NewsNow E-Edition February 21 2019

> DSBN finalizes $8.7 million mega-high school land deal /Pg 5 > Alyssa Portolesi wins WLMH poster contest Pg 6 > World Day of Prayer at St. Andrews March 1 Pg 7 > Businesses can support McNally House Pg 9 Thursday, February 21, 2019 Vol. 8 Issue 40

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HHS open to job search tips

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow While Hamilton Health Sciences officials maintain no stone is being left unturned in the search to replenish West Lincoln Memorial Hospital’s

depleted operating room nurse roster, many disagree.

In last week’s edition of NewsNow, Rob MacIsaac, HHS’s president and CAO, claimed his team was doing everything possible to buck the

trend of a province-wide nursing shortage.

With no improvement in the dwindling staff, MacIsaac announced to staff Friday, Feb. 8, that WLMH would experience weekend closure

of the operating room service. The OR move necessitates the “redirection” of expecting moms to other HHS sites, which has yet to be determined.

See SEARCH, Page 2

Lincoln chamber hears:

Red tape, regulations hindrance to business

Packed house

Grimsby’s Peach King Arena was packed with fun seekers during Family Day activities on Monday. While hundreds took advantage of the free skate time, many stopped by the craft tables in the lobby to try their hands at various creations. Here, Ella Johnston, right, helps Leny Van Geest and Keira Eckert with their efforts. Williscraft - Photo

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow One of the largest crowds to take in a Niagara West chamber of commerce event ever heard a lot about the local job market and government spending last Friday.

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Politicians’ Breakfast with a crowd of 132 registrants turning out to hear MP Dean Allison, MPP Sam Oosterhoff, Mayor Sandra Easton and Reg. Coun. Rob Foster review various matters before their various levels of government.

While each touched on budget issues faced, all noted the benefit of a strong economy would help keep things moving.

To that end, Oosterhoff said the key to a strong economy is the removal of roadblocks to allow the business

sector to thrive.

During a recent round of discussions with local business operators, Oosterhoff said one attendee noted leaving Ontario for Ohio was like, “ leaving a torture chamber for a candy store”.

“Our goal is to cut regulations by 25 per cent over four years,” said Oosterhoff, who added that eliminating the provincial portion of income tax for those with an income under $30,000 adds $1,700 to each individual’s bank account.

While assuring those in attendance the regional government review demanded by Premier Doug Ford would be measured and fairminded in Niagara and across the province, Oosterhoff noted this government’s reduction of the deficit from $15 billion to $13.5 billion starts the process See JOBS, Page 3

Page 2 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019

SEARCH

From Page 1 MacIsaac said he believes this will have little impact on patient flow.

“I think moms will follow their physicians. I think the most important thing that an expectant mother wants is a physician that she likes and trusts, so this model will allow patients to stay with their physicians irrespective of where the baby gets delivered,” said MacIsaac.

“Our experience is, looking back over the last years, that the vast majority of deliveries occur between Monday and Friday. I think this has an impact but it will be relatively few moms who will end up traveling with their physician to another site to deliver their babies.”

However, residents, Citizen Action Committee members and even members of WLMH’s own staff don’t believe a word MacIsaac has uttered since he first announced last Oct. 22 that the aging Grimsby hospital would see a 27-month OR closure to allow for major renovations.

“When I met with Rob and board chair Julia Kamula I asked them if they have started an employee incentive program. They had not. Staff talk. They have classmates. They

meet people at conferences and seminars. It’s not rocket science,” said Action Committee co-chair Tony Joosse.

“They noted they have a $30,000 subsidy for moving expense for out of province applicants. I asked if they have anything for in-province applicants. They did not.”

Joosse confirmed Tuesday morning he got confirmation HHS has taken action on his two suggestions as of Saturday.

An email to Joosse from HHS director of HR operations & labour relations Taura Caroscio confirmed this.

“We can absolutely work with the candidate from Orillia to cover relocation expenses up to the 30K relocation bonus that is being offered,” wrote Caroscio, adding, “We are in the final stages of developing a referral bonus that is eligible to all employees for referring a successful OR RN candidate. The referral bonus will be $1,500 and the time commitment that the nurse will have to provide to the OR is a period of six months, at which time the bonus will be paid.

Promotion of the referral bonus will begin next week.”

While these two measures have just been initiated in the last week,

other steps remain foggy at best.

Joosse said he had someone contact him who attempted to navigate the HHS website to apply and could not find anything appropriate.

“This was someone who was internet savvy, and they simply could not find it,” said Joosse.

Caroscio acknowledged some changes are needed.

“Currently, our HHS page which has been featured in advertising speaks directly to the need for OR Nurses. There is still work to do with our postings page as we have several posting that are currently running across the organization however, to address the “one-click” experience as you mentioned we have had to drive all applicants to an individual posting at this time,” she wrote in response to Joosse’s inquiries.

