GoFundMe started for Junkin page 2 If it’s July then it must be cherry time page 9 Ride for Change page 14 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
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Twelve Mile Creek gets international focus Page 3
Chandana Murali, from India, and Javier Reyes, from Colombia, teamed up to produce a comprehensive series of “Story Maps” describing Twelve Mile Creek’s geology, history, current challenges and remedies. BRIAN GREEN
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Page 2
The Voice, July 8, 2020
Fundraiser in support of Junkin
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
by Dave Burket
The answer is yes, we should be wearing masks
Among the many things that Donald Trump has poisoned in his three-and-a-half-year assault on western democracy is public trust in expertise. Not that a certain segment of Americans, in particular, needed much pushing. There’s a longstanding and well known anti-intellectual tendency in the US, seen most prominently among what the satirist and newspaper columnist H. L. Mencken called the “booboisie.” (In 1931, the Arkansas legislature passed a motion to pray for Mencken's soul after he had called the state the "apex of moronia." This tidbit brought to you by the internet, which Mencken surely would have reviled.) Boobs and idiots arguing over flag burning and whether women should stay barefoot and pregnant—a phrase coined by a doctor in Kansas, slightly northwest of Arkansas—is bad enough. Introduce a highly infectious, deadly disease into the American maelstrom of nitwittedness and now we’re talking real problems. How does anyone with any sense dispute the efficacy of masks to reduce the spread of a respiratory illness? By politicizing it. This “debate” has been turned into yet another Trump-fueled blaze in the culture wars, and we should all be concerned that embers from it are floating north. Many Asian cultures have no problem with masks, and their COVID-19 stats are telling. Take Taiwan and Japan. With a population of 24 million, Taiwan has reported 449 cases with just seven deaths. In Taiwan, one in every 53,452 citizens has tested positive. In Japan, with a population of 126 million, there have been 19,841 confirmed cases. In Japan, one of every 6350 citizens has tested positive. Now come Canada and the US. With a population of 37 million, Canada has had 106,000 confirmed cases. One in every 354 Canadians has tested positive. In the US, with a population of 328 million, there have been 2.93 million confirmed cases. One of every 111 Americans has tested positive for COVID-19. Yes, there other factors at play—Japan, in particular, has always been a hygienic society, and one with little handshaking. But Japan never went into lockdown. Like New York City, Tokyo is home to millions. Yet Tokyo never saw infection rates anywhere near those in New York. The CDC recommends wearing masks. The WHO recommends wearing masks. A roundup of new data, submitted on Monday by 239 scientists from 32 countries to the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, strongly argues that micro-droplets of exhaled breath containing the virus linger in the air for far longer than originally thought. Niagara Regional Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to make wearing masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces. The answer is yes—“enforceable” or not— because it’s the choice most likely to provide the widest public health benefit as the province continues to reopen, and as Niagarans increasingly find themselves in more crowded public spaces. Will council make the right choice? Don’t hold your breath. ♦
Voice
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GoFundMe set up in protest of council’s action against Mayor BY DON RICKERS
Special to the VOICE
Almost two weeks ago, John Harding and his wife pulled out of their driveway and headed down Roland Road for a cruise in the country. As they passed Mayor Marvin Junkin’s house a couple kilometres further on, Harding’s mind flashed back to the political shenanigans of late in the Town of Pelham, and decided at that moment that it was time to act—to try to right a wrong, even if in a small way. The two men were not close friends…more like acquaintances. Their paths had crossed many years ago when they were both coaching their kids’ hockey teams, but they had not conversed in over a decade. Still, Harding felt compelled to do something for Junkin—and to send a message to the community. “Like most other folks in Pelham, my wife and I felt we elected these people thinking they were going to be a big change from the last council,” said Harding. “Then we find out about investigations costing 18 grand of our money, which should have resulted in no
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more than a slap on the wrist for the Mayor.” Harding’s comments were in reference to accusations brought against the Mayor by Councillor Ron Kore, related to Junkin’s fundraising for the volunteer-run Fonthill Bandshell Committee— which prompted two formal investigations. Pelham taxpayers are on the hook for the $18,000 cost of one of the inquiries. At council’s June 15 meeting, debate took place over potential punishment for Junkin pursuant to the municipal Integrity Commissioner determination that Junkin had made technical violations of the Town’s Code of Conduct. Given that Junkin did so without “nefarious intent,” the Integrity Commissioner recommended that council issue a letter of reprimand. However, after Councillors Bob Hildebrandt and Ron Kore started the debate by apparently violating the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, Councillor Lisa Haun chimed in to argue that Junkin should also be docked 45 days’ salary,
plucking some $4000 from his pocket. The final straw for Harding was when he learned that during the same meeting, council had turned down $75,000 in provincial grant money to help pay to pave part of the Steve Bauer Trail, which would have allowed better access to disabled citizens, along with bicyclists and hikers. The Pelham Active Transportation Committee (PATC) had endorsed acceptance of the grant. “My attitude was, come on guys…why are we here?” said Harding. A perennial volunteer for Pelham Cares, where he drives seniors to appointments, Harding expects that Junkin will donate the GoFundMe proceeds to a local charity. The fundraising target is $4000, matching the salary loss. Contacted by the Voice for comment, Junkin said he was humbled. “I'm very flattered that Mr. Harding would do this for me. I won’t be able to accept the money—municipal rules don’t allow it—but I would indeed love to see whatever funds are collected be donated to a worthy cause, and there are certainly many to choose from,” he said. Small-town politics, it seems, don’t have to be difficult or messy, ugly or vindictive. Those interested in contributing to Harding’s effort may find his GoFundMe appeal here: https:// gf.me/u/ydsd5r
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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 90Day 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. Jacqueline E. READ, 27, Niagara-on-the-Lake Tyler J. KYLE, 39, Welland Lonnie J. DAVIS, 28, Welland Alexander M. KOLISNYK, 22, Wainfleet Norwood B. FARR, 53, Lowbanks Emily E. BRUHIER, 43, St. Catharines Douglas J. W. ESTEY, 44, St. Catharines Hilton P. WHYTE, 52, St. Catharines Douglas M. DOBROCKY, 28, Pelham Bosco I. EDWARDS, 30, Scarborough Amanda L. VRIEND, 27, Wainfleet Michael J. GILL, 30, Port Colborne Douglas R. MCPHERSON, 70, North York Christopher S. WEAGANT, 29, Fort Erie
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Page 3
History, current troubles of Twelve Mile Creek studied Niagara College students work on project commissioned by Niagara chapter of Trout Unlimited BY BRIAN GREEN
Special to the VOICE
Twelve Mile Creek flows from Fonthill north through Short Hills Park to Lake Ontario at Port Dalhousie. It is as intrinsic to the mid-Niagara Peninsula as are the Welland Canal and peaches and wineries and the Niagara Escarpment. So it’s astonishing and exciting to have a group of students from as far away as India and Colombia and Turkey, who have studied the Twelve in detail, provide insights into its history and geology and current precarious condition in ways that most Niagara residents who have lived near the stream for all their lives have never considered. The students are enrolled in the post-graduate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program at Niagara College. They come to the college with already impressive credentials and are adding the GIS certification to their degrees and diplomas as a step toward a career in mapping and geospatial analysis. Javier Reyes, who has a Geology degree from his native Colombia, joined with Chandana Murali, a graduate in Geology from India, to produce “story maps” that explain Twelve Mile Creek in fine detail. Mahmud Guney, with a B.Sc. in Geomatics Engineering
and an M.Sc. in Informatics from Turkey, teamed up with the only local member of the group, Brandon Giura, whose degree in Earth Sciences is from Brock, to examine erosion in the watershed and pinpoint the worst spots so that restoration efforts can be targeted. Their work was commissioned by the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC), whose focus is to restore, preserve, and enhance Twelve Mile Creek as the last remaining coldwater stream in Niagara capable of sustaining a population of native Brook Trout. As the most fragile of all the trout species, Brook Trout are the ideal measure of the health of a stream, and, as TUC Niagara President Dennis Edell points out, “Brookies were once plentiful in Twelve Mile Creek, but now due to urbanization, global warming, and deforestation among other issues, they have been reduced to a few isolated pockets.” TUC Niagara has partnered with the Niagara College GIS Program for the past eight years, providing a real world project for the GIS students to apply their knowledge, while compiling a series of See TWELVE MILE Page 10
Slides from the team’s online “Story Map” presentation.
