> Niagara Region’s NRT OnDemand transit program launched /Pg 7 > Wheelchair athlete now author Pg 2 > WL Fire salutes Jimmy Hiscott Pg 5 > Jammin’ Bros ready for farmers’ market Pg 8 Thursday, August 20, 2020 Vol. 9 Issue 17
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Grimsby posts $1.1 million 2019 surplus By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Higher than expected revenues and frugal spending by department heads culminated in a $1.1 million budget surplus for the Town of Grimsby in 2019. Steve Gruninger, Grimsby’s director of finance, informed council of the surplus at Monday night’s August meeting of council. The surplus was generated despite some significant overages. “The Planning department suffered a deficit of $279,410 during 2019. There were two main factors for this loss. One, planning application fee revenues were under budget by $122,000 as the number of applications submitted did not meet expectations,” noted Gruninger in his presentation. “Two, professional fees were over budget by approximately $212,000 primarily due to ongoing legal support and legal actions. These two factors were partially offset by savings in salaries due to the postponement of the hiring of the new Planning Director.” See SURPLUS, Page 3
Rooted in faith
(L-R) Grace and Eric Stieva, Harry and Cisca DeVries, Bert and Tina Mans, and Helen and Wayne Van Sydenborgh were the original couples from the Vineyard Canadian Reformed Church in Jordan Station who were present at a ceremonial tree planting on Saturday. The event marked the church’s 50th anniversary and drew many members from the congregation. Marks - Photo.
Grimsby council gets “sales pitch” for Century Condos Project deferred to allow for one more round of negotiation, decision to come Aug. 27
By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Despite ongoing concerns among councillors and residents regarding density, mass and parking shortages, Grimsby’s new director of planning presented a “cherry picking” report on a downtown condo development on Monday, according to one councillor. With a project which was initially proposed at an eight-storey, 86 unit building but has evolved to four-storey with 90 units, Coun. Dave Sharpe
said information contained in the 13 -page report presented to council was “cherry picking” the facts. “This is the all-pro side of this development,” said Sharpe, noting the proposal has key facets which oppose the Town’s Official Plan and small town character strategies. “We have to look at the good and the bad.” The report was received for information and a decision deferred to an Aug. 27 meeting planned for council
after one more round of negotiation. In her report, Antonietta Minichillo, Grimsby’s new director of planning, building, and bylaw, cited the following under “Demanding the BEST of this Application” as the only ways to improve the condo project proposal: • High quality materials • Lighting Plan • Rooftop Garden/Community Garden • Public Realm Enhancements • Safety for children – road treatment • Improve sustainability
• Urban Design Review – Alex Taranu (Founder of the Council for Canadian Urbanism (CanU) and founding member of Ontario Professional Planners’ Institute Urban Design Working Group) • Create an Animated Walkway • Public Art with school children “That was a great sales pitch. I have to say, part of me feels like DeSantis could have written it,” said Coun. Lianne Vardy. See CONDO, Page 11
Page 2 • News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020
Braver than her battle team and her father, Ron Mauro, was president of the Grimsby Tennis Club. Through him, Mauro became involved with her greatest passion, tennis, by joining the Grimsby club. “It became a major part of my life and shaped my competitive life,” she said. “I even met my first husband, Joel Cruz, there.” Then in 2010, at age 23, Mauro’s life was forever changed. She was diagnosed with MS, a disease which attacks the nerves in the spinal cord and eventually led to her losing the ability to walk. “Ten years is a long time to have your life turned upside down,” said Mauro. “I was very negative about what was happening to me, but it started to change when I began writing.” About five years after her diagnosis, Mauro’s then-husband suggested she start writing about her condition. Mauro said she had always wanted to be a writer, but kept putting it off. “He told me my writing could benefit others, and I think he was surprised when I started writing the very next day.”
