The Chatham Voice, Oct. 2, 2025 by Chatham Voice

Top C-K doc defends harm reduction

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Handing out clean needles and overdose-countering drugs to substance users are key elements of harm reduction, but CK Public Health officials admit it is very difficult to track the exact impact they are having.

They do believe it is saving lives one day at a time.

“This is a public health challenge,” Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Chatham-Kent’s medical

officer of health, said of tracking harm reduction.

“On one level, giving them (substance users) clean supplies keeps them alive for another day. Ultimately, we would prefer people to not use substances, but if they do, I’d want them to be doing so in as safe a manner as possible.”

Nesathurai said cessation would be the ultimate goal, but it might not be achievable.

“Abstinence is a very contentious construct.

In a clinical sense, abstinence can be a goal. It’s better to not smoke, better to not drink, better to not engage in sex,” he said.

“But how realistic is it as a treatment? From a public health perspective, we’ve decided it’s not the best approach.”

Enter harm reduction, and supporting people by reducing the harm in indulging in certain activities.

For example, harm reduction is applied by CK Public Health for smok-

ers. Treatments include nicotine gum, inhalers and patches.

Nesathurai said someone may not escape the nicotine addiction as a result, but it helps get them away from the act of smoking.

“We all know cigarette smoking can harm you; can cause lung cancer. It’s not just the nicotine and

OCTOBER 10 - 13, 2025

the tar, as there are probably 60 or 70 other compounds that are present,” he said. “We’d sooner have people stop smoking and use nicotine gum than to keep smoking and be exposed to all those other toxic compounds.”

Nesathurai said he recognizes there are people who object to harm reduction programs.

“One (objection) is we give out harm-reduction products and somehow the public health service is endorsing the underlying conduct and that we’re somehow enabling people to use,” he said.

“I don’t think giving out condoms really changes if people are going to have illicit or high-risk sex. It’s the same with other tools.

People with substance issues have related medical problems. Our effort is to help keep them alive.”

Quinn Talbot, a health educator at CK Public Health, agreed.

“It’s about safer, managed use,” Talbot said.

“Public Health offers and supports the co-ordination of programs that lower the harmful risks of substance use.”

Harm reduction is not a

fix. Talbot said it is about using policies and practices to make dangerous or risky activities safer.

“Wearing a helmet when biking and wearing a seatbelt. Wearing sunscreen. Using nicotine patches,” are forms of harm reduction, Talbot said. So too is using sterile needles.

Nesathurai said he understands the concern from members of the public that substance use can lead to litter in public places.

“No one wants their children to encounter needles in public spaces,” he said, adding, “People who get needles and pipes from us, they also get disposal boxes. We try to minimize that risk. We have to provide assistance, but recognize it’s not entirely risk free.”

He said harm reduction costs money, but added that “our culture provides services in areas that people engage in all sorts of unhealthy activities.” He used the examples of surgery and treatments for people who develop heart disease for being obese, and for smokers who contract lung cancer.

Continued on page 5

Image courtesy Metro Creative Graphics

Tackling addiction is no simple task. Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health, said abstinence would be best, but it is not practical to demand it. Harm reduction is how local officials address the issue.

Encampment committee in the works

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

It appears Chatham-Kent will establish an encampment executive committee in an attempt to bring all sides to the same table to understand one another’s concerns and provide advice to the municipality. This evolved out of Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy’s motion Sept. 22 to establish just such a committee.

rience.”

She also said it should be a pilot project, given the fact council has largely moved away from advisory committees.

“Maybe this committee can help with some of the misinformation that is out there. It’s circulating. We can’t get the correct information out and people aren’t listening.”

“As a councillor, it’s really important that we can see what is really clear about the roles and responsibilities. It’s really important for engagement and the conversations we’re going to be having,” she said.

- Coun. Marjorie Crew

His request was to have members of council, municipal administration and residents who live near the homeless encampment at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) green space on Grand Avenue East sit down together. That concept received a great deal of support from frustrated homeowners who showed up at the Sept. 22 council meeting to voice their concerns. Along with their approval of the concept, they tossed in terms such as “Club PUC” – a reference to the encampment, inferring it’s a resort-like living centre –and “unelected staff” to accuse municipal personnel of leading the way in determining where encampments go.

The committee concept also received successful tweaks from several other councillors. West Kent’s Melissa Harrigan echoed The Chatham Voice’s Sept. 18 editorial, “Inclusion,” in saying the committee should include “representation from community groups and persons with lived or living expe-

North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville made additional amendments, as she did not want to pigeonhole people onto the committee just from one area of the municipality when homeless encampments are more widespread but not as visible as the one on Grand Avenue East.

Residents who lived near the former Victoria Park Place shelter on Murray Street in Chatham could perhaps provide valuable insight, she said.

“My only concern about the specifics about talking about the PUC property is if a potential encampment goes up on the Irwin Street property (the site of the Chatham water tower), maybe expand the wording so it’s not limited to the PUC,” she said. “I want the ability to make the committee fluid so councillors and members of the public could be added if an encampment were to crop up in another community.”

Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew, clearly irked by unsubstantiated comments by several deputations, agreed.

“Include the east side (of

Chatham). We’ve had encampments before anybody. It’s not new to us,” she said.

Clearly rankled by the “Club PUC” comment, which mentioned how the encampment residents have food delivered by community outreach groups and could see the Chatham-Kent Mobile Care Clinic visit regularly while 32,000 residents are without family doctors, Crew fired back.

That’s making a statement. This (a committee) would allow for conversations.”

Bondy said he doesn’t like homeless encampments and wants to see them go away.

“This committee hopefully will find a way to dissolve the encampment. It’s been a summer of chaos all around.”

- Coun. Michael Bondy

“Maybe this committee can help with some of the misinformation that is out there. It’s circulating. We can’t get the correct information out and people aren’t listening,” she said. “As for the Mobile Care Clinic, that is for anyone. If you have a doctor or you don’t. Find the schedule. It’s online.”

Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor said the municipality should ensure anyone living in the encampment is made aware of the potential formation of this committee, and was told that could be done.

Bondy, in commenting on the proposal, said the public deputations “said it all. I don’t feel the public in the neighbourhood (surrounding the PUC green space) was consulted on the establishment of the encampment,” he said.

“Their only option was to make deputations.

“I don’t think the encampment is good for anybody; the people who live in it and who live around it,” he said. “This committee hopefully will find a way to dissolve the encampment. It’s been a summer of chaos all around.”

The councillor did not offer possible solutions to encampments, however.

Council unanimously passed the motion, but deputy CAO Dave Taylor said the committee won’t be formed overnight.

“It will probably take a few weeks to draft this up. This is not a committee we’ve seen elsewhere that we know of,” he said. “It will take a little bit of time to ensure the terms are well referenced.”

He said expecting this sometime before the end of October would be “ambitious.”

How ‘coal is that?

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Mark Benoit recovered a piece of history while walking the beach at Rondeau recently, but where it came from will forever remain a mystery.

Benoit, who retired this spring from his position as chair of the School of Academic Studies for St. Clair College, found a large chunk of coal on the beach.

Benoit took it home to his nearby residence and weighed the black object. His scale read 13.5 pounds.

It’s not the first piece he’s retrieved, but it is the largest.

“I live out at Rondeau, so I do a lot of walking,” he explained.

“Usually, I find coal about the size of your fist. But this time, it was after a storm and the lake had really been turned

up the night before, there was this huge chunk sitting on the beach.”