Beat the heat this summer - ice rentals at the MCC now available Ice in the Duliban Insurance arena is available for rental. Physical distancing guidelines and at-the-door health screening is required for everyone entering the building. Beginning Wednesday, July 8, pre-booked ice rentals begin. For those looking to rent ice this summer, you can do so by visiting www.pelham.ca/ mcc and clicking the ‘book ice time’ tab. You can also book ice time by calling 905-892-2607 x360. Phone calls will be answered Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Ice time is available in one-hour blocks. Change rooms are not available and skaters are asked to come dressed. Parents bringing their children are asked to remain in the arena area and keep a minimum distance of two metres from others. Floor stickers and signage will help guide users.
www.pelham.ca/mcc
VOICE
Town Facilities now open Town of Pelham facilities, including Town Hall, the Meridian Community Centre, and the pool at Marlene Stewart Streit Park, are open to the general public as of Monday, July 6, 2020. Town Hall services are by appointment only. This phased opening ensures the health and safety of Town staff and the public.
When visiting Town facilities, the public will be asked to submit to a standardized screening test including having their temperature taken. Face coverings, when unable to physically distance, are required.
www.pelham.ca/covid19
Page 4
The Voice, July 8, 2020
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
OPINION
The opinions expressed in submitted commentary and letters to the editor are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Voice of Pelham.
The Voice of Pelham is a 1211858 Ontario Limited publication David Burket, Publisher 2-1428 Pelham St., P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S1E0
COMMENTARY / OP-ED Larry Coté Is “defunding” the police the answer?
O
ne of the ensuing consequences of misconduct by some few law enforcement officers is the public outcry to “defund” the police. Instances of misconduct have occurred when police allegedly used unnecessary force when apprehending individuals suspected of wrongdoing. Such allegations often arise when encounters disproportionately involve people from minority communities. It is critically important to recognize that such malevolence can be attributed to only a very small number of police officers. Unfortunately, these few denigrate the reputation and trust of all law enforcement personnel. It is all-important to be mindful that the bulk of the police contingent serve their communities with honour, diplomacy and dignity. One of these malevolent instances occurred recently in Minneapolis, and has served as a flashpoint with near worldwide negative reactions. Video evidence shows a police officer applying his knee to the neck of an unarmed and handcuffed individual named George Floyd, until he died.
That instance has become an iconic example of police brutality and sparked enormous demonstrations against police savagery across North American and beyond. It appears such a radical idea as defunding the police is gaining acceptance by a growing number of people from mainstream society. As with most substantive societal issues there are extremists at both ends of the defunding spectrum. A number of people are proposing a reduction in police budgets and reallocating those saved funds to other services such as housing, anti-poverty efforts, long-term care, recreation, and other social deficiencies. One of those services might be in the area of mental health. The defunding advocates claim police are untrained to deal with mental disorders and the opioid crisis. They claim these are health issues and should be attended to by professionals from that sector. Sometimes, police involvement in such cases has lead to tragic consequences. Other issues such as domestic abuse require special skills for which, it is claimed, the police are
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untrained to mediate and resolve. Some defunding advocates suggest police budgets be arbitrarily reduced by 10%. A recent motion to reduce Toronto’s police budget by that amount was defeated by a vote of 16 – 8. The Niagara Regional Police budget is in the range of $154.5 million. If the suggested 10% reduction were to be implemented in Niagara that would allow for $15.4 million to be reallocated to other social service providers and relieve the police from involvements in areas served by these agencies. The recent COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of society’s operations and has drawn attention away from other areas that contribute to a prosperous, healthy and united future. It is hoped that Niagara's civic leadership will avoid politics that encumber social progress and cooperate in a united effort to insure the continued safety, security and enjoyment of living in the Region. It will be interesting to see how civic officials will respond to the evolving public pressure to reexamine police funding. ♦
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Jenica Hrysko, Maeve Keating, 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
Bad apples continue to leave sour taste The Voice appears to be using editorial cartoons to ask questions. The problem with that is no one, including the Niagara Region Police Association (NRPA), could discern that was the purpose of the cartoon without the subsequent editorial note (which seemed a bit of an afterthought). Our members, and their families, many of whom live, work, go to school and volunteer in Pelham were offended by a cartoon which portrayed police officers as bad apples. The language used was “we serve and protect each other” and did not relate to the 2018 incident or the officers involved in that incident
[in which one officer shot another] or even the NRPS. If the Association had been asked, we would have pointed the editor to the CanLII website where the Ontario Civilian Police Commission publicly reports decisions relating to formal police misconduct. The hearings are also public and the part the Association played is referenced. However, this type of direction is generally not required by professional journalists. As well, we would have indicated that the See APPLES next page
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
Letters
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 APPLES
continued from previous page scales of justice relate to criminal trials and not administrative hearings which is where police misconduct matters are heard: this is because they are employment related matters and not criminal matters; and we would have advised the editor that the role of the Association in these matters is very similar to the role of all unions in regard to employment related matters— we provide representation to ensure that the employee receives fair treatment in respect of employment-related discipline. This is no different then what happens in employment discipline matters involving teachers, nurses, factory workers, etc. Our role is the same. We realize that “sensationalism” is infinitely more interesting, but we ask you to remember that our members are real people who work hard every day to keep the community safe. They are not, and should not be, defined by isolated incidents. The NRPA represents the 1100 police and civilian members of the Niagara Regional Police Service. It is also a community partner who has donated, on behalf of its members, $9500 to charitable organizations in Pelham in the last year and $1000 to the rebuilding of the Pelham arches. Cliff Priest President NRPA Editor’s note: It’s unfortunate that the letter writer mischaracterizes the cartoon in ques-
tion, and parses the definition of “justice,” as if to imply that there are different types of justice for different types of people. Editorial cartoons are amplified caricatures intended to provoke discussion. They aren’t researched news stories. The cartoon in question, incidentally, did not portray “police officers” as bad apples. It portrayed a single police officer, drawn to look like an actual apple, being shielded by police unions from Lady Justice. As she is usually portrayed, Lady Justice wore a blindfold, meant to signify impartiality, the principle that justice should be applied without regard to power or wealth—or, say, an offender’s job title. There is new and growing public awareness of police union influence—unions that are hardly comparable in their potential effect on public safety as those of “factory workers” and teachers, neither of whose members tend to carry firearms or Tasers. The comedian Chris Rock summed it up nicely in a 2018 performance, now circulating on social media: “I know being a cop is hard. But some jobs can’t have bad apples. Some jobs, everybody gotta be good. Like pilots. American Airlines can’t be like, 'Most of our pilots like to land. We just got a few bad apples that like to crash into mountains. Please bear with us.'" The public—who police are sworn to serve and protect—is increasingly disinclined to bear along. It would have been reassuring for the letter writer to have acknowledged this reality, perhaps unequivocally adding that in no way would his union ever seek to shield bad apples from receiving their just desserts.
