> CCWN/Lions hit 30,000-lb food drive goal / Pg 8 > Archaeological dig at Grout House Pg 5 > Big Brothers Big Sisters changes with times Pg 14 > BDSS history comes to life Pg 23 Thursday, September 26, 2019 Vol. 8 Issue 21
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Vineland residents irate over cannabis odour problems
Hot time at fire hall
Grimsby Fire Department hosted its annual open house as part of Saturday’s Doors Open Grimsby event with huge and steady crowds filing through Station 2. Here, a tentative Ariya Reitman, 3, of Grimsby tries her hand at dousing flames in a fire extinguisher exercise. Williscraft - Photo
Hat Trick Hockey is back One lucky entrant could win a Stanley Cup adventure Hat Trick Hockey is back for its 24th year in Niagara West and the ante is going up for those who try their hand at being a National Hockey League general manager. “Back in 2003 the grand
prize was a Stanley Cup final game and a young man and his buddy had the adventure of their lives seeing New Jersey Devils play the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at The Meadowlands,” recalls NewsNow pub-
lisher Mike Williscraft. “We’ve had grandmothers win, pre-teens, even a man’s dog picked the winning team a few years ago, so there is a lot of luck, so who knows? It could See HOCKEY, Page 4
By Mike Williscraft NewsNow In what many residents say has been a battle in futility, the “war” against cannabis odour issues has a new front established in Vineland. Residents in Vineland - joining counterparts in Jordan and Grimsby who have been complaining vociferously about cannabis stench blanketing their properties - placed many calls to NewsNow and Lincoln’s town hall in the last 10 days all centering on a 23rd Street grow facility. “It is unbearable. Something has to be done,” said Sheryl Reid, whose home is more than a half-mile away in the Church/Menno Street neighbourhood. Fellow Vineland resident Hans Taal agreed but noted the problems stem from little in the way of governance for the entire fledgling marijuana grow industry. “There is no control,” said Taal. “Sure, it could be a great industry, lots of jobs. I love that but where are the guidelines? Where is the control?” Officials at the municipal level are also asking these questions as they, just like residents, have been bounced around from calls to Niagara Region Health to federal and provincial bureaucrats as they try to get decisive information. In many instances, say residents, little of no action has resulted. With the greenhouse at 3955 23rd St. commonly known as Maple Leaf Nurseries, Town officials have pushed hard due to issues with this particular location, said Lincoln chief administrative officer (CAO) Mike Kirkopoulos. “We’ve been getting a lot of emails and calls on this issue. I actually was on site earlier (Friday) with Matt Bruder who oversees bylaw and works in planning,” said Kirkopoulos. “An issue was raised a number of weeks ago. Immediately after this was brought to our attention, we met with the greenhouse owner. We indicated we have an interim control bylaw so any growing is prohibited. A follow up meeting was requested with legal counsel providing advice. Last week, staff met with the owners’/growers’ See ODOUR, Page 3