The Voice, August 1 2018

Gary Accursi is in for mayor page 3 Ron Kore is in for Ward 2 page 9 Uwe Brand is back for Ward 3 page 11 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.22 No.31

Wednesday, August 1 2018

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Count ‘em: 28 candidates in Pelham races

Plus two school board trustee entrants makes it an even 30

BY DAVE BURKET

The VOICE

It may not be a new record, but it ties one set 15 years ago.

“The number of candidates we are seeing for the 2018 election are comparable to the 2003 election,” says Pelham Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato, “also showing 28 candidates for Mayor, Regional Council and Ward Councillors.”

Bozzato and her staff had their hands full last Friday as the clock ticked down to the 2 PM deadline for filing nomination papers.

Adding to the drama was Premier Doug Ford’s snap decision, announced that morning, to cancel races for four Regional Chairs, including Niagara’s. Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn consequently withdrew his nomination for that race and instead entered to contest Pelham’s single directly elected Regional Council seat, occupied by longtime incumbent Brian Baty.

In all, there are three candidates for mayor, four for Regional Council, and 21 candidates spread across the town’s three wards. Two councillors are elected per ward—the first and second-highest vote-getters.

The only current Town councillor not running See 28 ON BALLOT back page

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Fowl play on the golf course

I

Local grocery store owner-operator and newly declared Ward 2 council candidate, Ron Kore. Story, page 9.

VOICE PHOTO

Niagara Chair election cancelled Premier's 11th-hour decision leaves candidates scrambling Last Friday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that his government would seek to make significant changes in October’s municipal election, including almost halving the number of Toronto city councillors, as well as cancelling races to directly elect regional chairs in Peel, Muskoka, York, and Niagara Regions.

The shock move left Niagara Chair

BY VOICE STAFF candidates Dave Augustyn, Alan Caslin, Damian Goulbourne, and John Ringo Beam scrambling.

Early Friday afternoon, incumbent Regional Chair Alan Caslin filed papers to run for Niagara Regional Council, representing his home city of St. Catharines. This will be Caslin’s third

Regional election after serving one term as a Regional Councillor for St. Catharines and one term as Niagara Regional Chair as chosen by his fellow councillors.

As the incumbent, Caslin had been the odds-on favourite to win the Niagara race. If he is re-elected to council, See CANCELLED back page

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T WAS A STANDOFF like no other. We stood in the thick grass facing each other, me, in front of my children, he, in front of his, both of us protecting those who mattered most.

Lying between us was a line drawn in the sand in the form of three coveted golf balls—two Titleists and a Pinnacle.

Only minutes before, my kids and I had strolled up to the 17th red tee box, which was perched in front of a small pond, and procured whichever club might land our golf balls at their intended destination. My husband set up well behind us and to the left at the white tee and shot a clean five-iron over the pond and onto the fairway. Show-off.

My two sons and I had a different strategy. As relative newbies to the game, our primary goal was to hit our balls not into the pond.

Secondary to this, was to lay up to the right of the water, then hit a second shot onto the fairway. Our balls seemed to be in a cooperative mood and landed within range of the desired outcome.

See COLUMN SIX Page 8

Page 2

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE VOICE POLL: Regional Chair election cancellation

RESULTS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Clarifications at the top: In last week’s story about Regional Councillor and Police Services Board chair Bob Gale, we had NOTL Mayor Pat Darte calling for more police officers in his town. In fact, it was various NOTL town councillors who had approached Gale on the issue… Thanks, but I’ll take the hammock and lemonade: Between various family obligations and running his Fonthill B&B/Airbnb, our man Don Rickers has decided he’d like to re-retire after all. So we’re back in the market for a full-time news writer.

Low pay and odd hours can be yours! Drop us a line at editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca … Write it again, Sam: Luckily, our former star scribe Sam Piccolo was able to pick up some of the sudden slack, in between returning from an academic conference in Italy and heading out at the end of this week for a five-year PhD program at Notre Dame. Thanks, Sam. As soon as cloning technology is affordable, we’re going to get us a permanent Piccolo...The candidate cup runneth over: 28, yes, 28 entrants (30, with school board candidates) have filed to run for public office in Pelham, a number that matches a previous record set in 2003. We are doing our best to get to each candidate in turn. Candidates who haven’t heard from the paper by the end of August are invited to remind us that you’re still in the ring!… This week’s trio: We hear from Gary Accursi (for mayor), Ron Kore (for Ward 2) and Uwe Brand (for Ward 3) in this issue. Brew a pot of coffee (or medicinal marijuana tea) and settle in for the duration. Each man has interesting things to say. Accursi defends the current council’s record and the status quo (though there may be some interesting dissent detectable between the lines), while Kore and Brand say that Town Hall needs a serious shake-up. What do you think? As ever, we welcome letters to the editor from all sides and perspectives. Kindly address them to letters@thevoiceofpelham. ca… 83 days to go: On that note, tell us who you would vote for if the election were held today. Take our latest tracking poll, details on this page… Weekend snap poll: After last Friday’s surprise announcement that four Regional Chair elections, including Niagara’s, would be cancelled, we asked for your reaction. The results were virtually a dead heat, with response decent but not blazing for a two-day poll. It’s likely that jobs and the economy are of greater interest to most in Niagara, rather than the procedural machinations of politicians, dubious timing notwithstanding… Quacking council: Enough Regional councillors decided not to run for re-election that Regional Council has been left in a socalled lame-duck status, which prevents it from making certain decisions—read, making mischief that a new council would have to clean up. This is good news. Let sober, less-partisan minds address what needs to be repaired (or not) after October's election.

After last Friday's surprise announcement that Niagara's Regional Chair election was to be cancelled, we posted the following question on our website: Premier Doug Ford has undertaken to scrap the direct election of four regional chairs in Ontario, including in Niagara. This means that the selection of the Niagara chair will revert to how it has always been done, by peers on council, who themselves have been directly elected by their hometown constituencies. How do you view this change?

As of Sunday night, the 107 votes cast were virtually evenly split, with 50% opposed to the move, and 50% either supportive of or having no strong opinion about the move.

5% I have no strong opinion either way.

45% I support it. There is no need to directly elect a Regional Chair, since we already elect mayors and Regional councillors to represent our interests.

50%

I oppose it. The move is anti-democratic and encourages cronyism.

THE VOICE MUNICIPAL ELECTION TRACKING POLL 83 days to Election Day

Now that the nomination period has closed, the candidate entries are complete.

Between now and the election, the Voice will periodically survey your preferences for the candidates.

If the election were held today, who would you choose?

For Pelham Mayor:

Gary ACCURSI, Carla BAXTER, Marvin JUNKIN, or Undecided

For Pelham's Regional Councillor:

Dave AUGUSTYN, Brian BATY, Jim HAGAR, Diana HUSON, or Undecided

Answer by going to: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/83days Or by visiting our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/voiceofpelham

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CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

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Column Six

Growing up British

Vol.20 No.32

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

Wednesday October 12, 2016

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Apple Day comes to Fonthill

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

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

NATE SMELLE PHOTO

Public meeting tonight on school issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

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

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

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

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

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

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

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

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

sidered.

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

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

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

Another way the committee plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Full service. Full-time Realtor.

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After delivering to Council a petition containing

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

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

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

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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

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

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

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

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

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

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Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

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Column Six

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

Timothy J. NOVAK, 55, St. Catharines Peter TUNGATE, 66, St. Catharines Alexander I. H. CHILTON-KESSLER, 32, Pelham Paul J. B. SENTINEAL, 35, Niagara Falls Charles A. SILVESTRI, 45, Syracuse NY Sabin MUNDUVELIL SHAJI, 25, Niagara Falls Augustine M. MURENGA, 31, St. Catharines Kombala S. D. LIYANAGE, 41, Ajax Ian KENWARD, 21, Dunnville John J. S. CORMIER, 63, Welland William R. DEGROOT, 57, Lincoln Stuart A. BRADY, 53, St. Catharines Joseph A. ZEMAITIS, 24, Fort Erie Jean M. ST. GERMAIN, 53, St. Catharines Jacob F. MADIA, 27, Buffalo NY Fred J. WILLICK, 46, St. Catharines 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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Ann and Scott Hamm at the Great Wall of China, Badaling Section, Beijing.

NRPS impaired driving charges

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

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

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

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

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

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

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

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

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

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

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

Indulgence Bakery Mossimo’s Pelham Street Grille Sobeys Fonthill Peter Piper’s Pubhouse DeVries Fruit Farm Beamer’s Hardware & TV Fonthill Library Bob’s Boys Antiques Family Health Pharmacy Fonthill Fitness Fenwick Pie Company McDonald’s Queen's Nails Fonthill Legion Semenuk’s Gas Bar Shoppers Drug Mart Tim Horton’s Giant Tiger Fonthill LCBO Zee Lube Express Care Food Basics Minor Bros Stores Avondale Stores A-1 Market Pharmasave Sobeys South Pelham Grill on Canboro Maple Acre Library Ridge Berry Farm Circle-K

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

Page 3

The Conversation

Accursi looks to lead The third and last contender to enter Pelham's mayoral race has the most municipal experience

BY DAVE BURKET

O The VOICE

N J U L Y 1 7 , C O U N C I L L O R Gary Accursi jumped into Pelham’s mayoral race, joining retired federal civil servant Carla Baxter, and retired dairy farmer and former Ward 1 Councillor Marvin Junkin. A retired dentist and occasional property developer, Accursi, who is 69, has served two terms on council representing Ward 2. He has strongly championed the civic and commercial development of Town-owned lands in what has become commonly referred to during the last council term as East Fonthill.

According to the news release announcing his candidacy, Accursi intends to spearhead “a transparent and experienced leadership style” for the next term of council. Two additional priorities are ensuring the success of the new Meridian Community Centre, as well as to “work with seniors to find ways to assist in their ability to continue to live in Pelham.”

Born in Welland, Accursi and his wife, Mall, have lived in Pelham for 45 years. His volunteer experience over the years includes Chair of his Church Board, Chair of Big Brothers of Welland County, Member of Pelham Minor Baseball Board, Coaching positions in hockey and lacrosse, and being one of the founding members of Pelham Business Association.

We met in an empty dining room before opening hours last Thursday morning at Lookout Point Country Club, the peaks of Toronto’s downtown skyline just visible through picture windows.

The following has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

BURKET: Given what a lot of people see as a large turnover of staff at Town Hall, and have raised questions as to why there is a sort of churning effect, people coming and going, would you as mayor support rescinding the nondisclosure agreements that ex-employees have signed, and allow them to speak to their experience working for the Town of Pelham?

ACCURSI: I would have to say no to that. Those are contractual obligations that the community has made with the individuals that have left for whatever reason. And it's a contract between them and the community. And I think to take a rescinding position would jeopardize the Town and the corporation. I don't think that's appropriate.

Maybe a slight rephrasing then. A contract is only as good as its enforcement.