As for the coal’s origin, it could be centuries old, or it could be much more recent.

Ships hauling coal across the Great Lakes have been doing so for hundreds of years, and some freighters continue to do so today.

Benoit thinks it came from a shipwreck.

“There have been a lot of ships transferring coal across the Great Lakes that went down. That’s why we see it wash up,” he said.

For now, the hunk of coal is sitting in his garage, as he is unsure what he wants to do with it.

Benoit will continue to walk the beaches near his home, coal isn’t the only

Generators power Chatham’s water treatment plant

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

The Chatham water treatment plant is running, but as of press time, it remained powered by generators.

Darren Galbraith, general manager of the Public Utilities Commission, provided Chatham-Kent council with an update after the plant suffered a power outage on Sept. 21.

He said problems began with the outage, but they magnified. Repairs were more than staff could address, so an outside contractor was brought in.

During that time, the generator had automatically fired up to keep the plant running.

However, when the outside contractor wanted to start locking out equipment

to track the issue, the generator just shut down.

“That’s not standard shutdown practices for a generator of that size. Normally they idle for approximately 10 minutes to allow them to cool down,” Galbraith said.

As a result of the generator failing to cool down, it developed a vapour lock, which had to be cleared before it could be restarted, he added.

As for what caused the outage in the first place, Galbraith said PUC staff are still investigating, but ruled out vandalism.

“There were zero signs of vandalism.

Something just caused an over-amperage and that caused the fuses to go,” he said. “The root cause has not been determined.

There was a cable in the metering chamber that went to

Hard to track efforts

Continued from page 2 Members of the board of health commended public health officials on their efforts in harm reduction, but asked if there is any way to better track success.

“I would say we are making an impact. What is the level of impact? I think it’s there, but it would be hard to quantify,” Nesathurai said.

“About two people every month are dying from substance-use-related deaths (in Chatham-Kent). I would offer that harm reduction reduces the risk (of death from substance use). They don’t take it to zero, but they reduce the risk.

“I’m proud CK Public Health participates in harm reduction,” he added.

ground. There were fuses and insulators that also burnt.”

Another problem that developed was the availability of spare parts. Galbraith said the PUC had most everything on hand but are working to find a 300-amp fuse.

The PUC brought in a second generator Monday afternoon and Galbraith said the plant is operating at full capacity.

However, an outdoor watering ban remains in effect.

“Anything people can do helps. We did put out an ask for the people on the Chatham distribution system to limit outdoor water use,” Galbraith said.

thing that might find its way home with him. He also collects beach glass – pieces of glass that were long ago discarded and weathered by the action of the waves and sand over the years. The lower water levels this year, he said, are exposing areas of beach that have been unreachable for years.

Contributed image

Rondeau resident Mark Benoit shows off this huge piece of coal he recently found while walking along the shore of Lake Erie near his home.

Opinion

Harm reduction

Public health officials are big believers in harm reduction as a way of addressing addiction issues in Chatham-Kent and beyond.

And that likely has a solid portion of the population asking them selves if these officials are looking at the bigger picture.

For example, in this week’s article where Dr. Shanker Nesathurai defends the harm-reduction approach, nowhere does he mention the criminal fallout of drug addiction. And that might anger people, especially when the doctor draws corollaries between distributing clean needles to addicts and cyclists and bike helmets. Yes, they both provide increased safety, but a cyclist not wearing a helmet is not likely to break into your shed or home. Well, unless they are drug addicted.

The reality is Nesathurai’s area of focus is public health. It has nothing to do with crime.

Just as Chatham-Kent Police Service Chief Kirk Early is not focused on health care when sending his officers out to keep the peace and track down criminals.

That said, it would be great if municipal services could work a little more to overlap their operations. At the very least, try to step back and look at the bigger picture.

Another reality is not everyone who lives in the homeless encampment is

a drug addict.

Nor is every addict a criminal. Think about the functioning alcoholics in society. They drink to excess, albeit consuming a legal substance, and, if they don’t drive while impaired, are obeying the law.

Heck, If you can’t function without a coffee or two in the morning, especially if you get a headache without it, chances are you have a caffeine addiction.

Smoking, while no longer in vogue, is still legal. Think about the healthcare dollars spent treating cancers that are caused by that addiction. Overeating can be both a disease and an addiction. Health care is burdened by poor food choices and over-consumption of high-calorie items. But when have you heard of someone breaking into their neighbour’s home to support their eating, smoking or caffeine habits? Never.

We understand providing clean needles helps limit the spread of HIV and hepatitis, which reduces the burden on our health care system. We also get how providing naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, at least temporarily. Can public health staff and supportive community groups whose volunteers hand out the needles not also distribute cessation pamphets? Let them know the treatment options in the region?

We have to start somewhere.

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This tree needs to be removed

Editor: I’m really curious what our works department is doing these days. Are they all on summer holidays?

I haven’t seen them on my street pretending to patch the potholes for a while.

And speaking of cutting down trees, they haven’t threatened to clear-cut Victoria Avenue for months!

There is one old, dead tree, however, that is begging to be taken down. It’s at the corner of Lacroix and Wellington, is clearly dead and in danger of collapsing at any moment, as happened a couple of months ago when several large branches fell in

a wind that could have seriously injured any pedestrians unlucky enough to be in the vicinity.

I’m sure glad my an cient Pathfinder wasn’t parked there while visiting my dentist on the corner. Where is the town? Where is the municipal supervisor who should have taken action long ago? On holidays, I suppose. Heads should roll! To anyone with half a brain cell, the tree is a danger to everyone in the vicinity. It is unconscionable that this danger is allowed to persist.

immediately if the perpetrator of the damage inflicted at the Dog and Car Wash (“We invite you to open up your backyard” in the Aug. 7 Chatham Voice) were to be injured by a dead branch or the whole tree coming down. I expect there would be a monumental hand-wringing, gnashing of teeth program to immediately condemn all trees in Chatham-Kent to death.

And the councillors would immediately give themselves another salary increase, to boot.

I know the answer! It would be rectified

Bryan Marino Chatham

New life for bulk water station?

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Chatham-Kent council opted to encourage a change of fate for the Coatsworth bulk water station.

This came at the Sept. 21 council meeting after councillors listened to a handful of deputations and received a petition with about 220 names on it asking that the water station remain operational.

Council heard from several residents over the convenience of the station for them, residentially and agriculturally. People utilize bulk water stations to fill tankers that can transport water for cisterns or to be utilized for irrigation purposes on fields.

The Public Utilities Commission had decided to close the Coatsworth station due to the fact it was not up to standards for backflow prevention and

cross-contamination. The Merlin bulk water station was in the same situation, but was approved for upgrades. It generates about ten times the business, according to PUC officials.

terns and also for agricultural operations,” Coun.

“This is a small-dollar budget decision that has a larger impact on the agricultural community.”

Melissa Harrigan said. “This is a small-dollar budget decision that has a larger impact on the agricultural community.”

- Coun. Melissa Harrigan

So, while the Merlin station is in the middle of about $200,000 in upgrades, the Coatsworth one was slated for eventual closure.

Council, in a 15-3 vote, urged the PUC to reconsider.

At a time where council has repeatedly heard from the public to curtail spending and find savings, both West Kent councillors led the charge to push the PUC to reconsider.

“Individuals aren’t just using bulk water stations to fill up pools. They’re using them to fill up cis-

If Coatsworth were to close, the nearest bulk water station would be under about 9.4 kilometres away in Wheatley. Comparatively, Bothwell and area bulk water users travel about 15 kilometres to obtain water from the Thamesville station.

