The Chatham Voice, Feb. 8, 2024

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Youngsters attending the Thames Art Gallery’s Feb. 2 PA day program were afforded a fresh perspective on artist Amanda McCavour’s unique installation called “The Blue Afar.” The art piece features dreamlike embroidered blue flowers suspended from the ceiling. Along with appreciating McCavour’s art, kids attending the program also took part in sewing, dying fabric and painting in the style of Monet.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

News

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Beaver a problem at golf course

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

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It appears a local golf course has something in common with the ficCONSULTATIONS tional Bushwood Country Club in at the movie Caddyshack.

Where Bushwood had a problemAll Insurance Forms Accepted Including OW/ODSP atic and comedic gopher, Maple “Love Your Smile, With Maple City Smiles” City Country Club has an oh-so-Ca519-397-4244 nadian issue: a beaver.

Angelo Tourlas, DD 450 Grand Ave. E., The highlights from the club’s info@maplecitysmiles.ca Chatham, ON across January board meeting stated the www.maplecitysmiles.ca from Service Ontario country club has “been actively addressing an ongoing beaver concern along the bank of the 13th hole, which will result in the unfortunate loss of several trees in the area.”

Course management opted PLENTY OF SIZES to hire a profesIN STOCK! sional trapper in early December, but as of the time of issue of the meeting highlights, the “elusive beaver Plan your delivery remains undisand set up Today! covered.”

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ple City, said the interloper has been a difficult catch. He holds out hope the animal gets the hint and moves on.

“We made the attempt before winter and missed him. Then the ice came. We aren’t sure where his home is,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the floodwaters to recede.”

The problem is the buck-toothed rodent is sampling trees along the river’s edge much like a Las Vegas buffet aficionado, rather than focusing on one.

“He’s gnawed on about 15 or 16 trees already. He hasn’t dropped any, but he’s been chewing on them,” Brown said. “Mostly he’s going after the sugar maples. It’s nice and tasty for them. It’s like he can’t make up his mind.”

The superintendent wishes the beaver would.

“If he only picked one or two trees, he could stay.”

Brown hopes the recent high water flooded the beaver out of his home and he decides to find a different spot to live. If the beaver does not paddle onward, Brown said the trapper will be called in once again, and the beaver will be lethally trapped.

“We called in a professional. He’ll do it the right way,” Brown said.

According to the provincial government, “as a last resort,” a property owner can “humanely kill or trap beavers that are damaging or

about to damage” their property, or hire an agent to do the job.

Brigan Barlow, manager of drainage for the municipality confirmed catch and release is not really an option for beavers.

“You are allowed by law to move them up to one kilometre. They’ll just come right back,” he said. “The only way to do it is to lethally trap them.”

Brown said beaver sightings are pretty regular for him, as he’s seen about eight over the past three years.

“Most stay out in the river and do their own thing. This one wants to make a home here,” he said.

Greg Van Every, conservation services co-ordinator with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Association (LTVCA), said it shouldn’t be surprising to spot a beaver in our part of the province.

“There are more beavers around than you know. (The Municipality of) Chatham-Kent drainage is constantly fighting with them,” he told The Chatham Voice. “For the past five years or so, they’ve been pretty regular.”

Van Every said the critters are great for the environment in general, but not when their actions butt up against humanity.

“These animals are keystone species that do a good job creating habitat, but alongside agriculture, they aren’t the most desirable,” he said.

NOTICE FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BY-LAW Notice is hereby given that at a meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent on March 4, 2024 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 adopt the new Development Charge By-Law that applies to all service areas of the Municipality who receive water and/or wastewater services.

The proposed By-Law and Development Charges Background Study may be found at: Water & Wastewater Development Charges (chatham-kent.ca) At this meeting, Council will hear representations from any person or their solicitor or agent, regarding the ByLaw. For further information, please contact Darren Galbraith, General Manager, CK PUC at 519-436-0119, Ext 4350.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:15am - 3:30pm

71 Sass Rd Unit #4, N7M 5J4

519-397-2020

Bruce Corcoran General Manager- Ext.227 bruce@chathamvoice.com

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Deadlines for booking ads: Friday prior to publication date 12:00pm Give us a call at our local office today!

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

PAGE 3

News

Uncertain future leads to elderly exodus

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

At age 96, Park Street Place resident Ann is looking for a new home.

Her granddaughter Stacey, who is in charge of her care, said it’s sad that her loved one has to move on from the Dresden retirement home but the uncertainty is unbearable.

“I can’t handle the stress of not knowing what’s going to happen and miss out on an opportunity for a spot in another home,” Stacey told The Chatham Voice in a telephone interview. “My grandma was fully intending for this to be her last place to live. She doesn’t want to leave and she hates to see other people leave.”

Ann and Stacey (not their real names) are but two of the people caught in the fallout from the Retirement Home Regulatory Agency (RHRA)’s recent revocation of the operator’s license to run Park Street Place. As of May 29, the facility will no longer be able to operate as a retirement home offering care.

Residents have been informed that unless a new owner is found, those who stay on at Park Street Place will have to find and pay for their own services, such as food, cleaning and personal hygiene, as well as specialized nursing care, including the disbursement of medication.

The RHRA stated the license was being pulled following a complaint in September

2023. The RHRA undertook an investigation which determined residents were not getting adequate care because of staff shortages and that the licensee was “operating in a critical state of debt,” meaning the bills – including staff payroll – were going unpaid.

