The Voice, April 29 2020

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April 29, 2020

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacting last Saturday when asked about those who ignore public heath advisories to stay home if exhibiting signs of illness .

BY VOICE STAFF Last Wednesday, April 22, employees of the Sobeys supermarket location in Fonthill contacted the Voice to say that franchisee Ron Kore, who is also a Pelham Town Councillor, had tested positive for COVID-19, and that for a period of nearly four weeks he continued to

come into work while exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness.

The employees, all of whom requested to remain unnamed for fear of losing their jobs, told the newspaper that Sobeys corporate representatives arrived in Fonthill on Wednesday morning and were meeting with staff to deliver the news.

Sobeys spokesperson Jacquelin Weatherbee initially would only confirm that “an employee” at the Fonthill location had tested positive, but the following day she identified the individual as Kore to the CBC. The Voice repeatedly asked for comment from Kore as the story unfolded throughout the week, re-

ceiving no acknowledgement of the requests.

After four days of silence, on Sunday Kore released a statement to several media outlets confirming the diagnosis, saying that he had been tested on April 17 and received news of the positive test result last Monday, April 20.

Store staff speaking to the Voice

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expressed frustration that Kore had continued to come into work in recent weeks while obviously ill.

They also couldn’t understand why the store was not being closed for a so-called “deep cleaning.”

Weatherbee asserted that the Fonthill location, like all Sobeys See KORE Page 7

Page 2

The Voice, April 29, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

NRPS impaired driving charges

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

This has by far been the most exhausting week yet working on this little rural newspaper. I want to acknowledge the tremendous help of Don Rickers, Warren Mason, Sam Piccolo, and John Chick in helping keep us up-to-date with events that weren't just changing by the day, but by the hour. Thanks also to John Swart for his contributions.

The revelations about businessman and Councillor Ron Kore came like a thunderbolt, in one way, despite being discussed as an open secret­—at least in Town Hall—for most of April. I salute the Sobeys employees who came forward to tell their story. It can't be stressed enough how we are all dependent on such essential workers at this time. The rest of what I have to say starts on page 4. Take care, everyone, and please continue to follow physical distancing guidelines. ♦

HONOUR

continued from Page 4 Ron’s positive qualities shouldn’t be forgotten, even amid recent events. I was sad to see some seem to do so over the past days, with social media commentary that was occasionally too severe—although with that said, literally posing a potential threat to people’s lives during a global pandemic understandably riles the emotions.

Our former reporter Sam Piccolo, who contributed some reporting to the Sobeys story, said much the same thing to me over the weekend. We agreed that the worst part of being a journalist is when you have to report sad stories about good people.

No journalist wants a story that makes good people like Ron look bad. But a journalist’s primary responsibility is to the facts, and the facts aren’t in Ron’s

favour here. His careless actions over the past weeks should remind us all that even the best people experience errors in judgment.

These are unprecedented times, and Ron is surely not the only one to find himself doing something unwise.

It’s also important that we collectively refrain from pretending to know what can’t be known. It’s true that Ron was in the room with Mike Ciolfi and two staff who later tested positive, and that Mike soon fell ill and died, but it’s impossible to say where or from whom Mike contracted the virus.

This sad, divisive episode should be a reminder for us that these days there is nothing wiser than erring on the side of caution. Stay home. Don’t immediately arrive at the most inflammatory conclusion. We still have a long way to go to get through this, and we will need each other’s help to do it. ♦

ce Voonivacation!

In this file photo from September 2019, Dr. Bob Perry examines one very alert kitty, assisted by RVT Nicole Esliger. DAVE BURKET

Pets and the pandemic Veterinarians modify services, but continue to provide care, supplies

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

This is a stressful time for pet owners, and equally difficult for the professionals who look after their cherished dogs and cats.

With the most resent update of government-directed business closures due to COVID-19, some people are under the misimpression that veterinarian offices are no longer open. Services rendered must fall under the umbrella of treatment for illness or injury requiring prompt care. Preventative care is also allowed, in situations that could have long-term animal and public health impacts, such as certain vaccinations.

Dr. Bob Perry, of the Dunnville Veterinary Clinic, is relieved to be deemed an “essential service,” but daunted by the monumen-

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tal challenge of trying to continue to meet the needs of clients and their pets, while simultaneously keeping his staff safe from COVID-19.

Vaccinations for the most part are not an emergency, said Perry, although there are some time-sensitive shots for puppies.

Booster shots for certain diseases such as Lyme and Leptospirosis may be required if the pandemic does not abate over the next couple months. He encourages pet owners to practice social and location distancing.

“If you keep your dogs away from places that other dogs frequent, they will be at quite a low risk, since most vaccine protecSee VETS Page 15

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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.

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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 90Day 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.

Simone R. GREENWOOD, 46, Welland Kirk E. D. ALTON, 43, Lincoln Abdelmuneim E. ABDALLA, 32, Niagara Falls Gerald K. SUMMERS, 50, St. Catharines Dawson W. STAFFORD, 21, West Lincoln Jordan A. ANTONIO, 28, Niagara Falls Angela L. GRASSA, 29, Niagara Falls Sandra M. BALL, 43, St. Catharines Darryl J. WHITE, 38, Niagara on the Lake Colleen J. KELLY, 42, Niagara Falls Marin SAJBERT, 58, Niagara Falls Kevin D. KNOX, 30, Pelham Cedryk L. DESCHATELETS, 28, Port Colborne

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Ontario, your efforts to beat COVID-19 are making a difference.

To stop the spread, we need you to continue to: Stay home when possible

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The Voice, April 29, 2020

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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

Good people can do bad things The most honourable admit their errors, and express regret

BY DAVE BURKET

I

VOICE PUBLISHER

liked Ron Kore from the moment I met him, a bit over a decade ago, inside his Fonthill Sobeys franchise. Our introduction occurred in the produce department one afternoon, long before the store redesign, when there was a lot more natural light on offer.

I can still picture the encounter. We talked about employee management. I favoured delegating; he favoured direct involvement.

In the 11 years since there been no shortage of evidence of Ron’s hands-on style. He’s a micro-manager, which is arguably why the Fonthill store impresses you immediately as not your average Sobeys. Unfortunately, it may also have led Ron into the false belief that the place would fall apart without him.

The store has plenty of talented managers, a number of whom I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with related to Voice business over the last few years. The store also has a large complement of staff—workers who have stuck with it over the

last several weeks, putting themselves at risk on the front lines as essential service providers.

In short, there was no reason for Ron Kore to be present in the store while he was displaying symptoms of respiratory illness.

His decision to continue coming to work while he was ill can only be described as displaying reckless disregard for the safety of his employees and for the public—a public that is older than the Ontario average, and the most vulnerable to the serious complications of COVID-19.

It is, frankly, inexplicable.

Ron’s statement, issued Sunday afternoon after four days of silence last week, following the news that he had tested positive for COVID-19, and reportedly ignored requests from his staff not to come to work while sick, explained little.

Let’s be clear. No one— or no one reasonable, anyway—is accusing Ron of deliberately and knowingly coming to work while infected.

The facts of the Voice’s initial story have not been disputed.

Kore was exhibiting

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Ron Kore at home, 2017. symptoms of a respiratory illness as far back as March 23, when he attended a Town Council meeting, alarming many of those in the room.

Kore continued to work at Sobeys both before and after this date, a period during which employees say he exhibited symptoms.

The following council meeting, on April 6, was specifically set up to avoid the necessity for councillors to attend Town Hall in person. For reasons still unexplained, Kore insisted throughout the day on his being present physically in

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Jenica Hrysko, Maeve Keating, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

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council chambers. When he was ultimately dissuaded from coming to Town Hall, he chose not to attend the meeting remotely, either.

(Nor did Ron attend this Monday’s meeting. He has not given a reason for either absence. By his own admission, made in his statement on Sunday, he is not currently ill with COVID-19.)

The next day, Mayor Junkin sent Kore an email explaining his misgivings about Ron coming to Town Hall. On April 20, Kore received a positive test result for COVID-19.

Ron’s statement on Sun-

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

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Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

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Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607

Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805 Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475

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have barely mentioned Kore at all. Junkin’s appearance on CBC was particularly respectful and far from accusatory.

Ron’s charitable efforts, especially the yearly Sobeys golf tournament, have long demonstrated his care for the community. He is especially involved in programs to help provide food for needy students in the DSBN. He has enjoyed a deservedly good reputation in town— so much so that he was declared Citizen of the Year in 2017.

While sitting and chatting with him in his dining room that year, I took the photo on this page. It was during this interview that Ron revealed that he was considering running for office. I encouraged him to do so. I thought it was a great idea.

In fact, I’ve taken some heat over the last couple years for appearing, to some eyes, to unduly favour Ron, to offer him more space in the paper than appropriate, to let his statements pass without suitable scrutiny. I disagree, of course, but perceptions are perceptions.

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Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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day came not just four days after the present story broke, but nearly three weeks after our first attempt to get an explanation from him on his efforts to attend the April 6 council meeting in person.

Ron’s statement, sounding unsurprisingly like something written by a lawyer, does little to contradict the facts as reported.

He does not deny exhibiting symptoms of illness. He does not deny that his staff observed his symptoms and recommended he stay home.

He does not address why, if he was monitoring symptoms daily, he so clearly had them in the video recording of the March 23 council meeting. Given Public Health’s description of the course of Ron’s illness, it is virtually certain that he was contagious on April 6, and likely also on March 23.

Unfortunately, Ron also did not offer an apology, or any indication that he understood the recklessness of his conduct.

