The Chatham Voice, March 28, 2024

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Work on the revitalization of Wallaceburg’s L.O. Stonehouse Walking Bridge across the Sydenham River is going strong. A crane is onsite removing portions of the structure. New fabricated sections are set to be installed. Officials say work on the bridge will be completed in time for WAMBO this summer. See story on page 3.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

News

Council commits $300,000 to drug strategy

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Nearly five years in the making, Chatham-Kent council finally approved a new community-wide drug strategy.

Council recently gave a unanimous thumbs up to the policy that includes hiring a full-time co-ordinator for two-years at a cost of $150,000 per annum.

Council reached its decision following a presentation from Guelph-based Collective Results Inc., a third-party consulting firm hired to probe the issue and make recommendations. The company worked in close collaboration with CK Public Health and leaned heavily on those with lived experiences.

Based on four “pillars” that include prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction and community inclusion and safety, the drug strategy addresses across-thespectrum substance use, including that of opioids.

Like most Ontario communities, opioid poisonings continue to plague Chatham-Kent. According to Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) Missions executive director Renee Geniole, 65 people died in C-K

in 2023 from drug poisonings and six so far in 2024. Ninety per cent of those were related to fentanyl, Geniole said in a deputation to council.

Council also heard from Collective Results that local drug prevention and harm reduction services are not reaching certain populations, and the stigma around substance use continues to be a barrier to those seeking help.

Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew, a long-time drug-prevention and harm-reduction advocate, said the new strategy was a “long time coming.

“We cannot do this work without a strategy and a plan to move forward,” Crew emphasized.

Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, chair of the CK Public Health board, pointed out that the C-K Community Safety and Well-Being committee has deemed the drug strategy a priority.

“I think it’s a great development,” McGregor said of the plan, but added he didn’t think two years would be long enough to get it off the ground.

“I hope soon we will see this as a recommendation in our budget process to fund continually because I don’t see the need changing,” McGregor said.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 3

News

Plans unveiled for ’Burg upgrades

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Public green spaces, waterfront pathways and new residential development are part of the vision for Wallaceburg’s south side.

This following Chatham-Kent council’s recent approval of a bylaw amending the official plan to formally recognize the Wallaceburg South Side Secondary Plan.

Now adopted into Chatham-Kent’s official plan, the move paves the way for people-friendly development in an area that’s experienced steep economic decline for many years.

The plan encompasses 22 hectares of land bounded to the north by the Sydenham River, to the east by Murray Street, to the south by the Canadian National Railway corridor and to the west by McNaughton Avenue.

The community’s museum and theatre are also located in the specified area, as well as the L.O. Stonehouse walk-

ing bridge that connects the south and north sides of the downtown core over the river.

Future uses in the area could see upwards of 200 to 250 new residential units – both affordable and market rent – built within the scope of the plan. This includes apartment developments on Minnie Street.

Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall voiced his support for the plan, noting there’s an opportunity to create one of C-K’s “absolute gems,” allowing the area to realize its full potential.

Hall said it “puts a stop” towards continued decline and “begins carving a new path forward for this portion of the south side.

“My hope with this plan is for this document to not gather dust on a shelf,” he said, adding he hopes it’s an “active” document the municipality will keep working on. “I’m really excited about this project and next steps.”

Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor echoed Hall, saying she too is excited about

moving forward.

The south side plan sets land use policy for the area and is designed to spur revitalization.

It was put in motion about five years ago, but progress was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, the process has incorporated extensive stakeholder engagement, including a well-attended public meeting held last fall at the Wallaceburg Legion.

Two deputations on the matter were heard at council.

Peter Allaer, who owns property abutting the proposed parkland, told council he thinks the greenspace is too large and may infringe on his rights to develop his land, saying the plan makes his “footprint” smaller.

Tony Myers of Wallaceburg also spoke to the south side plan, praising it as an opportunity to create a “peaceful and tranquil” shared space at the river’s edge, noting the new approach will boost tourism and boating.

Next steps include creating

physical altercation involving four individuals took place in the area of William Street North and Murray Street in Chatham, resulting in injury to three individuals. All three were transported to the hospital for medical treatment,” police said in a media release.

“Two have since been released and one has been transported to a London hospital.”

Police say the victims suf-

fered “puncture wounds” but did not elaborate on what weapon was used.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and that this was an isolated incident and there is no concern for public safety.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Const.

Paul Brophy at 519-436-6600 ext. 80619 or paulbr@chatham-kent.ca.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 4

News

May Court recipients

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Long-time special education teacher Jann Wickett says that “when you can – you should.”

The retired educator, named as one of the six May Court Club of Chatham’s 2024 Women of Excellence award winners, said the adage sums up her philosophy towards work and life. Her many achievements have garnered her the nod for the community and volunteerism award.

“It’s about putting my money where my mouth is,” Wickett told The

Voice at a recent gathering where the winners were announced. “Some people don’t have the opportunity, or privilege, to help, but if we’re in position do so, that’s what we should do.”

Wickett is in good company among a group of remarkable women. The list of winners for WOE 2024 showcases some of Chatham-Kent’s most enduring and influential female leaders. Included in this year’s lineup are Lori Marshall, Dr. April Rietdyk, Christine Baribeau, Dr. Margery Holman and Meagan King, the youngest woman to be honoured.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Dr. Margery Holman, Dr. April Rietdyk, Lori Marshall, Christine Baribeau, Jann Wickett and Meagan King have been named the May Court Club of Chatham’s Women of Excellence for 2024.

When interviewed by The Voice, a common theme emerged among the award winners, similar to the sentiment ex-

pressed by Wickett. All said they were honoured and humbled by the recognition.

Rietdyk, who recently

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retired from her post as leader of the municipality’s community human services division, said she was very honoured to

receive the award in the business and professions category.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 5

News

Awards showcase some of C-K’s best Continued from page 4

“It’s almost weird,” the public health expert said. “I was just doing my job. I worked with a great team to try and make Chatham-Kent better.”

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance president and CEO Lori Marshall, who received the health, science and technology award, emphasized that “what you do matters,” noting there’s no greater calling than working towards making things better for all.

King, winner of the young woman of excellence award, said she is honoured to be acknowledged among the prestigious group. The Ursuline College Chatham graduate, now studying film and television at Humber College, said receiving the award gives her inspiration.

The WOE award winners will be officially recognized at a dinner at the Chatham Portuguese Club April 26. Tickets are currently available by contacting 519-352-2710.

The WOE 2024 Arts and Culture Award goes to Chatham-Kent Secondary School teacher Christine Baribeau, who is well known in the Baribeau community for her patronage and contribution to the visual, literary and performing arts. She has inspired many students and citizens to develop a love of music.

A public high school teacher since 2001, beginning in Tilbury, Baribeau started a choir and concert band at C.K.S.S. She’s also directed a total of nine student musicals at the Capitol Theatre.

Ridgetown native Dr. Margery Holman, retired after 42 years as an educator at the University of Windsor, has been named as Holman winner of the

WOE 2024 Education and Training Award. Holman is known for utilizing sport to facilitate equity and positive change, specializing in teaching courses such as principles of coaching and ethics, including graduate and under-graduate courses.

Holman created and taught a landmark course on gender in sport and physical activity and founded the school’s employment equity office on campus and developed the university’s first sexual harassment policy.

Former UCC student Meagan King, the Young Woman of Excellence Award winner, is well known for her dedicated support to her high school, earning her the King School Superlative award as chosen by her peers in Grade 12. She helped mentor Grade 9 students and completed some 770 hours of community service earning her the Lieutenant Governor Community Award.

Now studying film and television at Humber College, King

served as a stage manager at UCC plays. She was also active in the media club, filming and photographing events for school publications.

The WOE Health, Science and Te c h n o l o g y Award goes to Lori Marshall, current CEO of the CKHA. Marshall, who has held various leadership roles in healthcare Marshall administration around the province, has 39 years experience in the field.

A registered pharmacist, Marshall is known for demonstrating effective leadership through many challenges facing health care that included navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and the hospital’s recent cyber security attack.

Dr. April Rietyk, former general manager of health and human services for Chatham-Kent, won the Business and Professions Award. She has 39 years’ experience in the field of public

health.

She started her career as a public health nurse with the Health Unit in 1985, eventually becoming the supervisor the CKPH’s Rietdyk infant and family health team. She went on to become the director of CKPH from 2009 to 2015 and moved up the role of general manager in 2015 until February of this year.

2024 WOE Community and Volunteerism Award winner Jann Wickett is a former Lambton Kent District School Board special education teacher and

has also taught business at St. Clair College.

Along with her husband, Wickett is the co-sponsor of the Dr. Jack Parry Scholarship Award Wikett for the top male and female athletes within Chatham-Kent schools. She is a member of various executive boards at St. Andrews Residence and is director-at-large of Chatham-Kent Community Foundation. Wickett has taken on numerous roles sitting on various boards, including the CKHA Foundation and Chatham-Kent Community Living.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 6

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Opinion Council made the right call Chatham-Kent council made a tough, but correct, decision when it recently voted to place the responsibility of water/ wastewater development charges for new greenhouse construction squarely on the back of the project owners. (See “Council approves water rate hike” on page 21.)

