The Voice, December 11 2019

Clash looms over library CEO position page 3 Mayor looks back at 2019 page 8 New generation of elves page 10 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.23 No.48

December 11, 2019

FREE

Column Six

Discount offer roils the aisles

BY JANE BEDARD

Special to the VOICE

T

Christmas Market

KICK-OFF

Town's festive season events get underway Photos page 20

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Plan to call us today. Tina

HIS YEAR I COULDN’T justify buying clothes for myself.

I mean, as a stayat-home-mom, what did I need more than track pants and t-shirts? I now have a few pairs of everyday track pants as well as my formal track pants for special occasions. Perhaps I can compensate for them with my fancy hair and make-up (not). My wardrobe is undoubtedly looking dull. I am expecting costume designers from Les Misérables to come knocking, looking for inspiration.

And, now that I don’t need to present a professional façade, I look in the mirror and am alerted to the fact that I am totally letting myself go. Case in point: It is a Sunday morning, the second week of November, and I am standing at the cosmetics counter in the drugstore when this really young thing, in lots of make-up (too much makeup in my conservative, old lady, what’s-wrong-withthe-youth-of-today opinion), pops up from behind See COLUMN SIX back page

Page 2

The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

IN THE NEWS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Puzzlement persists: The Puzzler value reaches $90 this week, with Minor Bros. joining Sobeys and Peter Piper’s Pub for $30 each in gift cards. The Puzzlemeister was initially concerned that the question this time around might be too easily solved, a concern that’s proven unnecessary. Some guesses so far: “A type of soup,” “One of the soups on the shelf in the Pelham Cares photo” (quick check—no, thankfully), and two readers concluded—in part, apparently, based on the waiter cartoon in the Service Directory—that “butternut” was the type of tartan design used in Peter Piper’s marketing, such as in their Voice ad. First, there’s a tartan design called “butternut”? Second, okay, but that’s not the solution we’re looking for. One reader, possibly partaking of some Pelham Kush (yes, there’s such a thing), offered that the answer to the question, “What is the question?” was “What is the question?” Pass that over here, please...Just two weeks away: I realize I’m a broken record on this (man, now there’s a 20th century expression whose days are numbered), but time, she flies, and faster and faster. Two more Wednesdays and it’s Christmas. We took in Pelham’s Outdoor Christmas Market last Friday and enjoyed the ambiance, particularly the wonderful sound of vocalist and Fenwick native Dominique Lalama. After she got a few bars into “Let it Snow,” one middle-aged wine drinker offered to another, “The Die Hard theme song.” Ah, the most unlikely Christmas movie ever—recall that it was released in July 1988—continues to delight, 31 years later. I saw it with friends in Chicago on opening weekend. Oops, there’s that time passing thing again. Timeless Santa and at least one elf will be on hand in Fenwick this coming Saturday for the Lions’ Christmas Parade. Santa has already appeared at the Christmas Market, then at last Saturday’s tree lighting ceremony (see poetic report, this page, by Brian Green)...A reminder: Next week's Christmas issue is our last of the year. If you have any holiday messaging to get out to Pelham shoppers, hasten thee to email...On the business front: Check out our introduction to Nine Lives Kitchens (p. 9), whose services we may just be in the market for. Our ‘80s kitchen cabinets have Die Hard written all over them, but a wholesale reno ain’t in the cards. Maybe I need to listen to more financial advice from Nicolle Lalonde, who’s holding an open house (ad, p. 13) at her Edward Jones office this Friday. And for those Krazy about Kalaya, PharmaChoice continues their big sale (ad, p. 9) right through Christmas Eve...Feh, 1988 was yesterday, kid: Is what I imagine Colleen Pohran, turning 95, might say. Happy Birthday, Colleen!...

Finally, Mayoral memories: Mayor Junkin shares what he found to be the highs and lows of his and Town Council’s first year in office (p. 8). We’ve invited each councillor to weigh in on the same topic—look for their responses next week, along, possibly, with a surprise guest appearance or two from contributors past. Until then, stay frosty out there. ♦

Santa Parade this Saturday

For the 22nd year in a row, the Fenwick Lions will hold their Santa Claus Parade, happening this Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 PM. After the parade winds through downtown Fenwick, festivities will continue at Centennial Park with Santa and his elves.

Traffic stop leads to drug charges

A tree glows in Fenwick

BY BRIAN GREEN

Special to the VOICE

T’was the seventh of December and all through the town From Fenwick to Fonthill and all around Merry folks gathered to view the lights About to be lit in the darkening twilight.

Mayor Junkin was there to throw the switch And the tree came alight in colours so rich While Councillors Ciolfi and Stewart presented themselves And assisted the Mayor like good Christmas elves.

Santa showed up dressed all in red And presided o’er all from his Christmas sled

ce Voonivacation!

To hear with patience and good humoured smile Requests for toys, electronics and cool styles.

The Lions of Fenwick did themselves proud In providing hot chocolate for the gathering crowd Who gasped with awe when the tree was lit And sang merry tunes, as did befit This season of joy, goodwill, and peace When gloom is banished and tensions decrease.

‘Neath the newly lit tree, all joined in a cheer: “Merry Christmas to all, and a happy new year.”

Total prize value now:

The answer is “Butternut.”

What is the question?

The solution is before your eyes Search and ye shall find Email your entry to:

puzzler@thevoiceofpelham.ca

$90! $30 Peter Piper’s Gift Certificate

$30 Fonthill Sobey’s Gift Certificate

Deadline: 6 PM, Sat., Dec. 14 / Good luck!

Read full Puzzler rules and conditions at:

http://www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/the-pelham-puzzler/

$30 Minor Brothers Gift Certificate

Patricia and Duncan McNaughton at San Cristobal while touring Ecuador. Muy azul!

Send us your picture holding The Voice, whether across town or abroad and we’ll share it with our readers! Email your photo with a brief description to

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On Monday, at approximately 3:30 AM a Niagara Regional Police Service, 2 District Niagara Falls uniform officer was on general patrol in the area of Garner Road near Thorold Stone Road in Niagara Falls.

The officer noticed a white Hyundai Elantra traveling northbound on Garner Road. According to a police statement, the officer recognized the driver and conducted a traffic stop for suspicion of driving with a suspended driving licence.

The identity of the driver was determined and he was arrested for driving a motor vehicle while suspended. A search of the vehicle following the driver's arrest located a quantity of suspected illegal narcotics. A passenger in the vehicle was subsequently also arrested.

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The Voice, December 11, 2019

Page 3

Town seeks direct appointment of Library CEO Unorthodox move appears aimed at cost savings for labour-heavy budget

BY DAVE BURKET

The VOICE

In a departure from past practice and in possible opposition to the Public Libraries Act, the Town of Pelham has requested that Vickie vanRavenswaay, Director of Recreation, Culture, and Wellness, also assume the duties of the Pelham Public Library’s CEO. The Voice has learned that Town Council’s request was delivered to the Pelham Public Library Board last week. The board gathered to discuss the issue behind closed doors at the library’s Fonthill branch on Wednesday evening.

Headed into the meeting, council liaison to the board, Councillor Marianne Stewart was tightlipped.

“Sorry, but I can’t speak to any of that,” she replied when asked about vanRavenswaay.

The Ontario Public Libraries Act specifies that library boards are to function as independent entities, hiring their own chief executive officers— individuals who specifically do not answer to a municipality.

The Voice understands that following Wednesday night’s meeting, the board rejected the municipality's request, informing the Town on Thursday that Acting CEO Amy Guilmette will remain in the position for the foreseeable future.

The library’s search for a new CEO has been underway for over a year, following the October 2018 departure of previous CEO Kirk Weaver, who came into the job in early 2015. Last autumn, Weaver was offered a position in a different industry and his departure from the library was voluntary. As recently as three weeks ago, the library placed advertising in the Voice, seeking applicants for the CEO position.

Both Guilmette and Library Board Chair Tim Wright declined to comment for this story. Mayor Marvin Junkin likewise declined comment, citing an upcoming meeting this week with Wright.

At issue for council may be the library’s top-heavy labour costs.

The CEO position clocks in on the Sunshine List at $106,000—Weaver’s 2018 salary. In her usual role as Deputy CEO, Guilmette is earning just shy of $100,000. Figuring in an additional 20% for the value of benefits and other employment costs, this leaves the two top jobs eating up roughly 30% of the library’s approximately $940,000 budget.

There are three additional fulltime salaried positions, and 11 part-time staff, to run two library branches—the main Fonthill branch, and the significantly smaller, recently renovated Maple Acre branch, in Fenwick.

While similar small systems exist in rural Niagara, greater efficiency would appear to be the case elsewhere. In Haldimand County the library CEO runs seven branches. In Lambton County, the library CEO and two managers run 27 branches.

The Public Libraries Act’s language pertaining to the appointment of CEOs seems unambiguous: “A public library board has the power to appoint a library chief executive officer (CEO). The CEO is a library board employee and not a municipal employee. The CEO reports to the board and not to the municipality. The CEO does not report in a dual relationship to both the board and the municipality.”

In a short survey of other systems, however, the Voice found that at least one CEO position was mixed. The municipal CAO of Middlesex County is also the CEO of that county’s library system.

Nothing in the Act appears to prohibit a library CEO from performing his or her duties parttime, or from holding separate employment, including with a municipality. What’s mandated is that the library CEO reports to the library board, not to the municipal council.

On the matter of penalties, the Act is arguably more bark than bite. If a municipality is found to be in contravention, it risks losing provincial funding for its library in the form of its Public Libraries Operating Grant (PLOG). There are no criminal or other sanctions.

Yet while loss of provincial funding may seem too big a pill for Pelham to risk swallowing, the PLOG tablet turns out to be the size of a single Tic-Tac. Of the library’s 2018 operations cost of $945,315, only some $40,000—about 4%—came in the form of provincial funding.

Even if the province were to pull Pelham’s grant entirely, and assuming that vanRavenswaay received a bump of $10,000 or $15,000 to add oversight of the library to her existing duties, the library still stands to realize a savings of some $80,000 to $90,000.

This isn’t the first time that a Pelham Town Council has sought to flex its muscles with a library board.

In January 2011, then-Councillors John Durley and Gary Accursi brought forward a motion seen by some observers as deliberately timed to catch the board off balance. Both the library CEO and the board Chair were out of town when the pair proposed a sweeping and grammatically wandering resolution that sought to exert greater

I can say that Ms. vanRavenswaay is an experienced public servant who has performed quite well

control over the library.

