Rat molent ugitia tum harum harum Tilbury through the lens
More support headed to Ukraine
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VOL. 01 | March 30, 2022
Ugitiatum harum harum quisqui blaturit ut quis ut alit, sint ipsam ex eate none pa cor Rat molent. Pg. 4
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C OV E R I N G T I L B U R Y, E S S E X , B E L L E R I V E R , C O M B E R , E M E R Y V I L L E , P U C E , R U S C O M , ST. J OAC H I M , ST. P O I N T E , C OT TA M , WO O D S L E E A N D L A K E S H O R E
THE ‘AUDACIOUS’ TIMES The return of Tilbury’s newspaper is part of what makes the town unique By Terry McConnell
TILBURY HAS ATTRACTED much attention in recent months for losing its newspaper—and then, for getting it back. You couldn’t be blamed for thinking those two developments, linked as they are, brought more attention to the town
than at any time since Tilbury was founded as the Village of Tilbury Centre back in 1887. Yet, truth be known, while Tilbury drew all that attention for the loss of its newspaper, it was by no means a unique circumstance. Dozens of what we might call legacy newspapers across the province ceased publishing over the past quarter-century, many of them in our area alone. Remember the Ridgetown Dominion? Or the Leamington Post? The Amherstburg Echo, Wallaceburg News or Wheatley Journal? The Kingsville Reporter, Bothwell Times, or Petrolia Advertiser-Topic? The North Kent Leader in Dresden? Most had been published as far back as the 19th Century. All of them are gone. No, Tilbury is not unique for losing its newspaper. What makes Tilbury unique is how it got it back. Intrigued by stories on CBC Radio about how Tilbury lost its newspaper, Guelph-based journalist Mohsin TILBURY'S NEWSPAPER, PAGE 6
A new dawn By Gabby Glasier
Publisher of the Tilbury Times Reporter, Mohsin Abbas, heard about the closure of the Tilbury Times, and the impact on the tiny town from a CBC Radio special over the holidays.
Skating club shines
Ridgetown woman celebrates 101st
Congratulations to Jacklyn, Kaleigh, Josie and Lauren of the Tilbury Figure Skating Club! All four girls did an amazing job performing at the Point Edward skating competition. They received their medals from two time Olympian and three-time champion, Michael Marinaro, who began his skating career at the Point Edward Skating Club and just arrived home from the 2021 Olympics in Beijing. The girls are coached by Deb Daigneau.
By Bird Bouchard, Local Journalism Initiative You can’t help getting older, but as one Ridgetown woman says, you don’t have to get old at heart. Moira Reeves just celebrated a milestone many can only dream of achieving – she just celebrated her 101st birthday. The recreation staff at Village on the Ridge provided Reeves with a “walkthrough” party to celebrate. Reeves said there was a
cupcake for everyone and her favourite cake to celebrate. “Residents came into the activity room one at a time and wished me birthday greetings and well wishes. So many residents came through to help celebrate my birthday; it was wonderful,” said Reeves. While many wonder if there’s a secret to reaching the 100-year-old plateau, Reeves said there is no secret. – The Ridgetown Independent News
Tilbury is special to me. It’s where I grew up, where I found my friends, where I got my first job. It’s where my family is, where I call home. Right now I’m finishing up my undergraduate degree at Western University, and it wasn’t until I was surrounded by people from Toronto that I fully realized just how special my small-town roots were – and how important it was to preserve smalltown roots. Post Media shut down several small community papers citing falling revenues in May of 2020. The Tilbury Times was included in that list, and more than anything I remember feeling confused – why was my small town, in the entirety of Chatham-Kent, the only one to lose their newspaper? So I wrote an op-ed about it in the Toronto Star. Over time, I received lots of words of support and encouragement, but it wouldn’t be till this past January that actual action would take place. On January 1st of 2022, Mohsin Abbas messaged me about the Tilbury Times. He wanted to know about what the Times covered, how often, what it’s been like in its absence. He also wanted to know about Tilbury – what kind of a town it was, who we were. I didn’t really believe it when he said he wanted to bring back the Tilbury’s newspaper at first. But then he started to talk about specifics like formatting, the website, subscribers. What was an illusive vision started to take a concrete form. It might not be the exact same product as it was before, but thanks to Abbas, Tilbury stands a chance at getting its newspaper back. I have many hopes for this paper. I hope that it unifies the community, I hope that it serves as a place for locals to feel empowered, and I hope that small businesses are able to benefit. I hope that people believe in the Tilbury Times Reporter just as much as I do.
