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CannTrust's days appear to be numbered
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Crossley art on display
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Vol.26 No.1
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Up in smoke: Blaze destroys suspected pot grow-op
A structure at 1616 Victoria Ave., on the border between Pelham and West Lincoln, is fully engulfed on Dec. 28. BY VOICE STAFF A fire has destroyed a large agricultural structure located on Victoria Avenue, north of Highway 20, at the border of Pelham and West Lincoln. Pelham Fire Chief Bob Lymburner said that the building at 1616 Victoria was fully involved on his arrival. In a media statement, Niagara Regional Police said that the blaze was initially reported at 6:40 Tues-
day evening, Dec. 28. Lymburner told the Voice that Pelham responded with four vehicles and 20 firefighters, while West Lincoln sent two vehicles and six firefighters. No injuries or livestock were involved. Pelham cleared the scene at 1:30 the following morning. Sources tell the Voice that the one-time former poultry farm had recently changed ownership, and that a noticeable cannabis
odour could periodically be detected emanating from the buildings. The same sources assert that once the fire was put out and police entered the scene, they discovered some 4000 actively growing cannabis plants in a remaining building that did not burn. Niagara Police spokesperson Jesse Vujasic would not confirm this figure, saying, "The number of plants remains part of the ongoing investigation." In an update on Monday, Vujasic
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told the Voice that police seized a "quantity of cannabis plants." In their media statement, the police noted that no one was present at the scene of the fire aside from first responders, and that “further investigation led detectives to believe the barn was a marijuana growop operation.” Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, ext. 1009224.
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Page 2
The Voice
A January 12 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
NRPS impaired driving charges ~
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
Time’s up for anti-vaxxers, the willfully ignorant, and greedy grinders—a few New Year’s resolutions
W
ant to gain a little perspective? Take a two-week break and re-assess. Or so I’m told, anyway. For me, our two weeks off was mostly spent tidying up from the previous 12 months, and checking items off of a to-do list that somehow seemed to grow two tasks for every one completed. Take the basement, for example. The last time it got a serious look Harper was PM, Obama was just two years into his first term, and McGuinty was Premier. Adhering to our custom of riding the trailing edge of trends, my spouse and I wandered through the barebulb-lit jumble to see what "sparked joy," only to find that everything sparked an itch to bring in a dumpster. A couple of comically loaded SUV trips to the landfill later, problem (almost) solved. There was enough time in between, though, to have a think about the coming year and how to survive it—literally and figuratively. Resolved: No more playing nice with anti-vaxxers. Covid is now largely their pandemic, Omicron notwithstanding, and their intransigence is helping wreck the recovery for the rest of us. The unvaccinated become infected roughly five times more frequently than the vaccinat-
ed. They are ten times more likely to be hospitalized, and they are 25 times more likely to end up in the ICU. Enough is long past enough. I’m with French President Macron— make their lives so inconvenient that their best option is to get the damned vaccine. Logic hasn’t worked. Bribes haven’t worked. Appeals to the greater societal good haven’t worked. Maybe not being able to buy booze or cannabis or cigarettes without proof-of-vaccination will get them on board. (At this writing, it looks like Novaxx Djokovic gets to stay in Australia. Pity.) Contributing Editor Don Rickers tells me he hears a common complaint from anti-vaxxers that their “facts” aren’t being presented by mainstream media. The problem with this claim, to use a technical term, is that it’s bullshit. Inside or outside the news media, we all want to see this pandemic over. We all want to see our friends and family happy and healthy. We all want to see our local businesses thrive. Any verifiable “facts” that support these goals are being reported— endlessly, actually. Covid fatigue is worse now than ever. Omicron has once again ramped-up the 24/7 coronavirus media barrage. It’s exhausting. (See John Swart’s excellent column on the topic
Voice
this week, p.18.) What responsible media outlets will not publish are paranoid delusions circulating on Facebook and Twitter and elsewhere in the social media cesspool. Remember the Ivermectin livestock paste hype, nuts on its face from the start? Turns out that several “studies” supporting its use for Covid were fraudulent—as in faked. An excellent article by the McGill Office for Science and Society, from last October, lays out how the frauds were discovered, and why some far-right figures continue to double-down on the discredited theory. A common unifier among anti-vaxxers and Covid conspiracy theorists is distrust of government. This brings us back to an observation that’s been made by many over the last two years: Covid has amplified whoever we were to start with. If we distrusted government before, we’re now out carrying flags that blare “F*ck Trudeau,” as seen last weekend in front of Niagara Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji’s Pelham residence. If we coolly assumed that our own intelligence was superior to that of experts, we flouted Covid precautions no matter the potential risk of harm to others. If in business we sought every advantage for ourselves in negotiating
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deals, we became truly right bastard grinders out for every penny. At the same time, thank god, the kind-hearted and selfless became ever more so. These are the people who kept Pelham Cares and the service club operations going, who delivered free Legion meals (and who cooked free Legion meals). They are the underpaid and demonstrably undervalued healthcare workers in hospitals and long-term care. As I discovered last fall during my own experience recovering from surgery at Welland Hospital, many of these folks are just barely hanging in. It’s a wonder that nurses and other support staff in this country continue to show up, day after day, sometimes having to face hostile anti-vaxx and anti-lockdown protesters literally outside their workplace. Resolved: No more accommodating the unreasonable, the greedy, the quasi-sociopathic—personally, or within these pages. Cut out the tumours and move on with a smile! Back to business: In his obituary that ran in December, we misspelled John Daboll’s family name. This was a dumb error that I should have caught and didn’t. My heartfelt apologies to the Daboll family...A holiday bounty: Belated thanks to Rosemary for the tarts, Leon for the DVD, the Eastside Kid and G&Z for the bottles, Mike for the gizmos, Petra for the tea, Becky for the bulb, and Eve for the plenitude of cookies, treats, and a couple of great old newspapers. (Apologies to anyone I’ve missed— we're on deadline and need to bolt!)...Pop the corn: A Netflix recommendation for you (and the subject of this week's page 4 commentary), Don't Look Up!, written before Covid but darkly capturing our current inability to distinguish the learned from the ludicrous...Earworms: Want a blast from the recent past that will stick like Tuck Tape? Find Fefe Dobson's 2010 hit "Stuttering" on YouTube. You've been warned. (Why Dobson didn't go global like Drake or The Weeknd is a mystery)...Puzzler solved: Yes, but there's no time left to explain! Tune in next week!... Resolved: We will keep it together, together. Strap on the N95s. Stay safe. ◆
What's That
SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls
The Pelham Fire Department responded to 22 calls for assistance from Friday December 17 to Friday January 7. Friday, December 17 Medical assistance, Station 2 Saturday, December 18 Medical assistance, Station 1 Sunday, December 19 Medical assistance, Station 1 Monday, December 20 Medical assistance, Station 1 Carbon monoxide alarm, Canboro Rd., Station 1 Tuesday, December 21 Burning complaint, Balfour St., Station 2 Wednesday, December 22 Motor vehicle accident, Hwy 20 W, Station 2 Thursday, December 23 Motor vehicle accident, Hwy 20 W, Station 1 Friday, December 24 Carbon monoxide alarm, Port Robinson Rd., Station 1 Saturday, December 25 Arcing hydro lines, Webber Rd., Station 2 Motor vehicle accident, Victoria Rd., Station 2 Arcing hydro lines, Webber Rd., Station 2 Tuesday, December 28 Medical assistance, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 3 Structure fire, Victoria Rd., Station 2 and 3 Thursday, December 30 Detector activation, Philmori Blvd., Station 1 Saturday, January 1 Remote alarm, Balfour St., Station 2 Remote alarm, Balfour St., Station 2 Monday, January 3 Medical assistance, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 1 Wednesday, January 5 Motor vehicle accident, South Pelham St., Station 1 Friday, January 7 Medical assistance, Station 2
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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. Jodie P. STAWNISKY, 51, St. Catharines Heather L. DAVIDSON, 51, St. Catharines Silviu CONSTANTINESCU, 54, Scarborough Bradley J. SWALM, 43, Niagara Falls Thomas H. LUNN, 56, Fort Erie Thomas G. POLICH, 30, Niagara Falls Dillon P. IVANY, 28, Niagara Falls Joseph J. BRIDEAU, 63, Welland Ronald E. BELBECK, 63, York Andrew J. VALLIQUETTE, 38, Fort Erie Armando A. KOCI, 39, St. Catharines Christine E. MCCONNELL, 54, Grimsby Christopher B. WATSON, 25, Welland Sarah E. GILPIN, 40, Somerville, Massachusetts Candice M. FOWLER, 31, Port Colborne Michael A HALLIDAY, 48, Niagara On The Lake Christopher D. CAHILL, 36, Fort Erie Gerard J. LOISEL, 59, Niagara Falls Caroline KULEJEWSKI, 37, Niagara Falls Jane C. TENUTE, 63, Stoney Creek Dustin G. LANDRY, 37, St. Catharines Terry R. EMPEY, 34, Fort Erie The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.
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A January 12 2022
Town Square Arches resurrection back on track Organizers confident that fundraising efforts will hit target BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Fundraising in the days of Covid-19 has been hard, especially when lockdowns are imposed. Just ask Frank Adamson, the Fonthill Rotary Club/Summerfest Committee member leading the charge to rebuild the Fonthill Arches on the corner of Town Square and Pelham Street. His own venture, the fitness club Kwikfit Niagara, is shut down again for at least another few weeks like many other small businesses, under the most recent set of restrictions imposed by the Ford government. But Adamson is nonetheless optimistic that the arches project will be completed in time for what is hoped will be a green-lighted Summerfest in June. “I’m hoping that this pandemic will peter out like the Spanish Influenza, sort of mutate out of existence,” said Adamson. “It's probably going to be like the seasonal flu, with vaccinations every fall. No big deal.” A number of contributors have stepped up to increase their arches donations, given the enormous escalation of costs since the project was first envisioned a few years ago. “Lucchetta Homes is doubling its contribution, plus they are providing crane services,” said
Pelham Summerfest committee vice-chair Frank Adamson stands at the site of the arches rebuild, holding an artistic rendition of the original arches by local painter Annette Steele. DON RICKERS Adamson. “Willowbrook Nurseries is doubling its commitment, as is Zavcor Trucking, which is also transporting the steel structures to the site. I’m doubling my Kwikfit contribution, and Fenwick engineer James Federico is donat-
ing all of his services for design and drawings, project management, and engineering expertise. And just the other day, we had an anonymous couple contribute $1000.” Adamson is also in discussions
with Kirkpatrick Stonework regarding pavement stones, which will provide the walking surface under the arches structure. “People that want to support the project, but don't have a lot of money, can perhaps kick in $100
to $250 for an engraved pavement stone, similar to what has been done in downtown Fenwick, at the Fonthill Legion, and the Peace Park bandshell,” said Adamson. See ARCHES back page
STAYING CONNECTED Register for upcoming webinars Sleep 101 Friday January 21st, 2022 at 12:00pm Join the Health Depot in a presentation on ways to ensure you are getting a healthy sleep. Preparing Your Financial Umbrella Tuesday February 8th, 2022 at 10:30am Join Christine Allum, Senior Advisor with the Ontario Securities Commission, as she discusses important topics including: planning for unexpected expenses, investing in a volatile market and estate planning considerations.
www.pelham.ca/55 For questions and to register for staying connected & 55+ programs Contact Brittany MacLean at 905-732-7882 bmaclean@pelham.ca
Page 4
The Voice
A January 12 2022
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 Dick Polman
Don't Look Up! is a documentary masquerading as satire
W
e yawn as we drift toward doom. The news is relentless, for those who deign to pay attention. For instance, scientists discovered last month that a massive (and, until now, stable) ice shelf at the bottom of the globe is rapidly crumbling, with serious consequences for us all: “The rapid transformation of the Arctic and Antarctic creates ripple effects all over the planet. Sea levels will rise, weather patterns will shift and ecosystems will be altered. Unless humanity acts swiftly to curb emissions, scientists say, the same forces that have destabilized the poles will wreak havoc on the rest of the globe.” The havoc is here already. Unprecedented tornadoes destroy entire Kentucky towns, unprecedented wildfires destroy Denver suburbs, the sea routinely runs wild in the streets of Miami, New York City subways drown in floodwater…it’s just life in the 21st century. According to one report about the recent Colorado conflagrations, “heat and dryness associated with
global warming are major reasons for the increasing prevalence of bigger and stronger fires, as rainfall patterns have been disrupted, snow melts earlier and meadows and forests are scorched into kindling.”
