The Voice, March 25 2020

Council "insurance" bylaw page 3 Grocery delivery options page 6 Pelham Cares prepares for higher demand page 20 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.24 No.12

March 25, 2020

Published every Wednesday

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Column Six

Time to get out of Dodge

BY JANE BEDARD

Special to the VOICE

I

the right decision, as this is no time for half measures,” said Ford. “But I have said from day one we will, and we must, take all steps necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of every Ontarian must come first. The health of you,

was sitting in the Orlando Airport on March 9, waiting for my flight back to Canada. Normally I would be on the alert for the funny bits on offer at Disney World’s global gateway—poking fun at parents herding their flocks of tired or hyper kids; at the man in front of me at security, whose foot odour, when his shoes came off, made me and the rest of the line want to retch; at the four-dollar Mickey Mouse pen I was forced to buy because I couldn’t find a writing utensil in my over-stuffed purse; at the couple with the stroller who almost ran me over as they raced to their gate.

(Actually, I’ve made that dash enough times that I inwardly cheered as they made it just in time, the doors closing behind them with a chunky clunk as they jogged down the jetway.)

Funny bits there were, but not enough to make a meal.

Having arrived a full eight hours before my flight, I had time to absorb my surroundings in the context of the day. It was ominously subdued. Little did we know that, a few days later, President Trump would restrict

See CLOSURE Page 2

See COLUMN SIX back page

Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, seated, and CAO David Cribbs discuss the fast-moving Regional and provincial response to COVID-19 on Monday morning.

VOICE

Ontario mandates closure of non-essential businesses

BY VOICE STAFF Shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his frustration with Canadians not observing social isolation principles faithfully enough, telling them, "Enough is enough. Go home and stay home," in Ontario the Ford government

announced a sweeping, mandatory shutdown of all non-essential businesses.

"To further contain the spread of COVID-19, the Ontario Government has ordered the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces effective Tuesday at midnight," read a provincial statement issued Monday

afternoon.

“This closure will be in effect for 14 days with the possibility of extending this order as the situation evolves,” read the statement. “A full list of businesses that are permitted to stay open will be released [Tuesday].”

“This was a tough decision, but

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The Voice, March 25, 2020

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How social distancing helps avoid overwhelming the health system

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

W

e woke up one morning last week to find, perched atop the dirty mound of snow stubbornly refusing to melt in the centre of our circle, a large, silent, dark, vulture. More accurately, a turkey vulture. I wedged open the blinds to look up at the sky to see whether he brought any friends. The way things were going, the appearance of actual vultures circling above was entirely plausible.

So. Hell of a week, eh. If there is the slightest silver lining, it is that the mathematical projection that Niagara’s COVID-19 cases would be at 12 by now has not, insofar as we know, come to pass. The Voice has learned that Welland Hospital has tested five individuals for the virus, with four negative results. The fifth result was unknown at press time.

This could be down to our relatively less dense population spread, out here in relatively rural Niagara—though Niagara Falls and especially St. Catharines pack them in pretty tight. And, unlike the nitwits in Vancouver, out in force taking in the sun last week as if everything were normal, we’ve had relatively little sun to take in, and fewer scenic places to do it.

Saved by geography and climate again.

My wife and I have skewed our TV viewing toward comedy lately, for obvious reasons.

Curb Your Enthusiasm, Schitt’s Creek (we were

CLOSURE continued from previous page your children, your grandparents and friends depends on all of us doing our part.”

Businesses that can continue operations with employees working remotely, or through other contingency measures, were given approximately 36 hours to prepare and adapt.

“Essential services may continue their operations to maintain supply chains and

late to that party, and are loving it), Will and Grace, various Netflix shows. One thing that struck us both a couple of evenings back was how bizarre it was to see characters standing close to each other, hugging, kissing cheeks, shaking hands. No!, we wanted to shout. Stop that!

Another vulture joined the first vulture, so I went out to take a look. The object of their desire was a possum that had definitely seen better days. As the week went by, and their meal decreased in size, they started getting snippy with each other. Once again, the natural world carries on, unaware of our troubles.

With businesses now being forced to close by the Ontario government—a smart move and probably overdue—it’s unclear how much advertising will continue to come in to newspapers. If we do temporarily stop printing the paper edition, you’ll still find us online, on our recently redesigned website: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca For now we’re playing it day-by-day.

Please, for the sake of your own health, and that of your loved ones and the rest of us, stay home as much as possible. If you’ve returned from March Break away from Canada, self-isolate for 14 days. That’s the quickest route out of this purgatory. Together we can do it. Take care. ♦

ensure the people of Ontario have access to necessities, including groceries, medicines and other essential products,” read the statement.

Closer to home, Mayor Marvin Junkin joined the Region's 11 other mayors, and Regional Chair Jim Bradley, on a conference call Monday morning to discuss whether the Region should declare its own state of emergency. The Voice has learned that all but one municipality resisted the move.

Voice

Number of sick people if we do NOT engage in social distancing

150,000

Hospital capacity to treat sick people

15,000

Number of sick people if we DO engage in social distancing

10 5

10

20

40

80

160

320

Days that the virus has been spreading

640

ADAPTED FROM THE CDC JIM SZEPLAKI

Keep yer mitts clean, folks

The lone exception was Niagara-on-the-Lake Mayor Betty Disero, who was said to be concerned for NOTL's relatively older population, the age group experts say is the most vulnerable to severe complications from COVID-19.

Indeed, by mid-afternoon Monday, Disero had moved unilaterally to declare a state of emergency in NOTL. As the Voice went to press is was unclear whether any other municipalities would follow suit.

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CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

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Column Six

The Comfort Maple myth

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Column Six

Growing up British

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

BALLOONING INTEREST Grade 6 student Jinja Shepherd explains her experiment on static electricity at the Glynn A. Green Public School's annual science fair last Friday. See story, page 3.

NATE SMELLE PHOTO

Public meeting tonight on school issues

BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick.

Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, confirms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-

Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN officials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation.

DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be

“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently confirm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime.

Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting.

“We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page

HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin.

My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries.

Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town.

This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation.

On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque.

“This tree looks dead,” I said to my father.

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

Vol.20 No.32

BY VOICE STAFF

A construction error was discovered following the opening of a traffic calming chicane on Haist Street north of Hwy 20 last Monday that prevented large vehicles from passing through.

One resident living in the neighbourhood said he contacted the Town after seeing a small schoolbus get stuck as it tried to get through the new traffic calming measure. Later that day while driving behind a cement truck, he said that he became concerned for the public’s safety when the truck had to turn around because it couldn’t get through.

“If a small school bus and a cement truck can’t make it through what about a fire

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

Repair measures underway last week to correct a construction error in the chicane. truck or an ambulance?” he said.

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

the mistake, the Town has taken measures to temporarily allow passage for vehicles through the neigh-

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

Manager of Public Works Ryan Cook said that after discovering the issue with

the chicane the morning it first opened, the Town See CHICANE Page 5

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Representatives from the Pelham Summerfest committee Candy Ashbee and Bill Gibson presented council with a final report on the 2016 Summerfest at the Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.

Prompted by a story in the Voice in August about a merchant petition to move Summerfest from Pelham Street, in September Town staff met with various stakeholders to hear their complaints, promising at the time that changes in the way Summerfest was mounted would be con-

sidered.

The main concerns identified during the community engagement process were security, parking, ensuring customer can access all businesses in town, and liability for damages. How to get all Pelham Street businesses to participate and finding ways to make it beneficial for them to set up a booth were also determined to be of high priority for the committee as they plan for next year’s event.

Gibson told Council that the committee is addressing these concerns in a variety of ways. To improve parking, they intend to create bet-

ter signage for out-of-town visitors to designated parking areas and shuttle services. To make participation in Summerfest more enticing to local businesses, they plan to implement a tiered-charge for booths. Under the new system, Pelham Street business owners will be charged the least, other local businesses will pay a slightly higher fee, and vendors from outside Pelham will pay the most. In response to more specific issues for individual businesses, they will also slightly alter the footprint of the event and make adjustments to security.

Another way the committee plans

to improve the 2017 Summerfest is by sponsoring and working with the organizers of the Thursday Night Bandshell Concert series to select the artist performing on the first night of Summefest. They also intend to make more use of the smartphone app they launched in 2016.

"We are really going to push it this year," Ashbee said.

“It really helps to get people to see what events there are so they can plan out where they are going.

We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses adSee CHANGES Page 5

FTER LUNCH ON Saturday, Mum and Dad had my afternoon cut out for me. Mum had more brass than anyone I knew, and it had to be cleaned. In addition there was the set of silver fish-knives and forks which were never used, but which had to be cleaned and put back in their velvetlined box.

Next was a walk to the newsagents to pay for the daily delivery of the Daily Mirror. As I said, Dad was a printer, but when he was 37 he had been rejected for a job, as being too old, by the printers of the Beano.

For that reason, my favourite comic was not allowed in the house, but while I was paying the papers, the newsagent let me have a 'shoofty' at the Beano. I'd explained my predicament and he understood completely.

Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint

Wednesday October 12, 2016

FREE

Apple Day comes to Fonthill

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

BY VOICE STAFF

The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and well-rounded individuals

ceives them, enabling youth to have experiences that build character, challenge them, and allow them to try new things. The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and wellrounded individuals, better prepared for success. Apple Day helps to achieve that.”

“Any money raised during Apple Day goes towards improving the Scouting program by providing more outdoor adventures for youth, camping equipment, canoes and paddles, training and many other endeavours that the youth want to experience,” says Marie.

Scouts Canada has some 100,000 members across Canada, and carries out programs for boys, girls

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

19 Council meeting as part of a delegation from EL Crossley Secondary School, students Abby Loewen and Neenah Williams presented Council with a list of reasons that they should immediately approve the construction of the new sidewalk proposed along Hwy. 20. The asphalt side-

walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school.

Because of the large volume of motor vehicle traffic travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later.

After delivering to Council a petition containing

Many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later the names of 450 students calling for a safer walk to school, Simpson handed the

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel.

As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support.

Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Cell 905.933.3049

T

Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers SUPPLIED PHOTO in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign.

A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people offered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

While shopping in Fonthill between Friday and Sunday, keep an eye out for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in front of local stores with bushels of apples.

As part of the annual Apple Day campaign, Scouting youth of all ages will be trading apples for donations.

The yearly fundraising drive is an important way for young Scouts to connect with the communities they are serving, says Leah Marie of Scouts Canada.

“The Apple Day campaign holds a great tradition of being able to have youth interacting within the communities they live in,” she says. “All of the Apple Day donations stay directly within the group that re-

this minute!

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

See DSBN Page 9

Food 111Health Hwy. 20 E., Unit Store 5, Fonthill

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BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick.

Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues.

Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students.

“The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated.

The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the

Get

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“I start work at 2:30 PM and school lets out at 2:15 PM so I can’t take any other route,” Williams explained.

“I have had friends, family, teachers and other community members reach out to me in the past about how this is unsafe and how there should be another alternative for us.”

Looking ahead to winter, when she will need to walk this path three or four times See SIDEWALK Page 2

HERE IS NO BETTER time to cycle than Fall. It matters not whether you’re new to the sport, a seasoned recreational cyclist, racer, touring rider or mountain biker; we all have reason to look forward to autumn.

Summer’s heat has faded, and the streams of sweat that ran from soggy helmets into our eyes are now just slight perspiration. Fitness is peaking from lots of saddle time, making those tough climbs of Spring a breeze in Autumn.

It’s hard to beat the feeling of beginning a crisp, cool Fall ride with a slight shiver, knowing your efforts will soon warm you perfectly.

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

A Pelham route as simple as following our southern boundary is one that would make most Toronto cyclists jealous, especially when our forests and fields are ablaze with colour.

Begin from Harold Black Park, and zig-zag south along Effingham Rd toward the Welland River.

If you’re new to cycling, it’s important to know south is the direction away from any hills.

If you avoid the morning and evening weekday rush hours caused by those travelling through Pelham between Wainfleet See AUTUMN Page 3

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The Voice, March 25, 2020

Page 3

Pelham Town Council passes "insurance policy" bylaw Contingency planning for COVID-19 sees pushback from Kore and Hildebrandt

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

While officially defined as a special meeting, Pelham Town Council for all intents and purposes held an emergency gathering last Tuesday, March 17 to vote on what amounted to a continuity of government bylaw, in the event the global COVID-19 pandemic incapacitates some or all of its elected members.

Its lead item delegates to the Town’s CAO and Treasurer — or their designates — financial signing authority for expenditures outside the current budget, exceeding $25,001, for pandemic or emergency-related expenses “deemed reasonable under the circumstances.”

Given the unprecedented nature of the current coronavirus pandemic —which has essentially shut down North America and put parts of Asia and Europe on complete lockdown — CAO David Cribbs said that the time is now to prepare for potentially unpleasant eventualities, while stressing it is only a contingency plan, and not a bylaw that alters the Town’s governmental hierarchy.

In fact, he said the bylaw is not much different from those placed before councils during “lameduck” sessions in the period of time before municipal elections.

“We will not exercise that power if this council continues to retain its confidence,” Cribbs told a chamber with four councillors

and the Mayor present —spaced apart, per “social distancing” advisories—and two other members, John Wink and Bob Hildebrandt, calling in by phone. Wink was feeling under the weather at home, while Hildebrandt was in Florida (he returned to Pelham last Friday and is to be observing 14 days of self-isolation at home).

“This is an option that allows government to continue in your absence. In the event that so many members of council become incapacitated, or unfortunately, die, this will allow the corporation to continue on its operations.”

Councillor Ron Kore, however, vocally objected to most of the 12 articles in the bylaw.

