NewsNow E-Edition April 18 2024

Grimsby council approves Charrois 15-day pay suspension

“Off-putting” apology did not help leniency request: Coun. Baradziej

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

The most recent saga for Grimsby council ended Monday with Coun. Veronica Charrois receiving at 15day suspension of pay after being found to have breached the Town’s code of conduct.

Integrity Commissioner Michael Maynard completed a report into an

incident which arose during council’s Nov. 20, 2023 meeting at which Charrois alleged Mayor Jeff Jordan had a conflict of interest with a campaign donation from a developer while supporting a project before council for consideration.

That came after a long line of Facebook posts and “‘the emergence of a pattern of harassing

behaviour towards him,” Maynard quoted Jordan as saying.

“He asserted that her comments at the November 20th meeting were a “clear, direct, and public allegation of wrongdoing, completely without merit or a finding of contravention from the Integrity Commissioner or a court.” He opined that the Councillor’s ques-

tion was an implied allegation because it quoted the Code of Conduct section on conflicts of interest and then asked “suggestive and rhetorical questions relating to the donation and the unrelated vote.’,” Maynard noted.

“In the Mayor’s view, “any average and reasonable person as a

See COMPLAINT, Page 6

Grimsby BIA ignored clerk’s direction

Council votes to defer financial autonomy plan to May meeting

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

Grimsby council voted to defer Grimsby Downtown Business Improvement Area’s meeting minutes, which included a recommendation in support of a proposed financial autonomy plan.

The wild ones!

The minutes came to council from last week’s Corporate Services Committee. The vote to defer the document came after Coun. Delight Davoli outlined a litany of what she terms “significant” issues with

how the board has operated since being installed early in 2024.

While the issues are many and varied, just last week a whole series of matters arose at the BIA’s April meeting.

“I don’t really believe now is the time for them to become financially autonomous,” said Davoli, in speaking to the minutes before council.

“I do agree with our clerk that, in her report, we should hold a special meeting and, at least, consult the See DEFER, Page 12

Chef Brad Rempel, second from left, prepared and helped serve a wild game feast Friday night with his Jordan Lions Club sous-chefs (L to R) Ray Dykstra, club president; Ray Dykstra Jr., Jim Morrison, and John Schonewille. For full details, with all the trimmings, please turn to Page 4. McDonald – Photo

WL readies for annual Earth Day clean ups

The Twp. of West Lincoln is readying to host its Community Clean Ups this month in recognition of Earth Day, April 22.

Clean Ups can be organized for the days leading up to, on, or after April 22.

Interested parties will be provided with a designated cleanup location, ample supplies, including garbage bags, gloves and safety tips, and arrangements will be made for staff to pick up the collected garbage after the clean

up is completed. Visit West Lincoln’s Earth Day page to sign up.

The official Earth Day theme for 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics” - spotlighting the campaign’s commitment to building a plastic-free planet.

Job fair relaunched for May 7 event

After a five-year absence, Employment Help Centre is relaunching its Job Fair.

The event is set for Tuesday, May 7 at West Niagara Secondary School from 6-8 p.m.

“Building on the recent success of job fairs in the (Niagara)Region and, specifically, the Town of Lincoln, we feel there is a need to bring this back af-

ter a five-year absence due to COVID and the labour market changes,” said EHC’s executive director, Paul Robertson.

“Our goal is to have 40 employers and community partners in attendance and 300-400 job seekers come through.”

The event is free. All jobseekers are welcome to attend.

Now booking family sessions for Spring & Summer 2024!

Spring has sprung and it is the perfect time of year to update your family pictures! Our calendars are filling up with sessions at the most beautiful locations in the Niagara Region already including blossoms, waterfront locations, lavender and more...

Reach out today to book your session!

The anticipation was mouthwatering as the crowd of 140 diners enjoyed a culinary adventure that included bison, venison, wild boar and duck, Friday at the Jordan Lions Club 40th annual Wild Game Night held at St. John’s Anglican Church hall in Jordan. McDonald – Photo

Jordan Lions serve adventure at 40th annual Wild Game Dinner

By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow

The Jordan Lions’ annual Wild Game Dinner is the star event of the year and what a night, Friday at St. John’s Anglican Church hall in Jordan.

Chef Brad Rempel was at the helm with all his Lion sous-chefs to keep things rolling.

The 40th annual fundraising dinner began with appetizers of steamed mus-

sels and smoked trout in the Hearth Room.

The crowd of 140 diners then moved into the main hall and the anticipation was mouthwatering.

The culinary adventure continued with a feast of bison, venison, wild boar, duck, wild rice, baked beans, Cajun potatoes, root vegetables, blue cheese biscuits and lots of wine.

“Brad is one of

the most awesome guys,” said club president Ray Dykstra, now in his 15th year of coordinating the wild game dinner.

“It’s lovely to see the crowd back after Covid,” Dykstra said.

The dinner is the Lions largest annual fundraiser and Dykstra thanked the many sponsors and auction donors who helped make the night a success.

