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Lincoln freezes weed grow-ops for one year By Mike Williscraft NewsNow An interim control bylaw for cannabis cultivation and production - with a term of one year - was approved at a special meeting of Lincoln council on Monday night. The move was part of a meeting that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours and included two major staff reports and several delegations from Lincoln residents who voiced serious concerns on several topics. As well, council opted to defer a vote on whether or not to be an opt in or opt out community for cannabis retail outlets. The deadline for deciding on retail is Jan. 22. Council said they plan to seek more public input before pulling the trigger on a decision. Much of the discussion at the meeting revolved around existing grow operations where there are major odour issues emanating through neighbourhoods. On the topic of potentially opting into allowing retail in the municipality, councillors asked many questions of Luke Tucceri and Brian Barbadoro, ODOUR, Page 3
Swimming anyone?
Well, not swimming so much as a in-and-out run at Grimsby’s 11th Annual Polar Bear Dip. Chris Penner and Avery Libby were among those to brave the chilly waters of Lake Ontario on Sunday. For more information, please see Page 10. McDonald - Photo
“Major fight” ahead for WLMH: Easton By Mike Williscraft For NewsNow While the waters of “Lake West Lincoln Memorial Hospital” may be quiet and serene on the surface, make no mistake, there is a Titanic struggle going on under the surface. This analogy captures the feelings of local officials who are continuing their efforts to maintain ser-
vice levels at WLMH while the facility’s operating rooms are renovated. The matter arose Oct. 22 when Hamilton Health Sciences officials announced an $8.5 million renovation of the ORs would necessitate a 27-month closure of that service and take obstetrics with it since no OR back-up would be available in emer-
gency situations. “We have a major fight head regarding WLMH,” said Mayor Sandra Easton at Lincoln’s New Year’s Levee on Saturday. “The level of sincerity on the part of HHS is something we need to question. The new facility is going to cost $200-$300 million. Do you think the HHS wants to see that money travelling
out of Toronto, over the Burlington Skyway and into Niagara West?” Tony Joosse, cochair of the Community Action Group, agrees wholeheartedly. “We need the public to keep lawn signs up…support our hospital..both by donations to the foundation and using the services,” said Joosse.
“We have the political will at Queen’s Park to save and start the process of rebuilding.” Joosse said WLMH staff are working with HHS to find solutions so the site can meet accreditation criteria when the review comes this summer. “They are also working to find a solution to the closure of the ORs versus having road blocks put up
with all the reasons an idea won’t work,” said Joosse. Key to the process in the short term is having the use for the $500,000 in grant funds defined, so it is known what the Ministry of Health wants to see with that money. “Once we get this information, we hope to host another public meeting to bring all up to date,” said Joosse.