“I won’t support this. I think it’s too early to be in this position,” the Ward 2 councillor said, as the global economy had almost ground to a halt. “At this time I will not support this bylaw.”

Possibly sensing that Kore was concerned that staff were being given carte blanche on spending decisions, Cribbs tried to stress the extraordinary circumstances facing the Town.

“I really like my job, and so we’re not going to be using this power to buy the corporate Ferrari,” the CAO said. “We’re still accountable … we will not use it while you are competent. So this is a basic tool of governance—think of it as an insurance policy, and

it’s insurance on yourselves … this might cause unease or anxiety, but it’s only meant to be used in the event of catastrophe. Let’s hope we avoid catastrophe.”

Kore’s opposition to the bylaw, and Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi’s questions about ensuring an elected official be included in any decisions once enacted, led to a line-by-line reading of the draft, with recorded votes for each of its 12 articles.

“This is designed for us to function in the absence of a council,” Cribbs said. “I don’t want us to become the only one of 13 municipalities in Niagara that fails to pass the basic provision needed as an insurance policy, and I worry that we’re on the verge of becoming so.”

Cribbs said that in any cataclysmic eventuality, the staff goal would still be transparency — including working with the press.

“I’m happy to undertake that I would inform the media of our expenditures, in addition to any councillors still around,” he said.

“At some level you have to have some trust in the senior leadership team you employ. Ultimately it would be my office that would be accountable, and my career.”

Kore was still not sold.

“You gave us the explanation that if everyone was sick, some of us die, we need this in place for an insurance policy,” the councillor said. “If none of us get sick, we all stay healthy, do we need to have this in place?”

Cribbs replied: “No, we do not.”

Kore responded, “Well, why are we going on the negative side?”

“You have to pass that while you’re a competent council, and able to do so,” Cribbs respond-

ed, explaining a central tenet of contingency plans. “You can’t go and buy healthcare insurance for a pre-existing condition when you have the condition.”

Cribbs said that there was no way to guarantee that council could establish the required quorum for its next meeting, set for Monday evening, as the Voice went to press.

Ultimately, council passed the bylaw, with Kore voting against the overall bill and all but two articles— those involving quorum rules and staff work-from-home directives. Hildebrandt, his voice barely audible over a speakerphone, also voted against it.

Councillor Lisa Haun proposed an amendment to remove the term “or other similar emergency” from the bylaw, so that it cannot be used for another crisis. Fire Chief and Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bob Lymburner also corrected the verbiage for the pandemic, properly referring to the current infectious illness as “COVID-19” and not “coronavirus.” In the end, the passed bylaw stated that it “shall take effect immediately and remain in force only during a period of a declared pandemic being the novel coronavirus COVID-19.”

With Town Hall now closed to the public, Ciolfi was concerned about where this leaves the work of the Cannabis Control Committee (CCC), which he sits on.

“We’re so close,” he said, referring to reaching actionable regulations on producers ahead of the July 15 expiry of the interim control bylaw that has frozen continued cannabis development in Pelham.

“As the law stands we need four of you [in the room] to have lawful

meetings,” Cribbs told Ciolfi.

“We are hoping for some relief from the province, we are not alone, I have information from multiple municipalities that they’ve reached out to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and have made, more or less, the same plea [for remote participation in meetings by more council members].

Currently, the Municipal Act allow councillors to vote from remote locations, but not to be counted as present to achieve a quorum.

The stumbling block is Pelham’s new limit of 10 individuals attending meetings. This limit is easily reached just by council and the Mayor (seven) plus the CAO, Clerk, and only one senior staffer. Normally at least five senior staff are present at council meetings, plus various assistants.

During the special meeting, the CAO, the Director of Public Works, the Treasurer, the Clerk, and the Fire Chief were present, in addition to the four councillors and Mayor physically present, for a total of ten.

While council agreed that space can be made at the community centre for CCC meetings — again, with no more than 10 individuals present given the current circumstances — Ciolfi briefly pushed for having the meetings at Town Hall.

“I don’t think [attendees] would jeopardize anything,” the councillor said.

“Our problem here is [that] intent is irrelevant,” Cribbs replied, explaining part of the staff’s contingency plans require a Town Hall closed to the public.

See INSURANCE Page 8

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Page 4

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

The opinions expressed in submitted commentary and letters to the editor are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Voice of Pelham.

The Voice of Pelham is a 1211858 Ontario Limited publication David Burket, Publisher 2-1428 Pelham St., P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S1E0

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Colin Brezicki Going viral on our own devices

T

oday I ventured outside and drove through an empty town to buy a few groceries and some wine.

It looked like it would at Christmas, except this isn’t Christmas. There’s no snow on the ground, no one’s singing carols and most of us are in semi-quarantine.

This isn’t a peace-on-earth silence. It’s an anxious one, like there’s just been an airraid warning and we’re all waiting for the Blitz to happen. When will it arrive and what will it leave behind?

Inside our homes it’s a different scene altogether.

Families are hunkered over TV and computer screens looking for information or distraction, or connecting with friends across the country and around the world. Kids are home from school and university until further notice.

Same with parents who are either working from home or waiting for further details of a bailout package so they can meet their monthly payments.

Our Prime Minister steps out of self-isolation briefly each day to address the nation, while MPs connect with their constituents and conduct the business of governing by Skype, Whatsapp,

Instagram and email.

The air is filled with the miracle of technological communication like never before, and how incredibly grateful we are to have it.

Because the air is also filled with something else that

This isn't a peaceon-earth silence.

It's an anxious one.

we’d rather not think about too much, having little control over it.

That’s the other great thing about our devices.

They give us the feeling of being in control of something. We don’t even have to click or swipe much anymore because a word to Siri or Alexa will ensure that it gets done. A miracle indeed.

Is isolation even possible anymore?

We’re told our “social universe” doubles in size

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every two years and will hit 44 trillion gigabytes this year. Emails are projected to reach over 300 billion in number.

One hundred and eighty eight million Snapchat users upload 48,000 photos every day. We Tweet at a rate of 6,000 times a second—that’s 500 million times a day and over 200 billion times a year. Facebook messages total one billion per day, while Instagram users number one billion every month. LinkedIn has 347 million members who view each other nearly 20,000 times a minute.

And then there’s the dating site, Zoosk. Its membership of 50 million singles exchange three million messages a day. Its rival, Tinder, records 695,000 swipes every minute. That’s a lot of singles looking to connect with someone. And they’re in a hurry. If you’re a man looking for a female partner Tinder advises you that “women take about 1/10th of a second to form an opinion of you based on your photograph. That’s literally a split second decision to swipe left or right.”

But the numbers might have plummeted with the See VIRAL Page 6

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Every little bit helps I think that everyone will agree that our collective priority at the moment is to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to mitigate the negative effects of this virus. We know that this pandemic is having an impact on both the global and national economy and would be naïve to think that it is not putting a strain on Town and Regional staff, let alone Pelham’s finances. While we ride this out, each of us can do a bit to ease some of this burden.

In the efforts to flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19, many Pelham residents are just staying home. Many

Member of Federal Parliament

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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 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 905-658-2987 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi mciolfi@pelham.ca 905-892-0077 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840

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are also taking advantage of warming temperatures and getting outdoors for physical exercise, fresh air and overall mental well-being. If you are one of the lucky ones able to take advantage of the outdoors, please help reduce the burden on Pelham maintenance crews by “spring cleaning” your neighbourhood. Doing this may be as simple as: When raking leaves and picking up winter debris in your yard, extend your collection area to the street. Remove the leaves and litter collecting along the street curb

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The Voice, March 25, 2020

Page 5

OPINION Chelsea makes the big time

Gratitude for front-line workers

Kudos to Pelhamite Chelsea Marcantonio for her lovely green frog photo that appeared in Canadian Geographic's March/April edition. It's on page 14—the full page. Keep on clicking!

Rosemary Culos Fonthill

On Wednesday morning I contacted the doctor’s office on behalf of my 86-year-old father. Although it was 10:30 AM, the answering service answered the call and the poor woman was beside herself. The doctor’s office had informed her that they were, “closed until further notice.” She had not been provided with any other details to direct patients. (I am hopeful this will be a brief closure).

My father was in need of prescriptions, so I called a local pharmacy. It was only 11 AM but the woman on the phone was clearly already exhausted. I waited on hold for 20 minutes before the pharmacist was able to get to the phone when he tiredly, but most helpfully, processed the prescription refills for my dad.

Folks, these are clearly unprece-

Thanks for the honesty Thank you to the person who found my credit card outside Shoppers and left it at the cash. I was most grateful and relieved. You’re thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.

Georgina Staz Pelham

The Kids are All Right

dented times. Everyone is under enormous stress. But while the majority of the public retreat to their homes, institute “social distancing,” sweat over toilet paper stocks, and wait for time to pass, some of our neighbours are stepping up to the plate. Not only staying in a very public position, thereby increasing their own exposure risk, but they are also enduring extreme work pressure as they attempt to shoulder all of our stress and our medical needs.

And this is only going to get worse for them in the weeks to come.

Our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and all their hard-working support staff are currently enduring an unimaginable level of stress. And they are NOT obligated to do so. There is nothing but their own conscience preventing them from saying “to hell with

this,” lock the door and walk away.

It takes strong individuals to be able to step up and persevere under these conditions, but they are still human beings with families just like the rest of us.

I encourage everyone to take a moment in this chaos to express your gratitude to these community members. If they are your neighbours, then offer to pick them up some groceries, make them a meal, look after their kids. If you are using their services, then please bring them your patience, a smile, a sense of humour. Bring them a coffee, some Timbits or a roll of toilet paper…and please, remember to tell them how grateful we all are that they aren’t walking away from us.

Claire Todd Fonthill

Should name those breaking isolation

Stuck on a cruise ship

This virus is not a hoax nor a joke. It is deadly serious and more so for we, the elderly with breathing problems, cancer, diabetes and other daily diseases which threaten our lives. We have been asked to protect ourselves and others by maintaining a good distance, by staying at home. by washing our hands, coughing into our elbows and other precautions...but some selfish people think they are "above the law" and they are not all young people. They are old enough to know better! This is not a game. Perhaps their names should be printed in the Voice, the same as those who risk our lives by allegedly driving while impaired, for surely these selfish people have impaired judgment.

A Concerned Senior Pelham

We are Tim and Karen Wright of Fonthill, and Jack and Janice Lavender of Niagara Falls, who are currently travelling on the Holland America Cruise Ship Zaandam. We thought we would give you a firsthand update of our situation here caused by the coronavirus crisis, as of March 19.

Our cruise vacation started in Buenos Aires on March 7, and was to last 31

days, cruising around South America and finishing in Fort Lauderdale. The first week was uneventful as we arrived in Punta Arenas at the southern tip of South America.

After our day in Punta Arenas, our ship left dock with intentions to sail to Ushuaia. Halfway there we were informed that because See STUCK next page

HELPS

continued from previous page

Ava and Ben Caporicci.

SUPPLIED

Through this current situation we're all living through, we've been open and honest with our kids about what's going on. We feel that it's important for them to know and to be aware of the scale and brevity of this worldwide crisis.

Behind our house, there's a walking path. We've noticed more people walking the path over the last week since everyone is home. So last night, Ava —our 7-year-old daughter —wanted to write some positive messages with chalk on the path for people walking it.

So here are some tips on "how to best deal with the coronavirus pandemic" from a 7-year-old. And honestly? I feel like if the world followed these tips, we'd be in a better place, even beyond the crisis we're living through right now!

Stay home. Wash your hands. Help those in need. Get air.

Respect others. Just be happy. Be thankful. Live your life.

Don't be risky. Be loved. Be prepared. Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be happy. Be safe. Smile.

Bryan Caporicci Fonthill

and around street drains. Doing so will ensure streets are not flooded during the soon-to- arrive April showers.

Remove as many gypsy moth egg sacs from trees around your house and along municipal boulevards and from trees and structures in public parks as you can. For more information on how individuals can reduce the gypsy moth invasion go to the town’s website or review last week’s issue of the Voice.

If each of us does a small bit, collectively we will make a difference.

C. Ram Fonthill

Dr. Bohdan Hrynyk Pelham Hills Dentistry

The Canadian Veterans Affairs Service Agent will be at Branch 613 Royal Canadian Legion, Fonthill, on March 26, 2020, from 1300 to 1600.

Should you have questions, please contact Sharon Margeson.

Sharon can be reached at 905-892-5177 or by e-mail at: hmargeson@cogeco.ca Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Talbot Trail 141 Hwy. 20 E., P.O. Box42 Fonthill,ON, L0S1E0 Tel: 905-892-6293 Fax: 905-892-9470

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the celebration of life that was scheduled at the Fonthill Legion on April 5, 2020 will be postponed.

A new date will be announced in the future.

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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past.

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

Everyone has a story. Tell us yours!

NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 2000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Page 6

Letters

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Diana Huson, Regional Councillor

continued

Presenting a united front through community effort STUCK

continued from previous page of the coronavirus all entries to Chile were being closed. In the middle of the night our captain decided to turn around and try to dock at Punta Arenas again, since we were just there in hopes we would be allowed to disembark. With the possibility of flying home from there, passengers scrambled to make flight arrangements from this small port to Santiago, Chile, with connecting flights to Toronto and elsewhere around the world.

After sitting in the bay for two days waiting for the Chilean government to decide whether we would be allowed to disembark, they denied us access and recommended we sit there for 14 days before another meeting of the government would once again decide our fate.

Our wise captain announced to all passengers that he was not going to sit in the bay waiting, and decided we would sail north along the coast toward Santiago, looking for a port that would accept us.

Despite the ship being virus-free, the latest update from the captain this morning, after three days of sailing, is that Zaandam will not be allowed to dock anywhere in Chile and that all ports in South America have been closed to cruise ships. However, needed supplies will be

loaded onto the ship at Santiago while at anchor in the harbour. After resupply we will continue heading north.