COMPLAINT

From Page 1 result would likely come to the conclusion that I had a conflict of interest relating to money, had failed to declare it, and was swayed to vote in the matter I did because of that campaign contribution.”

Jordan noted to Maynard that, at no time, did Charrois speak to him directly about the matter.

In seeking a response from Charrois on the complaint against her, Maynard found himself in the unusual position of having to omit part of her comments.

While core issues were addressed, “However, her Response also made several new allegations against Mayor Jordan and introduced new evidence that was never mentioned by her previously. These new issues have never been before me for consideration by my office. They cannot be introduced now. These allegations bear the hallmarks of an improperly attempted counter-complaint,” said Maynard.

“More troubling than that, I find the allegations appear to be an attempt to discredit Mayor Jordan by arguing that he is in breach of the Code (and possibly the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (the “MCIA”)) when there is no question, complaint, or application before me concerning Mayor Jordan’s conduct. It seems that the Councillor has decided to defend herself by impugning the Mayor’s integrity as a means of justifying her own actions.”

Maynard pointed out his task in the complaint is not to assess a conflict of interest situation, rather, he is to determine if Charrois’ conduct constituted a breach of council’s code of conduct.

As part of her response, Charrois said there was an “outcry” in the community when The Woolverton apartment project was proposed for downtown Grimsby, claiming it was voted down by council in March 2022.

Coun. Lianne Vardy noted Monday that Jordan voted in favour of the the project at that time.

Charrois continued in her re-

sponse that developer Harley Valentine contributed $1,200 to Jordan’s campaign on Oct. 24, 2022 - an amount Maynard had noted was perfectly legal during an earlier appearance at council.

“She then provided her view that Mayor Jordan accepting a $1,200.00 campaign donation“would be scrutinized by the public” and asserted that it does “not ‘promote public confidence’”. She contended that “Mayor Jordan ought to have known to the general public this appeared to be a conflict.’” said Maynard.

Adding, “In an apparent attempt to justify her November 20th remarks, the Councillor asserted that Mayor Jordan breached the Code and furthermore opined that he ought to have taken steps to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, such as by consulting with my office before participating in the vote on the Woolverton matter.”

he wrote.

“While the Councillor may have felt that Mayor Jordan had a conflict of interest on the Woolverton business that came before Council, it is not up to her to raise it during a Council meeting. Her actions were effectively an ambush against a fellow Council Member. Her comments appeared to be little more than a rhetorical “gotcha” moment.”

While he noted Charrois was in breach of the code, he also noted it was the first offence.

However, he noted that extenuating circumstances led him to recommend a pay suspension in this case.

“I believe the Councillor feels she was justified in her actions, but she is simply incorrect about that,” Integrity Commission

Michael Maynard

Jordan, in a written response suggested Charrois’ comments were little more than an attempt to discredit him.

“He suggested that the Councillor’s question was similar to the type of leading question used at a trial “to erode the credibility of a witness before a jury”, noting that the “mere asking of certain questions whether objected to, answered or not, can leave a negative and lasting impression in the minds of others.’,”, said Maynard.

While Jordan did speak with Maynard as part of the process, Charrois declined to do so.

“I think I’ve said all I want to say about that primary complaint. I don’t have the time to keep replying to the add ons. I appreciate you asking me though.’,” Maynard noted.

In his summation, Maynard was clear.

“In my view, Councillor Charrois did breach the Code of Conduct,”

“I believe the Councillor feels she was justified in her actions, but she is simply incorrect about that, and probably ought to know better. I would not suggest the impugned conduct was flagrant (i.e., showing contemptuous disregard for the law), but it was reckless. Far from there being any recognition or acknowledgement of wrongdoing, the Councillor doubled-down on her allegations and even attempted to turn the tables on the Complainant by making an improper counter-complaint,” said Maynard.

“In view of all of the above, I recommend that Council issue a suspension of Councillor Charrois’ remuneration as a Member for a period of 15 days.”

MONDAY’S DEBATE

During discussion on Monday, Charrois opened her comments by taking at shot at the proceedings before offering an apology.

“In my opinion, as an Integrity Commission complaint, it’s flawed and it’s a pay-to-play process. It focuses solely on the complaint and refrains from investigating whether the one who initiated the complaint was also at fault,” said Charrois.

“I acknowledge that I should not have questioned Mayor Jordan’s process at our meeting and should

have done so privately. I apologize for doing so... I ask that this report be used as a learning tool and warning with no loss of remuneration. This is my first IC complaint within my first year on council. Grimsby residents rely on me to help them and, if I am absent, it will further stall progress in our community.”

Maynard noted suspension of pay as a penalty does not impede a councillor from continuing their work - that is the individual’s choice if they work during that 15-day period or not.

If Charrois was looking for sympathy, she was not finding it with Coun. Lianne Vardy - who noted she found herself on the receiving end of a series of hurtful, baseless allegations on multiple occasions during the last term of council.

