The Voice, August 25 2021

Sex assault charges for Pelham business owner

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Hatchets slice the sky at Fonthill Legion fundraiser The air was heavy with hatchets last Saturday, as an axe-throwing competition at the Fonthill Legion attracted some 30 throwers from across Niagara and as

far away as Ohio. Local businesses donated prizes to the fundraiser, with all proceeds directed to the Legion’s mobile meals program for seniors and shut-ins.

Event organizer Jamie Treschak (far right) expected takings at the event to surpass last year’s total of $9000. Above, Pelham Town Councillor Wayne Olson takes aim.

One hesitates to speculate as to the imagined target in his mind's eye.

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The Voice

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

A man whose dedication to his community was absolute

U

nlike many in Pelham and beyond, I only ever knew Ron Leavens as the owner of the Fonthill PetValu, and as a former mayor. I wasn't lucky enough to have him as a teacher, or a colleague. But it was enough—enough to know what a remarkably generous, intelligent, empathetic man he was.

Several years go, moving into town, my wife and I needed food for our very hungry Labrador Retriever. Ron was minding the counter at his older, smaller location, just a few metres west of where the current shop is. We fell into conversation, and within five minutes I realized that this was one extraordinary guy. It emerged that not long before he’d lost his mayoral re-election bid, and had run as a New Democrat for MPP way back in the day.

Say what? A small business owner was an NDP member, let alone a candidate?

We talked for a good 45 minutes or so, as a few other customers came and went. It was late on a Saturday, I think. The store was dark, and absolutely packed with merchandise.

From then on, whenever I had the time and was in the area, I’d stop by, hoping to bask in that positive energy. Ron had a way of listening to you so intently that you realized that most of the time other people weren’t really listening to you at all.

He was also adept at steering you out of harm’s way—or, more accurately, suggesting that there was a better road to take, and letting you steer yourself there. This was no doubt the wisdom of experience gained in teaching Grade 7s and 8s for so many years—the patient listening, the nod of agreement, then the gentle sug-

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gestion that other conclusions were possible. “Right, right,” he’d say, before, “On the other hand,” or, “Well, how about...”

Over the last couple of years, after I started at the Voice, Ron guest-authored a couple of editorials, about the NPCA, about the new Pelham Town Council’s absurd personal chaos—“the Gong Show.” He was particularly incredulous at Ron Kore’s conduct early in the pandemic. The notion that the old arena, on Haist Street, should be turned into a new Town Hall rather than sold to help pay down MCC debt also prompted a piquant editorial.

The last time we spoke at length was almost exactly a year ago, although it barely seems like it. Last August, we sat down for an interview in the Voice office, masked-up, appropriately distant. While Covid cases were dropping, and the lockdown had been loosened, it was clear we

weren’t out of the woods quite yet.

The promised vaccines were months away, maybe longer.

For his friendly demeanor, Ron could still get pretty pissed-off, dropping the occasional f-bomb— with a smile—which was all the more effective for its rarity. He had a few of them for anti-maskers, and for the anti-lockdown idiots hellbent on saving livelihoods rather than lives. We traded commiserations—his trouble with some obstinate customers refusing to mask up in PetValu, my wife’s and my trouble with a young friend who seemed to be going down the anti-masking, Covid’s-a scam rabbit hole.

“You know,” he said, “I hear these people, ‘You're infringing on my rights.’ Well, I'm going to print off a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms tonight, and we’re going to have it by the front door tomorrow, and if anybody uses

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that line I'm going to ask them, show me the clause in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that gives you the right to infect me with a deadly disease. And then you can come in without a mask on.”

The older we get the harder it is to make new friends, and if we're still working it’s even tougher, but I wish I’d made the effort with Ron. His goodness was contagious. We all came away better people after even a brief moment in his orbit.

Ron's family is grieving his loss but also celebrating his life. Social media comments from students and former colleagues offer condolences and wonderful memories. We present other recollections and tributes this week, on page 14.

In following Ron's wishes, cremation has taken place with a private family interment at Pleasantview Funeral Home and Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Welland Humane Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.arbormemorial.ca While delivering bundles of the Voice each week, I would occasionally drop a copy off for Ron at PetValu if I thought there was something he might want to read right away. Last week I had that urge, and only after a few seconds did I realize that the story of interest was his own passing.

Then, no doubt because writing this remembrance had been weighing on my mind, last night I dreamed I was walking out of Giant Tiger, and, as I crossed the parking lot to the car, I caught sight of Ron over by PetValu. I waved, but he didn't see me.

R.I.P, Ron. If there's an other side, I hope to see you there. ◆

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CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

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The Comfort Maple myth

Vol.20 No.39

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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Column Six

Growing up British

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

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

Public meeting tonight on school issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

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

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

Vol.20 No.32

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

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

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

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

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

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

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

sidered.

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

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

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

Another way the committee plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday October 12, 2016

FREE

Apple Day comes to Fonthill

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

After delivering to Council a petition containing

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

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

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

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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

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

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

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

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

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

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Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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-

this minute!

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

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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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Attending the Lincoln, UK Tank Memorial unveiling ceremony, May 10 2015, commemorating the invention of the first WWI Tank—Janet, Randy, Laverne, Waverly, and Lisa VandenHaak!

The Pelham Fire department responded to five calls for assistance from Friday, August 13 to Friday, August 20.

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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 See SIDEWALK Page 2

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

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

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

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

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

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

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

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

8

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The Voice

Page 3

A August 25 2021

Town of Pelham 2022 Budget Public Meeting September 13, 2021 5:30PM Via Zoom/Livestream

Sexual assault charges for Pelham business owner

BY VOICE STAFF The Niagara Regional Police have arrested Rick Lowes, 65, owner of the Country Corner Market, in Fonthill, charging him with three counts of Sexual Assault, and one count of Sexual Interference with a Person Under 16 Years of Age. A publication ban prohibits the disclosure of any information about the alleged victims that may lead to their identification.

Reached at his business, Lowes, a butcher by trade, initially told the Voice that he had no comment, then added, “That was supposed to be...first of all, it hasn’t gone to court yet. There were supposed to be no comments until it goes to

Rick Lowes.

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court for the allegations.”

In fact, there have already been five court proceedings in the matter, not including Lowes’ initial arraignment, after which he was released on his own recognizance on a $2000 bond.

Furthermore, the Voice

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only learned about Lowes’ arrest—which occurred 24 weeks ago, back on March 4—after being tipped off by a citizen concerned that the case was being “buried” by the Niagara Regional Police. After the newspaper published an appeal for additional information last week, two more sources came forward.

In early April, an anonymous female caller left the newspaper a voicemail message, outlining in broad terms claims about Lowes, who is a Thorold resident, asserting that he had been banned from three specific restaurants in Welland, without saying why.

While the Voice will agree See CHARGES Page 15

STRONG LEADERSHIP FOR NIAGARA WEST RE-ELECT

Speak live via the zoom webinar: pre-register by noon Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 by emailing clerks@pelham.ca Watch on Sept. 13, 2021 via livestream, comments can be submitted live during the meeting to clerks@pelham.ca

PARTICIPATE IN ADVANCE:

Advance submissions must be received by the Town of Pelham by Wednesday September 1, 2021

By email to ourbudget@pelham.ca By regular post to 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0, c/o Town Clerk By placing in the drop box located at the lower entrance to Town Hall

It is a great honour and privilege to serve as your Member of Parliament and to work hard and deliver results for all of the residents in Niagara West.

On September 20th, I ask for your vote and continued support.

Dean

Campaign Office 5026 King Street Beamsville, ON

WWW.DEANALLISON.COM | 1.877.938.3326

Authorized by the Official Agent of Dean Allison

2022 BUDGET SCHEDULE:

For more information visit www.pelham.ca/budget or contact 905-892-2607 Dial x327 for budget inquiries

Page 4

The Voice

A August 25 2021

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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

As We See It Two years of blissful silence, but the natterer may be back

L

ast week, former Pelham Mayor David Augustyn penned a letter to the editor for the Niagara dailies regarding his successors in Town Hall. Pelham Town Council’s failure in his eyes?

Ultimately accepting something that is being forced upon the Town, and to which it has no capacity to object or block.

It’s like yelling at someone for stopping at a red light.

The driver doesn’t have any choice in the matter if they want to obey the law and not get T-boned.

Blaming them for the light being red doesn’t make traffic flow any faster.

For those who have been following the goings-on at Town Hall, you will know that more than a month ago council was provided with reports from both Regional and Town staff, indicating what Pelham’s growth targets were required to be— 29,000 residents by 2041— and further indicating where the Region was prepared to allow expansion of the Town’s urban boundaries to accommodate this growth.

Town Council accepted the reports. It had no choice. The Town (like all Niagara municipalities) has

been told by upper levels of government that it must grow, there is plenty of housing demand, and most of the coming growth is being channeled to two select areas, where servicing is or will be available.

At the local level, municipalities such as Pelham already have two-thirds of their decisions imposed upon them

This makes sense, and to the extent that growth will occur in these designated areas one silver lining is that there may be less infill development in long-established neighbourhoods —less cramming of second dwellings onto large lots—which could reduce future anxiety around development. There will also be additional property tax revenue to help pay down the Augustyn council's poor finance decisions while in

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

office.

The provincial government generates what’s known as its Provincial Policy Statement—“PPS” in planning lingo —to which all local municipal planners and councils must make reference and show deference. Niagara Region takes the PPS and determines, across the peninsula, how it will meet its growth targets (again: set by Ontario), where that growth will happen, and tries to ensure that there is a mix of housing types in all parts of Niagara.

At the local level, municipalities such as Pelham already have two-thirds of their decisions imposed upon them before the municipal council even gets to hear an application.

Pelham doesn’t get to negotiate its population target, and the urban growth boundary is set by Niagara Region. The Region wants most of Pelham’s growth to occur on the south and east sides of Fonthill, near our borders with Thorold and Welland.

As best the Voice can determine, and directly contrary to what the former mayor claims, the lands See IMPOSED next page

Letters About those blue "invoices" Dear Conservative Party, WTF (as in What the Fundraiser) were you thinking to approve such an underhanded, fraudulent, SCAM of a fundraiser? I believe if I were to execute such a devious plan I would be charged to the fullest extent of the law. The henchperson(s) of this scheme should be charged as well as dismissed without severance.

Well, your hope that my father would blindly send you a cheque for said “invoice” has backfired. First, he died several years ago—something, by the way—I have in-

formed you of on several occasions. Second, although the invoice comment made me open your letter, don’t look for my vote or assistance in the next provincial election.

By the way, in my books, your error has added a nail on the “nay” side of the Federal Conservatives too.

Thanks for demonstrating what crooks politicians of all parties can be. Sign me, Gravely Disillusioned Voter R. Culos Fonthill

7

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

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Jill C. Anthony Law Office

Have an Opinion?

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication.

The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our office at (905) 892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www. thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics

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

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The Voice

Page 5

A August 25 2021

OPINION IMPOSED

continued from previous page chosen are not environmentally significant.

To the extent that there are some natural features requiring protection, this will be accomplished through a combination of Town development standards and guidance from the NPCA. Given David Augustyn’s track record of paying for the MCC based on a scheme to sell municipally owned lands to real estate developers, his criticism of the current council chasing dollars through development marks a new low in his hypocritical hyperbole—and that’s a deep well indeed.

What the (one fervently hopes forever) former mayor imagines he’ll gain by scolding this council for doing its basic duty, and accepting things it has no real way to oppose, is baffling.

