Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
left, Frankie Foex (Ursula), Anthony Vaz (Sebastian), Leah Jackson (Ariel),
Mathew Cartier (Scuttle)
Health Alliance cutting 49 jobs
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
In an attempt to bring down its deficit, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is eliminating 49 staff positions.
At a March 31 media conference, hospital officials announced a six-month restructuring plan that includes the reduction of staffing “float pools.”
But no layoffs are expected, as administration plans to achieve the cuts by not filling vacancies and through attrition.
In speaking to reporters, CKHA president and CEO Adam Topp said it’s expected that through “natural turnover” – around six per cent a year – all 49 jobs will be “absorbed” without anyone leaving the organization.
He admitted the change is worrisome for staff.
“We’re going through the collective agreement so there’s a process that we follow,” Topp explained when asked how the cuts will be addressed. Various departments will be affected.
“I think with this type of news it’s stressful for staff,” Topp said. “We’ve made sure there’s an employee assistance program in place on site for the staff that are affected. People were anticipating some of these changes but having said that, it’s still very difficult for people to work through especially as people don’t know how exactly it’s going to affect them.”
According to Topp, the current size of the hospital’s float pools was set during pandemic at a time when staff vacancies hovered around 15 per cent as the CKHA managed COVID-related sick time.
Post-pandemic, that vacancy number has been shaved to less than two per cent.
As it stands, 19 of the 49 jobs affected are presently vacant. There are 25 additional vacancies within the CKHA that will support a redeployment process which could include reassignment, transfer, voluntary departure and po-
tential layoffs.
A total of 32 full-time and 17 part-time roles are involved, covering a range of jobs from nurses to support staff who step up to take shifts when someone is absent.
Overall, 27 float pool positions will be cut, with the rest coming from other areas such as surgery and dialysis.
Similar to other Ontario hospitals, CKHA is facing financial and operational pressures resulting from rising costs, an aging population, increasingly complex care and aging infrastructure. Problems with the hospital’s boilers are a case in point, Topp said, with CKHA having to rent two boilers to handle the issue until a permanent solution is found.
The latest round of staff cuts follow on the heels of staff reductions made last November, when eight leadership jobs
were eliminated.
“We are working very diligently to balance our budget,” Topp explained, noting other projects are in the works to reduce the deficit. “We certainly don’t know what our future funding picture looks like either, so I won’t say that this is the end, but I will say this is a major part of our multi-year plan to address our deficit.”
CKHA is expected to save $3.5 million annually through the float pool staffing cuts, Topp said, beginning in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The hospital’s budgeted deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which just ended, is $4.8 million.
The budgeted deficit the board approved for the next fiscal year for 2026-27 is $4.2 million.
How much government funding CKHA will get from Ontario Health is still up in the air, Topp said.
Contributed image
Administration at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is cutting 49 positions in an effort to bring down the hospital’s deficit. The reductions will come from existing vacancies, shuffling positions, and attrition.
Easter Bunny, FreeHelp deliver smiles
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative
pamwrightlji@gmail.com
For the first time, FreeHelpCK volunteers have hopped up to provide Easter food baskets for those in need.
That’s according to executive director Geri Hughson who spearheaded expanding the non-profit’s efforts to include a special gift from the Easter Bunny.
“We will be doing this every year from now on,” Hughson told The Voice, adding that 125 Easter food baskets were distributed to local residents this year. Plus, more than 100 people were treated to a hot dinner on Monday.
But just as critical, said Hughson, is being able to chat with folks during a visit.
“To be able to check in with people and talk, asking them if they took their medication and things is just as important,” Hughson said.
“A lot of people are lonely and this is a great way to connect with them.”
$2.4M
The Chatham Voice
Dave
with FreeHelpCK’s first
iday, and another 100
Crystal Jinco, recipient of one of the baskets, said it means her family will be able to celebrate with an Easter dinner.
“Times are tough,” Jinco explained. “Taxes went up today, nobody can afford anything.”
Aimed at providing food for those aged 65 years and up, FreeHelpCK cooks and delivers 225 hot meals a week, totalling 1,491 meals in the month of March.
Hughson said the meals are made possible through the generosity of many donors and volunteers.
expansion
pleased to see the company grow.
Chatham-Kent has paved the way for the construction of a new KentErie Glass & Lock facility at 800 Junction Ave. in Chatham.
At its March 23 meeting, council approved a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) property tax increment equivalent grant agreement offsetting tax increases as a result of improvements due to the development of an employment-use property.
According to a report from administration, total construction value for the new build is estimated at more than $2.4 million.
Economic Development Services director Stuart McFadden said he’s
“Kent-Erie Glass & Lock have been serving the community for over 30 years and it’s wonderful to see them expanding their operations in a new facility at 800 Junction Ave. in Chatham,” McFadden said in an email statement. “Council approved Phase 1 of 3 planned for this site and we appreciate Kent-Erie Glass & Lock’s investment and belief in Chatham-Kent.
“The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) was created to inspire development and support business owners that choose to build new facilities or expand their current footprint which creates new jobs,” McFadden said.
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Steve Vanroboys,
Hughson and Owen Horton were among the volunteers who pitched in to help
Easter campaign. Some 125 people received a box of food to celebrate the hol-
were served a hot dinner on Easter Monday.
UCC students wade into new show
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Students at Ursuline College Chatham are preparing to take the plunge into their latest play, Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
The cast has been rehearsing for months, two and three days a week. And they wouldn’t have it any other way. Many of these students have performed together over the past few years, and have developed friendships.
“I’m having a blast,” said Leah Jackson, who plays Ariel. “We’ve all become really close. It’s just really fun getting to hang out so much with people you get along with and are friends with.”
fun helping to create the dances as well as just getting more chances to spend time with these people that I love a lot,” she said.
Anthony Vaz, tasked with playing Sebastian, said he thinks he’s grown personally from the effort and enjoys seeing new students taking part. In terms of their characters, the students who The Voice interviewed saw them as somewhat of an extension of themselves.
