Tapping into local history
County to join mayors’ alliance to fight tariffs
By Fred Groves
In a coordinated strategy to fight the ongoing threat of tariffs from the United States, Essex County Council has decided to join the Border Mayors Alliance (BMA).
At last week’s county council meeting, it was decided that the seven mayors from the county will be part of the existing group that has, according to Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue, two separate groups, one in the western part of Canada and the other in the east which is currently chaired by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Prue said that he has been part of ongoing meetings in the past and thought it a good idea for the county,
and its mayors to have a seat at the table now.
“Going to these meetings is not just about protecting industries,” said Prue. “It’s about the life of the municipalities.”
Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb agreed that the mayors of Essex County need to be part of the alliance.
“I don’t think people fully understand – we are at war. These tariffs are designed to destroy our economy,” said Gibb.
The county decided it would go into its reserves to pay the annual $10,000 membership to the BMA and it could become a future budget item if the county continues to be part of it.
Continued on Page 10
County to review policing motions
By Ron Giofu
A pair of notices of motion were presented by Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue at Essex County council regarding the policing issue.
How far they go remain to be seen.
The first notice of motion noted the town’s current policing contract ends with Windsor Dec. 31, 2028 and the city decided it would not renew that contract. The notice of motion pointed out that most Essex County municipalities are policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Amherstburg town council is requesting “due consideration be given to options for policing that include a regional approach.”
The County of Essex is “uniquely positioned” to administer and deliver programs as an upper-tier municipality, the first Amherstburg notice of motion read, with the request for “options for traditional regional policing models” be explored for the county with something to be in place Jan. 1, 2029.
The second notice of motion from Amherstburg was largely similar to the first one, namely that the county is in a position to administer and deliver services on a regional basis.
Continued on Page 10
Lunaria Rousseau of Amherstburg (left) gets a lesson in tinsmithing from Park House Museum curator Kat Schryburt Saturday at the Maple Syrup Festival at John R. Park Homestead. The Park House were one of the vendors. For more, please turn to Page 3.
GIOFU
International Women's Day events held in Amherstburg and Windsor
By Noah Paquette and Ron Giofu
Local women from various professions gathered last week to discuss issues, challenges and triumphs they have had over their lives.
The first annual International Women’s Day event, the “Queens of Business,” was held at G.L. Heritage Brewing Company last Thursday night. The event was co-organized by Jen Desjardin-Grondin and Laura D’Alessandro, co-owners of G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. and the River Town Times respectively.
“It was our first and and we’re hoping to make it an annual event,” said D’Alessandro.
A total of 20 female business owners attended the invitation-only event. D’Alessandro said they focused on women from different demographics and life experiences, from business owners to entrepreneurs. They shared what they learned and what they hoped to accomplish.
There, the guests were able to network with each other, brainstorm and share their experiences in small
groups. Participants partnered up and were given the opportunity to talk and share information for ten minutes before moving on to another question.
The guests also listened to guest speaker Nancy Labombard, owner of LA’romatherapist. Labombard, a certified aromatherapist and aromatic massage therapist, shared ways for women to achieve a better work/life balance and promoted overall wellness.
The food at the event was provided by The Hub catering service and all proceeds were donated to Hiatus House.
The “Queens of Business” International Women’s Day in Amherstburg raised approximately $450 for the cause.
Hiatus House’s fundraising and development co-ordinator Maggie Durocher was also on hand to speak about the work her organization does and the goals they hope to achieve.
D’Alessandro said they wanted to involve small business and ensure women managing them stay connected. She added supporting local means supporting everything local.
“Whatever
In addition to the International Women’s Day becoming annual, there is the possibility there could be similar
events throughout the year. Women who attended last Thursday night agreed it shouldn’t be just a once-a-year thing.
“It should be something we do even more,” she said.
Continued on Page 7
business you have as a woman, we all often face the same challenges,” she said.
Women from numerous demographics attended the International Women's Day event last Thursday night at G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. in Amherstburg.
Maple Syrup Festival returns to area, enjoyed by those from Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu
The first weekend of the Maple Syrup Festival at John R. Park Homestead attracted people from around the area, including Amherstburg.
The festival is in its 42nd year, according to site curator Kris Ives, and the first weekend featured a lumberjack theme. Events included a moustache and beard contest, lumberjack and lumberjill
costume contest, axe throwing, taffee making, a market, a chance to try out stilts and more.
Ives said attendance was strong in the first weekend. The Homestead is operated by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).
“We’ve had people come from as far as Woodstock,” she said.
Sap evaporation, both pioneer and modern methods, were shown with trees at the site tapped as well. Food was also available for purchase on site.
“A lot of people come and spend the full day,” added Ives.
Ives added it is a sentimental event for many people, as a lot attend yearly. Others came for the first time, with Ives saying a family from Ukraine came and were excited to learn about maple syrup and how it is made. French-Canadians from Windsor-Essex County also attend, recalling processes of making syrup that they remember from when they were younger.
“A lot of families from the area attend year-after-year,” she added.
Among the vendors that attended the market were representatives from the Park House Museum in Amherstburg.
Curator Kat Schryburt and volunteers were on hand selling lanterns and other tinware, and helped people make their own decorations out of tin.
“It’s been going very well,” said Schryburt. “It’s very steady. It’s great (the Homestead) supports local vendors. We’ve always had a good relationship
between the two museums.”
John R. Park and Theodore Park were brothers, with the latter being for whom the Park House Museum is named.
“It’s always great when we can support each other,” she said.
The Park House Museum has its own events coming up, as they host a St. Patrick’s Day storytelling and music event this weekend. Storyteller Olwyn Coughlin will be on hand Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with music and soda bread to be part of the event. Schryburt said that space is limited and is almost full, though people can e-mail parkhousemuseum@gmail.com to reserve one of the spaces that are left.
The Park House Museum opens for the 2025 season this Wednesday, Schryburt added.
Kory Renaud, owner of Amherstburgbased Cerebral Escape Creations, was another of the vendors. He said attendance was fantastic and among the highest he has seen.
“I do it every year,” he said. “This year, there are a lot more people.”
The nice weather was likely one of the reasons for the good turnout, he believed.
The second and final weekend of the Maple Syrup Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The theme is “Tasters Weekend” where people will be able to sample baked goods, maple butter, maple sugar, various syrups and more. This weekend will also feature a butter tart contest, winter hikes, and “Tasters Row.” A Maple Market will also be on site.
Tickets are $8 for adults $6 for children
and seniors and $30 for a family. John R. Park Homestead is located at 915 County Road 50, just east of Colchester.
Kory Renaud of Amherstburg-based Cerebral Escape Creations was one of the vendors during the first weekend of the Maple Syrup Festival at John R. Park Homestead.
David Riberdy of Windsor tries his hand at axe throwing during the Maple Syrup Festival.
Xavier McNamara and Ann-Marie McNamara show their stilt skills last Saturday afternoon.
Ray, Ashley and Ray Jr. Harvey were among the crowd that made taffee last Saturday.