06 | March 30, 2022
The ‘Audacious’ Times TILBURY'S NEWSPAPER, FROM PAGE 1
Abbas came to town, took a look around, spoke to a few folks, attended to some legal niceties, and launched tilburytimes.ca. At least, that’s the condensed version of what happened. What follows now, with this issue, is the first “hard copy” edition of the re-labeled Tilbury Times Reporter. It is yet another milestone moment in more than a century of milestone moments for this newspaper and for the town it calls home. Veteran newspaperman W.A. Shaw was the first publisher of the Tilbury Times. He founded the newspaper in 1884, when Tilbury was still known as Henderson, and he titled the paper after the surrounding “Tilbury” townships. He remained the publisher and editor for the next 50 years, a tenure no publisher who succeeded him ever matched. Mr. Shaw was followed in the 1930s by Daniel Odette, in the ‘40s by Ivan Jefferies, George Bowles and Cliff Ford, and in 1955 by my father, Harold (Mac) McConnell. A McConnell was at the helm for the next 40 years. It was during Mac’s tenure that the town he and his family adopted as home experienced its most explosive growth. Tilbury almost doubled in size and population, a bunch of auto parts companies settled here, and the Times did its best to keep up. Mac and his wife Val expanded the company by purchasing the North Essex News in 1961, the Merlin Standard in 1966 and the Comber Herald in 1967. The latter two were later incorporated into the Times. Another paper, Shoreline Week in Tecumseh, was added years later. Nevertheless, the Tilbury Times in the main always struggled to turn a dollar. Mac would recall the years he would lie awake at night, waiting to hear the figurative wolf knocking at his door. He managed to avoid that fate, but the problem only grew worse in the late 1970s and ‘80s, as the town’s local commercial and retail base, on which the newspaper relied for advertising support, began to shrink. Then came national chains that had no care or concern for local
Mac McConnell, editor and publisher of the Tilbury Times, 1980, marking his 25th anniversary at the paper. Photo: Grant Black
journalism or showed any interest in how the paper could help bring its sizeable readership to their doors. Yet, throughout it all, there was that readership: robust, engaged, and as committed to the local newspaper as were its owners. The Times was inspired to return that devotion by being the best newspaper its limited resources would allow. It was a perennial award winner, and in 1989 was named the best community newspaper for its size in all of Canada. Even more important, however, was the Times’ community engagement, in ways only a newspaper can accomplish. From the 1960s onward, it played an integral role in the Tilbury Goodfellows’ annual Christmas fundraiser. It was the Times that brought the Terry Fox Run to Tilbury in the 1980s, promoted it heavily as its signature public-service effort, and even provided funding for its own employees to lend a hand and a home for the volunteer organizers. The townspeople, in turn, made the Tilbury Terry Fox Run one of the top five most successful in Ontario (and many readers still have their collection of Tilbury Times Terry Fox Run ballcaps). Then there were the newspaper’s other community events, undertaken through the BIA and other groups: the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies in front of the library, the town-wide yard sales, the Halloween night street parties, fingerprinting clinics for children, and seminars for local businesspeople
to hear from motivational speakers and business experts. There were the two massive fundraisers for the Tilbury arena in which the paper played an integral part. On the political side, we hosted candidates’ debates at election time, and a public meeting when a travelling commission was seeking input on a new constitutional accord. During the 1988 federal election campaign, the paper hosted a debate between two MPs who were on each side of the free-trade issue. We liked to think of ourselves as Tilbury’s unofficial service club. Still, the best part was in realizing how it was our readers who made those efforts successful. In the end, though, none of our efforts were enough to save the paper. In 1995, the Times was all but given away to a new owner to keep it from folding and our staff from losing their jobs. Later on, new corporate owners took over and we all know what happened after that. Then, this year, along came Mohsin Abbas. This—Mohsin’s arrival—this is what makes the Tilbury Times unique. Whatever its name is or will be, Tilbury’s newspaper has come back from the grave. Moreover, it comes equipped with the tools to take it into the future, maybe even as far as the 22nd Century: none of the expenses in printing and distribution that could at times be crippling, and all the technological advantages the Internet provides. Most of all, it once more has a readership base engaged in its success. Benjamin Disraeli, the 19th Century British prime minister, once said, “Success is the child of audacity.” ‘Twas it always so, and ‘twill it always be. Nothing is more audacious than this project Mohsin has taken on. With all our help, it can be that success and once again reflect Tilbury’s best traits back onto a deserving community.
