The Voice, January 23 2019

Pelham just says no to retail pot page 3 Lioness get their soup on page 9 Fenwick gets their EarlyON page 10 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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At community centre, team spirit rules

Column Six

New programs and old, kids to seniors, facility is buzzing with action

A whole new way of seeing Months of waiting, a few minutes on the table

BY JENNIFER CHORNLEY

The VOICE

With Pelham’s community centre now chugging full steam ahead, it’s been the Recreation, Culture and Wellness team’s mission to implement programming and activities that make full use of the facility.

Coordinating programs and event planning are Active Living Programmer Alison Brown, Culture and Community Enhancement Programmer Jodi Hendriks, Special Events and Festivals Programmer Sally Jaeger, Recreation and Wellness Programmer Julie Cook, with Devon Elcomb providing administrative support.

Vickie vanRavenswaay is the department director.

Alison Brown organizes children and youth programming, including March Break camps, summer camps, and the pool. Now a large part of her role is implementing new programs.

One new program that began last year was Santa’s Workshop, which “went really great,” says Brown.

“We had more kids that we thought we were going to have and we received some really positive feedback from it.”

She says that they hope to do it again next Christmas and potentially offer mul-

I camp, firefighter camp, and the triathlon club.

The group says program attendance is good.

“The seniors’ programs are packed, even the walking track, which isn’t a program, is busy all day.”

Sally Jaeger says she sees her neighbours at the track every morning.

Brown noted that the programs are even busier because of the winter weather.

She also said that usage by seniors is high and there are even those who stay for a majority of the day.

Plus, once 4:30 rolls around, the centre is filled with youth participating in the various sports programs

You do so much in that little town and that’s phenomenal

the centre facilitates, Brown said.

The community centre also offers a variety of recreational sport and fitness

Special to the VOICE

opportunities, including pickleball, which is popular among seniors, shinny hockey for all ages, volleyball, learn-to-skate programs for adults, stick and puck for youth to practice their hockey skills, Zumba, adult and preschool skate and public skating. Upcoming, Brown says, badminton will be added and the department is sourcing out shuffleboard equipment.

Another offering the community centre has are birthday parties. Residents can have a party during public skate times and use

RECENTLY FINISHED up with cataract surgery, and while in recovery it occurred to me there are many parallels between our bodies and the rust buckets sitting in our driveways. My doctor said, “You need knee replacement surgery.” My mechanic told me, “You need new ball joints.” My podiatrist advised me, “You need corrective foot pads.”

The guy at the service station told me, “You need new brake pads.” My chiropractor said, “Your cartilage is shot and bone is rubbing on bone.” The garage guy said, “Your shocks are shot and your rear end is bouncing off the frame.”

There are more parallels but these should suffice to convey the diagnostic analogy. (Both having “spare tires” probably is going a bit too far.)

I don’t claim to be a medical expert, nor a mechanic,

See QUINTET Page 8

See COLUMN SIX back page

THE QUINTET THAT'S READY TO ROCK From right, Vickie vanRavenswaay, Devon Elcomb, Sally Jaeger, Jodi Hendriks, and Alison Brown.

VOICE PHOTO tiple dates to accommodate larger numbers of participants.

Brown is also working on a youth open gym drop-in program for Monday evenings between 4 to 5 PM. School Professional Development Day Day Camps is another idea Brown is thinking of spearheading to begin in the 2019-2020 school year. Working also with the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Brown said they suggested that the Town offer certification courses, such as CPR and First Aid, on PD Days also.

Some of the summer camp offerings are also themed and include TOP Chefs, bike

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Page 2

The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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IN THE NEWS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Pelham transit funding

So, we meet again: It’s been so long since any real snow showed up that it was understandably Big News over weekend as the snowpocalypse approached. Less blizzard than steady accumulation, the real story was the bitter cold. On Monday morning, our old-fashioned Fahrenheit thermometer read 0 in the kitchen window, while the newfangled Celsius digital deal blinked -17.5. Either way, under Sunday night’s big moon the bright and crusty landscape was well and truly frigid...Eat away the cold: If winter has you down, try treating yourself to a dose or two of canned summertime—peaches, pears, cherries, all grown by DeVries Fruit Farm (ad on page 9) and processed, so I’m told, by Mennonites in Kitchener. A bottle of DeVries peaches, waiting patiently in our kitchen, will be turned into a pie before week’s end...More retail coming, and then more after that: Technically just over the border from Fonthill into Thorold, the new Minor Bros. building on Highway 20 is ever closer to completion. (Though don’t argue the Thorold point with incoming store manager Shawn Stephenson. “We’re calling it the Fonthill store!” he says.) At nearly 22,000 sq. ft., the latest outpost of the Minor Bros. empire is set to open in March. Currently invisible, however, is their next project, located next door and running up to Cataract—a shopping plaza, 17,000 sq. ft.-worth of retail space. The company says that depending on tenant interest, groundbreaking could happen as soon as this spring, with a late autumn finish...

Pelham’s native scribes: Is it the fertile soil? Between John Swart, Larry Coté, Carolyn Botari, the reclusive Jim Pitt and Nick Saltarelli, and the off-to-Indiana Sam Piccolo, Pelham manages to nurture some pretty good writers. Add to this list Doug Symington and Don MacRae, who both have extended letters in this week. MacRae is especially informative—and reasonably non-partisan—in his rebuttal of MP Dean Allison’s recent remarks on a variety of issues...

My kingdom for some competence: Less promising on the scribe front is our search for a new reporter. It’s not a good sign when emails from prospective writers come in laden with typos and misspellings. Not to sound (again) like an old grouch, but even basic literacy seems to be taking a hit in recent years. We’re rapidly turning into an image-based culture—a return to pictographs on cave walls, except they’re emojis on iPads. Sorry to pile on when it comes to millennials—and some Gen X’ers, for that matter—but does anyone under 40 know what a preposition or proper noun is any more? The death of intellect, brought to you by social media...I mean, brought to you by social media!!!...Just under the wire: There’s still time to submit your nomination for the Kinsmen’s Citizen of the Year. See their ad on page 4...

Big and red: Is it too late to go out and howl at the wolf moon? Next time, then. May 2021. Stay warm out there.

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, announced last week that the municipalities of St. Catharines and Pelham will be receiving $2,632,909 and $51,334 respectively in provincial gas tax funding, two of 107 municipalities across the province to receive funds intended to expand or improve their public transit systems. “St. Catherines and Pelham can use this funding to upgrade transit service, purchase new vehicles, add routes, and improve accessibility,” said Oosterhoff.

“The goal is to keep commuters moving, and prevent gridlock.” According to a news release from Oosterhoff’s office, this year the province is providing $364 million in gas tax funding to support public transit service in 144 communities across Ontario. These communities represent some 92 per cent of Ontario’s total population. Funding for Ontario’s gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province. The program provides municipalities with two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenues.

Municipalities receiving gas tax funding must use these funds towards their public transit capital and/or operating expenditures, at their own discretion, including upgrading transit infrastructure, increasing accessibility, purchasing transit vehicles, adding more routes and extending hours of service.

Voice on vacation!

a fair, deliberate, and thorough recruitment process,” said NPCA Interim CAO David Barrick.

St. Kitts says pass the bong

Huson named NPCA Vice Chair

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) held its 60th Annual General Meeting last Wednesday, January 16, during which previously-elected Chair, Mayor Dave Bylsma of West Lincoln, and Vice Chair Diana Huson, Regional Councillor for the Town of Pelham were unanimously reelected. “It is incredible to think that it has been 60 years since the NPCA was established in response to the most devastating natural disaster in Canadian history, Hurricane Hazel,” said NPCA board Chair Bylsma.

“I am humbled by the support of my fellow Members with my unanimous reelection as chair today, and I know we are all interested in moving the organization forward in support of serving our mandate, as prescribed by the Conservation Authorities Act.” The NPCA board will meet again for its first Full Authority meeting of the year on January 23, at Ball’s Falls Centre for Conservation, at 9:30 AM. “I am pleased that the permanent CAO Selection Committee was struck today, and that this board is committed to

St. Catharines Council has opted in to permitting private retail cannabis stores to locate in the city. The decision came with unanimous support by council at its January 14 meeting.

