Getting inside Putin's head
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Airport has “huge potential” Adrian Verburg with his 1947 Stinson aircraft at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport, in south Pelham. STORY PAGE 10.
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The Voice
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
Maybe a Post-It note on the windshield would help: Despite the news last week of a Dodge Journey bursting into flames in the Food Basics parking lot—which is why model years 2011-2015 were recalled a few years back—and despite my resolve not to park next to a Dodge Journey ever again, I managed to do just that after last week’s paper came out. Twice. I didn’t realize it until returning to our car, and it’s not like the Journeys arrived after we did, since I recognized them as the same vehicles that were there when we arrived. Granted, you hope that the odds of Journey-go-boom again are low, but 43,679 of the affected models were sold in Canada between 2011 and 2015. Assuming proportionate distribution according to population, that means roughly 17,500 of them could still be on the road in Ontario... Looking for collectibles? Check out the website link contained in the Canalside Auction ad, p.14. Quite the range of items... Time to get sowing: We introduce a new column this week, Gardener’s Notebook, on p.12, which we hope will very soon become a weekly feature. It’s written by Aleksia Shoalts, who grew up in Woodstock and currently lives in North Pelham with her husband, the explorer Adam Shoalts, and their oneyear-old, Thomas. “I have a passion for gardening and doing things the old-fashioned way,” she says. Aleksia is currently a Pelham Garden Club director and is working on her Master Gardener certification. Welcome aboard!...Half a litre lighter: In part inspired by John Swart’s column last week about the benefits of doing so, on Saturday I donated blood for the first time in about 30 years. This was at the Welland Community Wellness Complex, where Canadian Blood Services holds a monthly pop-up clinic. Given the gap since my last donation, this was treated as my first time, so the qualification process took some extra minutes, but after that it was smooth sailing. Asked to sit for five minutes at the end before getting my departure snack, I got to talking with the volunteer assigned to keep an eye on us. “What made you decide to donate today,” she asked. “I saw an article in the Voice,” I said, truthfully, not seeing any need to add, “which I copy edited.” “The Voice!” she exclaimed. “I saw that piece this morning! My sister and I ate breakfast at the Pelham Street Grille, and picked up a copy of the paper. I used to live in Fonthill and had no idea the Voice was still around.” Faint praise, but we’ll take it. Long story short, the blood folks were delighted by John’s column, and we hope it inspires many more donations in the weeks and months ahead. Speaking of The Balanced Life, the column is now also on the Voice website, with selected past entries added as we have time...One more blood item before we go: An old friend of my wife's, who gives blood every two months, happened to mention the other day that his uncle had passed away in Indonesia at the age of 102. That's notable enough, but it turns out that the uncle began donating blood in his teens and did so regularly until a short time before his death. Wow... Masked or unmasked: Stay safe out there. ◆
Voice
A March 23 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
IN THE NEWS
NRPS impaired driving charges ~
More LTC beds for Niagara
The Ontario government is adding 387 new and 645 upgraded long-term care beds to modernize and expand six long-term care homes in Niagara and Hamilton. According to a media statement, this is part of the government's $6.4 billion commitment to build some 30,000 net new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded longterm care beds across the province. “The number of people in Niagara who will need long-term care is expected to rise over the next decade,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “Today's announcement will help ensure we have safe, modern spaces ready for them.” The bed allocations will create six new buildings for existing long-term care homes, and will increase the overall number of much-needed beds in the Hamilton-Niagara region: Twenty-eight new and 68 redeveloped long-term care beds allocated to Crescent Park Lodge. A new 96-bed home will be built in Fort Erie to replace the existing 68-bed home. Construction is expected to start by spring 2023. Ninety-one new and 101 redeveloped beds allocated to West Park Health Center, currently a 101-bed home in St. Catharines which will be moving to Niagara Falls. This project will create a brand new 192-bed
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home. Construction is expected to start by fall 2022. One hundred new and 124 redeveloped beds allocated to Niagara Long Term-Care Residence. A new 224-bed home will be built in Niagara-on-the Lake to replace the existing 124-bed home. Construction is expected to start by winter 2024. Fifty-eight new and 102 redeveloped beds allocated to The Wellington Nursing Home in Hamilton. A new 160-bed home will be built to replace the existing 102bed home. Construction is expected to start by winter 2024. One-hundred-and-four new long-term care beds allocated to Extendicare St. Catharines. This will be a further 128-bed allocation on top of a previous allocation of 152 upgraded beds, resulting in a new 256-bed home being built to replace the existing 152-bed home. Construction is expected to start by spring 2023. Six new and 250 redeveloped beds allocated to Garden City Manor, a St. Catharines long-term care home. A new 256-bed home will be built on the current Garden City Manor site. The home currently has 200 beds. The remaining 50 beds to be redeveloped are being transferred from Kilean Lodge in Grimsby, which will be closed after completion of the new Garden City Manor. Construction on the new home is expected to start by late fall 2023.
What's That
SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls
The Pelham Fire Department responded to seven calls for assistance from Friday, March 11 to Friday, March 18. Saturday, March 12 Motor vehicle collision, Webber Rd., Station 2 Motor vehicle collision, Webber Rd., Station 3 Structure fire, Mutual aid, Highway 3,Station 2 Medial assistance, Station 2 Sunday, March 13 Structure fire, Mutual aid, Vaughan Rd., Station 2 Monday, March 14 Medical assistance, Station 3 Thursday, March 17 Medical assistance, Station 1
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Kipp M. DALE-PAISLEY, 31, St. Catharines Jacob D. CAMPBELL, 26, Welland Brandon L. SCUDAMORE, 27, Niagara Falls Raymond E. MCKNIGHT, 66, Buffalo, NY Leslie D. DAY, 47, Port Colborne Aisha D. MARTIN, 24, Brantford Chad D. RIDDELL, 36, St. Catharines Corrie D. MCGOLDRICK, 26, Welland Michael B. RUCH, 43, St. Catharines The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.
Nao
Vacation Time Machine April 29 2015
In an effort to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Niagara Regional Police Service reports the names of those people who are charged with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence in the Region. None of the following charges have been proved in court. In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension. The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample.
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Page 3
A March 23 2022
Soulless: Inside the head of Vladimir Putin "Ruthless, cold-hearted indifference," says Brock prof BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor “Vlad the Bad” is how he is portrayed by Western media, raining terror upon the brave citizens of Ukraine. American President Joe Biden has called him a “war criminal.” But many in and outside of Russia consider him a skilled politician and patriot. Who is the real Vladimir Putin? We are all creatures of the nature/nurture dichotomy, a product of our genetics and environment. Putin is no different. Many experts said it is a mistake to view Putin simply as an angry former KGB (Soviet security) operative, upset at the fall of the Soviet Union, and NATO’s encroachment after the Cold War. Professor Michael Ashton, personality psychologist in the Psychology Department at Brock University, gave the Voice his assessment, based on interviews and news reports he has seen on television and read in the press. Ashton was quick to point out that he is a psychologist, not a political analyst or military strategist. According to various profiles, Putin came from humble origins. His father fought the Nazis during the Siege of Leningrad, and his family faced wartime starvation and bombing (ironically, the same conditions he is now imposing on Ukraine.) His family lived in a plebeian communal flat after World War II. Putin studied law at university, followed by a 15-year career as a KGB foreign intelligence officer. He resigned, having attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, and commenced a political career in Saint Petersburg in 1991, rising through the ranks of government. He became president in 2000, after the resignation of Boris Yeltsin. Under Putin’s leadership, Russia has experienced a shift to author-
Posters comparing Russian President Vladimir Putin to German Chancellor Adolph Hitler, Bucharest, Romania, on March 1. itarianism, though he still refers to the country as a democracy. Jailing and repression of political opponents, intimidation and suppression of the mass media, and a lack of open and fair elections are commonplace. Endemic corruption has made Putin and a broad circle of his oligarch pals fabulously wealthy. “Putin’s background has certainly influenced his worldview, and his concern of the status of Russia today, in comparison to what the Soviet Union had been previously,” said Ashton. “This is a pretty psychopathic individual, quite cold-hearted and callous.
