The Voice, December 16 2020

2021 budget deferred page 3 Huson concerned over Ford conservation move page 8 Reverse Santa Parade page 10 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

Analysis: Council Dogmatics may cost us cash NRPS impaired

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

BY DAVE BURKET

No point in sugarcoating it: Niagara’s coronavirus infections, while lower than those seen in the GTA and elsewhere, continue to climb. We’ve seen 241 new cases since last Thursday, with 71 new cases on Sunday alone. As of Monday, Pelham had 13 active cases, possibly the highest so far during the pandemic. With such high daily infection numbers in the region, we may well be looking at an increased alert level—a softer version of spring’s lockdown—by the time you’re reading this...Win some, lose some: As the Voice goes to press Monday evening, the US Electoral College is set to certify Joe Biden’s victory over #45, barring any last-minute meddling by The Orange One. In other late-breaking news, a Town Hall source tells us that Councillor Ron Kore, on the second of two leaves of absence over the last few months, has signaled that he will return to council as of Monday evening’s regular meeting…

Weeks, months—when are we again? We went to deposit a cheque from an advertiser last week, only to be told by the bank teller that the date was wrong. The advertiser had dated it March 4, instead of December 4. “This is like the fourth time I’ve seen it this week,” said the teller. We agreed that everyone’s clocks needed a good reset...What’s in a name: Our regular biking columnist, John Swart, is branching out a bit, as we saw last week with his piece on zapping pain away with electric therapy (do not try this at home), into topics of health and wellness generally, in addition to his staple biking stories. So we’ve renamed his column, at least for the winter, to The Balanced Life. Ironically, this week’s column is 100 percent bike-related...but stay tuned...What is it with drivethrus these days: As reported in some detail in this week’s issue, Councillor Bob Hildebrandt is one of three councillors growing barnacles all over what looked to be a smooth-sailing budget ship this year. Well, none of us is just one thing, and even a stopped clock is right twice a day, and so on. The councillor is absolutely correct to lambaste the fast-food drive-thru designs that the province has somehow foisted on the drivers and pedestrians of Ontario. As I’ve previously muttered in this space, the Fonthill Tim Horton’s drive-thru in the Food Basics plaza is the single worst example of its kind I’ve ever seen—and my wife and I lived in gridlocked Indonesia on-and-off for 20 years. Even Indonesian traffic planners would take one look at that Timmy’s and run screaming.

Anyway, point is, that such designs are technically legal does not make them smart, or safe...Santa's coming to Wainfleet: Ho-ho, this Saturday, 1 PM. See p.12...Letters and more letters: There's some fine reading in the opinion pages this week, and a gratifying sign that we have such engaged readers and engaged residents. Get your own year-ending letter in for our last issue of 2020, next week...Not as easy as we thought: We assumed our hidden mini-Puzzler was so simple that readers could just phone in it, but apparently not. Keeping looking! ◆

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While Pelham Town Council Zoom meetings do not exactly make for riveting television, viewers watching closely last Monday evening would have seen a motion by Councillor Hildebrandt, supported

by Councillors Haun and Stewart, to defer consideration of the Town’s 2021 capital budget, and the 2021 water budget, until an unspecified date in January. All right, it’s not a cliffhanger moment from The Crown or The Big Bang Theory, but stick with me.

The rationale offered by Hildebrandt was that he wanted to know how much COVID-related funding the Town would be receiving from the provincial and federal governments.

At issue is a potential $260,000, which, if the Town doesn’t receive it, would lead to an additional 1.7% tax increase.

Remember that Pelham has three budgets: capital (long-term, big-ticket items), operating (day-today expenses), and water/ wastewater (as it sounds).

Already anticipating this COVID funding uncertainty, council had previously decided not to pass the operating budget until 2021.

No harm, no foul.

The capital and water rate budgets, on the other hand, were proceeding as planned, because they are separate—their increases, or lack of, do not connect to the operating budget.

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The Town attempts to pass the capital budget as soon as possible, in order to be early at the table with contractors eager to bid on big-ticket items. It’s widely understood that contractors try to ensure that they have at least a minimum amount of work for the following year. Farther into the new year, prices to municipalities rise as construction companies become less available and their equipment is already tied up. So: smart municipalities pass their capital budgets early and get those tenders out fast for bids.

Knowing this, council had agreed to a timeline.

Yet Hildebrandt’s motion sought to undo the mutual understanding that existed between the two factions that we have seen council divide itself into— call them the Pragmatics (Mayor Junkin, Councillors Wink and Olson), vs. the Dogmatics (Councillors Haun, Hildebrandt, and Stewart).

The difference? Pragmatics see the larger picture, approaching issues sensibly, with the practical goal of achieving what’s reasonably possible given the cards they’ve been dealt. Dogmatics, on the other hand, rigidly adhere to beliefs that don’t necessarily match what’s factually true—often saying they “feel” rather than “think”— usually to the detriment of consensus and productive outcomes.

(In short, if you want to get things done—on coun-

cil, on a condo board, in a scout troop— Pragmatics are your better option.)

As if changing budget horses midstream wasn’t enough of a problem, the See ANALYSIS Page 15

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to seven calls for assistance from Friday, Dec. 4 to Thursday, Dec. 11 Monday, Dec. 7 Medial assistance, Short Hills Ruptured Gas line, Greenvale Ct., Fonthill Medical assistance, Short Hills Tuesday, Dec. 8 Medical assistance, Fonthill Shed fire, Cream St., Fenwick, Fonthill, Shorthills Wednesday, Dec. 9 Motor vehicle accident, Brookfield, Fonthill Thursday Dec. 10 Smoke in the Area, Hwy 20, Fenwick, Short hills

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In an effort to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Niagara Regional Police Service reports the names of those people who are charged with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence in the Region.

None of the following charges have been proved in court.

In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension.

The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample.

Marie N. ALEXANDER, 30, Niagara Falls Sylvester G. CAMPANELLA, 25, St. Catharines Kenzie H. T. SMITH, 26, St. Catharines Tarunn SHARMA, 24, Fort Erie Vimal NAUTIYAL, 49, Niagara Falls Stephanie R. JENNEX, 23, Niagara Falls Andre MICHAUD, 47, Niagara Falls Kaitlin M. KNELLER, 31, Welland Jose L. AYALA, 25, St. Catharines Holly J. M. GAUDET, 31, St. Catharines Cody COSTIFF, 28, St. Catharines Nikola KREKICH, 36, Stoney Creek Melissa J. M. DROLET, 24, Niagara Falls Gareth R. BAUMGUERTEL, 30, Welland Chad A. W. FALCONER, 38, Niagara Falls The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

Jonas

Kim Wiley, Sharon Vizbulis, Susan Mikitka, and Edie Kouros, enjoying a COVID- safe outing at the floral showcase in Niagara Falls.

driving charges

See something, Say something.

The science is clear.

Masks save lives.

Social distancing saves lives.

If you witness violations of Provincial or Regional COVID-19 safety protocols, notify the Region's Environmental Health duty officer at (905) 688-8248, x7590, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Don't allow personal selfishness to endanger public safety.

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

Page 3

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

2021 budget deferred as motion over water bills sinks

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

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WELLSPRING WAY

Pelham council voted to defer a final decision on the 2021 capital budget at its Dec. 7 meeting, in hopes that Santa Claus—in the form of the provincial and federal governments —will drop more cash down the Town’s chimney this holiday season.

Pelham, like countless other of Ontario’s 444 municipalities, is awaiting approval on Phase 2 of COVID-19 relief funding. Treasurer Teresa Quinlin told council that she expects to hear one way or another about the money by Dec. 31.

While council unanimously voted to defer the capital budget until January, some confusion arose over the matter of water and wastewater rate increases.

The budget has proposed a substantial increase to these in 2021, in part to catch up with the neglect of previous administrations.

“I would submit to you that the water and rate budget has nothing to do whatsoever with tax increases,” CAO David Cribbs told councillors. “It’s user-supported.”

Rate increases are proposed at 7.4 percent for water and 9.5 percent for wastewater — a price hike, however, that will still leave Pelham with some of the cheapest water and wastewater service in Niagara.

“It’s quite a jump for one year, especially with difficulties families are facing,” Councillor Lisa

160 Highway 20 East - Fonthill, ON Proposed Site Plan November 26, 2020

1

Site plan presented to Pelham Town Council during its Dec. 7 meeting, showing proposed parking and drive-thru patterns for the new strip mall currently planned for the site at Wellspring Way and Highway 20, Fonthill.

TOWN OF PELHAM Haun argued.

Councillor Marianne Stewart then made a motion to spread the increase over two budgets, but immediately ran into the problem of details.

“Could we have some specific-

ity?” Cribbs said, asking for hard numbers.

Quinlin then reminded council that the projected water rate increases were approved in 2018, and any deviation from that schedule would require a total

reset. There was also the matter of not knowing what the Region will charge the Town for 2022, which in turn affects Pelham’s rates.

Councillor John Wink agreed.

“We’ve made a plan, why aren’t

we sticking to the plan?” he said.

“When we made our plan, I don’t think anyone expected we’d be in a worldwide pandemic,” Haun replied.

See COUNCIL Page 13

You Are Not Alone.

From the Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee v

If you are a senior in Pelham, and need a social connection or other resources, the Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee is here for you.

Reach out today. You are not alone. Contact Brittany MacLean at bmaclean@pelham.ca or 905-732-7882.

Page 4

The Voice, December 16, 2020

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 Larry Coté A Tailgate Christmas

F

or many families, Christmas celebrations are like no other throughout the year. And our family is no different. However, this virus is worse than any meanspirited Scrooge and has almost ruined the festivities for many families this year. The traditions of gathering round the tree, exchanging gifts and stuffing bellies with goodies, including a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, will be but a fond memory for 2020.

In our family, our daughter is by far the leading celebrant of Christmas and has served as our spirit of Christmas since she was about five or six years old.

I expect many households have such an elf-like enthusiast. Our exuberant girl was one of the local tree farms’ first customers each year and decorated the tree with fastidious enthusiasm.

I swear she started planning for such joyous celebrations just after Labour Day. Her brothers were not always that supportive, but she soldiered on in spite of their humbug attitude.

This year, plans were made for the clan to meet at a local party facility large

enough to comply with the social distancing and other health department regulations for such gatherings.

However, as conditions associated with the virus worsened, those plans had to be canceled. But our spir-

Our spirit of Christmas would not be deterred

it of Christmas would not be deterred.

In spite of those restrictions this year she didn’t let us down. She covertly organized her children and grandchildren to present us, the family elders, with a Christmas celebration like no other. And as she intended, this spirited celebration of Christmas surprised us greatly. This surprise was under the pretext of us meeting with just her and

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her husband to exchange gifts as was the tradition.

Arrangements were made to meet in our condo’s parking lot to do the exchange.

My wife prepared a few nibbles and made a large container of hot chocolate. This socially distant get together was a sad substitute for the many wonderful Christmas gatherings for this closeknit family in former years.

For sure, there are worse circumstances associated with this pandemic, but our Christmasy daughter was determined to make the sweetest of lemonade out of the sourest of lemons.

