The Voice, December 15 2021

Seriously, no Bauer Trail crossings

DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 NRC Realty, Brokerage

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Fourth retirement for "Captain Bill"

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Fonthill writer wins award

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Vol.25 No.50 

of Pelham and Central Niagara DECEMBER 15 2021

Published every Wednesday

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DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

Column Six

But the sign says My Karen experience at Food Basics

BY DIANE LAWSON Special to the Voice

Huge turnout for Fenwick market STORY PAGE 10

Jessica Stephenson, Program Manager, Niagara Nutrition Partners, and Lindsay Edgar, community development worker, at last Saturday's inaugural DeVries Fruit Farm Christmas Market, in Fenwick.

DON RICKERS

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS NRC REALTY, Brokerage 1815 Merritville, Hwy 1 FONTHILL, ON

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NIAGARA / FONTHILL, ON

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TRUST, COMPASSION, AFFORDABILITY. We could just do what is required, but then we’d be just like our competition.

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W

e have all heard of “Karens,” the entitled females who demand that managers be called and service staff be reprimanded, and who threaten never to patronize an establishment again if their petty concerns aren’t addressed and they aren’t 110 percent apologized to.

But here’s a question: What do we call the male equivalent?

Google offers three main candidates: “Ken,” “Chad,” and “Terry.”

I’m going to go with Terry, since the last time anyone named a male baby Terry was around 1950, and this numskull was at least 70.

I encountered this Terry in a checkout line at Fonthill Food Basics, where he was dressed like Elmer Fudd and wearing a very loose face mask. Terry’s face mask did not cover his nose. So we already know Terry is not the brightest bulb.

Terry is buying three items. From a distance (I am See COLUMN SIX back page

Page 2

The Voice

PUBLISHER’S CORNER Demons on the wind—Pelham’s shame: The weekend’s big windstorm led to more than a canceled Santa Claus parade, power outages, and downed limbs. At some point, a person or persons took the opportunity to commit what verges on a hate crime: stealing two of the municipality’s rainbow-painted Pride benches. Man, how revoltingly low is that, eh. The bolts holding down the benches in Peace Park and near the MCC were cut sometime between Friday night and Monday morning. The Town has reported the thefts to the Niagara Regional Police. The psychological roots of such behavior have been well established by now: the most homophobic conduct is committed by males who inwardly fear their own homosexual desires. Guys, just get yourselves accounts on Grindr and go for it. Pelham CAO David Cribbs told the Voice that the benches’ theft is disheartening and “likely distressing for residents who are members of the LGTBQ2S+ community. The Town will figure something out and the benches will be replaced. Hate does not get to triumph in Pelham, Ontario”...Stormy weather: Power failures around town were many and varied, although not everyone lost juice. Our main man Don Rickers says his stayed on throughout the big blow. Ours went out for a few hours late Saturday afternoon. Mayor Junkin’s power, however, was out for some 30 hours. He said that food supplies were running low and that family members were eyeing each other warily.

Ironically, of course, with all his marbling His Worship would probably have made the juiciest roast. Luckily, someone eventually thought to make a Timmys run…Fewer trees left to conserve: Public Works Manager Ryan Cook told the Voice on Monday that a number of large trees and branches fell throughout the municipality, “resulting in widespread power outages and minor damage to homes, and vehicles. Uprooted trees also damaged roads, and sidewalks along Millbridge Crescent.” Cook said that Public Works Staff worked closely with electrical utility providers, Pelham’s Fire Department, and the Town’s contracted tree service provider to clear roads while utility crews restored power. “Due to the number of downed trees and limbs it is expected that the cleanup will continue beyond the holidays, so staff are urging residents to be patient while crews clean up downed limbs on a priority basis. People should be reminded to report hanging branches or unsafe trees to Public Works at 905-892-2607 ext.332.”

Cook said that the Town had reports of three damaged homes from fallen limbs or branches. One electrical fire resulted from a branch landing on hydro wires. One home and vehicle were damaged from a boulevard tree uprooting, which also damaged the road and curb...Seriously, the numbers are up: There were 19 active Covid-19 cases in Pelham as of Monday, a considerable bump over recent weeks. Vaccine boosters now available for anyone 50-plus. Continue to stay masked and stay safe, folks. See you next week. ◆

on vacation!

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NRPS impaired driving charges ~

THE VOICE POLL

by Dave Burket

Voice

A December 15 2021

SATISFACTION WITH GOVERNANCE: Local, Regional, Provincial, Federal As we come to the end of a second pandemic year, with a new Covid variant spreading rapidly, inflation at a near20-year high, the real estate market showing no signs of cooling, and Pelham's municipal finances on stronger but still precarious footing, how satisfied are you with the policies and performance of your elected representatives?

This week we ask what your approval rating is for local, Regional, Provincial, and Federal officeholders.

TAKE THE POLL AND LET US KNOW! www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/approval

According to a Niagara Regional Police statement released Monday, Dec. 13, in October 2 District (Niagara Falls) detectives began an investigation into allegations of the use of captive cetacean at the Niagara Falls theme park Marineland. During the investigation, police say, it was found that dolphins and whales were used for entertainment purposes during the month of August without being authorized to do so following an amendment to the Criminal Code under Bill S-203 on June 21, 2019. On Monday, the corporation of Marineland was charged with using captive cetaceans for performance for entertainment purposes without authorization pursuant to a licence contrary to 445.2(4) of the

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SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to eight calls for assistance from Friday, December 3 to Friday, December 10.

Saturday, December 4 Burning complaint, Pelham St., Stations 1, 2 and 3

IN THE NEWS Dolphins land Marineland in criminal court

What's That

Criminal Code. Marineland will appear at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse on February 14, 2022 to answer to the charges.

Omicron response

In reaction to the increasing spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, the Province of Ontario has announced that effective Jan. 4, 2022, the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app will be mandatory in settings where proof of vaccination is required.

Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as of Jan. 10, 2022. The province is launching a holiday testing blitz this week to offer voluntary rapid antigen screening to asymptomatic

Sunday, December 5 Arcing hydro lines, Tice Rd., Station 1 Monday, December 6 Carbon monoxide alarm, Canboro Rd., Station 2 Tuesday, December 7 Remote alarm, Hwy. 20 E, Station 1 Electrical fire, Berkhout Tr., Stations 1 and 2 Medical assistance, Station 1 Friday, December 10 Medical assistance, Station 2 Medical assistance, Station 2 individuals free of charge.

Two million rapid tests will be provided at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets and transit hubs.

We’re taking a holiday!

The Voice will print ONE more issue in 2021:

Next week: Dec 22 Then we take a two-week break First 2022 issue will be January 12!

The Voice Z Z

Jane Grewal, Cindy Obdeyn, and Carrie Boutilier enjoy a women’s retreat at the The Blue Mountains!

WHETHER ACROSS TOWN OR ACROSS THE GLOBE!

Email your photo holding the Voice to: office@thevoiceofpelham.ca

P lan A V acation

The Plan A Vacation team create memorable experiences for our clients. Our hosted tours are a great success.

Hope you can join us!

of Pelham and Central Niagara

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FRESH OFF THE FARM ALL YEAR ROUND

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.

Elizabeth BUSTILLLOS, 30, Burlington Francis G. HUGES, 23, St. Catharines Jack B. SYKES, 19, Burlington Samuel R. SAWYER, 24, Fort Erie Evgeny ZHELINSKIY, 32, Niagara Falls Wesley W. STONOS, 36, Welland Tiana B. HYINDS-JEREMIAH, 24, St. Catharines Daniel P. DICATO, 44, Welland 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.

The

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The Voice

Page 3

A December 15 2021

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Grade-separated crossing nixed as council upholds ban No Bauer Trail transverse

Pelham Town Council reaffirmed its commitment to not allow any roads to cross the Steve Bauer Trail between Port Robinson and Merritt Roads at its Dec. 6 virtual meeting, while heeding a staff report recommendation that a grade-separated option wasn’t feasible.

Ward 3 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt earlier floated the bridge idea as a potential solution during council’s Oct. 4 meeting, after the developer of the Kunda Park subdivision expansion was essentially denied an application to have a road traverse the trail to another future development eastward.

“The value of this trail is immense to this community,” Hildebrandt said, agreeing with Ward 2 Councillor John Wink’s assertion that while “the concept was worth considering, in practicality it is not.”

The staff report said that clearance requirements would make a road underpass or overpass impractical, while portioning a stretch of the trail into a bridge would be above the height of the privacy fences of future properties. The price of a pedestrian bridge alone was pegged in the vicinity of $750,000, with a road bridge or tunnel costing substantially more.

Councillors Lisa Haun and Ron Kore appeared disappointed, although for differing reasons.