In fact, he has accused the Town of being reckless in its response to him, but it’s hard to understand what this might mean. Both Junkin and CAO David Cribbs

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Page 5

OPINION Letters

PELHAM AND COVID-19

Town staffing needs being assessed

Sees Kore coughing in store I was in the store a few weeks ago, and saw Ron Kore talking to someone. I was 20 feet away from him. I saw him cough, and tell the person that is was only a cold and made light of the situation. I heard the cough, probably spraying more then six feet.

It was a very congested cough, his face very red. He was presenting himself humorously to whomever he was talking to. I purposely avoided this area, but saw other people passing through the area moments after.

As a council person, he continued to go to meetings during this time. Shame on you, Mr. Kore. I thought you were an intelligent man.

My only hope is that Public Health tests all workers at the store. They must have seen the same thing. They deserve this.

They are the heart of the store.

Paula Diamond Ridgeville

More coughing, response to Sunday statement Maybe Ron Kore didn’t think he was putting himself or his wife/family in jeopardy by continuing to show up at Sobeys but I disagree. When I was in this store on April 2, he was standing approximately three feet from me when he coughed directly on me with no attempt to cover his mouth or face.

No apology, just walked away. I am so furious! Tried to get tested but they tell me I have to display symptoms to be considered.

Do not even go there Mr Kore with your explanations or excuses. You put so many people at risk including myself. I cannot believe you have not been charged with reckless endangerment. Stay out of my life and I will be forever be staying out of this Sobeys. By the way, I emailed Sobeys head office three days ago and have not received a reply.

Juanita Ashmore Fonthill

Moral compass should guide business operators Because of my previous experience complying to the Ontario Occupational and Safety Act in managing large construction projects, and the property management of office buildings, laboratories, detention centers, etc.—in both private and public sectors— I have been watching the spread of the C19 virus and its impact on essential services businesses that I patronize, and how they are complying with the Act. Generally, there is very well defined language, supported by case law findings, in the Act, regarding a worker’s right to a safe workplace.

Management and/or owners of a work site MUST ensure that its employees and yes, its customers, are to be protected from ALL harm—including exposure to chemicals and harmful airborne solids and particulates.

The Act further requires that operators must be constantly assessing the work site and adapting

Mayor Marvin Junkin

safety protocols, training, protective equipment, etc., to its workers as necessity dictates.

With the spread of C19, this is a challenging time for essential service managers / business owners, staff, and suppliers to these public, customer-facing establishments.

Essential services locations in compliance with the Act have been adopting many innovative solutions and protocols—transparent shields separating cashers from customers, frequent wiping of touched surfaces, customers shopping online and curbside delivery of good, not accepting cash—or, to mitigate all risks, closing down.

The current C19 environment requires that managers and business owners show “an abundance of caution,” including monitoring staff and immediately sending employees off site who show any symptoms of a respiratory

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illness—and then following any reporting protocol that has been established See MORAL next page

L

ast week I mentioned that the 12 mayors of Niagara met on a weekly basis. There are other groups that meet on a regular schedule that directly influence the goings-on in the Town. The 12 CAOs of the Region meet every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. Items on their agendas include staff layoffs, tax/interest deferrals, and discussing the possibility of moving property tax payment deadlines that occur later in the year.

Generally speaking, compared to our neighbours, Pelham receives a relatively small amount of our tax money from the business community, owing to the fact that compared to the number of residences in the Town, our business numbers are small.

When discussing staffing layoffs, it is nearly impossible to draw a side-by-side comparison. Our neighbour to the south, Welland, has 83 people employed in their Public Works Department, while Pelham has 13. One

of the reasons for this huge discrepancy in numbers is that Welland does most of their inMarvin Junkin f r a st r uc t u r e work “in house,” while here in Pelham we hire area companies to work on ours.

The number of Pelham staff currently on layoff is 32, which includes those who have chosen voluntary layoff.

Pelham’s administrative staff are constantly monitoring the employment situation, with the length of the imposed shut-down as the deciding factor— will we need more layoffs or can we start to call our staff back to work?

Although it’s a private business, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the Sobeys situation. Myself and Regional Councillor Diana Huson have approached Niagara Public Health, asking that they suspend their usual rules for testing for COVID-19

and to test all Sobeys’ employees that feel the need to be tested.

Their response is that they have complete faith in their testing procedures that are in place, and so will

The number of Pelham staff currently on layoff is 32

continue with this protocol for this event. Therefore any Sobeys employee who feels they may have been exposed to the virus should phone the health unit and talk to a registered nurse.

After this discussion the nurse will determine if indeed the employee should be tested or should self-isolate at home.

Until next week…

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Letters

The Voice, April 29, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

MORAL

continued from previous page by the local health authority or current federal and or provincial acts and legislation.

Regarding customers entering the business who are showing obvious flulike respiratory symptoms but still want to shop, you must have an established protocol to abate this potential health hazard to both staff and other customers.

For all operators of essential service businesses there is the onus of mechanically meeting the Act and local and provincial health officials’ protocol—but more importantly there is the possession of a moral compass in protecting staff and customers.

For those operators who demonstrate a lack of compliance and, as noted above, a moral compass in regards to the health and safety of their staff (many of whom are our friends) and their customers, I will not be patronizing your store now or in the future.

Thank you to all of the front-line workers, who daily put themselves in harm’s way to provide essential services to the public and those in need of medical assistance. A hundred thumbs up!

Bill Gibson Fonthill

Conduct difficult to imagine

Open letter to Pelham

I would like to express my gratitude for the well-written article on the intolerably ignorant and borderline criminally negligent manner that Pelham councillor and Sobeys franchisee Ron Kore conducted himself over the past four weeks [COVID-19 positive at Fonthill Sobeys, April 22, website].

How could someone who is directly responsible for the health and safety of his employees act in a way that acts in dark contrast to that? Then to further insist on showing up in person to council? It's hard to imagine this man can walk and disinfect shopping carts at the same time.

As for Mayor Junkin to respond that he was "disappointed" the "confidential document" ended up in a journalist's possession, maybe he was infected by Ron Kore's selfish secrecy and ignorance, but this

Editor’s note: After receiving an anonymous, vitriolic message on their website over the weekend, calling for advertisers to boycott the Voice related to our coverage of Sobeys franchisee Ron Kore's recent conduct while infected with COVID-19, Cruise Holidays owners Pam and Jim Overholt forwarded the message to the paper, along with this letter to the editor.

A Voice email to the address the anonymous message came from had not been returned by press time.

is unacceptable. This is the behaviour that leads to the public's distrust of the fundamental pillars of our society. To do so at a time when

Much respect to the employees of this Sobeys

public trust is of utmost importance is intolerable.

Much respect to the employees of this Sobeys for trying to rise above to stupidity of their boss. I hope Sobeys steps up by paying the workers an appropriate wage for the risks they endure for us.

Eric Hueston St. Catharines

Unnecessary risk to others I want to say that my heart goes out to Mike Ciolfi's family. I know that how he was infected by COVID-19 can never be known. I am appalled by the way Ron Kore acted. I wonder why he thought he was exempt from not going into self-isolation when he was sick. How many people could he have infected? That store also made meals for Lookout Ridge seniors home. What about the people who worked there. They risk bringing home the virus because of his actions. This just disgusts me to no end. I cannot believe the police are doing nothing. He should be getting a huge fine.

Sue Lough Fonthill

A number of residents and customers have reached out to see how we are doing. We thank you. You so lift our spirits through these times. We understand some negative Facebook comments and emails are circulating, and this concerns us as an established business.

The Cruise Holidays travel office policy has always been: If someone has a cold or flu, “Go home.”

We never want our clients’ travel health to be compromised.

During COVID-19, yes, we are working, never with so much stress and long hours in our 23 years here in Pelham. It started with: 1. Making sure folks returned home safely.

2. Making sure customers were aware of travel options. We are still doing so, as travel bans and restrictions roll out.

3. Assisting clients with insurance claims, rebooking options into 2021 and in some cases 2022. Thankfully 85% of our customers have either rebooked for 2021 or taken generous future travel credits offered by our travel supplier partners.

We do the paperwork, take phone calls, emails, then mail or deliver paperwork (gloves on) to ensure our customers’ travel investments are protected.

We find in crisis (over 40 years’ experience) being reachable either by phone or email is vital. Our customers know they

can call our office or home number 24/7 once they have travel plans. We are with our customer from start to finish and sometimes beyond, insuring all is well.

During and after such events this is even

The Cruise Holidays travel office policy has always been: If someone has a cold or flu, "Go home"

more important. Dead air does not cut it.

For news, all media, timely and factual reporting is vital. We may not like what we read at times, but it certainly puts us on alert. We all have the power to make choices of believing or further investigating ourselves.

We as a Pelham business, like others are all hurting. In our case, zero revenue right now. However; we look at ways of reinventing ourselves. Through tough times comes innovation, opportunities and possibly a new way of doing business. Through social media and community support, including our newspaper, our business moves forward with a positive attitude. We will travel again, be it by car, plane, train or cruise ship, when the time is right.

Thinks will be different, but we will be here. All we ask during stressful times is be kind and support your local community and businesses any way you can.

As Arnold said, “We’ll be back,” stronger than ever.

Pam and Jim Overholt Cruise Holidays Niagara

Gypsy Moth Spray Program Since the Town opened its gypsymoth@pelham.ca email address, several themes emerged in terms of the types of questions being asked. To help those who have similar questions, or are just looking to learn more about the 2020 spray program, the Town has compiled a quick FAQ list. If you have further questions, please submit them to gypsymoth@pelham.ca.