Reading in part, “Whereas: by making the library function accountable to the council of the Town creates a system of ‘checks and balances’ that ensure best possible use of tax dollars, and, Whereas: it is desirable to create a better system of communication, cooperation and synergy between the town and its library function,” the motion concluded that the library “function” was to be brought “into conformity with other Town functions and operations” through new policies and procedures.

“It felt like a takeover just because of the timing and a lack of communication with the library board ahead of time,” remembers one stakeholder, speaking on condition that they not be named.

“Gary Accursi was the council rep and he had not mentioned any of this at the [most recent] board meeting, which he could have done, because, obviously, someone spent some time working on all of their whereases. I doubt that Gary could have come up with the wording on his own. I'm sure someone else was behind it.”

The motion ultimately went nowhere, with some other members of council questioning why the Town would seek to micro-manage a library board whose mem-

Top, the status of Acting Library CEO Amy Guilmette is unclear. Above, Director of Recreation, Culture and Wellness, Vickie vanRavenswaay, left, and Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart, Town Council's liaison to the Pelham Public Library Board.

VOICE FILE AND SUPPLIED PHOTOS bers had just been appointed weeks earlier, following the 2010 municipal election and turnover of appointed resident committees.

Neither Durley nor Accursi acknowledged Voice requests for comment.

Whether vanRavenswaay or another individual not trained in library science should take the library’s top management job, however, is an open question.

In letter to the editor this week, the library’s retired Public Services Coordinator, Elaine Anderson, coincidentally touches on the issue of qualifications in relation to a potential scheme to partially automate the Maple Acre branch.

“Library workers are trained information professionals, not desk clerks,” writes Anderson. “Their main responsibilities include processing materials, creating reading lists, updating the website, scheduling, planning programs, advertising, planning displays, processing InterLibrary Loans, solving IT problems, tracking volunteer hours, and so much more.”

While Anderson declined to comment specifically on the current CEO issue, or on her previous experience at the library, Pelham CAO David Cribbs offered his take

on what constitutes a qualified manager.

“I can say that Ms. vanRavenswaay is an experienced public servant who had performed quite well in a senior leadership role for several years,” said Cribbs.

“She has been instrumental in making the MCC a success, and has also taken on the challenge of operating the Town’s transit system. Beyond that, she has experience in managing the cultural portfolio.”

Cribbs said considering that Acting CEO Guilmette has “stepped down and a search is underway for a new candidate,” he was supportive of vanRavenswaay being appointed, on an interim basis, as Acting CEO. “She has a demonstrated track record of both management and leadership, and she could support the library staff during a transitional period.”

Cribbs cited the library’s own recent hiring history as a template.

“Mr. Weaver, the prior CEO, was also not a librarian, but this in no way inhibited him from doing a fine job. Ms. vanRavenswaay is every bit as qualified as the previous CEO, and I think she is an excellent choice for the role.”

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Honouring Pelham firefighters

On Monday, Dec. 2, council began its regular meetwith the memory of Art Lafleur.

Lafleur joined the Pelham Fire Department in 1974, and was named District Chief in 1993, shortly before being forced to retire in 1995 due to health issues.

The Town of Pelham named a fund after Art Lafleur fol-

lowing his passing in 2001.

Lafleur’s son, speaking on behalf of the family, told a full room of supporters that his dad was “not only a great citizen, he was a great husband, father, grandfather, and a true friend to all people in the Town of Pelham.”

2019 saw the final year of the Art Lafleur Memorial Golf Tournament, with some $10,000 raised, with a total of some $75,000 raised

over the years. These funds helped the Fire Department purchase equipment not included in the Town budget.

Years of service awards were also presented, as Henry Wutzke (25 years), Steven Racz (25), Terry Beckett (25) and George Popko (31) were recognized for their years of service.

“We appreciate your hours of training and your efforts keeping this community safe,” said Mayor Junkin.

From bus to taxi

The bulk of council’s time was then devoted to a presentation by Robert Salewytsch, Program Manager, Transit Services, Niagara Region, speaking on “a more connected region via transit service.” The information came as a follow-up to a similar presentation in October. Highlighting an “on-demand model” over a fixed-route service,

Salewytsch said that the on-demand model—essentially taxi service, though through rideshare companies such as Uber— offers better area coverage, “dynamically adjusted routing, and vehicle utilization response in real time.” In contrast to a fixed-route (i.e., bus) service, on-demand service benefits riders, asserted Salewytsch, with “unique user profiles, accessible vehicles, multiple

booking options, same-day service, improved connectivity, consistent pricing, and real-time vehicle arrival information.”

More directly, rather than wait at a bus stop for scheduled service, riders would order rides individually from home, at a set fee.

The improved service, he said, would not cost more See COUNCIL Page 14

Page 4

The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Diana Huson, Regional Councillor Finale of one dark episode doesn't rule out a sequel

T

HE ONTARIO Ombudsman’s report, “Inside Job,” although long overdue, is a thoroughly investigative document that provides shocking insight, and damning conclusions, into the inner workings of the last term of Niagara Regional Council.

We now know that the hiring of our most senior public official, at a salary of $230,000 per year, was “unreasonable, unjust and wrong.” We can also confirm with certainty that the hiring process was tainted by the “improper disclosure of confidential information,” including a release of the interview questions, the provision of suggested answers, and disclosure of biographical information about other candidates.

In other words, a concerted effort was made by a handful of individuals to manipulate what should have been a fair and impartial process, to the benefit of a select few.

If this doesn’t make you angry, it should.

Our public institutions are the custodians of the public’s trust. They must uphold basic principles such as fairness, transparency,

honesty, integrity, and accountability. And yet these principles were noticeably absent. We deserve better from our government.

If this doesn't make you angry, it should

This week Regional Council was tasked with considering the Ombudsman’s report and the important decision of determining next steps.

I and the rest of council received a myriad of emails and phone calls, overwhelmingly requesting that we refer this matter for investigation. Council unanimously voted to refer the report to the police.

They can determine if it is a criminal matter and how to proceed in that regard.

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Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting.

905-682-2140 Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) www.niagaratips.com Text 274637(CRIMES), keyword Niagara, then your tip

The Voice

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Gloria J. Katch, Maeve Keating, Brian Green, Megan Metler, John Piccolo, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, John Swart, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Council also passed a motion to examine what civil options are available to us arising from the findings of the report.

And finally, council has also voted to adopt all 16 of the recommendations contained within the report.

Some of these recommendations include policies and protocols around the role of staff within the Chair’s office, code of conduct, hiring practices, the handling of confidential information, etc. All of these recommendations, as well as the report, are available online for everyone to read should you wish to review them in detail.

All three of these responses were adopted unanimously. I had no doubt that this would be how we would proceed. The more difficult task ahead is how do we ensure this can never happen again? In reality, it could. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty—even in Niagara. We already have a number of the policies and practices in place outlined by the Ombudsman’s recommendations. The policies did not prevent this from happening. Should a group See HUSON next page

Letters Self-serve library may be false economy A proposal came up at the Pelham Town Council meeting of Oct. 28 concerning library staffing. In order to cut staff costs, it appears that council is entertaining the idea that information specialists can be substituted with volunteers, self-serve stations, Culture and Recreation Staff or some combination thereof.

Library workers are trained information professionals, not desk clerks. They are the mediators between library users and the world of information.

While their priority is serving patrons, their main responsibilities include processing materials, creating reading lists,

updating the website, scheduling, planning programs, advertising, planning displays, processing InterLibrary Loans, solving IT problems, tracking volunteer hours, and so much more. Suggesting seniors might volunteer at the library is a quaint but outdated idea in this, the Information Age. In 2018, 2850 volunteer hours were donated. While Pelham Library's 211 volunteers are wonderful, they are not career librarians with the expertise required. As well, access to patron accounts means there are serious privacy issues.

See FALSE next page

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi mciolfi@pelham.ca 905-892-0077

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

Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840

Electoral District: Niagara West

Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 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

22nd

SANTA CLAUS PARADE

Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-2607

Annual

Fabulous Fenwick Lions

Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805

Join us on Saturday, Dec. 14, 1:00 PM in downtown Fenwick!

After the parade, the magical festivities continue at Centennial Park with Santa!

Food and games!

Lots of fun for the whole family!

Ho, ho, ho! Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice!

Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647

Today's forgotten business stopped advertising yesterday

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Have an Opinion?

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The Voice, December 11, 2019

Page 5

OPINION Day-Glo evenings

COMMENTARY / OP-ED

I would like to take this opportunity to pass along my thanks to CannTrust for their generous provision of supplemental light on Monday night, Dec. 2. With it, I was able to clear my entire driveway and associated parking areas without turning on any other lights on my property. Now we can continue to enjoy the great outdoors in the evenings, even in winter!

Thank you, CannTrust!

Michael Brownbridge Fenwick

Spelling matters This may seem a minor matter compared to the actual street design, but is anyone on Town Council aware that the signage for Summersides Boulevard is incorrect, at least on the Station Street end? The WWII veteran, for whom the street is named, is Jim Summersides, with an “s” at the end.

The signage says, Summerside, no final “s.”

Jacqueline Bunting & Rex Summersides (with an “s”) Ridgeville

FALSE

continued from previous page In this day of highly specialized jobs, Town Culture and Recreation staff have most likely gone to college for courses in that area and have a particular skill-set, just as Library staff have.

To believe people from both disciplines should be interchangeable is disrespectful of all staff.

Of greater concern is the suggestion that staff can be replaced by self-checkout stations. Does that mean that the self-checkout machines presently in use will be mothballed and that funding wasted?

One might wonder why the Town Treasurer is spending time researching this technology when it is the jurisdiction of the Library Board and Library CEO. The Public Libraries Act clearly spells out the relationship between a public library and its municipality.

Council seems enamoured with a system they have heard about in Hamilton and seems totally unaware that the newly renovated Maple Acre had a self-checkout station and Fonthill followed soon afterwards— but never to replace staff.

A little research into the Freelton Branch of the Hamilton Public Library shows they are a test site for a self-checkout system which allows people into the locked library. Questions arise about whether someone has done a thorough evaluation of Hamilton’s trial.

Recently, there has been a backlash against the use of self-checkouts as people realize employers intend to cut jobs. Security can be an issue when allowing people into a “staffless” library. The security of the building and contents is less of a concern than the safety of patrons, as well as the potential for litigation.