A few random thoughts, from elections to licenses
One election down and there could soon be another election soon?
The provincial election just concluded with Premier Doug Ford and his PC government returning to power, including the re-election of Anthony Leardi here in the riding of Essex.
Now, there are increasing rumblings there could be a federal election sooner rather than later. With Mark Carney assuming the top spot in the Liberal Party, talk is he could soon call an election.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind waiting for another one.
Regardless of what the polls say, who is in front, who is surging, who it would benefit and what strategy is behind the election call, I’d like to take some time without having to worry about an election.
Let things simmer down a bit and then call one, but maybe that’s just me. Maybe it’s because I’ve covered a bunch of elections now, but I don’t have the enthusiasm for one election call so soon after we just wrapped up
JUST A THOUGHT
Ron Giofu
a different one.
I am not saying this through any political lens nor does it have anything to do with any specific party, candidate or leader. I wouldn’t mind taking a bit of a break between elections, that’s all.
Of course, none of the folks involved will listen to me, nor should they. They are going to do what they think is best. I fully support democracy, getting involved in the political process, studying the real issues and voting. I will always advocate for people to vote in any election, regardless of the level of government. If you want to have a voice, do so at the ballot box. Just because I would prefer a little bit more time between elections doesn’t mean I think people should be less engaged –quite the opposite, actually.
At any rate, I’m sure we’ll have our
second election before we know it. There won’t be three, though, as the municipal election is not until next year.
Business licensing
The issue of business licensing will be returning soon to the town council table. I know it will be another hot button issue, as it has been when it came before council in the past.
While I understand the town wanting to manage risk and keep consumers safe and protected, I still see why business owners are concerned.
I’ve listened during the previous debates, but I keep coming back to businesses saying they are already inspected by other agencies. If the town feels that business licenses are necessary, there needs to be a compelling argument made as to what is being done and why. There have been explanations offered in the past, but I can see why there still is concern among business owners and managers.
I do recognize the town has streamlined the process and cut down on the
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
amount of licenses that businesses may need, so that is a good thing that they have listened in that regard.
An administrative report that appeared on the economic development committee agenda earlier this year stated “While health units or specific agencies may handle enforcement, the Town is tasked with maintaining public welfare and overseeing the implementation of policies that directly affect its residents. Without local oversight, there could be gaps in enforcement or areas where the broader entities may not have the resources to fully monitor every situation.”
Business owners counter they are inspected enough and pay enough fees for such inspections.
Small business is key to the health of any community and they have to be listened to and anything that may impact them has to be explained thoroughly. It can be tough for small businesses to navigate economic conditions, so any changes to their bottom line have to be proven to them they are necessary.
Hope of St. Joseph Shelter Inc. president gives thanks for recent support
The Hope of St. Joseph Shelter Inc. charity (supporting Father Donato’s good work with kids in Bukavu, DR Congo) held a sold out pasta/ salad fundraiser at the Amherstburg Columbus Community Hall on March 2.
A big thank you to all who attended, the Knights of Columbus volunteer chefs, donors of items to the
silent auction, desserts and pies.
Information concerning the safety of the children at the shelters and Father Donato’s health in the present war situation with the M23 rebels who have captured Bukavu was given to all attendees. Three new sponsorships were gained as a result of the dinner.
For more
—Larry Allen President Hope of St. Joseph Shelter Inc. Amherstburg
Make your voice heard in the upcoming federal election
Soon Canada will be having a federal election.
The choices will be difficult. For the last nine years I feel Canada has had weak leadership. Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have been plagued by numerous financial scandals and they have increased the federal workforce by 43 per cent.
Our profile on the world stage has greatly diminished and our armed forces have been seriously underfunded.
Canada’s infrastructure is crumbling and our national debt is out of control.
On Sunday the Liberal party elected a new leader. Time will tell if this helps or hurts their party. The Conservative Party is led by Pierre Poilievre. Prior to Donald J. Trump being elected in the U.S., the Conservative Party had a commanding lead in the polls.
To date we have heard a great deal about what the Conservative Party thinks is wrong with Canada, but they seem to be light on details about how they intend to fix Canada’s shortcomings, especially in light of the chaos happening in the U.S.
Something that I have found very uncomfortable, is that Mr. Poilievre has instructed his Conservative members to not make any public statements or publicly voice their opinions. The fact that they are complying with Mr. Poilievre’s instructions worries me even more.
I do not want MP’s that are just yes men/women. Look what is happening in the U.S. with the Republicans afraid to voice any disagreements with President Trump. We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship!
Unfortunately I know very little
about what the NDP are hoping to accomplish in the coming election. Will they settle for a distant third place or will they present a strategy to possibly help them gain more seats and a larger voice in parliament? Time will tell. Regardless of who you choose to vote for in the coming Canadian election, please make your voice heard and vote! The future of our country depends on it.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
• Letters must stay in the 250-350 word range please.
• We reserve the right to edit for spelling, grammar and length. We also reserve the right to edit for libel/slander concerns.
• We reserve the right to not publish letters that we view inflammatory, inaccurate or ‘rants’ against specific people, groups, religions, governments or ethnic organizations. Those rants are more suited to social media.
• We will gladly print letters commending specific
POLICY
people or organizations in the community, as we believe that this helps the community as a whole.
• Please sign your letters and provide a phone number for verification or questions if we need to reach out to you.
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•Letters in the River Town Times are the opinions of the letter writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the River Town Times ownership or staff.
—Bill Petruniak Amherstburg
Walker Aggregates’ McGregor quarry
earns Community Relations Award
By RTT Staff
An Amherstburg business won an award from a provincial organization that it is affiliated with.
It was announced by the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA) that Walker Aggregates’ McGregor Quarry has received the Community Relations Award from the OSSGA for what the provincial organization calls Walker Aggregates’ “strong commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement. The award recognizes leadership in promoting good neighbor relations, community involvement, education, and industry awareness.”
According to a news release from the OSSGA, the Walker Aggregates McGregor Quarry “prioritizes positive neighbour relations by controlling noise, dust, and traffic. Noise is minimized through seismograph monitoring, equipment covers, and tree berms, while dust is managed with regular watering,
brine application, and equipment covers.”
The OSSGA added that traffic safety is ensured with clear signs and monitoring. Neighbors are notified before blasts, and complaints are tracked for continuous improvement.
“It is an honour to be recognized by the industry for our commitment to the communities in which we live and work. Our mission at Walker is to support communities through what we do, how we do it, and by caring about our people, our neighbours and the environment,” said Ela Walsh, Walker Aggregates’ marketing manager, aggregates construction. “We are committed through a variety of touch points to stay connected with our neighbours to keep them well-informed of our operations and rehabilitation efforts. This gives us the opportunity to hear feedback firsthand, and shapes how we collectively work towards building a sustainable future, together as we proudly have for 138 years.”
The quarry also supports local initiatives through donations, event sponsorships, and a summer PLC event, the OSSGA press release stated. Regular communication is maintained through newsletters, a website, and direct engagement with residents.
