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Vol.24 No.30
July 29, 2020
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Column Six
The empty streets of... Toronto? BY JOHN CHICK
Special to the VOICE
T
THE EYES HAVE IT It’s clear this pair, rocking bold summer colours recently at the Fonthill Shopping Centre, are smiling under their face coverings, which Niagara Regional Council voted last week to make mandatory. Story p. 10 MIRIAM HAN
wo Tuesdays ago, I had to take my car in to have its snow tires removed. It being July 14, this was a prudent move. Of course, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic had conspired against this bit of automotive work, delaying appointments at my particular service centre for months. I hadn’t been in downtown Toronto since March 12, the day after the NBA season was suspended following the positive COVID-19 test result of a towering French Utah Jazz center named Rudy Gobert —which itself followed Gobert making light of the emerging global public health crisis by jokingly rubbing his hands all over gathered reporters’ recording equipment. I am fully cognizant that I’m very fortunate not to have to go out every day, but I also believe I’ve handled the pandemic and its physical distancing requirements well. Thanks to delivery services, I haven’t been in a supermarket since April; the only two retail outlets I have consistently visited are the LCBO and Beer Store. Perhaps it’s for this reason that the only recurring bad dream See COLUMN SIX Page 11
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The Voice, July 29, 2020
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
by Dave Burket
Divvying-up the donations: Resident John Harding’s GoFundMe effort on behalf of Mayor Marvin Junkin has come to an end, bringing in a total of $1465. Harding said he wanted to send a message to council, who earlier this year ignored an Integrity Commissioner’s recommendation and dinged the Mayor approximately $4000 in salary for technical violations of the Town’s Code of Conduct. Not realizing it was against the rules, the Mayor helped fundraise on behalf of the Fonthill Bandshell’s “Jazz Up the Park” renovations initiative, a heinous act indeed. Well, the Bandshell Committee may be getting the last laugh, since Harding says he’s sending $1000 their way. Pelham Cares will receive $322. And perhaps to subtly suggest that there is need for professional help, $100 is going to Canadian Mental Health Niagara...Getting the message out: The Voice has opened its pages to all five candidates running in the Ward 1 by-election, making free space available each week for legitimate campaign news. We have also invited an op-ed from each candidate on the topic of their choosing. Wayne Olson is the only one to have taken advantage this week, with a photo, and seems to have his campaign effort well and truly sorted—among other things he’s snagged a prime location in Fenwick, the former RBC branch, for his headquarters...Beat the heat and surf the net: Acting Library CEO Amy Guilmette thinks that Pelham’s library may have been the first to reopen, albeit quietly to allow staff to work out the kinks. As of last Friday, up to ten patrons were allowed into the Fonthill branch to browse, four to use computers, and two-to-three at booths to use devices/ WiFi. “This quantity is well within the guidelines and we may adjust it up or down as we see how well the public is keeping to physical distancing,” Guilmette said. “Most of the seating throughout the library has been removed in an effort to create larger areas for movement.” The Maple Acre branch will be limited to five people at a time with two staff, as the building is much smaller. “Curbside is keeping us busy still, as the majority of people are staying outside and picking up their holds that way”...The Itchy & Scratchy Show: If, like me, you were unaware that the wild parsnip is a pretty nasty plant, you’ll definitely want to take in Brian Green’s piece on page 9. Special thanks to reader Fay Suthons for the tip...Perhaps some bottomless chaps? Amazing but true, it’s already been three years since Glen Sisak and partner Zenia Winnicki opened their PharmaChoice pharmacy in the Food Basics shopping centre. The traditional third anniversary gift is leather, which the internet says symbolizes marriage “reaching a stage of flexible durability.” Nice. Plus 25% off (ad, p. 9) Kalaya!...A tip of the hat: Thank you, Voice contributors all, for everything you do to help us get this newspaper out each week, and to our shareholders, voluntary subscribing members, and readers. The awards noted at right are for one and all. Cheers. ♦
Voice
Voice receives six newspaper NRPS impaired driving charges association awards BY VOICE STAFF
ing and reporting was strong throughout and the final two articles were, I presume, mustread pieces in the community.” Third place nods came for Best Sports Section, and for Best Rural Story, circulation under 10,000. The latter, headlined, “23 years and counting: the story behind that billboard,” by Dave Burket and Sam Piccolo, chronicled the two-decades-plus battle for compensation from the Town of Pelham pursued by residents Donna McIntyre and her husband, Ted Bowman, for damage done to their property. In his comments, the judge wrote, “What a story. Where do I even begin? First of all, well done...for translating all this information into a well-structured, easy-toread story…. A bizarre, but important story to tell.” “We’re particularly pleased by the Investigative News Story award,” said Voice publisher Dave Burket. “As government and business increasingly try to circumvent journalists, and communicate what are often half-truths directly to the public through social media, the news media's role as reliable fact-checker grows ever more important.” Burket noted that producing each week’s paper is a team effort. “We are fortunate to have so many talented contributors, often working long hours for not much money. It’s gratifying for their efforts to be recognized by their peers.”
For the third year running, the Voice has won top honours through the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Competition. The annual competition identifies and celebrates the best in Ontario community journalism. The awards announcement came last Friday, July 24, delayed by three months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The newspaper managed a double-hat-trick of sorts, winning a pair each of first, second, and third place awards for stories running from autumn 2018 into autumn 2019. First place honours came in open categories in which the Voice faced competition from significantly larger papers. The newspaper’s series of articles about alleged misconduct by family doctor Charles Duncan won first place for Best Investigative News Story. Headlines related to the 2018 municipal election, and statements by Duncan’s alleged victims, won first place for Best Headline Writing. Second place came for Sam Piccolo’s interview with local musician Jim Casson, winning in the Arts and Entertainment category. A series of articles written by Dave Burket, John Chick, and Gloria Katch, on cannabis-related issues in Pelham, won second place for Best Feature/News Series, circulation under 10,000. In his comments, the judge wrote, “The writPage 16
The Voice of Pelham, October 3 2018
Page 12
The Voice, September 11, 2019
BY SAMUEL PICCOLO and DAVE BURKET
The VOICE
AGE
ONFLICTS OV ER R E A L ESTATE development in rural communities and the consequences of urban sprawl—intended and unintended—are nothing new. But one dispute may hold the record for the longest modern legal battle between residents of Pelham and their Town Hall. The story involves destroyed farmland, death and illness, a bizarre incident of alleged faked assault on a Town employee, a very visible road sign lambasting the town’s mayor, and a potential million-dollar-plus liability for the municipality—a liability for which its taxpayers are ultimately on the hook. After over two decades of legal wrangling, the resolution of an ongoing lawsuit between the Town of Pelham and two Fenwick residents that was supposed to end last spring has been pushed back by another year. The two residents, neighbours Doug Hargreaves and Donna McIntyre, each own land on Canboro Road. Their complaint stems back to the 1990s and the construction of the Cherry Ridge subdivision. Hargreaves lived at his property at the time, while McIntyre’s property was owned by an uncle of her husband, Ted Bowman. Bowman’s uncle, Rod, died a number of years ago. Bowman, 61, suffered a stroke last year and is now partially paralyzed. The basis of the residents’
Just reading this article brought so many emotions and heartfelt agony to so many women. I was a patient from 1974 until December 2000. There were so many times I felt uncomfortable with the sexual innuendo and subtle sexual advances that it was hard to pinpoint at times. Like so many others, the same tactics were used to prime us. Everything from unnecessary pap smears to pressing his body against mine, to hugs, undressing, and the list goes on and on. Sometimes I left his office very disturbed and even questioning whether I was interpreting his advances wrongly. He did it with his offbeat humour to cover up. As his “grooming” progressed, I knew it was time to leave quickly when he fondled my breast while giving me a shot. It was the final straw for me, and I was advised by another doctor to call the College of Physicians and Surgeons and report all that had been done to me. I called the number given to me, and was accountable to a dear friend who made me follow up. I remember speaking to a woman by the name of Susan at CPSO, who encouraged me to seek counselling, and told me that if he did it to me, he has probably done it to other women. If there were two or more complaints lodged with CPSO they would investigate it and call me back. They encouraged me not to press charges as I would most likely not be successful and it would be very stressful. I waited many years to get a call, especially after reading all the other women who made complaints to CPSO on RateYourMD. How sad and disappointing that even this would not bring attention to the man. He took advantage of his position and title and now walks away. The only consolation we see is an article in the local news shaming the man. Shame to all who support this evil man, and my heartfelt concern to all he has impacted with his selfish actions. The incidents occurred all through my 30s until I left his practice at the age of 45.
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complaint is that the Town deliberately diverted water from a storm water pond into a natural stream that runs through their property, and did so because the volume was too great for the municipal drain. According to McIntyre and Hargreaves, the massive increase in water flow resulted in erosion and a lowering of the water table, decimating parts of their properties, leading directly to the loss of seven acres of peach trees and causing other damage.
Donna McIntyre with her husband, Ted Bowman, at home last week.
VOICE PHOTO
Early days
“We first started complaining about it in ’94 or ’95,” said Hargreaves. “Back then it was basically a matter of, ‘Don’t put [the
The couple's billboard along Canboro Road in Fenwick.
VOICE PHOTO
See LAWSUIT next page
ELECT
LISA HAUN
Vote for
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FOR COUNCILLOR - WARD 3
Wishing the Residents of the Town of Pelham a most Resplendent and Bountiful Thanksgiving Day Weekend! At this time: Let’s remember our beloved Seniors and dedicated Care Workers and Care Givers at our Long Term Care Facilities! Let’s remember the needs at Pelham Cares! Give generously!