We've seen his indifference toward civilian casualties in previous conflicts that Russia has been involved in, such as the Chechen War in the 1990s, when the city of Grozny was obliterated, and more recently in Syria, where the city of Aleppo has undergone similar treatment. This lack of concern for human suffering in order to achieve strategic goals seems to be one of his constant characteristics.” Ashton noted that Putin has ordered the assassinations of journalists and political opponents, because they represent obstacles in his path. He has shown great
intolerance towards protesters in his own country, thousands of whom have been arrested for having the courage to demonstrate against the Ukrainian invasion. Putin maintains that local protests are driven by fringe minorities and professional oppositionists, or by foreign funding. “In a free society, we have the right to politically protest,” said Ashton. “In Russia, any act of political protest carries major negative consequences. One can be thrown in prison for years and given all kinds of terrible treatment, simply for expressing a contrary political point of view, or
ICV PHOTO
supporting basic human rights.” At 69, reportedly with some health issues, Putin has allegedly accumulated—very probably illegitimately—billions of dollars in personal wealth, appropriated from the Russian people. Why he is not spending his golden years on his yacht in the Mediterranean is explained by many as a quest for absolute power, an ego run amok (which may explain his reputed friendship with like-minded Donald Trump.) “It's hard for me to speculate, but in terms of the general situSee RUTHLESS Page 9
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The Voice
A March 23 2022
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
COMMON DECENCY Rev. Michael Coren
Canceling “cancel culture”
I
suppose the time will come when those on the political right will stop crying “cancel culture,” but it won’t be for a while. As nauseating as this reductive slogan might be, those who throw it around have something of a point. While the revolution has to breathe and the complacent and the comfortable are being correctly shaken, there are times when even the most righteous campaign can go too far. What so irks me, however, is the frequent hypocrisy of so many of those who complain. First, it was the right who successfully played this game for generations, with the left very much as newcomers. If you doubt me, consider the odious Joe McCarthy, the Roman Catholic Church’s Index Librorum Prohibitorum (List of Prohibited Books) — that little beauty wasn’t abolished until 1966 — or the various progressive voices squeezed out of mainstream culture and argument, including in this country. Then there’s the personal. Until eight years ago I was of the right, especially the Christian and social-
ly conservative right. The details of my “epiphany” aren’t important here, but I’ve ended up an Anglican priest of the liberal Catholic, Christian socialist brand — and one who, in Canada at least, has a fairly
"There is none so angry as a conservative fundamentalist scorned"
high profi le as a columnist and author. When I moved my position on some, though far from all issues, I found myself the target of a storm of censorship and hostility. Thousands of emails, death threats, attacks on my family, calls for my wife to leave me, accusations that I was a child abuser — I still receive that one almost daily — and allegations that I
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was a thief and a fraud, who had only changed his views for money. That was especially odd, in that the same people organized boycotts of advertisers so that newspapers and radio stations would fire me. Credit where it’s due: it worked. I lost five regular newspaper columns, a dozen speeches, a book contract, two radio shows, and a television hosting position. There is none so angry as a conservative fundamentalist scorned. The TV position was interesting because, as with many of these platforms, I had a contract. I was ditched just before Christmas, told: “It is felt that with the high public profi le you have in media and social networking in relation to gay marriage we have to part our ways as an organization.” I responded that not only had the TV show given me a list of confirmed dates of when I would be hosting, but that I’d also never even mentioned the issue of equal marriage on their program. No matter, I was gone. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I supSee DECENCY Page 7
Letters My heartfelt thanks A few days ago, an eternity to me, my husband of 68 years, Don Lazareth, passed away after an unanticipated three weeks in hospital. At the end of his 90-year life, someone in his hospital room tested positive for Covid. We were therefore unable to be with Don until a few hours before he died. This has been a difficult time for our family. But the “troops” came to our aid—family from afar, friends, neighbours, boaters, golfers, business associates, people of faith, and yes, even strangers. Tributes to Don have
literally been pouring in. He would be so humble, but so proud. But he would not be surprised. Don had great faith in the love and support of loyal family and forever friends. So I wish to thank all those who have made the past few weeks bearable and a time to reflect. Beautiful flowers, plants, donations, prayers, emails, phone calls, delicious dinners provided, fresh eggs, cookies, cheesecake, desserts and squares, words of comfort, visits, friendSee THANKS next page
7
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 Member of Provincial Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
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
Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033
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BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication. The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our office at (905) 892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www. thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics
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The Voice
Page 5
A March 23 2022
OPINION Mayor Dave's Pond When I drive past the pond at the corner of Highway 20 and Rice Road—or Mayor Dave’s Pond, as I have named it—I wonder if it ever did function as a retention pond or was it just another million dollar “boondoggle” in East Fonthill? Since the pond was constructed, has anyone seen a high or low water level? It seems that over the years the water has always been at the same level. During rainfall occurrences, due to the fact that the pond is not empty the water rushes under Highway 20 causing severe erosion downstream. If I were to construct a retention pond on my farm to stop erosion, it would consist of a berm in place to hold back water during heavy rainfall occurrenc-
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continued from previous page ship from Sobey’s and the Voice, Seniors on the Move, Shoppers, and Boggio’s,
es with a hickenbottom drainage system to let the water slowly drain away, therefore preventing ero-
"I wonder if this project will be something similar to the Poth Street culvert problem of a few years ago"
sion and being empty for the next rainfall. I wonder will this project be something similar to the Poth Street culvert problem of a few years ago? How many thousands of
everyone who has shown their love to us—amazing! My family and I bless you for helping to remind us of the impact that Don, in his quiet way, had on our
William Hall INSTALLATIONS
dollars were spent on consulting fees to assess the problem? It seems to me the project went from putting in a new bridge for a few million dollars to a local contractor in the town figuring out that the old culvert that had been there for decades should be removed and replaced. The problem was resolved for a fraction of the cost and the water would still run downhill! One could not imagine what it would cost to fi x the problem at the pond. Now it will likely be classified as a wetland as there are “cat tails” growing there, as well as some fish, turtles and frogs likely too. As with most projects similar to this, it can only be done at certain times of the year. Jim Yungblut Fonthill
community and beyond all borders. To all, my heartfelt thanks. Shirley Lazareth Fonthill
PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin
With masks gone, a surge in cases is likely a month away
W
hen you read this on Tuesday or later, the mask mandate for the province will have been lifted. I, like the vast majority of the residents will be happy to see these mandates ended. As with all of the rules, protocols, mandates—call them what you will—that have been put in place by either the health officials or government officials, this act of eliminating the mask has its fans and others who are against this step, saying it is too soon. I would hope that tolerance of our fellow citizens wins the day and everyone realizes that at this stage of the pandemic, mask-wearing has become a personal choice. It is obvious to me that some people will want to wear a mask for possibly weeks longer, and that is their right to do so if this makes them feel comfort-
able in a crowded area. In countries that have eliminated their Covid protocols weeks or months
"I would hope that tolerance of our fellow citizens wins the day"
ago, there seems to be a surge in new cases but hospitalizations in these countries have remained low. The country of Denmark, which lifted all protocols in the fi rst week of February, experienced these exact conditions. After ending all protocols,
three weeks later they experienced a huge increase in daily new cases, but for the last three weeks reported infections have fallen each day. Because the number of hospitalizations has continued to remain low, at no time was the government of Denmark contemplating the return of any Covid protocols. With the Omicron variant being so mild, Canada’s top doctor says that it has been a “game-changer” that has forced a rethink of the vaccine mandate. Doctor Tam stated last Friday that the federal government is actively reviewing all of its vaccine mandates with an eye to ending rules that force some people to get their Covid shots. The doctor went on to say that the country’s public health officials are at a very important juncture and Covid polSee MANDATES Page 7
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The Voice
A March 23 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
All bottled up and ready to go: Sanitizer free for the asking Pelham Fire Department channels Henny Youngman: "Take our sanitizer...please" BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor If a quizmaster asked you to “name a substance exported by Colombia,” your initial answer might be “coffee,” or, if you are feeling cheeky, “cocaine.” Add hand sanitizer to the list. In fact, the Town of Pelham has 1000 bottles of alcohol-based gel that was produced in the South American nation, and is willing—indeed, eager— to part with them, asking nary a peso in return. It’s libre, free, gratis. Aloe and vitamin E are also part of the mixture, although Sylvia Zappitelli, Pelham’s Fire and Bylaw Administrative Assistant, detected the scent of agave, the plant from which tequila is derived. “I was looking around for salt and lime,” she said with a laugh. The Canadian importing company donated a whole tractor trailer load to the Niagara Region, said Fire Chief Bob Lymburner. Pelham got a skid of product. Zappitelli got to play Sanitizer Santa. “Just before Christmas, Jason [Longhurst, Pelham’s Fire Prevention Officer] and I went around to local restaurants and gave a lot of the sanitizer away…and then we went back into shutdown again,” she said. “We still have about 1000 bottles in stock.” The product has reached its expiry date (which is largely bogus, because alcohol doesn’t appreciably degrade) and the Town has made the generous decision to offer the sanitizer for free to residents. Zappitelli is expecting that a table loaded with sanitizer bottles will be set up at the Meridian Community Centre, in addition to being available at Fire Station 1 on Highway 20. She advises that, despite the alure of the tequila smell, one should avoid the urge to lick one’s hands after applying the sanitizer. Stock up for the next pandemic? Beat the hoarding now.
