Essex Free Press - May 28, 2020

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Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.

Vol. 140

A LOOK INSIDE Local pilots lift spirits of frontline workers, honour Snowbird victims PAGE 2 _______________ 166th Harrow Fair cancelled for 2020 PAGE 9 _______________ Province gives all-clear for golf courses to open PAGE 18 _______________

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Issue No. 21

Legion provides lunch to frontline staff at Iler Lodge and Country Village

MTO needs to relocate drain along Highway #3, purchasing property PAGE 19 _______________ E.L.K. Energy presents council with 2019 financials PAGE 20 _______________

Looking For A Good Home

Last Wednesday, members of the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201) prepared lunch for the frontline staff members at Iler Lodge in Essex and Country Village in Woodslee.

by Sylene Argent Typically on Wednesdays, the Essex Branch of the Royal

Canadian Legion (Branch 201) opens its doors to the public to host a hamburger and fry sale.

But, the local Legion has put a hiatus to this popular lunch option, that requires the efforts

of seven or eight dedicated individuals to operate, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Wednesday, however, volunteers and staff members fired up the grill at the local hall to make special burger and fry lunches for the frontline staff at the Iler Lodge and Country Village long-term care homes.

The luncheon was a way the local Legion could take care of those who take care of everyone else, Marc “Kinger” Adams, an employee of the Essex Legion, said as he made the deliveries last week. It was a “Thank-you for the hard work during these times.”

The lunch bundles were gratefully accepted at the two local long-term care homes.

The Essex Legion supports a variety of youth and community programs, in addition to looking after the needs of local veterans.

“DOROTHY” See Page 5 for adoption info.

Essex Council Notes for Tuesday, May 19

by Sylene Argent Cassidy asks Council to consider small business support during COVID-19 - Council to send two letters to the province to support small businessesLocal fitness centre co-owner and Essex

resident, Dave Cassidy, approached Council as a delegate to ask for support for local small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cassidy said there are businesses in town that are struggling during the pandemic. He spoke of the Canada Emergency Business

Account (CEBA) which provides interestfree loans of up to $40000 to Canadian small businesses and not-for-profits. One of the stipulations to qualify for CEBA is that

Continued on Page 3

2 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

Local pilots lift spirits of frontline workers, honour Snowbird victims Originally, the in-air tribute was to take place last Wednesday evening, but high winds kept the local pilots grounded.

Canadian Historical Aircraft Association VicePresident, Don Christopher, said hosting the flyover was not an original idea, as similar spectacles have been held in other parts of Canada, but a handful of local pilots wanted to host this event in the Windsor-Essex Region.

“The route was basically all around the County, so everyone got to see the planes,” Christopher said, adding the local museum received a lot of positive feedback about the event. With many summer events cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, he said the pilots enjoyed being there to provide some entertainment, while paying tribute to the Snowbird pilots and honouring frontline healthcare workers.

The mission of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association is to, “Honour Canadian veterans by preserving, maintaining, restoring, displaying, and demonstrating antique or vintage military and civilianaircraft and artifacts considered important to Photos from the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.

by Sylene Argent Members of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, the Windsor Flying Club, and Journey Air joined forces to perform an in-air tribute, across the sky above Windsor-Essex County, last Thursday evening.

The event was a way local pilots could pay tribute to the memory of Captain Jenn Casey of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, who passed away after the recent accident during the Operation Inspiration nationwide tour, and in hopes for a recovery for Captain Richard MacDougall, who was injured in that accident. The event also offered the opportunity for the pilots to thank local healthcare workers for their courageous role in the fight against COVID-19.

Around a dozen pilots took part in the tribute, at the controls of various models of privately owned planes.

Canadian aviation history.”

The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association museum is housed in a historic building. It occupies the original hangar of #7 Elementary Flying Training School, which was built in 1940 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Christopher said 2400 pilots were trained at the facility during the Second World War. With the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association Museum currently closed to the public because of COVID-19 regulations, work on a full restoration repair of the Lancaster Plane, which was formerly on display in Jackson Park, has been stalled. The Lancaster was a British four-engine heavy bomber, it notes on the museum’s website.

The museum, he said, hopes to one day build a hangar to house this historic aircraft in the future.

A Mosquito build project, which is being built from scratch at the museum, is also ongoing at the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association facility.

For information about the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, log onto www.ch2a.ca.

Celebrating graduation - ceremonies planned for the Class of 2020 submitted by Greater Essex County District School Board A year-end ceremony to celebrate students’ achievements in school is important and a memorable experience.

However, because of the need to maintain distance from one another during the COVID-19 emergency, a traditional graduation is not possible this year.

The Class of 2020 will still be

provided the experience, but in a dramatically different format.

Each school within the Greater Essex County District School Board will produce a video graduation, including many of the familiar elements like official remarks, a valedictory address, and the announcement of student awards.

The video will be broadcast on YouTube at the time and on the day previously arranged prior to the

school closures. Students and families will receive notification from their school as a reminder. The distribution of diplomas and certificates will be determined at a later time at each school.

For information, contact Public Relations Officer Scott Scantlebury: 519-255-3200 ext.10224 (leave a message) or 519-995-5797.

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Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

News I 3

Essex Free Press

- Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Continued from Front Page

a business had to have a $20,000 to $1.5M payroll to qualify.

“There [are not] too many small businesses, potentially, that fit in that. A new business starting out, doesn’t have an opportunity to pay people. They are trying to make ends meet as they move forward. And, then, you get shutdown because of COVID,” he said.

Cassidy, who is also the President of UNIFOR Local 444, asked if the Town was going to lobby to the government on behalf of local businesses.

Councillor Kim Verbeek hoped the Town could lobby the government on behalf of local businesses. She was planning to put forward a Notice of Motion on this issue later in the meeting (which she did).

Councillor Steve Bjorkman said it is important for Council to chase down ways to help small businesses run their operations. He said he knows small businesses are finding any way to generate income to pay insurance, taxes, and fees; things that don’t go away for small businesses. A way needs to be used to engage political reps to find those ways, he said.

He made a motion to request the province create a support program for business that do not qualify for that $40,000 loan. Motion carried.

Cassidy also asked about municipal tax breaks for small businesses.

It was noted at the meeting, tax breaks are something that has not been discussed yet at the local decisionmaking table.

Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said taxes are too high at all levels, everywhere, all the time.

“Rather than hand out boutique tax breaks, especially to the private sector – because as a residential tax payer, I am worried right away that I am going to have to make up that difference, which I am opposed to. And I am sure most residents are, but if we can somehow reduce the tax burden on our business class, I think that would be terrific. But not just one time, we should look at lowering it anyway. That’s where all our revenue comes from, that’s where all our jobs come from. If this lockdown has proven anything, it’s the value of the private sector to our society.”

Cassidy also wondered that since some outdoor recreation facilities are opening with restrictions, if the Town would be prepared to allow his business to run bootcamps outdoors, until the facilities can be open, with social distancing.

Verbeek added she knows people who use gyms for physical and mental health reasons, and hoped a way could be found to do parking lot bootcamps.

CAO Chris Nepszy said as far as hosting outdoor bootcamps, he was not sure of the implications and that would have to be explored. “I don’t think it is an easy answer.”

Doug Sweet, Director of Community Services/ Deputy CAO, said he does have sympathy for Cassidy and other fitness clubs, but currently the Province has not lifted restrictions on outdoor or indoor recreation.

Vander Doelen said he is in favour of opening things up. “I am one of those people who thinks this is probably been historic overreaction; especially in our region, maybe not in other communities, or in Quebec or in Vancouver. But here, it certainly seems to be an overreaction, and I don’t understand why we are still locked down so tightly.”

