The Chatham Voice Jan. 15, 2015

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YOUR Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 2 Edition 2

Condo project on hold

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

“Get out of that grave, now!”

That sentence, said to have been uttered by a Ministry of Labour inspector, was the catalyst for a chain of events being blamed for the derailment of the $50-million Boardwalk on Thames condominium project.

The working conditions at Everlast Group’s site resulted in stop work orders by the province and sent workers on an eightmonth fight for recognition as employees and the right to unionize.

William Lin of the Ministry of Labour said stopwork orders were issued Feb. 21 of last year due to violations of lighting standards, protruding reinforced steel, blocked access routes, and two orders regarding excavations.

Work eventually resumed on the site once the violations were corrected.

Rob Petroni, who’s union now represents the workers, said the comments made by the inspector scared the men.

“There was no trench box. Unstable soil can

shift in a few seconds and bury someone before they know it,” he said. “You need to have trenches with adequate shoring.

Without it a worker in it wouldn’t have a chance. It really could have become a grave.”

The workers applied for certification March 5, and on Nov. 20, the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled approved the application.

They are now members of Local 625 of the Labourer’s International Union of North America (LiUNA). Petroni is the local’s business manager.

Petroni said Everlast “wasn’t even on our radar” when the Boardwalk project began.

“The initial (concrete) formwork was being done by a unionized company, Con-Wall Concrete London,” he said. “Virtually every formwork company I know of is unionized and Con-Wall is a phenomenal company. There was no one for us to represent. We didn’t set out to organize anything.”

Petroni said Everlast had contended the employees were contractors, but the board ruled otherwise.

Continued on page 2

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Craig Francis, manager at Chatham Kent Pawn Brokers, said construction at neighbouring Boardwalk on Thames site on King Street West in Downtown Chatham never resumed after Christmas.

Parking changes afoot?

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Whatever fate awaits the former Boardwalk on Thames condo project, a nearby local business manager is hoping city hall pays more attention to the effect it has had on local businesses.

Craig Francis, manager at Chatham Kent Pawn Brokers, located just east of the project on King

Street, said his business suffered “huge losses” because of on-street parking spots given to Everlast starting in May 2013.

“We tried to be a good neighbour, but I’m really disappointed in how things just kept dragging on and dragging on,” he said. “We lost three spots, and if it wasn’t for the CIBC, I think we wouldn’t have even got-

ten the handicapped parking spot back.”

The controversial $50 million project has apparently been mothballed by the Everlast group. No workers are at the site and firms doing business on the project have been advised.

It has been reported in 2013 that Everlast had sold 80% of the 113 units in the 12-storey building that was supposed to be

completed and occupied last year.

Francis said he contacted city officials numerous times complaining about construction debris, parking and other issues, but couldn’t get the problems resolved.

“We would have cement trucks surrounding our building at the front, the Cenotaph area and the back.”

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

News

No rebate for project $204,000 in program funding withheld

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

Construction has yet to begin on the Boardwalk on Thames construction site on King Street West in Chatham this month. The developer says he is walking away from the project.

The scuttled Boardwalk on the Thames project won’t be costing taxpayers any money through Chatham-Kent’s economic development programs, city planner Ryan Jacques said Thursday.

Jacques said the Everlast Group project was entitled to moneys under various municipal programs, but all funds were contingent on successful completion of the project.

“The key message is that no money has been released,” he said.

Everlast’s Victor Boutin confirmed to Blackburn News recently he was walking away from the project.

The municipality had allocated Everlast $204,000

under the Downtown Community Improvement Plan (DCIP) in rebated money relating to building permit fees.

“It’s a fund available for downtown projects right across the municipality,” he said. “The money was allocated and set aside but not provided. It remains a payable at this point. We don’t have a precedent for this since most smaller projects have had shorter timelines and have been completed within the year the funds were allocated. At some point we may ask council’s direction as to what it wants to happen to the money but as for now it’s still there.”

Everlast has also paid $34,000 for its share of a provincially mandated fee that requires subdivision or con-

dominium projects donate parkland or cash in lieu.

That money would have been returned to the company had the project been completed.

The project was also eligible for rebates under the tax increment equivalency grant that offers developers relief on the difference on the property tax before and after construction.

The fund rebates 100% of the tax in the first year after project completion and reduces that amount by 20% per year for five years thereafter.

Jacques said there was no way to calculate the amount since the property would have to be assessed by MPAC, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Boutin blames union, walks away from Boardwalk

Continued from page 1

The Chatham Voice broke the news online Jan. 6 that Everlast was

halting construction on the project.

Last week Everlast principal founder Victor Bou-

Brent Butt

tin called the union “parasites” in an interview with Blackburn News, and said he was pulling

Big Sugar

the plug on the project.

Everlast has claimed that 80% of the 113 units had been sold, but isn’t pro-

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ceeding with the 12-storey building.

Petroni said the union received a notice from Everlast’s lawyers Dec. 5 (three weeks after the decision) advising them that it didn’t require any construction labour and asking about re-listing the matter with the Labour Relations Board.

“I can’t remember seeing anything so strange,” he said. “They can’t appeal the Labour Board ruling because they don’t like the outcome.”

Unconfirmed reports said Boutin has informed Con-Wall the site will shut down temporarily but should re-open in March. Calls to the firm were not returned.

Petroni said the facts don’t support Boutin’s contention about the union causing the projects demise.

“Our contract covers three labourers,” he said. “If we were seeking union wages, which we aren’t because the project started before any contract, the difference would be about $10 per

Darlene Smith Sales - Ext.225 darlene@chathamvoice.com

hour in wages and benefits per worker, so a total cost of about $30 per hour.

“The labour board ruling doesn’t apply to any of the other 13 trades,” he said. “They don’t need to hire union workers for drywalling, electrical work, carpentry or anything else. It’s just general labourers. There are three of them.”

Petroni said he’s had no face-to-face meeting with Everlast and can’t understand why the three workers would be called parasites because they joined a union.

“I don’t know what Everlast’s problem is,” he said. “I haven’t spoken with Boutin, although I have left him voice messages.”

Boutin has not responded to repeated Voice requests for comment for several months.

Project manager Jimmy Boutin, reached last week, said he couldn’t answer any questions, as he was busy “working on paperwork,” and transferred calls to his father.

Fatima Pisquem Distro/Class - Ext.223 fatima@chathamvoice.com

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

PAGE 3

News

Council discusses arena changes

By Aaron Hall Contributing Writer

Proposed changes to arena and canteen services sparked quite a debate at Monday’s regular Chatham-Kent council meeting.

Evelyn Bish, director of community development, provided a presentation to council, which outlined various recommendations after staff conducted a service review.

Bish said the main issues across the board are loss of

revenue due to decreased usage and increased operating costs.

West Kent Coun. Bryon Fluker moved the following staff recommendations: •Reducing the three-person staff at William K. Erickson Arena and Chatham Memorial Arena to two; • modifying the weekday non-prime time hours of operation at arenas to better reflect the current demand for ice rentals and ice programming;

• exploring outsourcing canteen services; • restructuring canteen supervisor positions; • implementing a ‘holiday-discounted last-minute” rental rate of $100/ hr.; and • approving a base budget adjustment of $106,319 to reflect the declining revenue for ice programming and rentals, resulting in a net savings of $50,998.

Fluker also moved a recommendation to create a tiered-pricing system for arenas with abutting are-

nas in other communities.

