Remembering D-Day page 3 Huson stays on NPCA board page 14 Pride flag raised at Town Hall page 20
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Column Six Taking one for the bees Nice lawn, or food on the table...the choice is clear
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G be negative when it becomes a distraction or disrupts others. Proponents of the ban say that phones shouldn't be used during class time to converse with friends or visit social media sites. Teachers will still be allowed to incorporate phones into lessons and students with special needs will be able to access the technology they need to be successful. “I have mixed feelings
ARDENS ALL OVER Pelham have morphed into a slow motion fireworks display of colour and blooms. Our attention has turned from snow shoveling to looking at the explosion of crocuses, tulips, daffodils, chives and hyacinths in our private and public gardens. One plant that is among the first to arrive on the scene is far less likely to garner admiration: the dandelion. These yellow-flowered spiky-leaved weeds are a visible blight on the soft green carpets we work so hard to cultivate. But what if we’ve got it all wrong. What if we’ve made assumptions that these yellow flowers are noxious (if not to our bare feet, then at least to our sensibilities) when in reality they are helpful? What if these misunderstood flowers represent something more than conduits of childhood wish-making? I grew up in a household of
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BY MEGAN METLER
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An Ontario-wide school cellphone ban comes in to effect this September. The ban covers cellphone usage on school property and during instructional time. Out of 70,000 who voted in a provincial consultation, 97 percent voted in favour of restricting cellphones in schools. This has led to a controversy among students across the province. Students have organized walkouts to protest the recent educational changes that the government of Ontario has recently implemented. The Ministry of Education has not defined the repercussions if students disregard the cellphone ban, but it relies on the schools and school boards to enforce strategies to prevent cellphone usage at school. “I think what will happen is that different schools will enforce it in different ways and that could lead
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Students Laura Tremeer and Mia Colangelo demonstrate how they might—only theoretically, of course—pay closer attention to their phones than their teacher during class. MEGAN METLER PHOTO to a lot of confusion,” said Maria Tremeer, a teacher at St. Ann School in Fenwick, and a parent of three. “I think it will be very difficult for schools and school boards to all get on the same page because it’s a difficult thing to control.” This is an issue that is causing doubt about whether the ban will achieve its goals. Cellphones have been around for decades, and some believe that taking them away now would be unpro-
ductive and an implausible solution. Many students bring their phones to school, but not all of them use them appropriately, which is one reason for the ban. This may lead to poor grades and a minimal understanding of the curriculum. During lessons, students shouldn’t be on their phones. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Communication Education concluded that students without access to their phones wrote down
more study notes, were able to remember what they learned in class easier and scored higher marks than students with access to their cellphones. “Cellphones should be banned at school because most people, when they have their phones on them, can be more distracted and cause interruptions in the classroom,” said student Abbey Rittner. Technology is an important tool when used for the right reasons, but can
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IN THE NEWS
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
Corrections at the top: “This is not easy reporting for non-accountants,” said Interim Pelham CAO and Town Treasurer, Teresa Quinlin, as part of a back-and-forth last week on what we did, and didn’t, get correct in our May 22 story on the first Audit Committee meeting. After some of the requested correcting was itself incorrect, we managed to nail down the following: According to the audit report reviewed by the accounting firm Deloitte, the Town's accounts receivables were $5,735,179 in 2018, which is lower than in the previous year. As a point of clarification, the proposed sale of the Haist Street arena would cover the capital expenditures of $2.6 million projects deemed for completion this year, but not the “principal and interest.” A tip of the hat to Quinlin, by the way, for her willingness to answer questions asked of her—a welcome change from Town Hall’s approach this time last year...To the HRD writer: Letter received, but we need more. Kindly get in touch... Is the honeymoon over? Hard to believe, in one sense, but it’s already been six months since Pelham’s new town council took office. At the same time it seems like forever, which is a measure, I suppose, of how quickly humans can accommodate change. In any case, how are our new Mayor and councillors doing so far? Has their performance on the job matched their promises on the campaign trail? Let us know in this week’s poll: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/6months...Pine doing fine: After seeing what seemed like an unusually high number of Debbie Pine for sale signs around town lately, I dropped an email to one of Pelham’s favourite realtors to ask how the market was doing. “The market is brisk and steady,” she replied. “Things are selling quickly when priced correctly. The spring market is definitely here.” According to the Niagara Association of Realtors' April statistics, Pelham joins the rest of Niagara—with the exception of Niagara Falls—in seeing more new listings than this time in 2018. Pelham sales were behind, though, and prices down from an average $616,500 last year to $595,500 this year. About half of Niagara’s towns saw reductions as well, though Niagara-on-the-Lake managed a jaw-dropping average price jump from $747,000 in 2018 to $939,500 this year (all figures rounded to nearest hundred). On the plus side, houses are selling faster in Pelham now than in most of Niagara...Letters, we get letters: Once again we have an array of letters and commentary, and once again I’m impressed by how articulate our readers can be. Not surprisingly, MPP Oosterhoff’s anti-choice comments, and the commentary about his comments, has drawn more commentary and comments. Oosterhoff’s remarks have reached all the way to B.C. On our Facebook page, we’ve linked to a commentary published in the weekly Burnaby Now...Seriously? Am I alone in wondering about our front page story...as in, how is it possible that cellphones have ever been permitted in school classrooms? Bring back quill pens, I say, not entirely jokingly. Great job, Megan!
Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson receives the Township's new loaner UTV last week from Ben Berg Jr. SUPPLIED PHOTO
Kubota loaned to Wainfleet Fire Dept.
Ben Berg Farm & Industrial Equipment has donated a Kubota RTV XG-850 “Sidekick” to the Township on a loan-style program. At the end of the term, the unit is returned and the Township will receive a new one. The dealership is then able to sell the unit as a “demo/used” unit and the Township will issue a taxable donation receipt for the difference. According to a Township statement, the department
is allowed to use the UTV as it sees fit. “This is a fantastic example of private and public partnership to help the community at zero cost to the taxpayers of Wainfleet,” said Mayor Kevin Gibson. “We are very appreciative that one of our best known Wainfleet businesses saw an opportunity to help and made a great contribution to the community.” Ben Berg Jr., the firm’s owner said the partnership was a win-win for everyone. “We’re really proud of our communi-
FIRST ONE IS ON US E. L. Crossley Secondary School students Emma Brownlee, left, and Emily Bonisteel, right, were among 58 graduating high school students from across the region who were awarded first-year entrance scholarships to Brock University during a ceremony on May 22. Brock has given out nearly $750,000 through its Niagara Principal’s Awards program since its inception five years ago. Brownlee and Bonisteel are pictured with James Mandigo, Brock University Vice-Provost, Enrollment Management and International. SUPPLIED PHOTO ty and our fire department and when the Township approached us, we saw a chance to help the Department and give back to the community.” Once fully equipped with a Fire/EMS Response Unit, the vehi-
THE VOICE POLL Town Council at 6 months
First spray complete
This Monday's Pelham Town Council meeting marked six months to the day from the new council's inaugural session. Have the candidates you voted for become the councillors you hoped for? Is council—and the Town—moving in the right direction? Take the poll and let us know!
The first application of the gypsy moth aerial spray program in Pelham is complete. The second application will take place this week. The date and time is pending and will be updated on the Town's website and social media pages as soon as the information is available.
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/6months
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cle will respond to wildland/vegetation fires and remote access incidents where larger highway vehicles cannot access. The UTV will be equipped with a 75- gallon water tank, a high pressure wildland fire pump, 100’ of hose, and dedicated stretcher area for secure patient transport.