“It’s been a lot of fun helping to create the dances as well as just getting more chances to spend time with these people that I love a lot.”
- UCC’s Frankie Foex
Frankie Foex, one of the seniors in the performance, and who plays Ursula, agreed.
“I’m also taking on the role of dance captain. It’s been a lot of
Mathew Cartier, a veteran of UCC’s musical theatre effort, seems to have a smile forever implanted on his face. He plays Scuttle, Ariel’s advisor on all things human, albeit from the rather inaccurate perspective of a seagull. Scuttle is excitable, and seemingly forever positive.
“This (Scuttle) is pretty close to my personality. I just kind of speak me, but more seagully,”
he said with a laugh. Vaz said he can relate to Sebastian.
“Sebastian is a very funny character, but there are times he can be pretty serious, and I feel that reflects myself a lot,” he said.
As for Jackson, she admits she likes to dream.
“I definitely associate with Ariel’s dreamy personality. She’s a big dreamer and she goes after what she wants. I’d say I definitely have that,” she said.
With all the preparation efforts, the cast can’t wait for the curtain to go up on opening night on April 29. Jackson said she’s “super stoked” to perform in front of the audience.
As for Cartier, he’s excited to have the chance to fly past the audience in character.
Rosanna Magliaro, one of the teachers involved with the project, is a familiar face in the auditorium. She performed in school plays as a student at UCC and has been a helping hand as one of the overseers of the yearly performances for the
past eight years.
She sees this year’s cast as a very positive team.
“They’re very inclusive. A lot of the cast and crew (from last year’s The Descendents) came back. They’re just so positive,” she said.
Overall, Magliaro estimated about 75 students are directly involved in the production, from cast, to crew, to the orchestra. But support goes well beyond that level.
She said other departments and areas of interest are involved.
“We tried to incorporate many of the other departments too,” she said.
That includes students from hospitality classes providing food on performance nights, tech and carpentry classes working on set construction, and media students helping with the play’s promotion. For Foex, the performances will be bittersweet. They will mark the end of her time on stage at UCC, but will open the next chapter of
Greening up Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent’s tree canopy is about to grow, thanks to a joint effort between the municipality and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM.)
A recently approved grant application of $728,240 under the FCM’s growing Canada’s Community Canopies is being matched by Chatham-Kent, with a goal of planting some 940 trees.
According to an administrative report recently presented to council, 725 “street trees” will be planted in recently developed residential neighbourhoods in Chatham, Dresden, Pain Court and Tilbury. An additional 223 “mature large-caliper shade trees” will be strategically planted in various urban municipal parks to increase shade for park users in Blenheim,
Wanted: Young artists
The Chatham Voice
The Chatham-Kent Public Library invites teens aged 12 to 18 to enter the 2026 Teen Art Contest, celebrating this year’s theme: “Imagination.” Young artists can submit their work in four categories: Painting, Drawing,
Photography, and Mixed Media. One winner will be chosen from each category.
Submissions are open until May 26. Entries must be submitted digitally as a .jpg or .png file, with a completed application form to cklibrary@chatham-kent.ca.
Bothwell, Chatham, Dresden, Mitchell’s Bay, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wallaceburg and Wheatley
A standout feature of the project is its “strong emphasis on long-term maintenance and lifecycle management,” the re-
port stated, with all of the new trees subject to a two-year warranty.
Tree planting and maintenance activities associated with this initiative still needs to be procured through the Request for Proposal process.
her life. She’s heading to Sheridan College next fall to enroll in the schools musical theatre program.
The Little Mermaid runs April 29-May 2 with showtimes at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased through onstagedirect.com/ ucc.
The Chatham Voice
Opinion
A bigger problem
Forty-nine jobs.
That’s how many positions the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is carving out of its pool of staff in an effort to cut an estimated $4.2-million deficit.
CKHA brass believe the cuts, which they said won’t involve any direct job losses, will eventually save the hospital about $3.5 million a year.
has compounded the problem. We’re also an aging population, and as we get collectively older, our health-care needs rise. And that means more visits to our primary care givers – for those of us who have them – and trips to the hospital for procedures and tests.
However, since attrition is involved, it will take some time to reduce the 49 spots.
How does a hospital that has seen massive changes in how it operates find itself in such a deficit position? Well, it actually goes back to 1965 when Prime Minister Lester Pearson instituted universal health care in the country. Ever since, from extreme control of the number of students entering med schools each year, to funding constraints placed upon hospitals, provincial governments have looked to limit spending on health care.
More recently, we can shine a light on Premier Doug Ford himself. He’s the guy who in 2018 promised to end hallway health care. Yeah, that has not happened.
Ford defends his position today by stating the population has grown since he made that statement, which
More stress on the system that is underfunded, despite being the province’s largest fiscal expense, at an estimated $91.5 billion in the fiscal year that came to a close at the end of March. Despite that figure, Ontario has one of the lowest per-person health funding rates of any province in the nation.
With that in mind, across Ontario, CKHA’s deficit is part of a much bigger issue, as hospitals in the province collectively say they face a funding deficit of about $1 billion annually.
Over the past seven or so years, the province has increased health-care spending by about $27 billion. Still, it’s not enough.
Unless something changes, hospitals will fall further behind in terms of trying to stay out of the red in terms of spending, and the door is pushed open further for private health-care initiatives to take hold.
Our 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).
You can also drop them off or mail
them to us at The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4, Chatham, Ont, N7M 5J4.
The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity. All letters need to be signed.
Chatham Voice advertising policy
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.
Mayor utilizes ‘selective accounting’
Editor: The mayor’s recent boast that Chatham-Kent has the lowest property taxes in Ontario, based on a BMA study, reminds me of those predatory vehicle warranty ads.
They highlight a low monthly rate but hide the massive membership fees and the fact that you’re often paying for coverage you may not actually get. They sell you on a low rate, but the fine print reveals you’re paying heavily for a policy that doesn’t cover the engine when it blows.