“I’m nearly in disbelief, I’m having a hard time believing it’s not an option,” said Haun, while

stressing she still wouldn’t support a level crossing.

Kore meanwhile, sounded perturbed that council was still even discussing traversing the Bauer Trail.

“How many more times do we have to vote on this?” the Ward 2 Councillor asked. “I think this is the third time?”

CAO David Cribbs replied that an earlier debate on the matter was “procedurally incorrect” but that this decision would ensure the stretch of trail wouldn’t be crossed by vehicle traffic.

“It’s extremely impractical, unfortunately, as it turns out to build under or over the trail. I was hopeful that would be a solution too,” Cribbs said. “From the staff, this is the last time. This is our earnest advice to you.”

The ban on any road crossings would limit the new subdivision to just two possible vehicular access and egress points — one of which would need to cross sensitive wetlands to the south.

Mayor Marvin Junkin slammed that notion during the Oct. 4 meeting, and, as such, was the only vote in support of a potential grade-separated crossing last Monday.

“It’s another case of the human race not wanting to be inconvenienced,” the Mayor said in October. “So, let’s make Mother Nature pay the price.”

The developer said at that time they planned on proceeding with the development regardless of council’s ultimate decision.

BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent

Parking problem

Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart moved a motion to direct staff to look into adding temporary parking at the community centre as soon as possible.

“We need to get the parking increased, whether it’s just gravel

It’s another case of the human race not wanting to be inconvenienced

for now,” Stewart said.

The limited parking at the community centre has been a bone of contention since the facility opened, and the Town owns a plot of land to the southeast of the current lot.

However, Public Works Director Jason Marr said that constructing a temporary gravel lot is not feasible in the winter months, and that the price tag on a paved lot would be in the vicinity of $850,000 given stormwater management needs. That financial prospect didn’t sit well with Junkin.

“With a [tax] levy of 4.7 [percent], I just don’t understand where the money’s going to come from,” the Mayor said.

Haun then asked Treasurer

Teresa Quinlin-Murphy if upper-level grants were available for parking, including “environmentally sustainable-type-parking” grants.

Quinlin-Murphy replied that grants for parking don’t really exist given current sustainability sensibilities, but that she was “always looking for grant opportunities, and I am aware of the outstanding capital items on our list.”

Another issue with expanded parking is enforcement. As new East Fonthill developments come online, it’s predictable that new residents or visitors could abuse the arena parking.

Director of Planning and Community Development Barb Wiens said signage and bylaw enforcement would be required. Hildebrandt relayed an anecdote about receiving a $20 fine for parking at the Welland arena.

The staff report is expected back in February, well after three scheduled major hockey tournaments occur at the MCC. Meanwhile, Wiens said that she is expecting a first draft of the Town’s long-awaited parking study in the next few weeks.

Still with the MCC, Hildebrandt presented a report highlighting savings achieved through his work on the Utility Sustainability Committee.

“Every year we’re increasing the savings,” Hildebrandt said, pointing out that when the MCC opened, the estimated annual cost of utilities was $521,000 per year.

While 2020 limited activities at the building due to the pandemic, the facility has been used as a mass vaccination clinic since early this year. On that note, Quinlin-Murphy said that the Town is in the process of figuring out reimbursement from the Ontario Ministry of Health—which they are entitled to through a memorandum of understanding with Niagara Health.

“We know what those vaccinations cost in terms of hydro usage,” Hildebrandt said. “That’s one of the reasons I ran for council.”

New CAO performance review approved

Councillors voted 5-2 to adopt a new CAO performance review procedure, with Junkin and Olson voting against the more comprehensive option.

Known as “Template 3”, the new annual review is 17 pages long, something Junkin felt was excessive. Olson agreed.

“If you can’t do it on one, or two, pieces of paper,” said Olson, “then you’ve probably got more problems than you realize.”

However, Wink, Kore, Haun, Hildebrandt and Stewart all supported the lengthier review, which will normally take place at the end of the year—except in this coming year’s case, when it must be done no less than 90 days prior to the fall election.

“None of us might be here. Mr. Cribbs might be writing his own review,” Wink joked.

STAYING CONNECTED Is using technology holding you back from connecting?

The Town of Pelham is helping to connect those 55+ with programs and services. From making calls to loved ones, joining a zoom link or attending virtual medical appointments, the staying connected program can help you be more comfortable using technology.

Ipad devices, internet connection and one on one in-person assistance is available.

This service is by appointment and spaces are limited.

Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm at the Meridian Community Centre.

www.pelham.ca/55 For questions about staying connected & 55+ programs Contact Brittany MacLean at 905-732-7882

Page 4

The Voice

A December 15 2021

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

COTÉ'S COMMENTS Larry Coté

Yikes! Is that the grocery bill or the mortgage payment?

H

ousehold budget-keepers will need to sharpen their pencils and reshuffle their spending priorities in the coming months.

Deciding between the need for a loaf of bread and the need for a liter of gas could cause a migraine.

According to Statistics Canada the inflation rate in September was 4.4 percent.

(By definition, the inflation rate means the percentage at which a currency devalues causing prices of goods to increase.)

The recent rise of 4.4 percent was the fastest annual increase in almost 20 years.

A large part of that increase was due to the price of gasoline that cost 32.8 percent more in September than a year ago. People were gawking in disbelief as they watched the price signs for gasoline rising almost daily to levels they have never witnessed before.

Next, as they went to the grocery store they were hit with another shocking experience. When they got to the checkout, the numbers on their grocery bill were higher than ever before.

According to the Stats Can reports, food prices rose 3.9

percent over the last year.

Among the highest price increases were meat portions and products. Bacon prices, for example, were up 20 percent over the prices charged only a short time ago. There

It is a fact that hungry bellies greatly degrade learning capacities

is no doubting that the pandemic contributed to the rise in the inflation rate.

Obviously, these cost increases and others such as utilities and services hit hardest those on low and fixed incomes. People in those categories have little or no discretion in allocating their disposable income and are required to go further into debt or dip into their savings, if there be any, to survive.

Many of the symptoms of these dire circumstances are often hidden from view. For

NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL Distress Centre Distress and crisis.

24-hour help line: 905-688-3711 Mental Health and Addictions Access 1-866-550-5205 (Toll Free) Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting.

905-682-2140

Narcotics Anonymous 1-888-811-3887.

Gambler’s Anonymous 905-351-1616 Kids Help Phone Service for youth.

416-586-5437 800-668-6868 (Crisis Line) www.kidshelpphone.ca

Assaulted Women’s Helpline Mobile calls to: #SAFE (#7233) 1-866-863-0511 (Toll-free) Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) www.niagaratips.com Text - 274637 (CRIMES), keyword Niagara, then your tip

The Voice

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Duc, sequere, aut de medio fiat

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR Don Rickers

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger

CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, 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

instance, in a recent report by the Niagara dailies, Amber Hughes, the executive director of Food4Kids Niagara, identified 6,800 children in Niagara as living in poverty.

Shockingly, Ms. Hughes said that nearly 1,600 of these youngsters in our midst are experiencing “severe food insecurity.” That’s technical jargon meaning they are going through their days with empty bellies.

Traditionally, the primary purpose of elementary schools is to feed the minds of our youth. However, in recent times schools have had to almost routinely introduce breakfast and other nutrition programs to feed empty bellies. It is a fact that hungry bellies greatly degrade learning capacities.

There is some good news that accompanies this current inflationary period.

The Bank of Canada governor, Tiff Macklem, has been quoted as saying the recent inflation trend is “transitory” or a temporary issue.

He, and other economists are expecting the inflation rate will return to about 3.3 per cent in due course. Indeed, last Wednesday the Bank of

Letters Roar of thanks for bottle donations, invitation for more The Fonthill Lions Club wishes to express our appreciation to all Pelham residents for your contributions to our ongoing Bottle Drives. With your donations of beer, wine and liquor cans and bottles, we have been able to carry on assisting many individuals, clubs, and associations so often dependent on the generosity of neighbours.

While you can drop off at the Lions Club Park, 103 Hurricane Road, anytime, we also plan a Mammoth Drive-Thru, on Saturday, January 8, from 9:30 AM to 2 PM. Just drive in, pop your trunk, and we will do the rest!

Until we see you in January, our sincere thanks, and best wishes over the holiday season.

The Fonthill Lions Club The Motto Makers

See INFLATION next page

7

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

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

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Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475

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Have an Opinion?

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

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The Voice

Page 5

A December 15 2021

OPINION Modest proposal to increase road safety—fewer oldies Like they say on talk radio, longtime listener (reader), first-time caller (letter writer). Not to detract from the fine reporting in the Voice, but I’m sure that I am not alone each week in also looking forward to the letters to the editor. Oftentimes they stand out for their entertainment value, and not always the way the some authors intended.

