The Voice of Pelham, November 8 2017

The Voice THE PAPER THAT PELHAM READS

DEBBIE PINE

SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 SELL phone: 905-321-2261

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

R EMEMB RANCE DAY I SS U E

Vol.21. No.32

FREE

Wednesday November 8, 2017

Larry “BILKO” Bilkszto Your Local Sales Rep.

LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL?

Since 1989, “BILKO” has been working overtime assisting clients with all of their Real Estate needs.

Call today and put “BILKO” to work for you!

905-563-3330 • 905-641-1110 WWW.BILKO.CA BILKO@RGCMAIL.COM

RE/MAX®

GARDEN CITY REALTY INC., BROKERAGE

Councillor Marv Junkin quits

Cites “unethical and dishonest” path taken by Pelham Town Council in alleged cover-up of $17 million dollar debt shortfall

After resigning his seat, Marv Junkin rounds the Council table on his way out of Chambers on Monday evening.

BY DAVE BURKET

The VOICE

On Monday evening, Ward 1 Councillor Marvin Junkin resigned his seat on Pelham Town Council. In a move that took the rest of Council and the gallery by surprise, Junkin stood up shortly after the meeting began to deliver a short statement.

“As Council continues

down a path that I feel is increasingly unethical and dishonest, I have no choice but to resign my position effective immediately,” he said, before walking over to Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato and handing her his letter of resignation. Junkin immediately left Council chambers, leaving a visibly incredulous Mayor Augustyn and five

Speaking Monday afternoon, Mayor Augustyn offers assurances that Town finances are healthy remaining councillors in silence.

Junkin’s resignation did not come as a surprise to the Voice.

Last week, the soon-tobe-former councillor spoke to the paper in a interview that covered a range of issues, most notably an in

camera council meeting held on September 5, the day after Labour Day. It was this meeting—and council’s reaction to information received in it—that proved the trigger for Junkin’s departure.

Last Thursday, Junkin filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario, asserting that Pelham Council’s decision to hold its Sep-

DEBBIE PINE

tember 5 meeting in camera violated open governance laws.

Linda Williamson, Director of Communications for the Ombudsman’s office, would neither confirm nor deny that an investigation into the September 5 meeting was underway, citing OntarSee RESIGNED back page

NIAGARA REAL ESTATE CENTER, Brokerage 1815 Merritville, Hwy 1 FONTHILL, ON

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

905.892.0222

NIAGARA / FONTHILL, ON Cremation/Burial

VOICE PHOTO

debbiepine@royallepage.ca SELL phone: 905-321-2261

We can help you get your ducks in a row

James L. Pedlar Funeral Home (905) 892-5762

Our family serving your family

Page 2

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Dial for dope

IN THE NEWS

In July, police say that members of the St. Catharines Street Crime Unit initiated an investigation into the sale of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl powder. This investigation centred on a group of individuals believed to be both street-level drug dealers and suppliers of cocaine and heroin mixed with fentanyl within St. Catharines.

Investigation revealed that this group was actively involved in selling these

All in good time There will be plenty of opportunity in the next weeks and months to uncover the full story of Pelham Town Council’s apparent and ill-conceived attempt to keep secret from their constituents the plain truth of the Town’s financial predicament. No doubt multiple fingers will point, excuses and rationales will be offered, and bin-loads of blame will be dished out left and right. Who knew what, and when, yet still did nothing about it.

We may never know whether Town staff who grew concerned in years past over what they found in the Town’s books and observed in the Town’s practices might have helped avert this outcome—had their concerns come to light earlier. Instead, honourable people, incredibly, found themselves outcast and largely silenced for trying to do the right thing.

As cynical as we have all become of late regarding politics and public policy (though was it ever any different?), it is still unpleasant when such doubts are confirmed. Even hardened cynics can be disappointed when life churns out an event that corroborates their lowered expectations.

So I have nothing humorous here.

No jokes, no wisecracks.

It’s not a happy day, for anyone.

I will say, however, that in these weeks and months to come, the Voice will do its best to continue reporting on this and other events that directly impact our lives in Pelham, as fairly and as completely as possible.

qr

Voice on vacation!

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

themselves available at all times of day and night, say police, and as a result, the investigation was dubbed “Project 365.”

During the early morning of Thursday November 2, members of the St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls Street Crime Units as well as the NRPS Intelligence Unit, 8 District Detective Office, Morality Unit, Guns, Gangs and Grows Unit, Opioid Enforcement Unit, Emer-

drugs, using various cell phone numbers and working as an organized team of mobile drug dealers as a “dial for dope”-style service.

These persons made

See IN THE NEWS Page 16

CASH FOR FISH The Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada has received a $5000 donation from Enbridge to assist with their work in protecting and restoring Twelve Mile Creek.

Herb Shields of Enbridge (centre) presents the cheque to Niagara Chapter Chair, Dennis Edell and Vice Chair Valerie Grabove on the banks of the stream near its headwaters in Pelham.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Congratulations

CARRIER

OF THE WEEK! Nao

Carlier FONTHILL

Hwy 20, Fonthill

905-892-8690

Find the Voice at these locations:

(905) 892-2570

Bakery, Deli, Hot meals

If your message to Pelham isn’t in our pages,

Then it isn’t being seen.

The Voice

office@thevoiceofpelham.ca

FALL FLING—BOOKING 2018 and 2019

The paper that Pelham reads.

Drinks, shore trips, gratuities—we've got it! Guest lecture series—we've got it!

Solo Travelers River Cruise—we've got it! Christmas markets on the Rhine—we've got it!

Elephants, lions, whales, penguins. Make it real!

20 years Anniversary! Dreams become reality.

You'll be amazed where we can send you...

(905) 892-8690 advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Remember you are TICO protected when booking with us.

Leaders in Travel Planning since 1997!

905.892.7900

www.niagara.cruiseholidays.com 1400 Pelham St., Fonthill Book Local TICO Reg 4559761

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

DEBBIE PINE

SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 SELL phone: 905-321-2261

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

Vol.20 No.48

CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

111 Hwy. 20 E., Unit 5, Fonthill 905-892-9054 www.healthycupboard.ca

Debbie Pine

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

Get

Pined -Sol Pelham’sPelham’s Health Food Store

Food 111Health Hwy. 20 E., Unit Store 5, Fonthill 111 Hwy. 20 E., Unit 5, Fonthill 905-892-9054 www.healthycupboard.ca

905-892-9054

Debbie Pine

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

Visit Us on Facebook FREE

905-892-9054

www.healthycupboard.ca

SALES REPRESENTATIVE pinesold.com

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm ◆ Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm Sat 9:30-5:00pm

New Location Coming Soon!

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

The Comfort Maple myth

Vol.20 No.39

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

FREE

Oops: No fire trucks for you

Haist Street traffic-calming measure a little too effective

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm • Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm • Sat 9:30-5:00pm

www.healthycupboard.ca

SALES REPRESENTATIVE pinesold.com

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm ◆ Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm Sat 9:30-5:00pm

New Location Coming Soon!

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

Column Six

Growing up British

Vol.20 No.32

Wednesday October 12, 2016

FREE

Apple Day comes to Fonthill

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

BALLOONING INTEREST Grade 6 student Jinja Shepherd explains her experiment on static electricity at the Glynn A. Green Public School's annual science fair last Friday. See story, page 3.

NATE SMELLE PHOTO

Public meeting tonight on school issues

BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick.

Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, confirms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-

Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN officials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation.

DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be

“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently confirm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime.

Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting.

“We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page

HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin.

My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries.

Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town.

This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation.

On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque.

“This tree looks dead,” I said to my father.

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

BY VOICE STAFF

A construction error was discovered following the opening of a traffic calming chicane on Haist Street north of Hwy 20 last Monday that prevented large vehicles from passing through.

One resident living in the neighbourhood said he contacted the Town after seeing a small schoolbus get stuck as it tried to get through the new traffic calming measure. Later that day while driving behind a cement truck, he said that he became concerned for the public’s safety when the truck had to turn around because it couldn’t get through.

“If a small school bus and a cement truck can’t make it through what about a fire

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

Repair measures underway last week to correct a construction error in the chicane. truck or an ambulance?” he said.

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

the mistake, the Town has taken measures to temporarily allow passage for vehicles through the neigh-

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

Manager of Public Works Ryan Cook said that after discovering the issue with

the chicane the morning it first opened, the Town See CHICANE Page 5

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Representatives from the Pelham Summerfest committee Candy Ashbee and Bill Gibson presented council with a final report on the 2016 Summerfest at the Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.

Prompted by a story in the Voice in August about a merchant petition to move Summerfest from Pelham Street, in September Town staff met with various stakeholders to hear their complaints, promising at the time that changes in the way Summerfest was mounted would be con-

sidered.

The main concerns identified during the community engagement process were security, parking, ensuring customer can access all businesses in town, and liability for damages. How to get all Pelham Street businesses to participate and finding ways to make it beneficial for them to set up a booth were also determined to be of high priority for the committee as they plan for next year’s event.

Gibson told Council that the committee is addressing these concerns in a variety of ways. To improve parking, they intend to create bet-

ter signage for out-of-town visitors to designated parking areas and shuttle services. To make participation in Summerfest more enticing to local businesses, they plan to implement a tiered-charge for booths. Under the new system, Pelham Street business owners will be charged the least, other local businesses will pay a slightly higher fee, and vendors from outside Pelham will pay the most. In response to more specific issues for individual businesses, they will also slightly alter the footprint of the event and make adjustments to security.

Another way the committee plans

Debbie

Get

to improve the 2017 Summerfest is by sponsoring and working with the organizers of the Thursday Night Bandshell Concert series to select the artist performing on the first night of Summefest. They also intend to make more use of the smartphone app they launched in 2016.

"We are really going to push it this year," Ashbee said.

“It really helps to get people to see what events there are so they can plan out where they are going.

We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses adSee CHANGES Page 5

FTER LUNCH ON Saturday, Mum and Dad had my afternoon cut out for me. Mum had more brass than anyone I knew, and it had to be cleaned. In addition there was the set of silver fish-knives and forks which were never used, but which had to be cleaned and put back in their velvetlined box.

Next was a walk to the newsagents to pay for the daily delivery of the Daily Mirror. As I said, Dad was a printer, but when he was 37 he had been rejected for a job, as being too old, by the printers of the Beano.

For that reason, my favourite comic was not allowed in the house, but while I was paying the papers, the newsagent let me have a 'shoofty' at the Beano. I'd explained my predicament and he understood completely.

Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Full service. Full-time Realtor.

Your Fonthill real estate connection.

BY VOICE STAFF

While shopping in Fonthill between Friday and Sunday, keep an eye out for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in front of local stores with bushels of apples.

As part of the annual Apple Day campaign, Scouting youth of all ages will be trading apples for donations.

The yearly fundraising drive is an important way for young Scouts to connect with the communities they are serving, says Leah Marie of Scouts Canada.

“The Apple Day campaign holds a great tradition of being able to have youth interacting within the communities they live in,” she says. “All of the Apple Day donations stay directly within the group that re-

The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and well-rounded individuals

ceives them, enabling youth to have experiences that build character, challenge them, and allow them to try new things. The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and wellrounded individuals, better prepared for success. Apple Day helps to achieve that.”

“Any money raised during Apple Day goes towards improving the Scouting program by providing more outdoor adventures for youth, camping equipment, canoes and paddles, training and many other endeavours that the youth want to experience,” says Marie.

Scouts Canada has some 100,000 members across Canada, and carries out programs for boys, girls

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

19 Council meeting as part of a delegation from EL Crossley Secondary School, students Abby Loewen and Neenah Williams presented Council with a list of reasons that they should immediately approve the construction of the new sidewalk proposed along Hwy. 20. The asphalt side-

walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school.

Because of the large volume of motor vehicle traffic travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later.

After delivering to Council a petition containing

Many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later the names of 450 students calling for a safer walk to school, Simpson handed the

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel.

As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support.

Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Cell 905.933.3049

T

Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign.

SUPPLIED PHOTO A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people offered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

www.facebook.com/voiceofpelham

Request made of community still peeved at name change

See DSBN Page 9

Food 111Health Hwy. 20 E., Unit Store 5, Fonthill

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm • Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm • Sat 9:30-5:00pm

Column Six

BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick.

Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues.

Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students.

“The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated.

The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the

Get

Pined -Sol Pelham’sPelham’s Health Food Store

The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

Voice

Open 6 to 11 daily

Send us your picture holding The Voice, whether across town or abroad and we’ll share it with our readers! Email your photo with a brief description to

In an effort to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Niagara Regional Police Service reports the names of those people who are charged with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence in the Region.

None of the following charges have been proved in court.

In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension.

The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample.

Francisco BARRAGAN MOLINA, 27, Niagara Falls Winfield AUSTIN, 58, St. Catharines Chad D. H. GOULDEN, 39, Welland Brody S. HOLT-JUBY, 32, Niagara Falls Christa A. MILLER, 31, Niagara Falls Bradley M. J. KEMPER, 37, Lincoln

The

Sponsored by

Rick and Brenda Page celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary at RIU in Aruba with friends Ed and Leslee Gullett, keeping up with the Voice by iPad!

NRPS impaired driving charges

“I start work at 2:30 PM and school lets out at 2:15 PM so I can’t take any other route,” Williams explained.

“I have had friends, family, teachers and other community members reach out to me in the past about how this is unsafe and how there should be another alternative for us.”

Looking ahead to winter, when she will need to walk this path three or four times See SIDEWALK Page 2

HERE IS NO BETTER time to cycle than Fall. It matters not whether you’re new to the sport, a seasoned recreational cyclist, racer, touring rider or mountain biker; we all have reason to look forward to autumn.

Summer’s heat has faded, and the streams of sweat that ran from soggy helmets into our eyes are now just slight perspiration. Fitness is peaking from lots of saddle time, making those tough climbs of Spring a breeze in Autumn.

It’s hard to beat the feeling of beginning a crisp, cool Fall ride with a slight shiver, knowing your efforts will soon warm you perfectly.

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

A Pelham route as simple as following our southern boundary is one that would make most Toronto cyclists jealous, especially when our forests and fields are ablaze with colour.

Begin from Harold Black Park, and zig-zag south along Effingham Rd toward the Welland River.

If you’re new to cycling, it’s important to know south is the direction away from any hills.

If you avoid the morning and evening weekday rush hours caused by those travelling through Pelham between Wainfleet See AUTUMN Page 3

Indulgence Bakery Mossimo’s Pelham Street Grille Sobeys Fonthill Peter Piper’s Pubhouse DeVries Fruit Farm Beamer’s Hardware & TV Fonthill Library Black Pearl Fish & Chips Bob’s Boys Antiques Moku’s Family Health Pharmacy Fonthill Fitness Fenwick Pie Company McDonald’s Fonthill Legion Semenuk’s Gas Bar Target Store Tim Horton’s Giant Tiger Pelham Town Hall Shoppers Drug Mart Zee Lube Express Care Lazy Loon Minor Bros Stores Avondale Stores A-1 Market Sobeys South Pelham Grill on Canboro Renewed Thrift & Vintage Ridge Berry Farm Circle-K

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 3

Peter Moore’s Peter Piper’s

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

The VOICE

Before the lunch rush last Thursday, Peter Moore, the owner of the new Peter Piper’s Pubhouse, sat in his empty restaurant, looking tired. Moore had just finished interviewing a young woman, who apologized for arriving late to the job interview. “That’s all right— these things happen,” Moore said, either sincerely or with a convincing display of politeness. The table at which Moore was sitting was adjacent to the bar, where Georgia, one of Moore’s employees and the only other person in the restaurant, was busy arranging menus and glasses. Moore looked around the dining floor.

“I used to come here when it was the Regal Beagle,” he said. “I stopped when it became Bailey’s, but I still remember how the inside used to look.”

Moore, who is middle-aged and tall and friendly-looking in a fatherly sort of way, carried out extensive renovations on the room, removing the drop ceiling and replacing most of the floorboards. “We’re really trying to go for a classic pub ambience,” he said. “In the old days, they were run by the publicans who’d actually live there. I haven’t done that yet, though burning both ends of the candle does happen.”

Fifteen years ago, Moore managed a Crabby Joe’s franchise in St. Catharines.

He left to work for a large floral distributor, but says that he always intended to get back in the restaurant business and have a place of his own.

“I really enjoyed working in flowers,” he said. “There was a lot of responsibility— some of the accounts were in the tens of millions of dollars. But there was a lot of travelling involved. When I was younger, it was all right.

Now, I’ve got three kids, and they’re only eight, seven, and a year-and-a-half. It’s too hard to live out of a suitcase all of the time.”

As Moore spoke, the door opened to the restaurant, and George Eller, a realtor, walked in. Eller wandered over to where Moore was sitting and introduced himself.

“So you’re the owner?” he said to Moore.

“Yep,” Moore said. “I’m the Peter in Peter Piper’s.