The revocation order states that the licensee is focused on reducing expenses and not ensuring resident needs and health are safeguarded, noting it is the deputy registrar’s opinion the licensee’s “financial and staffing mismanagement of the home is irresponsible, incompetent and prejudicial to resident health, safety and welfare.”

The home is owned by a numbered company, with Pushpinder Brah listed as the executive director.

Stacey, who received the late-night email Jan. 22 informing her the home’s license is being pulled, said a “very rough week” followed the surprising news.

However, she’s not blaming staff for the problems, noting caring employees helped make Park Street Place “a home.”

While it may not have all the luxuries of a new retirement home, Stacey said the facility is “cute and quaint” and a “great place.

“The staff did make it a loving home,” she said. “We trusted our loved ones were being taken care of.”

The blame for the revocation of the license lies squarely on management, Stacey stated, noting investors from outside the municipality haven’t

lived up to their obligations.

Losing the home doesn’t just hurt the residents, she said, it’s a blow to staff, the community and the local economy.

“Most of the staff live in the area and this is a loss for everyone,” Stacey said.

It’s unclear what’s next for Park Street Place, however many of the residents at the 48-bed facility are, like Ann, hunting for a new place to live.

Park Street Place is one of 780 licensed retirement homes overseen by the RHRA in Ontario. The non-profit agency, funded primarily by the contributions of owner/ operators, receives no government funding. The cost to apply for a retirement home license is $10,000, plus $25 per suite.

As part of the ongoing RHRA fee schedule, licensees currently pay $14 per suite per month to the regulatory body.

According to Stacey, a single resident at the home pays more than $2,000 per month.

An online message from RHRA communication manager Phil Norris said it’s not clear if there will be repercussions against the licensee or former management staff for the problems discovered in September following a complaint.

Information on the RHRA website indicates that the owner/operators found to be in noncompliance can face a $50,000 fine for a first violation and up to $200,000 for a subsequent violation.

It’s unknown if anyone will

face any penalties in relation to Park

Street Place.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

News

’Burg drop-in centre could close

The New Blue Party of Ontario https:www.facebook.com/LKMNewBlue

Information Evening in Thamesville, ON There is a By-Election soon to be called for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex You are invited to a Public Information Meeting to hear about the New Blue Party of Ontario and our policy platform.

WHERE: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 367 32 Victoria St., Thamesville, ON

WHEN: Thursday, 8 February 2024 TIME: 7:00pm There will be a Presentation followed by a Q&A Session.

Invite your Family Members and Friends The New Blue Party is your true conservative choice.

The upcoming by-election in L-K-M is a great opportunity to send a New Blue MPP to Queen’s Park.

Join us to hear why!

We look forward to meeting you there.

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

A highly utilized outreach centre in Wallaceburg is in danger of shutting down.

R.O.C.K. (Reach Out Chatham-Kent) Missions announced Feb. 1 it will be closing its Wallaceburg drop-in centre March 31 unless new funding becomes available.

This decision stems from unforeseen challenges, R.O.C.K. officials said, including a withdrawal in funding from the United Way of Chatham-Kent and the conclusion of the partnership with the 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre (7GICFC), where the drop-in centre is located.

Renee Geniole, executive director for R.O.C.K., said they are seeking the help from the community to keep the dropin centre, which had been open 24/7, operational. It costs about $200,000 to operate the centre at that pace.

The centre serves 20-40 people per day, R.O.C.K. officials said.

The drop-in centre pro-

vides food, harm-reduction supplies, hygiene products, community connection, and a safe, warm place to go.

Meanwhile, Maureen Geddes, interim CEO at the United Way of Chatham-Kent (UWOCK), said the umbrella nonprofit organization was also a founding member of the outreach centre when it opened in January of 2022 and did not rule out funding heading its way in the future.

March 31 marks the end of UWOCK’s fiscal year and future funding for support into the charitable sector has not been completed as of yet.

“We encourage R.O.C.K. to submit an application for funding for the next fiscal year,” she said. “It’s a process.

It is a challenging time for the whole charitable sector. There is growing demand and limited funds. We do typically get more applications than we can fund.”

Geniole said R.O.C.K. officials are also looking for community support in Wallaceburg to aid in funding the centre. If the funding is below what R.O.C.K. received this

past fiscal year, she said they will look to find ways to keep the centre operating, but likely not in a 24/7 capacity.

“If there are ways we could negotiate and manipulate the programs to keep things going, we’d be open to that,” she said. “Wallaceburg is an awesome community. We were filling a pretty big gap there for daily services.”

Geddes said the selection process for funding organizations and projects is not done by the United Way board, but rather there is a committee that listens to the needs of respective communities and allocates funding based on perceived needs.

Geddes sees the good the centre provides Wallaceburg citizens in need.

“We’ve been quite proud to provide the support and the funding to help bring it (the drop-in centre) there,” she said. “R.O.C.K. in Wallaceburg has been amazing.

R.O.C.K. has been serving Wallaceburg since 2019, providing street-level outreach services, and serves 120 individuals each week.

Proud to celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day We’re honoured to advise and support the hardworking people in this crucial industry.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Farm show ‘drones’ on

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

The use of drones in agriculture is taking flight and Adrian Rivard is in on the ground floor.

Rivard is the owner of the Blenheim-area based Drone Spray Canada – a growing business that utilizes state-of-the-art drone technology in new ways down on the farm.

As part of Drone Spray Canada’s exhibit at the recent Chatham-Kent Farm Show, Rivard unveiled a Chinese-made XAG P100 Pro 50-litre drone, the latest addition to the company’s growing fleet. The $52,000 machine will take to the skies above Chatham-Kent and beyond – to be used for spraying, imaging and seeding.