Such was the case for last week’s letter regarding how to improve road safety [“Want safer streets? Make driver licenses tougher to get,” Letters, Dec. 8, p.5].

In the author’s view, “50 percent of people operating vehicles are not properly qualified to do so.” He then goes on to describe examples of poor driving. However, the most appalling example of poor road manners was his own admitted behavior behind the wheel.

Let me back up a bit. After my blood pressure stabilized after reading that letter, and after I decided to respond with my own letter, I went looking for the proper address to send it to, which I knew I had seen before.

My first thought was to look in the box on page 4, which I think of as the “credit box,” such as at the end of a movie. I did find the letters address there, but my attention was also caught by some Latin words under the Voice logo: Duc, sequere, aut de medio fiat.

Curiosity stoked, I typed these into Google to get a translation, and then almost fell on the floor. Why? Because it was exactly what I intended to convey through this letter.

The translation is: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”

These are words that I have lived by for many years. I’m sure that many of us wished other people did the same. It is a philosophy that last week’s self-righteous,

INFLATION

continued from previous page Canada left its key overnight interest rate at .25 percent in its last rate announcement of the year—exactly where it started the year in January.

Hopefully, these projections by these expert prog-

self-appointed traffic expert should take to heart.

Why? Because the worst of the poor driving he described was his own—his dogmatic insistence that all traffic laws must be obeyed at all times, most particularly speed limits. This is horse----.

I’ve come to realize that just like there are naturally gifted athletes and actors in this world, there are naturally gifted drivers. These are the drivers who instinctively operate their vehicles as if they are an extension of their beings. They know if they can make a tight turn, they know how long it will take to stop from speed in different road conditions, they know when to slow down and drive with special caution, they can anticipate what vehicles around them are likely to do.

Last week’s letter writer is not one of those drivers. He may also be past whatever prime he once had behind the wheel.

There were clues to the author’s age in his letter—the usage of “whilst” for “while,” and a reference to “the latest music craze,” which would have sounded geriatric even in the 1960s. I would bet that the author is well into his 70s, possibly much older. So here is my amendment to his argument that “50 percent of people” aren’t qualified to be behind the wheel: “50 percent of old people aren’t qualified to be behind the wheel.”

The older they get, the less easy it should be for them to keep their driving privilege.

The author is correct about the ease with which drivers are licensed in Ontario. This is also true for how easy it is for drivers over 80 to keep their licenses. Once you hit 80, you are required to take a vision test, and a

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

Another Covid casualty—pressure on property taxes

A

s with Pelham Town Council, Niagara Regional Council is also wrestling with various budgets. This past Thursday, December 9, at a Committee of the Whole meeting, we received staff reports on the budgets affecting the tax levy for 2022. Although they had received council direction back in June to keep the property tax increase below 2 percent, Regional staff felt that this number was unreachable/unsustainable if the Region was to maintain current service levels, thus the 4.7 percent increase recommendation.

Various councillors, myself included, felt that this was too much of an increase due to the continued trying

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million out of a specific reserve to decrease the levy to a 2.87 percent increase.

As councillors, both at the Regional level and at the municipal level we must be sensitive to the day-to-day facts that are around us, and the economic projection for the year ahead. It doesn’t impress taxpayers that we have a healthy reserve if they are faced with hefty tax increases while their own economic reality is under duress.

With this being said, the Town must continue to provide services to its residents, while facing the same economic realities as its residents. It is a balancing act that all councillors face, at every level of government. ◆

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nosticators will soon come about so that people on the margins can readily afford the necessities of life again.

Won’t it be wonderful to know that those severely compromised children mentioned above would no longer go to bed, and to school, with empty bellies? ◆

times that people are facing with Covid, along with a forecasted inflationary rate going into double digits.

Annual food cost alone, for a family of four, is estimated to increase just below $1,000 for 2022. This will bring the cost of food for one year for a family of four to over $14,000. When you add on increased energy cost, and a very likely increase in interest rates, it will be another year of “digging in” for the average homeowner.

Although no councillors relish the thought of using money from the reserves to keep tax increases low, that is what the majority of councillors voted to do.

With a surplus of $11 million dollars from 2021, councillors took approximately $6

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The Voice

A December 15 2021

Recipients react to Oosterhoff Christmas card

Letters continued No nukes is good nukes Great news. Four months after Pelham Town Council joined the ICAN Cities Appeal by supporting the Nuclear Ban Treaty, New York City has done likewise! They request that the US sign the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons.

Congratulations to our council for their wisdom and foresight.

To push the issue further, write to the Prime Minister, Global Affairs Minister, and MP Allison, to press for Canada to send an observer to the forthcoming TPNW conference. Christmas will be a little brighter!

Dave Nicholson Fonthill

Legion appreciates Poppy campaign generosity Just prior to the kick-off of our annual Poppy campaign, we asked for your continuing support so that we can continue to do the necessary work on behalf of our veterans and their families.

Despite some challenges posed with the continuing pandemic, you responded to this important initiative greatly. Through your generosity, Poppy Campaign revenues for 2021 have exceeded $19,000 and for that our members and especially our Veterans say, thank-you.

We are also grateful for the partnership that has been created with the Town of Pelham in relation to the Veterans Banner initiative and for the Town’s sponsorship

50 PERCENT

continued from Page 5 45-minute “Group Education Session” every two years. I am told by older relatives and neighbours that these sessions are a joke, like the test that the stable genius Donald Trump was so proud of passing. If you can correctly identify a stop sign, and the time as indicated by the hands on a clock

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

of the fly-by that occurred during our Remembrance service held on November 11.

Finally, we extend our thanks to the students and staff of Niagara College’s Broadcasting, Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program for livestreaming our November 11 service that was viewed by over 1000 people and to the Voice of Pelham which provided us with great exposure prior to and throughout our 2021 Poppy campaign.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Fonthill

face, you are good to go.

Driving laws exist not just for safety, but to promote the efficient flow of traffic. No one except the elderly and the incompetently over-cautious actually drives at the speed limit. Traffic planners know this, and take it into account when setting those limits. Police practice this—you will not be ticketed for going 10 km/h over anywhere except in a school zone. (Please do not exceed the limit in a school zone.)

On this Friday past, Dec. 10, I was greeted in my mail with a card from our Niagara West MPP, Mr. Sam Oosterhoff (PC), wishing me a Merry Christmas and dutifully quoting Luke 2:14. Apparently it has never occurred to Mr. Oosterhoff that we live in a diverse society and that not everyone living in Niagara West is in fact a member of the predominant faith.

I would therefore like to remind him publicly, as well any others of a like mind, that the sending or the use of greetings to individuals unknown to you that carry a religious

theme, regardless of their intent, is entirely inappropriate. I for one expected that our elected representative would be more aware of our diversity but clearly I was mistaken.

It would be appropriate for Mr. Oosterhoff to issue an apology in print to all the citizens of Niagara West who were offended by his lack of forethought. I trust he has learned a valuable lesson of the need for both tolerance and inclusion if he expects to move forward in his political career.

Stephen J. Cook, PhD Fonthill

In Niagara West, in a couple of weeks, Muslims will celebrate Eid, Jews will celebrate Hanukkah, and Christians will celebrate Christmas. I received a card from my MPP, Sam Oosterhoff, wishing me a Merry Christmas. It also has a quote from the Bible, which says that peace will be given only to those “on whom his favour rests.” So what does his card mean? Only Christians

deserve Sam’s greetings and only Christians deserve peace?

I am dismayed and disappointed at his lack of awareness that other religions and beliefs exist in our community—or is this a deliberate attempt to exclude and ostracize people who do not share his beliefs?

Vilma Moretti Fonthill

EDITOR'S NOTE Responding to a Voice request for comment, MPP Oosterhoff provided the following statement: “As I have done every year since my election in 2016, I send a Christmas card out across the riding. As Christmas is undoubtedly a Christian holiday, (holy-day), I would hope it is not a surprise to your readers or my constituents that the card contains Christian themes. To any who may have been offended — regardless of background — I wish them nothing but the happiest and healthiest this Christmas season.” Oosterhoff confirmed that the cost of the card and mailing was funded by Ontario taxpayers through the legislature’s “PCCS,” or Progressive Conservative Caucus Services. Each party with official status is allocated public funds for promotional purposes based on their proportion of seats in Provincial Parliament.

You will not be ticketed for doing 120 km/h on the QEW. If you drive 100 km/h on the QEW or 406, yes, you will annoy a lot of other drivers. This is the reality—and it is dangerous. In fact, try driving 90 km/h on the QEW and you’re likely to be pulled over by the police to see what’s wrong with you.

Please, Mr. Elderly Driver, do not “coast” on the road to a canal crossing. Just drive to where the

cars are lined up and stop.