‘Peter Moore’s’ wouldn’t sound quite as good.”

Eller laughed. “The place looks great. Do you have a menu that I could see? I think that I might be coming in soon. We’re having some friends for dinner tonight and my wife doesn’t like to cook.”

Georgia brought Eller a menu, as he and Moore continued to speak.

“I was born on a farm on Eller Road,” said Eller. “I started to work at GM when I was young, but I just didn’t like it. So I got into selling real estate and I’ve been doing that for over fifty years now.”

Moore, who grew up in Pelham, listened intently, and spoke up to ask about mutual acquaintances when a gap arose.

“I’m sorry,” said Eller, “I talk too much.”

“No, no, this is all very interesting,” Moore said. “I like talking about the history of the area.”

Eller moved on to his grandson’s hockey team.

“It really makes me happy to watch him play,” he said. “When I was younger, we used to watch the Leafs every Saturday and drink beer and eat chestnuts.” The mention of hockey pushed Eller on to another subject.

“That reminds me of a story,” he said. “The car crash that killed that coffee hockey player—Tim Horton—happened just by our office by the QEW. I went

Publican Peter Moore behind his bar. out and saw the wreck after the crash, and the car was intact. I think that if he had been wearing a seatbelt, he would be alive today. Someone else said that they’d seen the car and called it a twisted wreckage, and I was mad because it wasn’t true.”

Moore chuckled. “I’m sure you have some great stories,” he said to Eller. “We’ll put you down for a booth tonight, though it’s only Thursday, so I don’t know if you’ll need the reservation.”

“Oh, all right,” said Eller.

“I’ll see you tonight. Unless, of course, something comes up.” He ambled towards the door, admiring the interior as he went.

“That’s one of the things I love about having this place now,” Moore said. “All of the people that you get to meet.

I’ve told some old friends that there’ll be time to actually see them again, since they can just drop by and I’ll be around.” Moore added that he hopes to build partnerships with community groups, too, including Pelham Cares.

He got up and walked past the bar and around the corner, where stairs led to the

VOICE PHOTO

said Moore. “And I guess a basement. new cue ball, too. This one When Bailey’s was in the falls down the wrong hole building, the downstairs was and goes into the trap with used only for storage. When the rest of them.”

Moore renovated the place, Moore plans to add two in preparation for opening, dartboards downstairs as he had professional cleaners well. work over the room, which Back up on the main floor, can now sit 58, in addition to Georgia was busy serving the 102 that fit upstairs. the day’s first lunch table.

“We just had the pool table “One of the things that installed yesterday,” Moore we’re excited about here is said. He pointed to the cenlive entertainment,” said tre of the room, where the Moore, looking to a spot in table rested on a rectanguthe main room where musilar patch of linoleum in the cians can play. Every Saturmiddle of carpet. The table day from two to four, there had just been re-upholwill be live jazz, he says, and stered, and its green fabric Moore intends to have othwas smooth and unmarked.

“He still has to come back er acts play throughout the Pelhhamxmas_Layout 9:39 PM Page 1 week, too. to drop off the keys 1for2017-11-02 it,”

“We’ve arranged for regular dates until the end of the year,” he said. “We’re hoping that people will really like that.”

Moore acknowledged that the opening months of restaurant are difficult. “I’m here a lot now. I was in until two in the morning last night, and back in today at nine. But my wife and family have been very supportive, and after a while, the work should lighten up.”

Out in the parking lot, a delivery truck pulled in front of the restaurant’s window. Moore looked at it and smiled. “Ah,” he said. “The Guinness truck. My favourite sight.”

FAMILY HEALTH PHARMACY

Now in the Fonthill Marketplace!

Visit us for friendly service, helpful advice, and great everyday prices

Welcome the Family Practice of

Flu Shots

Dr. D. Goswami, Dr. S. Rana and Dr. R. Goswami

R e P r ac t i c Family OPEN NOW

NOW HERE

OF A SIMPLY WHITE INTERIORS CHRISTMAS

• Easy prescription transfer • Free on-site compliance packaging • All major drug plans accepted • Fast, friendly, courteous service

(905) 892-1888 Compare & Save

• Quality products at lower prices than national brands

• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee pharmachoice.com

JOIN US FOR SOME GOOD CHEER FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10TH FROM 9 TO 5 SIMPLY WHITE INTERIORS WILL BE BRIMMING WITH ALL YOUR OLD FAVOURITES, NEW SURPRISES AND HOLIDAY CHEER. 347 Airport Rd. | Niagara on the Lake | 905 708 4784 | www.swi.design Regular store hours | Mon. to Fri. 9 to 5 | Sat. 10 to 3

Page 4

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

The opinions expressed in submitted commentary and letters to the editor are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Voice of Pelham.

The Voice of Pelham is a 1211858 Ontario Limited publication David Burket, Publisher 2-1428 Pelham St., P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S1E0

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Nick Saltarelli Parliamentarian proselytizing

P

A R L I A M E N TA R I A N newsletters are not so much a public service as partisan electioneering financed by the electorate. A less delicate way of putting it is “propaganda.”

They’re all about promoting brand recognition, exactly like glossy commercial advertising in which only the best aspects of a product are presented, if often exaggerated. They lay out what the incumbent wants you to remember at the ballot box when his well-advertised brand name appears next to one you haven’t seen before, or not often. The incumbent not only exploits the system, he gets you, the voter, to pay for it. It’s an advantage no challenger can match and a key reason that an incumbent, whose actual performance may have been unremarkable, will be more difficult to unseat.

Our MPP’s 2017 FALL UPDATE arrived in the mail last week. The cynic in me says we should expect a 2018 SPRING UPDATE just before the June election, once again delivered to every household in the riding at no expense to the incumbent. We shall see.

This particular UPDATE is mostly fluff. Where it touches upon governance

it’s entirely on busy work and devoid of any accomplishments.

It’s light on facts, heavy on implied promises and rhetoric and, in one place in particular, bears the unmistakable watermark of our rookie MPP’s social conservatism.

Brown will need to put his very best people on it. People who understand business and finance.

I’m on Oosterhoff’s page on the wind farms. Enough already.

It’s a comfort thinking we’re being environmentally responsible, but when we’re effectively dumping that tiny sliver of unneeded, overpriced, incremental power for pennies on the dollar we’re fooling ourselves. Turbines are also a blight on the landscape, but that’s just my opinion, like the rest of this piece.

NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL Distress Centre For depression, distress, and crisis.

24 hour help line: 905-688-3711   Mental Health and Addictions Access 1-866-550-5205 (Toll Free) Gambler’s Anonymous 905-351-1616

Kids Help Phone Service for youth.

416-586-5437 800-668-6868 (Crisis Line) www.kidshelpphone. ca Assaulted Women’s Helpline Mobile calls to: #SAFE (#7233) 1-866-863-0511 (Toll Free)

Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting.

905-682-2140 Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) www.niagaratips.com Text 274637(CRIMES), keyword Niagara, then your tip

The Voice

1428 Pelham Street, P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 Office open: Monday - Thursday 8 AM - 2 PM

(905) 892-8690

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca NEWS WRITER Samuel Piccolo ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Larry Coté, Nick Saltarelli, Carolyn Botari, John Swart, Kirk Weaver

And I sort of understand Sam’s umbrage about big salaries doled out to OPG exec—though it’s ironic coming from the youngest-ever member of Ontario’s Sunshine List.

The punishing cost to business and household consumers of Ontario power is scandalous, but this may be more a consequence of incompetent political meddling than corporate mismanagement. To what extent the damage may be undone —given the realities of stranded assets, binding contracts, capital plant, debt financing, unfunded liabilities etc. — is uncertain, but it is certainly naive to propose paying uncompetitive executive compensation and still expect to pull off what presents as a multi-billion dollar turnaround opportunity.

If the PCs manage to form the next Ontario government —as I hope they shall— they will inherit a financial fiasco, and Patrick Brown is acutely aware of this.

He can’t win an election holding the Liberals’ feet to the fire and then fail to clean up their mess. Brown will need to put his very See COMPETENCE Page 12

$100 CASH REWARD FOR LOST CAT

Letters

Penny, the lost cat

Her name is “Penny”

We had so many calls from so many peoWe are really thankful to Debbie who took ple about our lost cat. People called from the time and concern to call us. Penny was North Pelham, Ridgeville, only about four to five Fenwick, Overholt Road in miles from home.

Fonthill, and Pelham CorWe want to thank all ners, to say that they saw of the wonderful people our cat under a tree, in a who took the time to call field, in their yard or in the us about seeing a cat and neighbour’s yard. looked for a cat that they We had a phone call on thought might be Penny.

Saturday from Debbie in We followed every lead North Pelham, who told us but sadly each lead did not that there was a cat at the turn out to be our Penny. end of her driveway and We sure miss her. she thought that it looked like Penny. When Thank you from our family. we went to check, it was Penny and unforMary Lou Haun Please call CALL686-2778 if you tunately she had passed. (905) 892-6380PLEASE Pelham or (289) 905-892-6380 or 289-686-2778 seeOUR ourCAT. cat.

Her home inEFFINGHAM/ the THE IS IN is HOME HER IF YOU SEE Effingham/Tice/Lookout Street area.

TICE/ LOOKOUT ST AREA. 9th/17 SEPTSept SINCE MISSING Missing since 9.

IS PENNY. NAME HERyou Thank for your help.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. Mayor of Pelham

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900

David Augustyn mayordave@pelham.ca 905-892-2607 Ext 317

Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

Ward 1 Councillor Richard Rybiak rrybiak@pelham.ca 905-892-2105

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755

Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-684-4870

Electoral District: Niagara West-Glanbrook

Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor David Augustyn mayordave@pelham.ca 905-892-2607 Ext 317 Councillor Brian Baty brian.baty@niagararegion.ca 905-892-5317 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607

Richard

Brown

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published.

Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity or legal reasons. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication.

rbrown@royallepage.ca • www.homesniagara.com

1815 Merrittville Hwy, Unit 1, Fonthill, Ontario

“Selling Throughout Niagara”

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Gilberts Flowers

Ward 2 Councillor Catherine King cking@pelham.ca 905-658-8599

FLOWERS FOR ANY OCCASION

Councillor Gary Accursi gaccursi@pelham.ca 905-892-5528 Ward 3 Councillor John Durley jdurley@pelham.ca 905-892-5388 Councillor Peter Papp ppapp@pelham.ca 905-328-6008

We offer a large variety of fresh flowers and gifts.

Enjoy the convenience of safe and secure ordering online 24 hours a day.

754 Welland Rd, Fenwick www.gilbertsflowers.ca 905-892-2433

Community Centre project updates: www.pelham.ca/pcc

NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Office: 905-892-0222

Cell: 905-651-5143

Today's forgotten business stopped advertising yesterday

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

Have an Opinion?

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY

REAL ESTATE, PURCHASES, SALES & MORTGAGES, BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS & SALES, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY FONTHILL (Main Office)

10 Highway 20 E., P.O. Box 743, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 T: 905-892-2621 • F: 905-892-1022

janthony@jillanthony.com

JA

NIAGARA FALLS (Satellite Office)

Pio Plaza, 8685 Lundy’s Lane, Unit #2, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 1H5 T: 289-296-2629 • F: 289-296-0222

www.jillanthony.com

NEW LOCATION

Well don't just sit there. Share it with the Voice! letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca

905-892-8690

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 5

OPINION Letters

continued

Respect soldiers, yes; hunters, no The word “respect” is defined in Webster dictionary as “to consider worthy of high regard,” which truly I “respect” all our fallen soldiers, but never will I bestow the term “respect” on hunters.

I conclude, Brandy Unruh of Wainfleet, while reading your letter of November 1 entitled, “Hunters also deserve respect,” that you spew a lot of typical hunter-speak of today. So called politically correct invented hunter language which I will never adhere to either.

You state that your ancestors were hunters and gathers and I had some of them in my ancestry as well, but thankfully in 2017 that was laid to rest. People are meant to evolve. We no longer live in caves, wear wooden teeth, heal wounds with whiskey or ride our buck boards downtown.

First hunter-speak that “we still must hunt to survive.” No that is not the case. Just check out modern society with the many food outlets available.

You choose to “kill” animals and that is the true definition rather than the dreaded misused word “harvest.” That is a true hunter-speak word as according to the dictionary “to gather in a crop” and through no stretch is a living breathing member of wildlife families a crop.

But, to “harvest” a deer sounds so much more soft and gentle like “controlled hunt,” which is “the power or authority to manage.”

...to “harvest” a deer sounds so much more soft and gentle...

Answer me why the white tail deer population was capable of surviving right up until 2013 without a controlled hunt with humans sticking their oars in?

Amazing is it not that nature is quite capable without humans despite what they say.

Orphan fawns not calves, which, Brandy, are the babies of cows and buffalo— sorry just trying to educate here. There were fawns that have not survived past Short Hills Park controlled hunts because their mothers were killed and they did not survive the winter. Is that any kinder a death than that you mentioned?

The deer are not chained or caged so therefore they are smart enough to go off park for food if need be. All

Two Locations 483 East Main Street WELLAND and 1421 Pelham Street FONTHILL

(formerly Quality Cleaners)

Paul V. D’Amico PAU L @ N I C K S C L E A N E R S . C O M

Attention: VETERANS The Ontario Provincial Service Officer of the Royal Canadian Legion, Rebecca Caulder, will be visiting the Legion in Fonthill during the week of November 14 - November 17, 2017.

Should you have questions or benefit needs for Rebecca, please contact Sharon Margeson, Service Officer for Branch 613 Fonthill for an appointment.

Sharon can be reached at 905-892-5177 or by e-mail at: hmargeson@cogeco.ca

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Talbot Trail 141 Hwy. 20 E., P.O. Box42 Fonthill,ON, L0S1E0 Tel: 905-892-6293 Fax: 905-892-9470

Open letter re: Short Hills hunt deer killed by hunters were checked out to be healthy.

The worst hunter-speak is “humane way.” How on God’s earth can you relate the act of sending a powerful, razor sharp arrow through the guts of a live deer as humane? It is not possible taking life resulting in death and leaving fractured families is not kind no matter how hunters dress it up. Add to that scenario mothers seeing their young slaughtered, hearing and seeing violence, confusion and pain does not rise above cruel.

and suffering.

Hunters choose to take out the biggest, best and now at Short Hills Park the youngest.

Your hunting disturbs those of us who “respect” animals, their sleep patterns and day to day living, which I deeply resent. What you do does affect a lot of people whether hunters want to believe it or not.

You brag you are a hunter and gatherer. In my opinion it is a shame you are not instead a Nurturer of Life, including all innocent wildlife’s.

Faye Suthons Wainfleet

Open letter to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Kathryn McGarry,MPP: A recent letter to the editor of the Voice from Faye Suthons, Wainfleet [“Hunt disrespects the day,” Oct. 25, p.4] encouraged readers to contact you regarding the Short Hills hunt by Indigenous people. I am responding. Her letter fails to consider all the facts and, as has unfortunately been happening each year, points a racist finger against our Indigenous community.

Hunting in Short Hills by the Indigenous community is allowed by treaty rights. The Ministry upholds that. The Ministry has also let the community know that the deer population within the park is very high and they are destroying the park. Reducing their numbers will protect the park.

Every year there are protesters attacking the rights of the Indigenous community to hunt. However, the Ministry of Natural Resources last report on hunting in the Niagara Region indicates that there are 4804 registered hunters and See HUNT Page 7

William Hall INSTALLATIONS

Vinyl Replacement Windows “Tilt-In Feature” • VINYL AND ALUMINUM SIDING • 5” SEAMLESS EAVESTROUGH • SOFFIT - FACIA - SHUTTERS • STEEL INSULATED DOORS • 2” SELF - STORING DOORS CALL ANYTIME

905-892-3757

FREE ESTIMATES

316 Welland Rd., Fenwick

Professional SERVICES Directory You’re In Good Hands With Us!

Nature takes out the sick

Dr. Ken Sawatzky Dental Surgeon

905-892-5002 1428 Pelham St.

Improve Your Health

Change Your Life!

905.892.6200

Joe Della Marina DD,LD Denturist 905-892-1414

22 Regional Road 20 West Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0

Family Dentistry

www.lewisfamilychiropractic.ca

1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill

Monday to Friday Morning and afternoon hours

www.drkensawatzky.com

Dr. Ann Volk Dr. Randy Pauls Dr. Jeanette (Helmuth) Ngo

Optometrists

Mon, Wed, Fri • 8am - 5:30pm Tue • 8 am - 7pm Thu • 8:45am - 7pm 1405 South Pelham, Fonthill • 905.892.5191

NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past.

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

Did you meet your spouse-to-be in jail or on an African safari?

Do you know where Hoffa’s buried?

Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Page 6

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Letters

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 7

continued

HUNT continued from Page 5 1552 deer were reported harvested (2013). But no one is protesting this hunting. Last year 31 deer were harvested from Short Hills. Of course, they are part of all the deer in this part of the Niagara Region. The deer regularly cross the border and are hunted by all hunters.