Sylvia Zappitelli, Pelham Fire and Bylaw Administrative Assistant, with the hand sanitizer that is free of charge to Pelham residents.
DON RICKERS
Great conversations don’t start themselves. From first dates to Main Street meet-ups to the last virtual call of the day. Turn to the local news to spark your next great conversation… 9 in 10 Canadians do. Visit ChampionTheTruth.ca
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The Voice
MANDATES
DECENCY
icies may soon shift from an emphasis on requirement to recommendation. Canada’s Deputy Public Health officer has said that the federal government and the provinces are in a transition phase and will be putting less of an emphasis on forcing people to make certain health choices. “As the Covid-19 situation evolves, there will be a greater focus on personal responsibility.” Dr. Tam has said all federal vaccine mandates are under review. n Pelham, the Town Recreation Department reports that the community centre continues to be a hive of activity. Over the spring break all of the camps offered by the Town were full, as were the exercise classes using the gym. This department will also be staging many events for Earth Week, with lots of displays at the MCC. More details in next week’s column, and details can also be found on the Town’s website. On the farm front it is going to be one crazy year, with crop prices going through the roof, along with the input to make them grow. The farmers will be handling a lot of money, for sure. The big question as always is how much is in the bank at the end of the year. Everyone, farmers and consumers alike, will need Mother Nature to be on her best behaviour. ◆
pose I could have sued but chose another path. Jesus and all that. The attempt to “cancel” me has continued for years now, and even travels continents and causes. Last year, a leading British conservative online platform for which I’d written 19 articles suddenly stopped accepting my pitches. This surprised me, as the senior editor had just sent me a personal email explaining what a fan she was, and they’d said yes to almost everything I’d suggested, with column subjects ranging from long-dead British writers, to the state of Roman Catholicism, to Canadian politics. Finally, after several rejections, I asked if it was worth my while trying. No, I was told, by an obviously embarrassed editor. Because of my views I was no longer welcome in a publication that regularly lamented the rise of cancel culture. Not my views expressed in the journal itself, but my views apparently expressed elsewhere. It seemed bizarrely unjust. Yet this, regrettably, is the norm. There are genuine liberals out there who will encourage a whole range of opinion, if it’s well expressed and within the frame of civilized comment. But in my experience, the loudest of conservative complainers about cancel culture are some of the quietest defenders of its authentic antithesis. Voltaire, of course, didn’t actually say that he might disapprove of what you say but would defend to the death your right to say it, but he did sort of think it. Mind you, he benefited from the proceeds of slavery, and was a grotesque racist and anti-Semite. And yes, he’s often been cancelled in his native France because of it. I’m just a Christian lefty who annoys right-wingers and won’t shut up when it’s good for me. As I say, it’s going to take a long time to sort this one out. But please, just try to be consistent. ◆
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Page 7
A March 23 2022
Letters continued Tough row to hoe ahead Even if the war in Ukraine ends tomorrow, the world will have food shortages. For us, one of the richest countries in the world, we will find our food supplies less than we have known before. So what can we do? During WWII, every town had Victory Gardens. The one in Fonthill was on Pelham Street where Fonthill Public School was located (the housing development that replaced the school is literally named “Victory Garden Condominiums”). Fenwick’s was at Pelham High School. Since this is the “Year of the Garden,” there will be community gardens at Fonthill Library and the Town will announce the location of another in the near future.
So here is an opportunity to grow our own food. Come out, do some work, and then harvest the crops. If you can’t physically work, your job will be to watch the sun mature the crops and make sure it does it properly. Individually, if you have a sunny balcony or window, you might consider a tomato plant. If you have a flower garden, plant some herbs between the flowers. We are surrounded by farms and fruit and veggie stands. Go and support our local farmers. Don’t be afraid to buy “seconds.” They need to be eaten sooner, but they taste just as good. Do the same at supermarkets so that produce will
not be thrown away. I don’t know if this will help the people in Ukraine but, perhaps, in not having to rely on food shipments from there, we, as a country, could be sending our food to them. I quote Bobby Darin’s 1969 "Song of Freedom": Come and sing a simple song of freedom Sing it like you’ve never sung before Sing it loud and clear and tell the people everywhere We the people here don’t want no war Vilma Moretti Fonthill
Just who do planners work for? Throughout Covid, planning staff, at every government level, have remained on full pay with paid leave, possibly an increase at one stage, and often working from home to stay safe. During that period many taxpayers and property owners, the communities that employ planners to protect their communities’ best interests, the communities who pay their salaries, have suffered unemployment, seen small businesses close, and even more suffered declining household incomes for many pandemic-related reasons. A growing number have also seen any opportunity of buying or renting a first home become impossible as those same planning staffs actively encourage high-end
developments that continue to fuel these out-of-control prices. Can anyone, from city, urban, rural or agricultural areas show
"Councils have worked... with developers behind closed doors"
where planning staff have spent time seriously working on planning “affordable housing” to any realistic extent? And throughout this entire time councils have worked to “fast
track” planning applications, allowing their planning staff to work directly with developers behind closed doors, with no community input and without councils having a clue what they are doing, yet only too happy to simply accept their planner’s recommendations and approve anything put before them regardless of whether they conflict with existing planning policies. We even have councils celebrating as they approve developments and see longstanding communities being devastated by totally inappropriate types of housing taking over their neighborhoods. Perhaps the question should be “Just who do both our elected councils and planners work for?” Andrew Watts Wainfleet
Page 8
The Voice
A March 23 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
NIAGARA COMES THROUGH FOR POLICE FOOD DRIVE Niagara Regional Police sergeants Adam Carter and Erin Madill collect food donations in front of Food Basics on a foggy Wednesday morning last week. It was one of 12 participating grocery stores in Niagara and the only one in Pelham. Nine regional food banks, including Pelham Cares, benefitted from the five-day food drive. By the end of the week, the NRPS said that officers had collected 21,767 pounds of food and $12,200 in cash and gift card donations, as well as 250 cases of cereal from Post Cereals Canada. “We are so very happy with the result this year,” said event organizer Constable Jay McCarthy in a media statement. “It really is a great feeling to be a part of this food drive, knowing that the donations will be going directly to support families in need in Niagara. Giving to your local food banks doesn’t have to be just during a food drive, they are great people who are willing to take donations year-round.” DON RICKERS
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RUTHLESS
continued from Page 3 ation, Putin has been regarded as a pretty prudent risk taker, not unlike a poker player who carefully assesses the pros and cons of a situation,” said Ashton. “I think what has been surprising about the invasion of Ukraine is that it seems to have been quite a reckless thing to do. Military experts have suggested he would need half a million men, with much better planning and logistics, to be able to have a hope of occupying Ukraine, and yet Putin went ahead with under 200,000 soldiers. Some wonder whether he has lost the ability to do careful calculation. It’s difficult to anticipate what he would do, faced with escalating scenarios.” American President Richard Nixon coined the phrase “peace with honor” when America extricated itself from the Vietnam War. A face-saving exercise, essentially. Ashton says Putin will require the same. The price of peace could be that Ukraine formally gives up
The Voice Crimea (already annexed by Putin in 2014) along with the two eastern provinces, Donetsk and Luhansk, which Russia recognized as independent states in February of 2022. “He would want to have something to wave around to be able to say that he made tangible achievements, both to the Russian people, and the rest of the world.” Ruthless, cold-hearted indifference is Putin’s modus operandi, according to Ashton. “He’s interested in preserving his own power, and also the Russian state, which he currently identifies with. He’s not concerned with refugee well-being or reducing human suffering. That just doesn't come into the picture at all.” Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin, is a 2015 book written by Russian experts Fiona Hill and Clifford G. Gaddy. They consider Putin to be a master manipulator and extortionist, deploying blackmail against opponents, allies, and foreign leaders. “As he can fully trust only him-