At four-way stop signs, for goodness sake don’t sit there waiting for everyone else to go first, and then first again, before you decide to crawl forward.

If you drive 50 km/h around town, especially on streets where the lanes are wide and there is plenty of visibility, you’re darned right that you will be tailgated, then angrily passed. You are the danger, you are the irritant to the

rest of us who know how to operate our vehicles sensibly and, yes, safely, while conforming to the expectations that other sensible drivers have.

Please, please, please, sir: Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way. Ed Stanley Fonthill EDITOR'S NOTE Readers are urged to drive responsibly, including by obeying all traffic laws.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 7

A December 15 2021

Letters continued

GOOD-HEARTED AND HOWE At the age of six, Bridget Howe learned about the work that Ronald McDonald House does and decided she wanted to help too. That year she created and sold paintings, while also hosting a BBQ fundraiser. It was the start of an annual tradition, in which Howe selects a charity and then brainstorms creative ways to raise donations for causes which have included the Lincoln County Humane Society, Wigs for Kids, and Pathstone. This year, Howe wanted to see a donation go towards The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

Family and friends were able to purchase handmade tuques, bookmarks, Christmas cards, and other goodies, with all proceeds donated. Left, Bridget, now 13, delivers a cheque for $370 to Lion Paul Slattery, of the Fabulous Fenwick Lions, who will forward her donation to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

SUPPLIED

Good job on Bauer vote With great pleasure and admiration of Wayne Olson, Marianne Stewart, Lisa Haun, Bob Hildebrandt, John Wink, and Ron Kore, Town councillors, we acknowledge they have stood their ground. We were delighted to witness their vote not to allow any roads to cross the Steve Bauer Trail between Port Robinson and Merritt Roads. We observe our Mayor continue to work against what we see as a jewel in the rough.

Ever since the Pelham Tree Conservation Society has addressed this issue, we have received much support from the people who use this trail regularly. We received many accolades and requests from citizens of this town to continue our stance to preserve the path in its present state.

The Mayor believes that our group is selfish by trying to save the trail for the community. We will continue to do so. We believe this beloved trail is a significant asset to the people of Pelham in its present form.

We observe that maintaining the continuity of the trail creates a significant corridor for pollinators, a substantial native species garden with a wide variety of flora, some rare in this area, brushes and bramble for a haven for small mammals, insects, snakes, other reptiles and birds. Not only are the trees unique with Carolinian species, but they are habitats for squirrels, chipmunks, owls, woodpeckers and songbirds, to name a few.

Natural spaces provide a sanctuary for people to calm, release stress, and allow your mind and body to consume the healing power of this natural setting. Earlier this week, I spoke to a neighbour about his recovery from a stroke. He reaffirmed the power that he received by using the path for recuperation and physical therapy. He told me that this undivided path's length and nature helped him recover. I have used the trail many times to mediate while strolling alone in the dark of night.

I could go on about the natural infrastructure and its value in relieving some parts of the climate change crisis and the contribution of the area to enhance climate.

I want to thank our councillors for being forward-thinking. I remind them that our town trails are for the good of this generation and the future. Remember, our next stance must be to preserve the Steve Bauer Trail in its present form without giving large parts of it up. The developer must use his property for building his stormwater drainage ditch. It will be required to remove all precipitation coming off all the roofs, driveways, patios, and roads in the Kunda Park development.

Mike Jones Chair of PTCS Soon to be Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat (PATH)

111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL

Cherished December event now underway The mating ritual traditionally takes place within two weeks of the Winter Solstice each year, always in the evening when all other endeavors have been laid to rest. Once initiated, nothing may interrupt the ritual which requires great patience, visual acuity and endurance.

Over the year, lonely souls desperate for a mate lay waiting to be re-united again. Their mates, lost or discarded during the year, left them in singular isolation. Many of their companions were lost in the whirl of things, while others escaped unnoticed into the dark oblivion of space.

Some mates, were unable to mend their ways, while others just didn’t give a darn. Some, holier than others, while aspiring to higher plac-

es, were greatly disappointed and became outcasts. Yet others, worn thread-bare were unceremoniously tossed aside! A few hid covertly under the bed, unseen. Often, the remaining mates still tenaciously clinging to life, were withdrawn from circulation and relinquished to a solitary existence in confinement.

Their future, uncertain, was to be determined at the next ritual.

In preparation for the ritual, all mate-less souls were gathered. All had been washed, groomed for the occasion, and arranged side-byside in a lineup for profi ling. The atmosphere was charged with static in the anticipation of reunion, each clinging to hope. Each was scrutinized in accordance to height, co-

lour, pattern, and texture. Many were gripped by their extremities and stretched to their limits. Toes and heels were poked and prodded to determine their life expectancy.

Any flaws were noted and rejects immediately discarded. Those remaining with similar features were re-evaluated . If identical, they were joyfully mated and the resulting pairs now re-united with their kind waiting to fulfi ll their ordained purpose in life, yet again. Some, still without mates, wait patiently in hope for a future mating in the next winter ritual.

You are probably thinking to yourself by now…put a sock in it!

Lorne Stobbs St. Catharines

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The Voice

A December 15 2021

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For a listing of area business locations visit www.pelham.ca/shop

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 9

A December 15 2021

Ford government accused of awarding nursing home contracts to for-profit chains with poor safety records

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor A report released earlier this month by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) chastised the provincial government for spending billions of dollars on long-term care facilities across Ontario with poor health safety records, in which thousands of residents died due to Covid-19.

Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the OHC, which describes itself on its website as a non-profit, non-partisan public interest activist coalition and network, told the Voice that there are just over 30,000 long-term care beds in the province, with 15,000 new beds earmarked for 2025, and a further 15,000 by 2030.

“The majority of them are going to for-profit care providers, and many of those are to the very worst for-profits, responsible for the preventable deaths of literally thousands of people in their care during the pandemic,” Mehra asserted.

She characterized the longterm, for-profit industry as well-moneyed, and politically well-connected.

“Three former Conservative premiers in Ontario — Bill Davis, Ernie Eves, and Mike Harris — all joined the boards of for-profit, long-term care chains after they left office,” she said.

“We are talking about billions of dollars of public money, given to these for-profit operators in 30 year licenses. Not one of the offending operations has been fined, lost its licence, or had criminal charges laid. They're actually being rewarded with these contracts.”

It's not necessarily a done deal yet, though, according to Mehra.

“Some of the contracts are finalized, but the rest will be approved unless public outrage stops them,” she said. “We need better care standards. We need enforcement with real accountability.”

Ontario’s Ministry of LongTerm Care has responded to the criticism, saying it is also building thousands of beds in non-profit and municipal facilities, and investing almost five billion dollars in improved staffing and care, while creating 27,000 new jobs for personal support workers, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals by 2025.

The province has announced that it will also introduce a $388 million lending program through Infrastructure Ontario, the Crown agency that manages infrastructure loans, aimed at not-for-profit, long-term care homes to expedite the construction of facilities.

Ontario Auditor General Bonnie

Royal Rose Place on Prince Charles Drive North in Welland.

Lysyk wrote a scathing report this year after examining Ontario’s long-term care sector and its response to Covid-19.

“By late March 2020, when Covid-19 had begun its ravage of long-term-care homes, it became blatantly obvious that aggressive infection prevention, detection, and patient care actions were needed— and needed quickly — to prevent staggering death rates from becoming the norm across Ontario’s entire long-term-care community, wrote Lysyk. “Neither the Ministry of Long-Term Care, nor the long-term-care sector were sufficiently positioned, prepared or equipped to respond to the issues created by the pandemic in an effective and expedient way.”

The Auditor General’s report noted that 761 patients were transferred from hospitals to

DON RICKERS

nursing homes in March 2020, exacerbating serious overcrowding in homes struggling to control the spread of Covid-19. Insufficient staff and staff training for personal support workers were also cited as a serious issue.

Lysyk also noted that 13 of the 15 homes with the highest numbers of pandemic deaths were operated by for-profit companies. The 15 homes had only 4.4 per cent of all long-term-care home beds, but accounted for 28 per cent of all resident deaths.

One local for-profit facility with a poor record of Covid-19 protection for its residents is on the list to receive funding for infrastructure upgrades.

Royal Rose Place, located on Prince Charles Drive in Welland, and owned by Jarlette Health Services of Midland, Ontario, is set

to add 60 new beds, while its 96 existing beds are refurbished. According to the website ltc-covid19track.ca, which is maintained by the National Institute on Ageing, at Ryerson University, 77 residents and 55 staff contracted Covid-19 at Royal Rose, and 20 residents died.

Jarlette operates 14 long-term care homes and seven retirement residences in Ontario, with 1600 residents and 2000 employees.

They did not respond to a request for comment.