In case you haven't noticed, rampant stupidity currently reigns in our benighted disunion
And yet, film critics and armchair curmudgeons are whining that the Netflix satirical film Don’t Look Up! —a bitter attack on climate change deniers — is too “heavy-handed,” too “broad,” too “angry,” a veritable “sledgehammer” at the expense of subtlety. I watched the film during the holiday doldrums — like many of you in semi-lockdown mode, I was binging TV — and I frankly can’t
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fathom those complaints. Because the same indictment could be leveled against Dr. Strangelove (on orders from a general named Jack D. Ripper, a gung-ho Texan rides an A-bomb), and against Network (a lunatic anchorman is assassinated on the air because his ratings went bad). Heck, you could say the same thing about Jonathan Swift, the 18th-century satirist who suggested, in his treatise entitled “A Modest Proposal,” that poverty in Ireland would be cured if only the impoverished Irish families would agree to fatten their children and sell them as food to the English landowners. He even suggested some yummy recipes. Spoiler alert: Nobody thought that Swift was literally serious. Satire, by definition, uses “humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices”— and, in case you haven’t noticed, rampant stupidity currently reigns in our benighted disunion. Witness the latest deluge of lies on social media, with keyboard loons insist-
Letters Longtime pump mystery finally solved I would like to thank Bill Eluchok and Brenda Sauer for the fine article that describes the pump on the the East side of Building “A” at 190 Highway 20 West! [A time capsule on tap, Column Six, Dec. 22, p.1.] As a resident of Building “B” I have often wondered about that old pump that no longer works; probably because there is no feed to the cistern any longer. The two buildings being built in 1979 and 1980 were the result of Lester Shoalts’ purchase and development of the property. I suspect he left the pump as decor for the gardens which were developed around both buildings. And so it stands to this day! Thanks for the explanation and the memories so well described. George Dewar Ridgeville
See SATIRE next page
7
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
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Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900 Member of Provincial Parliament
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Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
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The Voice
Page 5
A January 12 2022
OPINION Anti-vaxx landscaper cancels ads Our company has advertised for many years in the Voice and we are canceling all future advertising. We are saddened by the direction the paper has taken. This paper is not balanced, and we can no longer support your business. Today's cartoon posted on Facebook was the final straw. Please stop the fearmongering of a virus that has a 99% survival rate. Please stop advocating for a useless vaccine that is causing so much death, injury and health complications in healthy people. Stop pitting one person against another over their right to choose what is best for them. Stop segregation, discrimination and the hate that is spewed like vomit day in and day out. Mainstream media is the virus that government is using to ruin our economy. Please do your research and put out a balanced paper. Bill and Lynn deBruin Fairhaven Gardens EDITOR’S NOTE The editorial cartoon in question appears in print this week on page 4. The letter writers appear to cite a frequently distorted statistic posted on social media last year regarding Covid mortality. The fact is, survival rates vary depending on patient
age, underlying health conditions, and whether they’ve been vaccinated. While “breakthrough” cases in vaccinated people can occur, the odds of serious illness or death are dramatically reduced. The efficacy and safety of Covid vaccines have been demonstrated through 9.42 billion doses given in 184 countries. Healthcare systems around the world, including here in Niagara, are now at the breaking point as they face a tsunami of new infections of the highly contagious Omicron variant, including among children. Last week, Niagara had the highest number of Covid ICU patients in the entire province—not just per capita, but in raw numbers. Niagara Health president and CEO Lynn Guerriero told Regional Council that there were no “good options” remaining for preserving critical care, and plans were underway to transfer critical patients out of Niagara—although nearby health systems were similarly at or beyond capacity. This is now a very bad time to have a stroke or heart attack, or be in a car accident, and find yourself in need of an ICU bed. These are verifiable facts, not social media opinions. The Voice, as is true of any responsible news organization, is in the business of reporting facts as accurately as possible. The frankly farcical, paranoid, and delusional assertion that the news media is a “virus” that the “government is using to ruin our economy” requires no rebuttal.
SATIRE
continued from previous page ing, despite all scientific evidence to the contrary, that the Greenland ice sheet has not been losing billions of metric tons of ice each year. In Don’t Look Up!, a killer comet is hurtling toward earth — there’s incontrovertible scientific proof — but the morons on social media still call it a hoax. A male astronomer gets a lot of air time only because the viewers think he’s hunky, while his female assistant gets canceled by the Twitter haters because she’s deemed too “shrill.” Meanwhile, a MAGA-type president and her dimwit chief of staff (her son, naturally) worry that the comet will sink her poll ratings. An Elon Musk-type billionaire thinks there’s money to be made from the comet, brainless followers chant that the comet will “create jobs,” and in no time a sizeable chunk of the doomed populace is refusing to look up, wearing buttons that feature an arrow pointing down. And finally, when it’s too late to do anything, Leonardo DeCaprio’s astronomer character says plaintively, “We had it all, didn’t we?” This is the fractured and fool-infested present moment we know all too well. If anything, the film is a documentary masquerading as a satire — a veritable metaphor for life as we know it, with tens of millions of North Americans still spewing, circulating, and swallowing Covid-19 lies, adamantly refusing to look up. Anyone who thinks Don’t Look Up! lacks subtlety needs only to look around and behold what mass stupidity has wrought. ◆ Veteran reporter Dick Polman is the national political columnist at WHYY-FM Philadelphia and a frequent guest on C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC, and the BBC.
William Hall INSTALLATIONS
PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin
A dilemma that needed decided
T
he New Year is upon us and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Pelham residents and their families a prosperous and a healthy year ahead. Nobody ever said this job was going to be easy and right off the hip hop we had “one of those meetings” at the Region last Thursday, January 6. It should have been a slam dunk with no controversy, as all that was required from Regional Council was a rubber stamp approval of the City of St. Catharines’ nominee for filling a vacancy that was created on Regional Council with the passing of St. Catharines Regional Councillor Sandie Bellows. It was when selecting their new councillor that St. Catharines City Council chose the path that started the controversy. St. Catharines council had in place a policy that stated that
whenever a seat on Regional Council became vacant, the next runner-up from the
As far as Regional councillors were concerned no breach of the Municipal Act had occurred
last election would be automatically given the seat. Instead of selecting the next runner-up on the list, the City Council decided to forgo the policy and instead select a member of their council to take the seat. This decision was made back on December 14. Since that decision
was made, a large group of St. Catharines residents have made their displeasure with their council’s actions known to Regional Council, asking us to uphold the democratic process, thereby rejecting St. Catharine’s council nominee. To add to the list of misdeeds, the city councillor selected voted not to appoint the “policy choice,” and then voted for himself to be appointed to the seat at the Region. It is possible that these actions were indeed a conflict of interest, but as of last Thursday these facts had not been challenged in court, so as far as Regional councillors were concerned no breach of the Municipal Act had occurred. So the conundrum was this: as a Regional councillor do I follow Regional policy, or do I side with the upset residents who feel quite See CONUNDRUM next page
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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story! Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past. Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit? Everyone has a story. Tell us yours! NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 4000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)
Page 6
The Voice
A January 12 2022
2021 YEAR IN REVIEW Diana Huson, Regional Councillor
Letters continued More on road safety
Passing of John Lochlin Daboll
The December 8 edition of the Voice included a letter from Mike Athay suggesting that “Fifty percent of people operating vehicles are not properly qualified to do so.” A response from Ed Stanley in the December 15 edition suggested an amendment: “Fifty percent of old people aren’t qualified to be behind the wheel.” In both cases their opinions were supported only by anecdotes and conjecture. Missing was any data regarding the carnage and death resulting from traffic accidents, and the people responsible for these accidents. There are many Canadian sites reporting the data resulting from traffic accidents and their consequences. The Canadian Motor Vehicle Collision Statistics 2019 states “the 25-34 age group suffered the most fatalities, serious injuries and injuries. Teenagers have the highest rate of death and injury per capita.” (Not the highest number, because fewer teenagers are driving.) According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAAD), studies conclude that young drivers are “over –represented in road crashes for two primary reasons: inexperience and immaturity.” The data clearly suggest that drivers in these younger demographics should be scrutinized closely when driving licenses are issued, or revoked. They indicate that younger drivers are more dangerous than seniors. I am an octogenarian with a clean driving record. On two occasions I have undergone the biannual cognitive and vision test to determine my ability to drive. Ed Stanley suggests that the process is a joke. He is not correct when he states that one test is to identify the time indicated by a clock face. The test is to draw a clock face indicating a specific time. I have seen octogenarians struggling with this task. They do not think that this is a joke. They face the loss of their driving license, and lifestyle. Alan Bown Fonthill
On behalf of the entire Daboll Family we wish to thank everyone in our community for their kindness and support during the past few weeks. His presence in our lives is and will continue to be dearly missed, but the outpouring of calls, visits and thoughtful gifts brightened what was otherwise a sad time for our family. The Daboll Family
EDITOR’S NOTE The MAAD statistics caught our eye. Out of curiosity, we reviewed all of the alleged impaired driving data reported by the Niagara Regional Police for December, including this week’s list. The youngest driver was 19 (from Burlington), the oldest was 66 (from St. Catharines). The average age among the 45 alleged offenders was 42. Fourteen were age 50 and older. (There were no Pelham residents among any of the accused.) As the letter-writer acknowledges, while younger drivers may be more accident-prone per capita, fewer younger people are behind the wheel compared to middle-aged and older drivers. Nationwide numbers are interesting, but accident and impaired driving statistics in a specific region will tend to reflect the demographics of drivers actually living in that region. Fortunately for those in Niagara who can neither afford a car or who can no longer afford to risk being behind the wheel, at long last Niagara Region is set to introduce an amalgamated regional public transit system. In the meantime, affordable personal rides are already a convenient phone call away through Transit On Demand. See the Region’s ad on page 12, and note the $10 promo credit.