PELHAM AND COVID-19
Mayor Marvin Junkin
To mask or not to mask, that is the question
T
he debate among citizens and politicians as to whether or not governments should mandate the wearing of face masks appears to be heating up. The two sides to the argument are thus: The pro-mandate group argues that in order to maintain our good numbers moving forward, especially with more and more businesses opening up, masks should be mandated as it will be harder to maintain a social distance. They argue that mandating the wearing of masks will also help prevent the second wave, that some people are forecasting in the fall. They point to countries in Southeast Asia that from the very beginning of the pandemic have enforced the wear-
ing of masks, and have for the most part achieved very low death rates. The ant i m a n d ate Marvin Junkin group points to our good numbers and asks why should we start wearing masks now, when our numbers are what they are? They point out that if a person does not follow the correct protocol when putting a mask on, or taking it off, a person could do more harm than good, possibly touching the mask, and then touching their face. The mayors of the municipalities recently had a teleconference call to debate this issue, and it was pretty even-
I recently read Vilma Moretti’s letter to the Voice regarding the renaming of E. W. Farr School to Wellington Heights [“E. W. Farr controversy—five years on,” Letters, July 1, p. 7]. Let me tell you about a recently named school in Peel District School Board, but first a
little history is required. In 1819 my wife’s family settled on a tract of land granted to them by the Crown. It was located at the corner of what is now Winston Churchill Boulevard and Steeles Avenue. The Whaley family or at least part of it remained
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Let's take this opportunity to set an example, let’s promote peace with our neighbours and those who might be “different.” Offer the money anonymously dropped at the Voice to someone (possibly a student) to design a small sign depicting a group of people of different ages, sexes, races, and disabilities with words such as “We’re all Canadians, eh?” The signs could be sold ($10 each?) with the money going to Pelham Cares. I think seeing these signs in the windows of our neighbours, reminiscent of the Block Parent signs of the ‘60s, would make us all feel that we live in a friendly community where people care about one another. Beryl Smith Fonthill
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for this Wednesday, July 8, at 3 PM, so that all Regional councillors can debate this issue. I think that if it is mandated, that it should be done on a Regional basis, not at the municipal level. If Regional Council does not pass a bylaw making it mandatory, individual businesses can still make wearing a mask mandatory for anyone shopping in their store. This is what is occurring in Niagara Falls, where tourist traffic is a big concern. The bottom line is, no matter which group you are in, if you have any symptoms at all, stay home, continue frequent handwashing/sanitizing, and respect the space of the people around you. Until next week...
Another school-naming tale, but with a different ending
Suggests use for anonymous cash
William Hall
ly divided between the proand anti-mandating groups. I pointed out on the phone call that ever since this pandemic started back in early March, Canadian politicians have stepped back and let the health and sciences people run the show, following their rules and recommendations. The acting head of Niagara Health, Dr. Hirji, and the heads of health for the other six regions in Ontario, do not recommend making the wearing of face masks mandatory. It is Dr. Hirji’s contention that enforcement will be a big issue, and that there are scientific arguments to be made for both sides. The Regional Chair, Jim Bradley has called a special meeting of Regional Council
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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story! Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past. Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit? Everyone has a story. Tell us yours! NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 2000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)
Page 6
The Voice, July 8, 2020
Letters
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
continued
NAMING
continued from previous page board needed to build a new school due to the explosion of population in the Brampton area. After extensive consultation with community members, families of the students who would be attending the school and the students themselves, a name was selected. In May of 2019 my wife’s family was invited to the grand opening of the new school. I must point out that the families and students of the new school are predominantly persons of colour from a very diverse background. The school choir, made up of 54 students, demonstrated this as all except six were children of colour. The gymnasium was full of families of colour and then there were us— two rows of mostly older WASPs, who were warmly welcomed by all in attendance. My father-in-law even gave a presentation, which was cheered loudly by all. Why, you might ask, were we there, and what point am I leading to. Well, after all the aforementioned consultation, the new school was named “Whaley’s Corners Public School,” which is what the corner of Winston Churchill and Steeles is named. That’s right—not after some old, far-away British figure, who by all accounts now was not a very nice person. It was an honour for the family to be recognized in this way and a great example of how school boards should conduct themselves in these matters. The way the Niagara District School Board conducted themselves was and is deplorable. Brian Eckhardt Fonthill
Council ought not to throw stones I was reading the Voice today from lovely Cape Breton and saw the poll about Mayor Marvin Junkin’s penalty. I am going to tell you how I feel about that penalty. I was so saddened that the council decided to penalize Marvin whatsoever. Perhaps they all could look over all the minutiae of governances and practice perfection. If anyone of them have not sinned let them cast the first stone. I believe that Marvin did not knowingly break any rules and I am sure if he is guilty of anything it was being considerate and inclusivity. Giving council a heads-up on an issue that he thought would require deliberation before formulating an opinion and voting, thus saving time in Council—isn’t that a sin. The council member that walks into council sick and sniffling has one hell of a lot of nerve throwing stones. I am saddened that Marvin was monetarily punished and I personally think they should change that vote and give Marvin back his well- earned pittance. If they choose to uphold their decision, my voting will certainly change at the next election. Brenda Horton Pelham
SOUND OF CELEBRATION Canada Day on College Street featured a front porch concert of traditional country music, performed by Ron Hoover, Tim Mosley, and Jamie Payne. SANDY FAIRBARN
Asks who is pushing for masks I've heard the mandatory mask issue is to come up at Regional Council on Wednesday. For what it’s worth, I’m not for making mask wearing mandatory. I would like to offer a few points I’ve not heard in the media discussion of masks. •If we’re making decisions by the data, Niagara has done an excellent job of “flattening the curve.” For weeks now, the daily new cases are usually under five, sometimes even zero, for a population of 450,000 people. How much better should the numbers be with masks? •Municipalities usually follow the advice of medical professionals, yet Niagara’s acting medical officer of health, Dr. Hirji, and Dr. Karim Ali, head of infectious disease at Niagara Health, recently were quoted as not supporting the concept. •How will this be enforced? Likely not by NRPS or municipal by-law officers. •Masks don’t replace social distancing, only in crowded places. Everywhere I go, I see social distancing is generally adhered to. Quoting from the federal government website: "Masks alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must consistently and strictly adhere to good hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical (social) distancing." •There won’t be 100% adherence, as some people experience breathing problems or have medical issues that preclude wearing a mask. •Businesses have spent much time and effort at making social distancing a habit. •Who exactly is pushing for this? Citizens, businesses? See MASKS Page 8
REFLECTING ON THE FUTURE Cindy McCrystal took this photo of her granddaughter, Miss Millie McCrystal, almost three, as she considered the view from Nan and PopPop Mark’s front window recently. Take your time, Miss Millie. No need to rush growing up. CINDY MCCRYSTAL