You could allow ex-employees to speak freely by not enforcing the nondisclosure element. We're not talking about a financial transac-

tion here. We're not talking about them giving money back or anything like that.

We're just talking about allowing them to speak freely about their experiences.

I'm going to say that a contract is only as good as the people that sign that contract. And so when you enter into a contract, you enter into it with good faith and with the expectation that both parties would abide by the contract. That to me is what makes a contract more so than what you stated.

Contracts can also be modified by subsequent contracts. An agreement can be modified by a subsequent agreement. So basically what we're asking is would you be in favor of an agreement that says, "The previous agreement is null and void"?

I guess we would have to look at that. If we were approached by an individual that was involved with that, we'd have to sit down with our legal counsels, seek legal advice. Again, all of this goes around protecting the individual and the corporation. And when you enter into an agreement of nondisclosure, I would say ten times out of ten, that's really what the initiative is about.

“Initiative” meaning?

Initiative of entering into that contract either because the individual involved wants to have a nondisclosure or the corporation wants to have a nondisclosure because either party may feel there's liability and a jeopardy there. So those are requested when we go through these sort of things by one or both parties because there's a feeling that there's jeopardy there.

I guess that's exactly the point. Do you understand how people are asking themselves why there is such a turnover at Town Hall, and why would the Town be so concerned about liability and jeopardy?

Well, I do understand it to a degree, and it's unfortunate that these are one of the circumstances where we are bound— that we cannot disclose that for personal privacy or because it's an HR issue that we're bound to by the municipal act. So

Councillor Gary Accursi last Thursday at Lookout Point Country Club.

I understand the frustration. People want to know, but you have to understand that we live within walking distance of 11 other municipalities. So a great deal of cannibalism goes on within the municipal world. A community down the street may offer an employee $1,000 more a month, and better benefits, and an opportunity to move from being deputy whatever to director of. It's a move up and they make more money. They move on. Sometimes relationships between the municipality and the employee break down for whatever reason and they move on.

That happens in the business world all the time. And we wouldn't be having this conversation if it was in the business world because both parties would say, "I have a contractual obligation not to disclose. We're moving on and end of story." But because it's a municipal world, people kind of think there's something coarse going on behind the scenes.

Well, because it's a municipal world, people's taxes are paying for it. I think that's the key difference.

That's true but I think people's taxes pay for legal issues too. And if you jeopardize the cooperation, would you like to see us having to spend hundreds of thousand dollars defending the fact that we incorrectly released information? If you left a job for whatever reason and you had a contract that says, "You're not going to disclose," you wouldn't want us going out here and disclosing. It's the same. We wouldn't discuss HR issues in an open forum. Because if you were the person that we were discussing, you wouldn't feel very happy about that. I wouldn't. And so people have to personalize the thing a little bit more than just say, "Oh, this is this great, big, bad

corporation trying to keep information away from us."

That's not the case. It really, sincerely is not the case.

Speaking of personnel issues, I've had a good handful of people come up so far, and this is unsolicited, saying that whoever pledges to fire [Town CAO] Darren Ottaway on Day One gets their vote. That's an HR issue, isn't it?

It is.

Can you respond in any way to that?

I cannot.

What level of confidence do you have in your CAO? Darren has done a good job here in terms of being a visionary and helping us plan, I think, some outstanding projects. Moving forward, we'll have to see where it goes.

Do you see him staying on after October?

I don't think I can answer that question. I don't know.

I don't know what his will is. I don't know what the new council's will is. We'll have to see how that plays out. It's not a mayoral decision. It's a council decision.

Sure. But the mayor is the leader of council.

The mayor is leader of council but we don't live in a strong mayor municipality. Most municipalities, we don't have a strong mayor system. The mayor is a member of council, has one vote on council, has the same say as every single council member. So I think what the mayor can do is try to bring unity and cohesiveness on and provide as much information to council, and ensure that the flow of information to council is thorough and comprehensive, and then whatever the decision of council is, to make sure that this message gets out to the public.

That might come as a bit of a surprise to Mayor Augustyn. If you read his blog, certainly it's easy to infer

DAVE BURKET PHOTO

The mayor is one vote —how he portrays it in public, I don't know.

I don't read the blog.

from the way he writes that his vision for East Fonthill and for Pelham over the last 12 years is what's been the primary driver of growth and the changes that we've seen. That would sound like a pretty strong mayor.

I don't read his blog so I really don't know what he puts out there. I can tell you that what you see going on in East Fonthill is the result of work by all members of council, by votes of all members of council, with input and assistance from our professional staff and our consultants that have been brought forward. The mayor is one vote—how he portrays it in public, I don't know. I don't read the blog.

I know at least when we sit down and work together as a council, he is part of council and he very much involves himself in the discussion and the voting, and what moves forward is what all of council supports in a majority.

So you would characterize his involvement or influence over the last 12 years as no more than onesixth or one-seventh of a group effort?

I would say that's fair. I'd say that's fair.

Given the questions that came up over East Fonthill, particularly the transaction with Fonthill Gardens—the three acre, million dollars an acre, more or less, purchase price—various au-

dits were conducted and a public meeting was held at E. L. Crossley last November. A promise was made by council that a follow-up meeting would occur where residents could come in and ask whatever remaining questions there were to be asked. And council reneged on that a few weeks later.

Did you support that decision?

Well, more than that. I'll wear this because I want to be accurate. I brought the motion forward to move on.

I felt that this council had done everything possible to bring forward as much information as they could. And if the public had taken the time to read the report, understand the report, that— how many times can you ask the same question in different ways and expect a different answer? And, at that point, I felt that we needed to move on. We had done our best to get information out there. We had the Evening of the Experts, where we let people ask the questions of our experts, not us. None of us sat on that panel. We had undertaken the review.

We had agreed to release part of the review that was done by KPMG. We opened the forum for emails directly to KPMG. None of us saw those questions. And they were answered by KPMG verbally, but more importantly, in a written form. I See ACCURSI Page 12

Page 4

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

As We See It Behind "dark day for democracy" a silver lining in Niagara

B

ARELY A MONTH into his tenure, Ontario Premier Doug Ford continues to launch rockets from his perch at Queen’s Park. The biggest bombshell landed last Friday, when Ford announced that his government would downsize Toronto City Council—in the midst of an election campaign. Ford also announced that the planned direct election of Regional chairs in some parts of the province would be annulled, and that these chairs would be selected as they have been previously, by members of each of the Regional Councils themselves One of these regions, it was revealed, is Niagara, where four candidates for Regional Chair had already begun campaigning. Among these candidates was Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn, who, in a stroke of irony, had welcomed Ford to town during his surprise visit to Summerfest just six days earlier.

Looking now at the photo of their handshake—a fullon, double-handed, politician-style grapple—it’s impossible not to picture the cogs turning in Ford’s head, the thought-bubble floating

above: “Just wait a week, Mr. Mayor.”

And indeed, this past Saturday the Mayor’s considerably less cheerful face

Ford's reversal of the Liberals' policy may be poorly timed, but undemocratic it is not occupied almost the entirety of the Welland Tribune’s front page, his path to Regional victory suddenly preempted by a very wide, very deep, sinkhole.

Augustyn had long been rumoured to be eyeing Chair Alan Caslin’s seat. After Caslin’s election by Regional Council in 2014 Augustyn was a strong advocate for the direct election of the position. Last Friday, presumably after screaming long and hard into a pillow, Augustyn denounced Ford’s move as “a dark day for de-

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca NEWS WRITER Gloria J. Katch ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Larry Coté, Samuel Piccolo, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, John Swart, Kirk Weaver NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

mocracy.”

This is bunk.

Moving to direct election of the chair was not a decision made by referendum or by any vote among the residents of Niagara.

Instead, it was unilaterally imposed by the Ontario Liberals when they were in power. Ford’s reversal of the Liberals’ policy may be poorly timed, but undemocratic it is not. Canada is a Westminster democracy.

We don’t vote for our Prime Minister or Premier directly, and there is no reason to think that the Regional Chair should necessarily be any different.

But one can imagine why Augustyn is upset. Direct election of Regional Chair meant that he had a path to elected office that didn’t require winning in Pelham, the town where he has ruled for 12 years and accumulated substantial baggage along the way—great steamer trunks of controversy and ill-will.

Augustyn was hoping, no doubt, to pick up the bulk of his votes in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Welland, big cities where residents are less familiar with the See EDITORIAL next page

Letters Concerns about parking capacity at new community centre I had the opportunity to walk through the new sports complex and I was pleased with the overall project results. I do however have a huge concern that there is insufficient parking available for this complex. I hope that council will move slowly to sell off the lands surrounding the complex so they will be able to expand the parking as it will be needed. I was under the impression that the first plans shared at the fire hall that there would be parking on both sides of the complex, thus the need for two main entrances, one to the north and the other to the south. There is no parking on the north side, so not sure of why the huge entrance was created? Did they shift the placement of the complex to decrease the parking area?

One other concern is the design of the seating in the large arena. Spectators will not be able to see the puck play along the boards due to the angle of the first row of seating. Too bad the architect hadn’t actually attended some games at an arena with this design.

But I must say, I hope our residents will embrace and enjoy the new facility, as it’s been a long time coming and we will be paying for it for a long time.

Shellee Niznik Fonthill

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Mayor of Pelham David Augustyn mayordave@pelham.ca 905-892-2607 Ext 317 Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

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

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

Councillor James Lane jlane@pelham.ca 905-892-2607

Electoral District: Niagara West-Glanbrook

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

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

Page 5

OPINION Letters

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Marc Kealey

continued

Political ambition fully exposed The grenade that was lobbed from Queen’s Park last Friday sent shockwaves reverberating throughout certain parts of the province.

Although aimed at a couple of different targets—Toronto Council and former Conservative party leader Patrick Brown—the impact was felt down here in Niagara as well.

Not by me or you personally, but by certain career politicians.

The Mayor was seen scrambling around town soliciting signatures to run for Regional Councillor for Pelham.

He evidently thought otherwise of running for Mayor again, although that position would have got him on Regional Coun-

cil as well.

In the Mayor’s petulant reaction to the Premier he made something abundantly clear: “My commitment to restoring integrity to our Regional government and bringing prosperity and compassion to people is unwavering. I’ll continue my effort to serve as your Chair for a better Region.”

An interesting statement.

Interesting because the Mayor makes it seem like the Chair’s job is all but his.

He made no mention of what, if anything, he plans to do as Regional Councillor for the people of Pelham. After all, that

In Niagara, daily journalism is sub-Standard

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Open letter to Councillor John Durley Your comment that there are "endless possibilities" regarding the Haist arena lands ["'Team player' Durley files for a fifth term on council," July 25, p. 3] is worth a query, as many hours and much emotion have already been invested.

Perhaps you have information to share with the taxpayers? Instead of developing residential on the Haist Street lands, clean up

the Steve Bauer trail, create bike lanes to connect with bus locations, add permanent seating and tables and an adaptable net court. Listen to what the taxpayers want and is needed in light of developmental density. Your Jane Finch housing comment indicates that you are unaware of the supportive inclusion, generosiSee DURLEY next page

EDITORIAL

tion Authority (NPCA). We struggle with why our mandate is worthy of any media attention at all. The scope of the work and the fees we charged were approved by the NPCA under its board’s contracting process.

