Cannabis cultivator expanding page 3 Good Samaritan in Wainfleet page 7 Town Hall security window page 9 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
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Former Pelham CAO Darren Ottaway attends a Town Council meeting in this file photo. See story, back page.
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Page 2
The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
NRPS impaired driving charges
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
An opportunity for a reset, and for a fresh start The chief enforcer of the previous council’s Developers First approach to “progress” in Pelham has been shown the door. As news spread on Monday, figurative champagne corks popped in not a few corners of town. As I write this, shortly before going to press, the Voice’s Facebook post announcing Darren Ottaway’s departure has been seen by nearly 1200 users, gotten 15 shares, and garnered 14 comments—all of which laud council’s decision to dismiss the CAO. But back to all that in a moment...Corrections at the top: They say karma’s a [w]itch, and they are right. Remember last week, when I was moaning about how Millennials and Gen-X’ers seemed unable to string together coherent, correctly punctuated sentences, kidsthese-days-grumble-grumble? My cantering along on that high horse came to an abrupt end with the arrival at our office of a paper carrier’s mother, there to collect her son’s earnings for delivering these pages each week. She politely informed our Office Manager that not only had we misspelled her son’s name once, but three times, in our Carrier of the Week feature. Furthermore, after the first time, they let us know about the mistake. I apologized in this here Corner at the time, and pledged it wouldn’t happen again. Easy to promise, harder to deliver. Depending on how many we have at a given time, carriers rotate through Carrier of the Week about every six months. Well, you guessed it. By the time the young man’s name came up six months later (and then again, six months after that), I’d completely forgotten about the correction. Now, about the only way that this could be more embarrassing is if the family lived nearby—across the street,
say—and I saw the kid practically every day as he walked home from school, and he delivered the Voice to our very own home. Yes, you guessed it again. I have no excuse. I’m an idiot. Da, reći ću opet. Ja sam kreten… And they have a Grassy Knoll in the backyard: After many months MIA, Fonthill Fitness’ resident wiseacre, who prefers to be known by his nom de humour, Strange DeGym, was out at Sobeys one evening last week, his shopping cart loaded with tonic water, 7-Up, ginger ale, and Pepsi. Rather than talk about where he’d been since last summer (“Don’t ask”), he was still shaking his head over an encounter he’d had earlier that day. “The dog was poorly, so we went over to the vet. While we were in the waiting room, this lady comes in with two Labs, chocolate and black. She says her last name, and then says, ‘I’m here with Jack and Ruby.’” He pauses to repeat the names, Jack, Ruby. “I was going to ask her whether they had a cat at home named Oswald, but my wife gave me the elbow. She knows when I’m about to say something.” He looked down at his cart full of mixers. “Party time!”… Speaking of pets: If you registered your pet with the Humane Society for 2019, like a good citizen, you likely received a $25 PetSmart gift card in the mail as a reward. That card is valid only at the Niagara Falls store, and only until this Thursday, January 31. If you haven’t cashed it in yet, get a move on! In the store last week we asked the nice lady at the register how many cards they were seeing come in. “Twenty to thirty, a day,” she answered. Now that’s a lot of Humane Society licenses...Booze yes, pot no: Town Council made it official last week, voting not to opt in on the
Voice on vacation!
retail sale of cannabis in Pelham. So mail-order it remains, until Welland or St. Catharines, or Niagara Falls sees a store arrive. Pelham, of course, remains possibly the cannabis cultivation capital of Canada, which has led some to suggest that we need a snazzy nickname to add to our marketing efforts. There is, after all, The Garden City to the north, The Rose City to the southeast, and the Honeymoon Capital of the World to the east. Enter Fonthill’s own cartoonist, Zeech, with his contribution this week, on page 4. What do we think? Does “The Big Bud” have legs?...This may be Pelham’s last Town Council, and its last mayor: Food for thought. With the Ford government signaling its intent to amalgamate, the odds are looking increasingly to favour the dissolution of a majority of Niagara municipalities, and incorporating them into the existing Niagara Region. One scenario is that municipal representation would match the newly harmonized Provincial-Federal ridings. Instead of Pelham residents sending six councillors to Pelham Town Hall, the entire riding of Niagara West—which includes territory out to Grimsby, and north and south to both lakes—may send two (three?) councillors to Regional headquarters in Thorold… But before that: Council has a problem, and it’s the same problem the Town’s had for a while—a distinct lack of cash in the kitty. There’s a $12 million-plus “bridge loan” payment that’s coming due, related to the community centre (and not included in the official definition of debt related to that project, but that’s another story). Not paying off the short-term loan now means taking out a new longterm loan to pay it off over time. Hence new council’s potentially re-
vised attitude toward the old arena on Haist Street. The $3 million or so that selling it could generate is looking better by the week. But will the immediate neighbours, and the town at large, go along for the ride? Your opportunity to weigh in is coming. The Town will host an information and listening session at the community centre, on Monday, February 11. See the notice on page 3...It doesn’t rain but it pours: What a way to end the month. CAO fired. Amalgamation talk. Cannabis legal, but not a bud to buy. Arena fire sale. And now: white nationalists. See the letter to the editor on page 5. If you see these stickers anywhere in town, Fire Chief Bob Lymburner wants to know. Call him at Town Hall—905-892-2607—or email him directly, at Blymburner@ pelham.ca. It’s nauseating. It’s also something we can fight. That said, if you decide to remove any stickers yourself, be alert to razor blades stuck underneath as booby-traps… A clean slate: Back to the biggest change in Pelham since the complete sweep of council last October. Darren Ottaway’s departure opens the door to a wholesale reset of relationships, not least of which is the relationship between the Town and the town’s newspaper. I don’t know why Ottaway approached the Voice the way he did, though I suspect that it was mostly owing to our refusal to bend to his will. That’s over. He’s gone. I very much look forward to a clean start with existing staff, and a new CAO, whoever he, or she, may prove to be. We have much to appreciate in this town, and a new opportunity to work together in the best interests of residents, business, and Town Hall alike. I look forward to continuing that effort with greater cooperation and understanding on all sides. ♦
REPORTER WANTED Calling all journalists, feature writers, or wordsmiths of any kind: The Voice is hiring a full-time writer. If you have what it takes to knock out a relevant and readable story on deadline, hit us up. For further information and salary range, kindly see: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/writers
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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. David L. ROGERS, 33, Fort MILL SC Ravinder SINGH, 48, Brampton Nicholas BENJAMIN, 26, Buffalo NY Judith L. WAZNY-PICHE, 54, Grimsby Tyler J. MARSHALL, 25, St. Catharines Christopher A. NATALE, 29, St. Catharines 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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Page 3
Cannabis grow-up to expand BY JOHN CHICK
Special to the VOICE
CannTrust’s Fenwick cannabis grow operation is green-lit for a 36,000 sq. m expansion this year after receiving necessary construction permits from the Town of Pelham. The near-doubling of the existing facility at Balfour Street and Highway 20 was cleared because the Vaughan-based company had its application into the planning department just days before the previous Town council passed an interim control bylaw in October. That bylaw was intended to restrict construction, alteration or expansion of any commercial, agricultural or industrial cannabis facility for one year as the Town attempts to update its stance on cannabis production. “This company had a complete building permit application into the planning department before the last council initiated the interim control bylaw, and because of that, if we had decided to go to court we would have lost,” said Mayor Marvin Junkin. “So instead of spending money
on legal fees and having the same result, we reluctantly granted them the building permit.” Junkin said resident concerns over the expansion have been minimal, but hopes that CannTrust can address previous complaints regarding odor and light emission from the facility. “I haven’t heard from very many—one or two, but even that’s enough — that were concerned we had to allow this expansion to take place,” he said. “I’ve just assured them that this council remains committed to asking this company to be a good corporate citizen and to do a better job.” CannTrust CEO Peter Aceto said that this is built into the company’s plans, citing components such as additional fan ventilation, which would allow the greenhouses’ curtains to be fully closed. He added, however, that the light issue is exacerbated at this time of year by shorter daylight hours. “The light issue to my understanding really more is this time of year, when it gets dark at four or five o’clock,” Aceto said. “That’s when you’re seeing it, because we shut the lights off later. Our new
CannTrust's operation on Balfour Street. facility is going to be higher-end, with more automation.” The existing grow-op is a 42,000 sq. m retrofitted flower greenhouse. Plans for the new facility next to it come in at 36,000 sq. m. Aceto said construction is expected to be complete within 1214 months. Other upgrades to the original greenhouse will be fin-
ished in the next few weeks. Aceto said the Fenwick facility is “globally revered” as a leader in the licensed cannabis growing space, and said CannTrust is excited to continue becoming more of a part of the Pelham community. “There’s no doubt there are things we can do to be a better
VOICE PHOTO
member of that community, and be more involved in the community, and we certainly have plans to do so,” he said. CannTrust is predominantly focused on medical cannabis, with approximately 60,000 patients using its products, according to Aceto. The Fenwick site currently has 285 full- and part-time employees.