“I feel for the councillor, yet at the same time, when listening to comments of the speech that she just made, the first half of the speech is ‘I was justified in doing this’. Then the second half is ‘give me a break. I’m new.’ You knew at the last meeting that it was not a conflict of interest because Mr. Maynard said so and that’s when I suggested you just apologize then and there,” said Vardy.

“You had a chance to say you’re sorry and move on and you didn’t take it because you were so convinced that you were right and you weren’t.”

While Coun. Nick DiFlavio suggested a penalty of censure with no monetary impact, Coun. Jacob Baraziej was having none of that.

“For me, starting out an apology with the pay to play comment was extremely off-putting,” said Baradziej, suggesting a 30-day suspension of pay be put on the table.

For the vote on penalty, both Jordan and Charrois declared a conflict of interest and did not participate in the debate on that aspect or the vote. Vardy took over as chair of the meeting.

DiFlavio and Coun. Jennifer Korstanje opposed the pay suspension while Baradziej, Vardy, Councillors Don Howe, Reg Freake and Delight Davoli voted in favour.

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Dynamic lineup for April 27 ‘Celtic Evening’

By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow

The pipes are calling you to a ‘Celtic Evening’ for the Grimsby Pipe Band’s extraordinary lineup of entertainment, music and dance, Saturday, April 27 at the Mountain Ridge Community Centre in Grimsby. Tartans and bagpipes, dancers and singers, the legendary power of Celtic music, roast beef and thousands of dollars in prizes are waiting to

be won.

This year will feature the drummers to open the evening with a drumline cadence. “The drummers will lead us out and once their cadence is done, the pipes will follow in,” said Gordon J. Scott, Pipe Major of the Grimsby Pipe Band.

There’s a spectacular raffle with thousands of dollars in prizes to be won, the legendary 50/50 draw and a unique silent auction.

The stage will be set at the Mountain Ridge Community Centre, 105 Mountain Rd., Grimsby (corner of Mountain and Ridge Rd.) The doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the

The dynamic lineup of entertainment includes the pipes and drums; The Graham Irish Dancers; The Oakville Celtic Fiddle Orchestra; and DJ Kelly from Life of the Party.

Drummers with the Grimsby Pipe Band will open this year’s ‘Celtic Evening’ with a dynamic drumline cadence, April 27 at the Mountain Ridge Community Centre in Grimsby. Drummers, Front: (L to R) Jennifer Borysko, Susan Hill and Laura Birrell. Back: Jason Beck, Dorelle Scott, Iain Paton, Al Foster and Mark Drinkle. McDonald – Photo

PIPERS

From Page 8 entertainment starts at 7 p.m. A light roast beef luncheon will be served at 8 p.m.

A Celtic Evening is an important fund-

raiser for the Grimsby Pipe Band, one of the very few pipe and drum bands that is completely independent and does not rely on any resources other than what they make.

Tickets are $30 per person. For more information call or text Gordon Scott, 905520-7981, e-transfer gjscott78@gmail.com call Ken Nelson, 905730-5741.

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Art gallery’s Wayzgoose a

One of Grimsby’s almost-exclusives is Wayzgoose, an annual celebration of printing established by the late Bill Poole when he was director of the Grimsby Public Art Gallery.

Wayzgoose is celebrated in only a few other places, Vancouver and Wisconsin.

Since 1978, on the last Saturday in April, the art gal-

A Small Drop of Ink

By Dorothy Turcotte

lery has hosted a showcase of hand printers, papermakers, paper marblers, bookbinders and wood engravers.

Exhibitors come from all over Ontario, Quebec and the northern USA. This is an event with a long history. It used to be cel-

ebrated widely by master printers for their apprentices and workers. Bill Poole knew a lot about this.

He was the owner of a small private press appropriately called Poole Hall Press.

Its home was a former fruit barn on the Poole property.

In the 1980s, Bill and two friends created hand-print-

ed and handbound versions of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, true treasures for the lucky owners of copies!

In keeping with the history of printing, at the end of the day’s celebration, the master printer served a goose dinner to his helpers.

Wayzgoose Grimsby didn’t

go quite that far, however, for many years it did serve a dinner to the exhibitors.

At first, Chief Librarian Gladys Western cooked a full dinner for the artisans, with members of the Library Board bringing appetizers.

The dinner is no longer, but the spirit of Bill Poole is still there.

Part of the Wayz-

goose tradition is the production of an anthology of works by the participants.

Sale of these lasting hand-printed volumes helps defray the cost of the event.

Wayzgoose 2024 takes place on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Grimsby Public Art Gallery. It’s free. Be sure to drop in.

DEFER

From Page 1 membership before they take that step. I can certainly support that and then would ask that these matters come back.”

Among the issues at the DIA meeting was chair Mark Wood’s assertion he was told by the clerk that members who attended the board’s public meeting could not speak to the financial autonomy matter.

“I was going to open the floor to some comments about the finance transition, but I was asked not to do so by the town clerk,” Wood told those who attended the BIA meeting.

However, clerk Victoria Steele said Wood was told during a fivehour exchange the day before the meeting that that financial autonomy issue should be removed from the agenda - which would negate the need for any discussion since the item was not on the agenda.