Rivard, who has 15 years’ experience as a professional pilot, started the company with an eye to the future.

“We saw a marriage between agriculture and drones,” Rivard explained, noting the field was ripe for expansion.

“When we started the company, drones were in their infancy in terms of technology and there was a lot of potential,” Ri-

vard told The Voice. “It’s really grown since. There’s been a lot of interest.”

According to Rivard, the company does a lot of research imaging work for regulating agencies such as Agriculture Canada and has worked across Canada from Winnipeg to Quebec City. Internationally, Drone Spray Canada has completed contracts as far away as Spain and South Africa.

Rivard said the use of drones in farming receives mixed reviews, as some farmers are open to it, while others are not.

One of the big pluses of using drones, said Rivard, is that it aids in the health of soil by lessening the effects of compaction.

There are no heavy ground machines lumbering over a field when a drone is used.

However, farming isn’t the only business Drone Spray Canada is involved in.

“It’s not just all agriculture,” Rivard said, adding the company works on environmental projects, spraying for phragmites and assisting with wetland endeavors.

Drone operators also take on jobs that are too small for helicopters or planes, including spraying for mosquitoes and ap-

PAGE 5

News

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Adrian Rivard of Drone Spray Canada shows off the newest addition to his company’s fleet at the Chatham-Kent Farm Show held at the J.D. Bradley Centre recently. The drone, primarily used for granular spreading, has a 13foot wingspan. Hundreds of people turned up at the recent show to see what’s new in the agriculture industry.

plying shading agents to greenhouses, he said.

Regulations surrounding the operation of commercial drones are strict in Canada, Rivard said, noting it costs $15,000 to get a company license to operate drones.

Using a drone requires a drone pilot’s license.

Training to fly the bigger drones takes two days, while an operator’s license for a smaller drone can be completed in half a day.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Opinion The code says no There are grumblings circulating around the ever-present Chatham-Kent rumour mill that some members of municipal council should be in hot water over how they voted on the acquisition of the former Sears building.

Some folks are doing more than just verbally complaining. Emails have been sent, and phone calls made, asking for punishment to any councillor who did not declare a conflict of interest on the vote if they had received any campaign contribution from one of the owners of the Downtown Chatham Centre (DCC) during the last municipal election campaign in 2022.

Two councillors – Ryan Doyle and Connor Allin – declared conflicts of interest in the matter, but not related to campaign contributions. For example, Allin works at Retro Suites/The Chilled Cork, which is owned by the Myers family, which has part ownership in the DCC. However – and these complaints are being voiced by multiple sources – councillors Michael Bondy and Brock McGregor each received contributions from members of the DCC ownership for the 2022 election campaign.

The complainants seem to think donations for re-election efforts, for

$1,200 and $250 respectively, is tantamount to a bribe and is therefore a pecuniary conflict of interest.

However, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s code of conduct for members of council states that is not the case.

Under the category of Gifts and Benefits, it states, “No member shall accept a fee, advance, gift, advantage, service, benefit or hospitality that is connected directly or indirectly with the performance of his or her duties of office.”

That might lead some to see there should be a conflict.

But, there are exceptions to the rule.

One of those exceptions the code specifically mentions is “a political contribution otherwise reported publicly by law, in the case of members running for office.”

For anyone thinking the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing should be the overarching judge on this matter, well, ministry officials largely leave it in the hands of municipalities and their respective integrity commissioners to hand matters.

There’s a clear code of conduct for everyone to see from the municipality, including councillors. McGregor and Bondy followed it to a T.

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.

The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright. No material from this edition may be reproduced without expressed written consent of CK Media Inc.

A member of:

71 Sass Rd., Unit #4, Chatham, ON, N7M 5J4 Tel: 519-397-2020

Transport cost outrageous: reader Editor: I am writing to express my concern and frustration in relation to Voyageur Patient Transfer Services.

My elderly father was recently in the ICU in London and then transferred back to Chatham Kent Health Alliance. I received a call from the CKHA on Nov. 6 telling me that my father was cleared from the hospital and was able to return to Riverview Gardens Long Term Care Home and that I was required to arrange transportation for him.

I have no issue with this; however, what I do have

issue with is the fact that Voyageur Patient Transfer Service charged my elderly father, who is on a fixed income, $438 to travel from the CKHA to Riverview Gardens, a total of 950 metres.

In my opinion, this is preposterous. Due to my father’s fixed income, he was unable to pay and so I covered the cost.

My concern is for the elderly, who are most likely on a low fixed income, who can barely afford long-term care let alone a $438 bill; if they do not have family or someone

looking after them, how do they navigate the healthcare system?

The amount of $438 is not reasonable and should be considerate of the elderly who have served in their own capacity during their lifetime to contribute to the common good. Surely, they could and should be afforded a reasonable cost for a transfer from hospital to long-term care as they have no other means of transportation.

Lisa Chambers Hamilton

Cleanup those recyclables Editor: I spoke with the area supervisor recently of the company who does the curbside pickup after a problem yesterday with the collection.

To those who have

heard that a lot of recycled material goes to the landfill, here is why.

Paper needs to be removed from cans and plastic items as well

as washed out.

This will reduce the tonnage going to the landfill.