Because the limited time the Indigenous community is allowed to hunt in Short Hills includes Remembrance Day, November 11, the letter indicates that the Indigenous people do not respect Canada’s veterans.

Over 12,000 Indigenous people fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Every Pow Wow has a ceremony to respect those who gave their lives for our country. Hunting is not a sign of disrespect. I am sure some of the 4000 non-Indigenous

hunters will be hunting on Remembrance Day too. Who is calling them a “slap in the face.”

Over 12,000 Indigenous people fought in World War I As you can see, our communities are not as inclusive and respectful of human rights as we think. I hope you will respond to any letters you receive that discriminate against the Indigenous community by presenting the facts and working towards truth and reconciliation.

Karen Zanutto Fonthill

Point was the signs disappearing My letter to the editor on October 25 [“As Halloween looms, local mysteries abound,” p. 5] was based on the family tree information and the archives from Brock University.

I have no objections to the sign placed on the Hansler cemetery, only on the Hansler name not being mentioned anywhere, simply “The Brethren of Christ Church” and the lovely metal name signs being removed, never to be replaced.

I have no recollection of discussing this with Ken Hansler or others. I regret that some missed my point.

Merelle Stirtzinger Fenwick

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

WE SCARE HUNGER Grade 7/8 at St. Ann Catholic school participated in We Scare Hunger in the Fenwick area. The school thanks all of those in the Fenwick community who participated in the food drive for Pelham Cares. SUPPLIED PHOTO

Mr Mayor, where is your contribution?

“We’re doing it on OUR hook,” said Ward 1 Councillor Richard Rybiak on October 3, when speaking of the Town’s audit. This statement clearly shows that this councilor has lost perspective, unless he truly means what he said. Your hook would imply you are personally are paying. Thank you, Councillor Rybiak!

What this mayor and the majority of his council have done throughout this process is show total disrespect for the taxpayers’ money.

Initially, the Mayor and his council were very clear for several weeks that they would not entertain an audit.

They fought, argued and demanded that they would not comply with residents’ and Region’s requests.

Only when the public outcry became so deafening did the Mayor realize he couldn’t fight it any longer

WHAT:

Public Open House for an Official Plan Amendment in accordance with Section 21 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended

WHEN:

Monday November 27, 2017 at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

WHERE:

Town Hall Council Chambers 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill

OWNER/AGENT:

Town of Pelham

FILE NO.:

OP-AM-05-17

and decided he and his council had to do an audit.

On October 5, the residents whom the Mayor ignored for so long overfilled Regional Council chambers, flowed into the main corridor and into a second room, which had to be opened up to handle the large crowd of Pelham residents.

We were all there to prove it’s not just a small group of grumpy old men as this Mayor and council want to believe. Even two town councilors have agreed that there is something wrong in this administration and support a full forensic audit.

The large showing of taxpayers at Regional Council, the majority of residents on the streets and the comments by your own councilors, all say there is an overwhelming feeling of distrust and deep concern for this

mayor and council. As such, residents do not accept the mayor controlling this audit.

We can only hope that the professionals at KPMG will look into the dozens of questions that were submitted to them and address the numerous concerns residents have about not just the shady land deals but other serious concerns and questionable dealings of this mayor and council.

Residents have put their chequebooks out.

So, Mr. Mayor, will you and council to get YOUR chequebooks out when the bill for YOUR audit comes in? Because this tightly controlled, managed by the Mayor and narrowly focused audit isn’t what residents wanted.

Curt Harley Pelham D.E.B.T

KEY MAP – EAST FONTHILL SECONDARY PLAN AREA NOTE: THE PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLIES ONLY TO LANDS DESIGNATED EF – LOW DENSITY IN THE EAST FONTHILL SECONDARY PLAN AREA

WHAT IS THIS?

Information

i HAVE YOUR SAY

The Town has initiated an amendment the Town Official Plan as it relates to lands designated EF – Low Density Residential in the East Fonthill Secondary Plan area to amend policy B1.7.7.3.1(b) to permit an increase in the maximum percentage of residential townhouse dwelling units within in an individual plan of subdivision in the EF – Low Density Residential designation from 15% to 60%. The Key Map identifies the location of the East Fonthill Secondary Plan area and it is the EF – Low Density Residential designation within this area that is subject to the Official Plan amendment.

YOUR INPUT IS ENCOURAGED! WE ARE LISTENING! Please provide input by attending the open house which will be an informal drop-in session to obtain information on what is being proposed, to have your questions answered and for staff to receive your feedback.

The statutory public meeting will be held at a later date and further notice of that statutory public meeting will be given.

To provide input in writing, or to request personal notice if the proposed amendment is adopted, please send all correspondence c/o Town Clerk, Nancy J. Bozzato, PO Box 400, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, Ontario, L0S 1E0 or email nbozzato@pelham.ca.

NEED MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT US!

 pelham.ca

Legal Notice



For more information on the proposed Official Plan amendment, please contact Ms. Barbara Wiens, MCIP, RPP, Director of Community Planning and Development, at 905-892-2607, ext.

316, or email at bwiens@pelham.ca. A copy of the proposed amendment is available for inspection in the Community Planning and Development Department (2nd Floor) between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm or at www.pelham.ca.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION! If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make a written submission to the Town of Pelham before the proposed Official Plan Amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the Town of Pelham to the Ontario Municipal Board.

If a person or public body does not make oral submission at a public meeting or make written submission to the Town of Pelham before the proposed Official Plan Amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board, unless in the opinion of the Board, there is reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed Official Plan Amendment, you must make a written request to the Clerk of the Town of Pelham and such request must include the name and address to which such notice should be sent.

Dated at the Town of Pelham, this 3rd day of November, 2017.

Nancy J. Bozzato Town of Pelham Community Planning & Development Department

Town of Pelham Community Planning & Development Department

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Town holds “Natural Playgrounds” workshop Mayor, Council, staff get their hands dirty

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

The VOICE

Adam Bienenstock, in purple shirt at right, assists in modelling a Close Encounter of the Sand Kind.

20

F A M I LY R E S TA U R A N T

WWW.GRILLONCANBORO.COM

MS NEW ITED! ADDE

COME CHECK OUT OUR

NEW MENU

ALL DAY BREAKFAST ★ STARTS FROM 4.50 ★

5

LS KTAI COC4pm til

Now !

Open

17 .20

PETER PIPERS GEORGE TIRPKO and JIM SMOLINSKIE

h $5.00 BURGERS EVERY MONDAY

PINT NIGHT THURSDAYS FISH FRY FRIDAYS

D 7 IN A D NE W A R EE Y K S

3

NE Y WI DAILECIAL P S

ER PIPER S ET

Saturday afternoon jazz is the amazing

BURGERS NEW YORK STRIPLOIN WINGS SANDWICHES FISH & CHIPS PITAS POUTINE WINGS WRAPS SANDWICHES SOUPS PORK CHOPS TERIYAKI WRAPS SALADS + K i d s M e n u

6

See GOOD DIRT Page 17

RUN

★ STARTS FROM 8.95 ★

$

“Riding a horse,” said Sharon Cook, a resident present on behalf of the Accessibility Committee.

“Sharp edges,” said the Town’s insurance broker.

“A dragon,” someone else said.

“The point is that everyone interprets it differently,” said Bienenstock. “And that’s what we want, to give kids

Every Wednesday night at 9 PM:

LUNCH & DINNER

$

SAMUEL PICCOLO PHOTO

Join Us for Live Entertainment

EGGS ANY STYLE FRENCH TOAST BACON SAUSAGE PEAMEAL OMELETTES PANCAKES WAFFLES MONTE CRISTOS + K i d s M e n u

BEER OM DAILY IA LS FR SPEC 95 $

“I’m not minuting that,” said Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato, who was taking notes of the meeting.

“Anyway,” continued Bienenstock. “This is not a therapy session.” He clicked forward and displayed a picture of an old log that had been installed in a natural playground. “What do you see when you look at this,” he asked the crowd.

ES T

Grill on Canboro

of certain bacteria on PTSD,” Bienenstock said. “When I was a kid, my dad had a rule against washing our hands before dinner, so that we could build up our immune systems. He was weird in a lot of ways. He was a nudist. I once brought home a Mennonite girlfriend, and he didn’t see anything wrong with meeting her without clothes on.”

IPERS P RP

studies have shown that the average roaming distance of children has shrunk considerably over time, with the average eight-year-old now venturing just 150 to 300 yards from home. He cited other studies that have researched the implications of this diminishment in out-ofdoors time, including work by his own father.

“My dad studies the effect

PET E

with the camera showed up, they all disappeared.” The crowd, which was mostly made up of Town staff, laughed.

Bienenstock contrasted the tree with what he described as the general approach to playground development.

“We keep on reducing every time that we’re worried about something, and we end up with less and less.” He pointed to the screen, where a cartoon satirizing this hyper-cautious mentality was displayed. An empty lawn with a single tree was depicted, and the drawing was captioned, “Great park design, but what’s with the tree?

That’s a maintenance issue.

Plus, someone could hit their head on it.”

Bienenstock lamented that children now spend increasingly fewer hours in nature.

“There’s signage all over now, prohibiting the entry into forests,” he said, scanning the room. “When you were kids, how many of you were told to come back home when the streetlights come on or it was dinner time?”

Nearly everyone raised their hands.

“I was told, ‘Don’t come back,’” joked Augustyn.

Bienenstock said that

RS PE

Pelham Town Council held a special committee meeting Monday evening a week ago, forgoing council chambers and a conventional agenda for a hands-on workshop at Fire Hall #1. The meeting was concerned only one item: a presentation from Adam Bienenstock, of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. Bienenstock’s company designs and builds natural playgrounds, which are areas designated for children to play but without the typical plastic and steel construction. Bienenstock is also a prolific speaker, and has travelled widely educating people on the theory behind natural playgrounds, and education was his primary purpose during his evening in Pelham.

After Mayor Augustyn had formally initiated the proceedings, a formality required because it was technically still a council meeting, Bienenstock took the front of the room and began his slideshow with a picture of an old upturned tree surrounded by sand.

“This was in a park in Amsterdam,” Bienenstock said.

“And I promise you that there were lots of kids playing on it.

When the the weird bald dude

PETER PI

WICH GERS NGS

Page 8

794 CANBORO ROAD @ MAPLE 905-892-9282

LAMPMAN FUNERAL HOME Our family serving your family since 1911

905-892-4701

724 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

www.lampmanfuneralhome.com W!

NE

PS: We make no promises on the pickled peppers 111 Hwy 20 East, Unit 3, Fonthill | 905-892-0PUB

Cremation and Burial Services

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 9

UP TO

IN BLACK FRIDAY BONUS CREDITS WHEN YOU APPLY FOR THE GM CARD*

TERRAIN

ACADIA

CANYON

YUKON SIERRA 1500 DOUBLE CAB KODIAK EDITION

OFFER ENDS NOVEMBER 30 2017 GMC SIERRA 1500 DOUBLE CAB KODIAK EDITION FINANCE TODAY FOR

0 84 %

FOR

PURCHASE FINANCING

PLUS GET UP TO

$

9,600

• REMOTE VEHICLE STARTER SYSTEM9 • REAR VISION CAMERA • REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER • 10-WAY POWER SEAT ADJUSTER

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS CREDITS (INCLUDES $1,000 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS)

MONTHS

*

N HTSA 5-St ar O ve rall Ve hic l e S c o re1

2017 GMC SIERRA 1500 DOUBLE CAB KODIAK EDITION SHOWN

4G LTE Wi-Fi

2017 GMC ACADIA SLE-1 AWD

189 0.5

LEASE TODAY FOR

$

@

BI-WEEKLY

2017 GMC ACADIA SLT-1 ALL TERRAIN SHOWN

%

48 3,250 PLUS GET UP TO

FOR

LEASE RATE

$

MONTHS*

WITH $300 DOWN

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS CREDITS

(INCLUDES $750 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS)

• TRI-ZONE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL • KEYLESS OPEN AND START • ONSTAR® 4G LTE WITH BUILT-IN WI-FI® HOTSPOT2 + ONSTAR® BASIC PLAN3 FOR 5 YEARS

4G LTE Wi-Fi

2018 GMC TERRAIN SLE FWD LEASE TODAY FOR

$

159 0.9 @

BI-WEEKLY

2018 GMC TERRAIN DENALI SHOWN

%

PLUS GET UP TO

FOR

LEASE RATE

48 1,000 $

MONTHS

WITH $1,500 DOWN

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS CREDITS

• STANDARD 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION • FOLD-FLAT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT • GMC INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM4 WITH 4 USB PORTS5

(INCLUDES $500 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS)

4G LTE Wi-Fi

2017 GMC CANYON FINANCE TODAY FOR

0

%

FOR UP TO

PURCHASE FINANCING

2017 GMC CANYON DENALI SHOWN

60 MONTHS*

PLUS GET UP TO

$

3,000

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS CREDITS (INCLUDES $750 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS)

• BEST IN CLASS6 HORSEPOWER WITH AVAILABLE 3.6L V6 ENGINE • REAR VISION CAMERA • TEEN DRIVER

4G LTE Wi-Fi

GMC PRO GRADE PROTECTION:

COMPLIMENTARY 2-YEAR/ 48,000 KM LUBE-OIL-FILTER MAINTENANCE 7

5-YEAR/160,000 KM POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANT Y 8

AVAILABLE ONSTAR 4G LTE WITH BUILT-IN WI-FI ® HOTSPOT 2

*Offer valid for a limited time only. Customers can receive up to $1500 in total Black Friday incentives with the application of a GM Card. Total incentives consist of manufacturer-to-dealer credits (tax-exclusive) and the GM Card Application Bonus (tax-inclusive). GM Card Application Bonus applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders. Credit value depends on model purchased. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Conditions and limitations apply. Void where prohibited. See Dealer for full program details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. <GMC Black Friday> total value valid toward the retail purchase or lease of one eligible new 2017 or 2018 model year <GMC> delivered in Canada between November 1 – 30, 2017. Total Value consists of $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) delivery credit and manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax sive). GM Card Application Bonus credit value depends on model purchased: $500 GM Card Bonus on new 2018 Terrain, $750 GM Card Bonus on new 2017 Terrain, Canyon (excl 2SA), Acadia, Savana, $1000 GM Card Bonus on new 2017 & 2018 Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra LD & HD. As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. $500 Black Friday Bonus is applied against eligible 2017 & 2018 MY vehicles purchased during the program period. 2017 & 2018MY vehicles not eligible for this offer are: exclusions outlined under GM Card Bonuses above, Spark, BOLT EV, all Cadillac models. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. Void where prohibited. See dealer for details.

GM Card Legal: Regular GM Card Application Bonus Offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card (GM Card) or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2017 or 2018 model year (“MY”) GMC delivered in Canada between November 1st and 30th, 2017. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $500 credit available on: 2018 MY Terrain; $750 credit available on: GMC Acadia, Canyon (excluding 2SA model), 2017 MY Terrain; $1,000 credit available on: GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon and Yukon XL. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. Discontinued Models GM Card Application Bonus Offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card (GM Card) or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders and eligible current owners or lessees of any Pontiac/Saturn/SAAB/Hummer/Oldsmobile or Chevrolet Cavalier, Cobalt, HHR, Avalanche, Aveo, Epica, Orlando, Optra, Tracker, Uplander, Venture, Astro, Blazer, Jimmy, Trailblazer, Monte Carlo or GMC Envoy, Safari or Buick Rendezvous, Terraza, Rainier that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2017 or 2018 model year (“MY) GMC delivered in Canada between November 1st and 30th, 2017. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $1,000 credit available on: GMC 2018 MY Terrain; $1,500 credit available on: GMC 2017 MY Terrain, Acadia, Canyon (except 2SA), Savana, Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon and Yukon XL. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. (Finance) Eligible 2017 GMC Sierra Double Cab Kodiak Edition Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles financed and from between November 1 to November 30, 2017. Financing provided, on approved credit, by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank. Participating lenders are subject to change. Rates from other lenders will vary. Representative finance example based on a new 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab Kodiak Edition. Suggested retail price is $35,270. $3,500 down payment or equivalent trade-in required. $35,270 financed at 0% nominal rate equals $378 per month for 84 months. Total Value consists of $7,350 manufacturer-to-dealer (tax exclusive) delivery credit, $500 OPD Credit, $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) and $1000 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) Cost of borrowing is $0 for a total obligation of $37,946. Taxes, $1,700 freight and PDI, $100 air conditioning charge (where applicable), PPSA, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies and duties (all of which may vary by region and dealer) are extra. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time financing offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. GM Canada may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. (Finance) Eligible 2017 Canyon: Lease based on suggested retail price of $25,135, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) and a manufacturer-to-dealer $500 Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2017 GMC Canyon at participating dealers 0% interest rate purchase financing for up to 84 months on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $0 down payment is required. Total obligation is $18,654, plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $17,381. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia (Lease) Eligible 2017 GMC Acadia SLE-1 AWD: Lease based on suggested retail price of $39,695, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) and a manufacturer-to-dealer $500 Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2017 GMC Acadia SLE-1 AWD at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $189 for 48 months at 0.5% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $300 down payment is required.