In C-K, our blown engine is our infrastructure. While the mayor touts low rates, the municipality admits to an annual $19-million funding shortfall just to maintain our current assets. This alone equals an automatic 8.5 percent annual tax
increase.
Like a bad warranty, we aren’t paying enough into the repair fund for our 1,600 kilometres of gravel roads and 800 bridges, creating a massive hidden debt every year.
When we take away rural amenities, we destroy rural growth.
The BMA study is a snapshot of the past, not a forecast of our future in Chatham-Kent.
Instead of fixing the car we have, many have said the same thing. The mayor, who seems more aligned with the administration than with the taxpayer, is focused on after-market upgrades we just can’t afford:
• The Community Hub, funded by draining our reserves and taking on more debt.
• A possible new arena complex, a staggering $220 million, will lead to higher premiums (tax hikes) and perhaps the closure of rural and neighbourhood arenas.
When you add our rising water and wastewater rates, which the mayor’s low-tax claim conveniently ignores, the total cost of home ownership and low taxes in C-K is far from the bargain being promoted by the mayor and administration.
The mayor’s low rate on a crumbling system isn’t a victory; it’s a sales pitch. It’s time we stop falling for the glossy brochure and start looking at the actual bill for everything.
John Cryderman Chatham
Pride group runs housing survey
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
CK Pride wants to hear from its members on their state of living.
To that end, the organization has launched a housing survey to better understand the realities 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals experience in the municipality.
“Housing plays a critical role in safety, stability, and well-being. This initiative seeks to identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities to improve supports and inform future advocacy,” the CK Pride board shared in a media
release. “We know that housing impacts all of us, but experiences are not the same for everyone. This survey is an opportunity for people to share what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.”
This is the first housing survey conducted by CK Pride. Board members said there was not a specific incident that triggered the decision.
“In 2025, we did hold a community conversation focused on housing needs, but we’ve also heard a wide range of experiences from 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in Chatham-Kent.
These don’t just relate to housing, but also to employment, food insecurity, and access to services and supports that are safe and informed,” the board told The Voice.
“We’re not starting from assumptions. We want to better identify patterns in what people are actually experiencing locally.”
It’s all about focusing advocacy efforts.
“We’re trying to understand and clearly show the scale of what’s happening. Numbers matter when it comes to funding, policy, and services,” the board said.
Similar surveys have
been done in other places by governments, universities, researchers, and community organizations, the board said.
“CK Pride is taking this step here because we saw a gap in local information and felt it was important to better understand our own community.”
To access the survey, visit ckpride.com.
The survey is open to anyone in Chatham-Kent, with a focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences. Responses will help guide future partnerships, advocacy efforts, and service development.
CK Pride is a volun-
teer-run organization supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Cha-
tham-Kent through advocacy, education, and local initiatives.
Answer the call. Volunteer
T:7"
Image courtesy Metro Creative Graphics
CK Pride has launched a housing survey designed to help better understand the realities 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals experience in the municipality
These families get to stay put
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
A landlord’s bid to reconfigure a four-unit Chatham building into six units is a no go. At least for now. Chatham-Kent council
quashed a zoning bylaw amendment application by the owners of 135 Semenyn Ave. in a 15-0 vote –even though the change was recommended by municipal planning staff.
The unanimous vote recently followed six deputations, some from longterm tenants who have lived in the building for more than a decade. Some stated the landlord’s proposed change is nothing but a renoviction. At least two of the units, one on the bottom floor and one on the upper floor, house three generations of one family. Zoey Labelle, 12, was among the six individuals who addressed council.
In her comments, the youth told council that “having a stable place to live” is important to her family.
“When people talk about buildings and renos, it can sound like just plans or numbers” the young woman said. “But for families like mine, it’s our home.
“I know council has to make important decisions on housing, but I hope you will think about the people who already live there,” Labelle added.
The property, owned by Derek Rumble and Sara Peternel, is located on a corner lot on Semenyn Avenue and Couture Drive.
The proposed change would see four three-bedroom units repurposed into six one-bedroom units.
However, councillors couldn’t get behind the proposed changes.
In his comments, South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle said C-K does need more housing, but to “potentially make two different families homeless, who can’t afford to go some-
where else, isn’t really the point of what we are trying to do either.
“So, I morally can’t support something like this,” Doyle said.
Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew said she couldn’t support the application as it is “morally wrong” to displace families, adding it’s the first time she hasn’t supported a zoning change in her political career.
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor noted the issue is another opportunity to examine the role municipalities play in housing and N-13 renovictions.
“So, I think we need to reflect both on provincial policies and the lack of protections for renters, particularly renters right now facing renovictions,” he said.
According to Storey Samways Ltd. planner David French, who represented the owners, they have the option to maintain the status quo and convert units as they become available, but the zoning change is still needed to do that.
Or, said French, the owners can appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Lots of variety at Home Show
Peter Zubyk/The Chatham Voice Vendors showcased their products at the recent Chatham-Kent Home and Garden Show, held March 27-29 at the Bradley Centre in Chatham. Spring’s yo-yo temperatures are expected to normalize this month.
Native language app utilized
The Chatham Voice
Traditional Indigenous language and the latest technology have come together in a new digital app aimed at sharing the Anishinaabemowin language.
Presented to Lambton Kent District School Board trustees March 31, the unveiling marked National Indigenous Languages Day, recognizing the board’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous language revitalization and reconciliation.
According to a recent media release, trustees were treated to a presentation from board Indigenous lead Dallas Sinopole and elementary Indigenous Language Teach-
er Jessie Plain. Trustees watched a video showing how the app helps young students move beyond isolated vocabulary into full sentences and authentic conversation in Anishinaabemowin. The app was released to students in January.
The board is also developing a second app to teach the Lenape language – the language spoken by Delaware First Nation at Moraviantown. It will be released in September 2026.
