National attention to Pelham stonewalling page 3 For the love of Agape Valley's syrup page 6 Mogul man page 13
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Column Six
Don't smile, Canada
Town may now apply for some $13.5 million directly from provincial authority
Why so serious when it comes to passports BY COLIN BREZICKI
R
Special to the VOICE
BY SAMUEL PICCOLO
The VOICE
Discussion of Pelham’s short-term debt was pulled from Regional Council’s agenda just hours before their most recent meeting, held last Thursday evening, with Infrastructure Ontario (IO) reversing its previous request for affirmation of the Region’s commitment to the Town’s community centre debenture. “There is no decision point for Council to discuss tonight,” said Chair Alan Caslin, explaining the reason for the item’s removal. “[IO] informed us today they do not require any action at this time.” In order to complete the construction of the community centre, the Town requires access to $13.5 million in short-term loans. These short-term funds come directly from Infrastructure Ontario and must be repaid within 120 days of substantial completion of
HERITAGE AND DIVERSITY CELEBRATED Last Friday, 40 St. Ann Catholic School students participated in the bi-annual St. Ann Canadian Heritage Fair. The program is an educational initiative that provides an opportunity for elementary students to explore any aspect of Canadian heritage and history, thereby strengthening young people’s knowledge of the diversity and uniqueness of Canadian heritage. Providing young people with the opportunity to develop strong roots in their community and culture will give them the confidence to fully share as active citizens in the shaping of Canada’s future, says teacher Maria Tremeer. Students were encouraged to use their medium of choice to tell stories and share information about Canadian heroes and legends, milestones and achievements. Above, Julia Tremeer. Left, Adrian Bianco and Henry Knafelc.
See LOAN REQUEST Page 11
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
DEBBIE PINE
ECENTLY, I HEARD an American journalist remark that there’s nothing funny in Canadian literature. On the same day, as if to underscore his point, my new passport came in the mail. Complete with mandatory unsmiling photo. Why is smiling forbidden in a passport photo? When I smile I look like me; when I don’t, I look dangerous—even I wouldn’t let me through. I suppose our intelligence service has its reasons for making us all look menacing, but it’s just so out of character for Canadians to look grim. We’re famous for being nice, and yes, dammit, for smiling. Despite our freeze-your-face-off winters, prairie floods and summer droughts, Biblical plagues of black flies and mosquitoes, and zero Stanley Cups this century, we smile through it all with gritted teeth. Our national humour is all the more remarkable See COLUMN SIX back page
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Page 2
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
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After weeks of silence, a letter
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
New goodies: We've added discount coupons from PetValu and Clare's Cycles and Sports to our Membership Benefits. New members will receive them when they sign up or renew. Members who have joined since February 1 are always welcome to stop by our office to pick up each new coupon or gift card as they are added to the chest of loot. The Clare's one is for 15%, and while you can't apply it to a new Harley or ATV, you can apply it to parts, accessories, and garments. Is that leather jacket suddenly within reach?... Powdery conditions: William Hamilton's skiing prowess earned him a prestigious award a couple of weeks back (page 13)—congratulations!—and we thank the reader who alerted us to the news. In fact, we depend on readers to do so, since even if we had ten full-time writers instead of one, we still couldn't be everywhere at once. (I'm exhausted just typing "ten fulltime writers.") Ditto for the lovely St. Ann's story on the front page, and teacher Maria Tremeer's effort to send us photos and a description of the event. How could that ever not be this week's front page photo!... Its departure day didn't come after all: Friday's Child, the unique Fenwick store filled with knicks and knacks is staying put. A St. Catharines lease deal fell through. Score one for keeping the locals around a little while longer... But, aloha: Moku's Hawaiian restaurant has closed. A lovely letter from owners Natalie and Gary Stickles runs in this week's letter section. Personally, I'll miss the crab wonton, and obviously Natalie
and Gary, but the Voice also loses its unofficial meeting room. Many a story conference took place there over the last couple of years. Best of luck, folks... Shh, don't say it too loudly: Yes, the remarkable Jim Pitt has been back in action over the past few issues. Pitt's columns are definitely a reader favourite, but, like a rare bird sighted in the woods, we don't want to make any noise that risks sending him flying off on another extended break... Pipe down, already: With the story on page 3, you'll have quite enough comment from yours truly this week, so I'll end it here with a nod to the past and its echo in the present. It's been said that when Walter Cronkite returned from a trip to Vietnam in 1968 and publicly criticized the US government's handling of the war, the Johnson administration was doomed. The truth is that the public was already pretty well ticked-off about the war, and about Lyndon Johnson, but Cronkite's opinion surely had its effect, particularly for those still sitting on the fence. I mention this because Carolyn Mullin's comments regarding the Town's treatment of this newspaper may prove to be Dave Augustyn's Cronkite moment. Mullin's reaction is included on page 3. She and I have disagreed from time to time on the nature of community newspapering, but as anyone who knows her at all will tell you, it takes something extraordinary to dent her ceaseless good nature, and optimistic outlook. We are in such a moment... Let the renewal begin: To whatever degree you celebrate the holiday, Happy Easter to you and yours.
