Former Treasurer enters Ward 1 race page 3 Recognition for Ryan page 6 Basketball is (sort of) back page 11 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
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Vol.24 No.31
August 5, 2020
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Published every Wednesday
Once in a Blue...Frog?
Column Six
An idle moment Temperatures and tempers on steady simmer these days BY COLIN BREZICKI
Special to the VOICE
N
Ainsley MacDonald, Reese Cunningham, and Jack Cunningham pose with their rare find, which they christened “Blueberry.”
SHAWN CUNNINGHAM
Pelham kids capture “one in a million” blue bullfrog BY BRIAN GREEN
Special to the VOICE
Jack Cunningham, 10, along with his sister Reese, 7, and their neighbour Ainsley MacDonald, 10, frequently explore the flora and fauna of the ponds near their home on
Martha Court in Fenwick, and come home with exciting finds. But last Saturday they hit pay dirt when they captured a bright blue bullfrog. After showing off the unusual find to family and friends, they duly returned the amphibian to its pond. But when their father, Shawn, took
a peek on the internet and found how truly rare the blue pigmented frog is, they returned to the pond on Sunday and caught it again to make sure they had lots of pictures. The frog is otherwise normal, and its condition is caused by a lack of pigments for yellow and orange co-
louration in its skin, allowing the blue to show through. The rare condition is known as axanthism and is similar to albinism, which is a lack of all pigmentation resulting in all-white albino individuals. See RIBBIT Page 7
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ormally I mind my own business. If someone stares at me I look away. If they’re in my path I take the long way around. Like playwright Tom Stoppard, I feel I should have the courage of my lack of conviction. These days it’s becoming more difficult to get on with your own life and not be interfered with by others. More and more there are people ready to challenge how you think or feel about things, and take it upon themselves to disapprove of what you’re doing. I recently encountered such a person in town on a hot, sultry day. I was running errands with my mother in the car—she’s still hale and hearty at 95, though being Scottish dislikes hot, sultry days, favouring the horizontal rain and cold of her Highland youth. My last stop was the LCBO, a more frequent destination during See COLUMN SIX back page
Page 2
The Voice, August 5, 2020
THE VOICE WARD 1 BY-ELECTION TRACKING POLL
6
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
6 weeks to Election Day
by Dave Burket
Corrections at the top: In our story two weeks ago, about the Silver Maple removed at the property owner’s request on Station Street, the loss of which disturbed some area neighbours, we incorrectly stated that an arborist’s report was commissioned by the Town. In fact, the report was requested and paid for by the homeowner, and provided to the Town. While some neighbours initially implied that the photos contained in the report were falsified—i.e., not of the tree in question—they have since backed away from this assertion...Confidential to S. Kitane: Where in the world are you? Get in touch! Now more than ever your insight is needed!...A new twist on “The Group of Seven”: And suddenly there are more candidates running in Ward 1 than there were in 2018—six then, seven now. Since we last met, former Town Treasurer Cari Pupo (story, p. 3), and general contractor Wally Braun have jumped into the race, the nomination period for which is now over. Pupo has never run for elective office. This will be Braun’s fourth try for council, which he first ran for in 2003. We hope to sit down with both candidates for full interviews for next week’s issue, thereby completing the full set. On page 5, both former councillor (and mayoral candidate) Gary Accursi, and current Mayor Marvin Junkin offer their encouragement to the group. On this page find the first of our election tracking polls. If you live in Ward 1, be sure to vote each week. Our 2018 polling turned out to be nearly bang on the money in almost every race...In for a chuckle: John Swart’s column this week (p. 14) is good for a belly laugh or two, as he takes on his fellow bike enthusiasts with some mild ribbing about their sartorial and behavioural tendencies (stop sign? What stop sign?)...A more rueful laugh: In Column Six, a darker sort of humour, a tale of one of those encounters that can go either way. Happily our most prolific Column Six contributor survived to tell his tale...Slightly cheeky: Seeing mention of the restaurant name “Root & Bone” in this week’s council story, our proofreader, who does his work from afar, queried, “Isn’t that redundant?” Even cheekier is the restaurant’s request to allow its customers literally to block a lane of traffic on Pelham Street as they wait to pick up their take-out orders. Really? In the spirit of the Fire Chief’s response to council, if they can’t park and walk 30 feet to pick up their high-end grub, maybe they ought to head to an actual plebeian drive-through instead, like we mere mortals...Sweet 16: I have discovered, once again (Baldy’s memory being that of a goldfish), that a 16-page paper equals a relatively greater level of sanity, and so again this week we present a more compact collection of news and notions. Hey, none of us are getting any younger! A bit of a summer break, in the traditional dog days of notmuch-news, sounds fine around the office. Enjoy the sun. ◆
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With six weeks to go before Election Day, the Voice will run a weekly tracking poll of Ward 1 by-election candidates.
TAKE THE POLL!
If the election were held today, who would get your vote? FOR WARD 1 TOWN COUNCILLOR:
Wally BRAUN
JAMES FEDERICO
Wayne OLSON
Colleen KENYON
Cari PUPO
Steven SOOS
Answer at: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/ward1
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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER (But really, who can tell what month it is anymore) Now, before anyone gets their toque in a twist, this photo was taken nearly eight months ago—pre-pandemic! pre-social-distancing! pre-masks!—and has been aging, like a fine wine, on the Voice shelves since January, which is when The Hope Centre’s Shannon Munro attended a Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club dinner and received the club’s yearly $500 donation from President Ron Acaster. Isn’t time travel soothing? Ah, January. SUPPLIED
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CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
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The Comfort Maple myth
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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 Public School's annual science fair last Friday. See story, page 3. NATE SMELLE PHOTO
Public meeting tonight on school issues BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick. Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, confirms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-
Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN officials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation. DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be
“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently confirm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime. Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. “We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page
HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin. My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries. Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town. This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation. On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque. “This tree looks dead,” I said to my father. “It sure is getting there, Julie.” The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest See COLUMN SIX Page 14
Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation
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
Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept. 19 Council meeting as part of a delegation from EL Crossley Secondary School, students Abby Loewen and Neenah Williams presented Council with a list of reasons that they should immediately approve the construction of the new sidewalk proposed along Hwy. 20. The asphalt side-
walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school. Because of the large volume of motor vehicle traffic travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later. After delivering to Council a petition containing
Many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later the names of 450 students calling for a safer walk to school, Simpson handed the
podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case. Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel. As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.
www.pennylanesold.com
H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES
BY JOHN SWART
VOICE Correspondent
and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support. Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.
Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley BY NATE SMELLE
The VOICE
Cell 905.933.3049
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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.
Office 905.892.1702
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-
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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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The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.
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Tricia and Duncan McNaughton at the entrance of Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska.
