By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
After a six-year hiatus, the Racing Against Drugs (RAD) initiative is again carrying important information to local youth.
Aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and the benefits of healthy living, more than 1,000 Grade 5 students participated in the week-long event held at Chatham’s Erickson Arena.
According to the Chatham-Kent Chapter of Racing Against Drugs board chairperson Amanda Wyatt, fifth-grade is the ideal age for young students to grasp the message.
“Grade 5 is the best time for the kids; they’re right at the time for them to start learning about the effects of drugs and alcohol,” Wyatt told reporters. “They’re going to be watching their parents at this age, so, this is a perfect time to learn how everything affects their body in this day and age.”
Learning opportunities were made available at 11 differ-
ent “pit stops,” culminating in a Fast and Furious style remote-control car race at the end. Each stop covered a different topic, ranging from smoking and vaping, to nutrition, bike safety, and the effects of impaired driving.
“The race track is the biggest one for the kids,” Wyatt said, “because we’re engaging the students. We want to make it fun; we want to make it memorable for them while reinforcing the critical safety prevention messages that all of us want to get out to these students, so they know how to deal with drugs and alcohol when they are given it.”
After RAD was derailed by the pandemic, Wyatt said organizers were forced to regroup and the board had to make sure there was enough cash on hand to rekindle the forum.
“It was perfect,” Wyatt explained. “Covid was done, so let’s try and bring back a great program for the kids and get them back involved in learning about drugs and alcohol and their safety.”
The Racing Against Drugs event is co-ordinated by staff and volunteers from various agencies, including Chatham-Kent Public Health, C-K Community Health Centre, C-K EMS, C-K Fire & Res-
cue, C-K Mental Health Table, C-K Police Service, C-K Ontario Health Team, CK Public Health, Lambton-Kent District School Board, Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent, and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
The Racing Against Drugs
program was developed by the R.C.M.P.
Anyone interested in participating in Racing Against Drugs 2027 by volunteering or hosting a pit stop is invited to contact Wyatt via email at co_chicky@ hotmail.com.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham-Kent council is giving their next version a raise.
Councillors voted April 13 in favour of the $1,840 per councillor per year increase, which comes into effect for the 2026-30 team that takes office after the Oct. 26 municipal election. The decision was approved in a six-part motion at the April 13 council meeting, following a presentation led by Wendy Vercauteren. Vercauteren, a member of the volunteer council compensation review committee, was joined by Scott McCharles and Lisa Roberts on the panel. According to Vercauteren the recommendations will add “zero additional burden” to taxpayers, as savings will be made when council shrinks from its current size of 17 members to 14. The mayor’s position remains the same.
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municipalities, attracting high-calibre leadership, acknowledging the financial position of C-K constituents and a confidential survey from current members of council.
“We decided early on that any recommendation that we were making must be fiscally defensive and taxpayer neutral and we were committed to a process that was inclusive, evidence-based and fiscally responsible.”
Wendy Vercauteren
The median personal income in Chatham-Kent is $41,630, council heard. Compare that to what C-K’s elected officials make. In 2025, the base honorarium for each councillor was $41,921, as well as honorarium-related benefits of $3,103. After the election later this year, councillors will take home $43,761, and will make more than $49,000 in the final year of that term. The first and last years are to be pro-rated. Last year the mayor pocketed $132,632 in honorariums, plus $22,561 in honorarium-related benefits. By the end of the 2026-30 term C-K’s top elected official will make just under $140,000 a year, based on an annual hike of $1,840.
Vercauteren said the strategy is to use $128,379 in savings to fund “competitive remuneration,” creating a “leaner, more streamlined council.” The committee’s recommendations come from researching comparative
“We decided early on that any recommendation that we were making must be fiscally defensive and taxpayer neutral and we were committed to a process that was inclusive, evidence-based and fiscally responsible,” Vercauteren said. During their research,
the committee decided to omit the City of London from the comparator group and added Kawartha Lakes and Norfolk County.
London was excluded, as it is transitioning to full-time councillors and has a population five times that of Chatham-Kent.
According to the committee, Chatham-Kent was the “costliest” council in the comparator group – $64,000 more than City of Guelph which was next on the list.
It also discovered the mayor’s base remuneration exceeded the median when eliminating the City of Windsor, and was $31,691 above that of the mayor of Thunder Bay, the closest municipality in population to C-K.
Downsizing will make Chatham-Kent council the fourth most expensive in the group, Vercauteren said. Council also has the lowest ratio of councillor to constituents at 7,709 constituents per councillor. Even with the reduction, C-K council will still have the smallest councillor-to-constituent ratio.
The committee also recommended that
Rehabilitation of the Wheatley water tower is underway. Municipal officials said the work is planned and will not impact water delivery or water pressure in Wheatley.
The project involves sand blasting and recoating both the interior and
funds be set aside for training and education for new councillors.
Some members of council were opposed to the changes, voting against the recommendations.
South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle asked that the motion’s recommendations be voted on separately.
They include:
• An annual increase of $1,840 for the mayor was approved 10-5 with councillors Michael Bondy; Doyle, Amy Finn, Rhonda Jubenville and John Wright voting against. Councillors Trevor Thompson and Carmen McGregor were absent from the meeting and councillor Conor Allin attended virtually.
• A fixed $1,840 increase per year for each councillor was given the green
exterior of the water tower. Safety fencing will be installed around the construction area to protect workers and the public.
The construction period will run into October. Construction is scheduled to take place between the hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with occasional work taking place on weekends.
light in a 9-6 vote. Those opposed included Bondy, Doyle, Finn, Jubenville, Wright and Alysson Storey.
• An annual healthcare spending account of $1,420 was approved 10-5 with Bondy, Doyle, Finn, Jubenville and Anthony Ceccacci voting against it.
• An updated meal allowance for each councillor was approved 11-5; ($15 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $40 for dinner.) Those opposed included Bondy, Doyle, Finn, Jubenville and Wright.
• A new councillor train-
ing fund of $3,500 was passed, with Ceccacci and Doyle voting no. • Council also agreed that any remaining funds be allocated towards a budget for attending conferences, with councillors Doyle, Finn and Jubenville voting against.
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
The recent announcement Enbridge has purchased a former Costco property in London has raised concerns the company is pulling its offices out of Chatham.
However, the messaging from Enbridge officials is London-centric at this time.
