokerage on the Block

Queens Real Estate Inc.

Brokerage is new to this area; however, our realtors have many years of professional experience & expertise to share with our community & beyond.

Our mission is to provide competent, caring & positive results for our clients without lofty promises. This means no harassment, no empty promises, no undervaluing of your property. We will always provide current and accurate market conditions that are applicable to where you are intending to buy or sell. We are proficient in trading: Residential Properties, Farms, Waterfront, Commercial, Investments & Condos. What sets Queens Real Estate Inc. Brokerage apart from others?

We treat every consumer with personal attention. That translates to answered or returned calls quickly by the person you are intending to call. A compact team of realtors ensures quick and effective results when you need assistance in the acquisition or sale of property.

You can find us volunteering within our community, golfing, helping on local farms, we also walk our dogs, so if you see us, please stop, and say hello, you will know us buy our T-shirts or hats with the crown.

If you would like to get some information about the value of your property without commitment or harassing calls, please feel free to call us directly.

Thank you.

Queens Real Estate Inc.

Rita Ventresca, Broker of Record

Cell: 905-923-6488 • Office: 519-89-QUEEN

Judge’s 15th annual tourney nets $5,200 for GBF programs

The Judge & Jester is a true friend of the community, supporting the Grimsby Benevolent Fund for the past 15 years through its annual charity golf tournament.

“GBF does great things. We are lucky to have them,” Judge & Jester owner Don Paddock said last week presenting a cheque for $5,200 to Megan Kools, GBF food program manager.

Kools said the funds will be used for the GBF housing initiative to support low income families in Grimsby to maintain housing through the rent supplement program and emergency rent assistance program.

The Judge & Jester gives back to the community through two annual fundraisers, including the GBF and McNally House Hospice.

Benchlands Blanc Party

The Judge & Jester owner Don Paddock presents a cheque for $5,200 - raised at his 15th annual charity golf tournament held to support the Grimsby Benevolent Fund - to Megan Kools, GBF food program manager, centre, with Judge & Jester manager Veronica Cobham.

McDonald - Photo

BLUE BOX

From Page 1 such as, to continue or discontinue:

Special Events Recycling Collection

The alternative is to discontinue providing special events recycling starting Jan. 1, 2024; however, staff will be reviewing what the program looks like prior to the full transition of the Blue Box program on January 1, 2026.

Non-Designated Materials

The alternative is to continue to provide collection for nondesignated materials – such as books and flexible plastics used for food containment – as of Jan. 1, 2024; however, this is not recommended as it would be cost prohibitive to provide separate curbside collection for this material. There is uncertainty if a processor can be found, and it will lead to inconsistencies amongst acceptable items across the province. The “non-designated” issue

is key because, once this “optout” is in play, the region loses control over what is acceptable materials for the program.

Also, producers are required as of Jan. 1, 2026 to expand the list of acceptable Blue Box material types to accept items such as chip bags, pet food bags, and cereal bag liners. However, starting Jan. 1, 2024, books and sandwich and freezer bags will no longer be collected.

“We discussed how to move forward and it was agreed that we should get out of the recycling business and hand over to the new entities,” said Lincoln Reg. Coun. Rob Foster.

“That being said, the recycling will not look any different to households -- with the exception, some of the current things recycled by the Region will not be -- the only things to be recycled are those mandated by the province.”

Niagara Region has one of the more comprehensive residential Blue Box programs across the

province with close to 38,000 tonnes of recyclables diverted from landfill, each year.

However, Blue Box programs across the province have become more complex with wideranging packaging formats on the market and costs continuing to increase.

“Producers” which will take over responsibility are the brand holders, importers, or retailers of products that contain blue box materials. Producers are any company which supplies products (containing packaging, paper products and packaging-like products) into the Ontario market, including online sales. Examples of producers include Loblaw Companies Ltd., McDonalds, Maple Leaf and Nestle.

The provincial government has stressed that they want the transition to be seamless. Therefore, Niagara residents could see the same contractor collecting their recyclables on Jan. 1, 2024.

PAUL LEWIS SETTIMI General

Grateful family, friends raise $4,800 for McNally House

McNally House Hospice was there when Charlene Van Huis and family needed them and they will always remember the compassion they received during times of loss and grief.

“They were amazing,” said Van Huis, recalling the care from staff and volunteers

they received for her father-in-law Ben Van Huis and family friend Tom Davis who lost his wife Janet.