He added two more recommendations, one which will have staff analyze improving the access and availability of renting recreational facilities in Chatham-Kent and having staff investigate an “ice-back policy” similar to the one in Leamington.

Such a policy helps ensure groups such as minor hockey or figure skating don’t get penalized for cancelling already booked ice time. It’s a way for these groups to save some

money.

Many ideas floated around the horseshoe during the discussion as well.

Chatham Coun. Bob Myers said he would like to see Chatham-Kent offer one free hour of skating at every arena in Chatham-Kent.

South Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson said running each arena as an individual business unit, as opposed to a centralized system for arenas, could be an answer moving for-

ward.

“Arenas are all of Chatham-Kent’s problems rolled into one,” he said.

Mayor Randy Hope said the lack of provincial and federal funding, compared to past years, has a significant impact on arenas in Chatham-Kent.

North Kent Coun. Joe Faas said more marketing needs to be done.

“It would make ourselves more competitive,” he said.

Flukers proposals were passed.

“We believe one key to a healthy downtown core is residential development.

This was going to be the crown jewel of that.”

Labadie said the BIA “absolutely” wants to see the project proceed, either with Everlast or another developer.

“We have tremendous success with family events such as Retrofest and Firefest and having residents downtown will make that even stronger.”

Francis said his business aim is to change the public perception of pawnshops.

“We have lots of good merchandise and fair prices,” he said. “I have an excellent relationship with the Chatham police.

This is a reputable business, and until people couldn’t get to our store, things were going well.

It’s not a good thing when I see people who were my customers going elsewhere because they have to walk a long way to get to us.”

Francis said business has picked up during the last

three weeks since Everlast workers were on break and the parking spots

outside his business were open.

“They were good fel-

lows, I got to know a lot of them and I’m really sorry they might be

out of work,” he said. “I hope they find something else.”

Construction made a mess of parking downtown

Continued from page 1

“We couldn’t even get the city sidewalk snowplow to do the front of our store but all I was ever told was that Everlast had the right do pretty well do whatever they wanted. I’m just working at a pawn shop so I don’t count for much.”

Francis said he is concerned that even speaking with the media could result in his license not bring renewed.

“I don’t have a lot of faith that city hall looks after anyone but the big players. Victor (Everlast developer Victor Boutin) has money and influence at city hall and I don’t.”

Francis said despite the effect on his business, he was hoping the Boardwalk would proceed.

“I think it would be good for downtown so I bit my tongue as long as I could, but at some point enough is enough.”

Historic Downtown Chatham BIA board member Nancy Labadie said she was disappointed to see the work stoppage.

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News

New boss at Community Living C-K

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

On March 1, Ron Coristine will put his hand on the top rung of the ladder at Community Living Chatham-Kent, but it’s his feet he’s worried about.

“I will have some awfully big shoes to fill,” Costine said.

He is taking over as executive director from Lu Ann Cowell, who has been with the organization for nearly four decades.

Coristine is a relative rookie by comparison – with 24 years there.

“When I first started, I was green, right out of university.

I thought I knew everything about everything, and I really knew nothing at all,” he laughed. “Being hired here was a blessing. It has been a wonderful experience. People come and like it so much, particularly if you are given an opportunity to advance.”

Coristine called Cowell his mentor.

“Lu Ann, she’s been here over

39 years. She’s been my immediate boss and mentor over the past nine years,” he said.

“She’s so respected locally and provincially. What I’ve learned, I’ve learned from her. That can only be to my benefit.”

According to a media release, Coristine’s selection came after a detailed recruitment search and interview process. He said it was advertised extensively and believed there was a fair bit of competition for the position.

“We congratulate Ron on his accomplishments and look forward to the leadership commitment he will bring to Community Living Chatham-Kent in his new role as executive director,” Stephen Andari, president of the board of directors, said in a media release.

Coristine started at Community Living C-K in February 1990.

He is currently a program director overseeing the operations of Children’s Respite, Adult Respite, Community Supports, JOBWORX - Employment Ser-

Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Ron Coristine Jr. will take over the executive director’s duties at Community Living Chatham-Kent on March 1.

Lu Ann Cowell is retiring after 39 years with the organization.

vices, Making It Happen Pro- program.”

Coristine hopes to tweak gram, Quality Assurance and Planning Department and sev- Community Living C-K’s offerings somewhat. He said it is eral residential locations.

He said JOBWORX has really a first-class agency in providtaken off. When he began, it ing services and supports, but was a fledgling project known would like to build on that.

He’s proud of the support ofas a supportive employment program. He said it is now fered by Community Living one of the top programs in the C-K, pointing to JOBWORX, province.

“The people in the program have gone out and done some great work over the years,” he said.

“We now support about 90 people in the municipality who have competitively paying jobs.

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“We have great child and adult respite programs where people can bring their loved ones for a period of time. People can stay for a few hours or a few days,” he said. “The people have a wonderful experience and the caregivers get some respite.”

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PAGE 6

The tower of babble If your head is reeling trying to follow the Boardwalk on Thames project saga, you’re not alone. We broke the story online last Tuesday, had it refuted by other media later that same day, had the developer confirm it to still other media the following day, and by the end of the week we had the mayor riding to the rescue to save it or let them hash it out depending on which media he was speaking with.

Does he get double bonus points for bringing the same $50 million investment twice?

We’ve had armchair engineers speculate about the cold, and developer Victor Boutin’s own words that the union “parasites” ruined the project, as well as lots of other theories.

Here’s the truth: No one’s telling the truth. At least not all of it.

Elsewhere in the paper, we debunked the theory that its union cost will ruin the project.

The ridiculous idea that construction can’t take place in the winter can be crossed off the list too.

The fact is, it simply costs more to pour concrete in the winter, and that cost is usually negotiated into the contract. Or not.

See where we’re going with this? It’s money, pure and simple.

Boutin has claimed since 2013 that 80% of the units have been sold. Call us skeptical but we’re not buying it. People willing to spend upwards of a quarter of a million dollars on a condo have options. Would anyone financially commit to that kind of expenditure and tell the developer he can finish the project when he gets around to it?

If so, we have an invisible high rise in New Scotland for you. Drop your cheques off at our office.

So what’s next?

With the mayor too busy saving the project, we’ll step in and say something he should have but managed to forget. If you’re a teacher, nurse, cop, firefighter, bricklayer, electrician, municipal employee or labourer who belongs to a union, you’re not a parasite. We don’t think the mayor was a parasite when he was a union member back before he moved up to tailored suits and international travel.

With that out of the way, he can focus on the other business affected by construction. He may not feel it’s cool to hang out with pawnbrokers, but they pay taxes too.

Letters to the editor policy The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor.

Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@chathamvoice.com (use “Letter” in the subject line).

The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity.

All letters need to be signed.

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The publisher of this newspaper, CK Media Inc., reserves the right to clarify or refuse any advertisement based on its sole discretion. The publisher reserves the right to reject, discontinue or omit any advertisement without notice or penalty to either party.

Liability for errors or non-insertion is limited to the amount paid for the cost of space occupied by the error. Claims of errors must be made prior to the next publication date.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Opinion

Shop with a Cop a great concept Sir: After we went through all the anti-cop news south of the border, it was really refreshing to read Bruce Corcoran’s story, “Cops, kids swarm Wal-Mart,” in the Dec. 25 edition of The Chatham Voice.