Darren Galbraith, general manager of the PUC, said there are a dozen bulk water stations in place across the municipality.

Merlin is see-

Planned power outage

Oct.

19 in Erieau

Erieau will go dark in mid-October.

Well, just for four hours or so.

Hydro One will cut the power to the community on Oct. 19, a Sunday, from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Officials said this is to allow crews to work on overhead powerlines.

ing the upgrades while Coatsworth faces closure, he said, as the former brings in about $35,000 a year in revenue, while the latter earns about $3,200.

“If we’re looking at revenue, Coatsworth is the obvious choice (to cut),” Galbraith said.

Merlin’s station sits in the “middle of the pack,” he added, referring to revenue generation.

Harrigan also alleged there are problems at the PUC.

“It’s concerning for me as a councillor this is coming up at a time when we are

doing a major governance review of the PUC,” she said.

Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor, chair of the PUC, fired back.

“Big governance issues with the PUC? I would like to correct that statement. It was communication between the municipality and the PUC. I don’t think it was a governance issue with the PUC.”

This is in reference to development plans that see southwest Chatham as an area of growth, whereas the PUC did not have plans for water and waste-

water infrastructure to be put in place in that area of the municipality to the same extent.

Bulk water users pay about twice what users on the PUC distribution pay on a volume basis for water, Galbraith said, but they pay no regular transmission charges.

All revenue generated in terms of water and wastewater rates, by legislation, but be used in water and waste water business, he added.

The PUC will now reconsider its plans for the bulk water station.

NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSING Notice is hereby given that at a meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent on October 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham , Council will consider, and if approved, may pass a by -law to stop up and close part of the unopened road allowance from Creek Road in the community of Pain Court:

• Property Identification Number 00787 0257, Part of Road Allowance Between Concession 1 & 3 (Not Open) Geographic Township of Dover, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, being Part 2 of Part of PIN 00787 0257 as depicted in 24R11576

At this meeting, Council will hear any person or their solicitor or agent, who claims that their land will be prejudicially affected by the by-law and who provide a written submission by email to the Clerk’s office (ckclerk@chatham-kent.ca) by noon on October 6th. For further information, please contact Amy McLellan, Manager, Revenue at 519-360-1998, Ext 3185.

The Chatham Voice

‘Expectation of privacy’

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Chatham-Kent council recently received information about the reasoning behind the installation of signs near a homeless encampment discouraging videography and photography.

The sign, in the public green space on the PUC land on Grand Avenue East, states, “Respect private spaces. No unauthorized audio or video recording.”

North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville, at council’s Sept. 21 meeting, said residents were questioning if the sign is enforceable.

“What is authorized?

What is unauthorized? Who issues that authorization? When does freedom of the press come into play?” she asked administration.

Emily Crawford, head of legal services for the municipality, said complaints from encampment residents led to the signage.

“The sign was erected following the receipt of complaints over individuals entering tents and shelters without the consent of the occupants, and sharing it on social media,” she said. Crawford said the Charter of Rights and Freedoms come into play in this instance, despite the

fact the tents are erected in a public park.

“The courts have told municipalities that persons living in encampments have a charter-protected right to live on public lands. When these complaints came to administration’s attention, we had a concern about the security of those occupants,” she said. “The decision was made to place some signage centrally in the encampment area cautioning people that they should not be capturing recordings in private areas.

“We find ourselves in a challenging situation. While it is on public land, they are making private use of that space. There is an expectation of privacy,” Crawford added.

Image courtesy of Facebook

Chatham-Kent council recently learned the reasoning by the erection of this sign at the site of the homeless encampment on Grand Avenue East in a public greenspace.

$6M later, roundabout opens

The Chatham Voice

Travelling in a circle is officially the way to go on Queen’s Line west of Chatham now, as the roundabout on that roadway is now open.

The roundabout, which impacts the intersection of Queen’s Line and Merlin Road, was to open Sept. 26.

The change to the intersection, which had just featured stop signs in both directions on Merlin Road, now features the single-lane roundabout, changes to the approaches to the intersection and rehabilitation to the Queen’s

Line Bridge just west of the intersection over Government Drain No. 1.

Huron Construction did the job with a budget of about $6 million.

Municipal officials said the new roundabout was recommended following safety studies and has been built to accommodate larger vehicles, including transport trucks and farm equipment, consistent with other rural single-lane roundabouts in Ontario.

It features a mountable curb and concrete apron on the inside, as well as a mountable curb and paved shoulder at the

entries and exits, providing additional driveable width for oversized vehicles.

“From a traffic safety perspective, roundabouts are proven to reduce both the frequency and severity of collisions,” municipal officials claimed in a media release. “Unlike conventional intersec-

tions, roundabouts have fewer conflict points and promote lower-speed, angled movements, significantly reducing the risk of right-angle and highspeed collisions.”

The project included road improvements along the approaches to the new intersection, replacement of guiderail, realignment

of underground services, and grading improvements.

“The municipality thanks motorists and residents for their patience during this critical work,” said Marissa Mascaro Amyotte, director of engineering services, for the municipality. “

The intersection was

closed at times during the lengthy construction period, and Merlin Road traffic was impacted the most.

The Municipality is currently undertaking design work for landscaping and art installation in the centre island of the roundabout. This work is expected to be completed next spring.

Contributed image

The roundabout at the intersection of Merlin Road and Queen’s Line has opened.

Photo radar vs. speed bumps

Talk about full circle. When photo radar cameras came out in the mid1990s on major Ontario highways under the Bob Rae government, I hated them.

Despite the hatred, my wife and I only got one ticket due to photo radar during the 11-month period it was operational. Yeah, it was me, going too fast on Highway 401 during a trip from Chatham back to our thenhome in Lindsay.

I had wealthy acquaintances who were indifferent to the photo radar. One drove a Porche and lit the damned things up at night like a strobe light at a rock concert. He had the cash; he didn’t care. But I do recall how traffic on Hwy. 401 had slowed somewhat. Suddenly 110 km/h in the 100 km/h zone was the norm, rather than 120 or 130.

Bob Rae’s NDP government brought it to life in 1994. Did it make our roads safer? Debateable. Was it a cash grab? Most certainly.

It arrived with a cost of $4.5 million. In its first four months, it delivered $19 million in fines.

So, yeah, it was a successful cash grab.

Mike Harris became premier in 1995 and out went the photo radar. But he left the door open for municipalities to establish their own, if they so wished. Many did.

But now Premier Doug Ford plans to abolish them. His government will bring in legislation to ban municipalities from putting up those cameras that capture your plate and issue the tickets. We didn’t experience it here in Chatham-Kent, but other folks that endure the municipal versions are happy to see this proposal come forward.

As for myself, I’m largely indifferent. But…I’d prefer it to some of the alternatives Ford is suggesting municipality’s use.

Included in that bag of

tricks are speed bumps. I (expletive deleted) hate speed bumps.

Not the ones in the parking lot that houses the Real Canadian Superstore and Walmart on St. Clair Street. Those gentle bumps force you to slow down but don’t threaten your suspension system. No, I’m talking about speeds bumps akin to the tire killers in Thameslea Plaza. Those things will jar your fillings loose. For the love of driving, there should be some form of consistent requirements over the construction of speed bumps.