He added that the COVID-19 decision is not political, it is, supposedly, a scientific, and absolutely, a medical one. He suggested if Council wants to lobby, it should start with local doctors, nurses, and PSWs,

because it is a bottom up opinion in the medical industry that the lockdown has to continue. The premier is getting pressure from the medical side.

Councillor Sherry Bondy agreed with Vander Doelen in that they may not be able to change the Premier’s mind, but they could ask for more clarification on how some of these forgotten businesses, like a photographer who works from home cannot operate and one in a strip mall can operate in phase one.

Nepszy said the Town is just following the directions of the Province, as muddy as they can be, to protect residents.

“If we could open up every business today, we would. Believe me. We are all behind the businesses, 100 percent. We want to see every business open,” Essex Mayor Larry Snively said. “I hate to say, but a lot of the residents really don’t get that. They blame us because there are different activities people can do.”

He gave an example that happened to him at the Colchester Harbour on Saturday. “I got called everything a human-being can be called down at the Harbour. I was to blame for the Harbour being closed. I was to blame. Council was to blame,” Snively said. He said he explained to this individual the Harbour ramp was closed up until recently because of a Provincial mandate.

He agreed with Cassidy about an outdoor bootcamp.

If Council could lobby the government, hopefully that letter would reach the Province the following day.

Snively said he would press Essex MP Chris Lewis to see what he can do. “Council is behind you100 percent,” he said to Cassidy.

Councillor Sherry Bondy put forward a motion that Council send a letter to the Provincial Government, asking for permission to allow small businesses, such as boot camps, that operate outdoors, to do so safely with a max of five people practicing social distancing.

The letter will also be sent to MP Lewis and MPP Taras Natyshak.

Bondy said she understands the vulnerable have to be protected, but people need to be allowed to start moving.

Motion carried.

Council also received Cassidy’s report.

Essex’s COVID-19 Update: -Council prorates boat slips, limits use of payments with credit cardsEssex’s CAO Chris Nepszy reported to Council on the re-opening of the Colchester Harbour on Saturday, May 16. Around 60 boaters used the ramp on that day.

Staff members were located at the top of the hill and were prepared. Everything went well, he added. Directional arrows showed were boaters could walk.

He looked for direction from Council on prorating the slip season, from May 1 to June 1. This would reduce it from 23 to 19 weeks.

Council moved that recommendation.

“It makes sense. It’s practical. It is one of those things you are talking about that [is] something we can do to assist,” Nepszy said.

On Tuesday, the Province lifted restrictions to allow municipalities to open dog parks, tennis courts, pavilions, and benches. In reaction, staff members for the Town of Essex removed signs from benches. Public washrooms at marinas remain close, until the WECHU gives the go-ahead.

The Town of Essex is waiting on further direction from the upper levels of government on anything Continued on Page 5

4 I Opinion Essex Free Press

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OPINION & COMMENT

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• When the going gets tough…sometimes the tough get tired

While the Coronavirus pandemic continues to create additional barriers for us all – like only being able to talk to loved ones over the phone, educating youth at home, having to work in an essential job or not having a paycheque come in at all, or having to line up to get into a store to purchase needed goods – life doesn’t stop at just these challenges. Family, work, and regular stressors can and will continue to occur.

The old adage is, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” meaning tenacious individuals rise up to tackle those challenges. But, even the tough can get tired after a while.

We all have people in our life about whom we worry, and we all have situations come up in our own lives that we may not be sure how to navigate. There is one thing for sure, life never seems to surprise me as it throws twists and turns along our pathways.

I would consider this year to be the most difficult I have experienced in my life as issues seem to keep piling up and compound. Lately, I feel like I really need to get a fresh breath of

that figurative air. And, I know I am not alone. There are many people out there experiencing their own unique struggles.

Through all the stress dealing with issues can bring, I try to keep my proverbial chin held high, but sometimes, after having experienced many challenges, that can be hard to do.

It is when I am experiencing those emotionally low moments that I work at kicking myself in the butt. There may be several things going on in my life that are creating challenges, but I certainly will not accomplish anything with a defeated or negative attitude. Though I do tend to be a natural-born worrier, it never honestly helped me accomplish anything. All worrying does is cloud my ability to think of something I might be able to do to change or improve a situation.

So, when I feel that worrisome blanket trying to cover me, I try to sit back and analyze how it is I am approaching these new challenges.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I try to break that proverbial mountain down into little steps and start working

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.

my way to the top.

But what I have come to realize lately, is that I can not always have an impact when it comes to the issues – be it medical or otherwise – of the ones I love. I have always had it engrained in my head that if you work hard enough, great things will come.

But, it doesn’t matter how hard we are willing to work for others, sometimes there is just no way to help, other than to bring comfort and support in some way.

Sometimes, no matter how much we want to help others, we may just not be able to fix that situation, and that is hard for me, and I am sure many others, to accept. In fact, it can be exhausting, just thinking about those scenarios.

So, yes, sometimes the tough can get tired from tackling those challenges. And that is okay. We all need to remember we need to take care of ourselves and let ourselves rest, too. We can’t be our best if we let our batteries drain too low.

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

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

Phone: 519.776.4268 Fax: 519.776.4014 email: contact@essexfreepress.com

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Letter to the Editor It is with sadness the Board of Directors of Colchester South and Harrow Agricultural Society announce that the 166th presentation of the Harrow Fair will take place Thursday through Sunday of Labour Day Weekend, 2021 and not in 2020 as originally planned.

We will be forever grateful for the sacrifices made by the many front line workers during these times and are unwilling to put those sacrifices at risk by believing current restrictions will be lessened sufficiently within the next 100 days to hold the 166th presentation of the Harrow Fair in September 2020 as originally planned. It seems unreasonable to ask judges to taste and/or touch hundreds of entries so soon after this experience. It would be irresponsible to ask our volunteers to attend the gates, collect garbage and coordinate activities

Harrow Fair postponed until 2021

in such an uncertain time.

Plexiglass barriers, masks, and arrows directing the flow of the crowd are just not conducive to a fair atmosphere. There is too much to see and do at the Harrow Fair to put these types of restrictions in place.

The economic impact of this decision will be felt by many charitable groups, vendors, entertainers, and local businesses that rely

on the Harrow Fair, some as their main/major source of revenue. We must consider the safety of all involved and pray that they survive this experience both from a health and fiscal perspective.

In this regard, we ask our supporters to practice social distancing, and keep them in mind when making purchase decisions.

Start making plans now for the 166th presentation of

the Harrow Fair September 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2021 (Labour Day Weekend), you know we are. Stay safe, be well and see you at the Fair, next year!

Respectfully Ed Gibbs, President Colchester South and Harrow Agricultural Society

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Opinion / News I 5

Essex Free Press

Essex Council notes...

OPP West Region concerned by recent opioid-related deaths - Street drugs are dangerous submitted by OPP Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wish to remind the public of the potentially-lethal consequences of opioid use.

Between May 1, 2020 and May 17, 2020, OPP West Region members responded to 12 suspected opioid overdose incidents, including three fatalities. To date in 2020, there have been 52 suspected opioid overdoses, including 13 deaths in West Region.

In 2019, there were 37 confirmed or suspected fatal opioid overdoses in communities served by OPP West Region. In all, OPP West Region members responded to 234 confirmed or suspected overdoses in 2019.

These overdoses certainly highlight the fact that the misuse and abuse of controlled substances is dangerous and can be deadly.

Fentanyl - is a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever that is similar to morphine and is estimated to be 50 100 times stronger. Carfentanil - is a toxic synthetic opioid that is not intended for human consumption.

Both of these opioids sometimes get mixed into street drugs which can cause serious health issues, including death, even in small quantities.

As a law enforcement organization, the OPP’s role in this crisis is to investigate opioid-related incidences with an acute focus on the apprehension of those who produce,

import and traffic illegal drugs.