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Mauro began to write a blog, braverthanyourbattle.com, and post videos on youtube. These posts shared her struggle with MS and the pain and depression that came with it. It was her way of not just informing others of what it’s like to struggle with the disease, but also to encourage others going through their own struggles. “I want to be an inspiration for anyone going through MS or anything else,” explained Mauro. “Everyone has a battle, right? Everyone has dark days and situations they find hopeless.” Mauro said that while the pain will never go away fully she’s no longer hopeless. “My outlook changed when I saw this quote on Facebook: “There’s always someone who would love to have your bad days”,” said Mauro. “It resonated with me. It helped me stop asking “why me,” and pushed me to help make the best of my situation.” Mauro adopted this quote as a sort of personal motto, which she said helps her keep perspective even during bad days. This perspective has helped
Despite losing the use of her legs due to MS, Gillian Mauro refused to give up sports. Her tennis wheelchair was funded largely by members of the Grimsby Tennis Club through GoFundMe. Her book, The Girl in the Wheelchair can be ordered through Amazon.com Photo courtesy of Gillian Mauro. have to keep pushing.” early childhood to her her “grieve her old With her book diagnosis to today. It life,” but also continue published, Mauro said shares how her greatforward. she will continue to In the past five years est fear at the time came to pass when she publish on her blog, Mauro has become a lost the use of her legs play wheelchair tennis mother, has returned and, most importantly, and how she learned to sports through raise her son, Langdon, eventually to come to wheelchair tennis and, whom she says has beterms with it. most recently, has come a “crazy good” “That subtitle, ‘It’s published her own tennis player himself at Not That Bad’ is key,” book. age five. explained Mauro. “For Her book, The Girl She thanks her parthe longest time it in the Wheelchair (It’s ents for their constant was the worst case Not That Bad), was support. scenario. There were just released this past Gillian Mauro’s book, some days I was done July after a two-year writing process. Mauro with the appointments, The Girl in the Wheelthe treatments and the chair, can be ordered tells her story through online through wheelchair, but you the autobiographiAmazon.com. can’t be done. You cal book, from her
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By Tristan Marks NewsNow Gillian Mauro is no stranger to struggle. As an athlete, it is one of the things that defines her lifestyle: the struggle to maintain and grow her fitness, the struggle to triumph over fellow competitors. However, 10 years ago when the Grimsby native was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), she was introduced to a struggle that would change her life forever. Although it would prove to be painfully physically, emotionally and mentally, Mauro would find some relief in sharing her story and refusing to give up on what she loved. “Sports has always defined my life from a young age,” said Mauro. “As a young girl I turned to soccer as something to help give me confidence after being bullied throughout elementary school.” She eventually took on competitive figure skating and hockey by age 12. Sport was even something that ran in Mauro’s family. Her brother, Jamie Mauro, played for the Grimsby Peach Kings hockey
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News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020 • Page 3
SURPLUS From Page 1 While the news of a surplus was met positively, several members of council were also concerned with how off-base estimates were going into the 2019 budget deliberations. “It’s music to my ears,” said Coun. Reg Freake of the budget surplus, noting earlier detection could have been strategic. “We’re late finding that out. Could we have lessened the budget impact of 2020?” Gruninger noted some aspects of the surplus could have helped reduce 2020’s budget but added that most of the surplus was for operational items. “It was not all cost reductions,” said Gruninger, noting many items were one-time costs which either came in lower than projections or did not happen at all in 2019, so they could materialize in 2020 and need to be accounted for. For Freake and Coun. Lianne Vardy who struggled to convince council to get the 2020 budget increase lowered, the good news of a surplus was tempered. “Is there something we could have done better? Are there lessons
to be learned?” asked Freake. Part of Vardy’s concern is 2019’s budget figures formed the basis for 2020 deliberations. “We based our budget on inflated figures. For 2021 we need to close off our books for 2020, have the actuals, so when we do our 2021 budget we know what we have spent,” said Vardy. Coun. Dorothy Bothwell noted her concern with rolling the surplus into the Town’s reserves as suggested. After Coun. Dave Kadwell called Grimsby’s pool of reserves “scary low”, Coun. Randy Vaine said that circumstance was something the current council walked into. “Previous councils used reserves to keep tax increases low and that put us in a bad position,” said Vaine. SEWER/WATER SURPLUS It was also noted that Grimsby’s sanitary sewer and water systems came up with $375,000 and $490,000 surpluses respectively. This was mainly due to lower usage rates by residents, said Gruninger, something which is forecast using averages. Each surplus was rolled back into its own area’s reserves, as was the overall $1.1 million surplus.