Page 9
A March 23 2022
self,” Hill and Gaddy write, “Putin applies extortionary methods to everyone else — basically mutually assured incrimination to ensure loyalty.” Hill and Gaddy consider Putin to be a pragmatic outsider, with no vested interests in policies or ideologies. “Putin regards Russia’s post-Soviet stumbles of the 1990s as an unforgivable humiliation he must avenge. He pledged to rebuild the Russian state, protect Russia’s sovereignty, preserve domestic stability and unity, and ensure national security,” write Hill and Gaddy. “Capitalism, in Putin’s understanding, is not production, management, and marketing. It is wheeling and dealing. It is not about workers and customers. It is about personal connections with regulators. It is finding and using loopholes in the law.” Given his successful career as KGB case officer, Hill and Gaddy note that Putin is “skilled in studying the mind of the targets, finding their vulnerabilities, and figuring out how to use them. This is how he has managed Russia’s oligarchs,
using their wealth — and their desire for more — against them.” The authors profess that Putin does not have a good sense of Western values, and finds the United States in particular to be something of an abstraction. “He knows few Americans, and those he knows, such as George W. Bush and Obama, he does not like. Putin views the United States through the insult of NATO expansion, the shame of the Kosovo intervention [in which U.S.-led NATO air strikes forced Russian-supported Yugoslav forces from the country], and the insidious support for pro-democracy nongovernmental organizations that only undercut Russian unity.” Hill and Gaddy add that Putin is driven by a delusional view that Ukraine is not, and can never be, a separate country, and never had a tradition of independent statehood. His revisionist view is that modern Ukraine is a creation solely of Mother Russia. One thing is incontestable: Vladimir Putin has evolved into the greatest threat to European and global security in decades, and
with 8,000 nuclear weapons under his thumb, there are huge risks in not understanding who Putin is. In a recent column, veteran political analyst and international journalist Diane Francis noted, “As his brutality increases, people want to know if Putin is a megalomaniac, a ruthless but rational actor, or a crazy thug with a death wish.” She quoted Russian author and journalist Masha Gessen, who has first-hand experience of Putin, writing a biography of the man in 2014 called, A Man Without a Face. “He has decided that the Russian Empire was the legitimate entity in the Soviet Union,” writes Gessen. “And then Lenin comes along, takes this empire, chops it up into a bunch of pieces, and says each of these is a state [like Ukraine, for instance]. Putin says all of that was completely false. Putin seeks a new World Order, with Russia in control. He’s deeply religious but murders without remorse. And he has crushed all Russian media and opposition and — please do not delude yourself — he has the full backing of the Russian people.”
Notice of Passing of a Development Charges By-Law BY-LAW No, 4431(2022) MUNICIPALITY OF THE TOWN OF PELHAM NOTICE OF PASSING OF MUNICIPAL-WIDE DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BY-LAW TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the municipality of the Town of Pelham passed municipal-wide development charges By-law No. 4431(2022) on the 7th day of March, 2022 under section 2 (1) of the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O., 1997 c. 27, as amended; AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization may appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal under section 14 of the Act, in respect of the development charges by-law, by filing with the Clerk of the municipality of the Town of Pelham on or before the 18th day of April, 2022 a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons supporting the objection. The schedule of development charges imposed by the by-law, which came into effect on March 7, 2022, is as follows:
No key map has been provided as the by-law applies to all lands located within the municipality of the Town of Pelham. A copy of the complete by-law is available for examination at the municipality of the Town of Pelham offices, Town of Pelham, 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0, during regular business hours (weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) excluding statutory holidays. DATED at the municipality of the Town of Pelham offices, Fonthill, Ontario, this 7th day of March, 2022. Holly Willford, Town Clerk www.pelham.ca
Page 10
The Voice
BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor It no exaggeration to say that no one has followed first-hand the transitions over time at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (NCDRA), located on River Road in south Pelham, than Adrian Verburg. Remarkably, he is three years older than the 1947 Stinson
monoplane he still pilots. “I started flying in the 1960s, but ran out of time and money,” he said. “After my wife died in 1994, I decided to finish my license. I've been here at NCDRA for 25 years.” Verburg remarried, and has logged 4000 hours on his Stinson, with his wife in the navigator’s seat, across North America. “We've been up to Alaska, and
A March 23 2022
above the Arctic Circle with that plane. Labrador. Florida. We have about a five-hour range on the Stinson, but after about three hours, my bladder tells me I need to be on the ground,” he laughed. “It’s been something that we’ve taken up as part of our retirement, and we enjoy it very much. Yes, it can be an expensive hobby. Is it more expensive than having a 30-foot cruiser down at Sugarloaf
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Marina in Port Colborne? Probably not.” He flies year-round, conditions permitting, but admits that as he has aged, he has come to curse the cold weather. Verburg retired in 1998 as the Supervisor of Plant Maintenance for the South Niagara Board of Education, which became the District School Board of Niagara. “I looked after 75 buildings,
from roof to foundation. [The school board] were really good people to work for.” Hangar 4, built in 2002, is home to his plane and aircraft workshop. Verburg and four other pilots teamed up to lease a piece of land from the airport commission. They brought in stone and poured a concrete floor, and erected the structure, all at their own expense. The land lease is
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Page 11
A March 23 2022
VOICE FILE
Airport advisory committee says successful growth requires new management model
still in effect. “Everything you see here we paid for,” said Verburg. “There was no infrastructure. We brought in our own hydro. We pay taxes on the land, which go to the Town of Pelham. Most of the other hangers at the airport have the same arrangement, I think, but I'm not party to all of the details. Some of the leases might have changed, since over the past 20 years, we’ve probably had five different airport
commissions.” Verburg is the Chair of the airport’s Advisory Panel, made up of NCDRA hangar owners and pilots with aviation expertise, aircraft maintenance and technical skills, business acumen, and strong advocacy skills. Most are Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) members. The Panel’s mandate is to advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to short
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and long term strategies, and to promote business growth initiatives, including infrastructure improvements and services. The Panel is expected to advise the Commission on technical aviation matters, and support opportunities towards financial self-sufficiency at the airport, including ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses. It all sounds good at first blush, but the relationship between
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the Commission and the Advisory Panel has not always been hand-in-glove. In a letter to the Commission dated October 26 of last year, which is available on the NCDRA website but was never discussed in the Commission’s public meetings, the Panel laid out a list of concerns, stemming primarily from a lack of communication. Panel members were confused as to why their expertise was not being sought, and
why decisions were being made without their input. Advisory Panel chair Verburg cited in the letter an example of the disconnect between the Commission and the Advisory Panel, indicating that Panel members only learned of a $600,000 loan from the City of Welland to build ten new “T” hangars at the airport for rental purposes through See AIRPORT Page 14
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Page 12
The Voice
A March 23 2022
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GARDENER'S NOTEBOOK by Aleksia Shoalts
Springing ahead on Spring gardening
I
t’s mid-March and the days are growing noticeably longer, temperatures are trending upwards, the snow is almost gone and the birds are starting to sing. This is my favourite time of year. As a gardener, I’ve been dreaming up plans and projects all through the winter and it’s hard for me not to jump right into planting as soon as things warms up. But I have to resist the temptation, as hard frosts can persist right through May even in our comparatively mild part of Ontario. There is nothing worse than putting in a lot of hard work to get your garden off to a promising start, only to see a late spring frost undo all your efforts and kill your crops. Fortunately, there is a fun way to scratch your