First we had the United Way initiative Operation Cover-Up in September and October when people donated gently used coats to be distributed to men, women and children in Chatham-Kent. In the

last 23 years more than 60,000 coats had been donated.

Then on Dec. 20 there was our first Chatham Shop with a Cop day. There were many exciting happenings at Wal-Mart, where dozens of officers and auxiliary officers from the Chatham-Kent OPP and Chatham-Kent police helped 32 kids do their Christmas shopping.

OPP Sgt. Brian Knowler spearheaded the event. I

think I heard about Sgt. Brian when he was stationed in northern Ontario and I lived in Elliot Lake. I believe the concept for Shop with a Cop day came from northern Ontario where officers would take less fortunate kids shopping for the family for Christmas, using gift cards paid for through donations.

Chatham police first obtained co-operation from various businesses and

individuals who donated the gift cards. Wal-Mart helped by adding staff and setting up specific Shop with a Cop checkouts.

I know we do have crime locally, but we also have police who like to get involved in community events. Like many others, I thank God my home is in the area known as Canada’s vegetable and fruit Garden.

Stephen Beecroft Chatham

Sir: Municipal council is at risk of going into another annual budget session with no intelligible vision for the municipality, no strategy to guide administration’s development of work plans, and so no rational basis for the budget.

Pentagon planners have a saying: “A vision without resources is a hallucination.” Our municipal vision will once again be a hallucination if something different isn’t done this time around.

The flaws in the Vision Statement were discussed in another open letter to council a month ago, so won’t be repeated here. Suffice to say that in its present form it can’t be the guide to action that a vision statement needs to be, because nobody can be sure what it means from what it says.

The current status of council’s planning for the 2015/16 fiscal year was reported at the Dec. 15

meeting. The new council apparently endorsed the directions established by the previous council and accepted definitions for them as follows: • Jobs: Everyone in Chatham-Kent who wants to work is able to work in meaningful employment.

• People: Chatham-Kent is a welcoming community where people choose to live, learn, work, and play.

• Health: Chatham-Kent

is a healthy, active, safe, accessible community within a healthy natural and built environment.

These are all nice hopes, but as Pentagon planners would say: “Hope is not a strategy.” A generally accepted definition of strategy is: “A strategy describes how the ends (goals) will be achieved by the means (resources).

The senior leadership of an organization is generally tasked with determining strategy.”

Have a vision, not a hallucination

Continued on page 7

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

PAGE 7

News

Dresden faces racing delays

By Aaron Hall Contributing Writer

Horse racing at the Dresden Raceway in 2015 is currently on hold.

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) confirmed it has launched an investigation into the application by the Dresden Agricultural Society to operate the Dresden Raceway this year.

Ray Kahnert, manager of communications for the ORC, responded to an e-mail on behalf of Steve Lehman, executive director for the ORC. “To clarify jurisdiction, the ORC examines appli-

cations from those companies or associations who wish to receive a license to operate a racetrack,” Kahnert said. “So to be accurate, it is an investigation into the application.”

Kahnert said the ORC will be withholding a decision until a new board of directors is in place for the Dresden Agricultural Society.

“As noted in (the Racing Commission Act 2000), racetrack operators can be subject to an ORC due diligence examination,” Kahnert said. “Such an examination was underway for the licensing of

Dresden Raceway to operate racing in 2015.

Kahnert added: “The ORC is now aware that there may be new Board members for the Ag. Society. Until this matter is confirmed, the decision to license Dresden Raceway will be held.”

Kahnert said the dates that were announced in December for the Dresden Raceway are still

“proposed” to take place.

The Racing Commission Act 2000 states that the director may make inquiries and conduct investigations into “the character, financial history and competence of an applicant for a licence or the renewal of a licence that are necessary to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements of this Act and the regulations.”

Horse track operators are required to apply for a license each year.

A membership meeting was held Jan. 7 at the Dresden Arena, where the board of directors for the Agricultural Society were voted out.

North Kent Coun. Joe Faas said Lucille Laprise was voted in once again as president of the group at the meeting.

“They re-affirmed Lucille Laprise as president and then they dismissed the current board of directors,” Faas said. “They appointed eight people on an interim basis to assist Lucille in the transition.”

Faas said the Agricultural Society would be electing a new board of directors at its annual general meeting, which takes place Jan. 28.

C-K council must set realistic goals

Continued from page 6

Goals need to be concrete and measureable, challenging but achievable. If they aren’t concrete and measurable, administration can’t know what it is being asked to achieve. (If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it.)

If the goals aren’t challenging but achievable, they won’t be motivating. The “means” referred to are the staff time and capabilities and the budget.

To set realistic strategies, the strategizers need to have at least a rough idea of how much time, talent, and money it will take to accomplish the goals. That’s likely to require consultation with senior administration officials, particularly the CAO. The last sentence in the above definition of “strategy” is very important for this council and so is worth repeating: “The senior leadership of an organization is generally tasked with determining

strategy.”

Experts on municipal governance would omit the word “generally.”

Council, you are tasked with determining strategy. If you don’t do that, you can’t claim to be in charge and you won’t be fulfilling your governance responsibilities. And if there aren’t traceable lines from the vision to the goals to the strategies to the budget, the whole thing is a hallucination.

A draft budget is scheduled to be presented to council on Jan. 20, followed by public meetings before council starts the budget deliberations in earnest. In that span of several weeks, there is time to fulfill council’s responsibility to clarify the vision, set the goals, and outline the strategies to meet those goals. It’s not rocket science and there is nothing more important you will do in this term of council.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 8

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

News

New council to tackle budget

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Chatham-Kent’s freshly minted council will break out the carving knives in the near future, as the first big project will be the 2015 budget.

But it remains to be seen if councillors will trim the fat or baste the budget bird.

According to the municipal website, the draft

budget presented Jan. 20 will include options to “achieve a budget increase equal to or less than the current rate of inflation.” In 2014, the tax increase came in at 1.61%, an election year. A year prior, it was 3.2%. In 2012, it came in at 2.3%, while in 2011, we saw a hike of 1.4%.

Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson, the new budget chair, said he has no

set target in mind this time around, but knows the public wants as small a number as possible.

“I don’t have a target percentage increase. I think it’s reasonable, and we’ve heard it loud and clear, that the community would like us to be innovative in the way we manage our services so we can deliver a zero-based tax hike,” he said.

Brock McGregor, a rook-

ie Chatham councillor, said he also has no target figure in his head.

“I don’t have a specific goal in mind. We have to look at what a realistic goal is. People are pretty aware of the starting point,” he said. “We need to do better than that (status quo).”

Robertson, who will chair the budget committee for the next four years, said the Jan. 20 meeting will give councillors their first look at options on where to take the budget.

“We’ll provide the first glimpse.

It’s up to the will of council to produce a budget that’s palatable to the taxpayers,” he said. “There are two avenues to analyze where to spend, at the budget table and through the service review.

These will allow us to view the options to determine how to best manage the coffers of this municipality.”

During the 2013 budget process, many of the service review recommendations for savings were cast aside by council. That council didn’t “show a lot of will,” according to Robertson. He is hopeful the

2015-18 council will act otherwise. “ I ’ m confid e n t in the strength and will Derek Robertson of this council, particularly with the new council members.

I believe we are going to have a good budget process, one that’s sound and respectful, yet ready to deliver a result that will be positive to the taxpayers and citizens,” he said.

Those decisions, he added must provide “the best economic benefit and opportunity for growth in this community. We’re going to make some bold decisions.”

