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Biodigester now on life support All financial options exhausted and $15 million in debt, Town will have to “loan” another $300K to keep the Sobie Road site operational By Mike Williscraft NewsNow With $15 million in liabilities and the need for an immediate $300,000 from the Town of Grimsby to stay afloat, the biodigester project is on life support. The stark reality of financial doom lay over Grimsby’s council chamber like a blanket Monday night as a long-awaited status report regarding Grimsby Energy’s biodigester project was rolled out by new GEI chair Delight Davoli. It was not pretty. It was downright ugly, in fact. Regarding virtually all of the current GEI debt, Davoli told council, “We have no way to pay” and “no reasonable prospects for being able to do so.” “This is really serious. It breaks my heart to think of where this may be going. The last six weeks have been the saddest six weeks of my life.”

With a total overall debt of $15.2 million now, this chart outlines the state of debt for Grimsby Energy Inc. as of Dec. 31, 2017. Behind the sweeping results of the Oct. 22 election, the newly installed council set about fulfilling its election promise of getting to the bottom of biodigester woes. A new board - with Davoli as chairperson, with Jim Howden. Rob Hattin and Coun. Lianne Vardy - set about their research immediately after being put in place by the

new Grimsby Council. Council acts on behalf of the shareholder of the utility. The new board members did not need to dig deep before they found the need for action was crucial and immediate. Simply, all financial avenues have been exhausted and another infusion of more than $300,000 is needed over the next few

months just to keep the Sobie Road site operational. Davoli noted $100,000 would be needed for every month the facility continues to operate after March. “Council needs to understand, money is essential for every option we have, even if we look to sell, lease or decommission,” said Davoli. See DEBT, Page 2

Circ: 26,529

Editorial

With dire biodigester details now released, what to do? With the status report and its initial findings of a

detailed review of all things biodigester now public, Grimsby council is left with precious little in terms of options and will not be able to make a silk purse from this sow’s ear. The financial water is very deep, but the scope, depth and extensive operating losses are much larger than even the most pessimistic in Town could have foretold - to say nothing of horrible business practices. Financial liabilities in excess of $15 million. ALL the proceeds from the $9 million sale of its 25 per cent in shares in NRBN (a fibre optics company) gone! Revenue from the sale was all shifted from one hydro holding to another to float biodigester costs. In total, $9.7 million was “borrowed” by Grimsby Energy from the utility’s other hydro companies. “This amount will never be repaid”. The road map to how the Town and its hydro company has arrived at this place has been painstakingly laid out time and again in these pages with absolutely no effect on the previous council, which continued to work in the absolute opposite direction to how any democratically elected body should work – namely, in the best interests of those who elected them. Stonewalling information, ignoring pleas from the one councillor, Dave Kadwell, who continually pushed for a public accounting of this ridiculous endeavour, and providing half truths (at the very best) when cornered as a result of consealed information coming to light...this was the recipe for disaster. And make no mistake, this is a disaster of epic proportion for a municipality the size of Grimsby. The question is not who is responsible. That is clear. The management board of Grimsby Energy, which oversaw the biodigester - up to Dec. 3 of last year was Shaffee Bacchus, Sean Straughan, Bob Bentley, Carolyn Mullins and Steve Berry. The board of Holdco2 was Bacchus, Bentley, Mullins, Berry and Michelle Seaborn. The question is, are or can these people be made accountable for the near-bankrupt state of Grimsby Energy? The mismanagement of this project was staggeringly inept from horrible tracking of financials to equipment being leased that was never used. All should pity this new council for the job they face, but they are attacking it quickly and correctly. Godspeed. M.W.

Page 2 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019

DEBT

From Page 1 The problems which the biodigester and its operating company GEI have experienced arose virtually at the outset and got larger and more expensive as years progressed. The woes started with the ill-fated CoGen unit installation in 2010. That unit sat unused for five years and has only been used two months of the year when it finally was fired up. There have been several expensive repairs and it was “sold” by GEI to the Town for $800,000 to get it off the company’s books at a loss of $400,000. Over 2010 and 2011, GEI operated at a loss of over $1 million necessitating borrowing from its parent company, Niagara Power Inc., and Grimsby Power Inc. to pay for those losses. From there, the company moved onto the biodigester in 2012. By 2014, before construction of the actual plant had started, GEI had already amassed a debit of $1.8 million. Over the next two years, the construction costs skyrocketed from what was initially a budget of $3.5 million and reset early on to $4.5 million to come in at around $8.6 million.

In 2016, hydro officials made the decision to sell its 25 per cent stake in Niagara Regional Broadband Network (NRBN) and use the proceeds from that $9 million sale to float the biodigester project. To date, the biodigester has used up a total of: • $2.4 million in loans from NPI; • $6.9 million in loans from Grimsby Hydro Inc.’s NRBN proceeds; • the original $4.5 million bank loan, which was cosigned by Town of Grimsby after an emergency meeting of council in 2015. The issues with the company go far beyond unexpected cost overruns and into bad day to day operations decisions and poor business practices, said Davoli. In her report, as two examples, she cited a transport truck cab which was purchased in 2018 but never used. On the administration end it was noted no minutes from board of directors’ meeting pre2017 have been located as yet. As well, the company’s financials have been in complete disarray. A new accountant was hired in May 2018. The first task was to redo the books from