Public Information Session 65"
1120 Haist Street • Old Pelham Arena Lands Update, financial impact, Q&A Monday, February 11, 2019 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. • Meridian Community Centre • Accursi Room
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 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
As We See It The man is gone, but the inheritance remains
A
FTER NEARLY seven years on the job, Town CAO Darren Ottaway has been dismissed. In one sense, Ottaway’s departure is not surprising. Before last October’s election, a majority of those elected to Pelham Town Council— along with virtually every candidate running— indicated that the CAO had to go. Among those most eager to see the CAO’s back was surely Mayor Marvin Junkin, whom Ottaway all but called a liar after Junkin resigned from council in 2017, revealing the Town’s unsavoury financial picture for all Niagara to see. Yet, in another sense, Ottaway's departure is akin to a miracle. Ottaway had held on for so long—though countless departures of staff, through general turmoil, through revelations that the treasury was essentially emptied as Peter was robbed to pay Paul—that no matter how stormy the seas nor how violently the ship rocked, his continued grip on the tiller seemed immune to being pried loose. Ottaway’s tenacious longevity, however, may not have been a testament to his
Teflon qualities as much as it was to the previous Town Council’s seemingly limitless self-regard, coupled with a gob-smacking absence of self-reflection.
Yet, in another sense, Ottaway's departure is akin to a miracle
Under their watch, Ottaway’s most memorable moments included allegedly telling an elderly resident that he could sell his house and move if he wasn’t happy with the way the Town did or didn’t repair his road; telling other residents that homes in a certain rural area were a “bad investment”; and overseeing the Town’s disastrous attempt to bring this newspaper to heel—by refusing to acknowledge, much less answer, the most trivial of our
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Gloria J. Katch, Samuel Piccolo, John Swart, Sarah Whitaker NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca
inquiries, by calling into question our two decades of community ownership, and by literally trashing copies of the paper left for the public inside Town Hall. Then there are the Town’s finances. We may never know what logic was used to justify spending millions of dollars of Town money—our money—as Pelham went into the land development business in East Fonthill. We may never know how much power Ottaway wielded in Town Hall under the former mayor’s administration—who were the players, and who were the coaches. We may never know how Fonthill got stuck with a shopping plaza design that’s the dictionary definition of exurban ugly. And we may never know how the rest of Pelham got stuck hosting a half-dozen stench-emitting, light-polluting, cannabis greenhouse “farms”—massive corporate undertakings paying virtually no property taxes, due to their being classified as agricultural, rather than industrial operations, by Town Hall. Here’s what we do know. See EDITORIAL next page
Letters Thank you from Pelham Cares As our volunteers work their way through the many boxes and bags of donations received during this past holiday season, we are reminded of the generosity and kindness that abounds in the community of Pelham! Throughout the year, and especially during the Holiday Season, the donations of food, personal care items, household products, toys, and money, grants, the contributions of hundreds of volunteers, and the support of local media, allow us to continue to assist families in our community. The need continues for our various programs including Food Bank, emergency food services, holiday hampers, back-toschool backpacks & snacks, transportation
to medical appointments, sponsorship of youth in sports, recreation and educational activities, and referrals to other local services. As they say, “It takes a village.” It is never more true than in this case. It is contributions from donors and volunteers, individuals, businesses large and small, social clubs, schools, churches and granting foundations, which allow Pelham Cares to continue to meet this need in Pelham. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Pelham Cares, staff, volunteers and clients, a heartfelt thank you goes out to the Pelham community for your support again this past year! Tracy Holmwood President, Board of Directors
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900
Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 Members of Pelham Town Council
Member of Provincial Parliament
Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi mciolfi@pelham.ca 905-892-0077
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755
Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840
Electoral District: Niagara West
Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805
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Page 5
OPINION How do you measure confusion in metric White nationalist symbol seen in Pelham—and not for the first time First off, I want to preface this with a comment about how much I love the new community center. I love being there, watching my son and daughter play hockey and then going over to watch my niece and nephew play basketball. I have but one question... when making the signage, how was the decision made to use an Imperial unit of measurement? The walking track, 7.5 times around, is
measured as 1 mile. Last I checked, Canada embraced the metric system in 1970. I will say that when I am at the arena, my observation is there are a greater number of people that were taught the metric system then there are those that weren’t. So for those that want to know, 5 times around the track is 1.07 kilometre (give or take 1000 cm). Jennifer Law Fonthill
D'Angelo, more questions than answers After reading an article last week in a local newspaper about the Niagara Region CAO Carmen D'Angelo's secret contract, and how it is null and void, we also learn that he has been threatening to sue the Region for more than $500,000, claiming leaks to the press are defamatory. Since last April the Region had conducted an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner ADR Chambers
for $96,000, which left more questions then answers, and then at the request of Mr. D'Angelo a second investigation took place by a professor from Western University for $78,000, with the same results. You have to ask how a person under investigation could be the person picking the investigator. Finally, a third investigation is taking place by the Ontar-
On Sunday, I took the attached picture of something sinister near the cart return cage in the Food Basics parking lot in East Fonthill. It's a lambda shield logo for an identitarian alt-right group called "Generation Identity Canada," or "Identity Canada." The group’s origins can be traced back to a white nationalist movement in France. Variations are now found throughout European nations, New Zealand, North America, and apparently now here in Pelham. This is my second sighting of the symbol on a sticker in six months. The first was in October, when I saw that one had been placed on a pole in front of the Chinese restaurant in the same plaza. My wife was so incensed she called the Town's bylaw enforcement chief, who is also the Fire Chief, and explained the situation. Bylaw staff removed the sticker and wished to be notified if it occurred again. Well, on Sunday I reported to the Chief with a
Nick’s Cleaners WELLAND Mon-Fri, 8am-5:30pm Sat, 9am-1pm FONTHILL Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm except Wed, 8am-1pm Sat, 9am-1pm
See D'ANGELO next page
EDITORIAL
Paul V. D’Amico
continued from previous page We do know that among certain real estate developers, Pelham Town Hall is perceived to be an easy touch, a place where favourable deals practically fall out of the sky. We do know that despite nonsensically rosy estimates provided to the public before the project’s approval, the community centre’s actual operating costs are set to be staggering. And we do know, as a result of these East Fonthill decisions, deals, missteps and schemes, that residential property taxes will almost certainly rise, perhaps dramatically; that the provision of municipal services will decline; and that, bestcase, we are in for a decade of belt-tightening. Ottaway is not without his virtues, of course. He has a wickedly dry sense of humour, and he can clearly implement a vision—including as many roundabouts and streetlight designs as required. One day, if the finances are put right, if the community centre is paid off, and if East Fonthill’s high-density homes are owner-occupied by local families rather than rented out by GTA speculators, then perhaps we will find ourselves missing CAO Darren Ottaway. Today is not that day. ♦
copy of this photo. My wife also spoke to the restaurant proprietor about what the symbol meant and why it was likely placed at her business. The owner was grateful for the explanation and said she'll keep an eye open. Five minutes of web research reveals that this symbol and its radical affiliations are not anything we need to har-
PAU L @ N I C K S C L E A N E R S . C O M
bour in our town. On one hand, I am reluctant to give undue attention to the haters who place these stickers, and give them a platform to propagate hatred. These days social media can do that very effectively, and whammo, Pelham becomes ground zero for a Charlottesville-style protest. On the other hand, there must be a way to heighten vigilance within town so this does not go unnoticed and become an accepted part of our streetscapes. I, for one, am on the lookout, and I hope the Voice can find an editorial way to bring the issue to the fore. Name Witheld Pelham Editor's note: Fire Chief Bob Lymburner asks that anyone seeing this symbol report its location to him through Town Hall, or directly by email. Please see this week's Publisher's Corner for more, page 2.