However, the change in the fee structure is staggering, and we understand local greenhouse companies are angry over the hike.

Costs will go from 21 cents per square foot in development charges that had been in place, all the way to $4.34 per square foot in 2029.

Greenhouse owners correctly say they provide jobs and the fees will deter new development, meaning fewer new jobs.

However, they neglect to say most of those jobs are for offshore employees, which, granted, is not their fault, due to the fact so few Ontarians seem willing to get their hands dirty any more working for a living.

Still, the development fees should not be a shared cost with homeowners, as too much of the tax burden

already sits on that sector. We have only so much room on our collective shoulders. Heck, we’re still carrying weight that our farmers should be bearing, as our farmland tax rate on the most fertile soil in the province here in Chatham-Kent is below the provincial average.

Greenhouse construction will still occur. Perhaps just not at the same pace it had been taking place in recent years.

Furthermore, such construction will likely happen near Lake Erie. If a company can pull water directly from the lake or other water source that isn’t drinking water from the Public Utilities Commission, it would not be subject to the development charges.

Perhaps other options will show themselves. There are innovative greenhouse owners in Chatham-Kent.

Look no further than Truly Green on Bloomfield road, which teamed up with Greenfield Global to reduce their combined carbon footprint and save on heating costs for the greenhouse.

We’d love to see this spark new innovation in the industry.

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.

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

Location a poor choice for landfill site Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

This note is in response to the proposed re-development of the former tile yard adjacent to Dresden.

Rural school buses use these proposed truck routes up to four times per day, including during twilight and darkness in the winter. Several foggy days every year contribute to collisions on these roads. The large increase in traffic would increase the frequency of these collisions by a significant amount, particularly noting that heavy trucks have poor stopping capability.

The children of Chatham-Kent must not be put at increased risk just so that a private corporation can make money.

Large farm equipment use these roads year round to access various

fields and grain storage. The potential conflict would be severely heightened when many more heavy trucks per day use the same routes.

The anticipated 700 trucks per day would have to be excluded from Thamesville and Dresden town centers to prevent traffic jams and allow existing commerce to carry on unimpeded.

The Kent Bridge issue would have to be addressed as well.

As the Petrolia landfill would probably still absorb trash from the north and the Highway 402 corridor, the southern and Hwy. 401 corridor would be the main access roads to the proposed York1 site. That would require traffic lights various intersections between Dresden and Highway 401. The

citizens of Chatham-Kent reap no benefit from the lights thus York1 would be required to pay for them.

Kent Bridge residents would be furious at the traffic congestion that would ensue.

Chatham-Kent roads have poor substrates due in part to the many freeze-thaw cycles this area endures. These road surfaces would have to be renewed at least every five years instead of the current 15- to 20-year spread. York1 would be required to pay for that.

These are just the practical consequences of increased heavy truck traffic on Chatham-Kent roads.

The environmental issues are another very serious matter.

Continued on page 8

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 7

Opinion

‘Y’all can feed yourselves’ A call for bids from local food-service providers to cater to the hunger of municipal councillors has created a social media stir.

Chatham-Kent officials put the word out on Facebook asking for local eateries and food-prep companies to bid on providing the pre-council meals.

Here’s what the municipality posted: “Respondents will provide high-quality, nutritious, light dinners for approximately 26 people with the ability to accommodate special dietary requests such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten free.”

The post also said it was for 26 meals for council meetings and budget committee meetings.

Most responding C-K citizens were outraged that taxpayers have to shell out to pay for these meals.

Matt Catton said: “You have a failing community and this is how you feel spending our tax money makes the most sense...I’m really doubting this council and CAO (on their) ability to properly run this city.”

“We have little to no affordable housing.

Two-income households are drowning. Homelessness is at an all time high in Chatham Kent,” Brit Jackson wrote. “But let’s cater the municipal meetings. Taxpayers’ money well spent.”

Following these and similar comments, the municipality updated its post by saying, “These meals are for councillors who often have primary jobs and attend council meetings that sometimes run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and come directly from their primary job with no time to prepare meals in between.

and eight municipal staff that have healthy six-figure salaries, great benefits and a gold-plated retirement plan.

We encourage municipal councillors to step

up here, and also the members of the executive management team. Pay for your own dinners, or bring your own food. We here at The Voice aren’t alone in that mindset.

“Pack a lunch. This is ridiculous.” – Nancy Pereira Matteis.

“Do like most other people who have two jobs just to stay above water in this economy.

Hit a drive-thru, pack an extra lunch, wait to eat,” Laura Webb said. “This is not the problem of the taxpayers.”

Continued on page 8

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And that elicited a firestorm of response.

“Most people attending a meeting eat before.

Now we pay you and feed you? Enough waste of our taxpayers’ money... grrrrrrrr,” wrote Linda Patterson.

“Ridiculous. Instead of being catered to, maybe they should tour the local shelters and see that people are actually struggling to get a hot meal,” offered Doug Tofflemire.

First off, we encourage people to not blame the current council for the catered meals. This has been going on since amalgamation.

Second, in terms of taxpayer-funded catered meals for council, what do you expect for people who are coming from one full-time job to a parttime job that pays them a mere $36,900? I mean, so what if a person earning minimum wage would have to work 43 hours a week to match that “parttime” income?

Yeah, that last bit was very sarcastic. There is no way taxpayers should have to pay for catered meals for councillors.

What’s worse is the fact we are paying for these meals for members of the executive management team. If you are angry at the $36,900 part time income-makers getting free meals, how about the likes of folks making $200,000 a year, or more?

That’s right, we’re paying about $20,000 a year for Monday feedings of 17 councillors, our mayor,

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 8

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

News

‘Swatting’ call at local high school The Chatham Voice

Two local teens are headed for a youth diversion program through the Chatham-Kent police after multiple reports of weapons spotted at a local high school last week.

Police say they were called to John McGregor Secondary School in Cha-

tham on March 18 and 20 over reports of weapons at the school.

In each case, police investigated and determined the calls had no basis and there were no credible threats present.

A follow-up investigation determined two teenaged girls were responsible for

the calls.

These youths have been referred to the Chatham-Kent Police Service Youth Officer for participation in a youth diversion program.

“The Chatham-Kent Police Service, in partnership with the Lambton Kent District School Board,

strongly urges individuals to consider the severe consequences of swatting and to refrain from participating in such behaviour,” police said in a media release. “Swatting incidents disrupt the normal functioning of emergency services and divert crucial resources away from gen-

uine emergencies. These mischievous acts put lives at risk and can have far-reaching consequences for both the victims and the perpetrators. It is important to recognize that such actions are considered extremely serious and will not be tolerated.”

Swatting is a term that is

used to described making a false complaint about a bogus serious crime that would encourage police to respond with a technical, or SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), team.

Here in Chatham-Kent, that unit is known as the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

Property too close to waterways and Dresden

Continued from page 6

The current property has a surrounding ditch carrying runoff to the Sydenham basin and eventually to Lake St. Clair, passing by Tupperville, Wallaceburg, and the Walpole First

Nation. One can be sure that they do not want leachate and runoff in their local waters!

There is no way to ensure runoff and leachate does not make it into the water basin, despite York1’s assurances.

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Local water wells will be detrimentally affected, causing issues that can affect the health and welfare of local residents.

The only remedy would be to provide municipal water to every residence that could be affected. York1 must therefore pay for the waterline installation and connections.

The reduction in property values (and consequent reduction in municipal tax revenue) should be borne by York1. Residents within a kilometre will be affected. The noise, stench, bird droppings, and flying debris will ruin the

adjacent properties and interfere with the use of properties of residents living in the north subdivisions of Dresden.

Using some of the most productive agricultural land in Ontario as a dump site should automatically preclude any thought of expansion of the existing York1 site.

In summary, one can easily ascertain that the York1 proposal is a detriment to Chatham-Kent, its residents, businesses, and property tax base. There will be no goodwill locally to York1 and the provincial government.

Current landfills are located away from town centres in areas served by roads that are

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lightly used or situated so that there is minimal disruption to regular traffic and no disruption to existing businesses.

Landfills are already shunned by larger communities who want the problem to go away and be borne by others. Why put the problem on outlying communities when it is caused by large urban centres? They should have to endure the mess and stench in their own backyard.

The way in which this landfill proposal was organized speaks very poorly to York1’s intent to be a good corporate citizen.

Stop this poorly developed attempt to circumvent existing environmental laws. Private profit should never override existing citizen rights.

Mac Mazurek Chatham-Kent

Pay for the trough Continued from page 7

“I vote on municipal potlucks.

Y’all can feed yourselves.” – Mike Myers.