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The Canadian Bankers Association reports that, since March, over 760,000 Canadian homeowners have requested some sort of mortgage payment deferral from their bank. This represents about 16% of the number of mortgages in bank portfolios. This number does not include those homeowners who have a mortgage with a non-bank lender, such as a credit union, or other provider. CMHC data suggests that the “cash-flow” realized by homeowners who applied to defer payments is roughly one billion dollars per month, so six billion dollars by the time the 6- month deferral program comes to an end this Fall. CMHC forecasts a debt “deferral cliff ” this Fall, when homeowners will be required to resume mortgage, loan, and credit card payments. As much as 20% of all mortgages could be in arrears if the economy has not recovered sufficiently. At this time, CMHC has no plans to extend the deferral period - which, in my opinion, is a mistake. What have we learned from the COVID pandemic as it relates to your mortgage? - the importance of having a mortgage that allows you to defer your mortgage payments on your own terms - not your lender’s terms; - the importance of having a mortgage payment that can change monthly, based on your cash-flow for that particular month; - the importance of having quick access to your home’s equity - the principal you’ve paid down without having to re-apply to your mortgage lender (while you are experiencing financial hardship) to unlock your equity; I am hoping that, post-pandemic, more homeowners who are in precarious employment situations will focus less on the interest rate, and realize that “flexibility” should be your primary objective. Please contact me for your complimentary mortgage review. I welcome the opportunity to help you navigate mortgage solutions to achieve your personal finance goals.
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Page 4 • News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020
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Chef Donato Leva, left, and Matteo Merla of Levatous World Catering in Beamsville.
Levatous brings food of the world to Beamsville When one is born in Italy, raised in Germany and travelled you would have a tasted cuisines from around the globe. Matteo Merla says his new catering, restaurant operation on Ontario Street in Beamsville will bring all he has learned to his customers. As of today, Aug. 20, Merla and chef Donato Leva have opened their Levatous World Catering, which features Canadian, German, Caribbean, Italian and Thai food. Leva, who is no stranger to Niagara’s foodies with stops at The Lake House, Casablanca Inn and August Restaurant, says his cooking is all about freshness and quality. “Levatous is full service catering and event planning,” said Merla. “We can provide a wide variety of dishes
NEW BUSINESS and themes along with planning every detail of an event from tents and chairs to live entertainment.” As an introductory offer, the duo is offering a 10 per cent discount on orders for 10 people or less, and 20 per cent off for orders for 11 people or more. Office hours are 9 a.m.7 p.m., while hours at their restaurant location - called Donato’s Italian Streetfood - is Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sat.Sun. 3-8-30 p.m. “We are ready for any event - weddings, birthdays, receptions, corporate events - and we deliver to a 150-km radius,” said Merla. Call 905-746-7890 for more details.
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News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020 • Page 5
Parade of honour
The West Lincoln Fire Department (WLFD) held a ceremonial send off last Thursday, Aug. 13, for Jimmy Hiscott, a life-long firefighter who died Aug. 10. Firefighters led a procession down Canborough Street, in uniform, starting outside of the Smithville Fire Station. Hiscott, who died Aug. 10, served on the WLFD for 50 years and was to be awarded for his long-service commendation later this year.
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Play Safe, Have Fun & Stay Healthy at Lincoln’s Parks
This is a small sample of our Town parks. Visit lincoln.ca for a full park listing.
Kinsmen Park 20 Frost Rd., Beamsville
Vineland Neighbourhood Park Simons Ln., Vineland
Beamsville Lions Park 5162 Fly Rd., Beamsville
Jordan Lions Park 2793 Fourth Ave., Jordan
Check out Kinsmen Park to explore various trails and pathways as well as our leash-free dog park.