My wife and I got to the parking location at the appointed time for the gathering and opened our vehicle’s tailgate and set up the buffet- style eats. Shortly after our arrival an entourage of cars decked out in seasonal décor drove in. Celebratory garlands strung with flashing lights, car hoods bedecked with wreaths, large colourful bows hung from the grills and loud Christmas music filled the air.

Our great- granddaughter, wearing her best Christmas dress, ran from the car and presented us with beauSee OP-ED next page

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

Holiday cheer cards for veterans The holidays will be different for all of us this year. The flights home will be empty; the tables will be set for far fewer. While this time of year is usually about coming together with family and friends, Canadians across the country, including many of our veterans, will be separated from their loved ones this winter.

If you’ve got some time, let them know you’re thinking of them by sending holiday cheer cards directly to veterans in longterm care homes in your community, or via

your local Royal Canadian Legion branch.

It’s going to be a difficult winter for a lot of folks, and a small act like sending a holiday card can brighten the spirits of the veterans who have sacrificed so much in service of Canada.

For more information about the Holiday Cheer Card campaign, please visit veterans. gc.ca/holidays.

The Hon. Lawrence MacAulay Minister of Veterans Affairs Associate Minister of National Defence

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

The Voice

Letters

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

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033

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Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805 Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-5877 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

Page 5

OPINION Council needs to get its act together—minus Ron Kore What is going on with Town Council?

With the exception of Mayor Junkin, Councillor John Wink, and the newest member of council, Councillor Wayne Olson, the rest of our elected officials seem to be off the rails. After voting out the Augustyn regime I thought the future for Pelham was bright and that common sense would finally prevail. Apparently not so.

The Three Amigos of Haun, Hildebrandt and Stewart—there were four with Kore in the mix, but we’ll get to that later—must have some hidden agenda against the Mayor and the people of Pelham. They obviously can’t think for themselves and have made some sort of pact to work together and undermine the ability of council to work cohesively.

I first started taking note when they tried to silence the Mayor for speaking on the Town’s behalf. Well, who else? What was that all about? That left me scratching my head.

Then, and I must say this is where I lost all respect for them—and Mr. Wink, you were surprisingly on board with this one— they contacted the ombudsman to investigate the Mayor for simply trying to do something good for the Bandshell Committee and the town. Let me stress this again. He was trying to do something good!

They followed up their attack by breaking the Code of Conduct themselves when they read a statement by an absent Ron Kore and voted in favour of a serious penalty and reprimand. That little coup cost the town $20,000 and the Mayor around $5,000. Good job, folks. You must have been so proud of yourselves!

This group was also in favour of scaling back their “work load,” and voting by proxy, which makes no sense whatsoever. If a councillor is not present to hear and discuss

the facts then how can one possibly vote with a clear, educated mind. I’m sure with Ron Kore’s continued absence they acted with a safety-in- numbers mentality.

And now Councillor Lisa Haun is trying to waste another $20,000 for an emergency response plan that Fire Chief Lymburner has had under control for some time. I’m sure there’s more instances like the ones above, but what is crystal clear is the Town cannot be run effectively with such a self-serving, biased group, not acting with the Town’s best interest in mind.

This brings me to councillor Ron Kore. I believe it’s time Mr. Kore did the right thing and resign his position on council. He has shown that he does not have the heart, temperament and/or time to commit to the day-to-day dealings required of the office he was elected to. The Town needs another full-time councillor that can commit to doing what is required of them by their constituents.

Given the current climate within Town Council, I have lost all confidence that the best interests of Pelham residents will be met. There is no place in council for the petty grievances the above councillors have continued to display. The role of Town councillor requires an open mind. Not three or four working as one!

As far as I’m concerned, Pelham residents already pay far too much in property taxes. We are all suffering for the misdealings of the previous council, rates on just about everything are going up, and the Town is struggling to get back on its feet financially. It’s time to stop frivolous spending on never-ending consultant fees, including the one proposed by Lisa Haun above.

Steve Murphy Fenwick

PELHAM AND COVID-19

Mayor Marvin Junkin

Vaccine news step in right direction

I

t has now been announced that Ontario will administer its first COVID-19 vaccines December 15 at two hospitals in Toronto and Ottawa. The first people to receive the vaccines will be healthcare workers at long-term homes, and other high-risk places.

While the vaccine will alleviate much of the need for physical distancing and masking long term, it won’t immediately end these public health measures.

Herd immunity, which refers to a large proportion of the community being immune to contracting the virus, has to hit 70% in order for COVID-19 to be manageable. This level will take months to reach, depending on just when the shipments of vaccines arrive. Also, it is still unknown whether the vaccines prevent somebody from becoming infected and spreading it forward. The worry being that if people are vaccinated, and they can still spread it, then the risk remains to the people who aren’t vaccinated. Of course the big question remains — how long the vaccine will offer im-

munity from the virus.

Here at home, the Niagara Public Health unit has made it be known that Marvin Junkin they would consider our community centre to be an ideal vaccination point, because of its size and its central location. As of this writing they had not yet appeared on site for an indepth inspection.

Just when we thought they might have been starting to drop, there have been new cases. There were 20 last Wednesday, and last Thursday that number shot up to 36. With this big increase, our reproductive number is now over 1, at 1.2, as of Dec. 10. Our hospitals are still good, with 85.6% of their beds currently occupied, below the target numbers of 90%. Our positivity test number is 1.7%, meaning that of the 8000-9,000 tests done every week by Regional Health, only 1.7% are positive, The provincial average is over 5%, while parts of Alberta, their worst parts, were testing over 41%.

O

n Saturday, a rather strange event took place in Fenwick. Well, when I say strange, everything this year is relative, so maybe this event wasn’t that strange. I am talking about the reverse Santa Clause Parade, which as its name implies, saw floats remaining stationary and the people/kids driving by in cars.

Although somewhat damp, and while it sounds somewhat bizarre, rest assured, everyone had a fun time. A huge thank you to the Fabulous Fenwick Lions and the Town’s Recreationl Department.

Jennifer Dube dropped me a line with the final stats of the Pelham Cares food drive. The bad news was food donations were down 35%. The great news was that monetary donations were up a whopping 60%. To make this drive a success, 60 volunteers were scheduled each week in 3.5 hour shifts, for a total of approximately 300 volunteers. Only in Pelham, I say! Thanks to all the donors and volunteers! With the success of this event we gave the virus a darned good kicking. ◆

Open letter to Mayor Junkin on airport situation

WWII grit and 21st century anti-maskers—no comparison

I am writing this in reference to a comment relayed to me about a member of your council allegedly referring to us stakeholders and pilots as rich playboys with their expensive toys.

Might I refer you to a study done recently on the Niagara Central Airport, paid in part by your council, https:// centralairport.ca/economic-i mpac t-of-cnq3.ht m l.

This may clear up the question as to whether the airport has economic value to the Town.

My expensive toy enabled me to employ two well-paid assistants and myself, and to pay taxes. Now that I'm semi-retired it is not only

Thank you so much for the wonderful story about Peter Nice's experience as a British child evacuee during World War II [This Pied Piper was a hero, Column Six, Dec. 9, p.1].

It was very interesting to read. I especially enjoyed his comment near the end, where he says, “Today, I sometimes wonder how those protesting the wearing of masks

a toy, it is a piece of teaching equipment and used to expand the horizons of our local youth in various programs who wish to get involved—by the way, at my expense. (It is still used for business by my business partner) Others on the field use their aircraft for business purposes. Some offer their equipment to charity groups to fly medical patients from remote areas to hospitals.

Most times it is children with a parent alongside. No charge.

Yes, some folks are flying just for the sheer pleasure. Our group ranges from farmers, postal workers,

retired mill workers, hospital staff, and corporate and commercial pilots. We have at least three retired military pilots, and two were on the Snowbird team. The See AIRPORT next page

Professional SERVICES Directory Dr. Ann Volk Dr. Randy Pauls Dr. Jeanette Ngo

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continued from previous page tifully wrapped and especially labeled gift packages. Our nephew, a very close cousin to our children, was also there and added to the unexpected joy of this occasion. All were wearing masks and maintained the appropriate social distancing protocols. But one could easily detect the huge grins beneath the masks and see the sparkle of joy in the eyes of each celebrant.

In the spirit of the season the exchange of gifts took place and it was a gathering full of joy. Our family will always remember 2020 as the year of the “Tailgate Christmas.”

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Page 6

Letters

The Voice, December 16, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

Pelham Cares thanks

Gratitude for the education professionals on the front lines

This year’s Food Drive certainly looked a lot different than past years’. Each month we hand out approximately 275 boxes of food, so our Food Drive goal was to collect 3000 boxes of food to “Help Fill our Shelves” for at least seven months. With your help we collected over 1700 boxes.

We had an amazing contribution of financial donations as well. Overall, we are 35% down in food, but with the increase in our monetary donations this enables us to purchase in bulk. We are so encouraged by the overwhelming support received from our community!

A special thank you to the Town of Pelham and the Meridian Community Center staff for allowing us the use of their loading bay over the five weeks. Special thanks to our Food Drive partners—Fonthill Kinsmen, Fonthill Lions Club, and Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club. Working together, following Public Health and Ontario safety guidelines to keep all volunteers safe, we thought would be a challenge, but everyone was so willing and understanding we were able to successfully have a safe food drive.

This year we needed 60 volunteers a week. They were scheduled four people or a family bubble at a time over a 3.5 hour shift over the three days each week. Some 657 volunteer hours were calculated. We are reminded of the generosity and kindness that abounds in the community of Pelham. The difficulty through COVID-19 has been a struggle for many, but are reminded how our community is in this together.

As they say, “It takes a village,” and it is never more true than in this case. It is contributions from donors and volunteers, individuals, businesses large and small, social clubs, schools, churches and granting foundations, which allow Pelham Cares to continue to meet this need in Pelham.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Pelham Cares, staff, volunteers and clients, a heartfelt thank you goes out to the Pelham community for your support again this past year!

Tracy Holmwood, President Board of Directors

Thank you to all the principals, vice principals, teachers, EA's, secretaries, custodians and bus drivers who are going above and beyond this year to keep our children safe and in school. All of them are dealing with situations they have never had to deal with in their professional careers or experienced as children or teens themselves. Not enough can be said for all their hard work.

Above all, it is their unwavering

AIRPORT

continued from previous page other flew F-104s in Germany during the Cold War. One of them is currently flying at the age of 87—an inspiration to us all and the kids that meet him. Several of us are currently assisting a high school teacher who was given permission by his school board to begin teaching aircraft subjects. We will be bringing his class to our hangers for hands-on instruction once we're clear of COVID-19. By the way we're not getting paid.

Our C.O.P.A. group collectively spent our own funds and added another runway for the airport use. It has had spectacular results with visiting pilots using it to practice soft-field landings. Yes, some airport funds were used, but very little considering the result.

We maintain it free of charge. We have a van at the airport available to all visiting pilots for their use

commitment to following strict safety protocols that often change daily, to keep themselves safe, as well as protect others in the school system.

In-school learning, virtual learning or both, has significantly changed our system. We can not underestimate the demands placed on teachers to learn new forms of technology, on the go, as well as teaching this technology to colleagues, students, parents. Teach-

ers are dedicated to making lesson plans for both students online and in class that keep our youngsters energized and engaged.