The Anishinaabemowin app represents a major milestone for LKDSB, which has long committed to providing culturally relevant and responsive educational services for all students, including those
of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ancestry. This work is grounded in meaningful, long-standing relationships with the board’s four First Nation partners: Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Eelunaapeewi Lahkeewiit (Delaware Nation), Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, and Walpole Island First Nation.
LKDSB officials view the role of language not as symbolic, but as an essential responsibility tied directly to reconciliation and student success.
“This is not just language. It is customs, it is culture, it is identity,” said Sinopole in the release.
“When students know their identity, they soar in all areas. This is student success.”
5K event to help moms, babies
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Staff in the Women and Children’s Health Program at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance say they just want to “give everyone the best start they can have.”
To that end, the unit is running the Strong Starts for Tiny Hearts fundraising 5K run, walk and stroll in late May.
Shannon Verschraegen, a nurse in the program at the hospital, said staff want to provide more than what is able to be funded by the hospital in terms of tools and equipment available to help moms and their babies.
“We really do care about what we do and we really do care about the people we treat and that we help,” she said.
To that end, the team has organized the fundraiser for May
31 at Mud Creek in Chatham.
“Our unit, we try to keep up with the latest strategies to mobilize moms in labour, to help our moms and babies bond and recover from what they’ve been through,” Verschraegen said. “For some of this, we are able to draw from the hospital budget to get it covered.”
But the team wants to go “a little above and beyond,” she added, “with the tools and equipment we use.”
Hence the fundraiser.
As for what items the funds will purchase, Verschraegen said that will be based upon the level of cash raised.
“We will do a formal needs assessment after the fundraising effort to see what the available funds can be utilized for,” she said.
Items could include more specialized neo-natal equipment, as well as labour and delivery
positioning items, Verschraegen said.
Registration for the 5K takes place at 9 a.m. May 31 and the event begins at 10 a.m. The fee to register is $25, but it is free for anyone who brings in $50 or more in pledges, Verschraegen said.
She added a person doesn’t have to break into a jog if they don’t want to.
“This is a family-friendly event. You don’t have to be a runner. We’re going to have lots of people coming to walk,” she said. “And you don’t have to do all of the 5K. The nice part of Mud Creek is there are lots of ways to turn around and head back.”
However, for running enthusiasts, Verschraegen said the event will be timed for everyone who so wishes.
“We will have it timed if people are interested to use
Hello, Yoto
The Chatham Voice
Through the support of the Thamesville LaSertoma Club, the Chatham-Kent Public Library is levelling up learning at its Thamesville branch.
The club’s donation made it possible for the library to add new Yoto materials, including a Yoto listening station and expanded Yoto collection at the Thamesville branch.
A Yoto is a screen-free, interactive audio player designed for children ages
three to 12-plus to enjoy stories, music, and educational content independently and safely.
Access to these audio devices increases accessibility, supports various learning styles, and helps spread the joy of reading in an engaging and inclusive format, according to library officials in a media release.
In addition to the listening station, CKPL has expanded its growing Yoto collection with several new borrowable Yoto titles, including Baking with Yoto; K-Pop De-
Get ready to run, walk, and strole in the Strong Starts for Tiny Hearts fundraising 5K event May 31. It’s a fundraiser for the Women and Children’s Health Program at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
the running time to qualify for other races,” she said.
“But most people are running for fun, or are going to be out with the strollers with their kids.”
mon Hunters Soundtrack; Wimpy Kid Collection; Harry Potter series titles; Wicked: The Soundtrack; and Phonics: Letters and Sounds
There is also an Express Yoto Mini with preschool stories and songs for borrowing. This is a good fit for families seeking portable, screen-free storytelling and music on the go, officials said.
CKPL introduced Yoto kits and cards last fall, and they quickly became one of its most popular offerings for young readers.
As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario. We’re building the first small modular reactors in the G7, and the first large-scale nuclear facilities in decades. Creating 150,000 new jobs.
That’s how we protect Ontario.
Looking for 2026 ag royalty
By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative
The
Ridgetown Independent
The 89th annual Chatham-Kent Plowing Match is more than four months away, but it’s not too early for young ladies to start thinking about donning the Queen and Princess of the Furrow crowns.
A new Queen and Princess will be crowned at the 2026 Plowing Match, which is scheduled for Aug. 8, at the J&E Meats property near Croton.
Lauren Ross, of Dresden, is completing the second of her two-year reign as Queen of the Furrow, as the winner holds the position for two years.
Isabelle Beer, of Highgate, was crowned the 2025 Princess of the Furrow, which is a one-year term.
The Queen also represents Chatham-Kent and the CKPA at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo.
Ross represented Chatham-Kent at the 2025 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in West Lincoln and the 2024 event in Kawartha Lakes.
The 2026 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be in Walkerton on Sept. 22-26. Applications for the 2026 Queen and Princess of the Furrow are now being accepted.
The Queen of the Furrow program was designed for young ladies aged 17-
As representatives of the Chatham-Kent Plowmen’s Association, the Princess and Queen of the Furrow both participate in a number of activities during their reigns, such as local fairs, farm shows, school visits and 4-H events.
The Chatham-Kent Plowmen’s Association is looking for entrants into the 2026 Queen and Princess of the Furrow competitions. The winners will represent the association at various events around the province.
23, as of Jan. 1, 2026. The Queen is judged on her poise and personality as well as three competition components.
The Princess program is designed for young ladies ages 11-16, as of Jan. 1, 2026, to provide an opportunity to be a representative of the community and an ambassador for agriculture.
All Queen and Princess candidates will compete for the crowns during the Chatham-Kent Plowing Match on Aug. 8. The candidates for the title of Queen will give a two-to-three-minute speech on agriculture, interview with a panel of judges, and plow a parcel of land, with equipment and a coach provid-
ed during the Plowing Match.
The Princess candidates will make a one-to-twominute speech and be interviewed by a panel of judges.