23 March 2018
Voice of Pelham 2-1428 Pelham Street P.O. Box 1489 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0
RE: Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
I am writing to provide background to my statement in a recent story “Who is a journalist at heart of Pelham, paper dispute” (St. Catharines Standard, Grant LaFleche, Mar 21, 2018) where I told the MetrolandMedia reporter that the Voice of Pelham “didn’t have any” ethical guidelines or standards. In emails to me in December, Mr. Burket, the Voice’s publisher, provided a web-link to the "suggestions" that the publication uses to “go about news gathering.” This link was to the New York University Journalism Handbook for Students – which are described as a “handbook to address issues that might arise during the course of a semester.” Mr. Burket further clarified that “Not only did I not write that the [New York University] link I sent you were ‘guidelines’ that the Voice ‘strives to follow,’ I specifically noted that they were ‘suggestions,’ and further specifically noted that they were ‘not a set of rules.’" In those emails Mr. Burket further stated that this Handbook “It is not a regulatory document that journalists are to be ‘held to.’” The Town of Pelham would be happy to work with the Voice when they begin subscribing to ethical guidelines, or produce a copy of those they follow, and become a member of the National News Media Council (NNC). (The NNC considers, mediates, and releases decisions on complaints made against a newspaper.) This follows the Town’s media policy. I would ask you to correct your on-line story and publish this Letter to the Editor in your next issue. Thank you for your consideration. I hope that through this clarification, we can all concentrate on working together to improve our community. Sincerely yours,
Dave Augustyn Mayor CC:
Pelham Town Councillors
News Media Canada is a passionate advocate for the news industry. We support our member publications in their pursuit of quality journalism. We believe that when society has facts they can trust, better decisions will be made. BY VOICE STAFF
newsmediacanada.ca
Voice on vacation!
provincial newspaper associations issued statements of rebuke last week against the Town of Pelham's stonewalling of the Voice and its
OF THE WEEK!
trashing copies of the paper left in Town Hall, Mayor Dave Augustyn broke several weeks of silence by emailing the letter above to the Voice on Friday evening. The Voice answers this letter by way of the article appearing on page 3, "In newspaper, radio interviews, Mayor misrepresents Voice journalism guidelines and ownership," as well as in this week's editorial, on page 4.
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Column Six
Growing up British
Vol.20 No.32
Wednesday October 12, 2016
FREE
Apple Day comes to Fonthill
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
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
Debbie
Get
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
See COLUMN SIX Page 14
Full service. Full-time Realtor. Your Fonthill real estate connection.
BY VOICE STAFF
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-
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
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
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-
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Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign. SUPPLIED PHOTO A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people offered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.