Wes Summerfield Chatham

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 7

News

Public health merger in works Chatham-Kent, Lambton health boards looking to join forces

According to board chair Brock McGregor the Lambton Board of Health is meeting Feb. 21, after which time a joint Another step has been taken statement will likely be issued towards the possible voluntary to the public.

“From our perspective, more merger of CK Public Health information from Lambton and Lambton Public Health.

At a special Chatham-Kent Board of Health is needed,” McGregor said, board of health noting CKPH admeeting Feb. 1, a “From our perspecministration has consultant’s rebeen directed to port regarding tive, more information bring a report the feasibility of from Lambton Board back to the board. blending the two of Health is needed. public health We’re awaiting the out- “We’re awaiting the outcome of agencies was precome of that meeting.” that meeting.” sented.

Public health However, be- - CK Public Health chair agencies cover cause the report Brock McGregor a wide range of was made in closed session, the details can- services, from food and water not be shared with the media safety, to infectious disease tracking and prevention, imor the public.

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

munizations, prenatal health and overdose prevention.

In 2019, the province announced plans to consolidate Ontario’s 35 public health units down into 10 units but this was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The same year, the province also changed its funding model for public health units, moving from a 75-25 provincial-municipal cost share ratio to a 7030 split.

Then in August 2023, the Ministry of Health announced plans to “strengthen” the public health sector by offering one-time funding,

resources and supports to local public health agencies that merge voluntarily.

In order to qualify for funding, the merger needs to be in place as of Jan.1, 2025.

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MPP Jones MPPTrevor Trevor Jones Chatham-Kent-Leamington Chatham-Kent-Leamington

Chatham Office Constituency Office ChathamConstituency Constituency OfficeLeamington Leamington Constituency Office 111 100 115115 ErieErie St. St. N., Unit B B 111Heritage HeritageDr. Dr.Suite Suite 100 N., Unit MPP Trevor Jones 519-351-0510 519-326-3367 519-351-0510 519-326-3367 Chatham-Kent-Leamington Chatham Constituency Office Leamington Constituency Office 111 Heritage Dr. Suite 100 115 Erie St. N., Unit B 519-351-0510 519-326-3367

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 8

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

News

Pinsonneault gets L-K-M PC nod The Chatham Voice

When the next provincial

election is called, Thamesville’s Steve Pinsonneault may be representing

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Lambton-Kent-Middlesex at Queen’s Park.

Following a nomination meeting in Strathroy on Jan. 27, the long-time Chatham-Kent councillor was elected to fill the Ontario PC Party vacancy left empty when former MPP Monte McNaughton stepped away from politics last fall.

A by-election to fill the Ontario Legislature seat is expected to be held later this year.

Pinsonneault, owner of several small business-

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Straight Talk

es, clinched the to continue to Ontario PC Parbuild the Wallaty nomination, ceburg hospital, besting opponent create good-payNeal Roberts, ing local jobs and chief of the Midfight to make life dlesex London affordable for Paramedic Serthe people of our vice. community,” he In a media resaid. lease from the Steve Pinsonneault The husband, party, Pinsonfather of three neault said the health adult children, and and prosperity of L-K-M veteran volunteer fireresidents are his top pri- fighter has a motto of orities.

“Get It Done for Lamb“I’m running with the ton-Kent-Middlesex.”

Ontario PC Party in order Former MPP McNaugh-

Benn to run in L-K-M for New Blue The Chatham Voice

with Nathan McKinlay In our column, we often share the insights, stories and encounters experienced at the Funeral Home and beyond. We are blessed to be able to help families of all different faiths, backgrounds and walks of life through their grief journey. At a time of loss, people are often either at their best or at their worst, and families tend to either come together or come apart. Working with grief and death day in and day out can be challenging. It is certainly not a job for everyone and not everyone can cut it. We are fortunate to have been able to hone and train a team of compassionate and passionate, authentic and hard-working professionals to serve our families. Our greatest asset is our team. As such I only felt it appropriate to highlight some of the individuals that I am fortunate enough to work with.

- Nathan

If he does not know you by name, he likely knows you by shoe size. John Brennan was the owner of Simply Shoes in Blenheim and Chatham before taking a much-earned retirement and joining our team. He has been very active in the community and a great friend.

I first got to know John when he was the Treasurer of the Blenheim Business Improvement Association. I had always respected him for his professionalism, his ethics, and his candor. I am very pleased to be able to serve families alongside him now. Thank you, John!

Trust the Professionals.

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ton said Pinsonneault has what it takes to get it done.

“Working alongside Doug Ford, Steve is the right candidate to bring growth to the riding,” McNaughton said in the media release.

“I’ve seen Steve in action, and I know that his grassroots approach makes him the right candidate for our riding.”

Pinsonneault has represented East Kent on Chatham-Kent council since 2006.

Local geologist Keith Benn will be running on the New Blue Party of Ontario ticket in the upcoming Lambton-Kent-Middlesex by-election to fill the vacancy left by former PC MPP Monte McNaughton.

Benn, a Wallaceburg-area resident, recently announced he will seek a seat in the Ontar-

io Legislature and has received his pre-writ certification of nomination from Elections Ontario, according to the L-K-M riding association of the New Blue Party of Ontario.

In a media release, Benn said he is “very much looking forward Keith Benn to meeting and speaking with the voters of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and sharing with them the importance of sending a new voice,” such as his, to Queen’s Park.

The candidate is holding an information evening in Thamesville on Feb. 8. He will be at the Royal Canadian Legion at 7 p.m.