“OSSGA remains committed to fostering excel lence among its members by promoting efficient operations, responsible land stewardship, and strong community engagement,” added OSSGA execu tive director Mike McSweeney. “The 2024 Industry Recognition Award winners have exemplified these core values, and we look forward to their continued leadership in the year ahead.”
Walker Aggregates states it has been recognized for five outstanding displays of community relations in 2024, across five of their sites including: Severn Quarry, Vineland Quarry, McGregor Quarry, Duntroon Quarry, and Sutherland Quarry.
Essex County decides to suspend housing program
By Fred Groves
The County of Essex is halting its Intensive Supportive Housing program.
County council was faced with two options as presented by administration as part of last Wednesday night’s meeting.
One would have seen a new contract with a provider while the other, which was ultimately decided upon, would cancel the program entirely.
According to director of legislative services David Sundin, moving forward would have cost the county $500,000 a year for the first year of a five-year contract and $650,000 per year for the following four years. Or $100 per day per diem which would have risen to $111 per day.
“This is significantly higher than the $60 per day the county receives for this program,” said Sundin.
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey brought forth the motion, which, upon lengthy discussion, was agreed upon which was to table any decision and work with the City of Windsor to see if they can get more funding.
“I agree with the other members of council that the province ought to be putting more money into these types of programs,” said Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb. “It shouldn’t be up to the municipalities to back what is essentially a provincial responsibility, but we all know that’s not going to happen.”
Gibb said that during the recent provincial election that many constituents wanted action when it comes to homelessness and mental health.
“Sure, it’s a lot of money but how much is it saving by keeping high needs individuals out of the hospital?” he asked.
Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYoung agreed with Bailey that more provincial funding is required and that a regional approach is the best
way to go.
“I believe in the power of positive thinking. We really need to hold the province accountable. The election is over,” said Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said that a few years ago, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andew Downie, who was recently re-elected, said that over $4 million was coming to the region for the program.
When McNamara asked Sundin if any of that had reached the county, Sundin’s reply was “no.”
McNamara and Gibb voted against Bailey’s motion to work together with the city to get more provincial funding.
LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche said that cancelling the program was not an easy decision and agreed that pressure to the province from both the county and the city was the way to go.
“I know administration has done a lot of work behind the scenes and will ensure these people are properly cared for and we can come up with the best solution,” said Meloche.
Warden Hilda MacDonald said the county did not have a lot of options and that continual conversations with the city are needed.
“The province has to start handing money out,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald went on to say that the situation was “heart-wrenching” and told her fellow county council members that which ever way they voted on the future of the program, there was no bad choice either way.
“However you vote, you are not right or wrong. We are trying to do the best we can with the options we are given,” said MacDonald.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said that lobbying the province was an option and commented, “as long as we continue to pay, they won’t.”
GIBSON GALLERY IS HIRING!
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SUBMITTED PHOTO
Walker Aggregates’ quarry in McGregor has been recognized by the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel (OSSGA) with the Community Relations Award.
ACOC holds AGM, reviews its previous year
By Ron Giofu
The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) held its annual general meeting last week and took a look back at its most recent year.
The meeting was held at the Hole in the Wall last Wednesday evening with the executive acclaimed for new terms and a review of what was done in 202425. The election of the executive saw Dan Gemus return as president while Ron Bondy is the vice president. Sarah Seguin remains as secretary while Rob Carr stays as the ACOC treasurer. Those terms end March 2028.
Directors that were elected last Wednesday night included Tammy Affleck, Brad Bondy, Jeremie Jones, Anna Marano, Wally McNeilly and Derek Roy.
“We have 123 paid members in
Amherstburg and Windsor-Essex County,” Gemus told the group. “We welcomed 13 new businesses since our last AGM.”
New businesses that joined include the Acai Shack, Allen Provost Professional Corporation, the Amherstburg Art Crawl, the Blonde Coach Bar, Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club, CKBG 107.9 FM, Hogarth Hermiston Severs LLP, Hotel STRY, the new ownership of Mealtime Express, Next Step Counselling, Old Town Pharmacy, Remax realtor RuthAnn Osborne and SD Family Dentistry.
Gemus outlined the events hosted over the past year, with those including a new member welcome, holiday networking events, grand openings with upcoming events including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
AGM and policy convention.
The ACOC is hosting the convention in partnership with Windsor and Leamington chambers, noted ACOC general manager Anne Creery. She acknowledged the bulk of the events will be in Windsor, but stated the area “could not be in a better location because of what is going on with Mr. Trump,” in reference to tariff threats from the U.S. president.
The 19th annual Business Excellence Awards were held last year at the McGregor Columbian Club, with this year’s awards banquet returning to that location May 8.
Creery added the ACOC will continue to monitor what is happening at the municipal level as well as provincial and federal levels as well. Municipal level issues the ACOC has provided input on is the business licensing issue, the transportation master plan and temporary encroachments for patios. Other issues at higher levels of government have included inter-provincial tariffs, policy resolutions with Windsor-Essex regarding matters like small business
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property tax subclasses and enhancing landlord-tenant relationships.
The local Chamber added it was involved in the OCC Ontario economic report survey and letters of support through Ontario and Canadian Chambers regarding CBSA and Canada Post strikes.
The ACOC touted membership programs such as Chamber group insurance, Elavon payment processing, member-to-member discount programs, online directory listing, social media support, grand opening and special event support and more.
Members were given the opportunity to to discuss issues and what they are up to, with House Youth Centre program director Morghan Shearon pointing out their recent Amherstburg’s Coldest Night of the Year initiative. She stated they are getting closer to their $50,000 goal. Other events The House has planned include a “Road Rally” in May, a cornhole tournament in June and their annual golf tournament in July.
“There’s a lot of ways to get involved with The House,” she said.
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Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) president Dan Gemus (standing) welcomes members to The Hole in the Wall for last Wednesday night’s annual general meeting.
Members of the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) applaud as the organization reviewed its 2024-25 year during last Wednesday night’s annual general meeting (AGM).
ERCA board of directors approves its 2025 final budget
By Ron Giofu
The board of directors with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) have approved its budget for 2025.
As part of ERCA’s most recent board meeting, the board of directors voted that the 2025 draft budget totalling $12,215,958 be approved as the 2025 final budget and that the board approve the municipal cost apportionment of $3,053,491, for mandatory programs and services (+2.8%, $82,403).
Further, the board of directors approve the municipal cost apportionment of$327,262, restricted to the seven unanimously supported Category 3 non-mandatory programs and services (3.2%, $10,000).
The ERCA board of directors accept the 2025 voluntary municipal contributions of $184,221 to the Category 3 Land Acquisition & Securement fund, and any additional voluntary contributions if directed by any nonparticipating member municipality, and included in its revised agreement with ERCA.
Budget highlights for the year that ERCA is pointing out include initiating management plans for the new Collavino Conservation Area in Amherstburg and the CASO Greenway trail, planting at least 50,000 trees and creating two new wetlands to improve habitat and biodiversity.