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Page 3
Remembering D-Day Jennifer Gaudreault recalls her grandfather's contribution, and urges that World War II not be forgotten BY JOHN CHICK
Special to the VOICE
Do the math. Any veterans that saw action in the Second World War— if they are still alive— are now, at least, in their 90s. So, even with the increased life expectancy Canada has enjoyed over the decades since, there are fewer and fewer of them among us every day. Most wars since that horrific conflict between 1939 and 1945 have been second-guessed by all manner of politicians, academics, and activists. Even if the root intention is noble, there is just about always a contrarian viewpoint— sometimes quite valid— against a given war. This was not the case in World War II. In the last several centuries of global conflict, the stark choice was as black and white as a war will ever get, unless you are a watching a “Star Wars” movie. To boil it down to the most simplistic term, good triumphed over evil. So as Canada and the allies it fought alongside in the Second World War— the United States, Great Britain, India, Australia and New Zealand among them — continue to lose members of what U.S. news anchor Tom Brokaw once called “the greatest generation,” people like Jennifer Gaudreault are fighting to make sure we don’t forget them. “I’m finding that generations are losing that connection to the Second World War, and it’s now becoming more like video games,” said Gaudreault, a supply teacher who also works parttime at the Pelham Street Grille. “War is real and men and women coming back forever changed, and I want to get that message across.” Gaudreault’s late grandfather, Cpl. Douglas Morrison, served in England from 1940-44. As the free world observes the 75th anniversary of D-Day this Thursday, Gaudreault will be at the HMCS Haida in Hamilton as part of an event to honor the amphibious invasion of the Nazi-held beaches of northern France, a
landing that swung momentum in the Allies’ favor. While Morrison was not on the beaches for the assault on Normandy, Gaudreault will have on hand evidence of his contributions, specifically his medals and morse code key. Morrison was a specialist with the 1st Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, based in England. In the lead-up to D-Day, it was his job to send morse code signals to the Allies, while at the same time deciphering enemy signals. Part of that, according to Gaudreault, included posing as a Nazi with morse code, running interference and directing German troops away from the beaches ahead of the Allied assault. “Grandpa was trained to decipher whether or not whether it was a German [morse coding] or one of the Allies,” Gaudreault said. “He could decipher if they had an accent by the way they tapped on the key. I was blown away when he told me that.” While his part in history was secure, Morrison’s experience in the European theatre did not end easily. Around the time of D-Day, a German V-1 “buzz-bomb”—one of the earliest cruise missiles— exploded 150 yards from where Morrison was standing at his base in southern England. While he ultimately recovered from most of his injuries, the blast rendered him near-deaf for the rest of his life. The cost of living Most have seen the black-andwhite film reels from the end of the war, and it appears like a joyous time: Troops returning home, impromptu partying in the streets, and confetti raining down on Times Square. What’s often forgotten is the toll many of those veterans paid for the rest of their lives. While time and progress have enlightened society to the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of subsequent conflicts, it simply wasn’t a thing
Cpl. Douglas Morrison and wife Catherine on their wedding day. Below, the couple with baby James, Jennifer Gaudreault's father. SUPPLIED PHOTOS
people considered at the time for Morrison or his fellow heroes. In fact, Gaudreault said her grandfather underwent shock therapy in the wake of the bombing incident. He returned to Canada later in 1944, settling in Hamilton with his war bride and young son, Gaudreault’s father. “My grandpa came back a changed man, even though he lived a long and great life,” Gaudreault said of Morrison, who died in 2009 at the age of 88. “But he suffered because of it.” It wasn’t until the 1990s— when he was in his 70s— that his family convinced him to seek out some counseling. “He finally started to open up to someone about the war, and his nightmares, and his PTSD,”
Gaudreault said. She added that despite the baggage he carried, he was still a fairly happy person who loved his family. “He was the best,” she said, tearing up. “He wasn’t a harsh man, he was a fun-loving grandpa. He was a modest guy. I would call him every Remembrance Day and say, ‘Thank you grandpa,’ and he’d say, ‘For what?’ He thought it was his duty to go. I just hold these men and women in such high esteem.” As a supply teacher, Gaudreault now uses Remembrance Day each year to talk to her students about her grandfather’s story and those from the generation of soldiers that essentially saved the world from itself. And because Pelham is still home to several veterans, she’s happy when she runs into some at her other job at the Grille. Talking to them over the years has helped her find out more about her grandfather’s unit and the Canadian war effort in general. “A lot of veterans come in, so if I throw somebody a carrot, maybe they can help me uncover more information,” she said. “I don’t want that history to be in vain.”
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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 Nick Saltarelli Words matter
P
OLITICAL SCIENCE and journalism are closely paired university majors. The reason is they share a common element: the skilful use of language. Words. Words more than just matter. They’re paramount. Powerful. Words serve notice of actions to follow. Words are instruments and words are weapons. Words can be surgically precise or blunt as a bludgeon. A scalpel, or a hammer. They are the gulf separating humanity from so-called lesser animals. On a narrower human level, words and how they’re used distinguish the eminent journalistic thinkers from the muckraking dullards, great politicians from party hacks. Words have consequences. Words triggered the current backlash against our youthful MPP, specifically his public pledge on behalf of his base to make abortion unthinkable in their lifetime. But shouldn’t we? Think about it, I mean. Shouldn’t we make it thinkable? I wrote in my opinion piece last week that this young man had called for the upending of established law granting women do-
minion over their bodies. That isn’t quite so. I should have chosen my words more carefully, and therein lies an opening for constructive criticism as well as a lesson, not only what a better writer
Words can be surgically precise or blunt as a bludgeon
might have penned but what a better politician might have said. Generating more light than heat. The “law” to which I referred isn’t actually a law but the “Criminal Law Amendment Act” of 1968-69, which scaled back Victorian social conservatism in the nation. It was an omnibus bill that, for the first time in Canada, not only granted women access to abortion under certain conditions, but de-
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criminalised homosexuality. At the same time, a related bill was passed to decriminalise the sale of condoms and birth control pills. Yes, that’s right. Up till then artificial contraception was illegal in Canada. Local men and boys would visit the Welland Tobacco Shop on East Main Street and quietly ask for a pack of the “Gauloises” kept under the counter (the French letter connection to safes—not to mention “safes”—will be lost on all but older readers). Defending the legislation was the context in which then Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau uttered undoubtedly the most famous and consequential words of his political career, telling the press gallery, “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation,” then adding, “What’s done in private between adults doesn’t concern the Criminal Code.” Powerful words, certainly. But do you perceive the nuance? Canada doesn’t have an abortion law. Whether or not we need one is open to a question of debate and that, right there, is where a See WORDS next page
Letters Oosterhoff does not speak for the Ontario PC party Any person unfamiliar with the political situation in Niagara West might think that Nick Saltarelli is guilty of hyperbole in his description of MPP Sam Oosterhoff as “Niagara’s national embarrassment” [Commentary, May 29, p. 5]. But his description is bang on. Oosterhoff’s childish behaviour in the Legislature is cringe-worthy. Leaping to a standing ovation at any utterance from his Supreme Leader is nothing less than sycophancy. People in other parts of the province who follow these antics must wonder how this youngster got elected here. Mr. Saltarelli outlines clearly how the political maneuvering of a very small minority succeeded in pushing out the PC
party president and former MP Rick Dykstra in favour of a teenager with no political experience, indeed with very little life experience outside of his own home and church. Mr. Oosterhoff’s elevation to an embarrassment at the national level came from his lack of political experience and savvy. Instead of proclaiming his determination to “make abortion unthinkable” to his church congregation, he decided to do this publicly. Whether he intended to or not, this seemed to make it come from the Ontario PC party. One has to wonder if Mr. Oosterhoff is even aware See ANTICS next page
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900
Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi mciolfi@pelham.ca 905-892-0077
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755
Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840
Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
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OPINION Wonders about stress and cancer I just completed an online course called, "Origins, Formation of the Universe, Solar System, Earth and Life," from the University of Copenhagen, and made a discovery which I would like to share. There is a mechanism in all living things called, oddly, the molecular clock. The function of this clock is to help us adapt to changes in our surroundings. It is triggered by, or responds to, stress in all forms—i.e., environmental, chemical, etc. When the clock is activated, it issues a small modification to the DNA as part of our evolutionary change. I was surprised to find that the issued order is quite random. In other words, it could be just the right fix to help us adapt to the new situation, or it could also be the wrong fix, in which case we end up with mutated DNA causing cancer, as in CLL (leukemia), etc. My take is that cancer is the outcome of stress to which our body responds with a modification to our DNA. The kicker is that it's like calling an incompetent contractor—the fix can improve or worsen the situation. To avoid cancer, minimize the molecular clock from getting activated. Do everything in moderation, stay away from chemicals, and stay in love right to the end. Harry Menian, M.Sc. Fonthill
ANTICS
continued from previous page that this issue is a national one and that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on this before he was born. Now he has ignited a passionate debate that was closed 30 years ago and one which he can’t win. National embarrassment indeed. David Fowler Wainfleet
WORDS
continued from previous page more mature, experienced and sympathetic politician, suddenly addressing a like-minded crowd yearning to be heard, would have focussed his message and chosen his words more deliberately, for the further benefit of the larger audience he needs to convince. “I strongly support the need to expand this conversation about abortion and the law,” would have been far more constructive, and far less inflammatory, than what was actually said. No. This isn’t Monday morning quarterbacking. It’s strategic thinking. Anticipating the power and consequences of one’s words before speaking, especially on short notice, is a hallmark of leadership, and of being an effective agent of change. Not so important if stirring the pot is taken as a sign of success.