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Pelham Public Art Committee Summerfest Committee Community Beautification Committee
Applications are due by February 11, 2019. Application forms can be found at www.pelham.ca/committees and at Town Hall. Visit our website or call 905-892-2607 for more information
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.
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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.)
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
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Making a connection E. L. Crossley students brainstorm ways to engage youth, seniors BY VOICE STAFF In mid-December, 29 Grade 11 and 12 students from E. L. Crossley participated in a collaboration meeting to plan future programming sessions involving seniors and youth integration at the community centre. Titled the Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Challenge, the planning session was part of students’ Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) curriculum requirements. The purpose of the challenge was for students to engage with a community partner, in this case the community centre, and implement a strategy the community partner needed to solve a problem. In this case, the challenge was how to use down times in the facility. In addition, the students were presented with the challenge of how to integrate programs involving youth and seniors during the centre’s down periods. Janet Cripps is the lead teacher for the health and wellness-related programs, while Heather David is the lead teacher for business-related programs. At the planning session, the students were divid-
ed into groups, presented with themes and different presentation styles. After the brainstorming sessions, the students presented their ideas to the other groups. Students presented a variety of ideas including garage sale and “stuff swap,” family-friendly movie events, cooking and culinary sessions, creative proposals that included jam sessions, dancing lessons and poetry slams, even ways on how to have seniors and youth engage openly about mental health. They also established plans on how the potential initiatives would be advertised. “Each group’s cluster of ideas were unique,” Cripps said. Cripps said that the program is offered through the Student Success Initiative, that expands Secondary School programs to help meet students’ individual learning styles and interests. These programs allow students to customize their high school experience through a variety of new and enhanced learning options, including Dual Credits, Specialist High Skills Majors and Co-operative Education.
From left, Hailey Bronn, Pooja Senthil, Mya Tinney, Lauren Cole, and Kayla Spark. These programs help to meet the needs, interests and strengths of all students, engaging them in learning and better preparing them for graduation and beyond, said Cripps. “This program allows students to customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents while developing the specialized knowledge and skills to further them along
their future path,” she said. Cripps said not only does the program allow “bundling” of specific courses towards a student’s future career path, the co-ops also give them “real- world industry experience” to educate them as to what to expect. Certain programs and opportunities with the SHSM unique to the student are also available at no cost,
including CPR and First Aid and Reach Ahead Experiences, where students attend Brock University for a day to learn about post-secondary programs and participate in university lectures. Cripps added that as an incentive, colleges and universities are often offering scholarships those who graduate with a SHSM seal. Brock University provides $500, while Niagara College
VOICE PHOTO
provides $1,000 to students enrolled in a program related to their SHSM and earns an average of over 80 percent in the required courses. For a student’s post-secondary aspirations, Cripps said now not only are marks important in the application process, but also equally important are the actual experience and knowledge students have acquired from their co-ops.
D'ANGELO
continued from previous page
Friday night at 9 PM it’s
CHRIS & PUTMAN
io Ombudsman’s office, which apparently is going to be released in February. If you are wondering why the Ombudsman’s office was not originally picked last April, it was because council thought they might take too long. Just for the record, nine months have passed, and by the way the Ombudsman’s office does not charge a fee for their services, but who's counting. What the taxpayers of Niagara should be concerned about right now is with the exorbitant amount already spent on these investigations. Is Mr. D'Angelo using our money to cover his legal fees for his own personal gain, and, if so, who is responsible for letting this happen. Robert Milenkoff Welland
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Page 7
KIND ADVICE Following their annual open house at Edward Jones Investments, in Fonthill, financial advisor Nicolle Lalonde, right, presents a cheque for $300, as well as food donations to Lori Grande, of Pelham Cares. SUPPLIED PHOTO Centre, Tara Beaulieu, the cash-finding hero, with her mom, Jane Vedder, left, and co-worker Shelley Van Damme, right. VOICE PHOTO
Luck, or "divine intervention"? BY GLORIA J. KATCH
Special to the VOICE
Shelley Van Damme is “blown away” at the honesty of her fellow employee, who turned in $150 she found in her workplace parking lot, lost by a stranger. “She is a struggling student herself, and it would’ve been so easy to pocket the money,” she said. Van Damme was so impressed by this local act of kindness that she had to tell the Voice. The Christmas spirit or “divine intervention” was definitely shining one day a few weeks ago over the Avondale/Donut Diner store at Chambers Corners in Wainfleet for an anonymous Fort Erie man, reported Van Damme, a waitress and kitchen worker there. The man dropped three $50 bills in the parking lot of Avondale, money later found by Tara Beaulieu, an employee. When the lucky, elderly gentleman was backtracking where he might have lost the money,
he drove all the way back to the Donut Diner, explained Van Damme. “Talk about paying it forward. He said he was in great need of the money, so we were so happy to actually be able to give the money back to him.” While the location has many regular customers, given its old-fashioned general store ambience and stock—everything from groceries to coffee and beer—Van Damme did not recognize the stranger. “He’s not one of the regulars here.” Regardless, Van Damme noted, particularly after Christmas, people have lots of bills to pay. Many elderly persons struggle with limited pensions and budgets all year round. On a day-to-day basis, as a fellow worker, Van Damme describes Beaulieu as, “the sweetest girl, and so genuine, and this just aligns with her personality so much.” She noted her upbringing and said, “Her mother’s been in here, and she is the
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sweetest lady.” When asked what aspects at the workplace fosters honesty, she said, “I’ve only been here about five months, but I love working here. It’s very pleasant. The people all sit around, drink coffee and read the Voice, and chit chat.” As far as “divine intervention” is concerned, she said many patrons are Christians from the Dain City area, so perhaps some of their beliefs have touched the staff. With so much negativity in the news and in the world, Van Damme noted, “It’s nice to hear about something like this. It’s affirming. I felt compelled to report it.” As a new employee, Van Damme isn’t sure if there are “employee awards,” but she said that her manager believes Beaulieu deserves a “pat on the back.” Furthermore, framing this article for their wall, as an additional conversation piece, is a monumental idea, said Van Damme.
Hannah Emily Ruth Terpstra There are no words to express the great pain and loss my family and I suffered these past weeks. However, the outpouring of love, prayers, donations, flowers, food, gifts, cards, and offers to help from this community was absolutely overwhelming!