It’s Benn’s second run for the New Blue party. In 2022, the former University of Ottawa professor ran as a candidate for Sarnia-Lambton in the provincial election but was bested by Ontario PC candidate Bob Bailey.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

PAGE 9

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Carson Warrener* 519-809-2856

Marco Acampora* 519-784-4348

Stephen Carroll* 519-355-9774

Lisa Everaert* 519-330-8548

Michelle Hetherington 519-401-2635*

Ghassan Najjar** 519-355-8668

Brian Peifer** 519-436-2669

Katherine Rankin** 226-542-2964

Cindy Weaver** 519-360-0628

Ashley Amato* 519-365-5677

Terry Chauvin* 519-437-8498.

Eric Fitzgerald* 519-436-4865

Wayne Liddy* 519-436-4810

Heather Najjar** 519-355-8666

Elizabeth Peifer* 519-436-8959

Deborah Rhodes* 519-401-5470

Ashley Wilton* 519-437-7564

Dane Appleton* 519-436-7195

Anna-Marie Clark* 519-354-7890

Michael Gibbons* 519-365-5634

Krista Mall* 519-365-7462

Cass Opiela* 519-355-7804

Patrick Pinsonneault** 519-360-0141

David Smith* 519-350-1615

Elliot Wilton* 519-358-8755

Kelly-Anne Appleton* 519-365-7155

Ron Collins* 519-401-8464

Jeff Godreau* 519-365-4852

June McDougall* 519-358-5199

Meg Palin* 226-627-2078

Chris Polley* 905-903-0505

Chris Spafford* 519-917-2635

Tori Winters* 226-881-0334

Megan Canniff* 226-626-7133

Adam Deseure* 519-350-5787

Darren Hart* 226-627-8580

Sylvia Moffat** 519-355-8189

Chris Papple* 519-350-1402

Scott Poulin* 519-350-5320

Kate Stenton* 519-436-8377

Lisa Zimmer* 519-365-7325

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*Sales Representative **Broker

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 10

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

News

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Short wait times at seasonal clinic

sits adjacent to the emergency department. It has been designed to improve The seasonal care clin- flow for the emergency ic outside the Chatham department and reduce site of the Chatham-Kent wait times for those with Health Alliance is work- a seasonal illness, such as colds, flu, ing as adCovid or vertised.

“We’ve been saving RSV. Caen Suni, thousands of hours of Suni said vice-presto ident of staff and patient time.” prior the clinclinical pro- - CKHA’s Caen Suni ic, typical grams and operations at CKHA, said Emergency Department between the clinic’s open- wait times for those with ing Nov. 22 and Jan. 28, symptoms of such ailthe care trailer had seen ments were anywhere from 3.5 to seven hours.

763 patients.

“At the clinic, the turnThe clinic is a mobile unit run in conjunction with around time from the Chatham-Kent EMS and point of registration to

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

having been seen is 30 to 45 minutes,” Suni said.

“We’ve been saving thousands of hours of staff and patient time.”

He added that public feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

The clinic is slated to be in operation to the end of February, unless there’s a spike in seasonal illnesses.

“It looks like seasonal illnesses so far have peaked in the last week of December and the first week of January,” he said.

However, if there is a spike, then CKHA and EMS would have to “work to respond to the community’s needs.”

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

PAGE 11

Romantic evening set for Saturday The Chatham Voice

A romantic evening of music accented by 500 candles is the theme of the Feb. 10 Saturdays at

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It will feature love songs from stage and screen, such as Phantom of the Opera, as well as jazz

standards, including Fly Me to the Moon.

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The event begins at 7 p.m. with the venue opening at 6:30 p.m. Donations of $20 per person are suggested.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 12

Community Events

Thursday, February 8, 2024: • Retired Workers Chapter Meeting.Keep up to date on pensions, benefits and info provided from informed leadership and guest speakers. Spouses are welcome.

10:00am at the Unifor Local 127, 405 Riverview Dr., Chatham.

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

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm.

Everyone is welcome.

• Merlin Legion Br. 465. 519-689-4884.

Jam Session from 1-4:30pm. All are welcome to attend with a donation of $2.

4-7pm. New 1-lb Wing Special with fries $8.85 + tax = $10.00 Homemade Panzerotti + Menu available.

• Come join us at the TIlbury Leisure Centre Thursday’s for Exercise at 10am, and Essentrics at 5:30pm.

Friday, February 9, 2024: • The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am1:30pm. Supper served 4:00–6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are cabbage rolls or fish & chips, $13.00.

Take out is also available by calling 519351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Everyone Welcome.

• Canadian Council of The Blind CK Chapter Bowling. Chatham Bowlerama, Keil Dr., Chatham. Come out say hi and have fun with us! 1pm.

• Merlin Legion Br. 465. 519-689-4884.

Join us 4:30-7pm for our delicious Chicken a la King served on a homemade buttermilk biscuit or bed of rice with vegetables and dessert.

• Come join us at the Tilbury Leisure Centre Friday’s for Euchre at 1:30pm.

• Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St is a Meat Loaf dinner with mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad and a bun. Dine ins $13 and pickups $14. All meals are served at 6pm. Please call 519-352-8291 to order.

Everyone welcome.

Saturday, February 10, 2024: • 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.

• New Beginner Line Dance Class at 11:00am every Saturday. The Chatham Legion (39 William St. N.) welcomes everyone to these free lessons.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 3:00pm5:30pm. Entertainment by the D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30. Everyone Welcome.