This paper has not always agreed with or supported the current council’s planning decisions. Most disappointingly, the controlling faction, dubbed the Gang of Four, puts little effort into affordable options and seems always to oppose those aspects of developments that include the least expensive housing.

Memorably, even a pedestrian-friendly sidewalk got the heave-ho.

But it is pointless to criticize this council over growth targets or development in specific locations over which it has no control. It is futile to champion engaging in a battle with the Region and province which cannot be won.

The former mayor knows this. For what purpose he believes his kamikazi posturing will benefit him we can only speculate—and pray that is does not involve the seeking of further elective office.

A dubious land-for-credits scheme, a $36 million-dollar community centre debt whose repayment is ultimately a yoke around Pelham ratepayers’ necks, and the brook trout-threatening “Lake Augustyn,” are more than enough legacy for one lifetime. ◆

Act on climate now For years, the fossil fuel industry and their political allies have sowed doubt about climate change and convinced the public that it’s an abstract, far-away problem. This summer, many Canadians are realizing that this was a dangerous lie.

The BC heatwave was so intense that it killed hundreds of people and, right now, thousands more are living in fear of wildfires raging across the country. The climate emergency is here and now. It’s time for our political leaders to take real action.

Prime Minister Trudeau talks like a climate leader, but he doesn’t act like one. Canada is still building pipelines and planning to expand fossil fuel production for decades to come. And Trudeau still hasn’t delivered the Just Transition Act he promised last election, legislation critical to phasing out fossil fuels in a way that puts workers and communities first.

I was glad to see 350.org launch the #CanadaOnFire campaign, which calls on Trudeau to take emergency-level action on the climate crisis instead of just talking about it.

We have two demands: An immediate moratorium on new fossil fuel approvals and a freeze on all fossil fuel projects under construction — including the Trans Mountain pipeline. And the Just Transition legislation, to support impacted workers and communities, especially Indigenous and remote communities, as we move towards a 100 percent renewable energy future.

Liam Winters St. Catharines

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

Infections up, but hospitalizations low

A

lthough Niagara Region cases are climbing, as they are across the country, it must be remembered that this indicator cannot be viewed now as it was a year ago, or even six months ago. Even though our vaccinated numbers are below 80 percent (72 percent one dose, 64 percent fully vaccinated,) our total number of confi rmed Covid patients being treated in Niagara hospitals remains very low, four at the present time.

The seven- day average of

ics within the Region, even with walk-ins, are reporting low daily numbers. n to the latest news with Sulphur Spring Drive—we now have approval in principle to go ahead with the work. If permits do indeed come through, the project can go ahead and start Sept 3. The majority of the residents on the road can’t wait to get their road back this fall. Five years is a long time to be without safe access to your home. ◆

O

Support your local service clubs

NPCA makes its own decisions The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based watershed management agency that is mandated by the Province of Ontario to undertake programs to protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, and to conserve natural resources. Through the Conservation Authorities Act, the NPCA regulates development and activities in or adjacent to river and stream valleys, Great Lakes shorelines, watercourses, hazardous lands prone to flooding and erosion, and wetlands.

The NPCA delivers more than 1,200 permits and development reviews annually, and is committed to providing exemplary customer service, which is guided by the NPCA Board-approved client service standards that are available online at https://npca.ca/images/ upl o a d s/c o m m o n /2020 _ Draft_NPCA_Client_Service_Standards_for_Plan_ and_Permit _Review.pdf.

Our staff are committed to treating all clients fairly and

deaths in the province is five, which is higher than what is actually occurring because the province is doing something called “data cleanup,” in which people who died weeks or months ago, and who somehow were never counted, are added to the current figures.

The province is still vaccinating between 47,000 and 50,000 residents per day, but unless there is a sudden surge, I can’t see our Region hitting 80 percent in the near term. I hope I am wrong, but clin-

professionally.

We note that NPCA (and conservation authorities across Ontario) work with many Environmental See NPCA next page

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Page 6

The Voice

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Letters continued NPCA

continued from previous page Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) and community groups as part of our grassroot community engagement work to promote stewardship of natural resources and achieve collective outcomes.

However, we must be clear that NPCA does not engage or rely on third party or ENGO input or influence in carrying out our legislative mandate of plan review and permitting. These responsibilities are carried out independently by our professionally trained and experienced technical experts based on decades of science and evidence.

Before making a permit application to the NPCA, we encourage landowners to have a pre-consultation meeting with our staff to identify the pieces of information needed for the application. In some cases, detailed plans and studies are required to demonstrate that the proposed works will not have a negative impact on people, property and the environment. When all information is received by the NPCA, the application is deemed complete and staff can start their review of the application, which may involve further discussions with the landowner. Once all the studies and plans meet the requirements of our regulation, we issue a permit.

The NPCA understands the urgency to repair the erosion occurring along Sulphur Springs Road and the impacts the road closure has had on the residents of Pelham. Due to the ecological sensitivity and naturally occurring bank erosion within the creek along Sulphur Springs Road, the design solution for the road works has required technical reports and plans that must meet NPCA’s regulatory requirements to minimize risk and ensure the safety of the people who live within the area. Our staff have worked diligently with the applicant and their consultants to ensure the design meets the tests and requirements of our regulation.

When a development permit from the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) is also needed, the NPCA coordinates with the NEC on the review of both permits.

It must also be noted that the NEC permit must be issued first, before the NPCA permit is issued. The NPCA has effectively coordinated with NEC on this matter. Recently, the NEC has issued a Notice of Decision for the approval of their development permit. Once the NEC permit is issued, the NPCA permit will be issued.

The NPCA is committed to working collaboratively with the Town of Pelham and the NEC to move this important infrastructure project forward to meet the contractor’s work timeframe.

For more information about the NPCA’s Permitting and Plan Review process, please visit our website at https://npca.ca/services/ permits.

Erika Navarro Communications Specialist NPCA

TUC was hands-off

Despite delays, determination to get job completed this year

It is most unfortunate that the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada has been dragged into a controversy that it had no part in creating [Junkin media gambit prompts NPCA action, Aug. 18, p.1].

According to the report, “behind the scenes Junkin believed that the environmental advocacy group Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) was the primary driver behind the continued delays, with their apparent intent being to run out the clock on work being able to start this season.”

Duffin’s and Junkin's allegations are false and without any grounds whatsoever. Our advocacy has been up-front, published in the Voice, expressed in a presentation to council, delivered on CKTB, and featured on Cogeco TV. We have no power to influence the permitting process of any government agency, not the NPCA, not the MNRF, not the Escarpment Commission, and not the DFO. This fact was unequivocally corroborated by the NPCA. In fact, all our in-stream projects are subject to the same approval process experienced by Duffin Contracting.

Duffin promised to show us their design. We have yet to see it. Mayor Junkin needs to share this design publicly and assure citizens that the project will not harm Brook Trout habitat and will be completed within the budget approved by council.

Our concern is and has always been the protection of Twelve Mile Creek, and we have not been shy to advocate for a solution that respects the fragile creek— the last remaining stream in Niagara that supports cold water-reliant species.

Sulphur Springs Drive washed out because there is simply too much water flowing from roads, roofs and drives above the watershed into the Twelve Mile Creek, causing flood damage to properties that adjoin the creek. There is much work to do to restore the natural balance of Twelve Mile Creek (https://www. tucniagara.com/actionplan.html.).

It is the time for the Mayor to get off his soapbox and show some leadership to protect one of the Town’s most valuable assets. It will take all community members, working collaboratively together to reverse the environmental degradation, and preserve the rich cultural and natural heritage for all who appreciate the natural treasure that is Twelve Mile Creek.

Dennis Edell President, Niagara Chapter Trout Unlimited Canada

I wanted to reach out and acknowledge all of the positive feedback that we have received as a result of the article in last week's edition of the Voice [Junkin media gambit prompts NPCA action, Aug. 18, p.1]. I also wanted to provide a brief update. Last week the NEC had the opportunity to allow us to start staging the works, however, they elected to follow in the NPCA's footsteps and further drag out the process, which may yet put an end to it altogether. This last delay results in leaving us with approximately seven working days to complete an eight-week job. As noted earlier, we are bound by the Department of Fisheries to complete the in-water works from July 15 to September 15.

Editor’s note: The tender for this project required the winner to work closely with approval agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. In this case, the approval agencies were the NPCA, NEC, MNRF and DFO. As Mr. Edell himself acknowledges, Trout Unlimited does not have the authority to grant approvals or issue permits. Nonetheless, Trout Unlimited was invited to join a meeting with all stakeholders on October 2, 2020. Duffin Contracting tells the Voice that at this meeting it was made clear that once the drawings were signed-off by all approval agencies then the contractor would be in a position to share them with third parties, including Trout Unlimited—standard procedure for this type of design/build project, as Mr. Edell is no doubt fully aware. As for the Mayor and Town Council’s duty of care, it is first and foremost to the residents of Sulphur Springs Drive, not to fish in a creek—worthy of protection may they be—nor to an arbitrary budget limit on the work necessary to secure the safety of these residents.

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BY VOICE STAFF In June, the Niagara Regional Police Service received a report of a sexual assault that occurred at a registered massage clinic and wellness center, in the area of Dunn Street and Drummond Road, in Niagara Falls. Police say that the alleged offense occurred during a scheduled massage therapy appointment.

On August 6, detectives assigned to the Sexual Assault Unit arrested and charged Todd Bennett, 49, a Registered Massage Therapist, with one count of Sexual Assault. Bennett was held in custody before attending a bail hearing.

In May, the College of Mas-

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sage Therapists of Ontario temporarily suspended Bennett’s registration. In a decision by the College dated July 20, his registration was revoked for sexually, physically, and verbally abusing a client, and Bennett was assessed a $20,000 fee to reimburse the College for the consequent therapy and counseling provided to the client.

Provincial funding at crossroads, optometrists' action to take effect September 1

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is not seeing eye-to-eye with the provincial government, and its membership has presented Minister of Health Christine Elliot with an ultimatum. Optometrists will stop accepting Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)-related eye examination patients on September 1 unless there are substantive changes made to the funding process. Ninety-six percent of OAO doctors voted in favour of the action.

The OAO, which represents 2500 optometrists, argues that the government’s payments don’t even begin to cover basic expenses, noting that in 1989 an optometrist was paid about $39 per exam, and over 30 years later, they only cover an average of about $44 per exam.

Eye examinations routinely cost around $88 in overhead expenses, asserts the OAO, even be-

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 AM - 6 PM Sat: 9 AM - 1 PM | Closed Wed

fore paying the doctor. OHIP currently covers one annual major eye exam for residents aged 19 and younger, 65 and older, and those with specific medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus and glaucoma.

Under the current budget, optometrists say that they are required to absorb 45 percent of exam costs for OHIP patients, and since seven out of ten patients are covered by OHIP, the funding model is not sustainable. More than four-million eye care services are delivered each year across Ontario.

If nothing changes by the fall, OHIP patients requiring eye exams will effectively be locked out, since provincial legislation precludes optometrists from accepting private insurance or out-of-pocket payments for these services.

Dr. Derek MacDonald, a practicing optometrist in Waterloo since 1992 and a former board See EYE EXAMS back page

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In a now-deleted biographical description on a Niagara Falls massage firm’s website, Bennett was described as volunteering at Brock University working with the Athletic Therapy Team, holding a black belt in Jujitsu, and helping train “young children to defend themselves from bullying and larger attackers.”

