> COVID-19 vaccination clinics set to roll out innoculations /Pg 5 > Golf, anyone? Disc golf that is Pg 4 > Administrative request sets off Grimsby councillor Pg 6 > Jordan museum “wait” almost over Pg 8 Thursday, March 18, 2021 Vol. 9 Issue 46
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Sign ‘ball’ back in resident’s court By Mike Williscraft NewsNow While those involved in council’s Grimsby 5 have bemoaned legal fees at several points, it appears they better reload the Town’s litigation coffers. On the heels of spending in excess of $8,000 for Coun. Randy Vaine’s complaint about phone calls Mayor Jeff Jordan made regarding confidential emails which found their way to the home of Coun. Kevin Ritchie, now the Town has escalated the ongoing advocacy lawn sign situation to another level. Main Street East resident John Smees arrived home last week to find a letter had been handdelivered by Henry Boese, Grimsby’s coordinator of municipal law enforcement and property standards.
The letter, states in part, that Smees’ sign, which reads, “Who speaks for the people of Ward 3?” be removed by March 19 under threat of “further action may be taken by the Town.” What started out as a citizen being concerned over his Ward 3 representation by Coun. John Dunstall and Vaine could now escalate to a Charter of Rights and Freedoms law suit. “I have had a lot of calls of support,” said Smees on Saturday. Smees used to have two signs on his lawn. While the council concern sign remains, his “Heritage not Condos” sign was destroyed by vandals. The situation started messy with Boese incorrectly reporting to town See SIGN, Page 3
Main Street East resident John Smees with his advocacy sign, which has been placed on his front lawn for about three months. The Town has threatened “further action” if not removed by Friday.
Region’s vaccine rollout a bumpy road By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Many are relieved to see vaccines going into arms and appointments being set as the battle against COVID-19 rages on. While Niagara’s health department announced locations for vaccine clinics around the region last week, a couple of clinic locations have left some scratching their heads. While Lincoln’s clinic will be at the Fleming Centre and West Lincoln’s will be at its community centre, Grimsby’s will be at the YMCA in the east end of town. Reg. Coun. Wayne Fertich tried repeatedly to get some details from Niagara’s medical officer of health, Dr. Mustafa Hirji, but information was at a premium.
Of concern to Fertich is the use of a facility not central to the community and the reasons for which he was told the decision was made. Fertich maintains either the Peach King Centre or Grimsby Activity Centre would have been far more suitable locations, central, lots of parking. “The YMCA is at the most eastern part of Grimsby and completely out the convenient part of Grimsby. This selection is extremely POOR and should not have been even considered,” Fertich wrote to Hirji in an email before the clinic locations were publicly announced. Fertich said in an interview that the PKC was the recommendation which the Town put forward. However, at some point, Hirji received different information than was provided to either Fertich or Mayor Jeff Jordan.
“Selection of vaccination sites has been based on many criteria which includes accessibility, but also the size of clinic we can offer (larger clinic means more people can get vaccinated more quickly), parking availability, and HVAC system (we need to carefully control temperature and humidity within narrow bands or the vaccine will become spoiled),” noted Hirji in an email to Fertich, adding his department worked with the Town’s Emergency Management Committee to arrive at a decision. However, Jordan, who chairs the committee, said the matter did not come up there. Further, Hirji provided information which was used to form a decision which was wholly erroneous, noted Fertich. While capacity was an issue, Hirji noted, “As well, CLINICS, Page 2