McGregor relishes the opportunity to step into the thick of the budget process right away.

“It’s the opportunity to take a big-picture look at what’s going on in the municipality,” he said.

“We need to start deciding on strategic direction and stick to the strategic plan. We have to look at what we’ve already committed to and now remain committed to it once we get to the budget process.”

That has often not been the case in the past.

Public consultation will follow the Jan. 20 tabling of the budget, first at the Dresden Arena on Jan. 26, St. Michael’s Parish Hall in Ridgetown Jan. 27, and then the Active Lifestyle Centre in Chatham the

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following day. All sessions run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Attendance at these public meetings in the past has varied greatly. Robertson said he’s seen full houses and vacant rooms.

“I remember days going to Ridgetown to packed rooms. I also certainly remember last year where there were two members of the public who showed up to the public consultation in Wallaceburg, and one of them ended up on council,” he said. “It seems to change year to year. It really depends on the political fervour behind sensitivity of matters on the budget docket.”

McGregor said the public delivered plenty of pondering on the municipal budget during the election campaign, and looks forward to hearing from more people.

“I’m glad there’s an opportunity for public input outside of just Ward 6 (Chatham). It’s a positive strategy to allow individuals to not have to come to Chatham for their input,” he said.

Following the public meetings, council will sit down Feb. 3-5 and 10-12 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to hammer out the budget.

Last year, council finished the task in four nights.

Robertson expects it will take longer this time around.

“I won’t be surprised to see it go to six (sessions).

From what I’ve seen thus far, there don’t seem to be a lot of sacred cows,” he said of issues up for discussion this budget.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

PAGE 9

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Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers only valid at participating dealers. Retail offers may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. For factory orders, a customer may either take advantage of eligible raincheckable Ford retail customer promotional incentives/offers available at the time of vehicle factory order or time of vehicle delivery, but not both or combinations thereof. Retail offers not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). *Until February 2, 2015, receive 0% APR purchase financing on new 2014 Ford Edge, 2015 Mustang, Flex, and Escape models for up to 60 months, and 2014 Focus, F-150 SuperCrew 4x4, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 5.0L, 2015 Fiesta and Fusion models for up to 72 months to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest interest rate. Example: $25,000 purchase financed at 0% APR for 60/72 months, monthly payment is $416.66/ $347.22, cost of borrowing is $0 or APR of 0% and total to be repaid is $25,000. Down payment on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit from Ford Credit. **Until February 2, 2015, receive [0.99%/0.99%/0.99%/0.99%/1.99%/1.99%] APR purchase financing on new [2015/2015/2014/2014/2015/2015] Ford [Fusion S/Fusion Titanium/Focus SE Sedan MT/Focus ST/Escape S/Escape SE] models for up to [84] months, to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest interest rate. Example: [2015/2015/2014/2014/2015/2015] Ford [Fusion S/Fusion Titanium/Focus SE Sedan MT/Focus ST/Escape S/Escape SE] for [$22,899/$33,999/$18,349/$30,149/$24,499/$26,999] (after [$0] down payment or equivalent trade-in, and [$500/$500/$1,000/$1,000/$0/$0] Year-End Cash deducted) purchase financed at [0.99%/0.99%/0.99%/0.99%/1.99%/1.99%] APR for [84] months, monthly payment is [$271/$407/$227/$372/$313/$345] (the sum of twelve (12) monthly payments divided by 26 periods gives payee a bi-weekly payment of [$125/$188/$105/$172/$145/$159]), interest cost of borrowing is [$779/$1,172/$653/$1,071/$1,770/$1,951] or APR of [0.99%/0.99%/0.99%/0.99%/1.99%/1.99%] and total to be repaid is [$22,750/$34,216/$19,110/$31,304/$26,390/$28,938. Down payment may be required based on approved credit from Ford Credit. All purchase finance offers include freight and air tax and PPSA but exclude administration and registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and all applicable taxes. All prices are based on Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. †Purchase a new [2015/2015/2014/2014/2015/2015] Ford [Fusion S/Fusion Titanium/Focus SE Sedan MT/Focus ST/Escape S/Escape SE] models for up to [84] months, to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest interest rate. Example: [2015/2015/2014/2014/2015/2015] Ford [Fusion S/Fusion Titanium/Focus SE Sedan MT/Focus ST/Escape S/Escape SE] for [$22,899/$33,999/$18,349/$30,149/$24,499/$26,999] (after [$0] down payment or equivalent trade-in, and [$500/$500/$1,000/$1,000/$0/$0] Year-End Cash deducted). Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after Year-End Cash has been deducted. Offers include freight and air tax but exclude administration and registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and all applicable taxes. 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ΩYear-End Lease Cash deduction of $3,700 on the 2014 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4X4 (300A Package) is Ford Credit Lease Cash only available when vehicle is leased with Ford Credit. ≠Until February 2, 2015, receive $500/ $750/ $1,000/ $1,250/$2,000/ $2,500/ $2,750 / $4,000/ $5,000/ $5,500/ $5,750/ $6,000/ $6,250/ $6,750/ $7,000/ $7,500/ $8,000/ $8,500/ $9,000/ $10,000/ $12,000/ $13,000 in Year-End Clearout Cash (Delivery Allowances) with the purchase or lease of a new 2015 Fusion (excluding Hybrid)/ 2014 Focus BEV and 2015 Explorer, F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader)/ 2014 Focus (excluding S-Manual and BEV) and 2015 Taurus (excluding SE), Expedition, Transit Connect/ 2015 C-MAX/ 2015 E-Series Cutaway, Transit, F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs/ 2014 Focus S Manual, Edge, Mustang Shelby GT500/ 2014 F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader)/ 2015 F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2)/ 2014 Fiesta and 2015 F-150 SuperCab and SuperCrew / 2014 Taurus SE, Explorer, Escape, F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 XLT 300A, F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs / 2014 Mustang V6 Coupe /2014 Fusion, Flex, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 5.0L and 4x4/ 2014 Transit Connect/ 2014 E-Series/ 2015 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Gas engine/ 2014 C-MAX, Taurus (excluding SE) / 2014 Mustang V6 Premium/ 2014 Expedition and 2015 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Diesel engine/ 2014 Mustang GT (excluding GT500)/ 2014 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Gas engine /2014 F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2), F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Diesel engine/ 2014 F-150 SuperCab – all stripped chassis, cutaway body, F-150 Raptor and Medium Truck models excluded. Year-End Cash is not combinable with CPA, GPC, CFIP, Daily Rental Allowance and A/X/Z/D/F-Plan programs. Delivery allowances are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. •Between January 3, 2015 and February 2, 2015, offer available on approved credit from Ford Credit on vehicles offering 0% APR purchase financing monthly term contracts (2014 Ford Edge, 2015 Mustang, Flex, and Escape models for up to 60 months, and 2014 Focus, F-150 SuperCrew 4x4, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 5.0L, 2015 Fiesta and Fusion models for up to 72 months). “Do not pay for 90 days” for monthly payment structures and “do not pay for 74 days” for bi-weekly payment structures. First month’s payment will be due, and monthly term payments will commence, 90 days after the contract date. First bi-weekly payment will be due, and bi-weekly term payments will commence, 74 days after the contract date. ^Offer only valid from January 3, 2015 to February 2, 2015 (the “Program Period”) to Canadian resident customers. Receive $500 towards 2014 Focus (excluding S and BEV), Edge, Flex, F-150 SuperCrew 4x4, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 5.0L; and any 2015 models (excluding Focus, Fiesta, and Mustang Shelby GT500) – all stripped chassis, cutaway body, Raptor, and Medium Truck models excluded (each an “Eligible Model”) when you the purchase or lease and take delivery of the Eligible Model. Limit one (1) incentive redemption per Eligible Model sale. Offer is not raincheckable. ≈Remember that even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. ∞Some mobile phones and some digital media players may not be fully compatible with SYNC® – check www.syncmyride.com for a listing of mobile phones, media players, and features supported. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control, accident and injury. Certain MyFord Touch™ functions require compatible mobile devices. Some functions are not available while driving. Ford recommends that drivers use caution when using mobile phones, even with voice commands. Only use mobile phones and other devices, even with voice commands, not essential to driving when it is safe to do so and in compliance with applicable laws. SYNC is optional on most new Ford vehicles. ¥Based on 2007–2013 and YTD June 2014 R. L. Polk vehicle registrations data for Canada in the Large Premium Utility, Large Traditional Utility, Large Utility, Medium Premium Utility, Medium Utility, Small Premium Utility, and Small Utility segments. ±Claim based on Ford’s definition of single nameplate, which does not include rebadged vehicles, platform derivatives or other vehicle nameplate versions based on IHS Automotive Polk global new registrations for CY2013. ◊F-Series is the best-selling pickup truck in Canada for 48 years in a row based on Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association statistical sales report up to 2013 and R. L. Polk vehicle registrations data up to June 2014. ©2015 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. ©2015 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