Despite that, discussion from members was stifled while the board considered two different motions as part of autonomy transition process - to release a request for quotes for a bookkeeper and to proceed with measures in a new financial policy.

“I am very disappointed that a misleading comment was made and used the clerk as a shield,” said Sarah Kim, Grimsby’s chief administrative officer.

“There are emails from the clerk stating that “the financial discussion needs to be postponed until Council issues direction.”

Kim noted that Steele noted it was alright to provide the board with a general timeline update, however, there should not be discussion.

Steele confirmed what was supposed to happen at the meeting.

“Essentially, it was asked that Section 8 (in full) be removed from the (BIA) agenda. However, when the Chair proceeded to table the items and opened the discussion – it would have been the sensible thing to allow the delegates as well,” said Steele.

“This was not a matter to ‘pick and choose’. When the financial policy item was approved, the delegates should have been received.”

While this example of significant

contravention of procedural bylaws and process under the Municipal Act is a major item, Davoli outlined other serious problems.

“In February, a budget came to the board that was shared with the membership and it was approved. Then in March came the request for financial autonomy which is a very, very significant change to how the organization is run,” said Davoli, who noted the disconnect on communications is recurring.

“My observations are that, of course, they now live in a world of government as a local board and I think many times they struggle. There are rules they’re not used to and things perhaps don’t move as quickly as they would like. Because of that, they sometimes fall off the tracks because of it, too. I’m hoping they won’t be surprised by my comments. I’ve certainly shared some of these comments with them at the board table.”

And when there is communication, she said the information can be incomplete or inaccurate.

On the proposed cost of the financial autonomy transition Davoli noted several problems.

“I did share my concern that these costs will be significantly different than what they were forecasting. Audit fees, one-time accounting transition costs, the time involved printing and mailing cheques, insurance costs, preparation of T-4s independently and so on... All those things are costs that they did not build into their estimates,” Davoli told council.

She also refuted one of several claims made in the report submitted to the BIA on which the board approved the new process.

“We turn things around in a week when all the appropriate paperwork is submitted, so, I find no issue there,” said Davoli of a complaint of ongoing issues with getting BIA bills paid in a timely manner.

“There are other issues that they (the board) feel would be best supported by them being independent and, yet, this method has worked for...I’m going to say a decade or longer with other boards quite successfully.”

The key to all the issues as it re-

lates to the financial autonomy proposal is that all the problems have occurred with immense work from town hall as part of the process as staff attempted to keep the process within guidelines.

“Another area of struggle – drafting and releasing agendas within a timely basis prior to the meetings; how you go into closed; how you come out of closed, and; the myriad of, I will say, government rules that surround that as well,” said Davoli.

“They are still struggling to understand them and implement them and that is with much, much, much assistance from our clerk’s department, our finance department, from our town manager, from human resources and so on.”

The demand on town staff time has, at times, delayed other town business and that is something Kim said has to stop.

“I told the Chair, if these matters continue, we may have to get the Ombudsman in here to review it all,” said Kim. “The problem is serious.”

Davoli agreed, noting that the time demand has also deflected the BIA board’s attention away from where it is mandated to be.

“The entire process of trying to move towards them having more financial autonomy has consumed considerable hours of their (theBoard’s) time and I greatly fear –because of that, though – there has been not been that much time at the board table spent on the two primary mandates of a DIA which is beautification and promotion of the businesses in the catchment area,” said Davoli.

“That has not allowed their primary purpose to be worked on.”

Another matter of contention of late was a lack of communication on an annual project for the BIA - hanging baskets along Main Street.

The board opted to put out a request for quotes this year, and nobody from the board followed up on multiple attempts by Grimsby Garden Club - who have supplied the baskets for more than 20 years - to let them know.

At last week’s meeting, the BIA went into closed session to discuss beautification quotes but the garden club was not among them. De-

spite being told bid requests were sent to all who the board could think of, garden club officials said there had been no contact from the BIA.

Also at the meeting, Davoli had to put the brakes on business being conducted in email - as opposed to an open and transparent manner during a meeting.

New BIA executive director Amanda MacDonald said she would draft a report on a new special meeting policy and circulate it to the board for consideration and input prior to the next board meeting.

“I hope that you meant as part of the agenda attachments, that you wouldn’t be circulating to all the board members outside the process of agenda,” said Davoli.

“I meant for commenting and questions before it goes to the board. I’m assuming everybody here would like to have input,” MacDonald said.

“Yes, we would give everybody a chance to look at it and then come back to us with their comments before we put a draft together that would be attached to an agenda,” added BIA Chair Mark Wood.

“I’ll have to ask our clerk’s representative (committee coordinator Jessica Beaupre, who attended the meeting) to comment if I could, but when we circulate things by email amongst us that would be similar to what happens – and is forbidden at the council level under our rules of procedure – that would be putting forth the business of the entity by email, which is not allowed. My concern is, and I appreciate everybody’s input, but how we do that behind the scenes is not transparent,” said Davoli.

“Coun. Davoli is correct,” said Beaupre.