“It was heartbreaking and heartwarming.”

There is nothing like family and close

friends, so when Van Huis called on them for help with a fundraiser for McNally House, the whole team was behind her to help. The Smithville Legion pitched in to donate all the food for the event. The John

Atlee Band played to the outdoor crowd and the raffle prizes were a hit including tickets for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tiger Cats. “People had a great time.” The event raised $4,800.

Grimsby tourism needs champions

Not all that long ago, Grimsby had an enthusiastic group of people who were trying to encourage more tourists to come to our town. More visitors would make us feel proud of Grimsby, and also stimulate businesses by staying in hotels and B&Bs, dining in our restaurants, and shopping. What happened to that dream? It seems that our future is just more development which will discourage tourists. If you were to come to Grimsby as a visitor, what would you see and do? You might visit our well-known Art Gallery, or the Grimsby Historical Society’s archives which abounds with heritage and genealogical information. You could drive 5-6 kms south to our

A Small Drop of Ink

By Dorothy Turcotte

major sports complex or walk up the Forty Mile Creek Trail to the Bruce Trail or have a look at the painted cottages at Grimsby Beach. Then what?

The old Place Polonaise property would have made a wonderful waterfront park that would surely lure motorists from the QEW – but it’s now all development. For decades there was talk of a golf course and recreation complex on The Bench east of Park Road, but that’s all development now, too.

The beautiful mansions on Main Street East and West, built in the Victorian period with the proceeds of

successful fruit farms, are falling to developers or are hemmed in by development.

Our shoreline has not been nurtured to provide improvements to our natural beaches. Nelles Beach has a boat launch ramp, but as far as I can tell, it’s unuseable, and you can’t even get to the beach. What a shame, when there is a lovely park right there.

The point I’m trying to make is that Grimsby has, or has had, a lot of possibilities for tourism.

Unfortunately, no one is championing our advantages to make the most of them. Instead, the emphasis seems to be on development and condos, especially in places where they are most unsuitable.

GBF ready for Back To School Program

It may still be July, but Grimsby Benevolent Fund is gearing up for its annual Back To School Program.

“Our Back-To-School Program assists low-income families with children residing in Grimsby by helping local students prepare for their return to school in September. Registered children will receive

a new backpack, stationary supplies, running shoes, and school snacks,” said Ashley Marr, GBF’s director of programs.

“In addition, program funds raised are used to support school-related activity fees that take place throughout the year such as: trips, photos, uniforms, graduation fees and so much more. We anticipate supporting 130 local students this year. It is our goal to raise $15,000 in donations to support this upcoming school year.”

GBF is collecting

monetary donations for the program as well as new backpacks, school supplies reusable water bottles and lunch containers and school snacks. Registered students will pick-up their backpacks and running shoes starting on Aug. 16. Donations can be dropped off to 40 Elm St. in Grimsby or visiting www.gbfgrimsby.com to provide a monetary donation.

Customers shopping in GBF’s retail store can purchase a $2 paper apple, in honour of a special child as well.

GBF Staff (L to R) Ashley Marr, Maverick Sawcett and Emily Blackborow are ready for this year’s Back To School Program.

Bowled over

Police were called to control a rowdy bunch of seniors....but seriously, Beamsville Lawn Bowling Club hosted a friendly “jitney” tournament - team members from various community clubs play on mixed teams as opposed to solely with their local club - on July 14. The club is always looking for more members, no experience required, just email Ann Marie: firstdaysofsummer82@gmail.com

Region moves on attainable housing plan, efficiencies

​In response to some of the most pressing concerns of residents and businesses, this week Niagara Region outlined its initial plans to both increase the supply of attainable housing options and find ways to better utilize public resources across Niagara.

The decision to place housing

and public sector efficiency at the top of the priority list not only reflects the desires of the public, it also directly aligns with the direction of the provincial government and their efforts to see more homes built across Ontario, said Reg. Chair Jim Bradley. Immediate next steps to advance

shared service priorities include:

​• Finalizing the evaluation and prioritization criteria for shared services opportunities

• Approval of the workplan to implement identified projects

• Hiring the appropriate staff resources needed to expedite the implementation of the workplan.

Wanted: New ownership for 177-year-old Grimsby home

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

Not many homes, or anything for that matter, exist to a ripe old age in the two-century range, but the heritage home at 376 Nelles Rd. N. fits that bill.