January to May of 2018 to get them in order. “There were duplicate payments made, incorrect transactions and problems that were addressed by starting over rather than making corrections,” Davoli noted in her report. “The company auditor shared with us that the 2017 accounting records were so incorrect and incomplete that they could not begin their 2017 audit until corrections were made.” As the auditor worked through the financials, $5 million in adjustments were necessitated after the attempted corrections were made. “The records are in disarray. We are not even sure if we have everything as we only know what we have found,” Davoli said. Other major issues include: • many and varied health and safety issues which contravene labour law. The Town’s health and safety staff have conducted a thorough investigation and all matters are being addressed; • A fire safety plan for the site is in the planning stages; • There are still $300,000-$500,000 in outstanding Ministry of the Environment and Climate

Change compliance orders outstanding. It was noted there is no money to pay for these items; • There never was a proper site plan done for the Sobie Road site. As a result, major issues with drainage on the site persist, among other issues. Because the project was considered a Green Energy project it was exempt from the need for site plan approvals; • the two leachate ponds on-site fill regularly necessitating pumping onto the site’s open fields, even in the winter, which is not compliant with provincial guidelines not allowing pumping onto fields in fall/winter. One of the key facets which has been virtually ignored, noted Davoli, has to do with a decommissioning plan for the site. “As part of the approval process, the MoECC dictates that a decommissioning plan be put in place as part of the overall plan. There is no evidence that this was done, given that no plans were done to begin with,” said Davoli in her report, noting Monday that a 2012 plan on the utility’s website is obsolete and reflects a long-outdated design. “This is an outstanding issue. We have

been advised that decommissioning of a site that handles environmentally sensitive material in big tanks can be a quarter to half of the initial build cost. It’s easily feasible to spend several million to take this site back to its original condition, as dictated by the MoECC.” To summarize the current state of the Sobie Road plant, Davoli said, “There are many outstanding site and environmental matters and for this site to have long-term operational viability a substantial capital investment will need to be made.” Regarding the financial dealings among Grimsby Energy and the municipality’s other hydro-related companies the outlook is bleak at best. “Between 2011 and 2018, GEI and its related companies transferred significant monies between them,” noted Davoli. “It is unlikely that GEI will be able to repay NPI ($2.4 million).” She said if GEI were to pay Grimsby Power the $140,000 it is owed, it would “effectively bring GEI to a halt.” As for Grimsby Hydro and the NRBN proceeds, “It is unlikely that GHI will be able to collect the $7.1 million owed by GEI or all

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of the $260,000 from Holdco2,” said Davoli. The bank holding the $4.5 million loan, which has been very cooperative it was noted, has requested principal payments begin soon. Interest only payments have been made to date. GEI’s cashflow cannot carry these payments. The Town’s guarantee on the loan could be called unless other arrangements are made. As this is just the initial status report, with a follow up scheduled for early February, some immediate actions are still required. Even if a sale were to be negotiated, as one example, due diligence would still need to conducted as well as other prudent measures taken in a major acquisition. This necessitates an immediate cash infusion of $150,000 in January with at last that much again required into March to keep things operational. In her summation, Davoli lamented the money wasted on the biodigester which could have gone to pay for other other Town projects. “That is $9.7 million which should have gone to the Town,” said Davoli of the funds shifted among hydro’s companies to GEI.

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News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 3

Council reacts to biodigester revelations By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Shock and utter dismay on the part of Grimsby Council and members of the gallery met Monday’s Grimsby Energy status report. After newly installed Grimsby Energy Inc. board chairperson Delight Davoli made an hour-plus long presentation council went into a closed session to discuss the findings. The near-capacity crowd filed into town hall’s lobby and the concensus was not anger, but shock, disappointment and dismay. “I feel betrayed,” said one woman. “I can’t believe they lied to us for years. They need to be made accountable.” Council’s perspective was not a great deal different. “I am, essentially flabbergasted that the directors of the company would pay themselves when millions are owed to others,” said Mayor Jeff Jordan after the meeting. He was commenting on Davoli’s

point that all per diems and fees of the directors are paid to current. “It looks to me like the corporation was run like a country club for the directors in my opinion. They all got their money by passing money between corporations like it was nothing.” Coun. Reg Freake, chair of the Town’s Administration and Finance Committee, said he is most disappointed with the elected officials who were supposed to be protecting taxpayers. “Councilllors are responsible to the Town. They were there. They knew what was going on. They knew how bad it was and where it was going. It was a total case of gross mismanagement from top to bottom,” said Freake. For Jordan, as mayor of a newly installed council, he realizes council is hamstrung. “It was worst case scenario. We, as residents and taxpayers, were being duped by council and the

directors for years,” said Jordan. “Doing that to the people of Grimsby has put us in the position of not being able to do what we want for the community. It’s terrible.” “They made a mistake and kept going with the mistake thinking they were going to get out of it and it just got worse and worse.” Jordan called on former Mayor Bob Bentley and former board of director members to step up and let council and the community know why they conducted themselves as they did. “The public has a right to know. I don’t know why they chose to mislead the public. Maybe a former director or the former mayor will step up and explain to the people why they did what they did,” said Jordan. Freake praised Coun. Dave Kadwell as the only elected official to consistently question council about the biodigester state of affairs.

GEI status report “highlights” • The mandate and timeline of our study has been fast-tracked due to the critical financial condition of the company. • Both projects, the co-generation and bio-digester projects, incurred substantial losses. Both capital and operational costs have been more than was envisioned. • The biodigester became continuously operational August, 2017; this was 21 months after its commercial operation date of Nov. 25, 2015. • Liabilities are now over $15 million. Plant and equipment costs were $12.3 million. • The company is unable to make principal payments on the bank loan. The bank loan is guaranteed by the Town. • The company has an operating loan, also referred to as an overdraft, of $300,000 and this is under constant pressure. • The company has leased a number of assets. Payments are up to date; cash flow has been reduced and other suppliers are not being paid on a current basis. • Some leased equipment has never been used. • There is over $9.7 million borrowed from other companies in the hydro family. • This amount will never be repaid.