Joosse said the skepticism relating to HHS’s efforts to fill the OR nurse staffing void going back to early 2018 has sparked new life in the community regarding attention to the plight of WLMH. “This nurse shortage has re-lit the fire within our West Niagara community,” said Joosse.

“Between calls and emails, I can’t respond quick enough.”

Another issue Joosse cited, which refutes MacIsaac’s claim that everything possible is being done was information he received Friday that HHS has not registered with Health Force Ontario (HFO).

HFO is a marketing and recruitment agency which supports the government’s health workforce objectives and contributes to the planning, recruitment, retention, transition, and distribution of health practitioners in Ontario.”

“Rob claimed HHS has shortages at other sites and services are also vulnerable at those locations, yet, neither WLMH or any HHS facility have been registered on the provincial recruiting site,” said Joosse, as of last Friday.

Despite these various examples from the last week, MacIsaac said last week, “We’re doing all we can to to try to keep our staffing levels up appropriately.”

For Joosse, he said the community cannot wait for HHS to take all appropriate action. He said he has been taking direct calls from potential applicants and he steers them to the proper channels.

He can be contacted at: tonyjoossewlmh@gmail.com

WLMH staff frustrated by pending closures

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow When NewsNow’s story about the weekend closures at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital hit West Niagara homes last week calls emails, texts and office visits went through the roof.

While the vast majority were from outraged readers, some calls came from WLMH staff who have had enough.

After the Oct. 22 announcement was made, staff were told not to speak to media about WLMH issues, but now many past and present staff feel compelled to address some of the issues due to the extreme circumstance which faces the community, patients and staff.

“I wanted to let you know that as far back as October we reached out to management expressing an interest in supporting our OR col-

leagues and their difficult call schedule. We requested cross-training to begin as soon as possible, as we predicted a crises in staffing was imminent,” said one nurse.

“Even now, our suggestion is being held up in bureaucratic limbo while they preach risk management, etc. They are offering $30,000 in relocation for out-ofprovince nurses, when they have a willing workforce right at their fingertips.”

It was noted by several staff, the offer for cross-training has been raised at several points since October, acknowledging there are union issues and other details which would need to be nailed down, but none insurmountable.

A former WLMH staffer, commenting on last week’s story, wrote, “I worked at (West Lin-

Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott, MPP Sam Oosterhoff and Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton worked the crowd at the WLMH rebuild announcement, but staff are conerned what things will look like if and when the community gets to that stage. Williscraft - Photo coln) in both the OR and OBS (obstetrics).

“The OR staff has been dwindling away for a long time and staff have either retired or moved on and not been replaced. Now, there is a panic situation. Ironically there is a big initiative to get OR nurses when there are a bunch

of nurses in OBS who can be trained to do C sections, which would keep weekends going so that OBS would not be turning away mothers,” noted the former staff member, adding all aspects of staff are affected including family doctors, midwives, obstetricians, general

practice doctors and anesthetists.

“Some of them already have C section training and, ironically, if a main OR staff member from the other sites is recruited it is likely they haven’t done a C section.”

Last week, HHS president and CAO reiterat-

ed this team is looking at all alternatives.

“We’re looking at a variety of strategies to try to get back to 24/7 coverage and I will be diligent in pursuing those but, as you know, the stubborn fact is we’ve got this national shortage, but we are committed to creating long-term viability for the site (WLMH),” said MacIsaac.

For another staffer, it has been apparent from the start HHS officials are not interested in crosstraining OBS nurses.

“The HHS just keeps shutting it down. They have said at a couple of points they would look into it, but nothing has happened. Staff are willing, management is not,” said the staff member.

“There seems to be an interest to divide staff instead of allowing us to come together to help solve this crisis.”

JOBS

From Page 1 of reducing the potential burden on future generations and helps “get the finances back on track.”

COMPETITIVENESS Allison also spoke of the need for competitiveness to drive the economy.

He said impediments such as shortages of skilled labour, regulation and red tape hinder business growth.

“Government needs to set the framework for industry and business can make things happen,” Allison told the crowd.

He noted tax cuts and regulation reductions in the U.S., courtesy of President Donald Trump, have created challenges.

“That puts us at a competitive disadvantage,” said Allison.

He noted Canada’s carbon tax of $20 per tonne, which is slat-

News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 3 ed to escalate to $50 per tonne in 2020 and could go as as high as $300, is a major hurdle with businesses in the U.S. having not carbon taxes.

“It has been suggested the tax go as high as $5,000. This is a cold climate where people have to heat their homes,” noted Allison, adding streamlining business costs will spur growth.

“There are 100 businesses here. If each hired 1-2 bodies we’d be in good shape. It’s all about competitiveness.”

RESPONSIVENESS Easton said there are a lot of things in motion at all levels of government with many good things in the offing for Lincoln.