I submit without fear of contradiction that the great majority of Canadians hold a strong moral aversion to the concept of an unfettered right to terminate a pregnancy over its entire nine months. In the absence of boundaries, the words “late term abortion” should trigger at least a twinge of queasiness in the pit of one’s stomach. It certainly does mine. And therein lies the question, at once a conundrum. When is terminating a pregnancy morally acceptable, and at what point is it not? The companion question is, who gets to decide? There are earnest, honest people who, given an option to flip a switch to overturn that milestone 1968/69 act and bring back the past, would do so in a fetal heartbeat. Some of these same people have been elected by us to consecrate laws. They hold power over our lives. Their sincere perspective is that the answer to
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AMBLING ALONG THE BANKS of Twenty Mile Creek at Ball's Falls Conservation Area in Jordan in March, accompanied by four inquisitive home-educated children, the hemlock and black cherry on the brow of the escarpment yearning for spring, I encountered a fellow adventurer taking in the natural beauty of the historical park. Immediately I recognized the familiar smile of local Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff. Approachable, personable and polite, Sam greeted us with a courteous handshake. Not foreseeing the abuse and harsh criticism our local MPP would face on the heels of comments in support of preborn human rights at the Toronto March for Life in May, I offered a word of general encouragement, noting our family regularly prayed for our local political representatives, regardless of political affiliation. Returning to our home in the rolling hills of Ridgeville, I recalled the day I first met Sam as a nomination candidate, a contender in the race to represent the Ontario PC Party in the Niagara West-Glanbrook riding. I can still remember shaking Sam's hand at the same conservation area in Jordan, savouring grilled chicken and ribs
the question in the previous paragraph is,“Never,” just as it was 50 years ago. Removing the legal means for couples to prevent conception, and rolling back the status of same-sex partners as equal under law? Icing on the cake,
at the annual barbecue of the Niagara West-Glanbrook Ontario PC Party Constituency Association in September 2016. A farewell to Tim Hudak, an experienced political veteran, I have to admit I was more interested in the seasoned chicken and mouthwatering ribs at the cataracts of Twenty Mile Creek than the four candidates vying to succeed the former party leader, including Sam, as well as former St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra, President of the Ontario PC Party; Regional Councillor Tony Quirk, Vice-President of the Ontario PC Party; and Grimsby newspaper publisher Mike Williscraft. In a competitive race of prominent candidates, I was uncertain of Sam's prospect of political victory, but was impressed with his sincere enthusiasm and determination. As Sam's campaign gained momentum through a tenacious door- knocking ground-game and motivated volunteer base, however, I began to take note of the ascendant political hopeful. As a member of an active community of faith in the Niagara West-Glanbrook riding and like many social conservative voters across the province, I was increasingly feeling disenfranchised
or maybe allowed for now as crumbs on the plate. The PCO would rather we didn’t talk about it, because the subject is politically radioactive. Should we talk about it, or shouldn’t we? Is there any point? Is there a mid-
by establishment politics and liberal elitist social policies. As a candidate who related to both fiscal and social conservatives, equally comfortable in a room full of small business owners as a church fellowship hall, Sam was quickly selling party memberships and attracting grassroots support along the rural routes and country roads of the Niagara peninsula. As a faithbased supporter of preborn human rights, parental rights in education, and freedom of religious expression, I became convinced Sam was the best contender to carry the Tory banner in Niagara West-Glanbrook. A surprise nomination victory in October 2016 and convincing by-election win in November that year resulted in the swearing into office of the youngest MPP in Ontario history. What was an inspirational political triumph and compelling validation of hard work and determination, however, was soon overshadowed by hostile insults and offensive attacks by political opponents and combative activists. Had Sam been a woke crusader of progressive values and social justice, his arrival at Queen's Park would have been See DIGNITY next page
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Page 6
Letters
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
formally. Had the complaint been done verbally, Trustee Baggott would have been invited to meet with the Chair and review the rules for talking with the press and decide how to remedy the situation. However, because Trustee Fast chose to file a written complaint, it automatically had to be dealt with by the formal procedure. This includes interviewing both parties, or having a written submission, doing a full investigation, and submitting a written report to the board. The report is only fact-finding. No recommendations are included, because there is no determination of wrongdoing or lack of wrongdoing in the report. That determination must be made by the whole board after hearing the report, and someone must make a motion to go forward with the complaint. That is the process. This was not explained prior to the meeting, but that was probably an oversight. What happened at the meeting? The report was read and accepted. At this point, most of the trustees thought there would be a discussion but the chair moved on to the next agenda item. And yes there was silence! Not because we were instructed not to speak, but because many of the trustees did not under-
motion to quash the complaint so that open discussion could have taken place and we might have had a clearer explanation of the reasoning behind the code breach complaint. Personally, I as well as at least one other trustee, were prepared to argue in Trustee Baggott’s favour. Did we get it right? Who knows. Could it have been handled better? Probably! Was there a predetermined “wall of silence”? Not that I was aware of. One result of the meeting is that I have requested that we have a trustee information session to clarify the way that trustees interact with the media and to sort out the exact procedures in dealing with this type of situation. Remember, this, too, is a first for the board as until recently, there was no official code of conduct. I hope this has shed some light on the situation. But please be assured that through all of this, every trustee and all senior staff and the director have one primary and overarching focus, and that is providing every DSBN student with the best possible educational experience in a safe and welcoming environment. Nancy Beamer DSBN Trustee
continued
DSBN Trustee addresses recent controversies Are you looking for a position with excitement, debate and controversy? Then consider running for school board trustee during the next municipal election. Seriously though, over the last week the DSBN has garnered a lot of negative media coverage, much of which is unwarranted. Many people have asked what is going on, so I will attempt to explain. At this point, I want to state that in this report all opinions are my own, and in no way do they purport to represent the views of any other trustee or the board. The controversy centres around Trustee Baggott and an article published in the Standard, Review and Tribune last January 25 that resulted in an alleged Code of Conduct breach. In this article, Ms Baggott stated that since at the time the DSBN did not have a policy on the books, she wanted to bring forward a motion to develop a director’s appraisal policy. I believe she thought that developing one would guide the process in the future. It was not directed at the present director, Mr. Hoshazki. Unfortunately, instead of focusing on the formation of a policy, the article took aim at an appraisal of the present director, his salary, etc. Although presently there is no
formal director’s appraisal policy, there is an appraisal clause in his contract that is standard in contracts of top-level management, and Mr. Hoshizaki has had several appraisals done during his tenure. Also, because there has been so much publicity about his salary, I feel everyone should know how this is determined. The trustees do not set the director’s salary. This is done by the provincial ministry, which has set a seven-level salary grid. Placement is based on number of schools and students, geographical size of the board, etc. The DSBN is a Level 5 area. With his years of experience and level of education, our director is near the top of his grid. So basically neither the director nor the trustees have a mandate to determine what he is paid. Because of this article, Trustee Fast had some of his constituents asking if the board was getting a new director. He thought this made the board look unprofessional and he felt that Trustee Baggott had breached the Code of Conduct that states, in part, “the Chair is the spokesperson to the public on behalf of the Board.” He filed a Code of Conduct complaint. According to the newly adopted code, there are two ways to handle complaints—informally or
Haist sale back on, but problems remain After all the charettes, public discussions, backand-forth in council meetings, are taxpayers to understand that the Haist Street arena is back on the market? This means that although people were obliged to choose and the Town agreed to a plan, the Town has decided to renege. The process appears to have been wasted time, pointless energy and wasted money. Perhaps this "stepping back" created an opportunity to get it right. The concern then, as now, is that there were too many townhouses and not enough parking. Intensification within established residential neighbourhoods is open to municipal interpretation. Volume of traffic from
the subdivision, along with sufficient off- street parking are two important
Perhaps this "stepping back" created an opportunity to get it right considerations for a successful plan. With council's long-term vision and the residents realistic approval, the Town’s coffers will once again accumulate. Louise Morgan Fonthill
Take your choice: arch, arch, or arch Henry Ford gave all his car customers three choices of color for their cars. Black, black, or black. Ford days are back in Fonthill. The choices of design for the new downtown gateway structure is arch, arch, or arch. In his letter last week [“Definitely the arches—and
how they symbolize the town,” May 29, p. 6], Bill “Ford” Gibson used every description of everything ever built to describe how the arches symbolize our town. (He left out one famous arch— the Italian wedding cake topper arch.) See FLIVVER next page
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DIGNITY