Many of these professionals are taking care of their own children and perhaps parents, while also meeting the new and unprecedented demands of their job—often calming parents and caregivers over the telephone, when a runny nose or slight fever means a self-assessment and a COVID test before the

child can return into school.

We are so grateful to all the education workers. Where would our children and teens be without them? Where would we be without them? We admire you and thank you for all that you do.

Let us spread a little kindness and gratitude especially at Christmas, especially this year, if you get the chance, #thankaneducationworker.

Norma Sgambelluri Fonthill

Fonthill now mostly just a memory

Council: Preserve the green corridor along Bauer Trail

I have lived in Fonthill since 1978, so I think I can safely have an opinion on what goes on in my town.

And I have to say I am not very thrilled about what is going on. Do we have planners, like city planners? Or does the council just say to developers, “Here’s the land—over to you. Make as much money as you can.”

So they rub their hands together and divide the land into smaller and smaller lots, build bigger and bigger houses, making it possible to pass that cup of sugar to your neighbour without either of you leaving your house. And did you know that “People don’t want yards”?

We don’t? Who made that rule?

The result is a huge new development of closepacked houses, no green space, no trees, no gardens, no play space, no decent living space at all. And we are assured that this is what we want. This apparently makes Fonthill the ultimate desirable place to be.

What I think makes Fonthill a desirable place to be are the family homes with yards, gardens, beautiful trees, bushes, shrubs, green space and quiet treelined streets—that’s what makes Fonthill a nice place to live. So why are we hellbent on making it anything but that?

What else do we have? We don’t have waterfront, we don’t have a beautiful downtown park, we don’t have theatres, we don’t have amazing civic architecture. We have quiet, tree-lined streets of family homes.

The new build areas don’t have room to plant trees—I laughed when I saw the landscaping for the townhouses on Port Robinson Road. The developer has planted trees, and hopefully they are some genetically engineered varieties that will never get bigger than the saplings they are now!

And now we learn that the Steve Bauer trail that so many of us walk and enjoy—our little bit of nature—is to become no more than a glorified sidewalk! Come on council, planning department, whoever you are. The decision makers have so far given us another few shopping plazas, a community centre that we are never going to pay for, a lot of other very questionable planning decisions—but no parks, no walkable areas, no nice little cut-throughs between streets that give character to living space, no treelined streets, no interesting architecture, really... nothing.

One day soon people are going to wake up and ask what’s so special about Fonthill? And realize...nothing. Not any more.

Margie Hadley Fonthill

I read with interest your front page article regarding imminent housing developments that could desecrate that portion of the Steve Bauer Trail running between Port Robinson Road and Merritt Road [Renewed call to protect remaining trees along trail, Dec. 9, p.1]. This trail is an invaluable asset, recently paved, accessible to all and much used. It allows people to experience a walk through a wooded environment without the noise and fumes from passing traffic. I am not opposed to the Town’s policy of high- density housing because it is designed to protect our green spaces from urban sprawl. The question is: Are we getting high-density housing without any protection of green spaces?

The Town of Pelham Official Plan – Goals and Objectives, includes the following: “To encourage the establishment of an open space system that links environmental and recreational resources both within and beyond the boundaries of the Town.”

Will council act to ensure that the Kunda Park and Forest Park subdivision proposals do not destroy the environmental and recre-

while in the area. Free of charge.

I personally own a third share in one of the hangers. I built a second hanger set up as a six pack to accommodate the number of pilots who wanted to bring their aircraft to our airport. All six units filled up in less that a month after completion. Sold at cost.

This year I've had four prospects walk into my hanger asking about hanger space or could they build a hanger. It is my understanding from speaking to them later they were shrugged off to come back much later. Not very encouraging.

All of the airport commissions that I have seen have fumbled the ball over and over again. Pricing fuel so high that they drove pilots like myself to fill up at other airports. Even the current price is out of line. The previous commission wasted funds on a new type of covering on the runways. They allowed themselves to be conned into buying a process that now is

ational benefits of the Steve Bauer Trail? Or will the developers win and the residents of Pelham lose a valuable asset?

I am reminded of the words of Joni Mitchell, the Canadian folksinger: They paved paradise And put up a parking lot They took all the trees And put them in a tree museum And they charged the people A dollar and a half just to see ‘em Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got Till it’s gone They paved paradise And put up a parking lot A green corridor separating developments on the east and west sides of the Steve Bauer Trail could preserve the trail as it is. Otherwise, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

Alan Bown Fonthill

There must be a better way It has been a long time since my “Crick boys” and their friends could get on their mini-bikes and ride down the tracks from Gramma Leslie’s bush to Welland (they knew enough to get off when a train was coming).

What a great idea it was to make the Steve Bauer Trail and have it open to all. Surely, there is another way to be able to get into the

new subdivision that is being planned without having to build roads across it.

I’m sure Im not the only one right now remembering Joni Mitchell singing about paving over paradise, and not knowing what you had until it was gone.

Vilma Moretti Fonthill

"I live at the corner of Hollywood and Vine now" Over the 30 years I have lived in Fonthill I have watched as the farmland across from me became the Timber Creek subdivision.

Bacon Lane, originally a dead-end lane way, was opened up to Pelham Street, and numerous building lots were approved by Town Council. The Kunda Park subdivision went in off of Merritt Road, and over the last few years the farmlands and tree lots of Mori Gardens along Rice Road have been turned into sprawling Brampton and Whitby-like

allowing small pebbles from the application to loosen and destroy our propellers. (Replacement of mine, $15,000 US dollars.) They wasted $12,000 on a new survey when there currently exist five surveys completed over the last 15 years. The latest I believe is only five years old. Their justification is they found a few acres recently given over that must be added.

They require a complete new survey to add them in.

We have an airport toilet at the front gate to the airport. It’s a construction site single booth.

Were not allowed (COVID is the excuse) to use the building donated by one of our C.O.P.A. members for the airport use. (Managers office, pilot lounge.) The only other public toilet is controlled by the Niagara Sky Dive operation. The owner does not want the general public to use it since he pays for the water that it uses. And rightly so.

I will not discuss the firing of

suburbia.

Now the new Saffron Meadows Phase Two and Forest Park subdivision signs have been erected along Rice Road and Port Robinson Road. The Steve Bauer Trail between Port Robinson Road and Merritt Road is going to be cut in places to allow roads to join the Kunda Park subdivision with these new developments of Forest Park and Saffron

the airport manager. Except to say he was a good friend to the pilots and the field and those who came to visit. We were greatly respected at the field for our hospitality.

I saw a mention in the 2019 airport budget, an expenditure of $45,000 for advertising. I can only assume this paid for the five road signs that the former airport manager requested to direct traffic to us. That works out to $9,000 per sign. I have never seen any other advertising in local newspapers or elsewhere. By the way, even your own Pelham folder at our airport has nothing about the airport except a business card ad from Niagara Sky Dive. Most of his clients come from the Toronto area.

Neither do Welland, Port Colborne nor Wainfleet. Nor is any information on the airport on your respective websites—or none that is worthwhile at least.

It's obnoxious that Port Col-

See SPRAWLING next page

borne has transportation information in their brochure, talking about how to get to their famous town, yet no mention of an airport just ten minutes from them. Lots on bus routes and highway access.

No wonder when I organized and paid for the RCAF Snowbird team to display at our airport in 2008, we had difficulty obtaining rooms for them and strange looks when I spoke about the local airport.

Yet come that afternoon we had over 10,000 people show up.

I apologize for this long dissertation. But we stakeholders and pilots are fed-up with the constant on-and-off as to the future of the airport. We've tried repeatedly to assist all the appointed committees, with little to no success. It seems they know how airports are run better then the pilots who use them.

James Morrison Welland

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 16, 2020

Page 7

Common sense worked before, why not now We have lived in Fonthill for 57 years and have seen many changes —some good, some not so good. The plan to desecrate the Steve Bauer Trail is an example of the not so good. That section of the trail is well used and the plan for tree removal and having two crossings would destroy the serene beauty and safety of this section. Surely a better solution can be found.

Years ago, when the sewers went through our area here, we were confronted by the construction plan to cut through the stand of many mature trees that enhanced the properties involved. After discussing the

SPRAWLING

continued from previous page Meadows.

I attended Town meetings regarding the Bacon Lane developments and they passed, reducing the frontage of building lots— to allow more homes to be constructed—greed, more tax dollars for the Town coffers. These houses are so close together. With these new building materials and the close proximity to neighbours, house fires speed rapidly.

I watched in horror as the house behind me was fully engulfed and my trees were set ablaze a little over two weeks ago, on November 28, and prayed that the firefighters could save my workshop/ barn and my house. My huge silver maple is badly scorched and for safety reasons needs to be taken down, along with two large evergreens. The larger five-trunked silver maple was taken down

plan with the engineer in charge of the project, a change was made to have the sewer line run along Stella Street, with the homes involved hooking up through easements. As a result, there was minimal loss to the forest, and today one would never know there are buried sewer lines on the easements.

The alternative was accepted by the engineer who admitted that it would also be less costly to do so! Common sense won the day back then. Let’s hope that common sense will prevail again for this issue.

Bob and Pat Laing Fonthill

behind my barn two years ago, with no prior notification to me, to allow my new neighbour to dig and pour his foundation. All summer, I listened to chainsaws take trees down on a property three doors down from me on Line Avenue. That property was sold and yes, a developer purchased the land and more cookie-cutter structures are going to be built there.

I live at the corner of Hollywood and Vine now—have listened to squealing tires and near accident misses.

I aided a bicyclist who was hit at the corner of Bacon and Line as well as assisted with crashes at that corner.

I’ve often wondered why Timber Creek only has one way into that subdivision.

There is a walkway further down Line Avenue, but if there is a fire at one of the houses how is an ambulance going to get in to service the other homes in that subdivision? Pelham Town Hall should be ashamed of

111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL

themselves.

The proposed clearing of part of the Steve Bauer Trail is detrimental to the wellbeing of the inhabitants of Fonthill. With the COVID pandemic, the Steve Bauer Trail has given me and others the much needed mental health we need—communing with nature, walking through this last unspoiled woods.

(We already lost the woods and swampy area of Bacon Lane, lost the field across from me and the woods my dogs and I would hike when Timber Creek went in, lost the woods when Willson Crossing went in, lost the woods when Ryan's Walk went in...it just goes on and on and on.)

Is money, greed and sprawling suburbia what Fonthill is all about? Obviously preserving nature is on the back-burner of Pelham Town Hall. Shameful!

So sad.

Heather Armstrong Fonthill

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Page 8

The Voice, December 16, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Ford strips power from conservation authorities Bill 229's implications worry Pelham's Regional Councillor Diana Huson

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

Ontario has 36 conservation authorities, which are responsible for the protection and restoration of land, water and natural habitat in their communities. Many people see them as indispensable, but the provincial government’s Ministry of the Environment, Recreation and Parks has Diana Huson. taken steps VOICE FILE to erode their power, which it says will improve the governance, oversight, and accountability of conservation authorities while respecting taxpayer dollars.

It is a controversial move. Niagara Regional Council, as well as elected councils in lower-tier-municipalities St. Catharines, Fort Erie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake passed motions last month opposing the provincial government’s changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, specifically Section 6 of Bill 229 (the Protect, Support, and Recover From COVID-19 Act).

