Essex Free Press - January 28, 2021

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Thursday, January 28, 2021

Vol. 141

A LOOK INSIDE

Issue No. 02

Construction on Fire Station #2 progressing

Kingsville Council Notes for Monday, January 25 PAGE 3 ______________ Essex MPP says there is a need for investments in long-term care, education, and healthcare PAGE 11 _______________ Finance Committee reviews/makes recommendations on Community Partnership Fund PAGE 12 _______________ Historical Highlight CTMHV’s 1885 Bethel Church PAGE 15 _______________ Maidstone Bicentennial Museum’s garden certified as ‘Wildlife Friendly Habitat’ PAGE 23 _______________

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Pictured is the progress of Essex Fire Station # 2, as of Monday, January 25, during its construction process.

by Sylene Argent Due to great winter weather, progress on the construction of Essex Fire Station #2, which primarily serves the Gesto and McGregor areas, has continued as planned.

Essex Fire Chief Rick Arnel said all the steel supports, guardrails, and a walkway, have been installed on the 8300-square foot facility, being built on the corner of County Road 15 and North Malden Road.

In addition, last week, the interior cement work was completed.

The decision to build the new station and move its location, which is currently located in Gesto on County Road 12, was made through the results of a study that highlighted needs for better response times. In addition, a Facility Audit Report determined the current facility does not meet the needs of Essex Fire & Rescue

Services for a host of reasons.

“Hopefully, in the next week or two, we will be seeing some roofing material come in, and they should be roofing the facility. At the end of the month, and the first part of next month, doors and windows should be coming,” Arnel updated on the project’s progress. “It’ll be nice to see once the roof gets on it.”

After that point, he noted there will not be vast changes from the outside as work will then continue from the inside.

“Right now, as it stands, we are still on target, for hopefully some time in April, in getting into the facility,” Arnel said, noting once the new building is closed in, workers should not be hindered by the weather too much.

Essex Fire & Rescue is working with Architecttura Inc. and Bear Construction and Engineering Inc. on the project. Site meetings

are being held via Zoom.

“Right now, we have no complaints. They are doing a wonderful job for us,” Arnel commented.

“Things seem to be going well.”

Mother Nature, he said, has cooperated during the build. To date, there have been decent temperatures and not a lot of rain or snow, which has allowed the project to progress as planned.

“Excitement is starting to build in the Fire Station. The guys are [saying] ‘It is really coming along, Chief.’ It is nice to get that excitement.

It has been good. We can’t wait and hopefully, when opening day comes, we are able to at least gather a little bit,” he said of the pandemic’s regulations.

Reasons the new Fire Station project was even a go ahead include because apparatuses do not fit in the current station properly, and all the

Continued on Page 2

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2 I News / Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Police encourage extra caution Citizens stopped to assist due to recent fraud reports submitted to EFP Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Essex County is reminding residents of the dangers of talking to strangers via phone and the internet after numerous frauds have been reported in recent weeks.

Police are reminding residents of the following: • Do not give any personal information over the telephone or computer • Do not pay more than an agreed price when using online purchasing websites • Do not believe threats of arrest or lawsuit • Do not try it, buy it, or reply to spam or banking requests • Do not sign a contract

to be wary of any caller that wants them to divulge confidential personal or financial information, especially to send money or buy gift cards OPP is asking everyone to help prevent this crime as often victims are directed to a specific location to make a purchase.

Please call 1-888-310-1122 if you witness suspicious activity or you are concerned that someone maybe a victim of fraud if a transaction is completed.

For more information about current fraud trends and how to prevent becoming a victim of fraud, visit: www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca/

without an expert opinion • Do not carry documents you don’t need daily i.e. SIN, passport, birth certificate The following are a few suggestions to assist with fraud prevention: • hang up if you don’t know the caller personally • use secure payment services • use the operation “safe trade” parking spaces at OPP Detachments • shred unneeded documents • only carry documents needed i.e. driver licence, bank card, credit card • install anti-virus, firewall and updated security software packages on your computer • warn your friends and family

submitted to EFP On January 24, 2021, at approximately 12:05 p.m., Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Kingsville officers received information about a single motor vehicle collision. A white van had gone into the ditch off County Road 31, Kingsville.

Prior to police arrival, the vehicle began to smoke and then caught fire. Citizens on the scene that had stopped to call for assistance pulled the driver from the vehicle to a safe location while waiting for emergency services.

The driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing and police thank the members of the public who stopped to render assistance to the driver.

Construction on Fire Station #2 progressing... bunker gear gets contaminated by firetrucks when they start up. The new facility will have an air-exchange system that will ensure there is no bad air in the building. There will also be a gear room, where firefighters can dress in their equipment. Currently, firefighters at Station #2 have to get dressed next to the fire truck, sometimes as it is pulling out of the building.

The new facility will also have 2.5 bays, indoor parking

for five fire service vehicles, an exhaust system, genderneutral washrooms with stall walls going right down to the floor, and a larger training room that will accommodate all of Essex Fire & Rescue’s around 60 firefighters.

In addition, this will be a disaster relief facility, Arnel noted, adding if something would happen at nearby nuclear plants, Station #2 will be a reception centre or decontamination spot.

Continued from Front Page

In the 2020 Town of Essex Budget, $2.7M was allocated to long-term debt for the new Station #2 Fire Hall. The budget was subsequently increased $709,182, due to higher-than-expected costs, including adding grading and a swale to the property. Prevention of erosion had to be considered and roof anchors needed to be added. Wood prices, asphalt, and steel prices had also gone up.

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I

News I 3

Essex Free Press

Kingsville Council Notes for Monday, January 25, 2021

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Photo submitted by the Town of Kingsville: Pictured is Kingsville’s new Fire Chief, John Quennell.

by Adam Gault New Fire Chief in Kingsville The Town of Kingsville has a new Fire Chief in John Quennell, following the departure of previous Fire Chief, Charles Parsons.

A career firefighter, Quennell served with Windsor Fire for 32-years before retiring as Assistant Fire Chief in 2010. He then went on to serve as Deputy Fire Chief for the Town of Lakeshore from 2011 to 2019.

“The Town of Kingsville is fortunate to secure John Quennell, along with his emergency response expertise, team building skill set, and overall professionalism to lead as Fire Chief during these critical times,” Kingsville Mayor, Nelson Santos, said. “The Chief is well-respected and is a strong and capable leader.”

Quennell joined the Kingsville Fire Department this past October, serving as an interim Deputy Chief, while Parsons had been on an indefinite leave of absence, after a Lake Erie water rescue ran into difficulty in September.

Kingsville Fire had responded to a distress call in poor weather from a vessel with three individuals on board. Kingsville responded with a two-firefighter rescue boat, which capsized in the conditions, which left the firefighters in the water.

Both the firefighters and boaters were rescued.

In a news release from the Town of Kingsville, it notes, “In October 2020, Quennell answered the call

to help the Kingsville Fire Department and filled a leadership void as a temporary Deputy Fire Chief.

A recent review of the Kingsville Fire Department concluded that a change in leadership within the fire department was necessary.”

Quennell will be responsible for the overall management and operation of the Fire Department. He will report to the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer, lead all emergency responses, including the Covid-19 crisis, and will participate as a member of Kingsville’s Senior Management Team.

CIP funding application approved for Cottam business A Cottam Community Improvement Plan (CIP) funding application has been approved for an accessibility upgrade for a new Cottam business.

OG Pizza is currently in the process of opening a location at 127 County Road 34 West, and had requested the funding for the installation of an automatic door opener as part of its renovations.

Total cost of the project is estimated at $2,500, with 25 percent, or $625, to be covered through the CIP program.

First launched in the fall of 2017, the Cottam CIP was founded to support and enrich the downtown Cottam area through funding opportunities for local Continued on Page 7

4 I Opinion Essex Free Press

Editorial &Opinion Serving Essex and the surrounding communities since 1896.

Published Thursdays as an independent weekly newspaper, owned and operated by The Essex Voice Limited.

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Email or Call with submission inquiries.

OUR STAFF Sandy Kennedy / Andrew Beaudoin - Office Jessica Azar - Graphic Design / Social Media / Production Lana Warwick - Graphic Design Greg Belchuk - Advertising Sales Manager Sylene Argent - Editor/News Reporter Shelley Beaudoin - Graphic Design / Production

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DELIVERY Delivery concerns can be addressed by contacting our office during regular office hours at 519-776-4268

ARCHIVES The Essex Free Press has been digitized from 1895 to 1968 and is fully searchable at http://ink.ourontario.ca.