In addition to notifying the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) of its decision, council is also requesting the province provide greater regulatory input and control when it comes to the location of stores in communities.

Council’s motion also called for the creation of a Municipal Cannabis Retail Store Policy Statement, which will be used as the primary guideline in providing municipal comments to the AGCO in response to applications for stores. Council has requested the policy statement report be prepared for approval on or before February 25. “Changes in law have made cannabis a legal product and provide controls for the production, distribution, sale and possession of recreational cannabis,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “This decision puts us in a position to work with the province and stakeholders to optimize the regulations and address local needs.” The council decision was made See IN THE NEWS Page 12

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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.

Michael B. LUTCZYN, 37, St. Catharines Joshua P. COLEMAN, 21, Walnutport PA Joanne I. NEUDORF, 60, St. Catharines Jared S. VANT, 50, Niagara Falls Michael J. BAKYTA, 37, St. Catharines Todd J. LUEY, 40, Grimsby Franklin A. MENNO, 60, Niagara Falls Angelo M. NARDONE, 66, Niagara Falls Cory DUNN, 48, Niagara Falls Anca J. COX, 34, Fort Erie David K. J. NEWBURY, 29, Hamilton 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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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

Page 3

Council says no retail pot sales in Pelham—for now Councillors make good on campaign promises to disallow retail cannabis

BY VOICE STAFF In a special Committee of the Whole meeting, held last Monday, January 14, Pelham Town Council supported a motion to opt out of allowing retail cannabis stores in the municipality.

A full gallery applauded as Mayor Marvin Junkin said, “The motion to opt in has been lost.”

Town staff, in a report presented

by Director of Community Planning and Development Barbara Wiens, recommended that council opt in to allow retail cannabis in Pelham.

Resident Cheryl Crozier said, “I feel it is the right decision. Most of the people who I spoke to were not in favour. I am pleased with the vote.”

Another resident, Sidney Beamer, said she was “very glad” that council followed through, “because you can opt in anytime, but opt out only once.” The provincial funding the Town is receiving for enforcement, asserted Beamer, is “nothing.”

Town staff recommended that retail outlets be no closer than 150 metres to the community centre, or to the two Pelham Public Library branches.

In Weins’ report to council, a variety of topics were discussed, including information on cannabis legislation, the current retail situation, retail operator licences, retail manager licences, retail store authorizations, retail store requirements, the provincial phasein process, funding, and the municipal role.

Wiens said that her research over the past months had increased her knowledge considerably about the cannabis industry.

She explained that the intent or reason behind the federal and provincial government’s decision to legalizing recreational cannabis use was to protect access to youth, provide for public health and safety, and to address the illegal or black market sale of cannabis.

“The use of recreational cannabis, particularly in the youth, has been increasing in recent years despite it having been illegal,” Wiens said. “Correspondingly, the illegal sale of recreational cannabis has also been increasing over the years, which only further benefits the illegal drug trade.”

She said the government saw legalization of use, production and retail sales as a “more effective means” of controlling and regulating access.

In her report, Wiens wrote, “The consideration of allowing retail sales of cannabis in the municipality is a controversial and polarizing issue and people bring their own biases, prejudices and morals to the discussion. Historically

On January 14, Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato, left, looks on as Mayor Marvin Junkin reads the bylaw wording that council was officially ratify at its next council meeting this Monday, after the Voice went to press. Right, Chief Administrative Officer Darren Ottaway.

VOICE PHOTO recreational cannabis use has had a negative stigma, however with legalization the conversation is changing and this is the beginning of a cultural shift. By comparison, we have seen the negative stigma associated with the medical use of cannabis breaking down since it was legalized in 2001 through education around the benefits of its use for certain types of illness and conditions, and as an alternative to using opioid medications for pain relief.”

Among 25 store authorizations coming in the province’s initial start to retail sales, seven were allocated to the “West Region,” consisting of Dufferin-Wellington, Hamilton, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant, Waterloo, Perth, Elgin, Oxford, Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton, Middlesex, Huron, Bruce, Grey, Manitoulin, and Niagara.

In this phase, retail stores would be permitted only in communities with populations of 50,000 and greater. Due to this restriction, Wiens said Pelham didn’t qualify as potential location. Holders of a cultivation, processing, or nursery license issued by Health Canada could not apply under the lottery process.

Included in the staff report was the acknowledgment of a delegation presented by Chair of the Pelham Community Preservation Coalition, Jim Jeffs, at the December 17 council meeting, and the results of an online Town survey with just over 700 respondents.

The survey’s final question asked whether respondents sup-

ported or opposed cannabis retail stores in Pelham. Rounded to the nearest whole number 42 percent were in favour, 56 percent opposed, and 3 percent were unsure.

Councillor Mike Ciolfi questioned the accuracy of the results and how the location responses were tracked, and if it was possible the survey could have been taken multiple times. He said that anyone outside of the area could have also responded, including those working at area cannabis production facilities.

Jeffs agreed with Ciolfi by saying, “the survey itself was not well done.”

The fact the survey was available only online was another negative as Jeffs said the Town missed residents who don’t have a computer, especially seniors.

Jeffs also added that the most “valid way” to get the opinion of people is to knock on their doors.

Councillor Ron Kore was concerned that the survey and staff report showed him all the positive benefits of allowing the cannabis stores, but felt he was “missing the other side of the story,” as no negative implications were shown.

Councillor John Wink said the Town did not need any stores as the product is available for purchase through the province’s online store, and residents do travel to other larger communities such as Welland or St. Catharines on a regular basis.

The results of a Voice online opinion poll on whether retail sales should be permitted in Pelham, published on January 9, closely

We have seen the negative stigma associated with the medical use of cannabis breaking down

mirrored the Town’s results. Of 181 respondents left after non-Pelham IP addresses were eliminated, 40 percent said that sales should be allowed; 47 percent said that sales should never be permitted; and 13 percent responded that sales might be permissible in the future, but not now.

Wiens informed council that the province established the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund, aimed at spending some $40 million dollars over two years to help with the implementation costs of cannabis legalization.

Of the $40 million, Pelham will receive $8,838, a figure calculated on a per-household basis. Because Pelham proposes to opt out, it will instead receive $5,000 in a second payment, compared to another $8,838 if the Town opted in.

The provincial funding Pelham does receive must be used to address cannabis implementation costs, including increased enforcement, public education, in-

creased fire and paramedic services, and municipal by-law and policy development. Municipalities will be required to report to the provincial government how they used the funding and may be subject to audit.

Town Council was to officially vote to ratify the opt out bylaw at its next official council meeting, scheduled to occur this past Monday, January 21, one day before the province’s January 22 decision deadline.

As of January 14, Wiens said that 46 municipalities voted to opt out, while 123 opted in. A municipal decision to opt in may not be revoked. However, municipalities who opt out now have the freedom to opt in at a later time.

The federal government legalized recreational cannabis use on October 17, 2018.

Council on its decision

The Voice requested comment from the Mayor and councillors regarding their unanimous decision to opt out of retail cannabis sales.

Mayor Marvin Junkin Although I was somewhat surprised by the results—not only of the Town's poll, but also of the Voice’s poll, both of which showed the gap to be closer than I expected between those for and against retail cannabis stores in our town—I, like the rest of council, relied on the overwhelming "No" that I received from residents of the town when on the campaign trail during See COMMENT Page 14

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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OPINION

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

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

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Nate Smelle Bill 66: Less about the people, more about the profits

C

LIMATE CHANGE, Indigenous rights, sexual education, illegal immigrants, pro-choice—combinations of two words like these often have an inflammatory effect on conservatives.

While each of these terror-inspiring twosomes have the potential to make a Tory sweat, nothing gets blue blood boiling faster than the words, "red tape."

Scrolling through Facebook last week, I found myself surfing a wave of online campaigns calling on the provincial government to scrap Bill 66, a recently-announced piece of legislation designed to strip away the effectiveness of the laws currently regulating industry and development.

Although intended to make it easier to do business in Ontario, if passed, Bill 66, also known as the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, will have the opposite effect over the long term.