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Letters
The Voice, July 8, 2020
Page 7
continued
As more businesses and services reopen, and with social gatherings increased to 10 people, we all must continue our efforts to protect each other. For the love of trees I have always been an unapologetic tree-hugger. Way back before the turn of the century, the Town had decided to cut down well over 25 percent of the trees on Emmett Street. That is when our neighbourhood, and people in Pelham, created the “Pelham Tree Conservation Society.” The Tree Society hired an independent tree arborist to investigate and survey the trees marked for removal. Our independent arborist found that very few of these trees required full removal. The Society took the report to the council of the day and presented our study and developed a plan. At that time, the Town Council listened, and took our concerns and established a com-
mittee which included the Society and Councillor Brian Walker. Our mandate was to develop guidelines on how our Town was to protect our urban forest. Our guidelines were presented to the Town Council and were accepted in 2000. Copies of these guidelines should be readily available to all from our Town Hall. In 2010, then-Mayor Dave Augustyn requested a copy of the Urban Forest Guidelines from me and confirmed his commitment to them. In 2015-2016, the Town created a tree policy and a tracking system for the urban forest (a database called See TREES next page
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Page 8
The Voice, July 8, 2020
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
HOUSE PARTY! With the annual Canada Day parade and the party at Harold Black Park cancelled this year, mom Jennifer helped Mason Breen, 2, and Ashton Breen, 4, spend the holiday decorating the joint with the free kit provided by the Town of Pelham, which included a banner, a large Canadian flag, and a Canadian-themed beach ball. SUPPLIED
TREES
continued from previous page TARQ ). At this time I want to thank everyone who was involved in this environmental task, for the health of our citizens and our urban forest. Today, instead
of celebrating, I am now deeply concerned about all of our progress with our trees. On Saturday, May 16, I was woken up by the sounds of chain saws. Too my horror I was witnessing a healthy, mature, and over-60-foot maple tree being assassinated, one limb at a time,
on Station Street, on Town property. When I asked the independent tree removal company worker why he was removing the tree, he gave me numerous reasons, but revealed he had approval from the Town. I asked him to stop. He refused and continued to decimate the enormous maple.
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Our only conclusions for the tree removal can be that the homeowners wanted the tree destroyed so that they would have no obstructions when pulling into or out of the double driveway of their newly built home. It appears that the Town has an impression that trees have no value nor do they care about their citizens that do care about trees. It also said a lot about how such a process can occur on a long weekend without Town Hall being available to the public to request an explanation before it is too late. If our Town cares anything about the proper protocol, the person or persons who authorized the destruction of a healthy mature tree should be terminated, or at the very least reprimanded, for the following reasons: A) ignoring tree policy and guidelines; B) for ignoring the proper protocol; and C) for allowing this incident to happen when there was no way to halt the destruction. These are grave violations of the public trust. The only thing left of the tree is the stump and I certainly hope that my tax dollars will not pay for that removal. Mike Jones Fonthill
continued from Page 6
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Works, and to the newspaper to request an answer about why the tree was allowed to be destroyed. She showed us the copy of the letter for approval because my wife, Carol, and I also wanted our names attached to that document. On May 19, we received no calls from the Town. The Voice published the letter in its May 27 edition. As of today, July 2, neither my wife nor I have received any communications from the Mayor, or the Director of Public Works.
MASKS
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I called our Bylaw Officer for help. I was told that it was approved by the Town. I was told that I would have to wait until Tuesday for more information about the tree, being that this was Saturday of a long weekend. A group of neighbours began discussing of what actions could be taken since nothing was to be resolved prior to the destruction of this gorgeous, healthy, mature tree. Cari Pupo suggested to us that she would write a letter to the Mayor and the Director of Public
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It seems a media-driven agenda, both locally (CKTB) and at provincial press conferences. I fear that masks have become trendy, a catch-all solution when they are not. I know quite a number of people who don’t support the wearing of masks and may even choose to shop in places where mandatory mask policies are not in place. Peter Leyser Fonthill
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice, July 8, 2020
Page 9
Pelham cherries ripe for the picking Recent spell of hot weather a blessing to tender fruit BY DON RICKERS
Special to the VOICE
July 1 signals two things in Pelham: Canada Day, of course, and opening day for the Town’s crop of sweet cherries. Duffin Farms on Rice Road was open on the holiday last Wednesday, and proprietor Kim Duffin was understandably busy. Locals were already lining up for “pick your own” baskets at 8 AM, and Duffin said that many from the GTA also made the trip to Fonthill to load up on the sweet drupes. “It’s kind of an annual ritual for some Torontonians…a family outing,” said Duffin. What are drupes, you ask? By definition, berries are fruits stemming from one flower which have two or more seeds. Thus, a cherry, which has just one seed, doesn't make the cut as a berry. Rather, cherries are drupes, which means that they are from a family of fleshy fruit with thin skin and a central stone that contains a seed. Nectarines, apricots, peaches, and mangoes are all drupes…as are coconuts and olives. The Duffin farm sits on the Fonthill Kame, an elevated morraine composed of sand and gravel that was deposited eons ago by retreating glaciers. “We didn't get hit with the frost and hail that came through the region in the spring, and so the cherry crop is excellent,” said Duffin. “The recent heat has really increased the sugar content…they are beautiful cherries, firm and sweet.” Many varieties of sweet
cherries are available, including Hedelfingers, Cavaliers, and the traditional standard, Bings (which generally ripen a bit later in the season). Duffin said that they have other varieties that are so new they are classified with numbers rather than names. Three-litre baskets are $15, four litres are $20, and a seven-litre basket is $30. Duffin said that a three-litre basket can be filled in about 10 minutes. And that’s picking from the ground level, with no need to mount a ladder. Cherry season is weather-dependent, but generally runs the first three weeks of July. “By the first of August, we're on to plums and peaches, and then sour cherries,” said Duffin. Social distancing is easy in the Duffin orchard during these COVID times, because hundreds of sweet cherry trees are spread over six acres. “I tell people, if you see someone on a tree, just go to the next one,” said Duffin. Safety protocols are in place. A wash station is provided on site, and Duffin provides the picking baskets. In past years, Duffin would loan picking baskets, and then bag what was picked. To minimize contact, customers are now taking the actual baskets home. This season’s sales volume is uncertain, given that the highway buses which in previous years would drop off loads of people from the GTA to
Above, Veronique and Vincent Schaljo of Hamilton, along with their infant son Ezra, enjoy some sweet cherry picking in the Duffin orchard last Sunday, along with Josee Fauvelle of Welland, and Dany Lizotte of Montreal. Right, Kim Duffin checking the merchandise on the traditional opening day of July 1. DON RICKERS
pick cherries on a weekend have been curtailed due to COVID safe-distancing restrictions. But Duffin is optimistic that Niagara residents will turn out in force to enjoy the crop, despite the fact that cherries imported from the USA are readily available in grocery stores. “You can taste the difference in cherries that are freshly picked off the tree,” she asserted.