Pre-registration is required, and there is no entrance fee. Application forms are available on the CK Plowman’s Association Facebook page
at www.facebook.com/ ckplowing/ and scrolling down to the ‘Chatham-Kent Queen and Princess of the Furrow post, where a link opens the form. The application deadline is July 25.
For further information, contact Stephanie Richardson by phone 519-3655952 or by email to ckplowing@outlook.com.
Image courtesy Metro Creative Graphics
1-833-9ANIMAL
Call this number 24/7 if an animal is in distress or being neglected. This includes animals that are injured, in pain, sick, suffering abuse or lack of proper care, water, food or shelter. If you report an animal that is in distress, being abused or neglected: The Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre will file an incident ticket and connect you with the appropriate local contact. Based on the location and nature of the incident, the call centre may flag the ticket for further investigation with the appropriate authorities, such as a provincial inspector or the local police. After the appropriate authority reviews the incident, they may investigate on-site or involve other authorities as needed. Authorities may contact you directly if they need more information.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE ANIMAL CRUELTY:
Look for these common signs of neglect or intentional cruelty and report it:
• Wounds on the body.
• Severely overgrown nails (often curling under) or hooves (often curling upwards).
• Patches of missing hair.
• Extremely thin, starving animals with ribs or backbone protruding.
• Infected eyes that have been left untreated.
• Limping.
• Animals who are repeatedly left alone without food and water. Often they are chained up in a yard.
• Animals who have been hit by cars and have not received veterinary attention.
• Animals who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.
• Tropical birds especially cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
• An owner kicking, hitting or physi cally abusing an animal.
• Animals who cower fearfully or act aggressively when their owners approach.
• Severe flea or tick infestations left untreated.
• Animals left in a car on a hot or cold day.
• Animals crammed into tiny cages in overcrowded conditions.
• Abandonment (often when pet owners move or by unprofitable farmers).
• Reptiles with dull, darkened skin, tremors, gaping mouth and excessive saliva, or experiencing difficulty climbing.
STOP
• Aquatic and amphibious creatures kept in tanks with murky water.
• Illegal trapping of wild animals or animals left for extended periods in traps.
• Excessive scratching of the head area, shaking of the head and dirt or discharge in ears indicative of a possible ear infection.
• Chronic diarrhea or vomiting.
• Animals kept in dirty conditions including being forced to stand in their own urine and excrement.
• Swellings, such as tumors or abscesses, left untreated.
• Rabbits with a severe head tilt.
• Slaughter by untrained individuals.
WHAT IS ANIMAL CRUELTY?
Animal cruelty generally falls into two categories: neglect, or intentional cruelty. Neglect is the failure to provide adequate water, food, shelter, or necessary care. Examples of neglect include: starvation; dehydration; inadequate shelter; parasite infestations; failure to seek veterinary care when an animal is in need of medical attention; allowing a collar to grow into an animal’s skin; confinement without adequate light, ventilation, space or in unsanitary conditions; and failure to trim hoofs or nails resulting in excessive growth (e.g. hoofs curling upwards).
Equally disturbing as neglect is the brutality of intentional cruelty, involving deliberate physical harm or injury inflicted on an animal. Regretfully, cases of animals being beaten, burned, poisoned or stabbed to death are not uncommon. In some cases neglect or cruelty is the result of people using animals as tools for commercial profit, such as in the cases of puppy mills, dog fighting, cock fighting and illegal slaughterhouses. Perpetrators of animal cruelty often portray themselves as kindly animal lovers, making it difficult for people to believe them capable of abuse. From the “friendly” neighbour who mistreats his
pets behind closed doors, to the “respected” community member who operates a puppy mill or substandard zoo – there is no one identifying feature that marks a person as capable of committing such unfathomable crimes. Abuse of any animal is upsetting, not only for the pain and suffering inflicted on the animal, but for the fact that animal abuse is often a precursor to human-directed violence and an indicator of family crisis. Untreated, any type of abuse can escalate. Fortunately, if people witness animal cruelty and neglect and report it to
Animals, particularly household pets, are selfless providers of love and comfort. Those traits are why so many people welcome pets into their lives. Although animals can show their affection in many ways, they are not able to advocate for themselves nor always convey when something is not right, which is why pet owners sometimes have difficulty recognizing when a pet is ill or in pain. They also cannot let the public know when they have been suffering abuse. They rely on us to watch out for them!
organizations with cruelty investigation authority, legal action can be taken. Federal, provincial and municipal laws all cover animal cruelty.
Golf carts by the Bay?
Residents hope project will expand this year and include Mitchell’s Bay
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Residents in Mitchell’s Bay are hoping Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation will expand the province’s golf cart program to include the community.
To that end, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is sending a letter to the MTO asking that the Bay
be included in the provincial initiative. It would join Erieau, which had its first golf cart season in 2025.
The letter follows a request from North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail at a recent C-K council meeting.
McGrail, a Mitchell’s Bay resident, says the Mitchell’s Bay Area Association would like to see the pro-
gram come to the Bay.
“We’re hoping that we can bring it to Mitchell’s Bay,” McGrail said. “A lot of people would like to see it here.”
According to a report from administration, the first year in Erieau saw 16 permits issued for golf carts at a cost of $75 each. However, that number is expected to increase this summer.
The province kicked off the Golf Cart pilot program under the Highway Traffic Act in 2021. It allows golf carts in designated communities to travel on approved roadways.
The Chatham-Kent police said the service did not receive any complaints related to the Erieau project’s first year of operation.
Image courtesy Metro Creative Graphics
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is sending a letter to the MTO asking that the Bay be included in the provincial golf cart program.
Around 25 people turned out in Wallaceburg March 28 to take part in the province-wide ‘Fight Ford’ protest. Signs decrying Premier Doug Ford’s recent cuts to OSAP and
against the York1 Dresden landfill were brandished at the County Fair Mall where Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve PInsonneault has a constituency office. Other concerns include cuts to health care, the consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities, transparency at Queen’s Park and lack of affordability.