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When I read the paper my mouth dropped. I was a patient of Duncan’s around ten years ago, when I was a young woman. He also made unprofessional comments and odd requests to do multiple physical examinations. On one occasion, I sat in the waiting room and we had to take a number. When they call your number, you go in to see the doctor. My number was 11. Dr. Duncan saw my number and said, in a provoc-
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AGE
Barb is a life long resident of Pelham and a home owner in Ward 2
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The Voice, September 11, 2019
ative manner, “You are an 11!” He also made comments about my looks on other occasions. Every time I went to see him, for whatever reason, he would insist I needed a pap smear. I would do so, as it’s doctor’s orders, but I thought it was a little excessive. Later he told me that my tests were abnormal and I’d need more testing...all of these paps did not included a nurse in the room. I started feeling a little uneasy about going to see him, so the next time I brought my boyfriend (now husband) to come with me. Dr. Duncan seemed a little angry that I brought him, and made comments like, “You probably have HPV and watch out for genital warts.” I was horrified, and wanted to see a gynecologist for further examination. He referred me to a doctor in Welland and I was given a biopsy. The biopsy was completely clear. It makes me wonder if I had any abnormalities at all? Was he just being completely unprofessional? I changed doctors shortly after that. I’m going to contact the CPSO. I imagine more women will come forward.
gloves, etc. He was my doctor from birth until I was 23 years old. My first pap test he grabbed both my butt cheeks and pulled me down to the bottom of the exam table because I wasn’t moving fast enough. He always refused to send me to a gyno because I was “healthy.” After one too many exams that didn't feel right I left him for a new doctor. I'm angry and sickened that I never spoke up. Now it is too late.
too
I would sit in the waiting room wondering, each time a woman came out of there, are things happening to them too? And none of them ever looked upset or anything. So I thought maybe it was me. You know what I mean? I was overreacting. This is my husband's family doctor. So I didn't want to make waves. The last time I saw him was in April.
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AGE
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Following the story’s appearance, nearly 20 more women have come forward to the paper, alleging that they were the targets of unwanted and inappropriate conduct as patients of Duncan’s. They range in age from 31 to 65. Ten agreed to speak for publication. For reasons made clear by psychology professor Kathryn Belicki, in her interview appearing on page 3, none of the women wish to be named, but each wants her experience heard. The Voice knows the identities of the individuals making the comments on this page, communicating with them via email, telephone, and social media, to obtain their stories.
The Voice informed Duncan's office staff—by telephone, in writing, and in person at his practice—that the newspaper had received these accounts from his former patients, and requested Duncan's comment. He had not responded by press time. The Voice has not verified whether these recollections are true. To the newspaper's knowledge, Duncan has never been charged with a sexual crime, nor is he currently under police investigation.
After leaving his practice, it became clear to me that what he had been doing to me for so many years was completely wrong on every level. I chose to remain quiet for the same reasons many people do...we are taught to believe that our physicians are good people, to be trusted and not questioned. In retrospect, had I reported his unethical practices, perhaps others could have avoided experiencing the same shameful feelings that I did. He truly isn't having to pay for anything he did to any of us.
AGE
It was 42 years ago. I was 14 when I first met Dr. Duncan. My family had recently moved to a farm in Fenwick. I developed a rash on my feet and hands and thought it may be an allergic reaction to the grasses in the fields. I went to see Dr. Duncan. He told me he would need to perform a physical,
56
no. This has definitely gone on for too long.
I told him I did not have a rash anywhere else, just on my feet and hands. I did not feel I needed a physical. He kept insisting. I told him I would go somewhere else. Dr. Duncan said he would just look at my feet. He came around his desk and looked at my feet and determined it was an allergic reaction to my new “Buffalo” sandals. He gave me a prescription for cream and that was that. He became my family’s doctor. When I started taking birth control I was told I would need to have regular physicals. During exams, no assistant would be present. He would ask me questions about my relationship with my boyfriend. Uncomfortable questions. Long breast exams. Always made me feel dirty and gross. Another time I blacked out at the top of our stairs and fell, injuring my back. Went to Dr. Duncan for my back and the resulting headaches. He asked me to bend over as far as I could. He told me he was going to have to do a physical, I said
AGE
I stopped seeing him just after I left high school and went to college. He used to make a lot of jokes when I was much younger, asking if I had a boyfriend yet when I was in elementary school. There was a lot of sexual innuendoes throughout the entire time I went to him. When I was high school I got a nose ring, and when he would do a breast exam he would say I had nice breasts and ask if I planned on getting them pierced. Also when using a stethoscope, when he put his hand down my shirt, he would place his fingers on my breast and make sure a part of his hand always at some point touched them. When I left town for school, I asked for a referral to a gyno for paps and he refused, saying he preferred doing them himself.
34
After a few times of asking and having to go to him for a pap, I refused to go back because he would also make comments during the exams that made me feel very uncomfortable.
AGE
I had negative experiences with him as well and fortunately was able to find another doctor about 15 years ago because of this. I always wanted to pursue his inappropriate comments and touches but they were just on the edge of being legit and hard to prove. I am so glad this finally came to light.
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AGE
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He started as my doctor when I was in elementary school. It seemed like every single time I needed to go in there, no matter what the reason was, he felt I needed to have a pap done. He would say that I had nice breasts. I made the choice to stop seeing him when I kind of put two and two together, between 16 and 19. I just did walk-in clinics probably for four or five years after that, until I found a new doctor about 15 years ago.
40
The VOICE
Dr. Duncan opened his family practice in Fonthill when I was six years old. Our family immediately started attending his practice as patients. During my childhood years, he seemed to be a good physician, but once I hit my early teens his behaviour towards me changed. My mother felt I was old enough to see the doctor by myself and as such, any time I attended his office, it started with tickling me each time I visited. As time went on, if I went in for a sore throat, he would tell me to lay down on the examining table and would inevitably touch my breasts and finish by tickling my stomach. I recall going in because of stomach pains and he undid my pants and would want to examine my genitals because it “may be something related” to my “reproductive system.” As time proceeded, Dr. Duncan wanted to perform internal exams but, although I said nothing to anyone, it didn't feel “right.” At this point, I asked my mother if she could arrange for me to see a gynecologist for things related to the reproductive system. Although I had a gynecologist, Dr. Duncan continued to try to undo my pants every time I went in for anything from an earache to a sore throat to a rash, etc. Finally, I told my mother in my 20s that I was looking for a new doctor because Dr. Duncan made me feel very uncomfortable. She was surprised that I felt that way but didn't question my choice.
my throat and breasts have to be connected here,” but it took me, honestly, years to actually clue into what he was doing. It's funny because I talked to a friend this morning who had issues with him and she said, "Do you know what? He checked my breasts every time I walked into the office, but he hasn't for the past couple of years." I said, "Let me tell you why. You hit menopause and they're no
AGE
BY DAVE BURKET
I
N LAST WEEK’S EDITION, the Voice published the account of a woman formerly employed by Dr. Charles Duncan, a family practitioner in Fonthill. The woman asserted that she was twice sexually assaulted by Duncan in 2009, and filed a report with the Niagara Regional Police Service at the time. This past March, a decade later, she was contacted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in connection with an internal CPSO investigation of Duncan. Neither she nor the Voice know what prompted the CPSO to act, but the result was that Duncan agreed to quit practicing medicine as of October 31, and never to apply again to practice anywhere in Canada.
AGE
Page 13
My experience was very similar to a lot of women in the comments. The refusal to refer, “helping” to remove my bra to check for lumps every time I was there, not using
AGE
I had made a police report on him years before that young lady did. How come if the police had this information, they didn't deal with it? There's quite a few of us that I know of who left Duncan's office because of abuse with him as patients. I came home and said something to my daughter, who was in her 20s. I was in my 40s, and she said, "Mom, he's been doing that to me," and it was like, "Oh my god." After this story came out, now she's like, "Yeah, I would talk to the newspaper, but I don't want my name public," and everybody feels that way. For five years after my divorce, every time he walked into the room, he would say to me, "So are you with anybody yet?" It didn't even dawn on me that that was his question as to whether or not he should continue mauling and doing stuff that was not really appropriate at the time. It was his, "Yeah, if she's not with anybody, I can be touching her and she's not really going to say anything." I'd go in for a sore throat and he'd have to check my boobs. It was like, “Excuse me? I'm not sure why
65
The judgment put on a female who has been sexually abused puts a cloud on her character eternally
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Column Six
Growing up British
BY JULIE MANNELL
Special to the VOICE
W
BALLOONING INTEREST Grade 6 student Jinja Shepherd explains her experiment on static electricity at the Glynn A. Green Public School's annual science fair last Friday. See story, page 3. NATE SMELLE PHOTO
Public meeting tonight on school issues BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick. Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, confirms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-
Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN officials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation. DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be
“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently confirm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime. Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. “We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page
HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin. My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries. Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town. This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation. On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque. “This tree looks dead,” I said to my father. “It sure is getting there, Julie.” The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest See COLUMN SIX Page 14
Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation
Vol.20 No.32
BY VOICE STAFF
A construction error was discovered following the opening of a traffic calming chicane on Haist Street north of Hwy 20 last Monday that prevented large vehicles from passing through. One resident living in the neighbourhood said he contacted the Town after seeing a small schoolbus get stuck as it tried to get through the new traffic calming measure. Later that day while driving behind a cement truck, he said that he became concerned for the public’s safety when the truck had to turn around because it couldn’t get through. “If a small school bus and a cement truck can’t make it through what about a fire
BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER
Special to the VOICE
A
Repair measures underway last week to correct a construction error in the chicane. truck or an ambulance?” he said. While waiting for the contractor to return to fix
the mistake, the Town has taken measures to temporarily allow passage for vehicles through the neigh-
VOICE PHOTO
bourhood in the short-term. Manager of Public Works Ryan Cook said that after discovering the issue with
the chicane the morning it first opened, the Town See CHICANE Page 5
Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest BY NATE SMELLE
The VOICE
Representatives from the Pelham Summerfest committee Candy Ashbee and Bill Gibson presented council with a final report on the 2016 Summerfest at the Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21. Prompted by a story in the Voice in August about a merchant petition to move Summerfest from Pelham Street, in September Town staff met with various stakeholders to hear their complaints, promising at the time that changes in the way Summerfest was mounted would be con-
sidered. The main concerns identified during the community engagement process were security, parking, ensuring customer can access all businesses in town, and liability for damages. How to get all Pelham Street businesses to participate and finding ways to make it beneficial for them to set up a booth were also determined to be of high priority for the committee as they plan for next year’s event. Gibson told Council that the committee is addressing these concerns in a variety of ways. To improve parking, they intend to create bet-
ter signage for out-of-town visitors to designated parking areas and shuttle services. To make participation in Summerfest more enticing to local businesses, they plan to implement a tiered-charge for booths. Under the new system, Pelham Street business owners will be charged the least, other local businesses will pay a slightly higher fee, and vendors from outside Pelham will pay the most. In response to more specific issues for individual businesses, they will also slightly alter the footprint of the event and make adjustments to security. Another way the committee plans
to improve the 2017 Summerfest is by sponsoring and working with the organizers of the Thursday Night Bandshell Concert series to select the artist performing on the first night of Summefest. They also intend to make more use of the smartphone app they launched in 2016. "We are really going to push it this year," Ashbee said. “It really helps to get people to see what events there are so they can plan out where they are going. We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses adSee CHANGES Page 5
FTER LUNCH ON Saturday, Mum and Dad had my afternoon cut out for me. Mum had more brass than anyone I knew, and it had to be cleaned. In addition there was the set of silver fish-knives and forks which were never used, but which had to be cleaned and put back in their velvetlined box. Next was a walk to the newsagents to pay for the daily delivery of the Daily Mirror. As I said, Dad was a printer, but when he was 37 he had been rejected for a job, as being too old, by the printers of the Beano. For that reason, my favourite comic was not allowed in the house, but while I was paying the papers, the newsagent let me have a 'shoofty' at the Beano. I'd explained my predicament and he understood completely. Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint
Wednesday October 12, 2016
FREE
Apple Day comes to Fonthill
See COLUMN SIX Page 14
BY VOICE STAFF
The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and well-rounded individuals
ceives them, enabling youth to have experiences that build character, challenge them, and allow them to try new things. The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and wellrounded individuals, better prepared for success. Apple Day helps to achieve that.”