The passengers we’ve met have become like family as we’re literally all in the same boat together, making the best of a bad situation. We have freedom to move around visiting, participating in activities and shows that continue to keep us busy and entertained. We have food, a warm safe place to sleep, with clean towels and sheets and laundry service. Every crew member has worked tirelessly to make us comfortable with their topnotch service.

“Round and round we go, where we stop nobody knows.” A port with ample flights for all passengers will be necessary. The captain has no idea where we can disembark or when. There are over 400 Canadians on board who have requested the Canadian government to apply pressure on various countries to allow us access home. How long that will take is unknown and with borders being closed and flights being canceled around the world when we will get home is anyone’s guess. We are currently about 12 sailing days from the United States, which is probably our best hope of refuge.

Tim and Karen Wright Jack and Janice Lavender At sea

All taxpayers should share spray cost I am in favour of helping cover the cost of trying to limit the adverse effect of the gypsy moth with a special payment. I am part of the community and I suspect as with all things, a lack of effort towards this problem now may in fact explode the problem later. Whether the cost is spread evenly over every taxpayer (or address), or spread out proportionately based on the property tax assessments (a higher share to those who have higher taxes), does not matter. But please, let us not spend significant money and manpower on sending out a separate letter or email. I expect that we are mailing (and/or emailing, I am not sure) a notice to all taxpayers soon for the 2020 property taxes.

Please tell me that someone can make an electronic entry and amend those tax bills to include the payment. It seems to make sense to me to save the limited resources we current have if possible.

Bill Tomlinson Fonthill

VIRAL

continued from Page 4 stock market prices for the time being, because no one in their right mind is looking for a date.

(Two years ago, long before the pandemic, the UK government under Theresa May appointed a Minister of Loneliness. Like enough of us had already self-isolated in some vital way and were now desperate to emerge again, but weren’t really sure how to do it.)

Anyway, I went to my local grocery store, wearing those cellophane gloves to ward off infection—either getting it or giving it. There were signs up advising customers that purchases of essentials like bread, milk and eggs were limited to single items. Remarkably the store’s hours would be extended, not reduced. There was even toilet paper.

And chocolates. I bought two boxes and after they were rung through I said to Pam, the cashier, that the chocolates were

It's Sunday. I just came back from the grocery store, picking up a few items for a neighbour who arrived back from Mexico, now in self-quarantine.

Carts were being wiped down upon my arrival, customers nodded hello while keeping a safe distance, and the check -outs were thoroughly sanitized after each customer. Like many of you, I’m still adjusting to our new “normal.”

In the last two weeks, the province has declared a state of emergency, the federal government has closed our border to non-essential travel, the Town of Pelham has closed all recreation facilities and public access to municipal buildings, and the Region has reduced non-mandatory servicing and closed all facilities to the public.

And yet by the time you actually read this, it's entirely possible that there have been numerous other announcements and updates. It’s hard to keep up with pace and frequency of information coming at us. We are facing extraordinary circumstances and unprecedented times, and we’re just getting started.

The first case of COVID-19 occurred in China on November 16. As of this writing, it has spread to over 169 countries, resulted in some 330,000 cases and nearly 14,500 deaths. Canada has seen 1,385 cases and 19 deaths.

Niagara has four confirmed cases. Whether you're watching the news or tuning in on different social media channels, be prepared to be inundated with information. It's utterly exhausting.

The advice of public health experts and the medical community is to take this very seriously.

Self-quarantine if you've recently traveled. Work from home where possible. Exercise social distancing. Don't go out if you don't have to. Wash your hands, thoroughly

for the staff. I’ve known them for seven years now, and we’ve always exchanged pleasantries and stories at the counter. Several of them have read my novels and we’ve spoken about those as well.

I wanted them to know how much I appreciated their continued hard work and cheerful demeanour while feverishly restocking shelves that many customers had feverishly emptied.

It was a small gesture but I thought Pam was going to burst into tears when I handed her the chocolates. I had no idea of the effect it would have. Thank you, she said, and held up the chocolates for the others to see. They waved and smiled their thank you’s.

Pam’s a Leafs fan, and I an ardent Habs supporter. Our rivalry at the checkout counter was always good-natured but now with the hockey season likely over we just talk about the plague and what it means to retail staff like herself. Even that happens quickly because lingering is not a good idea right now.

I’ve noticed that Facebook posts

and repeatedly. We must all do what we can to minimize the spread of the virus, keep our families safe and protect those in our community who are the most vulnerable.

At this time it's also important to acknowledge the people in our community who day after day are continuing with their work and braving through the pandemic. This in-

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members

cludes the doctors and nurses on our front lines of the health care system, who are helping us navigate symptoms and testing. This includes our public health department who keep us informed and are coordinating our response to new and potential cases. Our health care system is being overwhelmed right now and the best thing we can do is stay home to “flatten the curve.”

However, there are also everyday heroes in our community that are making this situation more palatable. This includes the people who work at our local grocery and convenience stores. People who stock shelves, fill prescriptions or make deliveries. It includes the people who pick up our garbage. All of these people put themselves at risk for us to maintain a sense of normalcy. They couldn't be thanked enough for keeping calm and carrying on.

Yet, in light of all of this uncertainty, I am hoping

seem less critical on the one hand now, and more indignantly righteous on the other. People seem to be more sensitive to others’ feelings, not knowing who’s suffering what during this time of crisis.

Rob Ford just complimented Justin Trudeau on his leadership, and federal parties are being almost civil to each other while working together on a way forward. The Metropolitan Opera in New York provides free streaming of one of its previously performed, great shows each evening, although the Met itself has closed, like all centres of entertainment.

Watching the cast of La Traviata assemble onstage to take their bows at the end, hugging and kissing each other before a vast audience on their feet and cheering is a poignant reminder of how normal life was a short time ago.

My neighbour arrived on my doorstep the other evening with a bottle of red wine, and her homebaked chocolate chip cookies and bran muffins. Another neighbour knocked on the door this morning to say that if there’s anything

Pelham can do one of the things we're best at: pulling together and supporting one another.

If I've learned anything about this Town over the last few years, it's that we have a tremendous sense of community. From our annual food drive, to the work of our various service clubs, there's an abundance of those who want to pitch-in, lift up and rally behind the issues and people that need our help the most.

So I would urge you to continue this practice, albeit with a different lens and in a new context. One we couldn't have imagined, nor expected, to be experiencing right now.

Touch-base with your elderly neighbors. If you're out picking up groceries, or need something from the pharmacy, ask if you can pick something up for them. Do the same for friends or family in self-quarantine.

You can drop items off at their door without making physical contact. Pick up take-out from one of our local restaurants. They are under incredible financial strain and need our support. And don't forget to reach out to people via social media, video-chat or through a text message.

Social isolation and loneliness can have a significant impact on overall health.

We need to be mindful of counteracting these impacts where we can.

Coretta Scott King said that, "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Storms don't last forever, and as we navigate these difficult times, we don't have to lose our sense of self and our commitment to community. Whether it's a difficult four days, four weeks or four months, we will get through this with a little help from our friends. Hang in there everyone! Things will get better. ♦

we need (I live with my 94-yearold mother, and neither of us can afford to become infected) he will provide. When I was a kid I used to watch his grandfather play for the Hamilton Ti-Cats and had the pleasure of finally meeting Angelo Mosca at our annual street party a couple of years ago.

Apart from that street party, I rarely see my neighbours. Their kids are often outside playing basketball or street hockey or just cycling to the circle and back, but you generally get an opportunity to wave to their parents when everyone’s out mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway. Self-isolation was kind of always there, now it’s mandatory.

But it’s still apparent that a revived sense of kindness is around us, and even in cyberspace it seems real enough and not just virtual. It’s a good feeling, given the dire forecasts in these times of great anxiety.

Forty years ago I clipped out an article by London Times columnist Bernard Levin entitled, “The Questions Machines Cannot An-

Grocery options during COVID-19 Services for self-isolators or those who prefer not to leave the house FOOD STORES Pupo’s, Welland. Currently overwhelmed by requests and servicing existing accounts only.

Country Corner Market, Welland.

905-892-4227. Call to place order, or use their online form: http://www.countrycorner.ca/home.html Zehrs, Welland. 905-732-9377.

PCExpress.ca is their online service.

No delivery, but customers may place an order online and pick it up at the store.

Walmart, Welland. 905-735-0715.

Order pick-up: 7 AM-9 PM No delivery service. Online orders at https://www. walmart.ca/en/grocery/N-117 Sobeys: no delivery or pickup service.

Food Basics: no delivery or pickup service.

DELIVERY SERVICES R.C. Delivery, Welland.

905347-5600. Customer places order with supermarket, RC picks it up and delivers it to your door. Charge is 10% of the order with a minimum charge of $8. Available 10 AM – 7 PM throughout the week.

FastFalls Auto Club. Text: 647534-7669. Members of the FastFalls Auto Club state on Facebook that they are providing free grocery delivery service to those in need. Email: fastfallsmeets@gmail.com Instacart.ca. Arranges shopping and delivery for products from Zehr’s, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, and M&M Food Market. No delivery fee on orders over $35 (service fees may still apply). Instacart Express delivers groceries in as little as an hour. Shop using computer or cellphone.

FREE MEALS FOR SENIORS See the Fonthill Royal Canadian Legion ad on page 13.

swer.” I kept the piece because it resonated somehow and sounded prescient, even though the “machines” themselves back then were primitive and clunky.

He ended by saying although the microelectronic technological revolution may usher in a paradise upon earth, it will likely do so with the serpent already in residence. The silicon chip will transform everything, except everything that matters, and the rest will still be up to us.

Back then, I didn’t know a silicon chip from a potato chip, but what he meant by “the rest will still be up to us” remains unchanged: knowing ourselves, and understanding our relation to the universe and the meaning of our journey through life.

What he meant by the serpent is anyone’s guess: the loss of privacy? Isolation? A virus we have no defence against?

In the meantime, we still have ourselves to answer for while we are left to our own “devices.”

May we return to normal times sooner than later. ♦

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, March 25, 2020

Page 7

Gun, ammo sales surge Niagara not immune to wider North American buying spree

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

It appears that toilet paper and hand sanitizer are not the only commodities dashing out the door in response to the global health crisis.

Wes Winkel, president of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association, was quoted in the Toronto Star last week saying, “We’re seeing an explosion of ammunition and gun sales,” adding that this is a typical reaction in “these uncertain times.”

The owner/operator of Elwood Epp’s Sporting Goods, a hunting and fishing store north of Orillia, Winkel has locked his doors due to the coronavirus scare, but is still offering online and phone-in orders.

“I’m watching the online orders come in…I haven’t seen numbers like this in years. It’s quite incredible,” he said.

Winkel suggests the surge is due primarily to licensed gun owners who want to have ammunition for hunting and target shooting, but fear the supply from the USA will soon be curtailed due to cross-border trade bans in the wake of the coronavirus. But he also believes there’s some panic-induced purchasing that is a driving force.

“There’s some of that ‘prepper’-type stuff going on,” he said, referring to people with a survivalist mentality who stock provisions in fear of a cataclysmic scenario. Bare aisles in the grocery stores serve to fuel this behavior.

Similarly, and closer to home, NAS Guns & Ammo, on Highway 20, just east of Highway 406, told the Voice that last week’s sales were the best of any week so far

in 2020. Rifle, shotgun, and pistol sales have been brisk, along with ammunition sales. Their stock of shells and cartridges was getting low, but they were expecting shipments soon to top up supply. Most of their products are sourced through a Canadian distributor, but are manufactured in the USA, although others come from Mexico, Turkey, and Italy.

Paulette Simmons, with 30 years of firearm sales experience, alongside her husband, who has operated Al Simmons Gun Shop in Hamilton since 1969, told the Voice that the store had done a month’s worth of sales in one week.

She figures there are a variety of reasons for the surge, including fear of a restricted supply, and angst over the coronavirus (including the government’s response to

INSURANCE

a time sensitive nature be presented to Council. FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Hildebrandt, Stewart, Wink.

AGAINST: Kore.

Article 8 THAT unless otherwise proclaimed by the Province of Ontario, and in accordance with The Act, Council meetings shall achieve a quorum of no fewer than four Members physically present while three Members may attend through electronic means, and meetings shall be live-streamed for the viewing public, whereas the public is prohibited from personal attendance. FOR: Unanimous Article 9 THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be and is hereby appointed as a Deputy Clerk with all of the duties and responsibilities of the Clerk in the Clerk's absence. FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Hildebrandt, Kore.

Article 10 THAT the mayor and Clerk, or designates, be authorized to execute any Agreement previously reported to Council that may have not yet been ratified through By-law. FOR: Junkin, Haun, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Ciolfi, Hildebrandt, Kore. (Junkin casts tie-breaker.)

Article 11 THAT the CAO shall report to Council on any actions taken under the provisions of this by-law. FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Hildebrandt, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Kore.

Article 12 THAT this By-law shall take effect immediately and remain in force only during a period of a declared pandemic, being the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Hildebrandt, Kore.

continued from page 8 porate business, and that any such delegation be limited to one representative, and that the Cannabis Control Committee be provided the provision to allow one person to attend as a delegation and if not available to be present in person, be permitted to present via electronic means. FOR: Unanimous.

Article 7 THAT all Standing committee meetings, such as Committee of the Whole and Policies and Priorities Committee be suspended for the duration of the pandemic or emergency period, or as advised by the Corporation's Community Emergency Management co-ordinator (CEMC) and in consultation with the Senior Leadership Team, and that only matters of

Long guns on display at NAS Guns & Ammo, on Highway 20. the pandemic).