PAGE 10

THE CHATHAM VOICE THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Life

It’s not hip to hedge on decisions always sit there and give you small talk.

I respect that.

And he’s very efficient. I was in and out in less than 50 minutes, and that included much more than just a discussion about my ailing right hip.

We chatted about my weight loss progress (it has really slowed down over the past three months, oops), hip pain, how a cortisone shot in October has worked, and where to go from here.

I also brought up the fact my right knee is now bothering me a lot. I wasn’t sure if I’d done some damage from adjusting how I walk due to the severe arthrosis in my hip, or if it too was becoming arthritic.

Dr. Stone checked the knee to see if there was any tendon or ligament damage and then ordered an X-ray.

I asked about the appointment dates for the X-ray and a return visit, he said “immediately” and “right afterward.” The X-rays would take place down the hall, and I was to return to see him as soon as they were done.

So down to the X-ray lab I went.

The ladies there were great, with a couple recognizing me for writing this column every week.

I barely had time to sit down in the waiting area before my name was called.

The tech took five X-rays. The first two were with me standing. The first was straight on, and then a side-on X-ray. I felt like I had paused a dance move for that one.

Three X-rays followed with me lying on the table. I felt I was posing for a magazine (although I really don’t know who’d buy that one), with me first lying on my side, followed by two on my stomach with my right leg bent at the knee.

With the X-rays done, I thanked the staff and returned to Dr. Stone’s office, where I went straight into one of his examination rooms.

Turns out my knee is OK. Some small bone spurs and other wear and tear, but nothing major.

So, what do to about my hip? Do I continue with the cortisone shots every six months to delay surgery?

I’m young enough that doctors may very well have to replace the replacement later in life. And I’d be off work for three to six weeks But my quality of life has suffered with the hip pain. Little exercise, inability to even cut my own grass or walk any distance without pain is, well, a pain.

Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

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You know you are old when you stop off at a school to drop off your child’s lunch to be greeted by two of her classmates who are covering the front desk over the first lunch break.

Old enough for responsibility?

Already?

The two young ladies recognized me as Brenna’s father and asked if I was indeed there for her. Yep. They actually paged her, as she wasn’t in her class, but rather was in a younger grade classroom doing lunch supervision.

Responsibilities. Wow. Yet how come I have to remind her of so many chores at home? Oh, wait, because she’s almost a teenager!

Still, she’s a great kid. We may have to constantly remind her, but she doesn’t whine about stuff. I pray that trend continues.

Youth take charge

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Acoustics entice Big Sugar

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson can’t wait to play the St. Clair College Capitol Theatre later this month.

He said bandmate Kelly Hoppe, aka Mr. Chill, has been praising the acoustics in the theatre.

Considering Big Sugar’s on tour with an all-acoustic performance, it’s a match made in heaven.

“Mr. Chill lives in Windsor. He’s ranted and raved to us about it,” Johnson said of the Capitol Theatre. “It’s like a music vacation to set up on a stage that is acoustically superior.”

Johnson, reached by The Chatham Voice at his Austin, Tex. home, said he’s had the opportunity over his career to perform at Toronto’s Massey Hall, and Olympia Hall in Paris – “magical places where you open your mouth and you hear the sound throughout the room. These venues are acoustically superior. The PA is not going to save the night if the room doesn’t sound good.”

When Big Sugar takes to the stage Jan. 24 in Chatham, there will be no PA amp, rather “just a few

microphones in front of the group. It will be more like folk music,” Johnson said.

That’s a long way from the days of Johnson, with a double-necked Gibson guitar strapped over his shoulder, leading the way as the band powerfully delivered such hits as “Diggin’ a Hole,” and “Better Get Used to It.” Johnson said the tour this year is essentially a portal into how the band works when it’s not on a big stage.

“When we rehearse for a show, we don’t rent a sound stage and turn on all the equipment and lights,” he said. “Whenever we prepare or write, it’s in that format – whatever you can just carry with you. It’s pretty organic. We just add electricity to it at the last minute.”

The frontman said the band members opted to take their grab ’n’ go approach with them when they did interviews for radio stations.

“We started doing radio station visits like that a few years ago. We’d grab what we could and just go. It really sounded good,” Johnson said.

“Imagine if that was the

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 11

The Arts

Contributed image

Big Sugar will bring a grassroots acoustical performance to the St. Clair College Capital Theatre Jan. 24. Frontman Gordie Johnson, second from right, can’t wait to try out the venue’s acoustics.

whole tour – you’d carry your instrument in your bunk on the bus.”

Well, that’s pretty much what happened. The public’s large-scale exposure to the informal gatherings of the band started with the release of Big Sugar’s latest album, Yardstyle last year.

The album has a strong reggae influence as Big Sugar revisits some of their previous tunes and delivers new ones to your ears. “Turn the Lights On,” from the band’s 1998 release “Heated,” is on of their classics stripped down and laid bare on the album.

Win one of two pairs of tickets to see Big Sugar Jan. 24 at the St. Clair College Capitol Theatre!

Just look for this image in one of our stories posted online this week at chathamvoice.com. Click on the image on our website to send us an e-mail.

Give us your name and phone number, and tell us in what story you found the image. Contest will open at noon Jan. 14 and close 11:59 p.m. Jan. 18. Good luck!

“It was so beautiful to set up with no electricity, no monitors, no headphones; everyone just in a circle playing,” Johnson said. “You can even hear us talking on the album between songs.”

That you can. You can

also hear the distant chirping of tree frogs in the background throughout. It’s that organic.

“It just gave us this great feeling of musical fellowship. I felt we should share that with people,” Johnson said.

Yardstyle is one way of sharing, but the Jan. 24 show at the Capitol is much more.

“I can think of a lot of nights on tour when acoustic guitars and hand drums came out.

We might as well do it in front of people,” Johnson said. “It does let the audience get a lot closer to the musicians. You can hear so much detail in the music.”