Maple Acre is presently home to new technologies in the form of a Makerspace, which includes a 3D printer, Cricut Maker, Ozobots and Makey-Makeys.

These technologies require close supervision by staff.

The Pelham Historical Society’s collection is housed in a dedicated space at Maple Acre. It also requires supervision and staff assistance.

Is Fenwick once again fighting to keep its library branch open? The Public Libraries Act “supports the provision of equal and universal access to information….” Is it the intention of council to make the Fenwick branch completely self-serve in contravention of the Act? Prior to the rebuild, the Library Board passed a motion to either have a full-service branch or no branch at all.

The community supported a full-service branch.

Now, it appears, Fenwick may be being downgraded to an expensive book vending machine, while a brand spanking-new full-service branch is being planned for Fonthill.

Elaine Anderson Former Public Services Coordinator Pelham Public Library

Doug Draper, Niagara at Large

Shining example: Regional Council stands up for the greater good

I

T WAS A YEAR AGO, DECEMBER 6, 2018, that Niagara’s new Regional Council was sworn in, and Jim Bradley, the former veteran MPP for St. Catharines, was elected by a majority on that newly sworn-in council to serve as Niagara Region’s new Chair.

It was an inauguration day like no other in Niagara Region’s 50-year history, if for nothing more than the sheer number of new faces taking the oath of office.

Only nine of the 32 of the individuals sworn in that day had served on Regional Council during the last term, and—with the exception of Niagara Falls’ Barbara Greenwood, who had sat on the council a few terms ago—22 had never served on council at the Regional level before.

It made for an unprecedented number of newcomers at the Regional level following the October 2018 municipal election, which saw an equally unprecedented drive by citizens across Niagara for sweeping change after four years of a council, dominated by then-Regional Chair Al Caslin and what came to be known as a “cabal” of a dozen or more councillors, that felt like a trip through Dante’s Inferno for

many people.

So the new council was sworn in with a gallery packed with people filled with hope that some semblance of decency, trust and respect for people and the way public institutions should work in a democracy, would be restored.

Coming up here was like coming to a gun fight, and we brought knives

This December 5, at a special meeting of Regional Council chaired by Jim Bradley, all 25 councillors attending the meeting at the time fulfilled that hope in spades when they voted in favour of turning a recently released Ontario Ombudsman’s report, on the sordid circumstances around the hiring three years ago of former Regional CAO Carmen D’Angelo, over to police

for further investigation.

The passage of that motion and another, asking lawyers to determine if there is any legal recourse the Region can pursue around contracts it signed with individuals linked to the CAO hiring affair, drew a round of applause and choruses of “thank you” from citizens in the gallery.

The meeting also featured some words from Regional councillors worth repeating here, because they say a great deal about how dark and disturbing times were at the Region under the watch of then-Regional Chair Al Caslin and CAO Carmen D’Angelo.

From St. Catharines regional councillor Brian Heit, one of the councillors from the last term who was reelected in October of 2018, and one of a handful on the last council who voted against hiring D’Angelo to the CAO’s job: “This started in 2010 [four years before Caslin became chair],” said Heit, “the Regional Council cabal, and it continued with the recruitment of more like-minded individuals in 2014.

Coming up here [to Niagara’s Regional Council chambers in Thorold] was like coming to a gun fight and we brought See DRAPER next page

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continued from previous page of people decide to align themselves to manipulate our public policies and processes again, they could.

Council has a role in preventing this. However, the public does as well.

It’s important to be engaged in our municipal government. It’s important to be part of the political discourse, to be informed and have an opinion. Pay attention. Take us to task on tough issues. Be part of the conversation. Get out and vote!

What is evident is that we all have an active role to play in upholding the integrity of our public institutions. Every one of us.

I believe we’re able to now close a door on a dark chapter in our Region’s history because of the active engagement of a select number of Regional councillors, staff, and the public, who stood up for our institution and demanded better.

Though their actions, this report was made possible. They took on the difficult task of fighting for accountability and transparency in our government, and our institution will be the better for it. ♦

NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

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

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

Everyone has a story. Tell us yours!

NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 2000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Page 6

Letters

The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

First, we pay all the lawyers...

Spoiler alert—there's a plot twist at the end

The residents of Niagara have to be pleased with the unanimous decision by Regional Council to hand over the Ombudsman’s report to the police on the tainted hiring of the former CAO Carmen D'Angelo. The taxpayer can also rest easy with the fact that because these persons involved are no longer on the Region’s payroll, they will have to pick up the cost themselves for all their legal representation in the future to do with this case. You don't have to look too far back in the past to see why your taxes have increased due to the money wasted on lawsuits, buyouts, investigations, and legal fees, both at the region and the NPCA. This seems to have been the norm, and we can only hope that we are finally headed in the right direction.

Robert Milenkoff Welland

From September 1927 to June 1974, the Village of Fenwick was home to Pelham High School. Located on the corner of Canboro Road and Balfour Street it accepted (until 1958) students from Fenwick, Ridgeville, Fonthill, North Pelham, Effingham, Wellandport, Wainfleet, West Lincoln, parts of Welland and Thorold.

Things changed after 1958, when Thorold/Fonthill High School opened and students from the eastern parts went there.

DRAPER

tired Regional government employee who is now serving his first term on the council), said this at the December 5 special meeting: “Just a quick comment, Mr. Chair,” he began. “I know, as Councillor Heit stated [that] over the last few years it has been difficult to deal with some of the issues that were taking place around this table…. But even for myself, as a Regional employee while all of this was taking place, it was affecting the staff as well. People were walking on pins and needles at that time, not knowing what was going to happen, not knowing who was going to get let go, and a lot of good people were let go and a lot of people retired because they could see the writing on the wall. I am glad this motion is before us today,” added Chiocchio, of the motion to refer the CAO hiring affair to the police.

“I will be supporting it 100 percent.”

Then Niagara-on-theLake Regional Councillor Gary Zalepo, echoing what many of his fellow councillors were saying to citizens across the region in the days

continued from previous page knives, some of us. It was not fun times.”

“Hopefully, we can get some answers,” Heit said, of the council’s call for and the need for a police investigation. “Who benefited the most? Who owed who favours? Who had what on who? Who was the puppet-master over what took place over the last eight years around here? And as Tom Insinna [a first term Niagara Regional councillor from Fort Erie and veteran RCMP officer] keeps saying: ‘Follow the money.’ Obviously that’s a concern of some of us around here. Years ago as I watched ‘House of Cards’ [an American TV series that deals with politicians in Washington and, according to a Wikipedia description, “with themes of ruthless pragmatism, manipulation, betrayal and power”], I wondered

if [the so-called cabal] on Niagara’s Regional Council were watching that show.”

Later in the meeting, after Heit detailed what appeared to be backroom manoeuvres (later confirmed in the Ontario Ombudsman’s report) by members of that cabal and by some now-former senior staffers at the Region, to set the stage for D’Angelo to get the CAO’s job.

The manoeuvring went on even though, in Heit’s view, there was at least one other “solid individual” — a former commissioner at the Region — he believed should have got the job, but was not even granted an opportunity to be interviewed for it.

Heit then recounted the time that he and another Regional councillor (Kelly Edgar) were sued (the suit later fell flat in a provincial court) for trying to circulate information to fellow councillors before D’Angelo was hired, that might inspire

them to reconsider D’Angelo’s name being put forward as the preferred candidate for the job.

Referring back to steps reportedly being taken behind the scenes to keep the former commissioner from receiving any further consideration, Heit said, “This is a solid individual that could have been the CAO of Niagara and he is being ignored. Obviously [someone] didn’t want the individual here because he couldn’t be controlled. I get emotional over this because I got sued,” he said, as his eyes turned wet and he ended his comments at the December 5 meeting by responding to something the Ombudsman, Paul Dube, attributed to D’Angelo in his report.

“The nerve of Carmen D’Angelo to say [that matters related to the CAO hiring affair don’t] demonstrate any harm to the Region.”

Welland Regional Councillor Pat Chiocchio (a re-

Then E. L. Crossley opened in 1963 and this was the beginning of the end for Pelham High. The history of Pelham / Continuation / District/ Secondary School is long and varied and I will try to tell you about this fascinating history of education over the coming months.

We were a rural school in a rural, agricultural community. A large number of stu-

since the Ontario Ombudsman’s report, titled “Inside Job,” was released on November 29.

“I am definitely very in favour of this motion,” Zalepo said. “I am sitting here in this chair because during the [October 2018 municipal] election, people were asking me, ‘Why do you want to run for the position.’”

“I said it was about restoring honesty, integrity and bringing good faith back to government in the Region of Niagara and I really feel that is what we are doing with this motion.”

St. Catharines Regional Councillor Laura Ip (another first term member of the council) added: “I had run for council a few times before this [October, 2018] campaign, [and] in previous elections we were able to talk about [other] issues….

In this past campaign, it was very much about being honest, ethical people. So hopefully, between this motion [to seek legal recourse on contracts] and the last motion [calling for a police investigation], we are able to say to the public that they are in good hands with this

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See TWIST Page 12

council.”

Pelham Regional Council Diana Huson (also serving her first term) summed up the outcome of the meeting this way: “We are custodians of the public trust [and] I think we showed great leadership in doing this today,” she said of the motions the council passed.

“It is not good enough to have good policies,” Huson added. “We have to have quality people around this table [and] I want to thank council for doing the right thing today, and I want to thank members of council and staff and members of the public … for asking us to uphold the integrity of our institutions.”

And with all of the other important issues facing Niagara and the Regional Council as it begins the second year of a four-year term, Huson finished by sharing a wish many have that the current group of councillors will move on “and show the public what Regional Council is supposed to look like for the next few years.”

Amen to that.

And certainly this December 5 was a stellar display of how a government by the people and for the people should behave when there is reason to believe that the integrity of our institutions have been compromised and abused for interests that have little or nothing to do with the greater public good.

We may not agree with everything this Niagara Regional Council has done during the first year of its term, and we will quite likely have our differences with some of the decisions it makes in the future.

We will have our differences, all right, and that is the way it always will be.

The important point here is this.

What a world of difference between the level of civility and decency and respect shown by this Regional Council, chaired by Jim Bradley, so far, compared to the ugly, unwelcome mess we faced in the four years before this council was sworn in.