Total obligation is $19,949, plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $17,112. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.(Lease) Eligible 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD: Lease based on suggested retail price of $32,040, includes $500 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) and a manufacturer-to-dealer $500 Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $159 for 48 months at 0.9% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $1,500 down payment is required. Total obligation is $18,076, plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $13,799. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. 1 Sierra 5-star Overall Vehicle Score applies to 1500 series vehicles. U.S. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). 2 Visit onstar.ca for vehicle availability. Services and connectivity vary by model, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Requires active OnStar service and data plan. Data plans provided by AT&T or its local service provider. 3 The OnStar Basic Plan is available on eligible new and pre-owned vehicles equipped with OnStar 4G LTE hardware for 5 years or the remaining term. The Basic Plan is transferable to subsequent owners for the remaining term. It includes the monthly Diagnostics Report emails (capabilities vary by model), Dealer Maintenance Notification, access to select vehicle mobile app features and more. Your vehicle must have been compatible with the vehicle’s mobile app prior to the OnStar 4G LTE hardware upgrade, if applicable. This plan does not include emergency, security or navigation services. These and other services require a paid or Add-On Plan. Visit onstar.ca for vehicle availability, coverage maps, details and system limitations. Available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot requires WPA2-compatible mobile device and data plan. Data plans are provided by AT&T or its local service provider. 4 Full functionality requires compatible Bluetooth and smartphone, and USB connectivity for some devices. Data plan rates apply. 5 Not compatible with all devices. 6 Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2017 Small Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at time of printing. Excludes other GM vehicles. 7 The 2-Year Scheduled LOF Maintenance Program provides eligible customers in Canada who have purchased, leased or financed a new eligible 2017 MY Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicle (excluding Spark EV) with an ACDelco oil and filter change, in accordance with the Oil Life Monitoring System and the Owner’s Manual, for 2 years or 48,000 km, whichever occurs first, with a limit of four Lube-Oil-Filter services in total, performed at participating GM dealers. Fluid top-offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc., are not covered. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Limited reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. 8 Whichever comes first, fully transferable. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for complete details. 9 Services vary by model, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Unlock feature requires automatic locks. Remote start requires factory-installed and enabled remote start system.

Page 10

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

TIMELINE: The Pelham Community Centre p 1990

Council receives a study on the existing Haist Street arena from the Institute of Environmental Research, Inc. It concludes that the arena is sufficient for the Town at the time, and will remain so beyond the scope of the Council’s Master Plan. (A plan that extended until the Town reached 16,600 residents.)

2000

A decision of the Ontario Municipal Board adds over 400 acres to Pelham’s Urban Area, acres that are to become “East Fonthill.”

2001

dmA Planning and Management Services reports to Council that the Town “should provide an additional ice surface in the period of the plan,” and that “additional ice should be provided in Pelham with a twin-pad arena in a multiuse complex…the existing arena should be closed and consideration given to relocation outdoor facilities and disposing of the property.”

The report also said that “these facilities should only be provided if users are prepared to pay for their use.”

2003

According to former Councillor Brian Walker, who sat on Council for 25 years, there was little discussion on Council in the 1990s about replacing the arena. Walker says that at the time, the arena—which was built in 1975—was in “pretty good shape.” Walker, who left office in 2003, says that upon arrival of the new Council in 2003, “it became obvious that a community centre was their priority. The arena then entered a period of benign neglect, ending in claims that it was in terrible shape and we needed a new centre.”

2005

Under Mayor Ron Leavens, Council in January moves to purchase 32 acres at the corner of Rice Road and Highway 20 for just over $3.5 million, working out to about $110,000 per acre. Leavens says that Council decided this purchase was necessary because the impending Green Belt declaration was expected to make future land opportunities few and expensive.

One of the considered options at the time was to construct a “one-stop shop” at this location for many municipal facilities, including a twin arena, swimming pool, new Town Hall, library, and pool. According to Leavens, the land was acquired in the hopes that “substantial grants from senior levels of government” would be secured to help the Town in financing the project. Control of the East Fonthill Secondary plan is ceded to private developers.

2006

During the mayoral campaign, candidate Dave Augustyn asserts that “Many voters feel misled that this property was

purchased without a plan, without public input, and without looking for alternatives.” He pledges to decide whether to sell the property within his first nine months in office. Augustyn defeats Leavens by just 423 votes.

2008

On April 7, Council receives a Facilities Feasibility Study from dmA Planning. The report does not recommend the construction of a new arena on the Town’s 32 acres, instead suggesting that the Town invest igate options on the existing Haist David Augustyn Street areSUPPLIED PHOTO na, and look into possible partnerships with Welland, Niagara College, or others.

According to Mayor Augustyn, “The consultant praised the campus-like feel of the Fonthill downtown” after conferring with community groups, sport associations, and members of the public. Augustyn says that, “Pointing to the thousands of Pelham’s YMCA members, the consultant dismissed the idea of a Town-run recreation centre.”

A month later, Council’s Planning Committee votes to sell 27 of the Town’s 32 acres, with five to be retained for wastewater management, but because the Town is unable to find a buyer at the price for which it bought the land, the sale does not take place. Augustyn calls the vision that inspired the purchase of those lands “outdated,” and cites the success of the Welland YMCA as to why a recreation centre in Pelham is unnecessary. Augustyn says that the site is in the “furthest quadrant of the Town,” meaning that “99.5 percent of all current residents would have had to drive and park on acres of asphalt.”

While the consultant recommends the construction of a new arena, the report does not recommend doing so on the Town’s East Fonthill land.

“Without any ringing endorsement, I knew we needed to sell the property,” says Augustyn. In further explanation of his vote, Augustyn says that, “I voted to sell the property because I support facilities and parks that complement and enhance our Town and that provide value and service for your tax-dollars.”

While Augustyn votes to sell the property along with three of the six councillors, Councillors John Durley, Dave Emmons, and Sharon Cook vote against the motion. Cook says that selling the land is “irresponsible,” and that, “we will not have this opportunity again.”

In June, Council creates committees to consider the future of three facilities: the Fenwick Fire Hall, Maple Acre Library, and the arena/ recreation centre. Augus-

tyn says that the Recreation Facilities Committee is charged with reviewing all arena options, “including twinning the current rink, partnering with Welland or Niagara College on a new twin-pad, fixing up the current rink and partnering with Welland for ice time, or only revitalizing the current single-pad arena.” The committee begins monthly meetings in November of 2008.

2009

At a Council meeting in March, Augustyn suggests that the Town send a signal to Welland that Pelham is a willing partner on recreation facilities.

Councillor Durley, as Chair of the Recreation Facilities Committee, is displeased with Augustyn’s suggestion.

“It seems like you chose to act independently rather than with Council,” he says at the meeting. Durley says that the focus should be on the best option for Pelham, and not “photo-ops and headlines,” and that sending such a signal to Welland would undermine the work of the committee.

At a meeting in May, it is mentioned that the Recreation Facilities Committee is considering—along with five other options—using the Town’s East Fonthill land after all. Augustyn asserts that the committee, of which Councillors Durley and Cook—both of whom voted against selling the land—are members, is moving too slowly and hasn’t provided Council with minutes or updates on its recommendations.

Cook quips that Augustyn’s campaign promise to sell the lands is hijacking the process. Augustyn demands an apology and stops the meeting until Cook provides it. Cook apologizes to staff that the meeting is delayed, and apologizes to Augustyn for reminding of him of his campaign promise, but refuses to provide the apology Augustyn wants. The meeting is adjourned until the following day, at which point Cook makes the apology Augustyn requested.

In July, the committee recommends that the Town-owned land in East Fonthill be the site of new recreational facilities.

Council directs staff to hire an architect “to prepare a general concept plan for the building, facility size, and site plan.”

In August, Augustyn writes a column in which he attributes the Town’s continued ownership of the property to the fact that it was unable to sell the land for the price for which it had been bought. Augustyn blames the “Extraordinary Assumptions” that were used for its initial valuation in 2005 for the unrealistically inflated price. Augustyn writes that Council is in the process of deciding “how best to re-designate, sell, or make use of the lands.”

2010

In a reversal of its decision in 2008, in

July Council votes “not to dispose of any portion of the Town-owned lands in East Fonthill,” until several issues are resolved. According to Augustyn, the land had been improperly zoned upon its purchase, and before being sold needs to be re-zoned. Council also postpones action on the land until after the finalization of the East Fonthill Secondary Plan, control of which had earlier been ceded to private developers, and until after the final report of the Recreational Facilities Committee. Augustyn says that he is frustrated with the process and believed that “these planning issues should have been taken care of before the property was purchased,” apparently an allusion to previous Council and Mayor Leavens.

In the October election, Augustyn handily defeats Councillor Sharon Cook to win a second term. Cook voted against the sale of the lands in 2008 and during the election she campaigns in favour of building a community centre. During the campaign Augustyn hedges on the matter, saying that it isn’t about being “for or against” a community centre, but rather in asking responsible questions about what Pelham needs and what it can afford. During a debate, he predicts that the East Fonthill Secondary Plan process will be complete in 2011, and at that point a decision on the Town’s East Fonthill lands can be made.

2011

In June, the East Fonthill Secondary Plan is approved.

2012

In the spring, Darren Ottaway is hired as Pelham’s Chief Administrative Officer, replacing the retiring Martin Yamich. Ottaway, who was selected from 55 candidates from across the country, was Darren Ottaway SUPPLIED PHOTO pre v iously the CAO of Grande Cache, Alberta, where he oversaw a $22 million recreation centre expansion.

In December, Town staff presents a report summarizing seven previous reports on a recreation centre dating back to 1990. The staff’s meta-report concludes that “it is abundantly clear that since 1990 the community has consistently voiced a need and desire for a new twin-pad arena.” The report adds that, “the same cannot be said of the various political representatives during the same time as there is clearly a wide breadth of political opinion ranging from significant land acquisition and facility construction pool facilities and a community wellness centre.”

After receiving this report, Council directs staff to have the Town’s 32 acres appraised and to develop a

“business case for community recreational facilities.”

In June, LeisurePlan International Inc. is commissioned by the Town to develop a business case and carry out a market analysis for a recreation centre.

2013

In February, Director of Planning Craig Lamour is terminated.

Sources tell the Voice that he is escorted from his desk and led out of the building.

In September, planning department administrative assistant Tara Druzina is terminated.

2014

In January, LeisurePlan presents its report to Council after surveying 1091 residents, 14 user groups, and 46 service providers. It recommends that the Town “replace the existing single-pad with a new arena facility within the next five years.” LeisurePlan finds that in the short/medium term there was insufficient demand for a second surface.

In January, former planning department staffer Tara Druzina files the first of 12 requests under the Freedom of Information Act. The Town provides the first six, but refuses to provide the others, sending a letter to Druzina that describes her requests “frivolous and vexatious.” The letter further states that, “It is evident that your requests are part of a pattern of conduct that amounts to an abuse of the right of access and would interfere with the operations of the Town. In addition, given the nature of your requests in view of recent past experience with you, the requests are regarded as having been made in bad faith and for a purpose other than to obtain access.”

The Town sues Druzina for $20,000 for violating her severance agreement.

The lawsuit is settled out of court. Druzina, who had been previously registered to run for Council, withdraws from the race.

In March, for $375,000 per acre, the Town sells 7.8 of its 32 acres to Fonthill Gardens (The Allen Group) contingent upon the construction of a medical centre and retirement residence within five years.

In April, LeisurePlan again reports to Council, recommending the construction of a multi-purpose community centre. The presentation estimated the cost of the centre to be between $22 and $27 million.

In July, Aecom Engineering (via LeisurePlan) presents a report to Council on the existing Haist Street arena. Detailing substantial problems, Aecom estimated that it could cost $2.5 million to upgrade the facility for five to ten years of use.

LeisurePlan says that the existing Haist Street arena site may be insufficiently large for a multi-purpose recreation centre. Council votes to initiate a design process for a possible

Recent salary data fo

Source: Ontario Sunshine List

From 2014 to 2015, former Treas 24%, from $118,511 to $146,847.

In 2016, Town Director of Human ceives a 26 percent raise to $134,0 From 2013 to 2016, Fire Chief Ro es 28 percent, from $113,805 to $1 From 2013 to 2016, CAO Darren O cent, from $135,496 to $176,077, i community centre on the Town’s East Fonthill property.

Council creates an Architectural Design Advisory Committee to select an architect for the project. In September, Petroff Partnership Architects is selected by the committee.

In October, former Town Director of Planning Craig Lamour, who was terminated in February 2013, files a Code of Conduct complaint against the Town. He asserts that, “Council has failed to ensure accountability and transparency in the sale of East Fonthill lands.” Council rejects Lamour’s complaint, calling it a misuse of the process, since Lamour questions a decision made by Council, not the actions of a specific Councillor or Councillor.

Lamour declines to pursue the matter in court.

Also in October, Mayor Augustyn campaigns for his third term. He credits the “How Might We?” so-called “creative problem-solving” process for breaking Pelham’s “recreational logjam.” During the campaign, other candidates criticize Council for holding too many closed meetings out of public view. Augustyn argues that the Town conducts in-camera meetings as is permitted under the Municipal Act. In defending the Town’s practise, he cites the Ontario Ombudsman in saying that meetings are held in camera, for, among other reasons, “where open meetings would not serve the public interest, or the interests of the municipality.”Augustyn easily wins his third term.

2015

In February, Council approves the Architectural Design Committee’s recommendations of various components to the centre, including a 1200 seat arena and a performing arts space.

Spring: A middle-management, finance-related Town staffer uncovers something about the Town’s financial records that deserved greater scrutiny. Thinking that it was the right thing to do, the staffer brings this discovery to the Town’s attention.

By the end of the day, the staffer has been terminated and marched directly out to the parking lot by Town staff.

When reached last week, the former staffer, whom the Voice has chosen not to identify, said the departure was voluntary, and that no further comment would be forthcoming. The individual now holds a finance-related position of comparable responsibility at a different

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 11

project—how we got to where we are today

or Pelham senior staff

t, rounded to nearest percent

surer Cari Pupo’s pay increases

n Resources Paula Gilbert re015. obert Lymburner’s salary increas145,407.

Ottaway’s salary increases 30 perincluding a $23,000 raise in 2015.

Niagara municipality.

In June, LeisurePlan revises its initial recommendations at the request of the Town and says that “a new twin pad arena facility should be developed such that it is operational by 2018/19.”

In July, Council is informed that the estimated costs of a new design reaches as high as $54 million, while staff pegs the Town’s debt tolerance at $30 million. In light of this, Council asks staff to create a fundraising plan, and to seek out the services of a construction manager who could assist in reducing costs.

In October, Council moves to hire Ball Construction to assist in cost reduction.

The Planning and Priorities Committee limits the project’s design to $30 million.

In the latter half of the year, the Town of Pelham enters into an agreement with the Allen Group (Fonthill Gardens), the developer of the Fonthill Marketplace.

In exchange for 3.3 acres of land, the Allen Group agrees to be paid in Development Charges credits rather than cash. The Allen Group is later discovered to be offering these credits at a discount to other developers, among them Rainer Hummel. (When the Voice reports on this scheme this past March, Mayor Augustyn asserts that the practice has already been ended.)

2016

In March, Petroff Partnership Architects presents a community centre design to Council.

Ball Construction estimates the total cost at $36.2 million.

CAO Darren Ottaway and then-Treasurer Cari Pupo present a financial analysis to Council. Their presentation asserts that the Town’s debt tolerance has now jumped to $37 million, up from the previously reported $30 million in July 2015.

Pupo and Ottaway estimate that surplus Town land in East Fonthill will sell for $12 million, and that an additional $12.1 million will be collected by development charges. Ottaway and Pupo report that a fundraising feasibility study shows 85% approval rating for the project among Town residents.

A $3 million fundraising goal is set.

Their presentation also states that $9 million of the total $36.2 million project will be debentured through Infrastructure Ontario, at an interest rate of 3.42 percent. The Town says that no further tax increases will be required to build the centre.

In a four-page colour flyer sent to residents, the

Town includes a misleading pie chart that depicts the debenture as smaller than in actuality. In a letter to the Voice, Fonthill resident Jim Coyne writes that, “although the debenture is a full quarter of the cost of the project, it is represented as approximately a seventh of the cost in the pie chart illustration…I can only assume that this was done on purpose to mislead residents of Pelham, as I find it difficult to believe that any program involved in making the chart would have allowed for this to happen.”

The Town responds by saying that the error was corrected when brought to its attention.