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• Welcoming woodpeckers

Ever since our dog, Jaeggie (short for Jaeger), was little, he has had an obsession for birds. He is a breed of dog that is classified to be a bird-dog, after all.

One winter, likely when he was around a year-old, we noticed Jaeggie staring out our glass door that looks out into the backyard, shaking. A quick glimpse around the yard proved to show there were a few, what I think were, chickadees hanging out.

So, we decided to start feeding Jaeggie’s feathered friends, and we have done so every winter for the past six-years or so. Even after all this time, Jaeggie loves to stare out the window to watch his little friends eat. Though, I am sure there is a predatory instinct in him that would love to get a hold of them, he certainly has enjoyed the live entertainment winter-after-winter.

And, so have we.

When one of his little buddies shows up, and he hasn’t noticed yet, all we have to do is whisper, “Jaeggie.

You’ve got birds.” His head will shoot up, even out of a deep sleep, and he will first stare out the glass door from

wherever he is, then crouch down to slowly make his way over to get a good look at who is back there and what is going on.

It has been the winter routine for many years, and it is still as cute today as it was when we first started this ritual.

I can even ask him, “Hey, Jaeggie.

Do you want me to feed your birds?”

And, he will beat me to the garage door, where the seed is kept.

He loves his chickadees, or at least the little birds I think are chickadees, but hates it when the doves come over for a meal. He barks and jumps on the spot, until they exit. We think it is because he assumes they are too big and will eat all the seed, leaving his little buddies with nothing.

Every once in a while, an interesting species of bird shows up. Last week, I went out to feed my horse, Flame, in the barn and I heard the distinct pecking of a woodpecker. I stopped in my tracks to get a better listen, thinking I must be mistaken. I can’t say whether or not woodpeckers are a regular species in this area, but I can

say I may have only seen them in the area maybe once. Maybe. I do recall hearing them when I use to go up north, this time to the Kirkland Lake area, when I was a kid. So, it was a sound I certainly had heard before.

It did not take me long to spot the little bugger up in the tree, and I shot back into the house to grab my camera to see if I could get a decent picture. He was high up, but I did my best. Soon after, we noticed two woodpeckers swooping in to feast at what we call “Jaeggie’s smorgasbord.”

A little research leads me to believe they are Downy Woodpeckers, but I am by no means an expert on bird species.

I share this little story this week in hopes it will bring about many smiles in a time when we could all use something to lift our spirits.

Seeing new species of wildlife is one of many reasons I love living in the county.

OPINION & COMMENT The opinions expressed on these pages are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher.

LETTER POLICY The Essex Free Press welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to our readers. Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten and present the issues as clearly as possible in 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, and legal considerations. All letters must contain the name, address, and daytime phone number of the writer for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. If you have a legitimate concern and cannot sign your name to a letter, please contact the editor to discuss alternative means of handling the issue.

ADVERTISING Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of an error, the portion of the ad occupied by the error, will not be charged for, but the balance will be paid at the usual rate. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check an ad on first publication, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors in multiple insertions. The Essex Free Press reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement likely to offend community standards.

Display Advertising Deadline: Friday at 2:00 pm

COPYRIGHT

Commentary - OFA

OFA reflects on impacts of sudden loss on farm communities

by Brent Royce, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Loss has the power to shake a whole community. Like a pebble in a pond, the waves ripple across the water and the effects can be felt by everyone near. In rural communities, when someone is lost to suicide, a direct impact is felt by many people. From nearby family and friends, to neighbours and acquaintances, to stakeholders across the entire sector, suicide has the power to send shockwaves and cripple a community.

My community has recently said goodbye to members who have lost their lives to suicide. This has left everyone feeling shocked, sad, and wishing there was more that could have been done. Now more than ever, farmers feel the stress of pushing through everyday personal issues, coping with the loneliness of living remotely, and feeling the pressure to maintain a business with so many changing protocols stemming from the pandemic Oftentimes, we see farmers push their mental health to

the backburner. Our custom as farmers is to take care and prioritize our livestock, crops, and families first. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that talking about our mental health struggles makes us weak or less of a farmer.

Yes, our community is strong and resilient, but we are not superhuman. We need to work collectively to end this stigma.

For those struggling with mental health, having someone to talk to may be the key to saving their life.

As we continue into this new year, we are seeing too many lives being lost to mental health. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes that now, more than ever, it’s time to break down the farmer stereotypes and bring conversations about suicidal thoughts and feelings to the forefront.

People experiencing suicidal thoughts are often in great mental anguish and believe the world around them would be better without their presence. They start believing they are

The entire contents of The Essex Free Press and its website, including but not limited to layout composition, artwork, news copy, editorial copy and photographs, are protected by copyright. No portion there of is to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the specific permission of the publisher.

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Office: 16 Centre St. Essex, Ontario Mail to: P.O. Box 115 Essex, Ontario N8M 2Y1

Phone: 519.776.4268 Fax: 519.776.4014

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Waiting for this week’s new edition of the Essex Free Press?

Stay warm. Read online here: www.essexfreepress.com

Continued on Page 5

Thursday, January 28, 2021

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Opinion / Community I 5

Essex Free Press

Commentary - OFA

OFA reflects on impacts of sudden loss on farm communities

by Brent Royce, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

burden and slowly begin losing faith in themselves. Without proper resources and services in place, many are left to deal with their dark thoughts alone – and during a pandemic, those who are most vulnerable are at serious risk.

As we proceed through another demanding year, the focus on work ethic and striving for consistency in a world that’s currently unstable can result in missing warning signs of stress and burnout, which can leave farmers both physically and mentally depleted. It can also be difficult to separate our identity as a person from that of a farmer, which makes setbacks in the farm business feel personally devastating.

In the past few weeks, my daughter has been collecting data from farmers on mental health for a school survey as a grade 12 project. Out of 239 participants, 80.8% stated they believe there continues to be a stigma around mental health,

Continued from Page 4

while 32.2% said they are uncomfortable discussing the topic with others. This stigma prevents farmers from seeking out and obtaining appropriate resources. These results suggest that further conversations, acceptance, support and guidance are still needed so people don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed when they’re struggling. The Farmers’ Toolbox initiative in my region features testimonials in video clips that tell the story of farmers moving from hopelessness to reaching the point of seeking help. Resources like this one, created by the Listowel Agricultural Society, help put a face on this crucial topic.

Deciding to ask for help is only the first step. Many rural communities feel secluded from the necessary supports and services. My daughter’s study showed that 34.7% of farmers were not sure if there were resources available to them, and 17.2% believed they did not have access to mental health

resources.

OFA wants to ensure you and your loved ones have the resources necessary to cope with struggles and crises to help prevent more lives from being lost. If you or someone you know is in distress and needs help, there are people and resources available. Please reach out for 24/7 support by calling the Ontario Mental Health Line at ConnexOntario.

Reach them at 1-866-531-2600, or use their online chat function. For additional resources, visit the ConnexOntario website, or ofa.on.ca/mental-health.

A loss can devastate an entire community, but it can also help bring perspective about how and when to open up about these important conversations. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to please seek help today. There is always a reason to keep moving forward.

Just know that you are valued, loved and not alone.

Brentwood Lottery - Winning tickets drawn submitted to EFP On Saturday, January 20, 202, via live online feed, the winners were drawn on the Brentwood Lottery XXIX lottery Mark Lennox, Interim Executive Director for Brentwood, was impressed with the turnout of people who watched the event

live.

The annual fundraiser event, conducted under the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, offered ticket holders a chance to win cash, cars, and a new home.

The first prize, new home, winner was Craig Moro, of Windsor. Moro

Pet Of The Week: Chloe

Hearing tests, hearing aids, wax removal, and speech therapy

can choose a cash prize instead of the new Belle River home built by Lakepoint Homes.

Second prize, a 2021 Dodge Challenger or $40,000 cash, was won

by Mark Umbenhower, of Windsor. The third prize, 2021 Ford Escape or $33,000 cash ticket holder wa Florin Barbu, of Belle River, and the fourth prize, 2021 Chevrolet Equinox or

$27,000 cash, was won by Peter Zorkit of LaSalle.

On December 10, 2020, Mona Goodwin of Waterloo, ON was announced as the winner of the Brentwood Lottery Early Bird Prize of $25,000.

For a complete list of winners for the 2020 Brentwood Lottery, visit brentwoodlottery.com.