Investigators believe there may be additional complainants and are asking anyone who has information to contact them.

Individuals and witnesses with further information are encouraged to contact detectives of the Sexual Assault Unit at 905-688-4111, extension 1009363.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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No one treasures the Short Hills more than Bill Duffin, who began riding his bike there at age 12. We both continue to admire Pelham's gem, and in light of the fact that our rural culture and way of life is quickly disappearing it is paramount that Sulphur Springs Drive remains open to ensure that all of Pelham's citizens can enjoy this special spot. As resident Dr. Stark stated last week, this area was heralded as the most scenic and beautiful drive in the Niagara Region. We echo this sentiment and will not give up the fight to ensure that our environmentally friendly approach to re-opening the road will prevail.

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The Voice

A August 25 2021

Page 7

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Page 8

The Voice

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Ho Ho's closes for good Renovated building will see shops and apartments

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Ho Ho’s, the Chinese take-out restaurant on Highway 20 near Pelham Street and Fonthill fixture for decades, has permanently shut down. A handwritten sign on a window reads, “We are closed.

Thank you to all of our customers.

Stay safe. Ho Ho Chinese Food.”

Locals have noticed some preliminary repairs to the exterior façade of the building, and are curious about the transformation.

The Voice turned to two reliable sources, both veterans of the Pelham scene, Vilma Moretti and Dolly Smith, to get the skinny.

The new owners of the building are young entrepreneurs Richard and Chelsea Vanderwier, of Smithville, and their friends Brad and Laura Martins, from Lincoln. Richard is an industrial arts teacher in Hamilton, and Chelsea a nurse, who is planning to establish an aesthetics shop in one of the street-level units, providing aesthetic and skincare services, including Botox injections. Brad earns his living in high-rise construction in Toronto, while Laura plans to open a hair salon in the

Richard Vanderwier and Brad Martins outside their recently acquired building on Highway 20, in Fonthill. refurbished building, providing services like hair extensions.

Three apartments upstairs are undergoing renovations, and two have already been rented. With entrances in front and at the back, the new tenants move in mid-September.

“We're hoping to open the ground-floor businesses in late October in the unit on the west

side, and expand to both units in the future,” said Richard.

Renovating the old building is a big job, but both men have experience in the building industry, with Richard providing most of the carpentry skills. Specialized work in plumbing and electrical work will be contracted out to tradesmen.

It is obvious even to an un-

trained eye that the building, which is estimated to be 80 to 100 years old, needs some serious work. “We had to jack up the back of the building about seven inches, and repair the entire back wall,” said Richard. “We removed the old siding, and put new siding on the back. The front of the building will be stucco—that’s coming next week.”

Why the former Ho Ho’s site for their new venture?

“The price was right, and it’s a prime location, and our wives were looking for something in the Pelham area to establish their businesses,” said Brad.

Is the old adage “happy wife, happy life” applicable in this renovation? “Absolutely,” the men responded with smiles.

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The Voice

Page 9

A August 25 2021

Merrittville Speedway celebrates 70 years of racing Nostalgia Night even more special after 17 months of pandemic stress

BY JOHN SWART Voice Correspondent Where were you in 1952? If it was Saturday night and you loved race cars, speed and a touch of danger, you were at Merrittville Speedway, pit-side as a driver or builder, or in the stands as a fan, sitting on the edge of your seat cheering your favourite racer.

The clay oval situated just outside Fonthill in Thorold celebrated its 70th Anniversary with Nostalgia Night last Saturday, August 21, and it was quite a party.

Everything and nothing has changed in those seven decades.

The cars are faster yet safer, the dirt track surface is groomed wide and slick to perfection, and the announcers still excitedly struggle to describe trackside action over the roar of high-performance engines.

Race fans’ fingers clutch tightly to their wooden grandstand seats, hoping to see their favourite driver win a close, hardfought race by mere inches. They know the difference between winning and losing may be a risky, full-throttle, last chance slide job in corner four headed to the checkered flag. Successfully accomplished, their driver will slide across the track at a ferocious speed, shutting the door on his opponent for the win. If not executed perfectly, cars will tangle, sending one or both crashing into the concrete grandstand

wall. Either way, one more story will be added to Merrittville’s 70-year legacy.

The grandstand was filled to Covid-permitted capacity with young families and old-timers while the racers’ pit area overflowed for Nostalgia Night.

As a treat to both fans and race crews, many vintage race cars were showcased in the grandstand concession area for viewing, and their drivers and crews were there for reminiscing and storytelling.

Dylan Davidson, a fourth generation driver from St. Catharines, stood beside his #73 358 modified racer and explained it this way, “My great grandfather was deciding whether to go on a family picnic or to Merrittville to watch the races in the 1950s. The family went to the races, and got sort of hooked on it.”

Davidson’s grandfathers “on both sides” then raced, and his own father followed the tradition. It’s no surprise that Dylan is now piloting a premier-class 358 modified around Merrittville.

The stars of the night were the cars and drivers of the Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour. Duane Van Alstine, of Fenwick, races a midnight black #61 vintage modified coupe built and painted, right down to the exact six bright red and yellow flames on each side of the car, in tribute to veteran driver Ivan Little, a fan- favou-

Fourth generation driver Dylan Davidson racer shows off his #73 358 Modified racer and meets his fans at Merrittville Speedway’s 70th Anniversary celebration. JOHN SWART rite driver for decades.

“I always wanted to race,” Van Alstine says. “As a kid I followed the Ivan Little car, and one day I had a chance to buy an old ’54 Chev chassis and body. I built [the replica] myself, painted it in the garage. I’ve been racing about five years now, it’s a lot of fun.”

He hesitates for a second, then

adds, “But I’m racing against guys with 50 years experience.”

The car is immaculate. Van Alstine is a detail guy and was drawn to the #61 car because back in the day Little always kept his own cars spotlessly clean, even washing them between races. Van Alstine recalls fondly, “We had the car here and Ivan came out. He hadn’t been here in

15 years.”

Ivan signed the top of Van Alstine’s car, then counted the flames, telling Van Alstine, “You got it right.”

Like so many at the speedway, Van Alstine is hooked. He’s restoring another vintage racer, a 1965 Mustang fastback, and is See 70th next page

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The Voice

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

70TH

continued from Page 9 selling another that he rebuilt after wrecking it in a race at Humberstone.

Traditions change, though.

In the pits, Megan Ciglich, who made the trip from Brockville to race, says, “I was actually in vintage racing fi rst” as she stands beside her 1975 Ford Maverick-bodied racer. Her dad, Jeff, had raced for years, but stopped driving and became Series Director of the Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour. Megan acquired a vintage modified and went racing, while her dad joined her later when a friend’s ‘57 Plymouth Fury racer became available.

Jeff Murrell, Associate Dean of Trades at Niagara College, was with the vintage racer that his students built and now maintain.

The car was provided to the college in pieces by Denny Lindberg, of Welland, longtime racer and father of Gary Lindberg, 2019 358 Track Champion—you know how the story goes.

“Whenever we’ve pulled it into the shop at the college, the kids all come,” says Murrell. “It’s a really cool learning tool.”

Merrittville Speedway’s success and endurance is the result of hard work by many track owners over the years. Rick Kavanagh, of Fenwick, and the Reunion Committee also work tirelessly to keep the track’s history alive and its fans and drivers connected.

Saturday’s program began with the induction of three drivers to Merrittville’s Wall of Fame for 2021. Pete “Mr. Smallblock” Bicknell, previous track owner before current owners Lorraine and Don Spiece, Glenn “The Bomber” Baker, and Gary Moreash.

Tim Breadman, owner of AutoFX Graphics and Signs, and Chris Long of RCM Racing Equipment, were also inducted for their longtime support of the facility.

Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin and Thorold Mayor Terry Ugulini joined the Spiece family for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Merrittville’s 70th Anniversary, before good-naturedly sparring in front of the crowd about which community was more into dirt track racing.

Merrittville has survived Covid so far through the dedication of its fans and drivers, and the management of its owners, just as it has other challenges through the decades.

Fast Freddie Carleton, who was celebrating 40 years of driving at the track, showed the series of maple leaves he’d painted on his modified.

The first were black, the next few green, and the final ones bright red, like those in the Canadian flag, signifying the sport’s successful battle

through the pandemic. Fast Freddie then pointed to another panel on the car which read, “Racers and fans are all family, we stick together.”

When asked what it felt like to host Merrittville’s 70th anniversary, track owner Don Speice, a racer for years himself, simply replied, “It’s amazing, I’m speechless. All these people.” He motioned to Robert Young—“Mouse” to the Merrittville family, who was standing before an array of ancient black and white photos—and said, “This guy has brought all these photos from the ‘50s and ‘60s, when he built race cars, to give to the Reunion Committee to share with everyone.”

The list of track champions on the Wall of Fame begins in 1952, and dates without names beside them yet are stencilled in place until 2031. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind this night that ten more names will grace the wall over the next decade of Saturday night dirt racing at Merrittville.

What if I could reach my goal sooner?

Top left, at Merrittville Speedway’s 70th Anniversary ribbon cutting ceremony, from left, track owner Lorraine Spiece, Thorold Mayor Terry Ugulini, track owner Don Spiece and granddaughter Daniella, and Pelham Mayor Marv Junkin. Top right, Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour racers Megan and Jeff Ciglich made the trip from Brockville. Above, Duane Van Alstine is ready to race his immaculate #61 vintage modified.

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The Voice

A August 25 2021

RON LEAVENS

June 5 1946 - August 13 2021

Page 11

A life well lived

Page 12

The Voice

I

t was the sort of late summer gathering that husband, father, and grandfather Ron Leavens would have loved. As the facades of downtown Fonthill glowed gold in the evening sun, and live music from the Bandshell echoed faintly along Pelham Street, his family gathered across three tables for dinner on a restaurant patio. Wife, now widow, Karen, son Shane, daughter Sara and her husband Scott, and grandkids Mitchell, Alexandra, Samuel, and Greyden. Is was six days after his passing.

They had placed an urn with Ron’s ashes in the family niche at the cemetery just a few hours before. Included in the box were drawings by his grandkids, and a red Corvette.

“He wanted a Corvette,” said Karen. “‘Ron W. Leavens and Karen L. Leavens, Together Forever.’ Like I said, some of me went into that box today, because...”

Her eyes well-up and the table falls silent for a moment.

But just for a moment. For each tear there are three, four laughs. There are old family

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stories, and embellished tales, and memories impossible to forget. There are nieces and nephews, cousins (so many cousins), siblings, a cottage, a farm in Fenwick, two, three houses in Fonthill, a decade raising dogs, an early ‘90s youth hockey trip to Czechoslovakia with Coach Ron’s kids taking along their old gear to donate to the Czech kids, and a game in a dark, 1930s arena, and children of seven or eight buying cigarettes from a jar, and the Czech kids— even with the donated equipment—don’t have shoulder pads, and Coach Ron tells his team, don’t hit them too hard.

Ron helped neighbours, his in-laws, the underprivileged kids who sometimes showed up in the 25 years’-worth of classrooms he taught across Niagara, but mostly at schools here, where he grew up, and where he lived his entire life, but for three years at university. As those students grew into adults he still helped them—advice, jobs, letters of reference, an example of how to live a life of decency and honour.