In early April, Council votes 6 to 1 to approve the community centre design “in principle.” The dissenter is Councillor Marvin Junkin, who says that, “It’s presumptuous of Council to move forward without public consultation. People are angry. They feel that they have not been involved in the project, and the least we can do is give them a voice.”

In late April, at a special Council meeting held at Old Pelham Town Hall, Council votes to approve the community centre project, 5 to 2, the dissenters being Councillors Peter Papp and Marvin Junkin. Papp proposes an amendment to delay the construction of the second ice surface until further financial study can be undertaken. Augustyn rules the amendment out of order.

Junkin says that he, “like a majority of people in the Town,” thinks that a community centre was needed, though says that he felt strongly that “to construct a second ice pad as part of this centre is a huge mistake that the Town will regret in future years.” Council then approves a fund-raising campaign, to be carried out

by InterKom Smart Marketing. The campaign’s goal is $3 million towards the centre, and an additional $300,000 to cover the costs of the campaign itself.

In May, Council holds special meeting regarding the financing of the community centre. Staff is directed to create a plan to sell the eight acres at the existing Haist Street arena site, and 20 acres of East Fonthill surplus lands. Council approves an Environmental Impact Study on 12 lots on Balfour Street, between Chantler Road and Webber Road, so that this land may also be sold.

In September, the community centre’s Oversight Committee, comprised of Ottaway, Councillor Gary Accursi, and two residents, begins its meetings. A source who does not wish to be identified, who has intimate knowledge of the oversight committee and its mandate, tells the Voice that it has no meaningful authority, and acts merely to rubber-stamp previously made decisions. Later in the month, Council approves the community centre site plan.

David Barrick

In late November, an official groundbreaking ceremony is held for the community centre.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

2017

In March, Port Colborne Regional Councillor David Barrick calls into question the state of Pelham finances before Regional Council. Barrick’s motion expresses skepticism that Pelham will be able to fund the community centre project as stated. (Later, other Regional Councillors express concern to the Voice that Pelham had altered its true debt levels by issuing deferred development charge credits.)

Mayor Augustyn submits a 338-page document as Pelham’s response to Barrick’s motion. Grimsby Regional Councillor Tony Quirk says that, “sometimes in a lawsuit, when you want to hide something, you do a data dump.” Regional Council moves to defer the issue to the June meeting of its Audit Committee.

Augustyn provides numerous media comments that attack Barrick and defend the Town’s actions.

“We have shown categorically that their Chicken Little worrying about the sky is falling has no merit,” Augustyn says, referring to Barrick. “In the package, we have a letter from our auditor, and it clearly says, albeit in auditor language, that there are no problems with our financial statements.”

Barrick describes the Town’s document as “an incomplete 338-page document that conveniently fails to include the basics such as the internal control letter and management responses to the audited financial statements.”

In April, the Town hosts an “Evening with the Experts,” ostensibly an event to allow concerned residents to have their questions answered. While Augustyn calls the night a successful exercise in transparency, many in the audience later criticize the event as largely devoid of useful information.

On May 16, Town Treasurer Cari Pupo is terminated.

She had held her position for nearly a decade. The Town declines to say why Pupo was fired. The Voice learns that some councillors are privately assuring residents that Pupo’s termination was in no way related to financial concerns.

The day after Pupo’s ouster, the Town hosts a “Thanks a Million, Pelham!” donor announcement, in commemoration of raising its first $1 million towards the $3.3 million goal.

In June, Mayor Augustyn and CAO Ottaway address the Region’s Audit Committee and dispute each of the assertions in Councillor Barrick’s March motion, calling them “misleading and erroneous.” Barrick maintains

that his allegations are accurate, and accuses Augustyn of spinning the numbers.

Augustyn accuses Barrick of politically-motivated bullying. Councillor Tony Quirk, who chairs the Audit Committee, says, “I am not sure why they think we wouldn’t have questions or why they wouldn’t be asked. If they find that ‘intimidating’ then perhaps they shouldn’t have provided the information in the first place.” The Audit Committee defers discussion of Pelham’s finances until September.

Also in June, developer Rainer Hummel, who owns property in East Fonthill, makes a presentation to Regional Council. During his present ation, and in a subsequent interview with the Voice, Hummel calls the Town’s 2015 developRainer Hummel ment charge SUPPLIED PHOTO s c h e m e “potentially illegal,” and likens it to printing money “in the basement.” Hummel says that he spoke to Town CAO Darren Ottaway about the program in the summer of 2016, after the Allen Group approached Hummel’s firm.

According to Hummel, Ottaway said that, “There’s special ways that we sought legal counsel, and, apparently, there is ways that you can do this, and our lawyer said that it was fine,” before changing the subject. Ottaway later denies making any such statement.

Hummel also alleges that the Town sought to purchase land from the Allen Group in 2015, land that the Allen Group did not own. The Allen Group subsequently bought the desired land— about eight acres—for close to $225,000 per acre. Hummel asserts that shortly afterward, the Town bought three acres of these 8 acres from the Allen Group for $928,000 per acre. During his presentation, Hummel said that “It looks to me nothing more than a backdoor way of bonusing a developer,” an illegal practice in Ontario.

In order for these three acres to have been valued at $928,000 per acre, the appraisal made use of what are called “Extraordinary Assumptions,” the same process that years earlier Augustyn identified as making it impossible to sell East Fonthill acreage for the same amount that the Town had paid for it. A senior appraiser in Niagara told the Voice that while inflated valuations aren’t unusual, he’d never heard of a number matching the $928,000 in Niagara for unserviced land with not so much as an access road. “Hello?” he said.

“Are they trying to build Disneyland?”

In mid-June, on the eve of an OMB hearing relating to an action brought by Rainer Hummel against the Town of Pelham, senior planner Julie Hannah abruptly resigns. She does not testify at

the hearing.

In July, Pelham Regional Councillor Brian Baty calls for the Town to commission a forensic audit of its finances. Baty, who says that the audit is the best way to put all of the questions to rest, receives a largely hostile response from Council. While Councillor Peter Papp seems receptive to the idea, saying that he wants the air to be cleared quickly, and “if there are things that we need to fix or remedy, let’s remedy it as quickly as possible,” others are less enthusiastic. Councillor Gary Accursi says that he would not support a third-party audit.

Councillor Catherine King says, “Quite frankly, I find the whole thing absolutely a waste of time. If the general public has that opinion of the Town of Pelham, then clearly they don’t listen to all of the awards, all of the progress, all of the development that we have undertaken, all of the praise that we’ve received.”

Counc i lCatherine King lor RichSUPPLIED PHOTO ard Rybiak asserts that those raising concerns about Pelham’s finances are either “people with an agenda who cynically put out a word that they know not necessarily to be true,” or the “victims of cynics.” Rybiak asserts that Baty falls into one of these categories.

In early September, the Town provides its official response to Hummel’s allegations.

Accompanied

by Town solicitor Callum Shedden, CAO Darren Ottaway presents to Council a “Key Facts” presentation, in which he disputes Hummel’s assertions relating the the 3.3-acre purchase. Ottaway asserts that the land was purchased as parkland, even though the Town’s intention with the property was to build a road through it.

Councillors unanimously pass a motion stating that Council and staff “categorically deny all allegations”; that the Town will no long participate in the Region’s review of Pelham’s finances, as “it lies outside their sphere of jurisdiction”; and which demands the review “be ended immediately.”

In mid-September, at the instruction of Council, Town solicitor Callum Shedden presents to a meeting of the Regional Audit Committee.

Shedden informs the committee that Pelham will no longer participate in the Region’s review process because it “lacks jurisdiction” over municipal finances.

Shedden notes that Hummel is present in the gallery, but says that Hummel is “in the wrong room at the wrong meeting. He should be at the Town, where there is jurisdiction.”

When questioned by Barrick on specifics on the Town’s finances, Shed-

den repeatedly asserts that his retainer for the day is merely to report Pelham’s motion to the Audit Committee. When asked about the development charge credits, Shedden says that, “the answers are there— you just have to look for them.”

The Audit Committee votes to request that Pelham commission at third-party audit of its books.

On October 2, at Pelham Town Council, two weeks after the Audit Committee meeting, Mayor Augustyn proposes that the Town commission an audit limited to the disputed land deal.

Councillor Marvin Junkin says that the motion is “too restrictive, and it is incomplete,” before tabling an amendment that calls for a “full review of the so-called questionable land deal, including full and complete access to the Town’s financial records of the past three years.” His amendment directs auditors to evaluate the total debt of the Town, and full disclosure of all development charges and how they were used.

Junkin’s amendment is not seconded, preventing discussion or a vote. Councillor Peter Papp says, somewhat cryptically, “Are there things that happened that shouldn’t have happened?

Probably.” All but Junkin vote in favour of retaining the firm KPMG to carry out an audit of the 3.3. acre purchase.

On October 5, Pelham resident Curt Harley, representing the lobbying group Pelham D.E.B.T, speaks before Regional Council. Citing a construction Change Log for the community centre, acquired through a Freedom of Information request, Harley points to more than $2.5 million that had been credited from the community centre contract with no explanation as to where these funds went.

He also notes that an addition of 9000 square feet of space was not present in the Change Log. Following Harley’s presentation, Augustyn agrees that there is widespread concern among residents about the Town’s finances, and says that the Town’s reversal on whether to conduct an audit was done after hearing this concern.

The Town says that KPMG will report the results of its limited audit in late November.

November 6: Councillor Marvin Junkin resigns, citing a moral responsibility not to further collude in what he characterizes as a cover-up of $17 million dollars in previously undisclosed debt, brought to Council’s attention on September 5, by an earlier KPMG audit not released to the public.

Written by Samuel Piccolo, with additional reporting by Dave Burket.

Voice archival material drawn from reporting by Carolyn Mullin, Sarah Whitaker, Zach Junkin, and Nate Smelle.

Page 12

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Me gusta ayudar—Fonthill man takes more than himself to Cuba

BY VOICE STAFF One day in early October, sometime around four in the morning, Warren Mason was at the check-in counter at Pearson International Airport.

“Cubana Airlines is supposed to only allow two suitcases at twenty-four kilos each,” Mason said a few weeks later, after he had returned home.

“I was way over that limit. And I had one of those jogging strollers, too—the ones with big wheels.

I tried to tell the attendant that I was going to use it to carry my beer down to the beach, but I couldn’t keep a straight face.”

The attendant started to laugh too, and in the end told Mason that the airline could classify the stroller as a wheelchair.

“But she also said that I had to

COMPETENCE continued from Page 4 best people on it. People who understand business and finance. People who’ve been around the block a few times, who are not afraid to clean house. Heavyweights,

find a plastic bag for it. So there I was wandering around the airport at four in the morning, looking for a big plastic bag.”

Eventually Mason did find a bag and all of his luggage made it through security. Once he was on the other side, he picked up even more things to take on the flight.

“I went to the duty-free and bought a whole case of Molson Canadian. Everyone on the plane was laughing at me carrying the case down the aisle,” he said.

Mason’s vacation to Cuba, where he goes four or five times a year, was only a week long, and so to those travelling at the same time, he must have seemed comically over-packed. But most of the things that he brought were not for him.

“Warren does a lot to try and help the people down there,” said

in other words.

Likely not the one member of his caucus who’s never been burdened by a hydro bill.

That’s to come. Let’s move on to the here-and-now.

Previous editions of the Voice record my unquali-

Tracy Strycker Hairstyling Providing a wide range of services including cuts, style, up do’s, colour, custom colour highlights, perms, wigs and bridal.

INDIVIDUAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

Tracy Strycker 289.213.3834 34 Deerpark, Fonthill salonallegra.com

Sue Lough, a friend of Mason’s who was visiting him at his Fonthill apartment last week. “He tries not to talk about it, but he really does. I’d say Warren spent close to a thousand dollars of extra money bringing stuff down, during his last trip.”

As Lough spoke about his efforts, Mason, who is in his sixties and has shaggy grey hair (a mop that was kept in place by a cap with the Cuban flag on it), looked away bashfully. For an advertisement salesman—Mason in the past sold ads for newspapers, including on and off again on behalf of the Voice, and now works for the Fallsview Casino—he was noticeably subdued.

“I don’t know if what I do is all that interesting,” he said. “I’m just trying to help a little bit.”

In between his trips to Cuba,

fied support for the right of every person to live his or her life according to their closely held private beliefs.

Such private beliefs have no legitimate place in influencing law or government.

When our young MPP says his conscience guides his actions, he’s referring to his religiosity. He’s prolife, opposing unfettered access to abortion and doctor-assisted suicide. His conviction that certain civil rights are anathema to God flavours his representation as an MPP though, ironically, he characterises it as, “Fighting to Protect Your Rights.”

In this newsletter he implies that medical professionals are being forced against their will to involve themselves in medically-assisted suicide. This is not the case.

The province has stated unequivocally that no medical personnel will be com-

Mason is constantly on the lookout for things that he could take on his next one. He eyes sales at Canadian Tire, where he buys flashlights and solar panels, and he stops by Giant Tiger and Dollarama to find little toys and holiday tchotchkes.

“This time I went down, some people that I’ve known there for a long time were just about to become grandparents, so I got a lot of baby stuff,” Mason said, explaining that he had tracked down the jogging stroller because its big wheels worked well on the sandy terrain in Cuba.

Mason has been going to Cuba since the 1970s, in a period during the Castro regime that the island was not the tourist destination it later became. He says that there was a lot less freedom for visitors in those days, and that when he asked to tour a farm, he was taken

pelled to participate, and conscience rights are unambiguously protected under Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. To imply otherwise is disingenuous.

The Private Member’s Bill to which Sam refers “to provide protection to conscience rights” was defeated in Parliament because it was a solution in search of a problem. An ill-advised political red herring with a scarcely concealed doctrinal agenda.

Sam switches gears when he refers to “innovative options” in palliative care.

He’s no longer talking about protecting the conscience rights of medical workers but about end-oflife alternatives that exclude medically assisted suicide.

His motivation is not so much to alleviate an individual’s terminal suffering as to keep him from breaking canonical laws, effectively denying the individual his own conscience rights even after having made peace with himself and/or his maker.

The decision of terminally ill individuals to end their lives is the most difficult they will ever have made.

How can it be otherwise?

There are those with good though misguided intentions who will do their utmost to talk them out of it

to one special location.

“I don’t have any proof of this,” Mason says, “since the undeveloped rolls of film are sitting in an old newspaper building. But when I was at the farm, Raoul Castro came touring there accompanied by an official from the Canadian embassy.”

The farm was Mason’s only direct brush with the Castros, but Cayo Largo, one of the islands where he frequently goes now, was once Fidel Castro’s favourite vacation spot. According to Mason, Pierre Trudeau visited Castro and snorkelled with him on the island.

“They really love Canadians in Cuba,” Mason says. “Ninety-two percent of all tourists there are from Canada—a million of us go down every year.”

See NOT FORT ERIE next page

or, worse, make it difficult for them to seek help from a doctor whose conscience is not burdened by dogma or a narrow take on the Hippocratic Oath.

If those who have made the journey to that most difficult of decisions are guilted or frightened or obstructed into hanging on to their suffering for another day, another week, another month then neither good nor God will have been served.

Let’s put those specifics aside for now and examine matters through a cold political lens.

The first election attack ads against Patrick Brown have begun to air on YouTube. They disparage the PC leader for perceived flip-flops on right-to-life/ choice and LGBTQ rights issues. The reality is Mr. Brown recognised his previous social conservatism was a liability with voters and has addressed it.

He has walked the talk in the Pride parade, demonstrating unequivocally that he is able to separate his duty to his conscience from his duty to Ontario, pledging to subordinate the former to focus his energies on governance.

The ads want you to believe his social conservatism will re-emerge if he wins the province, and Sam

Searching for Better Hearing Take a Set of Premium Hearing Aids Home

FREE for

E V Z U F W N C K Q

S L R V O X L H O L

L J Y D N A V E I F

Oosterhoff plays directly into that dialogue.

Sam’s inexperience and naiveté are not strong assets. He is rather a bit of a party outlier. He did the PCs no favours pulling the rug from under one if their most competent senior strategists through what could be perceived was a stacked nomination process.

His election by just 17% of eligible voters, which Sam subsequently characterised as “a landslide,” is no guarantee he will carry the seat in June, particularly when his opponents rally their base to defeat him.

His social conservatism makes Sam a political liability and a soft target.

Patrick Brown knows this.

And so do the NDP and the Liberals.

The province needs the PCs to win in June, to put an end to Liberal mismanagement under Kathleen Wynne. Effective governance will demand competence, focus, coordination and, most of all, teamwork. Sam Oosterhoff should either get with the program and follow Patrick Brown’s lead or step aside for someone who will.

Nick Saltarelli is a paid-up, card-carrying member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.

A T Q T R C U A F H

R I D I S F O L U Z

289-897-8666 See clinic for details.

