The Voice, August 22 2018

Lisa Haun running for Ward 3 page 3 Barb Rybiak for Ward 2 page 9 Home-hotels raise resident ire page 12 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Port Colborne, zipping along Lake Erie to Fort Erie, and back. The flight takes about 15 to 20 minutes, he said.

The pilots climb to about 2,000 feet.

“When you can see both lakes at the same time, with the boats in the canal that look like model train sets, the children are just amazed,” Morrison said.

The purpose of the program is to introduce kids to all aviation careers.

N T I L I encountered the protesters in Niagara-on-the-Lake, I had no idea what speciesism was. Or that I was guilty of it.

It’s a difficult word to say, even when sober, and some might find its meaning hard to swallow as well. Basically, if you’re a speciesist you assign different rights and values to individuals according to their species. You therefore deny the principle that all creatures great and small, including humans, are created equal.

Shame on us for being elitist.

The protestors are members of AWFAN—At War For Animals Niagara—and NAFA— Niagara Action For Animals—and their goal is to eliminate the “exploitation of all sentient beings for financial gain.”

Locally, they have Sentineal Carriages in their crosshairs, a company that makes horses pull wagonloads of tourists for profit.

According to AWFAN, the animals have not agreed to take part in this activity.

Their hoofs get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. The horses could be doing other things all day, like standing in a field.

Instead, they become brain dead listening to stories on

See COPA KIDS Page 10

See COLUMN SIX Page 20

Special to the VOICE

Two youthful aviation enthusiasts prepare to take off at Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport.

GLORIA J. KATCH PHOTO

Offering a taste of the skies to COPA Kids National program lands in Welland, offers youths free flights, introduction to aviation careers

They’ve been tagged with the moniker “COPA Kids,” the future stars in our skies. Every summer for the last six years, the Canadian Operator Pilot’s Association (COPA) has been inspiring and introducing youth to aviation by giving them free airplane rides and educational sessions on flying.

On Saturday, between 50 to 60 kids from 12 to 17 got to take a half-hour flight around the Niagara Region from the Niagara Central Dorothy Runge-

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

ling Airport. Police and firefighters were invited, so their children could be a part of this learning experience, as a way of saying, “Thank you for your service,” said Jim Morrison, a volunteer with COPA Flight 149.

The free rides are given by local pilots who embark with the children on a tour following the Welland Canal to

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Column Six A horse that won't run

Groups plan demonstration at NRE event Watching rodeos where bareback riders are being bucked and hanging on for life and limb gets an audiences’s adrenalin pumping and fearing for the cowboys’ safety, when in actuality the crowds should be more afraid for the horse.

At least that’s the stance taken by many animal rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and At War For Animals Niagara (AWFAN), which are collaborating to protest this year’s Ultimate Rodeo. The event is set to take place at the Niagara Regional Exhibition on Aug. 31, starting at 7 PM. Caitlin Hamm, from Welland, has recently been chosen to represent PETA, noted about 100 people are interested in attending the protest, according to the AWFAN’s Facebook page, but she is not sure everyone will make it.

Hamm said rodeos are advertised as “family fun,” but

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

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PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

News and Features Writer

This full-time position calls for a well-rounded reporter with the ability to cover a wide range of community issues, from Town Council to interviews and longer profile pieces. Previous news writing experience preferred but not required. More information: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/writers Kindly send resume and writing samples to publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca

something more substantial, it’s also Prime Rib Night on Saturday at the Pelham Street Grille, and it’s a good idea to call for reservations (page 13)… Steer-ing the conversation: People do like a grilled steak, and a chicken curry, and a lamb chop. Others are happy to follow chef Michael Pollan’s advice: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” (“Food” meaning the real thing—not processed by fast food outlets or factories.) This week we have two interesting takes on issues around how we treat animals. Reporter Gloria Katch tells us about the activists planning to protest at the Niagara Regional Exhibition at the end of this month, while in Column Six, Colin Brezicki offers his own perspective on such activism in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Like Colin, I deplore any form of animal cruelty, and also like him I had not heard the term “speciesism” until recently. That said, will it be long before dogs and cats are deemed inappropriate as domestic pets—that their lives of licking and leisure will be recast as a form of cruelty? If the revolution comes, expect it to be efficiently led by border col-

lies… If a tree drops on your house, and no one’s there to hear it: You’ll not want to miss Krista Petersen’s letter to the editor this week, page 5. Yes, in Councillor Gary Accursi’s words, the Town may currently be cash poor and asset rich, but we can’t spare $2000 or so to take out some dead trees?...

Patience: We received a couple of mildly cranky emails from readers who are presumably not Accursi fans, wondering why we gave him so much space in his interview a couple of weeks back, while neither of the other two mayoral candidates have been so treated. Not to worry—Carla Baxter is on for next week and Marvin Junkin will be along in September...Do we get walkie-talkies and sunglasses?

Fonthill Fitness wit Strange DeGym was in fine form at Sobeys the other day, lobbying for a Pelham Secret Service. “The only path to victory for you-know-who is if Brian Baty gets hit by a bus. We need to get him 24/7 protection. A volunteer Secret Service!"...Exactly one month left: Autumn arrives on Sept. 22. Here's to a few more barbecues before the leaves start falling.

THE VOICE POLL Does a candidate's age matter?

Does youth bring vitality and fresh ideas?

Does maturity bring wisdom and valuable experience?

Can a political candidate be too young or too old to hold office, or does it depend on each person's unique capabilities?

Take the poll: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/candidate-age

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Thefts from Fonthill vehicles

Police say that thefts from two vehicles occurred last Monday, Aug. 13. The first was on Rosewood Crescent, where a purse, wallet, cash, bank cards, SIN card, OHIP card etc. were taken. The bank card was later used to make a purchase. The second theft occurred on Stella Street, where documents were taken.

As a public service, the NRPS reminds drivers that anyone leaving valuables in vehicles overnight in their driveways thinking, "It won't happen to me" is just asking for trouble, loss and inconvenience. “Thieves are out in your neighborhoods constantly looking for opportunity. If you leave visible items they want, they will get in and take it even if your vehicle is locked,” says Sgt. Rob Schottlander, who advises consideration of the following costs and inconveniences: ·The insurance deductible cost of a smashed window, usually $500. ·Loss of cash and valuables. ·Contacting financial institutions and stores to cancel, then have cards replaced. ·Being without identification and credit cards while they are being sent. ·The time and inconvenience to go and get a new driver’s license, OHIP card, SIN card, passport or

The

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Pelham Street

Foss Road

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On top of Mount Epomeo in Italy, Samuel Piccolo, left, with Florian Kitzberger, “a very friendly Austrian” whom Sam met on the hike up.

Break and enter

Police say that a residence in the 800 block of Metler Road was broken into last Wednesday between 11 AM and 3 PM. Unspecified items were taken.

See IN THE NEWS Page 8

Ward

South Pelham Street

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there walk among us those who criticized Oosterhoff’s callow youth, yet who would shy away from a debate over an age at which a candidate might be considered too old to run. The self-help industrial complex is forever scolding us that “age is just a number,” which always struck me as a phrase coined by an advertising agency to get old people to buy young people stuff, like Camaros and Cancun holidays. Of course, we’ve all met elderly 20-somethings and youthful 90-year-olds—and the longer you live the more you’ll meet. “You can’t help getting older but you don’t have to get old,” said George Burns, who made it, marbles intact, to 100. So how about you?

How important is a candidate’s age when it comes to deciding how to vote? That’s our survey question this week. Find the link below…

Burgers with a side of pols: No doubt the candidates will be out in force at Fonthill Lions’ Sliderfest this Saturday at Lions Club Park in Fonthill. Five chefs will compete for the honour of cooking the best mini-burgers. Taste your way through starting at 4 PM… Yet more beef: If you’re in the mood for

Murdoch Street

way, does a candidate’s age matter? Along with race, colour, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and marital status, discrimination on the basis of age is prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Yet while we don’t (or shouldn’t) ask how old a job applicant is, should we be more alert to the ages of those we elect to run our governments?

For many voters, MPP Sam Oosterhoff’s youth was an automatic disqualifier— how could a 19-year-old have enough experience to govern? For others, his youth was an advantage.

As it happens, today is the MPP’s 21st birthday—mazel tov, Sam—a day he celebrates as part of a majority government in the nation’s most populous province.

At just 21, Oosterhoff may soon wield real power over our lives, even if tempered by the rest of caucus. Now, I will bet a shiny Loonie that

Effingham Street

Aging in place: An interesting question came up over the weekend when someone asked why we mention the ages of some candidates in our municipal election profiles but not in others. The answer is that some contributing writers tend to bring it up and others don’t. About a quarter of our interviews so far have noted the candidate’s age. In this edition, one story does and the other doesn’t. This is also down to my not providing sufficiently clear direction.