continued from previous page lauded and celebrated — but as a home-educated, faithbased defender of preborn human rights, his electoral success was interpreted as a threat to urban sensibilities. The hostility and contempt directed against Sam and his faith-based constituents was an indictment against the true limits of tolerance and inclusion in the progressive vision embraced by mainstream politics in Ontario. Within a year of his first tenure in office, subjected to a nomination challenge in the riding, reaffirmed with a convincing majority of the membership in a realigned electoral district, persevering in a turbulent general election in 2018, the capable incumbent secured his seat with almost 53 percent of the vote. Despite championing common causes embraced by a vast majority of constituents in the riding, including saving West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, introducing the Compassionate Care Act in support of hospices like McNally House and Hospice Niagara, as well as promoting local growing industries like wine country tourism and small-batch distilleries, a crude and callow campaign of incivil-
ity against Sam has continued and intensified. As an honourable member of the provincial legislature, Sam has faced unwarranted hostility and disparaging rhetoric, in the pages of local newspapers, on social media and in staged protests at his constituency office. Coordinated efforts by political opponents and activists outside the riding have included the publication of home addresses and phone numbers of members of Sam's family, calls to dox and disrupt worship services of local churches and threats of personal violence against people of faith in the Niagara West riding. What is remarkable in the current debate over the defense of preborn human rights is the degree of incivility and vulgarity of Sam's detractors. I firmly believe the vitriol is emblematic of a deeper indecency — if you refuse to recognize the rights and respect the dignity of an unborn child in the womb, you will refuse to recognize the rights and respect the dignity of a person who publicly disagrees with your opinions and convictions. The converse is also true — if you believe in the sanctity of life then you will treat each person you meet with dignity and respect. To cite Canadian humanitarian
Jean Vanier, his life and legacy lauded after losing his battle with cancer in May, each person is sacred. Members of the local community of faith disparaged and harassed by Sam's opponents are in fact mem-
A crude and callow campaign of incivility against Sam has continued
bers of the same faith-based community that harboured Jewish fugitives during the occupation of the Netherlands in the Second World War, warmly welcomed their Canadian liberators in the concluding months of the battle for Europe, crossed the Atlantic to forge new lives, and labour for a prosperous future in every province and region across Confederation, including Niagara, and now consistently and actively contribute to charitable, civic and community causes signifi-
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cantly above the national average. Surely this community of faith, of which Sam Oosterhoff is a member, and of which my family and I are privileged to belong, is entitled to a voice in the provincial legislature as much as a member of any other community or special interest group. Visiting Parliament Hill last week, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence, approachable, personable and polite, a firm defender of preborn human rights, greeted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a vocal advocate of abortion rights, with a courteous handshake and a smile. If democratic ideals and constitutional freedoms allow for differences of opinion and competing values and convictions in our pursuit of peace, order and good government, let civility and decency prevail—even if you strongly disagree with your local member of provincial parliament and the community of faith that supports him. Our family is still praying for Sam Oosterhoff —as much as we pray for our Mayor, the Premier, the Prime Minister and every local public official elected to serve. ♦
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stand what had happened. At this point, I spoke up and questioned why there was no discussion and the explanation was confusing to myself and some other trustees. At that point, Trustee Klassen asked for a short recess so the trustees would have time to figure out the reasoning. According to the procedure, if no one makes a motion to go forward, the process ends right there and there is no discussion. Trustee Fast chose not to make a motion to further his complaint. By allowing the complaint to die on the table, there was no official code breach filed against Trustee Baggott, and there were no negative consequences or sanctions for her. At the time it seemed like a win-win situation. However, in retrospect, I wish I had made a
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
Page 7
FLIVVER
Devil's advocate weighs in on arches, location
Council ignoring white elephant in the room
The folks in town believe proper due process should be followed, and that it is the council’s responsibility to manage the full procurement process. Just look at what happened when the last council was allowed to detour off the tracks. What next? The fire department needs a new firehall—do we let the firemen design and build it on their days off? Residents have asked why isn't the professional architect we have right here in town being consulted, or the many others located right here in Niagara. The architect Gina Schafrick recently relocated here from Toronto, and has not been asked for an opinion that we can see. From her bio, she is an award-winning designer featured in many major magazines. Many cities and towns have such gateway structures, which were designed by architects and their message and historic connections are immediately identifiable without the need of an interpreter. The business association and Rotary completely passed over this new business professional while riding in their single-choice black car driven by Mr. Gibson and councillor John Wink. We trust our town council to lead, be transparent and keep us risk- free by following proper procurement policy. Can we please have choices and allow our council to its job? Curt Harley Fonthill
I have been reading the ongoing conversations over the arches, whether to replace, in place, or not, and I would like to thank Frank Adamson for taking the initiative, but I don't understand the rush to rebuild the past. Instead we need to take this opportunity to look to the future and what we might need or what might suit us better going forward. While I had not given the arches much thought before, I would like now to play Devil's advocate and offer a couple of ideas that others may or may not have thought about. These arches have largely been associated with Summerfest, which takes place one weekend a year, and a second event, which had been held in the past but not last year, and some lights which are changed to represent events happening around the region/country/world. These arches have been romanticized as a place where people come to gather before heading to their destinations and as a reason for people to travel to Fonthill to marvel at them, and have even been falsely associated as part of Pelham's identity. Ask those who live in the far reaches of the town and they might not even know what you are referring to. It seems to be a very expensive undertaking for such a small benefit. In playing Devil's advocate I would like to question the practicality of replacing the arches (or any structure) at the former location for the benefit of those very few and selective reasons. I believe that the Farmers Market, the Supper Market, and the bandshell concert nights have outgrown the space they occupy, and Summerfest is bursting at the seams. All these need to be relocated to spaces where they can grow and continue to play an important part in the Thursday night activity. Summerfest has outgrown its relativity to Fonthill's core, and certain of the businesses affected by Summerfest's location are negatively impacted. When activities are stunted in their ability to grow and attract new people, participants
It never ceases to amaze me that the residents of the Town of Pelham purged the town council last fall because of discontent with the old council. I personally did not vote for the incumbents nor did I vote for any of the current council in my ward. The down-to-earth people I voted for all lost. The major issue that people were not happy with is the size of the debt for community centre. As far as I’m aware, nothing has been shared publicly by this new council on how this white elephant will be paid for. Anything discussed has been “in camera” and not shared with the voting public. That’s a mistake... something that got the former council voted out. The Town still owns the old arena, even though the majority of voting Pelham residents want to sell it—but this percentage was marginalized because some councillors included every child in Pelham in their percentages… to lower them. With a population of 17,000 not everyone can be included in surveys...children and adolescents typically will not respond. The survey percentages should only have included the “voting” public, and the arena should have been sold long ago. ■ Some of the other issues that existed then and continue to exist today include but are not limited to: ■ Poth St. culvert repair, when will it be done? ■ Repair of Sulphur
continued from previous page
or spectators, it negatively affects them, and who is to say that these activities will be here five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years down the road, which I believe was the life expectancy of the new arches. Let us also remember that for the majority of the year it is a road that these arches span, and are not in a park or someplace safe where people might congregate to meet friends. Even the sidewalk is outside the area previously covered by the arches. As Devil's advocate, I ask if the Town has any land, maybe an under-utilized park, that could be used to locate the three Thursday evening activities and the one-weekend-per-year Summerfest, and the rest turned into a botanical park that could be enjoyed by all. Here the Horticulture Committee, the Beautification Committee, and anyone else with a green thumb could be organized to transform and maintain the large sprawling gardens, and covered pavilions could be erected, maybe even arches, to cover vendors and customers for a Farmers Market and the Supper Market, and a new bandshell, on level ground for seating, could be erected. Asking local businesses to help and erect these structures and fundraising would be required. Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island is my inspiration for this idea. If it is arches or bust then I offer as a location the corner of Highway 20 and Rice Road. Placing the arches here would give a visual entrance to Fonthill and be something that all travelers would notice. I hope that Mr. Adamson and the community service groups that so willingly offered to support a rebuilding effort will still be willing to step up if the ultimate decision is to wait or to move to another location. Sidney Beamer Fenwick In 2018, Sidney Beamer ran as a candidate for Pelham Town Council in Ward 1.
Springs Road without affecting the creek. ■ Chicane on Haist Street— when will it be taken out? ■ Platform speed bumps (car undercarriage destroyers) on Haist Street—when will they be corrected?