Chicken tenders arrive, and a salad. The table is a rainbow-painted picnic bench,

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THE VOICE of Pelham

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

From The Heart of Niagara

SUPER SKATERS

SKATERS with the Pelham Figure Skating Club competed in the Great Lakes Winter Skating Festival in London Jan. 7 to 9, coming home with some hardware. Phoebe Kirkup (left) took first in WO Preliminary Limited; Beth Thorne won third in WO Canskate A, age 8 and over; Karley Blair won first in STARSkate Silver Interpretive; Mackenzie Chow won first in WO Pre-preliminary limited; Martyna Raskob took third in STARSkate Junior Silver, Sharina Raskob (front) won first in WO Pre-preliminary limited and Heather Sicoli (absent from photo) won first in STARSkate Bronze interpretive.

David Hurd/VOICE Photo

Thinking of taking a cruise?

Vol. 8 No. 46

Town buys 32 acres After more than eight months of negotiations, a deal has finally been made by the Town of Pelham to purchase just over 30 acres of land at Rice Road and Regional Rd. 20.

At a special council meeting Monday night, councillors voted 5-2 to purchase the land, at a cost of $110,000 per acre. Councillors Malcolm Allen and Peter Papp were the two members of council to vote against the deal.

Mayor Ron Leavens, talking with The VOICE just before press time, said the deal to purchase the land from Westerra Equities Corporation, a subcompany of the Allen Group, closes on March 31. The deal is for a minimum of 30 acres and a maximum of 33 acres, depending on the land survey.

Leavens noted the price was negotiated down from an original cost of more than $135,000 per acre to the purchase price of $110,000 per acre.

That still puts the total cost to the town at around $3.5 million.

Town staff and an independent professional both did appraisals on the property, said Leavens, and in both cases what the town paid for the land is below the estimated value. To pay for the land, the town has negotiated a financing deal with CIBC for a 15-year term that is completely open, allowing the town to pay off the debt if the property isn’t needed, and is sold.

Leavens said the land was purchased now, with the intent of building a recreation centre, because there won’t be another opportunity to buy a large chunk of land under the proposed Greenbelt legislation. If the town chooses not to build, the land will be sold said Leavens, adding the property is “probably the most desirable piece of property in the municipality” and it will sold on the open market to get the highest dollar possible.

Nothing will be done with the land until the ad-hoc committee currently reviewing options for a community centre, which include a public-private deal, presents its report at the end of

A August 25 2021

February, said Leavens, adding if the town decides to go ahead with a rec centre plans will have to be settled fairly quickly to ensure Pelham is ready for the next round of CanadaOntario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) grants.

Leavens said the second round of COMRIF grants will likely be for community centres, and if accepted, Pelham could receive two-thirds of the cost from the provincial and federal governments.

Re-iterating a comment made by Councillor Uwe Brand, Leavens said the town has done its part, now we need the stakeholder groups to step forward and make a commitment to the town.

The land purchase does not change council’s commitment to completing the Centennial Park Master Plan; does not change Leavens’ commitment that a rec centre won’t be built on the backs of taxpayers; and does not mean Pelham will be building the Taj Mahal of community centres overnight.

What it does mean, is that if Pelham decides to go ahead with the construction of a community centre, the land is available and the town won’t need to try to put together piecemeal parcels of land to accommodate future recreational needs.

Leavens said he is pleased council voted in favour of the purchase, but said he’s nervous as well.

“There’s no denying it’s a risk,” he said. “It is the largest purchase the municipality’s ever made.”

The value of the land, however, outweighs the risk with the town prepared to sell the land on the open market if a rec centre is not in Pelham’s future.

If a rec centre is to be built on the land, however, it is quite clear that the municipality is asking taxpayers to “step up to the plate,” said Leavens.

“It can be a great project to bring this community together,” said the mayor.

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on loan from the Town, painted out in the Public Works shed by student volunteers for Pride month, exactly the sort of initiative Ron would champion. The food doesn’t stop the stories.

Ron grew up on Pelham Street, north of Highway 20, the post-war youngest of the family—there is debate over whether he may have been a little spoiled; consensus: no—but when he was a boy the family had a monkey, a cinnamon ringtail monkey, and when the monkey wasn’t riding the dog he liked to escape from his leash around the willow tree and head to Lookout Golf Club and steal golf balls off the greens.

“Mr. McGinnis would call and say, ‘Mrs. Leavens, someone’s got to come and pick up your monkey,” said Karen. “Who’s going to believe someone who’s been drinking, who’s golfing, ‘There’s a monkey who keeps stealing the balls off the green.’”

Ron’s three years away were at various universities, but that was after attending Thorold Fonthill High School (1960-64), where he played football, did track and field, was a decent middle-distance runner, be-

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

gan coaching minor football, and ball hockey at Davis Hall, and in his senior year was Class President. He met Karen when she was 14 and he was 15 and they were married on Thanksgiving weekend, 1968, when they were 21 and 22—and then life really got going.

Ron attended Dalhousie for a year (where he met Brian Baty, decades later a fellow Niagara Region councillor), spent a semester at Guelph, then finished his his undergraduate degree in History and Political Science at Brock (1970). He completed his master’s degree in History with a minor in Political Science at University of Waterloo (1971), then attended teacher’s college at Brock (1972-73). Along the way he worked at the Ford glass plant in Niagara Falls and Karen studied to become a nurse.

Ron’s first full-time teaching job was at Fonthill Senior Public School, formerly Thorold Fonthill High School, now Glynn A. Green, from which he had graduated a few years earlier. He taught from the 1970s to his retirement at the turn of the new century in 2000, in Fonthill, in Welland, core

A man well loved

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

curriculum, science, Phys Ed. He coached hockey (into the 2010s), soccer (1980s and ‘90s), track and field, organized and ran track meets, helped the music teacher with yearly musicals at Fonthill Senior.

On three acres of property in Fenwick, he bred his beloved German Shepherds for ten years; he ran as a New Democrat for provincial parliament (1975, lost), and ran for mayor of Pelham (2003, won).

In 1990 he bought a PetValu franchise, which dovetailed perfectly with his love for animals. He was a Welland Humane Society volunteer board member.

In Pelham Town Hall, as in teaching, in business, in coaching, Ron did more listening than speaking. He took time to get to know his team, their strengths, their challenges, and then when he did speak he said things worth hearing, and made them believe they were capable of more than they thought.

After a tough re-election campaign in 2006 centred mostly around his council’s decision—with Ron leading the way—to buy 32 acres of property running along Rice

The Voice

A August 25 2021

Road, he was “voted out,” in his phrase. In hindsight, the decision was the right one, and after some (financially ill-advised) dilly-dallying, the subsequent mayor and councillors proceeded largely to fulfill Ron’s vision of a twin-pad hockey arena inside a multipurpose community centre— lacking only, he later said, a swimming pool.

In 2015, after feeling increasingly unwell, Ron was diagnosed with cardiac asthma, and in the process learned he had a genetic heart valve defect. The origin of the illness, however, was a mystery. Recently he and the family speculated that it may have started with Psittacosis, a rare bacterial infection carried by birds, affecting primarily farmers, veterinarians, ranchers—and pet store workers. Ron had cleaned out countless bird cages over the years.

He and Karen decided to scale back, selling their Fenwick property, and finding a buyer for the PetValu franchise. Ron continued to work at the store, though, helping the new owner, enjoying staying active, enjoying talking with the customers.

It was at the store, Friday morning a week ago, as he helped unload a shipment, that he experienced some discomfort. It happened sometimes after he exerted himself, although less so recently. Karen said that at Ron’s last checkup there was good news, signs of improvement.

“His heart valves were much improved as far as leaking goes,” she said, “and he didn’t have the same irregularities that he’d had.”

A jacked-up pickup, half chrome, mufflers decoration-only, tore past on Pelham Street, deafeningly loud. Karen looked at her barely touched salad and asked passing wait staff for a takeaway container.

She had been on duty that day, at the hospital. After a lull early in the pandemic, when older nurses weren’t called in out of concern for their health, Karen had been back at work in recent months. Ron would make her lunches, and have dinner prepped and ready to go when she got home. They splurged on ice cream on the weekends.

He’d put on a couple of Covid pounds.

Ron left the store on his own, assuring other staff that he was fine to drive. At home

he texted Karen, saying that he was having an unusually severe cardiac asthma attack and asking her to come home right away.

“I don’t carry my cellphone into the O/R,” said Karen, “but I wished I’d had it on me.”

As she went for a coffee break there were no messages, and she didn’t check it again for another hour or so.

“He wouldn’t bother me unless it was bad.

I told my manager I had to go right away. I was doing a hundred and ten down the road, passing cars, and I got home.”

The front door was slightly ajar. Despite the quiet scene, Karen, the nurse, knew immediately that Ron was gone.

He was lying on a living room sofa. He had changed into comfortable clothes, and his legs were crossed. Their dog Maggie, a soft-coated Wheaten terrier, sat with him, and looked at Karen.

Ron’s hands were crossed in his lap and he seemed to be sleeping, a calm expression on his face.

“That’s a person’s dream,” said Karen. “To be healthy for their whole life, then die peacefully in his sleep, his dog at his feet.” ◆

Ongoing bylaw trouble More than six months has passed since the start of 2012 and so far Nicholas Torzsas has been dealing with Town of Pelham bylaw officers for all of this year.

A complaint was received by the Town of Pelham early in 2012 about Torzsas’ rural property, triggering an inspection by bylaw enforcement officer Heather Stones.

At that first inspection, Torzsas says Stones knocked on his back door, despite several no trespassing signs, and when he refused to allow her to take pictures, she called police. Two cruisers were on his property within minutes, he added.

Since then, says Torzsas, his property has been inspected five times and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Another inspection is scheduled for late August.

“Where does this end?” asks Torzsas.

Torzsas has owned his Sumbler Road property for 30 years and says he has never had a problem until now. His neighbours, he says, don’t have any complaints about him or his land, adding he has asked.

“I think I could sense if they were lying,” he says.

The ongoing inspections, and an order to clean up his land, stems from what he terms a “collection” of vintage cars, motorcycles, sailboats and other items.

“What can I say I’m a

cars and currently has a long list of items for sale, advertised in a local shopping newspaper and soon to be on Kijiji, but says it will take time to sell everything.

“I could never comply, it would be impossible,” he says, pointing to a plastic lawn table on his patio that is covered in a variety of small items and explaining the table doesn’t comply with the bylaw.

An old trailer, which Torzsas says he uses when working on his property with his ATV, doesn’t comply either because it doesn’t have trailer plates.

Torzsas laughs and says the trailer isn’t road worthy and is never used on the road, but to keep it he must have it licenced.

“They’re really pushing me,” he says of Pelham’s bylaw enforcement department, explaining he has requested Niagara Regional Police officers be present for every inspection.

Torzsas says he understands not everyone’s yard looks like his and most people don’t have a collection of almost a dozen cars, three boats and two motorcycles in their yard.

Unsightly, he adds, is in the eye of the beholder.

He also pointed out that “derelict”, which his cars fall under within the town’s property standards bylaw, is defined as abandoned by the owner,

Page 13

“We have a look at each situation,” says Gennings, explaining enforcement officers inspect every complaint noting if the complaint is unwarranted enforcement officers will walk away.

Gennings pointed out his staff is dealing with what council has approved.

If there is an issue with bylaw enforcement in this community or a flaw in the bylaw system, it’s up to council to change the system.

Pelham’s CAO Darren Ottoway was invited to Torzsas’ property for the last inspection, which took place July 11.