The OPP continues to work with community partners to strategically and collaboratively address the opioid crisis at the local and provincial levels by focusing on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. Individuals looking for local supports may contact their health care provider, local Health Unit, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Addiction & Mental Health Ontario, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Health Canada, or Government of Ontario websites.

Please remember the OPP supports Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which provides protection from charges for individuals at the scene of a drug overdose for simple drug possession. The OPP believes that every life matters and our officers are committed to responding professionally to all overdoses.

We need the public’s support and assistance to hold drug traffickers accountable for these deaths. You can help by providing the police with information that can lead to arrests and criminal charges. If you have information, please call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your local police.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or visit 222tips.ca.

moving forward.

There are still six staff members on voluntary layoff, until May 29.

Nepszy said Town staff members are talking about the layoffs, and how they could be impacted by non-openings of facilities later in the year. As things stay closed longer, the impact to staffing levels are greater, he said. All directors are in discussion about those impacts.

“Right now, we are operating well,” Nepszy said. “The staff complement we have is functioning great, we are getting things done at a reduced level of service.”

Building and construction was opened as of Tuesday, Nepszy noted.

Facilities are closed, but there are greenlights for permits, which is great for builders.

“That’s great news in terms of income and the economy that way,” he said.

He also spoke about the Town looking to reopen, inline with the government’s phasing.

“Our objective is to develop realistic timelines and procedures to begin the process of bringing staff back to regular work locations and normal work hours. So, we have the capacity to reopen our administrative facilities and provide that level of service for our residents.”

The first section of the

three-phased approached will be over the next two or three weeks. The goal is to limit staff anxiety and ensure there is an ability to address any concerns, such as physical separation. He added that not all facilities may open at the same time.

The Town is looking to be inline with Provincial Government. The viability for a start date, could be as early as June 1, Nepszy said.

Jeff Morrison, Director of Corporate

Continued from Page 3

S e r v i c e s / Tr e a s u r e r, said, in preparation of reopening of facilities in relation to COVID-19, the Town of Essex is looking to eliminate the acceptance of credit cards outside recreation services and virtual city hall.

Around 15 percent of in-person transactions are processed through credit cards, assessed based on total transaction value. There were 882 transactions ran through the Point of Sale machine

Continues on Page 6

Pet Of The Week: Dorothy Dorothy is a 6-year-old girl who wondered in as a stray. She is just over 5 lbs and was recently spayed so I hope you can get me on a nice diet to keep her good and healthy! She is very sweet and loves attention... so much so, that sometimes she vocalizes it. If you think you could love a girl like Dorothy, please hurry and fill out an application.

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.

Visit the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter to visit at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751. The adoption center is open everyday at 11am.

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224 Talbot St. N., Essex

519-776-4222 www.countychevroletessex.com

6 I News Essex Free Press

Essex Council notes... at the Tax Counter for the February installment due date. Of those, 64 percent were credit card related transactions. Due to current environment, the Town is trying to reduce touchpoints.

On the property tax side, the Town has a number of ways individuals can pay, including a drop box, virtual city hall, telephone and online banking, postdated cheques, and regular mail to substitute a payment made at the counter.

The Town of Essex is also trying to correct the financial impact and burden associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and reducing the costs that have been historically subsidized by the general levy and all residents in the municipality.

In 2014, he said, the Town was subsidizing credit card usage to about $120,000 per year. The Town changed vendors. In May 2018, there was a $1000 cap on taxation, which dropped the Town’s subsidization to around $60,000 per year. With an increase in building and development, which can also be paid by credit card, the subsidization is sitting at around $80,000 per year that the Town absorbs.

He was looking for approval for elimination of the use of credit cards for all payments that are processed outside of recreation and virtual city hall. He also wanted to extend the waiver of processing fees for credit card transactions on virtual city hall until December 31, 2020. At that time, staff will report back to Council.

Morrison added Essex is one of the only lowertiered municipalities in the region that accepts credit card payments. There is one other, but it is done through a third-party company that charges a transaction fee.

Councillor Sherry Bondy hoped the Town could push this message to residents.

Motion carried.

Dock B to be replaced at Colchester Harbour Council received Parks and Facilities’ Report, “Request for Tender for Colchester Harbour Dock B Replacement,” and further awarded the tender to Kropf Industrial Inc., in the amount of $160,180.42.

The Report to Council noted Council approved the replacement of Dock B at Colchester Harbour at the amount of $178,059 in the 2020 Capital Budget.

Continued from Page 5

Two applications were received for the work. Kropf Industrial Inc. provided the lowest tender application.

There are currently 17 slips at Dock B. This work will increase the slips to 22 and will have all slips serviced, Director of Community Services/Deputy CAO, Doug Sweet, said.

Maintenance Stone Tender Awarded to Southwestern Sales Corporation Council received Operations’ report, “Request for Tender -Supply and Application of Maintenance Stone,” and further awarded the tender to Southwestern Sales Corporation Limited, in the amount of $160,000.

The Report to Council noted, as part of the maintenance program, the Town has to seek a qualified contractor for the supply and application of 100 percent crushed dolomite stone. The stone has to meet Ontario Provincial Standard Specification requirements.

Two tenders were received, with Southwestern Sales Corporation Limited submitting the lowest bid.

The Report to Council notes $160,000 was approved in the 2020 Operating Budget for the supply and application of maintenance stone. Administration will utilize the unit prices to supply a quantity of maintenance stone that does not exceed this amount.

Mayor takes leave from Police Services Board At the May 7 Essex Police Services Board, Essex Mayor Larry Snively took leave of absence as its Chairperson. In the Minutes for this meeting, it notes the Essex Police Services Board received correspondence from Snively, regarding a leave of absence.

The Board requested Essex Council approve appointing Vice-Chairperson, Councillor Kim Verbeek, as Chairperson of the Police Services Board in place of the Mayor during his leave of absence. Council also had to select an interim Vice-Chairperson to take on Verbeek’s former role.

To avoid Conflict of Interest, Snively had Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche take over the regular Council meeting while this matter was discussed.

On February 26, the OPP announced that its Essex County Major Crime Unit completed its investigation into the 2018 Essex Municipal Election, which related to the reported misuse of proxy voters.

The OPP commenced an investigation after receiving a complaint in October of 2018 of the alleged

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

improprieties under the Municipal Elections Act of Ontario.

As a result of the investigation, the OPP charged Snively with the offence of Procuring Persons to Vote in a Municipal Election, when those persons were not entitled to do so, contrary to Section 89(d) of the Municipal Elections Act. In March, Snively announced he would resign from this Board until the issue was settled.

Verbeek nominated Councillor Morley Bowman to fill her former role as Vice-Chairperson of the Board. She said the Province has been moving towards bringing all the local detachments to one Board, which is quite the transition. Bowman, she said, has extensive experience on this Board, having served as Chairperson in the past.

Councillor Joe Garon seconded the nomination.

He said adding someone with experience would be favourable as it would eliminate having to catchup on what is going on with the amalgamation of the local boards.

Bjorkman nominated Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche. He said the Police Services Boards are being brought together through the County, and he serves on the County Council. So, this move would make sense.

Meloche did not accept the motion because he said Verbeek put a wise-move forward in nominating Bowman. He did, however, think about taking on the position beforehand.

Councillor Sherry Bondy said there is no rep from the southern-end of the municipality on the Board.

When you give experiences to those with experience, no one new can get experience, she said.

The reason Verbeek wanted to go with experience in this case was because there are all kinds of changes with the amalgamation of Boards, and Bowman would bring valuable past knowledge to this Board.

Next year, there will likely be one rep from each municipality on the future amalgamated Board, Verbeek noted.

Councillor Bowman accepted the nomination.

Council received the Police Services Board Meeting Minutes and appointed Bowman to the Board.