As someone who (with luck) will turn 60 next year, I find myself not feeling remotely like someone who should be turning 60 next year. It’s certainly not what I imagined 60 to be when I was 20, or 30, or maybe even 40. At this point I can actually picture 80, preferably reaching there with enough marbles to remember how silly it was at 60 to think I knew what being 80 would be like. Any-

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

Page 3

WARD 3 PELHAM TOWN COUNCIL RACE

Fixing Pelham's finances using a disaster plan

Why is council in such a rush to sell it?

Why not defer it until after the election?

Lisa Haun draws on her experience in emergency management

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

As Manager of Emergency Services with the Ministry of Transportation, Lisa Haun, 42, views the Town of Pelham’s financial situation much like a disaster—bleak, shrouded in uncertainty—which she said won’t be properly addressed until October’s municipal election.

Haun, like many other candidates, believes the first order of business for new councillors will be to organize a financial audit to determine the Town’s debt and net worth.

Having worked in both public and private businesses, Haun has dealt with marketing, budgets and quality control.

“We need strong leadership, effective communication and business skills,” she said.

She believes the town’s debt-ridden situation is mostly due to the lack of “willingness to listen to the people,” and “a disrespect for taxpayers and citizens.”

Haun described the new $36 million dollar Meridian Community Center as a “beautiful centre,” but said when the Town did not receive support for the second ice pad in the arena, there should have been more forethought given

as to whether it should have been included. Haun believes the Town should have relied more on public input and consultation.

Furthermore, she finds it “very disconcerting” that the Town doesn’t have a clear vision of planning over the Pelham Arena, on Haist Street.

She recalled when the arena was built, and said there were many community groups involved in fundraising, and those stakeholders, as well as other community members, deserve to have input as to the arena’s future. “It seems to be a mystery as to what the arena’s fate is.” Haun said that it should remain a part of the community.

“Why is council in such a rush to sell it? Why not defer it until after the election?” she asked.

As far as the debate over whether Summerfest should be moved from the dowtown core, Haun said perhaps the new Meridian Centre could be used for some aspect of Summerfest.

“Now that we built it, we might as well use it,” she remarked.

As an Emergency Planner, Haun has to consider the “before, during and after,” of an event or disaster.

Since natural disasters or

Pelham Town Council Ward 3 candidate Lisa Haun. emergency situations can happen with little notice, everyone has to be prepared. Good communications skills and dealing with many stakeholders is a part of the process before plans can be implemented.

It requires a solid vision in working in partnerships with municipalities and provinces, she noted.

“Disasters and events don’t resolve themselves.”

While Canada doesn’t have an independent agency counterpart to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the U.S., she said each municipality has a “legal responsibility” to ensure accessibility to roads if something should occur.

Haun plans to adopt her planning abilities, and “all phases of emergency management,” to assist

SUPPLIED PHOTO

her if elected to council.

Haun lived in British Columbia for about seven years and was privy to the information surrounding the planning of the Blue Bridge in Victoria harbour. Due to the lack of consultation and input from the public into the design, the project suffered from wasted time and money, she said.

The ultimate goal is to build a “resilient community,” which will have to involve establishing trust through transparency and good leaderships skills.

As far as non-disclosure agreements are concerned, she asked, “Why do we have non-disclosure agreements in the first place?”

She alludes to the policy as being antithetical to the idea of transparency.

“What is happening that staff is leaving?”

It’s a question that Haun feels needs to be answered in order to get to the root of the problem. She believes the public is hearing too much about decisions and issues in Town Hall “after the fact,” and through letters to the editor, which indicates a lack of communication with the public.

Haun was born and raised in Fonthill. After returning from B.C., she was surprised at the cost of seniors’ housing, and said more has to be done to improve the affordability of assisted living. After living in Pelham all of their lives, a senior shouldn’t have to leave this area later due to a lack of affordable housing.

Working for the Ministry of Transportation definitely has Haun noticing and evaluating the traffic situation in Pelham.

“It shouldn’t take 20 minutes to get from one end of town to the other at rush hour,” she said.

She is also concerned about the road closings and problems on Poth Street and Sulphur Spring Drive, not to mention the potholes and condition of Welland Road. Looking at infrastructure and being able See HAUN Page 15

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Page 4

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

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OPINION

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

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

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Kevin Vallier Where's a plumber when you need one

T

HE NIAGARA REGION is in need of a good plumber.

The OPP, Auditor General, Ontario Ombudsman and the Integrity Commissioner have all commented to one extent or another about the constant leaks of confidential information coming out of the Region. Several confidential documents have found their way to the public and local media along with numerous confidential conversations that have taken place behind closed doors which were part of in-camera meetings. This, despite every Regional councillor having signed a confidentiality agreement after being elected.

Most recently, Regional Councillor Bob Gale was clearly frustrated at last Thursday’s special meeting dealing with the hiring process of the Region’s CAO, as he asked: “Why do we go in camera at all if we are just going to leak everything?”

St. Catharines representative Bruce Timms pointed out that not only is confidential information being constantly leaked throughout this council’s term but said the frustrating part is that only half of the story

gets leaked and reported on.

“The media doesn’t have to, or can’t, report the other half because it’s still confidential,” he said. “Some councillors are taking the

Why do we go in camera at all if we are just going to leak everything?

position that leaking confidential information is a means to an end and I guess they think it’s okay for them to break the rules.”

Mark Towhey, who served as Chief of Staff to former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, said that in his time at Toronto City Hall leaks were very rare.

“I was impressed with the councillors that would fight like cats and dogs behind closed doors but would remain professional and keep things confidential.”

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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 Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Larry Coté, Rebecca Lott, 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

Towhey also pointed out that the rare time that there was a leak there was an immediate call for an investigation at the next council meeting.

“I would expect the councillors who aren’t leaking information would demand change and action to protect their reputation.” Towhey also pointed out that in Toronto the City Clerk and Solicitor often read councillors the riot act with regards to adhering to confidentiality rules.

In June, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn was found guilty by the Integrity Commissioner’s office for breaching the Code of Conduct by leaking a confidential memo. No discipline was recommended.

Regional Councillor Selina Volpatti said it’s “very frustrating” to see so much confidential information leaked to the media, which only serves to compromise the work of the Region and the decision- making process. The other issue Councillor Volpatti pointed out is that “it’s impossible to speak freely” in an in camera meeting when comments that should remain See LEAKY next page

Letters Business case "fantasy" sees history ignored It is more than a little tiresome hearing Dave Augustyn (most recently in his sister-in-law’s MyPelham newsletter), Gary Accursi (in your recent interview), et al. repeatedly stating that they have done a business case for the new community centre and no one else ever analyzed any numbers.

First of all, their so-called business case is a fantasy.

Secondly, a committee set up by council 14 years ago under previous mayor Ron Leavens, to review a public-private partnership for a community centre, quickly disposed of that notion. (Ask Welland how their soccer complex has worked out.)

The committee was then asked to explore the construction and financing of a

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Find your ward: See the map on page 2 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

new community centre. The committee conducted interviews with all interested groups and individuals, did exhaustive research into similar facilities—including visits to at least half a dozen recently constructed ones from Sarnia to Fort Erie—and carried out meticulous financial analyses of construction and operating costs, then presented the results to council.

Council, primarily on the weight of a negative report from former Director of Planning Craig Larmour, voted not to proceed with a centre, even though they had recently bought the Mori property.

Despite the availability of two-thirds See BEEN THERE next page

ELECTION 2018: CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS As the Voice speaks with each candidate, find our archive of their interviews here:

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/2018-municipal-election-candidate-interviews Barbara RYBIAK, John WINK • FOR MAYOR • FOR WARD 3 COUNCILLORS (2) Gary ACCURSI, Carla BAXTER, Marvin JUNKIN • FOR WARD 1 COUNCILLORS (2) Mark BAY, Sidney BEAMER, Mike CIOLFI, James LANE, Richard RYBIAK, Marianne STEWART • FOR WARD 2 COUNCILLORS (2) Wally BRAUN, Cheryl CROZIER, Amber CUTHERBERTSON, Chris FLETCHER, Alexandra FORSYTH-SELLS, Ron KORE,

Uwe BRAND, Vince DELLA-MARCA, John DURLEY, Lisa HAUN, Robert HILDEBRANDT, Peter PAPP, Mary SPEHAR • FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL (1) Dave AUGUSYTN, Brian BATY, Jim HAGAR, Diana HUSON • FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL BOARDS Nancy BEAMER, Mike BROUSSEAU, Peter DIEF, Dale ROBINSON

Find your ward: See the map on page 2

Ward 2 Councillor Catherine King cking@pelham.ca 905-658-8599 Councillor Gary Accursi gaccursi@pelham.ca 905-892-5528 Ward 3 Councillor John Durley jdurley@pelham.ca 905-892-5388 Councillor Peter Papp ppapp@pelham.ca 905-328-6008

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

Page 5

OPINION Letters

continued

Appreciated call to rein-in the selfies

In Pelham, ounce of prevention now apparently too costly

The motivation?

Just a quick note to let you know how thoroughly I enjoyed Colin’s Brezicki’s Column Six entitled, “I image, therefore I am” [Aug. 15, p. 1]. How beautifully descriptive his thoughts were, and how relevant too. I for one was moved by the article and appreciated the reminder.