Gun sales in the USA generally go up during an election year, she said, especially if it appears that a Democrat stands a good chance of reaching the White House.

She said that when Donald Trump was elected, he convinced American voters that he is pro-gun and planning no restrictive new firearm policies. Accordingly, citizens felt no need to rush out to buy guns and ammo. Simmons says gun manufacturers referred to the plateaued sales as the “Trump slump.”

However, the coronavirus has changed all that, and there appears to be genuine panic buying of firearms and shooting supplies in some sectors of the US population.

The recent surge in gun sales in Canada has created a government paperwork log jam, said Simmons.

“I was told by the [Canadian Firearms Centre] that there is a four-month wait to get a [Possession and Acquisition License]. For a restricted firearm like a handgun, it’s three weeks for a transfer document, so that you can take it home from the store after your purchase.”

Simmons noted that hunters are loading up now for deer season in the fall, stockpiling high-powered rifle cartridges, and shotgun slugs and buckshot. “It’s the classic worry about supply and demand,” she said.

Some firearm retailers in the USA suggest that the buying frenzy is being fueled by consumers who are worried that people are becoming desperate and unpredictable, and feel the need to ensure they can protect themselves and their families. It appears to be a com-

DON RICKERS

mon concern in big US cities that if the economy tanks, crime will rise.

Canadian Tire in Welland told the Voice that they had sold a higher volume of ammunition than usual recently, but that they still have a good supply on hand. They also stock a selection of rifles and shotguns.

A call to Bass Pro Shop in Niagara on the Lake was redirected three times, with an employee finally suggesting that the Voice contact the company’s head office in Springfield, Missouri. Email and voicemail requests for comment were not acknowledged.

Walmart in Welland no longer stocks firearms and ammunition, although they do sell airguns and pellets, as does Minor Bros., on Highway 20 just east of the Pelham line.

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Page 8

The Voice, March 25, 2020

SAM OOSTERHOFF MPP Niagara West

I

want to assure the community your government is working extremely hard to make sure the lives and well-being of all citizens in Ontario are protected, and we will be working around the clock to get relief to those who need it.

We will be closing our office to outside visitors, declining to participate in events for the interim basis, and will reassess this position, reflecting on the best advice of public health officials. Until then, we will continue offering services via email, phone and fax to communicate with our constituents.

Information is changing daily, even hourly.

You can access the most recent information on COVID-19 and take a self-assessment at:

ontario.ca/coronavirus • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer • Sneeze and cough into your sleeve • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth • Self Isolation 14 days - a history of possible exposure to the novel coronavirus due to travel outside of Canada or close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 • Contact Telehealth Ontario at (866) 797-0000 or your primary care provider if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

• For local inquiries, call the Niagara Region COVID-19 Information Line at (888) 505-6074.

• COVID-19 assessment centres in the Niagara Region are located at 5673 North Street, Niagara Falls, behind the Greater Niagara General Site of Niagara Health and The Walker Family Cancer Centre, at rear of the St. Catharines Site at 1200 Fourth Ave. • Please do not visit an assessment centre unless you have been referred by a health care professional.

CONSTITUENCY OFFICE 4961 King St E I Unit M1, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 905-563-1755 Email: samoosterhoffco@pc.ola.org @samueloosterhoff

@samoosterhoff

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

INSURANCE

continued from Page 3 “Right now I feel very well, but I could well be carrying coronavirus and not know it. Allowing more people into this building is not in the community’s best interest. If the illness enters this building, it’s highly likely to take down six of the seven senior leaders of the corporation. We have plans in place if two or three of us go down, but if you take out the entire team inadvertently, that’s catastrophic for the corporate purpose.”

Mayor Marvin Junkin agreed.

“I would definitely not support opening this building up to any member of the public for at least the next month,” he said.

As it stands now, the Town’s position on the shutdown appears to be in line with the Ontario government’s timetable for the schools—which are currently closed until April 6.

However, their reopening on this date seems increasingly unlikely. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned last Tuesday that COVID-19 restrictions could last “weeks” or “months.”

The federal government as of last week was considering implementing the Emergency Measures Act, the last iteration of which was used during the FLQ crisis in 1970.

That reality was not lost on Haun, who—while questioning whether the performance of Town employees working from home could

be sufficiently measured— asked Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin if plans are in place if local ratepayers are unable to pay their bills due to the subsequent economic downturn. Quinlin didn’t commit to an answer, only saying that because property taxes are only collected four times a year, “money doesn’t flow in on a regular basis.”

Haun asked that extra notifications go out via the Town and media advising seniors that they can continue to pay their bills at banks (if open) and at the secure dropbox at Town Hall if they don’t have an online payment option.

Kore also asked Cribbs if the Town anticipates the laying off of employees.

“None are anticipated at this time,” the CAO said.

“Most of us are operating under the assumption — or the hope —that operations can resume in early April.

The Town has been very careful in its public news released not to specify a date … we don’t know what the future holds, and every one of us could get hit.”

Bylaw for the delegation of authority during a pandemic Article 1 1. THAT the CAO and the Treasurer, or designates, are jointly delegated as the financial signing authority for expenditures outside the current budget, exceeding $25,001 as contained in the Town of Pelham Procurement By-law for pandemic or emergency related expenses that are deemed reasonable under the circumstances as determined by the CAO and Treasurer and that Section 23(2) of the

Purchasing Policy Procurement of Supplies and Services is hereby suspended relating to Council approval.

FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Stewart.

AGAINST: Hildebrandt, Kore.

Article 2 THAT the CAO and Clerk, or designates, are jointly delegated the authority to extend and/or execute any current Agreement of Purchase and Sale pertaining to the disposition of any real or personal property where Council has previously authorized the sale. FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Hildebrandt, Kore.

Article 3 THAT the Mayor or the CAO and the Clerk, or designates, are jointly appointed signing authority for all agreements pursuant to Article 2.

FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Hildebrandt, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Kore.

Article 4 THAT the CAO and the appropriate Department Director, or designates, are jointly delegated authority to proceed on any recommendation having received approval at either Committee of the Whole or the Policy and Priorities Committee but not yet having obtained Council ratification.

FOR: Junkin, Ciolfi, Haun, Stewart, Wink. AGAINST: Hildebrandt, Kore.

Article 5 THAT the CAO and/or the appropriate Department directors, or designates, be authorized to approve workfrom-home provisions for municipal staff and to authorize payroll-related matters as they relate to the specific pandemic or emergency situation.

FOR: Unanimous Article 6 THAT the CAO and the appropriate Department directors, or designates, be authorized to eliminate the appearance of delegations before Council, save and except delegations that are related to a specific mandated corSee INSURANCE page 7

TO ALL OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS We remain open at the farm Monday-Friday 8 AM-6 PM, Saturday 8 AM-5 PM. Closed Sundays We continue to thank you for your response and are humbled by the number of people coming to shop at the farm. We feel blessed to be able to continue to serve you in this way.

We also recognize the need to be safe during this time, as we want to limit as much contact with people as possible.

We ask that only one person per vehicle comes into purchase. Please do not bring your kids into the store. There is nothing for them to see at this time.

Yes, it is a great experience to come to the farm, but we ask at this time that you have patience and wait for a better opportunity once this virus has passed. If you must bring kids and don’t feel you can leave them unattended in the vehicle, please call us or pull up close to the entrance and we can bring whatever you are looking for out to you.

For more updates please follow us on Facebook or Instagram and you can always call the farm 905-892-8724. We have plenty of apples, preserves, and seasonal vegetables( potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, beets and mushrooms) all sourced locally.

—Thank you from all of us at DeVries Fruit Farm

Let a taste of summer warm your spirits!

From our own orchards— Canned peaches, pears, apple sauce, sweet cherries and more!

Store hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM -6 PM, Sat 8 AM -5 PM Che󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹

825 Canboro Road, Fenwick • 905.892.8724

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, March 25, 2020

Page 9

Quarantainment Diversions for when you’re stuck in the house FICTION The Lakeshore Limited

By C. J. Kereta

A

T HALF PAST TEN in the evening, still two hours before the last train of the day was due to depart, there was but a single passenger seated in the waiting area of the Buffalo Amtrak station. This figure, a sandy haired, pyjama-clad woman of late middle-age, hunched over a cellphone, did not look up as a taxi pulled in front of the station’s entrance and a second passenger emerged. Her eyes remained downcast even as this newcomer—a tall young man wearing a jaggedly narrow face and tortoise-shell glasses—elbowed the swinging doors open and entered the wanly lit room.

He stood still for a moment, gazing about, adjusting to the surroundings, and then walked to the plexiglass window where the porters’ station was protected.

The attendants were not at their posts, but a signboard affixed to the wall behind their empty seats informed the man that the train, the Lakeshore Limited, bound for Chicago, was on time. He nodded just slightly to himself and rolled over to a row of plastic seats, pointedly picking one facing away from the television that was playing news of the spread of a virus across America. Pulling a paperback from his coat pocket, he stretched out his legs, crossed them at the ankles, and stared at the pages.

Muffled voices came from the hallway where the washrooms were. An elderly couple, each pushing their own four-wheeled suitcase in front of them, creaked into the waiting area. Drips of water fell on the tops of the cases from their hands, which they held uncertainly in front of them when they came to a halt.

“I can’t believe there were no paper towels,” the woman said.

“Don’t they know that air-dryers are incubators for disease?” Her husband shook his head sadly, concurring with his spouse’s epidemiological expertise. They sat down silently, and looked up at the television.

After a pause, the husband shook his head.

“The same news as before,” he said, annoyed, and stood up again. He walked over to the plexiglass and rapped it with his knuckles. An attendant peered out from behind a doorway inside the office, her long hair tied off to the side.

“Can I get the remote to change the channel?” the man called. “I’ll bring it right back.

The channel keeps playing the same thing over and over.”

The attendant moved forward towards the desk and fished around in a drawer, found the remote, and pushed it through a slot in the glass. The man walked a closer to the television and, without hesitating, poked an arthritic finger into the remote. The channel flipped to a cable news station, the blue-and-red logo blaring in the bottom right of the screen. The host’s face, as ruddy as the logo, ballooned to fill most of the remaining space, his yell-

ing mercifully quiet through the speakers, the closed-captioning a moment behind real time. The man returned the remote and sat back down, contented.

Minutes passed. The sandy-haired woman stared at her phone, the elderly couple at the television, and the reedy man at his paperback. A vending machine hummed in the corner. A digital clock on the wall sent its second hand silently forward in precise ticks. This tableau was interrupted by the station’s doors swinging open again. Two more passengers—a man thick around the middle from decades of ample eating, clad in work clothes, his boots and canvas pants covered in plaster dust; and a woman, petite, younger, wearing faux-fur coat. There was a single suitcase between them, his, a battered Sears model from the mid-’70s, with a brand new garment bag draped over it. The couple approached the plexiglass, and the man gave the bell a single ding.

The same attendant as before looked around the same doorframe as she had for the remote request. She looked sleepy.

“Yes?” she said, rubbing her face.

“I need my ticket changed,” the man announced. “I’ve bought the wrong day. I wanted to leave on Thursday night, so I bought one for that day. But I didn’t see that the train leaves after midnight, so the ticket I bought was for last night. I didn’t see ‘til I looked at it in the car just now.”

The attendant sighed. She had grown so accustomed to this mistake that she had resolved to stop following protocol and just scribble a note for the conductor.

But she dutifully looked at the man’s ticket.

“I have to give you a refund on this one, and then you have to pay for tonight’s ticket,” the attendant said.

“Why can’t you just give me a ticket for today? It’s the same price, ain’t it?” the man replied.

“Well, no, because we’re closer to the train leaving now,” said the attendant.

“Aw, sh—. Shoot,” the man said. “I’ve spent so much by now, I just may well have taken the plane. I bought a bus ticket for today and then they cancelled the buses this week. The damn virus.

And they wouldn’t give me my money back either—said to read the rules and see that there’s no refunds for cancellations. So then I had to buy the train. And now I gotta pay more? I’m a senior, at least give the senior price. You wanna see my ID?” He pulled a driver’s license from his wallet.

“I’m sixty-two years old,” he said. The attendant glanced at the card in his hand.

“Senior age is sixty-five,” she said. “The balance is only five more dollars.”

“Shit,” the man said, not bothering this time with any pretense to politeness. He put the license back in his wallet and took out a five. New ticket in hand, he found a seat, his companion following him but remaining on her

feet. The attendant retreated into the back room.

The plaster-covered man reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a small bottle of hand sanitizer, squeezed a spurt on his hands, and then offered it to the woman with him.

“I rubbed my hands so much they turning white. And I ain’t white!” he said, to no one in particular. The reedy man looked up from his book and smiled. Suddenly aware of having an audience, the plaster man grinned.

“That’s right,” he continued.

“The whole world turned around and black people turning white.

You know something’s wrong then.”

“Well, my hands just turn red,” the reedy man offered. “Red and chapped.”

The plaster man’s companion laughed quietly and turned to him. “You’re all right, Daddy,” she said, and the plaster man smiled again and turned to rummaging around in his suitcase.

His daughter looked up at the television, where the same howling host was now interviewing a doctor with an English accent.

“They’re all so damned stupid,” she said under her breath.

The reedy man said nothing, but made eye contact to show that he had heard her. She went on.

“They knew this was coming.

They knew years ago,” she said.

The reedy man pushed up his glasses and raised an eyebrow.

“Where’d you learn that?” he said.

She pulled out her phone and swiped a few times before holding it up. “Here.” It was a tweet, with a picture of a book. “dean koontz predicts the virus in 1981!!!” read the message. A passage in the book was underlined in the photo.

“They call the stuff ‘Wuhan-400’ because it was developed at their RDNA labs outside the city of Wuhan.”