Included in the bill is the removal of citizen participants on conservation boards, replacing them with municipal politicians.

Nonetheless, the bill was recently rushed into law by the provincial legislature. Usually, exten-

sive public consultation would be the norm prior to bill passage, but because the changes were part of an omnibus budget bill, critics argue that these discussions did not occur— at least not in a fulsome and transparent fashion.

Both Niagara Falls and Pelham Town councils had voted against motions to back the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) in its quest for support, which left Pelham’s Regional Councillor Diana Huson surprised and disappointed. She had personally delivered the appeal to Pelham Council at its regular meeting last Monday, accompanied by the NPCA’s relatively new CAO and secretary/treasurer, Chandra Sharma.

Huson said that one of her biggest concerns was the lack of opportunity for public input. The resolution she delivered requested the Town’s support in asking the province for more discussion prior to implementing the bill.

Sharma told Pelham council that conservation authorities have been told that these changes are being introduced because “the province wants to streamline and reduce red tape and bring greater accountability. Frankly and respectfully, we are wondering what this really means, because conservation authorities are already accountable to our regional partners who provide funding, through audited financial statements.”

The NPCA has had its share of bad press and controversy over the past few years, with charges of mismanagement and poor morale among staff. When the provincial auditor general investigated and recommended changes, the staffing model was revised, and the board was reshaped to include more citizens and fewer politicians. To an objective onlooker, things seem to have improved at the local authority.

Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson voted against the resolution put forward by the NPCA. “I was looking for something more tailored to our needs in Pelham, that had much greater input from agriculture, and specifically the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. I thought it was very late to be bringing that to us for consideration…we should have had more time to consider it,” he said, during the council meeting.

Olson wanted to see the existing legislation revisited.

“I think that any time a government agency has been in existence for over 60 years, there should be review and changes,” he said.

Olson added that in his talks with local MPP Sam Oosterhoff, “he assured me that there was still time for consultations to take place. I think that the NPCA will play a vital role in the development of Niagara going forward, but I see nothing wrong with many parts of this bill.”

Mayor Marvin Junkin shared Olson’s perspective, saying he had “strong feelings” on the matter, that the “terms of reference need to be redefined,” and that the “government is resetting the mandate.”

Junkin, Olson, and Councillor Bob Hildebrandt didn’t support the resolution, which resulted in a tie vote. Because a tie vote is lost, the motion was defeated. Councillors Marianne Stewart, Lisa Haun, and John Wink voted in favour. Councillor Ron Kore, who could have broken the tie, was not present, continuing his leave of absence.

Ontario Greenbelt Council Chairman David Crombie and six other members of that council resigned in protest over the pending environmental reforms. Premier Doug Ford repeated his earlier claim that he would not touch the Greenbelt, and in fact plans to expand it. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark said he was committed to working with the remaining council members, and announced $30 million for wetland restoration across Ontario, part of a partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada.

In his resignation letter, Crombie wrote that the government’s changes are “not policy reform, but high-level bombing, and need to be resisted.”

In a letter sent to Minister of Municipal Affairs Steve Clark, Crombie said that recent actions taken by the government “have confirmed that we differ fundamentally on policy directions affecting the Greenbelt,” Ontario's 7200-km stretch of two million acres of protected farmland, forest, wetlands, rivers and lakes.

Speaking with the Voice after Pelham council’s decision not to support the NPCA, Huson said, “The changes that are happening now are worrisome…if, for some reason, the conservation authority denies a permit, then the developer can appeal the permit at the

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Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). If LPAT denies the appeal, the developer can now go direct to the provincial minister, and the minister can ignore everything that was said at the conservation authority and LPAT, and just issue the permit.”

Huson is concerned that there is going to be a high degree of arbitrariness introduced, with deals made behind closed doors, allowing developers and others to get their way, even though two levels of the process have denied them a permit.

It bothers Huson that the government changes ignore local context and input. She argues that the NPCA is comprised of people who have a scientific background, who don't arbitrarily deny a permit—in fact, she said that few permits are outright denied. Usually, they are approved with conditions.

“I guess the message it sends is that you don't need to work with the conservation authority, because there's a loophole that you can use to push through a development.”

Huson noted that when the Ontario Conservation Act was created in 1946, it was funded 5050 between the province and the municipality, but today the province’s contribution is only 3 percent of the budget.

“That means municipalities have to pick up the slack in terms of the funding…and municipalities don't have as wide diversity in terms of their revenue generating options as does the province,” said Huson.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 16, 2020

Page 9

Short Hills deer harvest in its eighth year

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

They arrived in the pre-dawn darkness last Thursday, and were ushered in beyond the gates on Pelham Road by Niagara Regional Police officers, clad in luminous safety vests. COVID-19 has curtailed many activities in 2020, but the Indigenous Deer Harvest at Short Hills Park is not one of them.

Ironically, it was International Animal Rights Day. Short Hills encompasses 735 hectares, making it the smallest provincial park in Ontario. Its unique features include part of the Niagara Escarpment, Carolinian forests, and the Fonthill Kame Moraine.

Ontario Parks Southwest Manager Greg Wilson said that Short Hills was selected for its first Indigenous deer hunt in 2013. This season’s remaining hunt dates December 17, and January 7 and 27, 2021. Ministry of Natural Resources staff are present during the hunt, along with Niagara Regional Police and their OPP counterparts. The hunt begins a halfhour before sunrise, and ends a half-hour after sunset. The park is closed to all but Indigenous archers—hunters use bows and arrows, not guns— while the hunt is in session.

Wilson said that Ontario respects Aboriginal and treaty rights as recognized and affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982, and is committed to meeting the province's obliga-

tions regarding First Nation and Métis people. The Haudenosaunee (also known historically as the Iroquois) have special access to hunt in the park as a right provided to them under the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 (John Nanfan was the colonial governor of New York at the time, and drew up the treaty on behalf of the British government).

According to NRP officers on site, approximately 50 to 70 Indigenous hunters entered the park last Thursday. As light faded late in the afternoon and they exited the park, hunters were met by a small throng of fewer than a dozen well-behaved protesters, none waving placards. That no deer carcasses were observable speaks to the hunters’ discretion, and their awareness of the situation’s sensitivities.

All of the hunters were from the Six Nations on the Grand River reserve in Brantford.

Most of the protesters at the Pelham Road park entrance did not want to speak to the Voice, and the two who did offer comment did not wish to be named.

They complained that the dozens of hunters’ trucks, SUVs, and all-terrain vehicles cause damage to the park roadways and fragile trails, and destroy vegetation and river banks. One man said he was not opposed to hunting per se, but did not want any hunting in the park, period. Another said that his home abuts Short Hills,

Police and protestors mingle at the entrance to Short Hills Park on Pelham Road last Thursday morning, Dec. 10.

DON RICKERS and added, “We moved here to be close to the park and the wildlife.

I don't want somebody coming into my backyard, finishing off a deer in front of my grandson.”

The same man opined that there are a lot fewer deer these days.

“I'm in the park all the time, and I think the herd is shrinking considerably,” he said. He lamented that orphaned and wounded deer pursuant to the hunt likely die from predation or starvation.

Statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources do not support the man’s contention. A 2016 MNR study determined that the park had a carry capacity of 50 deer, but that an aerial survey indicated at least 400 were present on site.

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The Ministry does not consider the deer population to be endangered. Typically, the Indigenous deer harvest removes upwards of 50 deer from the park annually.

The cost to the Ontario taxpayer is something less than $50,000, given the expense of MNR staff who need to be present to supervise the hunt.

Anne Kubu is chair of the Friends of Short Hills Park, a community-based organization dedicated to conserving the cultural and natural integrity of the park through liaison with Ontario Parks, partnerships, volunteer work, public education, and fundraising activities. She said that the organization’s membership

holds a spectrum of views related to the annual hunt, and that unfortunately they have seen littering and acts of vandalism by anti-hunt protesters in past years.

She further noted that her group previously planted seedling trees in the park, but have discontinued the practise because the deer ate them not long after they were planted. She considers the deer population in the park to be robust.

A review of social media websites confirmed that some in Niagara are fervently opposed to the annual hunt, even resorting to name-calling and racial slurs onSee HARVEST back page

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Despite drips, Reverse Santa Parade a hit

DAMP BUT MERRY The weather could have been better, but last Saturday's Reverse Santa Claus Parade was not short on sunny enthusiasm. Lion Jeff Pickup estimates that some 315 parade-going vehicles rolled through the event, held at Centennial Park in Fenwick, with an average of four occupants per car. Twenty Fenwick Lions lent their paws to helping out and directing traffic. Pickup says that a "huge amount" of food donations were collected on behalf of Pelham Cares.

LEAH LETFORD PHOTOS / SANTA PHOTO COURTESY FENWICK LIONS

COLLECTED FROM CROSSLEY On Friday, December 4, members of the Rotary Club of Fonthill picked up bags and boxes of non-perishable food items, personal care products, and grocery gift cards that had been collected by the staff and students of E. L. Crossley Secondary School. Each year, Crossley’s Interact Club undertakes a holiday food drive. This year, with only half the students in the building on any given day, the effort was made more challenging. Nevertheless, Carolyn Ranieri, the staff lead for Interact at Crossley, and Janet Cripps, a Crossley staff member and Rotary Club of Fonthill member, were pleased with the results. Rotary members took the items to the Pelham Cares collection site at the community centre, where they added to the boxes collected over Pelham Cares’ month-long drive. Pelham Cares board member, and former Crossley staff member, Sue Kicul expressed her appreciation for the contributions.

FONTHILL ROTARY

CASH MANAGERS ANTE UP In support of Pelham Cares’ 2020 Food Drive, Ironwood Wealth Management held a drive among their employees and business tenants, collecting goods on Pelham Cares’ most-needed list, including warm winter items, food, and financial donations. Making the delivery are Jason Rienas, left, Tim Swinkels. Meanwhile, up the street, the fine folks at Edward Jones, unable to host their Christmas open house, during which they usually collect non-perishable food items, opted to contribute $400 to the cause. From left, Jennifer Dubé, of Pelham Cares, and Nicolle Lalonde, of Edward Jones.

SUPPLIED

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 16, 2020

OBITUARY

Burnham, Grayson Passed away November 6, 2020 Grayson was the son of Carrie and Rex Burnham. They had a large family, five sons: Brancil, Ben, Grayson, Les and Kolon and two daughters; Janet and Glenna.

Grayson grew up in his beloved “Metropolis of Fenwick”.

He had many happy memories of his “Mayberry” - walking uptown to the barber shop, post office, and the Green Lantern. He cherished the town folk that watched and cared for the neighbourhood children as they walked to school, played baseball, and hiked in the fields and woods. He loved exploring along the railroad tracks and observing the comings and goings at the railroad station.

He married his high school sweetheart, Melody. They lived in Fonthill (during their 42 year marriage) which according to Grayson, was fine, since he could still hear the Fenwick train in the evening. Christmas celebrations always began with a drive to see the lights and bell on the Fenwick flagpole. One could say that Grayson liked to put down roots!

Grayson was described by our pastor (and friend) as having had an “indomitable quality of bringing light into the darkness of any situation.” His sense of humour, and quick wit, sustained his hopeful and optimistic nature. In his own words, “Nothing is so bad, that it couldn’t be worse!”