Jill Peters-Barnes Fenwick

I have grown up in Fonthill my whole life, and now as an adult starting my own family, just recently purchased my dream home in Fonthill.

I wanted to share my first interaction with the Town of Pelham with you, as I was very taken aback with the way things were handled.

We live on Elm Street and our property backs onto Marlene Stewart Streit Park and the Lathrop Nature Preserve, the portion which is owned by the Town of Pelham. We recently had an arborist come to give us some information on our new trees and he pointed out a cluster of dead ash trees. The arborist said he thought the trees had been dead for many years and determined the trees’ structural integrity as not safe, and advised us to call the Town immediately to have them removed.

If the trees were to fall, they would most likely come down on our house as one is very large and they are all in a line.

Once we got someone out to assess the situation from the Town of Pelham, they ar-

The letter to the editor entitled, “One toke over the line” in the August 15 Voice begs the question, what was the intention of the writer?

Was it to defend a personal political world view?

Was it to defend friends, or the current system of leadership? Was it to disparage, belittle or mock an individual and a group of individuals with a different opinion?

Was it merely a distraction?

Personal opinions and the new political ideology seem to have no room for “agree to disagree” any more. Positive, constructive discussion then is reduced to a standoff which stalls progress.

There was no one else who raised such a rallying alarm and provided the resources to overcome the feeling of Pelham taxpayer powerlessness and the need for truth and transparency in our municipal government.

Thank you Curt Harley and the hundreds of members and supporters of D.E.B.T. who phoned and emailed their valid concerns.

BEEN THERE

continued from previous page capital funding from upper tiers of government, council determined that $3 million dollars in fundraising and $1 million dollars in additional borrowing was too much for the Town to take on—not to mention the daunting prospect of hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual subsidies from the tax base to operate it once built.

At the time, Niagara-on-the-Lake's newly-twinned arena was the closest to carrying itself, with an annual operating subsidy of $160,000 and no debt. Fort Erie cost $250,000 annually to run, with the others ranging higher up to Milton and

Aylmer, which were pushing $1 million dollars annually to operate.

Dave Augustyn ran for mayor against Ron Leavens on the premise that the community centre idea was a fiasco and that the Mori property had to be sold. Yet in subsequent years, the Town, under his guiding hand, has bought much smaller pieces of property at vastly higher prices, and taken on more than ten times the debt to build a community centre to the detriment of all other services.

The Mayor fantasizes that it will require only $100,000 annually in subsidies to operate. Like the debt, he's out by at least a factor of ten.

Mark Shoalts Fenwick

LEAKY

continued from previous page private are in the next day’s newspaper.

Volpatti is particularly frustrated with the leaking of information with regards to the CAO hiring process issue.

“What offends me the most is how they destroy a person in public. This is a man [CAO Carmen D’Angelo] with a family. They are destroying a person for a political motive,” said Volpatti.

Pelham’s Regional Councillor Brian Baty said he too is disappointed, and, like many of his colleagues, is frustrated that after information is leaked only half the story appears in the media.

“We need to deal with issues openly, with transparency and honesty but also with integrity,” said Baty.

Despite constant leaks of confidential information coming out of in camera meetings, St. Catharines Regional Councillor Tim Rigby said he will continue to say what he wants to say behind closed doors. Rigby added that in his many years of experience as a councillor the issue of confidential information being leaked has been worse this term than ever before.

“Some very intentional leaking has been going on and there’s a lack of respect for one another,” said Rigby. He also pointed out that there are other people in addition to councillors attending in camera meetings.

Boards and councils go in camera for a reason, and not being able to speak freely because someone privy to that information makes it public the minute the meeting is over jeopardizes public trust and makes it very difficult to conduct sensitive business.

As Towhey says, “If you continue to breach confidentiality of in camera sessions, then don’t have in camera sessions.”

“You take it seriously or not at all.”

    

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

nicolle.lalonde@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

rived and my husband and I spoke to the worker.

He said that the Town takes risks, and is not able to take the trees down as they are far too busy.

He said if it fell down on our house, then the Town would deal with that when the time came. He was certain the tree would fall the other way, away from our house.

This is then where I brought up that children and families walk the pathway from our street to Marlene Stewart Streit Park all the time. His response was, "But what are the odds a person would be walking the path when the tree fell down?"

Certainly not the kind of odds I would expect my community to take!

I questioned him many times. I advised him that we are having a wedding next summer at our house with 100 guests, and that I don't want to worry about these trees ruining anything or harming anyone. But still, nothing.

I lived in Welland for three years, and never had a re-

sponse like this to tree removal, especially ash trees that are posing a threat to our family, home and residents of our community.

I was very taken aback by the way things were handled We were shocked that the Town likes to take risks and would rather pay people out for damages if something bad were to happen, rather than just hiring a third party company and taking responsibility for the trees on their land.

This is harmful to our family, and anyone who walks the pathway behind our house, and I think that some policies should be reviewed in order to keep this community safe.

Krista Peterson Fonthill

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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

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

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

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

Do you know where Hoffa’s buried?

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

Page 6

Letters

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

continued

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Dean Allison, MP Niagara West

Some points of clarification

Tackling Trump's tariffs

Back in a May I wrote a letter to the Voice [“No vindication as promises remain broken, empty reserves remain unexplained,” May 16, p. 5] in which I stated that D.E.B.T.—"Dave Enough Borrowing and Taxes"—had retired from active operation.

The group’s only objective was to bring the true financial position of the Town to the attention of the residents.

We felt we had fulfilled that mandate and as such we disbanded the official group. However, there are still many individuals from the group who continue to research and to follow the Town’s situation as the problems have not been resolved.

Since at this time there is no formal D.E.B.T. group, it cannot register as a third party advertiser and it would not have done so, as the group only wanted to present the facts about the Town’s finances.

One other point of clarification—the D.E.B.T. group was a coalition of Pelham residents seeking the truth. We had no political agenda.

The Town’s financial situation affects all the residents of Pelham whether they are Liberal, NDP, Conservative, Green, or other affiliations. The group did not talk or promote partisan politics. To represent the D.E.B.T. group as “bafflegabbing Tories” was very offensive to all the members who were just seeking truth and transparency.

Nancy Beamer Communications for the former D.E.B.T. group

E NEED A FREE TRADE deal with the United States now!’ ‘My business cannot go on with the current Steel and Aluminum tariffs.’

‘There is too much uncertainty with investing in Canada.’ ‘I have to start thinking about laying off my workers.’” This is the sentiment I have heard over the past four weeks of a six week ‘Defend Local Jobs Tour.’

As some folks may be aware, I have been given the honour to serve as the Shadow Minister of International Trade, on top of my duties as the Member of Parliament for Niagara West. This added legislative responsibility has given me the opportunity to help lead the charge for the Conservative Party’s, summer jobs tour.

This is a great way to discuss with business owners, and labourers alike to hear the issues at the grass roots level.

From stops in Alberta, British Columbia, and all over Ontario- London, St. Thomas, Orillia, and meetings in the Niagara Region- Beamsville, St. Catherines, Stoney Creek, and Welland. Although they are all different when it comes to geography, these businesses big and small face similar obstacles from these tariffs, but also the business climate in which they compete.

We have a government that is facing challenges beyond these new tariffs. While our neighbors to the south cutting red tape and taxes, we have a

MOTIVATION

continued from previous page Many of the candidates are using planks in their platform for election that were brought to light by our residents’ strong response to D.E.B.T. I completely agree with the writer quoting Curt Harley by encouraging us to, “...get out to vote. Do your research and vote very carefully,” because you will be paying for our municipal government and their decisions for the next four years.

Voter turnout was 44% in October 2014. Let’s take the challenge and double that turnout.

If you really want to have your voice count and share your constructive opinions, please choose a candidate you like and offer yourself as a volunteer. You will help the community mend, and it will become better for all.

Paul Bryant Fenwick

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

W

Liberal government expanding regulation and taxes on businesses and individuals alike. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has plunged since Justin Trudeau took power in November of 2015. In 2017 FDI was the lowest since the depths of the great recession of 2008, so much for ‘sunny ways’ when it comes to Canada’s economic outlook. This is a long term problem that needs to be undertaken in the future and it will be a critical fight in the next election. But for now we need to tackle tariffs and get a new trade deal with the United States.

Frankly, there are great limitations with the Liberal government’s plan to combat the aggression by the Trump administration. The retaliatory tariffs applied on the United States on July 1st will add 16.6 Billion dollars to general government revenues. On June 29th, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, announced up to 2 Billion dollars to aid the industries affected by US actions divided into EI, job sharing and loans from Business Development Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). This is a post mortem approach to this ongoing issue. It is a concern of mine and businesses alike that there are insufficient funds and plan to deal with the woes of today. Businesses and workers need relief today-not just when the layoffs start. Where is the remaining 14.6 Billion dollars going? Tariff relief or deferments are both great tools to cushion the blow of current tariffs

maybe that is where we should be spending are tariff revenues.