The home, dubbed Lake Lawn, was built in 1846 by John Adolphus Nelles, one of the foundational families of Grimsby.

Owners Jim and

Mary Volk, long-time supporters of the local heritage scene, are only the property’s second owners in its long existence.

“We were originally drawn to the house just after the final Nelles person (Mary Burnham) had died here. We were on an artist tour of Niagara. Two years later, we were on the same tour and the artist who had been

staying in the house while they decided what to do with the estate told us it had been renovated and was for sale,” said Mary.

“We immediately loved the light, the size of the rooms, the ability to entertain large groups, the preservation of the old features combined with modern conveniences. etc. etc. It truly is a gracious home.”

As happens, timesand needs - change.

“After 35 years here, we knew it was getting time to move on to something smaller and had told a friend who lived on the lake that if he ever wanted to sell, to let us know. That comment was made about five years ago and this spring, he ended up in long term care so we jumped at the opportunity - not really planned, but we knew we’d kick

ourselves later if we let the opportunity go.”

For the agent, selling the home, Martinus Geleynse, the charms of the home are many and impressive.

“This home is tremendously unique for several reasons. One is the incredible condition the home is in - age considered. I’ve seen homes built in the last thirty years in bad shape, but this house, at 177 years old, is in pristine condition. It is only for sale for the second time in its entire history, and has been maintained

lovingly over the years. The location is also unique: it’s a very large (0.8 acre) lot in the middle of a large residential neighbourhood. It truly feels like an estate with huge trees, great privacy, and the grand, imposing, regency style home,” said Martinus.

“Special features include the original door hardware with large skeleton keys, the various etchings in the windows of the home (including the names of the Nelles children from the mid 1800s), and the gor-

geous original wood: 18” baseboards, window trim, wide plank floors, and the grand staircase that doesn’t even creak.”

That’s a lot to give up, and it won’t be easy for the Volks.

“There are so many things we will miss. It is a bittersweet time for us for sure. We sincerely hope that the new owners enjoy it as much as we have, while respecting the grand old place and its history,” said Mary.

The four-bedroom home can be yours for $1.799 million.

Jim and Mary Volk are the second owners of the 177-year-old home at 376 Nelles Rd. N. in Girmsby.

The library.

The home at 376 Nelles Rd. N sits on .08 acres.

The kitchen.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

How to make outdoor living spaces more comfortable

One ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was more time spent outdoors, even if it was predominantly on one’s own property. A recent poll of 2,000 homeowners found participants spent 14 hours outside every week in 2021, which was three hours more than prior to the pandemic.

In addition, respondents admitted that time spent outdoors was therapeutic. While enjoying outdoor living areas, homeowners can do all they can to make

these spaces comfortable and welcoming. The following are some good starting points.

Get all lit up

Outdoor spaces can be enjoyed no matter the hour when there is ample lighting. That could be why the International Casual Furnishings Association reports those who plan to renovate their outdoor spaces list outdoor lighting as a priority. Outdoor lighting not only sheds light on entertaining spaces, but also makes spaces safer and more secure.

No matter how friendly homeowners are with their neighbors, there comes a time when privacy is paramount. Fencing, whether it is wood or vinyl, or even a natural fence made from closely planted hedges, can ensure residents feel comfortable venturing outdoors to swim, take a cat nap or even star gaze in private.

faces southwest may get plenty of strong sun during the day, requiring the addition of shade trees, covered patios or arbors to cut down on the glare and heat.

Sit comfortably

Increase privacy

Address the elements

Homeowners should note the direction their backyard faces and the typical daily conditions of the space. For example, a yard that

High-quality comfortable seating increases the liklihood that homeowners will want to stay awhile in their outdoor spaces. A deep seating set complete with plush chairs, outdoor sofa or love seat and chaise lounge chairs gives people more opportunity to sit and stay awhile.