The down-to-earth people I voted for all lost
■ Completion of the Station Street water main—lines were put in but the project was never finished. ■ Crumbling infrastructure and crumbling roads all over Pelham (no matter where you go in town). ■ The traffic circle being built at Port Robinson and Rice Roads—this will be one of the biggest mistakes; the intersection needs traffic lights. As it is, Rice Road traffic seems to think they have priority over Port Robinson traffic—wait for a traffic circle, it will be anarchy. I thought I read there was not enough room for a circle, apparently now there is. See COUNCIL next page
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Page 8
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
COUNCIL
ANOTHER ROUND
continued from previous page
by JOHN PICCOLO
Spin city
T
HERE ARE A LOT of stupid tips written in golf magazines. Most revolve around trying to get people who have trouble making decent contact on a regular basis to try to hit the ball farther. "Instant Power,” "Hit it 30 yards further,” are headlines you'll read on a monthly basis. The advice is generally generic and not very helpful and generally will confuse the hell out of 90% of those who try it, but I think there is another piece of information which plays even more havoc with players. "To create backspin make sure you hit down with your irons, especially the shorter irons." What's wrong with that? In order to generate more backspin you do indeed need to catch the golf ball on the downswing. The problem is when you make a good golf swing and have proper set up, ball position and posture and stuff, you are already catching the ball on the way down and generating good backspin. I think people who offer advice such as this sometimes fail to understand how people absorb information. Every swing of every person who has ever swung a club comes down towards the golf ball on the down swing. The secret to the
game is to have this swing come down the same way every time (or at least most of the time). The problem with a lot of players is they don't comprehend the physics of the game and try to get under the golf ball to get it in the air. This is not good and you have to deal with this misconception when dealing with a student. My experience has been the worst way to deal with this situation is to tell them to hit down on the ball. As I said, the swing is already coming down on the ball. When you make this a conscious act you very often get some serious wood chopping action. Innocent worms are disturbed, Richter scales are sometimes charted. You can actually take a pretty decent swing and mess it up. In order to produce backspin you need to make a swing which consistently brushes the grass in the same spot. Make a practice swing with a pitching wedge and if you have a good swing you will likely notice it brushes the grass near the middle of your stance. Position the ball just behind of where the club starts to brush the ground, make your swing, and let the ball get in the way. This will allow for solid contact, which will give you all the backspin you will
ever need. Will it get the ball to land on the green, take a hop, and spin backwards like some of those shots on television do?
You can actually take a pretty decent swing and mess it up
Maybe, maybe not. There are a lot of factors in play which affect the amount of spin you put on your shots. Clean contact is first. The reason you want to catch the ball just before your iron brushes the turf is it allows the loft of the club to do its job. If you hit the ground or grass first it interferes (grass gets between) with the ball contacting the club face, and the ball tends to spin less. If you can get the clean contact, the loft of the club creates the spin. The more angle there is on the club face, the more the ball will spin. The harder you swing the more it will spin. The softer the
Strawberry Social Saturday, June 15
ball you play the more it will spin. The softer the green the more it will spin back. If you are hitting into the wind the ball will spin back more, as well as uphill. With all due respect to the marketing departments of the big wedge companies, the grooves have little to do with the spin off of a good lie. They do have an effect out of longer and wetter grass, but the argument that one company has better grooves than another is rubbish. If you are an accomplished player there is a swing action which will allow you to put more spin on certain shots. It takes a lot of practice but can be helpful in some situations. For the vast majority, however, trying to hit "down" to create backspin is a foolish proposition. I think it was Sam Snead who said to an average player who asked about backspin something along the lines of, "You hit almost all of your shots short of the hole. Why would you want them to come backwards?” Just want to give a shoutout to W. Terry Lineker, whose letter last week made clear his disappointment with my review of Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump. I guess I was wrong about the truth and rational argument not changing the minds of Trump enablers. I’m impressed you tore yourself away from Fox and Rebel entertainment long enough to give reality a try. Glad I could help. ♦ John Piccolo is the golf instructor and runs Piccolo's Custom Golf Shop at Eagle Valley Golf Club in Niagara Falls. Email your questions or comments to picgolf@vaxxine.com
■ Now the slalom poles are back on Pelham Street. I’m unsure what they are put there for but Glynn A. Green is the only school in all of Niagara with them. They don’t slow traffic, they hold it up to ensure that drivers are good and angry with the delay. Then many are seething as they are added to the line of cars waiting on Pelham to get onto Highway 20, which often reaches back to the Meridian Credit Union, all caused by the slalom poles. ■ Nothing has been done to address the Port Robinson road drag strip from Pelham to Station—traffic regularly flies down the hill. This strip of road is a school zone also. ■ Will the intersection of Canboro Road and Welland Avenue in Fenwick ever be corrected? Two large commercial vehicles (includes school buses) cannot pass each other at this intersection without one or both scrubbing the curb or mounting it, unless they hit each other, witnessed by the tire marks on the curbs. Any turns from these streets are difficult at best. ■ I remember reading somewhere a couple of years ago that Pelham will be changing their street lights to LED, which will save quite a bit of money. I must have dreamt this because it’s never happened, but the money saved in other Niagara communities seems to be worth the changeover. My two biggest pet peeves are, first, with the developer who is overseeing the construction of another subdivision between Port Robinson Road and Summersides Drive. There is a person who lives on Port Robinson who declined to sell her house and land to the developer— the story was in the Voice last year. The developer has had mounds of dirt piled up beside her hose, and now is building a mountain of gravel. There is no need for this. It is bullying in its worst form! The mountains of dirt and gravel could have been created off Summersides, where no one lives, it didn’t need to happen next door to this resident who wants to keep the house they’ve owned for many years. Shame on the developer and the construction company. Every time I drive by I feel for this resident. My second pet peeve is the tree stump that was left in front of my house when the magnificent maple tree that stood there was cut down. The tree itself was hollow so cutting it was not that upsetting, but the stump that was left infringes on the sidewalk. Right beside it on the boulevard is a hole that was created when a huge chunk of trunk accidentally fell while they were cutting the tree. I have seen people trip into it, not expecting it to be there. I have called the Town to get the stump and the hole taken care of and got a stupid song and dance. So I called Councillor Bob Hildebrandt and he got the same song and dance from Town staff—apparently they can’t afford it. Well, the Town has workers. I’ve seen them in their red or white Pelham trucks. They already get paid, and I’m sure they won’t bill extra if they have to grind a stump and fill a hole during their shift. I’m thinking the common denominator here might be the people on the Sunshine List at Town hall. Maybe they need to get out from behind their desks and work for the Town. This council better pull itself up by its boot straps soon, and do something, because people are becoming impatient. Maybe this council can be turfed and we can try again. Guido Mueller Fonthill
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Letters
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
Page 9
continued
Pelham Syrian refugee work complete After three and a half years, the Pelham Syrian refugee Constituent Group (PSRCG) officially wound down on May 28. During that time it got an acute insight into the workings of the federal government’s plan to resettle Syrian refugees and was responsible for the resettlement of two families who had fled the Syrian civil war. The PSRCG of 20 people met initially in December 2015. It consisted of members of four local churches— Bethany Christian Reformed, Fenwick United, Fonthill United, and Pelham Community United—and of the general Pelham community. It chose the United Church of Canada as its Sponsorship Agreement Holder, with Fonthill United representing the SAH on the ground. Sorting out the requirements of applying for families consumed many hours in the early days. It wasn’t until September 26, 2017, that the first family of two parents and four children arrived to a home in Welland, which the Group had leased and furnished for them. The early days were spent helping to register the children in public school and in daycare for the youngest and finding a doctor and a dentist. Arranging for telephone, computer and TV along with trips for grocery shopping and clothing went
on as well. There were several trips for medical and dental appointments over the next year. By the time the one year of sponsorship ended the family’s friends had grown to include other Syrian refugees and Canadians. Members of the PSRCG
The PSRCG wishes to thank all who donated money and gifts-in-kind
continued to offer support as twin boys were born to the mother a month after the one year of sponsorship ended. The family is very grateful to be in Canada. The second family arrived on May 28, 2018, and were met by the same three that greeted family number one: co-chairs Lyn Taylor and Rhonda Baker, and Duncan McNaughton, who provided the transportation from Pearson airport to Fonthill. Fortuitously a house had been found just a couple of weeks earlier in Fonthill, and, as with the first home,
the Group set it up in advance. This family of four had the advantage of being proficient in English and the transition went smoothly. The twin boys adjusted quickly to public school. The parents are just weeks short of having their education qualifications confirmed as being equivalent to that of Canadian civil engineers. The PSRCG wishes to thank all who donated money and gifts-in-kind. Some $73,000 was received. Not surprisingly, the four churches which were kept apprised regularly of the situation contributed a large share, some $33,000, and held a fundraiser last June whereby A Cappella Niagara and Fonthill United Church Choir gave of their time and talent to net $6,000. Violet Zanutto, encouraged by her mother Janet, motivated fellow pupils at Glynn A. Green Public School to do a fundraising effort that netted $5,500. Teacher Stacey Taylor at Gainsborough Public School led the students in raising $800. Merle Richards, a retired professor from Brock, gave a number of weekly English lessons to the first family. An anonymous person from outside the Pelham area donated $15,000 through the United Church Foundation. The Mayor’s Gala shared $2,000 in 2016. Walker Industries See COMPLETE Page 13
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Page 10
The Centrespread
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
THE FACADE OF PROGRESS At Lametti Drive and Riley Avenue, in East Fonthill, the curbs were in but not much else in late January 2018. Jump forward 16 months and—but for the lack of trees—a visitor would be forgiven for thinking that the houses had been here for years. At least 150 more homes are likely to be constructed in the area over the coming 16 months. VOICE PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS
Page 11
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
A Little Book About Us
O
UR CHILDHOOD DEFINES OUR personalit y. It shapes who we become. When Vilma Moretti had grandchildren, she realized that her childhood and theirs were worlds apart. They had absolutely no idea what life was like for Vilma when she was their age. Theirs was a world of computers, iPods, cellphones, texting, Instagram, and YouTube. Vilma thought that when they were grown they might be interested to know what it was like for other generations to grow up. She started collecting recollections—her own, and those of some of the many people she met every day while running Keith’s Restaurant, her family’s business at the intersection of Pelham Street and Highway 20, in Fonthill. The result was, “A Little Book About Us,” published in 2009, from which this series is excerpted. Keith’s is gone, but the stories remain.