While the government has just begun a fifteen day consultation with industry leaders as of August 14th, which should have been conducted months before Canada was in the cross hairs of the US Administration. While local government MPs stayed isolated until this week, they were apathetic in reaching out businesses that were affected when the USA imposed tariffs.

While they sat on their hands, I along with my Conservative colleagues have been out talking with businesses big and small. The Conservative party has done the work necessary to formulate an effective response to levitate the pain of tariffs.

We want to tackle tariffs but that will not be enough to thrive, just to survive for the mean time. We needed a free trade deal with the United States yesterday. For the sake of the Canadian economy, the Liberal government needs to get back to the negotiation table and get a deal done! If the negotiators cannot meet until after the US midterms then the Prime Minister should take the recommendations we are putting forward and place them into effect now.

The fate of the economy rests on the government’s shoulders. We need relief today not three hundred days from now. Businesses are hanging on by a thread. Lack of action will have consequences for workers and owners alike.

Family endorses Junkin As the date of the municipal election draws closer, I hope that the voters of Pelham are giving serious consideration to mayoral candidate Marv Junkin. My family has known Marv for

over 40 years, and we find him to be a hard working, extremely honest individual. Remember: Marv addressed Regional Council on two occasions, not as a member of any group, but

The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time.

Thomas Jefferson

as a concerned individual, worried about the high debt load of the Town, and the almost cult-like secrecy surrounding Town finances.

I am sure that if given the chance, Marv will work with

the new council to inform the residents of the Town's true financial status, and develop strategies to bring the debt under control.

Gary Eller North Pelham

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

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Page 8

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

2018 Bandshell Series

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

New minister brings fresh outlook to United Church Two congregations hire one spiritual leader

BY REBECCA LOTT

Special to the VOICE

The Official Blues Brothers Revue

BY JIM CASSON

Special to the VOICE

Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi Pisano have announced that The Official Blues Brothers Revue will appear at Fonthill Bandshell on Thursday, August 23. The duo, comprised of Kieron (Elwood Blues) Lafferty and Wayne (Jake Blues) Catania, were handpicked by Aykroyd, Belushi Pisano and original Blues Brothers Musical Director, Paul Shaffer to carry the torch first lit by the iconic duo of Aykroyd and John Belushi on Saturday Night Live in 1978 and later immortalized in the eponymous blockbuster 1980 film directed by John Landis.

Judy Belushi, referring to the duo as anything but an imitation of the original act said, “Kieron and Wayne are not imitators, they live the music and embody the characters. They understand the spirit of The

Blues Brothers and revel in the joy of being Jake and Elwood." Backed by the all star Intercontinental Rhythm & Blues Band, The Official Blues Brothers Revue is an interactive experience showcasing their undeniable talent in songs that comprise a virtual encyclopedia of rock, blues and soul. Audiences of all ages have been on their feet as the duo delivers classics such as “Soul Man,” “Gimme Some Lovin,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” and “Shout."

Sponsored by the Fonthill Rotary, 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.

Visit: www.fonthillbandshell.com

Bethany United Church in Attercliffe and Fenwick United Church are now sharing a Minister. After discussion with the church community, the churches decided to seek out a Minister that could manage two locations, rather than having a half-time Minister at each. Dianne Everitt will go between both churches to serve the active congregations.

Everitt is close to being ordained, and will complete her internship under the supervision of a local ordained Minister. She and husband, Jim, have four children and look forward to the new job with enthusiasm.

“It’s a faith journey that began when I was young and led me to explore many groups, churches and faiths,” said Everitt.

She attended Camp Ke-mon-oya, a Dutch Reform camp, as a youth. This is where she first discovered God’s love

From left, Joey, David, Jim, Dianne, Colleen, and Marie Everitt. and protection.

“I loved that camp and the joy of singing and music in praising God, and the integration of God into life has never left me,” Everitt said. “The spiritual leaders who really impressed me were the Rabbis that I met during my exploration... I realized that there was no reason that a more enlivened discussion could not happen in the United Church. So I returned to the United Church with new ears.”

Everitt and her family are excited to meet this new challenge.

“What excites me most is the invitation to build deep and meaningful relationships with people in a spiritual context...and explore the very real and transforming work of the Holy Spirit in

our lives.”

She acknowledges that it will be a juggling act overseeing two churches.

“I anticipate that the most challenging aspect of my new ministry role will be learning and honouring the special traditions of each of the churches I will serve — they are each unique and have different histories and practices that are part of their identities as churches.

Together we will acknowledge these and then build something new on to that foundation.”

Worship times have been modified to allow for travel time between services. Bethany United Church will hold service at 9:30 AM and Fenwick United will hold service at 11:00 AM on Sundays.

Accessible campaign underway The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) of Lincoln, West Lincoln, Pelham, Thorold, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Grimsby announced “We Are Accessible” campaign this summer. The campaign is spearheaded by JAAC committee members to recognize local organiSee ACCESSIBILITY Page 18

Canadian Tire Staff participate with JAAC committee members Stephen Barker and Gordana Mosher in awareness traning.

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​Last week, Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) says that two skunks in an urban area of Welland, and one raccoon in rural Lincoln, have tested positive for rabies.

NRPH has seen an increase in the number of animals testing positive for rabies

in Niagara. So far, in 2018, there have been six raccoons and four skunks test positive for rabies. In 2017, there were a total of 21 animals that tested positive for rabies (19 raccoons, two skunks) and 12 in 2016 (10 raccoons, two skunks).

Residents are cautioned not to approach any wild animal, including those that appear to be in distress, as they may put themselves at risk for injury or contracting an infection like rabies.

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Public Health advises residents to take the following measures to protect themselves from rabies: • Ensure pet dogs and cats have current rabies vaccinations • Prevent pet dogs and cats from roaming off-leash or unsupervised • Avoid all contact with wild animals and prevent contact between pets and wildlife • Report wild animals exhibiting abnormal behaviour (particularly raccoons) to local animal control services.​ Welland SPCA: 905-735-1552; Lincoln County Humane Society: 905-682-0767; Niagara Falls Humane Society: 905-356-4404.​ An animal with rabies may not display symptoms, and so all bites or scratches, however mild, from an animal must be assessed to ensure the person bitten/scratched is not at risk. Immediately report all animal bites and scratches of humans to Niagara Region Public Health at 1-888-505-6074.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

Page 9

WARD 2 PELHAM TOWN COUNCIL RACE

Rybiak has many reasons to run

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

Pelham Town Council Ward 2 candidate Barbara Rybiak.

JOHN SWART PHOTO

It was not a single item that triggered Barbara (Barb) Rybiak's run to become a Ward 2 councillor.

She says she has a great deal of love for her community, and is concerned that common decency and respect are eroding.

Rybiak believes in the Golden Ruleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;treat others as you want to be treatedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and is motivated to bring that philosophy to council if elected.

The issue of Airbnbs, home rentals and absentee landlords, about which she has grave concerns, motivated her.

She would like to see stronger representation for women on Pelham council, providing another reason to run this year.

Rybiak also wants to advocate for the needs of our senior population, especially regarding long term care in Pelham.

Rybiak shares details about each of these concerns, and many more, as she explains her "Positive Change" platform.

"I will do everything under my power and the law to regulate or stop absentee [home-hotel] ownership," states Rybiak.

She is a resident of Ward 2, and says there are seven homes in her area that are accessed by lock boxes. Neighbourhood safety is her prime concern with short term rentals. Rybiak says a total ban is not fair, however.

There are residents who need the income, people who have lost a job, seniors, and others who should be allowed the opportunity to rent for three months.

She does not see bed and breakfasts presenting the same threat, and finds positives in them. She mentions the recent International Canoe Polo Tournament, upcoming Canada Games, and many other events as opportunities for B&Bs to expose Pelham to international guests, and help our citizens See RYBIAK Page 17

Page 10

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Neighbours object to mansion proposed on farm land As designed, 22,000 sq. ft. home could be one of largest in Niagara

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Just how big can a house be in the Niagara Escarpment area? Niagara is about to find out.

A group of concerned neighbours from Ridgeville can’t believe what is in the works in their own neighbourhood. They have been carefully following a development permit application for a property at the northeast corner of Effingham and Sixteen Rd. since May 2017.

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Not all of them may want to be pilots, but mechanics or air traffic controllers. There is a current need in the industry for everything from baggage handlers to airport management and maintenance personnel. Many local flight schools are losing

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continued from Page 1

The 22,000 sq.ft. home is being proposed by owner Matthew Schrompf. It is set to be a two storey with two garages, a pool, a bridge and some trails. If allowed to go ahead by the Niagara Escarpment Commission, it could potentially be one of the largest homes in Niagara. The property includes 60 acres of prime farm land. Currently there

their instructors to big airlines, said Morrison.

COPA has pilot scholarships that take six to eight weeks of training, and the air cadet program even has a free management training course as well.

Next year, Morrison wants to bring “glider kids” from Mountainview, a military base near Trenton,

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where much of the aircraft maintenance is completed.

Morrison believes there are many people who aren’t aware of the Niagara Central Airport, and would be surprised at the amount of traffic that moves in and out of the field.