“You’re constantly working with people of all levels,” Easton said.

The Town’s museum project, traffic patterns and flow as well as tourism initiatives are all part of the mix,

(L to R) MPP Dean Allison, Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton, Reg. Coun. Rob Foster, MPP Sam Oosterhoff and emcee Dave Brown addressed the crowd. Williscraft - Photo

she said, adding, “Tourism growth is great but it does not help having your community smell like pot.”

Regarding speeding motorists and a seeming inability of some drivers to stop at stop signs, Easton said drastic action may be required.

“If people refuse to stop at stop signs or do the speed limit, maybe we whould have some cameras around town,” Easton said.

She touched on the regional governance

review saying, if costreduction is a goal, reducing representation is not the way to go about it as “pay for politicians is not where the money is.”

As for the Lincoln economy, she said diversity is the key moving forward.

“Thirty per cent of all jobs in Lincoln are in the beer and wine industries,” noted Easton.

“There is plenty of future right here.”

While the Prudhomme’s Landing residential

development is a major project for the municipality, she said the rehabilitation of the Beamsville District Secondary School site is an “excellent opportunity”.

ECONOMIC REALITY Foster, noting his presentation at the Chamber breakfast was his first public speech since being elected last October, said some unfortunate realities have come to light at the regional level during the ongoing budget review.

“The water rate was

artificially low the last term,” said Foster, noting the forecast for water rates dictates five per increases will be required for 10 straight years to compensate for the lack or needed increases.

Overall, Foster said the current regional budget increase stands at 5.8 per cent, or $125 on an average assessed home of $380,000.

“I’m going to move away from that topic and on to a fun one, the NPCA,” joked Foster, to laughs from the crowd.

He was referring to the ongoing troubles of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

“There is a lot going on there. It seems like this has been three years of HR and legal issues.”

Foster said the new board is wading through those issues and, he believes, in the right direction but, with many of those issues sensitive, he did not comment further.

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IN THE

Its location will allow Niagara Student Transportation Services to keep bus ride times to a minimum. With 20 acres, the property will be able to support a bright, modern, and student-focused facility. It will also provide enough space for an athletic field and running track, as well as ample parking.

IN THE

“This was a longer process than had been anticipated. But we are excited to move forward with site preparation and planning for the new school,” said Barnett.

With the site work beginning shortly, the new school is expected to open its doors in September 2022.

With the purchase concluded, there are many exciting milestones to come.

“The DSBN will be working to establish community partnerships to enhance the school and provide students with even more opportunities to pursue their interests and support their success,” said Warren Hoshizaki, DSBN director of education.

Other important markers will include the design of the school, the beginning of construction, initiating the naming process, and the selection of school leadership.

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A new public high school in west Niagara is another step closer to becoming reality with the District School Board of Niagara finalizing the purchase for 20 acres of land at 5699 King St. in Beamsville.

The property is located just outside of the urban boundary in the Town of Lincoln.

The provincial government provided $8.7 million for the acquisition, which includes the purchase price as well as funding for soil remediation work the Board will undertake on the property.

Although the DSBN reached an agreement to purchase the property in 2018, the spring’s provincial election resulted in unforeseen delays in finalizing the purchase, which was contingent on receiving Ministry funding.

On Feb. 15, the Ontario Government confirmed it would fund the cost of land acquisition.

Board Chair Sue Barnett said everyone is relieved to get to this point.

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News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 5

Page 6 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 Grimsby Square Plaza

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And the winner is....

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News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 7

Jordan Station United hosts concert Mar 2 The Water is Life charity will host an intimate concert of songs and stories with Mark Lalama on Saturday, March 2 at Providence Church in Beamsville.

The concert is raising money to build a reservoir that will bring clean, fresh water to the village of El Rosalito in the Dominican Republic.

The charity is led by the Rev. Anita Spiller of Jordan Station United Church, who says people can enjoy a great event while helping with a good cause.

“It will be this beautiful intimate concert with this beautiful musician, but we’ll also be helping bring clean water to a community that desperately needs it,” said Rev. Spiller. “All people need to do to help is come see a concert.”

Lalama is a singer/ songwriter, musician and producer from Welland. Best known for selling out shows at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre with his monthly music series, Hear! Here! Niagara, Lalama is lending his talent to help Water is Life with their mission.

He said that it’s a “no brainer” for him to choose to help the people of El Rosalito.

“I just think on a human to human level, you can’t help but sympathize with people who need drinking water. It’s such a fundamental need,” said Lalama, adding the goal of this concert is to raise $10,000.

Tickets to the concert are $25. Those interested in purchasing tickets can call 905562-4454.

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Page 8 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019

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by combining your home and auto insurance.

Call, Click or Come in for a quote today.

St. Andrews Anglican Church in Grimsby will host a World Day of Prayer event March 1.