What makes this legislation so dangerous on multiple levels is that it compromises public safety, while at the same time degrading the integrity of our business community and the environment.

Bill 66's biggest shortcoming is that by eliminating "red tape," municipalities are forced to absorb the

Did we learn nothing from the tragedy in Walkerton?

long-term costs imposed on them by careless business owners and developers. By amending the Planning Act to allow municipalities to create what the PCs have labeled an "Open-for-business Planning Bylaw," Bill 66 gives municipal governments the ability to override important laws already in place to protect the public's health and quality of life. Some of the laws rendered virtually meaningless

by Bill 66 include: the Clean Water Act, Great Lakes Protection Act, Lake Simcoe

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

The Voice

1428 Pelham Street, P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 Office open: Monday - Thursday 8 AM - 2 PM

(905) 892-8690

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, Jennifer Chornley, Larry Coté, Gloria J. Katch, Samuel Piccolo, John Swart, Sarah Whitaker NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Protection Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, Ontario Planning Development Act, Places to Grow Act, Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, and the Toxics Reductions Act. Cutting "red tape" in these areas means developers and big business will no longer need to abide by existing laws intended to protect human health and the environment.

Without rules and regulations such as these, how can our government protect the water we need to live and the lives we need to do business?

Did we learn nothing from the tragedy in Walkerton, where water contamination killed seven people and poisoned thousands?

During the 2018 provincial campaign, Premier Doug Ford promised Ontarians that his government would not open the Greenbelt up to development. Claiming to be "for the people," he made this commitment after we the people of Ontario made it clear that this region needed to remain protected.

The Greenbelt was established in 2005 to prevent urSee BILL 66 next page

Letters Keep that passion alive, Pelham On her departure to work at a new job in Fort Erie, the Voice asked reporter Jennifer Chornley to reflect on her time at the paper.

One of the questions I was asked during my initial interview with the Voice was, “Is there anything you don’t like to write?”

For the moment, the question put me offline in my thinking process, as I had honestly never thought about it.

As I was driving around to the office a few days later, it struck my eye like a big pizza pie—opinion and editorial pieces.

Even when I was in college, they were a challenge to write. When I was an editor for an Alberta newspaper, I never once wrote

an editorial piece.

That’s what letters to the editor are for.

I can justify why though.

It’s the stories I write about issues and residents who make up one heckuva passionate community that are deserving of the ink and paper space.

They matter most.

Plus, quite honestly, I don’t have the energy to outrun tiki torches, pitchforks and the baskets of rotten tomatoes thrown at me by those who don’t agree with my views.

I like to keep the peace.

Even though Pelham may have appeared See AU REVOIR next page

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

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

Fonthill and District Kinsmen are accepting submissions for our annual

Member of Provincial Parliament

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

Pelham Citizen of the Year Award, 2018

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

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

The guidelines are... you cannot be a sitting politician, and must live or work in Pelham.

Electoral District: Niagara West

Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607

Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805 Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-2607 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647

Our 21st Award Anniversary Year

The Citizen of the Year should exemplify volunteerism, and positive community activism.

Submissions must be in writing, and postmarked no later than Friday, January 25, 2019

Send submissions to:

The Kinsmen Club of Fonthill & District P.O. Box 906, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

Have an Opinion?

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher.

ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication.

The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our office at 905-892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics

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Page 5

OPINION BILL 66

continued from previous page ban sprawl from consuming the farmlands, forests, wetlands and watersheds that are located in this part of the province. Contributing billions of dollars to Ontario's economy through agriculture, the Greenbelt provides billions more in valuable ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood protection and carbon sequestration.

Considering this ecosystem is just as valuable as it was last June, we need to ask ourselves: Has the will of the people of Ontario changed in regard to protecting this ecologically and economically significant region sine the election?

Or, was it the conservatives' agenda all along to open up these protected areas to developers?

As one of the people who still considers the protection of the Greenbelt integral to the health and economic well-being of all Ontarians, it is obvious to me that this was the Ford government's plan from the get-go.

The "red tape" Ford and his friends are cutting is there for a reason. It is there for the people, and for the planet. There is only one reason for removing these rules and regulations— greed.

At best, Bill 66 is a poorly thought-out attempt to restore competitiveness in Ontario by handing over the keys to the kingdom to developers and big business.

At its worst, it is a recklessly plotted heist that jeopardizes the health and quality of life of all Ontarians by stealing from our shared future. ♦

Stop the political posturing and get real for once In his commentary of January 16 ["The year in review—a look back at 2018," p. 5] MP Dean Allison gives us his view of the year just past and offers us a glimpse into the future as he sees it.

In his article he strikes a positive note as he alludes to the success of the Canadian Winter Olympic team.

But according to his analysis of past events, that seems to have been the only good thing to happen in this country in 2018.

AU REVOIR

continued from previous page

Once he has sounded the positive Olympic chord, he allows it to fade away and immediately strikes a more ominous note as he turns his attention to the many negative occurrences of the year just past: the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, fires in B.C., the van attack and multiple shootings in Toronto, layoffs in the resource sector of the Alberta economy, and the closure of General Motors in Oshawa. For good measure he tosses in the legalization of

operations and the space invaders some of them attract.

Initiatives that Pelham’s many community service groups, Town committees, volunteers and even individual residents coordinate to give back to the community are significant in maintaining a strong sense of community.

It’s even the little things Pelham’s schools do for their students and com-

marijuana.

No matter your views on the legalization of cannabis, I find it insensitive, to say the least, to link this reference with the other events he has listed.

Turning his attention to federal politics, Mr. Allison sets out to pillory the present government for a long list of transgressions which includes everything from Trudeau’s “disastrous” trip to India, through our “crumbling relationship with

munity that are significant.

As a collective, schools are a great foundation for teaching youth a sense of empathy and compassion towards themselves and others.

Over the past 18 years, I have worked with corporate media and community media. Easily, community journalism contains some of the best content to write stories on.

You receive a humbling

to be a peaceful town as an outsider, writing as a community journalist from the inside stated otherwise, but in a positive way.

Simply, Pelham is truly a passionate town. I’m borrowing the term “passionate” from a Kinsmen member, which is accurately put and how he described the past municipal election.

I thought Niagara-onthe-Lake was a bit passionate on some of its issues, like trees, but I gladly bestow the honour onto thisWholesale nursery growing container grown perennials, vines,Large flowering shrubs, nursery, evergreens & dwarf trees seekinghas a community. wholesale greenhouse operation individuals who desire a career in horticulture.

We are in Pelham’s passion was full time year round position open in their maintenance need of general labourers as well as those skilled in the shown in a total upheaval of department.

Person must have experience electrical, growing, management and shipping of nurserywith stock.

Town Council, citing a need and carpentry.

Other handyman Plant plumbing/irrigation, knowledge and experience is an asset.

If you are skills for a practical leadership would also asset. Licenses are dedication not necessarily an individual who be hasan organizational skills and style and running of Town required.

Candidate mustashave good organizational as well as a willingness to work a team player, we look and operations. forward to hearing from you.andWages commensurate communication skills good will work habits. Excellent It shows in the sense with experience.

Resumes may befor dropped of between thePlease compensation and benefits the right candidate. of keeping Pelham and hours send of 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m.

Monday to Thursday or 8:00a.m in confidence a complete resume with salary history to: its surrounding ham-12:00 noon on Fridays at: lets a tight-knitted famWillowbrook Willowbrook Nurseries Nurseries Inc. Inc. ily-friendly community Attention: Human Resources 935 Victoria Ave., Fenwick, ON ON L0S1C0 through parents’ efforts 935 Victoria Ave., R.R.#4, Fenwick, Attention: Human Resources to keep the EarlyON proOr email: hr@willowbrooknurseries.com No phone calls please. 8AM-4PM, Fri: 8AM-12N Office hours: Mon-Thur, gram from leaving a rural community where it serves (We thank you for your application, however No phone calls please. We thank you for your application, only those considered will be notified.) a significant need, and in however only those considered will be notified. concerns regarding AirBnB

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the United States,” to what Mr. Allison considers the “bad handling” of NAFTA negotiations. He would have us believe that all of these disasters were entirely the fault of our present prime minister and the Liberal government.