For more Town of Essex Council news, check out additional articles in this issue of the Essex Free Press.

The remaining notes of the May 19th Essex Council meeting will appear in the June 4th edition of the Essex Free Press.

Essex Council to talk internet strategy Essex Council received and supported correspondence from the Township of Armour that noted at its meeting held

on April 28, 2020, the Council of the Township of Armour passed a resolution supporting its Councillor Rod Ward’s letter regarding the need to make substantial investments in high-speed internet connectivity in the rural areas of Ontario.

Councillor Sherry Bondy made a second motion that Council host a special meeting about the issue, in the near future.

The motion passed.

CAO Chris Nepszy said Council has already give Administration direction to develop an internet strategy through the Council term plan He said the Town is working with anyone who knocks at the door and then some.

He said he has reached out

to some.

He said the SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) option is in motion. A presentation was made about this option to Council in October of 2018. He hopes to have an update with the SWIFT and the CRTC RFP in the next month or so.

Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said at the County Council level, SWIFT is being worked with as well. He said not a lot of County Council members are really

pleased with the speed it is moving. It is quite often a topic of conversation.

SWIFT will lay the larger network and smaller providers will tap into it and bring it to homes, Meloche said.

Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said he has spent a lot of time on the issue. The Town needs to drive a deal to get internet to backroads as well. He said there needs to be more than one company in order to create competition.

Get the word out.

Advertise here and get results.

16 Centre St., Essex

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Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Essex Free Press

Ad Feature I 7

8 I Activity Page Essex Free Press

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

Exercise The Mind!

KNOCK, KNOCK...

Who’s there?

Ice cream!

Ice cream who?

Ice cream if you don’t let me in!

Who’s there?

Pudding!

Pudding who?

Pudding your shoes on before your trousers is a silly idea!

Who’s there?

Orange.

Orange who?

Orange you going to answer the door?

KID’S CROSSWORD FUN

With a few puzzles and activities for readers of all ages!

sudoku

See Activity Solutions on Page 15

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!

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

News I 9

Essex Free Press

166th Harrow Fair cancelled for 2020 - Fun Fest previously cancelled by Sylene Argent Two of Essex’s largest fairs, the Essex Fun Fest and the Harrow Fair, have been cancelled for this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, the Harrow & Colchester South Agricultural Society stated it would cancel its 2020 Harrow Fair event, which was to take place over the upcoming Labour Day Weekend – September 3 through 6 – due to the “government’s declaration of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding social gatherings in the future,” the post on social media noted.

A news release on the issue from Ed Gibbs, President of the Harrow & Colchester South Agricultural Society, notes the Fair Board will be forever grateful for the sacrifices frontline workers are making,

and they are “unwilling to put those sacrifices at risk by believing current restrictions will be lessened sufficiently within the next 100 days to hold the 166th presentation of the Harrow Fair in September 2020 as originally planned.”

The statement continues it would be unreasonable to ask judges to taste and touch hundreds of entries so soon after this experience, and to require volunteers to attend the gates, collect garbage, and coordinate activities.

“Plexiglass barriers, masks, and arrows directing the flow of the crowd are just not conducive to a fair atmosphere. There is too much to see and do at the Harrow Fair to put these types of restrictions in place.”

The Board members didn’t like the idea of having to cancel the annual Fair, Gibbs said,

but felt it was necessary to do in the interest of public safety during the uncertainty during the Coronavirus emergency.

Gibbs believes this is the first time in the local Fair’s history the annual event has been cancelled.

The saddest part of having to cancel the Harrow Fair is knowing what the event puts back into the community every year. The Harrow Fair, he said, generates a lot of dollars, but the Harrow & Colchester South Agricultural Society doesn’t keep most of those funds. The Fair’s partners – a variety of service clubs from Harrow, such as the Kinsmen, Knights of Columbus, Rotary, and Scouts raise dollars during the event. Each of these service clubs play a role in the Fair, from manning entrances to picking up cans, and raise funds for their own operations by doing so.

The money raised all goes back into the community through their programs and projects.

“The trickledown effect is tremendous,” Gibbs said.

The Harrow Fair is also a big contributor to the John McGivney Children’s Centre through its annual Pie Auction. Last year’s tasty fundraiser raised $32,210 for the local organization, and $21,895, in 2018.

The Essex County 4-H Club will also lose the opportunity to show or auction off the animals they raised through their respective clubs at the fair, and the weekend where many of its clubs hosted achievement days.

The Harrow Fair’s many volunteers were well into planning the 2020 event before the decision was made to cancel. “We started before last year’s Fair even ended,” Gibbs noted,

adding features, such as the entertainment, tractorpulls, and lawnmower races, were already booked.

Councillor Sherry Bondy, who represents Harrow on Essex Council, was saddened to learn the Harrow Fair would not take part this year, but knows it was a very difficult decision for the Fair Board to make.

“And it was a decision they didn’t make lightly.

I stand by their decision.

I think the community understands. It is just such a big fair with people coming into Harrow from all over.”

The annual Fair offers an opportunity for individuals and families, who do not have farming roots, to learn about Harrow’s rich agricultural history and about farm operations.

The Harrow & Colchester South Agricultural Society will continue to make arrangements for next year’s Harrow Fair.

Bondy believes it is smart for the Fair Board to focus energy on next year’s event. She also recognized the impact the annual fair has on the community, by providing service clubs a chance to raise funds for community-orientated projects.

The Harrow Fair is not the only big, annual event within the Municipality of Essex that has been cancelled for this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the May 3 regular meeting, Essex Council approved the Essex Fun Fest Committee’s recommendation to cancel this year’s four-day event, which was scheduled to take place from July 2-5, at the Essex Centre Sports Complex grounds.

During this meeting, Mayor Larry Snively said, “That’s a sad day for us, I can say that.”

For more information, log onto harrowfair.com or essexfunfest.com

10 I Special Feature Essex Free Press

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

Decor ideas to give Conserving water during drought and dry periods homes a fresh look this spring

(MS) - Spring is a season of rejuvenation, and that spirit of renewal can take hold inside a home.

Warm weather and longer hours of daylight make spring a perfect time to imagine a home’s interior design in a new light. The following are a handful of decor ideas that may inspire homeowners to give their homes an entirely new look this spring.

• Wallpaper: Wallpaper fell out of favor years ago, but new styles that aren’t so heavily patterned can make for wonderful additions to any room. Large-scale prints can give a room a whole new feel without giving homeowners or their guests the impression that they have stepped back in time. A simple, mural-style floral wallpaper on the walls surrounding a table in a breakfast nook can bring nature inside.

• Pastel colours: Nothing embodies the spring quite like pastel colours. If colourful, bright flowers dot the garden in the backyard, homeowners can bring those uplifting pastels inside by painting an accent wall or even adding some brightly coloured accent furniture to rooms that

could use a lift.

• Declutter: Clutter is often conquered during spring cleaning sessions, but homeowners who want to create more free-flowing interior spaces can downsize their furniture and/or look for multipurpose features that make it hard for clutter to take over a room. Create more open space in entertaining areas by mounting the television and getting rid of a bulky entertainment center. Create even more space by replacing rarely used end tables with a storage ottoman where books and magazines can be stored to give a room a fresh, clean look.

• Accent features: Sometimes the smallest changes to an interior space make the biggest impression. Replace dated accents like vases and table lamps with newer items that reflect the latest styles and trends. Such adjustments won’t break the bank, and they can give rooms a whole new feel.

Spring is a great time to reconsider home interiors. This spring homeowners can embrace various strategies, both big and small, to give their homes a whole new feel.

Source: metrocreative.com

(MS) Weather can be unpredictable.

Carefully developed plans for days spent in the great outdoors can be derailed by unexpected rainstorms, while sudden bursts of sunshine can turn overcast afternoons into chances to get outside and breathe some fresh air.