Also on Ford’s list of alternatives to photo radar are…the dreaded roundabouts. Yeah, they’ll slow drivers down all right, or send them into orbit over the roundabout’s island, or cause sideswipes, road rage and clogged intersections.

They work in Europe, the so-called experts say. But consider the impact here in Chatham-Kent. Our drivers – our bad-habit-infused drivers – and roundabouts. It won’t make for a good combination.

Continued on page 13

Bruce Corcoran

C-K speeds up gravel road conversions

By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative

The Ridgetown Independent Chatham-Kent council approved an accelerated gravel road conversion program in the consent agenda at a recent meeting.

The current budget al-

ready covers 7.3 kilometres of gravel roads that will be converted to hard-surface over the next three years at a cost of $6.5 million. Three projects have already started, or will begin this year.

A 1.4-km portion of McKinlay Road, between

New Scotland and Rose Beach Lines in Howard Twp., is being converted at an estimated cost of $550,000.

The other local road is a half-kilometre stretch on Evergreen Line near Thamesville, at an estimated cost of $350,000.

A .15-km stretch of De-

NOTICE OF COMPLETION

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Southeast Chatham-Kent Water Distribution System Municipal Class Environmental Assessment – Schedule ‘B’ September 22nd, 2025

The Study

pot Line, near Wheatley, is also on the schedule for conversion this year.

Two other roads – 4.2 km of 2nd Concession Line from Coatsworth Road to Stevenson Road in Tilbury East Twp., and 1.9 km of Pioneer Line from Caledonia Road to Centre Side Road in Chatham Twp. – are being converted to hard surface this year as part of previously approved projects.

The Public Utilities Commission for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK PUC) has completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) study for the Southeast Chatham-Kent Water Distribution System. This MCEA Study assessed the capacity requirements and provided recommendations on the existing South Chatham-Kent water treatment plant and water distribution system to accommodate increasing water demand and supply to the Ridgetown-Highgate Communities. The study was completed in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and will follow the Schedule ‘B’ planning process of the Municipal Engineers Association MCEA document as amended in March 2023. The recommended works include:

• New 250 mm watermains along Scane Road, Mitton Line and Talbot Trail.

• New 300mm Blenheim to Ridgetown Transmission Main.

• New 4.55 ML Blenheim Reservoir and Booster Pumpstation.

• New Ridgetown Elevated Tank.

• New 600mm Transmission main on Charing Cross Road.

• Increase treatment capacity at the existing South Chatham-Kent WTP.

• Increase pumping capacity at the existing South Chatham-Kent WTP HLPS.

• Re-chlorination facility at the new Blenheim BPS and possible at new Ridgetown ET

A Project File Report has been prepared and a copy will be placed on public record on October 6th, 2025 to November 7th 2025 for thirty (30) calendar days.

Project Report for Public Review

The Project File Report can be reviewed by members of the public and/or any other interested party on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Lets Talk website, at https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/ck-water-distributionsystem

If there are any outstanding concerns or issues with this project during the 30-day review period, please address them to the Public Utilities Commission (Ali Akl, CK PUC) and consultant (Paul Adams, AECOM) staff listed below and we will attempt to seek a mutually acceptable resolution.

Under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act a request to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order to require the City to undertake a higher level of assessment may only be made on the grounds that the order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on the existing Aboriginal or Treaty rights of an indigenous community. Requests under Section 16 can be made to:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks 777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J3 minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks 135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor Toronto ON, M4V 1P5 EABDirector@ontario.ca

Ali Akl, P.Eng., PMP. Project Engineer Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission Municipality of Chatham-Kent 325 Grand Ave East Chatham, ON N7L 1W9 alia@chatham-kent.ca Paul Adams Environmental Planner AECOM Canada Limited 250 York Street Suite 410 London, ON N6A 6K2 paul.adams2@aecom.com

If no issues or concerns are raised by October 7th, 2025, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment and may proceed with detailed design, tendering and construction of the recommended works as outlined in the Project File Report.

This Notice of Completion was first issued on September 22nd, 2025 Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

The 2026 conversion list includes a 1.39 km section of Allison Line, between Lagoon Road and Erieau Road, in the Blenheim area, as well as Arnold Road in the Wallaceburg area and Big Pointe Line in Dover Twp. Two roads in the Ridgetown area are scheduled for conversion in 2027.

A .24-km stretch of Henry St., between Main St. W. and Ebenezer St. and a 1.3-km portion of Industrial Ave., between Marsh St. and West St., are estimated to cost a combined $475,000.

These gravel roads that have already been approved for conversion will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the hard surface will be asphalt or tar and chip.

This is dependent on several factors, most notably the volume and types of traffic, the condition of its granular base, drainage infrastructure needs and other road safety requirements.

The surfaces for next year’s approved roads have not been finalized yet, as this will be reviewed as part of the planning and design for the 2026 program implementation.

Council’s approval also accelerates the conversion of seven more roads at a cost of approximately $33 million, which will be referred to the 2026 operating and capital budget update and future multiyear operating and capital budget processes.

The seven gravel roads that will be promoted to the Accelerated Funding List over three years include a 5.15-km stretch of the Dillon Road from Queen’s Line to the Eighth Concession in Raleigh Twp., scheduled for 2027.

This conversion, however, may be moved up to next year as a part of the Ministry of Transportation’s rehabilitation of the Drake Road and Dillon Road Highway 401 over-

passes, with anticipation of the Drake Road overpass construction proceeding first.

To support the detour during this closure, the hard surfacing of Dillon Road may be advanced to 2026.

“Accelerating the program delivers long-term financial and operational benefits by avoiding escalating annual construction costs and delivering an improved level of service sooner by completing the program over three to four years instead of 15 years,” read the report that was prepared for council by Marissa Mascaro Amyotte, director of engineering.

The report stated that when factoring in construction inflation, completing the proposed program over 15 years would cost approximately $43.2 million compared to $33 million as presented for 2026-2029.

“Based on the current condition, roads selected for conversion may require upgrades to meet current standards, including enhancements to the granular base, road geometry, drainage infrastructure and other roadside safety improvements,” the report stated. “These improvements are critical to ensuring the long-term durability, safety and performance of the roads being converted.”

Staff also completed an updated assessment of the gravel road network to form an expanded long-term list beyond the proposed acceleration, for future consideration.

No subtle selfhelp book here

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Brandee Kocsis isn’t one to mince words.

The newly minted author of the self-help book titled Worthy AF, says women need to deal with trauma – including recovering from narcissistic relationships and abuse –head on.

Kocsis said her self-published tome with some admittedly salty language is for women who are fed up with suffering in silence and for every survivor looking to “rewrite” her story.

According to the Chatham resident, Worthy AF is part memoir, part mindset shift and “one giant middle finger” to shame.

“I’ve been writing this book for 10 years,” Kocsis said in a recent interview with The Voice. “I went through things that women are supposed to keep quiet about, or are told to ‘get over.’ I lost my selfworth and I realized nobody was coming to rescue me. I

needed to rescue myself and that’s when I realized I was going to write the lifeline that maybe one woman needs. “

Infertility, infidelity and sexual abuse are some of the issues Kocsis explores in her blunt and direct style.

“It’s my truth,” she explained. “It’s about the things that I’ve gone through...I knew I needed to heal myself from the judgment.”

Plus, said Kocsis, who is a wife, mother and registered nurse, there’s science behind being a badass.

“Self-worth literally affects so many things in your life,” she added, touching on all aspects of health.

Kocsis said she wished she would have had a similar guide to help her navigate and heal from trauma. She’s hoping Worthy AF will catch on with readers, possibly becoming a movement.