• Take 3 & Co, Remembering Burt Bacharach concert comes to the Mary Webb Centre for the Arts in Highgate. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 the day of the concert, taxes in. More info at marywebbcentre.ca. Licensed Bar opens at 6:30 pm, door to concert hall opens at 7pm.

Concert at 8:00pm.

• Visit with the Canadian Council of The Blind CK Chapter and find out what it is like to use a white cane. Downtown Chatham Mall, 1pm-2:30pm.

• Saturdays at 7 at St. Andrew’s United Church, Chatham presents Love by Candlelight. Donations at the door (suggested $20). All are welcome! For further information www.standrewschatham.org/ music or call 519-352-0010.

• Merlin Legion Br. 465. 519-689-4884.

Join us for our delicious Merlickin Chicken plus menu serving 4-7pm.

• “Love is all We need” by the Bahai’s of Chatham-Kent. There will be a music presentation, refreshments, and draws for gift bags, all are welcome to come. No cost. 1pm-3pm. Active Lifestyle Centre, 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham. Please RSVP chathamkentbahais@gmail.com.

Monday, February 12, 2024: • If you have completed jigsaw puzzles at home, trade them in for a new-to-you puzzle at Chatham-Kent Public Library’s Jigsaw Puzzle Swap! Receive a voucher for each puzzle you drop off during library hours from Feb. 12-16. No missing pieces, good condition & be 500+ pieces. Vouchers can be redeemed to “buy” a new puzzle on Sat, Feb. 17 10:00-11:00am in the Meeting Room. Only voucher holders will be allowed to participate in the Swap.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024: • Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at Christ Anglican Church, 80 Wellington St. W., Chatham 5:00-6:30pm. All you can eat pancakes served with sausage, beverage & dessert. $15.00 adults, children under 10 free. Tickets available at the church office (519-352-1640) or at the door. Proceeds to CK Hospice.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti with meat sauce. Euchre at 1:00. Evening Shuffleboard & Euchre at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Teens, are you fed up with Valentine’s?

Not into flowers and all things lovey-dovey? Maybe you just want an alternative to the usual celebrations? Stop by Chatham Branch, Chatham-Kent Public Library 6:00 -7:30pm. Wear your black and let’s celebrate the day because love bites, but this party won’t. No registration required.

Open for teens 12-18.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Fun Stuff

• Merlin Leagion BR. 465 Shrove Tuesday.

All you can eat Pancakes with 3pcs bacon or 3pcs sausage for $8.85 + tax = $10.00.

519-689-4884.

• Celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day. The KFA coordinates food donations for both the Chatham-Kent Salvation Army and Outreach for Hunger. Come celebrate with us at the donation collection site at the Salvation Army Church in Chatham from 9am-11am (46 Orangewood Blvd) Any donations are greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024: • The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am1:30pm. Our daily special is meat loaf dinner. We have Fun Darts at 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome.

CLUES ACROSS 1. Gene type 5. Persian male given name 10. Type of protection 12. Cloud 14. One who returns • Come join us at the Tilbury Leisure Cento life tre Wednesday’s for our walking class at 10-10:45, except for the first Wed of the 16. Gym class 18. General’s assistant month. Pepper at 1pm. (abbr.)

• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. 19. Baby’s dining 3:30-6:30pm. Come spend some time in accessory a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., 20.

Enchantress Chatham. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework. Get some clothes from 22. Prefix denoting “in a” our Out of the Closet program, use the Community cupboard & more! No RSVP 23. Spiritual leader needed! Come & go as you please. All 25. Cavities ages & allies welcome.

26. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

Thursday, February 15, 2024: 27. Foot (Latin) • The 62nd Annual Lenten Noon Hour Interdenominational Service at Christ 28. Sweet potato Church, 80 Wellington St. W., Chatham.

30. Pharaoh of Lower 12:10-12:35pm, followed by a sandwich Egypt luncheon in the parish hall. The theme 31. Land this year is “The Peace That Passes All 33. More inquisitive Understanding.” The speaker this week is The Rev. Greg Simpson, St. Andrews 35. Dog breed: __Apso United Church. Free will offering to help 37. Stood up Outreach within our community.

38. Direct and uninhibited • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham 40. Authorless from 11:00am–9:30pm. Kitchen open for 41. Blocking type of lunch 11:00am–1:30pm. Senior Euchre drug (abbr.) starts at 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

42. Retrospective analysis (abbr.)

• Merlin Legion Br. 465 – 519-689-4884Join us for a fun filled afternoon with the 44. Root mean square (abbr.)

Jam Session from 1 to 4:30pm. All are welcome to attend. A donation of $2.

45. Macaws From 4 to 7. New - 1-lb Wing Special with 48. Actress Remini Fries $8.85 + tax = $10.00 Homemade 50. Polynesian Panzerotti + Menu available. wrapped skirt

52. City of Angels hoops team (abbr.)

53. Fitzgerald and Baker are two 55. Bowling alley musthave 56. A way to cool down 57. Ethnic group inAsia 58. A way to alter 63. Set of five 65. Removes from the record 66. Dummies 67. Set period in office CLUES DOWN 1. DC Comics super hero 2. Brew 3. Play 4. Single-celled animals 5. Rough to the touch 6. Small island (British) 7. Often noted alongside cons 8. Preparation of rootstock 9. Atomic #44

10. Egyptian unit of capacity 11. About secretary 13. Particular groups 15. Poke fun at 17. Make certain that something occurs 18. Financial term 21. Justify 23. Arbiter 24. 007’s creato 27. Czech name for Prague 29. Groans 32. American time 34. No seats available 35. __ Stahl, journalist 36. Cleft lip 39. Talk incessantly 40. Expresses atomic and molecular weights (abbr.)