In an effort to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Niagara Regional Police Service reports the names of those people who are charged with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence in the Region. None of the following charges have been proved in court. In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension. The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample. Lucas A. BLAZEK, 25, Niagara Falls James G. JACOBS, 43, Fort Erie Heberto S. GOMEZ, 45, Toronto Pavel JASKULA, 60, Hamilton Donald S. BLAKE, 61, St. Catharines Elton SOLOMON, 27, Oakville Anytra A. SHAVE, 46, Thorold
The
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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
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Page 3
WARD 1 BY-ELECTION 2020
Cari Pupo enters race at 11th hour Former Pelham Town Treasurer’s candidacy provokes “alarm” among some ex-staff BY DAVE BURKET
The VOICE
Filing her nomination papers 24 hours before the deadline, Cari Pupo, once the Treasurer for the Town of Pelham, has thrown her hat into the ring for the Ward 1 council seat left vacant by the April passing of Councillor Mike Ciolfi. Pupo was hired as Treasurer in 2008, taking over when the previous incumbent, Gord Cherney, retired. She came to the Town from the French public school board, where she was Director of Administrative Services. Pupo told the Voice on taking the job that she was the person to make sure that budgets weren’t overspent and problems were addressed as soon as possible. This diligence, she said, earned her the nickname “The Cop” in her previous job. Yet in an abrupt move in May 2017, Pupo was fired by the previous mayor and council. No official explanation for the termination has ever been provided. However, sources with inside knowledge of the decision tell the newspaper
that Pupo's departure was occasioned by personal friction between her and other senior staff, and was not related to the Town's financial issues, then being scrutinized by the Voice. Pupo has recently criticized the Town for its slow response to neighbourhood complaints about an illegal duplex on Emmett Street, where she lives in Fonthill, in Ward 2. (Candidates for municipal office are not required to live in the ward they wish to represent.) Reached for comment on Thursday evening, Pupo told the Voice, "This campaign is not about me it’s about the residents. My tenure at the Town was only about the residents. Now with my knowledge I want to make a change in this council and act on behalf of all of the residents." The Voice posted the preceding five paragraphs on its website last Thursday evening, concluding that a full interview with the candidate would appear in this week’s issue
Former Town of Pelham Treasurer Cari Pupo addresses council in March, before the pandemic lockdown, over her concerns about an illegal duplex apartment on Emmett Street, in Fonthill. YOUTUBE
of the paper, something that Pupo had initially agreed to. Then the fireworks started. After the web post appeared, Pupo emailed the newspaper repeatedly, requesting that the reference to her termination be removed. She additionally seemed to misunderstand the use of “scrutinized,” believing that it referred to her, which it did not, rather than to the Town’s finances, which it did. In the meantime, two former staffers who worked in Pelham Town Hall during Pupo’s tenure contacted the Voice, apparently independently of each other, to express “shock” and “alarm” that the former Treasurer might once
again find herself inside the municipality in any official capacity. “[Pupo] likes to make it sound like she was fired because she got too close to ‘the truth,’ whatever that was,” said one former staffer, whose name the paper has agreed to withhold to protect their current employment. “But the only ‘truth’ is that she was basically a [very unpleasant person] to everyone. You saw how many people left Pelham around then. It was a toxic environment.” A third ex-staffer declined to go into detail about their experience, responding to a request for comment saying that as a result of their years in Pelham their career
“took a hit,” and that neither the Town nor Pupo was “something or someone I like to remember.” The Voice reached out to another source present in Town Hall during 2017, who said they recalled that then-CAO Darren Ottaway was often absent for “days at a time,” leaving Pupo in de facto charge of the administration. “She was bossy, there was no question, and she could be rough. It was a tough spot for her.” In a commentary that ran in the January 8, 2020 edition of the Voice, Pupo herself recalled, “I was given a report by the previous CAO See PUPO Page 10
Mandatory Mask Bylaw in Effect Masks are now required in enclosed public spaces in Niagara. Remember, not everyone can wear a mask and many disabilities are invisible. There’s no requirement for people to prove their condition or disability. Let’s be kind and respectful to each other.
For Pelham Businesses Under the by-law, all businesses operating in Niagara must have a policy regarding the wearing of face coverings in enclosed public spaces. Additionally, businesses must ensure that staff receive training in the requirements of the policy and provide hand sanitizer at all public entrances. Visit the Region’s website for a full list of spaces where masks are required and exemptions. Download your signage at: www.niagararegion.ca/covid19
For Pelham Residents A face covering shall mean a mask or other face covering, including a bandana or scarf constructed of cloth, linen or other similar fabric that fits securely to the head and is large enough to completely and comfortably cover the mouth, nose and chin without gaping. Face shields are not acceptable. Transit riders are required to wear a face covering on both Regional and Municipal transit services. View the Town’s response to COVID-19: www.pelham.ca/covid19
Page 4
The Voice, August 5, 2020
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OPINION
The opinions expressed in submitted commentary and letters to the editor are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Voice of Pelham.
The Voice of Pelham is a 1211858 Ontario Limited publication David Burket, Publisher 2-1428 Pelham St., P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S1E0
COMMENTARY / OP-ED Larry Coté Pandemic takeaways
T
here are many lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 outbreak. It is said that experience is the best teacher and one hopes society’s leadership will have learned these lessons well from the pandemic experience. Among the most crucial lessons highlighted by this pandemic proved to be the inadequacies of the care system for seniors housed in long term care facilities (LTCs). Lamentably, many succumbed to this virus that proved to be so frustratingly untreatable due to the medical professionals’ unfamiliarity with this novel viral strain. Unfortunately, the residents of both the private and not-for-profit LTCs were significantly over-represented among the victims who contracted the disease. And, due to the compromised health status of many of these seniors, the mortality rate was also much higher among all those who contracted the disease. Such tragic statistics now reveal both the enormity of the problem and the urgency of the need for resolving the matter. This highly contagious virus burst through
the inadequate infection barriers in Ontario nursing homes and, so far, has killed some 1,800 residents. Eight health care workers in these homes also died during the pandemic. Most notably, these numbers account for fully two-thirds of Ontario’s total death toll attributed to the virus. According to the province’s Long Term Care Ministry, new infections continue to besiege the 626 nursing homes in Ontario. That ministry reports that 387 of these homes had outbreaks of the virus since the onset of the pandemic. Due to the severity of the outbreaks in some LTCs, the Ontario government directed nearby hospitals to assume the administration of these homes. In other cases, in a highly unusual move, the military took over the operations of some homes overwhelmed by the number of virus infections. Subsequently, the military reported on the abysmal conditions and shocking inadequacies they discovered. Now for some positive news, thank goodness. The Ontario government announced the establishment of a commission to investigate the extraordinarily
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deadly effect COVID-19 has had on the residents of Ontario’s nursing homes. The panel chosen to lead this commission is comprised of highly qualified and experienced professionals, who are expected to specifically investigate how this virus decimated the province’s LTCs. It is expected that this panel will look into a number of factors rumoured to contribute to the severity of the impact the virus had on nursing homes. Too many residents to a room, insufficient staffing, part time PSWs working in more than one home, inadequate staffing levels, and a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) are just some of the factors thought to contribute to the vulnerabilities of the nursing homes. As a result of this panel’s investigations, one might expect the commission to propose remedies to rectify the shortcomings of the province’s malfunctioning LTC system. An even more pivotal expectation is for the provincial government to implement these recommendations as quickly as possible. Our seniors deserve better, and this might well be the start of that amelioration process. ◆
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & 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
Thomas J. Crick, Aug 4, 1963-Feb 26, 2017 Tom would have been 57 years old on Aug. 4. In recognition of his birthday, we are donating $1000 to Pancreatic Cancer Canada in Tom's memory. We are able to do this because of the generosity of everyone who purchased a Keith's Pie Recipe Book from the additional printing. As you can see from the picture, Tom was very happy baking those wonder-
ful pies. However, the best part was coming out of the kitchen, two coconut cream pies in his hands, and hearing the reaction that he got from everyone in the coffee shop. He felt so good knowing he brought such delicious pleasure to so many people. Thanks to all of you who have supported this effort. Vilma Moretti Fonthill
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900
Members of Pelham Town Council
Member of Provincial Parliament
Ward 1
Electoral District: Niagara West
The Voice
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Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805
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Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-5877 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647
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Page 5
OPINION COMMENTARY / OP-ED Gary Accursi
PELHAM AND COVID-19
Thirty-minute wait a good sign
A few midsummer thoughts
T
he Region of Niagara and the province recently mandated masks in indoor spaces and anywhere that two meters of separation is not possible. Many have pushed back at this concept as an infringement of our rights and freedoms. On a certain level, I guess that it is, but at times our freedoms are trumped by a greater good. Experts have told us over and over that the primary vector for the spread of COVID-19 is air droplets. They have also told us that there are folks who are either asymptomatic carriers or whose symptoms are so slight that they are easy to ignore. Masks have been shown as a simple way to stop the spread of these airborne particles from such individuals. Thus by wearing masks we are protecting the most vulnerable. We are giving up a modest right for the greater good. The controversy reminds me of the debate when seatbelts were made mandatory. There were huge debates, but at the end of the day giving up a small right ended up saving a great number of lives.