Community Events
Thursday, April 9, 2025:
• 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!!
• Bill’s Place Drop In. 3:30pm–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
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. 11:00am-1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items. Everyone welcome.
Friday, April 10, 2025:
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Supper will be served 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Ham & Scallops or Fish & Chips, $15.00(HST included). Take out available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. 5:15pm is weekly CatchThe-Ace draw (tickets can be purchased at the bar). Members & non-members welcome.
• Karaoke and Line Dancing Party from 7pm – 11pm at the Merlin Legion. 2 Stanley St. Check the Merlin Legion Facebook Page or call legion for meal update. Contact 519-689-4884 for more information.
• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. 11:00am-1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items available. Supper served at 6pm - BBQ spare rib dinner with baked potato, baked beans, colselaw and a bun. Dine in $15, pick up $16. Call 519-352-8291 to reserve or order. Everyone welcome.
Saturday, April 11, 2025:
• FreeHelpCK Celebrates 7 Years of Prom & Grad Support. Opening at 100 King Street, inside the downtown mall, offering over 400 dresses and suits — completely free of charge. Students will have access to: Dresses, Suits, Shoes, Jewelry, Accessories. For more information, follow FreeHelpCK on social media.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 10:00am–9:30pm. * There will be a special Parade from Wish Centre to the Legion starting at 11am. Come in and join the meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm ending with a 50/50 draw. The kitchen is open 3:00pm-5:30pm. Come check out our menu. Entertainment by Back 2 Back 7:30-10:30 p.m. Members & non-members welcome.
• CK EarlyON Child and Family Centres is hosting a FREE community event for all parents and caregivers with children aged birth to 30 months! Bright Beginnings Expo for Infants and Toddlers is an interactive information fair to support our families in Chatham-Kent with their little ones. Queen Elizabeth Public School, Chatham (Gymnasium) 10am-12pm. You do not need to register! There will be door prizes and give-aways! For more information about the Bright Beginnings Expo or any of our other FREE EarlyON programs, please visit www.chatham-kent.ca/EarlyON.
Sunday, April 12, 2025:
• Breakfast at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. 9:00am-noon. All meals are cooked to order.
Tuesday, April 14, 2025:
• Chatham Camera Club meeting will be a live meeting at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 255 Tweedsmuir Ave West at 7pm with doors opening at 6:45pm. Dave Noordhoff will present Part II tips and tricks with Lightroom, Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw. 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. The kitchen is open from 11:00am–1:30pm. Today’s special is Spaghetti with meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00pm. Evening Shuffleboard or Euchre at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Wednesday, April 15, 2025:
• Wabash Women’s Institute Euchre parties. Wabash Hall – 1 pm. Admission $5. Prizes/lunch/fun.
• Heart Buddies Meeting. 3rd Wednesday of every month, 465 Grand Ave, W, 6:30 pm. For more info call 519 354 0070.
• Chatham-Kent Coin Club meeting, John McGregor Secondary School Library (7pm – 8pm). 300 Cecile Ave Chatham. New Members and guests welcomed. Come to a meeting and meet others with similar interests. We have members that collect Canadian, USA, and World coins and paper money. Gain knowledge and trends of the hobby. For more info contact President Jim Austin (President@CKCoinClub.com) (226-627-6789) ckcoinclub.com.
• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open from 11:00am–1:30p.m. Our daily special is meatloaf dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
Thursday, April 16, 2025:
• 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!!
• CThe Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. The kitchen is open from 11:00am-1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre at 1:00pm. Members & non-members welcome.
• The Chatham-Kent Quilters’ Guild meets the third Thursday of each month at St. Paul’s Congregational Church, 450 Park Ave W, Chatham. Doors open at 6:00. Meeting starts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome to join us, but the fee for non-members will be $10. Come and enjoy our presentations, guest speakers and all of the other fun at our meeting. Our membership fee is $50 per year and this entitles you to our newsletter and all of our regular meetings free of charge. You are welcome to contact us through our Facebook page or our website at www.ckquiltguild.com for more information.
• Bill’s Place Drop In & Nail Painting. 6:00pm-9:00pm. Spend some time in the safety of Bill’s Place. Whether you want to paint your nails, chat with new friends, or simply spend time in a welcoming space, everyone is welcome to drop in. Supplies provided. 48 Centre St. Chatham
Send your events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com
Fun Stuff
2. General feeling of discomfort
3. Dribble
4. Soft touch
5. South American plant
6. Clouds of gas and dust in space
7. Warmblooded vertebrates
8. Lines created by folding 9. Strong belief
13. Senior officer
CLUES ACROSS
1. Health care pros
4. A person inhabiting Benin
7. One thousand cubic feet (abbr.)
10. Split pulses 11. Frozen water 12. Small constellation 13. Perennial mountain rice 15. Pick up 16. Japanese historical period 19. Suggesting the horror of death and decay 21. Unattached 23. Fishing port in SE France 24. Products for dogs
25. One point south of southeast 26. Having the skill or resources to do something
27. Involve oneself deeply
30. Immobile
34. __ pai dong: Hong Kong food stall
35. Move quickly on foot
36. Gathered
41. A way through
45. Another name for Thor
46. Sharp dueling sword
47. The supreme commander of a fleet
50. Seasoned sausages
54. Path
55. Christian hermit
56. Ancient region of Asia Minor
57. Where wrestlers go to work
59. Roman statesman
60. Explosive
61. Licensed for Wall Street
62. Where golfers start
63. Grow old
64. Autonomic nervous system
65. No seats available
CLUES DOWN
1. A legally binding command
14. Adult
17. Joint entrance examination in India
18. Passports and drivers’ licenses are two
20. Those who go against an accepted authority
22. One point east of northeast
27. Journalist Tarbell
28. One’s mother (British)
29. Nowhere to be found
31. A way to save for old age
32. Fall behind
33. Midway between northeast and east
37. The work of a sailor
38. Mark with striae
39. Energy, style and enthusiasm
40. Sticky situation
41. Monetary units of Spain
42. Three-banded armadillo
43. Chooses
44. More disreputable
47. Defensive nuclear weapon
48. “The Partridge Family” actress Susan
49. Livestock owners assn. in Spain
51. Duplicating machine (abbr.)
52. OJ trial judge
53. Politician
58. Airborne (abbr.)
Farmland is disappearing across province
Our farmers have always been innovative. They have to be. Changing world conditions and rapid advances in technology keep them finding more efficient and effective ways to manage and expand their farming businesses.