“I was there at Nick’s invitation,” says Ottoway, noting Torzsas showed him some things he was concerned about.

“That was the extent of it.”

Ottoway says Pelham’s bylaw system does put the municipality in “a bit of a dilema” because if bylaws are enforced proactively, the town would need manpower - which would cost taxpayer dollars.

Ottoway notes he has some thoughts on the issue and has talked with staff. He wouldn’t share his thoughts, but told the Voice he’s been thinking and researching.

THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, July 18, 2012 Page

A PAWS-ITIVE EFFECT

RON Leavens and Julie Gledhill, with Jasper who is looking for his forever home, present a cheque for $1,906 to Tammy Gaboury, adoption coordinator for the Welland and District Humane Society. The donation is from Pet Valu’s PAWS fundraiser, a chain-wide event that raised more than $600,000 for organizations that assist animals nationally. Helping the Fonthill Pet Valu were Studio Twenty which ran the barbecue and sold paws at the studio, M&M Meats which donated food for the barbecue and Giant Tiger which donated drinks and buns. Gaboury says the Humane Society will put the funds to its current fundraiser to build a companion clinic at the Humane Society location.

Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo

Professional

Page 14

The Voice

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Ron Leavens remembered by some of those who knew him best Brian Baty, former Regional Councillor

I wish to offer condolences and deepest sympathy to Ron's wife and family at this sudden loss. I first met Ron in Halifax, at Dalhousie University, as we both lived in the same residence on campus. We were both former educators and pursued political paths in 2003.

We worked well together in the interests of the Town of Pelham and the Region of Niagara.

Ron respected all with whom he interacted, even if they held opposing views. He was also highly respected by others. He was a genuine leader in every sense. His energy and talents resulted in the ownership of a highly successful pet store business. His supportive nature with both his staff and customers were proof of his genuine leadership.

Melissa Beckett, former business partner

I first met Ron while he was the mayor of Fonthill. He would regularly attend the annual banquet and awards dinner at Fire Station Three as a speaker. Every speech he gave was professional, witty, and he always spoke of how thankful he was of our firefighters’ service in the town. In 2006 I was looking for a local job, as I worked out of town and was finding the commute to be a bit much. I had heard from a friend that the local PetValu was hiring, and thought "great!" I had worked in the pet industry before and had a passion for all animals. I got my resume together and went down to see if I could get the job. I met Julie Gledhill, who took me into the office for an interview.

Now, for anyone who has not heard the story before, I hired myself and got right to work!

Ron and Julie were the best bosses I have ever had the pleasure of working for. They made me feel like part of the PetValu family right from the beginning. A few years, later Julie decided to leave to pursue her passion for a nutrition degree and then it started—I would bug Ron and ask almost daily when he would let me buy into the business and be a partner. Ron would give me that look that he had for us girls and say, “I have tried to fire you daily and yet you're still here!” One day I asked him again to buy into the business and he looked at me and finally said what I wanted to hear, “Okay!" It was a dream come true for me. During the years and shifts that Ron and I worked together we would talk about many things. He was the smartest man I have ever had the pleasure of working with. During our business adventure together we were able to attend a couple of conferences in Toronto. So there was Ron, Alicia, and myself in the big city, having to attend workshops and dinners.

Ron being our fearless leader would let us know what seminars we should attend and which ones we needed to go to. At this particular conference our last night was a Toronto Blue Jays themed party at a downtown bar. It was reserved specifically for PetValu. What an awesome night of togetherness and antics and getting lost trying to find our rooms at the hotel. I will say that Ron left at a respectable hour and found it amusing the next day. Ron's passion for politics far exceeded his mayoral role and he had several visitors over the years wanting to talk about politics and he would always have an ear for them. Ron did love his politics. He even took the time to teach the North Pelham Girl Guide group that my daughter and I run about the inner workings of small town government and his past experience in it. By the end of the meeting he had our girls ready to jump into office with just the way he spoke, and treated each girl as if they too could become mayor one day. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it didn't matter who you were or what topic was being discussed with Ron, he had a way of making everyone feel important and really listened to what you had to say. I will miss his sense of humor, his calmness in defusing a situation, and all the talks over coffee we had over the years. I will certainly miss you dearly, Ron.

Nancy Bozzato, former Pelham Town Clerk

Ron's love for the Pelham community was demonstrated in every aspect of his life—as a dedicated family man, teacher, inspiring hockey coach, local business owner, and as our mayor. During Ron's term, he consistently demonstrated leadership through an open mind to differing viewpoints and always encouraged fair and inclusive discussion. Ron truly was a community leader and will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.

Uwe Brand, former Pelham councillor

Ron and I first met during the 2003 municipal election campaign, and after some discussions, we shared many thoughts on making Pelham a better and more beautiful place to call home.

Some of those issues he realized during his term as mayor of the Town of Pelham. Although we did not see eye-to-eye on many financial issues, we agreed 100 percent on probably the biggest one. Namely, the desire to acquire land for the building of a badly needed community centre, which was accomplished during the final days of Ron’s term in office. Fortunately, he got to see his dream of a community centre realized for the Town of Pelham.

In the end, his heart was in the right place, and sometimes you just can’t have or buy everything you want in life. Although his term of office was short, it was sweet, and highlighted by many accomplishments.

My condolences to his wife and family. May you Rest in Peace, Mr. Mayor!

an environment of mutual trust, support, and respect. This plan showed just how important the leadership of Mayor Ron was, often commenting that we are all in this together and not as adversaries, but part of the team.

Ron was a great leader, and spokesman, with a sincere appreciation for the Town of Pelham and its residents. He was sorely missed after his term ended, and I, for one, hoped that he would return to complete his vision for our town.

We needed his wisdom and positive outlook.

Rest in peace Ron. You were valued and certainly one of the best. My deepest sympathies to the Karen and the Leavens Family.

Glynn R Green, friend

I grew up in Fonthill and became best friends with Ron’s son Shane. I have so many memories of Ron Leavens I don’t know where to start.

As a kid playing hockey in Pelham I was coached by Ron Leavens for a bit, but the most influence Mr. Leavens had on my life was starting my coaching career in hockey. In my early 20s I joined Ron’s coaching staff as a greenhorn coach in Pelham, and spent seven years as an assistant with him. Ron introduced us to AAA coaching in Welland, where I continued to be mentored, and then was convinced by Ron to take the plunge and become a head coach.

As a head coach I used many experiences taught to me by Ron and still do to do this day.

He was a great teacher and respected by many parents and kids in hockey In 1997, Ron and myself then became business partners by purchasing the Fonthill PetValu store, where Ron greeted everyone with his smile and warm personality. Together we grew a successful business and right until his passing Ron was still a fixture in the store as this was his true passion.

On top of all this, Mr. Leavens taught me in Grade 7/8 at Glynn A. Green, put up with me hanging out at their home in Fonthill and tagging along to hockey games/events.

A huge hole is left in the Leavens family, and in our community, and I am so fortunate to have been influenced by Mr. Ron Leavens.

Godspeed, and thanks, “Ronnie,” for everlasting memories.

Yesterday evening I spoke at length with Ron's brother, Doug, a life-long friend and client. We reminisced about life growing up in Fonthill and our common appreciation for our “village life.” One couldn't ask for a better place to grow up. Ron Leavens understood this and devoted himself to continuing the values we enjoyed.

As we all know, as mayor, he championed the push to create the inclusion of the Rice Road development and the twin-pad community centre, a place where old and new Canadians could come together to enjoy our heritage and the vision of A.K. Wigg and Glynn A Green to bring hockey to our town. I could write a book about my experiences: the Highland Avenue Gang, the Pit, Sam Derreck and the birth of Davis Hall, the Dawn Patrol, the TFHS-PDHS rivalry, and the Turkey Bowl. Ron Leavens was always there, growing up on North Pelham, just uphill from the canning factory.

My enduring story is about Glynn A. Green Elementary School. I attended Thorold-Fonthill High School from 1958 until 1963. The building of E. L. Crossley made TFHS and Pelham District High School redundant, hence Fonthill Elementary School filled the gap when Fonthill Public School became outdated and indeed dangerous. So Ron Leavens was principal of Fonthill Elementary School and I remember his phone call as if were yesterday.

“Glynn, I am taking a proposal to the Board to re-name our school. Do you have any concerns?”

Thus, we have Glynn A. Green Elementary School. Chatting with any parents or grandparents, when I introduce myself, the reaction is universal: I went there, my kids went there, my grandkids went there. Indeed my grandkids went there, too, to the school named for their great-grandfather. For this honour and privilege, I am forever grateful to my friend Ronald Leavens.

Sharon Cook, former Pelham councillor

Carolyn Mullin, Voice founding editor

Jeff Christopher, former business parter

Serving the community is a great honour, having Ron Leavens was an incredible privilege. A wonderful man and a great mayor.

Some people are natural leaders, and know how to work with people and to bring out the best in them to work together for a common cause. Ron was that leader.

There are a few things that come to mind when thinking of Ron and his total dedication to the job and the Town of Pelham. In discussions with residents, he was sincerely interested in what they had to say and did his best to help them solve their issues, sometimes in chats with the staff.

The purchasing of the East Fonthill property at Highway 20 and Rice Road was a contentious issue for some members of council. He always dealt with these situations with dialogue and respect. Through this thoughtful approach, and his leadership, approval of the purchase was given. We can now see that Ron’s instinct for the future planning for the Town was correct.

Although the plan for the property purchased by the Town has changed significantly, the plan for a recreation centre (now the MCC) was realized. Ron was very aware of how important such a facility was for the physical and mental health for the residents of Pelham.

Our council meetings were always productive. Ron would work tirelessly to find common ground and solutions to the issues of the day.

I think one of the more important initiatives that Ron established was a good working relationship between the council and Town staff.

Councillors were assigned to work with different departments, two councillors to Public Works and Engineering (of which I was one), while two other councillors were assigned to Planning and Corporate Services respectively.

I believe this practice was invaluable to both staff and certainly to council. We had the opportunity to ask questions and sort issues prior to the council meeting. This helped to create

I knew him first as Mr. Leavens, then as Mayor Leavens, and then, simply as “Ron”—a supportive and community-minded business owner and genuinely lovely human being.

As my Grade 8 science teacher, Ron was always enthusiastic about his subject and you could tell he cared about the students.

Under his leadership as mayor, we worked together on the committee planning Fonthill’s 150th anniversary celebrations (2006). This is when the Bandshell idea went from dream to reality, and the volunteers worked seamlessly and quickly with the Town to get the construction complete in time for a dedication during the

celebrations.

As a business owner, Ron was always ready with a smile and advice for pet owners, and generous donations for worthy causes of all sorts. Pre-pandemic, and for the past six or seven years at least, I could not wait to see what type of complicated cat tower he would have ready for me to pick up (and somehow transport) as his donation for the Rotary TV auction!

My deepest condolences to his family and to this vast, collective group of people who for all these reasons will feel the loss of a great Pelham citizen.

Peter Papp, former Pelham Councillor

There are not enough words to express my deep sorrow and admiration for Ron and his family. When I first moved into our newly constructed home in Fonthill (1983) , we became not only next door neighbors but best friends!

We enjoyed our love of animals (his beloved German shepherds), politics, sports (especially hockey), and our families. When they moved in the early 1990s to Fenwick to pursue his passion for dogs and start his kennel for German Shepherds, we were heartbroken but understood his desire. He was a very astute and articulate elementary school teacher, mastering in the sciences, and parlayed his love of animals into the successful acquisition of the PetValu franchise in Fonthill until he recently sold it. He was also the Board president and keenly involved with the Welland and District Humane Society, until he sold the franchise.