Lawn and garden enthusiasts know just how mercurial Mother Nature can be, especially during summer. The specter of drought looms every summer, but the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center does not anticipate any broadscale areas of drought developing in the Lower 48 states in 2020. While that’s good news for lawn Continued on Page 11

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Special Feature I 11

Essex Free Press

A buyer’s guide to home Conserving water during air conditioning systems drought and dry periods...

Continued from Page 10

Few experiences es ch provide as much g relief as walking n into a cool room on y. a hot summer day. g Air conditioning systems makee such experiencess d possible, and homeowners’ o decision in regard to which one to install in their homes is significant.

Homeowners may not know where to begin in regard to finding the right air conditioning system for their home. According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute, the best systems provide steady, dependable performance for many years when sized correctly for the home. Correct installation and routine maintenance also can ensure homeowners’ air conditioning systems withstand the test of time.

How do I know which size is best?

When shopping for new air conditioning systems, homeowners must consider a host of factors to ensure they get the best match. The AHRI notes that the home’s age, the number and quality of its windows, how well it’s insulated, the number of stories it has, and its square footage are among the factors to consider.

Homeowners can benefit from working with trained technicians who can investigate each of these factors and recommend the correct system. The AHRI recommends homeowners ask their technicians to perform a Manual J analysis, which is a standardized formula that can help homeowners get the perfect system for their homes.

What about energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is an important consideration when purchasing a new air conditioner for a home. Energy rates vary depending on where a person lives, but rates remain pretty high across the board. The Energy Information Association notes that residential electricity rates increased throughout the United States by about 15 percent between 2009 and 2019. An energy-efficient unit can help homeowners save considerable amounts of money, so homeowners can ask their technicians to recommend energy-efficient units that suit their homes. A unit that adequately cools a home without consuming a lot of costly electricity should be every homeowner’s goal. The U.S. Department of Energy employs the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER, to inform consumers about the efficiency of each air conditioner. This rating is noted on the Energy Guide® label on each unit, and the higher the number, the more efficient the unit.

Home air conditioning systems are costly. But the right choice of unit can keep homes cool without costing homeowners a fortune in energy costs.

Source: metrocreative.com

and garden enthusiasts, it’s wise to remain prepared for drought.

In recognition of the difficulties drought can pose, the Environmental Protection Agency offers the following tips to homeowners to ensure that water is available to meet critical needs.

• Learn local regulations. During dry periods and droughts, local water utilities put restrictions in place.

These restrictions are not meant to be nuisances, but designed to ensure water is available to fight fires and meet other critical needs. Adhering to these guidelines, no matter how difficult they can be, helps your community stay safe. Periodically visit local water utilities’ websites to learn if there are any restrictions in place.

• Inspect fixtures for leaks. Conservation is the goal of water restrictions.

Leaky fixtures compromise

conservation efforts, so inspect all interior and exterior faucets and pipes for leaks and fix them immediately.

• Look into upgrades.

Upgrading outdated bathrooms and other water features can be a great way to conserve water without changing daily habits. For example, the EPA estimates that water-conserving toilets can reduce water consumption by as much as 60 percent each year.

That saves consumers money while also helping them to conserve during droughts or periods of dryness.

• Water wisely. The EPA notes that experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of the water we use outdoors

is lost to evaporation, wind or runoff due to overwatering. The EPA recommends watering primarily in the early morning and evening, after the sun goes down, so less water is lost to evaporation. If you have an irrigation system that uses a clock timer, consider replacing the timer with a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller, which acts like a thermostat for a sprinkler system, using local weather and landscape conditions to tell the sprinkler system when to turn itself on and off.

Drought and dry conditions in summer highlight the importance of conserving water.

Source: metrocreative.com

12 I Classifieds Essex Free Press

Classifieds

Fax: 519.776.4014

www.essexfreepress.com

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

FARMING _____________________ WANTED Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop Call Jeff Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501.

SERVICES _____________________

SERVICES _____________________ INCOME TAX – Confidential preparation of Personal, Farm, and Senior Returns.

Free pick-up and delivery in Essex County.

CONTACT FREE FILING AVAILABLE. Over 35 years’ experience. Call Tim Mousseau 519-975-2414 or toll free 1-855-97504-12t 2414. _____________________

1-t

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SERVICES _____________________ MARTY’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS  Tune-ups, repairs, & service on snowblowers, riding lawn mowers, chainsaws, & more! 519-733-0986, (c) 4-tfn 519-965-5918.

KENNETH YARDWORKS  Spring Clean Up. Sod, mulch, eavestrough cleaning and repairs, power washing. Trees & bushes trimmed or removed. Loads to the dump. Fully licensed & insured. Free estimates. Call Kenneth: 519-982-0362.

11-tfn

_____________________ INCOME TAX PREPARATION: Good rates on personal, rental, and business returns.

E-file or paper file. Call Jeannette Grass (519) 776-7090.

5-12* Sell It! Find it!

Rent It! Buy It! in The Classifieds

519-776-4268 _______________________________________________

HELP WANTED

_______________________________________________

STUDENT LAWNCARE SERVICES – Lawn cutting, weed whacking, weed pulling, mulch laying, garden edging, and more as needed. Call today and receive a freelawn estimate. Call: 519-988-9860.

FOR SALE _____________________ 100% COTTON FACE MASKS - Sewn locally with new, natural fabrics, for non-medical use. Washable & reusable.

4 for $35, 8 for $65, 12 for $95. Tax included. Email or Call 226-221-9061, 19-1t Healthymasks7@gmail.com. _____________________

HELP WANTED

“The ache for home lives in all of us.

The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” ~ Maya Angelou

Email: contact@essexfreepress.com

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WANTED

_____________________ CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 46-t or 519-791-5046. _____________________ WANTED - Buying for Cash GOLD + STERLING JEWELRY, ALL COINS - Mint sets + Loose Coins, Windup Watches, Military Items. Once COVID-19 Restrictions allow. KEEP AD 10% extra with this ad! Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed.52 yrs Exp. House calls available. 519-8181805.

19-4t

21-4t*

STORAGE

Voice Of Inspiration

Word Ads - 25 words or less ........................ $6.00 + HST Extra words .................................................... 20¢/word Display Classifieds ....................................... Call for rates

_____________________

_____________________ STORAGE FOR LEASE - in Essex. Approx.

1 acre outdoor, fenced-in storage. Call: 519-776-4875 for details.

02-1t _____________________

Classified ads Call us today! get results.

CLASSIFIED RATES

PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD: Classified ads can be submitted in person, by phone or fax or email from Mon. to Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All classified and personal ads require payment, prior to print. We accept Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque.

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS TUESDAY BY 10:00 AM

Phone 519.776.4268

_____________________ HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour, experience necessary, fax your resume to (519) 723-2336.

1-tf _____________________ HELP WANTED: Aphria Inc. is looking for Greenhouse Production Associates to join their team. Duties include daily crop maintenance, harvesting, crop rotation, inventory counts, and cleaning of greenhouse. No public transportation available. Located in Leamington, ON. Compensation starts at $14.00/hour.

Full time hours Monday through Friday.

Please apply at careers@aphria.com or mail resume to P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie St. S. Leamington, ON N8H 3C4.

9-t _____________________

REAL ESTATE

_____________________ Buying or selling a farm? Do you know the right questions and answers? Farm Experienced Realtor Carl Idzinski, Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty - Brokerage.

22-tt 519-817-8891.

Sell It! Find it!

Rent It! Buy It! in The Classifieds

519-776-4268

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! Advertise here!

_____________________

WANTED

_____________________ WANTED - Lost my little Westie, after 13 years. Looking for a little dog to love and give a good home to. If you can help me, call Bonnie at: 519-776-1357.