We couldn’t get our booster shots, Our government really screwed things up. They started at 80 and dropped to 18— But there wasn’t even enough vaccine!
CONUNDRUM
continued from previous page strongly that a small number of people, those being their city councillors, had bypassed the democratic process so as to install one of their own. Of course, it is not lost on me that first
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Hospital care needs rethink So much for the budding optimism that ushered in the New Year. Ontario finds itself yet again in another restrictive landscape, frustrated and perplexed. We did what was asked of us, didn’t we? Our children, as well as our elderly folks, will pay a heavy price from a mental health perspective. Not to mention the scrambling parents and the small businesses who can ill afford another lockdown. Don’t think for a second that anyone has lost sight of the exponential rise in the cost of, well, everything! One thing remains acutely clear. The people of this province deserve to hear specific details regarding how and when an end game to this pandemic will take place. Our collective sacrifices over the past 22 months warrant that much. We must insist on it. Enough of the knee- jerk strategies. Been there, done that. How about some novel thinking, and perhaps more importantly, some collective political leadership. That would be truly refreshing. Such a shame that a population of 15 million is being held hostage by an outdated, woefully inadequate hospital ICU capacity. The hospital business model needs to be reassessed and reconstructed from the ground up. What is being done to address this, and why are we hearing precious little detail in terms of tackling our gasping healthcare system? A tsunami of illness surely awaits once this pandemic ends. If your average citizen with a sliver of reasoning ability can grasp this, surely our political leaders can too. As this Covid nightmare rages on, we are left to ask ourselves, where have all the leaders gone? Rob Shook Vineland
Rhyme and reason Here we are In our senior years, Sitting at home and shedding tears. Two years in, and Covid’s still here We aren’t going anywhere!
Cases in the thousands worldwide, There isn’t any place to hide. So anti-vaxxers, get your shots, You helped to put us in this spot! Norma Mitchell Fonthill
Appreciates year-ender I must congratulate you and your staff for the excellent issue of December 22. Informative, factual and thoroughly interesting with a lot of truth, especially concerning poll results for Pelham. Fonthill residents know who they respect and trust and are fully aware of those they DO NOT. We were also told of kindness, warmth and generosity by residents. Sadly, one also has to give print space to those who only care about themselves. Personally, l think there are far more kindly residents in Fonthill than those who are inconsiderate. Thank you. This issue l will keep and refer to throughout the next year. Tom Campbell Fonthill
I feel strongly that they should have simply followed policy, but by voting against their nominee I would not be following Regional policy. I did not, in fact, vote for their nominee, and all I can say, just like the small lad in the principal’s office, “They started it.”
I felt the citizens had a legitimate beef and I had absolutely no problem supporting them. It never ceases to amaze me how soon, once some residents get elected, these same people acquire the level of arrogance that they know so much more than the
All things considered, a year of accomplishment
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t’s hard to believe another year is almost over! I think all of us were hopeful that 2021 would leave Covid far behind in the hopes of getting back to normal. Instead, we had a roller coaster ride of emerging waves and new variants, coupled with vaccination rollouts and a revolving door of pandemic rules that seemed to change on a regular basis. The holidays were a welcome reprieve from yet another challenging year to focus on family, good will and the spirit of giving! It’s one of my favourite times of the year. The Region played a central role in Niagara’s pandemic response with our Public Health department administering 275,000 vaccine doses. Together with our local hospitals, family doctors and pharmacies, nearly 750,000 doses have been administered to Niagara’s residents. The Region has also handled a whopping 125,000 phone calls, emails and live chats from residents and businesses since the beginning of the pandemic. This support is in addition to the extra demands placed on our paramedics, long-term care staff, police and other vital first responders and healthcare workers. Pandemic aside, there have been a tremendous number of Regional accomplishments worthy of note. From an infrastructure and service perspective, this term of council has invested more than $260 million in its 770km of roads and 130 bridges. These investments will be important to ensuring we not only sustain our existing infrastructure, but also reduce a significant infrastructure gap. We’ve also successfully secured impactful investments in broadband infrastructure connecting more than 5,600 homes and businesses in west Niagara with further plans to bring service to more than 50,000 households and businesses by 2024. The Province recently announced further funding that will connect another 4,800 homes, farms and business by December of 2022. We also took a giant leap forward for transportation by endorsing a harmonized regional transit model. A harmonized service will operate under a single governance board delivering an enhancement of service across municipal boundaries and better connecting our rural areas. Moving towards a regional model promises many benefits including an increase in access to education, healthcare, and employment.
Pelham will consider this in a Town Council meeting in January, however the required triple majority has already been attained to make this a reality. You may also recall garbage collection woes earlier in the term that facilitated a review of our waste collection contract. This resulted in splitting Niagara into two separate service areas with two new service providers. It also came with a service shift to every other week garbage pick-up, in addi-
tion to maintaining weekly organic and recycling collection. Since implemented the changes in October 2020, I’m proud to report minimal service interruptions, but also diversion of 12,000 tonnes of garbage away from our landfi lls and an overall increase of 24 percent in organic collection. This should help preserve the longevity of our landfi lls while ensuring organic matter can be more efficiently handled. Another important milestone is the progress we’ve made in our planning and environmental policies. The official plan is under a comprehensive review for the fi rst time in nearly 50 years, which is vital in addressing our housing shortages. This document also defi nes where and how Niagara will grow in consideration of significant population growth pressures. Just this past month council approved the natural heritage component of the plan that will protect 70,000 hectares of our natural features. It’s a significant environmental accomplishment in addition to an earlier approval of a greening strategy and an updated tree bylaw that will further protect and build upon our woodlands. I was also successful in initiating a funding opportunity that resulted in nearly 7,400 seedlings being planted on regional property and expanding our tree canopy. We will be reviewing our climate change policies in the upcoming year, and you will also see the Region hosting a climate summit by the
end of the second quarter of next year. continue to advocate for more diversive, inclusive and equitable voices to inform our governance policies. I currently serve as Chair of the Region’s Women’s Advisory Committee, where I’ve gathered support for a grant application to develop a mentorship program aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics, with an emphasis on racialized women. We will learn if the grant is approved early in the new year. I was also successful in being appointed to the Regional Chair’s new Youth Advisory Committee. It has a representative from each of our 12 municipalities. This committee will fi ll an important gap in addressing an aspect of our population that is not often engaged in municipal government. They have already expressed an interest in policy pertaining to mental health, the environment and diversity, equity and inclusion. I’m looking forward to seeing how this promising new committee can help contribute to better policymaking at the Region. This past June I was also successfully elected to the Ontario Caucus of the Federation of Canadian municipalities. The organization advocates on behalf of municipal issues and funding with the federal government. It’s the fi rst time Niagara has had a voting member on this body, and I’ll have the opportunity to add Niagara’s voice to those discussions, but also help bring attention to advances in policy or funding opportunities that Niagara may benefit from. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn and grow, but also to network with colleagues from across Canada who are all just trying to better their communities. The dawn of a new year is always a natural time for reflection. And in reflecting on my role as your Regional Councillor, I feel quite proud of the accomplishments we’ve made to date. As a council, we have not always agreed on outcomes but have always maintained respect for the process and for one another. It’s been an honour to serve my community and I have always felt it is a great privilege to represent Pelham at the Region. Here’s to a year fi lled with many happy memories and opportunities for a prosperous future. As always, please reach out with your comments, concerns or questions. I am always available to help where I can. ◆
electorate. Hopefully, with elections less than a year away, these residents will show their displeasure at the ballot box. For the record I have never met nor talked to either of these two individuals. s everyone knows, the Town of Pelham has
had to shut down all activities at the MCC, except for Pathstone Mental Health counselling and services. Appointments must be booked ahead of time. Please remember they are there to listen and to help. Provincial directives have also required
that we close Town Hall once again to the public. Anyone wishing to meet with any member of Town staff must make an appointment ahead of time. Keep walking, keep socially distanced when out and about, and pass along that warm smile! ◆
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I have always felt that it is a great privilege to represent Pelham at the Region
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The Voice
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT S
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A January 12 2022
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(289) 650-1775 | SAFETREE.CA
Gypsy Moth: Suppressing the Invasive and Devastating Insect The snow has just begun to fall across the Niagara Region, which means the annual gypsy moth caterpillar feeding frenzy is only a few short months away. If you’re in rural Niagara chances are that you have already experienced this problematic pest, whether it be the annoying and constant sound as they destroy our trees or swarming our yards and patios, moving us inside. Gypsy Moth, in their caterpillar stage, can defoliate a mature tree in a matter of weeks. The species of tree affected are native to the Carolinian forest and include maples, oaks, beech, and birch trees. Over time, this insect has adapted and will now feed on apple trees, and some coniferous species. Needless to say, they are invasive to our habitat.
Safe Tree is excited to now offer one of the most effective treatment techniques - aerial applications for caterpillar suppression. This method is ideal for rural properties, or properties just outside city limits that may be excluded from municipal spray programs. Tree defoliation can be devastating to trees. Without leaves, the tree will not be able to produce sugar through photosynthesis, thus stunting growth. Stunted growth will make trees more susceptible to other pests and diseases, causing the tree’s health to decline further. Energy reserves are used to produce new leaves, which will likely be consumed by gypsy moths as well. The tree will continue to produce new leaves as long as it is able, but eventually this vicious cycle will take its toll, killing the tree.
“An annual treatment plan or program is the most ef effective way to mitigate gypsy moth and their damage. The end goal isn’t to eliminate the species; that’s merely impossible at this point. However, suppressing the species to a degree where it can coexist within our forests is achievable.” – Kaitlyn Simpson, Plant Healthcare Specialist. Safe Tree has always been committed to protecting your trees and helping your property thrive. There are a wide variety of techniques that can be used to suppress gypsy moths, depending on the season and life cycle of the insect. From egg mass removal to pheromone trap supply and installation, our team is always prepared to protect your trees. “We are ecstatic to provide aerial applications – it’s the most effective way to treat
and protect thousands of trees. Together, we’re able to save and protect our urban canopy.” – Kaitlyn Simpson.
A helicopter is used to apply the product, exponentially expanding the amount of land, or specifically trees, that can be protected. The product used for this treatment targets gypsy moths, ensuring that other plants and animals are not harmed during application. Busi-
nesses such as wineries, farms, campgrounds, and conservation areas, can significantly benefit from this treatment as their properties may be too large to protect using alternative practices. Gypsy moths can cause issues for humans, too. If their small hairs come in contact with skin, we potentially can experience mild to moderate pain, rashes, stinging, welts and blistering. They are also quite the nuisance when you’re trying to enjoy the forest view from your patio, or a weekend away outdoors. We are thrilled to support Niagara’s urban forest and protect the beautiful scenery that surrounds our homes. If you would like to book your aerial treatment for 2022, please contact Safe Tree by calling (289) 650-1775 or by visiting savemytrees.ca
Page 8
The Voice
A January 12 2022
Public Meeting Notice Town of Pelham 2021 Development Charges Update Study and Public Meeting for proposed by-law
Monday February 7, 2022 4:30PM Via Zoom/Livestream The Council of the municipality of the Town of Pelham will hold a public meeting, pursuant to section 12 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, as amended, to present and obtain public input on the municipality’s proposed development charges (D.C.) bylaw and underlying background study. The 2021 Development Charges Update Study and the proposed by-law can be viewed as of December 22, 2021, on the Town of Pelham website. Printed copies are also available by request from the municipal clerk.