With respect to politics, we both ran in the late 1980s. Even though we had differing views, we had great respect for each other. Then, in the early 2000s, we once again contemplated running for municipal office to which we were both elected. He became our mayor in 2003 and I became a Ward 3 councillor. As we worked through our first term, we never had harsh words nor disrespected each other. Even though we were at opposite sides when we purchased the East Fonthill lands, we never held a grudge and mutually agreed with our council to move forward. He was a great communicator, visionary, facilitator, and mediator. He was a highly respected Niagara Regional Councillor who was able to foster support for key issues throughout the Niagara Region. His sense of humour, kindness, pride and common sense was infectious. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge his deep love for wife, Karen, and his children, Shane and Sara. He adored them. Moreover, I shall miss the many talks that we had at his store about politics, family matters and especially his love of animals. He personified the true essence of a community-minded citizen.

The decisions of our 2003-2006 council will be forever considered as the blossoming of Pelham under Ron’s leadership. I’ve truly lost a “brother.” I shall never forget him nor should the citizens of Pelham.

Debbie Atkins (Urbanowicz), former Pelham Councillor

Elected and serving under Ron was an honour. Our lame duck council was a special bunch of dedicated Pelham citizens who were bound to make a difference. Under the leadership of Mayor Leavens this council moved Pelham forward. Purchasing the arena property and securing the future movement of the

new facility under much controversy. Always true to his word and community.

I was privileged to know Ron in my life under many “hats”—my teacher at E. L. Crossley, Pelham Minor hockey coach, and his "ready-to-go” attitude in the role of our leader, a mayor that led with a smile and compassion. A business owner who took the time to speak to each of his customers. Most of all a true friend and family man. Deepest condolences to the Leavens family at this difficult time.

Beth Visser, former Voice editor

Early in Ron Leavens' tenure as Mayor, I left my role at the Voice. What I remember about that time, though, was the enormous goodwill generated by Ron. He always came across as a friendly, accessible, and genuine person, who went into politics for all the right reasons.

He was respectful to reporters just like he was to everyone else, and always seemed to have time to explain an issue. For years after Ron left the mayor's position, I'd run into him at PetValu, where he maintained that same friendly, helpful attitude. Ron was a strong leader as the Mayor of Pelham, and I expect he'll be remembered by many as a good person who really cared about his community.

Sarah Whitaker, former Voice editor

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Leavens. He was always friendly, respectful, helpful and genuinely a kind and caring person. As mayor of Pelham, Ron was excellent to work with. He was open with me about happenings at Town Hall and respected the Voice as an important community newspaper as well as my role as editor. I believe Ron made great contributions to our community, as a teacher, business owner, and mayor, and he leaves a wonderful legacy in this community.

Jennifer Woronchak (Gaboury), Glendale Grade 8 Class of ‘92-93

I remember even as a student in Grade 5, looking ahead, eager to join Mr. Leavens’ class one future day (Grade 8 at Glendale Public School.). Already he knew us all by name and began building relationships even though we wouldn’t join his class for several more years. In particular, the energy he brought to school every day, his sense of humour and the genuine fun he had while connecting with his students was well known.

With that kind of a build-up, you’d wonder if it was even possible for Mr. Leavens to live up to the schoolyard chatter. But he did.

From the moment we walked into his classroom and saw his famous (and as we would soon find out, often-referenced) poster of Albert Einstein, to the receipt of our diplomas at the end of that school year, Mr. Leavens was truly a servant leader. He prepared us for new chapters as learners, soon-to-be high schoolers, and members of our community. He also helped us laugh at ourselves, and sometimes I bet he just laughed as he drove home after spending the day with us.

He participated fully and expected that same level of effort from us. He coached our sports teams and refereed our games after hours.

Speaking of laughs and refereeing, I distinctly remember him grinning and then laughing as he blew the whistle on me for an over-and-back violation during a basketball game—yes, I almost scored on my own team. Like any good coach would do, he “reminded” me which way to go periodically over the next week!

Mr. Leavens also took an endless number of 12 and 13-year-olds (my class included) on their year-end trip to Ottawa (three days on a bus with 30 kids). Now, as a parent myself, I realize that this alone should surely qualify him for some kind of medal of perseverance and courage. I’m pretty sure I saw our parents high-fiving each other as we all pulled away from the Glendale parking lot and Mr. Leavens checked to make sure his noise canceling headphones were working.

Humour aside, Mr. Leavens’ legacy is not only found in the curriculum he taught many hundreds of students who passed through his classroom, myself included, it is also found in less quantifiable moments of impact that helped to shape our character and sense of self, as well as in the memories he created with his students.

I’m sure many would echo my thoughts. We loved him as much as he loved all of us. Thank you Mr. Leavens, you will be missed. ◆

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

CHARGES

continued from Page 3 to keep the names of sources confidential, it will not generally proceed on a tip unless those sources reveal their identity to the newspaper. Accordingly, no effort was made in April to look into the caller’s allegations—which did not include any mention of sexual assault.

In mid August, after receiving additional information about Lowes from sources who did identify themselves, the Voice reached out to the three named restaurants for information. Managers at two of the restaurants said they had no comment, while the manager of the third said that he did not recognize Lowes’ name—inquiries that Lowes was informed of, telling the Voice last Thursday, “I just heard somebody tell me that you called them on Niagara Street.

Bloggers were telling me that you called them on Niagara Street.”

Lowes asserted, incorrectly, that there was a ban on any reporting of his arrest, and said, “Maybe I’ll give my lawyer a call.”

The Voice had already spoken with Lowes’ lawyer, Mark Evans, after reviewing court documents in the case.

Despite there having been five court proceedings following Lowes’ arrest, the case has gone nowhere. On each occasion—April 14, May 12, June 9, July 7, and August 4—the matter was adjourned to a later date. The next proceeding is set for September 1, in Welland. Evans has yet to enter a plea for his client.

“The case is still in the early stages,” Evans told the Voice last week. “I have not yet read the full disclosure documents.”

A source whose identity and relationship to the Niagara Regional Police the Voice has agreed not to disclose over concerns of retaliation, asserted that some members of the force were disturbed that the case against Lowes had not proceeded more quickly, and were concerned that there was effectively an effort that the charges be “buried”—citing the fact that the NRPS never issued a media statement about Lowes’ arrest back in March.

Police services typically, but not always,

The Voice

Page 15

A August 25 2021

issue statements to the media when filing sexual assault charges, in part to alert the public to an ongoing investigation as well to request other alleged victims to come forward. Two such police news releases appear elsewhere in this week’s issue.

“It’s common knowledge that he has buddies [in the police service], especially with the older [staff],” said the source. “But, you know, giving away free lunch meat shouldn’t buy you a pass for [alleged wrongdoing]. The younger [staff], the ones who still have kids at home, sure they’re upset.”

Lowes and Country Corner Market have long donated food to several charitable causes in Pelham and Niagara. Recent donations mentioned on the business’ Facebook page include “Free Food Front Line Fridays,” a joint effort with 91.7 Giant FM, and contributions to the Fonthill Lions Club and Women’s Place of South Niagara.

It took the Voice multiple attempts to get a clear answer from NRPS communications staff as to who made the decision not to issue a press advisory when Lowes was arrested and why.

NRPS Corporate Communications Manager Stephanie Sabourin finally told the Voice that it was “categorically false” that police opted not to issue a release “in a calculated manner.”

Sabourin said that the case, being investigated by detectives in the Special Victims Unit, was reviewed by a sergeant acting as Case Manager.

“The detectives would consult with that person in determination if there is a need to issue information publicly,” said Sabourin.

“This would be done if there was an investigative belief that there are potentially more victims. It is rare that a suspect’s name is released in regards to a sexual assault investigation, and even rarer in a sexual assault investigation involving a person who is underage.”

Sabourin asserted that not issuing press statements in some cases is to ensure “that the victims are not identified or further revictimized.”

Any person with information they believe of value to the NRPS investigation may contact the Sexual Assault Unit at (905) 6884111, Ext. 1025110.

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The Voice

Sixteen Road gets new culvert Sixteen Road near Maple Street will be closed until the end of August, as a large culvert is replaced by Rankin Construction. Ellis Engineering, of St. Catharines, is responsible for the design.

Pelham’s Director of Public Works Jason Marr told the Voice that the all-in price of the job is approximately $700,000.

“We're legislated to do by a bi-annual inspection and assessment of all of our bridges and major culverts,” said Marr. “Anything with a span over three metres is considered a major culvert. Staff use that information to develop a 20-year capital forecast, which includes the systematic removal and replacement of aging culverts.”

Marr said that the design life of the new culvert will be 75 to 100 years.

“We’re using a special pipe on this job. It's made of high-density polyethylene, or HDP, rather than galvanized steel. Normally, failures on these larger pipes are at the waterline, and what happens is that the galvanized steel will eventually corrode and deteriorate over time— that’s what can cause road settlements and sinkholes.”

DON RICKERS

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

A August 25 2021

Page 17

Page 18

The Voice

A August 25 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

PEOPLE AND POLITICS

by David Siegel

How to participate in an election

H

ow-to” books are now all the rage. When I read the book, How to Watch a Movie, it changed the way I did something that I had been doing without much thought for years.

Thus I make my modest offering here of how to watch an election in a thoughtful and knowledgeable way.

I’ve heard all the laments about Canadian politics being boring. Okay, we may not have an orange-haired, reality-challenged TV star to entertain us, but in fact there is a great deal going on during an election campaign. It is not only interesting to watch, but it is also very important. We are in the process of making a very important decision that will determine how we are governed for the next four years (more or less). We need to pay attention to the campaign so that we can cast an informed vote.

Here are my suggestions about how to prepare yourself to cast that important vote.

Decide what issues you feel are important. You are about to make a decision that will have a great impact on the future of your country, your town, and your own family. The candidates and the media will provide an overwhelming amount of information. The best way to sort through this plethora of information is to decide what parts are important to you.

Don’t think about parties or candidates at this point. Think about what issues are most important to you personally and to your family.

You probably have a pretty good idea about how you want your future

to unfold. Where do you think that Canada and your region should be going in the future? What needs to happen to help your family realize your dreams? What sorts of things are on the horizon that will thwart your desires? Use this kind of reasoning to determine what issues are important to you.

Look at where each party stands on your issues. The parties have platform documents that are available on the web, in print (probably arriving soon at your front door), and in the media. See what each party has to say about your issue. You should also read between the lines about how committed each party really is to your issue. Is your issue front and centre with the party? Or does the party grudgingly acknowledge something must be done about the issue at some future, unspecified time.

Look at what each party has done in the past with regard to your issue.

During an election campaign every party and candidate agrees that we need low taxes, high levels of service, no deficits, and sunshine on the first of July. Listen to what they say, but find out what they have done in the past. This will give you a sense of whether the party is really committed to the issue, or is just mouthing convenient words.

Look to both the short-term and the long-term. I know that this advice sounds contradictory, but it’s important anyway. A prime minister will be confronted by certain pressing issues that must be dealt with immediately. How well do you think each

candidate will handle those issues?

However, there are also long-term issues that cannot be ignored. You need some assurance that the can-

We may not have an orange-haired, realitychallenged TV star to entertain us, but in fact there is a great deal going on during an election campaign didate will not lose track of these important long-term issues by focussing too much on the short-term.

