> Town of Grimsby audit shows $1.5 million deficit pre-election 2018 /Pg 8 > Choose the local business you LOVE-19 Pg 4 > B&E rash hits Grimsby restaurants Pg 5 > Tips to improve home education Pg 10 Thursday, April 23, 2020 Vol. 8 Issue 51
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COVID-19 sets back WLMH’s rebuild timeline
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West Lincoln Memorial Hospital representatives accepted vital donations of N95 masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment last week provided by the Save & Rebuild Action Committee. (L-R) Dr. Martha Davidson; Action Committee co-chair Cindy Toth; Dr. Joan Bellaire; and Action Committee co-chair Tony Joosse.
By Mike Williscraft NewsNow While a glimmer of light may have appeared at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital’s rebuild light is a little less bright, says Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott. In an exclusive interview with NewsNow Tuesday afternoon Elliott said there is reason to be optimistic on the COVID-19 front but called for further patience. “It’s very encouraging, but that is thanks to the 14.5 million people in Ontario, including the Niagara Region, who have followed the suggestion of our chief medical officer of
health,” said Elliott. “We are not through this yet. While it appears we are peaking at the moment, there is still the opportunity for further outbreaks.” Before any relaxation of protective measures are loosened, Elliott said a trend of declining case numbers must be evident. “The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are also suggesting that if case numbers get down to what they consider reasonable limits you still need to go two weeks past that due to the incubation period,” said Elliott. See COVID-19, Page 3
Niagara ERRT will evolve to recovery team “Recovery will be the name of the game” - Paul Di Ianni, Lincoln EDO and ERRT team member By Mike Williscraft NewsNow With the possible peak of COVID-19 numbers in Ontario just days in the rearview mirror, Niagara’s Economic Rapid Response Team (ERRT) already has measures in motion in support of regional interests. Paul Di Ianni, Lincoln’s economic development officer and member of the ERRT team representing Niagra West interests, said the group is not wasting any time in getting
actions underway. “The goal is to eventually transition the Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team to the Niagara Economic Rapid Recovery Team, as recovery will be the name of the game moving forward fairly soon,” said Di Ianni. “While the initial work of the Rapid Response Team was around understanding the immediate impact that COVID-19 has had on our local and regional economy given the closures of non-essential businesses, transi-
tioning into a Rapid Recovery Team will allow the economic development organizations in each local area municipality to begin the conversation around what the economy looks like post-pandemic.” The regional organization’s methodology will include partnering with every business-related organization in the region. “The goal is to create the economic recovery plan in conjunction with the business support groups across Niagara - Chambers, BIAs, stakeholder
associations, industrial groups, tourism operators, etc. - as a collective effort is what is required for a postpandemic world,” said Di Ianni. With the regional effort underway, a localized model for support and assitance has to mesh with overarching efforts, noted Di Ianni. “It is incumbent upon us in Lincoln to help devise a local response. This will focus mainly around recovery in the tourism sector as I firmly believe that a rapid recovery in tourism will See ECONOMY, Page 3