U Y F K D U F H R C

S E C I O H C I A J

X E H W Y I M R L V

H I E G W M V F Y E

CLARITY | CHOICES | HEALTH | LIFESTYLE

2 Weeks

Call us today to book your FREE Hearing Assessment

N J T Z M E Z T L Q

Alaina Hillier Doctor of Audiology, Audiologist

www.southniagarahearing.com

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Mason and Lough hold up a Cuban flag blanket, knitted by Dorothy Hardy of Pelham. VOICE PHOTO

NOT FORT ERIE continued from previous page On each trip Mason brings down a number of Canadian flags and a bag of the flag pins given out by Members of Parliament. The Molson Canadian is for the Cubans, too.

“I don’t drink that stuff,” says Mason, “but they just love it because it has the Canadian flag on the label.

I make sure that the security guards at the resort get some, just so they’ll let us… get away with stuff.”

Americans are viewed considerably less fondly in Cuba. During one of Mason’s recent visits, he saw an American couple aboard the plane wearing starred and striped clothing, and though they changed upon arrival, the two had neglected to exchange their currency.

“American credit and debit cards won’t work there,” says Mason. “And the currency exchanger was giving them a hard time with their cash, too.

He’d look at each bill under a magnifying glass and say, ‘Oh, this one’s ripped’ and refuse to take it.”

US President Donald Trump’s tumultuous first

nine months in office have not improved Cuban-American relations in Mason’s experience. In his final two years, President Barack Obama had made efforts to improve the relationship, even re-opening the American embassy in Havana, but Trump’s rhetoric regarding Cuba’s Communist government has been more belligerent. Beginning near the end of 2016, some diplomats at the Canadian and American embassies were reportedly the victims of a supersonic attacks, and non-essential officials at the United States embassy were subsequently pulled from Havana.

As Mason spoke about the United States, sitting at his kitchen table, he looked over to his living room, where a “Trump/Pence 2016” sign was propped up against the wall.

“I’ve got to put that away,” he said. “People who come over keep asking to buy it from me—that’s the only reason I got one in the first place, because I figured that it’d be worth money someday. Trump has not been good for Cuban relations.”

“Trump hasn’t been good for anything,” said Lough.

Mason’s last trip to Cuba

came just after a hurricane had blown through, and while Cuba was spared the worst of it, there was still significant damage.

Cayo Largo, the resort island, is accessible only by plane because of its shallow harbours, and employees of the resort who live on the mainland were stuck on the island for a month.

“I still want my trips to be a vacation,” said Mason, who is a member of the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association.

“The association wants to build fences and other things—I’m not into any of that.”

Still though, Mason took down tarps and other post-hurricane necessities, and already has closetfuls of materials ready for his next trip in November.

“I haven’t bought the tickets yet. But these days, you can just sit at the computer with a beer and click through and wait for deals,” he said, pointing to the monitor nearby. “I try to get my packages for a few hundred dollars off.”

He paused and thought for a minute.

“Though I guess I end up spending the difference on other things I bring down.

Oh well.”

FREE ENGINE OIL & FILTER WHEN YOU BOOK AN ANNUAL SERVICE INSPECTION

Page 13

Page 14

DREW continued from Page 18 grandmother said to me all the time, ‘Now Douglas.

Don’t you have anything to do with any girls, or there’ll be big trouble.’ You can’t get that sort of thing out—it’s stamped somewhere inside of you. She scared me so good that when a group of girls came walking down the sidewalk toward me, I’d swerve way over to the side to get out of the way.”

In 1940 Drew joined the RCAF, and went for six weeks of basic training.

“I’d never even heard of Brandon, Manitoba, before, and there I was, marching, for six weeks.”

After more training in England and Scotland, Drew was shipped with his squadron to North Africa, the only RCAF division to be stationed there. The convoy left Britain in April, and didn’t arrive in Egypt until June.

“A convoy is only as fast as its slowest ship,” he said.

“We had thirty-five boats, and a few of them were just little steamers that plugged along at six or eight miles an hour.”

“How did you pass the time?” I asked. Drew put a hand to his forehead, pretending to block the sun.

“Looking for periscopes.

Down near the equator, the water is flat like this floor here. When the ocean is choppy it’s easier to see the submarines because the waves go up and down and you can get a look at some of it. When the water is calm, they just poke up a few inches. Those guys are scary.”

But the convoy encountered no U-Boats during the trip.

Along the way, the entire squadron was lectured by officers. “They said, ‘You’re going to be here for three years. So there’s no use crying about going home, because you’re not going to go home for three years.’”

I asked whether this particularly bothered him.

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017 “No. It might have been different if I’d had parents.

But my grandmother died while I was away, and so it was only my grandfather at home.”

Over a decade ago, Drew had his wartime journals printed into a few copies for his family. Even though he left school when he was 14, he writes clearly, without ornament. “When I was old enough to drive, my grandfather, who did not drive, bought a car so that I could drive him. During one of our outings in the car, he asked me to drive him to York Road [in Guelph] so that he could show me where he was born.

Had he not done so, I would have no knowledge of my family roots.”

It certainly wasn’t the food that kept Drew from being homesick. Most of the time there was just bully beef and hardtack to eat. I wondered what hardtack was made of. “Flour, I guess,” he said. “And cement. I don’t think you can even buy it anymore. I used to keep a piece in my overalls and break off little bits to suck on while I worked.

You had to soften it up with saliva.”

He preferred Italy to North Africa. “It’s not fit for a man to live there,” he said.

“You leave food out for fifteen minutes and it’s rotten from the sand and heat.”

Finding food in Italy wasn’t easy either, and Drew often went scrounging outside the base in search of something else to eat.

“My friend Jim Baird, who was in the RAF, and I used to go out looking for stuff.

But there wasn’t much to be had. One time, a little boy came up to us and said, ‘Do you want my sister?’

They were all so desperate.

They’d have done anything for some money or food.”

By 1944, Drew had finished his three-year stint that had been promised by the officers on the way over, and he was shipped back to

England for a month’s leave.

“Jim was in the RCAF, and their term was five years so he couldn’t leave when I did.

He said, ‘Doug, you have to go and visit my mother.’

And I said, ‘Oh sure Jim, yes I will, of course.’” Drew nodded his head, miming a feigned earnestness. “But what did I want to see his mother for?”

He arrived in England a week later.

“We had so much money.

My pockets were full. My coat pockets were full. My wallet was full. We had been working for three years with no place to spend what we were earning. So in England, we found a nice hotel. Behind the desk was a real starchy Englishman. He said, ‘What do you fellows want?’ We said we wanted a room. He said, ‘Oh no, you can’t be in here, this is for officers only.’ He was lucky we hadn’t had anything to drink, because we’d have pulled him over the counter and roughed him up. For officers only. There we were with enough money to buy the place, and he wouldn’t even give us a room. But we hadn’t been drinking, so we just said, ‘Piss on him,’ and found another hotel.”

Drew said that they had passes allowing them to travel the full length of the island, all the way to northern tip of Scotland.

“But we stopped in Glasgow. I figured that I better go and visit Jim’s mother, since he lived pretty close to there. I took a bus to Hart Hill—only they don’t say it like that, it’s like, ‘Hawwt Hill.’ I found his house and rapped on the door, and his sister answered it. As soon as she saw my uniform, she yelled out behind her, ‘Ma, Colonel Drew is here.’ And Jim’s mother came out and invited me in and said that she’d put on the tea. Tea— the first thing they do is put on the tea. I needed tea like a hole in the head. I wanted a couple of shots.”

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Doug Drew in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1942, sitting on a statue of Cleopatra.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

After a few hours at the Bairds’ house, Drew rose to leave. You’re not going anywhere, Mrs. Baird said. She told him to go get his kit and stay with the family.

“I ended up staying the whole month with Jim’s mother. My friends couldn’t believe it at first. But I had a good time. Jim had a brother who worked down in a coal mine, checking for gas.

Every day he’d come home black as the ace of spades, and we’d go out in to the little town. There were about five places to get a drink.

We’d go into the first one, and someone called Jock—I call them all Jock—would see my uniform and send two drinks over. They have this thing called a ‘half and half,’ which they call

a ‘hoff and hoff.’ A shot of liquor that you wash down with a pint of beer. They’d send a ‘hoff and hoff’ over.

And I’d say, ‘Oh, thanks for the drink, Jock.’ We’d get two there, and then go over to the next pub and get the same thing from other Jocks. Then we’d eat fish and chips on newspaper at the end of the night.”

After the month with the Bairds, Drew was sent back to North America. He was in a doctor’s office in Toronto, receiving his discharge physical, when the sirens began to sound and church bells gonged. “You better go home,” the doctor told him.

“The war is over.”

While he was overseas, Ruby, the sister of a friend of Drew’s from Guelph, started

RENOVATE

TEMPERATURES ARE FALLING

RIGHT NOW

WITH LOUWES

Save on energy costs ...

It’s a great time to renovate! Whether it’s new windows and doors or siding, soffit, fascia and eavestrough; it’s a great time to buy. North Star energyefficient windows will save you money in the long term by keeping your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Call or visit our showroom today for a FREE ESTIMATE on your home! FINANCING AVALABLE (OAC)

905.562.5831

writing him letters.

“She was getting quite chummy in those letters,” Drew said. The two married in 1946 after he’d left the service. Every month or so, the RCAF would send him a letter, asking him to rejoin. Drew eventually told his wife that he was going to go and hear what they had to say.

“She told me to go and ‘get it out of my system,’” he said. “I went and talked to them, and by the end of the day, I was back in the service.”

Drew stayed in the RCAF until 1973, working and living on bases around the country.

His apartment is full of paintings and photographs.

On one wall, there is a line of pictures from his days in the air force. One of them is of the entire mechanic crew on that RCAF squadron in North Africa.

“Did you keep in close contact with any of them?”

I asked.

“A few,” he said. “I didn’t join the Legion though. If I’d been on my own, I probably would have. But Ruby’s father was a member, and he was a man who liked his beer too much. So Ruby said that there’d be no Legion business. There was one mechanic who lived out in St. Thomas, but he died a while ago. Half of those guys are gone now.”

“Probably more than half,” I said.

Drew nodded. “Right. Remember, I’m ninety-six.”

He was quiet for a minute, and looked up at the photograph.

“All of this feels like it happened a hundred years ago.”

“It almost did happen a hundred years ago,” I said.

“Yes,” said Drew. “I guess that’s true.”

I thanked him and said my goodbyes. After I closed the door, I think that Doug reclined his La-Z-Boy again, settled in, and went back to sleep. 

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

WE SERVICE ALL MAKES & MODELS

MAINTENANCE • FURNACES AIR CONDITIONERS

t Ask abou Available REBATES

BOB REID Heating & Air Conditioning

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL

905-892-7787

DUNNVILLE VETERINARY CLINIC Est. 1952 Closer than you think!

Same-day appointments

- Same-day test results, most while you wait - Large, well-established practice

ASK ABOUT OUR

3435 King Street Vineland, Ontario WINDOWS & SIDING SINce 1966 • WWW.lOuWeS.ca

WELLNESS PACKAGE 110 Ramsey Dr., Dunnville, ON N1A 1K8 Phone: (905) 774-7642 1-800-263-6496 vets@dunnvillevetclinic.com Mon - Fri: 8 AM to 6 PM • Sat: 8 AM to 2 PM • Closed Sunday

www.dunnvillevetclinic.com

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 15

SERVICE DIRECTORY Electrical Electrical

ACB

Heating & & Cooling Cooling Heating

Renovations Renovations

Plumbing

We Make House Calls!

Electrical

Fenwick Alex Bover-Master Electrician

THE PUMP DOCTOR

-ECRA #7003130 Service Upgrades • Energy Efficiency Upgrades Troubleshooting • New Wiring & Re-Wiring Commercial • Industrial • Residential

905.892.2655 1.800.676.4029

tel: 905-892-4988 Email:abover@cogeco.ca cell: 905-714-2145 for urgent calls

ROBERT WILLIAMS PLUMBING & HEATING LIMITED

We Service All Makes And Models

Landscaping Landscaping

Power Equipment

Landscaping

2 Just

LANDSCAPES Inspired By Your LIFESTYLE

l

905.892.6908 www.dekorteslandscaping.com 799 Balfour St, Fenwick

Concrete Supplies Concrete Supplies

874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 874 Hwy #20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways Landscape Design l Landscape Design l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways l Natural Stone l Retaining Walls l Outdoor Wood Projects l Natural Stone l Retaining Walls l Outdoor Wood Projects l Water l Water Features Outdoor Lighting Features ll Outdoor Lighting

Steven& & Ryan Ryan Van Lochem Steven Van Lochem Owners/Operators

Owners/Operators Phone: 905.892.2188 • www.naturesownidea.com

Painting

Motorcycles, ATVs, Power Equipment, Snowblowers, Sales, Service, Parts & Accessories, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM ● www.clarescycle.com

799 Hwy 20, Fenwick, ON Phone: 905.892.2188 • www.naturesownidea.com

Plumbing Plumbing

905-892-2664

PAINT

• House painting • Interior • Exterior FREE ESTIMATES! Call Martin: (289) 969-7482 2justpaint@gmail.com

Electrical

Fonthill Electric Ltd Niagara’s Complete Concrete Contractor (905) 262-2000

or Toll free

1-800-881-1628

cottoninc.ca

Taryn Wilton

residential • commercial • farm Licenced plumber & gas fitter with 25 years experience

905-386-6483 • 905-651-8558

Automotive

Landscaping

www.joesplumbingniagara.ca

The Voice

THE

FG

VOICE

Advertiser Fonthill Rlectric Ltd

The Voice of Pelham ad size Service Directory ad w:2.5” x h: 1.75”

Taryn Wilton Grass Cutting

Color Info tap water and toast, Waiter. blackJust only

Property Maintenance Contact Name Grounds Maintenance Contact Phone 905.401.5748 Spring & Fall Clean Up

Marketing Director Contact email Dave Burket Bill De Bruin 905.892.8608 info@fonthillelectric.ca email F a i r h a v e n g a r d e n s @hotmail.com advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca Approved By:

continued

Deja vu all over again: New arena “railroaded through” I don’t live in Pelham, but I often shop there and regularly read the Voice. I found your account of Mayor Augustyn’s remarks about West Lincoln interesting.

He declared at a recent Pelham Town Council meeting that West Lincoln Council has voted to take out a $20 million dollar debenture to pay for a new arena and that this will result in a 15% tax increase over three years. He seemed to imply that this is okay with the taxpayers of West Lincoln.

As a taxpaying resident of West Lincoln, I can assure you that this decision did not go down well with me and many other West Lincoln residents. Despite what your mayor may have heard from ours, there has been a deep sense of betrayal and outrage in rural West Lincoln since this project was railroaded through to approval by our pro-development mayor, his supporters on Council and certain unelected bureaucrats, which

Fairhaven Gardens

Creative Director Tarja Barton email graphics@thevoiceofpelham.ca

905.892.8690

Letters

ECRA/ESA licence #7011142

THE VOICE OF PELHAM

Our readers could be your customers. Tell them why they should choose you!

advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

(905) 401.5748

www.fonthillelectric.ca

Advertising

Call (905) 892-8690

Master Electrician Residential, Commercial & Industrial

mirrors what has been happening in Pelham.

One council member likened the bad feeling engendered by this process to the feud between the Hatfield and the McCoys Things have not improved since the pro-development cabal colluded to convince our Integrity Commissioner to force one of the only councillors who spoke out against the project to apologize.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a contagion in the Region of Niagara these days whereby mayors are bent on out-competing each other by building expensive, flashy sports palaces and facilitating Mississauga style development. And local councils seem to believe that they can be the judge of themselves in these matters. But beware— the public is watching!

Naomi Brusse Wellandport

Date:

It appears that the rest of our disposable

Due Date income will be required for property taxes Friday, March 18 at noon Rundate(s) until 2027 or so.

Mar. 23, Apr. 6, 20, May 4, 18, June 1, 15 and 29.

Cost $42 per insertion plus HST. Terms: Due on publication

Pelham Council’s attitude disappoints Embedded in the article last week on the NPCA audit [Ontario General to audit NPCA, p.3] were comments made by some Town councilors at the July Pelham Council meeting concerning the request for consideration of an audit by the Town of Pelham on matters relating to the East Fonthill development.

As indicated at a recent meeting of Niagara Regional Council, my professional and respectful stance taken at that meeting was with respect to the numerous citizens who had telephoned, emailed or spoken to me in person about their concerns.

The dismissive position taken with regard to those concerns shocked me as those citizens were referred to as cynics or victims of cynics and that I personally fell into one of those two categories.

To be clear, no person has the right to ascribe ulterior motives to my actions when I listen to, respect and act on behalf of my constituents in an open and transparent manner.

Brian Baty Pelham

Trout meeting set Last week’s letter from Trout Unlimited Canada [“Open letter to Councillor Brian Baty re: NPCA staffing,” p.7], was quickly answered by me, and I arranged a meeting with senior staff at NPCA. I look forward to that meeting later this week with members of Trout Unlimited Canada as we will discuss the value for money audit undertaken, its findings and the road forward to work cooperatively with our partners to maintain and restore our precious waterways.