In Pelham, Lookout Ridge Retirement Community, on Highway 20, had ten residents infected with Covid-19, and two died. Shorthills Villa Retirement Community, on Pelham Street North, had 37 infections and no deaths. Woodlands of Sunset, on Pelham Street, reportedly had only one case of Covid-19 and no deaths.

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Page 10

The Voice

A December 15 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

DeVries Fruit Farm Christmas Market welcomes thousands SANTA CLAUS PARADE CANCELLATION DOESN'T DAMPEN FESTIVE SPIRIT

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor The 2021 Pelham Santa Claus Parade, slated for last Saturday and run for 23 years in a row by the Fabulous Fenwick Lions,

was abruptly cancelled on Friday afternoon, as the Town of Pelham's Emergency Operations Committee made the difficult decision due to safety concerns over high winds and heavy rain forecast for Saturday.

The parade’s loss turned out to be DeVries

Fruit Farm’s gain.

Manager Dan DeVries told the Voice that three to four thousand visitors came through the family farm’s first Christmas Market event, which featured handcrafted products, Christmas memorabilia, en-

vironmentally friendly foods, nutritious baked goods, and healthy-living items from 37 different vendors, who were set up in a hoop house and under temporary party tents.

“It was an incredible turnout,” said

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

DeVries, who is giving serious consideration to making the fair an annual event.

The roadway in front of the property was packed with cars, as was the St. Ann Catholic Elementary School parking lot across the street.

The Voice

A December 15 2021

A significant haul of contributions for Pelham Cares was also received, said DeVries.

Donna and Amy, from Niagara-based Quintet Creations, were on hand to promote their embroidery and sewing services.

“It’s a fantastic crowd on a beautiful warm December day,” said Amy. Joanne, from Crystal Fount Water in Smithville, promoted her company’s refillable containers, while Angela, from Forest Creek Farm on Chandler Road, was selling

Page 11

a variety of products from her family-run operation which raises chickens, bees, and peonies. Ron, and Cindy, from the Canadian Ginger Company in Fisherville, were doing a brisk business selling gift baskets and bottles of ground tumeric and ginger.

Page 12

The Voice

A December 15 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Fourth time may be the charm Veteran Pelham crossing guard Bill Park retires — again

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor “I really think it’s time to put my feet up a bit more.”

So said Bill Park, who has been coaxed back into retirement — his fourth — from a school crossing guard role he has held for seven years at the corner of Highway 20 and Haist Street.

At age 76, Park and his wife of 54 years, Patricia, plan to downsize and move into a condo in East Fonthill.

Prior to the crossing guard gig, he served for five years in the Royal Marines in the UK, then came home to join the Niagara Regional Police Service, rising to the rank of inspector. After that, he worked as an instructor at the Robert Land Academy, a boys’ boarding school in Wellandport, and when that got old, he established a small business servicing computers.

A gathering of friends and co-workers assembled at Fire Station 1 last Friday to

bid Park farewell.

“They’re a great bunch of people, the crossing guards,” said Park. “We’re the bottom rung on that ladder that keeps our children safe.”

Pelham Fire Chief Bob Lymburner extended his thanks to those gathered.

“You're never going to get rich as a school crossing guard, or a volunteer firefighter for that matter,” he said. “It's something that you do because you love the community and you want to contribute, and your role involves protecting one of our most valuable assets: our children. I just want thank all our crossing guards for standing out there through crappy weather, doing a great job.”

Councillor Wayne Olson, himself a former Pelham crossing guard, spoke on behalf of Town Council and the Mayor, addressing Park as “Captain Bill,” a reference

Fire Chief Bob Lymburner, Bylaw Officer Melissa Grodesky, and Pelham Councillor Wayne Olson extend crossing guard retiree Bill Park best wishes at a small gathering at Fire Station 1 last Friday.

DON RICKERS to their joint time spent in the military. The two met briefly in Norway 50 years ago during a NATO training exercise called Northern Express, when Olson was serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, and Park the British Royal Marines. They reconnected in Fonthill, and have been pals ever since.

“There was a familiar, commanding presence to this guy,” recalled Olson.

“I knew from his purposeful walk that he was an old

soldier. Bill is a tremendous example of service to the community.”

Park, in his comments, referred to his friend Olson in jest as “Major Damage,” and “General Confusion.”

“For years it was ‘Queen and Country first,’ and now it will be just one Queen I serve,” said Park. He expects to continue with his model airplane hobby in to the future.

Reflecting back on how he got involved with the cross-

ing guards, Park said he was riding his bicycle around town, thinking of volunteer opportunities that might be a fit for his personality.

He considered the hospital and the library, but a chance meeting with bylaw officer Craig Genesse prompted Park to apply for a vacant crossing guard position, which set him on his present path.

Park gave a “tip of the hat” to Lymburner and his crew.

“I’ve worked for a lot of organizations, and rarely have I come across one that values its people as much as this one,” said Park. “It's got to be because we work out of a fire hall, because in all honesty, I don't get that same reaction from crossing guards in other municipalities within the Niagara Region. It's got to be that ethos.

The fire department looks after people every day. We crossing guards have always felt a part of your team.”

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The Voice

Page 13

A December 15 2021

Brad Saplywy and his son Brayden are flanked by Lookout Village residents, including Terry Nicholls, Tracy Nicholls, and Wendy Novosel, who raised $500 gift from building residents.

DON RICKERS

Fundraising pickup truck lights up the Christmas spirit

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Keep your eyes peeled for a Dodge 1500 pickup truck that is literally lighting up Pelham’s roadways.

Brad Saplywy and his 11-yearold son Brayden, of Fonthill, are in the second year of their seasonal fundraiser for Pelham Cares.

The duo spent a dozen hours adorning their ride with 8000 LED multicoloured lights, with the help of a couple rolls of duct tape. During December, they position the truck at local businesses, solicit donations, and participate in seasonal events like the Santa Claus Parade in Fenwick.

They have a website and Facebook page (#joymakertruck) and also plan to visit seniors’ homes

to share some goodwill.

In 2020, they raised $2000 and a truckload full of food for the local charity. This year, the target is $4000. Brad said that $1500 is in their coffers thus far, thanks in large part to a $500 donation from the condo residents of Lookout Village at 200 Highway 20 West.

Condo resident Terry Nicholls told the voice that he and his

neighbours “simply wanted to support young Brayden’s initiative.”

A Grade 6 student at St. Alexander School in Fonthill, Brayden is a civic-minded young man, and member of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council in Pelham.

Brayden came up with the concept of the glowing truck fundraiser in 2020, when the pandemic lockdowns cast a pall on

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Christmas, and depression was rampant.

“People were unhappy because of the pandemic and the lockdown, and they couldn’t see their families and friends,” said Brayden. “I decided to call our truck the JoyMaker, because it brings happiness to people that see it.”

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Page 14

The Voice

A December 15 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Book award for Fonthill writer Retired professor Barry Boothman honoured

by Ontario Historical Society

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor A scholar turned award-winning writer is in our midst.

Barry E.C. Boothman, a Fonthill resident for almost a decade, has been honoured by the Ontario Historical Society with the 202021 Fred Landon Award for his book Corporate Cataclysm: Abitibi Power & Paper and the Collapse of the Newsprint Industry, 1912– 1946, published by University of Toronto Press. The award is given annually for the best book on local or regional history in Ontario.

Boothman retired in 2012 as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Management at the University of New Brunswick, where he spent most of his professional career.

Boothman’s tome was lauded as a “rigorous and insightful casestudy” of Abitibi, the mammoth pulp and paper corporation which was headquartered in Toronto during the first half of the 20th century. Boothman documented the company’s spectacular rise and fall, with an analysis that connected the strategic development of Northern Ontario's newsprint industry with the political forces in play at the time.

The Ontario Historical Society customarily has a formal dinner and awards ceremony, but given these Covid times, Boothman gave an acceptance speech that was released as a video.

The Voice sat down with Boothman at his Pelham Street home recently to discuss his book, politics, and highlights from his career in academia.

Corporate Cataclysm is spread over 15 chapters, and at 645 pages is a comprehensive and deeply researched read, considered the definitive account of the Abitibi Power and Paper Company’s first insolvency. (Abitibi, in a later incarnation, underwent a second insolvency in 2009, when it was the world’s largest publicly traded pulp and paper manufacturer.)

Despite its length and complexity, Boothman asserts that “this is a book anybody could pick up.

There are a couple places where it could be heavy going, but I have a fairly fluid writing style, and I remember who my audience is.”

Boothman feels that there was no primary factor that led to Abitibi’s financial problems.

Rather, it was a result of myriad circumstances and events, which the book dissects and discusses.