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The Voice, July 8, 2020
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STAYZER, Bruce Stanley
It is with great sadness that Ann & family announce the passing of her beloved and devoted husband of 61 years. Carl passed at Rapelje Lodge Welland on July 1, 2020 in his 83rd year. Carl worked at G.M. Plant 2 as an electrician for 31 years and retired in 1998. Dearly missed by his son Craig (Carla) of Fonthill and daughter Karen of British Columbia. Also, grandchildren Melissa, Aaron, Greer and family and Deighton. Great grandchildren Chase, Pilgrim, and Perrian. Greatly loved by all. Also, sister in law Jean, her son David (Annie) and family in S. Wales, Carl’s brothers, Lionel (Sue) and brother Adrian in England and many cousins in S. Wales. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will take place at a later date. If wished, memorial donations may be made to Fonthill United Church or any other charity of your choice. Thank you. Online condolences may be shared at www. pedlarfuneralhome.ca. in the geology and ancient lakes and glaciers that molded the landscape of the Niagara Region, moving through the human history of the region from earliest stone age hunters through indigenous occupation to the coming of the Europeans and the gradual industrialization of the creek, which provided power for mills and forges and tanneries. The rise and fall of the village of St. John’s is a fascinating part of this story. Once the largest community in Niagara, it boasted five grist mills, a distillery, two foundries, two sawmills, a hat factory, a tannery, and several hotels, all of which have now disappeared with scarcely See TWELVE MILE Page 16
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Peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Saturday, July 4, 2020 in his 86th year. Loving husband of Louise (Davis) for 63 years. Dear dad to Karen McIntee and Janet Zwierschke (Robert). Best friend and father-in-law to Mike McIntee. Papa to Courtney (Ian), Ryan and Holli. Survived by his sister Glenna Miller (the late Ralph) and sister-inlaw Carol Stayzer. Predeceased by his parents Basil and Jessie Stayzer, sister Verna Freeman (Ed) and brother Roy. Bruce was employed at Haun Drop Forge for 47 years. He was a lifetime Volunteer Firefighter at Pelham Station #1, a member of the Dufferin Masonic Lodge in Wellandport and treasurer of Fonthill Firefighters Association and Pelham Minor Hockey for many years. Bruce was also a faithful member of the Fonthill United Church. Bruce led an active life, if he wasn’t playing he was coaching hockey and baseball. He was a scout master for many years in Fonthill. Bruce loved the outdoors fishing, golfing, car racing and his gardens. Later he became the biggest fan and coach of his grandchildren. Special thanks for the visits and excellent care from the palliative care team Colleen,Trina, Joslin and Dr. Dooler. The family will gather for a private graveside service at Fonthill Cemetery. A public celebration of life will be announced at a later date once it is safe to gather again. If so desired, donations to Hospice Niagara, Fonthill United Church or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.pedlarfuneralhome.ca
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““Nervous means you want to play. Scared means you don’t want to play.” Sherman Alexie
The Voice, July 8, 2020
Sporting Green The Niagara
Page 11
John Swart catches up with Ride for Change
14
The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | July 8, 2020
Pilato back in Phoenix fold BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI
BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM
Pat Pilato is back in a familiar place. It was recently announced the 26-year-old St. Catharines native will join the St. Francis Phoenix senior basketball team’s coaching staff. The former post secondary player at the University of Victoria and Brock won an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations’ AA bronze medal as a player at St. Francis along with three Standard tournament titles and two Standard MVP trophies. Pilato used to work as a server, which resulted in a lot of night and weekend shifts, but he has started a new job as a financial advisor with Freedom 55 Financial in St. Catharines. His new career will allow him to be available to coach after school and on weekends “I always have had an interest in coaching and I used to love coaching at basketball camps all through the summer when I was in high school,” said the Brock business and political science graduate. “What I love the most about coaching is being able to have a positive influence on the players, especially younger kids.” It is a chance for him to pay it forward. “Growing up, I remember how much I used to look up to my coaches like Pat Sullivan and guys like Brad Rootes and Scott Murray, to name a few,” he said. “The older you get the more you realize how those role models have influenced you as a person and basketball is an amazing vehicle that allows coaches to teach various life skills like team work and leadership indirectly through the sport.” Pilato feels he has a lot to offer. “I know I can bring some experience to the table,” he said. “I have been where these guys are and was fortunate enough
to move on and play at the next level. Hopefully I can provide some sort of example to players and give them some inspiration and show them that pursuing a college or university athletics is possible if you apply the proper hard work and determination.” St. Francis head coach Jon Marcheterre is excited to have Pilato on board. “With Pat Sullivan taking a step back again to focus his energy on his Brock coaching responsibilities, there was a need to bring someone in,” he said. “Jeremy Dela Cruz will continue on as an assistant coach, but it is always nice to have an extra pair of eyes and another voice in practice and on the bench in games.” Marcheterre was delighted when Pilato reached out to him. “This is something that really is special about a successful program— seeing former players wanting to come back and help out and repay in a way for the opportunities they enjoyed,” he said. “Both Dela Cruz and Pilato were Saint Francis players.” Marcheterre knows Pilato will bring a wealth of recent playing experience to the staff. “When we announced to the players that he was joining, there weren’t any puzzled looks or questions of who he was,” he said. “Our guys know the name, have read it on the OFSAA banners. He is a member of the Phoenix basketball Mount Rushmore along with Tshing Kasamba, Alex Shah, and Abu Kigab and there was definitely an excitement, buzzing through the group.” Marcheterre is looking forward to Pilato’s involvement. “It is really important for our current players to see a guy who walked the same halls, played in the same gym, even had some of the same teachers, and reached a level they would like to get to,” he
Pat Pilato.
said. “On top of that, he is coming back to where it started for him to give to the next wave of players.