Justin Trudeau has made mistakes; there is no doubt about that and voters will have their opportunity soon enough to pass judgment

perspective of what truly gives a town like Pelham a sense of community.

It was a wonderful experience to write for the Voice, and I appreciate the mentorship I received.

Everyone who I interviewed was fantastic, welcoming and I will miss our interactions. For some of the profiles written, the subjects weren’t expecting to be “so big” or even make the front page.

See POSTURING page 11

These aspects are the best part about community journalism, revealing the fact that everyone is more than they know. And, if you’re truly enlightened, you learn more about yourself also.

Moving forward, I wish the community much success.

Peter Pipers, make sure you continue having the Monday $5 burger special— best burgers in town!

OFFICE SUPPORT NURSERY HELP STAFF

Wholesale nursery looking for Office Support Staff for the spring/summer shipping container season. grown Responsibilities Wholesale nursery growing perennials,would assisting in evergreens shipping, data entry,trees preparing trucking vines,include flowering shrubs, & dwarf seeking paperwork, printinga career tags, and general office individuals who desire in horticulture.

Weduties. are in The organizational need successful of general applicant labourers must as wellpossess as thosegood skilled in the skills,management be capable ofand multi-tasking be able stock. to work as growing, shipping and of nursery of a team. position is would require Ifworking Plantpart knowledge and The experience an asset. you arelonger hours during spring shipping season.

Position could lead an individual who has organizational skills and dedication to as full atime office employment. will commensurate as well willingness to work as a Wages team player, we look with experience. Resumes can be emailed to hr@ forward to hearing from you. Wages will commensurate willowbrooknurseries.com, dropped off between the hours of with experience.

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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

Support your local

service clubs

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?

Did you meet your spouse-to-be in jail or on an African safari?

Do you know where Hoffa’s buried?

Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Page 6

The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

Letters

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

Echoes worry about doctors; urges cannabis producer welcome

A NOBLE EFFORT The Pelham Panthers Novice BB team had a successful weekend at the Preston International Hockey Tournament in Cambridge recently, narrowly losing in the championship final to the Kitchener Jr. Rangers, 5-3. After round robin play, the team advanced to the quarterfinals, where they defeated the Garden City Falcons 6-0. In the semis, the team defeated the first place team in the tournament, the East Gwillimbury Eagles, 9-5, giving the Panthers the opportunity to play in the championship.

RYAN GILLEN PHOTO

New Police Services Board Chair Kenneth Gansel, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is a provincial appointee and was elected to serve as Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board by the members of the board at its meeting held last Wednesday, January 16. Regional Councillor and Mayor of Port Colborne Bill Steele was elected as Vice-Chair, replacing Gansel, who had served in that position for the previous three years. “Together, with Chief MacCulloch and his team,” said

Gansel in an NRPS news release, “we will develop pro-active solutions that will improve policing services, prevent crime and enhance safety, security and quality of life for all citizens in Niagara Region." Gansel was first appointed to the Board in May 2012 by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario for a two-year term, and was re-appointed for a three-year term on May 30, 2014, and further re-appointed for a three-year term starting May 31, 2017.

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will not wait long before looking for production sites elsewhere.

According to the CP story, CannTrust is presently awaiting Town permits for their facility expansion plans. A Bank of Montreal analyst noted, “We consider this to be a potential negative development as a delay in CannTrust’s ramp to full production would limit its ability to capitalize on the near-term under-supplied market.”

Another producer, Leviathan Cannabis Group, has applied to Town for an exemption to a recently passed one-year moratorium on the establishment of new grow-ops.

The cannabis industry is creating a lot of jobs. Projected to add more than 150,000 jobs over the next few years, Pelham and Niagara Region should be a part of this potential growth.

I believe Town Council should recognize this is an urgent opportunity. It should be taken full advantage of, right now. If need be, establish a committee to address the situation.

Engage experts in the field.

Set a fast-track timeline to achieve a set of acceptable regulations, bylaws and enforcement measures, including public consultations at benchmark dates along the way. Staff should be directed to present a process to achieve this outcome.

But for right now, I believe the Mayor and councillors need to tell the cannabis producers that Pelham is a willing host and we want them to locate here. And that the Mayor, councillors and staff will work with them to that end.

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Turning to another pressing issue, and one that’s more immediately close to home, the Canadian Press published a story on January 13 about Pelham headlined, “Ontario town says hosting pot producers ‘like a two-edged sword.’”

The story quotes Mayor Junkin as saying, “It’s a two-edged sword right now. As a town we definitely like the jobs…if they can just meet a little bit more halfway on the emissions, light and odour.”

Good on the Mayor. I think it is a good summary.

That said, I also believe that the Town should have a high sense of urgency in addressing the issue of encouraging cannabis producers to locate in Pelham.

Now a legal agricultural product, the Town should work quickly to establish regulations that spell out the criteria required for cannabis operations in our rural areas. These regulations should define the limits of odour and light emissions such operations should meet.

While it understandable for a new mayor and council to perhaps be overwhelmed by the need to move quickly, the cannabis industry

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I applaud Larry Cote's Op-Ed piece of January 9 ["The prospective medical catastrophe on the horizon," p. 4] for drawing needed attention to “the doctor shortage.” It is very timely and is an issue that deserves to be brought to greater prominence in both Pelham and Niagara Region.

It brings to mind the Town announcement in May 2018 that a new medical facility with eight to ten physicians was to be built on a site near to the new community centre, and would be functioning by the summer of 2019.

(Perhaps the Voice could do a follow-up story on the progress of that initiative.)

I also support Larry's desire to see the Region address the issue with a greater sense of urgency. To that end, perhaps our Regional Councillors Junkin and Huson could provide the Voice with ongoing updates on the status of physician recruitment by Niagara Region.

For 30% of Niagara residents to be unable connect with a doctor is an issue that needs to have a spotlight put on it and action taken by our elected officials. The good health and well-being of our citizens deserves nothing less.

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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Page 8

The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Library encourages Readfor15 participation

BY VOICE STAFF The Libraries in Niagara Cooperative (LiNC) is reaching out to encourage Niagara communities to read for 15 minutes this Friday to help celebrate Family Literacy Day. With the goal of promot-

ing the importance of literacy in Niagara communities, LiNC libraries encourage residents to join the Readfor15 Challenge.

The Pelham Public Library is part of the LiNC network, and this is the first year the network is banding together to celebrate and promote

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Family Literacy Day. “Literacy is the most important basic skill for learning in every field,” said Pelham Public Library Acting CEO Amy Guilmette. “We would like to encourage every resident in our LiNC communities to take part to increase awareness of this worthwhile event.”

Guilmette said, “Sometimes taking the time to sit and read individually, or as a family, gets lost in the chaos and competition for keeping up. This day is important for bringing awareness to the importance of taking 15 minutes out of your day to read, despite all the other distractions that can occur in our daily lives.”

Guilmette would like to see, “Everyone [participate].

I know that isn't possible, but the sky's the limit. We'd

like to get the word out there so we can have as much of Pelham reading for 15 minutes that day as humanly possible.”

Family Day Literacy activity handouts can be picked up at both Pelham Library branches, Guilmette said.

The inspiration to be included in the event was that the network wanted to be more involved and the participation of other library systems in the Readfor15 Challenge “inspired us to take the plunge,” Guilmette added.

By participating in this challenge, they hope to become one of the most “readerly” library networks in the province.

She explained that most of the individual LiNC member libraries are considered medium-sized public library

systems, but even in that category, they all fall on the lower-end for population sizes.

“Therefore, it seemed like

QUINTET

Jody Hendriks said that arts and culture programs are on a “zero-dollar budget,” which she tries to work with. “So I rely on a lot of partnerships and community organizations in order to make things happen. It’s being creative with little to no money, and yet still providing a high-quality service or program to the residents.”

Jaeger added that, “It’s finding out what people and what we think we know they want. We need to get feedback, which we are experiencing and that’s working.”

Another challenge is reaching out to the community and getting the message out to all ages, especially since there are so many outlets, hence needing to mix print with digital initiatives.