• The German company that provided the design and equipment is still owed $468,000. There is doubt that this can be repaid from current operating cashflow. • The plant runs, on average, at approximately 50 per cent capacity. • There are outstanding MoECC orders and costs to comply are estimated at $300,000-$500,000. • Accounting records, board minutes, personnel records and various governance documents are in various states of disarray. • Outside directors’ fees to prior board members appear to have been paid to date. • Disposal of agricultural sourced material (ASM) and non-agricultural sourced material (NASM) are the biggest operational issues in production. • Workplace and safety issues are now being addressed. • Site plan design has resulted in waterflow issues. • A decommissioning plan has not been completed as required by the MoECC. • Certification of the employees by the PWU will result in increased wage costs. • In the next 3 months an infusion of cash from the Town will be needed of over $300,000 to keep the company operating.

He also called out Coun. John Dunstall, the only other member of the previous council aside from Kadwell who was re-elected Oct. 22 for failing to question any aspect of the biodigester’s failings. After the July update at council by then-chair of GEI Shaffee Bacchus where very little in the way of specifics was offered, Dunstall called the board, “pioneers” and praised their efforts. “We’re going to get dividends,” Dunstall added. “The goose that was to lay the golden eggs is cooked; no more golden eggs,” said Freake. Jordan said a meeting will be held with the Town’s solicitor this week seeking approval for a possible motion of direction which could come to next Monday’s council meeting. “There is a potential direction we will investigate. Council is on side with that direction but it is premature for specifics,” said Jordan.

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Page 4 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 To let us know about your community event, email to: catherine@wn3.ca or call 289-235-9500

West Niagara service clubs, organizations and non-profit groups are welcome to submit meeting dates, fundraising information and invitations to the public in News Now’s Around Town feature. This service is provided free of charge and is done on a space availability basis.

Beamsville Legion Br. 612. “Catch The Ace” Fri. Jan. 18th. Ticket sales 6 - 8 pm. Draw @ 8:30 pm. Jackpot starts @ $17,116.00! Pulled Pork available 5-8 pm. For info call 905-563-4612 Lincoln Garden Club and Horticultural Society meets at the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, Rittenhouse Hall, 4890 Victoria Avenue N. Vineland Station L0R 2E0, Jan. 19, 2019 at 9:30 am for coffee & goodies with meeting at 10:00 am. Guest speaker will be Amy Jenkins, Researcher at the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre whose topic will be ‘Edible Flowers’. Yummy!!! Bereavement Support Group. Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers presents: A Hand Along the Way- Wed., Jan. 9/19 Maplecrest Village - 6:30 – 8:30pm. A monthly self-help Bereavement Support Program designed with your needs in mind. By listening to each other, under the guidance of volunteer facilitators, you have a space to share your grief, give & receive support. For more info., or to register email info. rcvv@gmail.com KIWANIS. Seeking creative minds and people with positive attitudes. The newly chartered Kiwanis Club of West Lincoln meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at the Legion, St. Catharines St. in Smithville at 7pm. Next meeting is Tues. Jan 8th. Info contact Dave Willis (905) 957-7577 danddwillis@gmail.com Cribbage, Bridge, Dominos, etc. Jan. 24th 1:45 pm – 3:30 pm. At Maplecrest 85 Main St. E, Grimsby. You bring the game & competitive spirit and, zest for finding the fun in every day & will supply the rest. Enjoy complementary snacks, refreshments & fellowship. RSVP your table of 4 by Jan. 18th & be entered in a draw for a $50 gift card. 905 945-7044

Sandy Vine and the Midnights. Presented by McNally. House Rocking the Hospice for a retro Valentine’s Dance Party Sat. Feb. 16th, 2019 at 7 pm at Mountain Ridge Community Centre. 105 Mountain Rd. Grimsby. Tickets $35/person. Raffles, silent auction, late night buffet, cash bar. 905-309-4013 Thursday@10 Bus Trip. Thurs. March 28th to St. Jacob’s Country Playhouse Theatre. Play is Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Price is $70. Tickets on sale. Contact Ruth Feist 905-945-4428 S. Worden & R Covlin share The Gospel Message, told simply (non-denominational). Sundays 4:00- 5:00 pm; Tuesdays 7:30 – 8:30 through Jan. & Feb. at the Livingston Activity Center, 18 Livingston Ave. For info: 905-5317961 JOIN our new WRITING GROUP in West Niagara. Call me if interested and we’ll go from there! Donna 905-321-8841 GROUPS & CLUBS Explore ALPHA. Interactive weekly sessions includes meal, short talk, & open discussion on the Christian faith & life’s big questions. Sundays from 5:307:30 pm, begins Jan 20 with Intro night. No pressure, no follow up, no charge. Smithville Christian Reformed Church, 6522 Smithville Rd. Walk-ins welcome; registration is helpful: www.alphacanada.org or call 905-957-2116. LEGO at the Library. Mondays in January from 3PM to 5PM at Smithville branch of West Lincoln Public Library. Drop in show us what you can do! Free. Coffee, Cards and Conversation. Mondays in January from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Wellandport branch of West Lincoln Public Library. Drop in and meet new and old friends. Play card games