When Morrison moved to Niagara 14 years ago, he said there were a lot of things lacking at the airport. Now, he said, the scenario has significantly improved.

Many people are transported to Hamilton from the airport via helicopter for medical reasons, and skydiving and flying instruction firms have brought in more traffic.

Unlike Tom Cruise in “Top Gun,” being a pilot no longer requires being an athlete or a genius, as was once thought. According to Morrison, there are not as many “bold, old pilots,” any more.

“You should enjoy the sense of freedom and be adventuresome.”

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

Page 11

Design illustration by Richard Wengle Architects.

MANSION

continued from previous page are old grapes and corn on the property. The address is designated in the escarpment protection area.

To give you an idea of how large this home is, 24 Sussex Drive,

where Prime Ministers have lived, is only 12,000 square feet with four outbuildings. That property is only 4 acres and assessed at $7,400,000. Canada’s largest home is currently in Haileybury, ON, about 140 km. north of North Bay. It is 65,000 square feet, sitting on 43 acres along the shores of Lake

Temiskaming. It has a golf course.

In 2010, it had a price tag of $25 million. It’s about the same size as Bill Gates’ property near Seattle.

The White House pales in comparison at a mere 55,000 sq. ft.

If this application goes ahead, the local community is worried what it might mean for the sur-

rounding area. They are turning to the Niagara Escarpment Commission to protect the land and their interests. The NEC’s mission is to protect unique ecological areas, historic areas and to maintain the open landscape character of the Niagara Escarpment by such means as compatible farming and

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The neighbours, who won’t view the new house from theirs, attended a July 14 meeting at the Town of Pelham, another one on August 4, and again on August 16. Since then, the applicant has See MANSION Page 18

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

TOWN COUNCIL

Overflow crowd on home-hotel issue

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

About 80 residents arrived early for Pelham Town Council’s meeting last Monday, Aug. 13, occupying all the seats in the chamber.

Others lined the halls, all wanting to hear what council intended to do about Air Bed and Breakfasts (Airbnbs), and short-term vacation rentals.

Pelham officially joined the growing ranks of discontented cities and towns across the province having problems with strangers, transients and travellers as an increasing number of private homes are repurposed as public hotels.

In a preemptive strike to quell the acrimony, council moved the issue to the top of its agenda.

Council voted unanimously to defer the issue until there was “broad consultation” with the public.

The motion included striking the current zoning bylaw and for staff to bring forth a comprehensive recommendation report on a zoning bylaw and licensing for the establishment of bed and breakfasts and shortterm vacation rental uses.

There was also a suggestion that a sample bylaw be added to the report to give the public a clearer picture

of how the bylaw would read.

Councillor Gary Accursi said the motion by council should include a framework for the consultation process.

Groups that had hoped to address their concerns to council at the meeting were denied the right to speak, as they were not previously placed on the agenda.

When one woman asked Mayor Augustyn whether he would “bend the rules a little,” allowing her to read two letters of concern out loud, Mayor Augustyn replied, “Everyone could read the letters online,” as they were admitted into correspondence by council.

Rumours swirling about town and in social media prompted Barb Wiens, Director of Planning and Development, to open the meeting with a statement.

“Some of the [public] comments damage my professional credibility and integrity and that of my colleagues who attended recent meetings on this matter.”

Wiens said she never stated that bed and breakfasts should be allowed throughout the town, including all residential subdivisions.

“What I have said is that the zoning bylaw needs to be amended to define these uses and then identify where these uses should or should not be located.”

Wiens said she was not in a position to make recommendations to council until the Town has gone through the consultation process, and if she did, it would be “prejudicial to the process and unprofessional of me to prejudge the outcome.”

She remarked on the “strong positions” that residents in the Lookout Point neighbourhood have taken, and said that their 85 concerns, as identified in recent “fact-finding” sessions, were included in staff’s report to council.

Wiens asserted she did not say the town’s bed and breakfasts were a “revenue raiser or a new revenue stream for the town’s coffers.”

In addition, she said that licensing fees would have to be reasonable to cover administration costs.

As far as amending zoning bylaws and licensing, “the process will take four or five months, and would not be concluded before the next municipal election.”

Councillor Richard Rybiak said that a complete ban on bed and breakfasts wouldn’t work, because it wouldn’t “survive a legal challenge,” or allow for house and pet sitters, overnight caregivers and persons billeted in homes for various sports activities.

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Concerned residents filled council chambers and crowded the hallway last week.

He stated that council would work toward a more effective and encompassing solution regarding zoning bylaws and licensing. With a strong regulatory system in place, Airbnb’s could be restricted to certain areas.

Other considerations, such as the number of bedrooms, health and safety regulations, parking and other areas of concern would be addressed, he said.

Bylaws and Licensing would allow the Town to know who the operator is, educate the operator and be able to hold the operator accountable, noted Councillor Gary Accursi. Licensing also allows the Town to impose strict and penalties when necessary, he said.

When Rybiak asked about a timeline, Wiens replied

that there would have to be two separate bylaws with reference to bed and breakfasts and short term vacation rentals, and then the licensing would follow in tandem or shortly after.

Councillor John Durley indicated the zoning bylaw was 60 percent completed, but consultation would be undertaken with residents to consider everyone’s concerns.

Councillor Accursi also acknowledged the work that council has already done on the matter, but added, “nothing was cast in stone.”

“For us to stick our heads in the sand and think this is going away—we’re fooling ourselves,” said Accursi.

He recommended a thorough discussion regarding the “character of the licensing bylaw” with respect

G.J. KATCH PHOTO

to specific zones for home sharing, the number of bedrooms, distance between bed and breakfasts, parking, fencing and the size of amenity space.

Councillor Peter Papp thanked everyone for their submissions to council. He said that he had a similar situation 30 years ago, when many homes in the health care industry were being illegally used, and the occupants were not properly licenced. While that process took considerable time to work through, Papp said council will develop a comprehensive report that will reflect both provincial and local regulations.

See community reaction to the home-hotel issue on page 17.

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

Annual BBQ in Niagara West

Page 13

Jacob Combe, Jacob Gula, Jeremy Langelaan, Alex Barnes, coxie Riley O'Neill. SUPPLIED PHOTO

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

Relaxing in the shade with music, barbecues, and children playing, Niagara West’s MP Dean Allison and MPP Sam Oosterhoff informally chatted, shook hands and listened to the concerns of guests at their annual summer barbecue in Vineland. The event has become a tradition for the area’s Progressive Conservatives for the last 14 years.

Former PC leader Tim Hudak frequently held barbecues in the summer and fall, and there have been family skates in the winter, recalled Allison.

“It’s just a great time to come out and meet people,” he said looking comfortable in a T-shirt and jeans.

To date, this summer has been more of a busy, business affair for him. As Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, Allison has been touring the country talking to various officials about trade and tariffs placed on aluminum and steel by the U.S. government. He said he was speaking with steel producers in Welland, and there has been talk of layoffs. When raw steel is sold to the U.S., even to areas as

MPP Sam Oosterhoff, left.

close as Buffalo, it is subject to high tariffs when imported back into the country. Often duties have to be paid within five days. There will be an enormous effect on our market when U.S. tariffs are placed on the automobile industry, said Allison.

Allison will continue his consultation and information- gathering across Canada for another two weeks, which he says is in his “wheelhouse,” given his experience in economics. “I would say the tariffs is the biggest issue so far,” he said.

“Everything and anything,” answered MPP Oosterhoff, when asked what concerns local residents were bringing to his attention. He said he was receiving “a lot of con-

GLORIA J KATCH PHOTO

gratulations,” regarding the upcoming talks on sex education in the schools.

Constituents want their voices heard, which Oosterhoff said were ignored by previous Ontario Liberal governments’ consultations on this topic.

He stated the Liberals only consulted with less than “a half of a percent” of the some 4,000 schools in the province.

According to the Ministry of Education’s statistics there are approximately, 4,900 public and secondary schools in the province which would be affected by the proposed changes in sex education.

Oosterhoff said the New Democratic Party was trying to stir controversy on the issue, adding that the topic was going back to the “drawing table."

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BY VOICE STAFF The 136th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta was held August 5-12 on Martindale Pond in St. Catharines, and South Niagara Rowing Club crews competed in commendable fashion.

SNRC had 38 entries in total, with six crews proceeding to the finals, earning fifth place overall in the Henley efficiency standings.

Only gold medals are awarded at Henley.

The Senior Mens 64 kg Coxed Four of Jacob Combe, Jacob Gula, Jeremy Langelaan, Alex Barnes, and coxie Riley O'Neill won gold.

Jared Naar and past SNRC coach Ali Zimmerman won gold in the Mens Championship Eight.

Second place finishes went to Sean Whitehall in the Senior Mens 64kg Single, and the Mens Lightweight 8 in the 500 metre dash.

Crew members were Olen Noel, Fraser Dar-

ling, Andrew Suthons, Campbell Veld, Ryan Walter, Kevin Keith, Chris Rusin, Seth Moyer and coxie Kennedy Keith.