“Our focus is on planning for our recently acquired London facility, which will serve as a long term home for our London based teams,” Enbridge officials said in
an email statement. “The existing London office required updates in both space and condition, and this purchase represents an exciting investment in a modern facility that better supports our employees and day to day operations.”
Enbridge paid $25.5 million to purchase the property at 4313 Wellington Rd. just off Highway 401 in London. Costco has moved into a larger facility on Wonderland Road. This has led to speculation in Chatham-Kent that Enbridge is going to close its Keil Drive office
in Chatham. None of that has been substantiated. However, it has not been denied either.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said he knows nothing more than what Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel said to him back in October.
“He said they will always maintain a significant presence in Chatham-Kent,” Canniff said. “When he (Ebel) said it, he meant it.”
In October, rumours initially surfaced that Enbridge was leaving Chatham after the company announced restructuring plans across its operations. At that time, Enbridge officials were also quite vague in their comments.
“As part of our regular review of facilities and real estate strategy, we are exploring options to better support our team and evolving operational needs. However, no final decisions have been made, and no changes are expected in the near term,” the company said
in a media release to local media.
But Canniff admitted the term “significant presence” can mean a great deal.
“That’s what he (Ebel) told me. I was repeating what he told me,” Canniff told The Voice. “But I can’t go out and say what they are doing with their building. I can’t say what will happen in 10 years.”
But Canniff did say the municipality can work to keep Enbridge and other companies located here.
“As a municipality, we need to maintain a very positive business environment that will attract and retain business in Chatham-Kent,” he said.
“We just need to continue doing that.”
Whatever is to take place on Wellington Street in London won’t happen tomorrow.
“Over the next several years, work will be focused on planning, design and renovations, before we can welcome our London-based employees into this new office,” company officials said.
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We just want a win. You know, a time where government spending goes down.
It was there for the taking after Chatham-Kent council finally, after years of people trying to make it happen, opted to cull three council seats from the table when we go to the polls this fall.
Fewer councillors means some savings, right?
Wrong.
Instead, council approved a proposal where they all get a raise, to the tune of $1,840, starting after the fall election.
Miraculously, the raise for the 14 remaining councillors and mayor is collectively a perfect match to the salaries saved by the cutting of three council positions.
Do we blame council for voting themselves – sorry, the next version of themselves (there will be some new faces, but…) – a nearly $2,000 raise? After all, they were just rubberstamping a recommendation from a three-member panel of volunteers who reviewed the renumeration process and came up with the figure. Do we blame council? Yes.
Do we blame the committee of volunteers? Yes.
We get it that inflation is hammering everyone, and that with a smaller council the remaining members will be asked to do more. But the taxpayers could use a win. Even if it is not
a massive win dollarwise in an operating budget of close to $500 million, this would have been a very, very visible one. But that opportunity fell by the wayside.
We do understand it is not easy being an elected official these days. Online polarization on issues and beliefs are crossing into the real world, and citizens who foam at the mouth online with their respective conspiracy theorists have taken their anger into council chambers. Armchair councillors abound.
However, next year, a councillor will take home an income of nearly $44,000 for a part-time job. That income is about $2,000 more than the median annual personal income for the average citizen in C-K.
The arguments in favour of the raise are all-too regular and oh-so fatiguing: “Look what councillors make elsewhere.” “We need to pay well so we attract the best people.”
Serving the public in the capacity of an elected official used to be a calling. Now, it seems it is focused on the coin.
Can we at some point also recognize Chatham-Kent is a very unique municipality and can’t just be compared to communities of similar population sizes?
And, more importantly, please consider cost of living when setting public-sector salary levels.
The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@ chathamvoice.com.
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. A member of:
‘gaslighting’ the public
Editor: In 2019, an all-hazard investigation of well water in Chatham-Kent was undertaken by the Ministry of Health. The Investigation was motivated by complaints of private well water quality being impacted during and following construction of industrial wind turbines. Complaints cited increased turbidity and the presence of very fine black shale sediment, potentially hosting toxic metals that could represent a serious health hazard.
The investigation failed to sample sediment from any water well, leaving open the question of a potential health hazard. In its final report (December 2021), the investigation’s expert panel (on which I served) suggested that further work be carried out to properly sample and test the sediment for potential toxicity. That work was not undertaken by the MOH (Ministry of
Health).
In 2023, privately funded sampling and testing of sediment from nine wells demonstrated significant concentra tions of metals, including arsenic, barium, lead and others. The municipal council of Chatham-Kent, being made aware of those results, reached out to the MOH to request the necessary work be carried out to determine any health hazard. No response was received from the MOH.
completely avoids and deflects from the issue at hand.
In June, 2025 a petition with 1,400 signatures was presented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by MPP Bobbi Ann Brady.
That petition requested that the expert panel’s suggested toxicity studies of sediments be completed, reiterating the municipality’s request.
The punch line: on Dec. 1, 2025 the Minister of Health provided a response to the petition that
The minister did not refer to the petition’s request for studies of potential toxicity associated with metals-rich sediments in well water. Rather, the minister reminded well owners they should test water for E. coli and total coliforms. Such testing has absolutely nothing to do with the potential health hazard that motivated the petition. We might refer to the minister’s response as a non-response – effectively political gaslighting.
Ladies and gentlemen, behold your Ontario government decisively turning its back on the plight of its rural residents and the concerns of 1,400 signatories of the petition presented to the Legislative Assembly. Dr. Keith Benn Port Lambton
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Social disorder related to addiction, mental health, homelessness and poverty dominated the agenda at Chatham-Kent council April 13.
To that end, elected officials unanimously approved three motions at the meeting, following lengthy discussion on a wide range of topics – including funding recovery beds for alcoholics and drug addicts waiting for treatment.
According to South Kent
Coun. Ryan Doyle, who has been working on the issue, there’s a “significant gap” for folks waiting to get into treatment after they leave detox at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
“There’s “nowhere for them to go” Doyle told council, due to the lack of a phase 2 withdrawal management program. He used the example of Ryan’s House in Sarnia which has 12 beds available to support people who find themselves in between detox and recovery treatment. Trying to stay sober
while waiting to get into a recovery facility is difficult for people forced to return to the streets, Doyle said, noting it stops people from attempting sobriety.
“They’re not even starting recovery in the first place,” Doyle said.
In speaking to the issue, Coun. Brock McGregor said the gap illustrates the need for transitional supportive housing, showing how closely linked people’s outcomes are to a lack of available housing.