Explore the walking trails and the beautiful toddler playground at Vineland Neighbourhood Park.
Practice or play at Beamsville Lions Park - featuring sports fields, baseball diamonds and lots of greenspace.
Looking for a multi-use park? Amenities include a play structure, splash pad, sports field and pool!
Ashby Drive Park 4077 Ashby Dr., Beamsville
Rittenhouse Park Azalea Cres., Vineland
Charles Daley Park 1969 N. Service Rd., Jordan
Hilary Bald Park Garden Gate Terrace, Beamsville
Visit the park on Ashby Dr. to enjoy time on the walking path, playground or basketball court.
Have fun on the playground, play on the greenspace or shoot some hoops on the basketball court.
Discover all that Charles Daley Park has to offer - picnic areas, a playground, beach, boardwalk and beautiful view!
Cool off in the splash pad, walk the path, explore the playground or play on the basketball court.
Remember: Physical distance from those outside of your social circle. Sanitize before and after park use. Use the greenspace if the park is busy.
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Niagara transportation system launched Monday was the first day of operation for NRT OnDemand, Niagara Region’s new transit system. The new system will bring travel connectivity to much of the region for the first time. A resident in Grimsby, Lincoln or West Lincoln can call for a ride and go anywhere in their municipality for a $3 fare, or go anywhere within Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln and Pelham for $6. As well, a $6 fare can take a rider to the St. Catharines Bus Terminal, Welland Bus Terminal and Port Colborne City Hall. “This is a great system, practically door-to-door. It has been in the works for a long time and I am pleased to see it get started,” said Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan. “Lincoln is excited to take this next step in providing safe and
reliable public transit to our citizens through the launch of the Niagara Region Transit OnDemand system,” said Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “This model will allow Lincoln’s residents to access public transit and travel both inside our com-
munity and to other points in Niagara. We are partnering with neighbouring municipalities and the Region to help connect our citizens and our communities.” Download the NRT OnDemand app or call 289-302-2172 to book a ride.
News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020 • Page 7
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Province announces COVID relief funds The Ontario government, with federal support announced $4 billion in emergency assistance relief for municipalities last week. Local support included: Region of Niagara - $12,184,600; Grimsby $682,100; Lincoln - $565,300, and ; West Lincoln - 329,800. In September, municipalities will receive 50 per cent of those funds. “Families and local job creators depend on transit and so many other municipal services for work and other essential parts of life”, said Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff, adding the funds were mainly dispersed based on the number of households in a municipality. “We’ve been working closely with our local communities from day one to understand the financial impacts of COVID-19. This historic agreement will ensure municipalities have the funding needed.”
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(L-R) Jim and Mary Warner; Cole, Andrea and Isaac Piche; and Pat Jaskula were present at Warner Orchards in Lincoln to promote the third year of the Jammin’ Bros. The Warners donated fruit for Cole and his brother Isaac to use for making jam, while Pat Jaskula of Grimsby Canadian Tire supplied the jars. The brothers will sell their popular preserves at a one day sale at the Grimsby Farmers’ Market on Sept. 3. All proceeds will go to benefit the Lions Club dog guides program. Marks - Photo
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“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” - Leon C. Megginson Dear Reader,
Whoever would have thought the world would find itself in this position? COVID-19 is impacting every person on the planet, and every business, in one way or another. NewsNow is certainly not immune (pun intended) to its effects. In the face of drastically declining revenue - as evidenced by this edition marking the second time in a 35-year career the publisher has run a paper with less than 16 pages, reality is upon us. Expenses are up considerably to ensure we get our community paper to those who matter to us most, our readers. If you have the means, please consider supporting NewsNow. If you cannot, we will love you just the same!!
In these drastic times, many have asked “What can we do?” Consider a volunteer pay subscription 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.