What I know of reporters and media is a lot. Good reporting is ostensibly about the discipline of verification.

In the end, verifying information is what separates fact from fiction and/ or propaganda.

Attend a lecture at journalism school and the first lesson is focused on understanding what happened and reporting it correctly.

Verifying sources and fact is a discipline. The discipline of verification demands the profession act in a particular way—objectively. As media has evolved, though, it doesn’t mean

reality of his record as a small-town mayor.

So much for that strategy.

At the last minute on Friday, Augustyn filed papers to run as Pelham’s Regional Councillor against incumbent Brian Baty. The Mayor was reportedly seen hustling down Pelham Street, clipboard in hand, scrambling to get the 25 signatures required before the 2 PM deadline.

Winning Pelham would mean knocking off Baty, who has sat for 15 years at Regional Council and is widely respected among his colleagues and beloved by his constituents. Our Mayor has been a politician for nearly half of his adult life, and there is little doubt that he intends to do anything necessary to stay in the arena.

But to do that, he’ll have to win in the town where he is known the best. We don’t envy him the challenge. ◆

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continued from previous page

(nor do I imply) that reporters are free of bias.

Quite the opposite—objectivity calls for reporters to develop methods of testing information. The standards of test from our experience are transparency and evidence. These standards evolved in media so that biases wouldn’t undermine the accuracy of a reporter’s work. In other words, the method is about objectivity, not that the reporter ought to be.

My point is that what is now a focus about the NPCA and our work has serious implications. One is that the supposed impartial voice of the media remains that way and strives to publish reports and stories obtained by objective methods. The other is

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

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

Page 6

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

OBITUARY

2018 Bandshell Series

BY JIM CASSON

ZANNUTO, Karen Monks

Special to the VOICE

1946-2018

Much loved for her spectacular Patsy Cline concerts, Leisa Way literally erupts onto the stage in a flurry of feathers, fringe and bejewelled finery. The one-liners and commentaries that Way delivers throughout the tribute are entertaining and hilarious. However the real magic lies in hearing Way sing Dolly's songs.

Backed up by a terrifically talented band, Way performs hits from every era of Parton's career including 9-5, I Will Always Love You, Two Doors Down, Coat of Many Colours, Jolene, Here You Come Again, Islands in the Stream and Why'd You Come in Here Looking Like That?

This fabulous concert is designed to leave audiences amazed, hugely entertained and clamouring for more.

What a band, what a concert, what a lady! This concert has played at over 50 theatres across Canada. Starring Leisa Way with Fred Smith & Nathan Smith (Kenny Rogers & Porter Wagoner).

Sponsored by Country Corner Market & Deli, the show starts at 7 PM and goes until 9 PM. There is no cover charge but donations are greatly appreciated to allow the the committee to continue to bring you great concerts each week.

continued from Page 11 That was over twelve years ago.”

Brand said he was disturbed when the Town cut off communication with the Voice late last winter.

“It is very important that we have an open, free and respectful communication

between the Town and the residents of Pelham—including the media.

Aside from watching the finances, Brand said that he was proud of several things that occurred during his earlier stint on council, including the bolstering of the Pelham Fire Department.

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OBITUARY

Be open about your motives and the methods you employ

PAYNE, Hilda

Rhinestone Cowgirl: A Tribute to Dolly Parton

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Karen (Monks) Zanutto on July 24, 2018, after a horrendous battle with ALS. Karen was born in London, Ontario and is the daughter of Alice and Harry Monks, both deceased. Karen leaves her husband of 50 years, Foster Zanutto, and children Janet Zanutto (Greg Boyle) and John Zanutto (Amanda Lowry), grandchildren Jade Zanutto, Violet Zanutto and Hayden Marr, and sisters Nancy McNeil (Doug) of Windsor and Terri Bulman (Vincent) of Grimsby, plus many cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada, The Isle of Man, England and Italy.

Karen grew up in London and Windsor and graduated from the University of Windsor (B.A.) and Niagara University (M.A. Counselling Psychology). She began her professional career as a Student Services Counsellor at Niagara College, then Counselling Services at Brock University then moved to a career in social work and health administrationwith Family and Children’s Services (FACS). She completed her Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) certification in 1990 and joined Hotel Dieu Hospital as Manager of Training and Staff development, retiring from Hotel Dieu as Vice-President Human Resources in 2001.

Karen was a consummate volunteer and social activist, volunteering over the years in numerous community organizations, including Bethlehem Housing, Women’s Place, YWCA, Rotary Club of St. Catharines, Family Counselling Centre, Family Services Ontario, Wellspring Niagara, and others. She served on the Board of Family and Childrens Services Niagara for many years and was Board Chair in 2002/3. She was also Chair of The Family Services Ontario Board of Directors in 2009, the Founding (Charter) President of the AM (Sunrise) Rotary Club and most recently Chair of the Board of Directors of United Way South Niagara, at which time she was a key contributor in the amalgamation agreement of the United Ways of Niagara Falls/Fort Erie, St. Catharines, and Niagara South.

Karen was a breast cancer survivor of 11 years and credited attendance at an Art Therapy Seminar at Wellspring Niagara with helping her launch her art and painting career. She was an accomplished artist, working with acrylics in abstract realism, and in other media, achieving several sales in Niagara, Toronto and in the U.S. (See www.facebook.com/KarenZanuttoArt/ for photos of her artwork).

As a result of Karen’s generous, compassionate and charismatic nature, she moved on to each endeavor in her life having formed strong relationships with colleagues that, more often than not, led to lifelong relationships sustained to this day.

Karen’s family sends heartful thanks to Drs. Tourigian and Dhillon in Niagara, Drs. Turnbull and Chum and their expert teams at McMaster University Hospital, ALS Society of Canada, our excellent LHIN personnel and services, the Hotel Dieu Shaver Communication Clinic, Boggio Pharmacy of Fonthill, and especially Dr. Deborah Dooler and her incredible Palliative Care Team of nurses.

A private family gathering was held to say goodbye to Karen and cremation has taken place. In accordance with her wishes, a “Living Urn” will be interred under a new tree at the family cottage in Buckhorn. “AND I WANT TO BE A TREE” was a final wish (and direction!). A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in the Fall.

Please direct any memorial donations to ALS Society of Canada (Niagara Chapter) or Wellspring Niagara.

Arrangements entrusted to PLEASANTVIEW FUNERAL HOME (905-892-1699).

Please share your condolences and memories at www. pleasantviewcemetery.ca

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Passed away at Woodlands of Sunset on July 24th in her 91st year. Dear sister of Irene (Warren) Sorenson. Loving aunt of Linda McGowan (Dan) and Arthur Payne, Mary Morgan (Charles), Joanne Ferbrache (Fred), Eleanor Cook (Gerry), Janice Wood, Wendy Young (Robert) and Mark Payne (Donna), Ron Sorenson (Janet) and Leanne Valencia (JR), Caroline Bremner and Mary Jo Preenen (George) and all of their families.

Predeceased by her parents Percy and Louisa Payne, two brothers, Harry and Alfred Payne and one sister Evelyn Cartmell. Hilda was a wonderful, gentle soul with a heart of gold. She was the ultimate animal lover. As per Hilda’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or service.

Arrangements are entrusted to the JAMES L. PEDLAR FUNERAL HOME, 1292 Pelham Street, Fonthill.

BIAS continued from previous page that a media’s neutrality, without the discipline of verifying the source or the fact, creates something fake. Reporters like the ones at a local newspaper in St. Catharines who appear to have selected sources to express what might really be their own point of view or push their own agenda, and then use their so-called mantle of neutrality to make it seem objective, are perhaps engaged in a form of deception.

This, in our experience and from what we know of the real story behind the NPCA issue for which we are now a focus, damages the credibility of media writ large by making reporters appear unprincipled and dishonest. From our perspective, this opinion piece should be con-

continued from previous page ty and large volunteer base of the area. Keep in mind the exterior often belies the interior character. The 1186 Haist house sits empty—boarded, neglected, and unavailable, although the grass is cut and snow is shoveled, year after year.

Pelham developers, hand in glove with present Pelham politicians, choose to interpret and implement the concept of "intensification" to their financial benefit. Short-term gain has no long-term possibilities once the land is sold off.

Mr. Durley, whose team are you on?

Louise Morgan Fonthill

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strued as a caution, when in today’s environment the standards of mainstream media appear in doubt and might often be considered fake.

My advice and caution to those reporters in St. Catharines who have published stories with “facts” that are incomplete and therefore unverifiable is the following: be open about your motives and the methods you employ for your story and don’t add anything that’s not there.

Moreover, the willingness of a reporter to be transparent about what he has done is the very essence of establishing that he does not nor will not deceive.

Fullest disclosure: we know that the NPCA and its operations have been the subject of an Auditor General of Ontario’s investigation. The final report is not yet complete or public. As part of her investigation, the Auditor General invited our company to participate by providing information about the scope of our mandate for the NPCA. The work we accomplished respecting bio-diversity offsets for lands under control by the NPCA was important. Of course, we were aware that there was opposition to the project and, of course the process allows for that to be part of the decision-making. The information we provided was deemed satisfactory and from what we understand will not be a part of the final report.

This outcome is in stark contrast to recent reports

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Page 8

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

COLUMN SIX continued from Page 1 The kids scooted ahead of me, but I was able to catch up easily because I found them, frozen, facing Smaug, a descendant of the terrible dragon, and the fiercest looking Canada Goose we’d ever seen. He stood guard in

front of his lady friend and their nest of eggs, almost hidden in the reeds. Gaining some courage from my arrival, 14-year-old Tanner took a step toward his ball.

Smaug reacted by taking a step toward Tanner, lunging his head forward and hissing violently. Tanner retreated. The goose main-

I am elated at the number and quality of candidates who have presented themselves for service to our wonderful community. I urge all citizens to give open consideration to all candidates without personal attacks. May the positive list of candidates be surpassed by the highest elector turnout on or before Election Day!

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tained his new territory.

Next, 12-year-old Cole attempted to creep toward his ball from a different angle.

The Goose altered his position slightly, reared his head and hissed again, his tongue protruding like it might unfurl an extra three feet if required. That this impolite goose took the name of our well-mannered country was off-putting. As a Goose from Canada, we anticipated that he would withdraw and apologize profusely: “Terribly sorry. It appears I'm in the way of your game. I’ll move back a bit. Carry on.

And once again, sorry for the interruption. “ As Canadians, this is what we expected, however, as a parent, I got where he was coming from. He was protecting his offspring just as I would protect mine; however, even though it would have been more responsible to leave him in peace and abandon our balls, it had been a challenging round, and we were down to these last three dimpled orbs. I told my children to back away slowly. When they were a safe distance behind me, I pulled a pitching wedge from my bag and faced off with the bird.