or board games, visit, chat, and choose a book or two. Free. Beamsville Women’s Institute (WI) meets at The Fleming Centre. 5020 Serena Drive, Beamsville, the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30, September through June. Contact Barb 905 563-7274. Improve the quality of life for yourself, family & community. Discover your talents, hone your skills and develop your goals along with other women. Be involved! There’s a place for you. The Lincoln Seniors Club wishes to inform all euchre fans that the Friday night euchre sessions are now for club members only (started Sept, 14/18). Membership cost for Sept – Dec 2018 $5 per player with 2019 membership renewal due in Jan. 2019. For information on why this program is no longer “Public” please call Barb at 905562-4015. New players/members are welcome (55+) The Grimsby Seniors’ Choir meets every Tuesday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Livingston Activity Centre, 18 Livingston Ave. If you are 55+ and love to sing, please join us. For more information, please contact Sylvia at 905-309-2213 or grimsbyseniorchoir@gmail.com SIT TO BE FIT - Community Exercise for Seniors A FREE, low impact workout for seniors designed to promote health and fitness for those wishing to increase strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. Grimsby Public Library 18 Carnegie Ln, Grimsby Monday’s @ noon and Trinity United Church 100 Main St. West, Grimsby, Wednesday’s @ 10:30am. For more info., please call 1 866-428-1552. Please join us and bring your friends! One-on-one Tech Tutoring. Tuesdays between 10 AM and 5 PM and Wednesdays between 12 PM and 4 PM at Wellandport

branch of West Lincoln Public Library or 6 pm & 9 pm at Caistorville branch of West Lincoln Public Library. Book an appointment our patient & friendly staff tech expert, for one-on-one help with any of your technology challenges. Bring in your laptop, tablet, smartphone or e-reader, or use one of our public Internet stations. Free. Newcomers & Neighbours of Grimsby and area is a social club, providing social and cultural activities through which both new residents and long term residents can become acquainted with other community members. If you would like more information, contact us at grimsbynewcomers@gmail.com or go to our website – grimsbynewcomers.ca Knit and Chat Club Continuous Drop-In Events. Every Monday (excluding holidays) 9 am – 12 noon at the Fleming Centre. A social morning of knitting by the fireplace Fleming location only. Bring your projects. Need help? It’s here! Lincoln Public Library is now registering for Children’s Spring Programs for ages 6 months to 11 years of age. Please check our website at http://www.lincoln. library.on.ca for a full list of programs, or call the Fleming Branch in Beamsville at 905-563-7014 or the Moses F. Rittenhouse Branch in Vineland at 905-562-5711 Beamsville Women’s Institute invites you to improve the quality of life for yourself, family, friends, community, & beyond. Discover your talents & hone your skills. Be active! Be involved! Be a member! We meet at The Fleming Centre, 5020 Serena Drive, Beamsville. Contact: Barb, 905 563-7274. New Service Club forming in West Lincoln. Seeking creative minds& people with positive attitudes. The soon to be chartered

For Local Community Events and Non-Profit Groups

Kiwanis Club of West Lincoln meets every Tuesday at the Legion, St. Catharines St. in Smithville at 7:00 pm. Come out & help serve the community & enjoy a great social experience. For more info. contact Dave Willis (905) 9577577 danddwillis@gmail.com Or Scott Crawford (905) 541-2873 or crawfords915@gmail.com Art Class Registration for Kids, Teens, Adult Summer Programs has begun. A wide range of programs offered weekdays and weekends. Please call/email GPAG for details: 905-945-3246/ gpag@grimsby.ca Grimsby Quilters’ Guild. No matter what your quilting skill level is, from beginner to expert, or the type of quilting you are interested in, the Grimsby Quilters’ Guild is for you. Meetings include a guest speaker, members sharing quilt treasures, community outreach projects, raffles & much more. The Grimsby Quilters’ Guild meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Livingston Activity Centre from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. West Lincoln Community Care. Donations Needed. WLCC helps serve the community through our Food Bank, Furniture Store and Thrift Shop. Food Bank and Furniture Store is located at 2660 Industrial Park Road, Smithville . We turn donations into dollars to support those in need. Info at www.westlincolncc.com or 905957-3149 West Lincoln Community Care. All 3 divisions (Food Bank, Furniture Store and Thrift Shop) are now located in one building at 2660 Industrial Park Road, Smithville. There are 2 separate phone numbers now. To reach the Furniture Store and Thrift Shop call 905-957-3149 and to reach the Food Bank call 905-957-5882.

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News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 5

Minor hockey associations agree on partnership Three storied organizations are joining forces to improve hockey options for West Niagara players. Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln minor hockey associations have all agreed to form West Niagara Partnership pending OMHA approval at a Jan. 25 meeting. The idea of the associations working together has been lingering for about five years. With each association holding votes last week, Lincoln was 91 per cent in favor, Grimsby 74 per cent and West Lincoln 63 per cent. The key difference between the approved partnership and earlier discussions is the maintaining of local branding for house league, hockey school and IP programs. “The identities will still be intact,” said GMHA president Simon Duong. By grouping rep and travel teams, players will have a local option.

“We had to fold our Bantam EA team last year because we didn’t have enough players,” said Steve Arsenault, Lincoln’s president. “Now that program would not have had to fold.” It was noted a key concern for some parents in West Lincoln’s Wellandport area was possible travel times to other community’s arenas. Options are being created for those kids to play in the next closest centre if they choose. “This partnership provides WLMHA players with an opportunity to compete at a high level of hockey without restriction,” said Chris Freure, WLMHA president. It is hoped the change will be approved by the OMHA and all will be in place for spring tryouts which will be held in April. If all goes as planned, the new structure will be in place this fall.