Our farmers are great at managing their own operations, but there are a number of areas which are out of their control.
One is the weather, and every year, farmers are subject to conditions which can have a huge impact on the crops they grow.
Another factor is the
price. For many commodities, such as soybeans, corn, wheat, and others, crop prices are affected by so many outside influences.
One other factor that worries our farmers, and should worry each one of us, is the rapid loss of farmland due to urban expansion.
There is an ever-increasing demand for land to construct or expand industrial areas, homes,
apartments, and infrastructure all across Ontario. There is only so much land we have. Our farmers can grow many different crops, but they cannot grow more land. How much farmland are we losing? Latest estimates from government census numbers show Ontario is losing around 319 acres of farmland every single day. This is roughly 58 city
blocks, or 797 hockey rinks, or nine family farms lost every day in our province.
Over the last 50 years, Ontario has lost 20 per cent of its farmland. This loss is unsustainable, and could mean all Ontario farmland could be gone within 100 years if this trend continues.
We don’t know how many acres we are losing every day in Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex, but we are losing too much valuable farmland.
Let’s break this down so we can see what we are really losing.
NEWS DEPENDS ON FACTS. WHERE ARE YOURS COMING FROM?
Real journalists do more than just report the story. They ask the tough questions, check the sources and hold power to account. Facts are not optional; they are essential. Protect the truth and support your local newspaper.
One acre of land is 43,560 square feet, which is just over the size of 2.5 Canadian hockey rinks.
Let’s take one acre of various food crops and products made from those specific crops. I have determined the average crop yield, per acre for each crop, according to government and commodity statistics.
The figure beside each crop shows us just how much food and food products are also disappearing for every acre of farmland we lose.
• Tomato and tomato products – 2,000 pounds
• Potato and potato
products – 20,000 lbs
• Cucumbers – 40,000 lbs
• Corn and corn products – 11,000 lbs
• Soybeans and soybean products – 3,600 lbs
• Onions – 38,000 lbs
• Apples – 15,000 lbs
• Peaches – 18,000 lbs
• Strawberries – 10,000 lbs
• Sugar Beets – 70,000 lbs
For every acre of land we lose, this is also how much food is not harvested.
This is how much food does not get processed.
Continued on page 23
Kim Cooper
Kenesserie Camp preps for summer
By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent
Kenesserie Camp is looking for about 450 kids and 15 teens/young adults as its 2026 summer program approaches.
Registration for campers and the hiring process for staff have opened for Ke-
Cyriel Frank DeNeve
nesserie Camp, which has been providing summer fun and lifetime memories for local youth since 1903.
Kenesserie is a Christian-based overnight summer camp that offers six week-long sessions in July and August for kids ages 7-14.
There is a weekly maxi-
83, Sunday, March 29, 2026 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Ralph Demers
86, Monday, March 30, 2026 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Christopher Anthony Lovell
72, Saturday, March 28, 2026 Life Transitions
Timothy Floyd Jillson
76, Saturday, March 28, 2026 Life Transitions
Gary Richard French
80, Monday, March 30, 2026 Life Transitions
Terrance Ritchie Wagner
77, Monday, March 30, 2026 Life Transitions
Sherran Anne Mitchell
80, Tuesday, March 31, 202 Life Transitions
John DeKievit
89, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Life Transitions
245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710 alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca
mum of 84 campers, who are housed in cabins.
Each week features a different theme for activities, including swimming, crafts, music, archery, nature programs, a cookout, a sleep-out under the stars, and team-building projects.
“Kenesserie Camp has been a place where chil-
OBITUARIES
Harold David Bible
91, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Life Transitions
Bruce Richards
79, Friday, March 27, 2026
Cavanagh Funeral Home
David White
70, Friday, March 27, 2026 Cavanagh Funeral Home
Ted Westbrook Saturday, March 28, 2026
Cavanagh Funeral Home
Yvonne Brady
78, Monday, March 30, 2026 Nicholls Funeral Home
Lydia Atkinson
99, Friday, March 27, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Shirley Anne Conliffe
87, Sunday March 29th, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Devon Michelle Davidson
45, Friday, March 27, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
kendrickfuneralhome.com
dren discover confidence, resilience and lasting friendships,” said Dan Richards, executive director. “They learn how to solve their own problems because mom and dad aren’t there.”
Campers also get time away from their screens, as phones, computers and other devices are not al-
lowed.
But the campers will be so busy with activities that there will be no time to sit around on their phones or other devices anyway.
“They get to be outdoors, they spend 90 per cent of their time outside,” Richards said.
This summer’s themed activities are:
Thelma Towers
81, Sunday, March 29, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Peggy O'Rourke
72, Friday, March 27, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Victoria Lynn "Vickie" LaMarsh
74, Thursday, February 5, 2026 McKinlay Funeral Home
Delmar Lorne Brown
82, Wednesday, April 1, 2026
McKinlay Funeral Home
Veronica Valerie Scott
79, Saturday March 28, 2026 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Phyllis May Warmerdam
82, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Badder Funeral Home
See full obituaries at chathamvoice.com/obituaries
Week 1 – Lights, Cameras, Action; July 12-17, open ages 7-14;
Week 2 – The Land of Oz; July 19-24, all girls ages 7-14;
Week 3 – The Great Canadian Road Trip, July 2631, open ages 7-14;
Week 4 – Prehistoric Adventures, Aug. 4-7, primary ages 5-10;
Week 5 – Ultimate Holiday Takeover, Aug. 9-14, youth ages 12-15;
Week 6 – Buzz & Woody’s Camp Quest, Aug. 16-21, open ages 7-14.