Mama Bear versus Papa Goose. “I don’t want any trouble. I just want our golf balls,” I reasoned.

His response came in the form of a dinosaur-like roar as he took two threatening steps toward me. I recoiled briefly but stood my ground—shakily. The balls were only a few feet away. If I reached out with my club, I

You lookin' at me? could tap them back towards me, and we would be on our way. In super-slow motion, I pushed my club along the ground toward the first ball.

Smaug watched in disbelief for a moment, then unleashed a deafening honk and attacked. “Run!” I yelled to the kids.

We grabbed our bags and sprinted away like the cowards that we were. My husband heard the commotion from the other side of the pond and quickly surmised our dilemma. His shouts carried across the water, “Drop your clubs!”

This seemed like sage advice, and we abandoned our

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TRAVIS BICKLE PHOTO

cumbersome sticks, which increased our speed significantly. I chanced a look back to see how much distance we had gained from our pursuer, but there he was, not 10 feet behind me, in full flight, majestic wings spread, hurtling towards my head. The kids were still ahead, so I made the sacrifice that any parent would make: I zigzagged a little, in hopes of distracting Smaug, then dove to the ground, covered my Hobbit head with my arms, and awaited the beaked and feathered assault.

It never came. The Great Goose seemed satisfied with

our surrender and swooped back to position, this time moving his smug line of defense up, directly in front of our golf bags. With no balls, and now, no clubs, we were at the mercy of the beast, who showed no empathy for a mother and her kids trying to enjoy an afternoon on the course.

My husband jogged over to the clubhouse and came back on a golf cart, driven by a maintenance worker.

She used the vehicle to scare the reluctant goose back toward the nest then retrieved our bags and balls, explaining that there was nothing that could be done about the birds until their five eggs had hatched. Even though we got our equipment back, it didn’t feel like a win. We didn’t stand up to the bully, which is a lesson we try to teach our kids, but I suppose we did the next best thing, which was to tell a grown up with a golf cart.

As we walked off the 18th green, I looked back at Smaug, who was in a standoff with two older women, who thought it would be best to lay up to the right of the pond before hitting onto the fairway. With no kids, more experience, and likely plenty of golf balls, they promptly summed up the situation, left their balls, and walked away without incident.

As for us, we'll wait until the chicks have hatched before trying this course again so as not to awaken the Great Smaug, guardian of the 17th fairway and father of five. ◆

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

Kore is in

Page 9

There's so much division in our town now...that's not how things used to be

Former Citizen of the Year files an hour before deadline

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

Special to the VOICE

Just sixty minutes before nominations closed last Friday, 2016 Fonthill Kinsmen Citizen of the Year Ron Kore submitted his papers to run for Pelham Town Council in Ward 2. Kore, owner-operator of a Fonthill grocery store, said that the decision to run was a difficult one.

“I like to be behind the scenes,” said Kore, who is known to duck out of photo-ops and hide from attention.

“I’m going to be out of my comfort zone. But I think that running for council is important enough that it’s worth taking the risk.”

Kore and his wife, Tammy, moved to Fonthill 29 years ago, and raised there two sons here.

Kore grew up in Welland, on the east side, in a working class neighbourhood with a lot of immigrant families who worked in Welland’s factories.

After a couple of years in college, Kore worked for Loblaws for

nearly 30 years before taking over the his store in 2009. He has long had a passion for community involvement.

At Loblaws, he worked with the PC Children Charity, and he has since sat on the board of Pelham Cares. When he was named Citizen of the Year, his work organizing the golf tournament for Niagara Nutrition Partners and the dinner for the Welland/Pelham Special Olympics was lauded.

Kore said that it is this combination of business and volunteer experience that he hopes to bring to Town Council.

“There’s so much division in our town now,” he said. “People are afraid to ask what you think of the community centre, because they’re worried that friendships will be ruined over it. That’s not how things used to be.”

Kore said that his platform is focussed on several issues, with the Town’s debt load being a pri-

An emotional Kore thanks the Fonthill Kinsmen at his award dinner, March 2017.

VOICE PHOTO mary concern.

“I think that the community centre was the right thing to do, though not quite on the scale that it happened. It should have been phased. But we have to accept it now, and we must work together to make it work and to pay off the debt,” said Kore. “I’m a low-cost operator,” he added, saying that after nearly 40 years operating businesses he knows the numbers and where they need to be.

Though Kore called himself

a numbers guy, he is also a very visible personality, often on the floor of his store shaking hands and saying hello to people.

“I’m always about being kind to people. If I have to give corrective feedback, I try to do it with kindness,” he said.

“I’m still a tough operator. I’ve had to make hard decisions, I’ve had to fire people. Those things aren’t easy. You stay up the night before, and you stay up the night after, and you wonder whether it

was the right thing to do. But I always try to give people the opportunity to succeed, and you have to remember that it’s not just my investment in the store, it’s the one hundred and thirty other employees that are relying on me to make good decisions.”

Kore said also that a pillar of his campaign will be transparency.

Some actions of the current council have irked him in this regard.

“The removal of the media table, and then the conflicting explanations that were given, really bothered me,” he said, also mentioning the trashing of Voice copies left for the public inside Town Hall, and the span of more than a month when the Town refused to answer questions.

See KORE Page 20

Page 10

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Saving the world, one sustainable crop at a time

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness,” read the quote by one of America’s founding fathers, U.S. president Thomas Jefferson, inscribed on Amanjit Josan’s business card.

He and his wife, Gurwinder, are owners of Nature Lovers’ Greenhouses and Landscaping, which spans 100 acres over three properties, and two of those acres are covered in greenhouses in Pelham and Beamsville.

Seeing the several lushly green fields and greenhouses filled with 15 varieties of melon, gourds, as well as other specialty Asian vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers on Foss Road and Highway 20, it’s easy to see how Josan’s moral and religious philosophy are interconnected with his business.

As an East Indian Sikh with a green thumb, one of Josan’s goals is to help erradicate poverty through education in horticulture.

Having studied horticulture in India, and then putting that knowledge into practise there, and in Belgium, Holland, as well as in Canada, he is the quintessential teacher.

“I’ve travelled the world three times over looking at horticulture,” he said, adding, “Vineland and Guelph don’t have this kind of research here.”

He documents many of his experiments, and concludes he knows what works, and what doesn’t.

After a profile on Josan published in the Voice last year, he said many farmers approached him with their questions and concerns about growing. Josan is clearly happy to dip into his deep well of knowledge for anyone willing to work toward sustainability.

Josan has done research on different aspects of horticulture, and experiments constantly with different types of fertilizers and soils, including coco peat, which is made from the coconut plant. The coconut husks help retain moisture in the soil and allows him to grow many Asian vegetables in his greenhouse, such as gourds, watermelon, bitter melon and tinda, which are usually imported.

Unfortunately, anyone purchasing these types of vegetables as imports, asserts Josan, are not buying safe products, as certain countries do not have restrictions on pesticides or

Navtej Singh, left, with Amanit Josan and their stevia plants. pollution levels, which contaminate the soil.

Josan is a believer that the body is ones temple, and says food is one of the most overlooked, but important aspects in our lives.

That’s why he can’t understand how people can shop in the “cheap food aisles” for foods that are not safe. Josan introduces certain insects that prey on other insects as a natural pesticide. None of his produce is genetically modified. He also built his own irrigation system for $1,500 that irrigates an entire 25 acres in one day, and has no chemicals. In India, he also started a seed-producing business that was successful, and is pleased with how many people it helped.

These types of systems are particularly ideal for Third World countries, because they are economically viable

startups, he said.

Josan experiments with producing better yields using sheep, goat and fish manure, coco peat and other variations. After his many years of experience, one of his goals is to teach other farmers to become sustainable, and educate the public to shop local, and not rely on imports. He also believes the Asian community should be able to purchase its fruits and vegetables locally, particularly since their populations seem to be rising in Canada.

Similar to the Fair Trade movements in Central and South America, Josan also has a group of impoverished women in rural India making coco products and coco shells that have become large hanging baskets and planters, instead of using plastic products.

He acknowledges how detrimen-

GLORIA J. KATCH PHOTO

tal plastics are to the environment and eco-systems.

Coco shell planters are particularly great for growing bitter melons, a fruit that has flowering stems and is popular among Asians.

Josan also grows Stevia, which has become known as a sugar substitute, and helps those who are predisposed to becoming diabetic. Freeze-dried and sold in packages to resemble sugar, Stevia is about four times its cost. Nature Lovers sells many Stevia plants, starting from four to five inches tall directly to consumers. The leaves can be taken off the plant and eaten, and don’t require drying, he said.

Josan also recommends winter gourd and tinda for diabetics as well. With all the diseases in the world, natural foods like these are required to maintain optimal health, he said.

The idea of sustainability is affordability, and Josan wants to produce enough food to be able to donate to charitable foundations to feed the poor.

“They should have fresh food, and not just leftovers,” he added.

Although Josan studied marijuana horticulture in Holland years ago, he is not interested in growing the weed. While he maintains medical marijuana has many health benefits, he doesn’t agree with it being used recreationally. He fears that vehicle accident rates will rise because breathalizer tests will not be able to accurately measure levels of intoxication. India’s experience with marijuana is grim and sobering at best, with many youth eating too much of it, and dying from toxicity, only to be found in fields or by the roadside days later.

“Canada could definitely learn a lesson from India’s experience,” he said.

Josan and his wife came to Canada in 2002. In the last week, other members of his family arrived from India, and in a year or two they will be taking over and managing his farming business.

“That is the next generation,” he said proudly.

For Josan, it is a time for planning and reflection.

Expansion is in the winds.

Josan admits he wants to buy 50 more acres locally for farming specialty crops.

“We have a moral responsibility to start growing our own foods,” he added.

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

Page 11

Brand is back Over a decade since his previous service, ex-councillor says Town is in trouble, files for Ward 3 seat

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

Special to the VOICE

Twelve years after last serving on council, Fonthill resident and Brock University professor Uwe Brand submitted his name to run in Ward 3 last week, joining four other candidates in the race for the ward’s two seats.

Brand, whose first name is pronounced “Ooo-va,” served three terms from 1997 until 2006, when he ran for mayor against the incumbent Ron Leavens and political newcomer Dave Augustyn, who won. When Brand lost this contest, he retreated from Pelham politics and focussed on his work at Brock. Now, though, he’s back.

“For the first eight years nothing really seemed to happen, and I didn’t pay too much attention,” said Brand last week.

“But these last few years I’ve been following things. The reality is setting in that the centre was built, and now the question is, ‘How can we pay this off?’

Some people have suggested selling it off, but I think that a private owner would have fees so expensive that no groups would be able to afford them.”

During his time on council, Brand had a reputation for being a fiscal hawk, questioning every penny spent.

“That's how I was brought up, and it’s a philosophy that has

worked well for me personally too,” said Brand, who is 70 and emigrated from Germany to Canada in the 1960s.