For the sake of everyone who lives and works in Niagara, let’s hope it now stays that way. ♦ Originally posted on Niagara At Large, www.niagaraatlarge.com. Niagara native Doug Draper has covered environmental and other issues for some four decades, writing for local dailies, weeklies, and The Buffalo News, earning him numerous provincial, national, and international awards.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 11, 2019

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The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Mayor's year in review Mayor Marvin Junkin weighs in on Pelham Town Council's accomplishments during 2019

D

ECEMBER 3 MARKED the one-year anniversary of myself and the rest of council being in office.

This year has flown by from my perspective, and contains many accomplishments, with many more items still on the list. When I think back to the night of council’s inauguration, I can easily recall the positive energy that filled the room that night, along with an “I can’t wait to make a difference” feeling among all members of council. Even after a year in office, I, personally, can still feel these two attributes emanating from this council.

One of this council’s earliest decisions was to name our Treasurer, Teresa Quinlin, as the Town’s Interim CAO, after the departure of the previous occupant of this position. We were very fortunate to have a such capable person on staff to step forward as our Interim CAO. For the five months that she was on the job, Ms. Quinlin ran a tight ship and kept us moving in the right direction.

It was under her guidance, along with input from senior staff, that council entirely reworked the management/labour matrix of the community centre, which resulted in savings of nearly $200,000 a year.

In January, council became aware of a roundabout that was being contemplated for Station Street at Summersides.

After discussions with staff, it was determined that although it might be needed in the future, it wasn’t

needed now, and the Town could use the $800,000 elsewhere. The project was shelved.

Also in January, we had the first of many Public Meetings/ Open Houses. I personally love these open forums, although they require a lot of staff time to set up the facilities at the MCC. What better a way for a council to feel the pulse of the community than to have them tell us faceto-face their thoughts on any given subject? To date, we have had five such meetings and I rate everyone a huge success.

Early spring brought with it the first discussions of a tiny creature that would eventually be the subject of another public meeting, countless hours of staff time, and more than a little bit of angst among council and citizens—the dreaded gypsy moth. Facing financial constraints (no money), time constraints (flight plans had to be registered), and biological deadlines (we were weeks away from the first hatch), council and staff instituted a plan which, yes, saved trees, and yes, the vast majority of residents were happy with, yet there were lessons learned that will be applied to all future programs.

The summer saw the hiring of the Town’s current CAO, David Cribbs. Although I was initially somewhat apprehensive of having to work with a lawyer on a daily basis (not that there’s anything wrong with being a lawyer), my fears proved to be groundless and I am quite confident in saying that David and I have devel-

oped a strong friendship, along with a great working relationship. With David having almost 20 years of municipal experience, he has been invaluable in bringing the new council together as a team and has been much appreciated by staff members.

As the year unfolded, the development community continued to express interest in the remaining Town lands which were on the real estate market. As of this writing, a deal has closed which will see the building of a seniors’ housing complex. Three other projects will be closed in the next two to three months.

Money from these land sales will be used to pay the bridge loan from Infrastructure Ontario in regards to the MCC. In the fall, the much-anticipated opening (at least by nearby neighbours Bruno and Ann Villalta) of Poth Street was realized.

After being held up for over two years by financial contraints and bad consultant reports, area contractor Bill Duffin was awarded the contract to get the job done.

To officially open the road, Bruno and Ann brought a small table on site with some beverages and invited myself, the contractor and a few neighbours to partake in the celebrations. It was at this gathering that Bruno told me that it was his son who designed the Canada Arm that is on the International Space Station and wrote the 3,000-page instruction manual for it.

Late fall saw work commence on the upgrading of Peace Park.

The Bandshell Committee had brought a proposal to council where they asked the Town to loan them $75,000 to be used upfront, and paid back in full with donations from their fundraising for this project. The project consisted of installing additional benches, improve the lighting, re-design the slope of the area in front of the bandshell, re-sod the park, put in a concrete path at the brim of the hill for accessibility purposes, plant several additional trees and finally, install an irrigation system to keep everything growing. The project is 80% complete with the final touch-ups to the lighting system being completed in the spring.

The sad thing about this area is that it is very disheartening to see the amount of dog crap that has been deposited on the freshly laid sod. Come on people, please be responsible dog owners!

One complaint that all council members consistently received from residents was that the Town website had, over time, deteriorated to the point of becoming an unwieldy, unnavigable maze.

Council gave our communications expert Marc MacDonald the green light to do a complete overhaul on the site, to update it and make it user-friendly. After months of cutting and re-arranging, Marc has indeed manufactured a site that residents can easily access for information.

The new site was entered into a website competition and, not surprisingly, won an award for its layout and ease of use.

These are just some of the items that have kept myself and council busy in the last 12 months. I have not even touched on the important committees that we have formed and of which are seeing amazing results. I will simply name them here: Utility Sustainability Committee, Audit Committee, Cannabis Control Committee, MCC User Group Committee, MCC Hospitality Committee and the Beautification Committee. These committees exist only because of the talented and dedicated citizens that stepped forward and offered, free of charge, their time and expertise. The Town owes these citizens a collective thank you!

In the coming months, council will be introducing bylaws concerning cannabis production facilities, short-term rentals, and forging an updated working relationship with the Town’s Library Board.

It has been a great year serving the community and getting to know on a personal basis, so many of the Town’s residents. In closing, I believe that one of the most successful aspects of this council is that we have broken down the “Us Against Them” mentality, and we have made great strides in regaining the residents’ trust in council and Town Staff by truly being transparent.

I eagerly await the challenges of the next year. ♦ Mayor Marvin Junkin

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The Voice, December 11, 2019

Page 9

New Business FOCUS

Lots of life on tap for Nine Lives Kitchens Pelham painting specialist just getting started

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

Kevin Coyle has been running Nine Lives Kitchens out of his Highway 20 shop in Fonthill since July, but he has even bigger plans on the horizon. That in itself is impressive when you consider that a little over a year ago, the kitchen repainting specialist was operating out of his St. Catharines garage.

“I just purchased a $15,000 spray booth,” Coyle said. “It’s a long way from when I was in my garage when I had four fans blowing it out the back door.”

It’s in that spray booth where painters refinish old cabinets and furniture for a growing list of clients around Niagara. That’s the company’s more cost-efficient specialty, as opposed to rebuilding and renovating kitchens.

“What we do is we repaint kitchens. What makes us unique, is we spray finish the boxes,” Coyle said.

“I do have a local guy who does modifications, but we’re not doing new kitchens, building new boxes and that. But sometimes people get a new fridge, they’ve got to change things up, get an island built, we can do that.”

Business has been brisk.

“We’re insanely busy doing kitchens,” he said, adding that

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Nine Lives will also repaint furniture such as dining room sets and dressers.

Yet it was while he was spray-painting a door last year when Coyle came up with another idea.

“I was at the shop, and I was spraying at like midnight, and I thought, ‘This is b.s..’ And I thought, what if we brought the unit to people’s homes, and the whole vision kind of unwinded in my brain.”

He spoke with business partner Donna Micallef, who had built successful companies in Toronto before moving south.

“I didn’t think it was going to be scalable enough to have an investor involved in it, but when I had an epiphany about the mobile spray trailer, I presented it to her.”

The idea is this: Coyle will bring a fully outfitted mobile spray trailer to the driveways of homes interested in repainting their exterior doors.

“It will be a completely sustainable spray trailer with sanding and everything,” he said. “So we’ll pull up in front of somebody’s house in the driveway, and we take the front door off, put another door on.

We’re going to take the door into

From left, staff member Dwayne Ward, owners Kevin and Carolyn Coyle. the trailer and within two hours you’re gonna have a fully repainted door.”

The demand exists, Coyle says.

“Nobody’s doing that,” he said.

“Doors are a pain in the rear, when you think about it. You’ve got this gaping hole in front of your house.

Normally contractors have to take the door and bring it somewhere to have it done. They’re big, they’re bulky, and cumbersome to move around. This way, it’s done right in the trailer and we can expedite the drying process and we can have it up in under two hours … it’s basi-

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One of the trailers is currently sitting in front of Nine Lives’ shop on Highway 20, in Fonthill. The plan is to have that operation up and running by the spring, with the long-term goal of franchising the operation all around the Golden Horseshoe within two years.

In the meantime, a lot of kitchen cabinetry will get painted. Coyle has three painters, an installer and a carpenter on staff, along with partner Micallef and his wife Carolyn—who was an impetus for the entire business model when

VOICE PHOTO

she worked on the visual team at Stoney Creek furniture, giving her a keen eye for current styles and trends.

Nine Lives uses low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, which results in a coating that does not give off a severe odour as it dries, but provides a professional finish to surfaces.

“It’s completely unique,” Coyle said.

Nine Lives Kitchens is located at 151 Highway 20 E. Call 905-4689668 or visit nineliveskitchens. com for more information.

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The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Painting the town red (and green) Pelham Beautification Committee assumes holiday decorating tradition

BY MAEVE KEATING

Special to the VOICE

For over two decades, Pelham residents enjoyed the festive visual efforts of local holiday “elves” Paul Ryan, Gayle Baltjes, and company. Last November, the pair hung up their leadership hats. This year, the Town announced that the festive legacy of Paul and Gayle will continue in the hands of Pelham’s Beautification Committee.

Twenty years ago, after noticing a need for some holiday decor to brighten her grandmother’s retirement residence, Gayle Baltjes decided to deck the area with evergreen boughs and red bows with the help of her partner-in-decor, Paul Ryan. Each year after that, the pair would decorate just a little farther, and before long the entire downtown was decorated. For years, Gayle and Paul (along with a few friends and volunteers) continued their quiet campaign, scrounging for evergreen branches donated by citizens’ private properties, local businesses, and even a handful of local landscaping companies.

“One thing led to another, and the next thing you know, they were decorating all of Pelham.” says Cynthia Roberts, Vice-Chair of the Pelham Beautification Committee.

Roberts volunteered for the position of “Master Elf” as soon as the committee was approached with the idea, and has been the driving force behind the organization and

execution of this year’s “decorating the town” effort. She hopes to continue to do so into the foreseeable future. After retiring as a coordinator and organizer for the recreation department of the City of Niagara Falls, Roberts decided to use her experience coordinating volunteers to continue Paul and Gayle’s quiet legacy.