“It is important for the players to have young male role models who they can look up to and see
SUPPLIED
that volunteerism and community work is part of a vision of success.”
Blanchard ready for the next chapter BY BILL POTRECZ
BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM
It was love at first sight for Alex Blanchard when he visited the Rockland Nationals. The Ridley College defenceman hooked up with the Nationals late last year and quickly realized the Canadian Central Hockey League organization was the right fit for him. “We started talking and they expressed interest in me right away,” Blanchard said. “I did some research and talked to the coach and I had a lot of interest. “I had a meeting with the coaching staff, the owners and trainers. It was definitely something that interested me right from that visit. Watching some of the players and watching them play, it was somewhere I definitely envisioned myself playing next year and I fell in love with Rockland from there.” Blanchard, who recently committed to the Nats, appreciated
being able to visit the team in person. “It made me even hungrier to play with that group and play there that much more.” Blanchard, who also played a handful of games with the Thorold Blackhawks this season, is excited to play at the Tier 2 level. “I got to see their style of play, which is fast, hard hockey,” he said. “Every single player does the little things to keep them a step ahead of their opponents and that’s how they are able to win games. They use their speed and skill and I really think my game, being a smaller player, I can use my abilities.” Rockland coach Dan Sauve is thrilled to add Blanchard to the organization. “We are ecstatic to have him join us,” Sauve said. “The obvious reason is his playing ability. He is a poised defenceman with
good vision, good distribution skills and a precise shot. With our team losing quite a few high-end defensemen, Alex will have lots of opportunity and we think he will thrive. “More importantly, his character and professionalism are beyond his years. He will be a great ambassador for our team.” Blanchard, whose older brother Max played with Ottawa of the CCHL last season, has high ambitions. “The ultimate goal is to get a scholarship to go play NCAA, at the same time, a lot of players playing Tier 2 are able to go play USports,” he said. “As a family we value that just as much.” Blanchard loved his time at Ridley, where he helped the Tigers to a pair of Midwest Prep League championships. “I remember walking on to campus for the first time with
Alex Blanchard.
SUPPLIED
my brother who gave me a tour and explained how things work.
Now it’s Grade 12 and it’s already over and we’ve graduated,” he said. “My experience at Ridley is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I’m so grateful to my parents for giving me that opportunity as well as coach [Mike] McCourt and the entire Ridley community. Those were some of the best years of my life. To meet so many new people and so many friends from around the world, it was something that will last a lifetime and that I will keep close to my heart.” McCourt had high praise for the Fonthill resident. “He’s a quiet individual who leads by example and lets his play and actions speak for themselves,” McCourt said. “He has outstanding work ethic on and off the ice. Whether the gym or the classroom, Alex is committed 100 percent. He really evolved over his time here and is a player who can be utilized in all situations and epitomizes character.”
Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 hour. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details. Page 12
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FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have Place these ads for 30 words + photo been exploring andfree! performing time-honoured melodies from the stomp• Birth announcements • 50th and greater wedding anniversaries • 90,ing 95, 100-plus birthday announcements grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in traditional Quebec music. Show runs from 7-9 p.m.
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COMMUNITY Events April 13
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 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 theLIFT acceptability standards of The of Pelhamof will then be posted until the date spite all Voice the difficulties FAITH HANDLEBARS days. be vague This15The ad isCommunity to bethese printed byDon’t all participating Ontario papers of your Events Calendar is updated weekly. continued fromevent. Page continued fromPlease Page 14provide but firmly grasp what you as much notice and information as possible including the date, time and description know to be the will of God. positive way to way, but needed to receive of your event. The Voice of Pelham the right toincredibly edit for space. Don’t get reserves your stimulus spin spending sixteen hours it through a sincere faith. God would then give him the power to live a worthy life. In a word, it was God’s grace (free gift) that saved him, not his human striving.
Luther’s legacy
Luther went on to translate the Bible from Latin (a language that only the educated of his day could understand) into German, the language of the common people living in his homeland. In the same spirit, J. B. Phillips wrote a paraphrase of Scripture (Ephesians 5:15-21) in modern English which expresses God’s truth in a fresh way… “Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men and women who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, de-
from wine (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls. Express your joy in singing among yourselves psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making music in your hearts for the ears of God! Thank God at all times for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And ‘fit in with’ each other, because of your common reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-21) May these words encourage you in these days of uncertainty and anxiety. We may not know the future, but we can know the One who does. And we can trust Him. ♦
Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who thanks God for his salvation every day.
on a bicycle, pun intended. “What do you talk about when you’re riding?” I asked. Aiden replied, “Like nothing. It’s easy to get lost in your own head when you’re biking. Time just passes that way.” They were riding in the moment, which would help them as distances increased. After the guys departed, I walked to my car past a well-maintained century home in Jerseyville. A woman, speaking softly over a white picket fence inquired, “What are they doing?” I explained the Ride for Change and the donation that would follow to Black Lives Matter, and mentioned the age of the riders. The woman, who told me she didn’t want her name in the paper, replied, “I’m all for that. In the town I
was born in, Black people or Jews could not buy a house.” I asked where she had been raised. “Port Colborne. That was a long time ago, I’m 86.” This short and harsh history lesson once more brought home what Jeremy and Aidan had recognized, and wanted to see changed. On my drive to intercept the group between Dunnville and Wainfleet, Tom Cochrane wailed, “Just tell’m we’re survivors,” which I hoped would be prophetic. Sure enough, all five approached along Feeder Canal Road, cycling strong. Chris was riding standing up. At 7 PM they rolled into Wainfleet after 14 hours of riding, completing 184 kilometres so far, the distance between Fonthill and London, Ontario. “Chris, you looked like you were riding standing up. Is there a reason?” I asked. “Yeah, my butt’s sore,” was his less than enthusiastic reply.