Brian Baty Pelham

Page 16

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COMMUNITY EVENTS & CLASSIFIEDS

Place your ad by email or phone office@thevoiceofpelham.ca Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8 AM - 2 PM (905) 892-8690

EXTEND YOUR REACH - ADVERTISE PROVINCIALLY OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY! For more information visit www.ocna.org/network-advertising-program

FINANCIAL SERVICES

VACATION/TRAVEL

ADVERTISING

HEALTH

$$ CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT $$ TAP INTO HOME EQUITY! With home values skyrocketing, take advantage and pay down other high interest debt.

HOME EQUITY LOANS FOR ANY PURPOSE!!

Bank turn downs, Tax or Mortgage arrears, Self Employed, Bad Credit, Bankruptcy.

Creative Mortgage Specialists!

No proof of income 1st, 2nd, and 3rd’s Up to 85% Borrow: $50,000 $100,000

Pay Monthly: $237.11 $474.21

LARGER AMOUNTS AND COMMERCIAL FUNDS AVAILABLE !!Decrease monthly payments up to 75%!!

Based on 3% APR. OAC 1-888-307-7799 ONTARIO-WIDE FINANCIAL 1801347inc FSCO Licence #12456 www.ontario-widefinancial.com !! LET US HELP !!

MORTGAGES

1st & 2nd MORTGAGES from 2.50% In the wake of the Vikings 5 year VRM and 2.99% 5 year FIXED. REACH MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS All Credit Types Considered. Let us Scotland, The Faroes & Iceland by LOWER YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS IN ONTARIO WITH ONE EASY help you SAVE thousands on the right Sea! CALL! mortgage! Purchasing, Re-financing, Page 14 THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, August 27, 20 AND Debt Consolidation, Construction, June 21-July 1, 2018 Your Classified Ad or Display Ad Home Renovations...CALL 1-800would appear in weekly newspapers CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW!!!

SAVE between $500-$1500 USD per 225-1777, www.homeguardfunding.ca each week across Ontario in urban, person (LIC #10409). suburban and rural areas.

1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGES Debt Consolidation Offer expires December 15, 2017 For more information Call Today PERSONALS Refinancing, Renovations 647-350-2558, www.adventurecanada.com Tax Arrears, No CMHC Fees Email: kmagill@rogers.com HOW TO MEET SOMEONE? It's simple ... you're beyond the bar, you're info@adventurecanada.com $50K YOU PAY: fed up with internet dating, your $208.33 / MONTH PELHAM LIBRARY’S COMPUTER CLINIC TOLL-FREE: friends don't set you up with the right (OAC) everyone workwith married? contractor. 7 SPRUC “One-to-One Help”WANTED with a volunteer techone, tutor.

Get athelp webCALL browsing, Excavating 1-800-363-7566 US (416)777-6302, (705)734-1292, No Income,sewer Bad Credit WA N T E D : O L D T U B E A U D I O Water, upgrades, FONTHIL 14 Front St. S. Mississaugawebmail account set-up, e-books, social media, editing and sharing your Power of Sale Stopped!!! www.mistyriverintros.com.

EQUIPMENT. 40 years or older. foundation repair, water items, c (TICO REG # 04001400) photos Amplifiers, Recording and more.Stereo, Includes use ofand laptop or BYOG (bring your own gadget).BETTER OPTION MORTGAGE COMING EVENTS Theatre Sound Equipment. Hammond proofing, drainage systems, clothes an Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. CALL Register and pay in person.

Organs, any condition.

Toll-Free GET ahead UP TO $50,000 from $5.00 the Gov-per 1/2 FOR MORE INFORMATION quarry stone supply, place- sonable, 1-800-947-0393 / 519-853-2157. ernment of Canada. Do you or someTODAY TOLL-FREE: call you 905-892-6443 for more details. CALL EMPLOYMENT OPPS. hour. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or one know Have any of these ment. 905-384-1972. P18-23 30, 8AM-3 FOR SALE Conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, 1-800-282-1169 MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! InAsthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, demand career! Employers have SAWMILLS from only $4,397 www.mortgageontario.com FONTHILL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN Difficulty Walking, FibromyYard & work-at-home positions available.

Get MAKEBANDSHELL MONEY & SAVE MONEY Diabetes, algia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, online training you need from an 2003, w i t h y oÉric u r o wBeaudry, n b a n d m i lAndré l - C u t Brunet Since and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have (Licence # 10969) SALE, Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds employer-trusted program. Visit: lumber any dimension. In stock more. ALLmelodies Ages & Medical CondiCareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 ready to ship.

Info & DVD: of Christ been exploring andFREE performing time-honoured from the stompto start training for your work-at-home www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT tions Qualify. CALL ONTARIO BENEdecoration 1-(800)-211-3550 career today! ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. FITS Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, 1-800-567-0404 Ext:400OT.

Services

guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos blend boundless energy with theCLEANING unmistakable joie de vivre found only in HOUSE FRUIT FARM/GENERAL traditional Quebec music. Show runs from 7-9 p.m. Community Professional Services FARM LABOURER

HAM DINNER

HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”

Ham and Scalloped Potato Dinner to support North Pelham Youth Association Saturday, November 11th, 5-7 pm, 1718 Maple Street, Fenwick. Tickets $15/adult; $5/child 5-12 years old. Contact Rose at (905) 8923408.

HANDEL’S “ MESSIAH”, coming to Welland & St.Catharines.

CHORALIS CAMERATA, soloists, orchestra, presenting “The Messiah” Dec. 2 Knox Presbyterian 7:30 pm, Dec. 3 Welland Centennial Secondary School 2:30 pm. Tickets: 905-646.9225, 905.354.4348, www.choraliscamerata.com

gency Tactical Unit and K9 Unit executed eight residential search warrants and two vehicle search warrants throughout the Cities of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.

Police have arrested

Events Listings

Residential house cleaning – 15 years experience. Complete Looking for seasonal/ PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP job done, weekly, bi-weekly, or full time help. Applicant Putting on an event? monthly cleaning. must be able work with fall themes, learning a variety of techniques. Materials Make sixtocards Call Heather 905-321-3817.

Tell the town! min. 40-60 hours/week are provided. At time of registration, please enquire about tools needed. in any weather condiCommunity Event Classified HOUSE CLEANING tions and weekends. ads are available in blocks Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead.

Visit www.pelhamLifting 50 lbs comof 30 words, including Energetic Portuguese lady looking library.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details. fortably is required. to clean houses in Fonthill, Fenwick, headline for $8.85 + HST. Jobs included pruning, Welland, Ridgeville, Effingham, Ad booking and payment Planting trees, thinning North Pelham. Experienced to deadline is Thursday Noon FABULOUS LIONS FISH accommodate every FRY customer’s and harvesting fruit,FENWICK to week of publication. needs. References available. Call packing sorting Tastyand treats with funds heading straight back into theprior community.

Haddock, Liliana at 416-879-4932. fruit.No Experience Payment may be made over french fries and much more.

Runs Sept.

9 from 4-7 p.m. required. Must have the phone by credit card, CUSTOM MILL own transportation. Min or in person at our office by wage $11.60/hour.

Portable sawmill service. I will cash or check.

Please drop resume PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY come toEQUIPMENT your home or farmSALE and custom mill your logs. Firewood Thanks for supporting off at 825 Canboro Rd, Buy, sell or trade used&equipment the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide lumber also at available.

Call Fenwick Ontario L0S your Voice!

Rob Patterson, 905-401-4948season. Runs Sept. 6 from 1C0 cheaper options for players in this upcoming riverwood@primus.ca. office@thevoiceofpelham.ca 9-12 in the morning.

CRAFT SALE LADIES BREAKFAST MUDFEST Joan PELHAM Barber Christmas Craft Dr. OCNA Jordin Wiggins – Naturopath Network Classified Ads Sale, Friday, November 17 Laura Madsen - Speaker. Come and Men and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is 905-892-8690 (AD CENTRAL) and Saturday, November 18, 9 Join us for Breakfast, Saturday, Nov. am –held 6 pm.at 182 Price Avenue, Bissil’s Hideaway.18th @ 9:00 a.m., Ridgeville Bible Welland. 905-735-7528.

Chapel,Week 418 Canboro of Road, Ridgeville.

Bricklaying, tuckpointing, step repair, granite coatings, brick slices items, SA 1PM 625 P18-28 905-682-7061.

FLOORING

NORTH P

Josh DeHaan Flooring “For all your flooring needs”

We offer in-stock specials: • pre-finished hardwood

flooring solid, engineered from $2/ft2 • laminate flooring from $.89/ft2 • carpet and vinyl flooring from $4.95/yd2 • fibre flooring from $1/ft2 • ceramic tile from $.89/ft2 ...and other specials!

Call us to see the products that are available & visit our showroom.

Phone: 905-892-7898 Fax: 905-892-4811

No Sunday Calls, Please TF

November 6

and charged nine people with various drug related charges, and two individuals are still outstanding and are currently now wanted with the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Throughout the investigation, Police seized a large quantity of cocaine which has an estimated street val-

Bethany Christian Reformed Church 1040 Balfour St., Fenwick Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Gar

Burke’s Masonry

Faith based organization is looking for Loving Christian Couples and Child and Youth workers interested in an opportunity to work with six children in one our homes.

This live-in position (several days on then a few days off) offers a salary with benefits. Driver’s license (full G) and computer knowledge is required. Ability to keep accurate and up to date documentation, organized, focused on responsibilities, caring and respectful. CPR and CPI or PMAB will be required, but we will train.

Post-Secondary Education beneficial but not imperative. Experience with ADD, ADHD, OCD, FAS, Autism, etc., would be an asset.

If you feel that this is something you would be interested in, we would love to talk with you about this opportunity to ministry to these children. Email resumes to lhsecretary@cogeco.net

continued from Page 2

CLA

COMMUNITY Events

Christian Workers for Group Home

IN THE NEWS

MORTGAGES

DISCOUNT SENIORS MEDICAL ALARM - Monitored 24 hours, Free Equipment. Just pay for the monitoring. Less Than $1.00 per day. Call Toll Free For more Information 1-888-8655130 or www.LifeAssure.com.

NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION

ue of $30,000 and a quan- lice Service, along with the further details of the inciRodeo, entertainment years event. tity of heroingames mixed and withliveNiagara Opioid headline Overdose this dent will exciting be released out ofIt Posted fentanyl.

Police also seized Prevention and Communirespect for the deceased and 2 runs from Sept. 11-14 at theNovember Welland Fairgrounds. $33,300 in Canadian cur- cation Network, seek to to their next of kin, and medrency which is believed to make the public aware of ical privacy laws). CarfentCentral be the proceeds the sale RIDE an overdose death as a re- anil is an opioid that is 100 BIG MOVEofCANCER Region Ads included of these drugs. sult of Carfentanil in the times stronger than FentanThe Big Move Cancer Ride is Region. a non-competitive taking place on Sept.

Niagara Police have ride yl. This opioid is known to Carfentanbeenthe mixed with Fammany 7. Proceeds Move staythat in Niagara and have support Walker Second casefor ofthe Bigdetermined il was linked drugs without This ad istotothe be death printed other by all street participating Ontario Carfentanil ily Cancerconfirmed Centre. which occurred in May (no the purchasers’ knowledge.

The Niagara Regional Po-

For any suspected overdose police advise bystanders to call 911 immediately. Paramedics are trained to identify and treat symptoms of opioid overdose, and Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatchers can provide lifesaving instructions over the phone until the parapapers medics arrive.

WALKING CLUB Interested walking in Pelham?

JoinEvents them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena Places of inWorship and from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There First Presbyterian Tidings Church of God please contact jcook@ Pelham Evangelical Friends Church is no Church fee for this program. For Glad more information, 602 Metler Rd., Fenwick 1 Pancake Lane, Fonthill 940 Haist St., Fonthill pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill

Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville

461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

834 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church St. Alexander’s Roman Catholic Church 1344 Fonthill or bring a non-perishable 50 Pelham Town Sq., Fonthill Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables atHaist theSt.,Market foodChurch item to fill the hampers at the Pelham Farmers Fonthill United Pelham Community Church Market on Sept. 4.

St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church

Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill

Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick

42 Church Hill, Fonthill

COMMUNITY Events

STA

“ TU

Y VIN

CA

PLA

GA

SA

AD W

w

CA

905.8

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OBITUARY

IMBER, Clair Passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at the age of 78. Devoted husband of 58 years to Julie (nee Evanoff). Loving father to Kim Mills (Mark) and predeceased by his son Mark. Cherished grandfather to Justin Mills. Dearly missed by his sister Delores Michaud. Clair was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was also a long-time member of the YMCA where he enjoyed lifting weights and staying active.

The memorial service to honour Clair’s life took place at the JAMES L. PEDLAR FUNERAL HOME on Friday, November 3rd, at 11:00 am. Internment followed at Fonthill Cemetery. Online condolences can be shared at www.pedlarfuneralhome. ca

OBITUARY PEACOCK, John A. At the St. Catharines General Hospital on Saturday November 4, 2017, John Peacock of St. Catharines, aged 80 years.

Beloved husband of Marjorie for 57 years and dear father of Greg (Darlene) and Brett (Shelly). Loving grandfather of Bethany, (Vinnie), Marissa (Hadyn), Brianna (Jeff) and Lauren. Brother of Linda (John) Fearns and predeceased by a brother Keith and sister Laurine.

John worked at General Motors for 34 years, retiring in 1988. At his request, cremation has taken place.

A celebration of his life will take place at the Tallman Fireside Room, 3277 King St., on Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 6-8:30pm. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Online condolences at www. tallmanfuneralhomes.ca Re

m e m b r a n c e Da

y

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

GOOD DIRT continued from Page 8 the opportunity to have their imaginations work.”

Bienenstock criticized plastic and metal playground installations as overly sterile. He said that research shows that attempting to remove all risk from play results in kids injuring themselves more severely over the course of a lifetime.

“We need to look at risks and assess them,” he said. “What are bad injuries, and what are learning injuries.”

Bienenstock said that the natural playgrounds his company designs must still meet Canadian Standards Association safety regulations.

“We’ve only had one injury on our playgrounds,” he said. “And it was a father who was trying to stand underneath his daughter as she climbed on a log. His name was Simon, and I know that because his wife was yelling at him, ‘SIMON, LEAVE HER ALONE.’ His daughter wobbled a little, and he dove for her, and smashed his forehead on the log. His wife came running over and said that everything was fine, she saw what had happened, and her husband was an idiot. While her dad had hurt himself, the daughter climbed right to the top.”

Bienenstock talked extensively about the textured learning environment that natural playgrounds allow kids to have. When his company installs an old tree at a playground, which will often be a tree felled in the community, the bark will be left on it. At one park in Toronto, kids were took to pulling the bark from the log and used it to develop a bartering system.

“One piece of bark was worth one, but then some kid said that a big piece was worth ten, and the civilization imploded. We got a call to bring in a load of bark—the adults wanted more currency to stop the kids from beating each other,” said Bienenstock

You’re Invited

with a smile, seemingly pleased with his role in the quantitative easing of bark.

He described the bark as a feature that fulfilled the “loose part” necessity in the playground, so that kids can manipulate the environment and engage all five senses.

After Bienenstock finished, the second half of the meeting was allotted for the attendees to construct their own mini-models of a natural playground. The audience split themselves into three groups, each of which assembled around a table to begin the construction of a mock playground. Bienenstock and his assistant, Jon Halayko, had arranged tarps on the tables covered with wet sand. Each group was given a small wedge to begin, along with a piece of rope.

“The pathway leading from the ground level to the top of the wedge should be as long as the rope,” said Bienenstock. “That way, the inclination will be no more than five degrees, and the path will still be easily accessible.”

Everyone seemed to be having a great time digging in to the dirt and rolling up their sleeves. Town CAO Darren Ottaway, for one, took some of the little plastic people provided and arranged them all around his table’s model, which he was building along with several councillors and the Town’s insurance broker.

“I’ve just never grown up,” Ottaway said, laughing.

“Is there going to be a storm pond?” asked Town Director of Recreation Vickie vanRavenswaay.

Someone pointed towards a corner of the table, where a small pond had been modelled. “Ah,” she said, looking to the insurance agent. “Are you getting nervous?”

“It only takes two inches of water to drown,” said Nancy Bozzato.

Halayko looked on at the three tables’ progress with interest. Before joining Bienenstock’s firm, three years ago, he worked at YMCAs and

Page 17

in the wellness department of an oil firm in Calgary.

“At the oil company we had a limited wellness budget,” he said, explaining that it was trying to retain as many employees as possible (before the price of oil dropped) and to improve mental health.

“And of all the things that we did, the most repeat visits were from those who we’d just taken outside. So that’s my answer to most things: just take people outside.”

Vickie vanRavenswaay said that she’d heard Bienenstock present before, and thought that inviting him to Pelham would be a good opportunity to educate council, staff, and residents about other possibilities for parks.

