> Conservation areas could close due to illegal conduct, trash /Pg 4 > The “pies” have it at Lincoln Park Pg 6 > Niagara readies for Stage 3 COVID recovery Pg 7 > Cherries ready for pickin’ at Puddicombe Pg 8 Thursday, July 23, 2020 Vol. 9 Issue 13
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Grimsby councillor roasted by Integrity Commish Coun. Kevin Ritchie recommended for censure for “premeditated action...designed to malign and insult” By MIke Williscraft NewsNow Grimsby Integrity Commissioner (IC), Charles A. Harnick, had a lot to say at Monday’s council meeting, little of it favourable. Findings for a series of seven total IC complaints went before council, two were withdrawn. In two incidents, councillors Kevin Ritchie and Randy Vaine were found in breach of the Town’s Code of Conduct. A complaint by Coun. Reg Freake noted Ritchie’s statements in regard to Freake’s position on Grimsby Energy’s board of direc-
The text of tors were “disturbing and un- “This Council appears to Ritchie’s pretrustworthy”. be split on a five to four written motion This Harnick which was disnoted was un- basis on all contentious cussed Jan. 21 needed inflamin closed sesissues it has faced,” matory lansion read: Charles A. Harnick “One of the guage used by Ritchie under Integrity Commissioner most importhe ruse of a tant characterreview of hydro board appoint- istics when looking to appoint ments, but which, “In reality it individuals to any board as a was a motion to remove Coun- director is trust. Trust to do the cillor Freake from his position right thing and trust that the on the Grimsby Energy Board,” information is being provided to wrote Harnick in his July 20 de- the right individuals. In my opincision. ion over several occasions this
trust has been broken. Weather [sic] it is comments about getting 10 cents on the dollar or opening up Pandora’s box in relation to compensation, Council made a decision for compensation for the sale of biodigestor, yet Councillor Freake’s actions have been disturbing and untrustworthy in this regard. His decision making has created a trust issue and it is for these reasons that I am requesting this council to replace Councillor Freake with Councillor Sharpe.” The fact this was pre-written See INTEGRITY, Page 2
Grimsby
Whirlwind effort for Main St. change By Joanne McDonald NewsNow If area residents notice a lot of hustle and bustle in downtown Grimsby this Thursday that is thanks to a whirlwind of organizing to shift Main Street’s pedestrian walkway onto north side parking. The move will make space on the sidewalk for extended patios for the four restaurants along that stretch should they choose to use it - also giving retailers an opportunity to use the space in front of their shops for displays of their own. The move is seen as
very positive by Town officials, Grimsby’s Downtown Improvement Area board and merchants, but it was not without headaches to get to this point, said Mayor Jeff Jordan. “There have been issues and we are working on those but this is nothing but good news,” said Jordan. “We now have two, hopefully three of the restaurants will be using the sidewalk to add seating space and we are moving into Stage 3 of COVID-19 recovery on Friday, so timing is perfect and See PATIOS, Page 3
Final countdown
On the heels of its predecessors - Lincoln Square, Fiera & Centre Square - the ribbon was cut on the final phase of Homes By DeSantis’ major residential/commercial development in Beamsville, Centreville, last Thursday. On hand were: Front, (L to R) Homes By DeSantis president Gabe DeSantis, Mayor Sandra Easton and Coun. Paul MacPherson. Back: Sandra Veselisin, Amanda Bieksa, Eddie Soares and Billie Ventresca all of Homes By DeSantis. For more details on the event, turn to Page 5.