The book isn’t your typical “self-help” fluff, Kocsis said, telling you to take a bubble bath or chant some affirmations to feel better.

“I

Cruise control

Continued from page 11

Yes, the municipality just celebrated the opening of the new roundabout at the intersection of Queen’s Line and Merlin Road. Expect a hike in fender benders there in the short-term, but admittedly it should be at lower speeds. Then again, the drivers who have been distracted enough to miss stop signs on Merlin Road in the past, could remain distracted and become airborne over that island. We’ll see.

As I said, I’ve aged to the point I really don’t speed excessively. Photo radar, depending on how it is tuned, would not be much of a factor for me, if any.

My cruise control used to be set to 120 km/h in 100 km/h zones. Not so much anymore. I prefer fuel economy and enjoying the trip to blasting down the road, hell bent on the destination.

hope this becomes a revolution to help women evolve. I just want to help women burn all the stuff like guilt and shame that weighs them down. I just wanted to write from grit...I write how I speak.”

Kocsis has done her homework to promote the book, including developing an extensive marketing plan.

“It may change my life but I hope it changes somebody else’s life,” she said. “I want to take the hard grit and turn it into something shiny and gold.”

Worthy AF is now available in 50 countries, and 30,000 retailers and can be found on all social media platforms. Launched on July 31, it’s now listed on Amazon’s list of top 200 in self-help books as of last week.

Let’s Talk Travel

call

Contributed image

Chatham’s Brandee Kocsis is the author of Worthy AF – a no nonsense guide for women looking to heal from trauma.

Possible early warning signs for breast cancer

Women are often their own strongest allies in the fight against breast cancer. While a strong support network can be vital when receiving treatment for breast cancer, women who have not been diagnosed with the disease still have an important role to play in combatting it and potentially reducing its impact on their lives.

The World Cancer Research Fund reports that breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the number one cancer in women across the globe. But women are not helpless against breast cancer. In fact, various organizations encourage women to take a proactive approach in relation to the disease and begin conducting routine self-examinations in young adulthood. Self-exams can uncover signs of the disease and propel treatment when it’s in its earliest stages, a point in time when breast cancer is most treatable. Though the disease does not always produce symptoms in its early stages, women can keep an eye out for these signs each day, including when conducting self-exams.

• New lump or mass: This is perhaps the most widely known symptom of breast cancer, but it’s important that women avoid jumping to conclusions should they uncover a new lump or mass during a self-exam. That’s because most breast lumps are not cancer according to the American Cancer Society. The ACS notes a painless, hard mass with irregular edges is more likely to be cancer but also acknowledges cancer-related lumps or masses can be soft, round, tender, or painful.

• Swelling of all or part of a breast: Swelling may be a sign of breast cancer even if no lump is felt.

• Skin dimpling: The dimpling that may be symptomatic of breast cancer can look like the exterior of an orange peel.

• Pain: Some women experience pain in the breast or nipple before a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Nipple retraction: This symptom is marked by the nipple turning inward.

• Skin issues on the nipple or breast: Skin on the nipple or breast may redden, dry, flake, or thicken when a woman has breast cancer.

• Nipple discharge: The discharge will be something other than breast milk.

• Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone: This swelling may indicate the breast cancer has spread even before the original tumor in the breast reached a size large enough to be felt.

The ACS urges women who discover any of these symptoms to report them to a health care professional immediately. Though each symptom is not necessarily indicative of the presence of breast cancer, it’s still important to seek treatment.

459 St. Clair St., Chatham • 519-351-2040 •

76 Main St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141•

141 Park St., Blenheim

How to support a loved one with breast cancer

Chances are a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient will need some measure of help and support but may not feel comfortable asking for assistance. Getting help also can be overwhelming for certain individuals. But supportive friends or loved ones can step up to the plate and offer support in various ways.

• Provide meals. Take turns with friends & family members to prepare and deliver meals, or order take out for a treat.

• Go grocery shopping. Help stock the refrigerator with plenty of healthy and convenient foods.

• Straighten up. Take care of cleaning around the house. You may wash some loads of laundry, vacuum and iron clothes.

• Care for the dog. If fatigue makes it challenging for the person battling cancer to take the dog on walks, you can step up and handle dog walking or trips to a dog park.

• Provide caregivers a break. The primary caregiver

BREAST CANCER

will be working overtime to offer support, and you can give that person a much-needed break. Step in to go to doctors’ appointments or watch a young child so the caregiver gets a day or two off.

• Take on chauffeur duty. Take on the task of driving the patient to and from checkups or scans. A friendly face can make a big difference in taming anxiety.

• Pay bills. Household tasks may seem overwhelming, so you can help manage the finances by paying bills or sorting through mail. If medical paperwork has begun to stack up, you also can organize and sort items of importance.

• Make home more comfortable. Transform any living spaces, whether they are home or temporary apartments or hotels, with creature comforts. This can include high thread count sheets, newly framed family photos, comfortable pillows and blankets, and more.

• Sit and listen. Sometimes the greatest comfort can be sitting with and listening to the person who is fighting cancer. Don’t offer advice or recommendations unless prompted, but listen to any concerns and offer time and support.

Support for friends and loved ones after a cancer diagnosis can come in many forms and make a significant difference in people’s lives.

Funerals

Cremations

Hots rods, hot support

When it comes to raising money for charity, members of East Kent Hot Rods for Hospice have their pedals to the metal. In the third annual showcase, held Sept. 20, the group raised a total of $34,744 for the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.

Organized by volunteers with Ridge Runners East Kent, the event saw hun-

dreds of cars and thousands of people attend the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, taking part in a car show, vendor exhibit, soapbox derby, live music, a 50/50 raffle and children’s activities.

“We had an outstanding turnout that saw more than 330 classic cars roll through and thousands of people enjoying the day,” said Emily Vollans, member of Ridge Runners

East Kent and head of the event’s planning committee.

“We’re fortunate to have hospice in our community, and our team is honoured to support hospice families while also bringing a large-scale event back to East Kent,” Vollans stated in a media release.

Classic vehicles sit on display at this year’s East Kent Hod

The event raised nearly $35,000 for the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.

In the media statement, Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation executive director Brock McGregor also expressed his appreciation to volunteers and attendees.

“Thank you to the Ridge Runners East Kent planning committee, event

sponsors, volunteer and attendees who dedicated their Saturday to the success of this year’s Hot Rods for Hospice,” McGregor said. “The funds

raised will help us to continue to provide end-oflife care as well as grief and bereavement services to the community of Chatham-Kent.”

The Chatham Voice

Contributed image

Rods for Hospice event Sept. 20.

Celebrations, and with a message

and Chatham teamed up at the Capitol.

More than 500 students gathered at the Chatham Capitol Theatre Sept. 25 to celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day.

They joined other Francophone students across the province in the celebrations of what is also the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag.

Locally, Francophones from Wallaceburg, Grande Pointe, Pain Court, Tilbury

The day began with the Franco-Ontarian flag raising ceremony with speeches from the Bernard Tremblay, president of Centre Communautaire de Chatham-Kent La Girouette (Francophone Community Centre), followed by Robert Demers, chair of Conseil scolaire catholique Providence, then local municipal councillors Brock McGregor and Allysson Storey.

The flag raising ceremony was followed by a

performance by Créason, professional artists who encourage a collective effort to save the planet. They performed using recycle musical instruments such as xylhockey, which is made with hockey sticks.