Water quality monitoring will continue at greenhouse-influenced streams and a region-wide nutrient reduction program will be
implemented, ERCA stated in a news release. Restoration of the historic horse barn at the John R. Park Homestead is anticipated, and the grand re-opening of the restored museum will be celebrated. A joint labour-management team will be engaged in a pay equity compliance review and the cloud migration of various information systems and data repositories will be completed early in the year, the conservation authority stated.
“The budget also reflects significant multi-year capital and water quality projects,” said ERCA CAO Tim Byrne. “Grants exceeding $15 million over four years will fund the Hillman Marsh coastal erosion and restoration project, two Detroit River erosion and wetland protection and creation projects, Kingsville-Leamington nutrient research study and region-wide water quality improvement incentives to rural landowners.”
ERCA’s press release further stated that historically, “the local investment of municipal cost apportionment and municipal special project funding has been matched dollar for dollar and significantly exceeded for some programs. Between 2018 and 2024, the Authority received municipal funds of $12.4 million for programs and projects that are categorized as non-mandatory under the Act. During that time, additional non-municipal funds of nearly $15 million were secured to support those very same initiatives.”
A recent report to the ERCA board outlining the 20-year investment in the
International Women’s Day events held
Continued from Page 2
“Our first annual gathering to honour International Women’s Day was extraordinary! Some really incredible women from various backgrounds gathered with the collective desire to listen, share, learn and grow. The room was filled with like-minded women eager to network and engage in interactive activities and, most importantly, meaningful discussion,” Desjardins-Grondin added. “The focus was on empowering each other by sharing experiences which reflect both challenges and resiliency.”
Desjardins-Grondin added their “insightful speakers shared incredible messages and advice we will carry into our work and personal lives.” She called last Thursday evening “both fun and powerful,” and said many of the women in attendance walked out as new friends and community collaborators.
“I was pleased to co-host this inaugural event with Laura D’Alessandro from River Town Times, as it fits perfectly with our focus at GL Heritage to bring people together for impactful and memorable experiences,” DesjardinsGrondin explained. “We are also grateful for generous donations from great Amherstburg businesses: The Hub Catering Co, The Point Wellness Spa, and LA’romatherapist. I am really looking forward to next year!”
For more information about the services that Hiatus House offers and how to donate, please visit their website at www.hiatushouse.com.
Another International Women’s Day event was held last Saturday night in
Clean Water/Green Spaces initiative has highlighted that since 2003, municipalities have contributed $14.8 million to finance the protection of vulnerable lands of ecological importance; the restoration of habitat and green spaces; and the improvement of water quality in the region. ERCA further stated that “over the two decades of this program, significant environmental progress has been made, and ERCA obtained an additional $15.2 million dollars in external funding, primarily from the Federal and Provincial Governments along with grants from non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.”
“As an integrated watershed management agency, ERCA’s service delivery areas have developed over decades, and include beneficial programs and services that support our collective goals related to ecological, social, and economic health,” added Byrne. “While the province has identified the core services it deems mandatory, ERCA has secured agreements with each of its nine member municipalities to ensure the suite of Category 3 non-mandatory services it offers to achieve a future of environmental sustainability, will continue to be delivered.” Some examples of these non-mandatory services include tree planting and restoration on nonconservation authority owned lands, education and outreach programs, museum operations at the John R. Park Homestead and water quality monitoring and reporting.
Organizers of the International Women’s Day event at G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. were brewery co-owner Jen Desjardins-Grondin (right) and Laura D’Alessandro of the River Town Times (left).
Windsor. That one was organized by Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) with it being a gala at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. The keynote speaker was Harriet Thornhill, a former RBC Executive, and Chancellor of Tyndale University.
Winners of the Journey Towards Success Awards were Erin Gouin (Phenomenal Woman Award), ES Consulting (New Partnership Award), Aruna Koushik (Sisterhood Award), Kristi Koutros (Youth Community Leadership Award), Kaitlyn Ellsworth (The Visionary Award), Maria Ford-Conliffe (Influencer Award), Herma Brown (Perseverance Award), Your Neighbourhood Credit Union (Daphne V. Clarke Trailblazer Award), Mike Hicks (DEI – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award) and AIS Technologies Group (Accelerate Action Award).
The theme for WEST’s gala last weekend was #AccelerateAction.
The total cost apportionment toward creating a future of environmental sustainability will increase only 30 cents per household, to $21.21, based on a home assessed at $300,000.
For those municipalities that have demonstrated leadership in signing Cost Apportioning Agreements that include a voluntary contribution to a land securement and protection fund, the total cost apportionment is $24.35.
Byrne pointed out at the meeting he was before the majority of municipal councils in the region speaking on the draft budget. The budget presentation to Amherstburg town council was Jan. 27.
Byrne praised ERCA’s chief financial officer (CFO)/director of finance and corporate services Shelley McMullen for her work on the budget, calling the 2.8 per cent figure “quite a feat.”
While Amherstburg had already agreed to fund its share of the nonmandatory Clean Water-Green Spaces initiative, other municipalities weren’t as quick to jump on board. After going around the region, Byrne reported progress in that regard with other Essex County municipalities.
“All municipalities in one way or another are contributing to nonmandatory Clean Water/Green Spaces,” he said.
Though ERCA’s budget votes are weighted based on cost apportionment and size of municipality, the board of directors voted unanimously during the meeting to approve this year’s budget.
Emergency training exercise starts later this week
By RTT Staff
The Town of Amherstburg is one of the municipalities and organizations taking part in a weeklong emergency preparedness training exercise starting March 14-21.
The town announced the exercise is in collaboration with the City of Windsor, Windsor Regional Hospital, the Town of Essex, the County of Essex, and provincial and international partners.
The initiative will simulate a coordinated response to a fictional nuclear event.
The participating municipalities, hospital and agencies involved in this exercise will be able to test response protocols, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and enhance emergency management skills in a controlled environment.
During the exercise, some training locations will experience temporary service interruptions, and certain sites will be closed to the public. In Amherstburg, that includes the Libro Centre, with the exception of Team Rehab. The Libro Centre will be closed next Monday through Wednesday (March 17-19) but the town says this will not affect business at Team Rehab.
Windsor Regional Hospital will be part of the exercise next Tuesday (March 18) but patient care is not expected to be impacted by it.
The Town of Essex is not anticipating any facilities or services will be impacted by the emergency preparedness training exercise.
Additionally, the public may encounter actors engaging with emergency personnel in a simulated emergency environment.
This joint international collaboration will provide emergency teams with a realistic opportunity to demonstrate their skills, refine strategies, and build essential partnerships in a safe training environment.
As a part of being prepared for a nuclear incident, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit encourages
those with Potassium Iodide pills (KI pills) to check the expiry dates. If your pills are close to expiring or you don’t have KI pills, please visit one of the distribution locations to replace them.
For information about KI Pill and the distribution locations, please visit wechu.org/KI.
“This exercise is essential to ensuring our emergency teams are fully prepared to protect our community in the event of a crisis. By working with our municipal, provincial, and international partners, we are reinforcing our emergency response capabilities and strengthening vital relationships that are critical in an actual emergency,” said Amherstburg fire chief Michael Mio.