“My aim is to acknowledge the previous elf volunteers for all their efforts over the last couple of decades. Especially Gayle and Paul,” Roberts says. “We have people rolling down their [car] windows and saying, ‘Thank you for making Pelham so beautiful.’ They honk their horns…[the tradition] is very much appreciated. In the last few weeks, I’ve heard from a number of people how very happy they are that this tradition is being carried on.”

After agreeing to take on the project, the committee set to work finding more able-bodied elves to replace those retiring. The Pelham Garden Club joined in, contributing upwards of 20 volunteers. The Town also contributed, ordering 300 evergreen boughs and red ribbons for the volunteers.

“We’re very appreciative. I don’t know that we would’ve been able to take it on the way the previous elves did,” says Roberts.

The actual decorating was a staggered effort, taking place over

From left, original elves Gayle Baltjes and Paul Ryan, plus new elves Cynthia Roberts and Jo-Ann Meeboer. two or three days during the final week of November. On Wednesday, November 27, the new generation of volunteer elves gathered at the community centre, where they assembled the bows and boughs.

“We got it all done in no time flat,” says Roberts. “We had just over 20 volunteers, and we put together 300 boughs in less than half an hour.”

On the last Saturday of November, the committee’s efforts came to fruition. After a very early start, the elves (many wearing Santa hats) came out in force, placing between 450 and 500 boughs throughout Fonthill. Donated coffee and baked goods made for a deicious end to a long day.

Roberts attributes the success of

this year’s effort solely to the volunteers and the legacy of the original elves, Paul and Gayle.

“I’ve lived in Pelham for 40 years now, and I’ve seen all the great work that was done by Paul and Gayle and other volunteers that do so much...I thought, it’s been five years since I retired, and now it’s time to start helping out.”

Roberts describes the efforts of the Pelham Beautification Committee as something the public rarely understands or is even aware of, but instantly recognizes. Much like the tradition of the original elves.

“It’s the whole spirit of community that has a huge impact. Quite often, beautification is ignored. The roads need to be fixed, the sewers need to be fixed, everyone needs

SUPPLIED PHOTO

to have clean water. Beautification quite often gets left on the back burner and lost in the mix...But it has a huge impact for people not only driving through, but also on residents.”

Roberts says that her number one priority for next year is getting more volunteers.

In the interim, the next big goal for Roberts and the Beautification Committee is to begin sending out formal thank you cards on a monthly basis to businesses, organizations, and individual homeowners that have made efforts to beautify their own properties.

Those looking to volunteer as elves for next year’s event may contact the committee through the Town, at 905-892-2607.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 11, 2019

Page 11

CRIKEY THAT'S CREAKY The first weekend of December’s big storm wasn’t kind to Fonthill resident Bernie Law’s backyard. Law sent in this photo of his 12-year-old B.C. redwood, its branches laden with ice. Branches bowed elsewhere in Pelham as well, with readers variously reporting limbs down on Canboro and Effingham Roads. Aside from the arboreal havoc, however, nearly perfect scenes of winter beauty were on display across hill and dale.

SUPPLIED PHOTO Julia and Laura Tremeer after a morning of collecting door-to-door.

MEGAN METLER PHOTO

Pelham Cares Food Drive a success

BY MEGAN METLER

Special to the VOICE

Saturday, December 7, marked the 29th Annual Pelham Food Drive.

At 9 AM, volunteers from the Fonthill and Fenwick Lions Clubs set out on their designated routes to collect non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, and monetary donations.

Products collected are being packed into holiday hampers for the upcoming Christmas holidays and stored for the regular food bank.

Christmas hampers include a main dinner for families and gifts for children in the household.

“We do one food drive a year and about 75 percent of our donations come in today, and it’s really important,” said Lori Grande, Pelham Cares Client Services Coordinator.

Grande explained that all food collection is brought to Rice Road Greenhouses, where it it date-checked, sorted, and boxed by volunteers. The donations are then transported back to Pelham Cares and stored until they get delivered to families in need.

According to Grande, approximately 50

families are helped each month thanks to Pelham’s generosity.

Apart from the food drive, Pelham Cares provides school supplies, transportation to medical appointments, sports and recreation subsidies for children in low-income families.

“I think this is a fun experience,” said student volunteer, Julia Tremeer. “It feels so good giving back to our community.”

From going door-to-door to sorting at the greenhouse, the food drive was a great place to make friends and have fun. Sports teams, clubs and families have made the food drive an annual tradition and others experience it for the first time.

“This is a first-time experience for me and so far it’s amazing,” said student Grace Conley. “I realize how fortunate we are and it’s nice to help those who are in need.”

Since 1985 Pelham Cares has been making a difference in our community. To volunteer, donate, or for more information, visit their website at pelhamcares.org or call (905) 8925300.

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Page 12

The Voice, December 11, 2019

Letters

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

Deer cull offends

It's up to residents to keep the pressure on cannabis growers for federal violations

Well, the reporter sure seems to assume a lot [Quiet scene at deer hunt, Dec. 4., p.11], and he certainly knows how to make men stationed at the park sound bad, hopefully their employers, do not get to read your write-up.

During the California fires a documentary showed horses being rescued from burning barns, when one elderly mare broke loose from the rescuers to go and retrieve a granddaughter filly trying desperately to make her way. The commentator said this is not an unusual gesture for animals to do demonstrating they do have connected loving relationships.

So for deer being slaughtered, terrified hour-uponhour, and with accounts of many being left suffering with arrows, to me is not something the average person with an ounce of compassion would like to stand up for.

Exercising treaty rights guaranteed in the Constitution Act of 1982 has turned a once beautiful quiet sanctuary into a killing field— in my mind it will never be routine nor will thoughts of enjoying the autumns.

Faye Suthons Wainfleet

I was working in Welland three days ago, on the corner of Woodlawn Road and First Avenue. Being mostly outdoors, whether working or at home, you get accustomed to the fragrances in the air. Over the past number of years the concerns relating to such topics as cannabis continue to be pretty constant, but actual complaints about the odour and light being emitted by the cannabis operators in Pelham at least has dwindled down to a mere few.

There are those who will never give up the cause for others who now either sit on the fence or have just plainly given up. I don’t blame them. Quite honestly, the government that created this mess to begin with is certainly not going to stop the flow of cash generated in their great name, are they now!

So I’ll get back to where I began, in Welland. As I was working away, people all around me seemingly oblivious to the stench that permeated the air. After I completed my job, I decided to take a jaunt, just to be certain that every home surrounding the intersection didn’t have four plants growing out in the freezing cold. Low and behold, the smell was just as pungent

VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOM FOR GIFT IDEAS FROM

amidst the regular odours of passing vehicles. The school crossing guard faithfully stopping traffic to let the young’uns cross safely seemed content...and the world just kept passing by.

I’m sorry to those who find this offensive, but any mention of the word “cannabis” makes me cringe, given that putting up a continuous battle with these behemoths costs a lot of money. Trust me, I know— money that neither I nor any other individual in our fair town could possibly afford for very long.

So now we fight by means of words and complaints, most of which are wasted on deaf ears. Our Town is not the culprit by any means.

It’s the feds and their “too bad for you” attitude that ticks us all off.

Let’s say for instance that someone decides they would like to lodge a formal complaint about smell, light, or whatever you feel is causing you grief when it comes to cannabis operations in Pelham. They made it quite easy to say your piece, just simply follow this easy-todigest link; https://publicservicerequest.com/mobi le/inde x. a sp?s=0BD 7F E 80DBDC4A0AA82D9D90149FE6D1 & i=49 895 1 2 F C B 4 E 04 F 8 &u=1CDBE543 A 22 A88599 A E D D 5 B 562561 8 A A F9 CC 8 3 D 0 8 0 5 6 747 8 E 2 4 E D CF6CEA46A8ADEDC 3 6 7 2 2 F E 4 19 D A A 0 E 0 3 AE51E657692049D640F77F1 3 B 5 A 0 1 B 48BA DE34 EE381 A7D9214D747074&z=&uid=

Then a simple added complaint to the Town’s bylaw officer: https://health.canada.ca/ en/health-canada/services/ drugs-medication/cannabis/recalls-adverse-react i on s-r e p or t i ng /r e p or ting-form.html ...and you’re done!

So easy.

Making a complaint using any other means will do nothing, not to say that doing it the “correct” way will cause anyone at Health Canada to bat an eye either.

“We have made an assessment and visited the site and confirm that the situation has been rectified.”

That answer only took five months to receive back via email.

Our government needs these places to survive so they can take what is “rightfully theirs” and pay off some of the debt they themselves have created in our beautiful country, so don’t be too surprised to hear that CannTrust will again be in full operation before too long. After all, they have “made great strides in an effort to comply with Health Canada” rulings and have become masters of the universe now! They are really being good neighbours to all of us nearby. No smell, no light being emitted, and of course the illegal stuff has pretty much been forgotten.

They are being good boys and girls and will promise to never do anything bad ever, ever ever again. Cross their heart.

“All right, we will forget about what you did and

just give you a teeny weeny fine.”

Putting the sarcasm aside, this is exactly what will happen. Nobody has gone to jail, nobody has been reprimanded, just a slap on

TWIST

support the family.

Most of us, as a school community, recognized these facts and perhaps this is one reason that we all had a strong bond with each other and have maintained friendships over the years.

We were fortunate to have a group of dedicated teachers and principals—E. L. Crossley, T. D. (Doug) Wallace, and E. A.(Bud) Ker—who expected the very best from us.

We “Panthers” are a bunch of champions. It all started in 1934, when the girls’ basketball team won

the COSSA (Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association) championship. The war years saw our boys and girls go and fight. Some did not return, but one, in particular, E. A. “Bud” Ker, came back with a Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary bravery as a skilled fighter pilot. He returned to Fenwick and Pelham High as a teacher, then vice principal, and then principal.

Our alumni were involved in all walks of life, but some have truly excelled.

Marlene Stewart Streit, is our celebrated golfer. Then there are our Olympians— Jane Haist, Tom Guinn, and Steve Bauer. The local airport is named after Dorothy (Wetherald) Rungeling, one of the original students at Pelham High. Let’s not forget the mayors of the Town

continued from Page 6 dents came from farms and did chores in the morning before coming to school.

They could not stay after school for extra -curricular activities because they had to get on the bus and go back home to do those chores again. Many students had an hour-long bus ride to school and back home. Many students struggled to buy books or gym suits, many had to quit school at 16 so they could go to work and help

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That answer only took five months to receive back by email

the wrist and get back at it.