A final parting word. CK Public Health recently released information that stated one out of every five Chatham-Kent residents suffer from food insecurity. Do they pay for food or for heat and hydro?

When 20 per cent of the electorate is in such a dire predicament, is it not incumbent upon our councillors, our mayor and our top municipal managers to pay for their dinners on council nights?

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 9

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28 OXLEY • $489,000

46 ALEXANDRA •$429,900

11 SHAWNEE TRAIL • $849,900

7229 HAVEN LINE • $479,900

Stunning, remodeled home. 4br, 2 bath, fireplace, new front and back porch.

Call Lisa Zimmer.

Charming ranch. 3br, 1.5 baths, cozy living/ Wait till you see the shop! 4br, 3 bath, heated One floor on waterfront. 2br, 1 bath, move-in dining room combo. Call Ashley Amato. insulated shop. Call Carson Warrener. ready. Call Katherine Rankin or Kate Stenton.

40 SEMENYN • $419,900

44 PRINCE ARTHUR •$429,900

117 DALEVIEW • $519,000

49 CORNHILL NEW PRICE $349,900

Great North side! 3br, 1 bath, bungalow, gazebo, curb appeal. Call David Smith.

OPEN HOUSE MARCH 30 1:00-3:00PM Inground kidney shaped pool.

5br, 3 full baths. Call June Mcdougall.

4 level home with 3br, 2 baths, rec room, inground pool. Call Elliot or Ashley Wilton.

70 PEACHTREE • $750,000

121 FIRST, W’BURG • $374,900

1 floor bungalow. 2br, 1 bath, heated & insulated shop, rec room. Call Elliot or Ashley Wilton.

Tremendous value. 4br, 3 baths, kitchen is a chef’s delight. Call Eric Fitzgerald.

13023 LONGWOODS, THAMESVILLE •$599,000

One floor in the country. 3br, 2 bath, inground Private dead-end street. 3br, 1 bath, pool Call Kelly-Anne or Dane Appleton. fireplace, 2nd floor balcony. Call Krista Mall.

17560 MELODY, LIGHTHOUSE $2,195,000

Luxury living on the waterfront.

4br, 3 full, 2 half baths, 2 kitchen islands.

Call Jeff Godreau or Chris Sapffod.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR LISTINGS AT WWW.ROYALLEPAGECHATHAMKENT.COM

Carson Warrener* 519-809-2856

Ashley Amato* 519-365-5677

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

Dane Appleton* 519-436-7195

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

Kelly-Anne Appleton* 519-365-7155

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

Sarah Callow* 509-809-5446

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

Marco Acampora* 519-784-4348

CHATHAM OFFICE 425 McNaughton Ave. W. 519-354-5470

*Sales Representative **Broker

BLENHEIM OFFICE 59 Talbot St. W. 519-676-5444

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 10

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

News

More opposition to York1 plan

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Environment Defence Canada is terming the province’s call for a comprehensive environmental assessment of York1’s proposed landfill expansion near Dresden a “good first step.”

However, the environmental advocacy non-profit emphasizes it’s not enough.

The statement, issued March 20 by executive director Tim Gray, cites the vulnerability of the Sydenham River watershed and the impact of

700 trucks a day, seven days a week as major reasons why the project should be nixed.

“The presence of unique species at risk in the area and significant risks to air and water quality, coupled with a proposal that is out of scale and incompatible with the local community, leaves only one option moving forward: That the Ontario government pulls the plug on the proposal,” the statement reads.

Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrea Khanjin announced the environmental assessment via X, for-

merly Twitter, on March 15. The minister’s post came on the heels of comments made by Premier Doug Ford at a Windsor infrastructure funding announcement March 11. Ford stated publicly he had no knowledge of the project, adding that if the people of Dresden didn’t want the project, it wouldn’t happen.

Environment Defence Canada’s reaction is the latest wrinkle in a controversy-plagued proposal

by GTA-based York1 to revive a dormant landfill north of town, expand its capacity, and construct a regenerative recycling fa48 B uild Lots ing

Chatham Voice file photo

Environmental Defence Canada has now publicly opposed York1’s proposed plans for a property on Irish School Road just north of Dresden to develop a recycling centre and landfill.

cility.

The York1 proposal has created a tsunami of public opposition, mobilizing citizens to join forces to fight the proposal.

York1 currently has two applications before the Environment Registry of Canada to expand the scope of operation at the

Irish School Road property.

It appears that Chatham-Kent council is also hopeful the project will be halted. At the March 18 council meeting, Mayor Darrin Canniff reiterated Ford’s statement that the project would not go forward in the face of com-

munity opposition.

North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail also stated that the project is getting attention from the federal government. McGrail unveiled a letter from Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Liane Rood, saying she stands with Dresden on the issue.

CONDO

729 St. Clair St Chatham

Park Ave W 3 ac $2.88M

302-202 campus $249,000

43 Paisley Crt $414,990

7104 Pain Crt Ln $829,000

CONDO

83 King St $749,900

134 Vanier Dr $399,000

76 Cabot Trail $650,000

393 Baldoon #20 $329,900

1045 Richmond $6.25M

1 Acre Lot Rondeau $1.15M

11 Shawnee Trl $849,900

11666 Longwoods $519,000

CONDO

20226 Communication Rd

203-140 Park Ave $229,990

9295 Colborne $1,449,000

108 Fielder $2,600/m 4 bed

30 Crerar Dr $929,000

253 Horizon Ln $639,000

36 Randolf Cres $349,000

97 Raleigh St $359,000

Sarah Callow - Realtor®

519-809-5446

Patrick Pinsonneault - Broker

Carson Warrener - Realtor®

Darren Hart - Realtor®

Marco Acampora - Realtor®

519-360-0141

519-809-2856

226-627-8580

519-784-4348

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 11

News

New tennis dome project breaks ground

support behind this. I said. hope the community can Chatham-Kent was one come out and play. “ of six Canadian commuShe said she reached out nities selected to receive Thanks to a dedicated to Mayor Darrin Canniff funding in 2024 from the effort that began with with the idea about creat- Year-Round Community Stephanie and Mark Cha- ing indoor tennis courts Tennis Courts Program. pados, Chatham-Kent is and that got the ball roll- Funded by a $1.2-million donation from Rogset to serve indoor tennis. ing.

Mark, echoing his wife’s ers, each site will receive Last week, officials from Tennis Canada paid a vis- enthusiasm, said see- $200,000 in seed money it to Chatham to take part ing the initiative come to get their respective in a groundbreaking cer- to fruition was “incredi- projects off the ground. It emony in the field where ble” acknowledging it’s will allow an additional a four-court domed fa- a win that will allow the 400 hours of court time Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice cility will be constructed game to grow in Cha- annually for residents of A new indoor four-court tennis facility is set to take shape on Chatham’s west side this year Chatham-Kent. west of St. Clair College’s tham-Kent.

In his remarks, Mayor The facility will be op- thanks to a community-wide effort by volunteers, the municipality, Tennis Canada and local powerline school. couple Mark and Stephanie Chapados, long-time advocates of the project. The Chapados, Stephanie, wife of com- Darrin Canniff praised erated by Tennis Clubs of left, Mayor Darrin Canniff, Tennis Canada community projects manager Alison Anderson and petitive player and coach the efforts of the Chapa- Canada.

Adam Seigel, CEO of Tennis Clubs of Canada were happy to grab shovels at the launch.

The domed tennis faciliMark Chapados, said it dos, municipal staff and all began six years ago Tennis Canada on the ty is part of a larger recrewhen she wanted to collaboration, joking that ational C-K development I can show find a way to help her Chatham-Kent may offer that will see 20 acres of Real Estate Brokerage.com you any husband keep his game the world the next “Rog- farmland turned into a 519-359-8588 WHERE DREAMS COME HOME park that will include Federer.” sharp during the winter er email: phillba@mnsi.net Alison Anderson, man- playground equipment, months.

Normally, that involved ager of community proj- paths and other sports listing the Chatham resident ects for Tennis Canada, fields, along with the new 6539 Riverview Line West 7639 Riverview Line Black Loam village” to Line dome. travelling to a bigger cen- said it “takes a7544 Lewis W According to Canniff, tre when the cold weath- create the indoor projects, er hit. But with the ad- noting commitment from funding for the new park vent of the tennis dome, local leadership is critical is currently being sorted out but noted that Hythe Chapados and others to the success of facility.

She also named the Cha- dro One will be a major can play the game yearpados as the “ultimate contributor. Additional round right at home. sponsorships are being “It feels surreal,” said a community champions.

PRICE IMPROVEMENT! “I hope that you know sought, he said. beaming Stephanie folL BARB FOR DETAILS Executive Dream Home on approx. 2 acres of OPEN TO OFFERS! The land for the Bear lowing the ceremony. how important you have land. Double Gourmet Kitchen! Each of the 3 bedrooms LIVINGdoDESCRIBES THIS QUIET have ensuites. So much to tell you has been “I’m really hoping we been in bringing us all Line Park COUNTRY F BUYING Photo is backyard view. 3+ bedrooms, 2 baths, about! See my website for details!