“We were on our own when we came over. You make it or you go back.” Brand is a geologist at Brock, and did his undergraduate work at the University of Waterloo, before studying briefly in the United States and finishing a PhD at the University of Ottawa. He began at Brock in 1980, moving to Pelham with his wife, Joan, and their three sons in 1995.

Brand said that the new council will need a comprehensive look at the Town’s true financial situation.

"We don’t need KPMG or a national firm. We just need someone local who has open terms of reference to look at everything. I know from when I was on council that every contract came with terms of reference that would say, ‘Only look at A, B, and C, not D and E.’ We need to look at all aspects, and the result would be made public,” said Brand.

Brand described the opacity of Pelham’s finances a symptom of a broader illness plaguing Town Hall.

“The Town exists because of the people that live here, but there’s always the attitude that [the Town] thinks it knows better

Uwe Brand at home last week in Fonthill. than the people what they want,” he said, pointing to the Haist Street chicane as an example.

“In just a few weeks of talking to people and collecting signatures, it’s amazing how many issues people had in a Town of this size.”

Brand said he favoured removing the chicane. He’s said that Summerfest, which some Pelham Street businesses have called needlessly disruptive, should be relocated, possibly to the new Meridian Community Centre.

Brand specifically mentioned the conduct of CAO Darren Ottaway.

“It’s bad enough that someone on Poth Street has the inconve-

nience of having the road closed, but then having those comments from the CAO. [Residents] should be given some respect,” said Brand.

Poth Street has been closed since the spring of 2017. In a private meeting with some residents, Ottaway called a house in the area “a bad investment” and said, “that’s your problem,” referring to Poth residents. One resident asserted that Ottaway told him he could sell his house and move if he was upset about the road closure.

“Staff aren’t there to serve council. They’re there to serve the people,” said Brand. “The Mayor and council aren’t the

Great food, Great people

DAVE BURKET PHOTO

boss. The residents are.”

He says he favours comprehensive review of Town departments.

“We need to have look at the number of senior administrators, their compensation packages, and what needs to be done for the best interest of the Town and residents.”

Brand said that his time on council made him appreciate the recent efforts at transparency undertaken by some residents.

“There was a time that I had to file a Freedom of Information request when I was a councillor,” said Brand. “I paid my fee, and I’m still waiting for a response.

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

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ACCURSI continued from Page 3 felt we needed to move on.

We had spent almost a year and a half battling over this.

There was work that needed to be done. And I know this is going to be portrayed in the wrong way—it's like a child continually asking you the same question or badgering you to the point where you finally throw up your hands and say, "Okay.

You're right. Go do what you want to do." And I just felt we were at that point. We needed to just move on. So I brought forward the motion.

We had a good debate about it. And we amended the motion to allow a citizen group to meet with staff to ask the questions that they felt still were lingering around that report. And that meeting was held. I did not sit on that meeting. It was strictly a staff and public meeting. I don't know where that went other than that.

As I recall, and I don't have the details at hand here, I think the group that sat down and met with staff was not particularly satisfied. And their requests for a follow-up meeting were never answered or fulfilled.

Right.

In retrospect, do you think that was a good decision? I mean, given the fury that it provoked among residents that council was seeming to retreat behind closed doors and refusing to answer questions.

What would the harm have been in one last meeting?

You could have billed it as, "This is it, folks. The Last Meeting."

This is it, folks. Yeah. I

It's like a child continually asking you the same question

still stand by my position.

I think we had reached that point where, "This is it, folks." I think we had done our best to answer it. We've had two of the top accounting firms in Canada look at our books. They basically answered the questions.

Critics would say, however, that these auditing firms were hired by the Town and given a very specific and narrow remit.

Well, let's take the folks that audit our books on an annualized basis. Yeah, of course they're in the contract. But they're independent from the Town. They come in and do what they have to do, right? So you could point— you could use that same argument against the beloved Region, you could use that against any municipal government in Ontario because that's the way the system works.

We now have a gorgeous, new community center.

I think the reviews were pretty much uniformly positive. There were some remarks about the walking track being a bit too narrow, people were going to bump into each other, but generally speaking, pret-

Looking north, across Highway 20, from the Accursi multi-purpose room in the new Meridian Community Centre. ty positive reviews. We did get a letter to the editor that's going to run this week wondering whether the parking is sufficient, and whether there was initially going to be parking on the side of the building that's facing Highway 20.

Is there enough parking, do you think, for the capacity crowds that are expected?

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The advice that we've had from staff is that that parking meets the requirements of the building. Of course, the proof is always going to be in the pudding.

As more Town-owned land surrounding the community center gets sold off and developed, the parking— because of our approach to how we want that land laid out and developed, where we have street-facing properties so the building's pushed up as close to the street as possible—the plan is to isolate parking in the back. The approach is that we would get a shared parking agreement between them and us so when the businesses are open and it's quiet in the community center, they could use the community center lot, but when the businesses are closed, we'd be able to use their parking lot for overflow parking and what have you. So that's a very efficient way to use the land without taking great swaths of land that are very valuable, paving them over, and most of the time they sit there doing nothing. It ties in with new urbanism where you do shared access, you do shared parking, and you isolate the parking away from the street. Of course, it hasn't unfolded completely yet, but part of our agreement with the medical center incorporated that as a matter of fact.

You're the largest individual donor, as far as I'm aware, to the communi-

ty center. $300,000 for the multi-purpose room. For the most part, that's perceived as being very generous. On the other hand, there are some critics who have said, "Well, this is a Fonthill or Pelham developer.” Meaning, you and your wife owning property in downtown, elsewhere in the area, kind of greasing the bureaucracy a little bit to move things forward when you need permits or inspections or whatever.

How do you respond to that?

Well, people can see evil in whatever they want to see evil in. I think my wife and I were very clear on why we gave our money. First, we very much supported the project, so we put our money where our mouth is.

Second, we raised five children in this community. We appreciated the volunteers that raised the money for the old arena and had the foresight to put that up and allowed our children to play there. At that time I was just starting my career and my wife was a stay-at-home mom. We didn't have much.

I think we gave like a hundred bucks.

This would have been 1974, '75, in there.

Yeah. When they came knocking on our door and we said, "Man, we just had our first child," so we did what we could. And so we've always felt that the volunteers that help out in the hockey, and do the coaching, and run all of our com-

munity programs give of their time freely and generously. And we felt like we're in a financial position where we could contribute to the project, and so we gave our money. We put our money where our mouth is. We felt we were paying back and paying forward.

If we could do something to provide for our community of the future and our kids of the future, we wanted to do that. I have nine grandchildren that are coming up.

They'll use it intermittently because they live all around the area, but for anyone to imply that I was trying to grease the wheels of the bureaucracy, they really don't understand how it works because at the time we did it, there were some things in the Voice that sort of pointed out that my wife's corporation owns a piece of property on Port Robinson Road and that we were going through the process.

Nobody ever pointed out the fact that anytime that issue came before council, Accursi left the room. Accursi never interfaced with staff. [Editor’s note: In fact, in the newspaper’s April 18 2018 issue, in a story headlined “Pelham Town Council discusses development of arena site,” the immediately following subheadline read, “Accursi recuses himself as wife’s project debated.”] Accursi hired Upper Canada Consultants to act as their agents and deal with staff on See ACCURSI next page

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

Page 13

We need to move forward and take advantage of the investment that we've made

ACCURSI continued from previous page any of the issues. Was I kept informed of what was going on in the process? Of course I was. Did I ever go to staff and say, "Move this sucker along. What the heck's going on?" Absolutely not. I would never risk my credibility, my honesty that I've worked so hard to protect all my years of my professional career. So people can throw stones. They can say whatever they want. They don't know who they're talking about.

In your news release, you mentioned stability. It seems to be a pretty strong theme of your platform.

Does that imply that the current council has somehow been unstable or that the situation right now is unstable?

No. What I'm trying to express there, and I'll roll it out further as time goes on, is that we have invested heavily in our community, particularly East Fonthill, in infrastructure, and we did it for a purpose. We did it to stimulate the growth there, to attract investment in our community. I think it has— the results have shown that

it was a good investment.

Let's take a business in the private sector. They look at what's out there, and they see an opportunity to enter into a marketplace and take advantage of an opportunity. But it means that they have to invest in their infrastructure, in their plants, in their people, in order to tool up and get to the point where they can take advantage of that opportunity. So they take the cash that they have. They go out and they borrow dollars and they invest into their business. All of those things that will allow them to take advantage of that opportunity. That's what the Town has done.

At some point in time, the business says, "Okay. We've

done all of that heavy duty investment. All the heavy lifting. It's time now for us to start going out and taking advantage, putting our product into the stratosphere and taking advantage of the opportunity we thought existed out there and reap the benefits so that we can replenish and pay down debt and get stronger so that the next time that opportunity appears, we can be in a position to take advantage of it. So my view for the next four years is that— and again, I'm one voice on council, but I will be presenting this position if I'm elected to whatever council is elected— that we need to move forward and take advantage of the invest-

ment that we've made. We know our tax base is going to grow very significantly over the next number of years. Let's use that growth to replenish the reserves.

Let's use that growth to pay down our debt. And as we do so the community will move to a stronger, more

See ACCURSI Page 17

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sustainable place. And that will involve council bringing forward policies. That will involve staff implementing those policies in an organized fashion. So that's what I mean by that. I will be flushing out. I have some ideas around that and I'll be trying to flush that out as I move forward in my campaign.

Is it fair to characterize the Town as essentially being cash-poor right now?

I would say that you could characterize the Town as being cash-poor and asset-rich. And we really knew that we would go through a phase of that in our projections. We knew that there would be a period of time where we had to be very cognizant of that. And quite frankly, it's rolling out the way we thought it was going to roll out. And when we did our projections— in fact, we really did not take into consideration our growth and our tax base because that was sort of unpredictable.

But doesn't this remain unpredictable? I mean, the real-estate market now, it's not exactly tanked, but it's

certainly plateaued.

But we have a buffer in our plan, because of the fact that all of the development you see already currently in the ground, we did not include that. We had an idea of where that was going to go, but we didn't include it in our projections. So we already have that buffer in.

And even if the market does slow down, we're still going to experience— I think the last projection I saw is, what's in the ground now will receive a minimum of about $1 million a year in tax revenue increase.

By what point?

I think by the end of 2018, '19, in there. I mean, it'll all depend on how [the provincial tax assessment authority] goes in and assesses, and all of that sort of stuff.

But— This is an extra million dollars a year derived just from property taxes?

Correct.

How many years do you see it taking for the Town to get back to roughly the same financial stability or footing that it had before East Fonthill's construction projects began?

I think we can go a long way within the next fouryear mandate. Will we be exactly there? Difficult to say. We will have some longer-term debt, for sure.

There's no question about it.

And again, it will depend on how rapidly the build-out takes place, and how rapidly East Fenwick comes on board. Once those two developments come on board,

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Page 14

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COUNCIL COMMENT

Regional Councillors on Chair race cancellation Pelham Councillor Brian Baty My immediate reaction was shock and dismay but, on reflection, there may be some issues to consider.