“The biggest determinant of an outcome is their income and their housing,” McGregor said.
Doyle’s motion directed administration to perhaps collaborate with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance to examine the possibility of creating a municipally funded home similar to Ryan’s House, currently operated by Bluewater Health at a cost of around $750,000 per year. Projected capital and operating costs and funding sources for a C-K facility will be probed as well.
“My hope is that we set this up infrastructure-wise and CKHA operates the home and within a year or two, we go back to the province and say, ‘This
is what we’ve set up,’” Doyle told council, and then ask for funding similar to Ryan’s House which is funded by the province.
Jubenville seconded Doyle’s comments, stating Chatham-Kent needs to “take the bull by the horn” and “do it ourselves.
“Hopefully the province will see what we’ve done and potentially support us after,” Jubenville said.
Council also reviewed an information report from staff on options to expand emergency housing, as encampments can’t be cleared unless a municipality can provide beds
for those who are pushed out.
“The report give us an idea of the scale of the issue,” said Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, who put forward the motion asking for the report.
According to McGregor the issue is huge, noting the problem can’t solely be addressed by the municipality.
“We’ve known that this has been getting worse for a decade,” he said, adding the homelessness issue stems from inadequate income supports.
Continued on page 7
Continued from page 7
“I think it also demonstrates how important it is, that we advocate to the federal government and provincial governments because the scale of this issue is enormous and we are going to need all levels of government to work together to solve it,” McGregor said.
The report outlined how C-K’s homelessness numbers continue to rise. In 2025, there was an average of 225 each month within the municipality.
Jubenville said her biggest concern is the lack of a low-barrier homeless shelter, noting resources at the tiny cabins shelter are being exhausted due to residents who are still actively using drugs.
“I like the idea of explor-
ing to see if there are any community partners that might be willing to work with us on emergency housing,” Jubenville said.
“I do think this is something that is missing in Chatham-Kent.”
Chatham Coun. Amy Finn agreed with Jubenville.
“I think at the rate the unhoused numbers are going, I don’t think we can build transitional housing fast enough,” Finn said, adding the emergency shelter topic needs to probed.
The homelessness issue has been a hot topic in C-K following the relocation of Chatham’s largest encampment from the downtown to the grounds of the water treatment plant on Grand Avenue
East last summer. Upset neighbours sparked a public outcry, noting an increase in crime in the area after the encampment took root.
The report to council will define what low-barrier means, as well as the longterm budget implications an emergency shelter could have in the future.
The municipality is currently working on developing a strategic housing plan that will return to council later this year.
The meeting also saw council approve $55,000 in spending for an independent consultant to evaluate Chatham-Kent’s encampment response protocol.
Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy put the motion forward, following an infor-
Homelessness is getting worse, not better, in Chatham-Kent.
mation report.
Bondy said the idea is to bring outside people in who specialize in dealing with homelessness, adding he thinks it’s worth it.
“To have outside eyes... they don’t know anybody,
there’s no agenda, there’s no political agenda, this is their job,” Bondy said, emphasizing the topic is an “emotional” one for people.
How C-K handles the tiny cabins transitional
housing at Pathways on Park is also part of the review. In addition, administration has been directed to bring back recommendations from the report to council for further approval.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham-Kent’s gravel roads will again benefit from the full-on application of dust suppressant
this summer. At its April 13 meeting, council awarded Den-Mar Brines Ltd. a $1.2-million contract to complete the work in 2026.
Following a question
from East Kent Coun. John Wright about an Oct. 1, deadline for application, council learned from C-K director of public works Ryan Brown that the work will be taking place as early in the
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APARTMENT BUILDING
CAMPGROUND
CAMPGROUND
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MOBILE HOME PARK
RETIREMENT HOME
RETIREMENT HOME
RESIDENTIAL LAND
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200 SITES, 34 ACRES, ASKING 5.9M
92 SITES, 50 ACRES, ASKING 3.3M NEAR LONDON, 2.7M LITRES, ASKING 2.4M
27 HOLES, GROSS 1.8M, ASKING 7M
50 SITES, ROOM FOR 50 MORE, ASKING 2.6M
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season as possible.
“The overall intention as we’ve done in previous years is to try to get the first applications of dust suppressant down as quickly as possible,” Brown said. “But as I’ve said to council before, we do come back and do touchup areas, spots we’ve graded and some that are very, very dry in the fall, so we may be asking this contractor to come out in September and that is the reason for the date.”
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tion, South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle said he wanted to make sure the public knows that dust suppressant will be applied this year.
“The overall intention as we’ve done in previous years is to try to get the first applications of dust suppressant down as quickly as possible. But as I’ve said to council before, we do come back and do touch-up areas, spots we’ve graded and some that are very, very dry in the fall.”
C-K’s Ryan Brown
In speaking to the mo-
The report states the scope of the work for the contract includes supplying and delivering liquid dust suppressants made up of calcium, magnesium and sodium chlorides to all 1,616 kilometres of Chatham-Kent’s gravel road network. Council also approved the potential of renewing the contract with DenMar for 2027 and 2028, expected to cost $1,309,437 and $1,342,173, respectively.
The cost of dust suppressant will be shared equally by all taxpayers, as the service is not being area-rated.
“We will be starting at the beginning of this year (season) and I wanted to make sure the public is aware of that,” Doyle said. The approval comes on the heels of last year’s controversy when the municipality voted to cease dust suppressant. That led to an outcry from farmers and rural dwellers across Chatham-Kent, who said road and pedestrian safety, as well as quality of life, were negatively impacted by billowing dust on gravel roads after the municipality removed the service.
As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario. We’re building mines to unlock the critical minerals the world needs.
That’s how we protect Ontario.
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
For a decade now, the Chatham-Kent Hospice has been helping local families with end-of-life care for their loved ones.
The hospice and its foundation marked the 10th anniversary of operations April 16 with an announcement of what to expect in terms of celebrations and requests this year.
Keith Graham, chair of the hospice board, said it is hard to believe 10 years have gone by.
“It seems like yesterday we were sitting in a room thinking about how we were going to raise money to do this,” he told the gathering of media, staff and volunteers. “We’ve served over 1,750 individuals and their families here at the hospice, as well as 2,500 other individuals throughout the community through our grief and bereavement program –all at no cost to them because of the generosity of our community.”