“As well, with transparency of documents being put forward, you’ll see it at any council or committee meeting, is that members don’t get that material until it is published for the public as well. That ensures transparency.”

At Monday’s council meeting, it was agreed unanimously to defer approval of the minutes to council’s May 6 meeting at which time a delegation from the BIA is expected to be on hand to provide more information on the autonomy plan.

Women’s Mini Retreat May 4

Join St. Helen Parish, Saturday, May 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for a faith nourishing miniretreat for women

‘Nourished by Grace, Fed by Faith.’

Be inspired by guest speakers Sr Orianne (Daughters of St Paul) and David Patterson (YES Catholic). Pray and share together

Mass, rosary, adoration and worship music. The $40 cost includes lunch and refreshments. St.

Helen Church is located at 4106 Mountain St., Beamsville. For tickets go to Eventbrite ‘Faith

Nourishing Women’s Catholic Mini Retreat.’ For questions contact sthelenfundraiser@gmail.com

CFUW hosts book sale Saturday

The annual giant book sale hosted by Canadian Federation of University Women is set for this Saturday, April, 20 at St. Andrews Church Parish Hall from 9 a.m.Noon.

Donations can still be dropped off at the hall up to tomorrow (Friday) April 19 between 1-5 p.m.

All proceeds from the event towards scholarships for post-secondary education for women.

Office:

905.945.4161 www.grimsbyford.com

HAT TRICK HOCKEY

Week 25

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• $10 Gift Card courtesy of Forty Public House, Rosa Kiers

• Large, 3-Item Pizza, Pick-Up Only, courtesy of Gino’s Pizza, Harien Subakaran

• $10 Gift Card courtesy of Tim Hortons, Clem Bezemer Winners can stop by the NewsNow office to pick up their winnings.

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Drumming up business for Saturday’s dinner were

Scouts working toward Icelandic goal

1st Beamsville Scouts served up pasta dinners to a full house Saturday at the Lincoln Community Centre in Beamsville.

They’re Iceland bound for an international jamboree this summer, July 8-19, and have been helping out around town

to raise funds for the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet 3000-plus Scouts from around the world.

5

Scouts (L to R): Scouter Roy Caja, Felicity Kennedy, Gemma Adcock, Andy Adcock, Isaac Ferreira, Rowan Pecile, Ethan Bartley, Andres Calderon, Isabella Ranucci and Cameron Carey. McDonald - Photo

Ready to serve the spaghetti dinners were Venturers (L to R): Scouter Roy Caja, Lloyd Clarke, Alexis Readman, Alex Suntz, Mason Penny, Mackenzie Wilson, Matthew McBlain, Evan Blain and Owen Bourque. McDonald - Photo

Calling Mr. Ford, goodbye DSBN

Dear Editor,

I think John Van Dusen was onto someting in his letter last week, “Taxpayers need to question DSBN: writer”.

District School Board of Niagara has to go.

The Ford government has spent a lot of time reviewing/forwarding assessments of regional governments. Why should they not do the same with school boards?

DSBN has been tone deaf for more than a decade and clearly -

from the WNSS mess - they have shown the ability to blow major project budgets to smitherines.

History has shown, with tax dollars, the more local they trickle down the better the money is spent. You can’t tell me a local school board could not have done a better job with the original three high schools. Calling Mr. Ford!!

Sally Gibbons, Beamsville

DSBN bureaucrats should have been penalized: writer

Dear Editor,

It is quite astonishing that not many more people are speaking out about the mishandling of taxpayer dollars by DSBN’s bureaucrats.

Everyone must be doing financially very well that they don’t mind this abuse.

Not being held accountable for misspending taxpayer dollars seems to be the new normal.

Starting with the Trudeau Liberals, then the Ontario Conservatives and lastly our local two-tier governments, the Region and our municipalities.

Politicians and bureaucrats are taking our hard-earned tax

dollars for granted.

The unauthorised wasting of approximately $12 million by incompetent DSBN bureaucrats on the new West Lincoln High School should have been penalized by the Ford Government. However, they did nothing. Instead, they gave additional money to an out of control, unaccountable DSBN with its over $600 million yearly budget and still dare to ask for more to increase salaries for its staff, while student performance is mediocre and staff is only working three quarters of the year.

Every year Niagara taxpayers see their property taxes going

up for the DSBN. For what they do they are not worth the cost.

As was mentioned by letter writers John van Dusen and Diana Stephenson people can’t trust their wrong misleading information and wasteful spending.

The Ford Government itself needs to remember its promises to its voters, produce a balanced budget and demand its own government and for all its government regulated institutions accountability and responsible spending of our tax dollars, something they haven’t done.

Rob Janssen Beamsville

Varying speed limits confusing

Dear Editor,

Just wanted to agree with everything said in a letter from Dennis D’Alessandro and add a point or two.

The second speed camera is near Blessed Trinity HIgh

School, the speed limit of 50 km/h doesn’t change.

The same is true in the area of the new high school where there is also an elementary school.