PARTICIPATE DURING THE MEETING: Speak live via the zoom webinar: pre-register by noon Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 by emailing clerks@pelham.ca Watch on Feb. 7, 2022 via livestream, comments can be submitted live during the meeting to clerks@pelham.ca
PARTICIPATE IN ADVANCE:
Advance submissions must be received by the Town of Pelham by Wednesday January 26, 2022
By email to clerks@pelham.ca By regular post to 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0, c/o Town Clerk By placing in the drop box located at the lower entrance to Town Hall
For more information visit www.pelham.ca/development 905-892-2607
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
Letters continued Calls for greater transparency This year the Town should resolve to be more forthcoming, accountable and less opaque when dealing with taxpayers’ concerns. Here is an example. The Town was initially unwilling to share a public document with a taxpayer, relying on the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (MFIPPA) to deny such request. It took a formal request and subsequent follow-up with the Provincial Privacy Commissioner to realize the Town was inappropriately guarding a document that is in the public domain and available to everyone. Apparently the Town’s position is they did not know this information was publicly available until the taxpayer filed an FOI request. To add insult to injury, the taxpayer must pay a nominal fee to query the Town’s initial response and then pay any additional costs identified by the Town for review-
ing and responding to such request. Such a process can necessarily deter the average citizen from following through on their query. Two and one-half years ago the Town hired its first lawyer as CAO. He had multiple years “experience as a municipal/corporate and labour lawyer.” We now have a legal department with two additional lawyers on staff. Surely with their basic understanding of Municipal and Freedom of Information Regulations there should be no excuse for the Town not to get it right the first time. It reflects poorly on those employees who go about their duties in a consistent and conscientious manner. It is unsettling how the Town has become oppositional and defiant when dealing with simple requests from Pelham taxpayers. F. J. Feeley Fonthill
Pelham Tree Conservation Society's new PATH Even through this pandemic, it has been an incredibly inspirational first full year for the Pelham Tree Conservation Society (PTCS). It is essential to recognize the many that have made it so successful. The Voice of Pelham, our community paper, has published our group's many letters and has followed our progress with articles. Niagara This Week has also covered our progress. Thanks to the people of Pelham and the businesses supporting our goals who have inspired us to preserve the Steve Bauer Trail. Thanks also to Steve Bauer and his spouse, Josee Larocque, and his parents, Hank and Fran, for the support and the anonymous donors who made our trail video possible. We thank Town Councillors John Wink, Ron Kore, Bob Hildebrandt, Lisa Haun, Wayne Olson, and Marianne Stewart for their constant encouragement and support. Our Regional Councillor Diana Huson continuously voted and pushed forward on Option 3C at Niagara Regional Council, a significant victory for the environment and other Regional Councillors. They voted for Option 3C, including Mayor Junkin. We appreciate every one of the more than 575 members and thousands of others who follow our sites. Our membership has made our Facebook group page and our website very informative environmental posts. To our great Executive and advisors: Vice-Chair Uwe Brand, Treasurer Graham Pett, Secretary Lois La Croix, Brenda Burger, Dave Nicholson, Colleen Kenyon, Kathi Gorman, Wally Braun, and advisors Jackie Oblak, and Natalia Shields, thanks for your dedication. Thanks for constantly upgrading our website and Facebook administrators, Paxton Allewell, Chris Fidler, and Jason Lovejoy. In January, we received a significant endorsement for our efforts to preserve the Steve Bauer Trail (SBT) by its namesake. Members conducted a tree count along the undivided trail from Port Robinson to Merritt Road. Our Town Council
voted to pass the motion, not allowing more roads to cross any of the Town's trails. In February, we delivered to council, Fonthill's elementary schools' poster contest, "Reasons to preserve the trail." We delivered to council petitions signed by over 5000 signatures to preserve the SBT. In March, members began recording the vegetation, birds, wildlife and habitat along the SBT. Members
We appreciate every one of the more than 575 members and thousands of others who follow our sites
volunteered to clean up the SBT between Port Robinson and Merritt Road. In April, we started networking with other environmental groups, such as Biodiversity and Climate Action Niagara. We reached out to our councillors to request that developers be respectful and responsible to the citizens of Pelham while building their developments. Members got involved with Pelham's "Team Up to Clean Up" and the Rotary's "Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Supporting the Environment." In May, members submitted to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority Survey to develop a shared inspirational vision with strategic priorities for the health of the Niagara Peninsula watershed. Our membership grew to over 475. We sent an open letter to Mayor Marv Junkin, one of our Regional Councillors, after he did not support Option 3C, the most environmentally positive way to preserve the trees and natural environment around the proposed Merritt Road Extension. In June, we created a committee to work on sub-
missions to the Town of Pelham regarding the new Tree Maintenance Program. During this month, we reviewed and analyzed the program. We developed a detailed summary with recommendations that were important to implement. In July, we instigated our Public Awareness and Fundraising Project. We decided to ask for donations for Friends of the Steve Bauer Trail T-shirts. The fundraising purpose was to build enough money to allow PTCS to pay for a lawyer to assist our incorporation as a non-profit group. In August, members of PTCS Committee and Councillors Wayne Olson and Bob Hildebrandt met with the Director of Public Works, Jason Marr, and the Manager of Public Works, Ryan Cook, to discuss changes and revisions the Town of Pelham Tree Maintenance Policy. PTSC continued to work with Councillor Wayne Olson to have the Town recognized next year as THE YEAR OF THE GARDENS. We support his projects to create corridors for pollination and native gardens. In September, federal candidates for election in Niagara West—NDP, Liberal, and Green—endorsed our efforts to save the wetlands on the undeveloped Merritt road extension and preserve the SBT. PTCS celebrated Canada National Tree Day by walking from the Merritt Road entrance to Peace Park. Steve Bauer's spouse Josee Larocque and his parents Fran and Hank delivered a Friends of the Steve Bauer Trail T-shirt to Mayor Junkin. Mayor Junkin told the crowd that he would display the T-shirt at the Meridian Community Centre beside the Marlene Stewart Streit Display. In October; PTCS requested members of both the website and the Facebook group page to put their name forward if they wish to be on the Board of Directors for the corporation. Mike Jones and Paxton Allewell hiked the undeveloped proposed Merritt Road extension. The hike's purpose was to create picSee TREES Page 10
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice
Page 9
A January 12 2022
Niagara Covid update: Overwhelmed by Omicron Hirji re-emphasizes vaccination boosters, social distancing, masking BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Omicron has us in its grasp, and “it may well be here for a very long time,” according to Niagara’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji. “My best guess is that this will go on for a couple of months, and then in March the case load will fall, but not completely disappear,” he told the Voice. “By then, most people who have wanted a booster dose will have had it. Those who didn't want the booster dose, or didn't want to be vaccinated at all, will probably be infected, unfortunately. Hopefully, we'll come out of it okay. Between the vaccinated and those infected, there should be enough immunity out there that it won't be able to surge and cause huge numbers of illness.” Hirji believes we will likely see a similar situation to that which exist most winters with influenza, “where you have a wave of cases, and then the spread falls back down.” Omicron is the primary virus mutation at play currently, having eclipsed the Delta strain. There is a new French variant on the horizon, but Hirji is not concerned with it at the moment. “Every time the virus spreads, it mutates a little bit,” he said. “Most of these mutations basically amount to nothing. When we see a few people catching a new variant, it is classified as a ‘variant of
monitoring’ or a ‘variant of interest.’ If the new strain spreads and becomes a real threat, it is reclassified as a ‘variant of concern.’ Alpha, Delta, and Omicron are all variants of concern. The new variant in France is really just a split off another variant that has been monitored since September.” Hirji is quite clear about the necessity of booster shots. “The province announced last week that a fourth shot will be available to those in long term care homes and retirement homes, and seniors generally, because that's the highest risk group to get severe illness. We'll have to see if we go down the road of a fourth booster for everybody else. But for now, the majority of our population needs to get that third dose as their booster.” Asked about the introduction of the latest vaccine called Novavax, Hirji noted that the viral vector vaccines such as Astra Zeneca and Johnson and Johnson/Janssen have been effective tools in the fight, as have the mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna. Novavax is a recombinant nanoparticle protein vaccine, which is based on the same technology used in the Flublok influenza vaccine, and is similar to other vaccines that have been around for a long time, such as the one used to treat Hepatitis-B. “I think what's been really great
Approximately 40 anti-vaccine protesters congregated in front of the Pelham home of Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, last Saturday, January 8. This was the third such protest at Hirji’s residence since just before Christmas. Niagara Regional Police allowed the protesters to agitate for about an hour before dispersing the crowd. Protesters demanded that Rebecca Hahn, who ran for the People’s Party of Canada in the last federal election, be allowed to speak before Niagara Regional Council regarding her concerns about Covid-19 vaccinations. Epithets were hurled at Hirji for his restrictive health directives and support for inoculating children, and at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his recent alleged characterizations of anti-vaxxers as women-haters, racists, and science-deniers. DON RICKERS about the mRNA vaccines is that they were able to be developed really quickly, and they have turned out to be very safe and very effective. The Novovax will be one more vaccine that we'll have available. The clinical trials are still being finalized, and the early data seems to show it holds up well against the Delta variant. The real test will be how good it is against Omicron.” Pfizer announced recently that it is in the process of develop-
ing a vaccine aimed specifically at Omicron, and is hopeful that it will be available in March. Niagara Health has reported that most people hospitalized or placed in intensive care in recent days were previously vaccinated, evidence of the challenge Omicron represents to the healthcare system. Although hospital admissions are at an all-time high, Hirji said the number of patients in intensive care is half of what it was at
its peak. He credits vaccines with preventing an escalation in intensive care admissions. There has been a recent and huge upswing in Covid-19 child hospitalizations in the U.S., where the overall immunization rates are far below Canada’s level (62 percent fully vaccinated in the U.S., 78 percent in Canada). Hirji noted that both Pfizer and Moderna See UPDATE Page 12
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Page 10
The Voice
BOOST UP. Book your booster today. Protect yourself against COVID-19. It’s up to all of us.