The Chatham Voice

Contributed image

Members of Créason invited local students up on stage as part of Franco-Ontarian Day celebrations at the Chatham Capitol Theatre Sept. 25.

T.R.E.E.S. dedication held near Ridgetown

By Michael Bennett Local Journalism Initiative

The Ridgetown Independent

Trees planted in the T.R.E.E.S. Memorial Forest on Sept. 14 will forever remind families of a loved one lost over the past year.

The lives of 82 local residents who passed between Sept. 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025, were remembered by family members at the annual Memorial Dedication Service.

“As this tree grows and the years ahead, may it stand as a witness to all the memories and love,” said Dan Ouimette, funeral director and a funeral celebrant with McKinlay Funeral Homes in his devotional message. “When its branches spread, may we be reminded of the way love reaches outward and when its leaves turn with the seasons, may we be reminded that change is natural, but beauty is never truly lost.”

The ceremony began with Piper Ken Poole, fol-

lowed by a welcome and acknowledgements by Nathan McKinlay, president and general manager of McKinlay Funeral Homes, on behalf of the Tree Committee.

“It is our aspiration that this service of dedication today will offer each and every one of you comfort as we pause and think about the lives that have lived,” McKinlay said.

“Because someone dear to us has lived, a forest has begun to grow.

“It has been said that no one plants a tree for himself; one plants trees for the generations that follow them,” McKinlay said.

McKinlay acknowledged the late Doug Smith, who, along with Ridgetown’s senior citizen group, initiated the idea for a memorial forest, as the first trees were planted in 1990 on land donated by the Goodall family and the former Town of Ridgetown.

He also acknowledged

Hugh McVittie and Harry Wyma, who conducted the research in planning the memorial forest. Since the first planting, more than 2,400 trees have been purchased and planted, and the T.R.E.E.S. Memorial Forest has grown to 43 acres.

McKinlay credited past and present tree committee members, as well as community service clubs and groups, who raised funds to purchase approximately 35 acres of land from the Green family when the original portion of the T.R.E.E.S. Memorial Forest ran out of land. He acknowledged his uncle, Rob McKinlay, for his vision to establish memo-

rial forests at the C.M. Wilson Conservation Area, Merlin Conservation Area and Skakel Conservation Area in Thamesville, as well as in Ridgetown.

“You’re one of the pioneers for the concept of these memorial forests who have spent countless hours putting these projects in motion and creating meaningful tree planting ceremonies for the families,” he said of his uncle.

Before the reading of the names, Ouimette said that everyone who gathered for the ceremony came with a tender heart, carrying the memory of someone they had to say goodbye to in the past year.

Call for Volunteers:

Citizen Review Committee on Council Remuneration

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (the “Municipality”) is seeking engaged and knowledgeable individuals to serve on a Citizen Review Committee (the “Committee”) tasked with reviewing Council remuneration.

Since the last review, the Municipality has completed a third-party review of its Council composition and ward boundaries, resulting in a reduction from 18 to 15 Council members and an increase from 6 to 8 wards, effective for the 2026–2030 term. These changes aim to enhance equitable and effective representation for residents in the upcoming municipal elections.

The Committee will be reviewing current Council remuneration, assessing its competitiveness against comparable municipalities, and providing recommendations for potential adjustments. We are looking for up to six (6) residents who represent a cross-section of communities across Chatham-Kent. Ideal candidates will possess a strong foundational understanding of municipal governance, remuneration structures, and/or business acumen. Applicants are asked to submit their application form highlighting their relevant experience and qualifications. Only selected committee members will be contacted.

Committee Commitment Information:

Application Period: September 29 – October 17, 2025

Meeting Schedule: 4 to 5 meetings between November 3 and December 31, 2025

Outcome: The Committee will present its recommendations to current Council for the 2026–2030 term.

The application form is available at any Chatham-Kent Municipal Centre or Municipal Information Desk and on the Committees of Council section of the Chatham-Kent website https://www. chatham-kent.ca/localgovernment/council/Pages/ Committees-of-Council.aspx. Application Form must be received by the end of business day, 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2025 at any Municipal Centre or Municipal Information Desk, by fax to 519.436.3237, email: ckclerk@chatham-kent.ca or by mail to the Judy Smith, Clerk, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King Street West, P.O. Box 640, Chatham ON, N7M 5K8.

Questions: email CKckerk@chatham-kent.ca or call 519-360-1998

Event spikes fundraising for mental health

The Chatham Voice

Music for the Mind, a grassroots charity, held its annual beach volleyball tournament recently, serving up more than $9,000 to support mental health services in Chatham-Kent.

Twenty teams took part in the tourney, which took place at Southside in Chatham.

Players came from as far away as Windsor and London to take part.

“What an incredible day we had at our Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament. The weather was perfect, the turnout was amazing, and the energy was nothing short

of fantastic,” Music for the Minds creator Elisha Banks said via social media.

She added the event was “a full day of fun, competition, and community spirit – all in support of an amazing cause.”

For the 2024-25 fundraising campaign, Music for the Mind raised nearly $43,500. Banks thanked the public for the continued support.

“For the past six years, you’ve stood beside us, helping us bring awareness, support, and vital resources to those facing mental health challenges right here in Chatham-Kent. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we

do,” she said.

The coming campaign will once again see funds raised distributed to Family Service Kent, the KIDS Team Program, and the Children’s Treatment Centre and Foundation of Chatham-Kent.

“Together, we can make an even greater impact for these three essential organizations and in our community,” Banks said.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for being part of this journey with us and for your unwavering support CK. We truly could not do the work we do without each and every one of you.

Health team kicks off 5-year plan

The Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team has launched its five-year strategic plan.

The plan is being described as a roadmap built on collaboration, inclusivity and shared purpose to reflect the team’s commitment to improving health outcomes, advancing equity and strengthening partnerships around the region.

In a media release, CKOHT executive transformation lead Melissa Harrigan said the new plan is a testament to the “power of partnership.

“It represents the voices of our community, our providers, and our partners – all working together to build a healthier, more connected Chatham-Kent,” Harrigan stated.

According to the release, the development of the strategic plan was guided by a broad engagement process. More than 200 partners and 600 community members contributed insight through workshops, surveys, and facilitated sessions — ensuring diverse voices shaped every step. Its goal is to support healthy, thriving communities by a “connected and person-centred system of care.”

The plan’s vision includes strengthening the primary care system; culti-

vating a high performing accountable health team and embedding health equity and inclusion in all actions.

Contributed image

More than 120 people took part in the recent Music for the Mind volleyball tournament, held at Southside in Chatham. The event raised more than $9,000 to support mental health services in Chatham-Kent.

The Chatham Voice

Community Events

Thursday, October 2, 2025:

• Join us every Thursday Afternoon for a Jam Session at the Merlin Legion. Everyone welcome between 1-4 pm and consider staying for an early dinner! Donations are welcome so bring your singing voice or musical instrument.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00am–1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. The Popular L.A. Bingo starts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items available.

Friday, October 3, 2025:

• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out and have a chat, have a coffee, do your homework, ask a question, read a book, or find out about our programs and upcoming events. No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please. All ages & allies welcome. 3:30-6:30pm.