“It’s something different from the conventional approach,” she said.

“And there are a lot of potential parks going in near new developments.

There will be public consultation on it before anything happens, so who knows. Some parents don’t like their kids to get dirty. It will be interesting to see.”

The three tables had by then finished on their designs, using plants, rocks, tunnels, rope, and sticks to make impressively detailed models. Bienenstock briefly looked over each one and explained the sorts of amendments that would need to be made to make the model more feasible. Then, finally, he returned to the front of the room and asked the crowd to list the reasons that would prevent such a natural playground from being built.

“Too dangerous,” said Councillor Richard Rybiak, “or vandalism.”

“Too expensive,” said someone else.

“No parking,” said Ottaway.

“Not enough lighting,” said Cook.

“NIMBYism,” said Councillor Gary Accursi.

“Or BANANA,” said Augustyn.

“What’s that?” said Bienenstock.

“Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone,” said Augustyn.

“That’s a good phrase,” said Bienenstock. “I’ll have to remember that one.”

“These are all very common objections,” he continued, and proceeded to take on each, one at a time. He argued that statistics showed that playground injuries were extremely low, far below most organized sports, somewhere on the list between fishing and sailing. According to Bienenstock, research also indicates that natural playgrounds are less susceptible to vandalism, since man-made structures receive the most abuse.

Similarly counterintuitively, Bienenstock said that highly-lit parks are often less safe than those with substantial canopy cover.

He said that funds for natural playgrounds could often come from corporations with charitable wings, including TD Friends of the Environment. NIMBYism could be counteracted by special public consultations, ones that would ideally be held in the park or proposed playground site. Bienenstock suggested that the NIMBYism would be diffused by the informality of the events, which could include a food truck and roaming facilitators.

“Often at those public meetings, the angriest people are the ones that control the microphone,” said Bienenstock.

“We should put a food truck in Fenwick,” said Augustyn, apparently referring to East Fenwick planning meetings, at which residents have been forceful in their objections.

“The NIMBY discussion hits a little close to home,” said Rybiak. Bienenstock smiled.

As Bienenstock reached the end of his presentation, some of the attendees sidled out, apologizing for leaving early.

“That’s all right,” Bienenstock said. “I’ve gone a bit over time.” Bienenstock’s presentation was received by Council, and will be considered when designs for future parks are discussed.

sip, eat, chat, repeat!

www.edwardjones.com

Investing 101: Building Your Investor IQ Starts with Understanding the Basics Don’t let fear of the unknown prevent you from investing in your future. Getting started can be easier than you think if you understand the basics.

Whether you are new to investing or need a refresher, join us for our free Foundations of Investing seminar to learn more about: đƫThe key features of bonds, stocks and mutual funds đƫThe importance of asset allocation đƫFive steps to help you build a better investment strategy

When:  Where:  



  

N o v e m b e r 11

  

   nicolle.lalonde@edwardjones.com

10 oz Prime rib Sunday dinner $26 includes spring vegetables, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Everyone who's anyone reads the Voice

MKD-4521A-C-AD

Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

1469 Pelham Street S. Fonthill, ON

905 892 6474 www.zestfonthill.com

Page 18

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2017

A conversation with Doug WWII vet Doug Drew remembers his time in Europe

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

F

The VOICE

OR FOUR YEARS, I worked in the kitchen at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home. The best part of the job was the hour or so I spent per shift talking to residents while serving meals. One particular favourite of mine was Doug Drew.

I first spoke at length to Drew several weeks after I began work, when I saw him coming out of an elevator wearing a military uniform, and I asked when he had served.

“Air Force mechanic,” he told me. “North Africa and Italy, and then for more than twenty-five years after the war was over.”

He was then on his way to his 90th birthday party, and was wearing the uniform to mark the occasion.

Once Drew knew that I was interested in hearing about his time in the Royal Canadian Air Force,

every so often in the dining room he would beckon me over to his table so that he could tell me a story. For such a sombre matter as war, most of these stories were humorous, and as we laughed together I felt a certain complicity.

From time to time, Drew would drop a few words of Italian, which he learned a little while living in the country for a year during the war.

“Do you have any vino tonight?” he’d ask. People like Drew made it difficult to stop working at the residence.

Last Friday, just over a week before Remembrance Day, I went for a visit.

Drew is tall and jolly, and when I asked how he was, he said, “Pretty good. I’ve got a sore on my rear.

It’s been there for a month—every time you put some stuff on it, your underwear takes it off. But I’m old, so it’s all right.”

After idling for a few minutes

Remembrance Day Ceremonies Saturday, November 11, 2017 PRESIDENT COMRADE TONI MCKELVIE SGT-AT-ARMS COMRADE BILL ASHBY 10:50 AM FORM UP IN LEGION PARKING LOT

in his La-Z-Boy recliner, where I had interrupted his nap, Drew came to life.

“How you getting on with the girls?” Drew asked, a favourite joke of his. I told him that he still had to teach me a few lessons about courtship.

“Don’t ask me,” he said. “In my entire life, I took a girl to the movies exactly one time. I did get married, of course, but that’s something different.”

Drew, who grew up in Guelph, was eight when his mother died during the birth of his brother, and 14 when his father died too. He was taken in by his grandparents, and put to work in the garage where his father had been a mechanic.

“Living with my grandparents—that was probably why I was always scared of girls. My See DREW Page 14

10:55 AM MARCH ON PARADE 11:00 AM LEGION OPENING RITUAL PRAYER O CANADA HYMN ADDRESS

FEDERAL PROVINCIAL REGIONAL MUNICIPAL PLACING OF WREATHS LAST POST SILENCE LEMENT REVEILLE PRAYER GOD SAVE THE QUEEN LEGION CLOSING RITUAL MARCH OFF PARADE Refreshments in Branch Lounge

Memorials at Old Town Hall in the autumn sun.

MIKE MASOTTI PHOTO

Lest We Forget On November 11th, I encourage all Canadians to take a few moments to remember, honour and celebrate all the dedicated men and women of our armed forces who have made so many sacrifices to ensure that we live in a free and prosperous country.

Dean Allison Member of Parliament for Niagara West

Toll Free 1.877.563.7900 | info@deanallison.ca | www.deanallison.ca | @DeanAllisonMP

LAMPMAN LAMPMAN FUNERAL HOME FUNERAL HOME

Cremation and Burial Services Cremation

and Burial Services

Our family serving your family since 1911

Our family serving your family since 1911 905-892-4701 724 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

724www.lampmanfuneralhome.com CANBORO ROAD, FENWICK

www.lampmanfuneralhome.com

905-892-4701

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West-Glanbrook

Remember our fallen heroes and those who continue to serve Beamsville Town Centre

4961 King St. E. Unit M1, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 ● Tel: (905) 563-1755 ● Toll Free: 1-800-665-3697

Email: sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org | www.samoosterhoffmpp.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

Page 19 LEST WE FORGET Veterans from Fonthill’s Royal Canadian Legion stand at attention as the Last Post is played last Sunday morning at Old Pelham Town Hall.

SAMUEL PICCOLO PHOTO

You don’t have to go far to find someone who has a heroic family member that served our country. Our veterans served so we may have our freedom and we will never forget them for this.

Bring us your worn flags and we will dispose of them in a dignified manner.

James L. Pedlar Funeral Home Ltd. 1292 Pelham Street, Fonthill (905-892-5762)

TINA MOESSNER

JIM PEDLAR

FONTHILL

905-892-5756

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

We Honour Those Who Served

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY

Remembrance Day

Fonthill

Pine Debbie

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

SALES REPRESENTATIVE pinesold.com

FONTHILL (Main Office)

10 Highway 20 E., P.O. Box 743, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 T: 905-892-2621 • F: 905-892-1022

janthony@jillanthony.com

JA

NIAGARA FALLS (Satellite Office)

Pio Plaza, 8685 Lundy’s Lane, Unit #2, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 1H5 T: 289-296-2629 • F: 289-296-0222

www.jillanthony.com

www.startilecentre.com

Hwy 20, Fonthill

Lest We Forget

For our freedom. For your sacrifice. Thank you.

-Mayor Dave Augustyn and Pelham Town Council

Page 20

The Voice of Pelham, November 8, 2017

NEWS GATHERING ISN'T FREE

Your paper needs your help

Subscribe to the Voice.

It's a hard truth: without the support of our readers, the survival of this newspaper is not guaranteed.

Our loyal advertisers have made the Voice possible, but as costs increase we cannot be sustained on advertising alone.

For less than $1 per week—the cost of a single coffee— you'll help us continue to report on what's happening, in town, and in including HST Town Hall.

$39.95

Three ways to subscribe

1 In Person 2 By Mail 3 Online Visit or call our office.

Last autumn we moved to 1428 Pelham Street, opposite Beamer's Hardware in Fonthill.

Our hours are 8AM to 2PM, Monday to Thursday, closed Fridays.

Payment may be made by cash, cheque, or credit card.

You may also call us during these hours at (905) 892-8690 to pay by credit card.

Send us a cheque for $39.95, made payable to "The Voice."

You may use the coupon below, or just drop your cheque into an envelope.

Be sure to include your full street address, with postal code.

Mail to: The Voice P.O. Box 1489 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0

Quick and convenient: simply visit the Voice website and pay securely using a credit card.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca Look for the VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS button at the top left of the home page:

VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please do not send cash.

T

HE VOICE OF PELH A M is our town's eyes and ears.

The Voice represents taxpayers, homeowners, parents, and the retired. This newspaper remains the single best way to communicate with virtually every Pelham resident—and it’s one of the few things that everyone in town still has in common.

The Voice covers stories big and small, publishes history, commentary, reader letters, and reports on the actions of our elected representatives without fear or favour. All of this delivered weekly to your door.

That’s our commitment. Please help us achieve it, for less than a dollar a week. Thank you.

The Voice

1-YEAR VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION: $39.95

First and Last Name Delivery address with postal code

Credit card number

Credit card expiration date

Type: ___Mastercard ___Visa Credit card security code Please mail completed form to:

Telephone number where you may be reached during the day

Email address (optional) For our records only.

THE VOICE P.O. Box 1489 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 If paying by cheque, be sure to include it. Please do not send cash through the mail. Thank you for your subscription.

RESIGNED continued from Page 1 io privacy regulations. She said that in general a “closed meeting team” is assigned to each case, with the authority to interview those present in camera meetings to determine their legality.

Broadly speaking, only personnel matters, real estate transactions, and litigation may be discussed behind closed doors. Junkin asserts that none of the above applied on September 5.

Instead, says Junkin, during the meeting the Town’s Treasurer, Teresa Quinlin, hired this summer following the termination of former Treasurer Cari Pupo, informed council that the Town was approximately $17 million dollars deeper in debt than was previously disclosed, and that this amount did not appear in Town financial statements.

Present in the room, says Junkin, were all six councillors, Mayor Augustyn, CAO Darren Ottaway, Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato, Town legal representatives, and a forensic auditor from the accounting firm KPMG. (The Voice reached out to Quinlin repeatedly last week for comment, to be told that she was out of the office until November 10. After initially offering to reach Quinlin at home, the Town’s Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, Marc MacDonald, responded on Friday that he was unable to do so after receiving the Voice’s specific questions.)

Quinlin was the first to speak, says Junkin.

“She said the good news is that we can finish the Community Centre, but after that, ‘the news you’re going to hear next is not very good.’”

Quinlin gave way to the KPMG auditor, recalls Junkin, who proceeded methodically to outline a forensic audit that the firm had conducted over the summer. The auditors examined financial documents dating back nearly a decade, to 2008. Council was not made aware that this audit was underway, says Junkin.

The conclusion: since 2008, a cumulative $17 million in debt has gone missing from the Town’s publicly disclosed financial statements. “[The Treasurer] said that if Infrastructure Ontario had known about this debt, we would never have gotten the money for the Community Centre,” says Junkin.

In 2016, the Town sought and received a debenture—a loan from the province, administered through Niagara Region—for over half of the new Community Centre’s $36 million dollar construction cost.

Released in installments called tranches, the Town has already received two of the three debentures tranches from Niagara Region.

Reaction in the room varied, says Junkin. “All of the councillors seemed surprised, shocked, yeah.”

However, neither the Mayor, nor CAO Darren Ottaway, seemed taken aback.

“I mean, everybody else at the end of her presentation was, ‘Wow, what the hell is all this about?’ But [the Mayor] seemed very in control of himself, and so was Darren.”

Junkin raised his hands, palms forward.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca “I remember him doing that, Ottaway, putting up his hands and saying, ‘I didn’t know any of this.’”

Another individual present in the room, whom the Voice has chosen not to identify, corroborates Junkin’s recollection of council’s reaction.

Junkin says that he started to jot on a handout that the KPMG auditor had distributed to the councillors before she began speaking.

“They saw me taking notes,” he says, “and they stopped the presentation.

The Mayor said, ‘The clerk has advised me that anyone—because of the sensitivity of this meeting—any notes taken here have to be handed in at the end of the meeting.’”

Asked if councillors were permitted to leave with the KPMG handout, Junkin shook his head.

“No, no. Not at all. You went in with nothing, you came out with nothing.”

KPMG has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

After the auditor’s presentation, councillors began asking questions, chief among them how such a situation could have arisen, and whether any criminality was potentially involved.

Junkin says that another councillor asked the auditor whether she had noted any fraud.

“And she answered quite deliberately that she was not told to look for fraud, that was not in her terms of reference.

A cynic might think, son of a bitch, if we’re going to all the trouble of doing a forensic, maybe we better include whether fraud was committed. But no, she made it quite clear that these weren’t her terms of reference.”

Junkin says that Treasurer Teresa Quinlin told the group that she become concerned about the Town’s financial state after being on the job for just two or three weeks.

“She realized that what the Town should have had in reserves and what they really had in reserves were two different figures. And that’s what prompted—she wanted to see just how much money we did have. There were some accounts that should have had hundreds of thousands of dollars in them that had virtually zero.”

Notes to the Town’s consolidated financial statements posted on the Town’s website, dated December 31, 2016, show some $5,800,000 in claimed reserves. The financials also state a total net debt at the end of 2016 of just under $14 million dollars.

Asked whether Council should have detected a problem, given that it receives quarterly financial statements from the Treasurer, Junkin says that the reserve figures routinely presented over the years were not out of the ordinary.

For much of the past two months, Junkin says he has wrestled with his conscience.

On September 9, the Saturday following the in camera meeting, he says he sent to Council and the Mayor an email requesting a Council-only meeting to discuss the situation, specifically whether Council continued to have faith in senior staff, and solicited their comments.

“Not a single councillor replied, but about four minutes later the Mayor replies, and says, basically, ‘Marv, I’m disappointed that you would put such a sensitive discussion into email, rather than calling me directly.’”

From the first, Junkin says, staff and Council decided not to inform the public of the auditor’s findings.

Instead, it was decided that the Town would seek an immediate $8 million dollar bank loan to cover urgent budget shortfalls. Junkin asserts that the Treasurer also recommended delaying the release of the Town’s 2017 financial statements.

“She suggested that the Town doesn’t hand out the statements in February, like we usually do, but put it off till June, to get the books looking as good as possible.”

Junkin says he queried Quinlin on what the Town’s new, revised debt total actually amounted to. He says the answer was $59 million dollars.

“The Region was all upset because our per-household debt was at $2000,” he says.

“But this. Divide $59 million by 6500 taxpayers, and we’re at $9100 per household.”

Junkin says that his efforts to convene a special meeting to discuss the issue from a personnel standpoint failed to attract support among other councillors, who, as the weeks passed, seemed to acquiesce to staying silent.

At a sit-down meeting with two Voice writers on Monday afternoon, Mayor Augustyn repeatedly stated that he had received no information in recent weeks that would cast any doubt on the accuracy of the Town’s 2016 financial statements, on the accuracy of the total stated reserve amount of $5.8 million dollars, or on the 2016 total debt figure of some $14 million dollars.

The Mayor also said that he was not aware of any ad hoc bank loan recently sought by the Town, nor was he aware of any significant change in the Town’s financial situation in recent months.

Junkin’s choice to resign was not one he took lightly.

This was the 63-year-old retired dairy farmer’s first term on Council.

After speaking to family, close advisors, and legal counsel, he decided that resignation was his best option.

His eyes reddened as he recalled the moment in late October when he made up his mind.

“Oh, it’s just a heavy decision to make, a heavy decision. I just don’t think the people of Ward One voted for me to lie to them, to keep things, especially Town finances, hidden from them like this. So, yeah. It just goes against everything I know.

When you have to shave in the dark—when you can’t look at yourself in the mirror—you know you’re going down the wrong road.”

On Sunday evening, Junkin emailed the Voice an additional short statement. It concluded: “I would like to say that though I’m disappointed my term ended like this, it was an honour to serve the residents of Pelham. I hope that in the future, Pelham Council will do the right thing and be open and transparent with the people who live here.”