Chloe is simply gorgeous! She came from a home that had a dog, young child, and younger cat. She loved the dog but just wasn’t a huge fan of the others. She would do best as the only cat and would also be better suited for an older household with teens and up. She loves to be pet and will purr for more Only a limited number of animals will be made available at a time. They will be posted on the adoptable animal pages at www.windsorhumane.org. To apply to adopt an available animal, please click the “Interested in this Animal? Click here” link. All applications will be reviewed. For more info, contact us today.

This pet comes with 6 weeks of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information, visit www.ospcainsurance.ca or call 1-866-600-2445.

The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter is at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751.

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6 I Ad Feature Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Thursday, January 28, 2021

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Opinion / News I 7

Essex Free Press

OFA Viewpoint: OFA encourages everyone Kingsville Council Notes for Monday, to take a break and be kind to themselves as pandemic exhaustion sets in

by Jennifer Doelman, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture As we persevere through yet another lockdown, the public health crisis of COVID-19 has turned into a marathon with an invisible finish line that continues to test our strength, patience, and resilience. In the early days of the pandemic, many of us viewed the challenges as a short-term sprint.

Adrenaline carried us through the initial hurdles, but now as we approach the oneyear mark, mental fatigue, exhaustion and stress has set in. Families are being forced to balance competing roles of employee, parent, teacher, friend, and farm business owner on top of the exhaustion of pandemic restrictions, decreased social activities, and a fundamental change in our community environment. If you’re feeling as though you’ve hit a roadblock this week, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants you to know we care and you’re not alone.

For many of our 38,000 farm family members, our homes have always doubled as a place of business. But now, nuclear families find themselves

with children at home juggling multiple virtual classrooms, while meeting the demands of running a farm business.

Many of us are attempting to work as if we don’t have children, and trying to raise children like we don’t have work.

These pressures have resulted in many people feeling inadequate and has created undue stress and guilt. If you are doing your job as an employee or business owner, you feel as though you are not doing your job as a parent. The pandemic has created an environment where it is nearly impossible to balance the needs and expectations of work and home life. Please give yourself permission to be human and accept that you are not a superhero.

Adding to pandemic frustrations is rural Ontario’s continued patchwork of reliable broadband access. Internet capability seems to be the primary factor across the sector in determining the smoothness or difficulty of the transition to working from home and virtual learning. Social media is flooded with parents whose broadband Continued on Page 8

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businesses and organizations.

Overall funding was set at $50,000, over a five-year timeframe, for projects such as façade upgrading, new signage, landscaping infrastructure, energy efficiency improvements, and accessibility upgrades.

Council supports Lions Club playground campaign Council has committed to supporting the Kingsville Lions Club in its efforts to construct a new accessible playground at 23 Mill Street West, should the Club meet its fundraising goal of $65,000.

As part of these fundraising efforts, the Town of Kingsville will collect donations and contributions, along with issuing tax receipts, in addition to holding the funds in a reserve allocated for the playground structure.

In addition to a new accessible play structure, a final concept plan for the park shows a new basketball court, a multiuse court for ball hockey in the summer and ice skating in the winter, bocce ball, and a 16’ by 24’ shade structure.

“In 2021, I’m really glad to hear a lot of people using the word ‘accessible,’” Kingsville Councillor, Larry Patterson, said. “I can’t wait to see how we’re going to proceed with that.”

As the success of the project hinges on the Lions Club’s fundraising efforts, further decisions on the project will be made this coming June, when the current fundraiser is scheduled to end.

If successful, the project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2022.

8 I Opinion Essex Free Press

OFA Viewpoint... is not strong enough to sustain both business and virtual learning meetings.

The effects of unreliable broadband have been overwhelming with children feeling anxious that they can’t take part in class activities and parents stressed that their children are falling behind on coursework.

It’s important that broadband infrastructure projects in rural, northern and remote communities are prioritized to serve residents that experience regular interruptions, slow download speeds and overall poor-quality service.

We appreciate the nearly $1 billion investment from the Ontario government to expand access to reliable broadband, but it’s imperative the construction of these projects get underway. OFA will continue working with the government to ensure these projects are prioritized.

Fast, reliable broadband is an essential service and the need for everyone to have equal access has never been more evident.

Mental health also continues to be a pressing issue for our rural communities.

As we progress into the dark, dreary days of January and February, I encourage you to reach out to those around you. Many people choose to suffer in silence, but it is important to stay connected during

Continued from Page 7

these tough times. Take the time to send that check-in message or pick up the phone to ensure that neighbours and friends who feel isolated are reminded they are not alone. Talk about how you are feeling to set the tone and open the door for others to share honestly as well.

Our greatest currency as farmers is access to the outdoors. We have the green space to get outside, go for walks, tour our fields and visit with animals. As fellow caretakers of the land, I challenge you to take advantage of your connection with nature. Personally, I find that my nighttime star gazing grounds me and provides the opportunity to see the big picture. We are all under the same sky, working collectively together to put an end to COVID-19.

With no set finish line for this pandemic, it is not easy to see the end of this exhausting marathon we are in, but we encourage you to remember we will get through it together, one step at a time.

If you or someone you know is in distress and needs help, there are people and resources available that can help. For resources and updates on OFA’s mental health advocacy, please visit ofa.on.ca/ mental-health.

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Flexible and responsive education funding needed for Ontario school boards School boards remain committed to student achievement and well-being amid the extraordinary and unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic submitted by Ontario Public School Boards’ Association This school year has been like no other, with school boards’ facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainty, and with financial decisions being made based on many unknowns.

In this environment, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) has submitted its recommendations in response to the Ministry of Education’s call for feedback on the government’s Grants for Student Needs (GSN) education funding plans for 2021-2022.

“Our recommendations are the result of in-depth consultations with our member school boards, and they reflect the priorities of families and

students from across the province,” said OPSBA President Cathy Abraham.

“Our message to the ministry is clear – boards need sufficient resources and local flexibility to implement programs that will close learning gaps and provide opportunities to promote student achievement and wellbeing. The importance of public education has never been more evident. Now, more than ever, students must be provided with a range of options that will allow them to pursue their interests and strengths.”

Education continues to be the second-largest funding line in the Ontario budget.

OPSBA has regularly acknowledged the extra funding that has been given to boards for the safe return to school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that said, many boards still continue to face funding pressures that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and are anxious for the release of the second half of federal funding as soon as possible to deal with ongoing expenses.

Communities and

school boards have their own local contexts that must be considered to maximize student outcomes.

Funding flexibility is key when trying to ensure that all students are given every opportunity to succeed.

School boards will soon begin making decisions for the next year, which may include both in school and remote learning. School boards need to continue to be part of the discussion about return to school planning.

The funding priorities identified by school boards include investments in the following areas (full details can be found in the backgrounder linked below): COVID-19 PandemicRelated Funding Pressures - Although there have been funding announcements throughout the year, many school boards have (as directed by the Ministry of Education) used their reserve funds for pandemicrelated expenses. These boards are seeking full reimbursement of

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Community / Opinion I 9

Essex Free Press

Essex Mayor said development was booming in 2020

File Photo of Mayor Larry Snively

by Sylene Argent Though 2020 proved to be a year of uncertainly, due to the Coronavirus, development within the Town of Essex boomed, Essex Mayor Larry Snively pointed out.

In 2020, Snivley said, there was over $90m in total construction completed, which is more than typically undertaken in the Town.

Snively said he believes the draw to Essex, in part, is because many people are moving out of the city, seeking out the country life. Essex’s location, he added, means they are a quick drive back into the city.

In 2020, Council voted to update the Zoning Bylaw to permit detachedsecondary dwelling units to improve housing

and rental opportunities and affordable housing, Snively said.

Snively added to bring more affordable housing to the area is a big undertaking. “We are looking at different ways to attract affordable housing, but we know it will cost the Municipality money. And, we have to look at ways to attract builders here to build that type of home.”

As Mayor, Snively said he hears a lot about the need for affordable housing. Those needs are not just in Essex, but also in neighbouring municipalities as well.

In addition, ground breaking ceremonies were held to welcome Crawford Packaging to Essex Centre, Classy Caps to Harrow, the new Essex Fire Station # 2 currently being built at the corner of County Road 15 and North Malden, and the Heritage Centre at the

Flexible and responsive education funding needed for Ontario school boards... Continued from Page 8 any reserve funds used, as these were earmarked for specific future projects.

Indigenous Education and AntiRacism Initiatives - Supporting and strengthening Indigenous education and anti-racism and anti-oppression initiatives in the public education system continues to be a priority for OPSBA. Systemic racism and bias is a long-standing issue in our society, and the time for collective and coordinated strategic action is overdue.