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Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn
Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932
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Request made of community still peeved at name change
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Column Six
BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick. Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues. Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students. “The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated. The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the
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“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
Indulgence Bakery Mossimo’s Pelham Street Grille Sobeys Fonthill Peter Piper’s Pubhouse DeVries Fruit Farm Beamer’s Hardware & TV Fonthill Library PenFinancial Credit Union Bob’s Boys Antiques Moku’s Family Health Pharmacy Fonthill Fitness Fenwick Pie Company McDonald’s Fonthill Legion Semenuk’s Gas Bar Target Store Tim Horton’s Giant Tiger Fonthill LCBO Pub on the Hill Zee Lube Express Care Food Basics Minor Bros Stores Avondale Stores A-1 Market Sobeys South Pelham Grill on Canboro Pelham Library Ridge Berry Farm Circle-K
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The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
Page 3
In newspaper, radio interviews, Mayor misrepresents Voice journalism guidelines and ownership St. Catharines Standard writer appears to violate own newspaper's policy in reporting Mayor Dave Augustyn's assertion BY SAMUEL PICCOLO and DAVE BURKET
The VOICE
As part of what appears to be an ongoing attempt to discredit investigative reporting undertaken by the Voice, Mayor Dave Augustyn has asserted that the newspaper told the Town of Pelham that it does not follow widely accepted journalistic guidelines. “We’ve asked them what guidelines or standards they use in their reporting and we were told they don’t have any,” the Mayor is quoted as telling the St. Catharines Standard in an article appearing last Thursday. Augustyn’s statement is untrue. In December 2017, at his request, the Voice informed Mayor Augustyn that the newspaper follows the suggested standards established by New York University’s School of Journalism. NYU’s journalism program is widely accepted as one of the world’s most comprehensive. On December 12, Voice Publisher Dave Burket reminded the Mayor by email that he had already informed Augustyn some months earlier that he was guided by NYU’s journalism standards, referring to an NYU course handbook entitled, “NYU Journalism Handbook for Students: Ethics, Law and Good Practice.” Burket added in the email, “In democracies, a free press is not ‘held to’ anything but the same laws that govern everyone else. In Canada, there are no special laws for journalists, no special restrictions that limit our work.” In another email to Augustyn, Burket set out the steps that anyone with a complaint against the newspaper could take to seek redress. The Standard article was headlined, “Who is a journalist at heart of Pelham, paper dispute.” Its author, reporter Grant LaFleche, did not ask Burket to confirm whether Mayor Augustyn’s assertion was true. Neither LaFleche nor Augustyn have responded to a request to confirm the accuracy of LaFleche’s transcription of his interview with Augustyn. At last Thursday evening’s Niagara Regional Council meeting, Voice reporter Samuel Piccolo asked Augustyn if he remembered the emails referring to NYU guidelines. Augustyn initially ignored the question and walked away. Some 20 minutes later, Augustyn approached Piccolo at the media desk and volunteered an explanation. “I take an oath of confidentiality, and so I thought that my contact with Mr. Burket was confidential,” asserted Augustyn. “You had not published [the NYU guidelines] online, and so I did not want to disclose that information.” Augustyn ignored follow-up questions seeking to clarify his explanation and returned to his seat. In response to repeated email
requests over the weekend to explain what he meant, the Mayor replied on Monday that he believed his communication with Burket was confidential “because I thought our email exchange in December 2017 was ‘not for publication.’ You may not recall that you suggested the usage of this term in an email in March 2016 and that you used it again in July 2017. In that way, I thought that the December 2017 exchange was confidential.” As to why Augustyn did not provide this explanation to Piccolo on Thursday evening, on Monday the Mayor said, “I couldn’t comment further because a vote was about to occur.” In reviewing the YouTube video of last Thursday’s Regional Council meeting, Piccolo recalls that the Mayor approached him
You had not posted the [NYU guidelines] online, and so I did not want to disclose that information
at approximately the 21-minute mark and spoke for no longer than 45 seconds, before turning to return to his seat. “After he gave me his confidentiality thing,” said Piccolo, “I said to him, ‘I have a hard time believing that. You’ve been in politics for twelve years. You know that any conversation with a reporter is on the record, unless specifically agreed to beforehand.’ And he ignored me and went back to his seat.” The video recording shows that no vote was being announced or hinted at. The next vote was called close to two minutes later, at 23:30. “Our December email exchange was in no way ‘confidential,’” said Burket on Monday. “In fact, based on experience with the Mayor and the CAO in late 2016, I made it clear in print that no off-the-record communication would occur again.” In his January 4, 2017 “Publisher’s Corner” remarks, Burket cited the “Three Don’ts” that he was advised to observe when first starting out in journalism, one of which was “Don’t let let people in power go ‘off the record.’” “This gives politicians and bureaucrats the ability to manipulate the press without consequence,” he wrote. “If they don’t want to see it in print, they shouldn’t be telling it to a reporter.” Burket wrote that he had made an error in allowing an exception to the policy, a conversation with senior figures from Town Hall—Augustyn and Ottaway— which occurred at the Voice office in autumn 2016. “Within 48 hours, as public statements started to differ from