A full description of each week, including fees, menu, daily activities, FAQ’s, is available online, where parents can also register their children.
Kenesserie also offers Counsellor In Training (CIT), a camp leadership program for youth who like working with children and are interested in learning and enhancing leadership skills that can be used in a camp setting and in their communities.
for secondary school students include cabin counsellors, program specialists, pool lifeguards, kitchen staff, as well as junior counsellors and CITs from last summer who will not be 16 before the camp opening. Positions are available for all experience levels, as high school students may qualify for co-op credits.
Richards said anyone interested in a career in education or child care will benefit from the experience they gain by working for a summer at Kenesserie.
“If anyone is looking into an education degree or anything with youth and children, they get training, they learn leadership skills and conflict resolution,” Richards said. “And they get to have fun ... they get paid to play.”
Kenesserie Camp is also seeking volunteers from across Chatham-Kent who are passionate about youth development and community building. Volunteers play a vital role in keeping the camp experience accessible and vibrant, serving in positions such as board members, property volunteers, and special event volunteers.
While campers make friends for life, so do the staff.
Richards said Kenesserie is looking for about 15-20 teens (minimum age of 16 as of July 1) and young adults to serve as camp counsellors.
The spring staff, who are on site from May to August, comprises post-secondary students, with positions including a program co-ordinator, an office administrator, health-care co-ordinators, aquatics co-ordinators, and leadership co-ordinators.
Summer staff positions
Kenesserie Camp has undergone a massive renovation since 2023, when public health inspectors determined that several amenities – the dining hall, three cabins, the staff lounge, and the Vesper Point meeting place –were within the bluff danger zone and could not be used.
Kenesserie Camp is holding its annual open house on June 7, from noon to 5 p.m., where families can drop in to tour the facility, meet with staff and enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers.
There is no pre-registration required. Go to kenesserie.com for more information.
Classifieds
Wasn’t that a
Jean Elliot
Announcement
Thanks to everyone who came to the Florence Community Centre on March 22 to celebrate my “90th” birthday. Thanks also for cards and gifts received and for donations to “Make A Wish Canada”, much appreciated.
Joe’s Boutique Store inside First Presbyterian Church,60 5th St., Chatham. Looking for donations of clothing, pots and pans, deodarant, etc. Helping fire victims. Open Tues.-Fri. 9:30am-noon in the Church basement.
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.
Lessons Wanted Basic Guitar Lessons. Reasonable. 519-9172339. Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.
MORTGAGES / LOANS
Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Readyto-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-3543411
Garden Rototiller. Briggs & Stratton engine, 5hp, 18” width. $250.00. Phone 519-676-7707. Grey Rocker Recliner. $100. Excellent condition. Call or text 548-996-7453.
ALL COINS GOLD Silver
Canada, USA World Coins for Sale?
Wed., April 15 • 9am-4pm
Blenheim Legion
37 Catherine St., Blenheim
Thurs., April 16 • 9am-4pm
Active Lifestyle Centre 20 Merrit Ave., Chatham
TOP PRICES PAID Appointments available
GOLD SILVER ALL COINS ALWAYS PAYING MORE THAN THE BROCHURE FROM QUEBEC BEST TO DEAL LOCAL!
House calls available. Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed 519-818-1805
Chatham-Kent’s water and wastewater services are coming under the microscope as part of a new plan update study.
To be undertaken by the C-K Public Utilities Commission for the municipality, the study will review previous capital plans and identify additional capital upgrades needed to sustainably provide water services. It will assess infrastructure
Health warning at tattoo shop Planning for the future
needs required to meet expansion demands until 2051.
According to a municipal media release, three public meetings will be held in order to present service solutions and gather input.
Once complete, the study will be made available to the public for final review and comment.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the project webpage at letstalkchatham-kent.ca to stay up to date.
Another local business is under the CK Public Health microscope.
Willows Tattoo and Piercing, a Grand Avenue West business in Chatham, was recently identified by public health officials as having inadequate equipment disinfection practices.
Officials added Willows was “an unlicensed tattoo and piercing provider,” as it was operating without having been inspected.
Anyone who has work done at Wil-
Author
lows between Oct. 1 of last year and March 23 is encouraged to contact their health-care provider to arrange a clinical assessment.
Those without a health-care provider should visit a walk in clinic for evaluation.
Insufficient infection control procedures during tattoo and piercing services increases the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections, such as HIV or Hepatitis, as well as infections of the skin, public health officials said in a media release.
talk April 15
The Chatham Voice is looking for carriers in the following ares:
• Craven, Coatsworth, Alden & Romney
• Garden Path
• Keil Trail N Dale Dr
• Park St, Scane St, Foster St
• Oxley Dr, Willowdale Pl., & Spring Pl.
• Henry O’way, Briardene St
Contact Michelle for info!!! michelle@chathamvoice.com 519-397-2020
Author and speaker Maria Moore, a Mexican-born Mennonite of Old Colony heritage, will speak at a Literary Lunch this month at Mrs. Bell’s Tea Room.
Moore will share the story behind her memoir and research into a deeply personal family history on April 15.
Her book explores the murder of her father, the historical research surrounding the trial, and the lasting impact the event had on her family.
The event will include time for questions.
Reserve your spot by calling Mrs. Bell’s Tea Room at 226-627-0248. Cost is $40 or $25. The event begins at 11:45 a.m.
Land loss equals food loss
Continued from page 21
This is how much food does not make it to our retail stores.
This is how much food does not make it to Ontario homes.
This loss of productive farmland should greatly concern each one of us.
Just some food for thought.
• Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for more than 45 years. You can reach him at kim.e.cooper@gmail.com.
The Chatham Voice
The Chatham Voice
The Chatham Voice