SNRC had two crews finish in third place: the U23 Mens Four of Ryan Walter, Seth Moyer, Chris Rusin, and Fraser Darling, and the U19 Mens Quad of Andrew Suthons, Campbell Veld, Brice Maidens, and David Law. Sculler Kevin Keith placed sixth in the U23 Mens Lightweight Single.

In the Masters division (ages 27+), SNRC recorded two golds. Jed Dietrich won the Mens "C" Single, and the combo of Catherine Timms and Sue Battersby-Campbell won the Womens "D" Double.

SNRC Head coach Don LeClair was pleased with the results, and expects progress in the fall as South Niagara crews compete in the longer "head races" in Canada and the USA. SNRC hosts the Head of the Welland Five Bridges Classic on Saturday, September 22.

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Page 14

RODEO

continued from Page 1 in actuality teach youth and teenagers to have unhealthy relationship with animals.

She maintains that all animals need to be treated with respect, and not just the ones that are domesticated, or cute and cuddly. This lack of regard for all animals leads to a “big double standard,” she said. For example, how would a dog owner feel if he saw his pet running in fear, and then a rope fly around his neck, yanking him to the ground and his feet tightly bond? Animal activists ask, so why is this acceptable for a calf?

The problem with rodeos, said Hamm, is that the animals are agitated to perform, and so bucking straps are used to jab a bull’s genitalia, spurs are used to dig in to horses’ sides, and in some countries electric prods are still used to shock a horse into moving faster.

While people may think horses have thick skins, they actually have a lot of sensitive nerve endings, which is why they are able to detect flies on their backs and tails, notes Hamm. Making animals act aggressively doesn’t help humans develop a healthy attitude toward them.

Obstacle courses like barrel races require the horse to turn sharply, and many of them slam into a wall and are injured. Stage coach races have been banned in some places, because horses were crashing into each other. Once a horse is injured, it is often put down because it can’t perform anymore, or at the level required by its owners to entertain people, she said.

“These are blood spectacles and not very civilized when you think about it.”

Even if rodeo owners and circuses treated their animals well, the whole idea of having animals bred to be entertainers means that this is their sole purpose. If these animals don’t do well in their training or conditioning, they will be put down, she

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018 said.

The life of an animal as a rodeo or country and western star means they are often transported in large, hot, containers from place to place. They don’t allow for enough movement, and it’s not comfortable or even close to the natural environment animals require, said Hamm.

While PETA’s stance is about animal welfare, ethical treatment and safety, one might say AWFAN’s “speciest” philosophy, which refers to the discrimination of animals based on their species, is higher up the evolutionary ladder.

They believe animals are viewed as property, and have no more rights than a table or a chair.

“You can buy an animal, bring it home, kill it and eat it, and nobody will do much about it,” said AWFAN’s spokesperson Adam Stirr.

AWFAN’s philosophy is about respecting all living things, and any living being should have the same weight in value as a human being.

“Animals need protection and care, and we have to admit, the way we treat animals is wrong,” said Stirr.

Those who breed animals are using them as a “tool,” which is for human exploitation and money, rather than protection. Stirr said the “speciest philosophy,” doesn’t like to refer to animals as such, but as human and non-human persons.

People don’t realize or recognize that all animals have good and bad days, moods and feelings. Some may recognize it in their pets, but don’t extend this same concept to other animals. Each species has its own intelligence, which Stirr believes is often far superior to human intelligence.

AWFAN was formed about two years ago in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and has since made headlines protesting the horse and buggy carriages there. While they may treat their animals according to acceptable standards, Stirr said the animals are just there for entertain-

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DECADES OF PROTEST Protesters march to the offices of the Hudson's Bay Trading Company to demonstrate against Canadian seal hunting on March 11, 1978 in London, England.

NEWSFOCUS1 PHOTO ment, and reinforces the idea that animals are a commodity. Stirr said he isn’t against them having a business, and said they should use electric horse and buggy carriages for tourists, because in this “modern day and age” horses are not necessary.

“That’s not considered rescuing animals,” he said.

There have been incidents in the past where horses have been spooked on a busy street, and there is always a risk of something happening, he said.

While the Ultimate Rodeo is a fundraiser for the Diabetes Foundation, Stirr suggests finding other ways to fundraise than exploiting animals. His group protested the Shriners Circus last year for similar reasons.

AWFAN’s website notes that Ribfest and Lobsterfest were protested because of the way the animals are killed for human consumption. Stirr admits there are many people who think that AWFAN is “just crazy.” When asked if AFWAN’s philosophy was adopted from First Nations people, Stirr said it wasn’t, although he has had

several people tell him they have similar viewpoints.

Stirr wasn’t always a believer in speciest philosophy. When he was in his early 20s, he worked in a slaughter house, where he shot cows in the head and slit their throats on a daily basis.

When he started dating his girlfriend, who had a cat, he started making connections to it, and started looking at other animals in the same way. He began looking into animal rights, and not long after ditched his job. He and his girlfriend became vegans, which led to activism and a lifelong devotion to save animals and the planet. Now he drives truck for a living and spends his time monitoring AFWAN’s website and organizing protest rallies.

Setting up in the rain for a weekend show in Grand Valley, Ross Millar, the president of Rodeo Management Group, said his company has been working with Diabetes Canada for a number of years. Since the non-profit collaborates with the rodeo on several shows, Millar said he is not sure how much money is donated. Currently, there are about 120 cowgirls

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and cowboys in the show and they are all competing on events to chalk up points for the championships to be held in New Market in the near future, which he said makes the shows even more exciting now.

Millar recalls the animal rights groups protesting for the last two or three years at the Niagara Regional Exhibition. In the past, he has offered to take protesters behind the scenes to show them the equipment they use, how the animals are treated, and to see the show, but they always decline, he noted. The changes in the rodeo over the years, most likely due to protests, has improved the bucking strap and spurs.

The bucking or flank strap now is made of sheepskin and it just “tickles the skin,” Millar said. Spurs are ground down to have flat, not sharp edges. The containers that animals are transported in have more air flow, and are padded so that animals don’t hurt themselves if they get spooked. Millar said a bucking horse can cost up to $70,000 to purchase, so it’s not something he wants to harm. “Sometimes, I worry more about the horse than the rider,” a sentiment that would have some common ground with animal rights activists and speciests alike.

Miller doesn’t understand the large number of people living in cities that have dogs cooped up in apartments, and only get walked once a day. “My dog has a plenty of acres to roam around on, he said.

Millar is a former mem-

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ber of Equestrian Canada, and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), which inspects rodeos to determine if there are any violations in animal welfare and treatment. What appears to be paradoxical, said Millar, is that the OSPCA has some 100 or more inspectors, but many of them didn’t know much about animals in the rodeo, so he took them behind the scenes and taught them about the equipment and what distress signs to look for in animals. He said the OPCA has an “open book” policy with him, and notes they usually inspect about one in every three Ultimate Rodeo performances.

While Millar doesn’t profess to be a speciest, he does believe in preserving animal welfare and protection. The rodeo has eliminated stagecoach racing because of accidents. They also don’t have any calf-roping or calves at all in their show, he pointed out.

In the two-hour show, Millar said there are Bronco and Bull Riding, Pole Bending, and Ladies Barrel Racing, and adds, “It’s pretty exciting.” In some rural communities, they also let children ride the sheep around for fun.

Millar is doing two shows this weekend before he rolls into the Niagara Regional Exhibition on Aug. 31, where there will likely be protesters and picket signs at the gates.

He invited the Voice to attend the rodeo to inspect the equipment and animals.

“I’m quite proud of the show.”

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Places of Worship and Events Bethany Christian Reformed Church 1040 Balfour St., Fenwick

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Glad Tidings Church of God 1 Pancake Lane, Fonthill

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church 940 Haist St., Fonthill

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill

Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville

Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick

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

Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill

St. Alexander’s Roman Catholic Church 50 Pelham Town Sq., Fonthill

Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick

Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Fonthill

Pelham Community Church 461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church 834 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

she said before getting involved in anything new, council needs to consider the debt the Town already has.

“I think this is what the public is most concerned about, at this point in time.”

Haun has already signed a petition in support of Lookout Street residents’ concerns over Airbnbs, and was a part of the delegation attending last week’s Pelham Town Council meeting.

She said there are a lot of

people concerned about having “transient folk” in our town, which is not what this community wants. The Town should take its time in making a decision, and the Lookout Point petition requested the Town defer any decision until after the election.

Haun insists the Town should really consider the “fabric” of the community and the uniqueness of Pelham as a part of protecting its culture when consid-

HAUN

continued from Page 3 to manage growth effectively is necessary in order to create a sustainable future, pointed out Haun. If elected, she would become a member of the transportation committee, which would be a “natural” progression for her.

When asked if the Town should support cultural projects,

ering future plans.

“The Town has to work for all of the people, not just some of them,” she said.

When asked what made her the best candidate for the position, she said it was her critical thinking skills. Emergency planning requires dealing with “lots of moving parts and you’re re-adapting as you go along.

You have to be willing to listen to what the problem is and what people’s concerns are.”