A January 12 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
COMMENTARY Councillor Wayne Olson
Year of the Garden 2022
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cross Canada and beyond, our goal is to see the land awash with gardens featuring yellow, the international colour of Hope. Whether it’s flowers, fruits, shrubs or vegetables—just plant the seeds! From parks to playgrounds, front yards, back yards, balconies, baskets, boulevards, barrels and planters, wherever there’s an empty space to grow, there’s room for a plant.” Those are the words of the organizer, Communities in Bloom. Year of the Garden 2022 celebrates the centennial of the ornamental industry in Canada and Canada’s vibrant garden culture and legacies in the interests of an equitable and sustainable future. Our local historians and those in the industry will tell you that horticulture in Canada started right here in Pelham—I understand in Fonthill. Pelham is now the home of many truly Canadian business success stories. You see them when you drive our roads and you can see their products in many commercial settings in communities across North America. They might also tell you
that people have been coming to Niagara for the food for 12,000 years. Year of the Garden is an opportunity to acknowledge the work and contributions and the integrity of the agricultural sector. Integrity in the meaning
Horticulture in Canada started right here in Pelham
of coming through time after time, even through difficulties and even when you are tired and overworked. I am most interested in Pelham’s green culture, which binds people with a common sense of idealism and common sense of identity: the good kind of identity, not the identity that divides but identity that unifies. When human beings care about something they contribute more and
Pelham cares about sustainability. Green progress cannot be gained by a series of isolated acts of goodwill or response to pressure. Change momentum comes when you don’t have to push progress: people actually contribute more of their energy, more of their enthusiasm, more of their innovation, more of themselves. Despite the pandemic, Year of the Garden 2022 offers the opportunity to organize, amplify and magnify the power of public opinion and the power of public sentiment. We need to ensure that nature will be there for us and future generations. In joining The Year of the Garden 2022, the Town of Pelham has committed to a movement that will see Canada awash with gardens featuring yellow, the International colour of Hope. Hope for a healthier and safer future for everybody in the months to come. Hope that our gardens will be a source of exercise, inspiration, stimulation, relaxation and connection. Hope that we will be able to enjoy more time with nature. Hope that nature will be there for us and future generations. ◆
ENBRIDGE GAS SUPPORTS FIREFIGHTER TRAINING The Wainfleet Fire Department is getting some help with purchasing firefighting training materials from Enbridge Gas, through Safe Community Project Assist—a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge operates. This year’s $250,000 donation from Enbridge will be shared by 50 Ontario fire departments, including Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services. Funds will be used to purchase educational materials for firefighters to enhance life-saving techniques. Above, Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson and Wainfleet Fire Chief/CEMC, Morgan Alcock, accept a $5,000 cheque from Enbridge to supplement training materials. SUPPLIED
TREES
continued from Page 8
Visit ontario.ca/covid19 Paid for by the Government of Ontario
torial records of the areas to be destroyed for a two-lane road, including a bicycle and walking path. In November, PTCS supported Steve Bauer and the Friends of the 12 Mile Creek efforts to stop an unnecessary, destructive bike trail for the 2022 Canadian Summer Games. During our meeting about incorporating, the committee agreed that our mission statement and our group's name should reflect our evolving purpose and direction. PTCS partnered with the Town to receive free trees from Tree Canada's grant. In December, members Colleen Kenyon and Dave Nicholson gave presentations to Niagara Regional councillors before voting on the best option for Niagara's new Nat-
ural Heritage System. The councillors vote unanimously in favour of Option 3C. This is a HUGE win for protecting Niagara's natural habitat. Pelham Town Council votes six to one not to allow any roads to cross the Steve Bauer Trail between Port Robinson and Merritt Roads. Colleen Kenyon, Dave Nicholson, and Mike Jones deliver their submissions against the proposed extension of Merritt Road through Provincial Significant Wetlands and offer sound alternatives. Looking forward, our new name will become Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat (PATH) in the New Year. The mission of Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat is to advocate for the preservation and growth of Pelham's trees, forests and natural habitat. Follow the PATH. Mike Jones, Chair Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice
A January 12 2022
Page 11
CannTrust says it is on verge of bankruptcy Not much trust remains among investors for lawbreaking pot producer BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent Beleaguered cannabis producer CannTrust appears to be on its last legs according to a Jan. 6 press release from the company itself. While stating that they have contributed some $53 million towards a trust established to facilitate class-action settlements against them, the company conceded that they “have faced challenges,” and, “as a result, the CannTrust Group does not have sufficient liquidity to operate beyond the near term.” The statement also said the company had accepted the resignations of board chair Robert Marcovitch and three other interim executives. CannTrust remains in default of its minimum EDITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) under its debtor-in-possession loan. Where this leaves the future of CannTrust’s Fenwick facility is unknown. The Balfour Street site ultimately became the downfall for the company after a disgruntled former employee blew the whistle to media, including the Voice, about unlicensed and illegal cannabis being deliberately grown at the location. A surprise inspection by federal regulators in June 2019 uncovered 5,200 kilograms of unlicensed cannabis at the facility. A subsequent investigation led to multiple criminal charges being laid against three former executives—former Chairman Eric Paul, former Director Mark Litwin, and former CEO Peter Aceto. Legal proceedings are ongoing. All three men were joined by then-Pelham-Mayor David Augustyn at the Balfour site’s official opening in June 2018. Augustyn, who is not accused of wrongdoing, said at the time that CannTrust’s marijuana operation “provides hope to our community.”
In June 2018, former Mayor David Augustyn, centre, with CannTrust officials at the Fenwick facility's official opening. Far left, Eric Paul; in mirrored sunglasses, Peter Aceto; far right, Mark Litwin. Augustyn declared that the company's marijuana operation “provides hope to our community.” Paul, Aceto, and Litwin now face criminal charges related to illegal cannabis growing at the site. VOICE FILE
Comment on the Region’s Proposed Draft Consolidated Niagara Official Plan NIAGARA IS GROWING!
The region is forecasted to grow to a minimum of 694,000 people and 272,000 jobs by the year 2051. This represents an increase of over 200,000 people and 85,000 jobs compared to 2021. To guide this growth, Niagara Region has prepared a new draft consolidated Niagara Official Plan for consultation. The draft consolidated Niagara Official Plan sets out objectives and policies to shape Niagara’s physical development, protect what’s valuable, and balance theinterests of current and future residents. Niagara is facing many growth management challenges, including; housing affordability, protecting the natural environment, minimizing impacts from a changing climate, and increasing economic prosperity. The draft Niagara Official Plan proposes a made-in-Niagara solution to address these challenges.
THE DRAFT NIAGARA OFFICIAL PLAN
Consultation has taken place on background work to inform the Official Plan as well as many individual draft policy sections. Now a proposed draft consolidated Niagara Official Plan is available for comment. The proposed draft Niagara Official Plan is available at niagararegion.ca/official-plan
VIRTUAL PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRES
Attend a series of virtual public information centres to learn more about the proposed draft consolidated Niagara Official Plan, ask questions to the project team and provide your input. Wednesday, Jan. 26 | 6:30 p.m. Topic: Settlement area boundary expansions Thursday, Feb. 10 | 6:30 p.m. Topic: Natural environment system Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 6:30 p.m. Topic: Draft consolidated Niagara Official Plan
We welcome your comments and feedback by March 4, 2022. Comments should be sent to: makingourmark@niagararegion.ca
Personal information collected or submitted in writing at public meetings will be collected, used and disclosed by members of Regional Council and Regional staff in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The written submissions including names, contact information and reports of the public meeting will be made available. Questions should be referred to the Privacy Office at 905-980-6000 ext. 3779 or FOI@niagararegion.ca.
Register for the sessions at niagararegion.ca/official-plan.Video recordings will also be available online following the sessions. If you are not able to attend, you can provide input or ask questions by emailing makingourmark@niagararegion.ca or contact David Heyworth, Official Plan Policy Consultant at 905-980-6000 ext. 3476.
If you require any accommodations for a disability in order to attend and participate in meetings or events, please let us know in advance so that arrangements can be made in a timely manner. Please contact the Accessibility Advisory Coordinator at 905- 980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca.
niagararegion.ca/official-plan makingourmark@niagararegion.ca
Page 12
The Voice
A January 12 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent Pelham Town Council moved to undertake a drainage study in the Webber Road/Farr Street area, and essentially approved the reconstruction of the Fonthill Arches at its December 20 meeting. In the last virtual gathering before Christmas, residents Tony Ruberto and Peter Biagi made a plea to members to do something about rampant drainage issues on their properties on the south side of Webber. The lands have seen deteriorating conditions for several years due to ongoing residential construction, while the Town debated its own responsibility in the matter. Ward 2 Councillor John Wink recommended an approach comprised of a public meeting and a drainage study, for which cost the Town would ask Niagara Region to pay 50 percent. CAO David Cribbs suggested stronger language. “It needs to be a strong, proactive motion,” the CAO said. The amendment passed, with the Town committing to the project regardless, up to a price of $50,000. Council also unanimously gave the Arches com-
UPDATE
continued from Page 9 are working on vaccines for young children, but the early clinical trials have produced results that were unsatisfactory. “It's going to take a bit longer for us to get a vaccine for children under age five,” he said, “but I’m more concerned about those five and older, children who are school-age. They're around a lot of other people, and that's where we generally see the infection. I'm disappointed that only about 40 percent of parents who have
mittee the green light to rebuild the Pelham Town Square structure, once stamped engineer plans are approved by staff. It also includes a $30,000 bridge loan from the Town to the committee to be repaid by the end of 2022. The project is to be mostly paid for with some $100,000 in private donations, and Arches committee chair Frank Adamson hopes construction will begin as early as spring. However, Ward 3’s Bob Hildebrandt still voiced his displeasure about the proposed design, and questioned whether the ongoing pandemic would even allow a Summerfest to occur in 2022. “To me this is an image project,” Hildebrandt said. “That to me is not the image I’m looking for in the centre of town.” Ward 2’s John Wink said it was this council’s “final kick at the can” in terms of the Arches, and successfully moved to have the Town waive building fees on the structure.
Covid-19 update
With cases of the new Omicron variant skyrocketing across the globe, Fire Chief and Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bob Lymburner bluntly stated that there are “very difficult days ahead of us.” A mandatory work-from-home policy for applicable Town staff commenced on Dec. 21.