Music nurtured his spirit. He could bring any musical instrument to life, whether guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukelele or dulcimer.

Grayson was a contented man and lived with a sense of feeling blessed - no more so, than when our daughter, Kaitlyn was born. During times of serious illness, she became his reason to never give up hope. They had many adventures and made memories together. She inherited his wit and love of music.

In his later years, due to failing health, Grayson missed some important father-daughter milestones, such as her university graduation and Kaitlyn and Amy’s wedding. He continued to encourage and support from the sidelines. He was overjoyed when Kaitlyn sold her first humorous story to CBC radio and he was able to hear her narrate her story, “right here in our own kitchen!” (It was like a moment from the ‘40s, gathered around the radio.)

A small cemetery service was held on our last glorious fall day, his favourite season, facing a farm field and woodland.

Our thanks to our pastors (and friends) Rev. Heather Myers and Rev. Russ Myers for their music, words of remembrance and comfort. One of Grayson’s favourite gospel songs, “I’ll Fly Away” was uplifting but especially symbolic, when an unknown pilot appeared from nowhere and seemed to hover above us - we couldn’t help but chuckle, Grayson would have loved that! Online condolences may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca.

IN THE NEWS Clapp murder case inching forward

Two brief, separate video court appearances by Jason Lusted and Matthew MacInnes— the two men charged with second-degree murder in the October death of Pelham resident Earl Clapp— were again adjourned last week. MacInnes will re-appear in court Dec. 18, while Lusted’s matter was put over until Dec. 23. The pair have been in custody since Oct. 9, a week after Clapp was dragged to his death by a vehicle police believe was involved in an attempted robbery at Clapp’s Centre Street property.

Case against Leviathan

A hearing has occurred related to charges brought against Leviathan Natural Products (formerly Leviathan Cannabis) for al-

legedly growing cannabis at its Foss Road facility, in Fenwick, contrary to the Town of Pelham’s interim control bylaw prohibiting such activity. Charges were filed in mid August.

The matter was heard on November 27, at Niagara Region’s Provincial Offences Court, in Welland, as a “First Appearance,” at which time a judicial pre-trial date was set for February 3, 2021. Pelham CAO David Cribbs told the Voice that the matter will be in the hands of the new Town Solicitor, who starts her employment in the middle of January.

“Judicial pre-trials in the Provincial Offences Court are mandatory for matters that are anticipated to require more than four hours of court time,” said Cribbs. “At a pre-trial, See IN THE NEWS next page

Page 11

OBITUARY

ELLEN K. PEDLEY Peacefully in the comfort of her home, Ellen passed away on Friday, December 4, 2020 at the age of 77. She was the rock and beloved wife of 55 years to Charles.

Cherished mother of Ann (Jon) Guinn of Massachusetts and Rebecca (Scott) Laird of New York State. Loving Grandma of Nathanael, Andrew, Ian, Mac, Nathan. Dear sister of Leonard (Linda) Noake, and sister-in-law of Sylvia (Ted) Wiens.

Ellen will be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Ellen was born in Stevensville on May 8, 1943, and grew up living in Niagara. She moved to Hamilton to attend university and became an elementary school teacher. This is where she met Charles and they were married in 1965. Ellen taught at Winger Public School for a number of years, eventually choosing to stay home to raise her daughters. Throughout her life, Ellen had a strong faith and was proudly involved with a number of prayer groups and her church, Faith Welland. Ellen’s sweet and kind nature will be remembered for always wanting to help people. She was intelligent and very artistic, leaving many paintings and landscape photography portraits to hang on her walls at home. Even recently, Ellen found much joy in acrylic painting and making custom cards for her family and friends. A special thank you to the nurses and personal support workers from the LHIN- Niagara, especially to Ellen’s palliative care team, for helping ensure she was kept comfortable right to the very end.

Arrangements are entrusted with Essentials Cremation and Burial Services (9 05 - 354 -2133).

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ellen’s life, and an interment at Fonthill Cemetery, will be held at a later date. Memorial donations given to Hospice Niagara, would be appreciated by Ellen’s family. Online condolences may be shared on Ellen’s tribute page found at EssentialsNiagara.com.

Take a Self-Guided Light Tour!

Take a drive and discover all that is "Merry and Bright" with festive light displays For tour route visit: pelham.ca/christmas

Page 12

The Voice, December 16, 2020

NEWTON

continued from Page 1 ter, Caitlyn Newton, plays volleyball at Purdue and was an All-America honourable mention.

“It’s a big mix from both of them,” said the 17-yearold, when asked which parent her athleticism came from.

“I definitely got my handeye coordination from my mother, I can’t say I got the flexibility,” the Grade 12 student at E. L. Crossley said with a laugh. “And I probably got the endurance from both of them. Obviously practising several times a week is not easy.”

Her father played a big role in helping her decide where she wanted to take her volleyball career.

“He is the first person I go to when I have questions about anything. During the recruitment process, I was so nervous and I was also asking him what to do to calm down,” she said. “He helped me out a lot and seeing my family’s history in sports, it pushed me harder.

It was something I wanted to do and I had to do it because my family did.”

The Halton Hurricanes travel player has seen her volleyball goals changed over the past three-and-ahalf years of high school.

“At the beginning of high school, I was really leaning towards the States because I was more interested in playing beach [volleyball] and it’s kind of hard to play

beach here because of the weather.”

Her initial thoughts were to obtain a scholarship at a school in Florida or Arizona, but that changed as her Grade 11 year came to a conclusion.

“I didn’t know if I could be away from home that much.

I wanted to be far enough away that I am not home or around the corner, but I want to be close enough that I can come home for a weekend if I need to,” she said. “I started thinking about that and then everything happened with COVID and I began to ask myself if I really wanted to go to the States.”

It was then that she started looking closer to home and reaching out to Ontario University Athletics coaches.

She did a number of Zoom meetings with Western head coach Melissa Bartlett and met members of the team through Zoom.

“We started taking in late August and mid-September and they offered me a spot in November. It was pretty quick.”

It was an easy choice.

“It was the bond between the girls and how they all seem so close to each other.

That is really important for me.”

Newton also loved the intensity Bartlett brings into the gym.

“It seemed like the perfect athletic fit for me as well as the academics side, which is very important to me. I wanted to go somewhere where I could pursue a career for life and not just

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worrying about my sport.”

She is planning to study social science with a major in psychology.

“I am hoping to work in either a psychiatric hospital or working with the inmates in prisons. I have always been interested in and like to know why people behave

I definitely got my hand-eye coordination from my mother

the way they do, especially criminals. I want to work with them and their history to see why they have gone down a certain path.”

She can’t wait to get started in London.

“I am looking forward to all of the student/athlete lifestyle. I have heard that it is super hard with a lot of things to manage. The Western team will hopefully be travelling a lot in 2021 and managing school and sports will be difficult. But I am excited to take on that task.”

She is also excited to show what she can do on a volleyball court.

“I want to show the ath-

letes and the coaches that I deserve a spot on the team and prove to them it was right that they chose me,” she said. “I also want to create bonds that last a lifetime, meet people and do well in school.”

Last year, Western lost in the OUA bronze medal game.

“I am excited because I didn’t necessarily want to join a team that was ranked first. I like making teams better and hopefully I can help them be better than they were last year.”

Newton feels her game has been progressing nicely.

She was selected to attend Volleyball Ontario’s High Performance Centre’s eightday developmental camp in 2019 and was named to the Team Ontario indoor team in 2020.

“I am definitely a lot stronger because over quarantine not being able to train in the gym has really made me work on myself as an athlete, especially the mental state and the nutrition side of things,” she said. “Overall, my performance has become more consistent this year because my body is better prepared for the things that I am putting it through.”

Halton head coach Peter Wong points to a number of attributes that make Newton a good player.

“It’s her physical ability and length, she makes her teammates better on the court and she has a wide variety of skills that make her a very well-rounded player,” he said. “I think she will do

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca great at the next level because she has so much potential.”

Wong believes Newton’s development was enhanced when she switched positions two seasons ago to outside hitter from middle.

“It opened up the things that she could do in a way that impacts the game. That was a big change and she has been able to help her teammates more through her leadership. I think she has grown a lot in terms of being a leader on the practice court and in matches.”

Wong feels the next step in Newton’s progression will be for her to develop a little more power, be better defensively, and stay a little more focused and consistent.

This past spring, Halton finished first in the Grant Prix tournament and would have been the top-ranked team heading into the provincial championships before COVID shut everything down.

“It was terrible and so disappointing. There were a lot of tears but then I started working out to try and improve things off the court and strengthening my muscles and stuff,” Newton said. “It was really hard, especially because a majority of the girls on my team are my best friends. Being home and not being able to see them was really difficult.”

Halton players returned to the practice court in September wearing masks, and Newton and her teammates train three days a week.

We’re here for

your health.

continued from previous page a party can plead guilty, the charges can be withdrawn or the matter can be set for trial, as the case may be.”

Santa coming to Wainfleet

The community of Wainfleet has come together to welcome Santa Claus. A parade in his honour will be a single float, travelling through the Wainfleet village, making stops along the route to hand out goodie bags for the kids. Organizers say this parade will be similar to COVID-19 birthday drive-by celebrations as a way to spread Christmas cheer from distance.

The Parade starts at 1 PM, this Saturday, Dec. 19. The parade route will be posted on the Facebook event page “Santa Parade in Wainfleet.”

No criminal charges in Regional CAO hire

On December 6, 2019, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) received a complaint regarding activities related to the 2016 hiring process of the Chief Administrative Officer for Niagara Region, Carmen D’Angelo. Four days later, the NRPS, in order to ensure there was no perception of conflict of interest, requested assistance from See IN THE NEWS Page 14

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COUNCIL

continued from Page 3 Councillor Wayne Olson, who had been critical of the rate increase at council’s last meeting, conceded that “we have to catch up with this.”

Ward 3’s Bob Hildebrandt agreed, and with most of council suddenly against doing the math and changing the schedule, the idea to spread out the rate increase died on the table.

“I guess the option here is to withdraw the motion as it doesn’t have support,” Stewart said.

Haun was the only no-vote on the matter, meaning the average Pelham household will see a $73 increase in water and wastewater rates next year.

Report idea shot down

A motion by Hildebrandt to force Town staff to provide detailed reports on the hiring of all consultants and lawyers related to development was defeated.

Hildebrandt appeared put off by the frequent overlap of the same third-party outfits being involved in planning, engineering, and legal counsel.

The Voice, December 16, 2020 “We’re always seeing the same companies,” he said.

Cribbs explained the reason for this was the size and insular nature of the development industry in the Niagara Region.

“There are a finite number of players in the area,” the CAO said. “That’s why you see the same names popping up. It would be somewhat arbitrary for us to force third parties to contract with other third parties simply because we don’t like the fact they work for the same companies.”

Cribbs didn’t appear to object to the possibility of added staff workload due to Hildebrandt’s motion, saying that, “Staff are supposed to be neutral like Switzerland” and would abide by it if they had to.

In the end, the motion was lost, 3-3, with the familiar bloc of Hildebrandt, Haun and Stewart in favour, with Olson, Wink and Mayor Marvin Junkin against.