Which party and which candidate will do the best job of balancing long and short term considerations?

Stay focussed on the issues. Sometimes it seems that elections are about a candidate’s charisma or who has the catchiest ads. My fearless prediction is that at some point during the campaign a candidate will make some speaking gaffe, or wear an item of clothing that sparks controversy, or muff a football thrown to him or her, or something equally disastrous. Enjoy the moment, but don’t allow it to define the candidate or the campaign. Stay focussed on where this candidate and her or his party stand on the issues that are important to you.

Get to know your local candidate.

Most major decisions about policy issues are made centrally by the party apparatus. Local candidates have a limited role in these decisions. That does not mean that your local candidate is insignificant.

Has your local candidate been active in the community so that he or she understands the major issues that are important in the local community? The successful candidate will have a role in the party caucus in ensuring that the party leaders know what the issues are in your riding. Will your local candidate be able to carry out that role successfully?

Evaluate both the party and the candidate based on their principles and judgment as much as on their stand on specific issues. You are electing a member of Parliament and a party that will possibly serve for four years. We know what the issues are today, but many changes occur over four years. For example, during the previous election campaign, there was no thought of the pandemic that has ruled our lives for the past year and a half.

You need to vote for someone who shares your principles and who exercises good judgment. This offers confidence that they will handle issues that arise unexpectedly competently.

My message at this point is to consider what is important for the future of Canada and for your own wellbeing and to evaluate the parties’ stance in relation to that judgment. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be back to discuss some of the issues. ◆

Election quashes two Niagara petitions

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Steven Soos has had two recent setbacks, but he won’t let that deter him from his mission.

The producer and host of web-based media talk show True Politics finished second in the recent Welland Ward 3 by-election, losing out to political veteran John Mastroianni in a battle that saw only 25 percent of registered voters participate in the mail-in vote process.

But Soos took a second body-blow when his parliamentary petition e-3351, calling on the federal Standing Committee on Health to launch a study on the merits of declaring a national mental health emergency, was shuttered when the Liberal government dissolved parliament and called a federal election for September 20.

He is free to resubmit his petition three weeks after the election, and start the process again. Soos said about 175 names had been See QUASHED Page 21

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FAITH LIFT

A BALANCED LIFE

will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14) And to the church in Rome he wrote, “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) The apostle John echoed these words when he relayed this message from Jesus to believers in Sardis — “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:2-3) The message is clear — we all need to be spiritually awake and alert to God’s purpose for our lives while we still have the chance. And when you start getting sleepy… remember Eutychus. ◆

big difference,” said Ward. “There was no negativity at all.”

Ward runs without a phone, so once she’s out of visual contact with her crew, she’s on her own. The Bruce Trail is marked with painted white flashes on trees, and side trails are marked with blue. In Thorold, Ward lost the main trail, and found herself following blue flashes. Although she knew she was on the wrong track, she ran along the canal trail where the ships climb the mountain.

Atop the hill at the Lock 7 viewing station she borrowed a phone from a Toronto bicycle tourist, and called for help.

“I’m at Lock 7, where am I supposed to be?” she asked her husband, who told her she had to run back down the hill, then helped her get oriented and on her way.

Prior to the run, Ward was concerned about running 15 hours the first day, then having to eat and sleep before running another seven or eight hours on day two. Her previous races had all been in one contin-

continued from Page 23

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who always tried to stay awake in church (especially when preaching).

continued from Page 22

uous go, and she didn’t know how her body might react to the mid-race break.

“I had no trouble. I had a piece of pizza and a pasta salad Saturday night, and then I thought to myself, if I can relax my muscles, I should be okay,” she said.

Ward took two muscle relaxants before going to bed, and two more in the middle of the night. She experienced a small bit of stiffness in the morning, but nothing like she expected.

“It worked like a dream,” and now she swears by relaxants.

Ward experienced a few mild cramps on Saturday and none on Sunday, which she credits to electrolyte supplements, gels and consuming half a glass of dill pickle juice at each aid station. This ultra-runner secret was news to me. She claims it’s a staple at endurance events, and that the salt, vinegar and pickle-juice mix shocks the body, preventing cramps.

How did Ward rate Give 50-for-50 against her favourite Twisted Branch run?

“I just had more fun [doing Give 50-for50]. There was a lot less stress,” she said.

Ward explained that during a normal race,

competitors move through the aid stations quickly, frequently searching for similarly paced runners, and have to be polite around strangers and fellow competitors. With family and friends at the stations it was different. They were okay with whatever she did.

Frightening moments caused by the extreme difficulty of running the rocks and roots along the edge of the escarpment were few. Ward got past the spot near Quarry Road that has a sheer drop trailside, even stopping to enjoy the view. Other than a few times when she thought she was lost, the run went well.

Although it was Ward who ran the 130 kilometres in two days, she always thought of her birthday celebration as a community effort.

“I really want to thank those people who supported us, because they obviously feel the library is important, and we’re thrilled that they feel that way. We want to continue to serve them, and do the best that we can do for them. Obviously we’re happy with each other because they’re supporting us, so we’d like to continue that relationship with our patrons and everyone in the town.” ◆

Page 20

The Voice

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1724 years the Rotary Club had stored its files at the Fonthill TD Bank branch. With the branch’s recent clo7. Proceeds for the BigPelham MoveStreet. stay in Niagara and support the Walker FamPhone 905-892-5811. sure, the files needed a new home—which Ann Mantini-Celima, of Wellspring, offered the club. Coinciily Cancer Centre. dentally, TD Bank nominated Wellspring to receive a Rotary charitable donation, resulting in a cheque for $500, which Mantini-Celima said would go toward supporting youth programming. Next up was KEYS FOUND the Pelham Public Library. Throughout the year, the Rotary Club invites guests to speak on a variety of WALKING CLUB Found a set of keys with identifying tag on the Steve Bauer trail topics. In lieu of presenting each speaker with a gift, the club makes a donation to the Pelham Public Woodlawn and Quaker Road Tuesday 20th. Contact Interested in walking in Pelham?

Join them Tuesdays at the July Pelham Arena Library. While meetings have been conducted by Zoom during the pandemic, the club continued to between invite guest speakers. The $750 donation helps support Rotary’s literacy initiatives .

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The Voice

Page 21

A August 25 2021

Tweens and teens sought for study

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

Sexual assault arrest in St. Kitts workplace incidents

BY VOICE STAFF On July 9, 1 District uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police (NRPS) commenced a sexual assault investigation after an adult female in her teens reported an alleged sexual assault.

The investigation was assigned to the NRPS Sexual Assault Unit. As a result of the detectives’ investigation, police say it was determined that the victim had been an employee at Two Guys Liquidation, located on Grantham Avenue in St. Catharines. A

QUASHED

continued from Page 18 added to the petition online.

“A Liberal power play has taken away this important work,” said a disgruntled Soos. “It’s an unnecessary election call, intended to grab more government seats. This is another shot at the work that we've done for mental health. I'm not going to give up. I'll certainly reintroduce the petition.”

Eight Niagara municipalities endorsed e-3351.

“We keep bringing this stuff forward and upper tier governments keep tearing it down. When will they acknowledge that we are in a state of emergency?”

Niagara West MP Dean Allison had worked with Soos to garner support for his petition.

“The challenge now is to re-engage people, and hopefully not lose the impetus for the petition,” said Allison, who noted that one plank in the Progressive Conservative platform deals with greater support for mental health.

suspect was identified and determined to be an owner in the business. The sexual incidents are alleged to have occurred at the business in June and July.

On July 21, Mountaserbellah Alhamad-Alhariri, 30, of St. Catharines, was arrested and charged with Sexual Assault. Alhamad-Alhariri was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

As a result of their investigation, detectives have a concern that there could be more victims. Anyone with more information can contact detectives at 905-688-4111, 1009450.

“We understand that this pandemic has been particularly hard on people, so it’s important to continue to raise the issue. It's important to both me and Steven.”

Another parliamentary petition that bit the dust due to the election call was William O’Sullivan’s e-2306, which called for a public inquiry into historic, systemic sex abuse of minors by some members of the Catholic clergy, over the course of many decades. O’Sullivan himself, growing up in Welland, suffered as a young boy at the hands of Catholic priest Donald Grecco, who was convicted in 2017 on multiple counts of sexually abusing children. Sentence to 18 months in jail, Grecco was paroled after serving just six months. Hundreds of Catholic priests in Canada have been convicted of similar charges, including gross indecency and molestation.

Now a house painter living in St. Catharines, O’Sullivan has mounted a silent vigil in front of St. Kevin’s Catholic Church in Welland

almost every Sunday for nearly three years. Since beginning his weekly protests, O’Sullivan has made his intentions clear.

“I want more than an apology—I’m after a third-party independent investigation into the Catholic Dioceses across this country,” he said. “There are close to 400 guilty Catholic priests that have pled guilty in a court of law in this country, and there's never been an investigation of that institution.”

O’Sullivan has made plans to walk from Welland to Ottawa, starting his journey on August 30, to underscore his commitment to the cause. Along the way, he will be stopping to meet with sexual abuse survivors, and will mark symbolic protests in front of Catholic churches. He hopes politicians will rally to his support for the parliamentary petition.

A GoFundMe account has been started to support O’Sullivan’s walk at https://w w w.gofundme. com/f/help-sully-walk-toottawa-for-kids.

Dr. Sandra Bosacki has been a professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Brock since 2000, specializing in the emotional and socio-cognitive development of children and adolescents. Her current research as director of the university’s Theory of Mind in Education (TOME) Lab involves studying adolescents’ preferences for time spent alone, and their thoughts and emotions as young people. Bosacki is leading a team of Brock students and recent graduates in the project, which is funded by a fiveyear grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

“There are a lot of developmental changes happening between ages 11 and 18— physical, social, emotional, cognitive,” said Bosacki. “We are interested in how they use these mentalizing abilities to start to figure themselves out and create their own sense of identity, and also how they navigate their social friendships, and their relationships with parents.”

Bosacki is hoping to attract some 500 to 600 boys and girls for the project, drawn primarily from Niagara and the Hamilton area.

It’s a longitudinal, online study, with researchers curious to see if youth preferences for solitude increase over the duration of the study. Those who choose to participate in the study must be age 11 to 18, and require their parents’ permission.

“Once we connect with the parents and their child, they’ll have a session with one of our graduate student researchers over communications platform MS Teams,” said Bosacki.

The video chat will include questionnaires and computerized tasks. Online sessions take approximately an hour, and can be completed

by the participant, at home, on their personal computer.

Questions will include what the student enjoys doing in their free time alone, reasons why you chose to be alone, and how they think and feel about their life experiences.

Bosacki said that study participants receive a personalized “early researcher” certificate, along with a $20 Amazon gift card.

Prospective participants should contact the Theory of Mind in Education Research Lab at tomelab@brocku.ca to receive additional information, and complete electronic consent forms. The lab’s website can be visited at https://brocku.ca/theoryof-mind-lab.

“These youth are the experts on being teenagers in Canada in 2021,” said Bosacki.

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The Voice

A August 25 2021

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THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Ultra-distance birthday runner's secret? Pickle juice

N

ancy Ward’s birthday celebration was a huge success in every way. The Pelham Library Technician’s desire to make her 50th unique included challenging herself to run 50 miles along the Bruce Trail from Queenston to Grimsby on Saturday August 14, run 50 kilometres back toward Pelham the next day, and raise $5000 for the Pelham Public Library.