ROAR OF APPROVAL Earlier this month, Fonthill Lion Ric Gretsinger, centre, received a Helen Keller Award. Presenting the award is District Governor Zoltan Dohar and Fonthill Lions President Ted Gula. This award is to honour outstanding Lions, Lioness and Leos for participation, volunteering, and commitment at the Lions Club and the community. Gretsinger says he was taken by surprise, as he didn’t expect an award just for volunteering in his home town. “Like others, I thoroughly enjoy volunteering for various events in our community.” SUPPLIED PHOTO
My family and I would like to thank all the first responders, the Welland Hospital and the entire Pelham/Welland community. We are going to try to thank each and every one of you personally for such an amazing outpouring of love, but also wanted to thank you here. Much thanks and love,
Lori Crysler-Terpstra and the Crysler Family
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Fate of old arena
At its regular meeting last Monday, January 21, Pelham Town Council got right to business, addressing a number of issues. After a little finagling and fine-tuning of words, council amended and voted on the above title for an upcoming communications campaign to pitch to the public regarding the potential sale, after all, of the old Pelham Arena on Haist Street. After some debate, council removed the word “sale,” from the title, which might be deemed too irksome or sensitive to residents opposed to this possibility. Officially launching the campaign, council announced there would be a
public information meeting February 11 from 1 to 3 PM and 6 to 8 PM. at the Meridian Community Centre to air concerns, share ideas and listen to various development options for the former arena. The public will be given an opportunity to ask questions. The Town’s planning staff will present financial impact statements, and updated information to the public regarding this hot-button issue that is close to many residents’ hearts. Ward 3 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt told council he has talked to many residents living in his ward who want the area surrounding the former arena to remain as parkland. “They felt that the consultant we had was a hired gun, and they don’t
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agree with the housing in this area.” Hildebrandt referred to the new housing developments as “million dollar homes,” which was changing the character and nature of the neighbourhood. As a councillor representing his constituents, Hildebrandt said, “It’s very difficult for me to vote for or approve the sale of this land.” While he confirmed rumours of offers to purchase the arena, Mayor Junkin noted there was ample time to go through the public process. “We have offers and luckily they are not time-sensitive. The public has one more kick at the can, and this council has one more kick at the can.”
Davis Heights
The condominium project agreement known as Davis Heights, involving 36 block townhouse units, between Lucchetta Construction Ltd. and the Town of Pelham was approved by council after the final drafts were inspected and given a pass by planning staff. The original draft for the 1050 Haist Street project was filed with the Town on November 16, 2015, and given a three-year expiration date. However, last year the due date was extended by six months in order to finalize all the requirements. Clearances in the recent reports submitted to council included those from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Bell Canada, Hydro One, and the Region, stating the project met all their requirements. Little discussion was held in council on the approval, but Director of Community Planning and Development, Barb Wiens described the subdivision as “a nice little development.” “[Lucchetta] are high-quality builders.” Wiens assured the Voice that the public was notified about the project, and there were no objections by area residents. About eight or ten units are already under construction. Why townhouses? Wiens said construction companies build dwellings that are in demand. Many of these resemble three or four units attached, or
joined by a wall, but they are all individually owned and popular with seniors and “empty nesters.” “Many of the properties are small, and they don’t want big back yards to take care of,” she noted. When construction companies apply for a building permit, the Town collects a development fee, which is divided and allocated between the Town, school board, and the Niagara Region. The development charge incurred is $12,646 per townhouse, she said.
Roundabout round-filed
The proposed construction of a roundabout at Summersides and Station Street is still going around in circles, but at least it’s veering toward the side of caution and constraint— budgetary constraints. Council passed a motion to postpone implementing the roundabout to 2023. Mayor Junkin emphasized that the development of the roundabout portion of this project was always contingent upon the availability of funds in the budget. The motion and discussion was initiated by Councillor Hildebrandt, who stated he wanted the construction of the roundabout to be deferred. Jason Marr, Director of Public Works, reported problems with the water mains previously, which delayed the building of that part of Station Street’s infrastructure. However, Marr said there were two designers working on the project, and they did anticipate traffic problems after the new Summersides intersection off Station Street is completed, which is why a roundabout was included in the original design. Ward 2 Councillor John Wink asked what alternatives were considered to alleviate increasing traffic, such as a four-way stop sign at the new intersection. Eliminating the roundabout will result in a $230,000 savings at this point in time. Marr said the roundabout is considered “smaller than most,” but it would be efficient in allowing pedestrians and vehicles to move smoothly. When asked about a fourway stop, he replied, “I’ve
asked our consultants, and they don’t think a four-way stop is warranted.” Marr later told the Voice that a roundabout is more “safe and functional,” and a “good use of all the roads interconnecting.” Without a roundabout, Summersides is kind of “offset” from Station Street, he said. Since Marr has been working with the Town only since November, he is not aware of the exact traffic impact study results. Currently, water main replacement is being done on Station Street and is about 50 percent complete, and will be finished by spring. Despite the fact that Marr initially described the project as “shovel ready,” and construction on the roundabout could move forward, council was steadfast on waiting until 2023 before revisiting the issue.
Street with two names
Council recently approved correspondence recommending the changing of the name of Lymburner Street to Acacia Road, effective January 21. “This is just an administrative error that was made last year, which is being corrected,” explained Shannon Larocque, Senior Planner. Currently, the street in question is a part of a new subdivision just south of Port Robinson Road. One side of the street is listed as Lymburner, while the sign on the other side states Acacia, which she admits is “quite confusing.” Fortunately, only the first phase of the subdivision has begun on that street, so there are not many homes, as yet. However, the town intends to name a street Lymburner Crescent, after a well known Pelham resident and WWII veteran, just down the road from Acacia, said Larocque.
No retail pot in Pelham
With no discussion or preamble, council raised their hands and voted to opt out of hosting retail cannabis operators in town, just a few hours short of the province’s January 22 decision deadline. This will leave a lot of locals ordering online and frequenting nearby cities. Many mu-
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nicipalities in Niagara, including Welland and Port Colborne, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls chose to opt in. At a prior Committee of the Whole meeting two weeks ago, there were lengthy discussions on the issue, and a presentation was made by Jim Jeffs, Chair of the Pelham Community Preservation Coalition. At the end of the council meeting, Marv Junkin said with relief, “At least the resolution to opt out of marijuana has been approved. I was thinking of you, Jim,” and with a final pound of the gavel, the meeting was adjourned. Pelham is one of 77 municipalities which decided to opt out, from of 414 municipalities in Ontario, according to published reports. This means that 330 municipalities are in line to host retail operations in future, providing the laws and regulations don’t change. The province has pledged $40 million over the next two years to help local governments deal with the costs of legalization, including those that opted out. However, if the Ontario government’s portion of the federal excise taxes on recreational marijuana exceeds $100 million over the next two years, the province will allocate 50% of this surplus to those municipalities hosting cannabis stores, or those that opted in. Whether or not a municipality chose to opt in or out, the money received from the province is to be used for dealing with its legalization including costs associated with increased law enforcement, paramedic, and fire services. The Town will have to determine which areas to allocate any funding, since most of these services, such as hospital, emergency and policing agencies, are not headquartered in Pelham. As it stands, persons interested in medical marijuana can purchase it online through the Ontario Cannabis Store, and have it delivered in the mail.
MCC parking issue
As a result of the 20th Silver Stick Hockey Tournament and other popular sporting and entertainment events, a parking shortage at the community centre has become evident. The overflow on the adjacent streets and shopping plaza has squeezed the temperament of several of the owners and companies leasing there. As a result, council voted in favour to remove a 1.2 See COUNCIL NEWS Page 14
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
Page 9
Through the looking glass Meant to protect staff, large window placed in Town Hall BY VOICE STAFF ment that they weren’t kept in the loop. “The most important thing is to ensure the safety of all the employees that work for the Town and it our responsibility to do so,” said Councillor Ron Kore. “As a councillor, I was not aware of the issues that staff and citizens were having at the Clerk’s counter. It's imperative that the CAO communicate with Town councillors about issues that are important.” Mayor Junkin drew a comparison with neighbouring, if considerably larger municipalities. “At first I thought the glass barrier was overkill,” said Junkin. “Then I was at a meeting at Welland City Hall, and they have a fulltime security guard sitting behind a desk. He informed me that at least once every two weeks they have to call the police to come to attend to a disturbance. He also said that St. Catharines Public Library has two fulltime security guards. Obviously staff safety is the number one priority. So now I am resigned to the fact that this is how things are in today's society.”
Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato gamely poses for a photo last Friday afternoon. "Can you hear me okay?" she asked a visitor. "Just fine," he replied. VOICE PHOTO Councillor Mike Ciolfi echoed the concern for security. “There have been issues in the past and this problem was brought up by the health and safety committee,” said Ciolfi. “Health and safety needs to be a top concern in any place—
work, home, etc.” Councillor Marianne Stewart was less convinced. “I went to Pelham Town Hall to see the glass installation,” said Stewart. “From the perspective of keeping the draft out of the office it seems to help. As
a member of the public, I don't approve. I don't believe we needed to ‘build a wall.’ There is a camera in place and has been for some years. I think there is far less of a risk factor than, for example, to bank tellers, convenience store clerks.”
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Stewart said she didn't receive an answer as to what specific incidents prompted the installation of the barrier. Public Relations and Marketing Specialist MacDonald reported the project’s cost to be $3655, plus tax.
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Citing security concerns, the Town has installed a glass barrier at the lower reception counter inside Pelham Town Hall. Installation was carried out over the weekend of January 1819, catching councillors by surprise when they arrived for their scheduled council meetings last Monday, January 21. Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Marc MacDonald confirmed that council was not informed of the plan, which was initiated under the previous council. “The glass was installed on the recommendation of our health and safety committee to senior staff,” said MacDonald. “Over the years there have been incidents of abusive and intimidating behaviour from people coming into the building.” Asked for a recent example of such behaviour, MacDonald declined to answer. “Information about the incidents, including those involved or the details of the incident, is not something we would disclose.” Reaction among councillors was generally favourable, with some disappoint-
Page 10
The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
KEY FACTS
continued from Page 16 we are not printing money in the basement and all the other bull allegations that were forwarded by [Rainer Hummel] in public,” he said. Is this true? No. It is indisputably relevant whether KPMG’s review of the 3.3 acre land purchase was an audit or an investigation. Last summer, the developer Rainer Hummel alleged that the Town’s scheme to purchase land with credits may have been illegal. Because KPMG did not conduct a forensic audit, and did not speak to anyone other than Town Staff, the Town’s lawyers, and the Allen Group, it could not independently assess whether the scheme was illegal. “We are unsure if this contravened any bylaws or municipal legislation,” concluded KPMG. The Town appears to have circumvented the Development Charges Act by calling these credits “municipal credits” even though nearly all of those used were in fact applied toward development charges. If KPMG had conducted a forensic audit, it could have determined—or at least solicited an independent opinion—as to whether this was legal.
Public questions for KPMG In the meeting, Ottaway asserted that Council had
allowed questions about general Town finances following the resignation of Councillor Marvin Junkin and the allegations Junkin made about Town finances. “[After the allegations about the 3.3 acre purchase] there was all sorts of controversy related to allegations made by a former Councillor, so Council said, ‘Fine, ask whatever questions you want, KPMG will answer them.’” Is this true? No. Council voted for the KPMG review on October 2. KPMG created an email address to which residents could direct questions, but the Town said that KPMG would only be accepting questions from residents until October 17. Junkin did not resign until November 6, with his allegations appearing in the Voice the next day. By this point, KPMG was no longer accepting questions. Subsequently, at a special council meeting held November 29 at E.L Crossley High School, the Town allowed KPMG to present a revised and redacted version of a report the firm presented in camera to Council on September 5. However, KPMG did not take questions at the meeting. The Town refused to answer questions about the allegations made by Junkin both before November 29 and after, directing the Voice and residents first towards KPMG’s reports, and then to file Freedom of Information requests.
$17 million dollar of debt In the meeting, Ottaway was asked where the $17 million in debt that Junkin alleged came from. “That’s a number that Mr. Junkin decided he was going to go to the newspaper with. We never said anything about $17 million.” But then, when challenged, Ottaway immediately conceded that the $17 million figure does appear in KPMG’s report, but that it is not unreported debt. Is this true? Technically, yes. Practically, no. KPMG confirmed that, as of September 5, it was believed that the Town had $17 million in approved but notyet-acquired loans, corroborating Junkin’s figure from the September 5 meeting. By November 29 this amount had been reduced to $10 million. KPMG indeed said that this number was not unreported debt. But accounting experts consulted by the Voice say that this statement is true only in a narrow, technical sense. Since the Town depleted reserves to fund projects that were supposed to have been paid for with loans, these reserves must eventually be replenished. Treasurer Quinlin has said that up to $10 million in debt needs to be acquired to replenish these reserves; accounting experts consulted by the Voice say that this necessary future debt is effectively unreported debt at present.
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Is this true? No. After the special Council meeting at E. L. Crossley on November 29, Papp told a resident that Junkin wasn’t a liar, and that he had “got the figures right.” Papp also told the Voice that there were times when the Town had borrowed from its reserves without the proper approval from Council. Four days later, Papp emailed the Voice asking to “rescind” his comments about whether Council had always given approval for the use of reserve funds. When asked to clarify whether this meant that he and Council had always been aware of the reserve use, Papp did not respond. The Voice reported Papp’s request in its December 6 issue. In his email, Papp made no mention of his comment about Junkin getting the figures right. On December 18, Papp indeed made a statement to Council. He apologized and called his comments to the Voice “inaccurate and untimely,” and said that it’s “quite clear that there is no fraudulent activity and no unreported debt.” However, Papp did not say specifically what he was apologizing for. He certainly did not say that he was apologizing for saying that Junkin “got the figures right.” Further, Papp had not read the full KPMG reports when making this statement.
Reserve Funds use According to former councillor Junkin, Council was shocked on September 5 when KPMG revealed that the Town had spent nearly all of its reserve funds. Junkin said that this was because Council was always told by Staff that the reserve balances were fine.
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One of the DEBT members at the meeting reminded Ottaway that Councillor Peter Papp had confirmed Junkin’s figures. Ottaway asserted that Papp had corrected the record at Council. “He made a statement saying that he had made a mistake, made an error, and was wrong about what was reported in the newspaper,” said Ottaway. “However, the paper chose not to report
that…He stood up and made a statement at Council on December 18. Please, check the video and watch what he said, and take it from him, not from what you read in the paper.”
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca “In budget debates, the former Treasurer would go through and say all of the reserves were healthy,” said Junkin. KPMG confirmed Junkin’s account of former Treasurer Cari Pupo’s reports. “In each report to Council…it was stated that, ‘year-end reserve balances remain healthy and capable of supporting the Town’s ongoing commitments,’” writes KPMG. “This statement appears misleading because the Town does not appear to have the cash balances on hand to support year-end reserve balances.” When presented with this quote from KPMG, Ottaway first appeared to stall for time, asking to re-read the passage himself. “These were previous reports written by a previous Treasurer. After KPMG went through it all, they said that it may appear misleading,” said Ottaway. “In order to talk about that further, I’d have to talk about personnel issues. I’m not authorized to do that, nor will I.” Ottaway seems to be asserting that the information in these past reports were solely the responsibility of former Treasurer Cari Pupo, and that he has no responsibility for what they contain. Is this true? No. While it may have been Pupo who prepared and presented the reports, Pupo reported to Ottaway. It is next to impossible that Pupo was capable of making decisions about the use of reserve funds without Ottaway’s authorization.