Absent a deciding vote (which would have been provided by Councillor Ron Kore, who remained on a leave of absence), under parliamentary rules motions which end in a tie are defeated.

Page 13

Drive-thru debate

Crowngrove Estates Inc. gave a presentation on their proposed “Shops on 20” development, covering the area immediately east of Wellspring Way and north of the community centre, alongside Hwy. 20. Much like the existing commercial development to the west—the Food Basics plaza—the plan calls for a strip-like layout of three, single-story buildings, including two standalone restaurants —a McDonalds and a Starbucks.

Hildebrandt raised concerns with the developers about the planned drive-thru corridors, citing a danger to pedestrians.

“I consider [the existing Tim Hortons drive-thru to the west] layout to be quite unsafe,” the Ward 3 councillor said. “In my view that needs to be addressed before we approve this.”

Crowngrove representative Aly Hamdy stressed that pedestrian crossings and signage are industry-standard in those designs.

“We have approved hundreds of these across the country,” Hamdy said. “And, knock on wood, there haven’t been any lawsuits at this point. We have every confidence that there is no hazard.”

Still, when the matter came up

construction will be presented at the next meeting.

It would be somewhat arbitrary for us to force third parties to contract with other third parties simply because we don't like the fact they work for the same companies

for vote later, Hildebrandt again voiced concern, citing a 2019 case where a 90-year-old pedestrian was killed at a Toronto drive-thru.

Wink pushed Hildebrandt for more information.

“So, this is one incident you’ve been able to find in all of Canada—do we know that that design was exactly as this design?” he asked.

“No, I do not care to answer that question,” Hildebrandt replied.

The plan bylaw to authorize

COVID-19 vaccine

During his COVID-19 update, Fire Chief Bob Lymburner told council that two locations in Pelham meet criteria for vaccine distribution—the community centre, and Fire Station No. 1. Lymburner said Niagara Health will evaluate and make the location decision, but expects there only to be one vaccination site given Pelham’s size.

Council also voted to extend the Town’s mask bylaw until Aug. 31.

While that date is far in the future, it was clarified that it can be revoked sooner.

Odds and ends

A request from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to push back against proposed regulatory changes from the provincial government was shot down by council. In another tiedvote defeat, Junkin led the way in supporting redefining the role of the NPCA. Council also unanimously received a letter in support of moving forward with increasing highspeed Wi-Fi service in Pelham’s rural areas.

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

IN THE NEWS

continued from Page 12 the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

In a statement released last week, the OPP announced that on the basis of their investigation they concluded there was no evidence to warrant laying of criminal charges.

New video surveillance

The Ontario government is spending $90,000 in 2020-21 in Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to help the Niagara Regional Police Service “better detect, inves-

BALANCED

continued from Page 18 need a diaper change when you dismount your bike, and you’re not always pulling at your shorts like Rafael Nadal in a high-pressure match.

Personally, I’d rather be a little chilly.

Water bottles make good stocking stuffers, and the choices might seem pretty straightforward (do avoid BPA) and inexpensive. Wrong. One slightly over-the-top manufacturer claims to have re-imagined the water bottle as a sleek, chic and portable hydration vessel.

There are at least nine characteristics to consider before choosing a water bottle: shape, material, squeezability, flow rate, nozzle cap, neck valve, grippiness, insulation, colour, and warranty.

Plus, you can spend north of $45 for an insulated cycling water bottle. Just make sure you get two of them—nothing spells a proletarian upbringing more than mismatched water bottles on a bike.

In any sports discipline now, it seems new technology keeps cranking up the needs and wants, and cycling is no different. There are bicycle tail lights with radar on the market now that you can pair to your phone or GPS and they’ll tell you when a vehicle is ap-

tigate and prevent criminal activity,” according to a provincial statement released Dec. 7. The Ontario CCTV Grant, announced in August, is providing police services with a total of $6 million over three years to expand CCTV systems in their communities.

“Improving the technology and information available to our frontline police is critical to deterring unlawful activity and holding offenders accountable in our communities,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. NRPS Chief Bryan MacCulloch welcomed the investment. “The Niagara Region has not been immune

proaching from the rear by screen colour and audibly.

Green means okay, orange means vehicle approaching, and red means approaching too fast. I haven’t heard the sound version, but maybe it’s something like, “Coast is clear to the rear Johnboy,” for green; “Two tons of steel closing in at 12 o’clock captain,” for orange; and, “Mayday, mayday, hit the ditch,” for red.

The RidewithGPS, MapMyRide and Strava electronic navigation tool debates are always difficult for me. If my ride route for the day turns out to have been a good one, it’s nice to know that my phone or GPS has recorded and stored it to share or use another day.

But plotting a route in advance while you’re sitting home on the computer? Not sure about that.

I’m in the same camp as contrarian lawyer James E. Starrs, “Tour books are like cook books, to be used when in doubt,” and the itinerant cyclist and photographer Heinz Stuck, “It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels.”

You’ve got to know when to unplug these devices.

There’s always the gag gifts for when you run out of ideas, or the person on your list already has everything.

Coloured valve stems to match your bike come to mind.

Coffee-cup holders and speakers that will play your

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to the increase of gun violence that we have seen in other communities and we welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively with our partners at the City of St. Catharines and City of Niagara Falls to address these concerning incidents within our region,” said MacCulloch. “This additional funding from the Province of Ontario allows us to expand the existing network, making our community safer for both residents and visitors to Niagara.”

favourite tunes from your phone and mount on your handlebars have to be a joke. Just donate your bike to Goodwill right now, and buy an old vintage Corvette or Mustang.

Then there’s the do-ityourself bicycle tire belt making kit. If you puncture your bicycle tire on a ride, and you need a rest or are filling time waiting for CAA, you can make a stylish new belt from the old tire right on the spot if you have the kit. Apparently there’s also a kit to be used with new, eco-friendly vegan bicycle tires too.

How about a bicycle-shaped pizza cutting wheel, in which the bicycle’s front wheel is the blade. No, wait, I already have one of those.

Dave Zabriske was a very successful American bicycle racer from the Lance Armstrong era.

If your relationship with your intended giftee is strong, everyone needs chamois crème.

It might be a bit like giving a toaster or bathroom scale, but who can resist watching someone open a gift of chamois crème called DZ Nuts?

We can wrap and put a bow on everything listed above.

Not sure whether it’s because nine bikes, five pairs of riding shoes, three helmets and 27 cycling jerseys are maybe enough, or because 2020 has caused us all to reflect a bit, but when

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I think about what I might want for Christmas 2020, it is seldom stuff.

A road I’ve never ridden before, to enjoy, then share with others.

To always ride with someone who’s just a bit faster than me, or just a bit slower. Understanding the change of perspective each case provides is life-altering.

Six huge containers of protein powder. I have no idea if it works or not, but my bro-in-law takes it and he’s faster and looks better on his bike than me.

Opportunities to ride with my granddaughters more often, and share my love of cycling.

The ability to know which ride is the ride before the one when my old cycling shorts will wear through in all the wrong places.

That every ride will have one more hill and one more mile, and that I’ll always see them as an opportunity and challenge rather than a chore or obligation.

That bike shop owners will get through this coronavirus mess, and continue to be there for us.

I hope there will always be country stores with butter tarts and coffee shops when we need them to refuel, and conveniently placed roadside bushes a few kilometers later.

Fresh smooth pavement and well-worn gravel roads.

That Oregon’s “Stop as Yield” bike law will come to Ontario and banish the panniers full of guilt I carry every time I run a stop sign.

Clean snot rockets in the winter that won’t land on me or my riding friends.

A partner that understands when to join you on rides, and knows when you need to go alone. No wait, I’ve got one of those too.

Happy shopping. ◆

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OBITUARY

OBITUARY

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BRENDA NELLA ANGER

MOORE, John Alan

JUNE 6, 1954 DECEMBER 9, 2020 It is with great sadness that the family of Brenda Anger announces her passing after a very courageous battle with cancer. She died peacefully with the love of her life by her side on December 9th, 2020 at the age of 66.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 47 years, Grant Anger. Loving mother to Cherish DeRoy, Nathan (Breanna) Anger, Brandon (Kristi) Anger and Elijah (Katey) Anger.

Much loved Grandma to Noah and Chloe DeRoy, Kailene, Seleena, Neala and Declan Anger and Brielle, Kolton and Lukas Anger. Brenda will be lovingly remembered by her two brothers; Brad (Dianne) and Bernie (Christine) Jinks, sisters and brothers-in-law; Gloria Thibault and Harry (Audrey) Anger, as well as Aunts, Uncles, many nieces and nephews and their families, as well as numerous cousins. Brenda was predeceased by her father and mother, Bill and Leah Jinks. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Port Colborne Brethren in Christ Church from 11:30 - 12:45 on Friday December 18th, 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service will be held followed by interment at 2:30 at Fonthill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Walker Family Cancer Centre would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Online condolences may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Moore on December 9, 2020 at the age of 87 with his family by his side. Loving father to Chris (Corinne) of Vancouver and Elizabeth (Scott) of Port Robinson.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Laura (2012) and eldest son Stephen (2005).Cherished grandfather of Robert, Jack, Robyn and Audrey.

He will be sadly missed by his sisters and many nieces and nephews in the UK and Australia. In 1952 John met the love of his life Laura in Liverpool where they both attended University. Mom was studying physiotherapy and Dad was studying physics. They married in 1956 and two years later Dad graduated with a PhD in Nuclear Physics at age of 25. In the following years, they lived in Reading England, Long Island USA, Deep River Ontario and Saskatoon Saskatchewan where Dad enjoyed his career as a researcher. In 1967 the family relocated to St Catharines where he was a professor at Brock University from the years 1967 until his retirement in 1993. In the subsequent years Dad enjoyed his wood carving, travelling with Laura and his role as a Grandfather. Dad’s life was always led by his curiosity of the natural world, believing that birth, life and death are the natural cycle of everything.

What happens after death is shrouded in mystery, and will always remain so. We love you Dad and will miss you always. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home for the tremendous care and compassion Dad received while there. We will always be grateful.

In keeping with Dad’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of John’s life will take place at a later date in the UK with all his family. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada.

Online condolences may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

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motion morphed during the debate and Unfortunately, at least three members was PELHAM headed towards council actually de- clearly do not understand the function of LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP feating its own capital and water budgets, the budgets which they are charged with Make six cards with fall themes, learning a variety of techniques. Materials which, to be clear, had previously been passing on behalf of their community. are provided.

At time of registration, please enquireWink about tools needed. unanimously supported.

As Councillor attempted to exThis would have created a procedur- plain, and as the Treasurer confirmed, the Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead. Visit www.pelhamal problem under parliamentary rules. capital budget—derived of a combination library.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

If council passes a motion, then turns of grants from upper government, gas around and defeats it, a so-called “su- tax, development charge financing and per majority” of councillors is then re- long-term debt—does not impact properFABULOUS LIONS FISHtyFRY quired to reinstateFENWICK the original motion. taxes, except in the very long-term.

It’s messy, time-consuming, and usually too should have Tasty treats with funds heading straightTherefore, back intothis the budget community.

Haddock, a sign of political dysfunction. been passed, having been considered by french friesVoice and ifmuch more.

9 from p.m.