“And there’s this,” said the woman, swiping again. Another tweet.

“Sylvia knew!!!” read this one, with a photographed page featuring yellow highlighting drawn with imprecise urgency.

“In around [sic] 2020 a severe pneumonia-like illness will spread throughout the globe, attacking the lungs and the bronchial tubes and resisting all known treatments. Almost more baffling than the illness itself will be the fact that it will suddenly vanish as quickly as it arrived, attack again ten years later, and then disappear completely.” The reedy man read it aloud in one breath.

“Spooky,” he agreed, inhaling, cautiously.

“Ah, I can’t find my glasses!”

The plaster man interrupted their conspiracy.

“Oh daddy,” the woman said.

“You must have left them in the car. I’ll be right back.” She left.

The plaster man shook his head and was quiet for a minute.

The doors to the station banged open. A girl with two bags and a guitar case hanging off her walked in, a skateboard wedged

in the crook of an arm. The reedy man watched as she sat down across from him, blocking his view of the plaster man. The girl, who the reedy man guessed was about twenty, was dressed all in denim. Her hair, black at its roots, moved through a spectrum of swamp shades until arriving at neon green at the ends.

As she reached down to arrange her bags, her sleeve rode up and exposed a wrist, where BIRD was tattooed in jagged capital letters. This matched the BIRD emblazoned across the top of her skateboard.

“Are you called Bird?” the reedy man asked her. When she straightened up and looked at him he saw that one of her eyelids was closed.

“That’s my nickname,” Bird said, clearly taken aback at being spoken to so soon. “My name is Adelaide, like the city in Australia. And my parents wanted my middle name to be Rennes, like the city in France. But their friends told them they couldn’t name me after two cities, so they changed Rennes the city to Wren the bird.”

“Are you at UB?” the plaster man jumped in. Bird turned and nodded.

“Well, I was. They’ve cancelled classes now…and I’m not going back,” she said. “You build things?” she asked, nodding at his pants.

“Aw, yeah,” he said. “I build everything. Bathrooms, porches, attics. I was doing tile today.

That’s why I got all this here mud on me.” He pulled out a cell phone. “Come here,” he said.

“I’ll show you my stuff.” Bird switched seats to be closer.

“Don’t cough though,” he said.

The reedy man remained seated, but piped up to ask where they were both going.

“Chicago,” said Bird. “I’m going to play gigs with my friends there. All the big shows are cancelled…so we’re supposed to do little ones in bars. Then I’m going back to stay with my parents in New York. But I don’t even know if I’ll be able to get in the city.”

“Are you from the city?” asked the reedy man.

“Yeah. My parents have a place way up in Manhattan, almost in the Bronx.” Her closed eyelid flickered half-open, then shut again, as if it were lead and the effort needed to keep it open was too much. The reedy man looked at her suspiciously, reconciling her hair and skateboard and her parents’ place in Manhattan.

“I’m going to Detroit,” blurted the plaster man. “My cousin’s funeral. That’s why I got my new suit here.” He gestured at the hanging bag. “And my hat.”

He pulled a black porkpie from a plastic bag.

“And I got new gators.”

He reached into his suitcase and pulled out a single black shoe, imitation alligator, holding it up proudly. Both Bird and the reedy man made appreciative noises.

A blaring news flash from the previously quiet television

turned their heads. Another man had entered the station without their noticing, wearing a Stetson and square-toed cowboy boots.

He stood sullenly by the plexiglass and watched the screen.

The elderly couple had not looked away the whole time, and even the sandy-haired woman put away her phone and was watching attentively.

“The President has announced new measures,” declared the news anchor. “We can only hope that all of America listens to him.” The shot cut to the text of a press briefing, and the anchor began to read.

“All non-essential travel is to be stopped,” he said, the words highlighted in red as he spoke. “All people should stay in their homes unless they are buying supplies or seeking medical care. I am urging all Americans to not go outside without a mask.”

While they watched, the Amtrak attendant came out of the office and leaned halfway out the door. She looked bored, standing there, waiting for the anchor to finish so that she could make her own announcement.

“The Lakeshore Limited is twenty minutes behind at Rochester. We expect it in forty-five minutes,” she said, and immediately closed the door behind her.

Bird had moved to sit next to the reedy man so she had a better view of the television. He could smell something sweet (patchouli?) emanating from her.

She turned toward him, both eyelids now fully open, her eyes bright blue.

“And where are you going,” she asked.

An excellent question, he thought. After he dropped out of grad school in January, his parents were keen to know the same thing. In fact, he had come to the station every evening for the last month, just to sit, to wait for a train he never took. He wasn’t sure why he was doing it. On some level he sensed that he was waiting for something else, and that this was the place to wait for it. No one had ever asked why he didn’t have— “And why don’t you have a suitcase,” Bird asked.

The reedy man decided that it wasn’t patchouli, but a combination of marijuana and skin lotion.

Bird’s arms were astonishingly smooth, even for a twenty-yearold.

The plaster man’s daughter returned with his lost glasses, asking if she’d missed anything.

“Train’s late,” he replied.

“I’m Alex,” the reedy man said, pointing his elbow Bird’s way for a bump.

“Like Alexander the Great?” said Bird.

More like Alexander the unmoored, he thought to himself.

But he knew the time had come to stop waiting. He had enough cash on him to buy the ticket.

“Chicago,” he answered Bird.

“Let’s go to Chicago.”

E

Page 10

The Voice, March 25, 2020

Page 10

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Fonthill Legion answering the call Pelham man in lockdown Delivered meals available for qualified seniors during pandemic

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 will do their best to help seniors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fonthill chapter announced over the weekend they will attempt to provide heat-and-serve dinner deliveries for seniors in the Pelham area. Legion member Jim Garner stressed, however, that there is only so much they can do.

“We’re really in uncharted waters,” Garner said. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my lifetime and I classify myself as a senior as I’m beyond age 65. We’re just going to do our best effort.”

The idea is straightforward. Senior citizens in the Pelham area who are unable to go grocery shopping —or are perhaps fearful of doing so—can call or email the Legion during the day and leave a message. Subject to availability, a dinner will be

delivered to their homes that evening. Meals will be limited per household.

Legion president Toni Lawrence came up with the idea after unprecedented restrictions on gatherings were put in place by the federal, provincial and regional governments last week.

“I told Toni that this is a great idea, this is a great initiative, but we have to be careful of not over-promising and under-delivering,” Garner said. “Toni is such a key and critical person here, she’s the one that makes this all happen. She is just a truly wonderful person.”

As it stands now, Lawrence has a small team of volunteers cooking at the Legion during the day. However, that could change at any time if local governments enact “shelter in place” regulations that would effectively lock down the municipality.

“It’ll be contingent upon a couple of things,” Gar-

ner said. “One, the ability for the Legion’s kitchen to continue to operate … the second is as long as we can have our supplier continue to give us a sufficient amount of the takeout containers, and third, as long as we can get supplies into the Legion without breaking our bank either. The food costs are something we’re picking up.”

As a result, donations are more than welcome in this time of need. Any qualified senior who needs a meal delivered, or anyone willing to donate food or funds, is asked to call the Legion at 905-892-6293, or Peggy Palmer at 905-735-0229.

Messages can be left. Lawrence and Palmer can also be emailed at toni_6131@ hotmail.com and dpalmer3888@gmail.com, respectively.

“Everybody is pretty overwhelmed by this,” Garner said. “And if we can do a small part as a service club, we will.”

Support your local service clubs Town of Pelham Response to COVID-19 Town of Pelham Response to COVID-19

The Town of Pelham’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is guided by the The Town ofof Pelham’s response to (Coronavirus) guidedand by the expert advice the Government of COVID-19 Canada, Government ofisOntario the expert advice of the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and the Region of Niagara Public Health.

Region of Niagara Public Health.

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 to both the public and Town Staff, InTown orderof toPelham minimize the spread to both the public and Town Staff, the has closed allofofCOVID-19 its facilities, including municipal libraries to the Town of Pelham has closed all of its facilities, including municipal libraries to the walk-in public until further notice. the walk-in public until further notice.

During these closures, Town Staff continue to be available to assist the public, During -these closures, Town Staffp.m. continue to beatavailable to assist public, Monday Friday, 8:30 p.m.

- 4:30 by phone 905-892-2607 orthe by email.

Monday - Friday, 8:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. by phone at 905-892-2607 or by email.

Due to the Niagara Region Transit schedule changes, commencing Monday, Due to the Niagara Region Transit schedule changes, commencing Monday, March 23rd,rdPelham Transit will be operating on its Saturday schedule, Monday – March 23 , Pelham Transit will be operating on its Saturday schedule, Monday – Saturday, until further notice.

Saturday, until further notice.

To conduct business at Town Hall, the Town encourages people to make contact To conduct business at Town Hall, the Town encourages people to make contact by telephone or electronically. For matters where it is impractical to do so, preby telephone or electronically. For matters where it is impractical to do so, prearranged appointments can be made. No meeting shall exceed 10 people. For a arranged appointments can be made. No meeting shall exceed 10 people. For a complete list of employee contact information, please visit the Town of Pelham complete list of employee contact information, please visit the Town of Pelham website at www.pelham.ca. website at www.pelham.ca.

Dealing with COVID-19 in Amman, Jordan

BY JOHN SWART

Special to the VOICE

By now, just about everyone has their own COVID-19 story. What few of us have experienced, however, is a state-ordered lockdown, certain arrest, threatened jail for non-compliance, and inaccessibility to essential services.

Our son, Vaughan Swart, and his wife, Alli Ruttger, are living and working as teachers in Amman, Jordan. The country’s immediate neighbours are Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Israel. Iran is within two hours by plane. At 7 AM Sunday morning, air raid sirens across the country declared the beginning of a three day, militarily-enforced, lockdown of everything.

The airport is closed, as are drug stores, grocery stores, markets, and every school.

The only means of getting to hospital is via emergency vehicle.

Jordanians are not allowed on the streets for any reason.

Walking their two dogs, or merely taking them outside their apartment, could land Vaughan and Alli in prison.

During a Skype conversation this morning, Vaughan shared that within hours of lockdown being declared, a co-worker was stopped while driving, removed from his car, and thrown into a police van for transport to jail. He did not know if it had been wilful disregard for the law or lack of understanding, but the result was the same.

Official communications are in Arabic, which many foreign workers, and much of the country, cannot speak or understand.

Jordan has a population of approximately 9,500,000, of which some 4,200,000 are Palestinian and Syrian refugees, and 350,000 are migrant workers. Vaughan and Alli get their local

Vaughan Swart, and his wife, Alli Ruttger, in Amman. news, and notifications of policy and appropriate actions that they must take, from the Canadian Consulate via email only once every 48 hours. Their most

The government has to threaten punishment, which is the way it is

current news source is the internet, or what they learn from Arabic-speaking friends.

At the time of our call, Jordan was reporting only one case of COVID-19, and no deaths. Vaughan speculated that Jordan had no choice but to act quickly.

“The number is probably false. The lockdown’s precautionary. Jordan does not have the medical infrastructure to cope with this.

And they probably have little in the way of supplies.”

Jordan is a constitutional, hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary form of government, and Islam is the official religion. The king wields ultimate authority over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, and appoints the Prime Minister and cabinet.

SUPPLIED

Decisions can be made quickly, and although Jordan is a modern, liberal state by Mideast standards, dissension is not tolerated in time of national emergency.

“A lot of people here are in favour of what’s happening,” Alli said. “Jordan has been able to be a peaceful, safe and somewhat prosperous place to live because of government involvement. Government keeps the state and people together, and there is a certain level of trust and acceptance for these steps and measures because they understand what needs to happen.”

Alli said that society is diverse with a lot of different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

“Half the people here are refugees, so people are not always going to be on the same page. Many are uninformed of what’s going on or what they should do.”

Alli says the government has to make things happen immediately if the population is to stay safe. There’s no requesting, only ordering.

“The government has to threaten punishment, which is the way it is.” She said 400 were arrested in the first day.

Our 24/7 North American media coverage can lead us to forget that there are countries beyond Canada, the United States, and Italy dealing with COVID-19.

Understanding the situation in other nations reminds us how fortunate we are to have choice, —yet also how important it is that we exercise our freedom while bearing in mind the welfare of us all.

Alternative options for payment of taxes and fees include payment through a Alternative options for payment of taxes and fees include payment through a financial institution, financial institution,pre-authorized pre-authorizedpayment paymentand andcheque chequepayment. payment.AAdrop dropbox box outside of Town Hall is also available to deposit cheques and documents. outside of Town Hall is also available to deposit cheques and documents.

We remind residents We remind residentsthat thatallallCouncil Councilmeetings meetingsare arelivestreamed livestreamedthrough throughthe the Town of Pelham YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/townofpelham/live Town of Pelham YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/townofpelham/live Residents are strongly Residents are stronglyencouraged encouragedtotopractice practicesocial socialdistancing, distancing,limit limitall allpublic public gatherings to 10 or fewer people, avoid touching your face and thoroughly gatherings to 10 or fewer people, avoid touching your face and thoroughlywash wash your hands with your hands withsoap soapand andwater. water.Hand Handsanitizer sanitizerisissuitable suitablewhen whensoap soapand andwater water is unavailable. is unavailable.While Whileoutdoor outdoormunicipal municipalparks parksremain remainopen, open,ititisisrecommended recommended toto avoid playground avoid playgroundequipment, equipment,which whichisisa apotentially potentiallyhigh highcontact contactarea. area.

Please visit the Town Please visit the TownofofPelham Pelhamwebsite websitefor forlinks linkstotoadditional additionalRegional, Regional, Provincial and Federal Provincial and Federalinformation. information.