“Any money raised during Apple Day goes towards improving the Scouting program by providing more outdoor adventures for youth, camping equipment, canoes and paddles, training and many other endeavours that the youth want to experience,” says Marie. Scouts Canada has some 100,000 members across Canada, and carries out programs for boys, girls
Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept. 19 Council meeting as part of a delegation from EL Crossley Secondary School, students Abby Loewen and Neenah Williams presented Council with a list of reasons that they should immediately approve the construction of the new sidewalk proposed along Hwy. 20. The asphalt side-
walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school. Because of the large volume of motor vehicle traffic travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later. After delivering to Council a petition containing
Many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later the names of 450 students calling for a safer walk to school, Simpson handed the
podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case. Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel. As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.
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and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support. Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.
Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley BY NATE SMELLE
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Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers SUPPLIED PHOTO in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign. A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people offered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.
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Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn
Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932
While shopping in Fonthill between Friday and Sunday, keep an eye out for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in front of local stores with bushels of apples. As part of the annual Apple Day campaign, Scouting youth of all ages will be trading apples for donations. The yearly fundraising drive is an important way for young Scouts to connect with the communities they are serving, says Leah Marie of Scouts Canada. “The Apple Day campaign holds a great tradition of being able to have youth interacting within the communities they live in,” she says. “All of the Apple Day donations stay directly within the group that re-
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BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick. Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues. Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students. “The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated. The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the
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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. Erik W. GAMBLE, 36, Grimsby Brocque J. L. COTE, 20, Port Colborne Justin T. BOGAN, 22, East Greenbush NY Darlene M. GREEN, 60, Fort Erie Matthew J. P. STORM, 32, Welland Carl A. MCCULLIGH, 74, Welland Mulchan JAGDAT, 52, Brampton Timothy C. MACBAIN, 56, Niagara Falls Jared S. LESSARD, 20, Welland Michael H. FOUGERE-DAVIES, 41, Niagara-on-the-Lake Rosanne MILLS, 64, Thorold Ricky J. RADU, 57, Niagara Falls Daniel E. ARSENAULT, 50, St. Catharines Julie L. STOCKIE, 44, St. Catharines David J. GREENE, 26, St. Catharines Keith R. SMITH, 41, Madoc Ronald CLARK, 57, Grimsby Shannon M. BOOS, 41, Welland The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.
longer hard and perky." After I left his office, I've been pretty verbal about what happened with me. I was interviewed by [a doctor not practicing in Pelham] as a new patient, he asked me why I was leaving Duncan and as soon as I told him why, he said, "I won't take you as a patient." It's the old boys club. I even talked to my pharmacist. I said, "You need to know so if another female comes in, you need to tell her to go and make a police report because I've done it. If we start, the cops are going to figure out that there's a pattern here." I didn’t want to press charges because I knew what would happen. If they had come back to me and said, "We do have a pattern of behavior, ma'am. Can we talk again?" I would have totally been all over it. My daughter, even now she won't go public with it, because no matter how you look at it, the judgment on a female who has been sexually abused puts a cloud on her character eternally. The last time I saw him I needed a prescription. He looked up how long it had been since I’d had a mammogram, which was three years, so I said, “Then I need a referral for a mammogram.” He said, “Get up on the table,” and I said, “No, we're not doing that anymore.” He grabbed the prescription out of my hand and tore it in half. I never returned and I didn't even ask for my records. He was disrespectful, had been constantly mauling me, and he was the abuse partner. In order to get my records, I would have to buy them off of him. You couldn't get your records without paying them $25 to move them to a new doctor, and I was going to pay the man so that I could move away from his abuse? Not happening. ♦
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“I start work at 2:30 PM and school lets out at 2:15 PM so I can’t take any other route,” Williams explained. “I have had friends, family, teachers and other community members reach out to me in the past about how this is unsafe and how there should be another alternative for us.” Looking ahead to winter, when she will need to walk this path three or four times See SIDEWALK Page 2
HERE IS NO BETTER time to cycle than Fall. It matters not whether you’re new to the sport, a seasoned recreational cyclist, racer, touring rider or mountain biker; we all have reason to look forward to autumn. Summer’s heat has faded, and the streams of sweat that ran from soggy helmets into our eyes are now just slight perspiration. Fitness is peaking from lots of saddle time, making those tough climbs of Spring a breeze in Autumn. It’s hard to beat the feeling of beginning a crisp, cool Fall ride with a slight shiver, knowing your efforts will soon warm you perfectly. The hues of Autumn are outstanding. A Pelham route as simple as following our southern boundary is one that would make most Toronto cyclists jealous, especially when our forests and fields are ablaze with colour. Begin from Harold Black Park, and zig-zag south along Effingham Rd toward the Welland River. If you’re new to cycling, it’s important to know south is the direction away from any hills. If you avoid the morning and evening weekday rush hours caused by those travelling through Pelham between Wainfleet See AUTUMN Page 3
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The Voice, July 29, 2020
Page 3
Pelham restaurants serve up Stage 3 reopening BY DON RICKERS
Special to the VOICE
The smart investor would have done well to sink big bucks into plexiglass manufacture stocks back in February. Once the pandemic hit, it seemed like every business that hadn’t shut its doors was installing plexiglass acrylic barriers, to separate staff from customers at the cash register or service desk. Now that Stage 3 reopening is in play throughout Niagara, we’re seeing even more clear plastic barriers, this time attached to indoor dining booths to provide an extra layer of safety from airborne viruses. Catherine Lafreniere, who runs the Pelham Street Grille along with her husband, George, has removed most of their standalone tables inside the restaurant, and has attached plexiglass to all of their booths. They can now accommodate about 30 diners inside, with another eight tables on the back patio. After months of doing curbside takeout, the restaurant is back to its regular menu and hours. For added protection, Lafreniere is asking all customers to wear a mask when entering the restaurant (careful of the plexiglass shield at the front counter!), and those waiting for a free table will need to queue up outside. Washrooms are sanitized after every usage. All servers will be wearing a mask on the job, and when reporting for work they will undergo screening involving standard COVID-related health questions. They will also have their temperature taken to determine if they have a fever. Lafreniere noted that the Grille has developed a loyal following over
the years, and business has been good, all things considered. “We’re doing everything we can to make it safe for our customers and staff,” she said. Peter Piper’s Pubhouse, on Highway 20, is down to 45% capacity with social distancing in place, said proprietor Peter Moore. He can accommodate 44 patrons inside, and a maximum of 24 on his patio out front. Tables inside are six feet apart, and all the booths have been adorned with —wait for it— plexiglass. The bar has been closed off temporarily, to discourage mingling. “We used to have a pretty relaxed policy here…you walked in and seated yourself,” said Moore. “Now, it's ‘Please wait to be seated.’” He stressed that tables are being sanitized between sittings, and that “some of our new chemical cleaners take a couple minutes to sit wet so that they can disinfect properly.” Cooks and servers are wearing masks and all times at Peter Piper’s. “We're asking our guests to please respect others by wearing a mask,” said Moore. “If someone comes in without a mask, I'm not going to kick them out…but we're going to make sure that they’ve got six feet of separation.” Moore has just expanded his hours, but won’t be open after 9 PM, in part because he thinks some patrons may begin to take liberties with social distancing guidelines after they’ve had a few. “I don’t want to have to play sheriff at that point,” said Moore. Peter Piper’s Pubhouse is open 12 noon to 9 PM every day, with the
except of Sunday, when closing is at 8 PM. As to the future, Moore’s mood is one of cautious optimism. He has watched COVID infection numbers in Niagara on their up-and-down coaster ride. “We'll roll with it, and if things get worse, maybe the government will give us another round of support,” said Moore. Over in Fenwick, the Grill on Canboro is gussying up the restaurant with, what else, plexiglass barriers on its booths as well. Denise, a server at the eatery, said that they have seating for 60 inside, and another dozen on the patio. All staff are wearing masks, and are encouraging diners to do the same. They are open Wednesday through Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday 9
AM – 3 PM. Don’t forget that it will be the law in Niagara Region come this Friday that facial coverings be worn when using indoor spaces (including retail and food stores) and public transit. The bylaw will be in place until October 1, and could be extended beyond that time. All businesses are expected to have a policy regarding the use of masks, and have the option to refuse entry to anyone without a facial covering.