SERENE PROPERTY SURROUNDED Clair College. can get the community here today,” Anderson nated by St.AND 2 car attached garage. Large deck and sunroom

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By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

BARB PHILLIPS

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YES

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D L SO

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Elliot Wilton

Ashley Wilton

519-358-8755

519-437-7564

Sales Rep

59 Talbot St. W., Blenheim • 519-676-5444

Sales Rep

RESTAURANT FOR SALE Turn key, includes all equipment. $500,000 includes the building.

Let’s List Your Home: The Market is Hot This Spring

Hop to it!

ESTABLISHED BUSINESS For Sale. Known as Jade Gardens Restaurant & Tavern. $169,900

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 12

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 13

R.O.C.K. is the bridge that connects individuals to community supports.

Peer-2-Peer Program: The First Responders You Haven’t Heard Of It was a regular Thursday afternoon in Chatham-Kent (CK), Ontario. A peer worker for Reach Out Chatham Kent (R.O.C.K.) rushed to the outreach location on his bike. His reason? One of his friends was experiencing a toxic drug poisoning in his home. Instead of calling 911, going to the hospital or the neighbours, his first instinct was to seek help from R.O.C.K. Outreach Workers quickly traveled to the location, responded by administering Naloxone, and called EMS for additional support. Thankfully the poisoning was reversed and the individual was expected to be okay.

In the aftermath of life threatening situations, those involved are often plagued with terrifying thoughts.

“What if a peer hadn’t been there?”

“What if we couldn’t get there in time?”

This is the tragic reality for 22 people every day in Canada who die due to the drug poisoning epidemic.

This incident, though alarming, is far from isolated.

Many individuals who use substances in CK do not report drug poisonings or seek assistance from first responders or hospitals. Too often, people who use substances would rather risk their lives than ask for help or access services.

This fear stems from stigmatization and criminalization of people who use substances, resulting in traumatic experiences of mistreatment and discrimination by the very systems that are meant to help.

Recently Belleville, Ontario experienced 23 drug poisonings in a 48 hour period.

14 of these poisonings were in a two hour window. Drug samples collected by police around the time of Belleville’s spike in drug poisonings included “opioids, benzodiazepines, and xylazine.” Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” can cause difficulty moving, shallow or stopping breathing, low blood pressure, and slower heart rate, especially when mixed with opioids or benzodiazepines. These same substances are on the streets of CK. Our community is not immune to a crisis like the one seen in Belleville. This is happening in our own backyard and has been for some time.

In the last five years, CK experienced a greater than 400% increase in opioid poisoning-related deaths and emergency department visits. For the first 6 months of 2023, 90% of deaths in CK were linked to fentanyl. These figures represent only the incidents that are officially reported. Furthermore, the spectrum of services for CK and many other rural communities across Ontario, is limited.

Evidence-based harm reduction programs such as overdose prevention sites, safer supply programs, and drug checking services are not available in our community. This leaves individuals who use substances with few options when it comes to support and safety.

In October of 2023, the government of Ontario announced that they are pausing the approval of new supervised consumption and treatment sites while a review of all sites is underway. This decision amplifies the existing barriers, such as delays, extended wait times, and community resistance, further hindering access to life-saving services.

Renee Geniole, R.O.C.K.’s Operations Coordinator shares, “We hear about unreported poisonings as well as mistreatment of people who use substances on a daily basis.” The relationships that the organization and its Peer-2-Peer program have built with community members foster trust and create safe spaces for these vulnerable conversations. “At R.O.C.K., support, safety, and trust aren’t merely words; they are embedded in every aspect of the organization,” remarks Geniole.

R.O.C.K. is a non-profit organization that provides holistic street health outreach and drop-in services to individuals experiencing and at risk of houselessness through a harm reduction approach. Harm reduction is a pragmatic and justice-based strategy to mitigate the social, legal, and health harms of oppressive drug policy without requiring individuals to decrease or stop substance use.

The Peer-2-Peer (P2P) program is a community-driven initiative that aims to meaningfully engage people with lived and living expertise of substance use and houselessness (also known as

‘peers’) to develop and deliver on-theground solutions to address the drug poisoning epidemic in CK. R.O.C.K. collaborated with eight community agencies to develop the P2P program in response to service gaps worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Repeatedly, research has shown that involving peers in harm reduction programming increases the reach and uptake of services by those who need them most, thereby preventing harms and saving lives. Peers are leaders, first responders, and helpers that have been caring for their communities in the absence of adequate support for decades.

PEER-2-PEER (P2P)

Leadership • Advocacy • Empowerment • Compassion P2Pgatherings team gatherings P2P team 500+ hours of peer resulting inresulting 500+inhours of peer support, knowledge exchange, 156 support, knowledge exchange, relationship building, and project relationship building and project planning. planning.

156

18 18 Outreaches Outreaches provided to individuals provided toexperiencing individuals experiencing or at risk for or at risk for houselessness houselessness in Chatham. in Chatham

Peer-driven harm Peer-driven harm reduction workshops reduction workshops facilitated with organizations facilitated with1515 organizations reaching 506 individuals. reaching 506 individuals

324 324 Memorial events Memorial events totohonour lovedones ones honour loved whowho died died due to to the andand due thedrug drugpolicy policy houselessness crises. houselessness crises

7 7 Knowledge products Knowledge products

10 10

created by the P2P team share peer peer created by the P2Pto team to share knowledge, includingincluding an outreach field knowledge, an outreach field guide, presentations, fact sheets, presentations, guide, fact sheets, and and data collection tools. data collection tools.

“Peer work doesn’t have an 8 or 12 hour shift with the option to go home to a warm bed or hot meal. Peer work is 24/7/365, as we dedicate ourselves to supporting our friends, checking on them, and keeping each other alive,” shares a Peer Pathfinder working for R.O.C.K. The stories of these unsung heroes rarely get published in mainstream media and their voices are often excluded from planning and decision-making tables.

The P2P program aims to change this by centering peers in all aspects of R.O.C.K.’s harm reduction work and empowering their voices to raise awareness in the community.

“The reality is that we cannot address these issues alone. Peers, outreach workers, first responders, and health care workers are exhausted and burnt out. The challenges we face are significant,” states Colleen Lewis, Board Chair for R.O.C.K. R.O.C.K. and the Peer-2-Peer Program also urge the CK community to prioritize supportive and transitional housing and more robust harm reduction services.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide (w)holistic street health and drop-in services while building partnerships and capacity through:

9 Training opportunities Training opportunities attended

by P2P toteam buildto capacity attended by team the P2P build around drug poisoning aroundcapacity drug poisoning response, response, mental health, substance mental use, health, substance use, and trauma-informed care. and trauma-informed care.

Community partner events Community partner events supported the P2P team, including supported byby the P2P team, including PRIDE, National for for Truth and and PRIDE, NationalDayDay Truth Reconciliation, and Recovery Day. Reconciliation, and Recovery Day.

8 8

12 12 Knowledge exchanges Knowledge exchanges betweenbetween local community agencies, local community agencies, service providers, P2P team service providers, and and thethe P2P team to enhance system navigation and to enhance system navigation and promote referrals. promote referrals.

Engagement events Engagement events hosted by Reach Out Chatham-Kent hosted by Reach Out Chatham-Kent (ROCK) andthethe to increase (ROCK) and P2PP2P teamteam to increase community awareness, connection, community awareness, connection, and belonging. and belonging.

including drug poisoning preventions and 20 average, 20 response, harm reduction supplies, wound care,

receive support from Peer Pathfinders receive support from Peer Pathfinders each day on each day on average, including drug poisoning prevention and response, harm reduction supplies, wound care, and and unconditionalbasic basicneeds needssupport. support. unconditional

made weekthrough on average made each week oneach average outreach, peer outreach, peerthrough support, and support, and drop-in services drop-in services across Chatham-Kent across Chatham-Kent.

R.O.C.K. Drop-in Program

R.O.C.K. serves up to 500 individuals each week in Chatham, Wallaceburg, Blenheim, and Ridgetown.

Our purpose is to engage individuals experiencing houselessness and insecure housing, build relationships, and walk with them in their individual journeys.

Currently we service, on average, 30-60 guests every day.

39 Richmond St., Chatham Open 1pm-5pm, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sun Closed Tues & Sat Offering a safe place for people to attend and access our services including our • Peer-2-peer program • Outreach • Harm reduction • Health card replacement • Hepatitis C testing

“R.O.C.K. meets people where they are at, without judgment, when and how they are most ready to engage in care,” shares Kayla Stefik, R.O.C.K. Outreach Worker.

“We provide access to safer substance use supplies, Naloxone kits and training, and unconditional basic needs such as emergency shelter items, food, water, clothing, hygiene, and transportation support,” adds Chris Taylor, R.O.C.K. Outreach Worker.