Folks, I don't mean to alarm you, but a dead tree that the Town promised would fall the opposite way has, in fact, taken out most of our parking lot.

The taxi is on us!

Page 16

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

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WALKING CLUB Interested in walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena Sztogryn said his neighbour out that would appear as if it came even though the house isn’t large gerly, he could bite your head off. from 9-10 and Thursdays at Fonthillenough Bandshell for 9-10:30 even has security cameras, albeit fromam his property. to accommodate thatam. manyThere Sztogryn knows there are no bynot good quality cameras, posted neverprogram. know whatFor could be information, people, asserted Sztogryn.

When laws about Airbnbs, so he hasn’t is no fee“You for this more please contact jcook@ outside, although he doesn’t know in there, needles and dope,” he asked why he hasn’t approached bothered alerting the Town. His pelham.ca if the rude incident was in camera said. or call 905 892-2607, ext 329. his neighbour about his concerns, biggest concern is that he may range or detected. One day he saw There have been times when he said he thought that would get garbage placed on his side of the as many as six adults and three his back up.

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

Page 17

The good, the bad, the rowdy—public opinion on home-hotels

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

Airbnbs, short-term vacation rentals, subletting, and leasing can either lead to havoc or harmony within your community, depending on the tenant—and the landlord. On the flip side, travelers need to protect themselves from being shortchanged by accommodations that are sub-standard.

Shelley MacDonald, who lives on Brewerton Boulevard in the Lookout subdivision, said she believes one man owns four Airbnbs at the end of her street. Although she hasn’t seen anything untoward herself, she said she doesn’t feel Airbnbs should be in residential areas. She said her son is a police officer in Vaughn, and he has received lots of complaints there concerning Airbnbs. She doesn’t believe Town staff would be able to enforce bylaws in Pelham, and it

RYBIAK

continued from Page 9 "understand this world.”

The discussion of B&Bs led Rybiak to comment, unsolicited, on the Voice.

"It's our lifeline, our means of knowing local events. One of my things would be to make sure we have a local newspaper."

This would include pressing Minister of Canadian Heritage Melanie Joly for Pelham's share of any funds available to support local newspapers.

She continues, "I'll be honest, I won't pander.

Barb Wiens [Director of Planning and Development] did a good job on the [home-hotel] report that went to Council. This is an example of reporting that needs to be accurate."

Seniors and their needs hold a special place for Rybiak.

She sees the redevelopment of the old arena property on Haist Street as an opportunity to benefit older Pelham residents.

"The parkland shouldn't be touched, and those that put money into the old building should be recog-

would not be an economic benefit to the town.

While Airbnbs may not prove to be money-makers for the Town, they can be lucrative businesses for their owners. Phillip Raney-Wan is one such owner in Pelham, and said his shared experiences on local excursions with his guests are what he likes the most. As a former hotel manager, Raney-Wan says he serves lavish, gourmet breakfasts in his five-bedroom home.

While Airbnbs can be different, he has strict rules, and all of his tenants are vetted. Anyone entering or exiting is given a code for the door, and there are security cameras monitoring public areas of the house to protect his belongings.

Noise isn’t allowed after 8 PM as he has two young daughters. He gets a lot of repeat customers, he said, because they like the ambience and company.

“No one has had a problem with

The parkland shouldn't be touched, and those who put money into the old building should be recognized nized somehow. [The balance of the property] would be ideal for a state-of-theart long term care facility.

Something innovative that we don't have in Pelham, perhaps a combination of public and private."

With this comes accessibility, which is a concern for Rybiak. "People need to go from point A to B with no hindrances," she says.

Rybiak, who is a Family Council Member at Woodlands of Sunset on Pelham Street in Welland, uses this long-term care facility as an example. Seniors who want to walk outdoors, and the workers, whom she loves, need proper side-

me,” said Raney-Wan. For him the popularity of Airbnbs comes down to a “social vs. capitalist issue.”

Travellers are tired of being gouged by the hotel industry, he said. Plus, Raney-Wan has a beautiful home and believes no one is entitled to tell him that he can’t make money from it. While Raney-Wan has respect for his neighbours, he said anyone bothered by noise from an Airbnb should be calling the police to make a formal complaint.

“That’s what the police are for.”

Raney-Wan attended one of the Lookout Point protest meetings, but said he didn’t understand why the complaints weren’t addressed directly to the homeowner, when there were times the owner, or his son, was at home.

If people are breaking the law then that’s a problem, but otherwise Raney-Wan said that people need to mind their own business. The protest group listed 85

walks to access the community and walk to work safely from Pelham. Rybiak would support extending sidewalks along Pelham Street.

She is pleased with the public transit we have now, and will do everything possible to obtain future support grants as they become available.

Rybiak does not favour more audits of Town finances.

As a teacher for 35 years, she has seen the financial services firm KPMG performing school audits, and has confidence in them. "You step aside when they come in. They are stringent and they don't cherry-pick.

They know what they're doing.

There is no need to revisit this, and spend more money to get the same result."

Summerfest is important to Rybiak, and she sees no reason to move it.

"Everyone has a blast meeting friends," she says.

In her opinion, the Summerfest Committee did everything they could to avoid problems, and Rybiak was particularly impressed with the safety measures.

She recognizes that any

Many people use bed and breakfasts when they travel to Europe, yet they don't want it in their backyards

problems with home-hotels, and Raney-Wan asserted that the document read like something from the “Red Scare” of the 1950s, when the U.S. experienced hysteria over the alleged infiltration of communists. He believes the document reflects a mindset that’s “more scary than having a stranger in the

future decisions will be taken by the new council if necessary.

Rybiak does not see the re-opening past non-disclosure agreements with Town staff who have left as a productive move.

"Some wanted to move on. To think they would stay in one job is not reality, hopefully they moved on positively.

We have good people working here, and they've stuck with us."

Working togethaer with other councillors constructively is important to Rybiak.

"I don't have any con-

neighborhood.”

“I’m not either for it, or against it,” stated Barb Rybiak, who is running for council in Ward 2, about the contentious bed and breakfast issue. Rybiak, who lives in the Lookout subdivision, attended the Lookout meetings and said, “It’s a hard call. Many people use bed and breakfasts when they travel to Europe, yet they don’t want it in their backyards.”

Rybiak said she hasn’t seen any evidence of wrongdoing in the Lookout Point area, and has driven through several times recently to check it out. “I’ve seen nothing suspicious or nothing that looks unkept,” she noted. “Parking is the only issue.”

She heard a few dubious complaints, one being that a group of people were standing at the end of a person’s property, smoking pot.

flicts of interest," she says with a smile, "I only own my house."

The odour in Ward 3 is an example.

"I'm concerned about the pot smell. It's not my ward, but it's something that I'd stand up for, support other ward councillors," states Rybiak.

[Editor's note: Among those other current councillors is Ward 1’s Richard Rybiak, Barb’s brother, who is running for re-election.]

As a teacher, Rybiak did her masters thesis on empowering children, and sees many parallels be-

See OPINION next page

tween what she teaches her students, and the philosophy she will bring to council.

"I teach them not to sit back, that you are responsible for what you say and do. You need to break out of your biases and listen to every person. You have to be informed to make decisions, need to know the facts, look at things without preconceived bias.

I listen and make things happen. I will not sit back, and will not be part of something I do not believe in. I want good things for our people, I really do."

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Page 18

The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

ACCESSIBILITY

continued from Page 8 zations and businesses who have made efforts to provide accessibility for people with disabilities in their community.

“There are hidden gems of accessibility throughout our communities” says JAAC Chairperson, Sharon Cook. “We want to recognize and promote businesses and organizations who have made efforts to make themselves accessible. They are appreciated.

Their efforts make it possible for people with disabilities to be part of their own communities.”

The campaign involves volunteer JAAC committee members who have actively canvassed their local municipalities throughout the summer and conducted checklist assessments.

This assessment includes

MANSION

continued from Page 11 met some conditions, made some changes and dropped the tennis court.

An NEC staff report dated August 16 stated, “as the size of the dwelling is substantial, there was a visual impact concern identified

reviewing exterior and interior access along with the customer service experience. Along with the checklist, JAAC members are also available to provide some interactive awareness sessions.

Through the assessment process, businesses or organizations scoring 80% or higher will be awarded with a “We Are Accessible” decal to display at their location.

There will also be an awards ceremony that will take place at each municipality’s council meeting in September, where recipients of the award will be recognized in their community.

For more information about the “We Are Accessible” campaign or if you would like your business to be featured as accessible contact Donna Herrington at (905) 380-4782.

OPINION

early in the process by NEC staff.”

While the neighbour group has no issue with someone building a single family dwelling on the property, they feel the size of this one isn’t appropriate for their area. Currently the largest home in the neighbourhood is around

5000 sq. ft..

Since the property was purchased, the neighbours feel they have been left guessing. They have heard it will be a multi -generational home with visitor parking and a car collection. But they still feel like there is more to the story than they are being told.

With legalization pending, she wondered whether it was really such a big issue at this point. Besides, “If something suspicious were going on at the end of my property, I would go out and say something,” she said, adding, “Communication and a lack of common sense comes into play here.”