Emily Bertram, Emergency Planning Officer and alternate community emergency management co-ordinator (CEMC) for the City of Windsor added: “This exercise plays a key role in preparing our municipal and emergency response teams for crisis situations. It has already provided, and will continue to offer, valuable opportunities for participating organizations to build stronger partnerships and improve response effectiveness.”
Essex fire chief Jason Pillon said ensuring the safety and well-being of the community is their top priority.
“This collaborative emergency preparedness training exercise will allow us to test our response capabilities in a controlled setting to ensure that we are prepared in the event of an emergency. By working together with regional and international partners, we strengthen our ability to effectively respond to emergencies and protect our residents,” said Pillon.
The municipalities also issued reminders that the public can sign up for emergency notifications online. Amherstburg Alerts is available at www.amherstburg.ca/alert. In Essex, residents can sign up at www.essex.ca/Alerts while those who live or work in Windsor can sign up at www.windsoralerts.ca.
Legion’s indoor yard sale
Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 was the site of an indoor yard sale earlier this month. The Amherstburg Legion was busy with both vendors and shoppers that turned out. Proceeds from space rentals and donated item sales benefitted the Legion.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
St. Patrick’s Day-themed events coming to Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu
Some St. Patrick’s Day-themed events are coming to Amherstburg before and on March 17.
The free entertainment series “Friday Night Live” comes back to the hall at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Amherstburg this Friday night. This is the first “Friday Night Live” since January, with this Friday’s entertainment offering some St. Patrick’s Day flavour.
Entertainment features Doc & The Rev (Terence Morris and his wife Rev. Shirley Carleton), Penny Anne Beaudoin, Johnny Mac (John MacDonald),
Dave Wilson, Irish Dance and Lauren Victoria (Lauren Baillargeon). It runs 7-9 p.m.
Donations are accepted and there will be refreshments for sale.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is located at 129 Simcoe St., at the corner of Bathurst St., in Amherstburg.
The Park House Museum will be hosting its own St. Patrick’s event, with that being held March 15. That Saturday afternoon event will feature storyteller Olwyn Coughlin, as well as music in the parlour. Those who attend will also be able to enjoy traditional soda bread baked on the hearth in the Park
House’s kitchen.
The Park House’s event starts at 2:30 p.m. Admission to the Park House will be by donation and everyone is welcome. Pre-registration is recommended and people can do that by e-mailing parkhousemuseum@ gmail.com or by calling 519-736-2511.
Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 is also continuing with its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The Legion will be hosting lunch and dinner Monday as part of St. Patrick’s Day. One of the main attractions will be Irish dancers Monday afternoon. For more information on the Legion’s festivities, call the branch at 519-736-4485.
Irish dancing will also be featured at the River Canard K of C with their St. Patrick’s Day festivities planned for March 15. That Saturday night event sees advance tickets required with tickets being available at the hall, located at 8965 Malden Road. Tickets are $20.
Kicks & Giggles
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
WORD SCRAMBLE
Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to agriculture.
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, you are in a leadership position this week, whether you realize it or not. Your confidence may inspire others to follow your lead. Just be sure not to micromanage.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, stability is important to you. This week you may find yourself craving a deeper connection. Explore the different types of relationships in your life and make a plan.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
This is an excellent week for networking and making new friends, Gemini. Just be careful of overcommitting, as it’s easy to fill up your plate with too much to handle.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, you might be craving an emotional connection this week. You may feel drawn to someone who shares your values and outlook. Pay attention to signs that may guide you.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Now is the perfect time to push forward with creative projects or ideas at work, Leo. You might receive recognition for your efforts, so don’t worry about the spotlight if it happens.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, Virgo. For too much time you have focused on the small details that are getting in the way of the bigger plan. A mentor might offer guidance.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, you and your partner might come up with plans to improve your living situation or finances this week. Collaboration is really the best way to tackle this.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, a transformation could take place this week. You might feel like stepping into a new version of yourself and figuring out the best path to personal growth.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
Stay focused on what matters most, Sagittarius. You will find that most things will fall into place. Prioritize your health and finances this week.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, with so much creativity flowing, you might want to express yourself through hobbies or an art project. Approach challenges in new ways and the solutions will come.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Aquarius, you might find yourself taking a step back at work to focus on personal matters. This doesn’t mean you are slacking off. It just means you need to shift priorities for a bit.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
Avoid any miscommunications by expressing yourself clearly and concisely, Pisces. Focus on strengthening your communication and connection with others in the days to come.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
MARCH 9 - Oscar Isaac, Actor (46)
MARCH 10 - Bad Bunny, Rapper (31)
MARCH 11 - Lisa Loeb, Singer (57)
MARCH 12 - James Taylor, Singer (77)
MARCH 13 - Annabeth Gish, Actress (54)
MARCH 14 - Simone Biles, Gymnast (28)
MARCH 15 Kellan Lutz, Actor (40)
BMA would be like a special committee
Continued from Page 1
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy agreed that it was necessary, however she wanted the county to have the ability to designate someone to go to the meetings if the mayor of the municipality so desired.
“I think it is important that the Windsor-Essex voice include the mayors of our local municipalities,” said county CAO Sandra Zwiers.
In presenting the concept to county councillors, Zwiers noted that the region is unique when compared to the rest of the province when it comes to the impact tariffs could have on the economy.
“We have been living under the threats of tariffs for months and on Tuesday (March 4) we woke to the reality of a trade war,” said Zwiers at the March 5 meeting.
Zwiers added the longevity of the BMA is not known and it would operate like a special committee. There was some discussion whether or not the county should be paying for the membership or whether it should come from the individual municipalities.
“I think it is important we all have a voice but I think we need to be sure all the mayors want a voice,” said LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said joining the alliance was a good idea and that a consistent message was required. He also noted that Invest Windsor-Essex, which recently had its county funded restored to previous levels, was acting as an advocate for the region.
“We have to fight for our jobs. We have to fight for our region,” said McNamara.
Two notices of motion made by Prue
Continued from Page 1
The latter notice of motion, read into the record by Prue, added “there is a recognized interest” in preserving local control and service levels “while enjoying the economies of scale and cost effectiveness of centralized control of policing activities.”
The second notice of motion stated municipalities may approach such an endeavor on different time scales.
The second request called for the county to work with local municipalities to explore a collaborative approach to county-wide policing in the longterm. A police board, command and corporate structure would be held at the
county level and “local communities are provided with options for flexible service delivery models for local service delivery needs and pricing.”
The second notice of motion would allow for municipalities to opt out if they have other ways to police their communities “and the cost borne for the command and corporate structures are levied equally amongst all signatories, with pricing for specific service delivery within each community being wholly the responsibility of the host community.”
As it is a notice of motion, it was not debated last week but Prue hoped reports and debate will be brought back “at a reasonably future date.”
Admirals drop first two games of semi-final to Lakeshore
By Ron Giofu
It hasn’t been the start to the PJHL Stobbs Division semi-final that the Amherstburg Admirals were hoping for.