Cannabis
At last we have a series of changes to the Official Plan and zoning bylaws designed to help protect the community against unscrupulous or uninformed operators of cannabis growing operations. Are these changes perfect? Will they stop the emergence of new operations or the growth of existing operations? Not really, but what they will do is provide the local community with some degree of oversight—and, when coupled with the noxious odour bylaw, some degree of teeth for enforcement. It has been a sad story. The feds and the province were all too quick to jump on the cannabis bandwagon. Whether it was for a vision of rapid tax grabs or as an appeal for votes in the various elections is unknown, but despite nu-
I have no doubt that our Clerk, Nancy Bozzato, and her team are up for the challenge
merous experts advising to take their time and to put the appropriate oversight in place they charged ahead. The net result was that the proverbial ball was dropped into the local municipalities’ laps. The net result is that the local municipalities had to spend time and money to try and develop new legislation to protect their community. I congratulate the local Cannabis Control Committee for their dedication and hard work to develop what the council has recently enacted. Does it satisfy everyone? Not likely, but I believe the changes are reasonable, well-thoughtout, and more importantly defensible in court. I am interested to see if a challenge will be mounted by the industry either at the LPAT or at the court level.
Short Term Rentals
This is another touchy issue and another issue that the feds and province decided not to get embroiled in. Local municipalities were again left to grapple with a disruptive industry which definitely impacts local communities. Airbnbs and short-term rentals are now recognized as legitimate industries and they exist around the world. Many small communities up until recently had only been touched by this movement in a very small way, with little or no impact, and as such their planning documents were inadequate to deal with the issues that
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have arisen in recent times. I believe that the recent bylaw changes in Pelham will help alleviate some of the issues and again give some level of oversight and enforcement powers to the Town. Is it perfect? Does it satisfy everyone? The answer of course is no, but it is a good first step which can be tweaked as the Town moves forward in the process. Again I will be interested to see if anyone will challenge this in court or before the human rights tribunal as an infringement of their rights to deal with their property.
By-election
Wow. Seven candidates have declared for the Ward 1 by-election. Absolutely terrific. Congratulations to all of you! It has been debated if a by-election should have been called or if an appointment should have been the order of the day. I think council made the right decision despite the challenges of mounting an election in the middle of a pandemic. See THOUGHTS Page 10
W
ith the new masking bylaw now in effect, everyone will be watching closely the Niagara Region’s Health page, which lists the latest C-19 numbers. Too early of course to be attributed to the bylaw, it is good to see zero new cases for Saturday, Aug 1, and only five the day before. With the majority of cases now occurring in the 29-39-year-old age bracket, hospitalized cases of C-19 in Niagara remain at zero. These are great numbers, although we have only been one week at Stage 3, with its increased business openings, and increased outings by the general population. It is great to see the town’s restaurants doing a healthy outdoor patio business. While out and about last Thursday evening I came across one patio which had a 30-minute wait time for a table. The Town’s recreation facilities continue to run smoothly, with both rinks at the MCC now open. Bas-
ketball has started up with an evening programme, so that daycamp users have left the buildMarvin Junkin ing before the basketball players arrive. This is essential so that the Town can still keep the overall number of people in the community centre below the provincially regulated number of 50. With the increased revenue from the ice rinks, along with reduced incurred expenses, Town staff are projecting a C-19related deficit of less than $700,000, down from the approximately $850,000 that was previous estimated. The federal government has released $4 billion dollars to the province of Ontario, which is to be distributed to the 444 municipalities in Ontario. Town staff and councillors are anxiously waiting to hear what Pelham’s share will be.
With this many candidates, it should be an interesting summer for Ward 1 residents
Nominations for candidates wishing to be elected councillor in Ward 1 closed on Friday at 2 PM. Seven residents have thrown their proverbial hats into the ring. With this many candidates, it should be an interesting summer for Ward 1 residents. I wish all candidates the best! On the farm front, our wheat harvest is complete, with a great yield received. With below-average rainfall during June and July in our neck of the woods, wheat has proven once again that it likes hot, dry summer days…don’t we all! ◆
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The Voice, August 5, 2020
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Local car restorer inducted into Canadian Street Rodding Hall of Fame Jim Ryan’s lifelong passion for the automotive arts recognized BY DON RICKERS
Special to the VOICE
COVID has put a few bumps in the road for street rodders. The Canadian Street Rodding Hall of Fame (CSRHF) has had to postpone its annual fall gala, at which new inductees are introduced. This year’s selections include Jim Ryan, of Fenwick, a longtime car buff who has operated his auto shop at the corner of Highway 20 and Balfour Street for the past 21 years. Before that, he had a garage in Ridgeville on Canboro Road for 25 years. Also cancelled is the 40th anniversary presentation of the Last Chance Car Show at the Welland Fairgrounds, an event which Ryan helped organize, and also where he displayed his cars. Andy Souter, of St. Catharines, who is on the CSRHF’s steering committee, said that the awards pay tribute not only to the builders of great street rods, but also those who are committed to using their restored vehicles as a way to support charities and provide community service. “Jim’s been around a long time. He's done a lot of great things. He's helped a lot of people,” said Souter. Right out of high school, Ryan got into auto body and collision work, and it wasn’t long before he was building street rods. A 1933 Ford pickup was his first project. He was a member of the Road Lions Car Club, created in 1963, which was associated with the Fonthill
Lions Club. They built drag racers which competed over the quarter-mile distance at tracks like Cayuga Raceway. Ryan was one of the club drivers of a souped-up 1955 Chevy coupe called Quick as a Wink, and also did the paint and body work on the cars. His body shop on Canboro Road burned to the ground in September 1999. Ryan lost 14 cars in the fire, along with his tools and many other irreplaceable personal items. Insurance didn’t cover much, so his friends organized a fundraising event called “Restoring Ryan’s Dream: Cruise-In and Dance.” It was held at Bissell’s Hideaway on Metler Road, and featured a car show, silent auction, live music, and a barbecue. The money raised helped Ryan get back on his feet financially, and restore his business. Ryan is a member of the Sunset Cruisers, a local car club which replaced the now defunct Street Machines Unlimited. The Sunset Cruisers raise funds for charity by hosting the annual Last Chance Car Show and Swap Meet at the Niagara Regional Agricultural Society Fairgrounds on Niagara Street in Welland. Thousands of car aficionados attend, and admission fees are directed to worthwhile causes. Some $35,000 was donated in 2019 for the Tender Wishes Foundation and the David Gregory MacKinnon Foundation. The newest charity to receive
Jim Ryan beside his 1967 Plymouth GTX Sox and Martin race car.
club support is the Last Chance Horse and Pony Rescue, in Stevensville. “They take in old racehorses and abandoned ponies, that kind of stuff. It’s very expensive, looking after them and keeping them fed,” said Ryan. According to Ryan, there is a street rod cruise every night of the week somewhere in the local area. “It's just people getting together…you can have anywhere from 75 to 300 cars. Friday nights they meet at the Seaway Mall.” Folks go for a drive, stop and
shoot the breeze, maybe grab a coffee or a bite to eat. It’s pretty casual. All of Ryan’s street rods are still driven on occasion, but he doesn’t rack up a lot of kilometres. “I don’t drive them to the grocery store or anything like that,” he said. Walking around the fenced yard at the body shop, one can view a number of restored gems on display, including a 1951 Henry J (made by the Kaiser-Frazier Corporation, and sold at Sears back in the day), a 1949 Ford Anglia, a 1955 Ford Cus-
DON RICKERS
tom, a 1961 Ford Thunderbird, and a 1967 Plymouth GTX. The Plymouth is the real muscle of the group, a Sox and Martin race car. These days, Ryan is, by his own admission, slowing down a bit. “I’m under 100, but at my age my energy isn’t what it used to be, and I have a hard time bending down— my knees give me problems. So building a car from scratch is pretty much a non-starter. But if I happened to come across something that was affordable and not quite finished…well, I might be interested,” he said with a grin.