19-4t*

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PERSONAL

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PRAYER TO the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, You who makes me see everything and who shows me the way to reach my ideals. You who gives me the Divine Gift to forgive & forget all that is done to me, and you who are in all the instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything, and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. A person may pray this prayer three consecutive days without asking for their wish. It will be granted no matter how difficult it may be, and promise to publish this dialogue, as soon as your favor has been granted.

W.B.

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Essex Free Press

Ad Feature I 13

14 I Personals Essex Free Press

FromThe Heart

To place a personal notice, email your photo and content to contact@essexfreepress.com or drop by our office at 16 Centre St., Essex. Personal notices must be received by Monday at 12:00 noon to appear in the Thursday edition.

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BIRTHDAY

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I Thursday, May 28, 2020

IN LOVING MEMORY

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OBITUARIES

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KRESTICK, Kelly - A beautiful soul left us on the morning of May 16th, 2020.

A devoted mother of three, Kelly Krestick, passed away peacefully at Windsor Regional Hospital, at the age of 42. Beloved daughter of Wendy and the late John Krestick.

Admired sister of Kimberly and Heather Krestick. Special aunt to Devynn Madigan and Rebekah Nefs.

She will also be remembered by her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Cherished lifelong friend of Erika, Becky, and Jodi.

Kelly dedicated her life to her role as a mother to Kacie, Kenzie, and Cameron.

Nothing mattered more to her, and they will miss their mother dearly. A private family gathering will take place. In lieu of flowers, contributions to trusts for the children, would be appreciated, and may be made by contacting Reid Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233). Family and friends may share their memories online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.

Say I Love You With A Personal Greeting!

Beauty ( Patrick Quinn )

Let everyone know with your announcement here!

Email your photo and message to:

contact@essexfreepress.com 116 Centre Street, Essex

519-776-4268

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IN LOVING MEMORY

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IN MEMORIAM In Loving Memory of

BILL MCADAM

Memorial verses available

Dec. 1, 1923 - May 30, 2019

Your hand I cannot touch, Still I have so many memories, Ones we loved so much.

Your memory is my keepsake, Oal` o`a[` A dd f]n]j hYjl& God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.

Love and miss you, Lorraine

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER!

QUEEN’S AUTO SUPPLY

37 Main St East, Kingsville • 519-733-6554 ORDER ONLINE AT… queensauto.ca

377 Talbot St North, Essex • 519-776-9885 ORDER ONLINE AT… autobarn.ca

Voice Of Inspiration “Someday is my favorite day of the week!” ~

Jessica de la Davies

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OBITUARIES

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HERDMAN, Ross - passed away unexpectedly at 78 years young, after a short illness, at Windsor Regional Hospital Ouellette Campus on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Ross was the beloved husband of the late Judith (2011) and a loving father to Tim Herdman, Marla Spidalieri and her husband John. He was also the proud and adored “Pupa” of Myriah, Tianna, and Adrianna Spidalieri. Ross will be remembered and missed by his companion Jean Muhleisen. Ross owned Blue Ribbon Mechanical, a heating and cooling business and, after retirement, started a small watering business, where he discovered a love of photography in a number of different fields. Officially, Ross never retired! He always kept busy volunteering and lending a helping hand to anyone in need. Due to restrictions enforced because of the COVID crisis, there was a private family visitation. On Monday, May 25th, 2020, family and friends welcomed others to join a procession that began at Reid Funeral Home’s (87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex) parking lot. The procession commenced at 1:30pm and ended at St. Stephen’s Cemetery, 5280 Howard Ave., Oldcastle, where an in-car, graveside service to celebrate Ross’s life took place.

Rev. Kim Metelka officiated. If desired, memorial donations can be made to the W.E. Care For Kids Foundation or Holy Redeemer Church. Family and friends may share condolences or make donations online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.

There’s a soft gentle breeze, Which blows in the heavens.

The warm rays of the sun, Glimmer through the trees.

Angels draped in white satin, Wade in the tranquil stream.

Splashing, laughing, loving, In the realm of total innocence, And in the sanctuary of peace.

No tears, no sorrow, no pain, Honey bees tasting the nectar, Dripping in the morning dew.

As silent petals gently fall, Softly shrouding the earth.

With vivid, rainbow colours, And in the far off distance, I see a silhouette of a women, Coming in and out of sight, As I try to call out to her.

To touch her, and hold her, But I am unable to reach her.

As she walks in the soft petals, With her head in the clouds.

And though I can feel her touch, I know I will never have her.

But, I will always love her, The angel in my dreams.

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Community Hub / Feature I 15

Essex Free Press

Please stay safe and know that God loves you.

Holy Name of Jesus Church

sponsorship by:

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

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

All Salvation Army public services across Canada have been cancelled until further notice as well as the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

Our Food Bank will operate by appointment only. Please call Vicki at: 519-776-4628 to make arrangements.

Please keep in your prayers, all who are affected, in anyway by COVID-19.

Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

Churches are a place where people gather. During this time, we are following what the government is asking all of us to do and cancel church services and activities for the next few weeks.

We do encourage all to keep in contact with each other through telephone calls or texting.

If you would like to live-stream a worship service, see: www.

chathamgrace.com The service will begin at 10:00am. During these uncertain times let us keep calm and focus our eyes looking to our Risen Lord!

Visit Essex CRC online to listen to a past sermon or two. www.essexcrc.ca.

Woodslee United Church submitted by Sue Holman

Regular Church Service as been cancelled. Are you missing going to Church?

If so, please go to our website: Woodsleepatoralcharge.ca. Click on ‘Sermon’ and hear Rev. Carl’s spiritual message. Also click on ‘Bulletins’ and have prayers and hymns to sing.

We would like to thank Rev. Carl, Marsha and Michael for sending out the special email, ‘Manse Musings’ each week. We love the special messages and recipes in it. If you are not receiving it, call the office at: 519-975-2252 with your email address.

We are sorry but all events for May and June will not be held.

Activity Answers below from Page 8 KID’S CROSSWORD Across: 1. Grading 4. Flower 5. Nectar 7. Compost Down: 1. Gardens 2. Dial 3. Harvest 6. Amp

CRYPTO-FUN Answers: A. customer B. menu C. recipe D. reservation

Thank you to all of our front line workers who are protecting and keeping us safe. If anyone needs help, please call the church at: 519-776-8483.

The CWL is collecting face masks for volunteers and family members at the Hospice in Leamington. Please drop off in the bin outside by the office For up-to-date news, check out our website at www.hnj.dol.ca.

If you would like a weekly bulletin you can pick one up from the mailbox outside the parish office.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is collecting non-perishable goods and toiletries. The demand is high to help the needy in our community. Please drop off at the bin outside our parish office.

Please remember to drop off your Foodland grocery tapes, cancelled stamps, and leftover eyeglasses at the designated file drawers at the Info table.

Please stay healthy and stay safe.

Bethel-Maidstone United At this time, all church services and activities will be suspended until further notice.

You can find us on the web at www. bethelmaidstone.com. Our email address is bmuc@xplornet.ca and the office number is (519) 723-2284. Our address is 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone (just off Manning Road at Cosy Corners).

St. Paul’s Anglican Church At the instruction of the Bishop of Huron, all public services and gatherings at the church have been suspended until further notice.

As we continue to navigate through this difficult time, know that we are still hard at work to provide you with the spiritual resources that you need. Visit

our website (www.stpaulstrinity.org), social media or contact us by phone at: 519-776-7711.

For parishioners wishing to make financial donations at this time, they can be mailed or dropped off at the church, or made online through CanadaHelps. org. You can find a link for secure, online donations, on our Facebook page.

Stay safe and we hope to see you soon.