The event will start at 2 p.m.

St. Andrews officials are pleased to be hosting this year as 2019 marks the institution’s 225th anniversary of being in Grimsby and the 200th anniversary of the present day church.

Slovenia is the host country this year, having written the service to be shared in over 170 countries worldwide on the same day.

The theme is “Come everything is ready” based on Luke 14, verses 15-24.

Everyone is invited to attend this special event followed by Slovenian refreshments in the Parish Hall.

Kin mini-putt sold out

Save 40% up to

World Day of Prayer March 1 at St. Andrews

*

The Grimsby Kinsmen Club’s and NewsNow’s annual Greater Grimsby Mini-Putt event planned for March 10 sold out in just over 24 hours.

Registrations were full by dinner time Friday with 30 foursomes signing up.

PAUL LEWIS SETTIMI General Law Practice

PROUDLY SERVING NIAGARA WEST FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS paul@settimilaw.com

36 Main St. E., Suite 4 Grimsby, ON

289-235-7500 www.settimilaw.com

paperwork solutions plus Can help you manage your paperwork

• Personal Income Tax Preparation • Small Business Bookkeeping

Text: 905-975-8020

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Windmill Construction “Since 1986”

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Not all products available in all provinces. *Discounts vary. See your Insurance/Financial Advisor for details.

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News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 9

Businesses can rally to help McNally

By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow Local businesses are invited to join the Rally for McNally challenge to build strong compassionate networks and raise awareness of the community’s role in caring for those at end of life.

More than a fundraising venture, the unique project is taking compassion beyond the hospice and out into the community with the message that taking care of the dying is everyone’s business.

Getting involved with the first annual $50 Compassion Challenge is easy and rewarding for all participants. McNally House will give each business $50 seed money to launch fundraising ideas. From ‘guess the baby photo’ con-

McNally staff (L to R) Amanda Black, community engagement coordinator; Pamela Blackwood, executive director, and; Stephanie Nobles, special events assistant invite businesses to take the $50 challenge. tests to ‘bid for the how they can support boss’ auctions, there their customers, how are endless ideas to they support their emengage staff and build ployees and commuteamwork. nity members coming “The Compassion into their businesses.”

Challenge is all about Amanda Black, comrallying together,’ said munity engagement McNally House execu- coordinator, said it tive director Pamela also aligns closely Blackwood. “It’s hav- with the Grimsby hosing businesses look at pice’s work, as one of loss and grief through the first in Canada ina different sense of corporating the Com-

COMMUNITY INVITATION

passionate Communities Initiatives charter launched in the U.K., a template of social changes to create a compassionate community.

It’s about sharing and normalizing loss and grief. “Part of this initiative is supporting bringing that conversation to the businesses and all aspects of community life,” Black said.

The challenge will wrap up March 31.

Winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony and prizes given for the most creative fundraising idea, most team spirit and most profit generated.

For a list of fundraising ideas and registration forms call 905-309-4013, or visit www.rally4mcnally. com

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH (Grimsby)

Invites YOU to join our Sunday celebrations announcing the arrival of Rev. Donalee Williams on March 3rd, 2019 @ 10:30 am Every week during March and April a different musical group will perform.

Under the leadership of Music Coordinator Kimberly Hanmer, The Trinity Choir, The Resurrection Band, Sophia Trio, The Trinity Bell Ringers and others will perform in addition to WomEnchant

After serving 8 years in Ft. McMurray, Alberta Rev. Williams (a former candidate for United Church Moderator) is returning with her family to her Ontario roots. She was called to ministry after a 25 year career in the field of radio news broadcasting.

Her ministry in Alberta included service during the 2016 wildfire. The creed ‘We are not alone’ was instilled in her.

At Trinity United you will find you are not alone.

Open Minds • Open Hearts • Open Doors

100 Main Street West, Grimsby ON Phone: 905-945-2249 • Website: www.trinityunitedgrimsby.ca

Church school and Nursery services provided

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Page 10 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019

Butterball’s Express Catering Country catering at its finest!

eddings W are cialty e p S r u o Call 905-341-9916 to see how we can make your special day even more special!

For the Brides

Tips for choosing your wedding party Being asked to serve as a bridesmaid or groomsman is an honour. Some couples may be tempted to ask every friend, sibling or cousin they have to be in their wedding parties, and some do.

However, the larger the wedding party, the more people couples have to coordinate and the more personalities they must manage.

While large wedding parties are in style,

2nd Annual

Volunteer Pay Subscription Drive

Dear Reader,

Since opening our doors in May 2012 the staff here at NewsNow have done out utmost to serve the community to the absolute best our abilities.

This service takes many forms. We try to get every bit of important community information delivered to our readers’ doors.