Q: What if my property is not included in the Town’s spray program?

A: If your property is not listed in the Town’s spray program your property will not receive treatment from the aerial spray program. If you would like to receive service, a list of private contractors can be found on the Town’s website: www.pelham.ca/ gypsy-moth. There is also a home control methods document that homeowners are encouraged to look at and apply to help the spread of the gypsy moth and the defoliation of trees.

Q: If my property is close to the spray block, can you add it to the program and bill me later?

A: The 2020 gypsy moth program is funded through the approved 2020 operating budget and no individual bills will be issued. The Town’s program

is designed to work specifically within this budget and deviation is not an option. Residents will not recieve a bill for any Town spraying.

Q: I received a notice that my property is being sprayed, can I see the spray block maps?

A: Yes, you can. The spray block maps are available on the Town’s website: www.pelham.ca/gypsy-moth.

Also, if you have the April 15, 2020 edition of the Voice of Pelham, the Town advertised the spray blocks in the newspaper; they can also be found on the Voice of Pelham’s website: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca It is important to note that all or some of your property may be sprayed, so make sure to check the map to see what portions of your property will receive treatment.

Q: What is the spray being used made of and what if I have health concerns over its use?

A: For residents who have health concerns with the spraying of Btk, please contact Christine Tonon, public works administrative assistant at ctonon@ pelham.ca or 905-892-2607 x332 to request to be placed on a priority call or email list that will be informed within 48-hours of the spray to make any

arrangements necessary to vacate their property during the spray.

Pre-emergence monitoring plots have been established throughout the spray zone, and egg hatching and leaf development will be monitored on the trees with pink band on them (see photo). This is done to determine the most effective time to complete the aerial spray program.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, April 29, 2020

Page 7

KORE

continued from Page 1 stores in Canada, was in compliance with directives handed down by local health authorities, and that closure was not necessary.

“Our employees are cleaning the store—every two hours our stores are cleaned, high-touch surfaces are disinfected, like pin-pads, door handles, refrigerator handles, and [checkout] belts. Our bathrooms are being cleaned every 15 minutes.

And we’re also sanitizing every grocery cart before it’s handed to a customer.”

One long-time employee said that they were experiencing significant stress.

“I’m even wondering if I should be tested. Could I have used the same phone as Ron? Could I be carrier? So many questions on something that could have been avoided had our boss done his due diligence and stayed home the minute he got sick.”

The source and the other staff speaking to the Voice asserted that Kore dismissed his illness as a minor cold.

In early February, Niagara Public Health began warning of COVID-19 symptoms the public should be alert to. By mid-March, a runny nose and other symptoms of the common cold were included on the Region’s website.

Health authorities at all levels of government, in Canada and around the world, urged anyone feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms to stay at home and self-isolate until they were recovered.

While store staff say that Kore’s respiratory symptoms were clear earlier, they were self-evident on March 23, when he attended a Pelham Town Council meeting inside Town Hall. The Voice has learned that some staff present in the room were alarmed that Kore would attend the meeting while ill, yet they

At various points, Councillor Ron Kore can be seen wiping his nose and appearing to cough during a recording of a March 23 Pelham Town Council meeting. Councillors Haun and Hildebrandt, attending remotely, are visible behind him on the teleconference screen. Councillors Stewart and Ciolfi were also present in the room.

YOUTUBE

to comment on why he wished to attend yesterday’s council meeting in person, rather than by electronic means,” Cribbs wrote in an email to Voice publisher Dave Burket. “I have been accused of leaking this story to your publication.”

Cribbs asked whether Burket could inform Kore that this was not the case.

“I was happy to do so,” said Burket. “That [request] was a first for me. In fact, multiple individuals were concerned about Kore’s persistence in entering the building, despite evidently being ill.”

“I have informed Councillor Kore that you and I communicated by phone yesterday afternoon,” wrote Cribbs, “wherein we discussed logistics for a Voice photographer to be granted access to Town Hall to take pictures of the technology set-up being used for the electronic council meeting.”

The photos taken on April 6 ran in last week’s issue of the newspaper, accompanying a story about the switch to electronic meetings.

Junkin’s email

did not speak out at the time.

At the meeting, which lasted nearly four hours, Kore was one of three councillors in attendance, along with Councillor Marianne Stewart and Councillor Mike Ciolfi.

Councillors Wink, Hildebrandt, and Haun attended by teleconference.

Kore and Ciolfi sat approximately eight feet apart on the same side of the room. Within days, Ciolfi developed increasingly debilitating symptoms of illness, at one point so severe that he was virtually unable to speak.

Ciolfi tested positive for COVID-19 during the week of April 6. He died overnight Sunday, April 12. A cause of death has not been announced.

As a result of Ciolfi’s positive test, Region of Niagara Public Health contacted those who were present in council chambers

NIAGARA’s

other essential services

during the March 23 meeting. The Voice learned that at least two others in the room that evening subsequently tested positive for the virus. Last Thursday, CAO David Cribbs confirmed to the CBC that two non-elected officials inside Town Hall had also tested positive.

April 6 meeting

The next council meeting after March 23 was scheduled for Monday, April 6, at which time all councillors and staff were to attend by teleconference, with only Mayor Marvin Junkin and Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato in council chambers.

That afternoon, however, the Voice was informed that Kore was insistent on attending the meeting in person, to the alarm of Town staff.

Kore did not respond to Voice requests for comment that day, nor to

a later follow-up. He did not attend the meeting in person or by teleconference.

Mayor Junkin confirmed that he was adamant that Kore not be physically present, and he was prepared to cancel the meeting if Kore had shown up at Town Hall.

“When there was a suitable technical alternative that allowed him to do his job as a councillor,” Junkin said, “the same as every other member of council, there was no reason for him to personally attend.”

In an unusual move, CAO David Cribbs contacted the Voice the day after the meeting to report that Councillor Kore had accused him of improper communication with the newspaper.

“I have been shown an email written yesterday by you to Councillor Kore in which you ask him

Mayor Junkin then emailed Kore on April 7, copying all of council and certain senior staff, to express his frustration regarding Kore’s insistence on entering Town Hall.

“It has come to my attention that you were upset at not being allowed, as a councillor, to participate in last night’s meeting in the council chamber,” Junkin wrote.

“I, for one, was very relieved when I.T. made it possible for our council to hold these type of meetings [by teleconference]. Here are my reasons. I am 67 years old and spent 45-plus years as a dairy farmer. That is 45-plus years breathing in hay dust and / or grain dust. I think it is safe to say that my lungs are what is currently being called compromised. If I were to be infected with the COVID-19 See KORE Page 9

public lawn, Forestry & park maintenance to Control overgrowth, Rodents, ticks, and weeds

Repairs & other Operations to Bridges, roads, sidewalks, traffic Signals, and water and wastewater Services

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During the COVID-19 pandemic a number of critical municipal services must continue in order to keep our communities safe, healthy and functional.

Outdoor sports facilities to maintain quality and function of baseball diamonds, golf courses, soccer fields and more

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These services being done by Niagara’s municipalities meet the Province of Ontario guidelines for essential services.

Fort Erie | Grimsby | Lincoln | Niagara Falls | NIagara-on-the-lake | Pelham Port Colborne | ST. Catharines | Thorold | Wainfleet | Welland | West Lincoln

Page 8

The Voice, April 29, 2020

Letters

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

No protection

Kudos to Legion

Canadian senators need to be elected

This is to inform the media that a worker at the Niagara Street McDonald's in Welland has tested positive for COVID-19. Management sent this worker home on April 10th with symptoms resembling the virus. They did not inform staff until April 24th that this worker had tested positive, at which time my daughter and other coworkers had to quit their jobs because the company did not offer any protection—i.e., masks, or mention cleaning measures. These kids have been labeled essential workers all through this pandemic and this company is essentially forcing them to quit. As of today, I have not seen anything informing the public about this, especially since this individual was working on the grill.

As a concerned parent, I hope that you can share the unjust treatment of these workers and the irresponsibility of not informing the public.

Christine Levesque Welland

Way back in 1945 as a brand-new student at Port Colborne High, I entered a literary contest on “Canadian Citizenship.” It was sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion. Who should know better than they what it means to be an exemplary citizen. This was my introduction to this wonderful group of men and women who have served their country long and well. Many of my family served in World War I and World War II, some giving their lives for our country, one a P.O.W. The Legion honours their memory in many ways— flags upon their final resting place, names on scrolls and poppies each and every year to name but a few. Fast-forward to the year 2020, a year to go down in blazing colours, the year of the pandemic! Here in Pelham, in our own way, we too, your senior residents, are fighting our own war.

Many of us have serious pre-existing medical conditions and some of us are more vulnerable to this relentless virus.

The enemy is no longer across the sea but here in Ontario, in the Niagara Peninsula, very close to home. We are told to stay safe by staying put, getting others to go for needed supplies, to pay bills online, to wash our hands, to stay at least six feet apart. For seniors most of this is doable and we do it willingly. We who live in our own homes are very, very fortunate. When I was told the Legion, with the help of their own volunteers would supply our three “Walking Wounded” with tasty meals delivered by more volunteers to our home, I was overjoyed. One major hurdle was overcome, thanks to a friend who put us on the Legion List of senior shut-ins. As we are 88, 87 and with another family member on oxygen, this service has been a true blessing. And all because of the devotion of the men and women of #613, our Fonthill Legion. To them we owe a huge debt of gratitude .

To them we say a heartfelt thank you! Our kudos go out to Toni and her terrific team. We are so blessed to live in this country, in this province in this little community of caring people. To help a senior, to help everyone survive please remember —Don't roam...Stay at home!