Pelham Town Square | PO Box400 400|Fonthill, |Fonthill,ON ON| |L0S L0S1E0| 1E0|www.pelham.ca www.pelham.ca 2020 Pelham Town Square | PO Box

Fonthill Plaza (905) 892-5443

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, March 25, 2020

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Page 12

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Surviving social distancing (Trying not to go) stir crazy during COVID-19

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

Pelham Art Festival cancelled, NPCA says go take a hike

BY BRIAN GREEN

Special to the VOICE

What better way to wait out the pandemic than to take a walk in natural surroundings, away from crowds? The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is encouraging “passive recreation” in its many park and recreation areas, including family walks, birdwatching, nature photography, and hiking. The NPCA has issued a statement supporting the importance of outdoor activity during a health crisis: “We believe that access to nature and greenspaces is extremely important for community health and wellbeing.”

Pelham’s St. John’s Conservation Area, off Hollow Road, has trails of varying length and difficulty that wind through mature hardwood forest around the large pond that is part of the headwaters of Twelve Mile Creek.

However, the Authority has also announced the closure of all its buildings and facilities, including visitor centres, administration offices, washrooms, and displays.

In addition, all its activities are suspended for the time being with The March Break Adventure Day Camps being the first to get the axe. The Children’s Water Festival, due to be held at the end of April has also been washed away, but at present, the popular St. John’s Opening Day Trout Derby on April 25 is scheduled to go ahead—subject to change as the progress of the disease is monitored.

For those unable or unwilling to venture into the outdoors, the Conservation Authority will be posting educational tools, materials, and activities on its website and social media.

The Authority’s chief role in flood monitoring and mitigation remains unchanged despite the discontinuation of its recreational programs and closure of facilities. Besides the St. John’s Conservation Area, the NPCA maintains more than 40 recreational parks across the Niagara Region, including Ball’s Falls, Rockway, Cave Springs, Woodend, Chippewa Creek, Mud Lake, Binbrook, and Long Beach.

While the news for nature lovers is good, art lovers in Pelham are not so fortunate.

The Pelham Arts Festival has announced that its annual Mothers Day weekend show has been cancelled. The theme this year was “Our Planet, Our Future,” which might have been appropriate in the circumstances. This would have been the 34th consecutive year for the show, which brings together more than 80 artists from across the province in a juried exhibition. Proceeds from the Festival have provided almost half a million dollars in community support for the arts, including a $25,000 grant to support the building of the new Maple Acre Library and $10,000 in annual support for Pelham’s libraries.

An announcement from the Pelham Arts Festival Committee thanked the more than 100 volunteers who make the festival possible and the many local sponsors who support the show, and encouraged those who might have attended this year’s Festival to go to the Festival website to learn more about the artists and the sponsors who will not be able to display their work or advertise their services at the Meridian Centre this May.

Editor's note: With sporting events cancelled, sports writer Bernie Puchalski suddenly has a lot of time on his hands. He tells us how it's going so far.

Social distancing because of COVID-19 lingers on with no end in sight and I am starting to lose my marbles.

(Some might say they were gone long before now, but I digress.)

I have almost finished sorting and cataloguing my record collection and I have breathed in enough album dust to make my allergies explode. I am scratching my head and wondering why I have two Culture Club albums and three copies of the Doobie Brothers’ greatest hits. Surely one would suffice. Who can even guess at the horrors that lie ahead when I sort my CD collection. The last time I catalogued, I found three copies of The Eurythmics’ greatest hits and two copies of The Village People’s greatest hits. What the hell was I thinking?

I have finished trimming the hedge in the front yard and have loaded four bags with yard waste. My collection is small compared to the 50-plus bags gathered by the guy up the street. I had no clue he was clear-cutting the Amazon jungle. While doing yard work, I talked to one of my neighbours for the first time ever. They moved in about seven years ago, but they live right across the street so it’s easy to see why we haven’t become acquainted.

Another neighbour came by and offered to haul away all the tree limbs I chopped off.

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I am wondering if I can hide the broken deep freezer in my basement under said branches and kill two birds with one stone. If it was further into the spring, I would plant some grass and pray fervently that I end up on the right side of survival of the fittest for the first time ever.

I have gotten reacquainted with my wife and discovered she has changed jobs three times since we last discussed her employment situation. I am glad to see how well she is doing and that she will continue to be able to support me in the lifestyle I’ve grown accustomed to. Unfortunately, she is now working from home and my stories about how hard I work at home as a self-employed man have been exposed as a pack of lies. My day consists of wandering around in pajamas until noon, listening to 1980s music far too loudly on the stereo and eating Froot Loops in the living room while screaming at my Twitter feed.

I have had a few good chats with my children and shockingly discovered they are 20 and 17 instead of 17 and 14. I would never have guessed one is in third-year university but time truly does fly. Praise the lord that she decided not to study journalism. The younger one is finishing high school this year and I was stunned to learn that she no longer wants to be a musician/pet store owner. I will have to ask her for more details the next time she wanders up from her basement bedroom to eat or shower. That is normally the only time I see her but she’s usually pleasant enough, unless she’s hungry. Then all bets are off.

I have compiled a list of all the repairs that need doing around the house and decided we should move and try to unload this dump on someone else. I have heard Niagara’s real estate market has gone crazy which is the proper adjective for anyone contemplating buying this bungalow. Thank goodness it has a wonderful lot enhanced by my decision to let things look “natural.”

My wife and I have finished one of our favourite

series on Amazon Prime and the last season of another favourite is rapidly approaching. I am open to any and all suggestions for more binge watching, except for shows involving fantasy, super heroes, horror, romance, snakes, bats, bear attacks, princesses, history, religion, plane crashes, car crashes, boat crashes, train crashes, scooter crashes, cannibalism, global pandemics, vampires, fashion, cooking, wine country, or Meryl Streep.

I have spent far too much time on Facebook and have come to realize some of the people I am friends with are conspiracy theorists with an even more tenuous grip on reality than yours truly.

They are blaming the Russians, the Chinese, global warming, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, and Meryl Streep. (That last one might be me.)

There is far too much false information being spread on Facebook about the virus but at least it has cut down on the annoying number of cute cat videos.

It has also brought to an end the endless number of animal fight videos on my Facebook feed: Alligator versus gazelle; python versus lion; hyenas versus wildebeest; crocodile versus bald eagle; anaconda versus zebra; raccoon versus rabid squirrel, toiler paper shopper versus Lysol wipe shopper, etc. Someone please tell me why these landed on my Facebook feed?

I went online to check on my RRSPs and have calculated that I have minus $250,000 worth, and I will have to work until I’m dead in order to feed myself. Thank goodness I will be able to move in with my grown children. I see them waging endless battles to determine who gets me the longest, knowing that the pot of gold — inheriting my CD and record collection — awaits the victor.

I am not sure what today brings but I am contemplating a long hike. It will give me a chance to reflect on all the progress I’ve made on my lengthy to-do list.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, March 25, 2020

IN THE NEWS: COVID-19 BRIEFS Regional facilities closed

Beginning Monday, March 23, all Niagara Region facilities, including Regional headquarters, public health centres, public works facilities and others, were closed to general public access, according to a Region statement issued Saturday afternoon.

Access to Regional facilities will be limited to “necessary interactions, including deliveries, and Regional Council and committee meetings,” said the statement.

“This proactive measure is being taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that Regional staff can continue to safely deliver essential services to Niagara residents. During this time, staff will also take measures to practice social distancing and avoid unnecessary in-person gatherings,” said the statement.

“Niagara Region continues to work closely with all levels of government and our public health partners to monitor the evolving COVID-19 developments and take action to protect the health and well-being of our citizens and staff.”

Waste collection changes

Niagara Region is making some temporary changes to waste collection as a result of COVID-19 to assist in stopping the spread of infection, according to a Region statement released on Saturday.

Effective March 25, Waste Management will be suspending curbside collection of large household item/bulk goods for single family homes and apartments with six units or less until April 17, and redirect collection staff to prioritize regular curbside collection of waste, recycling and organics.

All large items that are cur-

rently booked for collection between March 25 and April 17 will be cancelled, and those residents will be contacted about the cancellation.

During this temporary service change, the Region encourages residents to hold on to their large household items until the service has resumed. For residents who need to dispose of their large item, they can be brought to a Niagara Region landfill site for disposal, free of charge. Please be prepared to provide your address to confirm your property is eligible for this service. Large items brought to Walker Environmental will still require a disposal fee. Large items can be rebooked for collection after April 17.

“Further changes to curbside collection may be necessary as the situation evolves,” the statement said.

Waste collection continues in Niagara Region, and waste collection crews are at work picking up curbside containers (Blue/Grey Boxes, Green Bins and garbage containers).

To help keep waste collectors safe, the Region requests that residents follow these waste disposal guidelines: · Used tissues, and other organic material, must be placed in paper bags or certified compostable bags and tied before being placed in the Green Bin, so they don’t fall out · All garbage must be placed in garbage bags and should not be loose in garbage containers Residents are reminded that their materials must be placed at the curb no later than 7 AM on their regular collection day and no earlier than 5 PM the night before their collection day.

As residents limit trips to the grocery store and utilize mail delivery kits, please be advised T:5" that the insulation inside the

cardboard box will need to be removed prior to placing it in the Grey Box for recycling.

At this time, the preferred methods of payment are debit and credit using the tap option to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Residents may also experience longer delays at the site due to restrictions on the number of people allowed on the drop-off pad and the temporary suspension of curbside large item collection. “If your visit to a drop-off depot can wait,” said the statement, “we recommend postponing until a later date.”

Niagara Region’s landfill sites are also placing restrictions on certain services. The following sites have made changes: ·Walker Environmental, 2800 Townline Rd., Thorold: Until further notice, residents are no longer able to drop off items at the Walker Residential Drop-off Depot for recycling. All items (except for scrap metal) will be placed in open containers to reduce risks associated with repeat contact with handling recycling containers for residents and staff.

Alternatively, these items are still being accepted in large open recycling containers for drop-off at Humberstone Landfill (Welland) and Bridge St. Drop-off Depot (Fort Erie) for recycling. ·Niagara Road 12, 7015 Concession Rd. 7, West Lincoln: As of March 18, the Grimsby Benevolent Fund Reusable Goods Depot at Niagara Road 12 will be closed. Do not bring reusable goods to the depot for donation; look for other donation bins in your community or bring the material to the Goodwill Reusable Goods Depot at Humberstone Landfill. Otherwise, this material will be landfilled.

Residents are urged to call

Page 13

ahead or visit the website before making the trip to drop off materials. Updates will be provided on the service closures and disruptions page.

Recycling / organic container replacement Residents looking to purchase replacement Green Bin, Blue or Grey Boxes should be aware that due to a number of municipalities and businesses closing facilities, they should call ahead or check their municipal or retail outlet’s website to see if they are open to distribute containers.

Residents are able to use their own rigid plastic container for recycling, but it should not exceed 91 cm (36″) tall, 61 cm (24″) in diameter and 22.7 kg (50 lbs) when full. As stated above, garbage should not be placed loose in garbage cans until further notice.

For the latest information on waste management services, go to www.niagararegion.ca/ waste

Second COVID-19 assessment centre activated

Niagara Health’s second dedicated COVID-19 Assessment Centre is now open in St. Catharines, joining a site opened earlier in Niagara Falls.

Both centres are available by referral only.

Those who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 may contact Public Health at 905-688-8248 ext. 7019, or toll free at 1-888-505-6074, for an initial screening. Based on this assessment, patients may be referred to the Assessment Centre.

Staff at the centre will contact referred patients directly to arrange an appointment.

According to a statement released Friday by the Niagara

Health System, Derek McNally, Executive Vice-President for Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive for Niagara Health, says getting the referral from Public Health is key.

“Anyone needing emergency care should call 911 or come to an Emergency Department.

Otherwise, we recommend patients begin by consulting the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 self-assessment tool and then contacting Public Health for an initial screening,” said McNally.

The Assessment Centre is located behind the Walker Family Cancer Centre, at rear of the St. Catharines Hospital, at 1200 Fourth Ave. The centre has a separate entrance to limit the potential exposure of COVID-19 to patients in the Emergency Department. There will be signage directing patients to the centre and parking.

“Niagara Health would like to remind referred patients that the no-visitor policy also applies to the Assessment Centres, subject to limited exceptions,” read the statement. “We appreciate the public’s support of this policy as we work to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Wainfleet update

The Township of Wainfleet’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to be partially activated in response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Niagara Region.

All Township buildings continue to be closed to the public, though Township staff are still operating using telephone, digital capabilities and online presence as much as possible, according to a Township statement released Friday.

Essential services still being provided by pre-screened appointment only. Closures are

currently planned to remain in effect until April 5.

In response to the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wainfleet’s Emergency Control Group (ECG) is taking additional steps to minimize exposure for staff and ensure business continuity in the Township by introducing additional measures, including: Increased decontamination and sanitization measures to be followed by staff working in Township facilities; administrative staff using alternative work arrangements on a rotating weekly basis to minimize the possibility of cross-infection; restrictions on the movement of staff between buildings and entering buildings when not on shift; staggered start times and single-operator crews in Operations vehicles and equipment to maximize physical distancing between employees; email as the preferred method of communication until normal working conditions resume. Electronic payment methods and digital file submissions are also to be used.

The Township encourages residents to check in on each other by phone and other indirect means and to seek information from official sources, such as Niagara Region Public Health.

Welland closes all outdoor rec facilities, including parks

Effectively last weekend, all outdoor recreational facilities in the City of Welland—sports fields, pickleball courts, parks, and playgrounds—were closed until further notice.

Indoor recreational facilities, including the City’s two arenas, See BRIEFS next page

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION TALBOT TRAIL

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What you need to know to help you and your family stay healthy.