Special Education - This continues to be an underfunded area, given the prevalence and complexity of student needs. The need is even more significant where community services and supports are not readily available or easily accessible and have been exacerbated during COVID-19.

Children and Youth Mental Health With data indicating that approximately one in five children and youth in Ontario have a mental health challenge, early investments in school-based mental health and addictions services will yield long-term benefits for the health care system and the wellness of students and future generations.

Capital and Facilities - Schools need to be built and maintained to accommodate future population and program growth to support student achievement and wellbeing. Some school boards continue to struggle with renewal costs for their aging schools and are unable to enhance their facilities to meet the needs of students as they learn and grow.

John R. Park Homestead, for which Essex Council voted to contribute $100,000 to in exchange for naming rights for the tourism kiosk.

The new Fire Station # 2, he said, was due to the current facility, located in Gesto, being small. A study was conducted and the new location offers a quicker route to McGregor for a better response time for when an emergency arises.

The Town of Essex, Snively added, is working closely with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to enhance opportunities for developable lands along the Highway # 3 corridor.

There is a lot more planned for 2021. Future projects, Snively said, include the addition of two bunkhouses and a greenhouse at Upper Canada Growers. This addition, he added, will bring jobs to the

community and a good tax-base, and will offer a good green and clean environment.

Sturgeon Woods RV Sales and Liftow Sales, an equipment business, are two developments planned for Essex Centre, near Highway #3, this year, Snively added.

As far as the Highway # 3 commercial development part on the Essex side is going, it is almost full, Snively said.

In the very near future, the Town will have to look at taking services to the other side to accommodate commercial and industrial development.

At the southern-end of the municipality, the Town of Essex is ready to embark on construction for the Harrow Streetscape Plan, which Snively said will begin in early 2021. The Essex Centre Streetscape Plan, he added, will get the go-ahead for the following year.

“It might be behind a couple months, but it is still a go,” Snively said of the Harrow Streetscape Project. The engineering for the project has been completed and it will go out to tender soon. “It is a greenlight all the way.”

The Harrow Streetscape Project will offer, “A complete facelift for downtown Harrow,” Snively said, adding he is sure it will help drive business to the area. The project is estimated at $5,492,018 to complete.

For 2021, Snively said, he has already been working with a few highend business individuals to come to Essex, but it will take a lot of work to get things rolling.

“Our administrative staff, their vision is growth,” Snively said.

“Let’s face it, we had a zero percent tax increase twoyears in a row, and that is all through development.”

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Thursday, January 28, 2021

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News I 11

Essex Free Press

Essex MPP says there is a need for investments in long-term care, education, and healthcare

by Sylene Argent Essex MPP Taras Natyshak said things he has been fighting for – such as investments in long-term care, education, and healthcare – are not just luxuries, but fundamental protections for communities. And, through the pandemic, the need to support those entities is even more noticeable.

“We have seen a clear and present threat to that over the last year through COVID-19, which fundamentally challenged every one of our systems that keep us together, keep us healthy, and keep us productive,” he said. “We are only as safe as the most vulnerable among us.”

Based on projections and modelling the Province has released relating to the pandemic, Natyshak said questions he is asking himself are: what was not done, where did this Province fail, and how can officials learn from this going forward to ensure it never happens again?

“Leadership matters in emergencies and in crisis,” Natyshak said.

“We’ve seen other jurisdictions with clear, concise, transparent, and accountable leadership.

And, they have been able to not only manage this threat and the pandemic better than most, but they also have a lot of buy-in and support from their communities. I am really looking at New Zealand, who, by any metric and any standard, their Prime Minister has led that country through this

“Leadership matters in emergencies and in crisis...”

- MPP Taras Natyshak pandemic with the least amount of economic and health suffering out of all developed countries on the planet.”

There are models of where governance works well and where it doesn’t.

We deserve that type of leadership, he said.

In terms of the epidemiology of the rates and infection, an incremental decline was noticed late last week across the province, Natyshak said, noting benefits from the lockdown measures were starting to be seen.

“The mortality rates are concerning, because they are continuing to rise, and the ICUs here, and across the province, are stretched,” Natyshak said, adding he is in continuous contact with local hospital staff and administration, and, “They are still not very confident things are going to get better until we have mass vaccination.”

During the pandemic, small businesses have been devastated in the region and across the province. That’s why, in April of last year, Natyshak said the NDP released its “Saving Main Street Plan,” which would have supported small businesses with a $10,000 a month grant to keep their doors open and pay expenses. Instead, the Province just released a one-time, up to $20,000 grant, through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, for eligible businesses. Many small businesses, he said, have already closed through the pandemic.

“It is another case of hindsight, where had the government acted earlier, could we have avoided such catastrophe,

not only health-wise, but economically…they should have acted sooner.”

He added the Province is currently sitting on billions of federal dollars that was transferred to support a whole host of measures, chief among them, small businesses and communities.

The profit-driven longterm care industry needs to end, Natyshak said, adding the data shows there were more fatalities in privately-owned longterm care facilities than in publicly owned and not-for-profit. “That is an enormous failure in the system that is staring us right in the face, and if we don’t change the way we provide long-term care for seniors, then we are failing as leaders and political leaders. It needs to be a wholly public system, non-for-profit, with high quality and high, national recognized standards of care for seniors.”

Natyshak said there was a crisis in mental health and addictions prior to the pandemic.

“There is no question that the collective trauma that we are all experiencing with the lockdowns, the economic stress, and health concerns we all have, there is no question the need to invest in mental health as a public good is greater than ever.”

When the pandemic is over, a serious look needs to be taken at domestic production of vaccines and healthcare-related products. “We have to learn from this,” and one way to do that is through an inquiry on pandemic preparedness and actions at the Provincial and Federal level, so it never happens again.

Stop the Spread COVID-19 can be deadly.

Stay home.

Stay strong.

Save lives.

Visit ontario.ca/coronavirus Paid for by the Government of Ontario

12 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Finance Committee reviews/makes recommendations on Community Partnership Fund

- Council will make the final decision in the near future by Sylene Argent Members of the Essex Finance Committee met virtually on Monday evening to make recommendations as to which applicants should be successful in garnering funding through the 2021 Essex Community Partnership Fund Grant.

Annually, funds, or inkind donations, through this grant program are set side through the Town of Essex Budget to assist

community organizations in their endeavours.

During the meeting, members of the Finance Committee reviewed each of the requests submitted for funding through the 2021 Essex Community Partnership Fund Grant.

Members had $102, 500 to allocate. As the total sum of requests from the various applicants exceeded the maxim available to allocate by around $20,500,

members of the Finance Committee made a variety of recommendations for Essex Council to consider, and possibly approve, at a future regular meeting.

Through hearing an overview of the requests from Director of Corporate Service/Treasurer, Jeff Morrison, and Manager of Finance and Business Services, Kate Giurissevich, Committee members learned the Town perpetually presents the

The Essex Retirees’ Social Club was one of the many local organization that applied for the Community Partnership Fund.

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Co-An Park Committee with $20,000, Heritage Essex – which operates the Essex Railway Station – with $25,000, and the Colchester Guardian with $1649 for their operations.

Amherstburg also contributes to Co-An Park annually. Co-An park is co-owned through the Essex and Amherstburg.

Essex also owns the Essex Railway Station.

Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche explained the funds forwarded to CoAn Park is a great deal, as it would cost the Town more to run the local park if a committees was not dedicated to its overall operation.

Councillor Morley Bowman said the same thing about the

Essex Railway Station.

The amount supplied to the Colchester Guardian, a rescue vessel that is based out at the Colchester Harbour, was an agreement that would be in effect perpetually from 2020-2024 to help cover slip costs of being docked at the Colchester Harbour.

The Finance Committee recommended the following annual applications based on their request: • The Essex Retirees’ Social Club be approved for $12,858. Of those funds, $8,858 will be to assist with programming and $4,000 will be inkind for grass cutting and snow removal through the

Town of Essex. This total amount was lower than in the past, but Community Service Director, Doug Sweet, explained that was because the Town lowered the estimate of what those services were actually costing the Town.

• Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society (HEIRS) be approved $1500 to assist with a computer project and preparations for its 50th anniversary. This is an amount HEIRS typically receives.

• The Harrow Electric Eels Aquatic Team be approved for an in-kind allocation of $1600 for insurance provider costs.