Asked by the he had ever Runs seen Sept. council at a4-7 special-purpose meeting, an agreed budget defeated by a municipal having been reviewed by the Finance and council, CAO David Cribbs responded that Audit Committee, and also having been the PELHAM he was “happy MINOR that theHOCKEY issue had EQUIPMENT been subject SALE of a public review and consultaresolved to go equipment to that ex- attion had to possession Buy,without sell or having trade used themeeting.

Pelham Council Arena. has Aimed provide treme.” of the draft capital budget for roughly two cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from In fact, the shocked reactions of the months and made a number of changes to CAO,9-12 the Treasurer and the Clerk when it, both adding and removing items. The in the morning.

Hildebrandt made his motion were tes- budget now reflects the preferences and timony to their being caught flat-footed priorities of council, so deferring its pasPELHAM MUDFEST by the move. Cribbs explained to coun- sage has only managed to cost the Town cil that the water budget wasn’t connect- the opportunity to obtain favourable pricMen and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is ed to taxation whatsoever, and remind- ing on its tenders from contractors. held at Bissil’s Hideaway. ed councillors that they had endorsed a How do we wrap our heads around this? four-year plan to bring our rates in line Be careful—whiplash ahead. with other municipalities (the Town has The Dogmatics want yet again to defer NIAGARA EXHIBITION the lowest water REGIONAL rates in Niagara, a mixed making a difficult decision, and seem not blessing) to, among ensure a to headline appreciate theyears advice of the event.

Finance Rodeo, gamesother and things, live entertainment this exciting It basic level of investment in water safety. and Audit Committee—which has the runs from 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds.

Our mains aren’tSept. getting any younger, and benefit of two members of the public, both some maintenance projects have been re- Certified Professional Accountants—nor peatedly deferred. are they willing to heed the advice of the BIGmuch MOVE CANCER RIDE of the Town Treasurer, who is also a CPA, nor After debate, the portion motion to the water Ride budget heed the advice retiredplace bank on manager Therelated Big Move Cancer is awas non-competitive rideoftaking Sept. withdrawn. and financial professional John Wink, nor 7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker FamWhile the average resident can be for- heed the advice of the retired accountant givenilyfor not knowing or caring about the Wayne Olson. There is much not-heeding Cancer Centre.

Byzantine world of accounting, the mem- happening, and for no sensible reason. bers of council who are now working on When such a combination of profesCLUB theirWALKING third budget since taking office re- sionals takes a consistent view on how ally should understand the difference be- the Town’s budgeting works, it is incredInterested in walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena tween capital spending, the water budget ible, even indefensible, that Hildebrandt, from 9-10 amatand Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 There (which isn’t a tax all, Thursdays but rather aat fee Haun, and Stewart, the threeam. councillors for service) and the operating budget. with the least financial experience and is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ This was part of their new council- acumen, would bring a motion to defeat pelham.ca callcouncil 905 892-2607, 329. lor training, and or this has alreadyext an agreed-upon process, and create chaos passed budgets for 2019 and 2020, so it can for the administration in this year, of all no longer argue that it is inexperienced. years.

HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market or bring a non-perishable food item to fill the hampers at the Pelham Farmers Market on Sept. 4.

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Greenfield Services is a well-respected, established, family-owned landscape service company. We are currently looking for Labourer Follow usa on Twitter, who enjoys working in an energetic work environment; snow shoveling in winter months and walking and grassLike trimming and us inonspring Facebook. summer months. We offer a very competitive wage in an excellent and safe work environment. Applicant is required to possess a valid driver’s license, PPE and able to work long hours. Please email resume or qualifications and references to: mail@greenfieldservices. ca We thank all applicants who apply; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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The Voice, December 16, 2020

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Places of Worship Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

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

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com

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

St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church www.stalexander.on.ca

Fenwick United Church www.fenwickunited.com

Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

Pelham Community Church (United Church) www.pelham.cc

St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com

FAITH LIFT

IN THE NEWS

continued from Page 19

continued from Page 14

her unexpected pregnancy) and what name to give their child. Matthew also tells the story of the Magi (or wise men) who arrived from the east sometime later and visited the young family in a house (not a stable). Soon after, they were forced to flee to Egypt to save the life of their baby from an insanely jealous King Herod (see Matthew 1:18 to 2:18).

Anna

If Mary is the main female figure of Christmas and Elizabeth a distant second, then our third woman is largely forgotten. Luke records that Anna was a very old prophetess, had been widowed many years, and devoted herself to worshipping God at Jerusalem’s temple.

She met Joseph, Mary and the baby when the young family went from Bethlehem to Jerusalem’s temple for the Jewish ceremony of consecration. God led Anna to them and she too prophesied about the special identity of this baby and his redemptive purpose (see Luke 2:36-38).

These three women were quite different in various ways but all played important roles on the first Christmas. Two of them (Elizabeth and Anna) were elderly and one (Mary) was young. Two of them (Elizabeth and Mary) conceived supernaturally. One was engaged (Mary), one was married (Elizabeth) and one was widowed (Anna).

But most importantly, all three women loved God supremely and were willing to be used by Him for His purposes. What about you? ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.

COVID-19 charges

Last Friday, Dec. 11, members of the Niagara Police Service’s 2 District (Niagara Falls) Uniform Branch as well as members of the 2 District (Niagara Falls) Detective Services unit were called to a hotel in the area of Fallsview Blvd. and Murray St. in the City of Niagara Falls concerning an unwanted person. According to an NRPS statement released Monday, Dec. 14, when they arrived, they found a gathering of some 30 persons in one of the rooms, with many in attendance not wearing face coverings. Police say that detectives started an investigation into the unlawful gathering as defined by the Reopening Ontario (a Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act. The investigation revealed that a similar incident occurred on Dec. 5, involving some 20 young adults. Both gatherings required police to in-

tervene and all those in attendance were eventually evicted, police say.

As a result of the investigation, two people were charged with failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order. A 21-year-old male as well as an 18-year-old female, both from the City of Niagara Falls, are facing charges under the Reopening Ontario Act, with a resulting fine of $880. Since they have been fined under Provincial legislation and not charged under the Criminal Code, police are not releasing their names. The investigation also resulted in the arrest of one individual for not leaving the premise when directed to do so under provisions of sec. 2(1)(b) of the Trespass to Property Act. The NRPS says it joins public health officials in calling on Niagara residents and visitors to Niagara to adhere to emergency orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Residents observing non-compliance may file a report by calling (905) 688-8248, x 7590.

Pelham road repairs

The Town of Pelham’s road rehabilitation program is a road reconstruction and resurfacing process that is undertaken annually.

The 2020 program included the following locations: Welland Road between Arbor Circle and Hunter’s Ct.; Arbor Circle; Townsend Circle; Milburn Drive; Woodside Square (from Welland Road to 70m north of Meadowbrook Lane; Kevin Drive (from Haist Street to Sherri Lee Cres.);Sherri Lee Cres.; and Meadowvale Drive. Due to weather constraints the following locations will be completed in the spring of 2021: Woodside Square (from Welland Road to 70m north of Meadowbrook Lane; Kevin Drive (from Haist Street to Sherri Lee Cres.); Sherri Lee Cres.; and Meadowvale Drive.

In a statement, the Town said that driveway restoration and asphalt replacement adjacent to areas that had curb and gutter repairs will be completed prior to the winter shut down.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

“For a goalkeeper, there is no hiding place.”

Brad Friedel

The Voice, December 16, 2020

Sporting Green The Niagara

Page 17

John Swart has gift-giving advice for the biker 18 in the family

The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | December 16, 2020

Panthers juggle three goaltenders

Duncan Rolleman, Jeff Kernichan, and Brayden Kelso form the Pelham Panthers goaltending trio this season.

BY BILL POTRECZ

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

The Pelham Panthers feature a crowded crease this season.

The Panthers have been operating with three goaltenders — Brayden Kelso, Duncan Rolleman and Jeff Kernichan — in an effort to be prepared as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recruited Brayden and Duncan and when we learned what was happening this year we figured we needed a third as well,” Panthers coach/general manager/owner Tim Toffolo said.

Toffolo said there have been more than enough pucks to go around to stop for the three netminders.

“It’s really worked out well,” he said.

“They are three really great guys. Brayden was hurt for a while so the other two have been going back and forth carrying the load. They both seem to be finding their place.”

Toffolo made the situation clear from the start.

“They understand because we’re not allowed to AP [add an associate player]” he said. “We told them this is a different year.

There is nothing we can do about it. It’s the nature of the beast. If you lose somebody, then you have to go find somebody.”

Kelso, a 19-year-old from Erin who has two years of junior B experience in Brockville of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League, has no problem with the arrangement.

“I think it’s great for all three of us,” he said. “We all have a different kind of skill set so we’re really challenging and pushing ourselves, especially in practice watching one of the other goalies do their thing. It just makes you want to do that much better.”

Kelso said all three goaltenders are looking at the big picture rather than if they are between the pipes for a certain scrimmage or how they are utilized in practice.

“You have to focus on why we’re here.

We’re here to win. We want to win a championship,” he said.

Rolleman joins the Panthers after post-

ing a 1.97 goals-against average and league-leading .934 save percentage for the Wellesley Applejacks of the Provincial Junior C Hockey League last year.

“We talked about just coming in and doing what we can do individually every day,” Rolleman said. “As a group off the ice, we all get along really well which helps. We all want to play of course. We’re all working on the ice.”

Rolleman, an 18-year-old native of New Hamburg, enjoys the competition.

“Having two other guys definitely helps push me every day in practice so the games will be better. The others feel the same too.”

Kernichan is an 18-year-old Milton resident who played at the 18U level in Kitchener last season after spending the 2019/19 campaign with the Southern Tier Admirals.

“At the end of the day I came in here as the third guy,” he said. “I was the last one and I understood my role right away and knew these guys signed first so I had to make my way up.

“I think everybody is dealing with it re-

BILL POTRECZ

ally well. They have been really supportive for me. I see these guys as my brothers.”

Kernichan is enjoying his first season at the junior level, despite playing only non-contact scrimmages as the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League works toward a Jan. 15 start date for the regular season.

“It’s a lot different start than what I’ve seen or what I’ve been told. Just to get out there with the guys — there’s no fans — but at the end of the day playing the game is what matters,” he said. “I have no complaints. I’m happy we’re playing and I think Tim is doing a great job of keeping us going.”

Once the regular season begins — government and local health boards still have to sign off — Toffolo will play it by ear with the netminders as far as playing time goes.

“We don’t even know yet,” he said.

“Sometimes things just work themselves out. We’ll see what happens. Obviously whatever goalie is the hottest, we’re going to go with when we get going. It’s no different that anything else.”

Page 18

The Voice, December 16, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

olis Tribune, “The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.”

The underwear part is a non-starter. Spoiler alert, we don’t wear any when we ride.

Every cyclist needs sunglasses, but giving them is a minefield too. Nothing, after their bike and kit (cycle jargon for outfit), says more about a cyclist than their shades. I don’t feel my masculinity threatened, so the offerings in the $9 bin located as you walk in the door of a discount store have all the sunglass mojo I need.

A friend, however, would rather stay home than be seen on his bike without his $365 Rudy Pilot Exception Flip-ups. I hope I’m there when they slip off his

➧

logo, plain or team colours, and you’ve nailed it.