Top, Peter Moore, masked, serves Piper’s guests Don and Bill. Right, plexiglass booth partitions at the Grille.
k s a m y r o t a d n g a n i m s y s a o w r s c t i e v n r o e s w e a R l y d e b d e e n s d r a u g Are you looking for an opportunity to make your community safer for kids walking to and from school? If the answer is yes, consider becoming a reserve crossing guard.
As of July 31, 2020, a result of a mandatory mask bylaw passed by the Niagara Region.. indoor spaces within the Town of Pelham, and all of Niagara, require a face-covering before entry.
What does it take to become a crossing guard?
Pelham crossing guards are provided the information and equipment they need to fulfil the duty asked of them. If you’d like to learn more about being a crossing guard, or have questions, please contact our senior bylaw officer, Craig Genesse at 905-892-2607 x204. Applications can be filled out online or at Fire Station 1.
The bylaw applies to all indoor spaces open to the public, including Town buildings, retails stores, restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, convenience stores, places of worship (except during a religious rite or ceremony that is incompatible with the face being covered), lobby areas of commercial buildings, common areas of apartment buildings, laundromats, gyms, and fitness centres. Visit www.pelham.ca/covid19 for full details on the bylaw. Exemptions include: children under 5, a person unable to wear a mask as a result of a medical condition or disability, while consuming food or drink, a person receiving services involving the face, a person engaged in sport or strenuous personal activity, a person assisting someone with a hearing disability, or those behind physical barriers within an area not publicly accessed.
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www.pelham.ca/covid19
Every year the Town of Pelham seeks crossing guards to help fill the gaps where posts require guard assistance. Helping children get to and from school safely is a big part of the job, but ensuring that both pedestrians and motorists are paying attention is equally important.
Page 4
The Voice, July 29, 2020
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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 Larry Coté Unmasking the masking dilemma
W
ithin the Niagara Region, to mask or unmask is no longer a question. The wearing of masks in enclosed public places and riding public transit is now the law. Most people will perceive the bylaw to be a reasonable measure to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus that has reached pandemic proportions globally. Prior to the adoption of this bylaw many in the community voluntarily adopted mask-wearing to help curtail the spread of the virus not only among their immediate family and social circles but also the wider community. According medical professionals, wearing masks, frequent hand washing and social distancing greatly contributed to flattening the rate of infection wherever such measures were regularly practiced. Regional Chair Jim Bradley, in a media briefing about the bylaw said, “As we move into Stage 3, it is more important than ever that we take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. I am confident that Niagara residents un-
derstand that wearing a mask means they are good neighbours and considerate of those in the community.” And that brings to mind those few citizens who resist the wearing of masks and might resist compliance with this new bylaw. Frankly stated, they are unwitting about the benefits of a mask and such abstinence is grossly inconsiderate of their fellow citizens. Excuses for not wearing a mask don’t hold water and serve to spread this terrible disease. Most of the masks in use do not prevent one from being infected but rather help prevent spreading the disease to others. What rationale would be acceptable to explain why one would contribute to making others in the community sick, or even die, by such irreverently incautious and egocentric thinking? Perhaps some of these unmasked egotists might give some thought to their contribution to the enormity of the consequences associated with the second wave of this pandemic. It is predicted to begin in early fall. Economists and health care professionals predict that it could be as bad, or
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even more devastating than, the initial stage. The enormity of its impact is largely dependent on measures taken to control and degrade the current pandemic. This second wave, in the absence of a vaccine, could wreak unimaginable havoc on all aspects of the economy and society. In efforts to lessen the impact of this first wave governments have expended billions of dollars in support payments of all sorts. If, as predicted, the second wave is anywhere near the severity of the first, then what might be the government’s capacity to continue such bailouts? Can the exhausted healthcare system withstand another onslaught like, or worse than, the first? Will businesses, large and small, be able to continue to borrow beyond their credit limits and abilities to repay? Will the unemployed find work? Perhaps those who resist wearing masks might respond more reasonably to the threats they, and their fellow citizens, are facing by complying with measures to rescue the community from the claws of this pandemic. ♦
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca
Please include rural Fenwick in moth spray program I would like to bring awareness to how bad the gypsy moth infestation is in the Ward 1 area. We followed all the recommendations on how to treat the trees with caterpillars but we are losing the battle. We have over 30 mature trees on our property, there is no way we can reach the larvae. It is so awful that we cannot sit outside to enjoy our garden. From driving around this area, I can see it is not just our property. Can our Town Council please include us in rural Fenwick to be part of the spray program in 2021? It will just get worse and worse each year until we lose all of our trees. We should be outside enjoying summer right now, not stuck inside due to the infestation of moths. Thank you. Paula Clifford Fenwick
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900
Members of Pelham Town Council
Member of Provincial Parliament
Ward 1
Electoral District: Niagara West
The Voice
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Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805
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Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-5877 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647
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Page 5
OPINION Axe not what your Legion can do for you, but rather...
PELHAM AND COVID-19
It is fair to say that many of us these days could use a chance to do something good, to help those around us. The Royal Canadian Legion on Highway 20 in Fonthill has been doing just that, and now they need our help. Toni and her team of selfless volunteers have been providing meals to those in need since the beginning of the lockdown. 7000 meals to be exact, that’s 53 meals a day since we went into COVID hibernation! Here is where they have run into a problem—the hood in the kitchen has broken down and needs to be replaced. A new hood is $10,000. This is where myself and two fellow axe throwers, backed by the Niagara axe throwing community, decided to do something about it. We are hosting an axe throwing tournament to raise as much of the money as we can for the replacement hood. Due to the ample size of their patio and inside space, we are able to host a tournament where everyone can stay socially distanced. Here is where you come in. We are looking for two things from the community that Toni’s team continues to support. We are asking for support from local business in the form of door prizes. Using their event hall as a staging area we will be conducting an open-to-the-community raffle, keeping pandemic safety in mind. Second is an invite to join the tournament or stop by the Legion on August 15 and enter the raffle, or the 50/50. You could even stay and have an icecold pint on a socially distanced patio and watch a match or two. Lunch is available for $10! The tournament is on August 15 starting at 11 AM. The throwing starts at 12:30. All proceeds— after the cost of insurance and wood —are going directly to the Legion. Finally the fun COVID stuff: We are still dealing with a pandemic, and like it or not we need to do this responsibly. When people are not throwing they will be be six feet away from anyone not in their bubble. Conveniently there are ample tables on the patio distanced appropriately. When throwing, we have spaced the targets so they will be six feet apart from their competitor. If the axes land in a way that retrieving them will stop them from being able to distance properly, they will take turns retrieving their axe. If your business is able to donate, or you are interested in more info, please email us at Axesupfundraising@gmail. com or Jamie Treschak directly at Jamie.Treschak@Treschak.com Jamie Treschak Pelham
Young partygoers, are you listening? Friends, Canadians, countrymen and women, lend me your ears. I come to bury COVID, not to praise it. I have given great thought to the contents of this letter. I will use the strongest weapons that I have to reach the ones who hold my fate within their grasp, the only weapons that I have to fight this insidious virus and those who do not care. The weapons are my words and my memories. So this letter is for all our young and old Canadians, much younger than I at nearly 88, but not too young to understand the power they have to control the outcome of this "war" we all are waging. They hold my future and yours in their hands. Now memories take me back to another time, and other young people. World War 11 has begun, and two very young men—my cousins, Frank Rogers, 19, a star athlete at Port Colborne High School and his older brother, Lennie, 21, recently
Regional Council mask vote was the right decision—for now
L
ast Thursday night, Regional Council passed, almost unanimously, a mask bylaw for the Region. Anyone entering a public building after July 31 within the Region must be wearing a mask. The fine, if issued, would be $1,000. The NRPS have already stated that they do not have the resources to enforce this bylaw, leaving the task of enforcement to either Regional bylaw enforcement, of which there are seven, or to area municipal bylaw staff.
I have always been reluctant to pass this bylaw for this very reason. Without the Marvin Junkin manpower to enforce this bylaw, it becomes a suggestion. I am afraid that there will be confrontations between pro-mask people and people not wearing a mask. It must be remembered by everyone that the bylaw allows exemptions to anyone with a medical condition that prohibits the wearing
of a mask and also to anyone with a disability that keeps them from correctly putting a mask on their face. At no time do either of these groups have to provide proof of same. Also the bylaw does not apply to children under five years old. The bylaw, unless reviewed by council, will end October 1. The days leading up to the vote saw councillors inundated with emails from both sides stating studies that provided evidence that their side was right, and the other side was out to lunch. Many emails were from practic-
ing medical doctors, mostly from the Toronto area. The doctors were adamant in their beliefs that the masks were very effective when people were in close contact with one another, with no room for social distancing. It was their testimonials that swayed my vote to the yes side, along with a small peak in numbers of cases that occurred last weekend. If the overall average numbers remain low during the next 60 days of Stage 3, I will be very reluctant to vote for renewing the bylaw past October 1. ♦
Readers react to Kenyon diversity call years ago and sorry to say this but it is very white here. We could do with more cultural diversity. Just my opinion. Cathy Thompson Via Facebook
Editor's note: Of the five Ward 1 candidate interviews the Voice has run so far, none received as much reader feedback than that of Colleen Kenyon, the retired teacher and Fonthill resident who arrived as a transplant from Kitchener-Waterloo in 2018. Drawing particular notice was Kenyon's opinion that racial and cultural diversity are "sadly lacking in Pelham." Good ideas, but she has to understand that this is a community of 17,000 people, not 100,000. She also said something about how this town has a much older population. Everything she talked about is for a big city, a very big city. We can’t do all this fantasy about doing all kind of things for this or that group of people. The truth about this town is we are small and we do have a certain percentage of older people. That’s not against the law. We pay taxes, we chose this town to live in. And if she wants to bring all those changes, my advice is [move to a] bigger city. Our main street has couple of restaurants, a gelato place,
Colleen Kenyon.