RENOVATE YOUR HOME

RENOVATE YOUR HOME

Whether it’s new windows and doors or siding, soffit, fascia and eavestrough; now is the perfect time to renovate your home. North Star energy-efficient windows save you money keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

FOR SALE

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APT. FOR RENT

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‘SuItAble FOR SINGle mAtuRe

Adult. 1,000 sq ft, 1 BD basement suite. Private entrance, F/P, in-suite laundry, heated travertine stone tile floor & hardwood. Lots of closet space, Landlord upstairs. $1,650/ mth ALL INCLUSIVE. No Pets. Grimsby, built beyond code. Call Diane Bryer (905 339-7078’

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HANDYMAN SERVICES

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HEATING/COOLING

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VEHICLES WANTED

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WINDOW CLEANING

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RemOVAl. Call Ken 905-973-3235 Stan Macievich Blue Ribbon Painting In business locally for over 25 years High Quality Craftsmanship expert residential painting 905-945-1543 286 Main Street W. Grimsby, ON L3M 1S4

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Electrical Contractor Registration Agency • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Tidy Workmanship call 905-920-4203 289-235-9500 Sales@wn3.ca

6th Annual Volunteer Pay Subscription Drive

“What a newspaper needs in its news, in its headlines, and on its editorial page is terseness, humour, descriptive power, satire, originality, good literary style, clever condensation, and accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!

Joseph Pulitzer

Dear Reader,

Here we are, against all odds, in our 11th year of publishing. Our little paper that started in the basement of our house has flourished into what you are reading today. We’ve had ups and downs, two printing plant closures, sale of our distribution company, a world-wide pandemic and... we are still here. Because of you, good reader - as well as our loyal and dedicated advertising base - through ensuring great response via your intense readership as well as your generous subscriptions. We truly appreciate your support!

Based on the excellent feedback from previous years’ volunteer pay subscription drives, we have launched Year 6!

Is NewsNow’s independent, accurate voice in the community of value to you? Would you like to support NewsNow in its efforts? This is your opportunity.

If yes, we have refined the infrastructure for our Volunteer Pay System

Simply, this means, rain (or snow) or shine, you will always – each and every week – receive your copy of NewsNow. Whether you live in a single-detached home, apartment, condo or at a business, NewsNow is now everywhere –29,000-plus circulation strong. That will NOT change!!!!

Subscriptions: One Year - $50 suggested

We will back HST out of each payment to make things as simple as possible. You can pay by cheque (bring into the office or mail), credit card (call Catherine at 289-235-9500) or e-transfer (send to: subscriptions@wn3.ca - make security answer - newsnow ) For more information, please do not hesitate to call, email or drop in. All inquiries are welcome!!

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Office Location

Blue box shift a double-edged sword

The timing is a bit odd, for no particular reason, for Niagara Region to shuffle the deck of responsibility where blue box infrastructure is concerned.

1 Mountain Street, Grimsby, ON, L3M 3J6 Ph: 289-235-9500 Ph: 289-235-7848

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BBBS launch

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara launched “The BIG Start” program with a $6,000 cheque presentation from Meridian Credit Union on Monday. BBBS’s goal is to support over 50 children and youth involved with the group with a back-to-school shopping event in late August. For details on how to contribute, call BBBS at 905-646-3230.

DSBN, WNSS situation a wrap

That’s going to be a wrap on the letters regarding DSBN, WNSS and the situation with the 2023 grad feature.

The letter and comments received could have filled a 32-page paper with all letters and that kind of overkill is simply not constructive. It is rare of NewsNow to carry letters even two straight weeks but, due to the volume, it seemed necessary to run a couple more this week.

The whole thing was a sad example of too much control in the wrong person’s hands, but that is how mass bureaucracy rolls any more. Done. Moving on. M.W.

Now, the shuffle is supposed to be completely internal and no changes should be apparent to the taxpayers - this according to provincial government edicts on the topic.

The major change is the cost of paying for residential blue box service will no longer be borne by taxpayers in Niagara as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Sounds great, eh?

An expensive service like that coming off the taxpayers’ overburdened shoulder....should be a nice little reduction coming our way.

Not.

The discussed savings have ranged anywhere from $3 million to $7 million, so it’s not chump change but, to the taxpayer, it is largely irrelevant because Niagara Region’s 2024 budget will consume every bit of that as a nice little appetizer before it moves onto adding another tax hike.

Logically, for me, then why bother changing?

Sure, it takes the responsibility off the region’s administration but it puts it in the hands of the private sector. When has that ever gone well for taxpayers?

When you read all the details of the outline

provided by the region’s communications department, you can understand the mechanism of it, but there really is no impetus for the move other than Ford’s government said it’s a good idea.

There are provisions to ensure it is, at best, a lateral move at the outset, but it will evolve. The problem is, once in the hands of private sector suppliers and being paid for by “producers”

- meaning corporations which generate the recyclable material in the first place - if there is a corner to be cut, it will be cut.