Mary
Born March 16, 1915 We girls shared a large room with two double beds. My sister and I slept together all my years at home. Sometimes, when we had relatives visit, we would sleep four in a bed. I would sometimes walk in my sleep. I entered school but didn’t like being confined. I would cry and get sent home. Once I tried to run home but was caught and really shook up and sent to the cloakroom. When I resigned myself to being in school, I learned easily and went through 10 grades by the time I was 11. Mother read aloud to us all in the evening, most-
9
& P.D.I.
ly continued stories in the Free Press and the Family Herald. After I learned to read, I read everything that was in the school library, all Mother’s books, two weekly newspapers, our Sunday School papers, and old Argosy magazines. My mother wasn’t great on teaching on account of her health, but I learned to be diligent and to prepare meals on time. She was a loving person but could be quite stern by times. She was a Baptist by choice and had a strong religious faith. I remember one severe winter snowstorm in particular when we lived in Cheapside. We couldn’t get home from school so my fa-
ther hooked up the horses and bobsled, came to school and brought us home. I liked playing games— board games (like Monopoly, Parcheesi), tic tac toe and euchre in the winter (Mother did not approve of cards, and at the first complaint of cheating, the game ended), and softball and skipping in the summer. Some daily chores we girls shared were dishwashing, laundry (boiled white clothes, scrubbed the others on a wash board, wrung by hand and hung them outdoors), emptying the chamber pots, weeding the vegetable garden, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, hunting for nests, cleaning the milk
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pails and separator. A doctor would only be called as a last resort. Some home remedies were onion poultices, mustard plasters, castor oil, goose grease turpentine, and Raleigh’s liniment. We moved often after we lost our farm and had to rent. I did not like changing schools and being the “new kid.” My happiest years were before starting school and the worst were from 10 to 12, when we attended a village school where everyone wore good shoes and clothes. There was no high school available. Short skirts were in style but Mother made all our dresses. The only jeans available were boys’ jeans, which we wore when helping Father. See MARY Page 16
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COMPLETE
continued from Page 9 donated $1,000. People sent cheques to Fonthill United Church for the Syrian refugee project totaling over $3,000. Individuals made donations through the Royal Bank of Canada at Fonthill and Fenwick branches totalling over $1,000. Fenwick Lion’s Club, Aliferi Floor Experts and a book sale by staff at the TD Canada Trust made significant financial contributions. Others in the community gave gifts-in-kind which went a long way in furnishing the two homes. Stephen Van Lochem, owner of Nature’s Own Landscaping, allowed furniture to be stored in his new barn for almost 2 ½ years. Phil Dekker, owner of Dekker’s Auto, and Frank Dam found and serviced a reasonably priced vehicle for the first family. Kenneth Henderson of Fonthill donated a used car for the second family. The car was repaired and the safety work completed by Hans and Louie Dam, former owners of Clarence’s Service Centre. At the final meeting of the PSRCG in May the members expressed their heartfelt thanks to the co-chairs, on whose shoulders much of the planning and day to day operations fell. It was enthusiastically noted that this had been a life-changing experience for committee members. Those in the Pelham community who contributed in any way can be justly proud! Keith Rae Fonthill
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
Letters
Page 13
continued
Let private businesses sponsor library book exchanges
Tailgate Read-In at Ooosterhoff office
You know it drives me crazy to listen to those who just keep on asking for more money from our government. Ontario has the largest deficit in history and government departments just continue to grow (empire building). When someone is elected to get things on track all you get is whining and bitching. How do you think we will ever get control of spending if we don't make some hard decisions, get our house in order, then, when we have a surplus we can either lower taxes (ha ha), or our government can provide support and assistance to expand other programs without going into debt again. Years ago, directors and managers were hired to run departments for private companies who had foresight, work ethic and could think out of the box to recover from budget cuts that all companies go through. Think about it—why does the management within our government cry when told they have to tighten their belts just like private companies and personal households have to. So think of other ways to maintain services like good managers and directors have to, to be competitive and successful in
Pelham was well-represented among the 40 people who attended a Tailgate Party Read-In last Friday from 12-1 PM in the parking lot of MPP Sam Oosterhoff’s constituency office in Beamsville, to protest cuts to Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) and Interlibrary Loan in particular. Suzette Taylor and I believe that the people of Ontario are more concerned with good health care, education and libraries than beer at 9 AM, tailgate parties with legal beer at sports events, and beer in corner stores, so we planned a tongue-in-cheek party asking people to BYOB(ook). We had our tailgates and hatchbacks open with coolers of "sixpacks" to give away. Many other library supporters brought coolers of books and their own six-packs. One supporter set up high tea from her tailgate with fancy china, stemware and tiered plate. Sitting at a cast iron bistro set and dressed in a long black skirt and straw hat, she brewed tea with lemon or cream and sugar and served open-faced egg salad sandwiches garnished with asparagus. We chose, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” to read aloud. It is a classic Canadian poem by Robert Service, richly illustrated by Ted Harrison. It is a book that is not and is not likely ever to be available in electronic form. Canadian books, unless they are huge bestsellers, don't make the cut. It was also one I would have had to send for through Interlibrary Loan as my regular library doesn’t have it. I began to read, “There are strange things done in the midnight sun; By the men who moil for gold…” and by the third line in something magical happened. About 15 or so people began to recite the story as I read. I had forgotten that I was likely reading to many people in the generation that memorized full poems in school — not that we were all seniors, there were a number of young people in attendance as well. Suzette Taylor gave a rebuttal to the two form letters she had received from Mr. Oosterhoff. She pointed out how elec-
other businesses. A perfect example is the inter-library book exchange. Absolutely a wonderful service that was paid from government funds. Well, guess what, we all have to tight-
Stop crying and get creative and prove your worth to the taxpaying people
en belts at some time, so why didn't these high paid executives (managers/directors) respond with an effort to maintain this special service especially for seniors instead of crying foul and whining. Get off your backsides and be constructive. Why not go to outside industry and private business to get funding and support from them to maintain this service. Oh gosh, that might mean they have to think outside the box and do some legwork and promote
the service through the local business community. Maybe Sobeys would love to step up and sponsor this service. Maybe Minor Bros, or Canadian Tire. Who knows, unless you get out there and promote the service and ask the community to sponsor these services during tough times. It would provide those business with a means to advertise, let the community know they are involved in local issues, and maybe the residents will support local business more. There is a way to get sponsorship for this type of service to the public and maintain such a service that will benefit all in our community. Stop crying and get creative and prove your worth to the taxpaying people, or maybe we need to replace some of these high paid executives within our government departments and let new blood come in and show us how it is done. There are always alternatives if you think hard and work hard to make things happen. Step up with a solution or step aside and let outside business do it. My thoughts, anyway. B. Turner Fenwick
The people of Ontario are more concerned with good health care...than beer at 9 AM
See READ-IN Page 18
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
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Huson to stay on NPCA board
Forever in Our Hearts
Regional Councillor keeps position after near-ambush at May 21 Town Council meeting BY JOHN CHICK
Special to the VOICE
Tyler Stephen Grummett May 20, 1998 - June 4, 2015
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Pelham’s Niagara Regional Councillor Diana Huson will remain in her position as the Town’s representative on the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) after a surprise vote on the job at the May 21 Pelham Town Council meeting. The unexpected ballot came about after a report from Mayor Marvin Junkin, which outlined a request from the NPCA that each municipality choose their respective representative by July 31. Huson has been vicechair of the NPCA board since January, helping oversee the organization in the wake of a previous management scandal that resulted in a scathing report by Ontario’s auditor general. Despite her contribution, Pelham council’s vote to keep Huson as the Town’s rep passed just 4-3, with Junkin casting the tie-breaking vote in her favour. The split was over job guidelines suggested to the NPCA based on a model in place in Alberta. That ma-
That's a ridiculously high number
Regional Councillor Diana Huson. SUPPLIED PHOTO
Mayor Marvin Junkin. SUPPLIED PHOTO
Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun. SUPPLIED PHOTO
trix recommends civilian appointments with a specialty in the field over public sector appointments. However, the NPCA has yet to officially adopt a skills matrix for its board members, something recommended by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk in her report. “Like many other municipal councils in Niagara that have decided to appoint a resident for this term, I too felt that it was appropriate to ensure environmental subject matter expertise was appointed to the NPCA,” said Ward 3 councilor Lisa Haun, who voted against retaining Huson. Just six of the NPCA’s 18
current board members are civilians, with the board being led by Chair Dave Bylsma, the mayor of West Lincoln. Haun seemed perplexed as to why Pelham wouldn’t consider the Auditor General’s recommendation of a skills matrix. “By virtue of being an emergency manager I recognize the importance of subject matter expertise in making important decisions that impact the safety of people and property and the safety of drinking water,” she said. “I suggested we allow interested residents to submit their applications to council then use the compe-
tency matrix that was provided.” Huson was caught off guard by the surprise vote, mainly because it appeared to come out of nowhere after her regional councillor’s report. In chambers and later, she stressed her work in helping bring the NPCA out of its dysfunctional recent history. “I've spent the past five months providing leadership in improving the overall operations and creating a better governance model,” Huson said. “I believe I was appointed because my Town counterparts recognized the great work, leadership and
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skills I add as a representative, but also acknowledge the value in having a diverse board with a broad range of competencies.” While the new NPCA guidelines could lead to some turnover on its board in July, Mayor Junkin told the Voice that the May 21 vote is set to keep Huson as the Town’s representative for up to four years. “They’ve done a great job, it was total chaos when [Huson and Bylsma] took over,” Junkin said. Pelham actually has the ability to put two residents on the NPCA board. If they and other municipalities used their full allotment, it would increase the board’s size to 27 — something there appears to be little appetite for. “That’s a ridiculously high number,” Haun said.