43. A part of a river where the current is very fast 44. Curdled milk 46. Running competitions 47. A team’s best pitcher 49. Carthaginian explorer 51. World-renowned city 54. Most common Japanese surname 59. The bill in a restaurant 60. They __ 61. City of Angels football team (abbr.)

62. Distinctive practice 64. One quintillion bytes

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

PAGE 13

News

Families feed homeless Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice

Three families united on New Year’s Eve to make a meal for 25 of Chatham-Kent’s homeless.

Claudia Ross, Lila Morin and Rose Haines, pictured, worked with Tracy Vande Sompel and Maurice Morin to prepare the meal, supported by Hope Haven’s Loree Bailey and her son Matthew. Shoppers Drug Mart of Blenheim, Maple City Bakery and McDonald’s on St. Clair Street helped make the event possible.

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Cyberattack recovery continues

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

“We are entering into Phase 2, a focus on other clinical system supports, some of our back-office systems,” Marshall said.

Cybercriminal group Diaxin has claimed responsibility for the attack here in southwestern Ontario.

Recovery from last fall’s cyberattack on area health-care providers continues.

Officials from the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance said during a recent update with local media that their main systems came back online in December.

Five hospitals – Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Bluewater Health, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital – plus their shared service provider, TransForm Shared Service Organization, were hit in late October by a ransomware attack.

Deb Crawford, chair of the board of the CKHA, thanked the public and hospital for understanding and perseverance.

“We want to thank the community for having such patience with us, and for the professionalism and dedication of the staff and physicians,” Call Today she said.

Lori Marshall, president and CEO or of CKHA, said there is still a lot Order Online at more work to be done.

“We are in the recovery phase of themyrtlemarket.ca the cyberattack. We’re rebuilding our systems and working to return to our service levels for our community,” she said.

In mid-December, CKHA had its health information system platform – Cerner – on which many hospital applications run, come back online.

Payroll and financial systems also went live.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

News

CKHA’s top doc to go on leave

OBITUARIES

Douglas Arthur Greenwood 81, Friday, January 26, 2024 Badder Funeral Home

Judy Howard (Field) Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Life Transitions

Elgin Cowan 95, Saturday, January 27, 2024 Badder Funeral Home

Edward Norton Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Life Transitions

Fran Kominek 89, Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Badder Funeral Home

Robert Burwell Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Life Transitions

Renata Van Loon - Palmateer Friday, January 26, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Donald Craig Armstrong 75, Thursday, January 25, 2024 Life Transitions

Viola Desbiens 85, Sunday, January 28, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Ruth Anne Attewell (Pinsonneault) 80, Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Life Transitions

Lillian Ryan 79, Friday, January 26, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Leland Ellis Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Life Transitions

Tina Westra 86, Saturday, January 27, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

William Hill 79, Thursday, January 25, 2024 Nicholls Funeral Home

Bob Reid 98, Tuesday, January 30, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Katherine McCorkell 65, Monday, January 29, 2024 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Anne Nicholson 93, Thursday, February 1, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Gerald Gardner 74, Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

William “Bill” Gardiner 74, Saturday, January 27, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

See full obituaries at chathamvoice.com/obituaries

website states.

CKHA officials said they only recently became aware of the charges against Faruqi, The chief of staff of the Chatham-Kent and the hospital is reviewing the matter.

Deb Crawford, chair of the CKHA board, Health Alliance is taking a leave of absence.

This in the wake of news breaking that Dr. said Faruqi’s leave of absence began Feb. 1.

Pervez Faruqi, CKHA’s top doc, faces crimi- The leave does not impact his medical pracnal charges dating back to events from 2023. tice, nor his duties as a pediatric physician According to the College of Physicians and with the alliance.

Dr. Zeke Milkovic has taken over as interim Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), Faruqi faces charges of “assault, on or chief of staff, Crawford said.

Lori Marshall, president and CEO of about Aug. 16, 2023…” as well as “assault, choking, suffocating or strangling between CKHA, said administration does not comJan. 1, 2023 and Jan. 16, 2023…” the CPSO ment on human resources matters.

Marshall said the CPSO has its Licence#1717051 own policies and practices.

All taxes Join us on included “We share information. We received their information. Aside DAY TOURS: from that, that would be all I would May 11 - St. Jacob’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $135 June 18 - Drayton Theatre “Beehive” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $229 say on the matter,” she said.

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

June 20 - Grand Bend Theatre “Fiddler On The Roof” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $189 Aug . 14 - St. Jacob’s Playhouse “Kiss Me Kate” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $235 Aug . 20 - Priscilia - Queen of the Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $189 OVERNIGHT TOURS: March 9-16 - New Orleans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2275dbl March 21-22 - Niagara Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $275dbl $70 Incentive April 19 - 22 - Nashville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1179dbl April 24 - 28 - New York City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1329dbl May 7 - 8 - Odawa & Soaring Eagle Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $267dbl May 21 - 25 - Ottawa Tulip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1169dbl July & Aug departures - Atlantic Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3735dbl Check our Website: www.shorelinetours.com

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More ECEs needed The Chatham Voice

In an effort to encourage more people to choose early childhood education as a career, Chatham-Kent joined a partnership to help raise awareness of the critical role such educators play.

The municipality teamed up with several other municipalities and Edge Factor, an organization that uses the power of storytelling to inspire people to take the first steps down their career journey.