NOTICE OF BY-ELECTION MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT, 1996 (S.40) Municipal By-Election Day:
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
OPEN TO WARD ONE ELECTORS ONLY NOTICE is hereby given to the Ward One Electors of the Town of Pelham, Regional Municipality of Niagara, that a by-election shall be held to elect the following office: Councillor, Ward One.
COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES, WARD ONE
BRAUN, Wally BRIGANTINO, Maria FEDERICO, James KENYON, Colleen OLSON, Kenneth Wayne (“Wayne”) PUPO, Cari SOOS, Steven For more information on the by-election, please contact Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato at 905-892-2607 x315 or njbozzato@pelham.ca
ARE YOU ON THE VOTER’S LIST? Unsure if you’re on the voter’s list for this fall’s by-election? Visit www.pelham.ca/by-election-2020 and click on the ‘voter’s list’ tab, fill in your information, and confirm your eligibility. Clerks Department staff will be available at Maple Acre Library in Fenwick every Thursday, starting July 30, from 1 - 5:45 p.m. adding residents to the list and answering election-related questions. Additions to the voters’ list may also be made by appointment with the Clerk, or at the voting locations. CAN’T VOTE ON ELECTION DAY? If you’re unable to attend a voting place on election day, you can request an on-demand special ballot kit or vote by proxy. On Demand Special Ballot Kits will be issued to eligible electors who cannot physically attend a voting station due to COVID-19 or other extenuating circumstances. You must pre-register to receive the kit. YOUR SAFETY IS IMPORTANT Pelham staff are taking every precaution to ensure a safe voting experience. Advance polls are available September 3 and 12, and it is suggested that those with even number home addresses vote on September 3 and those with odd number addresses vote September 12. There will also be an number of new election staff working the polls, including a physical distancing officer to help guide and remind voters of spatial requirements, a poll station cleaner to ensure readily available and consistent cleaning of high tough points and ballot casting areas, and a health assessment officer who will screen electors as they enter the polling station.
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The Voice, August 5, 2020
Page 7
RIBBIT
continued from Page 1 How rare is a blue frog? One was caught in Wahnapitae by a boy from Guelph in 2018, according to the Guelph Today publication, and a California biologist called one caught in the Golden State “one in a million.” However, a 2008 book, Malformed Frogs (a mustread for amphibian enthusiasts) says that axanthism occurs much more commonly than that, estimating one in 30,000 frogs has it, similar to the incidence of albinism. While other amphibians, snakes, and salamanders have the condition, it is most common in frogs, and usually results in a dull grey or brown critter. The spectacular blue is the rar-
Blueberry the frog seems to take his 15 minutes of fame in stride. SHAWN CUNNINGHAM est of its manifestations. While blue frogs and axanthism could make you a whiz at your next trivia contest, a truly world-class
As more businesses and services reopen, we must all continue our efforts to protect each other.
trivia term is “xanthochromism,” which is the opposite of axanthism and results in frogs that are brilliantly yellow.
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Page 8
The Voice, August 5, 2020
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TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Pelham looking to double up on mask bylaw
Despite the Niagara Region already instituting a mask bylaw that requires residents in the peninsula to wear mandatory face coverings in enclosed public places and on public transit as a COVID-19 precaution, Town of Pelham council voted July 27 to direct staff to prepare its own similar municipal bylaw. Mayor Marvin Junkin was the only vote against the proposal, while Ward 1 councillor Marianne Stewart abstained because she has been stitching masks on her own, mostly for charitable purposes, while also selling some. “Myself, I will not vote for this bylaw,” Junkin said. “I’ve talked to several mayors throughout the Region, their municipalities are more than content to stay with the regional bylaw. They think it’s a waste of staff’s time and resources to
draw up their own bylaw. I won’t support a Pelham bylaw at this time.” The Region’s bylaw was passed July 23 and came into effect last Friday. However, Fire Chief and Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bob Lymburner supports Pelham having its own bylaw, as it could be utilized further if and when the Region’s expires. He would also like penalties for violating the bylaw to be incorporated into the AMPS monetary penalty system. “The bylaw pretty well mirrors the Region’s,” Lymburner said. Junkin disputed Lymburner’s assertion regarding the Regional bylaw’s expiry point. The mayor said the mask rule is set to end Oct. 1, unless otherwise addressed. “I kind of disagree with you on that, Chief. [Matters] got very hotly debated at the Region that [it] has a sunset clause in it, a very specific sunset clause. It says Oct. 1, if the Regional Council
wishes to extend that, then it has to address it to extend it. If they don’t address it, it falls by the wayside. The fear was that the bylaw would be put in place and then would stay there for a lot longer than what would be deemed necessary.” Councillor John Wink noted some differences between the Regional bylaw and the proposed municipal one, such as the Niagara version defining a minimum age of five for mandatory mask use, while Pelham proposed age three. “When this was brought forward, the Region had not [implemented] a mask bylaw,” Wink said. “But the Region’s bylaw supersedes all the municipal bylaws. So, if council wants something in place in the event that the Region drops the requirement of masks, I would suggest the Town bylaw mirrors that of the Region’s to provide consistency and less confusion in the future.” Councillor Lisa Haun
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Town of Pelham Clerk Nancy Bozzato and Mayor Marvin Junkin in chambers before the start of last Monday’s regularly scheduled Pelham Town Council meeting. The rest of council and staff participated by video-conference YOUTUBE agreed with Lymburner. “Aside from the age discrepancy, it’s the same,” Haun said. Councillors agreed to make the minimum ages uniform. Staff is scheduled to bring the proposed bylaw back to council for a vote at its next meeting on Aug. 10. (In an interview to be published in the Voice next week, former Mayor Ron Leavens says that Junkin’s vote was the right way to go, citing the Region’s overriding authority, and the prospect for chaos if each Niagara municipality enacted its
own mask bylaw.) Lymburner also provided council with his regular COVID-19 update, with the Mayor asking him how enforcement would work for whichever mask bylaw is in effect. “Our businesses have done a very good job,” he said. “They have the right not to allow [non-masked people] in the building. Unfortunately, if we got someone that barged through and said ‘I’m not wearing a mask,’ and there was an issue, we would receive a call from that. And then we would re-
spond as required.” Lymburner said that as of July 27 there were three active cases of the novel coronavirus in Pelham, but warned the low numbers should not create complacency among the public. “The younger demographics are really treating this lightly,” he said, citing the recent case where more than 200 people attended a house party in the Toronto suburb of Brampton — complete, remarkably, with valet parking. “We gotta keep doing what we’re doing.”
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The Voice, August 5, 2020
Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services Teresa Quinlin painted a relatively upbeat financial picture given the circumstances of the ongoing pandemic. She reported that Pelham’s projected tax levy operating deficit is down to just over $669,000 — an improvement from May, when it was pegged at almost $850,000. Quinlin credited the reopening of the community centre as the driving force in the difference. “Most of this decrease is the result of opening up the Meridian Community Centre,” she said, adding that cash flows have also improved with the return of development charges. Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens concurred, saying that July has been “exceptionally busy” for building permit activity— after none were issued in May. “A strong fall is expected in the construction industry,” Wiens said. Quinlin also said that the Town’s two percent decline in taxes receivable after the waiving of penalties as a courtesy to residents “isn’t bad at all.” More good news appears to be coming from Queen’s Park after
the province promised to provide up to $4 billion in one-time assistance payments to Ontario’s 444 municipalities. “[Worst case scenario] if we didn’t receive anything, right now it looks like it would be 4.5% of a tax levy increase,” Quinlin said.