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
Page 15
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Places of Worship and Events Bethany Christian Reformed Church 1040 Balfour St., Fenwick
First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., Fenwick
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Pelham Evangelical Friends Church 940 Haist St., Fonthill
Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill
Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill
Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill
Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville
Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill
Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill
St. Alexander’s Roman Catholic Church 50 Pelham Town Sq., Fonthill
Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick
Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Fonthill
Pelham Community Church (United Church of Canada) 461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick
St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church 834 Canboro Rd., Fenwick
Page 16
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
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Our work outside on the farm consisted of shocking SPC CLAup grain and driving the horses to harrow ground, rake and so on. We had a team of sturdy workhorses and even though we would hespec.com have loved to ride them 02:17 PMDad said they on Sundays, needed to rest. ath Notices
He tied it around his waist and came out to save me Region Dailies
Our farm bordered on High Banks on Lake Erie and we had lots of fun playing on the beach and in the water. One time I nearly drowned! The cousins from Niagara Falls were visiting and the conditions on the lake were rough. Unbeknownst to us, there was a strong undertow and, not bring a strong swimmer, I was helpless. Cousin Robert knew I was in trouble but he couldn’t get to me. Someone on shore had a rope. He tied it around his waist and came out to save me just as the waves were beginning to go over my head. The rescuer was later presented a medal for bravery. ♦
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HURST, Donald God saw you Albert getting tired, a cure was not to be June 1, 2018 He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come to Me." My Grandpa
Donald Albert Hurst M.A. September 19, 1935 - June 1, 2018
Sadly, we —by share the news that Lydia Donald passed away at the Welland Hospital in the early hours of June was a grandpa, a dad, 1st. He Dear husband for 50 years of Mary Jane a (Litwiller), husband,devoted dad to Susan Jeffery (Todd) of Fonthill a teacher, a friend. and Andrew Hurst (Jae) of Burlington. Proud and grandpa of Emma We alladored loved him in many Kate, Tessa, Samuel, Lydia, Rachel different ways, but we all Don Jeffery and Mackenzie Hurst. touched so many lives as an educator, loved him very much. coach, author, mentor, historian and Even though he is gone, volunteer. Don taught secondary school with the Hamilton-Wentworth he is still with us today, Board of Education for 34 years. As he said,so hemany loved memories. his first day, his last day and most of the days in between! In keeping with Don's wishes a private cremation has taken place. Sadly missed, Thanks to Juravinski Oncology and lovingly remembered, Radiation; CCAC and his PSW Nadia. If so desired, memorial donations to Mary Jane, the charity of your choice greatly Susan (Todd), appreciated by the family.
Andrew (Jae),at On-line condolences www.lampmanfuneralhome.com Emma Kate, Tessa, Samuel, Lydia, Rachel, Mackenzie
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IMMUNIZATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN – Importance Do you have old issues of the and myths. Wed., Jun 19, 2019 @ 10am – 12pm OCNA Network Classified Adspublished from 1997 to Voice Mall Library Branch PELHAMSeaway MUDFEST 2007? How about the Pelham (AD CENTRAL) Call Welland McMaster FHT to register @ 905-734-9699, Herald (any We'dyear love to Men and womenExt. will3. be back in the mud as the second runyear). on the is FREE add them to our archive. Contact:
publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca held at Bissil’s Hideaway. Week of June 3 UPSCALE GARAGE SALE NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION GARAGE SALE Posted Grand two-day upscale multi-family community sale from this years exciting event. It Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline May 30 9 runs – 2 p.m. on June 15 and 16th on Buckley Terrace in from Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds.
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
Voice
FAITH LIFT
CROSSWORD
by PASTOR ROB WEATHERBY
SPONSORED THIS WEEK BY
Motivated by mottos
M
OTTOS H AV E always fascinated me. Most are concise nuggets of truth that challenge the reader in some way. Many are connected to universities and written in Latin which make them appear even more profound! Here are a few. Press On! This is the motto of nearby Brock University, where six of my family members have studied. The Latin is “Surgite!” from which we get our word “surge.” It’s a motivational motto which becomes even more meaningful when you hear the story behind it. Sir Isaac Brock was the leading general in the Niagara area during the War of 1812. He was an able and well respected leader. During the Battle of Queenston Heights, he led the British forces against the American invaders and was mortally wounded. As he lay dying, he exhorted his troops to “press on” to victory and repel the enemy. The Apostle Paul wrote believers in a young church in Philippi (northern Greece today)— “One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) Truth This one-word motto belongs to Harvard University. The original motto was, “Christ and the Church and Truth,” which shows the strong Christian roots of our early institutions. But as society and universities became more secular the first words were dropped. Rather symbolic I would say. Today many students at Harvard would echo the question Pilate asked Jesus: “What is truth?” (John 18:38) In our post-modern, post-Christian culture, many have concluded that absolute truth doesn’t exist. For them, all truth is relative. A good question to ask these relativists is if they are absolutely sure of such a claim. Christians believe that truth is found in a person. Jesus made the amazing statement, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Send Forth Thy Light and Thy Truth This longer exhortation is the motto of Laurentian University, in Sudbury. We lived in that region for 23 years. The university crest illustrates the motto with one sun, two
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open books and three crosses. The motto and the crest have profound meaning. I’m not sure what the originator had in mind but I can see some clear biblical images — the two parts of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and the three crosses that stood outside Jerusalem two millennia ago. And the eternal “Son” of God sending forth His light to enlighten our minds and shining forth His love to warm our hearts. The Apostle John says of Jesus in his Gospel that, “in Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4-5) Later in John’s first letter we read, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) So, let me wrap up by putting all three of the above mottos together into one profound, life-changing statement. Here it is...“Seek the truth with all your heart and when you find Him… press on and never give up!” ♦ Pastor Rob Weatherby has served congregations in Nova Scotia and Ontario over the past 40 years.