gardener’s itch in March (or even earlier), and in the process, get a head start on spring. So how do you scratch your gardener’s itch? Simple: start your garden indoors! All you need are some pots, soil, seeds, and a south-facing window with plenty of light (or artificial light, if natural light isn’t an option.) Starting garden vegetables indoors is a trend that has really taken off since the pandemic. It can be a bit tricky though, as not all seeds or plants are alike, and some need specific conditions to germinate and grow. I’m hoping I can de-mystify the world of seed starting for those of you that want to give it a try. The first step is one of the most important: figuring out when the last
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spring frost is likely to be. All plants need to have a certain amount of growth before they can be replanted outdoors. For most veggies and flowers, you’ll want to start them 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Last frost dates vary depending on where you live, but you can consult the trusty Old Farmer’s Almanac (updated annually) for predictions in your area. The Almanac is predicting that for my area in North Pelham, the last spring frost should be around April 27 this year, which seems a little early, but if your seedlings end up staying indoors for another week or so, it won’t hurt them. The next step is figuring out what you want to grow. While all seeds can be started indoors, not all seeds benefit from an early start. Root vegetables such as carrots, radishes, turnips, beets (to name a few), are generally not the best choices for indoor starts. These vegetables are best when they are directly sown in the garden. This is because the part that you eat arises from the root of the plant, and if you transplant a root crooked in the ground, you may end up with short, crooked carrots! Some examples of easy plants to start from seed include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zinnias, marigolds and cosmos. These plants don’t have fussy growing requirements, making them the ideal starter plants for indoor gardeners. Also worth avoiding if you’re new to indoor gardening are any type of melon or gourd, such as pumpkins, watermelons, squashes, et al. If you disturb the roots at all when transplanting them
into your garden, they will either halt all production for a number of weeks or never recover. These plants are usually very quick to sprout outdoors anyways, so you’re better off directly sowing them and enjoying a harvest late in the season, rather than no harvest at all. I also love to grow basil, bok choy, spinach and dill, but these are examples of cold hardy plants, which can be directly sown outdoors before the last frost date, and actually produce the best before the weather gets hot. Once the temperature rises in June, these plants tend to “bolt” and use their energy to produce flowers and seeds rather than edible leaves. Ornamental sweet peas, one of my favourite cut flowers, are also cold hardy and can handle a light frost easily, so you can sow them as early as April. he next thing to keep in mind is “with what” and “where” are you going to grow these things? The good news is that you don’t need much to get started. When I first started sowing seeds I purchased some Jiff y trays with the peat pellets, added the water as per directions, sowed my seeds and put the tray in a warm, well-lit area close to a window and THAT’S IT. My seeds germinated, and I had a nice little collection of plants for
T
the spring. While those Jiff y kits work great, you can also save a few dollars and just repurpose things you already have around the house like egg cartons, halves of egg shell, toilet paper rolls, newspaper, yoghurt cups or old plastic plant pots for your seeds. Just make sure that whatever you use there is a drainage hole for the water to escape. Tender new roots from a seed have an easier time growing and getting a foothold in a lighter, airer potting mix than regular potting soil. Look for soil bags that specifically say “seed starting mix,” or if you have potting soil at home already, you can pick up a bag of perlite to mix in, which will make it airier. Once you have your seeds sown and pots arranged, keep them moist but not wet, and make sure they get plenty of light. If you’re working with a windowsill instead of a grow light, turn your trays or pots every few days so that all sides of your plants receive even light. This will prevent them from bending towards the window. If your trays are close to an air vent, keep in mind that this will dry out the soil faster, so keep an eye on your moisture levels and water as needed. Watering your seedlings from the bottom encourages
deeper, stronger roots (because they have to reach for the water) and also discourages algae growth at the soil surface. The last step that ensures your little seedlings will grow and thrive once transplanted into their permanent homes is called “hardening off.” Basically, you need to toughen up your seedlings so they can survive outside. You can achieve this by gradually exposing your seedlings to the outdoors, allowing them to slowly get stronger before completely transplanting them. I do this over a period of 1-2 weeks. I start by putting all my seedlings outdoors in a bright but protected area (no direct sun or harsh breeze), such as just outside my patio door for a couple hours before bringing them back inside. Each day, I expose them to the outdoors for a little longer, and after a few days they get a little more light, and a breezier location. About 2-3 days before I anticipate planting them in the ground, I leave them outside all day and overnight. If the forecast is suddenly calling for an unexpected frost and you already have your seedlings planted, you can make an improvised tent for them using sticks to prop up an old towel or some frost cloth if you have that handy. So there you have it, an easy way to scratch that planting itch and get a head start on your summer garden. ◆ Aleksia Shoalts is a director for the Pelham Garden Club and also writes a blog about gardening and DIY projects. Have gardening questions you want answered? Contact her at thepressedfern@gmail.com
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The Voice
Power station refit enters home stretch
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BY NICHOLAS TIBOLLO Special to the Voice Currently in its 100th year of operation, the Sir Adam Beck I Generating Station in Niagara Falls will soon have two brand new generating units at the 438-megawatt (MW), 10-unit hydroelectric facility. On schedule for completion later this year, the $128-million Ontario Power Generation (OPG) project will add about 125 MWs of incremental peaking generating capacity at the station. The project is part of OPG’s 22-year, $2.5 billion overhaul of the company’s fleet of generating units across the province. “It has been a busy past few years at the
Page 13
A March 23 2022
station,” said Dave Bonell, senior manager of projects in OPG’s “Renewable Generation” division. “The investments we are making into Beck I will help the plant continue to operate reliably and efficiently for many more years. And the clean power generated here will play an important role in supporting Ontario’s economy and fighting climate change.” Decommissioned and dormant since 2009, Beck I’s original 40 MW G1 and G2 units operated on the now discontinued See REFIT Page 17
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The Voice
OBITUARY
OBITUARY
In Loving Memory of Robert Jason (Opa) It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Jason on March 3rd, 2022 in his 87th year. He was at peace and his desire to be reunited with his beloved Eva (Oma) and his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was stronger than any earthly forces keeping him here. Robert leaves behind his loving sons Fred (Heidi) and Chris (Sherri). He was “#1 Opa of 7” to Rachel (Craig), Erik, Ben (Kasey), Rebecca, Caleb, Jared, and Gracie, who loved their Opa dearly. He also leaves behind his dear brother Mohan, who lives in Abu Dhabi, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family from both sides of the family. He was born in Manama, Bahrain in 1935. He moved to Canada to pursue higher education and earned a B.A. and M.A. at Carleton University in Ottawa. There he met the love of his life, Eva, where she was working as a translator. She shared her love of Jesus Christ with him, and he converted to Christianity. They married and started their family and moved to St. Catharines. Robert was a high school teacher there. Robert and Eva built a house in Fonthill where he tended the gardens. Oma and Opa welcomed visits from their grandchildren, who loved to play under the willow tree. Robert was a man that stayed true to his convictions and spent much of his retirement encouraging others regarding his faith, health issues and political views via his email news service. The entire family would like to express our appreciation to his caregivers, especially Lynne, Rosie, Jessica, Shannon, Shelly, Helen, and Lorie. Thanks also to Dr. David Sjaarda. Robert’s family received visitors at Rolling Meadows Bible Chapel, 54 Sunset Way, Thorold on Friday, March 18, 2022, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. The celebration of Robert’s life followed from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Niagara Shorthills Christian Ministries (Agape Valley). https://store.agapevalley.ca/donate. Online condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca.