Speeding is almost

The pit excavated in 2019 to remediate the soil at what would eventually be West Niagara Secondary School - at a cost which exceeded $20 million - $12 mlllion over the $9.4 millon budget set for land acquisition and preparation. File Photo

WNSS sure is nice, but...: reader

Dear Editor, I’ve had the chance to go through the new high school. It sure is nice, but we paid a huge price to get it and not just the big price tag.

Communities lost

‘their’ schools. Students will lose their sense of community over time. It’s a lose/ lose situation that is done and over, so time to move on. But the deceit shown by the school

board should not be forgotten. I just wish we could do more because it is very frustrating and just creates a big black cloud over WNSS.

Megan McBride, Grimsby

Town survived G5, should deal with downtown board swiftly

Dear Editor, The Town of Grimsby has seen more than its share of mavericks in the last few years and it sure looks like its downtown group is following that new tradition - and not in a good way.

impossible on either Livingston or Main Street but leave it to the Niagara Region to create their own speeding problem as a revenue stream.

Patricia Stevens Grimsby

Council wasted a lot of time and money suffering through the G5, so I don’t know why they would duplicate that pain with the downtown board. Purely on the face of it there are basic guidelines set out in provincial legislation. From what I have read, the board obviously cannot follow those laws even with a town staffer there to help? Come on people, pull the plug.

That letter writer last week nailed it. I would not want tax dollars at risk when these guys crash and burn and you’d really have to expect that outcome.

Why? Look how things have gone for this group WITH town hall watching. How could anyone think any different behaviour would result if left to their own devices if their “financial autonomy” plan were to ever be rolled out.

I have no idea if there are personality clashes, philosphical differences or why this agenda is being pushed, but clearly it is not worth the risk.

Stephen Owen, Grimsby

RINTJEMA, Catherine Jane (nee Dyball)

Catharine Jane Rintjema (Dyball), 64, of Massey, ON, died unexpectedly on April 5th, 2024. Cathy’s loss was completely unexpected and the family is shocked and deeply saddened.

Cathy was born on September 20, 1959 to Marion and Wilfred Dyball in Grimsby. Cathy was the loving big sister to Jim Dyball and Judy Russell (Jonathan). Cathy married the love of her life; David Rintjema in May 1980. They had two children, Kristy Laronde (Rej) and Ryan Rintjema (Cassandra). Cathy’s time with her grandchildren, Jenny, Marisa, Alexa and Ellie was all too short.

Cathy’s love of family created a strong bond with all her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Her positive and protective nature will always be cherished. All will miss her laughter. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Cathy and Dave moved north to Massey in the summer of 2022. Cathy and Dave were as happy as they had ever been, meeting wonderful new people and expanding their family.

Family and friends will miss Cathy more than words can say.

A Celebration of Life is being held at the Grimsby Legion on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Come share a memory!

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ROMAGNOLI, Margaret

Quietly, quietly, in her 103rd year, Margaret Magdalene Tufford Romagnoli left this world at the dawn of the Solar Eclipse on April 8th, 2024. She celebrated her 102nd birthday on April 2nd with most of her descendants around her, and died a week later under the attentive eye of her wonderful caregivers at the United Mennonite Home in Vineland, Ontario.

Descended from Mary Fretz and Phillip Tufford, who arrived in Clinton Township in 1800, Margaret was the fourth centenarian of her family, and the last of her five siblings born of Margaret Beatrice Wilcox and William Grobb Tufford.

She was predeceased by her son Donald Paul (d1980) and her husband of 58 years, Alfred (d1999).

Left to mourn are her remaining five children and their spouses: Sharon Dianne Macdonald (Richard Adams), Sandra Lynn Easton (Tony), David Frederick Romagnoli (Suzanne Lynn), Dale Alfred Scott Romagnoli (Lori Teather), and Susan Margaret Ross (Derrick). Her grandchildren, Sharon Meredith Macdonald, Glen Trevor Macdonald, David Anthony Easton (Kathy), Adam Frederick Romagnoli (Melissa), Jill Elizabeth Romagnoli (Matt Dyck), Michael David Romagnoli (Kerrie).

Her great-grandchildren, Harriett Agnes Gracie, Maxim David Easton, Connor Alexander Easton, Quinn Everleigh Dyck Romagnoli, Sadie Elizabeth Dyck Romagnoli, and Margaret’s dear friend Dana Purvis.

Margaret Romagnoli UE, was a wife, mother, homemaker of high standards, and farm manager; a dedicated member of the Beamsville Women’s Institute, devoting many years to building the Tweedsmuir History, a longtime member of Beamsville Trinity United Church Women, the Eastern Star, and the Bokhara Court Ladies’ Oriental Shrine, finally, she was a proud member of the Colonel John Butler Branch of the United mpire Loyalists of Canada.

The family will receive friends at Trinity United Church, 4287 William St., Beamsville, on Thursday April 11, 2024 from 3-4pm with funeral service starting at 4pm. Interment to follow at Mount Osborne Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Margaret’s family suggests a memorial donation to The Jordan Museum Endowment Fund https://lincolnmuseum.ca/donate/ OR the Niagara College PSW Program https://wcsvpw3web02.niagaracollege.ca/NiagaraDonationForm/ and select the Diane Romagnoli Memorial Award of Excellence from the dropdown option OR to the Occupational Therapy Program at the United Mennonite Home, in Vineland, Ontario.