Hendriks added that the community centre is designated a “seniors active living centre,” which gives the department access to grants for seniors’ programming.

There are no member-

ship fees to use the centre, just drop-in fees or a punch pass for specific activities like Zumba, volleyball and pickleball.

Jaeger has been working with the Town of Pelham for 25 years—six in Recreation, Culture and Wellness, with almost five years as its festivals programmer. She co-ordinates the logistics for annual events outside of the community centre, including Canada Day, Summerfest, and the Christmas Market, adding that there may be more events held at the centre.

“You never know what the future will hold.”

Brown started in the department as an administrator and grew into her role as Active Living Programmer.

She enjoys that her position is something different everyday and it’s not a, “typical sitting at your desk all day” job.

Hendriks has been with the department for four years and works with events and activities relating to

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Pelham will join Thorold, Fort Erie, Lincoln, the Niagara College Libraries & Learning Commons, and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Participation in the Read for 15 Challenge is easy. After readers finish 15 minutes of reading their chosen material, they let the library know by either tweeting with the hashtag #Readfor15LiNC and #PelhamLibrary, or posting a picture using the hashtag #Readfor15LiNC on Facebook or Instagram and #PelhamLibrary.

According to promotional materials, Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. eracy Council.

arts and culture. She works with the Public Art Advisory Committee, implements the Love My Hood programs, green events such as community clean up, community tree planting, and Adopta-Road program, and works closely with Jaeger on other projects.

Many of the initiatives Hendriks is working with derive from the Town’s Cultural Master Plan established in 2013. vanRavenswaay says the department is establishing a partnership with E. L. Crossley Secondary School to implement programming combining youth and seniors. The school has submitted its report and it is now under the Town’s review.

With any activities, programs or events the department organizes, vanRavenswaay says they work with the community, volunteers and service clubs. “They are great to us and so supportive.”

She also adds that it is the festivals and Pelham’s culture that attracts new residents and supports the town’s economic growth, which she says has seen a significant change over the past 29 years.

Any time she and staff attend events such as municipal conferences they hear, “You do so much in that little town and that’s phenomenal.” vanRavenswaay added that any senior who doesn’t drive and requires transportation to the community centre can hop aboard the Pelham Transit bus and advise the driver.

Brown says potential program ideas are always welcome—along with volunteers who would like to assist facilitating them.

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

Page 9

Soup's On a perfect way to spend a snowy Sunday Fenwick Lioness dish up a variety of soups at fundraising event The perfect way to spend a cold, snowy afternoon is with a delicious bowl of hot soup and the Fenwick Lioness provided the perfect soup last Sunday.

With Niagara under a cold weather alert and most of Pelham still digging out from under our first snowfall of the year, the Lioness were offering up five varieties of homemade soup, complete with fresh bread and homemade desserts.

Soups On convenor and Fenwick Lioness Vice President Heather Soares explains the fundraiser features a variety of soups made by the Lioness members and no two Soup’s On events offer the same five kinds of soup, noting she is always on the lookout for new soup recipes.

Sunday’s fare included Cream of Broccoli, Lasagna Soup, and Corn Chowder.

Attendees can try every soup on the menu or as much as they’d like of their favouite soup, she adds.

“We never miss it,” says Aaron Vasas, enjoying lunch with his daughters, Caitlynn and Baileigh. “They’re always excited to come.”

“It’s really good,” says Baileigh on why she likes attending the event so much, adding there are always different kinds of soups.

“You get to try new things,” adds her sister Caitlynn, eating a bowl of Cream of Broccoli soup which she says is her favourite.

Soares and Lioness member Darlene Raymond say their cus-

BY SARAH WHITAKER

Special to the VOICE

tomers usually let them know which soups they like a lot and which they’re not so keen on— although no one has ever said a particular soup is not good at all.

A pot of Portuguese Red Bean Soup at last month’s event was a favourite and many people asked for the recipe, says Soares.

Raymond added the cream soups—Potato, Mushroom and Broccoli— seem to be the most popular.

Soares plans the menu based on what’s on sale or new recipes she’s found, then she buys all of the ingredients in Fonthill, sure to support local businesses, before the Lioness members gather on Saturday to cook the soups for the next day’s event.

“We’re all here chopping, laughing, coffee-ing,” says Lioness President Sue Beamer.

“It’s a fun day.”

Beamer, who suggested the local club try the soup fundraiser after seeing it done at another Lioness Club, says they have a good variety of soups, the members all get along and all cook together, and they have the support of the community.

“We’re in a small community.

That’s the difference,” she says on how they’ve built a regular customer base over the past five or six years they’ve been holding Soup’s On. Both Soares and Beamer noted the soup fundraiser was a

good idea for Fenwick because it didn’t replicate other fundraisers in the community, like a pasta dinner.

“That’s ours,” says Beamer of the soup event. “We keep doing it.”

The funds raised by the soup event—last year about $1,800 over the entire season—are used to fund community projects and organizations, says Soares, noting the Lioness continue to fundraise to provide Dog Guides as their major project. Each year the club gets requests from the community and they decide where, and how much, they will donate. At the end of the year, if there are funds left over, the Lioness will make donations to other projects or charities, last year supporting Lions camps.

The Lioness have built up a regular following for the event, says Soares, explaining the turnout, and the funds they are able to raise, has grown over the years.

“It caught on, people know,” says Beamer. “We gotta keep going.”

Next month’s soups will be “back to basics,” says Soares, and will feature soups like Chicken Noodle, Cream of Tomato and Cream of Mushroom.

The Fenwick Lioness hold five Soup’s On events each season, monthly between November and March. The next Soup’s On event will be February 17 at the Lions Club in Fenwick. Cost is $10 for adults, $3 for kids.

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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TRUDEAU’S TOWN HALL Some 1,500 attended a Prime Ministerial town hall hosted at Brock University last Tuesday, January 15.

The public event was part of a cross-country tour of town halls, but was the only stop in Ontario.

“Brock University is pleased to have hosted the Prime Minister’s town hall and to welcome the entire community to such an important event,” said Brock President Gervan Fearon. “Brock supports community engagement and development, as well as establishing a forum for dialogue, and tonight’s event was exactly that. It was an opportunity to talk about those important issues for Canadians.”

Several Indigenous rights protesters blocked access to the campus at Isaac Brock Boulevard North, an action publicized ahead of time.

According to media reports, protesters sought to raise awareness about various Indigenous issues, including the RCMP “invasion” of traditional lands, and objections to the Trans-Canada pipeline.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

PLAY ON!

Left, Pelham Councillors John Wink and Bob Hildebrandt join Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, and Adrian McKenzie, Senior Manager of Programs for FACS Niagara.

Right, Bonnie Krause leads kids in playtime.

The Fenwick EarlyOn site in Fenwick is remaining open from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 12 PM, until the Niagara Region completes its procurement process, announced Adrian McKenzie, Senior Manager of Programs for Family and Children’s Services (FACS) last Friday. The community held a rally Monday morning to keep the site open, with politicians including Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi and Regional Councillor Diana Huson, FACS officials, and children in attendance.

For the children, it was playtime as usual, pretending they were snowflakes, building snowmen, and learning to play together under the entertaining direction of Youth Worker Bonnie Krause. Paul Bryant, an EarlyOn supporter, has taken his grandchildren there for years, he said, adding that it’s a wonderful site because children can do multiple activities simultaneously, as there is a large room indoors, outdoor playground, and staff rooms at the Fenwick United Church location.

During playtime, local resident Cory Ziraldo (pictured above) gave a presentation to politicians and dignitaries on the statistics and logistics of rural versus urban childcare services, which is why parents say this site is important, and why it should remain a part of the community.

GLORIA J. KATCH PHOTOS

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

POSTURING

continued from Page 5 on his government. Therefore, I don’t intend this analysis to be an apology for Justin Trudeau, the Liberals or any other political party, but let’s be fair.

I agree with Mr. Allison that Justin Trudeau’s flop on the Indian stage, which he has admitted publicly was an error in judgment, was just that: a mistake. Let’s hope he doesn’t repeat that fiasco.