It’s time to change our language By changing the words you use, you can help break down negative stereotypes one conversation at a time.

INSTEAD OF THIS

SAY THIS

7 Druggie or Junkie 7 Homeless person 7 Drug/substance abuse 7 Relapse

3 Person who uses substance 3 Person experiencing houselessness

3 Drug / Substance use 3 Recurrence

66 Unique individuals individuals Unique

Connections Connections

R.O.C.K. Outreach Program

860 860

18 18

People withlived lived and People with and living expertise(PWLE) (PWLE) living expertise substance use engaged in thein the ofof substance use engaged project and were compensated for project and were compensated for various harm reduction roles. various harm reduction roles

Almost 1 in every 5 households experience serious housing affordability issues (spending over 50% of their low income on rent) which puts them at risk of houselessness.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Make a financial donation, volunteer your time, Everythin g is or donate items from our online wish list. apprecia ted!

Visit reachoutck.com Call 519.351.1450 Email ck@reachoutck.com

THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 14

FORM 6

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

News

Municipal Act, 2001, c 25, s. 379 (2) O. Reg 181/03, s. 5(1), Form 6

SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER The MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT Take Notice that tenders are invited for the purchase of the land(s) described below and will be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on April 18, 2024, at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5K8.

The tenders will then be opened in public on the same day as soon as possible beginning at 3:15 p.m. at the Council Chambers of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, located at 315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5K8. Tune into our Municipal Facebook page or the Chatham-Kent YouTube channel for a virtual event where the tenders will be opened live beginning as soon as possible at 3:15 p.m.

Description of Land(s) Minimum Tender Amount All lands are in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the following are the geographic descriptions and municipal addresses.

1. Roll # 3650-110-004-10315 - PT LT 10, CON 8 (RALEIGH) AS IN 399716 RALEIGH. Being Elizabeth St., North Buxton. P.I.N. 00872-0094 (LT)

$11,114.36

2. Roll # 3650-140-002-30901 - PT LT 9 CON 1 RIVER THAMES SURVEY HARWICH PT 1, 24R4232; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 9641 Fairview Line., Chatham. P.I.N. 00886-0059 (LT)

$19,477.45

3. Roll # 3650-240-002-51903 - LT 1 PL 807; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 42 Richard St., Ridgetown.

P.I.N. 00693-0001 (LT)

$27,234.43

4. Roll # 3650-260-001-16550 - RDAL BTN LT 16 CON 16 AND INDIAN RESERVE #47 ORFORD; PT RDAL BTN CON 15 AND CON 16 ORFORD AS IN OR4398; CHATHAM-KENT. Being River Trail, Bothwell. P.I.N. 00648-0002 (LT)

$11,808.33

5. Roll # 3650-260-005-16300 - PT LT 6 CON NORTH MIDDLE ROAD ORFORD AS IN 467957; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 19816 Duart Rd., Duart. P.I.N. 00662-0194 (LT)

$14,162.68

6. Roll # 3650-360-002-35910 - PT LT 14 CON 1 CAMDEN AS IN CA15643, NE OF PT 5, 599767 EXCEPT PT 1, 380728 AND 601465; DESCRIPTION MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE IN FUTURE AS IN CA15643; CHATHAM-KENT. Being Station Rd., Thamesville. P.I.N. 00731-0077 (LT)

$10,986.16

7. Roll # 3650-410-005-47810 – PT LT 8 CON 12 CHATHAM PT 1, 24R7356; S/T 133536 AS AMENDED BY 160075; S/T CH32289 CHATHAM-KENT. Being 9576 Bush Line, Tupperville.

P.I.N. 00754-0095 (LT)

$28,718.17

8. Roll # 3650-420-027-08200 - PT LT 8 S/S HARVEY ST PL OLD SURVEY AS IN 498561; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 110 Harvey St., Chatham. P.I.N. 00506-0125 (LT) 9. Roll # 3650-420-028-19002 - PT LT 80 PL OLD SURVEY AS IN 396059 (THIRDLY); S/T EXECUTION 95-0000689, IF ENFORCEABLE; CHATHAM-KENT. Being Jahnke St., Chatham.

P.I.N. 00504-0075 (LT) CANCELLED

Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

$16,505.67

$13,311.83

The Dresden Legion, Branch 113, is undergoiing nearly $100,000 in improvements, including new exterior artwork, shown here.

$100,000 in upgrades

10. Roll # 3650-442-004-05300 – LT 55 PL 119; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 35 Hiram St., Wallaceburg.

P.I.N. 00576-0041 (LT)

$36,403.91

By Jim Blake jim@chathamvoice.com

11. Roll # 3650-480-002-17300 - PT LT 5 PL 428 AS IN 661564; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 24224 Winterline Rd., Pain Court. P.I.N. 00784-0137 (LT)

$9,999.99

The future at Dresden’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 113 has never been brighter thanks to a $97,800 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant being used to upgrade the building.

Branch 113 hosted a celebration dinner/St. Patrick’s Day party on March 16 with 90 people in atten-

12. Roll # 3650-480-008-37200 - LT 45 PL 769 S/T 498816, 666058, 274685, 643051, 318206, 663844, 388313, 396731, 400913, 664880, 668566; CHATHAM-KENT. Being Dunlop Cres., Mitchells Bay. P.I.N. 00764-0382 (LT) This parcel is submerged under water.

$6,501.69

Tenders must be submitted in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by a deposit in the form of a money order, bank draft, or cheque certified by a bank or trust corporation payable to the municipality (or board) and representing at least 20 per cent of the tender amount.

Except as follows, the municipality makes no representation regarding the title to or any other matters relating to the land to be sold. Responsibility for ascertaining these matters rests with the potential purchasers.

This sale is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Tax Sales Rules made under that Act. The successful purchaser will be required to pay the amount tendered plus accumulated property taxes and any taxes that may be applicable such as the land transfer tax.

dance.

Branch building chair Janice Wilmott said funds are being used to install new windows and siding on the branch as well as a new patio door to allow easier access to the branch’s waterfront patio on the east Branch of the Sydenham River.

She said the work is the latest in a series of renovations.

Continued on page 15

Time to Get Your Ducks in a Row

Pre Plan Today

The lands do not include mobile homes situate on the lands. The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchaser. Purchasers must retain a lawyer to complete the purchase of any property for which their tender is accepted.

A copy of the prescribed form of tender is on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website, www.chatham-kent.ca and on the website of the Government of Ontario Central Forms Repository under the listing for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

For further information regarding this sale and a copy of the prescribed form of tender contact: Title

Name of Municipality or Board

Amy McLellan, Manager Revenue or Matthew Torrance, Deputy Tresasurer

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Address of Municipality or Board 315 King Street West, P O Box 640, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K8

www.chatham-kent.ca

Personal information contained on this form, collected pursuant to the Municipal Act will be used for the purposes of that Act. Questions should be directed to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Co-ordinator at the institution responsible for the procedures under that Act.

lifetransitions.ca

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 15

News

Trillium grant fuels upgrades at Dresden Legion mie McGrail and Rhonda “We received a Cha- Jubenville. tham-Kent community Branch past president grant in 2023 to replace Ryan McCabe said those a part of our ceiling and funds were used to install upgrade our security sys- exterior artwork by Fedtem,” she said. “It was a des Fabrications on the matching grant of $10,000 north and east sides of so we had to raise $10,000 the building. ourselves. We started a McGrail, who attended fundraising campaign the dinner, said the Triland raised our $10,000 lium and Chatham-Kent in three funds enm o n t h s . “It shows the value of sure the Our whole health of m e m b e r - the branch to the com- the branch. ship is be- munity as a whole and “ T h i s hind our the support we have brings us projects so within Dresden and the into the it makes present and area.” t h i n g s - Legion’s Brent Missop ensures we much easihave a place er.” for now and Branch 113 has also re- for years to come,” she ceived Chatham-Kent said.

Ward Funding through President Brent Mossop Ward 4 councillors Ja- said Branch 113 was able

Continued from page 14

to sustain itself throughout the pandemic, which was an issue for many branches across Canada.

“We had some donations and we kept things going as best we could,” he said “Our membership is at 131 and climbing, with transfers and new members joining us steadily.”

Mossop said he is thrilled with the community support.

“Lumberjack and Agri-Urban in Dresden did the work and Feddes supplied the artwork,” he said. “It shows the value of the branch to the community as a whole and the support we have within Dresden and the area.”

Branch 113 was founded in 1928, only three years after the national formation of the legion.

Jim Blake/The Chatham Voice

Royal Canadian Legion Branch executives Brent Mossop, president; Janice Wilmott, building chair; and past president Brian McCabe attended a celebratory dinner recognizing a $97,800 grant received by the branch from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“We have been serving veterans, their families, and our community for a long time,” Mossop said.

“We’re happy to be able to continue our work.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation invested

more than $110 million into 1,022 community projects and partnerships last year.