DON RICKERS
and couple of shops. That should be enough for her to see that she are dealing with really small town. Gordana Cica Laban Via Facebook Oh, brother. It’s about being more inclusive. We just moved here three
Who moves into a neighbourhood and says, "We need more <insert skin colour> people here"? We're a community of people who live here and work here and shop here and learn here and play here. We are who we are. I love that Colleen sees us as a place where agricultural refugees can live and work and shop and learn and play as well. If they want to integrate into the community, that's great! We definitely could use more skilled farm labour. I don't think it's a matter of being more culturally diverse, though. It's a matter of allowing people to live with other people where they fit and are needed. Wanda Bolhous Via Facebook
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married to Beverley—sign up to become fighter pilots in the R.A.F. and to travel to Europe to fight for Canada, their home and native land. They wanted to defend our borders and maintain our freedom against a foreign enemy. Our town was proud of these courageous young men. But my cousins were never to return from
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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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Letters
The Voice, July 29, 2020
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continued
Appreciates efforts by all related to cannabis bylaw
Going, going, gone
My husband and I watched the live streaming of the July 13 council meeting, where the new cannabis bylaw was passed unanimously. The development and approval of these comprehensive and ahead-of-the-pack regulations did not happen by serendipity; they are the result of several factors: - The philosophy of our Mayor Marv Junkin to be proactively open to community input; - The formation of the Cannabis Control Committee, that included community members, Councillors and staff, working together;
Just when we thought the worst of the long-running reconstruction of Pelham Street was ending (i.e., the road was paved, the sidewalks laid and the landscaping had begun), we awoke last Tuesday to the dreaded sound of chainsaws. Quickly scurrying over to Pelham Street, I saw to my shock and horror white “X’s” marked on two old-growth maple trees and a crew in the process of taking one of them down. These dreaded X’s had seemingly appeared overnight, as we had been more closely observing the trees of Pelham Street since another old growth maple had been taken down several months earlier due to the reconstruction (as referenced in my recent letter to the editor). We assumed that was it for the tree takedowns. Boy, were we wrong! My immediate calls to the Town went unanswered and despite leaving messages seeking an explanation for this action none was received that day; this in the hope of at least temporarily halting this destruction pending a full explanation for it. The tree service supervisor, who was up in the bucket taking down the first tree, kindly agreed to come down to talk to me. When asked, he advised they were retained by the road construction contractor to remove these trees and he understood the Town had approved this action. He did not know the precise reason for the removal, though ventured it was likely due to the amount of root damage done to these trees during construction. I asked him how he could know that for sure and he could not say, since I noted the new road was paved and the sidewalk had been poured for some weeks now. I kindly asked if he would refrain from further cutting these trees pending my receiving an explanation from the Town. He said he could not. I asked him what was his opinion of the health of these trees. The tree he was cutting had some dead spots in its crown so it might be on its way out. He opined the other tree looked perfectly healthy. I asked him if he had previously taken out the old growth maple mere metres from these trees and he affirmed he had. When I asked him about the health of that tree he advised it was healthy in his opinion (which was what we had observed after seeing that tree cut up). I received a call back from a Town official on Wednesday. An explanation was provided, with the primary reasons for removal being the amount of damage done to the tree roots during water pipe installation (and it was an arborist’s purported opinion this would lead to the untimely death of these trees and a resultant safety/liability issue), along with a homeowner’s request for removal due to visual hindrance when exiting their driveway (which had reportedly been negatively altered due to the road construction). Calls were made to Councillors Kore and Wink. What was the big hurry for taking down these trees? After all, the trees have only been there for a hundred-plus years, and we are aware the homeowners in question have lived at this residence for many years. In discussion with the Town official along with Councillors Kore and Wink, it became apparent that there is no formal process available to Town residents to question and/ or contest this kind of action. All agreed that the Town’s April 2016 tree policy is
very inadequate and definitely needs to be changed. The Town official advised this revision needed to be done within the context of the Climate and Sustainability initiative the Town has been undertaking. We couldn’t agree more! Interestingly, in reading over the Town’s Climate and Sustainability webpage not one mention is made of the word “trees.” Many “assets” of the Town as related to sustainability are listed, but trees don’t make the list. That needs to change. Interestingly enough, the Town’s tree policy currently reads: “Tree removal decisions by the Town are carefully calculated, as the preference is ALWAYS to maintain and enhance the tree canopy.” Well in this case, ALWAYS wasn’t ALWAYS! Councillor Wink advised that the Town’s tree planting history is very poor, noting that for every tree removed two are to be planted. Following the Haist Street reconstruction undertaken several years ago, where 100 trees were removed, he asked me to guess how many trees were replanted. I guessed 50. Turns out I was too high by 47 trees. I cannot rule out the possibility that the Town’s explanation for removal of these trees may have been reasonable. However, we know little about how the Town arrived at this decision and there was no opportunity to review/question this. At the table were the homeowners who made the request for removal (and their representative) along with Town employees, but no one from concerned citizenry. Who spoke for them—who spoke for the trees? Clearly no one! Councillors Kore and Wink stated they would ensure that the Town’s tree policy will be fully reviewed and updated in the months ahead. The Town official advised me that this was now part of his mandate and he expected to complete this work by early next year. I requested that a strong mechanism be put in place for citizens to be officially notified regarding decisions about Pelham’s tree canopy. This should include not only input but good-faith discussion and negotiation (which could include the option for a second professional opinion—we would have considered paying for an independent arborist’s report in this case had we been given half a chance). We will closely monitor what transpires in this regard, with the sincere hope that what has recently transpired on Pelham Street and Station Street will not be repeated. We fully expect that proposed revisions to Pelham’s tree policy will be open for public review and discussion. Finally, my wife and I reflect upon and are grateful for the nearly 40 years that we have walked by these now absent trees on Pelham Street, comforted by the shade they cast on a hot summer day, our son hugging one as he learned to walk, their resilience in withstanding the winds of winter, bending but never breaking, awestruck by the beauty of their changing autumn leaves, let alone for the tons of CO2 they have sequestered over their lifetime. We encourage you to reflect about the trees in your and/ or your family’s life, and what meaning and emotion you might attach to them. If these trees matter to you, then let us ensure this Town treats them with the care and respect they deserve. Graham Pett Fonthill
WISE-UP
father and brother in the First World War, and knew full well how many willingly sacrificed everything they had to give. What are we asked to sacrifice in this subtle war we now are fighting? What we are asked to do is simple and may SAVE many lives—wearing masks, washing our hands, keeping a socially safe distance from others, and importantly USING SELF CONTROL. I ask you once again... Do You Care? Are you willing to sacrifice a brief time in your life for the good of so many? Is this generation as stoic as mine once was? What are you willing to sacrifice for others? Do you care? Will you reply to my letter? My words may seem harsh but I believe they ring true. The fate of our world may be left up to you. S. M. Lazareth Fonthill
- The exceptional and informed leadership of Dr Tim Nohara, PhD, Chair of the CCC; - Council for providing financial resources for getting the support requested by the CCC; - All members of the CCC for the many hours of time spent on this endeavour, and especially to the late Councillor Mike Ciolfi for the dedication he showed in his role. This open and collaborative process makes us feel fortunate to live in Pelham. Earl and Tillie Clapp Fenwick, ON
“Wild west” at quarry Just by watching the video of the recent Wainfleet Council meeting, the NPCA delegation presentation and the following discussion on Council, there was absolutely no sign of anyone, Township or NPCA, with a single plan to tackle anything. That item on the agenda ended up with both Wainfleet Council and the NPCA agreeing what a great job they were all doing without offering a single solution. Whilst COVID-19 may have be an additional factor, to pretend it is somehow a new problem that Wainfleet has not faced before is no more than a rather pathetic excuse by those elected to protect the best interests of the residents who they supposedly represent. Wainfleet Township Council, the NPCA board, both are looking for someone else to blame and whether it is visitors or Wainfleet residents the “solutions” they come up with will likely not work and as usual it will be the Wainfleet taxpayers who are expected to pay for it with increased taxes.