children age five to 11 have gotten their kids vaccinated. Hopefully we will see that number go up in the coming weeks.” Because Omicron spreads so easily, all the measures in place to control the infection have become less effective, said Hirji. He stressed that masking is still important, and that it is critical that the mask be a good fit, with no gaps or spaces which could let the virus enter a person’s mouth or nose. “Cloth masks might be okay if they have three layers, but it's hard to know, because cloth masks are
not a regulated product,” said Hirji. “Medical-grade masks offer reliable protection, and at the top end, N95 or KN95 masks provide the best filtration possible.” Hand washing and physical distancing remain “super important,” said Hirji. After demonstrators appeared twice at Hirji’s Pelham home during the holidays, voicing their displeasure at his Covid-19 health policies and social restrictions, politicians and Niagara residents were quick to leap to Hirji’s defense. “Certainly it was grati-
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG BUCKS Brad Saplywy and his son Brayden raised $4850 for Pelham Cares during the Christmas season, collecting donations throughout the region in their “Joy Truck,” adorned with 8000 lights. At the end of December, they presented Pelham Cares board Treasurer Susan Mark and Office Manager Jennifer Dubé with a cheque, as the organization’s mascot, “Foodie” (Steve Dubé), looked on. DON RICKERS
fying to get that support,” Hirji said. “Our goal in public health is always to make sure we give people the right information, and, unfortunately, sometimes people don't like the information we're giving. And we just have to deal with that. But our goal is, of course, to make sure people stay safe.” When asked to respond to criticism by anti-vaxxers that only one side of the vaccination story is being told via the media, Hirji said, “I think reporters are smart people. They're trained to figure out what is the truth, and they're generally going to be pretty good arbitrators of what is accurate and what
isn’t. They investigate all sides, and figure out what is credible.” Some anti-vaxxers view Covid-19 as little more than a bad flu, and quote a 99 percent survival rate of those afflicted with the disease. Hirji doesn’t dispute the 99 percent figure. “Absolutely, there’s a 99 percent survival rate with Covid-19. But one percent can represent a lot of people. If you're looking at Canada, it's at least 300,000 who could potentially be dying from this virus.” Death rates also vary by age, pre-existing conditions, and vaccination
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status, rendering an overall national average nearly meaningless. The economic hardships that are a consequence of social restrictions and lockdowns are fully appreciated by Hirji, but his overarching priority is making sure people don't get sick, and don't die. He also points out that countries that have best-controlled the pandemic with robust measures have actually fared better economically. Hospitals across the country have been struggling with staffing shortages due to coronavirus infections among healthcare workers, along with the job burnout which has become commonplace during the pandemic. Niagara Health temporarily closed Fort Erie’s urgent care centre last week, and redeployed personnel to the region’s emergency departments. Niagara Health also announced the suspension of its mandatory vaccination policy for staff, with over 350 employees currently in self-isolation, and a need to have all available healthy workers reporting for duty. To contain the spread of Covid-19, the provincial government recently imposed a 50 percent capacity limit on retail shops and malls, closed schools to in-person instruction, and has temporarily closed gyms and large event venues like theatres and museums. Social gatherings are limited to five people indoors and ten outdoors, and indoor dining at restaurants and bars has been banned. These restrictions will remain in place until January 26 at the earliest, and schools will reopen no earlier than January 17. Some 25,000 people in the region are known to have been infected since the pandemic’s onset. However, due to the recent surge in cases, limited availability of testing, and changes to case and contact management practices, case counts are an underestimate of the true number of individuals in Niagara with the coronavirus. The province’s online portal for booking booster shots is https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice
Page 13
A January 12 2022
Peace Through Valour award for Pelham WWII vet Jim Summersides, 97, served in Devil’s Brigade BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Many of the struggles which forged Canada’s identity as a nation were waged on foreign battlefields. Vimy Ridge, perhaps Canada’s most celebrated military victory in World War I, at the cost of over 10,000 killed and wounded, was one such crucible. Another was the D-Day landing of 14,000 Canadians at Juno Beach, in Normandy, on June 6, 1944, troops who drove the Nazis back from the Atlantic seawall. Also included in the Normandy invasion were 450 members of the First Canadian Parachute Battalion, who dropped into France in the predawn darkness to engage the enemy. Jim Summersides of Pelham didn’t participate in the D-Day invasion. He and his fellow commandos in the First Special Service Force (FSSF) were referred to as “D-Day Dodgers” by some in the military. But the moniker was offered in jest, cognizant of the Italian Campaign that kept Summersides and his unit from the fighting on Normandy’s beaches. The Lookout Ridge retirement home resident might be 97 years old — “97-and-a-half,” said Sum-
mersides — but he still has his wits about him. In his mind, he can still hear the gunfire from over 75 years ago, and see the faces of his fellow commandos who fell in action on the beaches of Anzio in Italy. This past December 16, an Italian-Canadian organization called Peace Through Valor honoured Summersides with a plaque, a \token of thanks for his role during the liberation of their country. Don Shelton, Canadian vice president of the First Special Service Force Association, and Rick Hatt from Fonthill Legion Branch 613, presented the award. “Many Italians emigrated to Canada after the war, and they deeply recognized the sacrifice of these men,” said Shelton. “Canadians were at the forefront of battles that raged across Italy, and cemeteries with rows of white stone etched with a maple leaf mark the sacrifices of thousands of brave Canadians who risked all to free the people of Italy.” The FSSF was an elite American-Canadian commando unit of 1800 men (500 Canadian) in three regiments, under the command of
WWII veteran Jim Summersides, flanked by Rick Hatt of Fonthill Legion Branch 613, Mayor Marvin Junkin, and Don Shelton of the First Special Service Force Association. DON RICKERS the United States Fifth Army. The force was activated in July of 1942, and modern-day American and Canadian special forces trace their heritage to this unit. Much feared by the Nazis for their fighting prowess, the commandos were nicknamed “The Black Devils” after the discovery of the personal diary of a German officer, in which he referred to “die schwarzen Teufeln” (the Black Devils). The allusion was to the fact that the commandos had smeared their faces with black boot polish for their covert operations in the dark of night, as they stealthily overwhelmed German defenders, often using silent weapons and hand-tohand combat tactics. The unit was proficient in the use of explosives,
parachuting, amphibious landings, rock-climbing and mountain warfare, and as ski troops. The motto of the FSSF was “more sweat on the training field means less blood on the battlefield.” The American and Canadian commandos bonded tightly through rigorous training, and were undaunted at the overwhelming odds they faced on their missions. To instill fear in the enemy, the FSSF often left calling cards behind after raids, bearing their red spearhead shoulder insignia, and a message written in German — “The worst is yet to come.” The regiments’ exploits were presented in the popular 1968 action movie The Devil’s Brigade, with Hollywood’s broad license towards
embellishment on full display. Summersides noted that one of the attractions of joining the all-volunteer, high-risk unit was that the Americans were perceived as having better food than the Canadian and British armies provided for their troops. The FSSF battled heroically throughout Italy, and were some of the first Allied troops to enter Rome in June of 1944, just as the Normandy invasion was commencing. Travelling down the road into Rome, Summersides and his unit were met by a group of nuns celebrating their liberation. “Mother Superior had a bottle of wine, and an apple. She looked at See AWARD Page 17
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Page 14
The Voice
A January 12 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
Crossley student artists display their talents at MCC BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor The festive Christmas decorations which adorn the Meridian Community Centre have been augmented by 20 pieces of creative artwork on the upper-level walls, courtesy of students from E.L. Crossley. The gallery-style display was the site of a reception last month, as the artists and their families gathered to celebrate the artistic talent of local students. Mayor Marvin Junkin was on hand to provide each of the students with a certificate of recognition for their efforts. Crossley art teacher Sherry Wilkinson, who also directed the creation of the mural at Marlene Stewart Streit Park, told the Voice that the display is an annual activity to stimulate the creative juices of her 84 students in Grades 9, 11, and 12. “It’s the major, culminating art project for the semester, in which they demonstrate the skills they have learned throughout the previous months,” said Wilkinson. “Students in their respective classes vote by ballot to see which pieces will be displayed here at the MCC. They draw in high realism, which is very technical. Then we introduced a surreal setting, where the objects are out of place, even absurd.” Wilkinson, who has taught art at Crossley for 18 years, directed her students to pick
either a personality of characters, or a real-life person, and narrate one aspect of their story or moment of their life, with appropriate symbolism. Most of the work was done in graphite pencil, but watercolours, crayon, and acrylics were also on display. The exhibition runs until mid-January, although the MCC has subsequently been closed to the public as part of the province’s current Covid lockdown. The tradition of publicly displaying Crossley student art started in 2011, with selected pieces hung in Town Hall corridors. When the MCC was built, it created the opportunity for filling additional wall space. Artwork on display included submissions by Sarah Ewing and Brian Lee, in Grades 12 and 9 respectively, who both live in Fonthill and attend Crossley. Whereas Brian considers his sketchings to be “just a hobby,” Sara is more passionate about her endeavours in the field. “Art is a great love of mine, a lifelong dream,” she said. “I really want it to be my career.” In fact, Sara has already commenced on her chosen path, with a part-time job creating artwork for video games as part of a small, online design company in St. Catharines.
Sara Ewing and Brian Lee received certificates of appreciation at a December reception held at the MCC.
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice
Page 15
A January 12 2022
Support independent, award-winning investigative journalism Become a Voice Member Subscriber! Become a Member of The Voice. Receive the benefits below and more, provided by our generous community partners, who share our commitment to bring you informative news, interviews, features, and analysis. Independent, trusted, locally owned and edited. THREE WAYS TO JOIN ONLINE thevoiceofpelham.ca/voicemembership/ Page 14 BY PHONE Call our office at (905) 892-8690, Mon-Thurs, 8 AM to 2 PM.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS Full Membership, $39.95 ■ Both local business gift cards shown at left ($20 value) ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 words ($120 value) ■ Periodic special offers from local businesses ■ Delivery of the print newspaper if you live on an established carrier route
Digital Membership, $19.95 ■ Indulgence Bakery gift card ($10 value) ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper ■ Periodic special offers from local businesses ■ Delivery of the print newspaper if you live on an established carrier route
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■ Local business gift cards shown at left VOICE ($20 value) THE of Pelham Wednesday, August 27, 2 ■ Weekly delivery to your mailbox by Canada Post ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper. ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 words ($120 value) ■ Periodic special offers from local businesses ■ For delivery in Canada outside Niagara: $79.95
IN PERSON (Gift cards not included for non-Niagara residents.) COMPUTER CLINIC Our offiPELHAM ce is locatedLIBRARY’S at “One-to-One Help” with a volunteer tech tutor. Get help with web browsing, 1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill, webmail account across from Beamer’s Hardware. set-up, e-books, social media, editing and sharing your photos and more. Includes use of laptop or BYOG (bring your own gadget). Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 of Pelham and Central Niagara THE VOICEhour. IS 100 PERCENT Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.
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A former Pelham resident was in court on December 15 to answer to charges dating back over two years. Michael Bond, 56, appeared in virtual court via telephone before Justice of the Peace Nancy Rogers-Bain in Welland. Crown prosecutor Marie Strub and Assistant Crown Attorney Andrew Brown were also in attendance. Bond was behind the wheel when he allegedly struck and killed a 66-year-old Ridgeville woman walking along Effingham Street on November 30, 2019, and is charged under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act with careless driving causing death, driving while under suspension, driving with no valid vehicle license, and operating an unsafe vehicle. Toronto-based lawyer Lawrence BenEliezer had been representing Bond, but previously requested that he be removed as counsel of record for undisclosed reasons. Abdullah Basurto of Toronto represented Bond in court on behalf of defence lawyer Paul Genua, who only recently agreed to defend Bond for careless driving causing death, the most serious of the three charges. Bond plans to represent himself in court on two other related charges. He continues to live on the streets of Toronto and in homeless shelters.