MPP TREVOR JONES CHATHAM-KENT-LEAMINGTON

CELEBRATION CELEBRATION OF OFOLDER OLDER ADULTS ADULTS

Chatham-Kent Council is

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for the @municck Senior Chatham-Kent @municck Achievement Awards Join our virtual rewards

CELEBRATION OF OLDER ADULTS

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Join our virtualon rewards ceremony the VisitFacebook Chatham-Kent ceremony on the page, YouTube channel MPH, Assistant Clinical Chatham-Kent Facebook letstalkchatham-kent.ca Join our virtual rewards Chatham-Kent Facebook Announcement of the Professor at Mt. Sinai page,Chatham-Kent YouTube channel Followed

by Q&A Facebook and YourTV Chatham.

2024 Senior of the Year Hospital, CEO and ceremony on the Chatham. and YourTV page, YouTube channel founder of Bellantz page, YouTube channel Announcement of the Chatham-Kent Facebook and YourTV Chatham.

2024 Senior of the Year Followed by Q&A and YourTV Chatham.

Followed by Q&A

Announcement of the 2024 Senior of the Year

For more information contact: Councillor Alysson Storey, 519-350-5689 Clare Latimer, 519-358-6705 Chatham-Kent Mayor’s Office, 519-360-1998

For more information contact: page, YouTube channel Councillor Alysson Storey, 519-350-5689 Clare Latimer, 519-358-6705 and YourTV Chatham.

Chatham-Kent Mayor’s Office, 519-360-1998

Learn about the "Mind Face Connection" Presentation by Dr. Naeemah Ruffin, DPM, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor at Mt. Sinai Hospital, CEO and founder of Bellantz Followed by Q&A Announcement of the 2024 Senior of the Year

Announcement of the 2024 Senior of the Year

For more information contact: For more information contact: Councillor Alysson Storey, 519-350-5689 Councillor Alysson Storey, 519-350-5689 Clare Latimer, 519-358-6705 Clare Latimer, 519-358-6705 For more information contact: Chatham-Kent Mayor’s Office, 519-360-1998 Chatham-Kent Mayor’s Office, 519-360-1998 Councillor Alysson Storey, 519-350-5689 Clare Latimer, 519-358-6705

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 16

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

News

Still time to apply for funding

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

There is still time for organizations to apply for support from a local fund that handed out in excess of $1 million last year.

The Chatham-Kent Community Foundation (CKCF) is holding its spring intake, where charitable organizations can apply for support funding.

The majority of the funding comes from the CKCF’s Community Fund, as well as the South Kent Wind Community Fund, a donor-advised fund within the CKCF. Chris Pegg, executive director of the CKCF, said 2023 provided the organization with a perfect storm of sorts for disbursing funds. About $300,000 of the funds the CKCF distributed came

“We’re pretty proud of these numbers.

We really appreciate the donations that we receive. We really wish we could fund 100 per cent of every application that we receive, but we can’t.”

- CKCF’s Chris Pegg

from the Community Services Recovery Fund,

a federal government funding stream the CKCF administered locally.

On top of that, funding for disbursement increased from what was available in previous years.

“Last year was the first year we were dealing with the new disbursement quota, an amount set by the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) to disburse as grants,” Pegg

said. “Before last year, it was 3.5 per cent and then it went up to five per cent.”

That represented an increase in allocated funds of nearly 42 per cent above previous years.

Pegg said the fund sits at in excess of $12 million.

“We never touch the capital,” he said. “We take donations and invest the funds. Grants are

made on the returns on those investments.”

In 2023, 70 groups benefited from support funding, ranging from the Children’s Treatment Centre to R.O.C.K. Missions to the Mary Webb Centre. Funds have gone to expand community gardens, feed the hungry, improve mobility for stroke victims, and more.

Continued on page 17

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THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 17

News

Application period closes March 31 Continued from page 16

More than $98,000 was granted to Opportunity Villages Community Land Trust’s 30-unit small home development and community centre in Chatham.

The project will incorporate life lease, Net Zero, and affordable home ownership for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

Pegg said he has no fa-

vourite cause among the 70 groups that benefitted from disbursements in 2023, and only wishes they could help even more.

“We’re pretty proud of these numbers. We really appreciate the donations that we receive,” he said.

“We really wish we could fund 100 per cent of every application that we receive, but we can’t.”

About $700,000 will be

disbursed this year. Pegg said that will increase as the main fund grows.

“As the endowment grows that five per cent of that larger number is going to mean more in grants,” he said.

The CKCF is taking applications for spring funding until the end of March, with the fall intake slated for mid-August until the end of September.

For more information on

the CKCF, visit ChathamKentCommunityFoundation.ca or call 519-3513348.

The CKCF is a broadbased, volunteer-driven, philanthropic organization creating, preserving and growing perpetual funds to help donors to have an everlasting impact on the development of the community through grants to registered charitable organi-

zations.

The CKCF disbursed its

first grants to the community in May of 1993.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 18

Indigenous art unveiled

by CKHA The Chatham Voice

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) recently showcased Indigenous art at its Chatham site.

The artwork consists of four pieces created by Celeste Noah of Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit of Delaware Nation. Collectively these art pieces reflect a tapestry of Indigenous tradition, intertwining storytelling

News

and vibrant colours.

“Ms. Noah’s artwork serves as a powerful expression of connection to land, tradition, and spirituality,” said Deb Crawford, board chair of the CKHA in a media release. “We are so pleased this art is now a permanent part of our Chatham Site and hope that it will inspire meaningful conversations and foster a greater understanding of Indige-

LINCK CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORTS (LINCK) SEEKS INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Our Board of Directors provides a high-level leadership and governance for the Agency by providing oversight of the strategic plan, policies and performance outcomes.

Linck is committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and we invite interest from diverse communities.

To learn more about the Linck visit us at www.linck.org To request an application form please email: board@linck.org Application forms along with your resume can be emailed to board@linck.org

In Support of Linck, Child, Youth and Family Services CHATHAM-KENT INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S SERVICES FOUNDATION BOARD

Do you have the passion and interest to sit as a volunteer member on a non-profit Board dedicated to helping children and youth, and strengthening community capacities? We are currently recruiting community members who can bring leadership, skills and experience in the following: • Commercial real estate • Legal • Investment specialist • Communications • Insurance company/broker • Finance and fund development • Business Owner The Chatham-Kent Integrated Children’s Services Foundation is a corporation whose purpose is to raise funds through endowments, and/or public campaigns to assist Linck, Child, Youth and Family Supports.

The Foundation is committed to full inclusion, and we invite interest from diverse communities.

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Our Mission STRONG CONNECTIONS FOR A BETTER FUTURE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Foundation

Contributed image

Deb Crawford, CKHA board chair; Celeste Noah, artist; and Lori Marshall, CKHA president and CEO, showcase Noah’s work, which is on display at the Chatham site of the CKHA.

nous culture.”

Lori Marshall, president and CEO of the CKHA agreed.

“We are delighted Ms. Noah has created this wonderful artwork for our hospital. This milestone marks another step forward in CK-

HA’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism,” she said.

Through consultation with CKHA’s patient experience community advisory council, the artwork was installed in the ambulatory care waiting room, dialysis waiting

room, intensive care unit family waiting room and in the reflection space.

Each piece of artwork is accompanied with a descriptive plaque for patients, families and visitors to learn about their meaning.

Noah learned how to paint with watercolours during the pandemic.

“I learned how to watercolour paint during the COVID-19 lockdown; it was a new hobby I picked up to occupy my time. I searched for other Native watercolour artists online but could only find one example, so I used my knowledge and creativity to paint our people wearing their regalia, colourful in motion,” she said. “I submitted this piece to CKHA’s call for Indigenous artists and I was shocked I was chosen.

I’m so pleased to receive the opportunity to share Indigenous storytelling through my art with the hospital.”

The installation of Ms. Noah’s artwork in Chatham follows the addition of “Revitalizing River” created by Mariah Alexander of Walpole Island First Nation at the Wallaceburg Site.

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 19

News

Sewer separation efforts continue More than 700,000 litres of water/wastewater escapes system in 2023

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Efforts continue to split water and wastewater sewers in Chatham-Kent.

At a recent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meeting, board members approved separation work on Selkirk Street and Memory Lane for about $1.7 million, and hired an engineering service to examine another such project for the future.

Clarke Construction won the tender to complete the work.

Combined sewers carry both sanitary and storm flows.

Heavy rains can lead to overflows past a pumping station or water treatment plant and directly into the Thames River.

In 2023, according to PUC figures, more than 700,000 litres of mixed sanitary and storm water overflowed into local waterways from about 30 rainfall/ flooding events.

Of those instances, 18 were credited to Pump Station 4, which was situated behind the Tecumseh Park band shell. Darren Galbraith, PUC’s general manager, said that station was taken offline and removed last September.