• Screening of the ‘Baldoon Mystery’ Episode, Hosted By: Strange Tales Of The South Shore & The Wallaceburg and District Museum. 7pm. $15 per person Purchase Tickets: https://www. tickettailor.com/events/kraprodu ctionsinc. 40 Minute Episode followed by meet and greet and Q&A with the filmmakers! Wallaceburg and District Museum. 505 King Street, Wallaceburg.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00am-1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00-6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are ham & scalloped potatoes or fish & chips, $15.00(HST included). Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. At 5:15pm is our weekly Catch-The-Ace draw (tickets can be purchased at the bar). Fun Darts start at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

• Join us at the Merlin Legion for fabulous dinner of Beer Battered Fish & Chips only $12.50 and includes dessert!! Served 4:30-7pm with takeouts also available. Call 519-689-4884.

• Lunch at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 11am-1:30pm. Daily specials and menu items available. Friday night supper will be a breaded pork chop dinner 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, October 4, 2025:

• Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious and nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-11:00am, serving indoors, no take out. Wheelchair accessible.

• Seedy Saturday: 9:00am, 10:00am or 11:00am. Join the Ridgetown & District Horticultural Society and learn how to harvest seeds and make seed sharing origami envelopes. Location: 16 Church Street, Ridgetown, Church of the Advent Parish Hall. Free limited seating at three sessions. RSVP by email to ridgetownhortsociety@outlook. com with session preference 9:00am, 10:00am or 11:00am.

• Autumn Market (Craft and Vendor Event) Wallaceburg and District Museum. 505 King Street, Wallaceburg 10-3pm. FREE ADMISSION.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 10:00am-9:30pm. Line Dancing lessons from 10:00am-12 noon. There will be meat draws at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm ending with a 50/50 draw. The kitchen is open from 3:00pm6:00pm. Come check out our menu. Entertainment by Good Company from 4:30-9:30pm. Everyone welcome.

Sunday, October 5, 2025:

• Breakfast at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 9amNoon. All meals are cooked to order. Everyone welcome. Jamboree at the

Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St from 1pm-5pm, $5. Come, listen and dance to the great sounds of Hired Hand. Everyone welcome.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 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. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00am-1:30pm. Our daily special is Meatloaf Dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Witches Lair Escape Room. Sept 29th –October 30th. $15 per person – groups of 4-6. Wallaceburg and District Museum. 505 King Street, Wallaceburg. Book Online: https://www.wallaceburg museum.ca/book-online. Wallaceburg and District Museum. 505 King Street, Wallaceburg.

Looking for ancestors from St. Thomas Anglican Church. Let’s honour the families who built our little country church on the river 150 years ago. St. Thomas Anglican Church, 7077 Grand River Line. Saturday, October 25, 11:15am.

Niagara Falls Bus Trip, Taylor Park Fundraiser, cost $60 with $35 free play! Wed., Oct. 15/25, get receipts at Br. 642 Chatham Legion, 39 William St. N., park in Curling Club parking lot off Colborne St., please bring your Receipt & I.D. , for info, call 519-351-8733.

Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Call – leave message – 519-350-3462

Send your non-profit events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com

Fun Stuff

63. Loose sheats around the spinal cord

65. Accompanies nook

66. Vogue

67. Highly excited CLUES DOWN

1. Witch

2. Utilize

3. Writing utensil

4. Where rockers work

5. Becomes less intense

6. Consume

7. Type of catfish

8. “Horsetown, U.S.A.”

9. Atomic #50

CLUES ACROSS

1. Native American people of CA

5. Long periods of time (Brit.)

10. Classroom tool 12. Rods 14. One who renews 16. They start the alphabet 18. Periodical (slang) 19. Smooth singer Cole 20. Dorsal sclerites in insects 22. One from Utah 23. The world of the dead 25. Singer Redding

26. Mafia head

27. Wrongly 28. Unhappy 30. Anger 31. Dark olive black

33. Places to sit and eat

35. Made a mistake

37. Damp

38. Banned fuel type

40. Actor Damon

41. What thespians do

42. A polite address for a woman

44. Disallow

45. Swiss river

48. A banana has one

50. Afrikaans

52. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

53. Agave

55. Journalist Tarbell

56. One-time tech leader

57. Incidentally (abbr.)

58. Intestinal bacterium

10. The Muse of lyric poetry

11. Brings back to life

13. Humorous critiques

15. Cool!

17. Worst 18. Wet dirt

21. Useful

23. Hebrew unit of liquid capacity

24. High schoolers’ test

27. Internet device

29. City in India

32. A place to rest

34. Chat responder

35. A way to move on

36. What consumers are given

39. Digital audiotape

40. More (Spanish)

43. Disfigured

44. White (Spanish)

46. Church building

47. Georgia rockers

49. Surgeon’s tool

51. “Much __ about nothing”

54. Make by braiding

59. Local area network

60. Unit of work

61. Indigenous person of Thailand

62. Liquefied natural gas

64. Distance to top

Puzzle answers on page 23

Insuring, ensuring the future

The Chatham Voice

Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance is back at it, giving a hand up to students in the region as they head into post-secondary education.

The company selected five students in southwestern Ontario, including Chatham’s Aiden Franko, to be recipients of $1,000 scholarships.

Each applicant had to submit an essay on the pros and cons of buying insurance over the Internet, as online purchases

are becoming more and more the norm.

“Winning this scholarship is fantastic and truly means a lot,” Franko said in a media release.

“Thank you, Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance – I am grateful for the support.”

All recipients were also highly recommended by their principals, vice prin-

cipals, guidance counsellors and teachers for this scholarship program.

“We’re thrilled by the overwhelming response to this year’s scholarship essays. It’s inspiring to see so many bright young minds engaging with the future of our industry,”

Kevin Konecny, Kent & Essex’s president and CEO, said in a release.

“The topic of online insurance purchasing is timely, as technology continues to transform how consumers explore and buy coverage. While the Internet offers speed and convenience, these essays also reminded us of the lasting value of trusted brokers who can personalize protection and provide guidance through complex choices.”

Kent & Essex has been awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors for more than 13 years, amounting to more than $65,000 through this program.

Skills development

The Ontario government is investing $95,864 through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to support six participants in Chatham-Kent to get the skills they need to land good-paying, in-demand jobs in food and beverage service. Continued on page 22

NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSING Notice is hereby given that at a meeting of the Council of the Municipality of ChathamKent on October 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham, Council will consider, and if approved, may pass a by-law to stop up and close part of the road allowance from Balmoral Line in the community of Pain Court:

• Property Identification Number 00776 0066, Part of Road Allowance Between Concessions 2 & 4 Geographic Township of Dover West, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, being Part 1 of Part of PIN 00776 0066 as depicted in 24R11566

At this meeting, Council will hear any person or their solicitor or agent, who claims that their land will be prejudicially a ffected by the bylaw and who provide a written submission by email to the Clerk’s office (ckclerk@chatham-kent.ca) by noon on October 6th. For further information, please contact Amy McLellan, Manager, Revenue at 519-360-1998, Ext 3185.

At this meeting, Council will hear any person or their solicitor or agent, who claims that their land will be prejudicially a ffected by the bylaw and who provide a written submission by email to the Clerk’s office ( ckclerk@chatham-kent.ca) by noon on October 6th. For further information, please contact Amy McLellan, Manager, Revenue at 519 -360-1998, Ext 3185.

Contributed image

Chatham’s Aiden Franko shows off the scholarship he received from Kent & Essex Insurance that will help kick-start his pursuit of a degree in kinesiology.

Province beefs up skills training

Continued from page 21 This funding is a part of a broader effort to strength- en Ontario’s workforce, improve productivity, and protect workers from U.S. tariffs.