The Admirals dropped the first two games of the best-of-seven series to the defending division and Schmalz Cup champion Lakeshore Canadiens by a combined score of 11-1 over the weekend. They looked to flip the momentum Tuesday night in Game 3 in Lakeshore, after this issue of the RTT went to press.
Game 1 was played last Friday night at the Atlas Tube Centre in Lakeshore with the Canadiens winning 6-1. Despite outshooting the Canadiens 16-8 in the first period, Amherstburg trailed 3-1 after the first 20 minutes. Lakeshore took a 2-0 lead before a Rory Sandison powerplay goal pulled the Admirals within
one.
The Canadiens would add one more goal in the first period, two more in the second period and one early in the third period to round out the scoring. The Admirals ended up with 31 shots on the night with Lakeshore having 23.
Marco Sladoje had a hat trick for the Canadiens while Nicolas Rosati scored a pair. Eric Bisson also scored for Lakeshore.
Game 2 was held Saturday night at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg and while it was a close game early, Lakeshore pulled away and won 5-0.
The two teams were tied at zero after the opening 20 minutes, with the Canadiens holding a 10-7 shot advantage, but Lakeshore scored twice in the second period and outshot Amherstburg 22-7 in the middle frame. The third period saw Amherstburg surrender three more goals.
Thursday night in Amherstburg.
Total shots in Saturday night’s game were 43 for Lakeshore and 24 for Amherstburg.
The Canadiens had five different goal scorers in Game 2 with Rosati, Sladoje, Bryce Scarlett, Bisson and Evan Fenech hitting the scoresheet.
Admirals head coach Zack Gervais was not happy with his team’s effort after Game 2, believing they can play much better.
“Not enough compete from our team,” said Gervais. “Not enough effort.”
Gervais acknowledged Lakeshore is a good team with a lot of skill, but said the Admirals should be putting forth a better performance.
“We have to work harder,” he said Saturday night. “I expect more from them in Game 3.”
The Admirals came off a come-frombehind series victory in seven games over the Wheatley Sharks in the PJHL
Stobbs Division quarterfinal, but Gervais said that series should have been put behind them and they should have been ready for Lakeshore and the fact they are in the semi-finals.
“I expected our guys to turn the page. We have to compete better,” he said.
“It’s just a mindset.”
The Admirals have to be “more in their face” against Lakeshore the rest of the series. He said there were points in Game 1 where they played well but they have to play hard for 60 minutes every night.
After Tuesday’s Game 3, the Admirals return to the Libro Centre Thursday night for Game 4 with the faceoff being at 7:30 p.m.
If necessary, Game 5 will be Friday night in Lakeshore at 7 p.m. and Game 6 will be Sunday at 6 p.m. in Amherstburg. Should a Game 7 be needed, it is scheduled for March 18 in Lakeshore at 7 p.m.
Admirals coaches win Stobbs Division “Coaching Staff of the Year” award
Head coach Zack Gervais and his staff capture the honour
By Ron Giofu
Those who serve behind the bench with the Amherstburg Admirals have captured an award.
The coaches with the local Jr. C hockey club were named the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) West Stobbs Division Coaching Staff of the Year. The announcement came last Friday.
The staff is made up of head coach Zack Gervais and assistant coaches A.J. Ryan, Justin Toth and Glen Gervais.
Zack Gervais started the season as an assistant coach but was elevated to head coach last November
after former head coach Beau Hunter was let go. Toth and Ryan were added to the staff when Gervais became head coach.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Gervais, after Game 2 of the PJHL Stobbs Division semi-final series.
Gervais gave credit to those around him, including all the coaches and others within the Admirals’ organization.
“You can’t do this without the players,” said Gervais. “Management did a great job of getting the players here. It’s a great accomplishment.”
Gervais said he found out about the Stobbs Division Coaching Staff of the Year honour through a screenshot sent to him and the other coaches from general manager Andrew Sykes. He added all within the organization share in the award, including the trainer, equipment staff and more.
“It’s got a lot to do with the players in the room,” said Gervais. “You can’t accomplish this without the players.”
Amherstburg’s Cole Vaillancourt walks out from behind the net to get a scoring chance in the third period of Friday night’s 6-1 loss in Lakeshore (left). Finnigan Russett gets pokechecked by Canadiens goalie Boe Piroski during Lakeshore’s 5-0 win Saturday night at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. The Admirals played in Game 3 of the series Tuesday night in Lakeshore after this issue went to press. Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is
The coaching staff for the Amherstburg Admirals learned last week they were named “Coaching Staff of the Year” for the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Stobbs Division. They include (from left) assistant coach Justin Toth, head coach Zack Gervais and assistant coach A.J. Ryan. Not pictured is Glen Gervais.
Community Calendar
MONDAY, MARCH 10-FRIDAY, MARCH 14
MARCH BREAK AT BRYERSWOOD; Bryerswood Youth Camp hosting March Break camps every weekday during March Break. Monday’s theme is board games, Tuesday features TV game shows, Wednesday is active games, Thursday is games from the past and Friday is video games. Cost is $40 per day, register at www.bryerswood.com. Camp is located at 6480 Texas Road.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
SOLDIER FOR A DAY; Held at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada, 100 Laird Ave. from 1-4 p.m. Fees are $31.50 per child and includes adult admission. Secure your spot by emailing fortmalden@pc.gc.ca. Registration is required and space is limited. This special recruitment for children aged 6-12 accompanied by an adult will have you experience cooking over an open fire, painting a model soldier to take home, a scavenger hunt, and witnessing a musket firing demonstration!
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE; Free entertainment series being presented at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (129 Simcoe St., at Bathurst St.) in Amherstburg. Featuring Doc & The Rev, Penny Anne Beaudoin, Johnny Mac, Dave Wilson, Irish Dance and Lauren Victoria. Runs 7-9 p.m. Donations accepted, refreshments for sale.
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
ST. PATRICK’S DAY STORYTELLING & MUSIC; Being held at the Park House Museum, 214 Dalhousie St., starting at 2:30 p.m. Storyteller Olwyn Coughlin will be on hand in the parlour with live music also to be held. Traditional soda bread, baked on the hearth in the historic kitchen, also being served. Admission by donation, all are welcome! Pre-registration is recommended, please e-mail parkhousemuseum@gmail.com or call 519-736-2511.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20
SONGFEST #3; Being held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 11 Concession 3 North (at Alma St.) in Amherstburg. Runs from 2-4 p.m. If you love to sing, we will be singing favorite hymns and gospel songs very informally with coffee/tea and light refreshments. Come for the singing and fellowship. Help us “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
SUNDAY, MARCH 23
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
FISH FRY; Will be held at the Columbus Community Hall, 190 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. Hosted by the Good Friday Procession group of St. John the Baptist Church. Runs from 4:306:30 p.m. Choice of fish or chicken dinner. 50/50 draw that evening as well. Of note, all you “Bingo goers”, double your fun and luck by coming out to support night before (Thurs., March 27).