This request was up from

Continued on Page 18

Thursday, January 28, 2021

I

News I 13

Essex Free Press

Essex County Council notes for January 20, 2021

by Adam Gault County supports small business re-opening Essex County Council passed a resolution supporting requests from the Town of Essex and the Town of Kingsville, that the Province and health units allow small businesses to open for instore sales with COVD-19 safety measures in place.

This resolution follows several Essex municipal meetings where Essex Council and local businesses owners have discussed the impact the lockdown restrictions have had on their livelihoods and ability to compete with larger “essential” stores, which have for the most part, remained open for instore shopping.

The County will now support the municipalities in this endeavour, and will correspond with Queen’s Park and the local health unit to seek safe reopening for regional small business.

County signs loan guarantee for SWIFT Council has authorized the signing of a loan guarantee in the amount of $2,342,000 in support of Phase 3 of the South Western Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) pilot project.

SWIFT is a corporation created and owned by the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus, of which the County of Essex is a member.

This project was designed to implement additional high-speed internet connectivity to areas considered underserved across Ontario, and is funded in part by the SWIFT corporation, along with the 13 participating municipalities and senior levels of government.

The projects that SWIFT has committed to implementing will have more than $150 million invested in bringing highspeed internet to the mainly rural areas that have been chosen to take part in the project.

“Each municipality listed in the report is being asked to approve entry into its own loan agreement for its share,” Essex County Director of Financial

Services/Treasurer, Sandra Zwiers, explained. “Which essentially offers that loan collateral. It allows collectively SWIFT to carry out the objectives of this Phase 3.”

The amounts requested from each respective municipality/County are proportional to the amount of investment being provided for that particular

region.

This Loan Guarantee will expire once all contracts signed by SWIFT, in regards to its Essex County project, have been fulfilled and SWIFT has been reimbursed by the federal and provincial governments in accordance with the Southwestern Ontario Integrated Fibre Technology Pilot Project

Contribution Agreement, expected by December 2023.

County approves new staff positions County Council approved the addition of five staff positions, as funding was allocated in the 2021 Essex County Budget.

These positions include a Communications

and Organizational Development Coordinator, Procurement Officer, an Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator for Sun Parlor Home, Infrastructure Services Project Manager, and an EMS Professional Standards Captain.

These positions were selected in part due to increasing demands of

County administration targeting specific areas outlined in the budget.

While these positions were approved for funding in the budget, the approval of funding to support a new position did not constitute approval to actually add the proposed position, thus the approval of the report.

14 I Activity Page Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Exercise The Mind!

Puzzles and activities for readers of all ages!

The benefits of crossword puzzles (NC) Various studies have shown the positive effects crossword puzzles can have on a person’s brain and capacity to learn.

Crossword puzzles are one of the most popular pastimes in the world.

Crosswords are square grids made up of white- and black-shaded squares. The goal is to fill in all of the letters to form words and phrases that work both vertically and horizontally. The grid varies based on the country of origin.

Certain grids also have 180-degree rotational symmetry so that the pattern appears the same if the paper is turned upside down.

Historians are uncertain about who created the world’s first crossword puzzle, although it is believed to be something that originated in the 19th or early 20th century. Arthur Wynne, a journalist from Liverpool, England, published a word-cross puzzle in the New York World that had many of the features of the modern game, and the crossword is frequently attributed to Wynne.

Even though crossword puzzles have been entertaining and helping people pass the time for more than 100 years, the benefits of crosswords go beyond boredom-busting.

Various studies have shown the positive effects crossword puzzles can have on a person’s brain and capacity to learn. · Improve vocabulary: Crossword puzzles introduce players to new words. And players may learn some interesting facts about various subjects simply by filling in crosswords correctly.

· Strengthens memory: The more frequently participants engage with word puzzles, the better they can perform tasks that measure attention, reasoning and memory, according to a study from the University of Exeter Medical School and Kings College London. The study found people who play crosswords have brain function equivalent to those 10 years younger than their actual age. · Improve socialization: Crossword puzzles can help you connect socially with others who also play crossword puzzles. Solving a puzzle together as a group is a fine way to connect and meet new people. · Help relieve stress: Crossword puzzles can engage the brain and mind, helping direct attention away from stressful situations.

Crosswords also provide a way to relax and unwind. · May help prevent brain diseases: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, research indicates keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build reserves of brain cells and connections. In addition, those who keep their minds active may have lower amounts of a protein that forms beta amyloid plaques attributed to Alzheimer’s disease.

Crossword puzzles can fill empty hours with an entertaining and educational activity.

However, there are many other benefits to doing crossword puzzles that may surprise even the most ardent puzzle enthusiasts.

ACROSS 1. Downhill sport 4. Very breezy 5. Scary film and book 6. In the north 8. A bit cold DOWN 1. Frozen precipitation 2. Type of metal 3. Blades on ice 7. Snakelike fish

sudoku

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

See Answers on Page 19

Thursday, January 28, 2021

I

Special Feature I 15

Essex Free Press

CTMHV’s 1885 Bethel Church was originally built on Arner Townline Historical Highlight Since the Coronavirus pandemic has restricted access into local museums, a local display or area of historical significance will be featured in the next few editions of the Essex Free Press to honour the area’s rich and interesting history.

by Sylene Argent The 1885 Bethel United Church is one of several homes and buildings of local historical significance nestled along the winding path at the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV).

The Elford family began building the structure on the corner of the Arner Townline and the 6th Concession as a place of worship in 1883. Nearly a century later, in 1978, the Bethel United Church was donated by the women’s group as it was no longer in use.

“One of the nicest things about the church was the connection to the Elfords. Until his death, Robert Elford used to come by all the time to ‘checkup’ on the church and make sure we had enough brochures for visitors,” Lisa Wacheski said, who is the Curator and Manager of Education at the CTMHV. He passed way on

Christmas Day in 2016, at 91-years of age. Robert was still making those visits up to one month before he passed. He sometimes would make a donation to the church to help with maintenance.

She added the Elford Women’s Institute used to bake pies in the church basement for the CTMHV’s special events years ago, and the Women’s Institute used to hold its monthly meetings there.

The members later moved into the lobby of CTMHV to host its meetings.

“It was really neat to see a community of women, or rather such great women, who represented and cared for their community, reciting their pledge, singing “O Canada” and “God save the Queen” (if I can recall correctly). I remember having just started working at the Museum and thinking ‘what great role models those women were,’” Wacheski said, noting many

of those members at that time were up in age and so dedicated.

In 2018, Museum volunteers noticed the cedar shingles on the Bethel United Church needed to be replaced, and a metal roof was selected as the replacement. At the time, Museum volunteers noted that was a material available when the church would have been originally constructed.

Wacheski noted the roof was repaired, thanks to generous contributions from the community. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help raise the necessary funds. In addition, the interior of the structure was repaired and repainted, after receiving water damage. The exterior doors have also been repainted to match the new roof and the exterior. It has been scraped and painted on two-sides, with the remainder to be completed this year.

The CTMHV was able to raise the nearly $20,000 needed to cover the cost of the new roof and the interior water damage.

This fundraising goal was reached because of the volunteers at the CTMHV, Historic Vehicle Society of Ontario (HVSO) members, and community members.

Donations were also

File photo of the CTMHV’s 1885 Bethel Church with its new metal roof.

received from individuals who were tied to the Church while it was an active congregation.

The CTMHV then set out to raise another $20,000 to have the exterior of the Church painted and cover the cost to complete needed exterior repairs.

The CTMHV stills plan to host an open house for all who donated to the roof repair project, but wanted to wait until all the repairs

had been completed before doing so.

In the future, it is hoped the CTMHV will be able to freshen up the basement, which is used for school field trips for lunch, Wacheski said.

The Bethel United Church is used as part of the CTMHV’s Children’s Education Program, where thousands of students get a hands-on history lesson.

Wacheski used the church

for the Christmas Pageant portion of its Christmas Traditions program for grades 2 and 3 students, when it was able to host school trips prior to the pandemic.

Annually, several area couples also choose to get married in the church.

To learn more about the CTMHV’s events, programs, or volunteer and donation opportunities, log onto www.ctmhv.com.

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HELP WANTED

Town of Essex Council to consider formal adoption of 2021 budget Council for the Corporation of the Town of Essex will consider the formal adoption of the 2021 Municipal Budget at their Regular Meeting on:

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 6:00pm The meeting will be hosted virtually and streamed online at: www.youtube.com/EssexOntario A copy of the draft budget is available for review at the link below: www.essex.ca/Budget Individuals who require a printed copy of the budget may request one by contacting the Town of Essex at 519-776-7336 or info@essex.ca.