S. M. Lazareth Fonthill

Where to start?

Canada’s Senate needs to change in terms of how its politicians are selected. At the present time senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, this approach leads to more fraud; therefore, every federal election should allow us the freedom to elect our members of the upper house. Some people want the senate of Canada abolished, because of the scandals that have occurred. We elect members of parliament who represent districts across Canada to represent us, and the leaders of each party are also members of the House of Commons. Our system allows the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition, and the other leaders the privilege of getting to represent a riding along with being in charge of running their political parties. How many of you agree that senate reform is an issue?

First, I would like to point out that the United States of America elects both senators and the 435 members of the House of Representatives. They also elect can-

R

didates for the position of a President every four years.

There are 100 American senators representing 50 states who are elected for six-year terms.

Our upper house of parliament has 105 senators, along with 338 members of parliament representing ten provinces and three territories. If we're given the option of electing senators, I feel Canadians should be allowed to pick two senators over a larger area than how members of the House of Commons are chosen.

Next, I would like to clarify how senators should be elected.

Here in Niagara we have four ridings where candidates run to be given the opportunity to represent constituents in Ottawa. The Niagara peninsula should have a senator who is independent or represents a political party. Toronto should have seven or eight senators, because they have a much larger population.

Ontario has 24 senators; so the simplest way to tackle this problem is to allocate how many politicians represent each census division area of the province.

In terms of how the prov-

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inces govern themselves, I feel that a lower house where members of provincial parliament are elected is sufficient. We don’t need to elect senators provincially.

For local elections here in Ontario, they should allow us to elect Regional Chairs along with representatives.

Municipal elections in the Niagara region allow voters to pick representatives, but our Chair is appointed. We allow one mayor to rule one of 12 municipalities, along with councillors who represent wards in each town and city. Back on the topic of how the senate of Canada should run, my ultimate goal is to see reform in parliament.

In conclusion, Canada’s senate needs to be restructured. I realize that dishonesty and deceit can’t completely disappear in politics, however this is one crucial step that can lower inducement in parliament. I ask you again; how many of you feel that senate alteration is a subject that needs to be addressed?

Brendan Young Fonthill

Time to be kind Covid is causing distress and emotional anxiety amongst our Pelham community. So many unknowns exist. We can still be kind to each other. We can acknowledge our blessings.

We can pray this situation will soon be history. Lets all hope for the best outcome.

Louise Morgan Fonthill

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“It is a weird time that we are in,” he said.

Team members were given a workout from a Brock trainer that Lianga does three times a week and then he does his own version of workouts twice a week.

“I get things around my house to use as weights,” he said. “I will use a shopping bag and I put books in it or stuff like that. I am trying to work my way around it.”

His long terms goals are to play pro and one of his possibilities is to do it in Lithuania. All four of his grandparents were born in Lithuania and he would be able to get his Lithuanian citizenship and play pro volleyball there without being considered an import.

“Another idea is to go play anywhere, Europe or Australia, and after my schooling, maybe do my teacher’s program abroad.”

Type your pithy letter to the Voice right

this minute!

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, April 29, 2020

Page 9

KORE

continued from Page 7 virus, it could very easily be fatal for me….With your job forcing you to interact with so many people on a daily basis, like it or not you must be viewed as a high-risk person to be around. Is it just a coincidence that Mike [Ciolfi] got sick after our last council meeting, when he was sitting on the same side of the room as you? Maybe, maybe not.

We will never know. I will not take that chance. A big healthy guy like Mike has been sicker than a dog for over a week, with fever, aches and pains. Why should any of us take that risk, when the technology is available to completely eliminate it.”

Asked last Wednesday to confirm the authenticity of the email, Junkin replied that he was, “disappointed that a confidential document meant only for council and senior management” came into the newspaper’s possession.

In fact, all communication among elected and government officials is subject to public scrutiny, including through Freedom of Information requests.

The email was also provided to another media outlet—the St. Catharines Standard—but was done so several days before the news of Kore’s COVID-19 test result was published by the Voice.

Reporters working for Torstar, the parent company for all Niagara dailies, declined to tell the Voice when specifically they received their copy. The Voice has learned that as early as the week of April 13, a Torstar reporter reached out to at least one member of Pelham council regarding the email, then did not follow up once Kore’s test result was reported.

In its reporting of the Sobeys story, the St. Catharines Standard did, however, include comment

Staff used shopping carts to block the entrance last Thursday afternoon after a decision was made to shut the store early for cleaning. Right, signage on Sobeys' doors advises customers exhibiting potential symptoms of COVID-19 not to enter the store.

DON RICKERS from Kore about the email, apparently obtained from him before the events of last week, in which Kore described Junkin’s message as “mean-spirited.”

Last Wednesday, Junkin said that he hadn’t heard any news from either Kore or Sobeys regarding his COVID-19 status.

“If he did in fact test positive, I’m disappointed that he hasn’t contacted myself or the CAO so that we could have alerted Town staff, who may have had close proximity with him at past meetings,” said Junkin.

“If he has tested positive, the Town would have liked to know about it.”

Store and staff

Sobeys spokesperson Jacquelin Weatherbee said that the employee who tested positive (whom she later identified as Kore) would be permitted to return to work 14 days after the initial test result, and after receiving “medical, professional approval” that the individual was symptom-free.

Weatherbee said that Sobeys staff would not be tested.

“Public Health hasn’t given us

any indication that we should be testing employees, but if their position changes, we will comply, as we have in every other instance across the country.”

Asked about Sobeys' assertions regarding employee testing, and whether it was appropriate to keep the store open, Niagara Region Public Health spokesperson Meredith Maxwell told the Voice on Thursday that the department had no specific comment.

"Due to privacy, Public Health doesn’t comment on specific COVID-19 cases or situations," said Maxwell. "As part of our follow-up of confirmed cases, we would follow-up with any contacts with significant risk, as well as any premises that need to take measures to mitigate risk."

Late in the week and into the weekend, Mayor Junkin and Pelham Regional Councillor Diana Huson made repeated requests of Public Health to offer testing to all Fonthill Sobeys employees regardless of whether they were symptomatic. A conference call on Sun-

day between them, Regional Chair Jim Bradley, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji, and others, ended the way it started.

There would be no exception made to the testing criteria currently in place.

Asked whether the department makes routine or spot checks of businesses to ensure compliance with sanitation directives, Maxwell said, "Public Health routinely inspects all food premises— restaurants, bars, coffee shops, food trucks, convenience stores, and grocery stores, amongst others— to ensure measures are in place to prevent infections, including food-borne infections as well as other infections including respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19."

Pelham Fire Chief and Emergency Control Group head Bob Lymburner told the newspaper on Thursday that the municipality lacked jurisdiction to force the store to close for cleaning.

"As emergency management, even though we’re under a declared

state of emergency it doesn't give us any special authority to shut things down," said Lymburner.

"We have the ability to shut down municipal programs and infrastructure, but in the private, business world we have no authority at all."

Early Thursday afternoon, Niagara Regional Police spokesperson Phil Gavin confirmed that an NRPS investigation was underway, but would not disclose specifics.

"We are aware of the community concerns in relation to this matter," said Gavin. "We have commenced an investigation. As such it would not be appropriate to comment further."

By Friday, however, the NRPS had closed its inquiry.

"Based on a preliminary review, it has been determined that a criminal inquiry is not an appropriate course of action at this time," read an NRPS statement.

The police service never publicly disclosed who or what they were investigating.

Stronger response, Kore suspended

Following intense negative reaction on social media to revelations of Kore’s conduct and to Sobeys perceived lack of remedial action, and increasing interest in the story by regional and then national news media, the company announced Thursday that the store would be closed after all and subject to a “deep-cleaning.” The store closed mid-afternoon Thursday for the cleaning and reopened as usual on Friday morning.

Jacquelin Weatherbee, Sobeys communications officer, told the Voice Thursday afternoon that the company has launched an internal investigation, "into the events and what’s occurred," and that they were cooperating with local auSee KORE Page 12

Page 10

The Voice, April 29, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Date Night at Piper's Fonthill pub doing decent take-out business, appreciates community's support

BY JOHN SWART

Special to the VOICE

P

eter Moore recounts how one couple is still managing to enjoy their regular date night at his Peter Piper’s Pubhouse.

“It’s with take-out now, and they hang out in the parking lot.”

Humour and cordiality are evident in Moore’s voice, even as COVID-19 and the ensuing regulations have significantly reduced revenues at the restaurant he and his wife own in Fonthill.

Moore says he keeps learning, working to figure out how he and his team can best deal with the new reality.

“Nobody puts this in their business plan, that’s for sure. We’ve got to learn how to roll with things, how to evolve our business. That’s what we’ve always felt, even in the best of times.”

Fish and chips is still the number one dish, followed by chicken wings and burgers. Moore originally shortened the takeout menu to maintain quality and deal with supply-chain disruptions. Suppliers throughout the chain are experiencing shortages of foods and workers on a regular basis, so fulfillment ratios are down and inconsistent.

“We’re getting this figured out. We keep adding to our menu. We’re adding family dinners for four this week, something that makes sense for our customers.”

Peter Piper’s has teamed up with local cider mill Niagara Cider Company, who were struggling to get into the LCBO during the pandemic. Recent changes in Ontario legislation allow beer, wine and spirit sales with takeout food, so the partnership is helping

both companies.

Moore lamented the timing of mandatory dining room closure, as he missed St Patricks’ Day and end-ofseason team banquets. He had a three year business plan, and was looking forward to his third year, “When

We're missing the musicians and staff, they've become family

things become a little more above water,” and Peter Piper’s had an established customer base.