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Page 6 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019

20 Valley Winefest winter’s ultimate outdoor party It was the ultimate outdoor party as hardy crowds packed the Twenty Valley Winter Winefest during a three-day showcase of the best VQA wines from celebrated winemakers and cuisine prepared by top local talent. Jordan Village was the hotspot of the winter for the 10th annual festival. It was a full weekend schedule of events with highlights including lots of wine tasting, workshops from the Grape Growers of Ontario ‘8 Below Series’, the Sparkling Dinner and IceWine Brunch hosted by celebrity chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson, fashion shows, children’s workshops and a barrel rolling competition.

Among those celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Twenty Valley Winter Winefest in Jordan Village, from left are Danny Vasquez, Richard Vos, Brittany Baird, Rebecca Vos and Miranda Baird. McDonald - Photo (Far left) The Jordan Village Fashion Show, sponsored by the boutiques of Jordan Village, was a big hit with Winter Winefest visitors. (Left) With a reputation as Canada’s ultimate party band, The Associates had the outdoors Winefest crowd dancing. From left are Nick Parisotto, guitar; Cam McLean, lead vocalist; Randy Borque, bass. Angelo Cimino, guitar and drummer Greg Young are the other band members. McDonald Photo (Bottom Left) Warming up around the pine cone fire, from left are Lynn Trapnell, Vivian Heyder, Bianca Vasile and Jodie Van Rooyen. McDonald - Photo

News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 7

2nd Annual

Volunteer Pay Subscription Drive

Dear Reader,

Since opening our doors in May 2012 the staff here at NewsNow have done out utmost to serve the community to the absolute best our abilities. This service takes many forms. We try to get every bit of important community information delivered to our readers’ doors. We ensure we publish a connected, vital and highly readable community newspaper which engages readers and, thereby, ensures our advertisers’ information is also read. This helps guarantee a vigorous, local business community will continue to serve the our community in all the ways in which these retailers and service operators do. In short, we offer a 100 per cent local publication which is responsive to any needs of the community.

Based on the excellent feedback from last year’s inaugural volunteer pay subscription drive, we are launching Year 2! Is NewsNow’s independent, accurate voice in the community of value to you? Would you like to support NewsNow in its efforts? This is your opportunity.

If yes, we have set up an infrastructure to allow for a Volunteer Pay System Simply, this means, rain (or snow) or shine, you will always – each and every week – receive your copy of NewsNow. That will NOT change!!!! However, in consulting other publishers who currently operate volunteer pay systems in other communities, we came up with a plan to give readers a chance to support NewsNow, which offers an incentive for their efforts. We had many readers ask “Why so cheap?”, but we have left the suggested rates the same for Year 2:

Subscriptions: 3 Months - $10 suggested • One Year - $30 suggested We will back HST out of each payment to make things as simple as possible. You can pay by cheque (bring into the office or mail), credit card (call Catherine at 289-235-9500) or e-transfer (send to: subscriptions@wn3.ca - make security answer - newsnow ) For more information, please do not hesitate to call, email or drop in. All inquiries are welcome!! Thanks very much for your time and Happy New Year to all, Mike Williscraft Publisher

1 Mountain Street, Grimsby, L3M 3J6 • 289-235-9500

Page 8 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019

40@40 generous Grant recipients include Gillian’s Place West Niagara, EarlyON Grimsby Beach, FORT By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow The generous spirit of community support brought three charitable groups together Wednesday at Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery to receive funding through the Grimsby Community Fund. Unique in many ways, the Fund’s 40@40 (40 at the Forty) project launched last fall invites organizations to make a submission, invites them to a meeting to hone their skills at promoting their own work and gives donors attending a chance to learn more about the great work being done in the community. Committee member

Ken Pettigrew said the Grimsby Fund invites 40 people to each make a $100 donation, hence the name 40@40. The committee invites three local charitable organizations to make a presentation to the donors who then vote to divide the funds. Last week Gillian’s Place-West Niagara received $1,500. EarlyOn Grimsby Beach and The FORT each received $750. The remaining $1,000 is returned to the fund for future donations. “I hope it becomes a movement,” said board member Don Stewart, calling the project a win-win with local organizations receiving funding and also having Grimsby Square Plaza

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36 Main St. West, Grimsby

HAT TRICK HOCKEY Week 10

Be sure to look online at: wn3.ca to see the full standings, but here are some of the leaders and lucky random draw winners:

• $10 gift certificate, courtesy of Teddy’s Fun, Food & Spirits - Ben Roller • $10 gift certificate, courtesy of Cole’s Florist - Jennifer Heywood • $10 gift certificate, courtesy of Tim Hortons - Beverley Shoesmith • Two 60-minute massages, courtesy of Ontario College - Kristen Grant • $10 gift certificate, courtesy of McDonalds, Grimsby - Ken Rudisuela Winners can stop by the NewsNow office to pick up their winnings.