Written submissions relating to the proposed budget will be accepted until 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 to the undersigned: Robert Auger Town Solicitor/Clerk 33 Talbot Street South, Essex, Ontario Telephone: 519 776-7336 extension 1132 clerks@essex.ca

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Community I 17

Essex Free Press

Essex Region Conservation Honours Award Winners submitted to EFP photos submitted Eight organizations and individuals were honoured with Essex Region Conservation Awards for their efforts in making the Windsor/ Essex/Pelee Island region the Place for Life.

“It’s very inspiring to have the opportunity to celebrate so many organizations and individuals who have made an incredible impact on the environment,” said Tania Jobin, who was elected as ERCA’s Chair. “Following the worldwide challenges faced in the past year, it is a pleasure to honour and recognize those who

Emily Browne Don Waffle

are making a difference to our local environment.

This pandemic has demonstrated while there is much we can live without, our need for nature is paramount.”

Winners included: Don Waffle – John R. Park Homestead Award to long-time Homestead

volunteer and Past Chair of the Homestead Advisory Committee. As an accomplished artist, Don also has used his talents to preserve and promote the human and natural history of the Essex Region.

Emily Browne – Youth Award to this University of

Tania Jobin to Chair Essex Region Conservation Authority submitted to EFP Councillor Tania Jobin was acclaimed as Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority at the Annual General Meeting of January 21.

First elected to Town of Tecumseh Council in 2010, she has been an active and engaged member of ERCA’s Board since 2015

and has served as Vice Chair for the past two years.

“With the recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, this next year will include the preparation of a transition plan and municipal agreements,” said Jobin. “I look forward to working with all

member municipalities to ensure that the broad scope of integrated watershed management programs we provide are not fragmented, so that we can ensure a future of environmental sustainability for our region.”

Councillor Kieran McKenzie from Windsor, will serve as the Vice Chair.

Xander Campbell

Dr. Ken Drouillard

Windsor Environmental Science student, Youth Environment Ambassador, and HowTo-Crew member, who helps to ensure the quality of community restoration projects across the region.

Xander Campbell – Volunteer Award for volunteering since age 12 to protect habitats and wildlife at Point Pelee, Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, and as an ERCA How-To-Crew Member.

Volunteers to lead nature hikes for youth to engage them in environmental restoration, and removes trash and recyclables from Conservation Areas in his spare time.

F r e s h w a t e r Restoration Ecology Centre (FREC) – Education Award for ground-breaking research while engaging the public in Great Lakes biodiversity education. It

aims to better understand key stressors and threats to our freshwater biodiversity like climate change, habitat alteration, and urbanization, and engages an integrated team of high school student volunteers, undergraduate and graduate students, youth and elders from Walpole Island First Nation, and the public in this educational work.

Dr. Ken Drouillard – Environmental Achievement as a professor with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research who trains the next generation of aquatic

biologists. His expertise is used to assess Great Lakes water and sediment quality, inform beneficial use impairments to the Detroit River, and bridge the science-to-practice gap to ensure our food and water are safer.

Current research includes tracking COVID-19 in wastewater, and researching the best practices for reusable masks to keep healthcare workers safe.

Bevin Martin – Dennis Chase Staff Award for his dedication to the region’s sustainability in a manner that is conscientious, hardworking, thoughtful and compassionate to his colleagues, guests and the environment. As a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, Bevin shares information and trains colleagues with patience and kindness, and readily greets all visitors to our conservation areas.

Essex Power Corporation – Environmental Achievement for reducing its carbon footprint and offering solutions for a low carbon future.

A successful energy

Bevin Martin

Continued on Page 21

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18 I Personals / News

FromThe Heart Finance Committee reviews...

Essex Free Press

To place a personal notice, email your photo and content to contact@essexfreepress. com. Personal notices must be received by Monday at 12:00 noon to appear in the Thursday edition. _______________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY

_______________________________________________

At this time, our office is CLOSED to the public. Please email us your personal greetings for our upcoming editions.

Let’s all do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

E. contact@essexfreepress.com We will get back to you as soon as possible with a proof and price.

We accept Visa & MasterCard over the phone.

P. 519-776-4268 www.essexfreepress.com _________________________________________________________

OBITUARIES

_________________________________________________________

BRINACOMBE, Mark - passed away after a battle with COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at WRH Metropolitan Campus at 61 years of age. Beloved husband of Connie (nee Mensch) for almost 39 years. Proud and loving Dad of Ryan, Brent and wife Kaytee.

Adored Grandpa of Elle, Peyton, and Noah. Dearest son of Eleanor Baxter (late Ken Brinacombe) (late Bob Baxter) and son-in-law of Lynn Gelinas (late Ron Gelinas) (late Lyle Mensch).

Dear brother of Nancy Stockwell (late Terry), Patti Peebles (Don Kallis), Bev Brohman (late Brian), and brother-in-law of Jill Klein (Robert), and Paul Mensch (Carol). Step brother to Judy Erwied (late Heinz), Janice Ogley (Lloyd), Bob Baxter (Samantha), Bill Baxter, John Baxter (Joanne). Mark will also be remembered by his many nieces and nephews. Mark retired from Enwin Utilities in 2018 after more than 30 years of service. Mark enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports, travelling to warm destinations, and any time spent on the golf course. To our family, he is irreplaceable and will be forever loved and missed. The family would like to thank the entire staff at WRH Metropolitan Campus’ ICU for their love and care. Visitation for family and friends took place at Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233) on Sunday January 24. A Private Family Celebration of Mark’s life was held. In lieu of flowers, if desired memorial donations made to the Alzheimer Society or WRH in their fight against COVID-19. Family and friends may share their memories online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Memorial verses available

the traditional $750 it typically asks for.

• The Kingsville Essex Associated Band be approved for its request of $8000, which was up $500 from the previous year. The funds include a cash grant of $5,000 for its operations, plus an in-kind grant of $3,000 for facility rentals.

The Finance Committee recommended the following ad hoc donations: • Canadian Blood Services be approved $4,080 in-kind grant for clinic space, which was up from its $2,664.00 request last year. Sweet explained the higher requested amount was for additional clinic time (12 in total) at the Essex Centre Sports Complex this year.

• The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village be approved for its request of $10,000, which was higher than its requests in the past. The funds will go towards programming and maintenance of the site.

Councillor Chris Vander Doelen spoke in favour of the funding for the local Museum, as he understood it was unable to do much fundraising this year, due to the pandemic. The Committee members noted this amount was to help the Museum survive through the pandemic

and should not be looked at as a perpetual funding mechanism.

• The Essex Firemen’s Association be approved for $5000 for liability insurance and to help restore an antique fire truck, which Meloche said they hope to drive in local parades.

• Harrow Hockey Moms be approved for an in-kind donation of $515.56, which will be for a facility rental to host a hockey equipment sale in the summer.

• The Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association be awarded $1,800 for sand footing installation. This was higher than the $800 approved last year. Mayor Larry Snively said the money is going to support a good cause.

Requests the Finance Committee recommends be altered: • The Harrow & Colchester South Chamber of Commerce received $1000 last year for its New Year’s Eve Party, which did not take place, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was not issued an additional $1000 this year, but the Finance Committee recommended it can use last year’s funding to host the 2021 event, if it can proceed.

• The Community Support Centre of Essex County requested $20,000

_________________________________________________________

OBITUARIES

_________________________________________________________

WALPOLE, Linda (nee Cunningham) Passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on January 18, 2021. Reunited with her beloved husband of 49 years, Wayne. Cherished mother to Robert (Tracy) and Dan (Roslynn). Proud Nana to Whitney (Blake), Owen, Willow, Paige, Avery, and Evan.

Loving sister to Brian Cunningham (Wendy) and Bob Cunningham (Pearl) and sister in law to Jim Walpole. Linda will be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. In 2006, Linda retired from nursing at Windsor Regional Hospital after 30 years of dedicated service. Linda will be remembered for her dedication, passion, and love towards her family and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Extendicare Tecumseh and WRH - Met campus, as well as Dr. J.M. Bastien for all of their care and compassion. At Linda’s request, cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Service of Windsor.

Voice Of Inspiration “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ~

John Green

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Continued from Page 12

this year for its operations.

It is located in Lakeshore, but took over the programs Essex Community Services used to provide the community. Last year, this organization requested $10,000, but the funding was never issued as the Town had additional questions that were not responded to. Morrison noted, typically, there would have been follow up on the Town’s part, but the COVID pandemic threw a wrench into the communications process.