Mayor Dave Augustyn. YOU TUBE SCREEN CAPTURE private ones, I’d regretted allowing it to occur off the record. This mistake is not one that I, nor any Voice reporter, will make again.” The Standard’s failure to ask the Voice whether Augustyn’s assertion was correct appears to violate the newspaper’s own code of ethics. According to the Toronto Star Newsroom Policy and Journalistic Standards Guide, “Before publication, every effort must be made to present subjects with all accusations — the sooner the better.” The Star’s parent company also owns the St. Catharines Standard. Burket informed reporter Grant LaFleche last week that he welcomed any emailed questions that the Standard wished to ask. LaFleche refused repeated invitations to email his questions and none were received or answered by Burket. It is Voice policy to conduct interviews by email, in person, and by telephone. Burket says that email is preferred for certain subjects. “Particularly with politicians, it is useful to retain a paper trail to clear up any later misrepresentations or mis-remembered statements.” After nearly 21 years answering the newspaper’s queries, Pelham Town Hall abruptly broke off responding to Voice email and voicemail late this winter. Approximately 500 Voice newspapers dropped at Town Hall were trashed over the course of a month. A media worktable was removed from Council chambers. These actions have been condemned by national and provincial journalism organizations in Canada and the US. The Canadian Association of Journalists, News Media Canada, and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association have issued statements of rebuke. John Hinds, the president of News Media Canada, an organization of some 800 daily, weekly, and community papers, including the Voice, says that Pelham’s actions are unprecedented in Canada. “This is something that you see happen in Turkey, or places like that, not something that you think about happening in Ontario,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve seen an example this flagrant before. Often what we see are things like jettisoning reporters from what should be open meetings, or not providing information when asked for,” Hinds said. “The idea of actually trashing the newspapers and refusing to provide notices and information upon
request is something that I don’t think I’ve seen, certainly in my ten or so years [with News Media Canada].” Rebecca Baker, President of the U.S.-headquartered Society of Professional Journalists, was equally adamant that Pelham’s actions were anti-democratic. “These types of petty, vindictive acts are beneath any government official,” said Baker. “When government officials do these types of actions I think it’s just unworthy of the people they serve. This type of illiberalism, this type of media backlash, is something you see in authoritarian—central and eastern European—countries now.” The Town’s recent campaign to challenge the Voice’s credibility coincided with news that the paper had won a provincial newspaper association award for best investigative news story. It also comes as the paper has filed a number of Freedom of Information requests concerning the Town’s ongoing East Fonthill land development.
This is something that you see happen in Turkey, or places like that, not something that you think about happening in Ontario
In an online media statement posted last week, the Town stated, “The Town of Pelham would be happy to work with the Voice when they begin subscribing to the [Canadian Association of Journalist’s] ethics guidelines, or produce a copy of those they follow, and become a member of the [National News Media Council]. As such, the Town will be enforcing its media policy, which states, in part: ‘As a result, the Town regularly communicates with accredited journalists, who’s [sic] electronic and print media are members of the Ontario Press Council* and other relevant organizations, to help inform the public.” Caroline Medwell, Executive Director of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA), said in a statement last week, “The OCNA represents only those community newspapers that meet strict criteria…. The Voice of Pelham is a member of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, and an award-winning publication. The OCNA is clearly a ‘relevant organization’ that upholds crucial journalistic standards and ethics as cited by the Town of Pelham.” The Town’s communication policy does not seem to have been updated since 2015. The Ontario Press Council no longer exists, being replaced three years ago by the National News Media Council (NNC), a new organization that amalgamated several provincial associations into a single national body. The Town regularly responded to the newspaper’s questions for the last 21 years, including since 2015, despite the paper not belonging to the NNC, and despite not publicly citing its ethics
guidelines. The St. Catharines Standard, a newspaper with which the Town has remained in contact while not communicating with the Voice, does not publicly cite which ethics guidelines it observes. As of last Friday, the Voice was unable to find any reference to such guidelines on the Standard’s website, nor in the newspaper’s print edition. On Monday morning, Mayor Augustyn was a guest on Newstalk 610. The show’s host, Tim Denis, questioned whether the Voice was a blog. 105.7 EZ Rock Morning News anchor Tami Jeanneret, who was on the program with Augustyn, responded, “It’s very similar to a blog. I’m assuming that it’s privately owned.” “Yes it is,” answered Augustyn. “It used to be a community paper. My understanding is that it’s not owned by the community anymore, that it’s privately owned,” said the Mayor. The Voice has never operated a blog. Ownership of the newspaper has not changed since its founding in 1997, when 50 community members chipped-in $1000 each to bring it to life. Last October, when he attended the Ruby Awards Gala at Lookout Point Country Club, the Mayor indicated that he knew this. After hearing a rumour that ownership of the paper had changed, reporter Samuel Piccolo informed the Mayor that this was not true. Piccolo says that the Mayor acknowledged that the paper was owned by community members, and said that he had recently spoken to one of its shareholders. The Voice’s founding editor back in 1997, Carolyn Mullin, expressed disappointment with the Town’s recent behaviour. “The whole situation makes me heart-broken…. [The