I do, however, have some difficulty with Mr. Allison’s assertion that the decisions of the government to purchase the pipeline assets of Kinder Morgan are a “burden” to the Canadian taxpayer. Let us look at both sides of this argument.

Pipelines are a Gordian knot for all governments: administrations of all types are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Canadians are evenly divided on the need to increase the production of fossil fuels or to eliminate them and both sides have legitimate concerns. In the light of the threat of catastrophic climate change, the position of those who reject the construction of a pipeline to double or triple the output of the tar sands is not unreasonable.

On the other hand, those whose livelihood depends on bringing the oil to market at a competitive price also have legitimate concerns. There is no simple, single solution which will satisfy both sides. That is true no matter which party is in power in Ottawa.

The conflicting points of view between the two NDP governments in Alberta and British Columbia are witness to this fact. The Trudeau government was forced to take a decision, no matter how popular or unpopular that decision might be. Conservative, Liberal or NDP, the result would be the same. To lay the blame exclusively at the feet of the present government is to play party politics.

The decision of the Trudeau government to buy the pipeline to enable the oil to reach tidewater was as much a political decision as an environmental one, but as a result of the decision of the courts, Trudeau found himself in a position which was entirely beyond his control. He had to walk a tightrope between two irreconcilable sides and hence chose to satisfy as many of his critics as he could on both sides of the issue by

The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019 compromising with Premier Notley in return for her support for his initiative on climate control.

Although there is little likelihood that anyone named Trudeau would ever pick up huge numbers of votes in Alberta, even if the oil and gas industry were to benefit from his policies, the prime minister would have to live with his decision. However, without government support, Alberta oil would remain in the ground.

For environmentalists, that is the desirable route to take; for those whose livelihood depends upon jobs that is another matter.

Personally I have some difficulty with the insistence of the Alberta government to increase the output of the oil sands and hence to increase pollution and subsequently endanger the pristine waters on the B.C. coast with increased tanker traffic.

When they were in power, the Conservatives loosened the process which governed the environmental conditions for the construction of the pipeline. This has led directly to the failure of all parties involved to agree on the process to follow in building, or even approving, a pipeline through British Columbia.

Whether or not you agree with the decision to buy the assets of the pipeline, let us not forget that the very reason that the whole process is now stalled in the courts is a direct result of the weakened environmental policies and the failure of the policies of Mr. Allison’s former Conservative government to consult adequately with the Indigenous people of the region. Trudeau was left with the consequences of those decisions. One another issue: how is the Liberal government to blame for the behaviour of an erratic egotist south of the border, who lashes out in all directions at friend and foe alike?

Yes, the tariffs Trump has placed on Canadian steel and aluminum are disrupting the market, not only here in Canada, but around the world. But the Trudeau government has, in fact, retaliated in a modest way and recently gave a grant to Algoma Steel to help alleviate the pain caused by these punitive tariffs, which the government has called illegal and which they are challenging in court.

It takes time to resolve these issues before the world trade body. To blame Trudeau for them is absurd.

Indeed, all parties rallied around the government

when the president announced them, as they did during the NAFTA negotiations. Where was Mr. Allison while this was going on?

“Bad handling” of the NAFTA portfolio? Surely Mr. Allison, who calls himself an economist, can do better than that. Members from all sides of the House stood with Mr. Trudeau on this file. Former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, to whom Mr. Trudeau turned on this file, supported the government in the negotiations with the Americans. The consensus of opinion in the wake of the new agreement is that Canada lost very little in the deliberations with the United States, which is ten times our size and can exert enormous pressure on our economy.

That Canada has been “hurt in so my ways” is nothing but partisan nonsense. It is a statement made “à la Trump,” with no proof, no specific examples to back up his statements. And what would he have done? He implies that his party could have been more effective, but I doubt that very much.

Indeed, I haven’t a clue how that might have happened and I doubt that Mr. Allison does either. If memory serves me correctly, it was Mr. Harper who won a court battle over softwood lumber shortly after assuming power in a majority government and then allowed the very companies who had illegally applied the taxes on lumber to keep a substantial portion of their ill-gotten gains. If this is Mr. Allison’s solution to a problem, we are in serious trouble.

Mr. Allison refers to the “illegal” crossings which have occurred over the past several months from south of the border. What is his problem? First of all, let’s get one thing straight: They are not “illegal” migrants, as Mr. Allison seems to believe, or, should I say, prefers to label them, in order to give his ludicrous argument credibility. These people have taken advantage of a legal loophole. They may be “irregular” entrants, but they are definitely not “illegal,” and it would behoove Mr. Allison to acknowledge this legal distinction. Besides, what is his complaint?

Is it the colour of their skin; is it their religion; their points of origin?

I guess he prefers to align himself with the narrow-minded Michelle Remple/ Candice Bergen faction of the Conservative Party on this. Immigration officials have assured us that there

Page 11

A toxic atmosphere pervades the political arena and our House of Commons is no exception

is no crisis on this file. Canada will ultimately process these individuals, although rather too slowly for most of us, and allow those who deserve consideration to stay.

The others will ultimately be sent home.

Consider this: even if they are not granted immigrant status, these migrants have taken their future into their own hands, knowing full well what the consequences of their actions could be. Isn’t this the kind of self-reliance that built this country? There is room for us all and more in Canada.

We don’t need Mr. Allison’s bigotry (“what it means to be a Canadian”) to define our views of immigrants.

If Mr. Allison wishes to take credit for CETA and CPTPP, I can live with that, but he flatters himself and the previous government, if he thinks they are alone responsible for the completion of these deals. Several decades ago, Pierre Trudeau, when he was Prime Minister, made a serious attempt to establish closer trade connections with the EU as it was then constituted. Times were not yet ripe for such a vision, but, as it turns out, they have now come to fruition.

It did, however, take the efforts of both Conservative and Liberal governments to pull it off.

After what he considers a disastrous three years under the Liberals, Mr. Allison sees our salvation in the “smart” leadership of Andrew Sheer.

Andrew who?

Isn’t he the leader of a party which has absolutely no policy on global warming?

However, Mr. Allison considers him to be the saviour who will bring light to the dark days in which we are now living—days marked by the doom and gloom of terrible events, failing

businesses and a dark future which could only be attributed to Liberals presently in power.

Look around you, Mr. Allison. Our economy is doing well, With some exceptions, unemployment in the country is low. When we compare our lot with that of others in the G7, we are doing reasonably well.

According to Mr. Allison, the answer to all the woes besetting Canada lies, of course, in a cut in taxes: “…to put more tax dollars back into your pocket where they belong” is the way he phrases the process.

This is the typical Conservative mantra which Doug Ford also espouses.

I suppose the things these taxes pay for: infrastructure, transfer support for health and education, defence, etc., will all take care of themselves. Mr. Allison seems to think we can have our cake and eat it too. And we can—if we rob Peter to pay Paul.

I can assure him that is not the way it works. There is only one source of funds, one pot of money, to provide us with those things we hold dear: health care, good roads or a secure society.

Of course these funds must be spent wisely, but in that context I hold all parties to blame for mismanagement.

If you return a substantial portion of that money to the taxpayer, and there is no increase elsewhere in the system to off-set those losses, there is a lack of funds elsewhere. That’s Economics 101, Mr. Allison.

Why, even your lucrative salary and ultimately your handsome pension come from these taxes. Perhaps you would be willing to cut those to replenish the size of the pot?

Finally, Mr. Allison says he will return Canada to the world stage as a “strong and preferred partner.”

Wasn’t it Mr. Allison’s

own Conservative government that showed open disdain for the United Nations and contributed to Canada losing a vote for a seat on the Security Council?

Mr. Allison’s diatribe ends with a request for our input “firsthand” so that he, as our representative, can better “share our voice.” Would that this were true.

I have seen the blatantly biased questionnaires he sends to his constituents asking for our “advice.” They are a ridiculous, ill-disguised attempt to reach the conclusions he wants. Worthless.

Since he is in a position to represent all his constituents in Ottawa, perhaps Mr. Allison could start by eschewing the partisan politics he advocates in his article. Yes, I know, the opposition is supposed to criticize; that is how our democracy, for whatever it is worth in its present form, functions. But that criticism must be constructive, not a list of vague promises or a series of fuzzy alternatives for “better legislation.” Tell me how you propose to do this. Specifically, and in detail.