The Committee decided to recommend approving issuing only the $10,000 allocated last year, if the organization could explain how the funds would be used specifically for Essex.

• Access County Community Support Services requested $10,000. For the past several years, it requested $9201. Its main office is located in Kingsville, but operates the Harrow Day

Care. The money goes towards programming.

The Finance Committee discussed several options on how the funds should be distributed, while programming is available as lockdowns cancel that programming.

Members decided upon a 10.5-month plan, with a value of $8,750, as the current lockdown will extend into February.

With the alterations, the Finance Committee has $1744 remaining in this grant program, which may be used for emergency requests later in the year.

In the future, the Finance Committee also agreed with administration’s request that the Co-An Park funding be added to the Town’s Operating Budget, instead of the grant program. This will allow staff members to track expenses more easily. As a result, the grant program will be lowered $20,000 in the future.

What’s Going On...

HIATUS HOUSE: offers counselling services in Essex County. Women’s Fresh Start group therapy is once a week. For info or to schedule an intake appointment, call the 24-hour Hiatus House helpline at 519-252-7781.

SUN COUNTY LYME AWARENESS SUPPORT GROUP offers monthly support for Lyme disease patients, family, & friends. Look us up on social media for updates.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

I

Personals / Community Hub I 19

Essex Free Press

sponsorship by:

Fresh food. Friendly neighbours 191 Talbot St. S., Essex

519-776-4255 Salvation Army Essex Church submitted by Carolyn Barnett

We are not holding church services or Bible Study because of the lockdown, but our Food Bank is still operating. Call Vicki at the church office, at 519-776-4628, to make an appointment.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church Our building is unfortunately closed again, for the time being, and all services are cancelled until further notice.

Visit our website (www.stpaulstrinity.org) and our social media for updates and worship resources. Messages are checked at the church office. 519-776-7711.

Please stay safe until we can meet again!

Trinity Church The doors of Trinity Church remain closed at this time. We look forward to when we can all be back together.

We will have a virtual Vestry meeting on Sunday, January 31, at 1:00pm. If you do not have the link and/or phone number, please contact Rev. Chris.

If you or anyone else is interested in a free prayer pouch, please call the church at: 519-839-5303 and leave a message.

Harrow United Church submitted by Larry Anderson

As a result of the recent lockdown, Harrow United Church has once again suspended its services/activities within the building. Video services can be viewed online by visiting our church website. We look forward to worshipping together in 2021 when it is safe to do so.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Minister, Rev. Darrow Woods, who would be

pleased to speak with you. The number of Harrow United Church is: 519-738-4223.

Please find information about Harrow United Church on our website at www.harrowunited.org.

2284. We are located at 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone, near the corner of Manning Road and Talbot. You can find us on the web at www.bethelmaidstone.com. Our email is bmuc@ xplornet.ca.

Maidstone Cross

Essex Christian Reformed Church

submitted by Wendy Cunningham

submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

Due to the lockdown, our church and Family of Parishes office are closed. Masses are being recorded and available to view on Saturdays at 5:30pm and after. Please check our website at centralessexcatholic.dol.ca or social media page.

Thank you to Kelly Hebert who has retired as our Cemetery Manager. We welcome Jean Dumouchelle as our new Cemetery Manager.

Please keep in your prayers and all the people who are sick, shutin, and in Hospice.

Thank you to all of our frontline workers!

Welcome to Essex CRC online! We invite you to join us online on Sunday morning, beginning at 10:00 am. Visit us at www.essexcrc.ca for a link to our social media page. Like our page and make sure your notifications are on so you will be the first to know when we go live.

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church submitted by Wendy Cunningham

Due to the lockdown, the office will remain closed and all churches are closed until further notice. For up-to-date information, please visit our website at: centralessexcatholic. dol.ca or on our Facebook page.

Masses are recorded and will be available to view every Saturday at 5:30 pm on our facebook and youtube pages.

Please keep all of those who are in Hospice, those who are shut-in, and their caregivers, in your prayers. Thank you to our frontline workers!

Essex United Church

Due to the new Covid restrictions, our church services are suspended and the church office is closed. For more information, call the church office at 519-776-5121. Stay safe and take care.

The Essex Area Food Bank is available to anyone who needs assistance at this time, located in the gym of the church, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Food Bank’s hours of operation are: 8:30 - 11:45am.

Community Support Centre of Essex County

Services include a Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, transportation services, foot care, home support, congregate dining, adult day programs, outreach counselling, and social programs. Visit www.communitysupportcentre.ca for details and up-to-date services offered to residents.

Essex Baptist Church

Woodslee United Church

We continue to offer ministry to our congregation and anyone who would like to participate, during the lockdown.

Each week, we post a video message from our pastor, Rev. Gary Lidstone, for Sunday Morning on our church website at www.essexbaptist.com.

Every Thursday evening, we have an online Prayer Night at 7:30pm and all are welcome to join us. Call the office with a prayer request that we might pray for on your behalf. This meeting is by Zoom, so please send your email address for an invite.

If you need someone to pray with you, call the church at 519 776-8563.

submitted by Sue Holman

Bethel-Maidstone United Due to current restrictions, we are closed to in-person worship. Our worship ministry has moved online and can be streamed at anchor.fm/bethel-maidstone Past sermons are also available in case you missed any.

The secretary can be reached in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm.

Our number is (519) 723-

Answers from Activity Page... from on Page 14 Exercise The Mind: SOLUTIONS

Kid’s Crossword Answers: Across: 1. Skiing 4. Windy 5. It 6. Northern 8. Chilly Down: 1. Snowing 2. Iron 3. Skating 7. Eel

Sadly, there is will be no inside Worship Service in the Church until further notice. Rev. Carl will place his video message on our website: woodsleepastoralcharge.ca.

Thanks to all our volunteers who helped keep our church safe while we were open for regular service. Keep safe.

20 I Business Directory Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

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Community / Business Directory I 21

Essex Free Press

Essex Region Conservation Honours Award Winners...

Continued from Page 17

conservation endeavor through the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Conservation First Framework. EPC exceeded its 6-year conservation target, achieving 119% almost 2 years ahead of the program end date. It has increased its fleet of solar photovoltaic (PV) assets and infrastructure in Windsor-Essex and across the province, and encouraged customers to switch to paperless billing, saving approximately 340,000 pieces of paper, and reducing the cradle-to-grave emissions by nearly 14 tonnes.

County of Essex – Robert Pulleyblank Award for Municipal Environmental Achievement for its leadership in adopting a Climate Emergency

declaration and initiating the Essex County Regional Energy Plan to help to meet the community’s climate priorities and strengthen the local economy. The County has promoted healthy lifestyles by constructing more than 415 km of active transportation corridors through the County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), addressing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The County has also taken strong action on climate adaptation through initiating a floodplain mapping prioritization study to protect residents and ensure safe, responsible, and sustainable development practices.

A video of the Conservation Award Winners, ERCA’s Annual Report and corresponding Annual

Report video, can be found at: essexregionconservation. ca/about-us/board-members-and-meetings/#meetings Since 1973, Essex Region Conservation has been sustaining and enriching the environment of the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region to ensure it is the Place for Life.

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22 I Opinion / News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

GECDSB unveils new Kingsville school design 1956 Dodge at Pinecrest Speedway

Photo from the GECDSB: Pictured is a rendering of the new Kingsville school.

Dennis Ransome in his “Demolition Derby” Dodge!

Dennis Ransome of Mount Forest, Ontario, remembers Pinecrest Speedway northwest of Toronto: “Hi Bill. You mentioned in your article in the Nov 2/20 issue that a gentleman had his tachometer stolen in the parking lot at Pinecrest Speedway. Nothing like that ever happened to me but the mention of it sure brought back a lot of memories for me.

“My parents and I started going to the races there in 1961 and went every Saturday night until the end of the season in 1966. For a young guy like me, that was six years of heaven on earth of stock car racing.

“That was back in the era of Jim Hallahan and Zippy Zimmerman as leading drivers and Jo Cresswell #49 ½ leading the Powder Puff Division. As it turns out, Smitty, one of the owners, was organizing four Demolition Derbies that year of 1966 and I signed up for all four of them! I was only 17 at the time and you had to be 18 years old to enter, so my parents had to sign for me, which they did.