In the town I was born in, Black people or Jews could not buy a house
Jeremy added, “There were a couple times I felt like giving up. It was tough. Then you’d remember what you were riding for. That makes it more worthwhile.” Leaving Cayuga had been very difficult for the group. They’d ridden for hours, and were still heading away from home. “It was the longest stop. We were thinking about every pedal [stroke],” said Aidan. It wasn’t until Dunnville and the turn toward home that they knew for sure they’d all complete the 200K. You could hear the hol-
lering and whoops of relief just after they turned off Foss Road onto Haist Street, heading for Harold Black Park. They finished at 8 PM, 15 hours and 200.33 kilometres after they began their Ride for Change. What was the best part of being done? “I just think that we’re able to make a difference, have something good come out of it. Just really happy with what we’ve done, just so happy,” said an utterly exhausted Jeremy. They had all successfully completed a brutally long bike ride, together, and earned $3000 in donations for the Black Lives Matter Foundation. They’d engaged and challenged themselves to make a difference riding for Change, Justice and Equality. They committed to the ride, and each to other, in a most public manner, and succeeded. That’s a strong addition to Jeremy, Aidan, Chris, Rowan and Drew’s resumes. Well done, guys. ♦
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Page 13
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Steven Soos stays in the race despite health setback representation to Pelham Town Council, along with new ideas and a fresh perspective. I have a very strong team behind me.” Still in his late-20s, Soos said that his heart attack has strengthened his resolve to fight for crucial investment in Niagara’s healthcare delivery. Contacted recently for an update, Soos told the Voice, “I’m feeling fantastic, and am following my doctor's instructions.” On his Facebook page, Soos expressed his appreciation for Niagara Emergency Medical Services, the Niagara Health System, and the Hamilton Health Sciences Cardiology department. With a target of $8000 for campaign contributions, Soos has about $2300 in his war chest. Endorsements for Soos have come from former Wainfleet Mayor April Jeffs, former Welland Mayor Allan Pietz, current Fort Erie Town Councillor George McDermott, former Welland
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Steven Soos, the first person to declare his candidacy for the vacant Ward 1 council seat in Pelham, suffered a heart attack shortly after making that declaration and was rushed to the Welland Hospital. After preliminary testing, Soos was transferred to the Hamilton Health Sciences Cardiology Department, where doctors successfully performed an angiogram and implanted two stents to preserve blood flow in his heart. He was released from the hospital a week after the event, and was awaiting more test results. Asked by the Voice if this health episode will deter him from his political aspirations, Soos replied, “If I quit when challenges presented themselves, it wouldn't make me a very good politician. I plan to stay in the race, and bring some much-needed youth
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From his hospital bed, Steven Soos gives a thumbs-up back in mid June. SUPPLIED Councillor Paul Grenier, current Thorold City Councillor Jim Handley, and current Niagara Falls Council-
lor Wayne Campbell. Soos is currently the lone candidate for the Ward 1 seat.
CELEBRATING OURof20TH YEAR Two decades service
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The Voice, July 8, 2020
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FROM THE HANDLEBARS
by John Swart
The 200K challenge—Ride for Change is a success
W
ould you, or I, attempt this? Would you care enough to set out in the dark at 5 AM, bicycling 200 kilometres to improve justice and equality for people of cultures and races to which you don’t belong, and might never truly understand? Because you felt it was all unfair, unjust, that Black lives mattered, and that now was the time significant change might be possible? Five young Pelham men did care, and on June 28 they rode Jeremy and Aiden’s 200K Ride for Change, the inspiration for which the Voice covered in its June
17 edition. It was 4:45 AM at Harold Black Park when Chris Holmes arrived and unloaded his bike from his car. The rain had stopped sometime during the night; the only sounds were water dripping from the trees and birds chirping in anticipation of the sun rising. Mist was floating above the road, obscuring the black patches that may have been puddles or potholes. The riders’ safety would depend on their discerning which was which until the sun rose. Jeremy and brother Drew Colangelo arrived next, then Aidan L’Ecuyer and his brother Rowan rode their
bikes into the parking lot. “My front light quit, and my back light fell off on the ride here,” explained Aidan to the group. Thankfully he and Rowan were both wearing reflective vests, so they would be visible to motorists in the dark. Each rider carried heavy backpacks that would provide all their supplies until the halfway point of the ride, where friend Ilya Rghei would join them with a support car. Excitement to get underway filled the parking lot. A rider would later comment, “It was great watching the sun rise, there were no cars or anything,” when describing the first few minutes after their 5 AM start. I next met the riders in Jerseyville, a tiny hamlet west of Hamilton, at noon. They were 92.4 kilometres and seven hours into their
Sweaty and exhausted, but mission accomplished after 15 hours of cycling, from left, Ilya Rghei (support), Drew Colangelo, Rowan L’Ecuyer, Jeremy Colangelo, Aidan L’Ecuyer, and Chris Holmes. JOHN SWART ride. “The ride up the escarpment was tough, but once we got our gears in line it was okay,” explained Aidan. I asked, “Is everybody still good, everybody going to make it?” “I think so,” replied Jer-
emy. “You know what’s good though? We left at five in the morning, we’ve been riding for about seven hours, and we’ve still got nine hours of daylight left.” Consider that statement for a moment, and reflect on how you might feel in their
circumstance. Can you even imagine riding away from home for seven hours on a bicycle, and then explaining that there were still nine hours to get back to Fonthill as a good thing? That is an See HANDLEBARS Page 12
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HOROSCOPE
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are a master of turning the tides very quickly. You may need to do so as you face an unforeseen challenge this week. Roll your sleeves up and get to work. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Communication with others seems to be going well and you have a full social calendar, Taurus. This will boost your self-esteem and possibly propel you toward new goals. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Don’t feel like you need to make sense of everything all of the time, Gemini. Sometimes things will work themselves out and will become more clear with time. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Relating to others can sometimes be difficult for you, Cancer. You tend to see things more deeply and emotionally than others. Afford others the chance to express themselves. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Finding a comfortable point in a relationship may take some time, Leo. But once you are there, it will feel like this was the course from the beginning. Just have a little patience. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You may be full of fast-paced energy this week, Virgo. This is an extension of your lively, upbeat nature. You can make tremendous career strides with very little effort. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Do not hesitate to take advantage of an opportunity or it could cost you, Libra. Push your indecisiveness to the side once and for all and jump in. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you are currently in a great place to make a significant
move in your life. You have what it takes to make a push toward big goals. Opportunities come from all angles. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 It may take some time to rally from a physical slump, Sagittarius. Once you’ve committed to a fitness routine, expect a learning curve until you get into the swing of things. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Someone might be trying to ruffle your feathers by invading your personal space, Capricorn. Set the boundaries politely but effectively. Don’t give in to childish behavior. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, things may be moving more quickly than you are comfortable with right now. If you need to slow the pace, put on the brakes and explain why to others. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, now is the perfect time to start a work-at-home routine or take a pre-existing situation to the next level. Productivity is booming. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS JULY 5 Edie Falco, Actress (57) JULY 6 50 Cent, Rapper (45) JULY 6 Ringo Starr, Musician (80) JULY 8 Milo Ventimiglia, Actor (43) JULY 9 Jack White, Musician (45) JULY 10 Phyllis Smith, Actress (69) JULY 11 Alessia Cara, Singer (24)
SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Uma 2. Sag 3. SRI 4. Rancho 5. Outset 6. CPI 7. Alva 8. Liege 9. AF 10. Simas 11. Americanize 13. Tamable 15. ABM 17. Cannes 18. Map 21. Abecedarian 23. Kra 24. Rho 27. Pines 29. Preen 32. Hid 34. Ape 35. Slogan 36. Papayas 39. Dam 40. SAE 43. Caress 44. Pliers 46. Packs 47. The 49. Arced 51. PBS 54. Shad 59. Era 60. Sea 61. Tin 62. Egg 64. He
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Enjoy out Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays! From our family to yours...stay safe
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Voice
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
CROSSWORD SPONSORED THIS WEEK BY
Luther speaks today
C
an someone who lived in the 16th century say something that is relevant and helpful to us in the 21st century? I think so.