The real Wainfleet “wild west” is an elected council, who, having promised during the last elections to protect Wainfleet’s agricultural and rural character, have totally sold out to their planners and any developer out there who will come into Wainfleet and build. There is no difference between visitors who contribute nothing to Wainfleet and leave only garbage, and developers, who are encouraged by Wainfleet’s planners and council to see Wainfleet as just one huge potential building lot from which they can profit. Provincial policy and the updated Niagara Region Official Plan states that Wainfleet can sustain a maximum of 16 new single residences per year from now until 2041. With a provincial maximum of 16 single family residences per year in Wainfleet just how many are currently approved and being built in Wainfleet today? Andrew Watts Wainfleet
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continued from previous page war. Both Frank and Lennie were killed in active duty, Frank, April 12, 1943, age 19, in the night sky over Britain during a training session, and Lennie, nearly 22, with his crew of eight, on a night mission to Hamburg, shot down by a German fighter plane, somewhere at sea. These two young Canadians sacrificed everything! Their parents, Ted and Ethel, sacrificed two sons. Ethel became a Silver Star mother and lived until 92 without her sons by her side. Her daughters were without their brothers, a young wife, Beverley, without her loving husband. The boys' dad, Ted, died just as the war ended. Our family knew his loss was just too much to bear. He had served with his own
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice, July 29, 2020
Page 7
As more businesses and services reopen, we must all continue our efforts to protect each other. SHOPPING LOCAL MPP for Niagara West, Sam Oosterhoff, talks with Fenwick Pie Company owner Josh Minor at his bakery last Friday afternoon. Minor and Oosterhoff agreed that the awareness level needs to be raised for Pelham residents about products and services close to home. As Niagara moves into Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening, Oosterhoff is visiting local eateries and retail stores to highlight local businesses. DON RICKERS
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Page 8
The Voice, July 29, 2020
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
SNIPPY
WARD 1 BY-ELECTION 2020
continued from next page
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL Wayne Olson, a candidate in the coming Ward 1 by-election, greets residents Paul and Ruth Bryant and their grandsons, Evan and Tyler, on their way for ice cream on Saturday. They are standing in front of Olson’s campaign office, the former RBC branch in downtown Fenwick. SUPPLIED
make all attempts at control doomed to fail, he said. Jason Marr, Pelham’s Director of Public Works, says that the Town receives “a handful of resident concerns about a number of noxious weeds including wild parsnip, hog weed, poison oak and poison ivy, annually,” and employs a licensed contractor to deal with the problem using herbicide. While this year the Town has received notification about poison ivy and hogweed in rural roadside locations, they have not treated wild parsnip. Neither the NPCA nor the MNRF has a mandate to control noxious species except on land that they directly control, but the non-profit Invasive Species Centre compiles sightings of invasive plants and assists in control measures. Wild or poison parsnip resembles Queen Anne’s Lace, but instead of white flower clusters in a parasol shape, its flowers are yellow. Typically growing about .5 to 1.5 metres
tall, it has deeply grooved green stems and leaves with sawtoothed leaflets arranged in pairs opposite each other along the stem. According to the Ontario Invasive Plants website, “Wild Parsnip is most often found in disturbed areas (i.e. railway embankments, roadsides, trails, shorelines, ditches, beaches, forest clearings and areas such as abandoned mine sites, quarries, and waste areas).” The plant was introduced from Europe in the 19th century and by the 1940s it was reported in every province. As Fay Suthons found out, it is very difficult to eradicate, requiring diligent and frequent control. It can be (very carefully) dug up and left to dry out or mowed, but both treatments need to be repeated for several seasons, and mowing during the summer can serve to spread the seeds, making the problem worse. Covering the plants with a black plastic tarp will smother them if it is left in place for a season, but once it is removed, care must be taken to ensure the plants don’t
The plants grow .5 to 1.5 metres tall and resemble Queen Anne’s Lace, except that the flowers are yellow and the stems deeply grooved. BRIAN GREEN grow back. If you are exposed to the sap of the wild parsnip, stay out of the sun until you can wash thoroughly with soap and water and keep the affected area covered. If burns or blisters develop, seek medical attention.
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The Voice, July 29, 2020
Page 9
Poison parsnips penetrating Pelham Pretty to see but dangerous to touch, wild weed is thriving BY BRIAN GREEN
Special to the VOICE
Add “poison parsnip” to the list of miseries being visited upon Pelham in this year of the pandemic. A relative of Giant Hogweed, the wild parsnip can produce blistered skin and a burning rash, even cause blindness if it gets near the eyes. Chemicals in the sap react with UV rays in sunlight to burn the skin, a reaction that can take years to fully disappear. Fay Suthons lives on the Wainfleet side of the Welland River and has been combatting the invasive plant for more than five years, and has observed its spread on the Pelham side of the river near O’Reilly’s Bridge, a popular spot for people to
launch boats and fish. She has seen people walking through the parsnip and even collecting the flowers in vases to take home. On her property, she enlisted the help of Kayanase Greenhouses from the Six Nations, thinking that Indigenous horticulturalists would have the best knowledge of how to eradicate the plant. After three years of targeted spraying, the foreman from Kayanase advised her to give up trying to control the spread and concentrate on the immediate vicinity of her yard. Seed spread from the Pelham side would See SNIPPY previous page
This field of yellow flowers near O’Reilly’s Bridge, a popular fishing spot, is poison parsnip.
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The Voice, July 29, 2020
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Niagara Regional Council: masks to be mandatory BY VOICE STAFF During their regular meeting last Thursday, July 23, as part of their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, Niagara Regional Council approved a bylaw making it mandatory to wear a face covering or non-medical mask in enclosed public places. The bylaw comes into effect at 12:01 AM this Friday, July 31, and will remain in effect until October 1, unless extended by Regional Council. According to a Regional statement, the bylaw applies to the following enclosed indoor places: • Retail stores where goods and services are sold to customers • Businesses that primarily sell food including restaurants • Supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries and convenience stores • Churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other places of worship, except during a religious rite or ceremony that is incompatible with the face being covered • Shopping malls or similar structures which contain multiple places of business • Lobby areas of commercial buildings • Common areas of hotels and motels and other short term accommodations, such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms or other common use facilities but does not include the common areas of residential apartment buildings or con-
dominiums • Laundromats • Concert venues, theatres and cinemas • Fitness centres, gyms, other recreational and sports facilities and clubhouses • Arcades and other amusement facilities • Premises utilized as an open house, presentation centres or other facility for real-estate purposes • Museums, galleries, historic sites and similar attractions • Businesses providing personal care services • Banquet halls, convention centres, arenas, stadiums and other event spaces • Public transit operated by the Niagara Region and local area municipalities • Municipal buildings Every child that is five years old or older will be required to wear a mask. Under the bylaw, all businesses operating in Niagara must have a policy regarding the wearing of face coverings that prevent persons from entering without a mask. Additionally, businesses must ensure that staff receive training in the requirements of the policy and provide hand sanitizer at all public entrances. Exemptions As some individuals may be unable to wear a mask, the Niagara Region is asking residents to be supportive to others in the commu-
Mom Jennifer, daughters Maddie and Gaby, off to shop. nity who may be exempt and remind residents that every person’s situation is different. For those who are unable to wear a mask, the bylaw does not require those individuals to disclose the reason for the exemption. The bylaw also makes exemptions for indoor locations that would already have their own policies, or would be subject to other provincial legislation or guidelines: • Day cares, schools, post secondary institutions and other facilities used solely for educational purposes • Hospitals, independent health facilities and offices of regulated health professionals • Buildings and services owned or operated by the Province of Ontario or the Federal Government of Canada • An indoor area of a building that is accessible only to employees • Portions of buildings that are being used for the purpose of providing day camps for children or for the training of amateur or profes-
DON RICKERS
sional athletes "The decision made tonight by Regional Council demonstrates a commitment to taking every possible step to protect the health of our residents and ensure our economy can operate as safely as possible," said Jim Bradley, Niagara Regional Chair. Pelham Regional Councillor Diana Huson told the Voice that she was happy to see a majority of council support the motion, marking a significant change from a divided vote some weeks before. “Whether it was the wording changes to the bylaw, the recent video of crowds of people in Niagara Falls ignoring public health guidance, or the recent upswing of COVID cases in Niagara that helped solidify support for this initiative, I believe council recognized the importance of this measure as an effective tool to further protect our citizens,” said Huson. “As we embark on Stage 3, we must remember that COVID is still
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circulating in Niagara. Complacency will only lead to further human and economic harm. We must be vigilant in practicing the recommended public health measures that can help reduce further spread of the virus. Let’s keep those numbers down.” Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, who is also a Regional Councillor, was also on board—up to a point. “The slight increase in numbers, plus the many emails that were sent to councillors by MDs during the last couple of days, convinced me to vote yes,” Junkin told the Voice. “I am still afraid that with our inability to enforce this bylaw, that the passing of it will pit neighbour against neighbour, leading to confrontation. If these numbers lower just a bit by October 1, I will not vote to extend the bylaw.” Town Councillor John Wink praised the Regional move. “I fully support the decision of Niagara Regional Council to make masks mandatory for enclosed public spaces,” said Wink. “The health and safety of our citizens is of primary concern. We collectively need to keep everyone safe until a vaccine can be found and distributed. From personal observation, Pelham residents for the most part are using masks in indoor spaces already. What concerns me is when I go to other communities in the region I do not have the same confidence. I am concerned that certain citizens have a cavalier attitude towards their own personal safety and that of others. I applaud Regional Council for implementing this bylaw so there is consistency throughout the Niagara Region.” No other Pelham Town Councillor acknowledged the Voice’s request for comment.