I am tired of the dichotomy I see in politics: American society is split in two; the Brits cannot agree with one another. There is constant bickering, name-calling and threats. A toxic atmosphere pervades the political arena and our House of Commons is no exception. Question period is a farce. No wonder we can only muster roughly half the population to exercise their right to vote.

None of this helps the country as a whole. Isn’t it time for Mr. Allison to stop playing petty partisan politics and truly represent his constituents with positive suggestions and alternatives that really matter?

Mr. Allison has been in Ottawa since 2004 and, from my personal point of view, it is time for him to step aside and allow someone with a more universal outlook to take his place. I don’t care which party she or he belongs to, but, once elected, that individual must represent all of the members of the community. With his petty politics, his exclusive and hypocritical point of view, Mr. Allison has shown that he is incapable of that.

Don MacRae Ridgeville

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Glad Tidings Church of God 1 Pancake Lane, Fonthill

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church 940 Haist St., Fonthill

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill

Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville

Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick

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

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

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

Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick

Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Fonthill

Pelham Community Church 461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

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

IN THE NEWS continued from Page 2 following public engagement on the issue, including an online survey, landline telephone poll, and a public information session held by City staff in December. According to a City news release, thousands of residents shared their input as part of the process. “Combined with the information from City staff, the public feedback helped council make an informed decision on this issue,” said Sendzik.

By opting in, the City is eligible for a minimum of $152,202 in provincial funding through the Ontario Cannabis Legislation Implementation Fund, which will assist municipalities with implementation costs such as enhanced police / bylaw enforcement, education, public health initiatives, increased administration, and more.

Cannabis—what’s legal (and not)

“As a law enforcement organization, the Niagara Regional Police Service's role is to enforce and investigate criminal cannabis incidents and focus on the apprehension of those who produce, sell, import and use cannabis outside of the parameters of the legislation,” says a news release from the NRPS. Cannabis will only be sold online by the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) until local retail sales are established.

Until then, the OCS will continue to be the only legal online seller of non-medical cannabis in Ontario. “Individuals who act outside of the laws under the federal Cannabis Act and provincial Cannabis Control Act, 2017, could face criminal charges,” say the NRPS. Criminal charges (penalties range

from a fine to 14 years in custody) can be laid for activities outside the legal regime, such as: Distribution of cannabis over the legal limit; possession of cannabis over the legal limit for the purpose of distribution; possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling unless authorized; giving or selling cannabis to a person under 19; cultivation of cannabis over the legal limit or outside a residence where the individual ordinarily resides; altering cannabis using organic solvents; possession of anything intended to be used for the purpose of producing or distributing cannabis; using a young person to commit a cannabis offence; import/export of cannabis without federal authorization. “It should be noted that organized crime exists within Ontario and it has an effect on public safety and

on the economy of the province through criminal ventures,” say police. “The infiltration of organized crime into the legal marketplace and diversion of cannabis to illicit markets should be a concern for everyone.” Anyone with information regarding illegal cannabis dispensaries is asked to contact Niagara Regional Police Service Detective Constable Tara Ryan at (905) 688-4111 Option 4, Badge 9231 (Tara.Ryan@niagarapolice. ca) or Detective Constable Rick Weasner at (905) 688-4111 Option 4, Badge 9215 (Rick.Weasner@niagarapolice.ca) or via the use of CrimeStoppers should they wish to remain anonymous.

Talk to the coppers

It started this Monday and will run through Thursday, February 28—the Niagara Regional Police

Service is conducting a Community Satisfaction Survey on policing in Niagara, as it prepares to develop its next Three Year Business Plan. The Service has retained the services of Drs. Irwin Cohen and Amanda McCormick from the Centre for Public Safety and Community Justice Research, University of the Fraser Valley, to conduct a telephone survey of randomly drawn households in Niagara. In total 1,000 interviews will be completed via telephone.

Members of the public contacted to complete the 15-minute survey can expect questions related to their perception of police effectiveness, their sense of safety in the community, the importance of community programs delivered, and future policing priorities. An See IN THE NEWS back page

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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PRAYER

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed mother of the son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (mention your request here) there are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times) Holy Mary, I placed this prayer in your hands (3 times) Amen. JO PM

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OLD PAPERS PELHAM MUDFEST OCNA Network Classified Ads Do you run have on old the issues of the Men and women will be back in the mud as the second year is (AD CENTRAL) Voice published from 1997 to held at Bissil’s Hideaway.

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Herald (any year). We'd love to add them to our archive. Contact: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Phone: 905-892-7898 Fax: 905-892-4811

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Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It Posted runs from Sept. 11-14 at theJanuary Welland 17Fairgrounds.

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The Big Move Cancer RideRegion is a non-competitive 7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Family Cancer Centre.

This ad is to be printed by all participating Ontario papers

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Page 14

The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

POUR LIBERALLY Mary Spehar, a Ward 3 Pelham Town Council candidate in last year’s election, sends in this photo of the Niagara West Federal Liberals—Pelham Chapter. “We had our first ‘Community Coffee’ on Saturday,” says Spehar, who joined the group recently and is a Community Captain in Pelham. “Our goals are to bring like-minded Liberals together to support ways that we can make a difference federally. We hope to have regular Community Meetups in all areas of Niagara West to build awareness and commitment to our national movement.”

SUPPLIED PHOTO

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COMMENT

continued from Page 3 the last election. It must be remembered that if, in the future, the majority of the residents decide to allow these stores, then the Town can opt in. For now, I think the “No”' decision was the right one for our town, and it allows us to see what prevails in other communities that have opted in.

Councillor Marianne Stewart, Ward 1 I voted to not have retail sales of cannabis in Pelham for a couple of reasons. One reason is that while cam-

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ADDED TO THE PRIDE The Fabulous Fenwick Lions inducted Lion Chuck White at their dinner meeting on December 5. From left, Fenwick Lions President Ken Suthons, Chuck White, and sponsor Al Beamer.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

paigning, the majority of the people I spoke with had concerns about cannabis.

They were concerned about the impact the grow-ops have on our community, health concerns, smell and light spill. The other main concern was the possible issues arising from retail sales, such as extra costs for policing, ambulance services and general community safety. It seems to me that the provincial government doesn't have all of their policies and procedures in place for retail sales, so I can't in good conscience accept something that I am not comfortable with. I likely would have not had as many concerns with retail sales if the original idea of selling through the LCBO had been followed through by our current provincial government. We had been given only one opportunity to opt out of retail sales. I felt opting out was the best decision for the time being. That choice can be revisited at a later time, when we can assess the impact retail sales has on other communities.

Councillor Lisa Haun, Ward 3 Throughout my election campaign the vast majority of constituents were not in favour of having retail cannabis stores in Pelham.

My role as a councillor is to represent residents and I’m following through on that. Any Pelham residents wanting to purchase cannabis from retail stores may choose to do so in larger neighbouring municipalities.

Councillor Mike Ciolfi, Ward 1 I voted no for the following reasons: Once you opt in you cannot opt out.

There are too many uncertainties with how the retail stores will be handled. The costs associated with public awareness and safety if stores set up in Pelham are unknown. A majority of the residents voted against it. As for possibly opting in later, I would have to leave that decision until new information and data is collected and see how the municipalities around us who have opted in such as

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Welland, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Fort Erie, and Niagara Falls handle it.

Councillor Bob Hildebrandt, Ward 3 The province has pledged $40 million over two years to help local governments with the costs of legalization.

This money cannot be spent for anything other than the implementation costs directly related to legalization.

If we opt in, a first payment would be issued this year on a per household basis for approximately $8,838. I do not consider this to be anywhere close to the real costs that Pelham would incur. I believe enforcement alone would cost more than what the Town would receive.