Luther’s advice
Martin Luther wrote a letter to his colleague and disciple, John Hess, in 1527, when the Black Plague was ravaging Europe and his hometown of Wittenberg, Germany. This is part of what he wrote… “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbour needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy..." The English may sound a bit old-fashioned but the advice is as timely as today’s present pandemic.
wanted his son to be a lawyer. However, during a violent thunderstorm Luther (fearful for his life) vowed to become a priest if spared. He survived and kept his vow. During his studies, he keenly felt his own sinfulness before his concept of a holy, wrathful God. His superiors noticed his academic ability and encouraged further study. He eventually became not only a priest but a monk and university professor in Wittenberg, Germany. As he studied and taught the Bible, he experienced a revelation. While meditating on the first chapter
Page 15
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of Paul’s letter to the Romans, Luther understood that his salvation was not dependent on his own efforts but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. He read, “For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17) This was a game-changer for Luther and a spiritual rebirth experience that changed his life. He realized that he could not earn his salvation in any See FAITH LIFT Page 12
Luther’s story
I’m not a Lutheran Christian but I thank God for Luther’s life and ministry. He is the father and founder of the Protestant Reformation. His major contribution was to point the people of his world back to God and His Word, the Bible, as their source of truth and authority. Luther’s father was a wealthy landowner and
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!
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Page 16
The Voice, July 8, 2020
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TWELVE MILE
continued from Page 10 a trace in the creek valley. The third program provides a clear and detailed look at the problems now facing Twelve Mile Creek. Urbanization and deforestation have stripped the stream of much of its natural resilience to high levels of runoff— impermeable roofs and roads, and parking lots that don’t allow for natural absorption of rainfall, direct huge amounts of water into the creek ,resulting in erosion that sweeps tonnes of sediment downstream. Online ponds contribute to warming, and roadways add runoff and salt and pollutants to the water. The last segment outlines the efforts being made by the volunteers at the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada and its partners to combat the effects of manmade problems in the watershed. Video and photographs show the work that has been done to reforest the stream edges and stabilize the banks, reinforce bends that are subject to erosion, and recreate riffles and pools that have been scoured out by unnaturally heavy flows. The project that Brandon and Mahmut undertook for TUC Niagara will help to guide the organization’s restoration efforts for many years to come. They used a variety of tools from aerial surveys to stream flow monitors to computer modeling to drone surveying in order to locate the worst erosion “hot spots” in the Upper Twelve Mile Creek system. Rendered in both interactive maps that allow landowners along the creek to zoom in on their own properties and 3-D imaging to highlight trouble spots, this report, too, is highly interactive and engaging. It clearly illustrates the effects of urbanization, especially in the village of Fonthill, which straddles two of the creek’s main groundwater sources. Of special note is the discharge from the storm water management pond at Highway 20 and Rice Road, which, on the erosion hotspot map is a bright red bar. Outflow from this pond under Highway 20 into the channel between the Fonthill Lions Club
Left, Mahmut Guney was forced by the pandemic to return to Turkey, but continued to work on the project remotely from his home. Right, Professor Ian Smith of Niagara College, who was the advisor on the projects, with his students, from left, Brandon Giura, Smith, Chandana Murali, Javier Reyes. SUPPLIED and the Pelham Cares building can reach disastrous velocities and volumes. After one rain event this winter, the report illustrates that 70 centimeters (over 27 inches) of soil was dug out of the channel by the rushing water. That sediment is deposited downstream, silting up the channel, destroying fish and invertebrate habitat, and damaging the property of downstream landowners. TUC Niagara is using the information contained in this comprehensive report to engage landowners like the Lions Club and Pelham Cares and the Town of Pelham (whose storm water management pond is responsible) in tackling this problem and others like it. Sulphur Springs Road is a case study in itself. Brandon and Mahmut were faced with an additional challenge as Mahmut was recalled to Turkey when the COVID pandemic was declared and was in quarantine at a Turkish army base for 14 days. Fortunately, much of the field work had been completed, so the pair were able to do the computer analysis, mapping, and simulations by computer despite being on opposite sides of the world. “We worked around the sev-
en-hour time difference by working together in the late morning and then taking a break for my lunch, his supper,” says Brandon. “Then we’d work until late afternoon my time. I’d often have to tell him to quit when I realized it was past midnight in Turkey!” Chandana says that her experience as a foreign student has been very positive. “I came with no field experience and little confidence, but this project has given me the confidence to work in the field and I have such a good feeling to be able to contribute to this country.” The quality of the Niagara College program and the value of the “real world” experience of working on the reports for TUC Niagara were common themes. “The knowledge that I’ve gained in computer applications has been especially valuable,” says Brandon Giura, “but the opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge from university to practical use in the field is the best part of doing this project.” All of the foreign students expressed the wish to remain in Canada to apply the skills they have acquired. Javier and his wife have moved to Niagara and hope soon to bring their
I’d often have to tell him to quit when I realized it was past midnight in Turkey
nine-year-old son, who is living with grandparents in Colombia. Chandana is seeking a work permit, and Mahmut vows to return from Turkey as soon as travel is normalized. Professor Ian Smith, of Fonthill, was the advisor on both of the projects and expressed his pride in the work that resulted from the collaboration with Trout Unlimited. The GIS Program at Niagara College is being suspended next year, so these may be the last graduates to produce the reports valued so much by clients such as TUC. “If this is the last graduating class,” says Smith, “then these projects provide an excellent way to end. They are of the highest quality. As these talented new geospatial professionals finalize their work with their clients, we know that we’ll continue to be
proud of their work in their profession.” Dennis Edell, TUC Niagara President concurs. “The projects done by the GIS students over the years have been an invaluable resource for us, one that we couldn’t possibly have afforded. Twelve Mile creek has certainly benefitted from their work, and I hope the projects have had lasting benefits for the students as well, providing them with practical experience working for a client. Twelve Mile Creek and those of us who care about it owe them a huge debt of gratitude.” The interactive Story Maps, landowners’ information, and full reports can be viewed after July 1 at the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited website, Healthytwelvemilecreek.com
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