We ensure we publish a connected, vital and highly readable community newspaper which engages readers and, thereby, ensures our advertisers’ information is also read. This helps guarantee a vigorous, local business community will continue to serve the our community in all the ways in which these retailers and service operators do.

In short, we offer a 100 per cent local publication which is responsive to any needs of the community.

Based on the excellent feedback from last year’s inaugural volunteer pay subscription drive, we are launching Year 2!

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.

If yes, we have set up an infrastructure to allow for a Volunteer Pay System Simply, this means, rain (or snow) or shine, you will always – each and every week – receive your copy of NewsNow. That will NOT change!!!!

However, in consulting other publishers who currently operate volunteer pay systems in other communities, we came up with a plan to give readers a chance to support NewsNow, which offers an incentive for their efforts.

We had many readers ask “Why so cheap?”, but we have left the suggested rates the same for Year 2:

Subscriptions: 3 Months - $10 suggested • One Year - $30 suggested We will back HST out of each payment to make things as simple as possible.

You can pay by cheque (bring into the office or mail), credit card (call Catherine at 289-235-9500) or e-transfer (send to: subscriptions@wn3.ca - make security answer - newsnow ) For more information, please do not hesitate to call, email or drop in. All inquiries are welcome!!

Thanks very much for your time and Happy New Year to all, Mike Williscraft Publisher

1 Mountain Street, Grimsby • 289-235-9500

there isn’t any onesize-fits-all formula to decide which size party is right for a particular situation. These tips can help couples decide on the size of their wedding parties. · Match it to scope and style. Wedding planners may use a standard ratio of one pair of wedding attendants for every 50 guests. This creates a balanced feel where the more people in attendance, the larger the wedding party and vice versa. · Consider your expenses. Wedding party members may be asked to spend considerable amounts of money to be in the wedding, but the couple will have certain expenses tied to the wedding party as well.

These can include limousines to ferry people between the ceremony and reception, photography costs to ar-

range and photograph large wedding parties, and extra mouths to feed at the rehearsal dinner. Small wedding parties can be easier on couples’ budgets. · Know your expectations. Couples should discuss what they expect from their wedding parties. For those who want a lot of input from their wedding parties, asking distant friends or family to be included may be impractical. · Select reliable, easygoing people. Wedding party members should be people couples can rely on, and it only helps if wedding party members are not prone to overreacting. Choose a wedding party that can be trusted and people with whom you get along.

Wedding party sizes are up to the couple, but bigger isn’t always better.

L ve Sweet L ve

Designer wedding cakes and desserts that taste as divine as they look.

Our custom cakes are available in a virtually endless variety of delicious flavour combinations. We also offer gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and sugar-free options to accommodate special dietary needs and preferances. Reserve your complimentary consultations and tasting today at 905-308-0331

Browse our cake gallery or at www.cakequeens.ca for ideas and inspiration!

Cakequeens.ca

80 Main Street West Grimsby 905-308-0331

News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 11

For the Brides

Live music for your wedding Booking a live band for a wedding or another special event can be a great idea.

Live musicians offer a level of excitement that may not be met by other musical options. But some couples may find the prospect of booking live entertainment a bit challenging, especially if they’ve never hired musicians for an event before. Here are some tips to make the process go smoothly. · Get recommenda-

tions. Just like you might before booking other vendors, seek advice from friends or family members who have recently gotten hitched or had live performers at their events. · Decide on when the musicians play. Live musicians can entertain guests throughout the ceremony and reception, but the longer musicians play, the more they’re likely to cost. Work with musicians to develop

a schedule that suits your budget. · Understand the fees. Musicians may have fees related to their agents, cartage (extra given to musicians who carry large equipment), mileage costs, travel time, and other factors that affect the overall price. · Be sure the venue fits. Live musicians are great but not if the space is too small.

Otherwise, the band might not have adequate space to set up.

Jennifer Parker - Wedding Officiant

Creating a ceremony tailored to your needs ELOPEMENTS • INTERFAITH • RENEWAL • COMMITMENT CEREMONIES (Respectful of any Beliefs and Values)

Let me help you make this celebration to your image!

Call for consultation: 289.214.7411 • withthisringweddingchaplain@gmail.com

Book Now for 2019!

SMITHVILLE

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4548 ONTARIO ST. BEAMSVILLE

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www.claysonsapparel.com

Choose a template from our album

(Album may be borrowed overnight with refundable deposit)

Page 12 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019

classifieds 289-235-9500 takin’ care of business sports business Please call News Now to place your Classified Ad In loving memory of

George Meikle

January 30, 1925 - February 22, 2016 gh

Time slips by and life goes on, But from our hearts you’ve never gone.

We think about you always, We talk about you too.

We have so many memories, But we wish we still had you.

OBITUARY

Smith, Floyd “Sonny”

Passed away at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, on Monday, February 18, 2019, in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Betty (nee Worozbyt). Loved father of Douglas Smith (Liz) and the late Karen Smith (2015).