Land valuation Representatives of Pelham Debt asked Ottaway for an explanation as to why the Town had paid the exorbitant price of nearly $1 million per acre to Fonthill Gardens (the Allen Group) for 3.3 acres in East Fonthill. Ottaway conceded that the deal had cost money up front, but asserted that the Town will collect this money in the future as developers connect to the road. “The rationale was that because [Summersides Boulevard] will be shared, we’ll eventually collect that
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Is this true? Possibly, but unlikely. It is technically possible that the Town will eventually collect $3.6 million in parkland fees. However, Quinlin has repeatedly refused to say how long this will take. Town Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Marc MacDonald said that the calculation was based on “historical trends,” but did not provide any data to back this assertion. Accounting experts consulted by the Voice calculated that it would take the construction of 1,200 homes in order for $3.6 million to be acquired by the Town. “I cringed when I heard the Treasurer say the costs and revenues were a ‘wash,’” said one of the experts. “Generalities like that are the refuge of the lazy and uninformed. They are almost never accurate.” “She used another term: ‘timing difference.’ When I was in public accounting, we were not permitted to use that term,” the expert continued. “Our leadership regarded that the same as ‘wash.’ One who understood the matching principle did not use weak, uninformed terms like ‘wash’ and ‘timing difference.’” The “matching principle” cited by the expert is an accounting method that requires a “[matching of] costs with revenues in the period the revenue was earned to fairly represent the operating results.”
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money back. As developments come online, they’ll have to tap into that road,” said Ottaway. Treasurer Teresa Quinlin seconded Ottaway’s assertion, saying that “in the end, it should be a wash” and that the Town will recover the money it spent on the land through parkland dedication fees. “That’s why it was set up as a receivable,” said Quinlin. “As soon as the money comes back, we’ll collect it.” In her presentation at E. L. Crossley on November 29, Quinlin asserted that the Town could expect to receive $3.6 million in parkland dedication fees.
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
Page 11
Legion poster entry advances to nationals BY VOICE STAFF A.K. Wigg student Zachary McIntire is over the moon. The Grade 4 artist was the only student from the school to create an entry for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Poster Contest, in which he placed first at the local level in the Junior category. From the branch level, his poster advanced the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command Competition, where he took first place honours in the Junior category. McIntire said he was encouraged to enter the contest by his resource teacher, Lisa Fucile. He also added that he wasn’t expecting to win at the provincial level—it was a “nice surprise.” Fucile said she encouraged McIntire to submit an entry because, “His artistic level is way beyond his grade level, especially the way he plans his use of colour and imagination to create his pieces. In my 31 years of teaching, I have never seen a student at his age with this kind of skill.” Because of these qualities, Fucile “knew he would win.”
KEY FACTS
continued from previous page In essence, the expert said, the matching principle was violated because the Town matched the cost of buying those 3.3 acres with a revenue that is speculative and without a specific acquisition date. Even if the Town does recover this amount, it still does not explain the Town’s decision to so dramatically overpay for the land. Further, Ottaway does not explain why it was the Allen Group who so benefited from the scheme. Ottaway said that the Town intends to collect its $3.6 million from a variety of developers in East Fonthill, not just the Allen Group. This means that eventually the Town may come out even (as Quinlin asserted), while the assortment of developers in East Fonthill will come out in the red, since they have to pay hefty fees, while the Allen Group will have greatly profited from its sale of the 3.3 acres to the Town.
Laughing, McIntire said he likes to create “big art,” hence the reason his poster was a bit bigger than the rest of the entries. For the nine year old, he believes that, “Remembrance Day is way to remember those who fought in the war to keep Canada a nice place and our freedom.” One of McIntire’s favourite themes to draw is one of military elements, hence the capturing of his interest in the Remembrance Day competition. His detailed winning piece took some 50 hours to create with finetipped markers. McIntire said his family was proud of him. They were “really surprised,” especially at the provincial level placing and are “extremely supportive” of his artistic endeavours. Fucile describes Zachary’s mom as being “extremely artistic.” Fucile has been working with McIntire since he started junior kindergarten and has seen and encouraged his artistic ability. Fucile says McIntire’s art is an effective means of communication for him, and winning a contest such as this has given him a sense
Town request for corrections In the meeting with DEBT, Ottaway intimated that the Voice had reported that residents of Poth Street were unable to access their properties as a result of their road being closed. He also asserted that the Town requests corrections of the Voice on a weekly basis, and that the paper ignores these errors when apprised of them. “When the paper comes out, we do respond,” said Ottaway. “We have a guy on staff who goes through and if there’s errors we let the paper know, and ask them to print these corrections. They ignore it.” Is this true? No. No Voice article has ever suggested that the closure of a portion of Poth Street has meant that residents have been unable to access their properties. Further, when genuine factual errors are brought to the Voice’s attention, they are corrected. Shortly after Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Marc MacDonald was
“When I went into the classroom to present Zachary with his certificates and prize, the teacher and principal were emotional.” Schwenker said the Branch was “shocked” that McIntire, plus two other students, placed at the provincial level. Cole Tresham placed second in the Junior category and Evan Genning placed third in the Intermediate level. Schwenker is hopeful these advancements by local students will inspire more area students to participate in the organization’s future poster, poetry, essay and public speaking contests. Initial judging takes place at the community level by volunteers at local Legion branches, and the winning entries progress to judging at the provincial level. The winning entries at this level are forwarded to Ottawa, where they are judged, and the national winners declared. The names and work of all the national winners are published in a booklet. The poster contest has two divisions—colour, and black and white. The first place entries for the four categories from each division are displayed at the Canadian War Museum from June to May of the following year. The entries winning second place and those receiving honorable mentions are displayed in the foyer of Parliament buildings during the annual Remembrance period in November.
Zachary McIntire shows his first place certificate from the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command competition. VOICE PHOTO of increased confidence. Fucile is always on the lookout for other art-related contests to “keep him busy.” “I am proud of Zachary, he has such creativity and he’s passionate about art, and it was displayed through his poster that was one of significant meaning in a commemorative way,” she said. “His
hired in early 2017, MacDonald sent periodic emails to the Voice containing what he, on behalf of his employer, characterized as errors. In fact, the “errors” cited were almost uniformly matters of degree or opinion. After three or four tries, the emails ceased, and in a faceto-face meeting later in 2017 with reporter Sam Piccolo and publisher Dave Burket, MacDonald acknowledged that writing them had not been “the best use” of his time. [Editor’s note: After this analysis first appeared, MacDonald emailed the Voice to assert that his “best use” quote was inaccurate. Rather, he wrote, “I recall saying it wasn’t amongst my favorite tasks, but you have a different recollection.” Not in dispute was that MacDonald’s regular “correction” emails had, in fact, ceased several months earlier.]
advancement to the national competition signifies he represents the Wildcats well and has made us proud. I hope he continues his to work on his skill.” McIntire was presented his provincial accolades the second week in December by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Director Jacqueline Schwenker.
“did not approach other municipalities for a ‘financial mentor [to help Pelham]’” as has been alleged by Regional Councillor Tony Quirk. Is this true? Unknown. It is possible that the Min-
istry of Municipal Affairs asserted this to Town staff. However, in an email obtained but not independently verified by the Voice, the treasurer of a local area municipality says that contact did come from the ministry. “I can’t speak to what the
Pelham CAO is saying,” said the treasurer, referencing Ottaway’s assertion that the ministry had not sought a mentor. “But I was certainly contacted by MAH about being a mentor and I refused to participate as I didn’t think it was appropriate.”