Moore has learned that his customer base is indeed established, and is touched by how the community has responded.

“In our position, we’ve been lucky enough, I can’t believe the support.

People in takeout have been very supportive.”

Moore feels this may be a response to his and wife Stephanie’s decision to always return the favour to the community. Piper’s became an integral part of Pelham’s fabric early on, sponsoring a room at the new community centre, Summerfest beer cozys, an

evening at the bandshell, Army Cadet golf tournaments, and lots more, including recently sending lunch to the paramedic station and food to the Mike Ciolfi vigil. Having the community come together is important to Moore.

When asked how he thought Pelham was surviving without his live musical entertainment on the weekends, Moore laughed and replied that when it came time to reopen, he visualized a big weekend of live entertainment to get everybody back together again.

“We’re missing the musicians and staff, they’ve become family. I want to hire these guys because they’ve been out of work too.”

It was clear that Moore’s focus was on his employees. Some were able to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, and others were able to use Employment Insurance benefits.

He also expected a program subsidizing up to 75% of his payroll deductions to become finalized shortly, which would further help him retain his employees.

Moore also shared that he had applied to the Federal government’s Canadian Emergency Business Account, designed to assist all small businesses via a loan up to $40,000. Should businesses be able to pay the loan back by 2022, $10,000 of it would become a grant.

Peter Piper’s Pubhouse is open for takeout Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4 to 7 PM, and there’s always a secluded space in the parking lot for your own personal date night. ♦

With chairs upended on tables, it's an eerie tableau at Peter Piper's Pub, in Fonthill. After closing briefly when Ontario's shutdown began, owners Peter and Stephanie Moore reopened for take-out business earlier in April. Bottom left, Stephanie hustles out to make one of several curbside deliveries last Friday evening, which saw 50 lbs. of fish fly out the door.

About 200 orders came in overall, roughly 20% at best of a Before Times Friday night's business. Below, server Kelly Richardson takes a phone order. Bottom right, Peter Moore looks over orders as he speaks with a customer.

DAVE BURKET

r s t . a s

T

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, April 29, 2020

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The Voice, April 29, 2020

KORE

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

single complaint and customer question we receive very seriously."

"We are in the process of following-up with the inquires we received to understand people’s concerns and reassure them that everything has been done to ensure the Sobeys Fonthill location is safe for its customers and employees. Our customers’ trust means everything to us. We regret the stress the last few days has placed on employees and the Fonthill community.”

continued from Page 9 thorities. Weatherbee would not cite which authorities these were.

"We are thankful that customers and employees have brought information forward," said Weatherbee.

She reiterated Sobeys' position that by local public health directives, the store was not required to close, nor were employees who were in contact with Kore required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Weatherbee asserted that it was Kore who made the decision to close overnight for cleaning.

By Friday, the corporate tone had changed. Sobeys announced that Kore has been removed from his job pending an investigation.

"We have launched an internal investigation and are taking this matter very seriously," said Weatherbee in a company statement.

"We are working in cooperation with all authorities.

Today, we made the decision to temporarily remove the franchisee operator from the Fonthill location. Sobeys will be temporarily operating the store until the investigation is complete."

Sobeys operates a mixure of corporate-managed and franchise stores. Kore has run the Fonthill franchise for a decade.

"Sobeys was made aware of customer and employee concerns relating to the Fonthill Sobeys franchised store earlier this week," said Weatherbee. "We take every

Ford’s reaction

On Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in, when asked at his daily COVID-19 media briefing about Kore’s continued attendance, both at council and his store, while exhibiting respiratory illness symptoms.

“It’s terrible what happened,” said Ford. “First of all, my heart prayers go out to [late Councillor Mike Ciolfi’s] family. People make mistakes, but folks, please, we’ve come so far.”

Ford then turned Saturday’s answer into criticism of a group of “anti-shutdown” protesters outside of Queen’s Park in Toronto, before CTV reporter Nick Dixon followed up with a question about what defenses people have against authority figures like Kore—a manager of a retail outlet and an elected official—who appear to flout public health advisories.

“Call your public health, and if you really want to shame them, call the local media,” Ford said. “It’s just being irresponsible. If you

Niagara Region Police cruiser on site, Thursday, April 23. have symptoms, it’s like walking around with a loaded gun in your hand.”

Kore’s statement

After declining requests for comment through the week, on Sunday Kore emailed a statement to a number of media outlets to state his case. In it, Kore asserted that he had followed Niagara Region Public Health guidelines regarding COVID-19.

Kore said that he was informed by Public Health last Monday, April 13, that he had been in the presence of an infected individual. Kore did not specify when this encounter occurred. The Voice has previously reported that those in the room with Councillor Mike Ciolfi during council’s March 23 meeting were contacted by Public Health as a result of Ciolfi’s subsequent positive test result.

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When he requested to be tested for the virus, Kore said that he was told by a Public Health nurse that it was unnecessary. He then went to his doctor. “[The doctor] did make arrangements for me to be tested for the virus,” said Kore. “My test was scheduled for April 17th and the only time I left self-quarantine since the 13th was to get the test administered.”

Three days later, on April 20, Kore said that he was informed by Public Health that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Yet Kore also said that Public Health immediately cleared him to return to work.

“That day I was informed by a nurse at Niagara Region Public Health (‘NRPH’) that I was no longer infectious,” Kore said, “and she had: ‘verified with our medical officer of health at Niagara Region Public Health Dr. Hirji that you can resume your normal activities of work and do not need to self-isolate.’”

Kore said that out of an abundance of caution and notwithstanding NRPH’s recommendations, “I have remained in self-quarantine and will do so for 14 days since testing positive.”

This self-isolation was also a requirement mandated

by Sobeys last week, according to their spokesperson.

WARREN MASON PHOTO

“As a 63-year-old individual with a history of heart disease, I would never take a risk with my health, the health of my wife, employees or colleagues at Town Hall.”

Kore criticized the Town of Pelham’s handling of his diagnosis.

“The Town’s response on this matter has been reckless and irresponsible. Further speculation is not warranted and would be completely inappropriate.” Kore said that he would have no further comment.

Asked to respond, Mayor Junkin extended his best wishes to Kore, and said, "Town of Pelham staff and Mr. Kore’s colleagues are happy to hear that his health is improving. We at the Town are still waiting for Mr. Kore to reach out to us on a personal level."

CAO David Cribbs pushed back at Kore's characterization of the municipality's response.

"The Town is unaware of any of its statements being irresponsible," said Cribbs.

"The Town has only made statements that attempt to respond to questions from the public and that convey its best information to encourage healthy and safe practices for all members of the community, including elected officials."

"It would appear that

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Councillor Kore is either recovered or largely recovered from his recent illness and his return to work will be welcomed," Cribbs added.

Kore had not responded by press time when asked whether he would attend this Monday night’s council meeting by teleconference.

The meeting was postponed by a week due to Councillor Mike Ciolfi’s passing on April 13.

Niagara Region Public Health Communications Consultant Kerri Stoakley confirmed that Public Health told Kore that he did not have to remain in quarantine past April 20, the day that he received his test result.

This was due to the health department's determination that the illness had already run its course, and consequently Kore's most infectious period was already behind him, occurring while he continued working and was not in self-isolation, possibly for several weeks.

"The current COVID-19 real time PCR test remains positive for many weeks after one fully resolves from infection," said Stoakley.

Stoakley would not say what date Kore was presumed to have been infected.

"We can confirm that he was a contact of another case, as Mr. Kore has written. But we can’t comment on details about that other case, nor did we tell Mr. Kore a presumed date of exposure (which would not be stated to Mr. Kore in order to protect the identity of the other case)."

Monday afternoon shortly before going to press, the Voice was told by a Sobeys employee that corporate human resources staff had begun interviewing Fonthill employees on site as part of the company’s internal investigation.

With contributions by Samuel Piccolo, Don Rickers, Warren Mason, Dave Burket, and John Chick.

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The Voice, April 29, 2020

Page 13

Employee frustrated by Kore's Sunday statement Says Sobeys corporate response to date also inadequate

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

Special to the VOICE

One of the Fonthill Sobeys employees who first spoke to the Voice about Councillor and store franchisee Ron Kore’s presence at work with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 again spoke out on Sunday. The employee, who asked that their name be withheld for fear of losing their job, said that they were upset with Kore’s statement to the media, made some four days after news broke that he continued to work while displaying symptoms of respiratory illness.

“I found it to be a joke. He should be embarrassed,” they said, adding that multiple employees told Kore that he was ill.

“People told him: ‘You should be going home. You’re sick, you’re sick.’ And he would just say, ‘Oh I’m fine, I’m fine, it’s a cold. He was told numerous times by numerous employees that he should not be working.”

Kore had not responded by press time when asked to confirm this account.

The employee said that Kore had sent other workers home for being sick.

“It just proves he feels nothing applies to him. He’s above everything. He can send an employee home because they’re sick. Why does he stay?”

The statement Kore released on Sunday asserted that he had regularly performed COVID-19 self-as-

sessment tests.

“If you’re sick enough that you need to do the self-assessment while the pandemic was on, why would you think for a minute that you’re okay to go to work,” the employee said.

Absent from Kore’s statement was an acknowledgement that he might have made mistakes.

“There was not even an apology,” they said, adding that the statement read as if it had been written by a lawyer.

“He could have at least held himself accountable for coming into work sick. He took no ownership of the potential risk he could have put his employees and customers at. And not to get any mention in his statement today, and no apology or concern to his employees or his customers? It’s insulting.”