C-K Sunshine List revealed By Bird Bouchard, Local Journalism Initiative The list of Chatham-Kent employees earning $100,000 annually has increased. Last week, the municipality released the 302 employees who made the annual sunshine list, which is required under the Public Sector Disclosure Act. The number of employees who earned $100,000 or more in salary last year bumped up by six from 2020. The 2021 list includes 131 members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service, 58 members of the ChathamKent Fire and Emergency Services, 99 non-union employees, 12 nurses and one health inspector. The top staff earners were the following: ● Don Shropshire, Chief Administrative Officer – $254,985.01, plus $10,649.76 in taxable benefits. ● Police Chief Gary Conn – $237,895.96, plus $14,117.52 in taxable benefits. ● David Colby, Chief Medical Officer – $235,887, no taxable benefits. ● April Rietdyk, General Manager of Community Human Services – $226,138.47, plus $7,125.56 in taxable benefits. ● Thomas Kelly, General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services – $213,214.4, plus $10,725.56 in taxable benefits. ● Cathy Hoffman, General Manager of Corporate Services –
$201,001.88, plus $7,016.86 in taxable benefits. ● Fire Chief Chris Case – $200,048.81 plus $1,356.37 in taxable benefits. ● Mayor Darrin Canniff earned $112,432.59, plus $648.44 in taxable benefits. Public sector organizations such as hospitals, school boards, municipalities, colleges, universities and hydroelectric companies owned by the province are required to list the employees who earn $100,000 or more annually. The Consumer Price Index has not been applied to the reporting process since its inception in 1996, which would have put the reporting level at $158,028 last year, not $100,000. At this level, the municipality said, Chatham-Kent would have 20 names on the list. “Openness and transparency are priorities to the municipality, and reporting out annually on public wages is one of the many ways we can accomplish this,” said Cathy Hoffman, General Manager of Corporate Services and Chief Human Resources Officer, in the release. Hoffman added it is also a time to express ongoing appreciation for the talent that makes up the CK employee team. “In the last 24 months, this has never been more evident as employees and leaders have navigated the demands and challenges of COVID19 together.” –The Ridgetown Independent News
Terry McConnell grew up in Tilbury. He was the Tilbury Times’ editor from 1975 to 1985, and its publisher from 1985 to 1995. He lives in Edmonton.
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March 30, 2022 | 07
Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation recognized through Imagine Canada
Tilbury through the lens
Tilbury Times Reporter On the heels of Hospice’s accreditation announcement in December, the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation has now received their own accreditation through Imagine Canada. The Imagine Canada Standards Program is designed to strengthen the practices of Canadian charities and nonprofits and increase public confidence in the sector’s work through demonstrated transparency and accountability. “It is important to us to illustrate our commitment to the community that we are responsible stewards of their generous donations. This accreditation process reviewed how we handle each donation to ensure we are accomplishing our mission and ultimately helping Hospice families through end of life and the loss of a loved one,” said Barb McEwan, governance committee chair for the Foundation.
Cooper's hawk in our yard Photo by Joy Pearson Davis, Tilbury
Georgie Passingham enjoys taking scenery photographs.
More support headed to Ukraine In addition to demonstrating excellence in financial accountability and transparency and fundraising, the Imagine Canada Trustmark also recognizes our leadership in board governance, staff management and volunteer involvement. “This stamp of approval re-affirms the Hospice Foundation’s commitment to achieving our goal of ‘earning and keeping the community’s trust’ as outlined in our strategic plan,” said Jodi Maroney, executive director of the ChathamKent Hospice Foundation.