Online condolences at: www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca

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OBITUARIES

WIERSMA, Kenneth Paul

Kenneth Paul Wiersma, 61, of Beamsville and formally Grimsby, passed away peacefully at home in the loving arms of his family.

Ken was born in Grimsby to Mient (Mike) and Jacoba (Coba) Wiersma on April 4th, 1963. Growing up on a local farm he initially trained as a stone mason with his dad before being left paraplegic at 25 following a motorcycle accident.

Despite this, Ken built an amazing life which included many road trips. He became a devoted husband and father, raising three incredible daughters who were his pride and joy. He became a familiar sight on our local roads during his frequent “walks”, always happy to stop for a chat. Ken considered himself “handy-capable”, building and flying RC airplanes for a time. With the help of his best friend and brother Rob, he worked on many home improvement projects, providing a lovely home for his family and furry friends.

Ken is survived by his loving wife Sherri (Bartolotta) and amazing daughters Rylee, Maddy, and Morgan. Siblings John (Delina) Wiersma, Jim (Wilma) Wiersma, Shirley (Ken) Underwood, Dorothy (Paul) Vandersteen, Dennis (Dianne) Wiersma, and Rob (Tracy Varcoe) Wiersma. Son in law to Jan Morrow and beloved brother- in -law to Jodi Chatelain and Lisa Anderson. Nieces, nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews, too numerous to list, all loved. He is preceded in death by his parents Mike and Coba Wiersma.

Home and family is where his heart lies and where he will forever remain. Cremation has taken place with a Celebration of Life to be held April 20th, 2024 at our home. Please drop in to honour this wonderful man.

4088 Aberdeen Road, Beamsville 1:00-4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Spinal Cord Injury Canada (www.sci-can.ca).

Online condolences at: www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca Deborah Ann Hill

April 20, 2010

Memoriam for Debbie Hill on this 14th anniversary with love and remembrance: No farewell words were spoken No time to say goodbye You were gone before we knew it And only God knows why You are Forever remembered, Forever missed

From Your loving family: Mom (Dorothy) and Keith, Dad (Keith senior) and Marilyn, Keith Junior, Linda and Logan, Bev, Kristen and Danielle SALLY

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No option for Grimsby council on two fronts

You know, if you’re standing in the middle of traffic and you see a transport truck headed straight for you, you really should not be surprised when that truck turns you into a flattened Bugs Bunny cartoon character.

That is exactly what happened Monday when Grimsby Coun. Veronica Charrois got handed a 15day suspension of pay for comments deemed by the Integrity Commissioner to have breached council’s code of conduct.

MIKE WILLISCRAFT

would not be allowed by members on the financial autonomy file.

The fact is, the flashing lights of warnings were switched on the last time IC Michael Maynard attended council but, undaunted, Charrois pressed ahead, refusing to issue an apology.

That option was presented by colleagues around the horseshoe as a means to cap the process and allow council to move on about its business.

Nope...was not to be.

Tasty eclipse

Joanne Monster of Grimsby was the winner of NewsNow’s Shine a Light reader contest for submitting a nomination for Grimsby Chiropractic Centre as her favourite business. She won a lunch for two at Vineland Estates for the April 8 eclipse. She attended with her husband, Robert. Their review of the event was five-star. Williscraft - Photo

Letters: important venting therapy

As you will notice, good reader, we have a boat load of space dedicated to Letters to The Editor this week. Keep ‘em coming! We don’t always have room to get them all in, but I try to provide a rounded sampling of what comes in. There is some really thoughtful opinion in this week’s offerings and there will be more next week.

Drop a letter through our mailslot at 1 Mountain St., Grimsby or email me at Mike@wn3.ca

Now, I do admire Charrois’ heart and conviction, but the key to be an effective politician is know when to stand by your convictions and when to take a seat, listen for a change and soften your stance.

As Maynard noted in his report, she doubled and tripled down by casting more aspersions at Mayor Jeff Jordan during the research process of the initial IC complaint.

It was for those reasons and more that Maynard

called for a pay suspension - a rate occurrence - for a first time offence.

There really was no recourse for council on this one.

Similarly, it is confounding to see how council has any other option than rejecting the Grimsby Downtown Business Improvement Area Board’s financial autonomy proposal.

Sure, in a “normal” environment, it is completely possible for a BIA or DIA board to develop such a plan. For this board, it would be complete and utter disaster.

Having attended my first meeting of the new board last week and seeing some of the characters who shuffled in to take in the meeting, I can’t say I am shocked this group is as troubled as it is.

Just while sitting there in one meeting, major infractions of process were evident - and this was before I followed up on the oddity noted by board president Mark Wood that comment

While it is odd to limit input at a public meeting, Wood was exactly correct in this instance, sort of. It turned out, not only was debate to be suspended, two significant items from the agenda were also to be removed as it contravenes process to forward business on matters which have not yet been approved by council.