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News Now • Thursday, August 13, 2020 • Page 9
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OBITUARY
DAIGLE, Robert Joseph Passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the age of 78. Beloved husband of Carol Daigle (nee Lindsey). Loving father of Mark Daigle (Karen) and Allison Ross (Neil). Cherished grandfather of Ashley, Amber, Lindsey and Charlotte. Brother of Roger, Shirley, Pauline and Leona as well as predeceased siblings Verna, Irene, Joseph, Armand, Eddy, Reggie and Yvonne. Bob will be fondly remembered by his sisters-in law Mary, Shirley and Carmen and extended family and friends. As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at STONEHOUSEWHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, 11 Mountain Street, GRIMSBY (905-945-2755) on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. In accordance with provincial regulations, there is a limit to the number of visitors who may attend at one time. Please RSVP in advance at www. smithsfh.com. All visitors are asked to wear a face mask and are to remain in their cars until their allotted time. Bob’s urn will be interred at St. John’s Public Cemetery, 2878 St. John’s Drive, Jordan Station on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Private family Celebration of Life to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob to the Lincoln County Humane Society, War Amps or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, GRIMSBY, 905-945-2755. www.smithsfh.com
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Got a story to tell? Call News Now 289-235-9500
Congratulations Mom and Dad
Sincerely, Brent, Charlotta, Melanie, Ken, Melissa, Troy, Brandon, Chad and Trent CLOCK REPAIRS
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TREE CARE
Business Directory
To Advertise Please call
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perfect painting plus Residential Interior & Exterior Painting Drywall I Drywall Repair Taping I Trim I Doors Carpentry I Flooring Electrical I Plumbing Handyman Services
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anniversarIES
John & Joanne -50 Years
John and Joanne Smees of Grimsby, Ontario are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on August 21, 2020. They were married in 1970 at Grace Anglican Church, Hamilton, by the bride’s father (Rev.) J.W. Nowe. John and Joanne have two children: Gillian Smees (Danny) of Kitchener and Daniel (Beti) Smees of Grimsby. They have two grandchildren: Gabriella and Joseph Smees whom they adore and spend many fun days with in their retirement. They have enjoyed many years of travel, downhill skiing and sailing, especially exploring the extraordinary waters of Georgian Bay.
289-442-7388 tomsullivan123@bell.net
VEHICLES WANTED CARS, trucks, old farm machinery for scrap or repair. We pay cash. Flatbed service. 905-386-6181 or 289686-5059.
Wanted - Scrap Cars and Trucks Cash paid Same day pick up Lampman Salvage
Used Auto Parts For Sale
905-957-2193
To Advertise in the Classifieds Call 289-235-9500
SEAN D. HEELEY Barrister & Solicitor
SZPIECH, ELLIS, SKIBINSKI, SHIPTON
Wills, Family, Real Estate 107 Griffin Street South, Smithville, Ontario L0R 2A0
905-957-7898
414 Main St. East, Hamilton
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Leave It 2 Me Roofing & Painting
Frank Veldman
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286 Main Street W., Grimsby On L3M 1S4 Cell: 905.325.1266
Bathrooms Basements • Sheds Decks • Trim Work • Drywall
Stan Macievich
Blue Ribbon Painting
In business locally for over 25 years
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MERRITT
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Page 10 • News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020
100% Niagara owned & operated Our Team: Publisher - Mike Williscraft mike@wn3.ca 289-442-4244 General Manager - Catherine Bratton Reporter - Tristan Marks 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.
Fridays are for BBQ
Harry Huisman (Right) receives his dinner at Beamsville Legion’s barbecue last Friday as Colin Shout waits to place his order. The Legion is able to host outdoor dinners now that its patio is open once more. Marks - Photo
Region strikes right chord with transit So now, a resident of Jordan Station can call or use a new app to book a ride into town to meet friends for lunch, pick up an item or two, or head to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital to visit a friend...all for $3. Grimsby opted in for a small fraction of what the previously council seriously considered pulling the trigger on. Lincoln dissolved its test model in favour of this new version, too. And why not? Instead of building and maintaining bus stops and trying to adhere to a schedule of stops even when nobody is riding in the vehicle - actual bus or otherwise - now people call and get picked up at their door pretty much. It is a vastly superior level of service, responsive and much less waste. To go from nothing to this is great for Niagara West. Good things come to those who wait. Niagara West waited, largely, and allowed others to be guinea pigs. This proved a wise move to avoid potholes and taxpayers should appreciate that. M.W.