Rybiak said many people in Pelham put a lot of money into their homes, and if they lose a job, or are experiencing financial difficulties, “Why shouldn’t a person be able to use their home [as an Airbnb]?”

When Rybiak read the change.org petition that was submitted by the Lookout Point protest group to Pelham council, she said it seemed unfair, particularly relating to Barb Wiens, Director of Community Planning and Development.

“They didn’t give council an opportunity to do its job,” she said.

There also seemed to be an anti-council sentiment and underlying politicking for the upcoming election, Rybiak asserted. For these reasons, she

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wouldn’t sign the petition.

Rybiak wants to see effective bylaws created for various types of rentals, and remarked, “We’ll get it sorted out. I just want to solve the problem. I don’t want to take sides. I want to do what’s right by the community.”

Esther Hougham lives in Ward 3 and canvassed her neighbourhood along Haist Street, and obtained 80 signatures out of 95 for a petition saying, “No” to Airbnbs and short term rentals in Pelham’s residential areas.

Overall, she said a few people declined to sign the petition because they didn’t have enough information, while others had used Airbnbs previously.

She said most of the signees weren’t aware the issue was on Pelham council’s agenda last Monday.

Hougham blames council for its “lack of communication,” in the wording of its report and for not giving notice to the residents about the matter.

“I’m surprised a riot didn’t break out,” she said of the council meeting.

Hougham fears that Pelham could turn into “party central” like her prior neighbourhood in Florida, where there were noisy parties, too much garbage

continued from previous page

Welcome to the Suites on Pelham!

“It’s out of place there,” said neighbor Duncan McNaughton, who emphasized he had no trouble with a house going up, but that this feels out of balance.

“It’s going to stick out...

The size of it just seems way out of proportion.”

If the NEC approves this application, the group’s worry is it will set a precedent for other parcels of farmland in the Niagara Escarpment area. They are thinking about an appeal if it gets the nod.

It will be an uphill battle.

As of August 15, the Town of Pelham, the Region, the

See OPINION Page 16

NPCA, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Hydro, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks all had no objection to the build.

“After a house this big, a farmer would not be able to buy it in the future,” said neighbor Craig Smallman.

“It would be 60 acres lost and developed.”

In an interview, the group expressed that their opposition to the size of the home is not out of envy, but that they don’t want to see the erosion of farmland.

They aren’t sure how they will stop a development of this magnitude with this

type of momentum.

Neighbor Laura Smallman was hopeful the Niagara Escarpment Commission would help to safeguard the protected land. However, the NEC voted 10 to 3 in favour of the plan late last week.

Once a decision is rendered on any NEC Development Permit application it enters into a mandated 14day appeal period during which applicants can appeal the decision rendered to the Niagara Escarpment Hearing Office (NEHO).

“Not sure if we are going to appeal at this point,” Smallman said.

Then it isn’t being seen.

The Voice

905-941-0346

News depends on facts. Where are your facts coming from?

The paper that Pelham reads.

(905) 892-8690 advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

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DSBN wants portion of Town park

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The Comfort Maple myth

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

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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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.

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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

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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

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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

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and vehicles parked all over neighbours’ lawns. In moving forward, she believes the Town is going to have to consider any loopholes, as well as who is going to enforce the bylaws. The latter doesn’t address noise issues during the day, she added. With many new subdivisions being established on Rice Road, she believes there could be more potential for problems with Airbnbs.

“We are not a tourist town,” remarked Hougham.

For Larry Sztogryn, Airbnbs became a problem last year. He began to notice unfamiliar faces across the street from his Canboro Road residence. After living there for many years, Sztogryn said he knows his neighbour fairly well, and his kitchen window is in view and directly across from him. Previously, Sztogryn had many conversations with his neighbour at the edge of the street. One day he decided to check out his neighbour’s Facebook page, and learned that his neighbour was living with his girlfriend in Vaughn. He hadn’t seen his neighbour for months, and since then a few odd things have

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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.”

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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BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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.

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Cell 905.933.3049

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

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.

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 SIDEWALK Page 2

See AUTUMN Page 3

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

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The Voice of Pelham, August 22 2018

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COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 a loop about 1812, the apothecary shop, and the recently restored gazebo by the lake that was donated to the town after a film shoot.

For its part Sentineal Carriages insists that the tourists are lightweight, the carriage has wheels, the roads are flat and the pace is slow.

They add that hoofs have no feeling (you hear nary a neigh from the beasts when their shoes get nailed in), the horses are well fed and hydrated, they are tucked up each night and feel good about themselves after a day’s workout.

And they escape the abattoir. Without the efforts of Sentineal, apparently, and the Ontario Livestock Exchange program, these horses would be shipped off to Paris and served up as the chef’s special at Cheval Bleu.

Sentineal claim they hire only drivers who adore animals and know how to treat them. Staff are known to stay up all night to nurse any horse that gets sick—the company was actually commended by Guelph University for the care given to a horse laid up with Potomac fever.

By law, Sentineal must produce each year a letter from a vet to confirm that living and working conditions are up to scratch, that the animals are in good health, and they are read to at night before lights out.

The protesters are law-abiding too: they’re civil to the public, they observe the dress code and spellcheck their banners. So, really, it’s a storm in a teacup.

But maybe there’s a larger picture.

Despite being a speciesist I don’t have much to do with animals, apart from owning a cat. Okay, I look after a cat who chooses to live with me on equal terms. I feed him top-grade food purchased from a vet who checks him out and gives him his vac-

I regard animal cruelty as indefensible, and fully endorse the severe penalities against it

A horse-drawn carriage sets out in Niagara-on-the-Lake. cines once a year. I have to accompany him to the vet because he can’t drive and has no money. Two years ago I spent close to a grand having his teeth fixed. He’s free to wander outside but, being environmentally aware, he always comes home to poop in his tray and not in anyone’s garden.

In some ways I feel superior to him, having opposable thumbs that enable me to use a can opener. In other ways, not so much.

Exploiting a cat is out of the question. I mean, we don’t race them or hold cat rodeos. We can’t train them to sniff out guns or drugs, or to act as guides for people with impaired vision. We don’t eat them or wear their fur or harness them to small carriages.

They’re cats. That’s all

they do.

Anyway, my cat is the sum of my animal interaction. I don’t attend horse races, or rodeos, and I don’t visit zoos or aquariums because they make me uncomfortable. I never took my daughter to Marineland. We did tour the Butterfly Centre once and, despite the humidity, quite enjoyed it. The butterflies looked happy enough too, maybe in part because birds, lizards, snakes and other creatures that would gulp them down in an instant are not permitted entry.

Now here’s the kicker: I freely admit that my discomfort with most kinds of animal “exploitation” has developed over time largely because of animal rights activists.

There are over one hundred organizations worldwide,

and though I wouldn’t equate their work with that of Martin Luther King Jr. or Nellie McLung or Harvey Milk, I believe they are essential to a civilized society. While man’s inhumanity to man is, for me at least, more profoundly tragic than his inhumanity to animals, I regard animal cruelty as indefensible, and fully endorse the severe penalties against it.

For all their good work much remains to be done.

Regarding horses in particular, I think of all the legal activities that daily result in crippling injury and death.

Eighty-seven animals have died during the Calgary Stampede in the past 30 years, figures that exclude casualties among the thousands of animals used in practice and training behind the scenes.

The Grand National Steeple-

BACKYARD PRODUCTIONS PHOTO

chase in England has averaged one fatality a year since 1988— seventeen horses died while racing and training at Saratoga Springs in 2017 alone —and Federal Equestrian Institute figures show a steady increase in horse mishaps, injuries and fatalities as event courses become more challenging.

Protesters face angry resistance. The Fraser Valley Animal Rights Association claims that multiple threats of violence were made against them this month as they planned a rally at the Chilliwack, B.C. rodeo. These activists, by the way, oppose animal abuse, and not speciesism—the responsible involvement of animals in entertainment, industry and sport is not an issue for them.

I admire activists who campaign tooth and nail

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to counter oppression, homophobia, racism and misogyny. Same with those who promote pluralism, diversity, tolerance and free speech. And right up there are animal rights activists who would eradicate the abuse of living creatures that we own, hunt, ride, view, eat and wear, bearing in mind that humans will continue to own, hunt, ride, view, eat and wear them.

Sentineal Carriages, on the other hand, are dealing with activists who challenge our right to interact with all animals as “partners or resources” no matter how humanely we do it.

It’s an argument Sentineal can never win, simply because the company is being called out by those who claim the high moral ground.

They are thought to be better human beings than those benighted tourists who sit up there in upholstered seats, all snug and toasty under their blankets, while that poor horse in front plods its weary path, freezing its hoofs off and thinking death can’t come too soon.

The late Bernard Levin once observed that ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand because they believe it makes them invisible—the fact that many humans think this is why they do it tells us more about humans than ostriches.

Sometimes it's important to know when to stop arguing with people, and simply let them be wrong. ◆

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www.dunnvillevetclinic.com