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LENAGHAN, Ada Mabel (nee Mizen) Passed away peacefully at Shorthills Retirement Home in Fonthill on Thursday March 17, 2022 at the age of 96. Predeceased by her beloved husband James Lenaghan (2010) and her step-daughter Juanita (1990). Ada will be sorely missed by all her family including step-daughter Fern Bell of Fonthill, grandson Jason Bell, his wife Julia, and great-grandchildren Jordan and Jace Bell of Toronto. Dear sister of Heather Morrison (the late Dan) and predeceased by her brothers, Charlie, Dave, Jim, and Joe. Ada will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews. She was a longtime member of the Beacon Baptist Church in Welland and will be dearly missed by her church family. Family and friends will be received at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME, 1292 Pelham Street Fonthill on Tuesday, March 22nd from 11 to 12 noon. The funeral service to honour Ada’s life will follow beginning at 12 noon at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Fonthill Cemetery. The funeral may also be viewed via livestream by going to the funeral home’s Facebook page the day of the service at 12 noon. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Beacon Baptist Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
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AIRPORT
continued from Page 11 news reports. “The Advisory Panel was not asked to give input or be part of the deliberations,” he wrote. “We have seen no evidence of concept drawings, specifications, scope of work, tender documents, or even a call for an RFP [Request For Proposal]. We cannot understand how this has come about without some input from our group. There has been no reporting of the deliberations by the Commission in its minutes and agendas. While we and many of the airport users are extremely pleased with the hangar build announcement, many are concerned with the planning and direction this has taken and to the lack of transparency on the build and deliberations of the Commission.” The letter also described frustration on the part of Panel members that a previously-discussed tenyear strategic plan for the NCDRA has not been produced, and that an airport manager has not been hired following the departure of the previous manager. The Panel further underscored that, “It is time for a change in the governance model, so as to be more aligned with other successful airports. This new model would still contain municipal representation, but would include business, aviation, construction, and marketing expertise.” Verburg proudly recited the attributes of fellow Advisory Panel members. “Rich Lancaster is a former commercial airline pilot who flew with the Snowbirds during his years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Cornell Feenstra has significant flying experience, is a very smart businessman, and has done a lot of the electrical and the high voltage work around here. Al Kaminsky ran an electrical consulting business. Cathy Boyko is a member of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, the same group that Dorothy Rungeling belonged to. Cathy has a hangar and a plane here as well. Roland Meisel is a computer whiz. Don Band is a current pilot who used
2022
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to be an engineer with de Havilland out of the Toronto area. It's quite a group.” Contacted by the Voice, Commission Chair John Maclellan said that an advertisement for the airport manager position
"It is time for a change in the governance model, so as to be more aligned with other successful airports"
will be coming out soon, although the job title has been changed to “facilitator” rather than “manager.” Maclellan said that it is really a part-time position, and is remunerated as such. He said that the facilitator will hopefully be in place for the summer. With regard to a long-awaited master plan for the NCDRA, Maclellan referenced a “master plan that was a study done by the Region” which he says was a January 2020 draft plan, with a final report never officially released. However, the document, entitled “Feasibility Study and Business Case, Niagara District Airport and Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport,” prepared by HM Aero Aviation Consulting of Ottawa, is available as a final report on the Region’s website, and has been for
some time. When the Voice noted that Brock University offers a business consulting service, staffed by professors and MBA students, which could prepare a professional strategic plan for the airport at a reasonable cost, Maclellan discounted the idea. “The Region paid a lot of money for that [Aero] report, and I’m not one for wasting money,” he said. “These MBAs might be great guys. I deal with MBAs…they're all about the bottom line…none have one iota of airport experience.” Maclellan said that he previously spoke with faculty members in the aviation management program at Western University, in London, about doing some work on a master plan, but that it didn’t work out due to the work commitments of the professors, and the significant consulting fees they would charge. Like former Commission Chair Leo Van Vliet, Maclellan indicated an affinity for the Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) concept, which under government of Ontario regulations, allows for broader membership extending beyond elected officials. Conceivably, current Advisory Panel members, who arguable have a greater stake in the success of NCDRA than do municipal politicians, would be included on the airport’s MSC board. Verburg and the Advisory Panel like the MSC framework too. So what’s See AIRPORT next page
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A March 23 2022
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FAITH LIFT
AIRPORT
Jesus continues, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (v.24) And so, believers try to make God their master and not their money. They do this by serving God with their money as well as their time and abilities. And usually, serving God takes the form of serving people in some way – materially, emotionally, prayerfully and spiritually. That’s how they “store up treasures in heaven”. No U-Haul required. ◆
the slowdown to getting it implemented? “We have set up a meeting with the four CEOs [of Welland, Port Colborne, Wainfleet, and Pelham] to come out to the airport,” said Maclellan. “I think they at least need to know what each municipality owns a piece of, and I'm not sure that any of them have ever stepped foot on the airport site. If three of the four can agree on [the MSC], then it will get done.” Maclellan said that lawyers are currently investigating the intricacies of moving to the new model. “I've been involved in enough stuff to know that you make sure the lawyers tell you it’s a go,” he said. “Rome wasn't built in a day, and you can't change what's written into contracts without doing some negotiating. It takes time,
continued from Page 19
Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.
continued from previous page
and there is a process.” The document which binds the airport’s governance is the Welland-Port Colborne Airport Act of 1976, which dictates that only elected officials from the four funding municipalities can be appointed to the Commission. The problem is that every four years there is an election, and new members are often appointed, facing the same ground-up learning curve as their predecessors. Continuity is disrupted. Airport governance is a complex business, and the newbies, though well-intentioned, typically have little appreciation of the implications of their decisions because they have no aviation experience on which to draw, say MSC proponents. Pelham Town Council’s representative on the Commission, Councillor Lisa Haun, did not acknowledge a Voice request for comment for this story.
The NCDRA is an old facility, with roots as a Second World War pilot training facility, and like all airports requires maintenance, none of which is cheap. One of the most glaring deteriorating assets is the runways, which an infrastructure assessment concluded required multi-million dollar rehabilitation. Maclellan disputes that appraisal. “The drainage under the runways is good. We can probably put down three inches of asphalt, and it’ll be good for another 25 years of service. The repairs can always be done in phases. I’ve actually got a number I'm not going to share with you, but it's not in the millions.” To fi ll the absence of a manager, plane owners have pitched in to perform and organize necessary repairs. “Aside from the municipal contributions, most of the revenue generated at the airport comes
from these hangar leases, all private money,” said Verburg, “plus the rental groups, like the Niagara Skydive Centre and Accipter Radar. Taxpayers pay about $1.65 each, the cost of a cup of Tim Horton’s coffee.” He hasn’t given up on NCDRA, but admits that his final flight plan isn’t too far over the horizon. “This airport has huge potential,” said Verburg. “Most commissions have tried to reinvent the wheel every four years, and of course, there have been studies coming out the wahzoo. I'm not sure they even get completely read before they go in the bottom drawer. Given the amount of involvement I've had with the airport and all the different commissions, I’m probably the last depository of information on this airport that's left. But as I said, I’m three years older than my Stinson. And when I'm gone, I'm gone.”
Page 16
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A March 23 2022
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Abino Bay and the waves of Lake Erie from one location. Point Abino shelters the bay from predominantly southwest winds, and the beautiful beach allows you to pick the depth of water you wish to learn in. Paddle out past the historic lighthouse though, and the rollers of Lake Erie will give you all the excitement you need. This is but a sampling of the many, many launch sites in Niagara. On the Peninsula Paddlers Kayaking Club website, the events calendar lists some 40 paddles each season, with launch site locations included. It’s a great resource for fi nding lesser-known places to paddle. There is also contact information if you have more questions.
Where can I try a kayak?