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Brown voiced concern regarding the deMINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE lays in bringing the PELHAM case to trial, especially given that one of Buy, the charges involved a sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide fatality. He told the court previously that options and for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from he plans to call five cheaper civilian witnesses, seven or eight police9-12 witnesses, with in thealong morning. an expert, and anticipated at least three full days for a trial. “The Crown has PELHAM tremendous concerns MUDFEST about this case for a number of reasons,” Menhave and been women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is said Brown. “We really struggling to move the matter think held atforward. Bissil’sI Hideaway. it's in the interests of all parties that we target trial dates as soon as possible. I hope I'm not sounding too frustratedREGIONAL with the NIAGARA EXHIBITION process, but it's not only Mr. Bond who has Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It an interest in having these matters comruns from pleted, but also the family of theSept. of the 11-14 vic- at the Welland Fairgrounds. tim as well.” Justice Rogers-Bain agreed with Brown’s MOVE CANCER sentiments, and set BIG a judicial pre-trial for RIDE the earliest date possible, being March 9 at Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. The Big Move Cancer 10:15 AM. 7.been Proceeds for thetoBig Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Fam“Covid delays have a frustration all of us, that's for ily sure,” commented Cancer Centre.the justice. Bond acknowledged that he has received all disclosure documents, and CLUB will conWALKING tact the court again on March 30 at 9 AM Interested in walking to address the outstanding two charges for in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena which he intends to self-represent. from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There
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A January 12 2022
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PLACES OF WORSHIP
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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 kirkonthehill@outlook.com
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
BALANCED LIFE
admitted it would be useless, futile, vain and essentially a hoax (see 1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Some atheists have taken up this tantalizing challenge to disprove Christianity. When they do serious research on the evidence for the resurrection and the alternative explanations, they become believers themselves (check out the books of Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, Frank Morison, and James Warner Wallace).
have no idea if Omicron will cause this pandemic to become endemic, or how many boosters we’ll need. Existential questions go unanswered. Is this the new normal? How will our lives change long term? The emotional toll of this uncertainty is devastating for some. Add in climate change, spiraling public debt, unsettled Indigenous issues and the result is overwhelming. Clinicians have labeled this sense of being emotionally overwhelmed, when numerous crises peak at once without end-date or a plan to escape, as “crisis fatigue.” Omicron, the fifth wave, is increasingly causing crisis fatigue. Our emotions freeze, we go numb, and our lives are thrown into disarray. Understanding our position in this spectrum of stress and anxiety will significantly improve our chances of coping in a healthy and positive manner during the next few cold and bleak months.
continued from Page 19
continued from Page 18
The bottom line
So, what do we do with these two “impossibilities”? One response is to conclude that these events simply did not happen. After all, normal people are not born from virgins and normal people do not rise from the dead. A second response, however, is to conclude that these unusual and normally “impossible” events did happen because the person they happened to was not a normal person but rather Someone very special, unique and (in fact) supernatural. Jesus once said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) When you think of it, if Jesus truly was the Son of God (divinity in human form), wouldn’t you expect His arrival and departure to be rather special too? ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who believes in impossibilities.
It’s important to understand that it is natural, and to be expected that we’d feel overwhelmed and fatigued at this point in the pandemic. Dr. Petros Levounis, Professor and Chair of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School explains, “The biological stress response can protect us during challenging situations and crises. However, when stress becomes chronic and persists for weeks, months or years, it can have harmful effects. People invest a lot of energy in the early phases [of coping], but the human body can’t sustain a high adrenaline state for a long time, making crash inevitable.” Where are you on the spectrum? Is a constant stream of bad news possibly causing you to overreact, viewing this long, but ultimately temporary upheaval, as permanent and overwhelming? Examining our indulgences is one measure of how we’re coping as individuals. During the initial stages of the pan-
demic, those first lockdowns when we knew vaccines were on the way and assumed that everything would be back to normal in a few months, we indulged ourselves in too much comfort food, relaxing with Netflix, purchasing fashions and toys like RVs, bicycles or whatever, to pass the time and distract ourselves. Gyms and community centres were shuttered, group sports were restricted or stopped. Exercise and physical fitness levels plummeted for some of us. If these habits have become ingrained, you may be at risk of emotional and health issues as the pandemic continues. If you have recognized this trend in yourself and worked to resist it, to maintain a healthy physical and emotional lifestyle, you will be better positioned to meet the new future. What can be done to escape or avoid such a funk? There exist innumerable suggestions, ranging from those of accredited studies to self-help bloggers. See BALANCED LIFE next page
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The Voice
Page 17
A January 12 2022
OBITUARY
OBDEYN, Ben 1936 - 2022
God called Ben home. It is with broken hearts that the Obdeyn family announces the peaceful passing of their beloved husband, father, and Opa. Rhea lost the love of her life. Ben passed away at the Welland Hospital on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the age of 85 after a short but courageous battle with brain cancer. Beloved husband and soul mate of over 60 years to Rhea. Much loved father of Rodney Obdeyn (Kelly), Marilyn Giesbrecht-Obdeyn (the late David), Jeff Obdeyn (Kim), Cindy Obdeyn, and predeceased by his beloved son Bernie (1991). Cherished Opa of Laura, Kaitlyn, Alana, Shannon, Jack, Alexander, Nicholas, Ceara and Alyssa. Lovingly remembered by two his brothers, four sisters and predeceased by one sister, one brother, and extended family - all in Holland. Ben and Rhea arrived in Canada on April 21, 1961. In 1969, he began MaBo Westside Construction, building quality homes, cottages and commercial buildings throughout Niagara and winning many awards along the way and also serving as a director of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association. Ben was generous with his time. But his real passion was found as an avid volunteer, supporter, and a true champion of Wells of Hope. He personally travelled to Guatemala 32 times, since 2004, and directly improved the lives of countless children and their families through the construction of schools, community support buildings, infrastructure, and drinking water wells. He used his passion, drive, and organizational skills to coordinate and promote fundraising events and collect and deliver essential supplies, donations, and food to those in need. Ben organized 13 very successful golf tournaments to benefit the Wells Of Hope. When Covid hampered public fundraising events, he set up a workshop in his garage to make over 110 handcrafted wooden crosses and successfully found another way to
AWARD
continued from Page 13 me, and sensing I was underage, she gave me the apple, and the wine to the other guys” laughed Summersides. One of the lucky ones, Summersides was never wounded in battle, although he did contract an infection in his hands. Don Shelton, whose father served in the FSSF, views it as important to honor the veterans of the Devil’s Brigade by keeping the association alive, with reunions that have been ongoing since 1947. The association has 500 paying members, and 3600 followers on its Facebook page, he said.
BALANCED LIFE
continued from previous page The following have broad consensus. Strengthening physical and mental resilience improves our ability to adapt successfully to any new adversities we may encounter. Resilience requires strong physical wellness. Maintain regular sleep habits to ensure sufficient rest. Stick with, or return to, a nutritionally balanced diet. Maintain the recommended level of age-appropriate physical activity to improve both physical stamina and elevate your mood. Improving mental resilience while suffering from Covid fatigue requires increased mindfulness of the present moment, striving one day at a time to focus on those things you can control. Think positively toward the future. Realize that although we are living in a rapidly changing world, you’ve successfully overcome many negative situations in the past. Stay connected with family, friends, co-workers and your community in gener-
raise money for Wells of Hope and he also spent many hours volunteering at the Niagara Christian Gleaners Ben and Rhea were members of the Club de Netherlands and enjoyed Klompen dancing together for 18 years while a member of the club. Ben would end every day with a God bless you and a sign of the cross, on the forehead for Rhea. Kisses were very liberal with comings and goings. He loved watching hockey and it’s fair to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs have lost one of their biggest fans. Ben always had the drive and passion to get things done and bring out the best in others to join in and make a difference. He was truly content with his accomplishments and felt blessed for the fulfilling life he made for himself and his family. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren. His work ethic, positive perspective, and selfless acts of kindness will be missed and remembered always. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Walker Family Cancer Centre and to Welland Hospital Emergency and #3 South Medical for the care and compassion Ben received while there. Cremation has taken place and the Funeral Mass was held at the Parish Community of St. Kevin’s, 303 Niagara Street, Welland on Tuesday, January 11th at 10:30 am. Rite of Committal followed at Holy Cross Cemetery. The Mass may be viewed via live-stream at the church’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCXomGyqwVeshqwwNXripjBw and on the funeral home’s Facebook page. As an expression of sympathy donation may be made to Wells of Hope, 174 Cole Crescent, Niagara on the Lake, ON, L0S-1J0, phone 289-313-7109 or online (www.wellsofhope.com). Online condolences may be made at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca
“The FSSF had 137 percent casualties, because they would get injured and patched up, then come back to the fighting, and get wounded again,” said Shelton. “Although they never bragged about it, their kill ratio was 25-to-one against battle-hardened Nazi troops. They were very effective at their job. A lot of their action was at night, and that scared the hell out of the enemy. To the people of Italy, the commandos of Jim’s unit were liberators, not conquerors.” Summersides is one of six surviving Canadians and approximately 20 Americans in the three FSSF regiments. “We were right there in the front…always the front.”
al. Seek out those you trust and talk with them honestly about your feelings and concerns. Engaging and supporting others benefits both those you assist and yourself by improving your sense of control, self-esteem and belonging. Preserve the routines that help maintain a sense of normalcy in your life. While it is important to be informed, consider limiting media exposure to those trusted sources whose information can help protect you and your family. Forget the mindless loops of distressing sensationalized hype. Meditate. Think differently and change your mindset to reflect our Covid world. Appreciate what we still have and can continue to do. Concentrate on opportunities for joy and compassion, not what is being taken away. Stay engaged in the activities that you enjoy within current Covid regulations. These simple steps will help keep us healthy so we have the strength to do what we deem important, and the mental calmness to make the deliberate, informed decisions required to maintain a balanced, rewarding life during this Covid resurgence. ◆
NOMINATIONS WANTED! Do you know someone between the ages of 6 - 17 who is making a difference within their community? Nominate them for an Ontario Junior Citizen Award today! DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 11, 2022 Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, and at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen. Email jr.citizen@ocna.org for more information. Brought to you by:
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The Voice
A January 12 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
THE BALANCED LIFE by John Swart
Crisis fatigue—are you there yet? What to do about it.