Council can’t blink on parking issue The impression which several members of Grimsby council had regarding the first major report to come to council from the new director of planning was 100 per cent accurate - all that was missing from the cheerleading was the pompoms. The report dealt with Homes By DeSantis’ Century Condo project which is proposed for the long-empty lot just east of the Judge & Jester pub downtown. There are many great aspects to the project, as I noted in a letter to council written last week on behalf of the Grimsby Downtown Improvement Area board, among them: • hundreds of jobs in the community over the span of construction; • the establishment of additional residential and commercial (more jobs) units in the core; • development charges and cash-in-lieu of parkland can both play a massive part in a potential transformation of downtown Grimsby in the next several years. The project has great merit, but is does need tweaks. I would lighten the density more to get the ratio inline with parking needs. for one. There were so many comments from many members of council which were anywhere 80-90 per cent accurate. It wasn’t out of deceit, rather, it seemed more they were misinformed. Coun. John Dunstall, saying he was “all about economic development”...that was just hilarious. He gushed of his love for this project as is, making me harken back to his “you guys are pioneers” comment when hearing a glowing biodigester report in 2018 when that whole thing was about $18 million in the red. Mayor Jeff Jordan, as meeting chair of course, did
MIKE WILLISCRAFT not comment a whole lot, but was also factual. On the matter of the report itself, there is no doubt, Coun. Dave Sharpe had his most on-point moments as an elected official, in his usual down-home manner. Sharpe called the report “cherry picking” as Antonietta Minichillo, Grimsby’s new director, planning, building & bylaw, seemed to highlight purely positive aspects when reviewing the project’s evolution. The elephant in the development room - that the Town owns a right of way through the land which is key to the whole thing moving forward in the first place was completely ignored On the report, Sharpe said, “It is really pro this development. We have to look at good and bad.” On density, Sharpe said, “We don’t need to tip the scale, we need to balance the scale.” On the Town-owned rightof-way, Sharpe said, “We are the bridge which makes this project possible... If we are expected to sell a portion of Town property, it has to come to something more than just planning merits.” Coun. Dorothy Bothwell was bang on questioning the plan to discuss parking concerns for the site as part of the in camera discussion. That certainly is a poor first
impression. “We should not be discussing these things in closed session. We should only deal with the legal aspects of this in closed session,” noted Bothwell. After some questioning, it was determined the proposal underservices parking by 10 spaces. Freake noted a reduction of residential units would allow for the ratio of parking to come in line with no change to the number of spots. Good thinking. And I’m not looking to spend Mr. DeSantis’s money, but... Another option would be a parking-in-lieu fee - along the line of what the Town has sought in the past. Back in the mid-90s, a prominent building in downtown was destroyed in a fire. After some thought, the business owner entered into discussions with the Town about developing an adjacent site. The problem was, the other site had serious limitations on parking. Even with cobbling together optional parking spaces within the allowable radius, the new site was still 10 spots short of what was required. The potential developer was made an offer, he could get approval for his project if he paid $25,000 in lieu of each parking space he was short. Now, to compare to today’s value, this was just after Town of Grimsby bought the land where the art gallery/library is now for $270,000 (if memory serves). That lot today, which spans right from Adelaide over to Carnegie Lane, would be worth $1 million easy today. So if council charged $100,000 per parking spot in lieu and used the proceeds to buy a new property to boost Town-owned parking then they would be in a position to allow the project to be short on parking.