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
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Places of Worship and Events Bethany Christian Reformed Church 1040 Balfour St., Fenwick
First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham
Glad Tidings Church of God 1 Pancake Lane, Fonthill
Pelham Evangelical Friends Church 940 Haist St., Fonthill
Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill
Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill
Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill
Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville
Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill
Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill
St. Alexander’s Roman Catholic Church 50 Pelham Town Sq., Fonthill
Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick
Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Fonthill
Pelham Community Church 461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick
St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church 834 Canboro Rd., Fenwick
NURSERY HELP Greenhouse/Nursery Maintenance nursery growing container grown perennials,
Wholesale vines,Large flowering shrubs, nursery, evergreens & dwarf trees seekinghas a wholesale greenhouse operation individuals who desire a career in horticulture. We are in full time year round position open in their maintenance need of general labourers as well as those skilled in the department. Person must have experience electrical, growing, management and shipping of nurserywith stock. and carpentry. Other handyman Plant plumbing/irrigation, knowledge and experience is an asset. If you are skills would also asset. Licenses are dedication not necessarily an individual who be hasan organizational skills and required. Candidate mustashave good organizational as well as a willingness to work a team player, we look and forward to hearing from you.andWages commensurate communication skills good will work habits. Excellent with experience. Resumes may befor dropped of between thePlease compensation and benefits the right candidate. hours send of 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Monday to Thursday 8:00a.m in confidence a complete resume withor salary history to: -12:00 noon on Fridays at:
Willowbrook Willowbrook Nurseries Nurseries Inc. Inc.
Attention: Human Resources 935Victoria Victoria Ave., Fenwick, ON ON L0S1C0 935 Ave., R.R.#4, Fenwick, Attention: Human Resources Or email: hr@willowbrooknurseries.com No phone calls please. 8AM-4PM, Fri: 8AM-12N Office hours: Mon-Thur, (We thank you for your application, however No phone calls please. We thank you for your application, only those considered will be notified.) however only those considered will be notified.
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. Resumes may betodropped the- noon 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday Thursdayoforbetween 8:00 a.m. hourson of Fridays, 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Monday to Thursday or 8:00a.m or mailed to: -12:00 noon on Fridays at:
Willowbrook Nurseries Willowbrook Nurseries Inc. Inc. Attention: Resources 935 VictoriaHuman Ave., Fenwick, ON Attention: Human 935 Victoria Ave.,Resources R.R.#4 No phone calls Fenwick, ONplease. L0S1C0
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Wholesale nursery growing container grown perennials, vines, nursery flowering shrubs,container evergreens & trees is seeking Wholesale growing grown perennials, who likeevergreens to work with& plants. We are in need of vines,individuals flowering shrubs, dwarf trees seeking part time June)inand full time general individuals who(April, desireMay, a career horticulture. We arelabourers in well as labourers those skilled theasgrowing, management need as of general as in well those skilled in the and shipping of nursery stock. Plant knowledge and experience is growing, management and shipping of nursery stock. an asset but not necessary. If you are an individual who has Plant organizational knowledge and experience is an asset. are skills and dedication as well Ifasyou a willingness an individual skills and dedication to work who as a has teamorganizational player, we look forward to hearing from as wellyou. as aWages willingness to work as a team player, we look will commensurate with experience. Resumes forward to be hearing from you. Wages will commensurate may emailed to hr@willowbrooknurseries.com or dropped with experience. mayofbe8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. dropped of between the off betweenResumes the hours Monday to hours Thursday of 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Monday to Thursday orat: 8:00a.m or 8:00a.m -12:00 noon on Fridays -12:00 noon on Fridays at:
Willowbrook Nurseries Willowbrook Nurseries Inc. Inc. Attention: Resources 935 VictoriaHuman Ave., Fenwick, ON Attention: Human 935 Victoria Ave.,Resources R.R.#4 No phone calls Fenwick, ONplease. L0S1C0
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
Page 13
COMMUNITY EVENTS & CLASSIFIEDS
Place your ad by email or phone office@thevoiceofpelham.ca Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8 AM - 2 PM (905) 892-8690
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Community Events Listings Putting on an event?
TELL THE TOWN!
Community Event Classified ads are available in blocks of 30 words for $10 incl. HST.
Ad booking and payment deadline is Thursday Noon prior to week of publication. Payment may be made over the phone by credit card, or in person at our office by cash or check. Thanks for supporting your Voice!
office@thevoiceofpelham.ca
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HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE
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If your message to Pelham isn’t in our pages,
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(905) 892-8690 advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca
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PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP Looking for seasonal/ time help. Make six cards with fall themes, learning a variety of full techniques. Materials FITNESS Applicant must be able to work min. 40-60 are provided. timePersonal of registration, about tools needed. BeautifulAtMind Training please enquirehours/week in any Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead. Visitconditions www.pelhamImprove Strength, Endurance and Flexibility weather and 50 lbs Rose. library.on.ca orwith callSarah 905-892-6443 for more details. weekends.Lifting comfortably is required.
New Features include Circuit Training for Fat Loss, Small Jobs included pruning, Group Youth Training and Accountability Groups. Book Planting trees, thinning FABULOUSyour FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY and harvesting fruit, free Consultation. packing and sorting Tasty treats with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, Text or Call 905-701-2460, fruit. No Experience or email required. No Education french friesbeautifulmindtraining@gmail.com and much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m. required, Must have own transportation. Min $14.00/hour. PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE wage Please drop resume off at 825 Canboro Rd, Buy, sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide Fenwick Ontario L0S cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. 1C0Runs Sept. 6 from
9-12 in the morning.
OLD PAPERS PELHAM MUDFEST OCNA Network Classified DoAds you run have on old the issues of the Men and women will be back in the mud as the second year is Voice published from 1997 to (AD CENTRAL) held at Bissil’s Hideaway. 2007? How about the Pelham Week of January 28 NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION
Herald (any year). We'd love to add them to our archive. Contact: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca
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Support your local service clubs
BIG MOVE CANCER RIDECentral Ads included ride taking place on Sept. 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
WALKING CLUB Interested in walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There Rachel’s Housekeeping Service SINGING VALENTINE is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ Regular upkeep to event cleaning. Say “I Love You” pelham.ca orContact call 905 ext 329. me892-2607, today. With a Singing Valentine and leave your Email: rackclean16@gmail.com
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Phone: 905-328-2833 A quartet will serenade your loved one at home, work or HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES other place in Niagara. Your $60 package includes: Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market orany bring a non-perishable a Love Song, a Rose, and a Box of Chocolates. food item to fill the hampers at the Pelham Farmers Market on Sept.Feb 4. 13th & 14th
COMMUNITY Events
(905) 486-3566 or (905) 359-8117, Howard
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TOWN COUNCIL NEWS continued from Page 8
acre parcel of Town land that was for sale from the real estate market. The parcel will be used to provide some 200 parking spaces for the centre when, and if, all of it is used by the town. Councillor John Wink said that anyone visiting the community centre recognizes there is a parking problem, especially in comparison to other similar arenas and activity centers. “We are drastically underserved,” he said. “If we can do parking on the Part 4 area along Rice Road and Summersides, then we should take that parcel of land that’s for sale off the market. If we lose that land, we’ll never get it back.” As a result, Director of Community Planning and Development, Barb Wiens stated there were recommendations last year to use more of this area for parking, but the previous, outgoing council was in a “lame duck” status, and not allowed by law to approve major projects as costly as this one. More recently, Wiens oversaw a study examining other comparable sites in the Niagara Region, such as the Vale Health and Wellness Centre in Port Colborne. She considered the size of parking spaces per square foot, the size of the parking lots and the types of activities at those centers. The results of the study
The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019 are as follows: The Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, which is a four-pad arena, and holds 2170 seats, has 942 parking spaces. The Vale Health and Wellness Center in Port Colborne has six bocce courts and three baseball diamonds, a walking track and exercise area, with 584 parking spaces. The Seymour Hannah Complex in St. Catharines is a four-pad arena, with a skate park and football field hosting 1200 seats, and a parking area of 689 spaces. Pelham’s community centre has a twin-pad arena, gym, walking track and meeting rooms, and 265 parking spaces. Wiens reported if the Town used the south part of the land allocation, it would fit 110 parking spaces, while the north portion would offer 90 spaces for a total of 200. She was confident that 200 spaces would suffice in offering a solution to the parking issue. Initially, the Town intended to sell that land to help offset costs from building the centre itself. Mayor Junkin stated the Town had already received several offers. Junkin asked Wiens if there was any urgency to move on this issue, since the hockey tournament was over. Wiens replied there was an art show in the spring and a few other events, but she didn’t anticipate any other activity to be as big a draw. “It’s fair to say that the immediacy or pressure isn’t there, and we don’t have another [big] event for six
months,” she noted. Even when there are tournaments in other areas, many event organizers and cities arrange for buses to move people in from satellite parking sites. “Most parents know you have to look for parking,” she said. Wiens commended the Parks and Recreation Department and bylaw enforcement staff for assisting during peak times. While Mayor Junkin noted there was time to consider the issue in view of “budgetary restraints,” Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore said, “We should take it off the market now.” Wink agreed, adding, “We could put it back on the market if we need to.” Speaking to the Voice, Wiens said that even though a parcel of land is being removed from the real estate market, the sales offer is not officially closed yet and therefore the amount or bids offered were “confidential.” The cost to develop the designated parcel of land into a lighted parking lot may range from about $653,000 to $856,000, depending on its size, and that would come out of the capital budget. So far, Wiens hasn’t been directed as to how much land will be used, and therefore doesn’t know when the project will be completed. The final details have yet to be determined by council. Wiens isn’t guessing how the public will react to this proposal. “I have no idea what the reception will be,” she said.