By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative
with staff at 2 a.m. Chatham time when it’s daylight in Eastern Europe. According to Dickson, no one in
Ed Dickson, overseas director with the Chatham-based charity, said Loads of Love has assisted 5,000 families in the war-torn country since the conflict began. Thus far, none of the charity’s staff or volunteers have been harmed. “It’s like a miracle,” Dickson said late last week, adding the hands of many volunteers are assisting Loads of Love in Ukraine, helping distribute food, medicine and other necessities. Dickson sets his alarm and connects
his adopted homeland – he’s lived there for 25 years –wants war, and neither do his contacts in Russia. “Everyone is terribly afraid,” he
stressed. But, as in the rest of the world, Dickson said misinformation is impacting the conflict. State-sanctioned media, which is calling the Ukraine invasion a “military operation,” is skewing the way most Russians see the war. “A big percentage of the Russian people are drinking the Kool-Aid,” Dickson noted. “And they only have one flavour of Kool-Aid.” Aside from the obvious issues of death and destruction, there’s worry Ukrainian farmers. – The Chatham Voice
will be sponsoring the
Photo Contest
ANNUAL TILBURY TOWN-WIDE YARD SALE Sales are being held on Saturday, June 4th Book Your Yard Sale On The Map! Cost $14.99+HST
DEADLINE FRIDAY, MAY 20 AT 12 NOON
Chatham-Kent Through Our Lenses Submit now at tilburytimes.ca/photo Sponsored by CanadianFarmer.com Supported by fb.com/groups/ChathamKentThroughOurLenses Featured Above: Trump the black lab joined his parents, Eric & Molly on their engagement shoot. Tanya Sinnett Photography (519-784-7071)
The map will be available in May 25 Tilbury Times Reporter print issue and online at www.tilburytimes.ca TO P LA CE Y OUR A D, C A LL US TODA Y ! 2 2 6-7 8 0- 1 12 2 . C ON T A C T @T ILB UR YT IM ES . C A
12 | March 30, 2022
Sports MacPherson twins commit to University of New Hampshire hockey scholarships By John Humphrey A pair of Essex County's young and highly-skilled junior hockey players have taken the next step in their promising careers. Connor and Ryan MacPherson of Tecumseh have been lighting it up for the Leamington Flyers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League since the start of the 2021-2022 seasons The 17 year-old young men committed last month to attend the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and play for the Wildcats. The UNH Wildcats are the National Collegiate Athle tic Association (NCAA) Division One hockey team that are a member of Hockey East and play their home games at the Whittlemore Center in Dunham, New Hampshire.
The MacPhersons, who are not only brothers, but are fraternal twins (they do not look alike) joined the Flyers last fall after playing AAA hockey for the Sun County Panthers. The pair were both taken in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection by the Ottawa 67s. Ryan , a 5'11”, 161 lb centre who shoots left-handed,was drafted in the 9th round, 171st overall, while 5'11”, 154 lb Connor, who is right-handed and plays right-wing, was selected in the 10th round, 188th overall, by Ottawa. The brothers attended the 67s mini-camp last August, but returned home to play junior b hockey and continue their development. It wasn't long before the pair attended the August mini-camp of the Flyers, turning the heads of coaching and management staff so often and vigorously that they nearly
caused the Leamington staff to suffer whiplash. In 42 games with the Flyers, who lead the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Western Conference with a 32-10-0-0 record in the 20212022 season, Connor MacPherson has 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points and currently leads the Flyers in scoring, while Ryan MacPherson has 12 goals and 35 assists for 48 points. Connor also sits in 13th place overall among the GOJHL's top scorers, while Ryan is in 20th place overall. The MacPhersons play alongside left-winger Gavin Grudner, a draft pick of the OHL's Guelph Storm. Leamington head coach, Dale Mitchell, who is in his first season as a head bench boss (anywhere) has been instrumental in developing the MacPhersons both on and
Courtesy of Leamington Flyers Hockey Club
off the ice and that has not been lost on the boys. “Coach Mitchell is great to play for. While it is only his first season coaching, you would think that he has been doing it for seasons,” said Connor. “He had a lot of experience playing junior hockey (winning backto-back Memorial Cups with the Windsor Spitfires in 2009-2010) and he played pro hockey for seasons too. “He knows a lot about the game and he is a great guy to learn from.” Mitchell's confidence in his rookies not only during the regular season, but in training camp and in the pre-season helped showcase the
MacPhersons' considerable talents and the brothers quickly caught the attention of the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. “New Hampshire's coaching staff contacted us in November and told us that they had watched a few of our games on video,” recalls Ryan. “A couple of weeks later, one of the coaches came down to see us play in Leamington and a few weeks later another coach came to see us too.” The dialogue between UNH and the MacPherson family (father Matt, mother Jodi and younger brother Evan, 14 in addition to the twins) HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIPS, PAGE 11
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