He thanked the hospice staff and volunteers, as
well as the giving community, for making it possible.
Jessica Smith, executive director of the hospice, has been involved with the facility since 2014.
For the first decade, she oversaw operations at the hospice, as well as St. Andrew’s Residence, but moved over to the hospice full time two years ago. She is proud to have worked with families of Chatham-Kent during a difficult period in their lives.
“It is never lost on me that we are invited to be part of individuals’ and families’ lives at one of the most vulnerable times in their life,” she said. “The special moments we are witness to or are part of are absolutely so special.”
Graham said the 10-year “milestone” of an anniversary will be marked over the course of 2026. It starts with the Hike for Hospice, set for May 3. At that time, the hospice will be planting a tree for each year it has been operational.
As well, there will be
numerous tours of the hospice, providing the public with a look into operations at the end-oflife-care facility.
The hospice is also partnering with Sons of Kent Brewing to launch a commemorative beer this year.
And as a step back in time, fencing will go up in front of the hospice for a time this year.
“We will have a ribbon memorial as a throwback to when we were under construction,” Graham said. “We will have a length of fence outside our Adelaide Street entrance for the community to add memorial ribbons to.”
During the construction phase of the hospice, people did just that, tying colourful ribbons in memory of a lost loved one to the fencing around the property.
Local artist Kelsey Van Raay is to work on a mural for the hospice to celebrate the anniversary as well. It is anticipated to be unveiled in the fall.
“We remain committed to continuing to meet the
needs of Chatham-Kent and continue as leaders of palliative care and grief and bereavement in our community,” Graham said. “The need for palliative care and support in our community is massive. We are simply touching the surface with what we are doing now. We want to do more.”
Marian Redford, chair of the hospice foundation board, said one area they hope to improve on is the hospice kitchen. In fact, the foundation has launched a $286,000
campaign to raise funds to upgrade the in-house kitchen.
“The kitchen is often the central space in a home; a place of relationship building and memory making. This is exactly what the hospice experience is about,” she said.
Smith agreed, adding the current setup with the kitchen and adjacent great room has lost its functionality.
“The best way I can think of to describe it is if you were to look at our kitchen, it looks great; it looks
like it has everything it needs,” she said. “But if you were to work in the kitchen, it’s not functional. There are areas that could use significant improvements.”
The intent is to expand some of the kitchen needs into the great room, Smith added.
“We want to make the whole space more functional, both for those who work in the kitchen and those who are welcomed into the space as our residents and families,” she said.
Ignite Volunteerism
A year-long, nation-building celebration
National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. Today, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, the expression of civic life has evolved. Whether online, at the office, or the local food bank; whether with a vote, a voice, or a wallet –doing good comes in many forms, and we recognize and celebrate them all.
Ignite Volunteerism is a year-long effort to elevate the role of civic participation, rebuild volunteer infrastructure, and celebrate volunteer stories.
This National Volunteer Week (April 19-25, 2026) we will celebrate the ways in which people in Canada have ignited volunteerism in their communities, aligning NVW 2026 with Ignite Volunteerism, deepening our collective impact.
Historically, Canada has had a robust and resilient volunteer sector. From coast to coast to coast, people have come together in a myriad of ways—to lend a hand or an ear, to share a skill, or to donate time or resources.
St. Andrew’s Residence is an independent, not-for-profit, charitable organization. For over 50 years we have fulfilled our mission to support the growing and changing needs of seniors in Chatham-Kent.
If you have a passion for seniors, interest in non-profit organizations and a strong sense of community then join our mission to enrich the lives of seniors in Chatham-Kent
And that’s still happening today. However, over the last few years, the volunteer sector has faced uncertainty. Declining volunteer rates and challenges in recruiting and retaining those volunteers, coupled with an ever-increasing demand for services, has resulted in growing social and economic vulnerability for people in Canada. Through these challenging times, volunteer organizations continue to serve their communities without a comprehensive support system to meaningfully engage volunteers and to address persistent barriers that keep volunteering out of reach for many in the first place.
In the face of urgent challenges—such as the rising costs of living, our aging population, the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing loneliness pandemic and the climate crisis—it is more important than ever to revitalize volunteerism in Canada.
If you’d like more information on the National Volunteer Action Strategy or would like to get involved, please email Harar Hall, Policy and Research Coordinator at hhall@volunteer.ca.
Visit https://volunteer.ca/national-volunteer-week
Strategies to find the right volunteer
Volunteering is one way to give back to the community, and also for people to give back to themselves. Individuals can reap many benefits from volunteering, including improving self-esteem and building professional relationships. With so much to be said for volunteering, people may wonder how to find the best places to volunteer their time and skills. Finding the right match takes a little bit of effort, and these strategies can further such attempts.
• Focus on your passions. A great place to begin when considering volunteering is to identify causes you are passionate about. Consider your hobbies, social issues that matter to you and your own professional experience. This process can help narrow down some volunteering options.
• Identify your skills and what you have to offer. Nonprofit groups often seek people who can help them in specific areas. Skills like fundraising, public relations, marketing, or event planning are highly
valuable within the nonprofit community.
• Try a short-term project. When testing the volunteering waters, it might be best to start small. You can take on a shortterm project or commit to a few hours per week. If an opportunity does not seem like the right fit, you can move on to something new relatively easily.
• Determine your availability. Figure out how much time you can realistically commit to an organization. A group that requires daily effort might not be the right fit if you only have a few hours a week to spare.
• Seek recommendations from individuals you trust. Talk to friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family to ask if they can offer insight about volunteer organizations based on their own experiences.
• Think about your reasons for volunteering. Ponder why you want to get involved in charity work. Some people want to network while others want to gain new experiences. For others, volunteering is a means to getting involved with a charity that supports an effort near to their hearts. Knowing why you want to
volunteer can help you narrow down the opportunities. While volunteering is a meaningful experience for those involved, it can take time and effort before those who want to give back find the right opportunity to do so.