He said to expect anywhere from eight to 15 musicians to take to the stage, sitting in the circle, enjoying their craft and sharing it with the audience.

Call or email your tip anonymously at www.crimestoppers.on.ca and click on email your tip MISSION - Crime Stoppers is a community based program that brings local citizens, the media and the police together in partnership to solve crime. This is accomplished by offering cash rewards and guaranteeing anonymity to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest of or laying of charges against criminal offenders.

PROGRAM HISTORY - Crime Stoppers began on Sept. 8th 1976 in Albuquerque New Mexico, following the senseless murder of a young university student. After 6 weeks of investigation without success, a local Canadian born detective named Greg MacAleese appealed to the public for information. Greg and a local TV station made a re-enactment of the murder and asked for anyone with information to call him. Greg guaranteed anonymity and offered a cash reward. Within 3 hours of the broadcast the detective received his first call with information. Within 72 hours two individuals were arrested and the case was cleared!

LOCAL PROGRAM HISTORY - Chatham Kent Crime Stoppers began on April 13th 1987. It is a joint effort between the public, the media and the police . Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers was originally established by our first co-ordinator Cst Dennis Poole of the Chatham Police Service. He recruited the first board of directors from the communities of Kent County and promoted the program through the media.

We believe that the reason that our program continues to enjoy world-class success is because of the tremendous teamwork of the media, the public and the police in our community. This is a perfect example of our motto “together we can make it happen”.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 12

News

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Thursday, January 15, 2015 • CKPL & CKRecreation Present “Story & Play!”

This is a unique combination of literacy and physical activity. A fun-filled story time is followed by free play with CKRecreation’s games, toys, equipment and activities. You won’t want to miss this! Starting at 10:00am. Children of all ages welcome and its FREE! Friday, January 16, 2015 • Dresden OEYC, 231 George St. N., Dresden.

Rub-a-dub-dub, Language and Literacy in the Tub! Get a free book and learn songs to use during bath time. Presenters: Tina Jamieson, SLP, Carrie Myers, ELS. 11:30am-12:30pm.

• Get “APPy” - ipad Apps Workshop. FREE working at the Chatham Branch of the CKPL. Please register to join us from 2:00pm-4:00pm.

Space is limited. Call your local branch or email cktechtrain@chatham-kent.ca.

• Meal at Branch 628 Royal Canadian Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham. 5:30pm7:00pm with choice of chicken breasts, roast beef or fish and chips for $8.00. One meat draw.

• Chatham City Singles Dance held at the Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. 8:00pm-12:30am.

Featuring DJ Dave from London.

Admission $8 (Ladies half price until 10) Cash Bar. Dress code in effect.

Saturday, January 17, 2015 • Chatham Blood Donor Clinic at The Chatham Polish Canadian Club. 281 Inshes Ave., Chatham. 9:00am-12 noon.

• Meat draw at Branch 628 Royal Canadian Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Followed by a dance from 6:15pm-11:00pm with Ridge Road. Everyone Welcome.

• MOM2MOM Resale being held from 9:00am12noon at T-bones Grill House, 953 Charing Cross Rd., Chatham. Moms selling gently used clothing and toys. Vendors onsite as well.

Monday, January 19, 2015 • iPad - iOS8 Tips and Tricks. FREE workshop at Chatham Branch of the CKPL from 9:30am-11:30am and the Tilbury branch from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Space is limited. Register by calling your local branch or cktechtrain@chatham-kent.ca.

• The Blenheim-Harwich Horticultural Society is hosting their 1st event for 2015 at 7:30pm.

Special Guest speaker is garden expert Terri Dent. 69 Ellen St., basement meeting room.

Trinity Anglican Church. Contact Terri Dent 519354-8320 or Sherry Godfrey 519-676-4541 for more details.

• Tales for 2’s. 10:00am at the Chatham branch of the CKPL. Children ages 24-36mths and parents/caregivers are invited to join us. A simple snack of juice and cookies will be served.

• Week of Prayer Services being held at First Presbyterian Church at 12noon. Mondays speaker is Rev. Paul Milward, Chris Anglican Church.

Tuesdays speaker is Rev. Barry WynVeen, First Reformed Church. Wednesdays speaker is Rev. Paul McPhail, Chatham Christian Centre. Thursdays speaker is Pastor Gord Reynolds, Gregory Drive Alliance Church and Fridays speaker is Rev. John Giurin, St. James Presbyterian Church.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 • Shuffleboard, pool and darts at Branch 628 Royal Canadian Legion, William & Colborne St., Chatham starting at 6:30pm.

• Mother Goose at the Chatham Branch of the CKPL. Children ages 0-24mths and parents/ caregivers are invited to join us for an hour program. Registration is not required. Please bring a blanket!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 • iPad - iOS8 Tips and Tricks. FREE workshop at Wallaceburg Branch of the CKPL from 10:30am-12:30am and the Dresden branch from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Space is limited. Register by calling your local branch or cktechtrain@ chatham-kent.ca • Muffins with friends party. The Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent invites the public to this annual event. 9:30am-11:00pm at St. Andrew’s Residence, 99 Park St. Free will offering to support on-going programs to support girls and women in our community, and around the world.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CitiLinx takes over inter-urban transit

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

To ring in the new year, Chatham-Kent’s inter-urban transit changed operators.

Well, yes and no.

CitiLinx won the tender to operate the buses that transport passengers between the municipality’s urban clusters. It took over from Chatham Radio Cabs.

The transition will be about as seamless as it can get. Marc Weaver, operations manager, said the same buses will roll down the roadways, driven by the same drivers.

In fact, CitiLinx and Radio Cabs have the same ownership.

Weaver said he believes in continuity.

“We kept all our same drivers. That means a lot to people. They know who the drivers are. I keep them on the same route so people can get familiar with them,” he said.

What will change, however, is

flexibility. Weaver said that as of mid-January, inter-urban transit users will be able to hop aboard a Chatham bus at no charge.

“You will be able to transfer buses.

We’ll be able to get them on a city bus and get them over to a doctor’s appointment, whatever, at no extra charge,” he said.

Weaver said the inter-urban buses are all utilized, for good reason.

“It’s a good service. It was set up that way (morning and afternoon runs) to give the people a way to get to and from work, or for someone to get to one of the hospitals. It gives them a chance to get into Chatham, do some tests and then they can go back home,” he said.

The fare prices are $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and students, and $2.50 for children aged five and under.

Morning routes begin as early as 6:15 a.m. and afternoon runs go until 9:15 p.m. For routes and times, visit cktransit.com.

Thursday, January 22, 2015 • Wallaceburg BLood Donor Clinic.

UAW Hall, 88 Elm St. South, Wallaceburg. 2:30pm-7:30pm.

• iPad - iOS8 Tips and Tricks. FREE workshop at Ridgetown Branch of the CKPL from 2:00pm-4:00pm and the Blenheim branch from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Space is limited. Register by calling your local branch or cktechtrain@chatham-kent.ca • Preschool Family Storytime, 10:00am at the Chatham branch of the CKPL. Children ages 3 or 4 years and parents/caregivers are invited to join us.

The Independence You Value.

The Peace of Mind You’ve Been Missing OUR DEDICATED & CARING TEAM

CHAP Volunteer DRIVERS Needed for Chatham-Kent. CHAP helps Seniors live independently at home! Drive seniors to appointments, groceries, banking, etc. in Chatham-Kent. Contact Marjorie for further info CHAP 519-354-6221 ext. 241.