Voice] has earned community awards, business awards, and newspaper awards from accredited newspaper organizations, and has been a 20-year member of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association,” said Mullin. “The ethics discussion seems to be convenient timing on the part of the Town. I haven’t yet seen or heard what ethical issues might be at stake, so why are they calling on an ethical body as their defining membership for who they deal with?” Mullin, the first Kinsmen Citizen of Year in 1998, is longknown for her community involvement and boosting of allthings Pelham. “I have always maintained, throughout my career as a journalist and editor at weekly and daily newspapers, trade publications and magazines, that a community newspaper is meant to be that community’s mirror—it has a responsibility to reflect back to the community those happenings of relevance to its citizens, the proverbial good, bad and ugly. This allows that community’s citizens to be armed with the information they need to make informed decisions about their community. How can the Voice, the only publication dedicated solely to reporting the happenings of the Town of Pelham, continue to fulfill that mandate, when the local government puts up roadblocks such as this?”
Page 4
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
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
As We See It
Calling the Town of Pelham's bluff
T
HE LOGOS APPEARING above represent professional associations with which the Voice or its journalists are affiliated. As we reached our 21st year of reporting the news of Pelham’s villages— of its people, businesses, events, and government—Pelham Town Hall suddenly decided that our membership in the first two organizations wasn't enough. When news reached Town Hall that the Voice had won an award for Best Investigative News Story from the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, relating to coverage of the Town’s East Fonthill adventures in real estate development, and when we reported that CAO Darren Ottaway had made false statements to a group of residents in a meeting at Town Hall, up went the drawbridge and dead went the email. The stonewalling commenced. Copies of the paper left in Town Hall for the public were trashed. A media table was removed from Council chambers. It’s possible that the Mayor,
Council, and CAO thought that we would eventually stop asking questions. The Town even stopped sending news releases by email, instead placing the onus on the media to register online to receive them. A minor inconvenience, yes, but equally part of a pattern of withdrawal and avoidance. Then last week the caca really hit the fan. One after another, Canadian and US journalism associations issued statements condemning the Town’s actions, likening them to those used to silence the free press in totalitarian regimes. At this, Town Hall went into full spin mode. The Voice was being ignored, so went the tale, because we weren’t members of yet another journalism association, the National News Media Council. The Mayor then told the St. Catharines Standard that the Voice has said that it followed no journalistic standards. When the Voice pointed out that this was a misrepresentation, and
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The Voice
1428 Pelham Street, P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 Office open: Monday - Thursday 8 AM - 2 PM
(905) 892-8690
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca NEWS WRITER Samuel Piccolo ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Botari, Larry Coté, Colin Brezicki, John Swart, Kirk Weaver NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca
the Mayor was challenged on the point, face-to-face, he took 20 minutes to ponder the matter, then came up with the brilliant excuse that he had thought that his email with the Voice’s publisher was confidential. Then he ignored follow-up questions about this bizarre assertion. The next day, perhaps realizing how foolish this excuse appeared, Augustyn added confusion to the fire by asserting that because the Voice had included a caveat—that the NYU Journalism School document under discussion was a guiding force, not a penal code— then his statement to the Standard was not wrong. Then, apparently still able to talk, if not walk after so many self-inflicted shots to the feet, the Mayor went on the radio Monday morning to justify trashing copies of the paper left in Town Hall, and to sow doubt as to who owns the Voice. (In fact, it’s the same group of local shareholders, and their descendants, as founded the paper 21 years ago.) The Mayor’s—and the Town’s—
efforts at obfuscation are growing ridiculous. Each new dodge and excuse has all the oomph of a man at an auction who, with five dollars in his pocket, has just called out a shaky “$4.99.” The Town is about to run out of any currency of credibility still jangling around in its empty pockets. If joining the NNC was what the Town wanted the paper to do, it had several weeks to tell us. It didn’t. As a gesture of goodwill, the Voice has, as of this issue, joined the NNC. As a further gesture of goodwill, we have posted our ethics guidelines on our website. A link also appears in what’s known as the publisher’s block, the boxed staff list and other information appearing at the bottom left of this page. Also appearing in the publisher’s block is contact information for the National News Media Council. Any reader who has a bone to pick with the paper, which cannot be resolved directly
with us, is free to contact the NNC to pursue the grievance. This changes nothing about how the paper will operate. The Town never breathed a word about the NNC over a month ago when it stopped answering our questions, or last autumn, when the it increasingly instructed the Voice to file FOI requests for information that the paper believed should be made available without such delays. The Town of Pelham’s campaign to stonewall and delegitimize the Voice, spearheaded by Mayor Augustyn, has never been about which journalism associations the paper belongs to. It’s been about a municipality displeased with the sort of scrutiny it’s been put under. That scrutiny isn’t going anywhere. NNC membership, check. Ethics guidelines for all to see, check. Now kindly start answering our questions, on behalf of the people you have been elected, and hired, to serve.