Volunteers typically offer their time and services in an effort to help others, but researchers believe volunteering has a profound effect on individuals who lend a hand, particularly when those pitching in are children and teenagers. A 2023 study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that volunteering is associated with improved overall health and wellness among children and ado-
lescents. Researchers behind the study found that children who volunteered were 34 percent more likely to be in excellent or very good health compared to peers who did not volunteer. In addition, 66 percent of child and adolescent volunteers were more likely to be seen as “flourishing” and 35 percent were less likely to develop behavioral problems compared to their peers who did not volunteer. These findings are nothing to scoff at, as mental health issues continue to affect young people at rates that many find alarming. For example, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates nearly one in three girl high school students considered suicide in 2021. Though additional research into a potential link between volunteering and improved mental health among modern adolescents is necessary, it’s worth nothing that studies have long since determined that volunteering is good for volunteers’ mental health, with volunteers often reporting greater life satisfaction than individuals who do not volunteer.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
The Ontario Land Tribunal has approved a developer’s request to build a nine-storey 87-unit apartment building in south Chatham.
This despite the fact that in 2025 council vetoed the project, voting against
a recommendation from Chatham-Kent’s planning department to allow it to proceed.
Discussed in open council April 13, the OLT ruling elicited strong words from councillors with different perspectives. Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor said following the file for the past two years has been “frustrating,” stating
How seniors can find a suitable volunteering
that once a matter goes to the OLT, council’s influence on development is lost.
“I think when we look at this decision, we delayed significantly, development of housing in our community, in an environment where we have a shortage of housing,” McGregor told council. “From an accountability and trans-
parency perspective, the community should have eyes on this. We had all the information we needed at numerous points to inform this decision. This was an avoidable outcome. It was a bad outcome for the municipality. It was a bad outcome for taxpayers. It was a bad outcome for neighbourhood residents.”
The developer’s bid to build the complex at 50 Indian Creek Rd. W. was submitted to the municipality in September 2024 and first came to council for public input in January 2025. From the outset, it faced strong opposition from neighbouring residents who cited privacy concerns related to the structure’s height, as well
as worries about traffic. Council subsequently postponed making a decision on the project. In turn, the developer appealed it to the OLT based on what’s termed a “non-decision.”
Originally, C-K planning services recommended council accept a settlement proposal.
Continued on page 18
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that engages people from all walks of life. While young adults and adults in middle age may find it hard to squeeze volunteering into their schedules, retirees are free of many of the professional and personal obligations that prevent younger adults from volunteering. Retirees can reap some unique benefits from volunteering. Volunteering can provide retirees new opportunities to socialize, which can help them avoid feelings of social isolation and loneliness that many seniors confront after retiring. Volunteering also can provide an opportunity for seniors to utilize their professional expertise to the benefit of others. With so much to gain from volunteering, retirees can start looking for opportunities in their communities. Many such opportunities exist, and the following tips can help retirees find the most suitable one for them.
• Identify your motivation to volunteer. Identifying why you want to volunteer can be a great first step. Many retirees who had long and distinguished careers in the professional arena aspire to give back by employing their expertise in new ways. For example, retired attorneys may want to volunteer with a nonprofit organization that provides free legal advice to those who cannot afford to hire their own legal representatives. Once retirees have identified why they want to volunteer, they can then look for opportunities that align with that motivation.
• Consider any potential limitations you have. Some volunteering opportunities are physically demanding, which makes them difficult for retirees. Seniors may not be able to handle a volunteering opportunity that requires heavy lifting or one that asks volunteers to spend hours on their feet. Be honest about any physical limitations, and discuss any uncertainty you might have with your health care provider before committing
to a volunteering gig.
• Decide how much time you can volunteer. Volunteering is often characterized as a rewarding experience that offers homebound seniors a chance to get up and go. But some retirees already have active social lives, so it’s imperative that prospective volunteers identify how much time they have to volunteer. Many organizations allow volunteers to determine how much time they spend volunteering, but others may ask more of volunteers in regard to a time commitment. For example, volunteering to organize community events may require a significant time commitment that some retirees do not necessarily want to make.
ation before they begin searching for the right opportunity to give back.
There are many great reasons to volunteer. Retirees considering volunteering can give the prospect ample consider-
Continued from page 17
In that settlement, the developer agreed to lower the building from nine to eight storeys and to transfer a portion of land for a future road extension. The land that would have been transferred is valued at between $100,000 to $200,000.
In November 2025, the OLT ruled that the developer could proceed with
its initial proposal, meaning the structure is allowed to go ahead at nine storeys. No land transfer will take place.
South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle expressed dismay about the tribunal decision. He said he wasn’t aware the developer could take it to the OLT in 90 days if council did nothing.
“That would have been
key information for us to know,” Doyle said. “We knew full well that residents weren’t going to be happy with a nine-storey building there.
“That kind of set us up not to win this right off the bat,” he added. “It (the build) does not fit with the neighbourhood, so in my opinion, I don’t think this should have been recommended to us at all in the
first place. It should have been declined.
“I’m very sorry for constituents,” Doyle said. “I apologize. This is one that got through. We were told we weren’t going to win and we couldn’t send anyone to fight it. But in turn, that’s not accurate.”
According to C-K corporate communications manager Eric Labadie, the municipality was repre-
sented at the hearing by external counsel, noting the C-K’s transportation and traffic concerns about the project were raised at the hearing and were identified in the opening submissions.
C-K officials stated that if council chooses to fight a planning matter, the municipal planning department can’t represent the municipality at the OLT,
as C-K’s planning department took the position the project should have gone ahead at eight storeys and the settlement offer should have been accepted.
The developer conducted two traffic studies on the matter. The second was done after councillors pointed out the first one did not include traffic created by nearby schools into account.
The Chatham Voice
A new book by author Ray Robertson will be the topic of discussion at the Chatham library April 29.
Titled ‘The Right to Be Wrong,” the book is the latest release by the Toronto-based writer who was born and raised in Chatham.
The event, running from
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., will celebrate the launch of the new work, featuring a talk about the book, writing, ideas and the importance of intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and respectful dialogue in today’s world.
“Chatham-Kent Public Library is proud to host author talks that
celebrate book launches, highlight Canadian writers, and connect our community with meaningful ideas and conversation,” said Erin Auger, manager of public services for the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
According to a library media release, Open Book has praised The Right to Be Wrong, describing it
as “sharp, accessible, and laced with keen humour, even as it tackles serious ground.”
Coun. Alysson Storey said it’s important to celebrate local creative voices.
“Supporting artistic talent from Chatham is so important – to inspire others and to remind each other of the wide
variety of immense talent coming from our community,” said Storey in the release. “Ray’s perspective is an interesting and unique one during a time of political strife and uncertainty. The need for robust and respectful disagreement and debate is more important than ever.”