Survived by sisters Audrey and Ruth, predeceased by two sisters and three brothers. Floyd will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews in Canada and the US. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Gathering will be held at STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, 11 Mountain Street, GRIMSBY (905-945-2755) on Friday, February 22nd from 6-9 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions to McNally House or GBF Community Services would be sincerely appreciated by the family. www.smithsfh.com

CARPET/FLOORING

HANDYMAN SERVICES

CARPETS - I have several thousand yards of new Stainmaster & 100% nylon carpet. Will do living & dining room for $389. Price includes carpet, pad & installation (25 sq. yds) Steve 905682-5320, 905-7771170; carpetdeals.ca

RUBBISH AND JUNK REMOVAL. Call Ken 905-957-5731.

DEBT

DEBT PROBLEMS? Know your options. Call Ralph Culp - Trustee in Bankruptcy. No charge consultation. 905-3095676. ralphculp.com

Full-time and part-time, daytime hours Catching and vaccinating poultry

Experienced home daycare provider has immediate availability for full time infant and toddler childcare

No experience necessary, we will train.

Face paced, hand-eye co-ordination needed.

Must have transportation to Grimsby.

Starting rate rate $18 $12 per per hour hour while training Starting training

Apply by email to: cicen@vaxxine.com

HOUSE FOR RENT Jordan Village, 3 bedroom house, ideal for professional couple, 5 km from QEW, 4 appliances. For further details email 3817jordan@gmail.com.

LOST & FOUND

FOUND: Pink suitcase along Mountain Street in Grimsby. Call to identify.

289-235-9500.

• KITCHEN HELP WANTED • COOK • DISHWASHER Willing to Train

Apply in person with resumé to:

30 Main Street West, Grimsby

SUPPORT GROUP CR - Celebrate Recovery, a Christ Centred 12 step Recovery Program for any Hurt, Hang-up, or Habit. Every Wednesday at 7pm. Confidential and Anonymous.

132 Lake St, Grimsby.

All welcome. Info: CR@ forestviewcommunitychurch.ca

VEHICLES WANTED

Wanted - Scrap Cars and Trucks Cash paid Same day pick up Lampman Salvage

Used Auto Parts For Sale

905-957-2193

ONline and OFFline Classifieds work!

You’re proving it RIGHT NOW just by reading this! Give us a call to place your ad 289-2359500.

To Advertise in the Classifieds Call 289-235-9500

APPLES & CIDER AVAILABLE

Kemp Rd.

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6654 Mud Street, East 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Closed on Sunday 905-945-2563

Business Directory 289-235-9500

Our Business Directory is an economical way to promote your business or service, call 289-235-9500

Tim Van Oosten

Home Renovations

Specializing in all Interior Home Reno’s Complete Basements & Bathrooms Painting • Ceramics Finish Trim •Drywall

www.timvanoosten.com 905-563-5904 C: 289-931-0465

Stan Macievich

Blue Ribbon Painting

In business locally for over 25 years

High Quality Craftsmanship expert residential painting

905-945-1543

WYRCIMAGA TREE SERVICE PROFESSIONAL TREE CARE

• Removal & Pruning • Stump Grinding • Hedge & Shrub Trimming • Complete Tree Care • Fully Insured

Leave It 2 Me Roofing & Painting

PHIL NIEMI

OWNER/CRAFTSMAN

Call for a Quote!

(289) 668-2728 leave.it@inbox.com

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

905-524-2454

Ron: 905.563.4593

WANTED CARS, trucks, old farm machinery for scrap or repair. We pay cash. Flatbed service.

905-386-6181 or 289686-5059.

PRODUCE FOR SALE

Grimsby Mountain Rd.

Betty, Terry, Kelly, Mallory & Ken

CLEANING

Poultry Technician

Bright Sparks Home Daycare 905-592-1708

Located with easy access to highway, fully fenced back garden, home cooked food and educational program.

gh

CLEANING SERVICE, available every other week. Very responsible. References. 905348-8610

HELP WANTED

Park Rd.

IN MEMORIUM

sheeley@sesslaw.ca

MERRITT

FUNERAL HOME 287 STATION ST., SMITHVILLE

Residential & Commercial Bonded and Insured Hamilton 905-745-9848 St. Catharines: 905-329-8929 www.rawdencleaningservice.com

“Serving Families For 4 Generations Since 1921” Director: Thomas C. Merritt CANADIAN - INDEPENDENT GROUP OF FUNERAL HOMES

905-957-7031

www.merritt-fh.com

905-325-1266

News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 13

We’re looking for

operating room nurses

Hamilton Health Sciences is offering up to $30,000 for moving expenses for out-of-province nurses.