First-ever Pelham annual report issued
In a first, the Town has published an annual financial report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2019. Mayor Junkin read aloud the dedication in the document to the late Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi. “The report is dedicated to the Councillor Mike Ciolfi, whose business acumen and leadership were tremendous assets in developing the Town’s new approach to financial issues and helping put Pelham on a positive financial track. Councillor Ciolfi is very much missed.” The Mayor added that the report is further evidence that Pelham is getting its books in order. “This council and staff deserves a lot of credit that we are heading in the right path financially,” Junkin said. “Kudos to everyone involved in this report.” The report is available to read on
the Town’s website.
Tight window for ending Sulphur Springs saga
Council passed a staff report for the repair of Sulphur Springs Road in North Pelham, at the cost of $637,000 — about $147,000 more than its initial budget, but significantly less than preliminary estimates made in 2016 and 2017. A chunk of the winding byway along the banks of Twelve Mile Creek has been closed since February 2016 due to erosion, leaving residents on the road with only one access point. That itself remains in peril. “With erosion … there’s a real risk we could lose the road in that area,” Public Works Director Jason Marr said. Marr said Duffin Contractors Ltd. has provided the Town with the best offer available, but that the project remains tricky given the environmental sensitivity of the area and the very short work timeframe available. “We really only have a twomonth construction window,” Marr said, referring to July and August. Ideally, the work would be completed next summer and included in the 2021 capital bud-
Page 9 get. Councillor Marianne Stewart asked him about his confidence in Duffin to be able to do the job correctly in the allotted time. “Am I confident that they can complete the work? Yes I am,” Marr said. “But it’s going to be very tight for us.”
Parking penalty complaint
Council received a letter from the management of the Root and Bone restaurant on Pelham Street, asking the Town to waive parking penalty issuances after some customers received tickets while waiting outside of the establishment during takeout pickups. Owner Gemma Copland cited bylaw enforcement officers in Niagara Falls waiving such tickets during the pandemic. “We have had some parking ticket concerns from our customers, and we are worried that this will impact our business by losing clientele due to the fact that our takeout customers are being ticketed outside of Root and Bone while waiting for their orders,” Copland wrote. “This is starting to financially sway customers from coming to the restaurant as times are tough for everyone.” Lymburner disagreed with the
assertion, pointing out that anyone ticketed outside the restaurant had to have been stopped in a live lane of northbound traffic, as there are no curbside parking spaces on that stretch of Pelham immediately south of Highway 20. “I read the report and I don’t support it in any way,” Lymburner said, adding that the businesses on that stretch of Pelham all have parking available at the rear of the buildings, on the east side facing Town Square. “The trouble as we see it … is someone doesn’t want to walk 30 feet,” he said. “All of these buildings have rear access.” Parking enforcement will continue as usual.
CCC taking August off
Council passed two cannabis-related bylaws to require site plan control, and to amend the odorous industries nuisance bylaw to include administrative penalties. Cannabis Control Committee (CCC) chair Tim Nohara said his group is still working on bylaws surrounding light pollution, with an expectation they will be completed in September. Until then, the committee is taking a month off.
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The Voice, August 5, 2020
PUPO
continued from Page 3 suggesting I was responsible for harassing staff, which was absolutely false.” For some time, the Voice has heard speculation that Pupo was offered a chance to keep her job in 2017 if she agreed to undergo anger management counseling. Reached over the weekend, sources familiar with staff recommendations to council at the time confirmed this version of events. The Voice asked Pupo for comment. In the course of 48 hours, the former Treasurer sent 31 emails to the Voice, using increasingly confrontational language, including a demand that the newspaper send her the names of its 50 community shareholders, and a legal threat: “You cannot put out anything about a firing. I will sue this paper.” Pupo insisted that a previous “article” published by
the Voice exonerated her, asserting, “a gentleman from Toronto I believe that called me over the phone wrote it.” However, no such article exists. Instead, Pupo was referencing her own commentary, written by herself, that ran on January 8. In her commentary, she said that after being given the report about her alleged harassment of staff, “the previous CAO and the previous mayor asked me to push through something that was not approved by council, as they didn’t want it publicly known.” She continued, “I knew at that point, in early spring, that regardless if I did what they asked or didn’t, I was going to be fired….I believe the current Treasurer did what she could to try to hurt me even more than I had been hurt by being fired under false accusations.” Pelham’s current Treasurer, Teresa Quinlin, declined to comment on these allega-
My firing has nothing to do with my candidacy Left, former Mayor David Augustyn, and former Pelham CAO Darren Ottaway in council chambers, April 2018. SAMUEL PICCOLO tions in January, but elected to respond when asked again over the weekend. “The former CAO did not ask me to do anything but my job as Treasurer,” said Quinlin. “The first thing I did when I started at the Town (under contract) was assess the financial position of the Town. That is what I reported to council about. This is a standard procedure for any incoming Treasurer. I have no animosity towards Ms Pupo.” Former CAO Darren Ot-
taway, now the CAO of Cochrane, Ontario, did not respond to a comment request. Pupo has previously declined to state specifically what improper action the former mayor and CAO allegedly requested of her, citing the limitations of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between her and the Town. However, there may in fact be no legal restraint prohibiting Pupo from speaking, as there is doubt among those with knowledge of the negotiations that
Niagara Community Leaders
JIM HANDLEY Thorold Councillor
NANCY BEAMER Ward 1 Resident
PAUL GRENIER Former Regional Councillor for Welland
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
WAYNE CAMPBELL Niagara Falls Councillor
STEVEN SOOS, CANDIDATE Pelham Town Council Ward 1
IAN BINGHAM Former Liberal Candidate for Niagara West
APRIL JEFFS Former Conservative candidate for Niagara Centre
GEORGE MCDERMOTT Fort Erie Councillor
KAREN FRASER Former Green Party Candidate for Niagara Falls
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Pupo ever actually signed an NDA as part of her termination settlement with the municipality. This would mean she would be free to discuss in detail her allegations of misconduct by the former CAO and mayor. Asked whether there was a record of the Town executing an NDA with Pupo, Pelham CAO David Cribbs responded, “It is generally inappropriate for Town staff to make commentary, during an election period, upon identifiable individuals
THOUGHTS
continued from Page 5 I have no doubts that our Clerk, Nancy Bozzato, and her team are up for the challenges. Given the amount of time remaining in the current term, I believe the decision to hold a by-election is totally justified. This decision reinforces one of the tenets of a democracy: the ability to hold open and free elections. Having seven candidates, all with diverse backgrounds, ideas, and points of view, affords the Gary Accursi residents of Ward 1 a wide range of choice. Whether the candidate lives in the ward or not is totally irrelevant. They all are citizens and have met the requirements to qualify as a candidate. Remember that once elected, they represent the interests of the whole town not just their ward. It is far better to look at the skills, background, ideas and experiences that each candidate brings to the table and base a decision on those characteristics. Ask what the current council needs are to facilitate them carrying out their role. To me there are several overriding needs with this council. I will be looking for a candidate who has the ability to create consensus and to work with groups with very strong opinions. In addition, I think we need someone who brings a strong voice in support of the volunteer advisory committees and the Town senior staff. Someone who can bring these assets to the table will facilitate this council moving forward cohesively to accomplish positive things for the community. Lastly, with regard to the by-election, I want to point out that another very important principle of a democracy is participation by the public. Typically, voter turnout for by-elections is very poor. Don’t let this happen in Ward 1. Get in-
who are running for office. Accordingly the Town can not provide the information requested.” Asked directly over the weekend whether she had signed an NDA, Pupo declined to answer. In one of her emails to the Voice, she wrote, “As a writer in this paper you should not put false information in. I was fired for no reason and I can’t believe you are bringing up other reasons. You are a writer and I find it pathetic that you are suggesting what you did in the first article I wrote.” After a follow-up request to confirm whether she was offered the option to remain employed if she had undertaken anger management counseling, Pupo responded with a single-line answer, “My firing has nothing to do with my candidacy.” The Voice continues to welcome an opportunity to conduct a full interview with the candidate.
volved, ask your questions, take the time to consider the issues, and above all take the few minutes needed to vote on Election Day. Your active participation ensures the success of our democracy. Remember if you don’t vote, don’t complain—you got the government you voted for.