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
CORNHOLE FOR EASTER SEALS; Presented by the Rotary Club of Amherstburg at the McGregor Columbian Club, 9560 Walker Road. Proceeds to support Easter Seals in Windsor-Essex County. Fifty per cent payout on prizes. Doors open at 11 a.m., starts at 12 noon. Cost is $60 for a team of two. Register your team with ScoreHolio at https://bit.ly/EasterSealsCornhole2025. Contact rotaryclubofamherstburg@gmail.com for more information.
ONGOING
MENTAL HEALTH & COUNSELLING SERVICES; The Youth Wellness Hubs Windsor-Essex presenting mental health and counselling services at The House Youth Centre. Runs every Thursday from 2-6 p.m. Free for people between the ages of 12-15. The House is located at 320 Richmond St. (Amherstburg Community Hub). For details, call 519-800-8640.
AMHERSTBURG’S COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
DONATIONS; Despite the walk having concluded, donations are still welcome until March 31. Monetary contributions to www.cnoy. org/amherstburg will benefit The House Youth Centre.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED; The Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission needs volunteers to clean, wash dishes and provide maintenance. Cleaners are required Monday-Friday from 2-4 p.m. to mop floors and to clean bathrooms, countertops, tables, carts, etc. Dishwashers are needed Monday-Friday 1-3 p.m. to wash dishes, pots and pans. Maintenance people are needed Monday-Saturday as needed for maintenance of the building. Commitment is one day or more per week, on a regular basis. If interested or for more info, send e-mail to aburgmission@yahoo. com.
TRIVIA NIGHT; Presented by the Marsh Historical Collection at Shooters Roadhouse. Located at 17 Sandwich St. North. Cost is $25 per team. Starts at 7 p.m. This month’s theme is miscellaneous. Contact Meg to register by calling 519-736-9191 or e-mailing research@marshcollection.org.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP; Lighthouse Church is offering “Griefshare,” a 13-week support group meeting every Tuesday. Runs through April 29 from 1-2:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Church. For info or to register, please call 519-962-9525. Lighthouse Church is located at 266 King St. (entrance off Gore St.).
ROTARY CLUB OF AMHERSTBURG MEETINGS; Rotary meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. New members welcome. For info, e-mail rotaryclubofamherstburg@ gmail.com or call Susanne at 519-990-2775.
QUILT GUILD MEETINGS; The Erie Shores Quilt Guild wants to cordially invite guests/new members to attend our monthly meeting held every third Tuesday at St. John’s hall, 1782 Oriole Park, North Woodslee at 7 p.m. Our purpose is to promote and encourage the art of quilting in Essex County. 519-726-5869
K OF C RIVER CANARD EVENTS; Charity bingo every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Chicken or rib dinner first Friday of every month. Eat-in/take-out. Call before Friday to order call 519-7348575. Dinner from 4:30-6 p.m. Hall located at 8965 Malden Road. St. Patrick’s Day fundraising dinner March 15 $20 per person. Irish dancers, band. Advance tickets required. Tickets available at the hall now.
COLUMBUS COMMUNITY HALL EVENTS; The Columbus Community Hall at 190 Richmond St. still has bingos every Thursday night and fish fries (with chicken as well) on Friday nights. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the evening. Sr. Parties start back up in September.
SERVICE TIME CHANGE; Christ Anglican Church, 317 Ramsay St., has changed the times of their Sunday service. There is now one service, starting at 11 a.m. All are welcome.
FREE COMMUNITY MEALS; Lighthouse Church, in conjunction with Feeding Windsor, invites the public to come every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for a free dinner. Everyone welcome. No registration required. Lighthouse Church is also showing “The Chosen” every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., after the meal. Free to attend, everyone welcome. Church is located at 266 King St. in Amherstburg (entrance off of Gore St.).
AMHERSTBURG RESIDENTS FORUM; Group welcomes residents seeking solutions to town hall to join them the last Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the union hall on Pickering.
GOLDEN AGE CLUB; The Golden Age Club, Amherstburg’s friendship club, located at 179 Victoria St. S., offers social activities five days a week, $10 a year to join. There are over 160 members who play euchre, pepper, bingo, cribbage, mahjong and bridge and line dance. Club crochets mats from milk bags for those in need. We also have three special luncheons and a Christmas party. You pick which activities you want to participate in. Visit www.goldenagecentre.ca to see how to participate.
FOUNDERS CLUB; Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) seeks donors to join the “Founders Club.” Donors with gifts of $5,000 and over become “Founders Club” members and have one square of camp property sponsored in their name. Multiple squares available. Tax receipts provided. For info, visit www.bryerswood.com, call 519-996-7364 or e-mail info@ bryerswood.com. New volunteers for camp also welcome!
MISSION HOURS; The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, 298 Victoria St. S., open from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with free lunch between 12-1 p.m. Mission food bank open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. For info,
MEALS ON WHEELS; Offered by Amherstburg Community Services (ACS). Meals on Wheels helps those who are unable to shop for food and cook meals. Also available to those recovering from illness or surgery. Healthy and affordable meals provided to residents of Amherstburg, Harrow, McGregor and LaSalle. ACS caters to dietary needs, meals comes with soup, bread, main course, dessert. Cost $8 per meal. Call 519-736-5471 for details.
Amherstburg town council gets reminder on Essex County Library services
By Ron Giofu
Members of the Essex County Library were at Amherstburg town council recently to give an overview over what has been happening locally and within the entire system.
Essex County Library CEO Adam Craig was joined by library board chair Joe Bachetti, the county’s deputy warden and deputy mayor of Tecumseh, as well as Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, the vice chair of the board.
Bachetti said they were at town
council to promote the board’s strategic plan and that “the libraries are more than books.”
“Before coming to the town hall, I stopped at your library and the parking lot was full. I walked inside, it was packed. We’re talking Monday night at 6 p.m. and all ages were in there,” said Bachetti.
Craig said 2024 “was a banner year for the library.” He said there was a 62 per cent increase system-wide in program attendance.
“It’s remarkable,” he said, crediting
the work of the staff. “I think it highlights that people across the county still love their library.”
In Amherstburg, there was a 12 per cent increase in program attendance from 2023 to 2024. A total of 218 programs were delivered by staff in 2024 with 4,700 coming in just for programming.
“I think our staff here deserves a lot of credit for that,” he said.
A lot work was also put into the library board’s strategic plan, he added. The mission statement is “the Essex County
Library is a space of discovery for all at the heart of our communities” with the vision statement being: “The Essex County Library strives to be a trusted community partner, enriching the lives of residents by providing responsive services and creating connections to information, entertainment, and knowledge. As a cornerstone of our county, the Library fosters engagement and lifelong learning through spaces and services that evolve to meet needs of the community.”
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DOG GROOMING
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“ARE YOU SAVED?”