Top Standings

1. TRUFR8 .................... 891 2.Visentin, Jeff ............. 889 3. Lecinksi, Doug ........ 884 4. Sciamonte, John ..... 884 5. Team NBA #2.......... 883 6. Beamish .................... 882 7. Dunder, J. ................. 879 8. Renda, Hailey ......... 878 9. Albrethsen, Jens ..... 875 10. Readman, M&S ..... 874

11. Scobie, Brett ........ 874 12. Cocelin, Andrew .. 874 13. Pettigrew, Jason ... 871 14. Antonides, Kaleb . 868 15. Emond, Norman .. 868 16. Macklin, Barry ...... 865 17. DeVito,Vincent .... 865 18. Davedge ................. 865 19. Price, Isaac ............ 864 20. Saalnier, Simon ..... 863

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On hand for presentations were: (L to R) Brian Rose, executive director, Niagara Community Foundation; Tony Page, sponsor WeatherTech; Don Stewart, Grimsby Community Fund board; Tanja Loeb, executive director, Gillian’s Place-West Niagara; Tracy Belcastro, director of operations, Strive Niagara-EarlyOn Grimsby Beach site; Norm Beal, sponsor and CEO Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery; and David Vandersteen, resource developer, FORT. McDonald - Photo a chance to raise aware- Beach site “empowers There is also a young go for support in any young families to make fathers’ program. A aspect of their lives,” ness of their work. Tanja Loeb, execu- healthy decisions and speakers’ bureau, made providing access to free tive director of Gillian’s transform their lives,” up of young moms pro- supervised programs, Place-West Niagara wel- said Tracy Belcastro, vides peer education at food, reliable support, comed the opportunity Director of Operations local schools, sharing priority access to crisis to raise awareness of for Strive Niagara which stories about having intervention resources the work being done to supports the programs a child early in life. “If and a place they can support and empower at the child and family we build healthy strong call their own. women and their chil- centre. families we will build Vandersteen said dren fleeing abuse. The program assists health strong communi- FORT welcomes about Loeb said police log adolescent parents re- ties,” Belcastro said. 12,000 visits each year about 10,000 domestic- turning to school studThe FORT is “a safe from youth, ages 11-18, related calls each year ies with licensed child place for everybody,” at its Grimsby, Smithand that represents a care, outreach pro- said resource developer ville and Caistor locafraction of the cases. grams, counselling and David Vandersteen. “It’s tions, with half of those EarlyON Grimsby life coaches. a place where youth can visits in Grimsby.

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THANK YOU

VAULTRA SELF – STORAGE GRIMSBY As a strong community partner with GBF Community Services, Vaultra Self - Storage Grimsby generously donated a storage unit to help store supplies required to execute the Christmas Hamper Program. Your assistance was an integral part in the preparations of the Christmas Hamper Program which helped to ensure Christmas was extra special for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship this holiday season. Thank you for your kind and on-going generous support of our efforts.

News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 9

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Page 10 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019

Go SOLO Feb. 6 at Grimsby Public Library The Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO) will present ‘The Enduring Allure of Mozart’s Don Giovanni,” Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. at the Grimsby Public Library. Join Sabatino Vacca, founder and artistic director of the newly formed SOLO, as he discusses Mozart’s Don Giovanni in preparation for an upcoming performance on Satur-

day March 2, at 3 preciation and p.m., at the Burenjoyment of the lington Performarts by providing Arts Centre. ing high-quality Vacca will experformances of plore the fasciclassical opernating music of atic works. Don Giovanni, SABATINO The company and why the ophas performed VACCA era has endured in locations to become one of Mo- throughout the Golden zart’s most often-per- Horseshoe region. formed works. The performance is a SOLO works to ad- free event. Register by vance the public’s ap- calling 905-945-5142.

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News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 11

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Page 12 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019

classifieds takin’ care of business sports business Please call News Now to place your Classified Ad

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IN MEMORIAM

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In memory of my wife

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Time slips by and life goes on Years have come and gone Softly the leaves of memory fall As I gather to treasure them all Silent thoughts of our time together Memories that will last forever We will never part as you are Forever in our hearts

Experienced home daycare provider has immediate availability for full time infant and toddler childcare

OBITUARIES

Isabel Yonick

Passed away peacefully at Kilean Lodge, Grimsby on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in his 100th year. Predeceased by his wife, Margaret and by his brother. Anton was born in Yugoslavia. He and his wife came to Canada after WWII. He worked at Sears in Toronto for many years. On his retirement he and Margaret moved to Grimsby where he pursued his love of gardening and nature. Anton is fondly remembered by nieces and nephews in Germany, by his friends Joseph and Elsie Kopriva, Vickie and Alex Sourdos and family, Gertrude Sipos and Pam Licsko. At Anton’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Interment Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Stoney Creek. Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSEWHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, GRIMSBY, 905945-2755. www.smithsfh.com

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Of Grimsby, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at McNally House Hospice at the age of 77. He is survived by his loving wife Anne Marie (nee Foran). An early retirement from Dofasco Steel, after 33 years, allowed Brian to have ten enjoyable years to spend with Anne Marie, running the familyowned, Foran’s Marine in Grimsby. Brian was a seasoned boater on Lake Ontario, an avid golfer and was that friend and neighbour you felt fortunate to have. Brian was predeceased by his sisters Gloria Rauthmell (Barry) and Shirley Featherstone (Jim) and was the loving uncle involved in the lives of his many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He developed lasting and respectful relationships with those he met throughout his life, including his friends on Udell and also at the end, with the McNally House nurses and volunteers; that was Brian. Everyone lucky enough to meet and know Brian felt a very special bond from his friendship and it kept you coming back for more. Brian always made sure the people around him “were doing ok” and having a good time; as long as he was sure of that, then he was happy. We will all miss Brian dearly. As Brian wished, his cremation has taken place and no service will be held. A private, final interment will be at Grimsby Mountain Cemetery at a later date. A celebration of life will held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at the Grimsby Legion, 233 Elizabeth Street, between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions to McNally House Hospice would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, GRIMSBY, 905945-2755. www.smithsfh.com

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(We thank you for your application, however only those considered will be notified.)