Cycling sock choices for women are so esoteric it’s a bit like playing Russian roulette if you’re a male trying to trying to find your way to some biker girl’s heart via her feet. There are cute designs (pickles and ice cream, sunny day and blossom), strong designs (girl power, victory and attack), and then the high-risk zone (joy ride, flock off, and do epic sh*t).

If the woman in your life is at the high-risk end of the footwear spectrum, maybe forget the socks and give her a poster of Ann Strong’s 1895 quote in the Minneap-

➧

D

o you have a cyclist on your Christmas shopping list, and need some ideas what to get them? Are you a cyclist compiling your own list? Here are some thought-starters, unique gifts you or your favourite cyclist might crave, with cautionary notes on pitfalls to avoid.

Where better to start than socks and underwear? One can never have too many cycling socks, but you’ve got to get it right. It’s easy choosing for guys. Select a name brand: Levitator, Woolie Boolie, Beer socks, Chickenbutt; choose 1-, 4or 6-inch rise; decide on

➧

Christmas gift list for the biker guy or gal in your life

The frightening spectre of borderline acceptable water bottles. The bottles match, but the caps are different. At least it was "first time" for the road.

JOHN SWART sweaty nose on a bump and he pedals over them.

If you’re still cycling in December, fleece-lined bib capris, male or female version, might be on your list. Bib shorts and capri tights are those embarrassing-looking cycling bottoms

that loop over your shoulders like a stretched and worn out muscle shirt that’s been laundered too many times. Visualize a baby’s onesie without sleeves and no fabric front or back until you get below their belly button. There are riders

that swear by bibs—they hold everything in the right place so that your chamois is more effective, they don’t need a waistband, they don’t droop like cycling shorts do, making you look like you See BALANCED Page 14

Voice

HOROSCOPE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 It is time to make some new connections, Aries. Invite someone you trust to take the lead for a change instead of you running the show. You may enjoy the break.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may find yourself taking more risks and acting more boldly.

Don’t be afraid to give other things a try. Try public speaking or ask to helm a new project.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Reality will not be nearly as exciting as you hope it to be this week, Gemini. You may have to offset things a bit by watching movies or reading books for a great escape.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, messages from friends or family members could reach you this week. Expect some exciting news about a reunion of sorts. It’s a good time for communication.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 You might be tempted to break up with someone or put a friendship on ice, Leo. Maybe your feelings were hurt or there was a misunderstanding.

Think before acting.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, when one door closes another opens, and you will find this to be true this week. A cycle comes to a close and something entirely new will come your way.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, your empathy for others is ramped up this week as you make a concerted effort to help the less fortunate. Consider all ways you can provide assistance.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Remember the people who have helped you along the way, Scorpio.

Give thanks to everyone who has supported you in any and all endeavors.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 It can be challenging for you to be as productive as you want to be, Sagittarius. For some reason your focus keeps being drawn elsewhere.

Hunker down and concentrate.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, a reason to throw an intimate party will present itself in the days ahead. Keep it small and write up a guest list of those closest to you.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 This week you learn a new skill or something relating to electronics commands your attention, Aquarius.

This can put you in good spirits as you figure out ways to apply what you learn.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, you may find that you are mixing business with pleasure. Just be careful to follow the rules if you’re thinking of a workplace romance.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS DECEMBER 13 Steve Buscemi, Actor (63) DECEMBER 14 Vanessa Hudgens, Actress (32) DECEMBER 15 Josh Norman, Athlete (33) DECEMBER 16 Brodie Lee, Wrestler (41) DECEMBER 17 Eugene Levy, Actor (74)

36. MELT

34. MILOS

33. NICEST

31. IAMBIC

32. ONIONS

29. AIM

30. TRIOS

28. ESP

26. ENE

27. CASABA

25. BOLSTER

24. ART

20. SEE

23. DONATES

17. FTC

19. IDIOCIES

15. PEA

14. OSH

10. BEELINE

12. PREMOLAR

7. HELD

9. PENKI

6. CLING

5. EOCENE

3. PAPIST

4. TONTINE

1. ARNICA

2. YEOMAN

SOLUTIONS DOWN

43. CST

41. SINS

42. TSAR

39. OBOE

40. LOBES

37. MIMIC

38. ELATES

35. IRANI

36. MISSTEP

TION

34. MALAISE

26. ERA

27. CONCENTRA-

25. BOO

23. DIE

24. ALE

21. DEC

22. ONE

18. ANTIHISTAMINE

16. CASKS

17. FEELING

13. IMINO

15. PRETEND

11. NOPE

12. PENCIL

8. REAP

10. BOOLE

1. AYP

4. TECH

ACROSS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays!

From our family to yours...stay safe

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, December 16, 2020

Page 19

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

The women of Christmas

T

here are three women who stand out in the Christmas story. Each plays an important role in the overall drama of how God revealed himself as a man.

Elizabeth

While the main female focus at Christmas is Mary, the story actually begins with her lesser-known relative, Elizabeth. She was married to Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and they lived in a town near Jerusalem in the hill country of Judea.

We read about them in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel. We learn that Elizabeth was righteous, childless and very old. However, to their delight she miraculously conceived just as the angel Gabriel had earlier revealed to her husband (see Luke 1:6-25).

This same angel revealed to Mary that she too would conceive supernaturally and that Elizabeth was already well along in her pregnancy. This news prompted Mary to travel from Galilee to Judea to visit Elizabeth.

When the two “mothersto-be” met, they were both filled with God’s spirit and prophesied. Elizabeth proclaimed the divine identity of Mary’s baby. In response, Mary also praised God and declared that she would be called “blessed” and that God was her “Savior” (see Luke 1:26-55). The last point is significant because it shows that in spite of her high calling, Mary, too, was a sinful human (like the rest of us) and needed a Savior.

Mary stayed about three months (presumably to help her older relative) and then returned to her home in Nazareth. Elizabeth’s baby became John the Baptist who (30 years later) would baptize Jesus and prepare the way for the Messiah’s

ministry.

Mary

We have already learned a fair bit about Mary in Luke chapter one. In Luke’s second chapter, the focus shifts away from Zechariah and Elizabeth and on to Joseph, Mary and the birth of Jesus.

We learn that Mary is engaged to Joseph, was pregnant, and had to travel with her fiancé down to Judea again to be registered and taxed by the Romans (see Luke 2:1-5).

While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a baby boy whom they named Jesus. This probably took place in a stable, because Je-

sus’ first crib was a manger (or animal feeding trough).

Bethlehem was swamped with out-of-towners and the usual accommodations were all full. The first visitors were humble shepherds who told Mary and Joseph what the angel had revealed to them in the fields about Jesus’ identity and purpose.

We read that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (see Luke 2:6-19).

The Gospel of Matthew provides more details about Mary. It explains how an angel convinced Joseph not to divorce her (in spite of See FAITH LIFT Page 16

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!

Word Search: Hygiene

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

ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC BACTERIA CAUTION CONTACT DECONTAMINATE

DETERGENT DIRTY DISINFECTION GERMS GLOVES HANDWASHING

HOT SPOTS MICROORGANISMS NAILS SANITIZER SCRUB SINK

SOAPY SOILED SURFACES TOUCHING VIRUS WATER

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

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Page 20

The Voice, December 16, 2020

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Chicken Meatballs with Chipotle-Honey Sauce Finger foods and easy-to-share appetizers are ideal snacks to pair with cocktails or glasses of bubbly. This recipe for “Chicken Meatballs With Chipotle-Honey Sauce” can make for an ideal hors d’oeuvres for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Chicken Meatballs with Chipotle-Honey Sauce Makes 12 servings (4 meatballs each) 2 2 1⁄3 1⁄3 2 4 1 11⁄2 3⁄4 1⁄3 1⁄3 1 2 2

HARVEST

continued from Page 9 line. In past years, the Niagara Action of Animals (a registered charity formed in 1989) has been called out for inappropriate comments on its website, with references to the “trauma, torture, and slaughter” of deer by “barbarians,” and much worse. The group encourages protest at the park during the hunt.

Supporters of the hunt, including the Six Nations Right to Hunt, reacted to the demeaning posts on their own websites.

“We honour the treaties, and support Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural food security through non-violence and support,” they wrote.

Karl Dockstader, executive director of the Niagara

Regional Native Centre, told the Voice that “the opposition of Aboriginal rights is an expression of racism, and reinforcement of a white supremacist attitude,” a view shared by the Niagara Anti-Racism Coalition. Opponents of the hunt dismiss this accusation (although the Voice observed that all the protestors last Thursday were white).

The hunt is multi-generational for the First Nations, “a family event with great spiritual and cultural significance,” said Dockstader. The venison fills their freezers for the winter months, and the deer hide is also utilized by the Native community.

The MNR asserts that the hunt has always been conducted in such a way that public safety is not endangered. No accidents have

pounds ground chicken eggs, lightly beaten cup plain dry bread crumbs cup chopped fresh cilantro tablespoons fresh lime juice cloves garlic, minced 4-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, divided teaspoons salt, divided cup honey cup chicken broth cup tomato paste tablespoon lime juice teaspoons Dijon mustard tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine chicken, eggs, bread crumbs, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, and 1 teaspoon salt in medium bowl; mix well. Form mixture into 48 meatballs. Place meatballs in single layers on prepared baking sheets.

Cover with plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.

2. Combine remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, 2 to 3 chipotle peppers, honey, chicken broth, tomato paste, lime juice, and Dijon mustard in blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Pour sauce into slow cooker. Set aside 3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook meatballs, turning to brown on all sides, transferring batches to slow cooker as they are finished. Add additional tablespoon of oil to skillet as needed for second and subsequent batches.

4. When all meatballs have been added to slow cooker, stir gently to coat all meatballs. Cover; cook on high 3 to 4 hours or until meatballs are no longer pink in centers.

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We honour the treaties and support Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural food security

ever been reported in the hunt’s history.

As far as limiting animal suffering is concerned, bow hunting is less humane than hunting with a high-powered rifle or shotgun, which usually kill quickly by means of the hydraulic shock of the projectile (a bullet or slug).

Arrows dispatch wild game through hemorrhaging— blood loss. And a poorly placed arrow means that

a deer could escape to die days later. Indeed, protesters shared stories of finding wounded or dead deer in the park in the days following the hunt.

Most of the indigenous hunters use modern archery equipment — usually crossbows — which are accurate and lethal over short distances. Dockstader assered that Indigenous hunters are ethical, and based on one study by Paul Williams, a member of the Haudenosaunee Wildlife and Habitat Authority, he cited a “wound rate” of only 10 percent, much lower than that of non-indigenous hunters, who recorded provincial deer wound rates of over 30 percent while bowhunting.

Animal rights activists, for the most part, are not impressed. To them, the bare bones of the issue is that a hunter picks up a weapon and kills a deer. End of story. Their fundamental sentiment is: “We advocate for defenseless animals, no matter the context.”

The Haudenosaunee respond that some well-meaning individuals fail to understand the relationship between Indigenous peoples and nature, a spiritual and cultural connection based not simply on sustenance and survival, or predator and prey, that has existed for millennia. Their message is also fundamental: “Allow us a path of natural balance, consistent with our sacred and ancestral beliefs.”

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