Church is closed until further notice. You can read messages from Fr. Vince from St. Mary’s website at: stmarysstjohn.dol.ca.

If you need help please call the Church.

Please keep in your prayers all of the people who are sick, shut-in, and in Hospice care. Please stay healthy and safe!

Maidstone Cross

submitted by Larry Anderson

submitted by Wendy Cunningham

Thank you to all of our front line workers who are keeping us safe.

All Masses remain cancelled and the

Harrow United Church We warmly welcome you to Harrow United Church! Please note that due to concerns over the current virus, there will not be any Sunday services until further notice. Please visit our website

for updated messages.

Our Minister, Rev. Darrow Woods, along with our HUC faith community, sincerely welcome you to join us!

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

Essex United Church

Because of concerns from the COVID-19 Virus, our Weekly Sunday Services, as well as all activities, have been cancelled at Essex United.

The Essex Area Food Bank is available to anyone who needs assistance at this time in the gym, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hours open 8:30 - 11:45am.

8 activities to keep kids entertained

What parent hasn’t heard their child utter the familiar phrase “I’m bored” at some point?

Despite a seemingly vast array of toys, electronics and other items at their disposal, children can be quick to sulk and say there’s nothing to do. Parents can counter “I’m bored” with these eight boredom-busting activities that are certain to help pass the time in entertaining and sometimes educational ways.

1. Craft time: Pick a theme and gather the materials for the project. For example, kids can evoke a trip to the ocean by creating handmade sea creatures. Paint a paper plate and hang brightly colored yarn underneath it to create the “tentacles” of a jellyfish. Kids can use salt dough clay to fashion seashells, sea snails or crustaceans.

2. Painting: Shaving cream is a great sensory material that is relatively easy to clean up. Kids can whip up a batch of shaving cream paint and use it to finger paint on a table or even in the bathtub.

Simply mix shaving cream with food coloring in a bowl, or use a muffin tin to separate the colors.

3. Build a birdhouse: Birdhouses or bird feeders can be made from scraps of material found around the house. Scavenge for spare lumber or other supplies in the shed or garage. An adult or older sibling can help cut the wood into pieces. Young children may enjoy painting the house. Wood adhesive or screws can be used to assemble the project.

4. Plan a garden: Kids can help to design a garden the entire family will maintain and even be responsible for a special parcel that’s all their own. Gardens can grow food, flowers and more. Add a touch of whimsy with figurines for a fairy garden or even small superhero figures for a spot for boys to tend.

5. Box makeovers: Tissue boxes or cereal boxes can be made into many different creations with paint or construction paper. Use a few craft supplies like pompoms or wiggly eyes to turn boxes into “monsters.”

6. Boat races: Build a small sailboat for each member of the family. Fill up a long, shallow container and take turns racing the boats by blowing on the sails.

7. Leaf art: Gather leaves and twigs from around the yard and then combine pieces to make them look like various animals.

8. Spray park: Create an at-home spray park with a garden hose and a pool noodle. Poke several small holes into the pool noodle on all sides. Stick a garden hose into the end of the pool noodle and hot-glue a wine cork into the hole at the other end. Turn on the water and let kids run through.

Head off kids’ boredom by having plenty of ideas at the ready.

Source: metrocreative.com

16 I Business Directory Essex Free Press

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

REAL ESTATE

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519-733-5832

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Feature / Business Directory I 17

Essex Free Press

How to clean cloth face masks The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Even as the world begins to unpause, wearing masks seems likely to continue.

According to Penni Watts, Ph.D., RN, an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, masks are designed not to prevent the wearer from getting ill, but to protect other people from getting the virus. Masks protect others from your germs when you cough or sneeze. They’re also an effective way to help people to avoid touching their faces.

Masks are exposed to the elements and germs each time they are worn, meaning they will require cleaning.

Even though Harvard Health suggests COVID-19 may live more readily on hard surfaces than fabric, the CDC urges people to give cloth face masks the same level of care as regular laundry. Masks should be washed and dried often.

The CDC offers these tips on how to clean most cloth and fabric masks.

• Fabric face masks should be washed depending on the frequency of use. More frequent use necessitates more frequent washing.

•A washing machine should be adequate for properly washing a face covering. Choose a warm setting for water temperature. Place masks in the dryer afterward.

• More delicate, hand-sewn masks may be washed by hand, suggests The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Lather masks with soap and scrub them for at least 20 seconds with warm or hot water before placing in the dryer.

• For additional sanitation, iron masks on the cotton or linen setting for a few minutes to kill remaining germs.

• If masks are fortified with a filter, such as a coffee or HVAC filter, keep in mind that these filters are designed

for single use. Paper filters should be replaced after each use. HVAC filters are washable, but manufacturers warn that their effectiveness decreases with each wash. Medium weight nonwoven interface used as filter material is typically washable.

Various health agencies do not condone using steam or microwaves to clean cloth face masks, as these sanitizing techniques are not as effective as regular laundering. Also, never microwave non-fabric dust or N95 respirator masks if you are using them. They can catch fire or be rendered useless.

Cloth face masks can help safeguard against germs like the novel coronavirus. However, they need to be cleaned regularly to remain sanitary.

Source: metrocreative.com

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18 I Opinion / Sports Essex Free Press

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

Province gives all-clear for golf courses to open with provincial guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19

Having fun at cruise nights

Larry Duggan and friends in his 1939 Packard convertible.

With the COVID-19 virus prompting the cancellation of many classic car shows and cruise nights this summer, let’s look back at some of the fun we had in days gone by.

I snapped the photo you see here at a cruise night in the east end of Toronto about 25 years ago. The car is a 1939 Packard convertible with fog lights, fender skirts, and big wide whitewall tires. The owner is behind the wheel and his name was Larry Duggan (now passed on) and he knew how to have fun with old cars and to share that fun with everyone he met.

We see him here with a carload of friends who piled in to go for a ride. Even Larry’s dog was in the car! The bright red paint job could be seen from a mile away, and that was OK with Larry.

He bought the car from someone in New Brunswick and drove non-stop all the way back to Toronto. He was so excited about his new purchase that when he got back home, he drove directly over to a friend’s house to show him this car even though it was two in the morning!

And Larry had another Packard as well. It was a 1955 model and in good shape, except it had no reverse gear. Whenever he went for a drive with friends along, they were always happy to climb out and push the car backwards into a parking spot so Larry could drive straight out again when it was time to go.

He had other old cars as well – a ’39 Ford coupe, a ’32 Ford sedan, a ’32 Ford coach, and a ’36 Dodge pickup truck. All these cars were roadworthy but none of these cars were capable of winning a trophy and Larry didn’t care! These vehicles were made to be driven and Larry drove them.

I once described Larry as having “twice the fun for half the money” because he believed the fun you have with old cars has to be shared with others.

I’m always looking for stories.

Email billtsherk@sympatico. ca.

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Range balls are lined up and sanitized, ready for golfers to take as they come in to the Ambassador Golf Course clubhouse, in LaSalle.

by Garrett Fodor After months of waiting, golfers from Essex County are finally hitting the links and trying to catch up on the swings and the season they have missed thus far.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, and the implementation of social isolation measures beginning in March, courses across Ontario opened on May 16, after there was months of

anxious preparations and grooming.

For golfers, this meant a chance to get outside, be active, and see their friends from a distance.

“It’s been crazy. Tee times start at 7 [am] and the last one is 6:30 [pm]. And since courses have been open, there has not been an empty tee time,” Cale Phibbs

Continued on Page 19

Thursday, May 28, 2020 I

Sports / News I 19

Essex Free Press

Province gives all-clear for golf MTO needs to relocate drain along Highway #3, purchasing property for expansion courses to open... described. He is a PGA Tour Canada pro from Leamington. “A lot of people are kind of itching to get out of the house, some people are joking around about it [COVID-19] and the procedures in place, but everyone just wants to be out on the course and play the sport they love.”