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continued from Page 1 I’ve had in the last four months finds me inside one of the narrow, packed downtown Toronto bars I used to frequent, with 100-plus people shouting over loud music in close confines. With this in mind, I prepped for the downtown car adventure by eating a hearty breakfast and downing a protein shake. Under no circumstances, I told myself, would I attempt to buy food downtown — although I did take hand sanitizer in part for an anticipated purchase of Gatorade. After dropping the automobile off and winning the expected argument over the dealership’s attempt to bill me for work that was already covered in my service agreement, I ventured out in what would become a four-hour time-killing exercise. I began with a five-kilometre run on the Don Valley trail, a dangerously narrow pathway that parallels the stagnant waters of the Don River, with expressway traffic whipping by on the opposite side. For fun, I ran part of it with a mask on in a halfbaked lung capacity experiment. The humidex reaching 30 degrees at 9:30 AM cut this idea short however, and I jogged the rest of the route with the mask strapped to the top of my head. After aimlessly wandering around the
OBITUARY
Evelyn Mary Gordon (nee Flack), Passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the age of 75. Evelyn was born and grew up near Enniskillen in rural Northern Ireland. She was the youngest of five siblings. She studied at Belfast College of Domestic Science and met Craig in 1968 while teaching in England. They married in December 1969 and moved to Calgary in 1974. They finally moved to Fonthill in 1978 and made this their home for more than 40 years. Evelyn is survived by Craig, her beloved husband of 51 years, son Mark (Sarah) in Toronto, daughter Carol (Scott) in Seattle, brother Graham (Gill) in Ireland, four grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Calgary and Ireland. Evelyn will be remembered as a sweet and warm-hearted lady and will be dearly missed. A private service to celebrate the life of Evelyn will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the Pedlar Funeral Home, 1292 Pelham St, Fonthill. Online condolences may be shared at www. pedlarfuneralhome.ca
The Voice, July 29, 2020 Port Lands area and trying to envision what it would look like if the Toronto Blue Jays built an open-air ballpark at the foot of Polson Street, I headed into the downtown core. There wasn’t much to report, other than I noticed the person who now lives in my old condo has awkwardly placed a plastic folding table in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, possibly in a “work from home” arrangement. While Toronto has been more or less commended for heeding the pandemic restrictions well, it was jarring to see just how dead the streets in the city’s centre were. Standing at the corner of King and Yonge took on the sensation of being in Dallas or Houston — similarly large cities with canyonesque skylines that, unlike Toronto and other metropolises, are in normal times completely devoid of street life. Since the dawn of the pandemic, the intelligentsia has postulated widely on the future of cities. Close quarters and crowds, after all, are not something most people are pining for at the moment. In a monied, corporate city such as Toronto, white-collar professionals are likely to be more capable than others to make work-fromhome something permanent. Meanwhile, many of their employers have spent the last four months coming to realize that they might not need to pay tens of thousands of dollars per month in downtown office rent. Anecdotally, I can tell you that three people I know have moved or have decided to move from Toronto to Niagara since the pandemic began. That’s likely evidence why Pelham’s real estate market has remained sound despite an unprecedented economic downturn — and likewise because the Niagara Region remains comparatively affordable to the GTA (I suspect a lesson here might be if you’re one of the locals who snickers at the “Toronto folk” moving in, that’s not going to slow down anytime soon). There are serious ramifications to all this, of course. For instance, what happens to the precarious class of service workers who provide the backbone of an urban economy, if the cities begin losing offices and people? Here, in a region overly dependent on tourism, it’s happening in its own way. Ac-
Page 11
From left, Mikayla Guarasci, Ella DiFlavio, Susan Santillan.
Three scholarships ladled out
A particularly quiet downtown Toronto. cording to a survey of various Niagara Region businesses cited by the Globe and Mail, 40 percent said they had lost three-quarters or more of their normal revenues due to the pandemic. More than half those losses came in the accommodation, food services and recreation industries. The silver lining, of course, is the likelihood that the tourism sector eventually comes back. At some point people need to partake in some form of leisure again (video out of Niagara Falls from last weekend indicates that this may have started, although probably not safely). Additionally, as somebody who has spent years working in sports media, I can assure you that there are people who will never stop gambling— which makes the eventual reopening of the casinos a certainty. Still, the empty streets of downtown Toronto in the age of COVID-19 got me thinking about the possibility of a paradigm shift in how the urban/suburban/rural dynamic works. After three hours of running, walking, and downing a grape-flavoured Gatorade, I did what I tried not to do, and began getting hungry. My first instinct was to open an app I use downtown to order and pick up food. However, thanks to the planned obsolescence of my 2017 iPhone 6, the battery was dead (possibly because I had been using
JOHN CHICK
the Nike Run Club app for several hours to log my mileage, with Pusha T blaring in my ears). Walking by a few open patios populated by a handful of day-drinkers, I located a shawarma place on Queen Street. At the height of lunch hour, myself and two construction workers were the only people in there ordering. “It’s been dead, man,” the guy behind the counter told me when I asked how business was. I found a nearby concrete abutment to sit on, and for the first time in four months, ate something from an outside establishment that wasn’t delivered. I’m not sure if spraying hand sanitizer on the outer tinfoil wrap was necessary, but the food tasted good nevertheless. Shockingly, my car was ready when I made my first venture back to the service centre. “We called you,” the woman said, clearly unaware that my battery was dead. With that, I donned the latex gloves I had left in the trunk and headed home, intending to give the interior my own cleaning when I got there. Heading west on the Gardiner Expressway, I looked at the CN Tower in the rear view mirror and wondered when the next time I’d be back would be. Not likely for awhile. ♦
Graduating students from three Catholic high schools are recipients of 2020 St. Kevin Social Justice scholarships (Soup’s On!). The students are: Ella DiFlavio, Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School, Grimsby; Susan Santillan, Lakeshore Catholic High School, Port Colborne; and Mikayla Guarasci, Notre Dame College School, Welland. Each received a $1,000 scholarship. Ella DiFlavio, who wants to be a French and mathematics teacher, has been accepted by Niagara University in Lewiston, N. Y. for this fall. Ella is described as an all around student involved in all aspects of life at Blessed Trinity. Susan Santillan will study engineering at McMaster University, Hamilton. Her particular academic interests include art, sciences and maths. During her years at Lakeshore Catholic, Susan balanced achievement in academics, with sports (cross-country, swimming, badminton) and with service at Lakeshore and in the community. Mikayla Guarasci is enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts - Sports Media program at Ryerson University, Toronto. The consistent Notre Dame honour roll student has received various awards for hockey. She was the Notre Dame team captain for two years as well as winner of the Irish Sportsmanship award. Mikayla is in the Brock Jr. Badgers hockey program. She served on the St. Catharines Female Hockey Association board as a junior director and acted as a timekeeper for games. The three students were recommended by their respective schools. This was the 18th year for the one-day fundraiser. It features a sampling of soups prepared by culinary students from local high schools and Niagara College as well as a local lunch service.
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Posted Event Submissions Standards April 8United Church Fenwick
If your organization is hosting an event that would be of interest to the community, www.fenwickunited.com www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com www.pelham.cc you may submit an events profile by sending your community events information to Central editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca Some restrictions apply. Event submissions that meet Region Ads included the acceptability standards of The Voice ofOnPelham will then bethis posted until the date heroes. the positive side, events. This will be an opportuniHANDLEBARS FAITH LIFT is abytradition that is out-of-date ty for racers not considered skilled This14The ad isCommunity to be printed all participating Ontario papers continued fromevent. Page continued from Page 15 of your Events Calendar is updated weekly. Please provide and hopefully will not return postenough to lead their teams to show as much notice and information COVID. as possible including the date, time and theirdescription potential, and allow fans to (building her up). be as competitive as usual, and the of your event. The Voice of Pelham edit for Forreserves those ofthe usright whotohave hadspace. see more upcoming and local talA wife can respect spectacular geography and photography won’t change. If you’ve just about had it with series reruns and Netflix, you and your partner can look forward to lots of live cycling broadcasts. Even if you’re not avid cyclists, you can enjoy visiting the Dolomites and spectacular Mediterranean coast of Italy, esoteric Poland, the Surrey hills of England, and much of France in August; virtually wander Belgium, the Netherlands, Quebec and China (the Tour of Guangxi is still on the schedule as of this writing) in September; and relax in sunny Spain during October and early November — all in the company of athletic men on bikes. COVID protocols means there will be no podium girls at the end of each race stage with congratulatory kisses for the winners. Sadly, we will no longer witness the French fashion designers of each city battle to have their stunning fashions showcased by the women presenting medals to the day’s
enough of racers doping, the clean movement will prosper this season. There will be no hiding in secretive little groups to inject whatever—social distancing marshals will be everywhere. Add in the fact that daily COVID testing will be mandatory, and clean riders might actually have a level playing field this year. We’ll finally test the science that claims panting cyclists at speed can spew COVID droplets for up to ten metres behind them. No pro cyclist will give up their place drafting in the peloton to social distance, so the races will test the theory to its extreme. It’s unlikely racers will accept random water bottles from roadside fans any longer no matter how dehydrated they might be. And will the guys (always guys) that streak in the nude alongside the riders on slow-paced but crowded hillsides at least wear masks in 2020? Races on the tightened schedule overlap, meaning teams will have to split their riders amongst
Fenwick Sub S Golden Grill Devries Fruit F Ridderikhoff M
ent. Will additional suspense be added to the three Grand Tours? Riders will have less in-competition training prior to the Tour de France, and more fatigue entering the Vuelta because of the crammed schedule. Is it possible we might see usually strong contenders implode in the final days? We all hope we’ll soon get back to normal, but if you are stuck inside for the next three months, check the UCI World Tour schedule — it has to be better than football or tennis in an empty stadium. It must be noted that for a mix of reasons, and a lot of foot dragging, the UCI has just recently begun to provide women’s races at the world tour level, and that this effort has been set back by the pandemic. Their tour will have only 18 events for 2020, and Canada does not have a race on the Women’s UCI World Tour. We can only hope that this effort to recognize a strong contingent of female riders will continue in the future. ♦
her husband by acknowledging his various needs such as his need to work and achieve, to provide and protect, to be strong and lead, to analyze and counsel, and his need for friendship and physical intimacy. When these things are happening in a marriage, the spiral is moving upward and the relationship grows stronger. The third cycle is “the rewarded cycle.” This is the hardest one and is summarized this way: “His love blesses regardless of her respect; her respect blesses regardless of his love.” Eggerichs writes, “Sometimes we lack the motivation (but not the ability) to be loving and respectful.” It’s a choice, a matter of the will. Believers have an advantage here as they have God to help them do what is right even if they don’t feel like it. When the downward spiral of the crazy cycle begins, someone needs to break it and start the upward spiral of the energiz-
Sometimes we lack the motivation (but not the ability) to be loving and respectful ing cycle. It takes maturity and determination, especially if the other spouse does not respond positively right away. We can do it for our marriage and our children, but a Christian also does it as an act of obedience to God. It’s hard but the eventual reward is worth it.