“The most crucial time, before March 23, there was no mention.

There’s no way he could dig himself out of that,” they said.

While Sobeys has told the media that the company will be carrying out an internal investigation into Kore’s conduct, the employee said they have yet to be contacted.

“I feel Sobeys is just doing damage control, telling people what they think they want to hear.”

Sobeys communications officer Jacqueline Weatherbee strongly pushed back on this assertion on Monday, saying that the company

Physical distancing measures in effect at Sobeys Fonthill during the first week of April.

DON RICKERS had deployed an internal team that manages all complaints that come to corporate notice, whether from customers, suppliers, or employees.

“We are taking this very seriously, listening to all the concerns that have come in,” said Weatherbee.

A Sobeys employee told the Voice on Monday that staff interviews had indeed begun at the store.

Employees who wish to make confidential statements without

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identifying themselves may do so, Weatherbee said, through the company’s “Ethics Line,” at 888-4272530, answered 24 hours a day, or online at www.clearviewconnects. com Weatherbee said she was unable to predict how long the investigation would take. She said Sobeys had no comment on Kore’s Sunday statement.

The employee said that their sentiments were widely shared

among their co-workers, and that assuming Kore returns to the job, his previous conduct would stain the relationship with his staff.

“He didn’t do his job to make us feel safe during this pandemic,” they said. “If they let him come back, how would we be assured that he would make us feel safe?

We certainly couldn’t count on him to do the right thing.”

The employee said that they, and others, were fearful of retribution for speaking up.

“It gives me stress. I need my job.”

The employee acknowledged that some social media commenters had criticized them and others for speaking up as unnamed sources, citing Kore’s prominence and charitable work. “[But] I see from the outside looking in, ‘Oh yeah, he’s great to the community, he does a lot, he was Citizen of the Year,’” they said.

“Absolutely someone could say that. But were they in there, working every day, while he was coughing and hacking? I could have brought it home to my family.

They’re entitled to their opinion, but until it’s their family or friends who are affected personally, they have no idea.”

Kore’s statement included an assertion that he would be making no further comment on the issue, and the employee said that it seemed as though he was trying to “just move on.”

“I think that his poor judgement and bad decisions are going to follow him for a long while to come.

It’s easy for him to say, ‘Let’s just forget it. Let’s sweep it under the rug. This is my statement. I did no wrong.' Well, it’s not that easy.”

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Page 14

The Voice, April 29, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Repatriation ordeal for local couple Word to the wise: watch out for those Floridian gasoline hoses

BY JOHN SWART

Special to the VOICE

Jim and Jan Wellington’s return trip from Florida to Canada amid the COVID-19 outbreak is an incredible tale of bad luck, good luck, helpful people and perseverance. The warmth and humour with which they have shared their story belies the strength and resourcefulness that all involved employed to get them back to Canada, relatively intact, and free of the virus.

The Wellingtons, of Fonthill, were enjoying their three month stay at Cape Coral, near Fort Myers in Florida, where they’ve been wintering for the last eight years.

Jim’s a trap shooter, and belongs to the Sarasota Trap, Skeet and Clays Club, while Jan loves socializing with the friends they’ve made over the years. Then came the plea for all Canadians abroad to return home.

Jim and Jan dutifully loaded up their car and headed north on March 23. That same day, just outside Wildwood, Florida, Jim tripped over the gasoline hose while fueling his car, and crashed to the concrete.

“Luckily I didn’t hit my head, or I would have been

done.”

Pumping gas at the other side of the same pump was a police constable, and she quickly came to Jim’s aid.

“She checked all my vitals, and my arm was just sort of hanging.”

She called for an ambulance, which took Jim and Jan to Leesville County Hospital.

“They ran some X-rays, gave me a pain pill, and said we can’t help you here. It’s more serious and we don’t have any surgeons here.

We’re going to have to move you up to Ocala Regional Trauma Centre,” said Jim. He had broken his humerus.

Jim and Jan were admitted to the trauma centre that same evening, and given a room. (Jan has a medical condition that prevents her from being left alone.) Jim was in the hospital bed, and Jan slept in a reclining chair.

This was their home for the next seven days.

When Jim ate, kind nurses fetched meals for Jan from the cafeteria, but were unable to fetch Jan’s meds from the car back at the gas station in Wildwood.

Fortunately, Jim had purchased travel insurance and

Jim and Jan Wellington, now safely back home in Fonthill. the trauma centre administrators had worked with the provider in the past. He was informed that his three or four hour stop for X-rays and consultation in Leesville had cost $3000.

On the afternoon of the 24th, they operated on Jim, but there was no mention of how or when he and Jan would be able to leave the trauma centre.

Jim tells it like this. “My sister was phoning, phoning, phoning the insurance company, and of course she could never get through. I think she spent five hours one day trying to get through. The lines were busy constantly because of this COVID-19 thing.

So finally she got a claim number, and she

shared the claim number with the hospitals, but there was no discussion as to when I could leave there.”

“My daughter-in-law Tracy sent an email to RBC insurance and cc’d a copy to the Canadian consulate. Things started to roll. So at that stage the insurance company realized they would need a mobile nurse to come to Florida and assist us.”

The insurance company flew a mobile nurse from Toronto to Orlando, by herself, on an Air Canada jet. That’s right, one nurse and a crew of three or four were the lone occupants of the AC Rouge jet that went to fetch Jim and Jan. Jim says that initially they weren’t going to let her into the hospital because of

JOHN SWART

COVID-19, but she “worked her way through that.”

The mobile nurse then arranged to get the Wellington’s vehicle towed to the trauma centre, and fortunately their passports, documentation, and Jan’s meds were all intact.

“The mobile nurse arranged everything,” says Jim. “She got the plane tickets, got us 30 days of medications to last while we would be quarantined. She got a limousine to take us up to the airport.”

Jim explained that the mobile nurse got them through customs and security effortlessly, did all their immigration paperwork, had wheelchairs arranged within the airport, and a taxi waiting outside. She accompa-

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nied them, and Tracy, who would be quarantined with Jim and Jan, back to Fonthill, then returned by taxi to her home in Hamilton.

“She was very professional, and she knew all the ropes,” said Jim. “She’s been all over the world.”

Jim said the service he received at the trauma centre was very good.

“I think I was very fortunate because it was a trauma centre. They had a very good orthopaedic team, and their patient-to- nurse ratio is four persons to one nurse.

They were extremely attentive.”

Asked if he was concerned about COVID-19 while there, Jim said, “Not really. I was too whacked-out to care. I think I was on narcotics.”

Asked if he had any idea what the total cost of his medical bills and transportation was, Jim replied that he really didn’t know, and hadn’t seen any invoices.

“I can’t imagine, it’s got to be three hundred grand.

Seven days in [the trauma centre], two jet rides, two ambulance rides.” Jim, Jan and their mobile nurse had shared a chartered flight home with about ten others, and he described the plane being partitioned between the small groups with blankets hanging from the ceiling to stop air circulation.

Not even he and Jan could sit together.

The Wellingtons’ car has returned from Florida too.

It was delivered to Scarborough by transport, then quarantined for 48 hours.

Another transport company brought it to Fonthill. The driver told Jim the invoice to the insurance company was around $2500.

Their quarantine has been successfully completed. They’re both COVID-19 free, Jan is good, and Jim still has some pain from the operation. Ontario physicians have confirmed that the rod installed in his humerus was correctly positioned, and have removed the 25 staples holding his surgery together.

Tracy is well too, and back at home in Ajax.

Asked if he had any words of wisdom for those headed to Florida in the future, Jim laughed and said, “Don’t step over gas hoses.”

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The Voice, April 29, 2020

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of my meager supplies I should

told that they are not welcome to

should release to our truly heroic health care providers who are in direct contact with sick patients,” lamented Perry.

Telemedicine is a recently added service at the Dunnville clinic in an effort to maintain physical distancing. Clients can book a one-on-one appointment with a veterinarian via phone call, video platform, or text message. A 15-minute session costs $45.

Claire Todd, veterinarian at Fonthill Animal Hospital, has amended her service model, and now collects pets in the parking lot and takes them into the hospital while the pet owners wait in their cars. While this minimizes contact, there is no way to transfer a pet and also maintain two-metre distance.

“Staff swap leashes so as not to handle the pet owner’s leash, but the risk of a pet running away during this transfer is terribly stressful to staff,” said Todd, whose practice fronts Highway 20.

In those heart-breaking circumstances when a pet must be euthanized, how can an owner be

“I’m not sure I can do that, but I am responsible for my staff as well,” said Todd. “However, the people who are dying of COVID-19 are dying alone, in isolation.

When I swore my Veterinarian’s Oath 20 years ago, I never imagined I would be facing these moral dilemmas.”

Todd has a small practice, with three staff. One is currently in self-isolation after returning from Florida. Meanwhile, the communications demand for her clients has skyrocketed. Todd has tried to reduce patient-care hours by two hours at the end of each day in order to catch up on all the remaining duties, but most days she has failed to achieve this.

“I cannot tell first-responders, who are working long shifts for all the rest of us, that I will not stay open to see their pets at the end of our business day,” said Todd.

Animals that have long-term health conditions which require monitoring, injections, and medications should be brought to her office, said Todd. In some cases, treatment will commence in the parking lot. Any animal in obvi-

retain forparticipating my staff, and what papers I be by their companion’s side? is to be printed by all Ontario

tion does not suddenly disappear based on the date that a booster shot is recommended.”

The one exception is if an animal is exposed to rabies, said Perry, with the highest risk for most dogs being a bat that gets into the house.