Passing of Bill Sheldon
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Sheldon. I met Bill 15 years ago when he and I served on the Downtown Beautification Committee. I remember being taken aback by this gregarious, opinionated individual who had no hesitation in expressing his opinion. I soon came to learn that Bill was a committed citizen volunteer with a great deal of knowledge and experience and a passion for his community. We became good friends and subsequently served together on the Community Centre Oversight Committee, where his knowledge of construction and construction management were invaluable. He soon earned the respect of all who were involved. He contributed greatly and helped bring the project in on time and under budget. Bill also brought his passion to the Summerfest Committee and to the Committee of Adjustment. In addition he worked tirelessly on the design and planning for the return of the Pelham Arches. He was recently awarded a Peer Award at the Volunteer Recognition Night for his work in the community. Bill’s passion and commitment, his outspokenness, his knowledge and his robust laugh will be sorely missed by those who knew him and worked with him. To his family I would like to extend my sincerest condolences and a great big thank you for sharing Bill with us all. Pelham was made better by his presence and contributions, and I can’t help but feel that we are all a little poorer for his loss. I will miss you, my friend! ◆ Former Pelham Town Councillor and mayoral candidate Gary Accursi spent two terms on council representing Ward 2.
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice, August 5, 2020
Page 11
Back on the court
OBITUARY
Panthers basketball returns with strict safety protocols
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William “Bill” Sheldon on July 28th, 2020. Bill passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 32 years, Sandi, as well as his children Rhyan (Terry), Jason (Shawna), Morgan, Harris, and his brother James. He was cherished by his grandchildren Kennedy, Paige, Terry, Allette, Heather, and James. Bill is predeceased by his parents JB Sheldon and Anne Sheldon (Albinson). Bill loved life and enjoyed parachuting, flying, sailing, and spending his weekends as a rowing umpire across Canada. He was an avid volunteer with the town of Pelham in the committee of adjustment, and takes pride in the successful “Summerfest” events he assisted with over the years. A small family service will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Lampmans Funeral home 724 Canboro Road, Fenwick.
Eye on the prize—a player lines up her shot last week at the MCC. BERNIE PUCHALSKI teams missed out on everything and the other travel teams missed out on a lot,” he said. “We are glad to get them back.” Hurley’s under-16 boys team was among the most disappointed. It was ranked No.1 in the province when its season was cancelled. Pelham’s house league players were able to finish their seasons as it ended the weekend before the March Break started. “We are waiting for the stage where you can do passing and more team stuff,” Hurley said. “Right now, we are doing indi-
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vidual skill development; ball handling, finishing and shooting. In these five weeks, they are going to get a lot of shots up.” Kaydence Hales, who is going into Grade 8 in the fall and played this past season
F
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O
The Pelham Panthers basketball program is back on the floor but the new normal is anything but. Training sessions started last week and basketball players arriving at the Pelham community centre were met at the main doors by Town of Pelham staffers asking questions, checking to see if people were on lists, and taking everyone’s temperatures. If the temperature was above 37.8 C, the arrival was asked to go cool off in the shade for five minutes and the temperature was checked again. Players were told to follow the arrows inside the facility. Pelham basketball had to submit players rosters to the town 24 hours prior to the scheduled workout and players were told to arrive 15 minutes prior to the practice session. Once the players entered the facility, Panthers president Brian Bleich directed the players to individual seating areas. Each player has his/her own seat, two metres apart, where they got ready and placed their bags and shoes under a chair. There are two seating areas set up to allow the disinfecting of all the chairs at the end of each session. Pelham basketball is allowed to train 12 athletes at a time but most of the groups consist of 10 players. One player is allowed per
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basket and they must bring their own ball and water. There are 150 travel basketball players, ranging in age from under-10 to under-18, taking part in training sessions that run Monday to Thursday from 4:30 to 8:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Each player receives 28 one-hour sessions. Coach Mike Hurley handled all five one-hour training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. “I am a little rusty and a little tired but there’s lots of adrenaline because I am so excited,” he said. Hurley, a self-confessed basketball lifer, has missed his time on the floor. “It was so odd for everybody to get shut down so abruptly,” he said. “I can’t remember a time in my life when I have been away from basketball for two weeks, let alone three-plus months.” Hurley felt bad for all his travel players, who lost all or parts of their 201920 seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The older boys travel
R
BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI
on Pelham’s under-13 team, was back in the gym for the first time Wednesday. “It was disappointing to have the season stop, but it had to be done,” said Hales, who has been playing basketball since she was in Grade 1 and started travel hoops at the under-10 level. She was glad to be back. “It is exciting to see everybody but the social distancing and everything is sucky.” Bleich is preparing plans for the fall which he will submit to the Town of Pelham and Niagara Region’s health department. Those plans will involve having players partner up and train two to a basket. Once partners are chosen, they will stay the same for the entire training period, and no body contact will be allowed. Up to 16 players will be allowed in the gym at one time for one-hour sessions. The 12-week sessions will run twice a week and will be for all age levels, starting at under-10.
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HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES of Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market or bring aPlaces non-perishable Classifi foodBethany itemOCNA to fill Network the hampers at eds the Ads Pelham Farmers Market on Sept. 4. Christian Reformed Church First Presbyterian Church
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Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org
Concordia Church Week Lutheran of 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill
Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill
Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com
Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca
Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com
Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill
St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church www.stalexander.on.ca
Glad Tidings Church of God
Pelham Community Church (United Church) www.pelham.cc
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com
COMMUNITY Events April 13
Posted Event Submissions Standards April 8United Church Fenwick
If your organization is hosting an event that would be of interest to the community, www.fenwickunited.com www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com you may submit an events profile by sending your community events information to Central editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca Some restrictions apply. Event submissions that meet Region Ads included the LIFT acceptability standards of The first time.Voice of Pelham will then be posted until the date FAITH Wallace’s biographers This15The ad isCommunity to be printed by all participating Ontario papers continued fromevent. Page of your Events Calendar is updated weekly. Please provide WARD 1 BY-ELECTION called him "the most influas much notice and information possible including the date, time and description ential as loser" of 20th-cenRepentant believer of your event. The Voice tury of Pelham reserves the right American politics. In to edit for space.