“Writing Corporate Cataclysm was fun for me, because it’s a virtual who's-who of Ontario business, law, and politics at the time,” said Boothman. “A long series of scandals unfolded, and Abitibi was headline news in Ontario newspapers from 1927 until its receivership in 1946. Abitibi was the biggest hydro project after the Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Complex in Queenston. It was built as a private enterprise, and went bankrupt. The Ontario government had to take it over. They couldn't allow this thing to deteriorate, and they also couldn't take the chance of a private sector monopoly being established.

But nobody knew at the time that Ontario Premier George Henry had $25,000 in Abitibi bonds, and didn't disclose it. The opposition Liberals were convinced that this was thoroughly corrupt, and they crucified him in the 1934 election.”

In 1939, asserts Boothman, after Abitibi had declared bankruptcy, a group took over the bondholder committee and essentially decided they were going to steal the company and put it up for public auction. This turned into a constitutional crisis, and the government had to intervene.

“The government couldn't take the risk, especially in wartime, since they had American and British investors who stood to lose their money. The govern-

ment first tried a Royal Commission, and then tried to impose a moratorium. My book uncovers a lot of fuzzy financials, creative accounting, dubious ethics, on all sorts of partnerships. But it's all presented objectively, according to where the evidence took me.”

Boothman attended Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in St. Catharines, and went on to study history at Brock, before subsequently earning an MBA and PhD at York.

“My father made me work in a steel factory during the summer months, and I pretty quickly got it through my head that if I didn't improve my grades, this is how I might be spending the rest of my life,” he said with a laugh.

He evolved into a business historian, and taught at a number of universities, before landing at the University of New Brunswick.

“I planned to be [at UNB] for three years, and ended up staying 26,” he said. “UNB gave me the best deal, in terms of teaching business strategy, international business, and corporate governance, and being able to do interdisciplinary research. The university had partnerships with institutions in Trinidad, Ukraine, and Singapore, and I visited all three at different points.”

The late Brock philosophy professor John Mayer was a teacher who had an impact on Boothman.

“Professor Mayer taught me one of the most useful courses, on ‘symbolic logic,’ said Boothman. “I've used his concepts as a consultant, and in developing my expertise in corporate failure and bankruptcy. I often told my students that we learn a lot more by studying failure than by studying success. Failure is a lot more fun to study as well. You don't get into the hype of executives trying to convince you of how wonderful they are.”

Professor Barry Boothman with his award-winning book on the rise and fall of Abitibi Paper.

DON RICKERS

Much of Boothman’s research involved poring over lengthy corporate financial documents, engineering statements, and the like.

“People would ask me how I was able to get through all that stuff, and I would respond that, first of all, you have to recognize that 90 percent of it is meaningless,” said Boothman. “It's codicils and legalese and copious financial data.

If you've been trained in symbolic logic, you learn to just step past all that and find the few paragraphs that actually matter.”

He cited the case of former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna, a Liberal, who back in the early 1990s pushed to replace a section of the Trans-Canada Highway in his province. The feds would not contribute to the billion-dollar project, so McKenna sought a partnership with a contractor, and planned to pay for the roadwork with highway tolls, which were despised by the populace.

“The CBC came to me for an analysis of the contracts, because I had done work on public-private partnerships,” said Boothman.

“The documents I reviewed ran to about 3000 pages in length. The reporters couldn’t believe how quickly I finished my assessment.

I told them that the bulk of the document was engineering specs,

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with about 15 pages of financial information, of which one single page was crucial. It explained how they were planning to finance eight percent of this deal — the biggest in New Brunswick history — while 92 percent of the cost coverage was ‘to be announced,’ meaning that they hadn't figured it out yet.”

Boothman explained that highway tolls in Ontario make sense, because high traffic volume occurs 12 months of the year.

“But in New Brunswick, you've only got significant highway traffic four months of the year,” he said. “You do have transport trucks going through, but not at the volume to make it economical.

From a strictly business, economic perspective, with no ideology involved, this made no sense at all.”

McKenna’s Liberal government in New Brunswick was replaced by the Conservatives, who scrapped the whole toll arrangement. The debt, of course, was loaded onto the provincial taxpayers, who continued to pay off the highway through a “shadow tax” of about $20 million a year.

On another occasion, Boothman was brought in as a consultant when Canadian department store chain Eaton’s was foundering.

“I gave them my advice, and

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$10 gift card they didn’t apply any of it. Four years later, they went bankrupt, and lost everything. The worst part was that when the company dissolved, the workers’ health trust was treated as part of the company assets, which were seized by the creditors.

I’ve done countless interviews with the CBC and CTV, saying that if you're a worker, especially if you're in union, make certain that your healthcare benefits are set in a proper, legally protected trust so that if anything happens to the company, your benefits will be intact.”

Boothman said that he criticized both Liberal and Conservative governments for not changing the bankruptcy law decades ago, to make certain that worker pensions and benefits are the first thing protected.

“Bondholders will eventually recover their money one way or the other. They'll sell off the company assets. If you understand corporate finance, you know how things actually play out. The board is rigged in their favor. But politicians need to remember that companies don't vote, people vote. You've got to pay attention to both interests.”

Boothman doesn’t believe in corporate welfare and corporate subsidies, not because of political ideology, but because of raw economics.

“As an academic, I know subsidies are not what drives the decision in any company.

The reality is most companies are making the decision based on market share, product quality, and market attributes. They've done their research. They know whether they're going to go ahead or not. Subsidies are simply icing on the cake.”

Boothman is recovering from a rare type of lymphoma, and has a compromised immune system given the chemotherapy that he endured.

“My energy isn’t back to normal yet. I don't cut the lawn anymore. That's all been contracted out to Dekorte.”

But he is busy working on a new book, which he is hoping to finish next year.

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Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m. riverwoodportablesawmill@ Boothman said that he’s not prepared to CHRISTMAS TREES gmail.com go out on a limb and predict how the proYou Cut vincial election is going to go next year. HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE PELHAM MINOR Good Selection “My suspicion is that Doug Ford and FARM FRESHatPRODUCE Centre to Street Buy,in,sell trade used equipment the Pelham Arena.740Aimed provide the Tories will get back butor with a sigFenwick Williams Orchards.

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And I won't cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from AM - 6 PM, 7 days a week. We be surprised if the Liberals are returned 9-12 in the morning.

CLEANER WANTED have Honeycrisp Apples and as the leading opposition party again, although Kathleen Wynne nearly drove the lots of other varieties; Honey; HOUSE CLEANER WANTED province into the ground. I like Andrea Brown Eggs; Cider; Grape PELHAM MUDFEST House Cleaner Wanted in Horwath of the NDP personally, but she Juice; Squash; Preserves and Fenwick.

1 – 2on days week, is and of women will beApple backFirewood. in the mud as the second run theperyear doesn't have peopleMen capable handling 1724 Pelham cabinet level jobs. You can't run a govern$20.00 per hour. held at Bissil’s Hideaway.Street North, Fonthill. Phone ment on one person.”

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“I think the person who wants it — whether she can getBIG it is another — RIDE MOVE matter CANCER is [deputy prime minister] Chrystia FreeMove Cancer land,” he said. “ButThe the Big harsh reality is I Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. don't think she's got strengthfor to the holdBig Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Fam7.the Proceeds the position for very long. The Americans Cancer Centre. walked all over her ily during the renegotiation of NAFTA, even though the Canadian media didn't present it that way. My WALKING CLUB contacts in the British government don’t think too much of her, but they think even in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena Interested in walking less of Trudeau.”

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FAITH LIFT

BALANCED LIFE

David. Bathsheba was probably the innocent party in the whole affair but one has to wonder why she was taking a bath on a rooftop in clear view of the king’s palace in the first place.

vet took him all day and most of the night to complete. Menicanin uses a two-headlight set-up, which he claims is as bright as car headlights. The 600K event went as planned, including a short time off the bike for sleeping, providing the confidence and certification Menicanin needed to complete his registration for the 2019 PBP. On the day before the start in Rambouillet, just southwest of Paris, Menicanin lost his bike’s front wheel. An on-site bike mechanic brought him a new wheel the next day, saving his Randonnee. Two hours before start time, Menicanin realized he had a flat rear tire, which he quickly repaired on the spot.

Because it was his first PBP attempt, and he’d qualified without riding a 1000K brevet, Menicanin was staged well back amongst the starting groups. He pedalled away from Rambouillet at 8:15 pm, riding into the French countryside on unfamiliar roads surrounded by darkness, in a country he’d never cycled in before, on a continent he’d never

continued from Page 19

The bottom line

So, there you have it. In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus are gender, racial and moral outsiders. You would think “three strikes and you’re out.” But, no, they are all in the Messiah’s ancestry.

Not bad for a boring genealogy, eh?

So, what does this all mean to you and me? Keller puts it well — “In Jesus Christ, prostitute and king, male and female, Jew and Gentile, one race and another race, moral and immoral —all sit down as equals. Equally sinful and lost, equally accepted and loved… The grace of God is so pervasive that even the begats of the Bible are dripping with God’s mercy.” ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.

continued from Page 18

visited before.