Basically, I felt there are just too many unanswered questions at this stage of the game, and that Pelham’s residents were not comfortable with proceeding with allowing it to be retailed in our community. The AGCO is in control ​under the provincial legislation. The AGCO requires that notice of a proposed cannabis store be posted for comments from area residents and businesses. The municipality won’t have direct notification on the proposed site but can only make comments like other residents. Municipalities will not be able to appeal any retail store location granted by the AGCO. Municipalities should be allowed to increase the setback beyond the 150-metre minimum separation distance from schools and other similar facilities laid out by the province. I believe we should receive funding even if we opt out, because we still bear the costs of public education and enforcement to some extent. At this juncture I cannot ​conceivably support retail sales in the future, nor approve opting in.

Neither of Ward 2's councillors—Ron Kore nor John Wink—responded to the Voice's request for comment.

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The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

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IN THE NEWS

continued from Page 12 NRPS news release assures residents that “no personal identifying information such as their name or home address will be asked at any time during the course of the interview, nor will any charitable donation be solicited.”

If any resident questions the authenticity of the telephone survey, they may contact Dr. Paul Divers, Corporate Analyst, at 905-688-4111 at ext.

5008.

The Voice of Pelham, January 23 2019

Wainfleet land deal

At its meeting of January 8, the Council of the Township of Wainfleet authorized the purchase of property located just west of Chambers Corners. The property, located at 42143 Highway 3, is directly adjacent to another property already owned by the Township. “The Township has taken a crucial step towards the long-awaited construction of a new Fire Hall,” said Mayor Kevin Gibson. Council plans to lay the groundwork for the new

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 and so to avoid culpability I suggest it is best you seek their expert advice for whatever ails you or your motor vehicle.

For those who are beginning to lose some visual acuity, expect your optometrist might soon recommend cataract surgery. If that prospect causes you some discomfort then maybe some lighthearted commentary might help allay your fears. Trust me, as a recent patient and as my elders used to say, “It’s as easy as pie”—the cataract surgery that is.

The formation of cataracts is a slow degradation of your eyesight.

For most people that gradual declination is hardly noticeable. Over time, one adjusts to that nearly unnoticeable but growing deficiency. Its development is slower than molasses in January. Simply stated, and in line with the earlier analogy, the lens in your eye becomes cloudy just as the windscreen in your car fogs up on occasion. However, the cloudiness on the lens you were born with is a permanent murkiness and can not be defrosted.

Unless there are more serious issues with your eyes, you continue to visit an optometrist, who checks your eyesight and prescribes corrective spectacles of various types and styles. After all, if you must have something perched on your nose it might as well be a stylish decorous frame to catch the eye of those who must look at you, and distract them from seeing your fa-

Fire Hall project in 2019.

This will include reaching out to other emergency service providers, such as EMS/ Paramedics/Ambulance and Police, to gauge their ability to participate in the project and potentially increase service delivery within Wainfleet.

Charges laid in historical sex assault

In August 2018, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service Sexual Assault Unit entered into an investi-

cial features. Or, if vanity prevails, you could opt to poke yourself in the eyes with contact lenses.

In any case, once the cloudiness gets to a certain point on the optometrist’s mysterious scale that determines severity, he or she will send you along to an eye surgeon, who will verify that your cataracts are “ripe.” It means that your eyesight is sufficiently degraded by the cataract formation that OHIP will pay for the surgery.

The specialist, known as an ophthalmologist, arranges for a battery of tests and measurements to determine which of the range of plastic artificial lenses might be the best implant to correct the specific condition of your eyes.

OHIP will only pay for the most basic lens. If you choose to upgrade to a better lens, then there will be an extra out-of-pocket charge for that upgrade.

On your visit to an eye surgeon’s office you will probably note that the waiting area is filled with patients and the crowd is mostly made up of seniors. Much older than you, of course. In any case, this eye condition called cataracts is a very common malaise and especially prevalent for those age 50 and up. That commonality should be of some comfort to you.

Firstly, you are not some odd miscreant with a rare malady due to your poor lifestyle choices. Secondly, this condition and its resolution are pretty much routine to the point where the cure is very successful. According to authoritative health statistics the success rate is at about 98%. A probability that is a far more pleasing than

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gation involving allegations of historical sexual assault between September and October of 2004 in Welland. As a result of the investigation; on January 10, an arrest was made in relation to the assault on a then 17-year-old male. 53-year-old Robert Edward Austin Anderson is facing the alleged charges of: Sexual Assault Section 271 of the Criminal Code; Sexual Exploitation Section 153(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. Anderson was held in custody pending a bail hearing. Investigators believe

what awaits you on, say, the casino floor.

One of the most annoying issues a candidate for cataract surgery faces is the wait time between diagnosis and surgery. This wait time is measured in months and one’s patience can be tried. The solution to that problem is in the hands of your provincial politicians. Likely, these same hands will be more eagerly offering handshakes at political fundraisers than they will be signing off on added OHIP funding.

The Welland Hospital is the central facility for optometry in the Niagara Region. All of the cataract surgeries for this area, 7,000- plus per year, are carried out there. It is my inexpert opinion that the these facilities are excellent and another solid reason to keep this facility from closure.

But of even more significance, the medical staff are worthy of an A+ for their care, courtesy and competence. They carry out excellent patient care in a pressure-packed environment, but come across as comforting as a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night.

As you arrive on the third floor you are met by a friendly and knowledgeable volunteer, who expertly walks you through the routine that you are about to experience. She leads you to a change room where you are to don a hospital gown from the waist up. Once in the waiting room you are among the least fashionably dressed persons in town. Hospital hair nets complete the natty ensemble. The fashion plates in the crowd wear

that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sexual Assault Unit at (905) 688-4111, Option 4 Ext. 5100.

Record building activity in Welland

Welland experienced a record year in 2018 for building activity and residential growth, based on data provided by the city’s Building and Planning Division, according to a city news

long faces unadorned of jewellery and without makeup of any kind.

Along the way your identity is checked more often than a Florida-bound passenger navigating departure at Buffalo airport. An intravenous shunt is inserted into a vein prior to your being wheeled to the operating room. Don’t worry. The nurse is good and you don’t have to watch if you are squeamish about such procedures. But don’t mistake the patting of your hand as a friendly gesture on her part.

She is trying to make your vein more visible and an easier target.

This shunt is to inject a light sedative to be administered in the operating room. It is common for a person to have the defective lenses removed from both eyes. If that be the case, the surgeries are scheduled separately and a few weeks apart.

Immediately prior to surgery a slight amount of sedative is administered and the eye has been “frozen.” There is absolutely no pain of any kind associated with the procedure. Actually you are feeling pretty good on this drug induced mini-trip. The process to remove the defective lens and replace it with the synthetic one is over in only a few minutes. Although the thought of having a microscopic incision in the eye might be a scary one, the fear is groundless.

Since you have been given a slight amount of sedation you are then wheeled to a recovery room, where you are given a fruit drink and a muffin to help speed up the mostly unnoticeable effects of the sedation. The whole process, from

RENOVATE

release. The data shows a steady increase in the number of building permits issued over the past ten years.

The city is also witnessing a positive trend in new residential growth, with the number of dwelling units constructed doubling from 197 in 2017 to 400 in 2018.

Welland’s population is 52,293 based on 2016 Census data. The city’s population forecast—verified by independent planning consultants, according to the news release—is projected to grow 18,070 by 2041.

check-in to check-out, takes about four hours.

At this point it is normal that the vision in the eye with the new lens is a bit blurry and, possibly, a tiny bit uncomfortable. You are instructed on some dos and don’ts on your way to recovery over the next week or so.

Avoid heavy lifting, no showering, and no activities that could interfere with the proper healing of the eye. Perhaps the most tedious aspect is having to put drops in your eyes three times a day for the following few weeks. These drops are to prevent infection and promote healing.

Almost from the day after surgery the vision in the eye with the new lens begins to clear. Soon and within days the improved vision is nothing less than awesome. Also, colours become noticeably more vibrant than you can remember.

Your night vision is much improved as well. Hopefully, the betterment in all dimensions of your eyesight will be well worth the procedure.

To end this piece in keeping with the analogy it began with, be assured of the following. Your newly enhanced eyesight is far better than having a shiny new SUV parked in the driveway.

And, as a final note, take good care of your eyes. These are the only ones you will ever have.

Larry Coté is a retired college professor. He was awarded a Governor General’s Medal for his community involvements.

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