In the late 1970s Wallace’s life would change again— this time for the good. He announced that he had become a born-again Christian. This unexpected news was met with suspicion and cynicism by some. But then his actions began to reflect his words. Wallace openly renounced his past support for segregation and apologized to Black civil rights leaders. He confessed that he had once sought power and glory but now realized he needed to seek love and forgiveness. He publicly asked for forgiveness from Black people in Alabama and beyond. After his conversion, Wallace served one more term as governor (1983-1987). He made a record number of Black appointments to state positions including two Black cabinet members for the
Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca
2020
his later years, he suffered from deafness, Parkinson's disease, and constant pain. Wallace died in 1998 at age 79. A movie and documentary have been made of his life. Jesus once taught his followers how to distinguish between true and false believers. He simply said, “By their fruit you will know them.” (Matthew 7:20) It would appear that the “fruit” of George Wallace’s later years backed up his profession of faith. His life story and life-change point us to the root cause of racism and the real answer. And that should give hope to our generation. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.
a
YES, I WOULD LIKE FRIES WITH THAT Wayne Olson, a candidate in September’s Ward 1 by-election for Pelham Town Council, picks up lunch from Country Boy’s pop up on Victoria Avenue over the weekend. Olson says that the community and council need to support family businesses. The next Country Boy’s pop up is August 22 and August 23, and Olson says he’ll be there to answer voter questions. SUPPLIED
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Page 13
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the Harliest Davidison riders evolved into a head nod when practiced between cyclists. To be included in the most prestigious cycling groups, the nod must not exceed 22 degrees, and smiling isn’t allowed. Shaven heads without bandanas are indicative of cycling status too. In an effort to look ageless and exude testosterone-laced masculinity (think Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis) tier one riders almost universally shave their heads and are exhibitionists—wearing short riding shorts and jerseys unzipped to their navels, chest hairs glistening with sweat for all to admire. The next class of road riders, in descending order, are those that realize they will never ride in the Tour de France, that this twowheeled ship has sailed, and are just happy to still be riding. This group will usually display a friendly smile and nod their heads with a wider arc—say, 45 degrees—and may even return a wave or thumbs-up. This group can usually be detected upon approach by their bandanas. These riders wear bandanas to
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stop what hair they have left from being abraded away by their helmets. They will inevitably have white hair or grey, and a 10-day designer Al Pacino stubble beard is de rigueur. Impending loss of virility is strong motivator for this group, so if you see a bandana and grey stubble, the rider will be between 55 and 75 years old, or perhaps in their 40s if they are insecure. Ponytails are not worn by male cyclists of any category, as they are very un-jock appearing. At some stage in their evolution, cyclists diverged from the Harliest Davidison genus, known for growing long pony tails which can be combed back to cover partial baldness or forward for the same purpose. Do I have to wear shorts that look like they’re designed to only fit one of my legs rather than both at the same time? Yes, Newbie, you do. Tight, circulation-restricting cycling shorts are all about friction reduction, similar to pouring STP in your car engine. Coincidently, the acronym is the same. Strategic Tissue Placement is a secretive cycling science, and properly fitting shorts help men position their most vulner-
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able tissues so they’re relatively safe. If your voice increases about two octaves, your shorts fit perfectly. Is there a right and wrong way to wear a helmet, and do I really need one? Anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, and anti-helmeters — let’s not even go there. Will you get the COVID vaccine when someone releases it? Do you wear a mask when you go into a public place? By your question, I can tell you’re not a youthful person who is still growing brain cells, so please wear a helmet to protect the little grey matter you have left. Just so you know, helmets are best worn with the chin strap done up, and the middle of the little peaky thing at the front aligned with your nose. If you turn your head quickly, and it takes a few seconds for your helmet to catch up, it’s likely too loose. Even although you didn’t ask, you might like to know the government’s two-metre social distancing protocol applies to cyclists too. Studies have shown that maintaining this distance while riding one-behindthe-other has better results on busy roads than social distancing by riding side-
Well, of course I smile at other riders—what do you take me for, a male Harliest Davidison? SUPPLIED by-side two metres apart. I’ve noticed that most cyclist don’t stop at stop signs. Am I allowed to stop at stop signs? This is related to the class hierarchy as above. Class one cyclists in southern Ontario do not obey stop signs for any reason, especially when in groups, and proceed in the belief that other drivers at the intersection will inevitably yield to them rather than run them over. I have, however, been unable to find a cyclist
to confirm whether this is true in northern Ontario, Alberta or Texas. Class two cyclists will slow slightly when approaching an intersection, but don’t mistakenly think they’re gauging other motorists to decide whether to obey the stop sign. They’re looking for hidden cops who might ticket them. Road cyclists not included in the above groups exhibit an indecipherable and inconsistent adherence to the law at intersections, most
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notably when riding together. The first two riders will signal their intention to turn left well in front of oncoming cars, but only one will actually turn. The other will change his mind and stop in the middle of the road at the last second. Those cyclists behind will then a) follow the rider who turned, but hesitantly so as to confuse approaching cars, b) stop behind the guy who stopped in the middle of the road, or c) run into this group of stopped cyclists because they weren’t paying attention. What would you say to my wife if she wants to become a “serious cyclist” in the future? I’d welcome her to the sport, glad she’s decided to give it a try. I’d explain that cycling is pretty much like anything else she would do with a group of male jocks, and the same rules apply. Most things these guys see as good ideas aren’t, their definition of what’s safe or practical isn’t, and their sense of a cycling hierarchy is puerile and makes them appear ridiculous. I’d suggest your wife and her friends accept this, save any criticism they may have because they won’t change us, and remember Dr. Bonnie Henry and Darwin are on their side. ◆
Page 14
The Voice, August 5, 2020
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FROM THE HANDLEBARS
by John Swart
Some advice on becoming a “serious cyclist”
I
t’s a joy to see all the adults new to cycling explore the roads of Pelham, and I guessed it was only a matter of time before I would receive the following email. It came from a fellow I’ll call Newbie to protect his identity, should his neighbours or partner not know he’s considering entering the dark side, and becoming a “serious cyclist.” The email read: Because of COVID I had to find something to occupy myself that didn’t involve repetitive doses of the four Gs: gardening, golf, grandkids and Guinness. There was a 10-speed from the ‘80s hang-
ing in the garage, so I rode it, and am enjoying it. However, I don’t understand road cycling protocol, and some of what I’m seeing is confusing me. Is a stern face required when riding? Can I smile and acknowledge other cyclists? Great question! (This is the response that immediately bonds the questioner and deigned expert, as you may have noticed on the endless COVID news conferences.) There is a rather obtuse class system in road cycling that is determined by self-perceived ability, quad-muscle circumference, and average daily distance ridden rather than
birth status. I’ll try to explain, but first let me say that the number of women cycling now is having an impact on the traditional male status quo, so I’ll divide my advice into gender-specific responses. Key to establishing your position in the male hierarchy is the ability to ignore an approaching rider without actually looking away. Tier one cyclists have the uncanny capacity to look straight at you, for the whole time you are converging, and not notice you. This is a stare you can attempt, but it takes years of practice unless you were born extremely arrogant. Wearing 97 percent black riding apparel, proving you are invincible and don’t care whether approaching motorists can see you until the very last second, seems trendy and works if you’re
Okay, that guy’s about 200 metres away—still plenty of time to ignore him. dying to get into this category of riders. There is a group slightly lower in the hierarchy which may be easier to attain. These guys surreptitiously examine you before deciding whether to ignore you or not. What type and cost of bike you’re riding, what kind of gear you have,
if you have a GPS on your bike or not, etc. Once these important qualifiers are established, they will acknowledge you or not. This group is descended from the Harliest Davidison genus which first appeared in the American Midwest in 1903. Devotees of this motorcycle sect secret-
NOMAD SOUL PHOTO
ly wanted to acknowledge other motorcyclists on the road, but couldn’t risk diminishing their stature by doing so unless the other motorcyclist was on a Harley too. The low, downward-directed two-finger wave of See HANDLEBARS Page 13
Voice
HOROSCOPE
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 It is time to relax in regard to your professional life, Aries. If you’re out of a job, your luck could turn any day now. If you’re employed, a promotion may be on the horizon. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 It is time to reorganize your priorities if you have not been having any fun. Spend some time with a significant other or engage in a hobby rather than doing chores. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Family matters could be a cause for concern this week, Gemini. A relative needs your assistance immediately and you will have to push other things aside to make the time. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, focus your attention on the things you are grateful for. Shifting thoughts to the positive can really improve your mood and upcoming outcomes. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Working together is a roadmap for success. Embrace the spirit of cooperation and others will soon follow suit. Your goals will be within reach in no time. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Do not fixate on your shortcomings, Virgo. Instead, think about all of the qualities you love about yourself this week. This will boost your confidence and improve your mood. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you are used to being the center of your social circle. But take a step back and allow others to share the spotlight with you. You will be glad to you did. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you perform great under
pressure, but too much intense focus can cause you to burn out at a rapid pace. Try dialing it back this week. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 These next few weeks are an opportunity to develop personal relationships and get in touch with your emotions, Sagittarius. Think about taking a break. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 If others are opposed to your beliefs or ideas you may need to reconsider your presentation. Accept others’ perspectives, but forge ahead with what is important to you. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, there’s nothing you can do right now to stop change, so you’re better off embracing things as they come. Do not swim against the tide right now. Save your energy. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Trouble may be developing with a partnership that is important to your career, Pisces. Do not give up and walk away. Find a resolution pronto. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS AUGUST 2 Charlie XCX, Singer (28) AUGUST 3 Karlie Kloss, Model (28) AUGUST 4 Meghan Markle, Dutchess (39) AUGUST 5 Yungblud, Singer (23) AUGUST 6 Soleil Moon Frye, Actress (44) AUGUST 7 Charlize Theron, Actress (45) AUGUST 8 Roger Federer, Athlete (39)
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Enjoy out Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays! From our family to yours...stay safe
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The Voice, August 5, 2020
Voice
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
CROSSWORD SPONSORED THIS WEEK BY
George Wallace, a racist repents
T
he issues of racism and social justice have been much in the news recently. The tragic and cruel death of George Floyd in late May triggered an avalanche of pent-up frustration and anger in Black America and around the world. Several decades ago, an American politician shocked his country and the world by his sudden change of heart on racial issues. His name was George, too.