Branch 613 Fonthill, Ontario

HEAT & SERVE Dinners for Seniors

• Only visit an assessment centre if you have been referred by a health care professional.

• Avoid non-essential travel.

• Monitor for symptoms after travel.

• Be prepared, but avoid panic stocking.

T:7"

• Avoid large gatherings.

• Caring for those who are ill? Take precautions.

• Clean high-touch surfaces regularly.

• Order your prescription medication.

• Practice cough and sneeze etiquette in transit.

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus. Or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or your public health unit.

Fonthill Legion, Branch 613 will be providing FREE heat and serve dinners (subject to availability) to Seniors who are unable to get out or cook for themselves.

Please Contact Toni Lawrence, President 905-892-6293 Email: toni_6131@hotmail.com or Contact Peggy Palmer 905-735-0229 Email: dpalmer3888@gmail.com MEALS WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOU IN THE PELHAM AREA.

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

Food donations gratefully accepted!

Page 14

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Grocery stocks stable, but hoarding continues

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

Health Canada has proclaimed that stockpiling essentials in bulk is not necessary or appropriate at present. But that has not prevented huge lineups at big-box stores like Costco, encouraged by customers posting online photos of empty shelves. And mainstream grocery stores have witnessed swarms of anxious shoppers as well.

"We're seeing demand in our stores of historic proportions, never seen before," Michael Medline, CEO of Empire Company Limited (which owns Sobeys) told CTV News last week. He said that the company is working with suppliers to replenish any temporarily out-of-stock products and keep shelves full. To bolster efficiency, suppliers are often transporting food products directly

BRIEFS

continued from previous page the Welland Community Wellness Complex, and Youngs Sportsplex, were closed earlier last week.

In statement released Friday, the City said that the decisions were made “in order to keep the public and City staff safe and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus by following the advice of public health officials to increase social distancing.”

Pelham Art Festival cancelled

What would have been the 34th annual Pelham Art Festival, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend, has been cancelled by organizers.

In a statement posted Thursday on the event’s website, committee member Heidi TeBrake notes that their venue, the Meridian Community Cen-

to stores rather through Empire's distribution centres.

Sobeys has pledged not to hike prices to take advantage of the demand, and is introducing a special shopping hour early in the morning for seniors and at-risk populations who wish to shop in person without battling large crowds.

Fonthill Sobeys appears to have plenty of fresh produce, meat, dairy, and canned goods, although some bare shelves were apparent late last week. Signage requests that customers buy no more than two of any item. An employee commented that the problem was not lack of stock, but a dearth of truck drivers to deliver it. (Ontario Premier Doug Ford has recently allowed tractor-trailers to deliver 24/7 to groceries in an effort to fulfill demand.)

A staffer at Sobeys in Fonthill told the Voice that a skid of toilet

tre, is closed indefinitely, and that calls for social distancing now appear likely to last for months, rather than weeks.

“In these unpredictable times,” said TeBrake, “we must all appreciate the simple moments and cherish the deepest values: family, friends, love and health. We need to support each other the best way we can to stay safe.”

Town Hall bars public

In line with the decision to close the community centre, as well as all other municipal facilities to public walk-in access, the Town of Pelham will bar public attendance at council and committee meetings until further notice.

Citing guidance from the US Centre for Disease Control, CAO David Cribbs and staff have limited the number of those present at any official Town function to 10 individuals.

“The Town of Pelham is com-

paper was put on the floor Friday morning, and was gone by noon.

Franchisee Ron Kore, also a Pelham town councillor, suggested that there might be a problem sourcing chicken over the next couple of months. Apparently chicken producers were caught flat-footed by the pandemic, and need time to deliver more stock. (It takes 40-48 days to grow the birds to market weight.)

Down the road at Food Basics, it’s pretty much the same story. Some depletion in certain products, but generally plenty of food on display.

Giant Tiger in Fonthill was busy last Friday morning, and their shelves were full. Eggs, cheese, milk, juice, meat, canned tuna, and most other products were available, with limits on some items.

People are clearly stocking up items that are going to make being at home for a long period of time

mitted to being accountable to the public,” the statement said, listing the following options to view council and committee meetings held in Town Hall, where a new video system is in use. Residents can watch the council and committee meetings live on the Town’s YouTube channel.

Police limit public access

Effective last Thursday, March 19, the Niagara Regional Police Service closed 5 District (Fort Erie), 6 District (Port Colborne) and 8 District (Grimsby) to the public as the service “continues to safeguard the health and safety of our members,” according to an NRPS statement released Wednesday evening.

1 District (St. Catharines), 2 District (Niagara Falls) and 3 District (Welland) front desks remain open for emergencies only, said the statement.

Collision reporting centers (which are contracted inde-

Empty paper products shelves in Sobeys. as tolerable as possible. Alcohol fits into that category…as does cannabis.

The local LCBO expects business as usual, with product being sold and replenished, although hours of operation have been reduced to 11 AM – 6 PM daily. Activity has been brisk, with some obvious gaps in shelved inventory.

Cannabis giant Canopy Growth

pendently) in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Welland remain open for collision reporting.

Effective Wednesday, the NRPS directed the public to apply online to request Record Checks, Fingerprint Destruction, Record Suspensions, Occurrence reports, and Freedom of Information requests, until further notice. The NRPS says that urgent requests may be considered by the Records Supervisor at 905-688-4111 x 4276.

Fourth COVID-19 case in Niagara confirmed

Niagara Region Public Health is investigating a fourth confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a 58-year-old male with a history of travel.

According to a statement issued by Niagara Region on Wednesday evening, this individual is the previously mentioned family member of Niagara’s first case. The positive test

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has shuttered its stores in the wake of the pandemic, and has focused on supplying the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), a government-run online portal that has a monopoly on online pot sales in the province.

In an interview with the Canadian Press last week, Daffyd Roderick, the OCS communications director, cited an over 80 percent spike in recent sales.

result supports Public Health’s working hypothesis that this 58-year-old person was the source of infection to the first case. This latest case was identified as the likely source of infection through “intense case investigation and contact tracing which is at the core of Public Health’s current response to COVID-19,” said the statement.

The new case has fully recovered, but remains in isolation at home while awaiting confirmation that he is no longer infectious according to stringent provincial protocols.

This person experienced a very mild illness with only one day of symptoms, and therefore did not suspect COVID-19 infection. Public Health identified him as a possible case only through its earlier investigation of his family member. A public health investigation is now ongoing around identifying any additional infections linked to exposures to this person.

Niagara Health postpones elective procedures

DON RICKERS

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Niagara Health System postponed elective surgeries and non-urgent ambulatory procedures as part of its COVID-19 response.

“The Ontario Government has asked that all hospitals ramp down elective surgeries and other non- emergent clinical activity to protect patient safety and increase capacity for healthcare workers to respond to COVID-19,” read an NHS statement released Monday morning.

“These are very difficult decisions, as we understand the impact a postponed procedure will have on everyone from patients to members of our care team,” said Derek McNally, Niagara Health’s Executive Vice President, Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Executive.

“However, we need to be cognizant of the fact that this is not business as usual, and we are doing all that we can to support a robust and effective response to COVID-19.”

The NHS will contact patients directly to let them know of the status of their procedures.

“These notifications will begin today. A member of the care team will follow up with patients as soon as we are able to reschedule their procedure,” read the statement.

“We anticipate these changes will continue for a number of weeks, and we will provide updates as they become available.”

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PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP Make six cards with fall themes, learning a variety of techniques. Materials are provided. At time of registration, please enquire about tools needed.

Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY Tasty treats with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, french fries and much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m.

PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE Buy, sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from 9-12 in the morning.

Sunshine List features 11 in Pelham, nearly 1,300 in Niagara

PELHAM MUDFEST

BY JOHN CHICK Nancy Bozzato, Town the Sunshine List. D’Angelo Men and will beClerk, back in the mud as the second runhad on the year is Special to thewomen VOICE $125,098 reportedly a terminaheld at Bissil’s Hideaway.Jason Marr, Director of tion clause worth around

It’s that time of year Public Works, $124,999 $1 million, but he sued the again, when the OntarVickie vanRavenswaay, Region last year, claiming io government its Director of Recreation, wrongful dismissal.

NIAGARAreleases REGIONAL EXHIBITION annual Public Sector Salary Culture, and Wellness, Regional Council Chair Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It Disclosure, better known $121,379 Jim Bradley was paid as the “Sunshine List.”11-14 at Mike runs from Sept. the Welland Fairgrounds.

Zimmer, Chief $132,476 in 2019. In toThe year 2019 saw 11 Building Official, $114,462 tal, 922 employees of the current or former Town Darren Ottaway, former Regional Municipality of of Pelham employees paid RIDE BIG MOVE CANCER CAO (terminated Jan. 28, Niagara’s various departmore than $100,000, in- 2019),$107,661 ments, including theSept. poThe Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on cluding former CAO Darren Mike Guglielmi, IT Man- lice, were paid more than 7. Proceeds theinBigager, Move stay in Niagara and support FamOttaway—who wasfor fired $104,489 $100,000 the lastWalker year. On top the first month of the year.

Ryan Cook, Manager, of that, 355 employees of ily Cancer Centre.

Not included in the list is Public Works, $104,314 Niagara Health cracked the current CAO David Cribbs, Charlotte Tunikaitis, $100K mark. who WALKING took the job in July.

Deputy Treasurer, $100,779 The peninsula’s elected CLUB In total, the 11 salaries officials to provincial ofInterested walking Join themlevel, Tuesdays at thedidPelham added up to just in under $1.3 in Pelham?

At the Regional fice also well inArena 2019. million.

Niagara’s acting CAO Ron Niagara West MPPThere Sam from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am.

Tripp was paid $218,867 in Oosterhoff, the youngest The heavy hitters is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ Teresa Quinlin, Treasur- 2019, although he also con- of the group, at age 22, led tinued his ext duties as Pub- the way with a public salaer (also acting CAO pelham.ca or for callpart 905 892-2607, 329. lic Works Commissioner. A ry of $133,217. Niagara Falls of 2019), $145,868 search for a permanent CAO MPP Wayne Gates made Bob Lymburner, Fire HAMPER CARES is ongoing.

Former CAO $125,874, while his fellow Chief, $140,856 DAY FOR PELHAM Carmen D’Angelo, who re- NDP members Jennie SteBarb Wiens, Director of Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market or bring a non-perishable vens and Jeff Burch were Community Planning and signed under pressure last food item$138,609 to fill the hampers atdoes the Pelham Farmers Market oneach.

Sept. 4.

January, not appear on paid $116,550 Development,

CAR COLLECTOR SEARCHING ... I w a n t y o u r o l d c a rwww.thevoiceofpe ! Porsche 356/911/912, Jaguar E-Type or XKE. Tell me what you have, I love old classics especially German and British. Whether it's been in the barn for 25 years, or your pride and joy that is fully restored. I'll pay CASH. Call David 416-802-9999.

Josh DeHaan Flooring “For all your flooring needs”

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Community Events Listings Putting on an event?

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(AD CENTRAL)

Week of office@thevoiceofpelham.ca March 23

905-892-8690 Posted March 19 Central Region Ads included

BUSINESSES.

Yard & Shed MOVING SALE, Large collection FONTHILL of Christmas and holiday E. L. Crossley decorations and household Churchill Natural Meats items, SAT. AUG. 30, 8AM- Shoppers Drug Mart 1PM 625 METLER RD, Fonthill Library Town ofMILL Pelham CUSTOM NORTH PELHAM P18-23 Cafe on Main

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OLD PAPERS

AD US! Do WITH you have old issues of the Voice published from 1997 to email: office@thevoiceofpelham.

2007? How about the Pelham Herald (any year).

We'd love to add them to our archive. whyContact: not NEW ADVERTISING OPPORTU publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca

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Community Event Classified ads are available blocks of Classifi 30 OCNAinNetwork ed Ads words for $10 incl. HST. Thanks for supporting your Voice!

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Page 16

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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continued from Page 18

E OF PELHAM full Italian

Advertiser

The Voice of Pelham ad size

Campagnola Service Directory ad Fonthill Rlectric Ltd ctor components and handw:2.5” x h: 1.75” Contact Name built wheels. She (her genColor Info Wilton der was never Taryn in dispute) black only was resting against a serContact Phone voiceofpelham.ca vice department wall, and Due Date 905.401.5748 rector I couldn’t have been smitFriday, March 18 at noon Contact email ten more defenseless had Rundate(s) info@fonthillelectric.ca she been in six-inch heels Mar. 23, Apr. 6, 20, May 4, 18, and a leather miniskirt. I hevoiceofpelham.ca June 1, 15 and 29. bought her in a bout of euphoria and paid too much.Date: Cost : My first full-suspension Left, beautiful to look at,$42 per insertion plusRight, HST. Steve Bauer Cyclone, pre-fenders. terrifying to ride.

MTB, a Schwinn S-9-Six, Terms: Due on publication was in the photo too, and still swings from hooks in wheeled Corvettes still gahyde- covered seats that our garage. The rear sus- but I loved the places that pedal these Schwinns rode like cast iron set your pension has more support bike took me.

My ‘58 Schwinn Cor- around car shows and butt to tingling within struts than the Lions Gate vette was red of course, cruises nights with Pabst seconds, and the handleBridge, and weighs the cruised beautiful- tallboys in hand, but my bars were higher than Peesame. Designed to max- and ly on its white-walls and beauty never played secwee Herman’s. The brake imize rear wheel bounce, sprung two-tone ond fiddle to a Chevy. cables stretched like tenthe S-9-Six suspension fully seat.

Time-warped guys The Huffy tandem was pound fishing line, and made Gravol and Gatorade with ducktails and fourthe best. Metalflake, nau- there was so much frame my sports drink of choice,

JOHN SWART

flex the front-seat pilot would be halfway around a corner before the rear-seat stoker knew she’d turned.