Supply shortages have reduced dealer inventory everywhere, but Niagara is fortunate to a few businesses that still plan to rent kayaks in 2022. The Niagara Rowing School, which operates out of the earlier-mentioned NPCA launch site on Jordan Harbour, is more diverse than its name implies. The school rents a variety of kayaks in many sizes, including tandems, and provides the necessary safety equipment. Smaller boats with large cockpit openings are an extremely safe way to begin, and if you’re interested in the next step, they can outfit you with a sea kayak up to 15 feet long. Check their website for details. The City of Welland rents single and tandem kayaks with equipment from the Rotary Club of Welland Park, 129 Lincoln St., at the recreational canal. This is an urban environment which can be busy at times, but the water is calm and power boats are prohibited, making it a popular location for many paddlers. Where can I get lessons and instruction in recreational kayaking? The scope and variety of kayaking les-
with a sit-on-top kayak or a boat with a Brick, Block, Stone and Chimney repairs. huge cockpit opening, a few minutes with Wet and damaged basement repairs. your rental agent before you LIBRARY push away CARD MAKING PELHAM WORKSHOP from the dock may be enough instruction. Phone Tom at techniques. 289-241-4767.Materials Make six cards with fall themes, learning aDeamude variety of In my opinion, once you choose a sit35 years of construction experience. arecockpit, provided. At detime of registration, please enquire about tools needed. in kayak with a tight a boat signed to be used with a skirt and capable Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30.CUSTOM $10. Please register ahead. Visit LEASING www.pelhamMILL NOW of being paddled in big water, you need to library.on.ca for more details. Now leasing at #1 Highway 20 take a serious lesson from a certifior ed call kay-905-892-6443 Portable sawmill service. ak instructor. Paddle Canada and Ontario I will come to your home or Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association West Fonthill farm and custom mill your FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY (ORCKA) are the two most-widely used orlogs. Firewood & lumber also Commercial and ganizations in Ontario that sanction and Tasty treats with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, available. Call Rob Patterson, certify paddling instructors at all levels. 905-401-4948, Residential Space french fries and Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m. Course offerings and locations canmuch be more. riverwoodportablesawmill@ found on their respective websites. www.vanderbuiltproperties.ca gmail.com Understanding various paddle strokes MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE and braces—a termPELHAM used to describe how a skilled paddler can usesell theor water Buy, tradesurused equipment at the Pelham Arena. WANTED Aimed to provide HOUSEKEEPING face itself as a stabilizer—is key to staying cheaper options for players in thisAND upcoming Runs Sept. 6 from CLEANING HOUSE- season. Wanted Antique Cupboards, upright. Once upside down in the water, knowing how to “wet exit” and morning. “self resKEEPING. Hard working Asian 9-12 in the Crocks, Metal Signs, Advertising cue” are handy skills to have. lady, retired, can come over to Items, Rock And Roll Records Safe and well-run courses designed to your house for cleaning and and T-Shirts, Memorabilia, GuiPELHAM MUDFEST help you develop these skills can be fun, professional home organizer. and extremely confidence boosting. A ba2 hours, $ 25/mud hr, Cash Men and women will beMin back in the asonly. the second tars, run Old onPhotos. the year is sic course, usually a two-day affair conCall 905-892-2377. Please text me: 416-432-5845. held at Bissil’s Hideaway. ducted on flat water like Jordan Harbour or Dils Lake at the Chippawa Creek Conservation Area in Wellandport, can cost NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION as little as $250. For those wanting to advance their skillsRodeo, even further, and try games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It them in rough and wavy conditions, proruns from 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds. gressively higher-level coursesSept. are available throughout Ontario. At this time, the only company schedMOVE CANCER uling such lessons BIG within or close to Ni- RIDE agara is Kayak Ontario. are presently TheThey Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. solidifying their dates and locations with 7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Famthe various municipalities and associations in Niagara, and theCentre. informailyexpect Cancer tion to be on their website by late March. Information about what is included in WALKING CLUB their various offerings is already posted, and provides an excellent orientation to
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REFIT
continued from Page 13 25-hertz distribution system and provided power to steel mills in Hamilton and upstate New York. Installation and testing of the new G2 unit turbine and generator will be completed by spring. Work continues on installation of the G1 unit turbine with a late summer 2022 target for completion. “Nearly 100 years ago, the Sir Adam Beck I station in Niagara Falls helped set the standard for 25 Hz frequency, which became the norm across North America,” said Jessica Polak back in 2020, then-OPG’s vice-president of operations. “But there is no longer a demand for the 25 Hz power cycle, so it’s time to overhaul and upgrade these two units.” “The new generator units will be lighter and more efficient, and able to make
BALANCED LIFE
continued from previous page what each level involves.
What boat should I get? Refer to “Is there a kayak in your future?” in the Voice’s archives, April 28, 2021 issue: https://bit. ly/37KvsPs [Editor’s note: Many past Balanced Life columns are also now available
The Voice more energy with less water required to pass through the turbine.” Proof of the station’s original design and durability, the project reuses
"The new generator units will be lighter and more efficient, and able to make more energy"
the existing 100-year-old penstocks and draft tubes. Penstocks, effectively long pipes, bring water down the side of the Niagara Escarpment to the station, while draft tubes are fitted at the end of a turbine runner to
on the Voice website, including this one by the end of March.] If you’d like to learn more about kayak touring within Niagara and beyond, and speak to paddlers with years of experience, the Peninsula Paddler’s Open House will be Wednesday evening, March 30, at Outdoors Oriented, 420 Vansickle Rd, St. Catharines.
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Page 17
A March 23 2022
maximize water pressure. The Beck I plant was the largest hydroelectric generating station in the world when it opened in 1922. It took about 10,000 workers to build and set the stage for large-scale hydroelectric development in Ontario. Today, Beck I is part of a larger complex of three hydro operations harnessing the power of the Niagara River, which also includes the 1,499 MW Sir Adam Beck II GS and the 174 MW Sir Adam Beck Pump GS. The complex supplies about 40 per cent of OPG’s total hydroelectric production. Hydroelectric power generates approximately 26 percent of Ontario’s electricity, second only to nuclear (60 per cent) as a fuel source.
Details are on the club’s website. See you on the water. ◆
Children’s Church Returns! After two years of virtual children’s programming, join us on Sunday, March 27th at 11:00 am, as Fenwick United Church resumes in person for Children’s Church. We welcome children from the ages of 5-12 to come out and become a part of our Sunday school community, as we explore the Bible through fun games, engaging crafts, and inspirational songs! We are located at 1050 Church Street in Fenwick. Masks and proof of full vaccination will be required.
Fenwick United United Church 11550 550 Church Street
We can all shop local. Every dollar spent locally helps a local business, helps a local employee, and gets spent again in the community. The last two years have been tough for everyone. Help keep your town’s future bright
Fonthill Plaza (905) 892-5443
The Voice Z Z
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of Pelham and Central Niagara
Page 18
The Voice
A March 23 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
THE BALANCED LIFE by John Swart
Considering kayaking? Here's what you need to know
H
ave two years of Covid restrictions changed our relationship with the outdoors in a meaningful way? If the pace of membership applications at the Peninsula Paddlers Kayaking Club, a Niagara club dedicated to local day paddles and extended kayak tripping is an indication, it may have. The club was forced to pause their 2020 paddling season completely, and the 2021 season was delayed until Ontario regulations changed in June of last year, allowing larger groups to gather outdoors. Yet kayak sales boomed in
those two years, as did everything outdoorsy. People paddled by themselves, or safely in groups of trusted friends and family. Many acquired a taste for the fun and benefits of paddling and being outdoors on the water, quietly enjoying nature and social activities. If you are new to recreational kayak touring in Niagara, or are considering becoming involved, read on. Although Niagara has a long tradition of competitive rowing, and competitive flat water canoeing and kayaking are rapidly growing local sports, these are not the activities to be discussed in
this column.
Where to kayak?
Niagara is blessed with numerous locations to paddle, including small creeks, rivers as varied as the Welland and Niagara, and wide open Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Recreational kayakers also have access to Martindale Pond in St. Catharines and the Welland Recreational Canal, as long as they stay clear of competitive events and practices. Access to the Welland River from Pelham’s E.C. Brown Memorial Park is a great place to begin. The launch is safe and easy, parking is plentiful and free. A short paddle west brings one to Big Forks Creek, a hidden gem of quiet, near-pristine nature fi lled with wildlife and aquatic flowers.
Black Creek, situated along the Niagara Parkway between Chippawa and Fort Erie offers the opposite. Launch at the boat ramp 50 metres south of the creek’s mouth on the parkway ($10.00 boat ramp fee applies to most NPC locations), then paddle under the stone and concrete arch into the creek. Talk softly if you’re gossiping because you’ll be surrounded by cottages and homes on both banks. The owners on their pontoon boats and docks will be as eager to eavesdrop on you as you will be to snoop into their back yards.