White supremacist
George C. Wallace Jr. was born in Alabama in 1919. He was the oldest of four children and was raised in a Methodist family. He became a lawyer and judge before entering politics as a Democrat. In the early 1960s, Blacks and even poor whites in Alabama faced usually insurmountable hurdles when trying to vote. At first, Wallace was a moderate on racial issues, but after his first electoral loss he took a harder line. He became a populist and staunch segregationist catering to the majority of white voters in his state. The strategy worked. He was elected Alabama’s 45th governor in 1963. In his inaugural address he defiantly declared: “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” As a white supremacist he opposed racial integration at the University of Alabama. He made front page news when he tried unsuccessfully to block Black students from entering the university. In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. called Wallace "perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today." Altogether, Wallace would serve four terms (to-
George C. Wallace, 1968. SUPPLIED taling 16 years) as governor during the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. This made him the third-longest-serving gov-
Page 15
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ernor in American history. His national ambitions, however, were less successful. He ran for President three times as a Democrat and once as an independent. Each time he lost. Along the way, he married three times. His first wife died of cancer and he divorced twice. He had four children from his first marriage. In 1972 his life would take a tragic turn. While campaigning for President in Maryland he was shot by Arthur Bremer. Wallace was paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. See FAITH LIFT Page 12
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Page 16
The Voice, August 5, 2020
COLUMN SIX
continued from Page 1 these anxious times when it’s six o’clock somewhere more often than not. We were listening to the final moment of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 on the ra-
dio—it’s also known as “Winter Dreams” and, along with the A/C, it was providing its own cooling effect— when a motorcyclist pulled up in the parking spot ahead of us. He dismounted and removed his helmet, then turned and glared at us for a moment before heading off
across the street. “What’s his problem?” my mother said. “Maybe he’s having a bad day. Whatever, I’ll be back in five minutes.” I left the engine idling so Mum could have the A/C and pretend it was July in Scotland. It’s our running joke.
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The LCBO was idling as well at the time, and so I was able to collect my wine and check out in no time. I was putting the carton in the back of the car when the motorcyclist emerged from nowhere and planted himself right beside me. I was still wearing my face mask but as he wasn’t I took a few steps back. “Not meaning to interfere or anything,” he said, “but the law in Ontario says you can’t idle your engine for more than three minutes. You’re polluting the atmosphere, you know. I’m just saying.” “Well I’m sorry about that, my friend,” I replied, smiling behind my mask and forgetting I was wearing it, “but my mother’s in the car and she’s 95.” I omitted to add that she’s Scottish and never acclimatized to our summer climate, but I don’t think it mattered. “I don’t like to leave her in a hot car.” “It’s not even that hot,” he retorted. “And you’re polluting the air, asshole!” So now I’m thinking this little encounter has suddenly escalated. I could just turn the other cheek, which would be appropriate given his insulting remark, or I could convert my 72-year-old body into a weapon and have at him. I did neither. Instead, I walked around to the front of my car and pointed at his serious motorcycle. “And this thing you’re riding doesn’t pollute?” He followed me and raised his voice. “I don’t leave my engine idling though, do I?” He then released a barrage of swear words that further befouled the air and caused a couple of passers-by to stop and aim their phones at us. Maybe they thought this would make the six o’clock news. “Have yourself a nice rest of the day, pal,” I said and got into my vehicle.
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca He placed himself in front of the car, still spewing out his verbal pollutants and blocking our way, so I backed up and pulled out. As we passed him Mum smiled and gave him the finger. And so ended our encounter with Easy Rider. I related to her what had transpired and she shook her head. “He said that? Wow. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.” Another of her quaint expressions from a bygone world, where pots and kettles were black and people wound in their necks, as she would say. I wanted to ask him why he wasn’t wearing a mask while electing to be in my face but that would only have provoked him more. Something I’ve learned about self-appointed correctional officers and feel-good vigilantes is that they mostly travel a one-way street. Whether they are lecturing you about your carbon footprint or protesting about carriage horses or vandalizing monuments, many remain vacuum-sealed in their righteousness and their slogans. Climate change is of course a prized topic. A scientific fact, yes, but one that gets quickly muddied when it becomes seized upon by those with an axe to grind. It’s more than a little ironic that climate warriors brandish their cell phones whenever they gather, perhaps unaware that billions of these and other electronic miracles of our time contribute as much to environmental pollution, in the air and in landfills, as anything else. I wanted to explain through my mask to this environmentally aware motorcyclist that I agreed with him—that I recycle at home, keep my house neither too hot in winter nor too cold in summer but “just right,” bike when I can (mine is the pedal kind, fueled only by this old fossil), and I drive hardly at
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inaccurate. There is no province-wide law. Each municipality sets its own rules. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, where our encounter took place, there is no idling bylaw whatsoever. In Pelham it’s 30 minutes, and only for trucks—and not to curb pollution but to curb noise. In the Big Smoke it’s one minute, “except when necessary.” When necessary includes forever idling in urban traffic, stopping at red lights, and waiting for your order at the drive-thru (the average waiting time in North America is four minutes between placing your order and picking it up, not including the time spent crawling up to the ordering intercom). Millions of cars—and motorcycles— idle in these “when necessary” situations every single day. I wanted to explain to him that it was also necessary for a 95-year-old woman to have the relief of a car’s A/C when the temperature outside nearly matched her age—which is another one of those exceptions allowed by idling bylaws where they exist—but he was busy polluting the atmosphere with his expletives and there was no point anymore. Except the one my mother left him with. ◆
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all, but when I arrive at my destination I switch off the engine. I agree that we’re all in this together, but yes it was too darned hot to leave my mother in the car without the A/C. I discovered that his three-minute idling law was
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