As Phibbs notes, courses across Ontario are open under tight guidelines and restrictions. They include: leaving the pin in to putt as there’s an insert in it; showing up no more than 15-minutes before tee time; one person per golf cart, unless golfers live in the same household; and no ball washers, among others.

While these changes are being accepted, courses across Windsor and Essex County are learning the new practices during these times. In addition, courses are putting up posters, reminding golfers to stay six feet apart and illustrating the distance as well.

For those who are looking to receive some advice and tips on their golf game from local pros and instructors, Phibbs noted that they will have to wait.

“Right now, courses are focused on just getting going and being able to get golfers out there,” Phibbs said. “Over the next couple weeks, courses and their pros will start to teach lessons, six feet apart of course, and making sure everyone feels safe, whether that means wearing a mask or not.”

Continued from Page 18

Phibbs said he and other local golfers are excited to be back out on local courses.

He notes that courses have instilled a pace of play to keep golfers spread out. But he also voiced his concern as well and wants to remind people to be safe and not ruin it for everyone either.

“I think it’s just good to keep in mind that we are still in this pandemic,” Phibbs said. “As long as everyone keeps the respectful state of mind, staying six feet from everyone -you’re allowed to have fun out there but be respectful. We don’t want to have courses shut down again or golfers be kicked off of the courses.”

While every Golf Course will have their own specific guidelines, some of the provincial guideline recommendations include: Spread out groups and reduce the chances of golfers bunching up on greens or at the tees.

At the clubhouse, only a limited number of people will be allowed inside at a time.

The province recommends: elevating the plastic cup out of the hole so the ball doesn’t fall in.

The provincial guidelines are also calling for flags to be left in place.

Ball washers and waste bins have been pulled from the course to minimize touch points.

by Sylene Argent At last Tuesday’s Essex Council meeting, which was hosted online, Essex Council dealt with two files pertaining to Highway # 3.

During the meeting, Council adopted Bylaw 1913, to adopt Section 77(3) Engineer’s Letter of Opinion to relocate the Essex Outlet Drain within the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) corridor.

In the Report to Council, it notes the MTO has identified the need to relocate the Essex Outlet Drain in order to accommodate flows from the Town of Essex and avoid conflict with the proposed overpass structure at the Highway #3 and Victoria intersection.

The Essex Outlet Drain, the Report to Council notes, currently crosses under Highway #3 in a concrete box culvert and outlets into the open drain on the west side of Highway #3 in front of the Pollution Control Plant on North Malden Road. The Ministry is proposing to route the drain around the new overpass structure and tie the storm water system back into the Essex

Outlet Drain on the east side of Highway #3, in front of Pollution Control Plant.

It also noted the authority and the capacity of the drain will remain unchanged, the MTO will bear the costs to relocate the drain.

Anthony Saraceni, project engineer for the MTO, appeared as a delegate during the meeting. He said the MTO is retaining design and build consultant for the project.

The MTO is currently going though the procurement process, which should be completed in early October. Construction start is scheduled for 2021, but the MTO is looking for ways to expedite the process, if possible.

There will be temporary closures of Highway # 3 for the removal of existing infrastructure in its current place and potentially for some municipal works in the area to replace the existing outlet at the Essex Outlet Drain, he said.

He said the MTO is unsure the time this will take at this point.

Continued on Page 20

20 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, May 28, 2020

E.L.K. Energy presents council with 2019 financials

by Adam Gault Essex Council’s virtual May 19 regular meeting featured a public presentation from E.L.K. Director of Finance and Regulatory Affairs, Mark Danelon. He broke down E.L.K.’s financials for the 2019 calendar year, spoke of continued infrastructure improvements planned over the course of 2020, and explained how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted E.L.K., which is a corporation of the Town of Essex.

In opening the presentation, Danelon noted E.L.K.’s service quality indicators were reported to exceed all Ontario Energy Board (OEB) standards, which included areas such as electrical connects being made within required timeframes, timeliness of service appointments, and emergency response times being achieved.

“We’re proud of these accomplishments, but [will] never rest on our laurels,” Danelon said of E.L.K. exceeding provincial service metrics. “Know that improvements can be made, and greater efficiencies achieved.”

In the third party 2019 audit provided by KPMG, it was found that all financial statements put forward by E.L.K.

were presented fairly, and that the organization’s financial performance and cash flows for 2019 ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

“Specifically speaking to our financial statements, E.L.K. currently has a very strong balance sheet, with assets over 28 million dollars, and liabilities around 10 million dollars. E.L.K.’s cash position is very strong,” Danelon explained. “This past year, E.L.K. was also fortunate enough to repay an additional $500,000 in long-term debt. And the income statement was consistent with prior years, producing positive results of approximately $938,000 before taxes for E.L.K. and our shareholders.”

For the entirety of 2020, E.L.K. is projecting capital expenditure of approximately $1.5 million, of which the majority is expected to be directed into infrastructure maintenance and project improvements, such as installing new high voltage cables, replacing existing transformers with more efficient newer models, new power poles, and the addition of two new heavy duty trucks, which are currently being constructed.

To help support E.L.K. customers feeling the continued

impact of COVID-19, E.L.K. has suspended disconnections for non-payment until July 31, as well as charging customers the off-peak rate for all electrical consumption from March 24 through May 31.

“E.L.K. has also passed on a reduction of our distribution rates to our customers,” Danelon said. “And [we] are working with them on an individualized basis if they need payment arrangements. We’re trying to accommodate the customer as much as possible.”

Speaking to the financial impact of COVID-19 on E.L.K., Councillor Sherry Bondy asked Danelon if continued unbilled revenue, which totalled more than $800,000 in 2019, would pose a risk to the organization’s financials.

“Not at all. What the unbilled revenue represents, is usage prior to the end of the year that has not yet been billed into the future year,” Danelon responded. “It’s a consistent number from year-to-year.”

Danelon added that the OEB is exploring the idea of creating support for local distribution companies such as E.L.K. for the potential of lost revenues from the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MTO needs to relocate drain long Highway # 3...

Essex Council also approve Bylaw 1915, to release the subdivision agreement registered on May 5, 2004 against the lands described as Parts 1 and 2 on 12R27717.

In this Report to Council, it notes Council’s approval of the Bylaw was required to remove the registered subdivision agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Essex and Essex 143 Joint Venture LTD, over these lands to facilitate the sale to the MTO.

The properties in question are vacant lands located at the northeast corner of South Talbot Road. The Report notes the lands are being conveyed to the MTO in order to facilitate the reconfiguration of South Talbot Road.

The Report adds the solicitor of the land owner wrote the Town to note the land owner has entered into an agreement to convey a portion of their lands to the MTO. “This is necessary to

accommodate heavier traffic volumes when South Talbot Road and South Talbot Road North are connected to from an arterial road connecting Victoria Avenue to Maidstone Avenue to compensate for the elimination of the intersection at Victoria and Highway 3,” Rita Jabbour, Manager of Planning Services for the Town of Essex, wrote in the Report.

Council also directed the Clerk to execute all documents necessary

to give effect to the actions taken by this Council as described in Bylaw 1915.

Other recent news regarding Highway # 3 included at the May 4 regular meeting, Council received correspondence from the Ministry of Transportation, which requested Council pass a Bylaw to close South Talbot Road, at County Road 8, and modify access on Victoria Avenue/North Malden Road at Highway 3, to allow for through traffic only via a grade

Continued from Page 19

separation.

Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure, said then that the MTO needed a commitment from Essex that it will close the roads when they need to be as part of the expansion project.

In addition to the two intersections mentioned in the correspondence, Girard said Pinkerton Sideroad will be realigned at County Road 8. It will be extended to the south to do so.