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3-BEDROOM UPPER DUPLEX FOR RENT IN AMHERSTBURG, Very clean, well maintained, approximately 1200 sq. ft. Upper-Duplex in quiet neighbourhood on Queen Street. Open-concept Living-Room and DiningArea with Cathedral-Ceiling. Carpet and Ceramic-Tile throughout. Open-concept Kitchen with Island includes: Fridge, Stove and Dishwasher. Includes: In Apartment Laundry-Room with Washer and Dryer Provided. 3 Bedrooms with lots of Closet-Space. 4-Piece Bathroom. Central Forced-Air Conditioning and High-Efficiency Gas Furnace. Includes Private Driveway for Parking One Vehicle. No Smoking. Private access to Your Own Deck, within shared Rear-Yard. $2,125 Monthly, which Includes Utilities. Minimum 1-year Lease. Apply with: References, Income-Verification and Credit Checks. First and Last Months Rent Required. By Appointment Only, call 519-736-4473 between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and leave a detailed message.
RENOVATIONS & REPAIRS
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IN MEMORIAM
Colleen Renaud
I thought of you today, But that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories And your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake From which I’ll never part. God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.
Lovingly Missed by Bud Renaud & family
December 4, 1947 -March 12 , 2024 So Special So Loved So Warmly Remmbered Forever in our hearts
July 6, 1953 - March 14 2024 In Loving Memory
Duncan, Jason, Tiffany, Kyle, Robyn Jeremy, Lindsey & Logan Carol Anne Fregoe
Amherstburg resident wins OCAA West Division Player of the Year
By Ron Giofu
An Amherstburg athlete is doing big things on the volleyball court at the collegiate level.
Geneva Huisman was named a West Division First Team All Star and Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West Division Player of the Year following her season as part of the St. Clair College Saints women’s volleyball team. As the Player of the Year, Huisman will also be recognized as a CCAA All Canadian at the CCAA National Championship. She said she was surprised with the accolades she received.
“I was really shocked when I found out that I was an All-Canadian and West player of the year,” she said. “It was one of my goals this year to achieve the first team all-star again, but I was so grateful to achieve much more than that! I was so surprised, but really honored and grateful. I got a text from one of my teammates saying congratulations, and I was so surprised I didn’t believe her for a minute.”
Huisman, a graduate of Maranatha Christian Academy, said being the OCAA West Division Player of the Year and an All- Canadian ranks high on her list of accomplishments.
“Being an All-Canadian was something that I thought would be so cool to achieve, but I didn’t know how realistic that goal was. It was definitely an honour to be recognized alongside other amazing, talented female athletes all around Canada,” she said.
The Saints managed to earn a silver medal at the provincials. Huisman is one of the Amherstburg players on the team, as Afften Essenpreis is also on
the St. Clair women’s team. Essenpreis is a graduate of North Star High School. Lillian Mereszak, another North Star graduate, committed to the program last year.
“It was an amazing season for myself and as a team. We got all the way to the gold medal match, which is a major accomplishment in St. Clair history,” said Huisman. “We worked really hard all season and kept on getting better and stronger as a team. We continued
always working hard through all our practices, and had to push through a couple of challenging games as a team.”
Huisman said it is “an amazing accomplishment” to finish their season as provincial silver medalists.
“We were really aiming for the gold medal during the last game, but unfortunately we fell short of achieving that goal. I am still so happy with how the season played out; it was the furthest we have made it in many years so that alone was a major accomplishment.”
Huisman is in her third year at St. Clair College and has been playing volleyball since she was in Grade 6.
“I started playing travel volleyball in Grade 9. Since then, I’ve learned so much and gained so much love for the sport,” she said. “Playing volleyball has taught me how to be hardworking, problem solve, be a good teammate, and how to push through exhaustion and difficult situations. Volleyball allows me to stay active and be a part of a team and motivates me to work hard in other areas of my life as well. I have made so many friendships throughout my years of playing, and I always have so much fun at practice and games because of my amazing teammates.”
Noting she plans on staying active in volleyball either playing or watching the sport, Huisman offered many thanks to those who have supported her along the way.
“I would like to thank my teammates for being amazing friends and always being there for me on and off the court. I would like to thank my coaches for sharing their love and knowledge for the sport of volleyball with me,” she stated. “I would like to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and being there for me at all my games and cheering me on.”
Activities at Amherstburg library update for town council
Continued from Page 13
Craig said “we need to make our branches dynamic, welcoming places for people to gather. They need to be modern, they need to be functional and safe. He added they want to develop stronger partnerships with schools, local businesses and community organizations. They also want to host library events in underserved areas, expanding adult and digital literacy programs, partner with local experts and institutions to provide free learning opportunities, expand digital access through loaning of devices, Wi-Fi hot spots and accessible online resources.
The Essex County Library also wants to redesign physical spaces to create welcoming, flexible branches that are accessible and modern. There is also a goal to facilitate community-led initiatives by providing space and support for activities that promote civic engagement.
Councillor Don McArthur said upgrading branches to make them modern may present challenges in Amherstburg, where the town has a beautiful building but one that is older and not as accessible.
Craig called the local library “an incredibly welcoming space” but noted “it’s a 110-year-old plus building. There’s a lot of history there. The staff goes a long way
to make it welcoming.”
Challenges are logistical and operational in Amherstburg, he said. Craig speculated programming numbers could be higher with a more modern space, stating caps have to be put in place “because after a certain point it becomes unmanageable.”
Programming is on two floors with older architecture and equipment, he noted. At newer libraries, there are dedicated spaces strictly for community and library programming.
The system-wide increase in programming is due to a lot of both staff and drop-in programming, Craig added. He said, in response to a question from Councillor Linden Crain, that the library system is trying new things.
“The creativity of our staff has a lot to do with our success,” he said.
The public is responsive and engaged in what the library is doing, Craig added.
Crain said it starts with the readers in the schools, and asked about satellite locations in Amherstburg such as ACS or other sites, for additional space. Craig said they want to branch out further into the community with the first steps being to get out there more.
Councillor Molly Allaire said she is a proud user of the library but pointed out
the elevator goes out “quite often.”
Craig said the elevator issues happen more often than they would like, and “that is unfortunate because of the layout of the library.”
The local library is 3,200 square feet but over two floors, “you’re really running two separate facilities at that point.”
Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, another member of the library board, encouraged people to use the library, adding there are no additional costs.
SPECIAL TO THE RTT
Geneva Huisman of Amherstburg was recently named OCAA West Division Player of the Year. The honour also means the local volleyball player is recognzed as a CCNA All-Canadian.
MARCH
active at the Libro with Drop-In Activities Skating for all ages, Yoga (All abilities) and Turf Tots amherstburg.ca/beactive
Stay up to date with what’s happening in Amherstburg!
Sun 23
Bench & Tree Commemorations are now being accepted amherstburg.ca/ commemorative or call 519-736-5712 -Special Council MeetingStatutory Planning Town Hall 5pm -Regular Council Meeting Town Hall 6pm
19 The Libro Centre will be closed the 17, 18 & 19th Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Town Hall 5pm Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Town Hall 5p
Par ticipants will take home a printable that includes a combination of feet facts, reflex points, and exercises introduced during the workshop