To apply, go to: hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/or-nurses-wlmh

Page 14 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019

100% Niagara owned & operated Our Team: Publisher - Mike Williscraft mike@wn3.ca 289-442-4244 General Manager - Catherine Bratton Inside Sales Manager - Sheryl Hutton 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.

Thanks, Dad

Gideon Vanderkooy got a helping hand from dad Sean before they headed out for some free skate time at Grimsby Peach King Arena on Monday. The skate was part of Family Day activies planned by Grimsby’s Recreation Services team.

Oh, well...

Well, there was a small chance the new provincial government would pull the plug on District School Board of Niagara’s plan to create a super high school here in the Niagara West.

Funding for the land deal has been held up and there was a glimmer of hope it could dissolve, but DSBN confirmed this week the dough will come through and the deal is done.

The ship sailed on South Lincoln High, but seeing GSS and BDSS renovated and reinvigorated would have been great. It is realized that the Town of Lincoln is smacking its chops at the prospect of having an opportunity to do something with what will be the former BDSS site, but having a high school smack dab in the centre of a community is better for any community as a whole.

That said, funding for the build still needs to be committed. If you had a choice between funding for new high school or new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, which would you choose? M.W.

Many nurse search rocks left unturned It is very, very difficult to have any sympathy for the Hamilton Health Sciences team.

Precious little of what has been said by any members of the organization since their proposed 27-month closure of West Lincoln Memorial Hospital’s operating rooms holds any water.

HHS does not have an easy job but they are absolutely making things much harder on themselves and washing away any and all credibility with each passing week.

I am not going to review all the problems which have transpired over the last few months. If you have been following the bouncing ball, you have read all about them.

Without a doubt, the most pressing issue is this coming weekend’s pending closure of the operating rooms. This “temporary” measure, is said by HHS to be necessary due to staffing shortages with OR nurses.

That part is true. While in May 2018 there were 12 on the OR roster, after recently announced departures for retirement or transfer (many of which have been to other HHS sites) the complement is down to four.

When asked about this scenario last week, HHS president and CEO Rob MacIsaac said his organization is facing a daunting task due to a province and nation wide shortage of nurses.

That part also is true.

There is a nursing shortage.

But here is where the recruiting rubber does not hit the road.

When people read MacIsaac repeatedly claiming his team was doing all they could to fill nursing vacan-

MIKE WILLISCRAFT cies in an attempt to avoid the now-crisis-created OR weekend closure, not only did dozens feel the need to vent, but many decided - if HHS staff aren’t going to get anything done, they would.

Calls to friends and family went out; Facebook posts; people called and asked for PDFs of the story so they could send out to let contacts know the need is extreme.

While apparently many potential candidates have been connected with HHS and some have applied, this flurry of activity has revealed a great many problems with HHS contention of “doing all we can”.

Many of the problems are outlined in this week’s front page story. There are even more than that but with the holiday weekend in the mix I could not get all corroborated first-hand, so they will either wait or fade away should HHS somehow solve the issue and sidestep the pending weekend closure.

While there are roughly a half-dozen significant areas where HHS has either done a poor job (like its tricky website navigation) or no job at all (not registering with Health Force Ontario, for one) any one infraction could likely be overlooked and a free pass issued.

But when you look at the very simple bases - which anyone who has ever hired a single body could surmise - that were not touched over the last year or more, it really makes one wonder how anyone in the HR department could claim competence in doing their job.

Staff incentives for bringing in a personal contact for a job opening? Basic.

Moving expenses paid, not just for out-of-province, but in-province as well?

Basic.

I just don’t get it.

You can go back to the story and read the other issues but, as noted, for the head of the organization to claim in an interview and to the Ministry of Health they are “doing all we can” well, if that is all you can, there’s the door.

It really is that simple.

Can you get the job done, or does the community need to do the work.

And don’t misunderstand.

Niagara West, as a community, would absolutely jump up and do whatever was required to keep all services running smoothly at WLMH - just as the obstetrics nurses are willing to do with the cross-training, but that is another issue entirely.

This whole thing has been a debacle from the start.

In the last three months, inaction or inattention has taken what was an HHScreated crisis - with the 27-month OR closure plan - and thrown gas on the fire by not moving along any suggestions of the subcommittee working to find a work-around and many examples of sleeping at the switch when it comes to getting the OR staffing shortages filled in anything resembling an expeditious manner.

News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Page 15

WLMH state hinders hiring: writer Letter And, as everyone seems to acknowledge that there is a serious shortage of Operating Room (OR) Nurses at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (the reason MacIsaac has post-

ed for closing the WLMH OR on weekends) why is it so difficult to recruit OR Nurses to WLMH. If I may, I would like to offer the following possibilities: Mr. MacIsaac remains in his position (despite Minister Elliott saying recently

Don’t bet on rebuild: reader Dear Editor, Your recent articles on the current status of WLMH are great information to have. Thank you.