Josephine Brincat

Monday, September 22, 2025

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Kimberly Vlahos

Friday, September 19, 2025

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Jacob-Adam Lionel McKim

29, Sunday, September 14, 2025 Life Transitions

Maria Paulette Barbarino

57, Saturday, September 20, 2025 Life Transitions

Joy Marie Fields

59, Monday, September 22, 2025 Life Transitions

Nowella Ortibus

85, Saturday, September 20, 2025 Nicholls Funeral Home

Deborah "Deb" Louise Taylor

70, Monday, September 22, 2025 Nicholls Funeral Home

Lynda Van Damme

78, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Nicholls Funeral Home

W., Chatham 519-352-2710 alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca

Rose Marcelle Branton

66, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Nicholls Funeral Home

Anna Wiebe

78, Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Kendrick Funeral Home

Nevin Osborne

57, Friday, September 19, 2025

McKinlay Funeral Home

Charlotte Anne Harman

83, Sunday, September 21, 2025

McKinlay Funeral Home

Bill Park

80, Sunday, September 21, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home

Mickie Hurst

70, Wednesday, September 24, 2025 McKinlay Funeral Home

Urbain "Pete" Bechard

89, Thursday, September 18, 2025 Hinnegan Peseski Funeral Home

Wilfred Couture

60, Sunday September 21, 2025

Hinnegan Peseski Funeral Home

Kathleen Clare Barlow

76, Friday, September 19, 2025

Badder Funeral Home

Jennifer Jean Sayers

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Badder Funeral Home

Art Warmerdam

93, Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Badder Funeral Home

Earl Jewhurst

95, Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Badder Funeral Home

Peter Van Eerd

94, Thursday, September 18, 2025

Badder Funeral Home

Gwendolyn “Anna” Fife (nee Dodman)

79, Saturday, September 20, 2025

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Ed Vanderveen

96, Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Olivia Hanak-Guttridge

23, Monday, September 22, 2025

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

“This investment is great news for families and workers in Chatham-Kent. By supporting training through the Children’s Treatment Centre, we are helping local people gain the skills they need for in-demand jobs in food and beverage service, and also strengthening our local economy,” Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent–Leamington, in a media release

The RTRI is a three-year, $450-million national initiative, delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), to help businesses overcome trade challenges.

FedDev Ontario will deliver nearly $160 million in southern Ontario, with targeted support available for businesses in the steel and automotive industries.

The RTRI will invest in Canadian businesses affected by trade challenges by helping them improve productivity, expand and diversify markets.

This investment will support six participants for the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, which collectively employs more than 200 people. Participants will be prepared for in-demand roles in food and beverage service, which are essential to the continued success of Ontario’s administrative and support services industry.

See full obituaries at chathamvoice.com/ obituaries

Tariff troubles?

Eligible southern Ontario businesses can now apply for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative support to respond, adapt and compete amid shifting market conditions.

It’s a federal government initiative it said is in place to protect Canadian workers, reinforcing the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and building one strong Canadian economy.

As a result, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is open in southern Ontario.

New deal at Oaks Employees of Oaks Retirement Village in Wallaceburg recently voted unanimously in favour of ratifying a three-year collective agreement providing them with annual wage increases and other improvements. The 73 employees work as RPNs, PSWs, dietary aides, and housekeeping, laundry, concierge, and maintenance staff. They are represented by Southwestern Ontario Healthcare and Service Workers Union, CLAC Local 303. The new contract provides employees with 3.5 percent wage increases each year of the agreement.

• Business Voice is a bi-monthly column that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community.

Classifieds

In Memoriam Obituary

In Memory of Our Friend, Paul Hill

Paul was kind, cheerful, and full of hope. A true leader, always first to help and last to leave. He gave freely of his time, guiding youth, lifting spirits, and caring for those most in need. Humble, reliable, and deeply respected, he was more than a volunteer—he was our friend. Thank you, Paul, for the beautiful memories you’ve left us.

With love, Your Red Feather Friends

Old Hymns and KJV Preaching Go to chathambaptistchapel.com to watch sermons. Announcement

Chatham Baptist Chapel “Come Out, Join Us” Sundays 11am and 7pm.

Wednesdays 7pm, Friday 7pm.

Services

Obituary

Maria Paulette Barbarino passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Chatham in 1967 and was raised in Blenheim. Maria was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Margo (Jenkins) Durfy, and was the loving mother of Harold “Jay” Emerick, Erik Durfy-Emerick (Caitlin), James Emerick (Natasha), and Jessica Emerick. She was the cherished grandmother of numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dear sister of Kennie Durfy (Carolynn), Kelli Kirkpatrick (Rob), and Crystal Turner. Maria will also be sadly missed by her stepmom Debbie Durfy. Maria loved gardening and spent hours in her greenhouse. Donations in Maria’s memory may be made to Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) or the Canadian Cancer Society. As per Maria’s wishes cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place in the spring. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions, 397 McNaughton Ave W, Chatham. (519) 351-4444

For

Sale

8871 Doyle Line - Lots of Variety!

All weekend long - 9am-4pm. Tools galore, pots, pans, bicycles. Come & see, you’ll be surprised!

M50 Style Mobility Wheelchair (2022 Model) 50 degree pressure relief and positioning tilt. Light usage, in good condition. Seeking $999.00 or reasonable best offer. No delivery - Buyer picks up. Contact number 519.965.5327

Hurst, Mickie Florence (nee Hoekstra) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mickie Florence Hurst, with family at her side at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on September 24, 2025 at the age of 70. Mickie was born in Chatham, the daughter of the late William Hoekstra & Florence (nee Roorda) Hoekstra on January 19, 1955. Loving and very proud mother of Aaron Hurst (Ambree Martin) and Monica Hurst (Aaron DeRidder). Sister to Jack (Ann) Hoekstra, Shirley (Frank) Singor, Andy (the late Millie) Hoekstra, Bill (the late Millie) Hoekstra, Tina (Peter) Schenk, Cecilia (the late Gerard) Vanderveen, Sara (the late Cor) Vreugdenhil, Gerald (Regiena) Hoekstra, the late Peter (Rolina) Hoekstra and William (the late Jean) Hoekstra. Survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family and her best friend, Brenda Booth. Predeceased by niece, Audrey Spaling and nephew, Tim Wolting. Mickie enjoyed her work outdoors and would help out on the farm where she could. She liked photography, taking many pictures at weddings and family gatherings. Mickie liked a challenge, especially when it came to trucks, big trucks. She was good at her job with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. Mickie enjoyed baking, gardening when she was younger and she loved her flowers. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Rehab and Continuing Care Floor especially Tammy Robinson, PT, Aaron Verschraegen, OT, Amie Wright, NP, and nurses, Emma, Evelyn and Daze. An extra special thank you to Dr. B. Jhawar, Neurosurgeon at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor, for his steady hands navigating our mom’s prior brain surgery. Family to receive friends on Saturday, September 27 2025 at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham from 10:00 am until the Service time of 12:00 pm. Burial to follow in Maple Leaf Cemetery. In memory of Mickie, take time to have a coffee with someone you love. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mckinlayfuneralhome. com. “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham. 519 351 2040

October 5, 2025

Love mommy, daddy, and all of your family. We all love you so much!

Looking for expert to unplug leaves from 10-foot high vertical eaves from the ground. 519-354-7241.

400 National Rd, Chatham

Experienced and new drivers welcome! Call: 519-380-0800 Visit: www.ekkinox.com