The event will include
a moderated conversation between Ray Robertson and Storey, followed by an audience question-and-answer period. The initiative is supported by the Hydro One Community Benefits Fund.
The free event is open to the public and all are welcome. Books will be available for purchase.
Thursday, April 23, 2026:
• Join us every Thursday afternoon from 1-4pm at the Merlin Legion for a Music Jam. Donations welcome. Bring out your singing voice and instruments to have a great afternoon!!
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• A Spring Art Exhibition: An Inspired Collection of Original Works by local artist Regina M. Stockus. A portion of the proceeds to support Ursuline College – Chatham Culinary Dept. Thurs. April 23 – Sun. April 26. 4:008:00pm. 101 King St. West, Chatham. The Boardwalk Building, 1st floor. Free admission.
• Free Community Meal – 4th Thursday of every month from 5:306:30pm @ St Paul’s Congregational Church 450 Park Ave. W. Chatham. Everyone welcome.
Friday, April 24, 2026:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Supper served 4:00–6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Liver & Onions or Fish & Chips, $15.00 (HST included). Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-3515639. 5:15pm is weekly Catch-TheAce draw (tickets purchased at the bar). Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Merlin Legion, 2 Stanley St. Check the Merlin Legion Facebook Page or call legion for meal update. Contact 519-689-4884 for more information.
• Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St is a Sweet & Sour Chicken Breast with potatoes, vegetables, coleslaw and a bun. Dine ins $14 and pickups $15. All meals are served at 6pm. Please call 519-352-8291 to order. Everyone welcome.
Saturday, April 25, 2026:
• Bill’s Place Drop In. 11:00am–2:00pm. Come spend some time in the safety of Bill’s Place. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask questions, read a book, or about life or what we’ve been working on. Come and go as you please. No RSVP needed! All ages welcome.
• Learn to Juggle at the Chatham Branch of the CKPL in the Meeting Room. 11:00am-12:00pm. All materials provided. Adults ages 16+ of all skill levels welcome. Registration required call 519.354.2940 email cklibrary@chatham-kent.ca or text 519.401.7174.
• Consider joining in on a fun day of cards, as it is the Euchre Tournament at the Merlin Legion. Registration is at 11am and cards start at 12 noon.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 10:00am–9:30pm. Line Dancing lessons 10:00am-12 noon. Come in and join the draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open 3:00pm–5:30p.m. Come out and check out our menu. Entertainment by Second Round band 4:30-9:30 pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Sunday, April 26, 2026:
• Classic Country Jamboree from 1:30pm-5:30pm at the Merlin Legion, 2 Stanley St., followed by a Spare rib dinner for $15. No Frills meal & hamburgers also available. Bring your dancing shoes and don’t miss the fun event. Please contact 519-476-5870 to book your spot. Take outs also available. $5 entry with musicians/ singers are free.
• The CK Singers are pleased to present their spring concert at 2:30pm at First Presbyterian Church in Chatham. With tunes as varied as Mama Mia to Wind Beneath my Wings to Seize the Day, you’re bound to hear a favourite song from the past. Special guests and a freewill offering to a local charity. Join us for an entertaining afternoon of music.
• Afternoon Gospel Program at Campbell AME Church. 104 King St. E., Chatham. 3:00pm. Various gospel singers & dinner to follow.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026:
• Chatham Camera Club Meeting at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 255 Tweedsmuir Ave West at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:45pm. Jonathan Beauvais will present a brief introduction to Darktable. It will also be Print Night, bring in a print of any size, any subject for display and discussion. Refreshments will be served. Call (519) 350-1672 for further information.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti with meat sauce. Come play Euchre at 1:00pm or spend the evening playing shuffleboard or euchre starting at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Our daily special is meatloaf dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. Fun Darts at 7:00p.m. Members & non-members welcome.
• Learn to Juggle at the Chatham Branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library in the Meeting Room. 4:00pm-5:00pm. All materials will be provided. Adults ages 16+ of all skill levels are welcome. Registration is required, call 519.354.2940, email cklibrary@chatham-kent.ca or text 519.401.7174.
Thursday, April 30, 2026:
• Join us every Thursday afternoon from 1-4pm at the Merlin Legion for a Music Jam. Donations welcome. Bring out your singing voice and instruments to have a great afternoon!!
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre at 1:00 p.m. Members & non-members welcome.
Thursday, April 30, 2026:
• Join us every Thursday afternoon from 1-4pmat the Merlin Legion for a Music Jam. Donations welcome. Bring out your singing voice and instruments to have a great afternoon!!
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Friday, May 1, 2026:
• The Chatham-Kent Quilters’ Guild is hosting “Stitches In Bloom” quilt show at St. Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave. W. Chatham ON. Admission $10. Features besides the huge display of beautiful quilts include Marianne’s Market, Vendors, food trucks, and a quilt raffle. 10 a.m.5 p.m. More info at www.ckquiltguild. com.
• Bill’s Place Drop In. 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Come spend some time in the safety of Bill’s Place. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask questions, read a book, or about life or what we’ve been working on. Come and go as you please. No RSVP needed! All ages welcome. 48 Centre St. Chatham
Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Call – leave message – 519-350-3462
Alcholics Anonymous Chatham-Kent. Call or Text 519-360-5246 or see our website aachathamkent.com.
Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com
DOWN 1. Bridge building degree 2. Expression of sorrow or pity 3. Large, stocky lizard 4. Romanian river 5. Communica -tion