The bottom line
Eggerichs concludes with two prayers. One is good and selfless. It says, “Lord, I want to do what is on Your heart; please fulfill Your desire in me.” The second is the opposite. It says, “Lord, here is what is on my heart; please fulfill my desires for me.” Which one is your prayer? ♦ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor and still on a learning curve.
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Page 13
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“Front-line Tots” provides free lessons for kids of front-line staff Non-profit initiative aimed at relief for front-line workers during pandemic BY HELEN TRAN
Special to the VOICE
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Pooja Senthil, a young university student in Life Sciences at McMaster University, noticed that despite lockdown, many people still had to work every day as front-line workers, often without support from daycare services or school. With a background in babysitting and tutoring, Senthil saw an opportunity to combine her two passions with a love of teaching. She then created a non-profit initiative called Front-line Tots. The program is designed to give relief for front-line workers by providing online educational programs and activities to kids ages 4-12 at no cost. “I wanted to do my part to support the community during the pandemic,” said Senthil, “and I want to make a difference.” The idea of Front-line Tots is to give front-line workers a breather to relax and catch up on work, while the kids are safe and entertained in a learning environment. Having grown up in Fonthill (where she was an E. L. Crossley badminton champ in 2018), Senthil wanted
a way to show appreciation for local front-line workers, and raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts through
The kids are really enjoying the program donations. All sessions are attended virtually through the secure video/web conferencing program Zoom. Sessions are at different times during the day depending on age, and there is a different topic every day. Topics include math, visual arts, music, dance, science, and English. There are also “Fun Fridays,” when kids can play games through Zoom as a reward for learning during the week. The program has been running every weekday for the past two months, and Senthil has designed
Pooja Senthil, creator of Front-line Tots, top centre, discussing space and the importance of the sun. and run the educational modules herself, with some input from friends and family. “The kids are really enjoying the program,” said Senthil, relating a story of being recognized while on a walk and being thanked by one of the parents.
“One of the moms said that the kids are really excited about it, because they wake up every day and spend the 30 minutes before class getting ready for it. The session gives her time to get work done and make phone calls.” Parents can register their chil-
SUPPLIED
dren, learn more about the programs available, and make donations at https://frontlinetots. godaddysites.com/ All classes are free, and any donations will go to local hospitals and food banks such as Pelham Cares.
Page 14
The Voice, July 29, 2020
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FROM THE HANDLEBARS
by John Swart
Hungry for televised sports? Try the UCI World Tour.
I
magine playing a seven-game World Series in one weekend. Consider the NHL cramming its nine-and-a-halfmonth schedule into three months, and obligating our beloved Leafs to split their squad so they can play two games at the same time in different countries. Welcome to the Union Cycliste International World Tour, traditionally a series consisting of the 36 most prestigious professional bicycle races in the world, and the challenge of a COVID-19 altered 2020 schedule. Road cycling is a niche sport, and isn’t on everyone’s mustwatch television or stream-
ing list, but the Tour de France attracts one-and-ahalf million spectators live and another billion or so on TV. It is also a wonderful 23day travelogue with stunning aerial views of historic French castles and rugged mountain scenery, frequently labelled the best travel advertising in the world. World Tour races are either multi-day stage races like the Tour de France, or one day classics like La Fleche Wallone, a 196- kilometre race in Belgium. Because of COVID, the number of events this year has been reduced to 25, and the com-
plete schedule will be completed in just 100 days, beginning August 1. In a normal season there are three Grand Tours, the Giro d’Italia in early May, the Tour de France in July, and the Vuelta Ciclista a Espana in September. Even with weeks of recuperation time between these races, the top professionals can only race two of the three if they wish to maintain the stamina to be in top form. These races are each 3000 kilometres or longer, and team tactics and strategies play an important part in rider success. The classics are long, difficult one-day challenges designed to “spread the wealth” of World Tour events into many countries, and offer riders with less strong teams the opportunity to shine as individuals. The local nature of the classics
Pro women line up at the Tour of the Battenkill, New York, for a pre-COVID race. How long before we’ll see a starting line this packed happen again? SUPPLIED also provides an economic and promotional boost for the hosting region’s cycling culture. Canada’s Grand Prix Cyclist de Montreal and GPC de Quebec are both still included in the abbreviated 2020 calendar, although in mid-September rather than July as usual. How does all this impact professional cycling and those that follow it?
For many fans, and for the semi-interested stuck close to home because of COVID, there are positives. If you desperately miss live sports being played before huge crowds, bicycle road racing might fill the void. Spectators line the roads along the course rather than crowding into stadiums and arenas, so they are outdoors and can so-
cially distance. There may be large boisterous crowds at the start and finish lines, and perhaps camped at key mountain climbs, but one can avoid these locations and access the riders anywhere they pass along the route. For fans watching on TV or streaming, the racing will See HANDLEBARS Page 12
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Voice
HOROSCOPE
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 What seems like innocent fun can quickly escalate, Aries. Be sure to rein in the excitement. If you can’t do so on your own, ask a buddy to assist you. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 This is your time to ramp up the romance, Taurus. If you are single, employ some dating apps to find a new match. If you’re in a relationship, exchange romantic texts. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 No one can make healthy decisions for you, Gemini. It is up to you to make some changes. Recommit to healthy eating and exercise this week. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, if your relationship has been complicated by finances and power struggles, that will start to settle in the days to come. You will find a middle ground. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Your significant other can be the catalyst for change, Leo. He or she may help you propel your career and potentially open up doors you never considered. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, you may need to get some things of your chest soon. But don’t fret. You’ll be able to get your emotions out and start over with a fresh and calm perspective. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Surround yourself with your favorite things and people, Libra. This will make daily life that much better and help you put a positive spin on anything. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 You may be a little moody and
things may not be going according to plan right now, Scorpio. But all it takes is a minor adjustment to change all of that immediately. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, with all the pressure you have been under lately, it can be easy to buckle. However, you have energy reserves in droves and can muscle your way through. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Miscommunication at work may lead to confusion and broken agreements, Capricorn. You may have to be the level head in this situation and pull everyone together. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, keep a level head through a demanding time. You’re being pulled in many directions, but you’ve always been cool under pressure and now is no different. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Dreams fill your mind, Pisces. But you have to operate in the real world. See if you can merge your goals with your dreams this week. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS JULY 26 Elizabeth Gillies, Actress (27) JULY 27 Triple H, Wrestler (51) JULY 28 Ali Krieger, Athlete (36) JULY 29 Josh Radnor, Actor (46) JULY 30 Joey King, Actress (21) JULY 31 Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur (62) AUGUST 1 Jason Momoa, Actor (41)
SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Reecho 2. Uproot 3. Shinto 4. Tastes 5. Semi 6. Aconite 7. RO 8. TL 9. Rorem 10. Egad 13. ID 14. Saddest 15. Trellis 20. Al 21. Ms 22. AMAs 23. Tab 27. Beni 29. SD 30. Fab 31. FAA 32. Ad 33. Mas 34. Balance 35. Aladdin 36. Lump 37. LLB 38. HB 40. Beef 41. Linemen 42. AR 44. Hao 45. Cloths 46. Lineal 47. Adagio 48. Deluge 50. Crane 51. HS 52. AI 54. Pier 55. Suds 57. LV 61. Os 62. MI
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Rust 5. Sartre 11. Epha 12. Ecologist 16. Eris 17. Mo 18. Radar 19. Contaminated 24. DE 25. Hotels 26. Imam 27. BDL 28. Otos 29. Stab 30. Feel 31. Fades 33. Mansi 34. Ballad 38. Habits 39. Alula 40. Blabs 43. Lamb 44. Heir 45. Clad 49. ADP 50. Caen 51. Halide 53. ND 54. Professional 56. Cilia 58. MU 59. Tegu 60. Envenomed 63. Haig 64. Resins 65. Sloe
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The Voice, July 29, 2020
Voice
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
CROSSWORD
G
Emerson Eggerichs.
SUPPLIED
without love.” It becomes a vicious spiral downward and (unless stopped) will lead to marital breakdown. This cycle can be the underlying dynamic of an argu-
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Love and respect, two words that transform
ood marital advice is always helpful. During the last year, this newspaper has printed “Faith Lift” articles called “How Your Personality Affects Your Marriage,” “What is Your Love Language?” and “Love-busters and Love-builders.” A few months ago I was encouraged to see an article called “A Pre-Marriage Checklist,” which shared wise advice from 70-year-old Larry Fisher. I read recently that this time of social isolation has put pressure on some marriages and that divorces are expected to spike. I hope not. But let me share one more piece that I’ve gleaned over the years and hope will be helpful.
Page 15
ment that seems to be about something else. The second one is “the energizing cycle.” This is the positive one and can be summarized as: “His love motivates her respect; her respect motivates his love.” In effect, it’s the opposite of the first cycle. A husband can love his wife through closeness, openness, listening and understanding (which isn’t the same as problem-solving or trying to “fix her”). Other ways are through peacemaking (i.e., resolving issues), loyalty (faithfulness) and esteem See FAITH LIFT Page 12
Love and Respect
This is the title of a popular book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs published in 2004. The subtitle says, “The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs.” The book is basically centred on one verse in the Bible— Ephesians 5:33. God inspired the apostle Paul to write to believers in the city of Ephesus: “Husbands, love your wives… and wives, respect your husbands.” God, our Creator, knew that love was the wife’s greatest emotional need and that respect was the husband’s. Because the sexes are different physically and emotionally, it should not surprise us that their greatest emotional needs are different as well.
Three cycles
Dr. Eggerichs describes three cycles that a couple can find themselves in. The first one is “the crazy cycle.” This is the negative one and can be summarized this way: “Without love, she reacts without respect; and without respect, he reacts
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Word Search: Open Road
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards. AFTERMARKET APEX BOXER TWIN BRAKE CAM CHOPPER
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The Voice, July 29, 2020
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