Time is passing by in hopes that people will forget what happened. All is good in the world of cannabis.

For those who may be completely unaware of the meetings pertaining to the cannabis issues in Pelham, primarily because being unaware that there’s an issue to begin with due to the fact it does not directly affect them, there are those of us who really do need your help.

Living anywhere near one of these places is not a pleasant thing. Drive by Balfour sometime during the winter and smell the wonderful odour of “floral and fruity scents” that are a constant reminder of days gone by.

Not to mention the absolute decimation of arguably one of the most picturesque streets in Fenwick. On the

east side of the street lie the beautiful homes backing onto the escarpment and directly opposite are the parking lots and so-called “greenhouses,” lit up like candles, surrounded by the “farm fencing” of barbed wire. Cameras and security galore. Thankfully the real farmers in our town don’t require such hideous means to protect their crop. Don’t even get me started on the smell!

I’m pretty sure that if someone wants to grow five plants in their back yards they’ll be pretty safe. Heck, if a good corporate citizen can grow extra tonnage of the stuff, then an extra plant won’t see the cuffs on. So glad, too, that these places are left to abide by the honour system, and pictures are the means to keep them honest. What was our government thinking...Chaching!

I was grocery shopping recently when I ran into my ex- brother-in-law. Great guy, he brought up the fact that he opens his door each morning to the smell of cannabis. Living in the Balsom subdivision just east of Redecan, there have been many complaints regarding this issue.

As I drove home I decided to pay a visit to the gatehouse on Foss Road.

The guard cautiously opened the bulletproof glass window and asked how he could be of assistance.

“Could you tell me who I complain to regarding the See VIOLATIONS Page 14

of Pelham: Marnie (Stains) Collins, Ralph Beamer, and our present Mayor Marvin Junkin. It’s no wonder we are proud Panthers—you know we are the “original” Pelham Panthers with lots of glorious memories.

Ten years after the school closed, a group of us got a reunion together. In 1984 about 3,500 people came.

These included students, teachers and support staff.

We have had nine more since then with the last being in 2018, when 350 people came. We thought that would be the last one, but so many have asked for another, that we are complying with their wishes.

Therefore, on Sunday, July 12, 2020, from 1 PM to 5 PM, we will gather at the Legion in Fonthill, one more time.

We will have another chance to visit, rekindle memories and laugh a lot, as we usually do. Registration is $15 at the door. This will include coffee, tea, punch, an extensive array of finger foods and dessert. Cash bar. For more info and to let us know your intentions, please call (905) 892-7090 or email pelhamhighreunion8@gmail.com We see many family and friends over the holidays.

This would be an excellent time to let them know about another reunion.

Merry Christmas.

Vilma Moretti Fonthill

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 11, 2019

E. L. Crossley's senior girls basketball team.

CROSSLEY GIRLS continued from Page 17

granted.

“You never know if you are going to make it to OFSAA and being able to give the girls that experience, especially those who are on Grade 9 and 10, was great,” he said. “If it doesn’t happen and we don’t get back, then they’ve still had that experience.”

The OFSSA experience will also boost the Grade 11s.

“They realize how much fun and hard work it was to get there and it gives them something again to strive for next year,” Belding said.

“They can pull the Grade 9s and 10s along with them and get them to perform.”

The OFSAA tournament likely marked the end of the high school careers of Grade

12 players and team captains Sydney Grummett and Tess Puchalski. Both fouled out in the second half of the 77-55 quarter-final loss to the top-seeded and eventual champions from Kingston Frontenac.

“It was definitely an emotional game for them,” Belding said.

Having them fouled out of their final game was tough.

“I never in a million years would have thought of that,” he said.

Top scorers for Crossley in the 53-42 victory over Kingsville were Taryn Mitchell (15), Sydney Piekny (8), Jenna Dobbie (7), Puchalski (7), Leah McIntee (7) and Grummett (4).

Leading scorers in the 4936 victory over Mississauga Saint Paul were Mitchell (15), Piekny (8), Jordan Wil-

IN THE NEWS

continued from Page 2 street value of $14,000), 34.6 grams of cannabis, and three grams of purple coloured suspected fentanyl (estimated street value of $100). $2490 and various drug paraphernalia were also seized. The driver, Robert Kevin Rouse, 42,of St. Catharines is charged with the alleged offences of: driving while under suspension, drive vehicle or boat with cannabis in open baggage, possess Sched-

SUPPLIED PHOTO

ton (6), Dobbie (5), Grummett (4), Martha Liro (3) and Julia Moldenhauer (3).

Topping the scoring sheet in the quarter-final game were Piekny (17), Mitchell (16), McIntee (6), Wilton (6), Puchalski (5) and Dobbie (3).

Other members of the team were Mackenna Belding, Kaitlyn Brophy, Allison O’Connor, Grace Sodtke and Emma Kulik.

E.L. Crossley’s year included: victories in the Niagara College and A.N. Myer tournaments; a semifinal appearance in the BP Sports Niagara tournament; winning the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 4 AA title for the second straight year; and, making the finals of the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association tournament.

ule I substance for trafficking, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000, possess Schedule I substance for trafficking (fentanyl). The passenger, Ernesto Leonardo Marzo, 22, of Toronto and Niagara, is charged with the alleged offences of possess Schedule I substance for trafficking (cocaine), possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000, possess Schedule I substance for trafficking (fentanyl). Both men were held in custody pending a bail hearing on Monday.

SPARKS AT THE PARK Last Thursday, Dec. 5, a delegation from the Town of Pelham met with Hydro One representatives at Queen's Park to discuss energy costs and hydro consumption. Armed with binders of data, Utility Sustainability Committee member Gordon Marasco, along with council’s committee liaison Councillor Bob Hildebrandt, joined Mayor Marvin Junkin and CAO David Cribbs in the meeting, which was brokered by MPP Sam Oosterhoff.

In particular, said Cribbs, the Town is seeking a review of electricity rates in “northeastern Pelham” for all Hydro One customers. From left, Oosterhoff, Cribbs, Marasco, Hildebrandt, and Junkin.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

CYCLONE

continued from Page 17 Bleich gave St. Francis fun credit for the win.

“They are good and I am not going to take away from that,” he said. “They are physical but they are also great players.”

Bleich was ecstatic with how his young squad performed.

“We played well, we shot the ball well at the beginning and then we had a bit of the third quarter where we kind of dropped off and Quinton Duemo went off for some threes.”

Crossley’s younger players didn’t shy away from the spotlight with Grade 10 player T.J. Hurley and Grade 11s Bleich and Dobbie all shining in the championship game.

“That is the future of Crossley basketball,”

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he said. “And then my junior team won today at the Myer tournament. We have a good future at Crossley.”

Hurley, Jason Carter and Dobbie were named to the First Team All-stars.

Hurley finished second in tournament scoring by averaging 22.5 points a game. He got better as the tournament went along, netting 32 in a semifinal victory over Governor Simcoe and 24 in the final despite being the focus of the St. Francis defence.

Carter averaged 7.5 points a game in the tournament, including six in the final. He and fellow Grade 12 player Aiden Belding were steadying influences on the young Crossley roster.

Dobbie averaged 10.3 points per game in the tournament while playing excellent defence.

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Celebrate the season at our holiday open house and let us express our gratitude for the privilege of working with great people like you. We hope you, your family and friends can join us!

Location is 130 Hwy 20E, Unit A6, with ample free parking.

Refreshments and light snacks will be served.

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Page 14

The Voice, December 11, 2019

COUNCIL

continued from Page 3 than what is allocated in the 2020 budget for transit services.

MCC Hospitality Committee

Members of the MCC Hospitality Committee presented an update to council as to what they’ve been up and where they’re headed.

Chair Patricia Shannon outlined the committee’s goals and priorities, including reviewing current hospitality operations, maximizing the operations at the MCC, recommending new hospitality business opportunities, and advising council.

The committee, Shannon said, has been hard at work establishing their goals and priorities, reviewing budgets and fees, and working on events for 2020.

After scare, seniors’ fitness saved

At its regular meeting on Nov. 18, council passed a resolution to waive the annual rent-

VIOLATIONS

continued from Page 12 smell that is wafting over to the east of your property?”

His response was laugh-

al fee for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Community Health Center Stay Fit and Keeping Balance community programs. However, the issue surfaced again on Dec. 2, with Councillors Bob Hildebrandt and Lisa Haun wondering whether an ill-advised “precedent” was being set in waiving the rental fees for the seniors’ programs. Lengthy debate followed, terminated by an exasperated Councillor Ron Kore.

“I'm going to make it simple,” said Kore.

“It's a community center, and we built it for the for the community. We subsidize a lot of other groups...we can't subsidize our seniors?

It's a community center and it's meant for our community, and if it means seniors get a free ride, so big deal. I just don't see why we have to debate so long on this. Vote on it and move on.”

Council did so, defeating the motion, with only Councillor Hildebrandt voting to rescind the fee-waiving. Bottom line: the space will be provided at no charge to the seniors’ programs through 2021.

able.

“It’s not coming from us.

We do constant drive-bys in the overlying areas that surround us, and the smell can’t be coming from our facility…There’s no smell

here.”

Pretty cool how they are told what to say and how to contend with anyone who may lodge a complaint.

Others have done the same and get the same story in return.

There must be another

Years of service awards were presented to Pelham firefighters on Dec.2.

grow-op the size of Redecan that must sit directly behind them! These people must think we are all idiots.

As I drove away I looked in my mirror to see the guard on his radio.

I am very much aware that weed is legal. To each

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their own, but when it affects my life and those I care about I won’t sit and twiddle my fingers. There are the haters of our cause and those who cheer us on, but cheering isn’t enough— we need more voices. If you don’t speak up then nothing positive will ever happen. Even if it’s not affecting your home please remember that there are people who live in Pelham and Welland alike that are being disrupted.

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Page 15

COMMUNITY EVENTS & CLASSIFIEDS

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PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE WANTEDatTO equipment theRENT Pelham MASONRY Arena. AimedREPAIR to provide WANTED TO RENT ALLTYPE MASONRY cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from Older home, Niagara Brick, Block, Stone and 9-12 in the morning.

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BY VOICE STAFF The room was packed with people wearing orange last week, but it wasn’t an unlikely Pelham NDP party conference.

Some 75 employees from five municipalities—Pelham, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls, Welland, and Fort Erie— attended a morning seminar at the community centre last Thursday, discussing minimum maintenance standards (MMS) and how municipalities can prepare themselves against a claim.