Perry said that vets are doing their best in uncharted territory.

His staff has scrubs to wear, but can’t get additional lab coats or gowns. His supply of latex gloves and medical-grade masks is dwindling, and he has no access to additional hand sanitizer.

“Our hands are raw from scrubbing with soap,” he said. “When our current limited supply of hand sanitizer runs out, we will be using medical isopropyl alcohol, and antiviral hospital cleaning solution.”

Veterinary hospitals have been approached by provincial and Regional governments, requesting donation of any medical supplies they can spare for doctors, nurses, and other front-line workers in hospitals.

“I honestly have no idea how to make the decision of what part

ous pain qualifies for treatment.

Ancillary services such as dental scaling, general grooming, nail trimming, and anal gland draining have been postponed, with exceptions made if the animal is in pain due to an aggravated condition.

Todd insists that clients with family members who are isolating at home, or who are symptomatic with a cough and/or fever, inform her staff prior to bringing a pet to the office.

The pandemic is overloading the telephone lines at times, and Todd’s staff have noticed that “dropped” calls are becoming more frequent. She encourages clients to use email or leave phone messages if they have difficulty speaking with staff by phone.

The Niagara Veterinary Emergency Clinic, in Thorold, is equally swamped with high demand and sees a constantly diminishing staff, as some workers are required to self-isolate for various reasons. Accordingly, most general vet practices are attempting to refer as few patients their way as possible.

“My staff are tirelessly working 12-hour days without a break and

without complaint,” said Todd.

“My respect for their dedication has become bottomless over the last couple weeks. However, I have never seen exhaustion on their faces like this before. I have even brought my 11-year -old daughter in to work every day to help us.”

Todd attempts telemedicine when possible, but this is a difficult scenario for pets, as they are unable to describe their own feelings and symptoms. “They don’t tell us they have abdominal pain.

We feel it when we palpate. Unravelling a health concern in an animal is a very hands-on exercise,” said Todd. “An x-ray of a mass is helpful, but palpating the mass to assess what it is attached to, if it is hard or fluid filled, are critical components of appropriate evaluation.”

The greatest concern for Todd, as COVID-19 travels through the community, is that pets being presented to her staff have been recently coughed or sneezed on by a symptomatic family member.

“Our pets love to snuggle with us when we are feeling unwell. I can’t ‘disinfect’ a dog or cat. And See VETS next page

Page 16

The Voice, April 29, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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continued from Page 18 rice terraces and scruffy vegetation, notch some narrow roads and tracks into the sides of them, and Ha Giang becomes a cycling game of snakes and ladders like no other.

The roads are generally paved or concrete slabs, unless there’s been a mudslide or construction is underway, or if the road has slid into the valley. They’re barely the width of a motor scooter carrying huge bundles of sticks perched across the back seat, have no shoulders, and abound in potholes.

Guard rails are long lumps of concrete painted in bright red and white stripes.

They’re visually confusing, and it takes a while to realize there’s a gap big enough

BOB THERIAULT

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to drive a truck through bePause. tive, thought he’d like the war like many of our partween each one, offering cy“When are you going to challenge. Game on. ents or grandparents were. continued from previous page clists at most a 50-50 chance try?”

Mart, my Ironman brothThose thoughts make me The Voice of Pelham ad size Advertiser THE VOICE OF PELHAM of being restrained. As your er-in-law was next. pull up my bootstraps and Service Directory ad Fonthill Rlectric Ltdoften treating a pet requires bike plunges down a narrow “Hey Mart, here’s a couple keep going until the work is Creative Director that we get in closew:2.5” conx h: 1.75” road, front wheel sliding in video links.

Let me know if done, and try to do so with Contact Name Tarja Barton tact with the animal, just to a fresh plop of cow or goat you want to try Taryn it.” Wilton Color Info a smile.” keep them still. So we disemail pancake, you’ll wish you’d He thought it would be black only Contacted by the Voice, Contact Phone infect our spaces and ourgraphics@thevoiceofpelham.ca spent more time sharpenperfect training for the Wasa Balfour Animal Hospital, in selves constantly and then Due Date 905.401.5748 ing your brain with SudoFenwick, and Pelham AnMarketing Director Lake Triathlon in June. hope for the best.” Friday, March 18 at noon Contactwho’d email ku. There’s but a second Last was Mike, imal Hospital, in Fonthill, Dave Burket THE She acknowledges that Rundate(s)noted that they have reinfo@fonthillelectric.ca to decide, “Should I hit the ridden the 1200 km Parthese challenges are not email Mar. 23, Apr. 6, 20, May 18, barricade and smash all my is-Brest-Paris brevet in 79 duced their4, hours slightly, unique to veterinarians, since advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca June 1, 15 and bones, or go between them straight hours last Fall. and29.no longer allow cusmost of the same applies to 905.892.8690 and hope to land somewhere “Hey Mike, check these tomers to enter the office.

Cost staff, Approved By: Date:grocery and pharmacy down the mountain in a soft links out. Mart, Ron and Pets are met at the door and certainly all front-line $42 per insertion plus HST. rice paddy?” myself are going to ride and taken inside. Payment medical personnel.

Terms: Dueshould on publication Of course, the genuinethis.” be made by tele“I work hard to maintain ly narrow and treacherous Mike said he was in, and phone, and only emergency humour with my staff and roads had no room for barwould maybe check the vidissues and priority inocuclients, as this is paramount ricades. eos later. You gotta love an lations (for rabies, puppy to mental health,” she said.

I contacted my son, and attitude like that. booster shots, and the like) “And whenever I start to asked if, based on his expePerfect, concise, male That was it, done deal, are being managed. Staff feel overwhelmed, I remind rience, he thought one could communication. testosterone triumphs over are wearing masks and myself that I am certainly ride the Ha Giang Loop on I emailed mister demonic brain cells every time. gloves for personal pronot facing the same risks a bicycle. His reply went with, “Hey Ron, let’s go for Maybe I’ll figure out how to tection.

Additional office that our human medical something like this: “No, it, do the Ha Giang Loop.” keep up with these guys by cleaning with bleach is now professionals are, nor is one couldn’t...”

He replied in the affirma- next April. ♦ the norm. my family under threat of

Testosterone triumphs over brain VOICE cells every time

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

“Just play.

Have fun.

Enjoy the game.”

The Voice, April 29, 2020

Sporting Green

Michael Jordan

The Niagara

Page 17

John Swart takes us down the road in Vietnam, sort of

18

The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | April 29, 2020

Intense training jumpstarts career

STEPHEN LEITHWOOD/BROCK UNIVERSITY

Fonthill's Sauli Lianga earns Brock volleyball rookie award

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

At the conclusion of his Grade 12 year at E. L. Crossley, Sauli Lianga decided to take the leap and train full time for volleyball.

The 20-year-old Fonthill resident was one of the youngest athletes selected to spent seven months with the National Excellence Program in Gatineau, Que., the site where the national A team trains in the summer. The program saw Lianga participate in two three-hour practices a day “There were obviously ups and downs and my body was one of [the downs],” the 6-foot-4 athlete said. “Training six hours a day for the whole time, there were definitely some practices where I didn’t want to go and I didn’t want to play but it was a job for us. We were getting paid for going there and I didn’t have any excuse to not go.”

At the end of the seven-month program, the participants were given money for their schooling and Lianga emerged from the experience a much better player.

“All around, my game definitely improved but my mental game improved the most,” he said. “That is a key aspect that the high levels are trying to push more than anything else. We have the skill and we can play but it’s what happens when we can’t play. How do we fix that and how do we move on?”

Lianga put his skills on display this past season with the Brock men’s team and he was rewarded at year’s end by being named the squad’s top rookie.

“Sauli had a great first season for the Badger program. He brought back valuable experience from his time with the National Excellence Program and his rookie of the year award is a testament to his growth and development,” Brock head coach Matt Ragogna said. “Taking on a new role on the right side of the court this season, his calm demeanor and joyous self were big factors in the success of the program this season.”

Ragogna was impressed with Lianga’s efforts.

“He put a lot of work into the

small technical aspects of his game and got adjusted to the style and tempo of the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) quick-

All around my game improved but my mental game improved the most

ly, something that takes others time when entering university,” he said. “He is very deserving of this award and has a bright future ahead of him in a Badger uniform.”

Lianga was pleased with his first season.

“It was a great experience and I definitely learned a lot. It’s dif-

ferent playing in the OUA compared to playing OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association). All the teams have different styles of play.”

Lianga felt that he was able adjust to moving to right side after playing left side his entire career.

“It’s similar but it is very different,” he said. “On the left side, you get to pass but on the right side you don’t. And the other thing is left sides are mostly right-handed so they can see the ball coming and can cut it off with their right hand. On the right side, because I am right handed, the ball has to travel over my body or head and it is harder to read, track and still hit shots.”

He knows what needs to work on to become even better at the OUA level.

“I want to be more versatile on my attacks and try to less readable,” he said. “One thing that I found is that they were able to shut me down because I often made similar shots. Any team that could game-plan okay could shut me down really easily. I

want to try and be able to see the block and be able to hit around it and score so it will be harder to game plan for it.”

Brock was an easy choice for Lianga for two reasons.

“I am in physical education, the program is really good and there are only a few schools in Ontario which offer it,”he said.”Brock was one of them, it’s well-known and a lot of people really enjoyed the program.”

Academics was his main reason for choosing Brock, followed closely by the development of the school’s men’s volleyball program since restarting four seasons ago.

“They have just been getting better and better and for me coming to this team, we will continue growing and we have done really well so far.”