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The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
READ-IN
continued from Page 13 tronic books will not fill the gap, that merely maintaining base funding for libraries does not take into account inflation, that using the post office instead of the courier system will be expensive to libraries, and that libraries who have known the meaning of working collabora-
tively since they were established likely recognize when the word “collaboration” is being used as an empty buzzword. Letters to Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West; Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport; and Doug Ford, Premier were collected, and people were urged to continue read-ins and other forms of peaceful protest
COLUMN SIX
continued from Page 1 dandelion defiers, as was the norm in the ‘80s. Spraying was routine, with the requisite lawn sign stating the chemical du jour. By the time my spouse and I had our first home, environmental stewardship had gained more widespread acceptance and appeal. In part thanks to environmental advocates like David Suzuki, making choices to harm the earth less was gaining momentum. Even though our home at the time was a lawn-free Toronto condo, our frame of mind around lawns was forming. By the time we had our own lawn, a roomy 50x150 feet of green, we knew our priorities —no chemicals. But those dandelions? They still had to come out. After all, it was practically a civic responsibility. None of our neighbours were going to appreciate these yellow blooms spreading seed on their lawns. One neighbour, an entrepreneur and professional landscaper, had a different perspective. While we were attempting to manually remove dandelions from our rather large front yard, he questioned the value in all of that wasted energy: they’re native to the area; they’re not harmful; and they bloom, seed, and wither away in a fairly short period of time. “Just leave them,” he said. “You’re lawn will be fine.” With two, and soon to be three kids, and very little time, we did. And he was right. Our lawns are our own and we
against cuts to library services. Late Friday afternoon, Sam Oosterhoff shared an announcement that SOLS/ OLSN had come to an agreement with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport. Partial reimbursement for postage costs would be offered to libraries. However, it appears that funding has not been re-established de-
get to decide how we would like to care for them, including using approved sprays, hand-picking dandelions, or leaving them be. It is worth reflecting, however, that even if eco-friendly “natural” chemicals are coming on the market, there is still a strong argument for leaving the ecosystem alone. As one of the first blooms to emerge after winter, dandelions provide much-needed food for bees. The plight of the bees has been in the news quite a bit in recent years. Renee Delaney, social enterprise entrepreneur and local bee advocate, describes bees as one of the canaries in the coal mine. Spraying with neonicotinoids and other chemicals harms them, and every other animal that relies on their pollination. By their very definition, there are no “safe” pesticides and herbicides. With declines in the bee population, entire colonies being wiped out by Colony Collapse, and their habitats eliminated or greatly reduced, it is important to consider going one step further: leaving our lawns in more natural states is, simply, good for the bees. And by extension, it is good for us. There is a rather handy benefit in being an environmentally inclined lawn owner and mother of three: being lazy with lawn care is actually bee-friendly. At a time when the effort to make the right choices can be overwhelming, deliberate eco-friendly laziness is really (really) appealing. I cannot think of a single other example where not doing something can do so much. The additional benefits of dan-
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spite what the announcement implies. This partial reimbursement means that ILL service is still being mostly downloaded to municipalities, and individual libraries will have to make a decision about what works for them financially. To date, only Thorold Public Library has had time to respond. In a Facebook post, they indicated, “To clarify any infor-
delions extend to more personal perks too: the entire dandelion plant, from roots to bloom, is edible. It is used in salads, teas, and even wine. Although I have only gone so far as to pay for grocery store dandelion leaves in my mixed green salads, the thought of mak-
ing my own dandelion tea has a bit of pioneer appeal to it. And despite strongly leaning towards grape wine, I find it amusing to imagine a shift in Niagara’s vineyards to dandelion-yards: naturally pesticide- and herbicide-free, with a focus on rabbit-proofing instead of bird control. Dandelion is classified as an herb, and has had an illustrious history as a revered medicinal plant. More recent studies suggest that dandelion extract may be beneficial for digestive issues, depression, anxiety, and inflammation, and a preliminary study out of the University of Windsor demonstrates that dandelion may have anti-cancer potential. Even with all these reasons to leave dandelions alone, the pressure to keep a lawn dandelion-free can be intense. It’s hard for me not to cringe at the thought of
mation you may have heard in the last 24 hours, TPL will NOT be reinstating Interlibrary Loan service anytime soon….Although the suggestion to work around lost delivery service via a partial regular mail rate is now the decided fix, many small libraries (such as ourselves) will have to seriously consider whether we can afford to do this.” Libraries that
passersby noticing our lawn dotted with dandelions. Further, our willful neglect has a direct impact on our neighbour’s lawns, and on the impression we are giving neighbourhood dog walkers. I chatted with my sister about this conundrum and was reminded that she willfully leaves her dandelions free to grow. “It’s embarrassing,” she says. “It’s an eyesore. An absolute eyesore for two weeks.” Then she reveals, “But after that, our lawn doesn’t look any different than our neighbours’.” I’m an imperfect environmentalist. I drive my car daily. I use hot water in my laundry. I have more plastic in my home than I want. A lot of otherwise perfect food gets over-ripe and unceremoniously dumped into the green bin. I’m a work in progress. Reducing my footprint on the earth is a priority —a messy, guilt-inducing, passion-igniting, hope-filled priority. This, and the potential positive impacts on the bee population and human health, make me square my shoulders, take a deep breath, and embrace the dandelion. Until it threatens to go to seed. Then I pull out our dandelion removal tool and make removing them a passionate priority. As Margaret Atwood’s character says in The Blind Assassin, “Unlike [my sister], I haven’t got the courage of my convictions.” Perhaps I ought to have as much compassion for myself as I do for the bees. To paraphrase zero-waste chef Anne Marie Bonneau, we don’t need a handful of
decide to reinstate ILL will have limitations necessitated by SOLS’ budget which has not been reinstated by the province. While it appears that the provincial government has heard constituents’ concerns about the importance of libraries, they are not listening closely enough. Elaine Anderson Welland
perfect environmentalists; we need one million imperfect ones. So, with great imperfection, and fluctuating social courage, I’m taking one for the bees because the health of the earth is important to me. And in this over-busy world, Renee Delaney’s words resonate: “Life is too short to get bent out of shape by a little yellow flower.” I guess, in the end, it’s about doing right, or at least heading in the right direction. For our kids. For the earth. And for myself. It’s about focusing more on the things that really matter, and less on the things that don’t. Ultimately, if eco-friendly lawn care required more effort, it would still be a choice I would make because it is one step among a long list of potential steps that we can take to right some of the damage we, collectively, have done. I intend to move towards more and more sustainable, earth-friendly ways of living. Until then, I will appreciate what dandelions represent. If 20 years from now my kids asked me what we did to try to right the imbalance that is happening with the health of the earth, I’ll say I left the dandelions for the bees. At least until other sources of food emerged in the garden. I’ll know that although I was (and always will be) imperfect, I did, among other things, steel my courage to let bees pollinate on those first dandelions of the season. I take this as a big personal step to re-prioritize, and to, for once, not do a thing. And I pray that whatever else we can resolve to do will be enough. ♦
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Page 20
The Voice of Pelham, June 5 2019
IN THE NEWS
continued from Page 2
Welland child porn arrest
In January, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) began an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children. According to a police statement, the investigation
BAN
continued from Page 1
CELEBRATING PRIDE WEEK IN NIAGARA Mayor Marvin Junkin and Interim CAO Teresa Quinlin joined Enzo DiDivitiis, Chair of Pride Niagara, in raising the pride flag outside Pelham Town Hall on Monday, June 3. JOHN CHICK PHOTO
because I think that technology can be very useful in the classroom,” Tremeer continued. “But I also think that it is used inappropriately by students.” Rittner adds that with this ban in place teachers won’t have to compete to be more interesting than what’s going on on their phones and students will be able to focus on what’s
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca led to a Welland residence. On April 24, members assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service's I.C.E. Unit, concluded their investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Antelmo Cuevas-Barranco, 38, of Welland, who was charged with possession of child pornography. Cuevas-Barranco was held in custody pending a bail hearing. Members of the public can
report suspicious internet activities relating to child exploitation to the Niagara Regional Police Service, or online at www.cybertip.ca. Internet safety tips for parents, children and Internet users are also available on the Cybertip website. Members of the public are also encouraged to report crimes anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800222-TIPS.
happening in class. Ontario isn’t the only jurisdiction that has banned cellphones in school. The United Kingdom started to ban them in 2007, in which 50 percent of the nation’s schools participated, a figure that had increased to 98 percent by 2012. In 2018, Australia banned cellphones at school as well. Both United Kingdom and Australian statistics indicate that academic skills have improved since the bans.
In 2015 the London School of Economics performed a study on the cellphone ban and how it affects knowledge. They compared exam scores from cellphone-banned schools to schools with cellphones. Students at cellphone-free schools got higher marks and previously low-graded students improved significantly. The outcome of the Ontario cellphone ban is yet to be seen.
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