6. Stoats
7. Showcases
8. Bird of prey
9. King of Thebes
10. Cleaving tool
1. Egyptian bull-god
5. Romanian monetary unit
8. Will Ferrell holiday film
11. “It Ain’t Half Hot Mum” actor
13. Error-related negativity
14. Volcanic crater
15. Boston Herald columnist Margery
16. True market value
17. Italian term for exchange rate
18. Informal loan clubs
20. Men’s fashion accessory
21. Children’s craft supply
22. Extra benefits
25. In an early way
30. A judge has one
31. Soviet Socialist Republic
32. Tractor unit
33. Defunct supercomputer developer
38. Promotional materials
41. A forgetful state
43. One who beheads
45. Photographers
48. Small, rich sponge cake
49. Clergy’s vestment
50. Expressed pleasure
55. Abba __, Israeli politician
56. Zero
57. Ancient Greek word for “earless”
59. Nigerian governmental area
60. Mild expression of surprise
61. Places to hang things
62. Keyboard key
63. Make a mistake
64. One-time president of Republic of Korea
12. Large African antelope
14. Three are particularly notable
19. Meet one’s needs
23. C. European river
24. Dictator
25. Indicates how much out of 100 (abbr.)
26. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet
27. Consume food
28. Woman (French)
29. Scrape a surface
34. Green vegetable
35. Pacific Standard Time
36. Capital of Brazilian city
37. Paddle
39. Cause to become insane
40. Drier and flakier
41. Mimic
42. ESPN personality Kimes
44. One who moves slowly
45. Secret political clique
46. Behind the stern of a ship
47. Supernatural force
48. Sanctuary
51. Swiss river
52. Grayish white
53. Engrave by coating
54. North Carolina university
58. Midway between south and southeast
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative
pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Leading provincial officials paid a visit to the University of Guelph/ Ridgetown College campus recently to mark the completion of $49 million worth of investment into high-speed Internet. The effort, which includes access for an additional 4,851 Chatham-Kent homes, farms and busi-
nesses, drew praise from dignitaries.
Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones – who also serves as Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness – said the improvements are critical to the farming industry.
“That’s what these investments do, They bring our farms and agribusinesses to the modern age and will help make us globally competitive.”
- MPP Trevor Jones
Jones said the work is “helping close the connectivity gaps” in Ridgetown and the surrounding area.
“Farms and agribusinesses are right now in
Provincial dignitaries gathered in Ridgetown to mark the completion of a $49-million provincial investment to boost access to high-speed Internet in the region. Celebrating the win are Northern Frontenac Telephone Company vice-president Grant Roughly; Minister of Agriculture Trevor Jones; Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff; Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault; Dr. Rene Van Acker, president and vice-chancellor, University of Guelph; and Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff.
the future,” Jones told reporters, noting connectivity needs to be seamless and in “real time.
“That’s what these investments do,” he added.
“They bring our farms and agribusinesses to the modern age and will help
make us globally competitive.”
His words were echoed by Sam Oosterhoff, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, who also attended the announcement.
“Our government is con-
Members of the Black community who exemplify strength, resilience and excellence were recently recognized at the Chatham-Kent 2026 Black Excellence Awards.
Selected by an independent committee, the awards commemorate outstanding individuals and organizations who have made meaningful contributions to the community through leadership, innovation, advocacy and service. This year marks the first time the awards are named after influential Black pioneers with ties to Chatham-Kent – individuals whose legacies continue to shape and inspire future generations.
Celebrated in 2026 are:
Magdiel Hoste; recipient of the Josiah Henson Legacy of Leadership Award; Edna Cornwall-Shadd, the Dr. Sophie B. Jones Wellness & Resilience Award; My Carrington, the Artis Shreve Lane Creative Excellence Award; Anna Koleosho, the North Star Emerging Leaders
Award (Ages 13–17); Shantoya Brown, the North Star Emerging Leaders Award (Ages 18–25); Shawna Regan, Health House, the Henry Weaver Black Business Excellence Award; Arnold Robbins, the Chatham Coloured All-Stars Athletic Excellence Award; Adana
Fraser, the Hugh Burnett Social Justice & Changemaker Award; and Ed Robbins with the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Educational Impact Award.
The 2026 Black Excellence Awards & Gala event took place April 18, at the Everest Convention Centre.
tinuing to make major progress on filling critical service gaps, which will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of residents, businesses and visitors across Southwestern Ontario,” Oosterhoff said. “Expanding reliable, high-speed Internet is not a luxury, it is essential to daily life in today’s digital world. That’s why we’re making historic invest-
ments to fund the critical infrastructure that will help build a more connected and competitive Ontario, today and for decades to come.”
The milestone marks the completion of another range of key projects under Ontario’s plan to invest nearly $4 billion to bring high-speed Internet access to every corner of the province.
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
When York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd. meets the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in Superior Court Sept. 21,
Margaret Ann Doman
84, Friday, April 10, 2026
zoning will be the only topic on the table.
That’s according to C-K administrators who spoke to the matter at council April 13. Following the update, council approved up to $250,000 in funding for legal- and expert-relat-
Irwin "Ike" Erickson
ed costs connected to the ongoing fight that’s crested the two-year mark In response to questions from North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail, council learned about next steps in the “Defend Dresden” battle against York1’s
plan to expand the Irish School Road site’s existing landfill and build a regenerative recycling facility north of the community. Impacts from heavy truck traffic, water pollution and the landfill’s close proximity to
Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Iréne Reininger
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Tom Dixon
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Badder Funeral Home
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94, Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Badder Funeral Home
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Tuesday, April 14, 2026
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Thursday, April 16, 2026
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50, Wednesday April 1, 2026
Blenheim Community Funeral Home
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Blenheim Community Funeral Home
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Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
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Alexander & Houle Funeral Home
Marie Diane Miller
87, Thursday, April 9, 2026 Life Transitions
Albert Ernest Olds
84, Saturday, April 11, 2026 Life Transitions
Joseph Roger St. Pierre
90, Monday April 13, 2026 Life Transitions
Theresa Marie Dent
75, Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Life Transitions
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Cavanagh Funeral Home
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67, Tuesday, April 14, 2026
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83, Sunday, April 12, 2026
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Tim Larkin
79, Sunday, April 12, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Jean Knight
81, Sunday, April 12, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Dresden schools and the downtown are among the concerns that have been expressed by opponents. In the civil matter served on Chatham-Kent last November, York1 contended it is exempt from Planning Act regulations the municipality said are necessary for the project to proceed. The company maintained that the project can proceed under the existing landfill application that is some 40 years old.
York1’s position is that it doesn’t need additional approvals because of prior work that occurred at the site.
As for timing of the hearing, council heard from C-K legal services director Emily Crawford it will likely take one day and will probably be done virtually.
Crawford said a decision is unlikely to be given on the actual date, stating a judgment will probably come later.
“Typically, on a court application of this nature in Superior Court, the judge will do what’s called ‘reserve,’ meaning the judge will take some time to consider the arguments of the parties and then issue a written decision to the parties after the fact,”
Crawford told council.
hopefully through this agenda item, we will continue to support next steps and the fight,” McGrail said. “You know this is a very unique situation that we’re in these days and to us as Chatham-Kent, very unprecedented.”