His luggage consisted of a booklet to gather stamps at every control, a microchip attached to his bike to record his time, one change of clothes, rain and cool weather gear, a few energy bars, repair tools and assorted spares. That was it.

The ride celebrates more than a century of French cycling passion. Crowds line the route in many places, an enjoyable experience which was a first for Menicanin.

“On more than one occasion, in the middle of nowhere, somebody would have a table with water and some food. There were a lot of families along the road, kids looking to high-five riders. You could feel the excitement. It’s a long ride, and there are a lot of times when your spirits are low, like three o’clock in the morning when it’s cold and dark and you’re not sure where you are. The roadside fans were great.”

Menicanin doesn’t remember how often he slept. He rented a cot for his first stop, 445K and more than 24 hours into his ride, and slept for 4 hours. Extreme fatigue causes many to oversleep and exceed their allotted time, forcing them to abandon their rides.

Just before reaching Brest, Menicanin fell asleep on a cafeteria floor for two hours. He tied his phone around his neck to use as an alarm clock. He knows that he slept at least twice more for a couple hours on the return ride to Paris, but can’t recall if he had a third nap.

“I was pretty tired, so things were getting kind of blurry you know. People fall asleep on their bicycle. A couple of Ontario riders fell asleep and crashed into a ditch and got injured, but not seriously. I didn’t have that, but on the third night I had to stop and get off my bike because I didn’t feel safe. I was contemplating quitting.”

As those thoughts engulfed his tired mind, he walked around in a daze trying to wake up. He bumped into Brenda and a small group from Windsor, with whom he’d ridden his 600K qualifying brevet in southwestern Ontario. She took one look at him and offered caffeine pills. They made him feel a little more awake, so he rode on with this small group, which got him through one of Continued next page

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EMPEY, MARION EILEEN (nee CALLFAS) Peacefully and surrounded by loved ones, after a fierce battle with cancer, Marion passed away on November 27, 2021 at the age of 98. Much loved mother of Ric (Lori) Gretsinger and Jill Anderson. She will be sadly missed by granddaughter Jennifer Barren and grandson Jason (Amanda-Lynn) Barren. Nanny will be missed by great-grandson Jack Barren.

Marion will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews. Marion is predeceased by her parents, brothers, son-in-law, nephew and two husbands. Marion was a stylish lady who was very serious about her shopping and playing cards. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Marion took care of welcoming new residents at Ina Grafton Gage Village, where she lived for the past 10+ years. She also took great pleasure to decorate for each holiday at the residence as well so everyone could enjoy each holiday. Huge thanks to Sandy Ross for her dedication and friendship to Marion, and for always being there for Marion when she needed it. Our gratitude knows no bounds. Special thanks to the staff at Ina Grafton Gage Village and Douglas Memorial Hospital for providing such professional, special care to Marion during her illness. A special thank you to Dr. K. Scher for treating Marion with such kindness and gentleness and giving her some much needed comfort during the last stages of her journey. We will always be grateful for the outstanding service provided. In keeping with Marion’s wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wheels of Hope (via Canadian Cancer Society) or (Canadian Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.ca/ en/donate/?region=ab) would be greatly appreciated by the family.

BALANCED LIFE

continued from previous page the lowest points of his ride.

Luck intervened again in a most unexpected manner to help Menicanin remain awake and complete his ride.

The streets were crowded with kids seeking highfives, many of whom Menicanin accommodated.

In one town there was a family of five or six, and a man stuck his hand out. I wasn’t really thinking, so I stuck my hand out. The guy wound up like his arm was a baseball bat and swung so hard that I completely lost balance. We’re on a road that’s all cobblestones and curbs, everything’s made of stone or cement, and there’s a steep bank on the side you don’t want to go down.”

The result was worse than any speed wobble Menicanin had experienced. His front wheel flopped right to left, causing his bike to lurch and weave perilously all over the road. Fortunately at that moment there were no other cyclists to collide with, and somehow he got the bike under control without crashing. He refrained from offering any more high-fives for the rest of the event. Being a “glass half-full” guy, Menicanin added, “It woke me right up, so I was awake for the next five or six hours for sure.”

Menicanin is in his mid-

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Mike Menicanin on the road. standing. It would have been crazy. So I can understand people who don’t ride, thinking this kind of stuff is crazy, and it is kind of crazy. But having got to where I am now, from 12 years ago, what it did for me was prove, or show, that you really can do anything if you decide, firmly decide, that you’re going to do it. Especially something that seems so unlikely. The whole idea of saying ‘I’m going to do this,’ and following it through, was pretty special.”

Will he do it again in 2023?

Menicanin says doing PBP for the first time was difficult, satisfying, and frightening, but now he knows what to expect, and will do it better if he rides the event again. He said the decision to ride PBP in 2023 is a “hard target” rather than a

60s, and successfully completed the 1219K PBP in 89 hours and 2 minutes. He was a self-described sedentary, overweight smoker until his early 50s, when he began cycling. I asked him what he might want to share about his accomplishment.

“I guess if I went back a dozen years and said to myself, ‘You’re going to be in France, riding 1200K in 90 hours,’ it would have been outside of my under-

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The Voice

A December 15 2021

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THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Paris-Brest-Paris—an incredible cycling adventure

I

knew I had to be finished on Thursday by noon. So I’m riding along in the last leg and I see guys out cold on the side of the road sleeping. I knew by their numbers that they weren’t going to make it. They haven’t got enough time to finish. That could have happened to me very easily, I guess I’m lucky it didn’t.”

Those are the words of cycling friend Mike Menicanin from Welland as he attempts to describe his fatigue during the agonizing final hundred kilometres of his 2019 Paris-Brest-Paris Randonnee (PBP).

PBP is the ultimate chal-

lenge for cycling randonneurs worldwide. The event happens every four years, following roughly the same course from Paris to Brest, a port city in Brittany, northwestern France, and return.

First organized in 1891, it is the world’s oldest continuously run cycling event. The 2019 version was 1219 kilometres long, the distance from Pelham to Hudson’s Bay in the Arctic Ocean, with total climbing of 11,500 metres, equivalent to ascending Mount Kilimanjaro two and a half times.

To earn official finisher status and claim his place in the record book and PBP lore, Menicanin had to get

his PBP passport timestamped at 17 controls, including two secret locations, and complete the ride within 90 continuous hours, self-supported. Organizers provided water, food, and bathrooms at each checkpoint. For an extra five Euros, riders could rent a cot and book a wake-up call.

Some 6600 participants from 66 countries started the 2019 PBP, including 100 Canadians and 30 Ontarians, on bicycles of every description—racers, touring, tricycles, vintage, tandems and even triples. Each rider had qualified, as did Menicanin, by riding a series of brevets between January and June of 2019. Qualifying brevets and maximum times were: 200K in 13.5 hours, 300K in 20, 400K in 27 and 600K in 40 hours.

Menicanin discovered

Recumbent and upright riders at Villaines-la-Juhel. the Ontario Randonneurs website in 2018, and noticed a 200K ride starting in Grimsby which he could participate in as a guest.

He was confident 200K was within his capabilities, so he signed up on a whim.

He met a group of friendly and interesting riders who

shared their experiences of the ultimate Randonnee, PBP. By officially completing that Grimsby ride, Menicanin was eligible to pre-register for the 2019 PBP. He explained, “So I thought, you know, if I can do 200K I can probably do

VILLAINESMAIRIE

300K, then 400K. If I can do 400K, the next step up is 600K, which is basically a 400K, a little bit of sleep, then a 200K.” He pre-registered for PBP 2019, and the whim became a dream.

The 400K qualifying breSee BALANCED LIFE Page 16

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Relationships will be easy for you this week, Aries. You will be in tune with the vibe of the people with whom you interact on a daily basis and can push interactions further.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Remember to take lessons from those who have blazed trails before you. Taurus. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Explore some tried and true strategies.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, your desire to remodel or redecorate your home could come to the forefront this week.

Be careful to set a budget; otherwise, you run the risk of overspending.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 You may be lacking some self-confidence in the romance department right now, Cancer.

Phone a friend and get the pep talk you need to realize you’ve got what it takes.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, you may tempted to turn off your phone this week, as the idea of a device-free day is enticing. Take a brief time out from technology each day.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, if you feel backed into a corner, try not to lash out but understand others’ opinions and why they may be questioning you. Listen and you’ll find a solution.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, it’s unlikely you can check everything off of your list this week. Don’t let that get you down, however. You will accomplish a lot. Measured progress is still progress.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you may be known for being serious much of the time, but it’s alright to be goofy and playful once in a while. Engage in some entertaining antics.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Stand up for what you believe in this week, Sagittarius. Others will be inspired by your actions and may join in support of the cause you’ve championed.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 The pressure on you has been tremendous lately, Capricorn. You may want to treat yourself to a well-deserved rest. The break will quickly rejuvenate you.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 This is a good time to pursue your dreams, Aquarius. Make a list of smaller steps that will help you achieve your goals and then put the plan into action.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You can’t avoid every poor situation that comes your way, Pisces. Don’t run and hide, but step up and face the music.