Led by Brian Anderson, a roads specialist with the Frank Cowan company, specializing in insurance programs, including risk management and claims services to municipalities, the seminar was designed ensure municipal staff are knowledgeable and prepared to meet the MMS. Operations staff, insurance staff, engineering technicians, purchasing, fire department, planning, were all in attendance, highlighting the overar-

ching reach MMS has on a municipality.

“This is an excellent opportunity to get some training on what the MMS are now and some of the risks associated with that now,” said Jason Marr, the Town of Pelham’s Public Works Director. “The MMS is what you follow to protect yourself. In Pelham we strive to go above what the MMS are, and in my experience, this content is important because you’re providing the level of service that protects the public and the municipality should there be any claims.”

Anderson discussed a history of the MMS, going back to its origin in 2002 and the amendments that have since been added. For example, Section 2.1 was added in 2018: The purpose of this Regulation is to clarify the scope of the statutory defence available to a municipality under clause 44 (3) (c) of the Act by establishing maintenance standards which are non-prescriptive as to the

property needing TLC – Wet and damaged OK. Immediate occupancy basement repairs. methods or materials to be PELHAM MUDFEST - Dec. or Jan. Reliable Phone Tom Deamude at used in complying with the long-term tenant, with own Men and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year 289-241-4767. standards but instead deappliances, own utilities.

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WALKING CLUB www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/writers Interested in walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

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The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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Places of Worship and Events

"Folks, the chef has asked me to Due Date tell you that nothing in this scene Friday, March 18 at noon is related to the puzzler answer.

Rundate(s) More popcorn?"

Mar. 23, Apr. 6, 20, May 4, 18, June 1, 15 and 29.

Cost $42 per insertion plus HST. Terms: Due on publication

Bethany Christian Reformed Church 1040 Balfour St., Fenwick

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Glad Tidings Church of God 1 Pancake Lane, Fonthill

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church 940 Haist St., Fonthill

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill

Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville

Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick

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

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

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

Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick

Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Fonthill

Pelham Community Church (United Church of Canada) 461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

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

FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19 For the priceless gift of Christmas is meant just for the heart, And we receive it only when we become a part Of the Kingdom and the Glory which is ours to freely take, For God sent the Holy Christ Child at Christmas for our sake So man might come to know Him and feel His presence near, And see the many miracles performed while He was here.

And this priceless gift of Christmas is within the reach of all The rich, the poor, the young and old, the greatest and the small.

So take this Priceless Gift of Love, reach out and you’ll receive And the only payment that God asks is just that you Believe. ♦

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor and wishes everyone a meaningful Christmas season.

Seniors, youth, ready to take the Pelham stage

BY VOICE STAFF After months of planning, discussing, and meeting, the intergenerational theatre project SAY IT! On Stage is ready to go live. The original stage play will be performed at the community centre this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, from 7 to 9 PM both evenings.

What started in June, under grant funding from the Niagara Community Foundation, has culminated in a stage performance titled, “Over to You.” Colleen Kenyon, the creative lead for the show, has watched her group of youth and seniors who make up the production participate in more ways than just on

stage.

“There are so many ways to contribute to a collaborative project like this,” said Kenyon. “Every anecdote that was shared during the conversation circles in the summer added texture to the show we'll be sharing on the stage. The music before the show and the SAY IT! On Stage website were organized by students who didn't want to act, but found their own ways to contribute to the program.”

During the summer, weekly meetings and conversation circles took place at the community centre.

These meetings provided an opportunity for partici-

pants from markedly different generations and backgrounds to swap stories and share life experiences. In September, the group began to create the characters and to weave the story for “Over to You.” During the past several months, a steadily increasing number of local seniors, and teens from E. L. Crossley Secondary School, have been conceiving, writing and rehearsing the homegrown production.

Collaborating, the group devised a theatre work reflecting the ways life changes, and the ways that it stays the same. Questions like “Who’s Marilyn Monroe?”

and “What’s Hot Topic?” might seem to expose those who ask as being terribly out of touch with the times. But, that all depends on whose times we’re talking about.

"When you come to see the show, bring your sense of humour with you,” said participant Gail Hilyer.

“There are definitely lots of intentionally funny moments, but we'll also create comedy with our inevitable flubs. And if you're already tiring of seasonal celebrations, then come to our housewarming. No Santa— we promise!"

Tickets are $10 per person, with children under 7 admitted free.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

“The art of victory is learned in defeat.”

Simon Bolivar

The Voice, December 11, 2019

Sporting Green The Niagara

Page 17

“Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it.”

Joe Clark

The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | December 11, 2019

Cyclone stormed in Standard finals Crossley gives St. Francis a battle

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

Possession wasn't enough to save the Cyclone. The Crossley team went down 70-58.

BERNIE PUCHALSKI PHOTO

Crossley senior girls roar into OFSAA quarters

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

The E. L. Crossley senior girls basketball team capped a highly successful season by making it to the quarterfinals at the Ontario Federation of Secondary Schools Associations AA tournament in Kingsville.

“I was ecstatic with our team’s performance at OFSAA,” said head coach Aaron Belding, who was assisted by Keveshan Padachey, Jordan Lew, Kyle Hingley and injured player/manager Mackenna Belding. “We did very well.”

E. L. Crossley opened with a 53-42 victory over 11th seed and host Kingsville and then advanced to the quarterfinals with a 49-36 victory over eighth-seeded Mississauga Saint Paul.

“The team came together and you could just see how their teamwork and cooperation improved,” Belding said. “It was easier for them

to weather the storms.”

The biggest storm came in the first game against host Kingsville.

“We were in a packed gym with all their fans and we were able to slowly beat them and get a 13-point win out of them,” he said.

The Cyclone made the most of the 12 players who competed in the tournament with all contributing at key times in the event.

“Everybody was working to their strengths and we tried to set them up so they didn’t have to do things outside of what they had done all season long,” he said. “It was very beneficial and the girls were able to finish which was the big thing.”

Crossley’s roster boasted four Grade 9s and three Grade 10s and the younger players were able to get their first taste of OFSAA

basketball.

“As a coaching staff, we felt everybody had good minutes and played in all three games and it was definitely easier to manage when we were playing well and everybody was contributing.”

Being a varsity team—a mixture of junior- and senior-aged players—Crossley was one of the younger teams at OFSAA. Most of the other teams had four or five Grade 12 players while the Cyclone had only two Grade 12s and four Grade 11s.

With a nice group of returning players and a promising class of Grade 9s entering the school next fall, the OFSAA experience should help the team in the years ahead. But Belding isn’t taking anything for See CROSSLEY GIRLS Page 13

Sydney Grummett.

BERNIE PUCHALSKI PHOTO

The St. Francis Phoenix wrote their names into the record book Friday night.

The Phoenix topped the E. L. Crossley Cyclone 70-58 to capture the 58th Standard High School Basketball Tournament, becoming the first team to win the championship four years in a row.

The Phoenix won three straight from 2011/12 to 2013/14 while the St. Catharines Collegiate Saints won three titles in a row from 1963/64 to 1965/66. The then-Denis Morris Redmen also turned the trick from 1978/79 to 1980/81.

“It’s something really special for the school,” St. Francis head coach Jon Marcheterre said after the traditional championship team photo was taken. “When you look at some of the great schools and the runs they’ve had over the years and just to know we’ve done something that no one else has ever done, it’s special.”

The Phoenix have now won nine Standard titles since 2007/08.

“My brother-in-law [Pat Sullivan] started it and we’ve worked really hard to build a program,” Marcheterre said. “Within the last 15 years, that number is pretty incredible.”

The No. 1 seed Phoenix were prohibitive favourites to four-peat and didn’t disappoint.

Marcheterre said he never takes winning for granted.

“The beauty of it is other than Igor [M’Baya] it’s a different group every year so it never gets old at all,” he said. “Every group has its only little story.”

Tournament most valuable player Quinton Duemo stepped up with 34 in the final while M’Baya added 17 and Sacade Kasamba 10.

Those contributions were key and expected, but Marcheterre was also proud of a couple of other players who may have gone unnoticed.

“We started [Cole Carpenter], who this was his first year playing basketball,” Marcheterre said. “He’s a baseball player and he did not play basketball in high school until Grade 12 and we also have a soccer player [Andres Pelaez]. They are both very intelligent and just good athletes.”

The Phoenix had their hands full with the No. 2 seed Cyclone who gave St. Francis all they could handle.

Crossley led 21-17 after one quarter and 34-29 at the half. The Phoenix led 49-46 after three before pulling away in the fourth quarter.

“We certainly didn’t take them lightly,” Marcheterre said. “We recognized a lot of what they were hopefully going to try and do. We thought the game was going to go through T.J. [Hurley] and he had a heck of a game. It was try to slow him down a bit and hope their depth and our play makers and depth would show up.

“We were confident in what we could do. It was just a matter of executing our plan and trying to limit T.J. The game plan worked out and but it definitely wasn’t without any stress. It was a tough one.”

Leading the way for E. L. Crossley were Hurley with 24 points, Riley Bleich with 13 and Owen Dobbie with nine.

Prior to Friday’s final, Crossley head coach Brian Bleich described the game as a battle between the established basketball powerhouse at St. Francis going up against the young, up and coming E. L. Crossley Cyclone.

The future was almost the present as Crossley led at the half before the Phoenix rallied for the victory.

“Almost, but we ran out of gas,” Bleich said. “It was the physical part of their game. They are physical and we aren’t quite there yet because we have younger players.”

See CYCLONE Page 13

Page 18

The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

NEWLY OPEN!