CONDO
From Page 1 “I really want to see something built downtown. But I have a few problems with how this is being proposed.” Vardy cited the report applauding the project’s shift from eight- to four-storeys when “it could never have had eight. That is nonsense.” There was also considerable concern regarding Antonietta’s
News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020 • Page 11 plan to discuss parking concerns in closed session. “That is not the kind of conversation we should be having behind closed doors,” noted Vardy. “We don’t have enough parking downtown. We already know it is a problem. Why exacerbate a problem? If people cannot park downtown, why would anyone come downtown?”
Despite concerns, Councillors Kevin Ritchie and John Dunstall said the project should proceed as is. “I’m ok with it,” said Ritchie of the deficient parking outline, adding he is just happy to see a major project proposed for downtown. For Dunstall, who claimed he was “all about economic development”, he sees Century Condos as a starting point.
“I would like to think of this as the first of many. This is good. Let’s do it. I’m all for it,” said Dunstall. Council has set an Aug. 27 meeting ahead of the Aug. 30 deadline to make a desicion.
Garden City Realty Inc., Brokerage
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Grimsby Trillium Award recipients named (Editor’s note: the following is the remaining roster of Grimsby Garden Club 2020 Trillium Award winners: • 12 Heathcote Court Leanne & Kevin Wallace • 12 Hewitt Dr Sharon & John Bowler • 6 Highland Dr Lynn & Richard Jones • 14 Jacob’s Landing Lenore Zettel • 17 Kerman Ave P. Phelps • 322/324 Lake St Donna Cobbledick • 19 Lake St, #13 Jerry Farrell & Pierrette Robillard Farrell • 19 Lake St, #14 Diane Archibald • 59 Lakeview Ave • Joan Hill • 204 Livingston Ave Joel & Suzie Morris • 209 Livingston Ave Josephine Bono • 125 Main St E E. Pilato • 135 Main St W • Brenda Mater • 9 Mary Dr, #2 - Clint & Elaine Thompson • 23 McNab Dr - Nancy & Steve Bowen • 78 Morrison Cres A. McQuillan
• 23 Nelles Rd N Danyelle & Alec Lozecki • 11 Nelles Rd S - Sue & Bill Gemmill • 35 Orchard Parkway J. Fuller • 11 Parkwood Rd - Rebecca & Brian Schmidtt • 28 Parkwood Rd Joanne & Murray Clarke • 36 Parkwood Rd - Elizabeth & David Staples • 113 Peach Tree Lane Anna & Ted Wallace • 142 Peach Tree Lane Marilyn Potocic • 271 Ridge Rd W - Barb & Larry Gibson • 64 Roberts Rd • N Gaidola • 14 St Andrews Ave Adeline & Ian Finlay • 36 St Andrews Ave Sue Dodds • 5 Sunnylea Cres • Connie & Larry Kratofil • 6 Sunnylea Cres • Laurie-Ann & Tom Braun • 18 Sycamore Cres - Vi & William Blackwood • 21 Tamarack Court • Gail & Keith Penfold • 82 Terrace Dr • Walt & Janie Civiero • 87 Terrace Dr • Joe & Sharon Fisher • 91 Terrace Dr - Klaas & Anne Bokma
• 94 Terrace Dr • Leon Laskowski • 11 Tuer Ave - Tim • Moleski & Nancy Nolan • 29 Tunbridge Cres Josie Hull • 99 Vinifera Dr - Vanessa & Patrick Shaw • 472 Woolverton Rd Liza Fuller Trillium Recipients Non-residential Category • 295 Hunter Rd • John Deere • 88 Livingston Ave • Dr. Charles Daly and • Associates Dental Care • 147 Main St E - Cole’s Florist & Garden Centre • 275 Main St E • Evergreen Terrace • 372 Main St E • Grimsby Animal Hospital - Dr Suzi Peters • 22 Main St W • Casa Toscana • 41 Main St W back unit Darryl Allen Salon • 398 Maple Ave - Ed Sobkowich Greenhouses Circle of Excellence Award for Community Beautification Non-residential Category: • 20 John St - Niagara North Condo Association • 17 Main St E - The Judge and Jester
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Page 12 • News Now • Thursday, August 20, 2020
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