Going back several years I considered the direct election of a Regional Chair as problematic. The area covers the equivalent of four federal ridings; there is no common media: television, radio or print; the potential costs would be prohibitive; undue influence of funding sources; potential for party politics and the potential of a citizen-elected Chair being totally at odds with the elected Regional councillors.

As time has gone by, a group of partisan politicians has increasingly affected the Regional Council. This term has seen the influence of the “cabal,” most of whom are representative of one party, taking over all former leadership positions as chairs or members of certain agencies, boards or commissions.

I would suggest that certain media have reported on the events of contenders with a bias and lack of impartiality. A new group has formed to identify, train and support new candidates, which is positive, but have plans themselves to promote certain candidates to the exclusion of others.

It should be noted that the legislation to directly elect Regional Chairs was unilaterally imposed by the former Liberal government, without public consultation, just as Premier Ford’s proposed legislation is to be unilateral and without consultation.

There were five registered candidates for Regional Chair as of the deadline on Friday. Niagara’s history began with appointed Chairs. Just two terms ago unelected members were eligible to run for Chair of Niagara Region. Damian Goulborne stepped down from being Mayor of Welland to run as a Regional councillor for Welland. He was not successful and so ran for Chair of the Region, in which effort he was also unsuccessful. He was able to be considered under the rules at the time. Regional Council in 2010 then passed a bylaw limiting consideration of Chair candidates to elected Regional Councillors only.

It is my contention that the Liberal position to hold a direct election for Regional Chair causes this 2010 Council decision to be redundant and null and void.

I will recommend next week that a Special Regional Council meeting be held as soon as possible to reconsider the 2010 restriction. Such a vote of reconsideration would require a two thirds vote to pass. I then would present a motion that all five declared candidates from last Friday’s nomination deadline be added to the list of contenders for the position of Regional Chair. Of course, any councillors elected in October would also be eligible.

Should Council entertain this direction I would expect that current Chair Caslin and Councillor Augustyn would declare a conflict of interest and abstain from debate. This should in no way be construed as an attempt to influence the current nomination lists for Pelham. I have every confidence that the residents of Pelham will make informed choices regardless of which names appear on the ballot. My proposal, if supported, would restore some semblance of fairness and democracy to an unfair, tainted and impetuous interference by the

Premier of this province in the affairs of local governments.

Pelham Councillor and Mayor Dave Augustyn From day one, my campaign has been about fixing the integrity crisis at the Region, and bringing prosperity and compassion to the people of Niagara. Backroom deals have held our community back for years.

Just when the people across Niagara got our chance to elect a leader and fix what’s broken, the government changed the rules in the middle of the election. It doesn’t make sense that a government that claims to be “for the people” removes your and other people’s right to vote and decide on our future together. And to erroneously claim that directly electing the Niagara Chair added an “additional level of government [that] competes with local municipalities” is misleading and insulting. I put my name forward to run for Regional Chair because hundreds of people across Niagara asked me to bring integrity back to the Region and lead the peninsula forward. To those who see the major problems our Region’s facing and the opportunities we are missing, the government’s cancellation changes nothing. My commitment to restoring integrity to our Regional Government and bringing prosperity and compassion to people is unwavering. I’ll continue my effort to serve as your Chair for a better Region.

Regional Chair Alan Caslin I’m appreciative of the fact that the will of the local municipality and its elected representatives will be observed again.

This direct election decision was made from above, by the previous Liberal government. It was not something the people of Niagara wanted.

Fort Erie Councillor Sandy Annunziata Whether we agree with the decisions of the province or not, I’m not surprised by it and quite frankly, I don’t share the indignation and rage some Niagara politicians continue to display. Premier Ford, throughout the last provincial election, campaigned on lower taxes, smaller government, less bureaucracy. And despite those priorities being overwhelmingly supported and the election of a majority government, some politicians still want to talk about themselves. I’d rather talk about low taxes, help for families, and job creation.

Those are the priorities, and on that front I fully agree with the Premier.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Councillor and Mayor Pat Darte I have mixed feelings about this.

First, I wasn't 100% in favour of the original change. I'm not sure that was the best way for us to have the leader of the region selected.

Secondly, I don't think the timing was fair to those who chose to run. I am not sure of the reasoning. I feel compassion for those who could not re-register.

Grimsby Councillor Tony Quirk: I am pleased that Premier Ford chose to honour will of council in keeping the Chair selected by the members of council.

Having an elected Chair without providing any real executive authority merely gives the impression the Chair has the ability or a mandate to im-

plement an agenda. Niagara is very diverse, and finding one person who can win a plurality in each of the 12 municipalities is difficult. The current model requires the Chair be respectful of the needs of all of Niagara and not just those municipalities that supported her or him.

Niagara Falls Councillor Bob Gale I understand why some people are upset about this change back in direction. But let’s move on and leave this to the provincial government to work on. I wish the Premier would have addressed that we have too many politicians in our area—especially Regional Council. That being said, let’s keep our eyes on the targets: more jobs, reasonable taxes, good living conditions, assisting the less fortunate with homes and health care, lowering crime, etc. We all seem to get sidetracked from what the voters really care about.

St. Catharines Councillor Kelly Edgar This high-handed “decree” from the Ford regime is the height of arrogance and is anything BUT “governing for the people” as Ford has continually portrayed his campaign and governing models.

Here in Niagara there will be real costly consequences for many people, not least of whom will be the candidates campaigning for Regional Chair. What happens to the remainder of the money raised to fund their campaigns? Does it go back to the people who made the donations or does it go to the municipality in question? How does that work?

What happens to the people hired on at the Region to run the election for the Regional Chair? How much of our taxes have gone to finance this department on election preparation?

And I haven’t even touched on the egregious assault on our democracy itself by this awful, arbitrary move against the people of the Niagara Region in taking away our right to vote for the Regional Chair.

Governments have, in the past, made changes to the Municipal Act, most recently by the last government, but at least they didn’t expect us to “change horses in midstream” as this government has.

Arbitrary and heavy-handed decisions like this have taken place in the past with very unsatisfactory results. Think Harris Government!

St. Catharines Councillor Bruce Timms It’s time for a referendum: Regional chair at large—yes or no.

Niagara council voted no twice, most recently on October 1, 2015, on a motion put forward by Dave Augustyn and seconded by myself. We have been asking council for this for many years and council has repeatedly said no.

Wynn imposed it with a bill in the House with a majority government and her timing was better.

Now Ford has reversed it, taking the same position that Region Council has taken twice. Now it is time for a referendum. I suggest the Chair call a special meeting to ask the Premier to allow a referendum.

Let’s see what the people of Niagara think. The structure in place for election of the chair at large can be used for a Region-wide referendum Its time for a referendum !

Marge Dorant, Christina Drummond and Dianne Pals showing samples of their artwork.

GLORIA J. KATCH PHOTO

"Go With The Flow" showcases happiness

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

Portraying thematic creativity and movement on canvas, “Go With The Flow,” seemed like the perfect name for JustArt&Co.’s first art exhibition and sale together, capturing that monumental “right-brainleft brain” concept.

Marje Dorant, Christina Drummond and Dianne Pals, who make up JustArt&Co., will be displaying their favourite artwork from August 3 to 17 at the Pelham Public Library, Fonthill branch. An opening reception will be held August 3 from 5 to 8 PM, as well as a meet- and -greet with the artists, scheduled for August 8 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, and from August 13 from 10 AM. to 12 PM, where the painters will be happy to share ideas, answer questions and facilitate sales. Fifteen percent of proceeds will be donated to the library.

The intimate space is a great place for an art exhibition, plus the lighting and location at the Pelham Library offered a perfect opportunity for the trio to showcase their work of abstracts, still life and textures. Drummond notes the three all tend to use acrylic paints, because they are easier to work with and get excellent results, but the trio all have contrasting, and sometimes starkly different styles. Pals tends to paint simple, still life objects and adds textures, which creates a three-dimensional effect. Drummond enjoys bold and vibrant abstracts with a modern flare that sometimes resembles a collage. Softer, muted colors in portraying contemporary realism and landscapes are more often the characteristics used by Dorant. In this exhibition, the catch-all phrase, “There is something for everyone,” describes the showcase best, says Dorant.

As artists, the three acknowledged they are always trying to do something different.

“We always try to help each other with colour, design and composition, which comes naturally,” says Pals.

The three are a tight-knit unit, supportive and caring. Since art can be highly subjective, Dorant says having a person who can “take a step back,” and, “appear objective,” helps them improve their work.

The constructive criticism sometimes “endorses,” and confirms what they’ve been thinking or feeling about a piece. Inarguably, they value each other’s opinions, and work better as a team.

“There are no mistakes in art, and that’s what I teach the children, when they get out their erasers,” says Pals. Although, she laughs in admitting there’s not much difference in teaching art to children than adults.

Pals says they will often send each other pictures, suggesting that they create their own version of the sample.

“We encourage each other” says Drummond. Before any paint splashes on the canvas, the trio says they often have a plan.

“I usually start with something and it morphs into something else,” remarks Pals.

“I usually start with a photograph, but it never looks like that when I’m finished,” says Durant.

Pictures often indicate a line of movement or some quality that attracts them to spend several weeks working on a project. “Happy accident” is often the term used for experimenting with new skills and techniques that take a positive spin toward success. Besides, photographs, “We take inspiration from what we see around us,” adds Drummond.

We always try to help each other with colour, design, and composition

In addition to the comments meant to encourage each other, the trio enjoy hearing how their work is received by the public.

One of the most frequent questions posed is, “What were you thinking of when you painted this?”

All of their pictures have names or labels that can evoke feelings, or trigger certain thought processes. Dorant says she feels rewarded after people view her work, and just say, “Thank you.”

Drummond’s sentiments about the appreciation of art are encapsulated on her website, “The ultimate goal of art is joy,” a quote by Gotthold E. Lessing. “Joy is what I bring to people through paintings. Joy through the choice of colors, the theme, the life and movement. I bring to the canvas with each stroke of my palette knife. When I complete a painting, my strongest wish is that those who see it will be drawn into it, and want to be part of the happy atmosphere. If people feel good when they look at one of my pieces, if my paintings brighten their day in any way, then my mission as an artist is fulfilled.”

From time to time, there are people who don’t understand art, and won’t buy a certain piece, because it doesn’t match their plaid sofas, but hopefully that improves with education and more exposure to the arts. The trio acknowledges that most people don’t realize how expensive artists’ supplies and materials cost, often because they see low-priced prints and copies, and not originals.

“You never make money for your actual time,” says Drummond, noting that some paintings can take months to do. But overall, comments about their work in past exhibitions have been complimentary, and they are excited about the upcoming showcase. There will be a sign-in guestbook.

Brochures will be available on art lessons offered in the fall for those, who decide they would like to tap into their creative spirits and “Go With The Flow.”

