> Niagara West vaccine clinics start roll out this week /Pg 3 > Beamsville K of C plan bottle drive Pg 4 > Pothole problems? Lincoln staff want to know Pg 7 > Letters: Readers have their say Pg 9&11 Thursday, March 25, 2021 Vol. 9 Issue 47
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After three swings
IC tosses out complaints on
conflict of interest By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Grimsby’s Integrity Commissioner (IC) tossed out two complaints and a third was withdrawn at Monday’s council meeting regarding a suggested conflict of interest with Coun. Reg Freake. In his presentation to council, investigator for ADR Chambers, the IC office for the Town, Michael Maynard noted the three complaints were to be included in one report due to the similarity of the claims made and rapid succession with which they were filed. One of the complainants was Coun. John Dunstall, following a pattern
of council-to-council IC complaints, which has made up the vast majority of cases to date. The contention in the complaints was that Freake was in a conflict of interest by voting on a proposed Main Street East heritage study when it came to a committee of the whole meeting. The findings of the IC were definitive. “It is concluded (that) Councillor Freake did not violate either the Code of the Conduct or the MCIA (Municipal Conflict of Interest Act) as alleged by the Complainants,” reads the report. “As there have been no See FINDINGS, Page 2
Council withdraws lawn sign threats By Mike Williscraft NewsNow It may be a temporary move, but Grimsby council referred the Town’s ongoing lawn sign matter to staff for a report on Monday and rescinded pending letters threatening further action if signs weren’t removed. Coun. Kevin Ritchie initially just wanted the matter referred, but Coun. Lianne Vardy had the motion amended to include relief
for residents facing further action. Noting a letter received from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Vardy called the Town’s bylaw “unconstitutional”. “We need to immediately cease any action on anyone that has a sign. I think it is inappropriate at this time,” said Vardy. Ritchie said residents should have permits for See SIGNS, Page 2
Super donors at the Superstore
Last Friday Niagara Regional Police (NRP) constables wrapped up the NRP Spring Food drive. Each day of the week, officers gathered food and money donations from customers of local grocery stores to benefit their local community organizations. On hand Friday to collect donations for GBF at the Real Canadian Superstore were (L-R) Cst. Tracey Rinaldo and Cst. Jay McCarthy. Over the five days that donations were accepted, more than 20,000 lbs. in food and $13,000 in cash and gift cards was received from across the region. Marks - Photo
West Lincoln council hopes to ditch flyer/litter mess By Tristan Marks NewsNow Litter along West Lincoln road sides has become an increasing issue, say members of township council. At Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting council reviewed several issues, including a spate of recent complaints about flyer/newspaper deliveries not getting into mailboxes and the wider issue of litter across the township. A motion was introduced by Coun. Jason Trombetta as a response to complaints that he had received from residents in Ward 1 that a large number of
flyer bags delivered ended up in the road or ditches. His motion proposed the following: • That, staff be and are hereby directed to contact those businesses that deliver weekly flyers and newspapers to homes in the rural area of West Lincoln; and, • That, these businesses and/ or their delivery people be requested to immediately stop using plastic bags to deliver flyers and/or newspapers at the end of driveways; and, • That, henceforth all flyers and/or newspapers delivered in the rural area of West Lin-
coln be placed in mailboxes only to reduce litter along rural roads. Jamie Wichartz, CEO of Deliveries Unlimited, the Smithville-based flyer delivery company contracted with delivering flyer bundles including for NewsNow, voiced his concern with the blanket nature of motion. “Whenever we can, we deliver directly to the mailbox,” Wichartz said. “However, there are instances in rural areas such as Wellandport, St. Ann’s and Grassie where a small portion DELIVERY, Page 5