Chatham-Kent Metal Detecting Club Meetings - Last Thursday of the Month, 7:00pm at Evangel Community Church, 76 Sandy St., enter at the back door. Guests Welcome.

VON Volunteer Visiting opportunities available call Jan 519-352-4462 ext. 5227 Toastmasters is a place where you develop and grow - both personally and professionally. Meetings are a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. Guests are always welcome. Join the Chatham-Kent Toastmasters at GreenField Ethanol, 275 Bloomfield Road on Mondays from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

Royal Canadian Air Cadets 294 (Kinsmen) Squadron is looking for new members. If you are between 12 and 18 years of age and have in interest in aviation, camping or just meeting new friends we invite you to visit us any Monday at 6:30 pm at the Chatham Armoury 280 Bloomfield Rd in Chatham. You can also contact us at 519-352-7090.

Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

PAGE 13

News

Griffith embraces team game

By Ian Kennedy cksn.ca

Growing up as your team’s leading scorer, defense often isn’t a part of the job. You’re expected to score, and others take care of stopping goals.

Seth Griffith, has always been that scorer. Now, however, with his first NHL campaign underway, he’s expected to play in all areas of the ice, and it’s a role Griffith is embracing.

For Griffith, it’s not so much a change in role, as the Wallaceburg native is still expected to score – as he did in minor hockey with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, Jr. B in St. Marys, OHL with London, and AHL in Providence – rather, it’s added responsibility.

“My role hasn’t necessarily changed,” said Griffith who has spent much of this season with the NHL’s Boston Bruins.

“It’s just more responsibility on you to do things in both ends. It doesn’t matter how many points you’re getting if you get scored on. You have to take care of your own end first, which translates into offensive chances.

“The Bruins win cups, and are a winning team every year, and you just see guys doing whatever it takes to continue winning,” added Griffith.

of my dreams come true.” puck, be tough along the wall, Three games later, Griffith and make strong plays to get the scored his first NHL goal, and puck out of your own zone,” he then, dominated the highlight said. “I’m just playing a simple reels in successive weeks in ear- game, which is what everyone ly November scoring breath- does up here. You don’t want taking goals. How did he do to get scored on. You have to it? Griffith said it was that “de- put yourself in the lane to block fense-first” team mentality that shots, and make sacrifices.” comes with playing in the NHL Not only has Griffith been that put him in the right place at soaking in lessons from his the right time. coaches, but he’s also found “Doing the little things right confidence from his teammates. led to those goals,” said Griffith about his highlight reel tallies.

“Things like going hard to net, and taking care of our own zone first. It’s not junior anymore, and you can’t Special take the time you do there Grand First Batch for all and dangle, or make fancy Opening new customers! plays. In the NHL everyone Offer is good, you’ve got to make hard plays, protect the puck, and go to the net. Doing those things right has led to those goals.”

To his credit, Griffith has been listening to his coaches, and focusing on improving defensively, which has kept him in the NHL for most of the season, despite a few demotions, and games as a healthy scratch.

350 Lacroix St., Chatham (Near Park Ave on the South Side) “Being smaller, they keep 519-351-3985 • saying to use my speed to facebook.com/carafechatham my advantage, protect the

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Seth Griffith of the Boston Bruins.

Despite his team first mentality, Griffith, who turns 22 in January, has had a season of individual firsts as well, including his first NHL game and first NHL goal.

“It was an unbelievable feeling, I was happy that my parents were there,” Griffith said about making his NHL debut.

(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

Even in that debut, however, the achievement of a lifetime goal, Griffith put his team success before personal accomplishment.

“Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted. We ended up losing; getting scored on with one-second left, but it was one

Memories for tomorrow

Upon losing his or her car keys, has your spouse ever joked, “I must be getting old!”? It certainly is frustrating to misplace everyday objects or forget our train of thought halfway through a sentence, but there is a big difference between normal memory slip-ups and age-related dementia.

According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the number of people living with this condition will double over the next 30 years.

It’s estimated that the cost burden of dementia will increase from $15 billion in 2008 to $153 billion in 2038. In terms of health care, the problem will overwhelm our society economically and socially, as families struggle to deal with affected parents.

Every five minutes someone in Canada develops dementia, which can be delayed through early intervention and preventative care. In January, Alzheimer Awareness Month, Canadians and their governments are invited to increase their awareness of age-related mental deterioration and the rising numbers of people afflicted by it.

ne. i W t a e r G ! y s a E e d Ma

The average Canadian can reduce his or her risk by: • • • • • • • • •

Being socially active Making healthy food choices Being physically active Reducing stress Using protective headgear when doing sports or taking part in outdoor winter activities Challenging their minds with new tasks at every age Avoiding harmful habits such as smoking or excessive Meadow Park Chatham alcohol consumption Long Term Care Home Getting adequate sleep Seeing their doctors regularly

By being proactive in your brain and body health today, you increase your chances of a long and healthy life.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 14

Fun Stuff 36 Leading lady?

37 Terrier type 38 Move laterally 40 Acidity factor 41 Angle 43 Read 47 Ullmann or Tyler 48 World travelers’ needs 51 Raw rock 52 Mother of Helios 53 Works with 54 Simple card game 55 Millinery 56 Knight’s wife

ACROSS 1 Hanks role 5 Love (Sp.) 9 Cauldron 12 Vicinity 13 Sandwich shop 14 Lawyers’ org.

15 Computer access codes 17 Fa-la link

18 Small chalkboards 19 Art supporter 21 Blood type 22 Antillean language 24 Osculation “tools” 27 Every iota 28 Additional 31 “- Little Teapot” 32 Greet the villain 33 Erstwhile acorn 34 Cold War initials

DOWN 1 Spaces 2 Caspian feeder 3 Arizona city 4 Penne and ziti 5 Commotions 6 Mal de 7 On in years 8 Stair part 9 Depositor’s record 10 Reed instrument 11 Lofty 16 Symbol of intrigue

20 Intend 22 Piece of garlic 23 Shaving cream additive 24 Actress Lucy 25 Online exchanges 26 Nisan holiday 27 Son of 36-Across 29 Shaft of light 30 - out a living 35 Wardrobe malfunction 37 Cover 39 Profundity 40 Energy 41 At a snail’s pace 42 100 centesimi, once 43 Unpaid TV ads (Abbr.)

44 - Major 45 Goblet part 46 Being, to Brutus 49 “Eureka!”

50 Collection

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Reach 20,000 customers each week with Chatham’s favourite community newspaper 84 Dover St., #2 519-397-2020

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS HOW TO PLACE YOUR AD IN PERSON: 84 DOVER ST. #2 CALL: 519-397-2020 EMAIL: FATIMA @CHATHAMVOICE.COM Announcements

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OBITUARIES

PAGE 15

Caring & sharing

(Douglas) Wayne Houston 74, Monday, January 5, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home M. Esther Cumming 97, Thursday, January 1, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home Joyce Spence 94, Monday, January 5, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home Lois Cameron 91, Monday, January 5, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home

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Chatham Voice photo

Erin McCord, left, and Cassiah Pegg, right, of Erin’s Dance Studio, hand the Canadian Cancer Society’s Krissy Rioux a cheque for $5,160 raised at a recent all-night dance-a-thon.