I wonder if a mistake was made hitching the WLMH wagon to Hamilton Health Services.

I attended a meeting a few years ago when MacIsaac and other HHS minions outlined the plans for WLMH. These plans made sense to me.

I’m not convinced that I can believe what he says now.

After all, he does

have a political background, as a former mayor of Burlington?

Frankly, if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t bet the farm on WLMH being rebuilt. Sad. Murray Cluff Beamsville

OR applicants would be wary Dear Editor, As for hiring nurses at the Grimsby Hospital, no one who needs their weekly pay cheque will apply.

The OR closure would likely mean a lay off for the newly hired as they have no seniority.

In the meantime the bills pile up because EI does not cover to-

day’s living expenses.

When finally back to work one has to play catch-up for a very long time.

Good luck trying to find a nurse who wants to take on the added stress and anxiety; whether she will be working the following day or not.

Erika Furney, Port Robinson

k n a h T ou!

Y

that the situation at HHS is “Fluid” - whatever that means) and makes the decisions he continues to make despite the vows by the minister, and the premier, that the rebuild of WLMH will happen.

Also, recruiting of OR nurses to WLMH faces a major obstacle: no career-oriented professional OR nurse in their right mind would agree to move home and family to work in an environment where there is no job security under the single-minded management of “Mr. Close WMLH” MacIsaac.

Why is MacIsaac and his cabal allowed to continue their sabotage of WLMH? Bud Hightower Grimsby

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Dear Editor, The ongoing saga of our WLMH leaves me wondering two things.

The first is why is Rob MacIsaac still in charge of HHS and making the negative impact decisions he has done, over and over with regard to our WLMH?

EMERALD AWARD

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Page 16 • News Now • Thursday, February 21, 2019

WINTER HOURS STARTING JANUARY 3, 2019 MON. TO SAT. 7 AM - 6 PM TILL APRIL 11, 2019 CLOSEd SUNdAY

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(Highland & Tapleytown Rd.) Hours: Mon/Tues/Wed. 7 am-6 pm Thurs: 7 am-6 pm • Fri. 7 am-6 pm Sat: 7 am-6 pm • Closed Sun

WE SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS!

PROdUCE: BUY FRESH, BUY LOCAL ASPARAGUS .............................. $299lb.

GREEN PEPPERS ......................... $149lb.

BLUEBERRIES 1 /2 Pint ............... $249ea.

SWEET NAVEL ORANGES ......... $129lb.

BROCCOLI ................................... $199ea.

SWEET GOLDEN

CHICKEN BREAST

2

$ 99

3 ea.

FAJITAMIX 1 kg. ......................................... $349ea.

BLUEBERRIES 1 kg................................... $679ea.

ROSEMARY WEDGES 5 lb. ..........$599ea.

PINEAPPLE... Cored $4.49 ea. .......

$

FISH:

FRESH BONELESS SKINLESS

99

/lb

6.60 KG.

99¢ $ 49 BASA FILLET 400 gram ................................ 3 FROZEN

IMITATION CRAB CHUCK 200 gram.......

FROZEN

BAKERY:

ea. ea.

169 299 399 125

$ BAGUETTE....................................................

STORE MADE DELICIOUS $ 5” BEEF PIE ................................................

STORE MADE DELICIOUS $ 5” CHICKEN PIE .......................................

STORE MADE $ ASS’T CUP CAKES .....................................

STORE BAKED

DELI:

ea ea ea ea

125 $ 52 ROAST TURKEY BREAST 100 gram ..... 2 $ 37 CHEddAR CHEESE 100 gram .................. 2 HIGHLAND

COOKEd HAM 100 CUDDY OVEN

FROZEN

gram ..........................

$

SALERNO MILD

CAFE:

FROZEN

CHICKEN SCHNITZEL, COLESLAW, $ RICE OR POTATOES ............................

FROZEN

FROZEN

CHICKEN PARMESAN $ WITH PASTA Serves 4 ...................

649

1699

ea.

ea.

STORE MADE

STUFFED PEPPERS

3

$ 49

lb.

BEEF OXTAIL FRESH HOT, MILd or HONEY

GARLIC SAUSAGE 6.60 kg.

2

$ 99

BONELESS BEEF

lb.

11.00 kg.

4

$ 99

BRISKET POINT.....

905-662-8396

HIGHLANDS NATURALLY SMOKEd

FRESH LEAN

GROUND VEAL lb.

$

8

$ 99

dUTCH SAUSAGE 8.80 kg.

3

99

MANY MORE IN-STORE SPECIALS

Specials effective Thursday, February 21st - Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

3

$ 99 lb.

lb.

lb.

BEEF RIBS

6

$ 99

lb.

OLIEBOLLEN

AND APPLE FRITTERS

EVERY SATURDAY FROM 11-3 PM

www.highlandcountrymarkets.com