News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 13

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Lincoln has partnered with Brock University in a research study to plan for the impact of climate change on coastal communities. Standing is Dr. Brad May, post-doctoral researcher, with Dr. Liette Vasseur, left, lead researcher, Meredith DeCock, masters student of sustainability candidate, and Dave Graham, director of public works for the Town of Lincoln. McDonald - Photo

Lincoln partners with Brock to plan for climate change By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow Buckled and broken lakeshore roads, uprooted trees and the Charles Daley shoreline that disappeared in the 2017 spring storms that caused flooding from Lake Ontario are a harbinger of changing weather patterns and the Town of Lincoln wants to be prepared. The Town has partnered with Brock University in a three-year study to research and plan for the impact of climate change on coastal communities. Dr. Liette Vasseur, Brock professor and UNESCO Chair in Community Sustainability is leading the study that will focus on Lincoln as the Ontario component of a wider project by Université du Québec à Rimouski. Long-term planning and adapting the system to avoid flooding are more important than ever, Vasseur said at the project launch last month at the Fleming Centre. Residents at the meeting recalled their own struggles with the 2017 flooding. Regulating water flows through Ontario and Quebec was a complex task that spring. The Toronto Islands were swamped and coastal communities were hit hard. The Town

of Lincoln sustained nearly $1 million in damages. “No one has seen the lake levels that high in a generation,” said Lincoln’s public works director Dave Graham referring to the extensive damage sustained along lakeshore roads. “We are taking the lead with Brock to be better prepared for climate change and Lincoln residents want to be part of this initiative.” “We’ll be asking a lot of questions,” Vasseur told residents. It’s a complex issue and “we want to engage the community at the onset and learn from their local experiences and knowledge to better plan for long term climate adaptation and strategies that are sustainable.” Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton said the message is more than the waterfront as there is also a need to look at the watershed upstream and its impact on communities. The local research is being funded through a $280,000 grant from the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) with additional support from the Town and Brock. Dr. Vasseur can be reached at: lvasseur@brocku.ca

Page 14 • News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019

100% Niagara owned & operated Our Team: Publisher - Mike Williscraft mike@wn3.ca 289-442-4244 General Manager - Catherine Bratton Inside Sales Manager - Sheryl Hutton Sales Consultant - Erica Huisman, Rose Bayer Graphics - Donna Wisnoski NewsNow is owned & operated by 1602207 Ontario Ltd. Office Locations Grimsby Office Beamsville Office 1 Mountain Street, P.O Box 614 Grimsby, ON, L3M 3J6 Beamsville, ON, L0R 1B0 Ph: 289-235-9500 Ph: 289-235-7848 NewsNow is published EVERY Thursday delivered to homes in West Niagara & Winona, 26,529.

Celebrating 100 years

“I’ve never been to a 100th birthday party,” says Lauretta Parkes, who will celebrate the milestone this Sunday, Jan. 19 at St. Alban’s Church in Beamsville. The Orchards resident was born Jan. 23, 1919. Her party runs from 1-3:30 p.m. for anyone wanting to bring well wishes. Marks - Photo

A sign of things to come? Are Niagara West’s minor hockey systems (minus Jordan) reflecting a sign of the times with their development of a West Niagara parternership? Maybe? The provincial government is making rumblings about reducing the number of elected officials in Niagara Region. At this point, nobody knows how to interpret that, but it could mean a united Niagara West, or some for of amalgamation. With the hockey associations though, they have opted to maintain the best of both worlds in that they will be creating a more stable and expanded field of opportunity for travel and rep teams by growing numbers from which to draw. However, the younger, formative levels, hockey school and such, will still be developed under the care and brand of each local organization. That is a great thing to maintain community pride and minimize travel for the youngest kids, while the brand of hockey will be upgraded for the travel and rep squads. Good on organizers for their forward thinking. M.W.

No joy in Mudville today No, no room for jokes, attempted jokes or frivolity. The stakes are too high, sentiment is too hot and nerves are too frayed. There is also absolutely no joy in writing about a topic I have covered intensely for three years, all the while trying to get townsfolk to pay attention to the grave direction this confounded biodigester was headed from the virtual outset. And make no mistake, the problems started with the very application to get the then-proposed facility on the rails. A town-controlled location was needed to make the application eligible and the former Calder School - where the new fire station on Mountain Street is now located - was used. There was never any intention of putting the biodigester there. That was the first charade. From there issues with input material contracts, storage of materials on site, the lack of a site design, ongoing issues of non-compliance with Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change guidelines, construction cost overruns, management problems and on and on and on. The problems were endless and have not stopped cropping up to this day. Yet, until today, not a single one was ever mentioned or acknowledged. When questions were put to hydro/council officials accusations of it all being made up flew. Yep, you got it. It was all “fake news”. Well guess what, Grimsby had fake councillors. Dave Kadwell gets a ton of credit, deservedly so, but it is important to also give credit to Joanne Johnston. She stepped up on several occasions and got (figuratively) rapped on the nose with a rolled up newspaper when she attempted to get