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

Page 15

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continued from Page 6 sages by from the reporters of the story were left at our office in Mississauga at 5:45 PM and then again at 7:15 PM last Tuesday. Fact—the story was released at 6:39 PM the same day.

What concerns us more is that the Standard’s published stories implied that nefarious

activity was associated with the project and was, therefore, a focus of the investigation by the Auditor General—none of which is true.

To have published a story based on incorrect information and without offering K&A or others involved with projects at NPCA an opportunity to respond and refute in a timely manner is nothing short of deception, or, at a minimum,

VOICE

biased.

More recent media reports suggest that the Auditor General is investigating the source of a leaked and incomplete document that was obviously the basis of the reporters’ story.

The Auditor General apparently wants to focus on how the newspaper obtained and reported the information it received. Her efforts give me some solace — but not enough

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to dissuade me from thinking that what this paper produced on this subject was fake from the start.

Marc Kealey is the Principal at K&A Inc., a public policy and management consulting firm. He is a former advisor to a Prime Minister of Canada and a Premier of Ontario. He lectures globally on politics and the development of good public policy.

Date:

Folks, we've just had word from Queen's Park.

Tonight's menu has been cancelled, but we do have some delicious frozen chicken nuggets left by the previous chef.

Page 16

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

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Support your local service clubs is the position he is now running for.

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The Mayor’s single-minded purpose for the last four years has been laid bare. He sacrificed any semblance of public input and democracy to put on a show that the rest of the Region would admire.

He used this town and the people in it as a stepping stone to his true calling, Regional Chair.

But we can all remind him, if he decides to campaign around town and not, inexplicably, the rest of the Region, that before he can become Chair, he has to get through us.

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ACCURSI continued from Page 13 really, what we're left with is redevelopment and infill, because those are the last really major sites, I think the projections were that we wouldn’t really get the build-out for 15 to 20 years. I think it's probably happening faster than that, from what we see. But it's cyclical. Real estate goes in bursts. It goes crazy for a period of time and then it slows down, and a lot will be dependent upon the interest rates and all that.

Fortunately, our debt's all locked in at— it was a very unique period of time for the Town to invest. We had probably the lowest interest rates we've seen in a century.

It was a factor that allowed us to undertake the projects that we've undertaken.

Given that there was no upper-tier financial support?

Correct. Absolutely correct.

And why was that? What caused the delay in getting the project going when there were grants available?

I really don't know because I wasn't on council at that time. I can say when we went back and we reviewed all of the documentation and read through all the reports, they never, ever got to the stage where they created a business plan. Never.

They looked at all the demographics. They made up the wish list. They had consultants look at this, that, and the other. They looked at different sites. No one ever sat down and said, "You know what? Before we move this forward, we have to put together a business case, right?" They never got to the point where they even had a draft design. And as you probably know, when you're dealing with upper-tier governments, you have to be shovel-ready in order to even be considered for grant money. They never got to that point. Not even close. So when this council undertook this project we said, "You know what? This thing has been spinning in the air for 20 years. Let's look how can we finance this thing. Let's engage a consultant.” There were rumors around that there might be some money coming. Then when it became apparent that it wasn't going to happen, we were already well along the way in developing the business plan, and it became obvious that we had a way to do this without having a heavy-duty impact on the tax base.

Jumping ahead a little bit.

Spring 2016, the final vote was taken to authorize the building the community centre. Councilors Junkin and Papp voted against the second ice pad.

Yes, they did. Yep. Looking back, and considering public comments that have come up since, do you think that the second pad was necessary? Would you have rather seen, say, an Olympic-sized swimming pool in there?

No. You know what? We looked at that, and the second iteration of the report that was done by Leisure Plan International indicated that by 2018, we would have reached that falling-off point to 70 or 75 percent uptake. So my decision was based on the fact

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

that if we had gotten into the ground, 2016, '17, building completion by 2018, and now all of a sudden we've hit the threshold where we should have had the second pad anyway, now we've got to re-marshal, we're going to pay more. Whereas if you get all of the trades on-site, you're doing it all at once.

Much more efficient build, much less costly. And in fact, the numbers have shaken out exactly that. In fact, exceeded that. Our second pad is currently, for prime-time hours, booked 90% of the time. We have a significant interest in summer utilization of the pad. The thoughts are that we'll keep ice in that second pad for the summer.

So that now we can run lacrosse, we can run hockey, we can run figure skating, all sorts of things. So in retrospect, it was a good decision. I understand the trepidation of the two councilors that voted against it, but I think if you look back at the Leisure Plan study and you considered it from an efficiency standpoint in terms of build and cost, we did the right thing. Because they projected that by 2018 we'd be hitting the 70% uptake threshold, so that's in fact why I voted for a second pad.

Would you favor the addition of a swimming pool at some point?

Well, that's another interesting thing. if you look at the Leisure Plan study again, where they pulled the community facts that they brought back to us, where it would've cost a very significant amount of money to build a pool. It would've cost somewhere in the order of a million dollars. Enclosed pools are a hole in the ground into which you perpetually throw money, because of the chemicals, the humidity, etc. Extremely hard on construction materials, okay?

The other factor was that the Town had, a number of years ago, invested, I think it was a half a million dollars, in the current pool that the Y operates in Welland. Leisure Plan, when they brought that information back to us, said

that if we put a pool in the community centre, we could, in fact, bankrupt the Y pool, and that the $500,000 that the community had invested there would have been lost.

So all of those factors taken into consideration led to the decision that we wouldn't undertake a pool at that point.

Generally speaking, where are you politically?

Left, right, center?

I am not a member of a political party. In terms of where would I fall, I would say I'm fiscally conservative, but I'm socially responsible.

I think it's important for us to be cognizant of the least fortunate in our community and do what we can to help them. But I think it's also important that we as financial managers or asset managers for our community need to do the best we can do to operate as efficiently as we can with that money and use that money as carefully as we can.

We've heard that you and Marvin Junkin got along pretty well on council. That you often saw eye-to-eye. I think Catherine King is reported to have said something along the lines of your not being twins exactly, but very simpatico. Does that match your recollection of his time on council?

Absolutely. Marvin and I got along very well. In fact, there were several Sundays that Marvin spent the afternoon in my dining room with me helping him understand how the computer programs operate, some of the background reports and all of that sort of thing. So yep, that's absolutely true. I did my best to try and bring Marvin up to speed with what was going on in council and to become part of council.

What was your reaction when he resigned?

Frankly? Devastated. Devastated. I felt that he and I had a good relationship.

I felt that, as a council, we worked together. If we found ourselves with problems, the way to deal with them was to sit down, put your heads

together, and deal with the problems. Marvin made his decision. It is what it is.

I think we reported that when he resigned, he told us he was frustrated in not being able to convince council to take action related to, first, the depleted reserves, and secondly, a particular personnel issue which I know you can't discuss.

Does that at all modify your opinion about his reasons for leaving, or the rationale for his leaving? He got so frustrated that he didn't see any use in remaining on council?

You know what? We all get frustrated on council, dealing with issues. We all go in there with the hope that we can move the bar forward, quicker, faster, more efficiently, in specific directions, and from time to time there is not a single councilor that sits around that horseshoe that does not get frustrated. But having said that, when you take on the roll of councilor and you

My approach was entirely different.

My approach was to stay in the trenches, and try and work through the issues, and move the community forward.

sign on to a code of ethics, you are duty bound to stay to it, and stick to it, and solve the problem. You don't solve problems by walking away from them and—this is going to come across as if I'm being critical of Marvin. Marvin did what Marvin wanted to do, and what he felt was best for him. And I'm not going to judge that.

My approach was entirely different. My approach was to stay in the trenches, and try and work through the issues, and move the com-

munity forward.

When you present yourself to the voters, what is the largest advantage you think you bring compared to Carla Baxter or Marvin Junkin as a candidate? What do you have that they don't?

Well, I could tell you what I have. I think I have 45 years of business experience in multiple businesses so I understand finance.

I have some background in construction. I ran a conSee ACCURSI next page

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The Comfort Maple myth

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Special to the VOICE

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BY VOICE STAFF

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

NATE SMELLE PHOTO

Public meeting tonight on school issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

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

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

Vol.20 No.39

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

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Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

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

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

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

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

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

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

sidered.

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

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

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

Another way the committee plans

Pine Debbie

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

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

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

We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses ad-

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Column Six

BY VOICE STAFF

Debbie Pine

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

Growing up British

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

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

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

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Column Six

Request made of community still peeved at name change The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter.

Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint See COLUMN SIX Page 14

See CHANGES Page 5

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

Vol.20 No.32

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

Wednesday October 12, 2016

Apple Day comes to Fonthill Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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

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

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

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

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

The VOICE

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

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

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

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

After delivering to Council a petition containing

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H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Page 18

ACCURSI continued from previous page struction company for many years. I have some background in planning. I understand planning documents. I think that that's a strength that I have. I've sat on council for eight years. I've been there through thick and thin.

I've served the community in many capacities in a volunteer basis. I've lived in the community for 45 years. I've seen it go from a one-stopsign town through to what it is today. And that's how I will portray myself. I'm not going to run a campaign that's going to slander or attack my competitors. I think that will be up to the public to make a decision who they see as being most qualified and who's going to move the community forward for the next four years. That's democracy.

You mentioned the onestop-sign town. Was Pelham a better place to live back then?

Different. It was different. It was smaller town.

When I first moved into this community, it had just amalgamated, they had just joined all the five little communities. There was a great deal of angst around that. I mean, we used to have two minor baseball leagues— Fenwick minor baseball and Fonthill minor baseball. It's

The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018 a different community and communities need to move forward. But they need to move forward being cognizant of their past and try and preserve as much of their past as possible. When I moved here, Pelham was very much an agricultural-based community. Fruit farms abounded, we had, I think three canning factories in our community at that point in time. As you well know, all of that has fallen off. Not through nothing that council had any control of, it was the vagaries of the economies, the marketplace.

So we had the councils of the past and the councils of the future are going to have to be cognizant of that and move the community forward and make changes that still try to preserve that small town— we hear this, "What is a small town feel?"

Neighbors knowing neighbors, and engaging with their neighbors, and feeling safe, and all of those sort of things are important and we need to be aware of them, we need to work very hard to preserve.

One thing council does have control over, if it wishes to exercise that control, is the way things look. By that I mean signs, architecture, lighting. Do you think that the new Food Basics plaza reflects a small town flavour or character? Could that

have been designed better?

In my personal opinion, yes. The developer moved, I feel, a long way away from their initial designs and where they wanted to be because of the insistence of council, and our desire to move in a direction towards—again, you'll hear me use the phrase “new urbanism.” Think back to the communities of the past, look at the downtown core, where the buildings are right at the sidewalk, where there's interplay between what's going on in the building and what's happening on the street. And if you look at that plaza you'll see that some of that plaza has been brought close to the street and has tried to have interplay with the street.