The current phase of work focuses on the sewer separation and reconstruction of Selkirk Street from Van Allen Avenue to Memory Lane, and Memory Lane from Selkirk Street to Grand Avenue East.

Additional sewer separation work/reconstruction along Sel-

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PAGE 20

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

News

Accessibility awards nominations sought The Chatham Voice

The Accessibility Advisory Committee is seeking nominations for its annual awards program.

Members of the community are invited to nominate a business or an individual they feel should be recognized in one of three categories.

The Dr. Veronica Vaughn Accessible Business Award is presented to a business that stands out as providing an accessible facility and/or accessible customer service.

The Sheila Lindsey Powers Accessibility Advocate Award goes to an individual in this community who stands out as an

advocate for the inclusion of people of all abilities.

The Sid Ebare Perseverance Award is presented to an individual who stands out as a person who perseveres beyond their limitations to participate in community life.

Sara Ebare, Chair of the committee said in a media release, “The AAC likes to

honour people and businesses in the community that contribute to the independence of persons with disabilities.”

“As council rep for the Accessibility Advisory Committee I love hearing about the great work being done by individuals and groups across Chatham-Kent to make our

community more accessible and inclusive,” said Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey. “I’d like to encourage everyone across C-K to nominate a person or business for this award so they can be properly recognized.”

To receive a nomination form, contact Andrea Tsinias at AndreaTS@cha-

tham-kent.ca and request a form. Completed forms can then be submitted to any current member of the AAC or by emailing CK311@chatham-kent.ca.

Deadline for receipt of nomination forms is April 30.

The 2024 Accessibility Awards will be presented June 24.

tham-Kent students on all things water related, Don Hector is retiring.

Hector, who for 18 years served as leader of the

Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival, is stepping down.

That leaves the Lower Thames Valley Conserva-

tion Authority (LTVCA) in the hunt for volunteers.

At this point, the LTVCA is looking for a committee lead for the festival, as

well as committee members.

The committee lead will oversee the organization and execution of the

event.

Responsibilities include fundraising, volunteer co-ordination, and overall event management.

C-K & Lambton Water Festival leader retires The Chatham Voice

After nearly two decades of educating more than 25,000 Lambton and Cha-

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PAGE 21

News

Council approves water rate hike Spiralling water fees could dry up greenhouse construction in C-K

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Despite pushback from the greenhouse industry, new development charges for water and wastewater services in Chatham-Kent have been approved.

Designed to pay for critical infrastructure needs in the future, the charges will be phased in over the next five years. Prior to March 25, the new development charge for water was 21 cents per square foot, meaning one acre of a new greenhouse cost the builder $9,147.

Next year, the charge rises to 87 cents; in 2026 it’s up to $2.17 per sq. foot, eventually land-

ing on $4.34 per square foot in 2029. By then it will cost a greenhouse grower $188,832 to put up one acre of greenhouse.

Recommended by Public Utilities Commission the development charge hikes will be used to pay for close to $600 million in new infrastructure. Under the plan, a total of $390 million will be recouped through new development charges, with $60 million coming from residential development and $329 million from non-residential sources.

But if a new greenhouse doesn’t need to hook into the PUC system, it will not face any water and wastewater development as outlined in a bylaw amendment suggested by

PUC general manager Darren Galbraith.

In order to be exempt, Galbraith told council a developer will need to provide documented proof of their water source, be it well or surface water, as well as a plan for wastewater.

The increases have raised the ire of greenhouse growers with leaders warning the hikes will hamstring future greenhouse growth C-K. At the March 4 council meeting, councillors heard from industry officials who warned them Chatham-Kent won’t be viewed as a favourable place to build new facilities.

Wallaceburg Coun.

Carmen McGregor, chair of the C-K Pub-

lic Utilities Commission, said coming up with new development charge fees has been a “lengthy process,” noting the needs of everyone had to be looked at, not just those in a specific sector.

“There’s a lot of people in all areas and all walks of life that have to be considered in this decision,” McGregor said.

Along with the adoption of new charges, council has agreed to facilitate the formation of a new working group, based on a friendly amendment from West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson.

The group will meet to discuss and troubleshoot issues within

C-K’s greenhouse industry. It will include representatives from natural gas and hydro providers, Chatham-Kent-Leamington’s MP and MPP, PUC and other municipal staff, as well as industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Ontario Vegetable Greenhouse Growers.

“In order for this development to happen, we do require a large amount of infrastructure upgrades,” Anderson said, stressing that more funding is needed from upper levels of government to accommodate growth as it shouldn’t fall on ordinary ratepayers.

A Time to Rejoice & Celebrate In this season of hope, joy and renewal, we wish you a blessed and happy Easter!

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Water/wastewater connection fees for new greenhouse construction are slated to go from $9,147 an acre currently to $188,832 by 2029.

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 22

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Community Events Thursday, March 28, 2024: • The 62nd Annual Lenten Noon Hour Interdenominational Service will be held at Christ Church, 80 Wellington St. W., Chatham (beside the bus depot) beginning at 12:10pm until 12:35pm and will be followed by a sandwich luncheon in the parish hall. The theme this year is “The Peace That Passes All Understanding.” The speaker this week is The Rev. John Maroney, Christ Church Chatham. Free will offering to help Outreach within our community.

• Join us for our delicious Merlickin Chicken at the Merlin Legion Br. 465 plus menu serving 4 to 7pm & Appetizers from 7 to 9pm. Entertainment – 7 to 11 pm “The All Nighters”. Call 519689-4884 for details

• Join us for a fun filled afternoon with the Jam Session at the Merlin Legion Br. 465 from 1 to 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. 519-689-4884.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m. There will be a meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Entertainment by Barker and Wicks from 4:30-9:30. Come check out our menu.

Everyone Welcome.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.

The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• Pelvic Health Seminar with Peach Physiotherapy from 2-3pm $3 members $5 nonmembers. NEW Circuit Training class at 1pm $3 for members $5 for non-members. Check out our Active Lifestyle Centre Facebook page for more information! We are OPEN to the Public! 20 Merritt Ave Chatham.

• Abstract Painting Workshop at 7 pm.

Celebrate spring with an abstract painting workshop! No experience needed. $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Sign up: Call 519-674-5126, visit us at 40 Erie St S, Ridgetown, or email programs@ridgetownadultcentre.com.

• A High Tea Luncheon presented by The Wallaceburg & District Museum rom 12:00pm-2:00pm. Wear your Easter Bonnet. Bring a friend! $20.00 per person. Space is limited. RSVP 519-6278962 to reserve your spot.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.

The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Today’s special is Spaghetti with meat sauce. Come play Euchre at 1:00 or spend the evening playing Shuffleboard or Euchre starting at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.

The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Our daily special is Meat loaf Dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have Fun Darts at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• Floor Essentrics - Essentrics is a fun exercise that helps you become more flexible, strong, and balanced. 12 pm. $3 for members, $6 for non-members.

The Centre, 40 Erie St S, Ridgetown.

Thursday, April 4, 2024: • Aging in Place and Downsizing with Ben from 10-11am in the Common Grounds Café inside the Active Lifestyle Centre 20 Merritt Ave Chatham. Call for details 519-352-5633 $3 members $5 nonmembers.

Friday, March 29, 2024: • Good Friday at the Merlin Legion Br. 465. Join us, served 4:30 to 7pm for our delicious 5pc Perch or 3pc Merlickin Chicken or Combo (3pc Perch & 2pc Merlickin Chicken). Serving every Friday during Lent. Call 519-689-4884.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.

The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• Good Friday hours at the The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham are 2:00pm–8:00 pm. Our supper special this evening is Fish & Chips for $13.00 from 3:00 – 7:00. No orders after 6:00 p.m. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Everyone Welcome.

Friday, April 5, 2024: • Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In.. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask a question, read a book, or chat about life or what we’ve been working on. Get some clothes from our Out of the Closet program, use the Community cupboard & more! No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please.

All ages & allies welcome.

Saturday, March 30, 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.

Fun Stuff

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.

The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Supper will be served from 4:00 – 6:00. No orders after 5:30 p.m. Tonight’s specials are Cabbage Rolls or Fish & Chips, $13.00. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519- 351-5639. Everyone Welcome.

Saturday, April 6, 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.

• KCCC’s Cloverette’s Indoor Yard Sale ‘supporting the Youth Group’ Yard Sale.

CLUES ACROSS 8:00am-1:00pm. Limited tables are 1. Database available for 410 each. 9092 English management Line, Chatham, ON N7M 5J6. Rent a system table and sell your stuff! Contact Dawn for tables in the club or text 519-6765. Medical 6883. procedures

11. __ Clapton,

• Garage/Vendor Sale from 9am-1pm at musician the Spirit and Life Centre, 184 Welling12.