Further though, it will prove a double-edged cost sword for residents as you can take this to the bank, you will pay twice.

Why? How?

So, first Niagara Region saves the money by the financial responsibility shift. That savings will not be passed on to the pocket which has paid it to datetaxpayers.

The other side of the coin is corporations are

now being handed a major expense, a new expense to them. When was the last time you saw a corporation say, “Gee, we just got handed another form or new taxation, let’s just absorb that. We really don’t want to pass that on to our valued customers.”

Uhhh, never, would be the correct answer.

The result will mean you will pay more for whatever you buy to offset the financial impact of the manufacturer who now has to pay to have the packaging recycled.

While you are paying more there, good reader, you will also STILL be paying the same level of tax as though Niagara Region was footing the bill thereby creating the scenario where you get the privilege of paying double for what you were already getting.

Don’t you love it?!

You have to love government.

They get to create millions of dollars in new regional revenue but they didn’t raise taxes a percentage point. With the support of the provincial government, they off-loaded the payment responsibility, freeing up tax dollars, and putting the cost in the private sector where no controls are in place to harness cost increases.

It does not seem like a recipe for success to me.

MIKE WILLISCRAFT

Time past due for Ford government to hold DSBN accountable: reader

Dear Editor, Several letters regarding the new West Niagara Secondary School and its principal, Mat Miller, have already been written.

Across Ontario we see a radicalization in our education system by school boards and teaching

management, like principal Miller.

Three major factors are at play here.

This increasing radicalization comes at a cost for students, who have to deal with many social issues instead

of being focussed on the basics, which are crucial for their futures. And their parents, whose right to be involved with their children’s education, is bit by bit taken away.

The DSBN is a bloated unaccountable semi-political entity, which has

grossly mismanaged its budget for the new WNSS, but it also showed gross incompetence in squandering $20 million on the school’s contaminated soil as one reader pointed out.

Yet, in spite of all this and more, they were not held accountable and had

the gall to ask for another budget increase of $38 million in hard-earned tax dollars from the Ford government.

The DSBN’s total budget is now over $580 million. This is an education system gone rogue.

The Ford government is allowing this

mismanagement from the DSBN to continue and is catering to a worsening education system instead of standing up for students by holding schoolboards accountable for wasting taxpayers’ dollars in these difficult economic times.

Rob Janssen, Lincoln

Dear Editor, Seriously?

What a joke it was to read West Niagara Secondary School principal Mat Miller ducked accountability by attempting to blame a childish decision on a fake cost

of $300 regarding the students’ grad photos.

I understand you never did charge them to run the photos, but even if you did, $300 is a ridiculously low sum to have 200-plus grad

photos displayed in a very proud family moment.

I have not received the other paper for more than a year and have never seen it on our street, so I don’t know if they published the photos or

Facts important in history lessons

Dear Editor, Response to July 6 letter from John Van Dyk regarding the importance of history:

I agree with Mr. Van Dyk’s statement that “factual history is important to learn because of the lessons it teaches”.

The Lincoln Library

‘Books and Brews’ group recently finished reading and discussing “Valley of the Birdtail, An Indian Reserve, A White Town and the Road to Reconciliation” by Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson.

I suggest that Mr. Van Dyk read this

non-fiction book. He may find wellresearched historical information that may allow him to evaluate his statement about quantifying what “Canadians have given to First Nations in both land and money over the years”.

Judith Keczan, Lincoln

not, but that really is irrelevent to this debacle.

For me, the key thing you noted in your editorial was the accountability component, as in there is none from DSBN or Miller in this case.

They misman-

age several major aspects of the new high school to the tune of burning millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars and a phony $300 excuse is what comes up as a reason to not run grad photos?

It’s laughable.

Then they’ll turn

around and ask me for a donation for the high school theater, which was a feature promised when they first had the public meetings to sell people on the super school. Well, not a dime from me, buddy.

Stephen Owen, Grimsby

DSBN needs more intense scrutiny

Dear Editor, Having stopped in to speak with you about this unfortunate situation with DSBN and West Niagara Secondary School principal Mat Miller, I understand the cost limitations media have covering school

boards in detail.

That is truly unfortunate in its own right because no organization is in need of a tune up more than DSBN.

We know of several major issues in Niagara West because of your cover-

age, for which we are all grateful. But how many stories get untold because no media truly cover the board any longer?

Given their ridiculous track record, I shudder to think about it.

Bill Garvin, Grimsby