Jordan Harbour is always a favourite place to paddle because of its diversity. Launch and park for free at the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority dock and ramp off Twenty-First Street. Head upstream into quiet waters, past the Owl Foundation. You’ll paddle past the historic stone abutments of the Great Western Railway trestle, built in 1867, then under the Canadian National eight-span, 356-metre-long steel trestle now in use. If the water is calm, glide under the QEW and into Lake Ontario. Seasoned paddlers new to
Niagara will enjoy launching into the lower Niagara River at Queenston, and paddling safely along the steep red-rock banks to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Venturing directly into the middle of the river from the launch is only for the brave. Eddies and fast water provide an exciting playground for skilled kayakers, but will intimidate most novice paddlers. For variety, a small, free launch on Point Abino Rd. just south of Erie Rd. in Crystal Beach provides access to both usually calm See BALANCED LIFE Page 16
V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Spending time alone could be good for you this week, Aries. While working toward your goals, you also are enjoying some much-needed peace and quiet. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Your friends may be pushing you to move forward since you seem to be stuck in the past, Taurus. Don’t stay stagnant for too long or you may lose motivation for change. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 A collaboration with someone close to you yields surprising results, Gemini. You may have been looking for inspiration for some time and finally found it. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, a longing for adventure points you in all sorts of different directions over the next few days. You have to try on a few different hats to find the right fit. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, a fantastic investment opportunity comes your way but there is a lot of red tape that could get in the way if you let it. Work through all angles to make things happen. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, idolizing someone can have its plusses and minuses. You may have a picture of a person that is impossible to live up to. Temper your expectations. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, a rigid schedule may work for some, but not everyone. Incorporate a little flexibility into your life and others may be flocking to your laid-back style.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Talk to someone about a creative idea that you have had, Scorpio. This person may offer valuable feedback that can guide you as you try to flesh out your idea into something tangible. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you may be interested in having a lot of fun, but someone keeps throwing a wet blanket on your ideas. Don’t let it derail your plans. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 It’s easy to give opinions and pick sides, but don’t get pinned down to a particular position until you’ve tried several different options, Capricorn. Then you’ll have a good idea. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Others may not understand the way you manage money, Aquarius. But you have a clear understanding of your particular brand of logic. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, friends are a strong presence in your life right now and you are very grateful for all that they provide you. Let them know. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MARCH 20 Spike Lee, Director (65) MARCH 21 Jace Norman, Actor (22) MARCH 22 Reese Witherspoon, Actress (46) MARCH 23 Brett Eldredge, Singer (36) MARCH 25 Elton John, Singer (75) MARCH 26 Keira Knightley, Actress (37)
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SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. BRAES 6. EAT 9. PACK 13. EAGAN 14. PALS 15. ABLE 16. EKES 17. SARAH 18. RIEL 19. SIDELINES 21. CABAL 22. SAROD 23. SUN 24. NY 25. TEE 28. PER 29. MOROS 31. ARAS 33. SATELLITE 36. TAMES 38. MOL 39. SAIGA 41. SEPARATOR 44. CLAN 45. SARIS 46. DOB 48. EDD 49. EB 51. ROB 52. PROAS 54. RAGAS 56. DIATHESIS 60. ABUT 61. BEAMY 62. ACNE 63. SENE 64. TANA 65. FLUTE 66. ELKS 67. UFO 68. ESTOP
Darcy Richardson
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The Voice
Page 19
A March 23 2022
ANSWERS ON PAGE 18
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
The hearse and the U-Haul
H
ave you ever seen a U-Haul hitched to a hearse? It makes us smile just to think about it. We have a cliché today that says, “You can’t take it with you.” That truism reminds me of the story of a wealthy man who passed away. A curious neighbour asked a friend at the funeral, “How much did he leave behind?” Without batting an eye, the friend replied, “All of it.” That’s something we can all agree on. When we die, we leave all of our worldly goods behind—house, property, car, cottage, boat, investments, bank account (and, hopefully, our loved ones don’t fight over it).
tence which begins after our few years or decades in this world. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (see Matthew 6:19-21) Notice Jesus didn’t say, “Do not enjoy your material possessions.” We all need money (and the things money can buy) to live. Jesus was warning us not to selfishly hoard those things and allow them to possess or master us.
I know want to enjoy their life on earth. Jesus said, “I have come to bring life, and life to the full.” (John 10:10) Part of that full, abundant, meaningful life is to enjoy God’s blessings in the present moment. However, it doesn’t end there. Christ-followers also have eternity in mind. I omitted one verse in the Matthew passage above. In it, Jesus says, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (v.20) A few verses later,
Most Christian believers
See FAITH LIFT Page 15
Living for eternity
Ancient U-Hauls
The ancients actually thought they could take some of their material goods with them. Old Viking burial mounds in Norway sometimes reveal a wooden house and boat. And long before that, the Egyptian pharaohs were entombed in massive pyramids with chambers filled with jewelry, clothes, food, boats, chariots, weapons, oils, ointments (and even board games). They believed they would need these things in the hereafter. After all, eternity is a long time and you might get bored.
Living for the now
Most moderns don’t believe that anymore. But have we gone to the other extreme? How many of us live only for the now (the present, for this life) with little or no thought for what comes next? Admittedly, that view is consistent if we believe that death is a dead end and that we don’t have a soul or spirit that lives on. But, what if we do? Then we are woefully unprepared for a much longer exis-
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Word Search: Spring has sprung
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards. BIRTH BLOOM BREEZE BULBS BUNNY BUTTERFLY
CHICK CROCUS DAFFODIL EGGS FLOWERS GREEN
GROW HATCH HYACINTH LAMB MARCH NEST
PUDDLES RAIN ROBIN SEASON SHOWERS SPRING
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Page 20
The Voice
A March 23 2022
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
Voice
E.C. Brown Conservation Area Extent
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
4
Fiery Grilled Pork Tenderloin 381
RIVER ROAD
480 E.C. Brown
60830
60828
60838 61022 61018
60990
3/17/2022, 8:45:36 AM
Roads
Conservation Areas
NPCA Member Municipalities
Watercourses 2K 2002
Assessment Parcels
Non-NPCA Land
0
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0
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1:4,514 0.06
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0.11 mi 0.17 km
City of Welland, Haldimand County, Niagara Region, Regional Municipality of Niagara, Province of Ontario, Ontario MNR, Esri Canada, Esri, HERE, Garmin, GeoTechnologies, Inc., USGS, EPA, USDA, AAFC, NRCan ArcGIS Web AppBuilder
City of Welland, Haldimand County, Niagara Region, Regional Municipality of Niagara, Province of Ontario, Ontario MNR, Esri Canada, Esri, HERE, Garmin, GeoTechnologies, Inc., USGS, EPA, USDA, AAFC, NRCan | NPCA | https://gis.npca.ca/portal/apps/sites/admin/assets/templates/sites/
Property boundaries along the Welland River south of the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport.
NPCA
Trees cut near conservation area Airport says clearing was required for safety reasons BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Local environmentalist and tree advocate Dave Nicholson was outraged last week that trees were being chopped near the E.C. Brown Conservation area, on River Road across from the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (NCDRA). “Right under the nose of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, who own the property on either side, the airport has felled several acres of woodland without their knowledge or consent,” Nicholson
told the Voice. “They cite improvements to the airport, and that since the strip is owned by Transport Canada, the NPCA have no jurisdiction. The eff rontery is mind-blowing!” Erika Navarro, a communications specialist with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), advised the Voice that the property upon which the activity took place is indeed managed by the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport. She attached a map that distinguished the boundary lines between the conservation area and the airport property, and said that although the property that was cleared is managed by the airport, it is owned by Transport Canada. “The NPCA does not regulate federally owned lands and therefore a permit for this activity was not required from the NPCA,” said Navarro. “I have spoken to a commissioner of
the airport about the clearing. The reasoning provided for this activity includes provision for [sea-]plane access to and from the water, maintenance of an existing septic bed, and to ensure the safety of airport operations by maintaining required sightlines for taxiing aircraft.” NCDRA Commission chair John Maclellan told the Voice that the trees were removed for safety reasons. “A lot of them were dead, and we removed a lot of scrub brush. It is on our land, and we only cleared what was a danger to aircraft. We are running an airport." The 15-hectare conservation area, located on the Welland River, provides fishing and non-motorized boating opportunities with shoreline frontage and a boat launch, as well as a picnic pavilion. Hikers enjoy the trails, wetland, meadow, and forest landscapes of the wildlife habitat.
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Those looking to eat healthier should not just consider the ingredients they choose but the cooking methods. Grilling food is a smart choice for keeping calories down and limiting saturated fats. Grilling can take place outdoors or on a cast-iron grilling pan right on the stove top. Even though people may think of chicken or burgers as foods for grilling, don’t overlook lean pork as well. This recipe for “Fiery Grilled Pork Tenderloin” from “Cooking Light Fresh Food Superfast” (Oxmoor House) by the Cooking Light Editors, gives a double shot of peppery punch. Serve it with any grilled vegetable of choice, such as squash, zucchini or eggplant. Fiery Grilled Pork Tenderloin Yield: 4 servings 1 2 1-1⁄2 1 1⁄2 1⁄4
pound pork tenderloin teaspoons olive oil tablespoons ground black and red pepper blend (or black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes) tablespoon dark brown sugar teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon salt Cooking spray
Preheat grill. Pat pork dry with paper towels. Rub oil over pork. Combine pepper blend and next three ingredients; rub over pork. Place pork on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160 F (slightly pink), turning once. Remove pork from grill; let stand 5 minutes. Cut pork diagonally into 1⁄2-inch slices. Serving size is 3 ounces.
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