This past season, the Badgers made the playoffs for the first time in program history.

Lianga is still trying to keep training despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

See LIANGA Page 8

Page 18

The Voice, April 29, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FROM THE HANDLEBARS

by John Swart

Running in spring rain showers

E

xcerpted from the first From the Handlebars column on November 13, 2019: “It will include a wide range of subjects, all broadly tied to cycling, active lifestyle, or active travel.”

Let me share what it’s like writing an adventure travel column when your choice of worldwide destinations is limited to Dunnville, Lowbanks, or Smithville. Don’t get me wrong, they’re truly wonderful communities, and I’m not complaining, but really? I’ve cycled those roads so many times during the last eight weeks that when I chat with the horses, alpacas and goats I meet

along the way, they recognize me.

My big adventure yesterday was cutting our lawn from east to west rather than north to south. Not sure I can get 600 words out of that.

Had things gone according to schedule this spring, I would have returned from three weeks cycling in Vietnam last Sunday. No guided cycling around touristy Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue or Hanoi. We were headed to Ha Giang Province, in the most remote corner of northern Vietnam, nestled against the Chinese border, and totally off the beaten track for any rational per-

son. Forget culture or scenery, it was the kind of trip that desperate old males, determined to prove they’ve still got game, conjure up.

Here’s how it came about.

Ron, a demonic Toronto-based cycling bud who regards any ride with less than 1000 metres of climbing as flat, sent me an innocuous email with the subject line, “Could old farts like us ever do this?” The email included a link to a video of two of 30-something professional cyclists riding the Ha Giang Loop.

He had baited me perfectly. Old fart? Who had he meant to send this email to —surely not me? The Ha Giang topography was unlike anything I’d seen before, spectacular and absolutely vertiginous. Daily elevation gain would average 2600 metres. For those of you that are cyclists, that’s Alpe

A Vietnamese road untaken. d’Huez, Mont Ventoux and a whiff of Le Col du Tourmalet each day. If you’ve never heard of these classic Tour de France climbs, envision cycling up the CN Tower five times or 43 repeats of Saylor’s Hill, give or take, each day.

With six months to train, it seemed reasonable.

Coincidently and unknownst to me, my son and his wife had just produced a YouTube video of their own

motorcycle trip around the Ha Giang loop, and sent me a link. The Ha Giang Loop is a cult motorcycle route, one you might travel if you had something to prove to yourself, recalibrate your dreams and life, or pretend to be Dr. Livingstone or Marco Polo.

The Loop seemed to check all the boxes for a memorable cycling trip, plus, there was a dead-end gravel track where we could sneak

JOHN SWART

one wheel into China if the People’s Liberation Army wasn’t patrolling that day.

The best way to visualize the topography is to picture a small valley of muddy meandering streams with dozens of limestone karst footballs 300 metres tall jammed tightly nose-first into the valley floor. Coat the footballs with rock boulders, See HANDLEBARS Page 16

Voice

HOROSCOPE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, others want to lure you into their shenanigans, but you don’t need to worry about falling prey.

You stick to your own ways of doing things.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may need to take a different and unusual approach to get things accomplished this week.

Do not be afraid to take the bull by the horns if it is necessary.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Thinking outside of the box is something that you do with frequency, Gemini. Although others may not be sure of your unconventional methods, you always get things done.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, anxiety about starting a new path or chapter in your life is completely normal. Look forward to all of the positive things that may be in store soon enough.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Lend a helping hand to someone who may need a vote of confidence or some words of support this week, Leo. Your efforts will be appreciated very much.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Make the most of luck that comes to you this week, Virgo. Do not speculate why such good fortune comes your way, but embrace it with an open heart.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Do not rush to judgment on any situation or person for the time being.

All of the facts have not come to light or sharpened. But the truth will soon reveal itself, Libra.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, someone close to you

needs space this week, so give them some room to breathe. Find a way to keep busy as this person works through what he or she needs.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, a competitive coworker is pushing hard to be on top. Use this as motivation as you to strive to become the best version of yourself you can be.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you feel confident moving forward with a relationship after a heart-to-heart talk. Now this week you can cultivate this relationship even further.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Share your thoughts and feelings with someone who is unbiased if you want an accurate assessment of what you need to do to improve, Aquarius. A willing listener is quite helpful to you.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, you will need patience in spades this week. Others may not be able to maintain your pace, so give them the benefit of the doubt.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS APRIL 26 Channing Tatum, Actor (40) APRIL 27 Lizzo, Rapper (32) APRIL 28 Jessica Alba, Actress (39) APRIL 29 Jerry Seinfeld, Comic (66) APRIL 30 Gal Gadot, Actress (35) MAY 1 Jamie Dornan, Actor (38) MAY 2 David Beckham, Athlete (45)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. ABM 2. Lieu 3. Alms 4. Sloe 5. Persecutes 6. EBS 7. Al 8. Cat 9. Hsia 10. Yips 12. Dire 13. Other 16. Olios 17. Eerie 20. Yale 22. CO 25. Me 26. Age 27. Sodalities 29. Bee 31. SPF 34. Ale 36. Imam 37. Dalea 38. Scald 40. Sr 43. Selar 45. AM 48. Diam 50. Ogee 51. Wisp 53. Aged 54. Rana 55. Arts 57. Oto 58. Nth 59. Ash 61. AC

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Alas 5. Peachy 11. Bill DeBlasio 14. Memoirs 15. Tiptoe 18. Users 19. Ashley 21. EEC 23. Eira 24. Comas 28. Roil 29. BU 30. Egos 32. See 33. ETA 35. EDP 36. IDs 39. Eels 41. AF 42. Macs 44. Seral 46. Alae 47. Mid 49. Mellow 52. Tiara 56. Adagio 58. Niagara 60. Restatements 62. Epochs 63. Dash

From our family to yours...stay safe.

We look forward to serving you again soon.

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The Voice, April 29, 2020

Voice

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

CROSSWORD SPONSORED THIS WEEK BY

Nightingale, the original health care hero

I

n these challenging days, we salute our front-line health care providers. They put themselves in harm’s way to test and treat those infected by the coronavirus and many other illnesses. Two hundred years ago, a woman was born in Victorian England who may be considered the original “health care hero.” She bucked the traditions of her society, revolutionized her profession, and saved countless lives.

A privileged beginning

Florence Nightingale was born into a wealthy, land-owning family in 1820.

Living in Florence, Italy, at the time her parents named her Florence. She had one older sister. When the family moved back to England her father (who believed in female education) personally taught her Italian, Latin, Greek, philosophy, history, writing and mathematics.

practiced her nursing in a Lutheran community which cared for the poor and sick.

A gruesome war

The Crimean War erupted on the north shore of the Black Sea in 1853. Learning of the horrid conditions for wounded soldiers, Nightingale went with a team of nurses one year later. She served in a hospital in Turkey and found poor care, overcrowding, overworked staff, and inadequate medicines, hygiene, sewers, and ventilation. Ten times more soldiers were dying of infection and disease than battle wounds.

Travelling by horseback,

Page 19

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cart or carriage, Nightingale worked tirelessly training nurses, promoting basic hygiene (like hand-washing) and visiting the sick and injured. A French surgeon observed, “This frail young woman… embraced the sick of three armies.” Gradually, the death rate dropped from 42% to 2%. She became known as “the lady with the lamp” and “the ministering angel” as she made her rounds after dark caring for wounded soldiers.

A lasting legacy

After the conflict ended in 1856, Nightingale returned See FAITH LIFT Page 20

A shocking decision

At age 17, Nightingale felt God calling her to serve others. She believed that true faith led to practical deeds like helping the needy. She began pursuing her chosen field of nursing at age 24 against the strong wishes of her mother and sister.

Her father was more supportive. At the time, nurses were considered “ignorant, uneducated persons” and unworthy of a lady of her social standing.

Nightingale worked hard to educate herself in the field of nursing. Described as “attractive, slender, charming and graceful” with a “radiant smile,” she had several suitors. However, she felt marriage would restrict her nursing career and never married. Rather, she travelled to Greece and Egypt and then to Germany where she perfected and

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

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The Voice, April 29, 2020

FAITH LIFT

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to England with a war-related illness that would affect her for the rest of her life. Undaunted, she continued to serve. Coming from a prominent family but also being “stubborn, opinionated and forthright,” she knew how to get things done. She established a nursing school in London in 1860, thus laying the foundation of professional nursing. It was the first secular nursing school in the world and still exists today as part of King’s College. Her graduates served with distinction in England and around the world.

Nightingale was a prodigious author penning roughly 200 books, pamphlets and articles. Most of them concerned nursing and medical knowledge. Her book, “Notes on Nursing” (1859) emphasized sanitation and helped all levels of

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lished after her death.

She pioneered a new method of visualizing data called “infographics,” using pie charts. Her social reforms helped to abolish harsh prostitution laws and

opened new career paths for women. Beyond her homeland, she promoted hygiene and hunger relief in the British colony of India. Finally, frail and blind, Nightingale died peacefully in her sleep in London in 1910 at age 90.

Today new nurses take “the Nightingale Pledge,” a statement of ethics and principles.

The highest nursing honor is the “Florence Nightingale Medal.”

Her birthday was chosen for the annual “International Nurses Day.” Museums and monuments honor her in England and Turkey.

Her life has inspired plays, movies and books.

Her image is on stamps and banknotes. Her name is on hospitals, schools, ships and airplanes.

Florence Nightingale, “the founder of modern nursing,” put her faith into action exchanging a life of comfort for one of sacrifice. As a result, one woman changed England and the world. ♦

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