That was the insistence of the Town. We tried to isolate as much of the parking lot as we could away from the street view. Did we accomplish everything that we had hoped, and is it the best that we can do? No. Have we learned from it? Yes. One of the reasons that our sales there have not moved forward as quickly as we had hoped was because of our insistence on what we want there. We have a vision for that community and we are insisting on our urban design guidelines.

You're speaking of the remaining Town parcels in

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East Fonthill.

That's correct. We are insisting on how that's going to roll out and what it's going to look like. And with respect to lighting, with respect to structure, all of those things, incorporating, engaging with, or hooking up with our trail system, green space, etc., etc., etc.

How did we end up with two or maybe even three different types of streetlight designs around the community center?

I have noticed. It's an interesting question. I don't have an answer for you.

You speak of shops near sidewalks and interplay between pedestrians and shopkeepers. A lot of shopkeepers on Pelham Street are not particularly pleased that Summerfest disrupts their business for a couple of days each summer, and there was some talk — I don't think official talk but maybe some hopeful talk — about moving Summerfest to the community center grounds at some point.

Would you support that?

At this point in time, I would say no. It's a street festival and it would change— Well, in fairness, it's called “Summerfest,” it's not called “Summerfest Street,” or something.

Right. And I would say that the majority of people like where it's located. There are a few businesses that are unhappy, but the Summerfest committee did its best to try and address that.

I think we've had the highest engagement of Pelham

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businesses in this past year ever. The statistics are being compiled, but I believe that's what was said at the last meeting when we met on Tuesday. We made changes on where we placed the gates, and where we closed the road, and tried to engage with the businesses that had expressed some concerns.

We offered free marketing advice to those businesses. Not one took it up. So at some point in time, it's a two-way street. If you try to solve a problem and people don't want to engage and try to solve the problem or work with you to try and solve the problem, we can do what we can do.

What sort of marketing advice, though, would help a business that is shut down and inaccessible to its customers for two and a half days?

For example, we heard that customers couldn't get into their businesses, so we changed the time when we closed the road. We advised them that tell your customers they come up to the gate, that they have an appointment. They'll be allowed through the gate and access. Full access. No problem. One business said, "Well, you're taking away all my parking." It just happens to be a business that always perpetually parks his own truck and takes one of his own spaces directly in front of his own business.

We said, "Okay. Fine." The Summerfest committee had plans to isolate a piece of road on College Street that

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would be designated specifically for those businesses.

It was all set up. They were advised of it. They chose to close their businesses on those days. We did everything we could. We offered to engage a professional marketer to come in and sit with all the businesses on the street to show them how you can take advantage of the significant number of people that walk by your business during the course of Summerfest. How could you engage with them? How could you draw them back to your business at times when Summerfest was not operating? That was the second time Summerfest undertook that. Not a single business took that up. Not one.

The Premier showed up this year at Summerfest.

Did you have a chance to chat with him at all?

I did not. My view is Summerfest is not a political event. It's an event where the community gets together and celebrates the diversity and has fun. He was invited, I understand, by [MPP] Sam Oosterhoff, and chose to come down. It's awesome that he did. Was there something political there? I don't know. I was busy with doing what I was doing with Summerfest, so I didn't have a chance to even speak with him.

I should ask about the Town’s “How Might We” problem-solving process.

We've been pretty reliably told that a lot of staff are not particularly happy about it, especially staff who don’t work in Town Hall. Is that something you would consider changing?

What's your feeling about the merits and the expense, I guess, of maintaining the program and its philosophy?

To be very honest with you, I haven't really given that much thought. It's a process that's sort of entrenched right now in terms of how problems are approached. As a matter of fact, I was at a meeting last night with Lookout Ridge community members, with respect to Airbnb. And after a couple of pre-meetings with that community, it was decided to try a How Might We session to see if we could crystallize some of the problems. I will say, in some circumstances, it works extremely well. In other circumstances, I haven't been overly impressed with the results. So I guess I'll have to give that some consideration. But, at this point in time, money's been spent on bringing it into the fold. A lot of our documentation is now built around the whole How Might We plan.

So it would be expensive, I think, to get out of it.

Anything you would like to leave readers with? Anything we haven't covered?

I think the best thing that I could say to readers is, it's your town. Democracy works best when people go out and vote. I’d like nothing better than to have a record turnout on election day, and we'll let the chips fall where they may. I think really that's the best message that I could give. Vote for the candidate of your choice, but at least vote. Don't take a position to say I don't care, because you get the government you vote for. If you don't vote, you really have no say. ◆

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

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The Voice of Pelham, August 1 2018

28 ON BALLOT

KORE

continued from Page 1

continued from Page 9

for re-election is Ward 2’s Catherine King. Though she had initially filed to run, King withdrew her name, telling the Voice last week that her decision was made for health reasons.

Ward 2’s other incumbent, Gary Accursi, is running for mayor, meaning that the ward is the only one guaranteed to see two new faces elected to council.

Pelham’s candidate list for the 2018 Municipal Election, to be held October 22: Mayor Gary Accursi Carla Baxter Marvin Junkin

“It was so childish. This is freedom of the press.

Good or bad, the public has a right to know.”

Kore said he has attended several council meetings.

“I was there when they cancelled the promised meeting to talk about the debt issue. I just couldn’t believe it.”

Kore was also present when the Town Treasurer presented other financial information, about which no current councillor asked a question.

“Right now, I’d like for a councillor to stand up and ask some hard questions about the finances. What is our full debt?

How much interest are we paying? What’s actually in our reserves? What are our savings? It’s not about trying to look good, it’s about getting the truth out there,” he said.

That the Town also forces the media and residents to unnecessarily use Freedom of Information requests also bothers Kore.

“Sometimes that’s needed, but for some simple information it shouldn’t take forty or sixty days,” said Kore.

“As a councillor, if people ask me for information I should be able to get it to them within a day or two. No resident should be waiting that long. There should’t be a filtering of information through the Mayor or CAO or communications person. There shouldn’t be a ‘communications strategy.’ It should just be communication.”

Kore also said that council ought to take a serious look at traffic congestion in town.

“I don’t know if that was studied enough,” he said.

“After all that East Fonthill development is done, there’s going to be an even

Regional Councillor Dave Augustyn Brian Baty (incumbent) Jim Hagar Diana Huson Ward 1 Councillor Mark Bay Sidney Beamer Mike Ciolfi James Lane (incumbent by appointment) Richard Rybiak (incumbent) Marianne Stewart Ward 2 Councillor Wally Braun Cheryl Crozier Amber Cutherbertson Chris Fletcher Alexandra Forsyth-Sells Ron Kore Barbara Ann Rybiak John Wink Ward 3 Councillor Uwe Brand Vince Della Marca John Durley (incumbent) Lisa Haun Robert Hildebrandt Peter Papp (incumbent) Mary Spehar School Board Trustees Nancy Beamer Dale Robinson Candidate interviews in this issue: Accursi (page 3), Kore (page 9), and Brand (page 11).

bigger problem than there is now. We have to really try and tackle that issue.”

Kore called development an important part of the town, but said that more work needs to be done to ensure the style of building is consistent with what is already present.

“We don’t need Toronto-style stuff,” he said.

“The problem now is that we’re not in a strong negotiating position. Developers can lowball the Town or push us further, because they know that we have a lot of debt and need what we can get.”

In business, Kore said, he always looks at the worse-case scenarios and prepares for those, and he fears that the Town has planned on the best-case scenarios instead.

“NAFTA negotiations, trade wars, all these things could affect our town. It could be tough. It could be very bad. It’s a small world, and we have to be ready.

We’re going to have to cut costs, and we may have to raise taxes—we don’t want to be carrying a lot of debt,” he said.

Whatever disagreements Kore has with other candidates or residents, he said that he is committed to maintaining a respectful dialogue.

“I always ask people, ‘What would you do in my shoes?’” he said.

If elected, Kore said that he will be sure to keep separate his business from council responsibilities.

“I know people would come to the store and want to talk about those things, so I’ll have to say, ‘I’ll get back to you after six o’clock,’” said Kore.

“I’m not here to belittle anyone or put them down,” he said. “I’ve always tried to push the right buttons and get the best out of people. I still learn so much every day, and I want to do that at council too.”

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Mayor Augustyn welcomes Premier Doug Ford to Summerfest on Saturday, July 21. Six days later, Ford announced the cancellation of Niagara's Regional Chair race, in which Augustyn was a candidate.

VOICE PHOTO

CANCELLED continued from Page 1 he could conceivably also be re-elected chair by his fellow councillors, which is how chairs were selected since the Region’s founding.

“My number one priority has always been the people of Niagara, I will continue keeping taxes low and bringing good-paying jobs to Niagara,” says Caslin.

“For the past four years we have pulled in the same direction, for Niagara, and that is what I will continue to do. Our successes in securing daily GO Train service, the 2021 Canada Summer Games, and our unprecedented industrial and commercial growth, shows that Niagara’s future is bright.”

Former Welland mayor Damian Goulbourne, also a candidate for Regional Chair, says it’s the Chair or nothing.

“I am not withdrawing my name for Regional Chair and I will not submit papers today to run as a Regional Councillor for Welland,” says Goulbourne. “I am committed to working together for a Strong Niagara.”

Friday, 2:00 PM was the deadline to file nomination papers for the October Municipal Election, which will see mayors, councillors, Regional Councillors, and school board members elected across the province. Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn, also a candidate for Chair, switched horses just under the wire, filing to contest Pelham’s single directly elected Regional Councillor’s seat, currently held by Councillor Brian Baty.

Augustyn could also have run for re-election as Pelham’s mayor, which would have automatically given him a Regional Council seat as well. Augustyn did not respond when asked why he

RENOVATE

chose the Regional Councillor route instead, nor did he respond when asked whether it was appropriate to use Town email accounts and communications devices to communicate campaign messages.

Of Goulbourne’s decision not to run instead for Regional Council, as Caslin and Augustyn are doing, he cited his relationships with the candidates who have already filed.

“Four candidates followed the process properly and put their names forward to become a strong voice for Welland on Regional Council,” said Goulbourne. “I will not allow a decision by the Ontario government to undermine Leanne, George, Pat or Paul’s dream to be one of two Regional Councilors for Welland. The are each my friends and I wish them the best as they are outstanding leaders in their own right.”

Goulbourne and Augustyn said that they still planned to campaign to become Chair, though it was unclear how they intended to accomplish this without first being elected to Regional Council. In 2013, after an earlier lobbying effort by Goulbourne to be appointed chair despite not having been elected as a councillor, Regional Council changed its bylaws to ensure that the chair would be chosen only from its elected members.

Pelham Regional Councillor Brian Baty said he’ll call for a special council meeting this week to overturn the 2013 rules change.

(See Baty's comments in the accompanying sidebar containing Regional councillor reaction, page 14.)

The fourth candidate in the race, Niagara businessman John Ringo Beam, did not respond to a request for comment. A fifth candidate, Aaron Scott Michael Stack, filed his nomination on Friday, even as it was clear the race was to be cancelled.

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