There was the ‘38 Cleveland with girder forks and handlebars in that upside down and backwards position that made it so easy

for you to ride your girl to school on them.

(It was a gentler time, and that’s the way we said it back then).

Don’t snigger, arrogant Peloton rider. I suspect the grinning young cholos I saw pedaling in rural Chile years ago with laughing senoritas on their handlebars were having more fun than you and your power meter did on your last stationary training ride.

Every vintage bike had a story, and it’s those stories that are so addictive.

I’ll duct-tape my wallet closed for safety, and settle in with my Buyers Guide and Baileys.

It’s unlikely the new offerings will top my memories, yet I doubt I’m alone in reminiscing about the good old days while in self-isolation. ♦

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, March 25, 2020

Page 17

This information was published on March 4, 2020. Rolling updates on COVID-19 can be found at the World Health Organization website at who.int. Updates can also be found at www.cdc.gov/COVID19.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more severe diseases.

COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 is a strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans, making it a novel coronavirus. The disease caused by this virus is known as COVID-19.

Source: World Health Organization

Source: World Health Organization

COVID-19 Signs & Symptoms

Fever • Cough • Shortness of Breath Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Senior citizens and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes are at increased risk for severe symptoms, which can lead to viral pneumonia and even death.

Wuhan

Considered the epicenter of the outbreak, the first reported cases of COVID-19 emerged from this city located in China’s Hubei province on December 31, 2019.

Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

80%

3.4%

of COVID-19 cases are mild, causing cold- or flu-like symptoms

The estimated global mortality rate for COVID-19, although researchers state this number may shift Source: World Health Organization

Source: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported by the American Medical Association JAMA Network.

Protect Yourself & Others

Face Mask FAQ

Should I be wearing a face mask?

NO

√ Anyone who is well

1

2

3

4

1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and always before eating; after using the bathroom; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

3. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue in the trash.

4. Stay at home when sick until your symptoms are gone.

YES

√ Anyone with COVID-19 or symptoms √ Health workers √ Caretakers of someone infected with COVID-19 Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)

Testing Guidelines

If you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor or local health department to help determine if you should be tested for COVID-19.

People experiencing severe breathing problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Page 18

The Voice, March 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FROM THE HANDLEBARS

by John Swart

Bicycle dreaming in self-isolation

M

an, I sure needed the Canadian Cyclist Magazine 2020 Buyers Guide that just arrived in the mail.

Don’t really want any more cycling gear, and certainly don’t need a bike magazine nutritionist telling me how to choose which fish will give me the most improved brain function and prevent hearing loss.

But, with COVID-19 slashing personal entertainment options daily, bicycle dreaming is hard to resist. Is that a minuscule droplet of drool dripping lasciviously from the corner of my mouth as I open

the glossy magazine?

I don the 12-season-old Liberty Bicycles N+1 T-shirt I reserve for this time each year, pour a Baileys on ice, and warm a towel to wipe the perspiration from my brow. Rationality floats away, and I hear myself repeating the visceral chant buried deep within: no matter how many bikes you have, you always need one more.

I’ll try to explain, to illustrate the depth of this affliction, so to speak.

Exhibit one is a family photo from a dozen years ago. Understand that bikes are part of the family. My daughter’s on her vintage Steve Bauer, fendered-up

for Toronto commuting, and my son looks poised to catch air on his Giant full-suspension mountain bike. My Dutch wife of 40-plus-years (went with the heritage —the Dutch get cycling) is balancing her Trek Fuel EX7 mountain bike, Cannondale R500 road bike and T800 touring bike as best she can. The other 21 bikes in the photo are mine.

I prefer the term “drug of choice” rather than addiction, and I could justify every bike back then.

The three Steve Bauers ?

I live in Fonthill and ride his hallowed training circuits every day. It would be sacrilege not to have one … or two …. or three of SB’s bikes. Besides, the Cyclone was virtually unused when I acquired it.

The dealer said a woman bought it for triathlons,

There were lots more in the other end of the basement. then drowned during her first swim leg.

A very sad story, but the bike was cheap.

Same dealer had a brand new, pimp-approved, ‘80s Norco low-rider, covered in dust, hanging from the

rafters of his shop. Seventy-two spokes per wheel, springer front end, every single part of it chromed except the tires and banana seat. He told me a guy gave him a deposit to order it 21 years ago, and

JOHN SWART

hadn’t come back to pick it up. It took a while, but I convinced that dealer it was likely safe to sell it by now.

There was a Rossi with See DREAMING Page 16

Voice

HOROSCOPE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, having friends in high places can open doors to some unique places. But you can only keep those doors open through hard work.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Widen your social network to have the best opportunities for success this week, Taurus. New people can provide useful information and approaches you never imagined.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, surround yourself with people who can help advance your career. The changing landscape of your job means you need to be open to all possibilities.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 There is no need to keep a calm facade if you are experiencing some anxiety, Cancer. Be honest with those closest to you and you’ll benefit from their feedback.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 The strong force of your sensitivity may surprise you over the course of the next few days, Leo. Just try not to let emotions cloud your judgment on the professional front.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Single Virgos will have plenty of opportunity to be flirty and fun this week. But even those in relationships can get in on the action, putting romance to the forefront.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, others may see you as the advice guru this week. That is a role you excel in, but you must balance the extra counseling work with your existing responsibilities.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Someone who lays on the flattery can win you over in an instant, Scor-

pio. But once you delve deeper, you may grow suspicious. Accept praise but don’t let it cloud your vision.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you tend to give freely without worrying about the bottom line. But today’s stars flash warnings that you may need to keep a tight hold on your cash.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 It is never a good idea to enhance the facts, Capricorn. However, you can be enthusiastic about your efforts and what those efforts may lead to. Stand behind your work and opinions.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, no matter how busy your schedule may be, carve out some time to take care of some financial issues that have cropped up in the last few weeks.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Take a new approach to a similar task and you may come away with something surprising, Pisces. Take that leap of faith.

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The Voice, March 25, 2020

Voice

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

CROSSWORD

T

A pandemic panic

On Thursday, March 12, it seemed to me that the stakes rose sharply at home and abroad. I estimated that 90% of the news items in the paper and online centred around the coronavirus.

Some pieces described its effect on the economy, some on international travel, some on schools, and some on sports events etc. On that one day, we learned that the stock markets were dropping fast, schools at all levels were being closed, professional sports leagues were suspending their seasons, international travel was being discouraged or restricted, and that our Prime Minister was in self-quarantine.

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The Year of the Virus he Chinese call 2020 the “Year of the Rat.” Looking back I think it will be called the “Year of the Virus.” Ironically, the virus started in China possibly from human contact with an animal. I fully expect that by year’s end Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” will not be a person at all but a stubborn and dangerous virus that unexpectedly rocked our world.

Page 19

widely when it teaches that while not all things are good, that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” As a pastor over about 40 years, I have often seen that a crisis in someone’s life (usually medical, relational or financial) has produced a spiritual openness that was not there before. These people don’t ask for these crises, but later many of them look back and are thankful that they were jolted to better understand the fragility and finality of their happiness and lives.

As a result, they re-eval-

uated their relationship with God and began a faith walk with Him. Someone put it succinctly and well: “Life is short. Eternity is long.”

So, as we all pray for a good ending to this present crisis, may we also take Jesus’ warning seriously to be spiritually ready at all times. ♦

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who is part of the Fonthill Baptist church family.

}

A pandemic positive

So, can anything good come out of something which we all consider bad?

I believe so. The Old Testament gives us this personal principle from the life of Joseph in conversation with his brothers — “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then don’t be afraid… (Genesis 50:2021) The New Testament applies this principle more

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Page 20

The Voice, March 25, 2020

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 most travel into the United States, and that within two weeks Canada and the US would close their borders to each other. We would learn that schools would not open for at least two weeks beyond March Break. The kids would be thrilled with their luck. Parents, not so much.

There was calm in the terminal as everyone went about their business, the soothing sound of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 piped through the P.A., relaxing travellers on a subconscious level. I felt as if I were in a movie, the only character who knew that catastrophe was coming, and I had to get home to my kids as fast as possible. I felt that at any second an announcement would be made that all flights were cancelled, and chaos would ensue as the masses abandoned their bags and raced towards hotels and rental cars, trying to reserve anything through their phone apps as they ran, dragging their children and trampling the weakest of the herd.

Even though there was little outward talk about the impending outbreak, the contrast between some travellers wearing surgical masks and others wearing mouse ears —some within the same family—demonstrated that people were alert to the threat.

My mind had plenty of

time to play this all out, what with my eight hours on ice. My ride to the airport necessitated the extra-early arrival, because my husband dropped me off in an attempt to get out of Dodge early, instead of staying on for four more days as planned. His new flight left before mine from a different airport and so instead of arriving four days after me, he arrived four hours before me. He had a premonition that things were about to spiral out of control, and thank goodness he did.

Oddly, around me, no one seemed to be talking about the virus, possibly because, like me, they were focused on the task at hand (getting home), and also, like me, wondering whether or not they had enough toilet paper once they got there (recollection fuzzy).

I knew this TP and hand sanitizer hysteria was going on, and I knew it would be okay in the end, but it was too early to find the humour in it.

My usual gauge is to wait until Saturday Night Live breaks the politically correct timing barrier. But there’s no Saturday Night Live, or any late night comedy, to guide my appropriateness these days.

Once I boarded the plane I found it to be incredibly dry, making me want to cough.

Trying not cough when you need to cough to makes you look like you need to throw up instead, so before some ungodly hybrid gag escaped I took a healthy slug from my water bottle, thus avert-

Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Pelham Cares prepares for the COVID-19 long haul

BY HELEN TRAN

Special to the VOICE

"Happy Year of the Rat" meme on Chinese social media, also called "Wuhan Awareness."

IMGFLIP/TWITTER ing mayhem and an aborted flight. Understandably, sensitivity runs high these days.

We returned home well in advance of the self-isolation announcement, and so once on the ground my husband went looking for toilet paper. After three attempts, he found a store which still had some in stock and paid an exorbitant amount for it. I should mention the name of the store because it disgusts me that they would gouge their customers in a time of need. I won’t, because I still live here, but shame on them.

Now I’m at home on Day Five of March Break with three kids and no plans, which under normal circumstances would be cause for an anxiety attack. But these circumstances are anything but normal. We have contained ourselves to our own nuclear family and we’re getting on fine because what choice do we have? We do have an isolation rule whereby if someone needs to get away for a while, we respect their decision and grant them space.

Socializing is done through emails, phone calls, texts, and social media. I’m catching up on some long overdue communications with friends and family, and I’ve cleaned my fridge, which may not have happened until we next moved, so that’s a bonus. We’ve rummaged through the basement and

found every board game we own, as well as a 1000-piece Where’s Waldo puzzle, which we’ll probably complete in just a couple of hours given our numbers and competitive drive. Netflix fills several hours a day. We live near a park, so at least the boys can run and kick a ball around, otherwise I’d lose my mind.

I’ve also installed a meditation app on my phone, in case I need to be talked down from a ledge.

I’m optimistic that Canada will not end up like those countries that are in lockdown, heavily policed and ready to fine anyone on the street without the proper documentation. Canadians will not allow that to happen.

Now is not the time to criticize the timing of how our government reacted to this pandemic. Now is the time to look forward and act responsibly. We’re not perfect, but as a country, as a province, a city, a town, and a neighbour, we look after each other. And we’ll get through this.

So hang in there, and if you’re feeling a little squirrely, throw on some Mozart—I’ve become a fan. ♦ How are you and your family coping with the pandemic?

Tell Column Six. editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca

The COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting self-isolation and social distancing has brought many changes to how Niagara businesses and organizations operate.

Pelham Cares, a non-profit charity, is one such organization.

Tracy Holmwood, who has been the president of Pelham Cares for five years, believes that one of the best ways to cope with the pandemic is to have the least amount of physical contact possible.

“If everyone follows the social distancing protocols, then we should see a decline in the numbers of infections,” says Holmwood.

Pelham Cares has implemented its own social distancing measures while still serving the community.

“Safety measures have been put in place for staff and volunteers,” says Holmwood, which include disinfecting all surfaces and donated items, closing the doors, encouraging communication by phone rather than in person, cutting back on the number of volunteers (many current volunteers are elderly and especially vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19), and managing the working conditions of remaining volunteers to minimize exposure and promote contact-free pick-ups and drop-offs.

Donations and supplies are adequate for now, and there has not been an increase in need other than the normal spike in January. However, Holmwood expects that in a month there will be both an increase in need and a decrease in donations due to the effects of the pandemic: layoffs, unemployment, lack of child care, and stalled opportunities to find employ-

ment.

In terms of preferred donations, Holmwood says that any donation is welcome. For those who do need suggestions, she has these tips: • If buying food and household items in bulk, then please consider donating one of these items.

• Recommended food donations include items that will last, such as pasta, dried food, and canned goods.

• Financial donations and gift card donations are welcome, to encourage social distancing and maintain the least amount of physical contact.

Pelham Cares has had to reduce their driving service, in which seniors are driven to their medical appointments.

They have encouraged nursing homes to find alternate driving arrangements. Holmwood also suggests that because of self- isolation and social distancing, people should reach out to loved ones and friends and neighbours who may be struggling alone.

“If you know someone and they need help, please contact us on their behalf. People need to put the stigma of the food bank aside for now.

It is completely confidential and we are respectful of people’s privacy. In normal circumstances, there may be a tendency to not reach out but these days it is more important to reach out if you need help, or if you know someone who may need help.”

In order to maintain social distancing, please call 905892-5300 or email info@ pelhamcares.org for more information or to schedule a contact-free drop-off or pick-up.

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