Camille Maurice Verstraete 63, Friday, January 9, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home Carol Ann Louzon 50, Friday, January 9, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home Marilyn Ruth ‘Marty’ June 84, Sunday, January 11, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home Peter James Mousseau 71, Sunday, January 11, 2015 McKinlay Funeral Home Mr. Gregory G. Reid 58,Wednesday, January 7, 2015 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home Mrs. Eertsche “Esther” Hoekstra 92,Wednesday, January 7, 2015 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Contributed image

From left, Brenda Anderson, Gord Brodie, Dianne Millard, Barb Lather – members of the Retro Sweets organizing committee – donate a cheque for $14,000 to Barbara Noorenberghe, of the Foundation of CKHA. The funds are in support of the CKHA Oncology Gift Basket Program.

Ms. Dianne Bozh 58, Friday, January 8, 2015 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home Mrs. Sylvia Butler (Horne) 83,Saturday, January 10, 2015 Alexander & Houle Funeral Home Gloria Vanderiviere 85, Monday, January 5, 2015 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Marie Cyganik 89, Wednesday, December 31, 2014 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home Mary Dawson 75, Friday, January 9, 2015 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Chatham Voice photo

From left, Make Children Better Now’s Mike Neuts, Respect Revolution performers Mackenzie French, Alyssa Doherty and Hannah Teetzel accept a $5,000 cheque from Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance personnel Joanne Vansevenant and Rose Vanthuyne.

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Contributed image

The Money Broker Inc. in Blenheim recently donated $25,000 towards the Chatham-Kent Hospice capital campaign.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 16

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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%

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

2015 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT BEST-IN-CLASS CAPABILITY∞

24,495 24495

$

0

AVAILABLE

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES FREIGHT, A/C CHARGE, TIRE LEVY AND OMVIC FEE. TAXES EXCLUDED. OTHER RETAILER CHARGES MAY APPLY.+

AND GET

% FINANCING † FOR 36 MONTHS 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE BEST NEW SUV (UNDER $35,000) 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE CANADIAN UTILITY VEHICLE OF THE YEAR

Starting From Price for 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited shown: $32,490.§

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

T:13.71”

2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CANADA VALUE PACKAGE CANADA’S BEST-SELLING MINIVAN FOR MORE THAN 31 YEARS

19,995

$

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $8,100 CONSUMER CASH,* FREIGHT, A/C CHARGE, TIRE LEVY AND OMVIC FEE. TAXES EXCLUDED. OTHER RETAILER CHARGES MAY APPLY +.

OR CHOOSE

112 @ 3.99

%

$

BI-WEEKLY FINANCING ‡

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

Starting From Price for 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Premium Plus shown: $35,690.§

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

THE ALL-NEW 2015 CHRYSLER 200 LX

MOST AFFORDABLE MID-SIZE CAR IN CANADA±

19,995

$

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $3,500 CONSUMER CASH,* FREIGHT, A/C CHARGE, TIRE LEVY AND OMVIC FEE. TAXES EXCLUDED. OTHER RETAILER CHARGES MAY APPLY +.

Starting From Price for 2015 Chrysler 200 C shown: $29,790.§

112 @ 3.99 $

OR CHOOSE

STEP UP TO THE 200 LIMITED FOR ONLY

BI-WEEKLY FINANCING‡

%

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

OR

12

$

MORE BI-WEEKLY

(With optional forward collision warning.)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

2015 DODGE JOURNEY CANADA VALUE PACKAGE CANADA’S FAVOURITE CROSSOVER^

19,995

$

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $2,000 CONSUMER CASH,* FREIGHT, A/C CHARGE, TIRE LEVY AND OMVIC FEE. TAXES EXCLUDED. OTHER RETAILER CHARGES MAY APPLY.+

OR CHOOSE

112 3.99

$

%

@

BI-WEEKLY FINANCING ‡

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

Starting From Price for 2015 Dodge Journey Crossroad shown: $31,785.§

+Your local retailer may charge additional fees for administration/pre-delivery that can range from $0 to $1,098 and anti-theft/safety products that can range from $0 to $1,298. Charges may vary by retailer.

REBUILDING YOUR CREDIT?

NON-PRIME RATES FROM ONLY 6.99% OAC≈ Wise customers read the fine print: ◊, », ‡, †, *, ≈, § The First Big Deal Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating retailers on or after January 3, 2015. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,695), air-conditioning charge (if applicable), tire levy and OMVIC fee. Pricing excludes licence, insurance, registration, any retailer administration fees, other retailer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Financing and lease offers available to qualified customers on approved credit. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Retailer may sell for less. ◊$8,500 in Total Discounts is available on the new 2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SXT 4x4 model and consists of $7,000 Consumer Cash Discount and $1,500 in Ram Truck Loyalty/Conquest Bonus Cash. See your retailer for complete details. »$1,500 Ram Truck Loyalty/Conquest/Skilled Trades Bonus Cash is available on the retail purchase/lease of 2014/2015 Ram 1500 (excludes Regular Cab), 2014 Ram 2500/3500, 2014 Ram ProMaster or 2014 Ram Cargo Van and is deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. Eligible customers include: 1. Current owners/lessees of a Dodge or Ram Pickup Truck or Large Van or any other manufacturer’s Pickup Truck or Large Van. The vehicle must have been owned/leased by the eligible customer and registered in their name on or before January 1, 2015. Proof of ownership/lease agreement will be required. 2. Customers who are skilled tradesmen or are acquiring a skilled trade. This includes Licensed Tradesmen, Certified Journeymen or customers who have completed an Apprenticeship Certification. A copy of the Trade Licence/Certification required. 3. Customers who are Baeumler Approved service providers. Proof of membership is required. Limit one $1,500 bonus cash offer per eligible truck transaction. Some conditions apply. See your retailer for complete details. ‡3.99% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on new select models through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Examples: 2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SXT 4x4 (25A+AGR)/2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab SXT 4x4 (25A+AGR+XFH)/2015 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2015 Chrysler 200 LX/2015 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package with a Purchase Price of $28,447/$31,914/$19,995/$19,995/ $19,995, with a $0 down payment, financed at 3.99% for 96 months equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $160/$179/$112/$112/$112 with a cost of borrowing of $4,828/$5,417/$3,394/$3,394/$3,394 and a total obligation of $33,275.14/$37,330.57/$23,388.63/$23,388.63/$23,388.63. †0% purchase financing for up to 36 months available on new 2015 Jeep Cherokee models to qualified customers on approved credit through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Example: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x2 (24A) with a Purchase Price of $24,495 with a $0 down payment, financed at 0% for 36 months equals 78 bi-weekly payments of $314 with a cost of borrowing of $0 and a total obligation of $24,495. *Consumer Cash Discounts are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. ≈Non-prime financing available on approved credit. Financing example: 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package with a Purchase Price of $19,995 financed at 6.99% over 84 months, equals 182 bi-weekly payments of $139 for a total finance obligation of $25,341.15. Some conditions apply. See your retailer for complete details. §Starting From Prices for vehicles shown include Consumer Cash Discounts and do not include upgrades (e.g., paint). Upgrades available for additional cost. ∞Based on 2014 Ward’s Middle Cross Utility segmentation. ±Based on 2014 Ward’s Lower Middle Sedan segmentation. Based on MSRP of base models. Excludes other vehicles designed and manufactured by Chrysler Group LLC. ^Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian Vehicles in Operation data available as of July, 2014 for Crossover Segments as defined by Chrysler Canada Inc. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC used under license by Chrysler Canada Inc.