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EXTRA HOLIDAY CHEER Last month, Fenwick Lion Jeff Pickup got to play Santa’s helper as he spread good cheer to Pelham Cares, Youth Resources Niagara, and The Hope Centre & Rose City Kids, to present each with the club’s annual $500 donation. Above, Lori Grande, Coordinator of Client Services at Pelham Cares, accepts the donation. Below, Jon Braithwaite, CEO of the Hope Centre, accepts their donation. SUPPLIED PHOTOS
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The Voice of Pelham, January 30 2019
Pelham Town Council fires CAO
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ANALYSIS
Debunking some "Key Facts" Fact-checking assertions previously made by Pelham's now-former Chief Administrative Officer BY VOICE STAFF Editor's note: This analysis originally ran in the Voice 11 months ago, in our February 21, 2018 edition. We reprint it this week to put into context some of the issues that may have directly influenced the new council's decision to dismiss the CAO.
Former CAO Darren Ottaway, left, at Town Council in November 2017. BY DAVE BURKET
The VOICE
Darren Ottaway, the Town of Pelham’s Chief Administrative Officer, has been dismissed by Pelham Town Council, effective immediately. Ottaway was informed of council’s decision when he arrived at Town Hall on Monday morning. Mayor Marvin Junkin, accompanied by Councillor Bob Hildebrandt, delivered Ottaway’s termination letter. Following Ottaway’s departure from the building, Junkin called a meeting of senior managers to inform them that Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin would step in as acting CAO. The Town officially announced the change through a news release at 11:20 AM. Ottaway had recently proved a divisive figure, particularly during the last 18 months, as the actual extent of Pelham’s indebtedness became clearer. He strongly defended a controversial land-for-credits scheme undertaken between the Town and the Allen Group, a GTA-based
real estate development company with extensive interests in East Fonthill. The financial services firm KPMG concluded, in late 2017, “We are unsure if this contravened any bylaws or municipal legislation.” During last year’s municipal election campaign, a large majority of candidates—including incumbent councillors—were either neutral on the prospect of Ottaway remaining on the job, or explicitly advocated his replacement. He was absent from work for two weeks after the election last autumn, without public explanation. Mayor Junkin said that change was needed. “Council felt that it wanted to go in a different direction, under new guidance” said Junkin, late Monday morning. “Mr. Ottaway was not the person to provide this.” Sources knowledgeable about council’s thinking say that the CAO’s termination was only a matter of time, pointing to conflicting vacation schedules having prevented earlier action for lack of a council
VOICE PHOTO
quorum. With all councillors finally in town, Junkin called a special meeting for 10 AM Saturday morning. In addition to council, Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato and two representatives from the Town’s primary legal firm were in attendance. Discussion was brief, with the meeting concluded by about 10:45. The Province of Ontario’s annual Sunshine List reported Ottaway’s salary to be $173,795 in 2017. He was Pelham’s highest-paid employee, and among 11 other Town workers earning $100,000 or more that year. “Council will begin proceeding immediately to find a new CAO,” said Junkin. Ottaway, who moved to Pelham from Grande Cache, Alberta, was appointed CAO in 2012, replacing the retiring Martin Yamich, after Town Council winnowed down a reported list of 55 candidates during a hiring search that lasted some four months. The accompanying analysis on this page looks back at aspects of Ottaway's tenure in Pelham.
Town CAO Darren Ottaway at times seems a spectral figure in the ongoing saga of Pelham’s financial situation. He talks at council, at all points defending the actions of the Town—though his words are often forgotten after Mayor Dave Augustyn and Councillor Gary Accursi take turns leading the defence, with the rest of council stoically echoing these efforts. Ottaway virtually never replies to emailed questions. Town Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Marc MacDonald has requested that all questions to Town Staff go through his desk, since apparently, in his words, direct inquiries to Ottaway and the rest of staff “may not [be] seen.” But as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Town, there is no one with more power and responsibility than Ottaway. Last month, Ottaway—along with a number of staff —met with several members of the advocacy group Pelham DEBT, and attempted to provide explanations for residents’ outstanding questions relating to the Town’s financial situation. On February 5, Ottaway provided Council with his synopsis of that meeting. We consulted with a group of accounting experts to assess the accuracy of Ottaway’s assertions.
Cancelled public meeting
Is this true? No. On December 18, Ottaway asserted that the Town had received KPMG’s reports just hours before that night’s Council meeting. At this meeting, Councillor Accursi moved to cancel the planned public meeting, saying, “I can think of no other questions that could come forward,” even though he hadn’t read the list of questions and KPMG’s responses, and had not been able to assess whether other questions had emerged as a result of the reports’ more detailed findings, as compared to a November 29 presentation made by KPMG at special Council meeting held at E. L. Crossley High School. Immediately after Ottaway made his claim, Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato provided an accurate timeline of events. She confirmed that Council had only seen the KPMG presentation from November 29 and not the full, detailed reports when it cancelled the public meeting. “Yep, that’s right,” Ottaway replied, seemingly forgetting that he had asserted the opposite only a moment before. While Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin asserted that KPMG’s findings did not change from November 29 to the release of the actual reports on December 19, there was a substantial amount of information not included in KPMG’s November presentation, including KPMG’s conclusion that it is “unsure” if the Town’s credit scheme violated any bylaws or municipal legislation.
“Audit” or “investigation”
In the meeting, members of DEBT expressed concern that Council had cancelled a promised public question and answer meeting, and had done so before Councillors had even been able to read KPMG reports commissioned by the Town in response to local and Regional scrutiny of Town finances. Ottaway asserted that this was untrue, and that Council had not cancelled the promised public meeting before reading the reports. “Sorry, you’re mistaken on that,” he said
RENOVATE
to DEBT’s Nancy Beamer.
In the same meeting, Ottaway asserted that it was “irrelevant” whether KPMG’s review of a disputed 3.3 acre land deal was actually an audit. “This audit, this supposed audit, and you can argue about whether it was an audit or an investigation—that’s irrelevant…Council said that we’d do an audit to show that See KEY FACTS Page 10
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