T
he cheery, “We’ll get through this, 2022 will be better,” remains the mantra of many. Unfortunately, there are an increasing number of us now mumbling crankily, “Omicron. Really? Will this ever end?” Covid is becoming personal, involving us emotionally in a way it didn’t 18 months ago. The animosity between those getting vaccinated and those refusing is intensifying, dividing friends, communities and professions. French President Macron says he wants to “piss off” anti-vaxxers and make their lives miserable while tennis
star Novak Djokovic refuses to comply with the Australian immigration regulations required to compete in the Australian Open. Major outbursts have erupted on all sides. Patience is evaporating, increasing stress for everyone. What of those Ontarians that haven’t visited their properties in Florida or the US southwest for 20 months or more? Whether to sell or hold their properties is as much an emotional decision as it is an economic one. We all have our individual flashpoints. Fifth waves, Omicron, renewed lockdowns, and an unknown future are edging ever more of
us toward the slippery slope on which our additional daily stresses become overwhelming. Stress is a natural response to danger and situations outside our experience or control, producing what is simplistically referred to as the “fight or flight” reaction. A third, less discussed response to stress, especially as it overwhelms us, is to freeze, to do nothing. As Covid continues its relentless and unpredictable advance, it is becoming important for each of us to understand our current level of stress, and where we might sit on a spectrum ranging from basic acute stress to being emotionally overwhelmed. Acute stress, such as the risk of missing an important deadline or facing a crucial exam, may raise your blood
pressure and heart rate for a short time, but will generally subside. Acute stress can linger if we continually rehash the incident in our minds or sense it will affect our future, leading to additional mental symptoms of irritability, sadness, and anxiety, and physical symptoms such as headache and neuromuscular pain. These will also generally subside in cases of acute stress. Episodic acute stress may arise when people over-burden themselves or take on too much, causing a state of regular tension or stress. The symptoms are primarily as above, but the constant additional worry may increase the propensity for anger. Chronic stress is most commonly caused by events and problems beyond our control that linger and gnaw
away at us, wearing us down day by day. Covid, unpredictable and unresolved as it is, could be such a trigger if we stop resisting and lose the hope of a brighter day. Emotional stress now risks displacing mental stress in many of us. Initially we understood mentally that Covid would demand temporary lifestyle changes and sacrifices, but we weren’t emotionally impacted. There were exceptions. The loss of loved ones to the virus, healthcare workers struggling with unrelenting schedules, and physicians’ sadness were all emotionally stressful, but for most of us, lockdowns and restrictions were a finite inconvenience to be dealt with. Now, emotions everywhere are beginning to fray. Demands from work, family and government are
again multiplying, and our responses are increasingly emotional. Early on, anti-vaxxers concerned or mystified us, but with an end apparently in sight, we seldom stressed about it. Now, two years in and with a better understanding of the disproportionate costs refusing to vaccinate has inflicted on our society, few are able to address this issue without becoming emotionally involved. We don’t know when or if travel, work, vacations, schooling, sports, and other activities will return to normal. There are few absolutes. We are peppered with constantly changing information and misinformation, and often struggle to discern which is which. We See BALANCED LIFE Page 16
V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are self-confident and know who you are, which helps you take charge of situations. Many people rely on you, and you feed off that accountability. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may feel like you have to be a mediator between two sides, and that only adds to tension you have been feeling recently. Take a deep breath and a step back. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, perceptions can be misleading. Look at a confounding situation from another angle. A new perspective may be all you need to see things more clearly. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, a get-together with loved ones could do everybody some good. You may need to find the secret that can pull them everyone together, even if it’s only for a day. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, a friend of yours may be feeling like a third wheel on group outings. Consider playing matchmaker, or make plans for a get-together with just this individual. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, someone may try to burst your bubble in the next few days, but you won’t let it get in the way of your lively, imaginative nature. As time goes by, others will come around. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, the last thing you want to do lately is slow down, but you may have to do just that or special moments may pass you by. Carve out time to spend with loved ones.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, someone is trying to stay on task this week but you are all about a less serious approach. Let others focus on the tasks at hand, even if you can’t. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, technology is designed to make processes easier, but you may find you get fouled up by devices this week. Try doing things the old fashioned way for a bit. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, others may not share your sense of humor. Play to your audience and don’t get too down if some jokes don’t go over well. Consider toning it down for a bit. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, what you see in the mirror just isn’t matching up to what you’re thinking in your head. Look to wise friends for answers as to why this is. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, if you are finding difficulty finding satisfaction at work, it may be time to start looking for something new to do. Put out some feelers. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS JANUARY 9 Nina Dobrev, Actress (33) JANUARY 10 Rod Stewart, Singer (77) JANUARY 11 Mary J. Blige, Singer (51) JANUARY 12 Jeff Bezos, Entrepreneur (58) JANUARY 13 Liam Hemsworth, Actor (32) JANUARY 14 LL Cool J, Rapper (54)
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SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. ALE 4. MET 7. EXOSKELETON 12. ADVERTISEMENTS 15. REEDIER 16. SORGHUM 18. RA 19. SIN 20. MA 21. ACED 24. MIR 27. RANSOM 30. NORI 31. ARAD 33. LAC 34. NIX 35. RABBI 37. MED 39. COL 41. NIMS 42. ANAS 44. URANUS 47. ASH 48. SANA 49. MH 50. CUC 52. DT 53. PEPPERY 56. TIMBALE 61. AFOREMENTIONED 63. CONTENTEDLY 64. DEY 65. MIA
Darcy Richardson
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The Voice
Page 19
A January 12 2022
ANSWERS ON PAGE 18
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
Two impossibilities
M
ark Cahill has written a powerful booklet called, “The Most Important Question of All Time.” In it he quotes this insightful comment from Peter Larson, “The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked ‘No Entrance’ and left through a door marked ‘No Exit.’” What an incredible statement. I had never heard it expressed that way before. Let’s take a closer look…
A virgin’s womb
This first “impossibility” was prophesied seven centuries before Jesus’ birth by the prophet Isaiah. He wrote, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Its fulfillment was described in the Gospel of Matthew with these words, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet” (Matthew 1:22) and then Matthew quotes the verse from Isaiah adding that the word “Immanuel” means “God with us.” However, the term “virgin birth” seems to be a contradiction and scientific impossibility. Virgins, by definition, don’t give birth. The mother of Jesus (Mary) understood this when she was first told by an angel that she would conceive and have a a baby. Her first reaction was to ask, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34) To this the angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”
This was an intellectual obstacle for philosopher William Craig Lane when he was young. He said, “I thought it was absurd. For the virgin birth to be true, a Y chromosome had to be created out of nothing in Mary’s ovum because Mary didn’t have the genetic material to produce a male child.” Craig still became a Christian even though he couldn’t resolve this dilemma. Later he would write, “If I really do believe in a God who created the universe, then for Him to create a Y chromosome would be child’s play.”
An empty tomb
The second “impossibility” mentioned above was the empty tomb discovered by Jesus’ followers early in the morning on what we now call Easter Sunday. Before the invention of CPR techniques, dead people (by definition) didn’t come back to life again. However, all four Gospels affirm that Jesus was resurrected from the dead after spending parts of three days in a tomb. The apostle Paul stated that the Christian faith stood on the truth of the resurrection. Otherwise, he See FAITH LIFT Page 16
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The Voice
Voice
A January 12 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
4
Sylvie's Stars and Moon Chicken Soup
NEW EXECUTIVE FOR FONTHILL VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSOCIATION
As weather chills, that dip in temperature is often accompanied by cold and flu season. Chicken soups and other soup recipes long have been touted as homeopathic remedies for colds. Not only are they hydrating, hot soups can break up congestion in the nose and chest. Plus their vegetable-rich content offers the vitamins and minerals needed to boost one’s immune system. Any soup will do, but “Sylvie’s Stars and Moon Soup” is whimsical enough to excite even the pickiest and youngest members of your household. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Soup’s On: Soul-Satisfying Recipes from Your Favorite Cookbook Authors and Chefs” (Chronicle Books) by Leslie Jonath and Frankie Frankeny. Sylvie’s Stars and Moon Soup Serves 2 to 4 2 2 1⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄2 1 8 1
cans (10.5 oz or 14.5 oz) chicken broth (or homemade if desired) medium carrots, peeled and cut into coins cup orecchiette cup elbow macaroni cup mini pasta stars (pastina) cup frozen shelled edamame green beans, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces cup shredded, cooked chicken Freshly ground black pepper
Pour the broth into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and bring to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook for 2 minutes. Add the macaroni and cook for 3 minutes more. Add the stars, edamame, and green beans and cook for 4 minutes more. Add the chicken, cook until it is heated through, then sprinkle with pepper and serve. CHEF’S NOTE
Dana Corwin, from Food & Wine, makes this soup almost every Saturday in the winter with her daughter Sylvie. Feel free to take liberties with the recipe. Change the vegetables, add more broth or adjust the seasonings. The dish is very forgiving and versatile.
The Fonthill Volunteer Fire Association held its annual election at Pelham Fire Station 1 on December 8. Chris MacLeod was installed as Association President, Yvon Audette as Treasurer and Colin McCann as Secretary. The Association Directors are Ryan Bittles, Mike Zoric and Jordan Pupo. Roy Moffat will serve as Canteen Manager. The Fonthill Volunteer Fire Association was created in 1923 to handle firefighting efforts in Fonthill, a function it fulfilled until the Town of Pelham was formed and created the Pelham Fire Department. In addition to firefighting the Association just completed its annual Christmas Toy Drive benefitting Pelham Cares. It also provides funding for the annual Canada Day fireworks, purchases specialized firefighting equipment, supports fire prevention efforts, and assists families who have been affected by fire. The Association’s vintage 1939 Ford fire truck, the first new truck purchased by the Association, is a constant feature at parades and town events. Next year, the Association will celebrate 100 years of service to Fonthill and Pelham. A number of events are currently in the planning stages. From left, Chris MacLeod, President; Yvon Audette, Treasurer; Colin McCann, Secretary; Mike Zoric, Director; Ryan Bittles, Director; Jordan Pupo, Director; Roy Moffat, Canteen Manager. SUPPLIED
ARCHES
continued from Page 3 “We've got T-shirt sales for a torch run that’s going to be under the arches on July 16, which is the Saturday of Summerfest,” he said. “It will be the tenth anniversary of the arches, and the Summerfest Committee is putting up $10,000 for the cause.” A cycling event — part of the Canada Summer Games — to take place in Pelham the second week of August, will have its start and finish at the arches. A post-event party under the structure, with beer sales and entertainment, will be another fundraiser. The arches were first costed out at $115,000, but today’s price tag is closer to
$174,000, with a contingency built in, said Adamson. The design has been reduced to three arches from the original four to save money. “We need to raise about $65,000 more, and we're very confident that’s attainable.” The previous arches, intended for only one season’s use in 2012, lasted six years, and received a Niagara Community Design Award. They were comprised primarily of plywood, and blew down in a windstorm in February 2019. The new steel and concrete arches should have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years, said Adamson. “For the Christmas Market, the arches will be lit up in red and green lights,” said Adamson. “Purple for World Polio Day, orange for
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Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation. Eventually, if the Town would approve it, I’d actually like to see the closing of this thoroughfare to traffic, and make it just a walkway. [Former town clerk] Nancy Bozzato always thought it would be great to be able have wedding ceremonies under the arches. There would be a lot of different opportunities.” At a December 2021 presentation to Pelham Town Council, Adamson noted that “community leaders, the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kinsmen Club, the Fonthill Volunteer Firefighters Association, the Niagara Region Police Association, the Canada Summer Games Council, and prominent businesses have expressed their support for the reconstruction of the iconic Pelham archway in downtown Fonthill.” The proposal to council to modify the original design to three sets of centred arches included moving the arches 16 feet in from Pelham Street and 16 feet in on Pelham Town Square, west of the town municipal building. Both Fire Chief
Bob Lymburner and Director of Public Works Jason Marr were supportive of this redesign, which will allow unobstructed turning for large trucks such as Pelham Fire’s aerial ladder truck. “The major donors, the Rotary Club, and the Summerfest Committee all support this redesign,” said Adamson. “John Langendoen from Willowbrook Nurseries will also replant trees if the arches’ footprint is changed as an in-kind donation.” Pelham council has committed $30,000 towards the construction of the arches in the form of a bridge loan, and Town staff have also been directed to apply for a $30,000 grant from the My Main Street grant program to recoup the cost. Niagara’s organizing committee for the Canada Summer Games is providing $10,000 for shade sails on the arches, and updated, high-efficiency lighting will come via a grant from Niagara Region. Queries regarding donations to the arches project may be directed to Frank Adamson at 905-892-0200, fadamson@vaxxine.com
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