Defender ton St. West. Table Rentals are $30.00 each and can be booked by calling Beth 16. Exert oneself 17. Indicates position at 519-359-6284. Please book before March 25 with your payment. The event 18. Quay is sponsored by the C.W.L..s of St. Jo19. Atrocities seph’s Church. Event is free admission. 24. A way to address Start decluttering your house for Spring. an adult man

25. Ends 26. Unable 27. Taxi 28. Gratuities 29. A famous train station 30. Japanese persimmon 31. Sours 33. Beneficiary Monday, April 8, 2024: 34. Baseball official • Solar Eclipse Watch Party. Backus-Page House Museum is directly 38. Confused in the path of this once in a lifetime situation event!! Join us from 12pm to 5pm.

39. Unworldly Eclipse glasses will be available to the 40. Yemen capital first 200 at a nominal fee. Throughout 43. Type of soil the day there will be activities for all ages along with a food truck and an ice 44. Beloved beverage __-Cola cream truck!

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.

There will be a meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Entertainment by D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30. Come check out our menu.

Everyone Welcome.

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

45. Lying down 49. __ Angeles 50. Fail to amuse 51. Collapsible shelter 53. Commercial 54. Taste property 56. Lordship’s jurisdictions 58. It cools your home 59. Dismounted 60. Charge in a court of law 63. One less than one 64. Spoke 65. Famed garden CLUES DOWN 1. Show a picture of 2. Small sultanate 3. Unfortunate incident 4. A way to ski 5. Abba __, Israeli politician 6. Observed 7. “Westworld” actor Harris 8. Belonging to me 9. Shoelace tube 10. Takes to civil court 13. Early multimedia

14. Produces anew 15. Horse races 20. Of I 21. Equally 22. Changes color 23. A place to stay 27. Town in Galilee 29. Mathemati -cal figure 30. Klingon character 31. They __ 32. Atomic #58 33. Showed up extinct 34. Loosen grip 35. Unpleasant smell 36. Innermost membranes enveloping the brain 37. Esteemed college “league” 38. Partner to Pa 40. Small American rail 41. A salt or ester of acetic acid 42. Sodium 44. Military figure (abbr.)

45. Lighted 46. Paid to get out of jail 47. All of something 48. Ohio city 50. More abject 51. A radio band 52. Scientific development (abbr.)

54. Monetary unit 55. Scored perfectly 57. A punch to end a fight 61. The Golden State (abbr.)

62. The Beehive State (abbr.)

Alcoholics Anonymous, we can help!

Information Line 519-360-5246.

Lad. Aux, Point Edward Casino-Sarnia Bus Trip, $20 per person with $5 free play returned. Purchase tickets in advance by Apr. 14. at Br. 642 Legion, 39 William St. N., Chatham, 519-351-8733.

56 seats must be filled and no refund unless the trip is cancelled.

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

Puzzle answers found on page 23

THE CHATHAM VOICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Classifieds

In Memoriam

Lessons

Travel / Tours

Jimmie Heath July 27, 1960 - March 24, 2019

In loving memory of a very special brother Jill, Judy & Darryl Wanted Wanted to rent or buy 1 or 4 acres of land in Chatham-Kent area. No buildings or utilities needed. Rural area preferred.

519-352-5414 or 226-627-5414.

Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-7278894.

Help Wanted

Appin Tours Inc.

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Enjoy Your Favourite Places, or Try Something New!!

April 26 . . . . . Caesars Windsor Casino (new price) May 27 - June 2 . . . . . . . . . Branson / Ozark Tour June 10,11,12 . . . . . . . . . . Shipshewana, Indiana featuring the Midwest’s largest outdoor flea market June 26, 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . Shipshewana, Indiana featuring Oakridge Boys farewell concert July 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bright, Ontario with lunch at Quills, and show at Walters Music Venue “Suns & the Stars” August 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bright, Ontario with lunch at Quells, and show at Walters Music Venue “Dion Pride”, tribute to Charlie Pride August 22 . . . . . . . . . . Caledonia River Boat Cruise August 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Port Dover, Ontario lunch at Erie Beach Hotel, “Lakefront Show” September 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Petrolia, Ontario lunch and show “Fiddler On The Loose” October 21 - 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pigeon Forge & Nashville, Tennessee November 13 . . . . . . . . .Brantford, Ontario - lunch, Windmill Market & Walters Family Christmas Show November 25 . . . . One Of Kind Craft Show, Toronto November 28 . . . . . . . . . Petrolia, Ontario - lunch, show “Starbright Christmas” December 15 . . . . . . . . . Petrolia, Ontario - lunch, show “Holiday Jamboree”

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This week’s puzzles found on page 22

Beginner Guitar Lessons. Call 519917-2339.

For Sale

Tread Mill. Works good. $200.00 Phone 519-4360594.

3 wheel Chairs St. Joseph’s Hospital wheel chairs $20.

Waker w/basket $100; full-size wheel chair w/ neck brace & safety wheels $100. Phone 519-627-5414.

Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements.

Everyday/ Holidays.

Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-354-3411

Ministry

Redeemer of Love Ministry has a Christian male support group for males struggling with sexual addiction. Coffee and bible study weekly.

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.

OBITUARIES

Christopher Lee Brown 57, Tuesday, March 12, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Gary McDonald Wednesday, March20, 2024 Life Transitions

Ernie Summerfield 92, Monday, March 18, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Christine Van De Veire-Birch 64, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Nicholls Funeral Home

Betty Emans 86, Thursday, March 14, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Wayne Lachine 75, Sunday, March 17, 2024 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Jean Katheleen “Kay” Williams 91, Saturday, March 16, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Barry Meredith 50, Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Doug Darby Sunday, March 17, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Steve Hibbert 68, Saturday, March 16, 2024 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

E. Marie Prentice Sunday, March 17, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Douglas Herbert Smith 70, Friday, March 15, 2024 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Manny Wrobel 70, Tuesday, March 19, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Don Maris 92, Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Linda Gresty 61, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Ruth Evangeline Neily 98, Saturday, March 16, 2024 Kendrick Funeral Home

Jennifer Cranston Cordeiro 50, Tuesday, March 19, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Heinrich Teichroeb 69, Sunday, March 17, 2024 Kendrick Funeral Home

Linda Louise Steckley 86, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 McKinlay Funeral Home

Russell Alliett 60, Sunday, March 17, 2024 Kendrick Funeral Home

Edmond “Chuck” McKinlay 63, Monday, March 11, 2024 Life Transitions

Patti Whittle 65, Monday, March 18, 2024 Kendrick Funeral Home

Linda White Wednesday, March20, 2024 Life Transitions

4 Victoria Ave, Chatham (519) 352-2390

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See full obituaries at chathamvoice.com/obituaires

519.627.2861

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THE CHATHAM VOICE

PAGE 24

News

No need for extra eyes on Sears project, council votes

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

A Chatham councillor’s attempt to put another set of eyes on municipal spending on C-K’s Downtown Chatham Centre project didn’t make the cut.

A motion brought forward by Allyson Storey to secure a third-party consultant to promote transparency failed in part. It ended up being split into three segments as councillors weighed in, peppering administration with questions.

Storey said her request was simple. It included asking that council hire someone to oversee spending and receive timely updates, including costs and project milestones.

“Whatever is ultimately decided as we move forward, I believe if we receive this information along the way, that that will help us make informed decisions,” Storey explained. “It fulfills our council’s duties to manage taxpayer’s dollars wisely.”

Storey residents are confused about the project’s costs, noting it has the potential to be “fairly expensive.”

“We all do want a healthy downtown but we also all want a process that is open and transparent,” the councillor said.

If the DCC plan comes to fruition, the C-K Civic Centre will move to the old Sears building. The Chatham-Kent Public Library and the Chatham-Kent Museum would also be incorporated into the space.

But after much discussion, council ultimately decided that more oversight wasn’t necessary, as hiring a third-party consultant to review numbers would add another $50,000 to $75,000 to the project, something council couldn’t get on

board with According to staff, an architect and a consulting company are currently working on the DCC Imagine C-K proposal. Engineering and infrastructure services general manager Edward Soldo, said that consulting firm Nustadia is working on costing details, with a report slated to come before council in July.

Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor said that while he appreciated the spirit of the motion, similar oversight is already in place.

“If we’re duplicating work that’s already happening, it might not be best practice to go ahead with that type of expense,” McGregor said.

But some members of council shared Storey’s concerns. East Kent Coun. John Wright said the project costs change as they go.

“There will be changes,” he said.

“A third-party person might keep the costs in line a little better.”

Soldo pointed out that there will be three more opportunities for council to review the project’s costing before final decisions are made, adding he didn’t recommend hiring another consultant.

In speaking to the motion, Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy asked if the cost of fixing the Civic Centre would be examined.

“To me, that’s the big question,” he said, adding he’d like to see those costs “picked apart.”

In response, Soldo said the building condition assessment was compiled by an outside firm.

The first portion of the motion to hire a consultant failed 12 to 6; the second part asking for monthly updates failed in a 9-9 tie vote; however, the third segment asking that reports come to council in advance of a meeting where a decision would be made passed 17-0.

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