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LOCAL LAUNCH The Voice's own occasional Column Six contributor Jane Bedard held a reading at the Fonthill branch of Pelham Library last Wednesday evening. Her new book, There’s No Place Like Home, is a humorous memoir of Bedard’s transition from, among other things, city mouse to country mouse. “I was truly surprised and encouraged by the number of supporters who came out to this book launch and the three prior in Toronto and Niagara,” said Bedard later. Some 40 visitors braved the cold to hear her read. An excerpt from There's No Place Like Home runs this week in Column Six. VOICE PHOTO

Voice

HOROSCOPE

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS DECEMBER 8 Kim Basinger, Actress (66) DECEMBER 9 Judi Dench, Actress (85) DECEMBER 10 Bobby Flay, Chef (55) DECEMBER 11 Mos Def, Rapper (46) DECEMBER 12 Jennifer Connelly, Actress (49) DECEMBER 13 Steve Buscemi, Actor (61) DECEMBER 14 Samantha Peszek, Athlete (28)

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SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Snared 2. Osmotic 3. Leu 4. Dari 5. Bora 6. Omit 7. Minibus 8. Uneven 9. USSR 10. Lane 11. Heresies 12. Gael 14. Iona 15. Peters 18. Para 20. Stolen 24. Sion 26. Testes 28. Richmond 30. Seer 32. Resets 34. Fronton 35. Sith 37. Stabile 38. Utopia 40. Area 42. Evened 43. Odor 45. Eris 47. Aged 49. Titi 50. Goes 51. Eras 55. Lip

155 HWY 20 WEST

of consensus, Scorpio. Focus your energy on positive things this week.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, be patient with yourself this week, as you have many different balls in the air at once. Even the most organized person may stumble here or there.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you may need to delegate when demands at home start to feel a little overwhelming. Any free time you can muster will be put to good use.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Some situations are beyond your control, Aquarius. Fixating on the things you cannot change will not prove productive. Surround yourself with friends.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Enjoy the moments that you have with family members in the weeks to come, Pisces. These are the most reliable people in your life.

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Sold 5. Bomu 9. Unseal 11. Homing 13. Samurai 15. Perinea 16. SRO 17. Inoperative 19. Rets 21. Enate 22. Bel 23. Dits 25. Ares 26. Tun 27. Coir 29. Arises 31. Loir 33. Sees 34. Fences 36. Sets 38. Urn 39. Hsia 41. Rete 43. Oto 44. Metre 46. Sava 48. Don't go there 52. Beg 53. Options 54. Airline 56. Rioted 57. Sailed 58. Anis 59. Sped

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Take some time to think a response through before saying the first thing that comes to mind, Aries.

It’s not easy to take the words back once they’re out there.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, even though it can be difficult to cede control, sometimes you have to hand the reins over to someone else. You can still be involved from a distance.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, sometimes it can be challenging to figure out what other people are thinking. Focus on yourself instead of trying to get into the heads of those around you.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 A focus on finances takes priority this week, Cancer. Holiday spending may force you to reevaluate your budget. It could be time to scale back.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Put all of your energy into one line of thought or project, Leo. This way you’re fully behind the idea. You’re a force to be reckoned with when you are motivated.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Time is running out to get an important job done, Virgo. This is not a week to procrastinate, but to bear down and finish your tasks. You’ll breathe easier afterward.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Big changes are on the horizon, Libra. You may have wanted a certain outcome, but another arrived instead.

It could take some time getting used to a new situation.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Sometimes you have to table the things you want to say in the interest

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 11, 2019

Voice

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

CROSSWORD SPONSORED THIS WEEK BY

Helen Steiner Rice, the rest of the story

W

HAT DO YOU think of when you hear the name, “Helen Steiner Rice”?

Many people immediately think of inspirational poems on cards. Mrs. Rice was probably the best known poet of the last century. But what about the person behind the poems? Let’s have a look at the rest of her story.

discovered, Helen Steiner Rice became an overnight celebrity. Since then her poems have appeared in millions of cards, best-selling books and merchandise, read on radio and television, and set to music.

Legacy

Faith

Hardship

HWY 20 FONTHILL

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times. He can accomplish miraculous things when we give ourselves to Him completely, without reservations or qualifications.”

When she died in 1981 at the age of 80, she left behind a legacy of faith, inspiration, generosity and humility. She once wrote, “To me, death is just another step along the pathway of life… It gives us the great joy of heading happily towards the ultimate goal of every Christian, and that is to live forever in the unending sunshine of God’s love.”

I close with the latter half of the poem that God used to propel her to fame and make her a blessing to so many.

Helen was surprised by these events but her newfound fame didn’t change her life or faith. When asked why God had blessed her work so much she said, “Maybe because I have such an uncomplicated faith. I have no doubts about God or about His love for me. He gave His Son. I gave Him my life. And because I write, I gave that to Him too and He has taken my simple gift and multiplied it a millions

Helen was blessed with devoted Christian parents and came to a personal faith in God as a child. Her desire was to be totally surrendered to God’s will and open to His guidance. Her life’s motto was simple—“Pray, listen, act.”

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See FAITH LIFT Page 16

But being a Christian didn’t make her immune from the trials of life. While she was in high school, Helen’s father died and she decided not to go to college but to stay home and help her family.

Helen married at age 30 but after only two years her husband died tragically. It was a devastating blow and she struggled to understand. As a result she went back to work writing for a card company in Cincinnati.

In spite of these hardships she did not lose her faith.

Fame

After writing for Gibson Greeting Cards for 30 years in obscurity, her life would suddenly change in 1960. A woman sent her poem, “The Priceless Gift of Christmas,” to her brother, an entertainer on the Lawrence Welk Show. He liked it and suggested it be included in their Christmas show. Mr. Welk agreed and it was recited before a national TV audience.

The response was huge and thousands of people inquired of its author. When

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box.

You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Weekly Word Search J H I A G Z C X P Q J I O G W Q O M J L

P O X R T N C L K R Y P B F W P Q X J C

M W A V E O E S P W C I K B C U E G I H

B D N O M L A R Z Z B R S V T E C C J K

V G Z A P E E T B N Y J W S A P R U Y L

I A C P U M I T N I J T N M O H Y F N U

Y C A V R R O T U R N I P E U H R Z K K

V E G V A E Q Z W R H I U N M E C D X U

K R C M G T H H A C K M P I D A L A S B

I U I N C A B E R R I E S R E K C I N S

T S A F M W L U N L E Q Y E I S P C C R

U R U Q N R T S T N A L P G G E F I V W

O Z H U W B G T H A Z E L N U T E L L A

R F K P J B K E P G P C M A S R N Y K F

T W U A I B D S Q E O W T T C U P V J F

F R I A N Z Y Q M F W J E L A G X U S L

J B X M K V D M B R Q W N X M O M B K E

W E A G M W R N D Z T U N D E Y K K Q V

V O V E E Q V I U X D L S E J B V Q B P

F Z Z S R P M B W O X W Z P B T T Y R I

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards.

WATERMELON HAM APPLE TIRAMISU INCABERRIES STEW

TURKEY HAZELNUT EGGPLANT MOZARELLA OATMEAL SNICKERS

TEMPURA TURNIP ALMOND SALAD TROUT YOGURT

NACHOS URCHINS TANGERINE NUTELLA ORANGE WAFFLE

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

Page 20

The Voice, December 11, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 the counter, brushes her pink highlighted hair away from her purple-lidded eyes, and strides toward me, breasts leading the way, in an over-confident, annoyingly youthful kind of way. Or perhaps I’m just envious.

I’m clutching my purchase, watching the dramatic arrival, when this Miley Cyrus asks if I’m a senior citizen.

Excuse me?

I take a quick glance in the mirror on the counter and observe that I am looking a little frumpy in Peter’s winter coat (it was the first thing I saw on the way out the door), along with my toque (naturally). I am weary-looking, on the mend from a restless sleep, and holding a bottle of wrinkle cream. But despite all the circumstantial evidence, I do not look or feel like a senior citizen. I am 47—a young-ish 47—and now a pissed-off 47!

“Why would you ask if I’m a senior citizen?” I snarl.

“Because it’s Seniors Day and they get 20 percent off all purchases.”

“And how old does one have to be to be considered a senior citizen?”

She loses a slight step at hearing the tone of my voice.

“Uh, I dunno, 60 or 65?” Her voice trails off as she sees the expression on my face change from utter disbelief to total disgust.

“And do I look 60 or 65?”

A dangerous question. This can go either way with this tactless tart.

“Um, well … the last lady got mad at me for not telling her it was Senior’s Day, so I thought I would just ask... everybody?” This interaction is actually starting to fluster Miley.

This is what gets to me about some young people today. In fact, I am so pissed off I wonder what’s up with my hormones. Surely, I can’t be pregnant! Certainly not at 60 or 65.

Never mind. Young people, they’re like animals in their inability to reason. They are part of a universal Pavlovian experiment and have devolved to the point where they only respond to the sound of their phones announcing an incoming text or Instagram alert. There are no grey areas of thought interfering with the wasting grey matter of their brains, and so everything requires a blanket answer—just something to get past the cerebral obstacle in front of them so they can get back to their IMSB (I am so bored) messaging.

Time for a little grandmotherly advice.

“Listen, sweetie, if you’re going to offend someone, it’s better to err on the side of caution— ‘to err’ means to make a mistake—and assume she’s younger than she looks, not older. If a lady gets mad at you for not telling her about Senior’s Day, tell her you wouldn’t have guessed she was a senior because she looks so young. You’ll make her day. Which is the opposite of what you’ve done for me.”

‘Um, okay. That sounds good.

Have a nice day.”

“Not likely.”

As I shuffle out with my vial of wrinkle cream, I think to myself, crap! I could have shut up and got 20 percent off this overpriced stuff.

Luckily, despite the obvious evidence of maturation, Peter still thinks I’m cute, but I’m not sure he means cute it in the way I want him to mean it. He tells me I’m cute when he finds my gloves in the fridge, and the TV remote in my purse, and when I go ape-shit worrying about early onset Alzheimer’s. For some reason, to him, that’s cute. But I’ll take a compliment any way I can get it. ♦ Jane Bedard’s new book, There’s No Place Like Home, may be found in print and Kindle editions on Amazon.ca

2019 Outdoor Christmas Market

BY VOICE STAFF

From Santa to alpacas to an ice sculptor at work, there was a little something for everyone last Friday at Pelham's annual Outdoor Christmas Market. By 6 PM, some 150 visitors were browsing the various wares on offer from vendors as vocalist Dominique Lalama, left, serenaded the crowd with Christmas tunes. Bonnie Puhl, right, prowled through the urban jungle on behalf of the Fonthill Lions Club. Centre left, Town staffers Vickie vanRavenswaay, Julie Cook, and Fire Chief Bob Lymburner were more than happy to serve up wine to all comers of legal age and appropriate cheer.

Centre right, CAO David Cribbs and his wife, Leeat,took in their first Market visit. Lower right, Fox Freeman surveyed the scene from aboard the Pelham Fire Company's classic pumper, with some help from dad Rob. BOB LOBLAW PHOTOS