MIKE WILLISCRAFT answers or any level of accountability at all. She was not as tough as Kadwell to stick it out and be a repeat offender - it seemed aldermen were dubbed offenders by the “in” clique if you asked any pointed questions - and I don’t fault her for that. She did her best and she tried. I have a lot of time for that. The others? If you can be treasonous to a municipality, the other members of council fill that bill in spades. Never a question or even a raised eyebrow when wave after wave of issues arose. Not one time were the interests of the taxpaying public defended by those who were elected to do so. It was an ongoing shameful display, disgusting, quite honestly. The state of affairs is so paralyzingly dark the nearcapacity gallery was almost speechless Monday night. About 80 or so towns folk filed into the lobby during the closed session which immediately followed Delight Davoli’s presentation. I talked to upwards of a dozen people, some I know, some I don’t. All were shockingly calm in their comments but a couple of terms repeatedly popped up. Betrayal, gutted and violated; these terms popped up

amidst the comments three times or more. Behind that came a complete lack of understanding as to how people they know, people who held an important position in the community, people they trusted could have had such reckless disregard for taxpayers of Grimsby. Nobody, except the former mayor, past GEI and Holdco2 board of director members may ever know unless they step up and explain their actions or lack of same to the community. It sure would be good to see some of those people at next Monday’s council meeting to explain how a project initially slated to cost $3.5 at start-up ended up going $15 million deep and losing more than $1 million per year on the operations side of the ball. Will it happen? Of course not. These past board members used every trick in the book, cannibalized the Town’s other hydro assets by floating “loans” into the moneylosing biodigester just to keep from having to go hat-in-hand to council to ask for more money. They also gave away hydro’s second biggest asset in NRBN just to feed the beast - $9 million up in smoke. No, folks, no joy in Mudville today and it will be a long time before you see any. Council’s mismanagement on a host of fronts left major financial issues for the new council even if hydro was fully hunky dory. Throw $15 million in needless debt in the mix and you have a cash-strapped community with a need for major cuts and a huge tax increase bearing down on the community like a GO train steaming down the rail tracks.

News Now • Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Page 15

Lincoln recognizes two landmarks

Unveiling a commemorative plaque at the Jordan House, front (L to R) Carla Mackie, Vic Dirksen, Kevin Cherry, Christophe Hermez. Back: Councillors Paul MacPherson, Mike Mikolic, Tony Brunet, Dianne Rintjema, Lynn Timmers as well as George Marucci and Christopher Janca, and Coun. JD Pachereva. McDonald - Photo the back there was communities were ing the original wood ston-Grimsby road a stable for weary ‘dry’ and the tunnels beams along with an passable was difficult horses. On the second may have been used to updating of the hotel and expensive in the floor, nine rooms could smuggle alcohol into facilities. 1800s and many of the be rented for the night. the tavern from adjaSNURE GENERAL early PennsylvanianSpence, a military cent buildings. STORE & TOLL HOUSE German settlers in the man, convened the The Jordan House From the mid-1800s area used the route Vigilante Society there was the stage for the into the1950s, the when immigrating into to control horse and Temperance debate. Snure General Store Upper Canada. Initially, cattle theft. Later, Even with the Temwas the economic and volunteer labour was Louth Council held perance Act of 1906, social heart of Jordan. used to maintain the meetings at the inn. which prohibited the Clark Snure was the road but eventually Prior to Confederasale of alcohol, the law store merchant and road tolls were used to tion, it was used as a was weakly enforced acted as the postmashire companies. militia recruitment and short-lived. ter and township clerk. In 1917 the province centre. For a time, the In 1968, W. Fernick Jordan was a bustling took over responsibilbasement was used and G. Doig decided to community in the ity for road maintefor Catholic Church renovate and expand, 1800s with three other nance. services. During the adding 20 hotel rooms, general stores, several After Snure’s daughCivil War era, the inn a new dining room and inn keepers, carriage ter married into the was part of the “Unbanquet facilities for makers, a butcher, Richardson family, the derground Railway.’ 200 people. A dinnerharness maker, shoe store became known Although there is theatre was operated maker, cabinet maker, as the Richardson Gensome debate, tunnels for a time. In 2005, watch maker, a weaver eral Store. from the building may under the stewardship and a blacksmith. Later in 1966, the have been used to of Len Pennachetti, Located next to property came under hide runaway slaves. the facade and front Snure’s store was a the ownership of Nick Or perhaps, during interior of the building tollhouse and gate. and Alexandra Pourthe early 1900s, many were changed usKeeping the Queensanidis.

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remains a popular spot for travellers near and far. It has passed through numerous hands including most recently Len Pennachetti and is presently owned by Vintage Hotels. The general store no longer stands. It was torn down to make way for road improvements at the corner of 19th St. and Reg. Rd. 81. But Danny Poursanidis, son of the store’s last owner Nick Poursanidis shared warm memories of a happy youth spent exploring the building’s nooks and crannies and helping with chores that included oiling the wood floors. JORDAN HOUSE Standing on the steps of the old ‘roadhouse’ Vic Dirksen, Co-Chair of the Heritage Committee recalled the building’s colourful history. First established in 1842, by John Spence, the Jordan House provided food, water and shelter as travellers passed through the Niagara Peninsula on the Iroquois Trail. At the front of the building on the main floor, food and drink were served, while at

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By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow Dry goods and the more liquid kind were centre stage Friday as the Town of Lincoln celebrated the heritage of two long serving establishments in Jordan Village. Treasured memories and a bit of lore were shared around the group braving the cold weather during the unveiling of two interpretative plaques to commemorate the rich history of the Jordan House and the Snure General Store. Marking its 175 years of history, Lincoln councillor Paul MacPherson called the Jordan House, the longest serving and licensed hotel in the Town of Lincoln, one of the service centres of early Canada helping horses and travellers of the day on their way through the village. He credited the Heritage Committee and the Town for their research work to honour and remember the past. The horses are gone and the ‘roadhouse’ has seen many changes over the years, but the Jordan House

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