Ward raised $10,990, more than twice the amount that she’d targeted, completing Saturday’s 50 mile run in 15-and-a-half hours, and Sunday’s in seven-and-ahalf hours.

“The money will be put to-

ward purchasing new shelving that will be more accessible as far as height and how low the shelving goes for the adult section,” said Ward.

“Seniors, and everybody, can access the shelving and enjoy the collection more.”

The new shelving is designed to improve the library experience for seniors, and is already used in most other facilities within Ontario. The top shelf of the current racking in the Fonthill branch is too high for many to access.

The top shelf on the new units would be lower, approximately the height of the second shelf from the top now, making it easier to reach. The lower shelf wouldn’t be as

low as it is now, requiring less bending to access the material. The new height would also improve visibility throughout the library, improving safety.

When installed, the shelving will carry a permanent plaque acknowledging the contribution of Ward’s Give 50-for-50 fundraiser.

“The biggest thanks goes out to all those who gave, especially our patrons, friends, family and staff who all gave to this campaign. It was just wonderful,” said Ward.

There were no corporate sponsors for her run, making the total amount she raised within the community more significant.

“It was all people giving out of their own pockets, which I thought was pretty amazing.”

Give 50-for-50 was planned to be a personal athletic challenge as well as a fundraiser. Ward, an expe-

Nancy Ward finishes her 130K Give 50-for-50 Pelham Library fundraising run along the Bruce Trail after 23 hours.

SUPPLIED rienced ultra-distance runner, had missed her favourite race, New York’s Finger Lakes 100 kilometre Twisted Branch Trail Run, for the last two years because of Covid restrictions.

Covid protocols also restricted the number of supporters and aid station atten-

dants that Ward assembled to assist with her 130- kilometre birthday run, yet almost everything went smoothly.

“It was mostly family and staff and a few friends,” she said. “I had all the support I needed, and they were amazing. My sister was there with bells, my kids and nephews

showed up, everyone was cheering me on right down to my one-year-old grandson.”

“Hearing ‘You’ve got this, you can do it, how are you feeling, what can we get you, you’re doing great, we’re so proud of you,’ that makes a See BALANCED LIFE Page 19

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, emotional awakenings may change your goals for the time being. Expect opportunities for more travel or even new educational endeavors. Involve Pisces in your decisions.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, keep a light schedule this week because you may have to fit something in at the last minute. This is an easy week to connect with others as well.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Powerful revelations can stir up many emotions, Gemini.

You may need to take time out to process some new developments. Look to others for support.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Elements of your health and well-being may need to be addressed sometime soon, Cancer. Other things have been taking priority and you need to focus on improving health.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, stay alert this week because bold and potent feelings may be drummed up and will need to be addressed promptly. Now isn’t the time to deflect or procrastinate.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You’re the wildcard in various situations, Virgo. People may expect one thing from you, but then you deliver something else. Keep people on their toes.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Step back and examine the big picture, Libra. If you don’t, you may get lost in the small details. Take some time away for yourself if the need arises.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Explore some hidden talents, Scorpio. Something you do as a hobby or just for fun could provide an opportunity for an entrepreneurial endeavor.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/ Dec 21 Sagittarius, you may need to step into the spotlight more often, even if doing so takes you out of your comfort zone. You can do it with the support of a few friends.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, if you are seeking a clear mind, it is best to get away from home for a few days to be free from distraction. Too much going on in your life can limit possibilities.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Now is an ideal time to clear out social media accounts and do some digital housekeeping, Aquarius. Keep the online friends whom you interact with in person.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Emotions are bound to be intense for a little while, Pisces.

You may be inspired to make some major changes in your life.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS AUGUST 22 Dua Lipa, Singer (26) AUGUST 24 Sofia Richie, Model (23) AUGUST 25 Blake Lively, Actress (34) AUGUST 26 Keke Palmer, Actress (28) AUGUST 27 Aaron Paul, Actor (41)

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. SAMA 5. PCT 8. ATOP 12. ELAND 14. AHA 15. COLE 16. ABASED 18. SAC 19. QUIN 20. MARISA 21. TNT 22. UPON 23. ATROCITIES 26. PAISLEY 30. ELATE 31. HYDRIDE 32. LEK 33. MESON 34. EPSOM 39. IAN 42. ARISING 44. FUZEE 46. NOTICED 47. GENERATIVE 49. PARA 50. ARA 51. NARROW 56. FLUB 57. TEN 58. OSCINE 59. FALL 60. ESE 61. YACCA 62. THEE 63. STY 64. FEEL

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The Voice

Page 23

A August 25 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Sleeping in church

A

little boy was fidgeting during a church service.

The mother told him to be quiet. “Why,” asked the boy, “so I don’t wake up the people sleeping?”

A long sermon

We find an interesting story in the New Testament about a young man named Eutychus (see Acts 20:712). This true account takes place during the apostle Paul’s third (and last) missionary journey. It contains humor, tragedy and relief.

The rather humorous part tells about Paul preaching a very long sermon. The setting is a room on the third story of a building. The apostle knows this will be his last visit to this young congregation so he wants to give them as much teaching as possible. Let’s assume it was an evening meeting which started after supper.

Paul preached until midnight and young Eutychus fell sound asleep (never complain again if your pastor goes a bit overtime!).

Now comes the tragic part. The problem was the young man was perched in an open window. And (you guessed it) he fell out the window three stories to his death. Not exactly the kind of finale any preacher wants to his message.

However, there is a happy ending to everyone’s relief. After rushing down to the street below, Paul prays over the lifeless body and miraculously the young man is raised back to life.

They return to the third floor, share a meal together (which probably included Communion) and then Paul continued speaking until daylight! (It doesn’t say how many others fell asleep.)

That’s what you call an “all-nighter.” It’s not men-

tioned in the text but I’m sure they did one more thing — they made sure all the windows were closed!

The obvious lesson from this story?

Don’t sleep in church. It can be dangerous to your health!

Wake-up calls

Jesus told a story (or parable) in which a man goes on a trip and leaves his home in his servants’ care. They do not know when their master is returning so they need to be watchful at all times.

Jesus compares this to His own return (or second coming) to earth and concludes, “If he comes suddenly, do

not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:36) Some have called the Church today a “sleeping giant” which needs to awaken to its God-given role in society. Believers are called to proclaim the Good News of salvation and to be the “conscience” of society standing up boldly for biblical truth and morality.

The apostle Paul wrote to early Christian fellowships exhorting them to be active, committed and diligent. To the Ephesian believers, he said, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ See FAITH LIFT Page 19

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The Voice

EYE EXAMS

continued from Page 6 member and president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, cited years of OHIP underfunding, and the need for optometrists to be adequately compensated.

“Over 80 percent of the people I see are OHIP-insured, and the vast majority of my patient load is age 65-plus, the people who are

vulnerable to things like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration,” MacDonald told the Voice.

“These people routinely require both preventative care and treatment for acute and chronic disease.”

MacDonald said that, unlike other regulated healthcare professionals, as well as other occupations like law and teaching, the government doesn't have any formal mandate

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or obligation to negotiate with the organization.

“Discussions happen kind of at the whim of the government, whenever the spirit moves,” said MacDonald. “And that's simply not fair. So we're asking for a regular ongoing negotiation process, and a sustainable funding model.”

Since 2005, asserted MacDonald, “there's been nothing, no increase in funding despite ongoing regular attempts by our association to make contact with the bureaucracy within the Ministry, elected officials, and the Minister herself.”

Optometrists are simply asking for cost recovery, maintained MacDonald, “which, when you think about it, is actually kind of ludicrous. We're not even asking to make money.

We're asking to break even.”

MacDonald said that the government is putting a spin on the truth, proclaiming that they have continually increased funding.

“What they mean is that more and more people are becoming OHIP-insured. So yes, the government is paying more money for eyecare.

But it's simply a volume issue. They're still paying the same woefully inadequate fee to optometrists.”

MacDonald admits that Christine Elliot, the Pro-

vincial Minister of Health, has had a lot on her plate for the past 18 months, dealing with the COVID pandemic. “But this issue has been percolating for three decades—it should have been addressed a long time ago,” he said. “September 1 is coming quickly, and this is going to be a disaster if the government doesn't address the extreme inequity and disrespect that they've been showing our profession for three decades.”

Alexandra Hilkene, Press Secretary for Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott, told the Voice last week that that, “We proposed a comprehensive proposal to the OAO that is fair, sustainable, and effective in supporting optometrists in delivering high-quality care to Ontarians, now and into the future. It is responsive to the OAO’s request for immediate OHIP fee increases, sets out a plan for future fee increases, and a process for the parties to establish an ongoing active dialogue to address any issues that the parties wish to discuss. Now that the OAO has agreed to mediation, we expect them to work with us in good faith to reach an agreement while continuing to deliver the quality care that patients expect and deserve.”

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Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4 Sweet Sunday Rolls

French toast or pancakes may be popular weekend breakfast options, but why not switch things up with another sticky and sweet option? “Sweet Sunday Rolls” from “The Contented Vegan” (Head of Zeus) by Peggy Brusseau are quick to prepare and perfect for a relaxing morning meal when time allows.

Enjoy with tea or coffee.

Sweet Sunday Rolls Serves 4 1⁄2

cup desiccated (shredded) coconut 1⁄2 cup lightly packed soft light brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 10-1⁄2 ounces all-purpose or whole-wheat flour, plus extra for dusting your work surface 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 2-3⁄4 ounces coconut oil, plus a little extra for greasing the dish 5 ounces plant milk 2⁄3 cup raisins 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 ounces maple or barley malt syrup Preheat the oven to 425 F, and grease an 111⁄4 inch round baking dish or similar ovenproof dish with a generous coating of coconut oil.

Sprinkle the shredded coconut over the greased dish, jostling it a little to distribute evenly.

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar over the coconut-coated baking dish.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar.

Add the coconut oil and use a table knife to “cut” it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the plant milk and stir well, then knead to a firm dough using your hands.

Lightly flour a work surface. Turn out the dough and shape it into a rough rectangle. Use a rolling pin (or simply press with your hands) to flatten it into a bigger rectangle of about 8 by 12 inches, with a thickness of about 5⁄8 inch.

With the long edge closest to you, spread the raisins over the dough, leaving a gap of about 11⁄4 inches all around the edges. Lightly press the raisins into the dough. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar over the raisins, and drizzle with the olive oil and half of the syrup.

Roll the dough into a log from the long edge, working away from you. Press firmly as you roll to ensure the filling is properly embedded.

Check that the ends and the long edge are closed — if necessary, dampen those edges and press together to seal.

Using a serrated bread knife, cut the roll into slices about 11⁄4 inches thick. Lay the slices flat in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little room between each slice. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

While the rolls are baking, cut a piece of baking paper large enough to cover the baking dish. When the rolls are cooked, set the dish on a wire rack or trivet. Lay the baking paper over the dish and put a large plate or tray upside down on top of the paper, with the baking dish centered underneath. Using oven gloves, carefully lift the dish and plate, holding them firmly together as you turn them over.

Leave the baking dish upside down on the plate for 2 to 3 minutes, then carefully lift off. Collect and spread any coconut mixture left in the dish over the rolls, which are now upside down. Drizzle the remaining syrup over the rolls while they are still hot. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes before gently pulling them away from each other. Eat while still warm.

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