Last June the province passed Bill 5, which allows the government to declare “special economic zones” to protect Ontario in the wake of the U.S.-led trade war. The legislation singled out the York1 site and removed a government-mandated environmental assessment from the project, stating its development is necessary to “protect Ontario.”
A public meeting on the issue is also on the agenda, but details haven’t been finalized.
Deputy CAO Dave Taylor said Chatham-Kent still hasn’t gotten through all of the legal materials it has been served with by York1 and that needs to be completed prior to a public meeting.
“We have asked York1 for more information about what they’re actually proposing, to actually give us the details, but they still have not provided that to us,” Taylor said.
Where the hearing will be held is still up in the air, she added, noting it’s a good possibility it will be virtual.
“Almost all civil matters are heard virtually right now,” the lawyer explained, adding the public will be able to access the hearing online.
In her comments, McGrail told council she wanted the public to be aware of what the municipality is facing in September and what stakeholders should prepare for.
“I want to start by saying thank you to council and to our neighbours and residents that have supported Dresden so far, and
CAO Michael Duben pointed out that the September hearing will only be addressing the zoning issue and won’t touch on anything to do with an environmental assessment.
“What the court is dealing with is a very narrow issue and so I know there’s a lot of folks in the community who will wonder why they’re not talking about some of those environmental assessment issues that would otherwise come up if you’re talking about approving the project,” Duben said.
In her comments, North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville echoed McGrail, stressing the September hearing has nothing to do with Ontario’s Bill 5.
Theresa Marie Dent passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Terri was born in Chatham in 1950 to the late Isabelle and Alfonse Martens. She was the beloved wife and best friend of Ron. For over 55 years, they built a wonderful life together. Terri also leaves behind her siblings, Phil, David, Paula, Chris and Steven and her sister-in-law, Sharon Carey. Her dear friends will miss Terri: Peter and Sheryl Scholze, Cathy Fancy, Denise Leitenberger and Michael Murphy. She will also be missed by her cat companions, Cresy and Auto. Several slow pitch teams and the Dresden Legion fastball team once enjoyed Terri’s talents. She also competed in the men’s AAA racquetball division. For over 30 years, Terri worked at Union Gas. An avid gardener, Terri’s beautiful work won numerous awards and she was a guest speaker at many horticultural societies. Thank you to the Chatham Kent Hospice for their wonderful care, to Dr Hoffman and to the emergency room staff at CKHA. The family would also like to thank Life Transitions for their compassionate care during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chatham Pet and Wildlife Rescue or to Chatham Kent Hospice. “I’ll see you on the other side.” Love, Ron. All services entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Services Inc.
Joseph Roger St. Pierre, known to all as Roger, lived a vibrant and full life for 90 years. He passed away on April 13, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, craftsmanship, and devotion to his family. Roger was the cherished husband and “love of his life” to Mary Hazel (Dauphinais) St. Pierre, with whom he shared nearly 64 years of marriage and countless travel adventures. He was a dedicated father to Lisa (Rick) Walker and Gregory (Masako) St. Pierre. His greatest joy, however, was his role as a “Special Papa” to Cole, Dove, Zoe, and Rosie. In his eyes, his grandchildren could do no wrong, and he beamed with pride at every one of their milestones. Born in Chatham to the late Ralph and Mary (Barnier) St. Pierre, Roger is reunited in peace with his siblings: Yvonne Lemesurier, Roy St. Pierre, Diane Crowder, and his baby brother, Ralph Jr. He was a beloved brother-in-law to Sandra (Charlie) Dries, Hank (Barbara) Dauphinais Jr., Marie Gardiner (Barry Marcotte), Mary Lou (JB) Trahan, Penny (Charles) Authier, Yvette (Terry) Copeland, and Robin Dauphinais. Roger was a man of many talents—a true jack-of-alltrades who could fix anything he touched. Whether he was meticulously maintaining the house, crafting treasures out of wood, or tinkering with old cars and tending to his garden, he took immense pride in his work. This work ethic was also evident during his many years of dedicated service at Fram/Siemens. Beyond his handiwork, Roger was the ultimate host. He loved to hold court behind the bar at family gatherings, ensuring everyone’s glass was full and their hearts were light. A gifted storyteller with a joke for every occasion, he made friends wherever he went. Whether wintering at Seaspray in Florida, sitting on the front porch at Pamela Crescent, or more recently, enjoying dinner time at the Grand Retirement Resort, Roger was always the life of the room. Even in his later years, he greeted the world with a friendly “Bonjour” and his trademark optimism: “So far, so good.” The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the caregivers from the Alzheimer’s Society and Bayshore for their exceptional care. Special thanks also goes to the doctors and nurses at CKHA—both in Emergency and Medicine A—for the profound kindness and dignity shown to Roger until the very end. A mass for Roger will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merlin at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Roger’s memory are asked to consider a donation to the CKHA or Outreach for Hunger. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc.
steam carpet cleaning, area rugs, and upholstery. GROUT CLEANING, DUCT CLEANING. Call Alec - 25+ Years Experience. 226-229-0451. greenandspotless@gmail.com. We are local Chatham-Kent Residents.
Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-727-8894.
Wanted: Scrap air conditioners, a/c condensers, dehumidifiers. Phone 226-229-2614.
Office Space for Rent. Close to down-
with river front views. Lots of parking. $500, everything
Phone 226-229-1475.
Chatham Baptist Chapel “Come out, All Are Welcome” Sunday Services 11am and 7pm Wednesday Bible Study 7pm Go to www.chathambaptistchapel. com to watch sermons.
Looking to Buy: a used Chrysler 300 car. Could yours be the one? If so, please phone and ask for Rosalie. This is a private sale for my own use. 519360-9191.
MUST GO 1985 Maxim X Motorcycle. (80,407 km)
Windshield, dark blue Boss300W stereo. Runs great, ready for the road. Box of extra parts. New battery & battery tender. Always stored indoors.
Asking $1000. Helmets included. 519-3547023.
6050 BTU Window Air Conditioner. Used one season. $120. Call or text 548996-7453.
Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-3543411
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The Chatham Voice is looking for carriers in the following ares:
• Campus Pkwy, University Dr, Collegiate Dr, Academy Cres
• Scane St, Foster St, Baxter St. & St. Patrick St.
• Henry O’way, Briardene St, Ardleigh St & West Minister
Email for more info! michelle@chathamvoice.com 519-397-2020