So, the BIA debated two items, deferring one and approving another - while not allowing input from members on these items. Wrong on two levels; the items were to be removed from the agenda, but, when they were dealt with, input should have been permitted.

Then there were several other significant issues, some which made this week’s Page 1 story, but many did not because I simply ran out of space.

The fact that I noted in this space the board opted to change its name is further evidence that this group has focused on matters far outside its core mandate to the point where those items - beautification and promotion of the downtown core - have been nearly non-existent since January 2023.

Council deferred the matter to its May 6 meeting to allow for a BIA delegation and more input can be garnered, but little is going to change.

Region needs to correct speed traps: reader

Dear Editor, I want to comment on the speed trap in front of Park School.

Attached is a picture taken from my car which was parked approximately five or six car lengths in front of the sign announcing a speed limit change from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

It’s illegible from that distance. A driver must be closer to see it and read it.

Then the driver must remember what month it is, what day of the week it is, and consult a clock in order to determine if the speed limit change applies.

NO FAIR!

After all of that, what if a car’s speedometer is calibrated for one size of tire and actually has a bigger tire? The speedometer would show a lower amount.

The driver would think they are within the limit, but actually be slightly above.

Also, what about the time?

If a clock is a bit slow or fast, it could result in a ticket.

I’m told people have been ticketed for going three kph over the limit! This is incredibly absurd.

In my opinion, it is entrapment.

Traffic enforcement expert says cash cow needs to be fixed

Dear Editor,

I recall in years gone by when I was a kid in elementary school, a police officer would make a themed presentation to the classroom at least once each year.

One of those presentations is most memorable and pertinent to points of concern surrounding the present-day use of photo radar.

What happened that day was one of my classmates informed the presenting police officer that whenever his father saw an officer operating radar, he would flash his headlights to warn others of his presence.

lights on the sides of the sign is to be 20 cm. Those signs have been removed because the regulations have them used for speeds of 60 km/h.

Accordingly, those signs had to be removed to conform with current Regulations.

The Regulation prescribes that sign to be for areas where the speed on the sign is 60 km/h {Regulation 615 5.1 (1)}.

Unfortunately, the regulation restricts that sign to an area where the speed is reduced to 60 km/h being usually a rural area in the Province.

Letters

I’ve been told that 80-100 speeding tickets are issued from this location per day.

If a speed limit changes from 50 to 40, there should be a flashing light, as there is on Mountain St. in Beamsville.

If the light is flashing, the speed limit is reduced to 40. If not flashing, it’s 50 km/h – no driver calculations required.

No checking the calendar and watch involved.

And, the sign is readable from a fair distance, not ridiculously small and illegible from a reasonable distance.

In law, there is a consideration for reasonableness. Perhaps a class action law suit against the Region will be triggered by angry victims.

I am not surprised that some cameras are vandalized. I’m all for reducing the speed limits to improve safety for children, just don’t do it in the form of a trap and huge cash grab.

The Region needs to correct this right away.

Michael Hahn, Beamsville

What the officer said was forever etched in my memory. The officer stated that he “was not there to issue speeding tickets. He was there to slow traffic to the posted speed limit.” He went on to say that he was “paid for his day whether he issued a ticket or not. If people like your father help to slow down traffic, that is good. Please thank your father for his help.”

As a Transportation Enforcement Officer (now retired), I know that all signs that control the flow of traffic must be prescribed by legislation. The two signs previously mentioned are prescribed by Regulation 615 under the Highway traffic Act. The sign that had flashing lights to indicate when the reduced speed was in effect is described to be larger than the sign now in place to show the days and hours of reduced speed at the school zones.

What is interesting is that the signs with the days and hours of reduced speed set out within that same regulation, that those shall not be accompanied by a tab sign bearing the words “when flashing”.

Equally interesting is that the old signs - with flashing lights and the tab sign bearing the words “when flashing” is further down the page in the Regulation - have larger dimensions and require both the

That is not the case where within our Region the speeds are reduced to 40 km/h in the school zones where the photo radar is now set up.

MTO would be correct telling callers that the sign with flashing lights had to be removed.

In the interests of safety, I would like to see a combination of both signs be used.

The one with flashing lights and 40 km/h placed about 300 meters prior to the sign with the times and days of the week posted.

At present, this is not done at any site in Niagara Region!

The photo radar can stay to enforce the posted limit.

At the same time, and to be fair, to the motorists, drawing attention to the reduced speed in a school zone is to augment the safety perimeters.

To do this would require a Regulation change that would provide use of those signs - with flashing lights - in places other than at 60 km/h which is done administratively on recommendations of the Minister.

After all, the purpose of reducing the speed near school zones is for safety of children.

The purpose never was or should have been to create a cash cow.

Alan Wintermute R.S.E., Vineland

Letter writer Michael Hahn submitted this photo showing the “illegible” - in Hahn’s opinion - speed limit sign westbound on Main Street East near Park School.