There is a shortage of early childhood educators (ECEs) in the province.

According to a report on the early childhood workforce from 2022, employment in child care dipped by 21 per cent during the pandemic; 62 per cent of child care operators in Canada had to recruit staff in the past two years; and 82 per cent reported having a hard time hiring people with the necessary qualifications.

An Edge Factor film team captured footage of ECEs in action, sharing their career journey insights and skills in Chatham-Kent, Lambton County, Muskoka, and Simcoe County.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Murals planned for 2 C-K cop shops

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Public art + police station + local artist = community.

That’s the winning equation for two murals to be created on the outside of both the Chatham-Kent Police Service headquarters in Chatham and the Wallaceburg station.

According to a report released at a recent CKPS Board meeting by Deputy Chief Kirk Earley, Cerah Steele has been chosen as the artist to paint the Chatham mural.

The project’s vision goes beyond art.

The anticipated cost of the Chatham installation is $25,425. Mayor Darrin Canniff and Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew have each contributed $5,000 from their Hydro One community fund to the

mural. Total cost to the police is $15,425.

A similar initiative is getting off the ground in Wallaceburg. The Chatham-Kent to the Power of Young People – CKY Advisory Group and Bkejwanong Youth Council have put out a call for artists between the ages of 15 and 39, connected to either C-K or Walpole Island First Nation, to create a 10x10 mural.

Two artists – one from C-K and one from Bkejwanong Territory – will each receive $2,500, with the mural to be completed and installed this spring. The goal is to create a piece that honours the history of both Chatham-Kent and the area’s First Nations traditional culture.

The painting will be located at the Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre.

Input sought on sports time slotting The Chatham Voice

Local residents and user groups affiliated with sports in C-K are being asked to provide input regarding how time slots are allocated at arenas, sport fields, ball diamonds and sports courts.

Ian Clark, manager of parks, recreation and cemeteries, said the municipality is looking to assess ongoing time allocation practices as a new Sports Facilities Allocation Policy is in the works. To date, Chatham-Kent has not had a formal policy in place that can be consistently applied across the municipality for allocating time on sports fields, ball diamonds and tennis/pick-

leball courts.

“We use the allocation policy as an important tool to ensure playable hours are distributed to groups fairly and consistently while also making sure our facilities are being used to the best of their ability,” Clark said in a media release.

“These facilities are expensive public assets so our ultimate goal is to ensure the groups who are using them, and the way they are being used, is maximizing the facility’s benefit to the whole community.”

Members of the public may offer comments – or ask questions – at letstalkchatham-kent.ca.

Deadline for submissions is March 6 by 3 p.m.

PAGE 15

Classifieds

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Prayer line open 12am-7pm daily and a fellowship pot sharing meal on Sundays at 6pm.

A house based ministry call Doug for more info 519354-3532, if not in, leave a message, your call will be returned.

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Part Lot 24, Concession 11, Dover now described as Parts 3 and 6 Plan 24R-11333; Chatham-Kent containing 75.13 acres workable, more or less, with a Clay Loam soil. The property is randomly tiled and has been organically farmed for over 20 years with crops of tomatoes, sweet corn, peas, hay, snap beans, soy beans and corn. The storage shed on the property is to be removed at the sole option of the Vendor prior to closing. For information regarding the property please contact 519-401-0750.

All tenders shall be submitted in the prescribed form, available from the undersigned solicitor, and shall be delivered in writing, sealed, to Anderson Law Group, attention Lindsey A. Anderson, 444 William Street North, Chatham, ON N7M 5K1 (Chatham Armoury), no later than February 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. All tenders are to be accompanied by a certified cheque or bank draft for $10,000 payable to Anderson Law Group, in trust. Unsuccessful tender cheques will be returned.

The sale of the property is to close on or before March 15, 2024 or such earlier or other time as may be agreed to by the Parties thereto.

The Vendor is not obligated to accept the highest or any tender.

HST shall be in addition to the purchase price.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 16

Celebrating Black History The Chatham Voice

Black History Month has officially kicked off in Chatham-Kent.

A flag raising at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre Feb. 1 marked the launch in a joint collaboration between officials from the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum and the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.

Officials say the aim of the month is to reflect on the past and recognize the achievements of African-Canadian community members who have helped shape Cha-

tham-Kent and Canada.

A host of activities are on tap for Black History Month, including C-K’s inaugural Black Excellence Awards & Gala slated for Feb. 10. The black-tie event to be held at Retro Suites is sold out.

Michelle Robbins, curator at the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, said the community support at the flag raising was outstanding.

“What an amazing turn out we had here today,” Robbins said in a media release. “For us at the sites, it’s an amazing feeling to have the support of the community behind us.”

C-K’s municipal co-ordinator for diversity, eq-

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

News

Contributed image

Municipal officials and members of the Chatham-Kent Black community gathered Feb. 1 to mark the beginning of Black History Month.

uity, inclusion and justice Rebecca Haskell-Thomas, said a great deal of significant Canadian history has been made right in Chatham-Kent.

“The history is important all year,” Haskell-Thomas

said. “But Black History Month gives us a dedicated time to recognize the accomplishments of Black people and organizations in our own backyard, including advancing human rights for everyone.”

“And we reflect on the legacy we’re leaving for future generations,” she said.

Mayor Darrin Canniff said Chatham-Kent is home to some of the most important Black historical

sites in all of Canada.

Throughout the month, Chatham-Kent Tourism is promoting activities celebrating Black history. To learn more, search “Black History” on the chatham-kent.ca website.