“I was living in the Village of Meadowvale (between Streetsville and Bramptonnow Mississauga) at the time and it was a bit of a drive to Pinecrest but my father always towed me there with his 1966 GMC pickup. Getting towed there by my Dad was scarier than the race itself. He did not know how to drive slow when towing a car.

“I had four demolition cars. My first one was a 1956 Dodge, then a 1956 Chrysler push-button automatic, then a 1955 Vauxhall and finally an old Hillman (don’t remember the year). When I think about it now, Bill, all I had was an Army Surplus green web lap belt fastened to a chain around the frame behind the driver’s seat, but we all survived.

“I still have the crash helmet that I wore in those races. For some reason, it is still in the garage. There is also a Pinecrest seat cushion, the same as the one my Mother would have used to keep warm on chilly nights.

“I never won any of those races, but I still had a great time, bruises and all.”

I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca.

READ US ONLINE & IN PRINT contact@essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress

16 CENTRE ST., ESSEX

519.776.4268 www.essexfreepress.com

by Adam Gault The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) released a video presentation on Thursday, January 21, highlighting the design and building specs for the new K – 12 public school to be constructed on Jasperson Drive in Kingsville.

The nearly 200,000 square foot mega-school will be designed to instruct up to 1,045 elementary, and 753 secondary students, in addition to a dedicated community daycare as part of the building.

This new school will replace Kingsville District High School, Jack

Miner Public School, and Kingsville Public School, with graduates of Harrow Public School able to attend high school at the new building when completed.

In this latest design, the school will have two distinct and separate driveways and entrances for elementary and secondary students in order to provide a distinct presence to both sections of the school, with the secondary portion taking up the northern half and the elementary on the south.

One way drop-off lanes will be constructed for each school zone to Continued on Page 24

Thursday, January 28, 2021

I

Community I 23

Essex Free Press

Maidstone Bicentennial Museum’s garden certified as ‘Wildlife Friendly Habitat’

by Sylene Argent & photos submitted For well over a decade, the outdoor Native Heritage Gardens at the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum has been a resource for mindfulness and education, and after years of additions, care, and growth, it was recently certified as “Wildlife Friendly Habitat” through the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Museum Curator, Victoria Beaulieu, said awhile back, she happened to come across the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s criteria for the Wildlife Friendly Habitat Certification, and noticed, right away, the Native Heritage Gardens met the requirements.

“It was manly because of the types of things we grow, all the work we did putting in native plants and trees,” Beaulieu said. “We also put in bird feeders, and it is located near the river, so it provides the perfect habitat area.”

Beaulieu said the garden has been a gather place for various species of wildlife, too. “We have had deer come up, and also racoons, possums, and turkeys,” which are, of course, in addition to the butterflies and other pollinators that stop by.

Getting the certification, Beaulieu said, was a nice feeling as a lot of money and time have been invested into the small oasis since it was first installed around 14-years ago. A few years into its creation, the ERCA provided the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum with a grant, so work could continue on the expanding project.

“A lot of it has been trial and error,” Beaulieu said. “We have learned a lot. Some plants are aggressive, and you need to contain them.”

She added the Native Heritage Gardens area also provides for an opportunity for volunteers at the Museum to teach visitors, when allowed onsite based on COVID restrictions, about native plant and flower species. Even annual youth-orientated days have been held, including events focused on teaching about butterflies and bees.

Other events, focused on teaching about hummingbird and bats, have also been held in the past.

“I have great ideas for the summer, if we can open. I

hope we can at last open the gardens,” Beaulieu said, adding she hopes the volunteers at the Museum will be able to build a seasonal butterfly house. This 10’x10’ piece of educational equipment will allow visitors to the site to watch caterpillars evolve into butterflies over time.

“It depends if we are open. It would give us the ability to teach more,” Beaulieu said as to whether the seasonal butterfly house would be built or not this summer. “It will give a better visual during the Butterfly Day event. I think it’ll be neat.”

Conservationism, Beaulieu said, does tie into the Museum’s educational component. She, and other volunteers, have put in quite a bit of research into plants pioneers and Native Americans would have used medicinally,

and which they considered to be edible, though they do not recommended visitors try those ideas at home.

In the past, the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum has hosted plant sales, and Beaulieu hopes that will be able to happen again this summer, as it creates revenue for the Museum and its native garden project. It also encourages local residents to plant native plant species.

24 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, January 28, 2021

Dine local campaign aimed GECDSB unveils new Kingsville school design... to help local businesses Continued from Page 22

safely drop off students in close proximity to their respective school entrance.

“There will be ample parking and dropoff space to provide a continual flow of traffic, with a reduced speed, to enhance the level of safety and security for each zone,” Marcie James of Architecttura Inc. said, which is one of the design firms for the project.

The gymnasium will be featured at the centre of the twostorey construction, with classrooms for both elementary and secondary students to be placed along the outside perimeter of the building.

“We have purposely planned the location of all classrooms along the perimeter of each zone to maximize daylight harvesting for energy efficiency,” James explained. “The exterior of the building

is designed to create a unified building concept for elementary school, secondary school, and daycare.”

Exterior finishes on the building will consist of energy-efficient insulated architectural panels for the upper section of the building, with a high percentage of exterior glazing to enhance daylighting within the internal part of the building.

“We have spent endless hours with the [architectural] firm, as well as community members, as well as nearly the entire staff of the school, both elementary and secondary, receiving input into what is going to become a beautiful building,” GECDSB Superintendent of Education School Development and Design, Todd Awender, said.

“We’re at a process now, where we’re showing

the community where we are in the designs to hear your comments or questions, and to allow you the opportunity to see where we’re going.”

The full video presentation can be viewed on YouTube at the channel “GEDCSBMediaCentre.”

Questions or concerns can be sent through email to Kingsville.K-12@ publicboard.ca The design and budget for the new school will be reviewed by the GECDSB Board of Trustees at an upcoming February meeting, where if approved, will be sent to the Ministry of Education for further review or approval.

According to the GECDSB, ground breaking on the new build may still be a minimum of two years away.

Calling small business owners COVID-19 support could be available to you.

• Grants of up to $20,000 through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant • Up to $1,000 in support for purchasing PPE through Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant • Rebates for property tax and energy costs

by Adam Gault A new partnership between several local organizations was designed to assist regional restaurants throughout this continued period of pandemic uncertainty with a new dine local campaign.

DineYQG will be supported through a local partnership between the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island, CUPE 543, Libro Credit Union, Gordon Food Service, Community Futures Essex County, Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, Windsor-Essex Small Business Centre, Bell Media, and WE-Tech Alliance.

Through this program, restaurants across the Windsor-Essex region will be supported through an ongoing multimedia campaign, in addition to being offered additional grants and funding, and the opportunity to partner with the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) for a subsidized food delivery program that will keep more of the profits in the pockets of the restaurant, versus third-party delivery services.

“Locally, one in six restaurants have said that they will close permanently,” President and CEO of the WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce, Rakesh Naidu, said, citing area

data from prior to even the most recent COVID-19 restrictions. “With the extension of lockdown conditions, we’re expecting that this number will get worse.”

Prior to the pandemic, the restaurant and beverage industry was Canada’s fourth largest employer, with 1.2 million total Canadians working in the field.

In Windsor-Essex, the industry has been hit especially hard, with a decrease from around 15,300 employees in late 2019, down to about 6,700 in December 2020, which is a 56 percent reduction in employment.

“This is a huge impact to the regional economy, to the regional workforce,” Naidu said. “This is the reason why we thought we needed to do something about this.”

Restaurants who take part in the program will be offered a series of mentorship and guidance when it comes to navigating their business through the remainder of the pandemic, in addition to the ability to add their establishment to an online directory for each respective municipality of Windsor-Essex.

As part of the media campaign, diners will be encouraged to “double down” on their gratuity, or order a second meal to take home for lunch or dinner the following day.

“We know that the economic backbone of our community are our small businesses, as such, there is a common goal between our groups,” President of CUPE 543, David Petten, explained. “[Small business] will be vital to this effort, but they need our help to get to the other side of this pandemic.”

Cash prizes will also be available to customers and restaurants who dine through the DineYQG program over the next 10 weeks, with customers being encouraged to share pictures of their receipts from participating restaurants on the program’s webpage to be entered into the weekly, random draws.

Customers will be eligible for $100 if their receipt is chosen, with the restaurant they dined at to be awarded $1000 if selected.

Full program details and information can be found online at dineyqg.ca

Voice Of Inspiration “There is no standard normal. Normal is subjective. There are seven billion versions of normal on this planet.” ~ Matt Haig

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