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The Voice

Page 19

A December 15 2021

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

The mothers of Jesus

L

ast week I introduced a book by Timothy Keller entitled “Hidden Christmas.” One of his chapters is called “The Mothers of Jesus.” If you thought Jesus only had one mother…read on.

Keller begins with the opening verses of Matthew chapter one which is genealogy. BORING! It’s true, it’s easy to forget the “begats” (King Jamestalk for “gave birth to”). By the way, I heard of a Hindu who became a Christ-follower after reading this genealogy. He realized that the story of Jesus was grounded in history. That’s why it began with a genealogy to tell us who Jesus’ ancestors were. His religion was full of mythological stories of gods interacting with humans. These myths offered principles and morals to live by but he knew the events really didn’t happen. The Gospels are different.

tiles too. But to Matthew’s 1st century Jewish audience it was. After all, Jews were God’s “chosen people” and to have non-Jews in the Messiah’s ancestry was… well… just not kosher. But there they are—Tamar and Rahab were Canaanites and Ruth was a Moabitess. Jesus had some Gentile blood coursing through his veins.

Moral outsiders

And there’s one more surprise. Three of the five women had committed acts of immorality.

Tamar had played the prostitute and gotten pregnant with her father-inlaw, Judah (who, of course,

was not innocent either).

The act was both immoral and incestuous. Rahab had been a prostitute living in Jericho when the Israelites invaded. Her life was spared and her lifestyle would radically change but she was still a woman with a past.

And, finally, Bathsheba was married to King David and was the mother of King Solomon. To get her, David had committed adultery and then (in an attempt to cover up his sin) committed murder. To make matters worse, the murder victim (Uriah) had been a loyal subject willing to risk his life for See FAITH LIFT Page 16

Gender outsiders

Keller points out that the genealogy of Jesus contains the names of five women.

These are the “mothers” (or female ancestors) that are referred to in the title.

This is not shocking to our 21st century ears but it was to theirs in the 1st century.

In that patriarchal society, women were essentially “non-persons” (sorry, ladies!). A woman’s testimony was not valid in court.

The Jewish rabbis (teachers) would even pray, ““Blessed art thou, O God, for not making me a Gentile, slave, or woman.” Ouch! Having five women in your genealogy was radical stuff.

Racial outsiders

If that wasn’t enough, three of the five women were Gentiles (non-Jews).

Again, that doesn’t shock us because most of us are Gen-

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Page 20

The Voice

COLUMN SIX

IN THE NEWS

continued from Page 1 second in line behind him) I can’t see what the first one is, but the second and third are six-packs of bottled cola.

The cashier has rung them up at what Terry considers the wrong price. Soon it becomes clear that he thinks it should be two six-packs for five dollars, while the cashier politely tells him that it is actually two six-packs for seven dollars.

“All our fizzy drinks are two for seven dollars this week,” she says.

Terry is not happy. His voice rises.

“The sign on the shelf says five dollars,” he repeats over and over.

“That must be for something else,” the cashier replies calmly.

A long discussion starts.

The elderly couple behind me (she is using a cane) sighs. The man waiting between me and Terry sighs.

Another minute of Terry talking drags on.

Finally the cashier asks another employee to go check the sign on the shelf. Terry looks at the man in front of me, who is apparently giving Terry some stink eye.

“Sorry, buddy, but it is what it is,” says Terry.

“I was just about to say the same thing,” says the man, which confuses Terry for a second.

“Well, I mean, I wasn’t apologizing,” says Terry. “They have to make it right.”

Dear reader, have you guessed what’s coming? Indignant Terry, upset that he has to pay an extra two dollars to continue poisoning himself with carbonated sugar water, is about to be disappointed. (The expense to the Ontario public of treating his eventual self-induced diabetes, I admit, crosses my mind. A lot more than two dollars.)

The other employee returns. The sign says seven dollars.

Terry sputters. He waves his hand.

“Then just—” he starts.

“Take it off?” the cashier asks.

“Yes, take them away,” says Terry, who goes to the end of the belt to bag whatever else he’s bought, then leaves.

“The fact that the sign said seven dollars made my day,” said the man in front of me to the cashier.

“I’m usually right on the sale prices,” she replied.

Here’s what I’m taking away. The Terrys of this world are as common than the Karens, but it's always the Karens who get the worse reputation. In the spirit of Christmas, I humbly ask you Terrys and Karens out there to stuff a stocking in your entitlement and get over yourselves.

Ho-ho-ho! ◆ Everyone has a tale to tell. Share yours with Column Six. editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca

A December 15 2021

Holiday fire safety tips

With the holiday season and winter weather upon us, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) is reminding everyone about the importance of fire safety. “Cooking and smoking are leading causes of home fires in Ontario,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. “Stay alert and keep your family safe this holiday season. Never leave a pot cooking on the stove unattended, always butt out cigarettes and consider using battery-operated flameless candles. If you’re using candles with flames, make sure they are kept away from decorations and anything that can burn.” OFM’s tips for 12 Days of Holiday Safety include: Day 1: Water fresh-cut Christmas trees daily. Always keep the base of the trunk in water and away from heat sources such as fireplaces, heaters or candles. Day 2: Check all lights before decorating and replace any worn or damaged cords or loose bulb connections. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for indoor or outdoor use.

Day 3: Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas.

Day 4: Only carbon monoxide alarms can alert you to the presence of this deadly gas. Install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas. Day 5: Having a home fire escape plan is one of the best ways to ensure you and your loved ones can get out safely. Everyone in your home should know two ways out of all areas. Day 6: Use extension cords wisely and only as a temporary connection. Never run cords under rugs which can damage the cord and cause a fire.

Avoid overloading a circuit with "octopus outlets" (lots of extension cords in one electrical outlet). Day 7: Portable space heaters and other heating sources are some-

times used to keep the chill out. Keep anything that can burn such as holiday decorations, curtains and upholstery, at least one metre away from heat sources. Day 8: Keep open flames away from anything that may be combustible. If you can, use an enclosed candle holder or sturdy, burn-resistant container that won’t tip. Day 9: Matches and lighters can be deadly in the hands of children. Keep all fire-starting materials out of the sight and reach of children. Day 10: Never leave a stove unattended. If you need to step away for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

Day 11: Encourage smokers to smoke outside and use large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over easily. Always keep ashes away from anything that can burn. Empty cooled ashes into a metal container and store outside.

Day 12: While celebrating this festive time of year, be sure to keep a watchful eye on anyone cooking or smoking while under the influence. Remember: One in three fire deaths in Ontario occur during the months of November, December, and January.

Post-holiday garbage and tree collection

Households may place out two extra bags or cans of garbage without a tag on their curbside collection day in their garbage collection week following Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Residents in single family homes and apartments with six units or less will be able to put out four bags of garbage. Niagara Region is collecting Christmas trees during the week of Jan. 10-14, 2022 for residents in single family homes and apartments with six units or less. Place tree at the curb by 7 AM on your regular collection day.

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Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4

Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

It is hard to determine who created the brownie, but dessert devotees no doubt appreciation that individual’s now beloved creation.

Brownies are one of North America’s favorite baked treats. They actually are classified as a bar cookie rather than a cake, and the dessert earned its name from the deep, brown color of its main ingredient.

There have been many variations on the brownie through the years, and the lively debate whether crunchy end pieces or chewy middle slices are preferred continues. There may be less debate about how flavorful it can be to mix cheesecake with brownies, which is just what happens in this recipe for “Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies” from “Chocolate” (Love Food), by the editors of Parragon Books, Ltd. Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies Makes 12 3⁄4 3 1 2 1

cup unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing tablespoons unsweetened cocoa cup superfine sugar eggs, beaten cup all-purpose flour

Cheesecake mix 1 cup ricotta cheese 3 tablespoons superfine sugar 1 egg beaten Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease an 11 x 7-inch cake pan and line with parchment paper.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, remove from the heat, and stir in the unsweetened cocoa and the sugar. Beat in the eggs, then add the flour, and stir to mix evenly. Pour into the prepared pan.

For the cheesecake mix, beat together the ricotta, sugar and egg, then drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture over the chocolate mixture. Use a metal spatula to swirl the two mixtures tightly together.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until just firm to the touch. Cool in the pan, then cut into bars or squares.

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