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900
Mayor of Pelham David Augustyn mayordave@pelham.ca 905-892-2607 Ext 317 Members of Pelham Town Council
Member of Provincial Parliament
Ward 1 Councillor Richard Rybiak rrybiak@pelham.ca 905-892-2105
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755
Councillor James Lane jlane@pelham.ca 905-892-2607
Electoral District: Niagara West-Glanbrook
Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor David Augustyn mayordave@pelham.ca 905-892-2607 Ext 317 Councillor Brian Baty brian.baty@niagararegion.ca 905-892-5317 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
Ward 2 Councillor Catherine King cking@pelham.ca 905-658-8599 Councillor Gary Accursi gaccursi@pelham.ca 905-892-5528 Ward 3 Councillor John Durley jdurley@pelham.ca 905-892-5388 Councillor Peter Papp ppapp@pelham.ca 905-328-6008
Community Centre project updates: www.pelham.ca/pcc
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David Barrett Accounting Income tax returns from $25.00 28 Kline Crescent Fonthill, Ont. L0S 1E5 Phone (289) 897-9326 Fax (289) 897-8794 Cell (905) 966-6448
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Have an Opinion?
BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication. The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our office at 905-892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics
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Well don't just sit there. Share it with the Voice! letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca
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The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
Page 5
OPINION Letters
FOLLOW THE MONEY Commentary by Jim Pitt
Moku's closes. Owners say thank you. To all of our Moku's Hawaiian Restaurant 'ohana (family) we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for four wonderful years of being able to bring the “Aloha Spirit” to you. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." We regretfully have closed our doors as of March 19. We will miss all of you who supported us over the years— those who attended our luaus, our ukulele jams, our Hawaiian music concerts, those who have become friends and our extended 'ohana through Moku's. The "independent" restaurant business is a fickle beast (high food and liquor costs, exorbitant utility bills, government wage increases, rent, insurances competition with the chains, just to name a few). All of these make it very difficult for a mom-andpop establishment to succeed. Please continue to support our local family-owned businesses. Mahalo nui loa, a hui hou (thank you very much until we meet again). Natalie and Gary Stickles Fonthill
Dear Pelham Town Council... Don't make me come over there! As a former resident of Pelham, born and raised, I can’t believe the things I’ve been reading about happening in the place I’ve always been so proud to tell people I’m from (Fenwick Proud!). Please stop, take a step back and a moment to reflect. After you’ve taken that moment, if you’re still not able to perform your duties professionally and transparently, please follow that step back with a step down. Let’s focus on putting Pelham on the map for positive reasons rather than political controversy and unrest in a formerly sleepy little town. Laura MacLean Mississauga
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Banks sell financial products; they are not advisors. The products that banks sell are meant to maximize their profits and pay a commission to the salesperson; therefore they are not necessarily suitable for your needs. Banks work for their shareholders, not you. If you are in the market for investments, there are many places where you can go to shop around. Banks are not one of them. Meanwhile, most people
today rely on many sources for their news. The web, especially Facebook, and television are very popular, while radio and newspapers have been losing customers. Recently Torstar, the parent of Metroland news, swapped local newspapers with Postmedia. Niagara This Week was once the only Torstar paper in the Niagara Region, but now the St. Catharines Standard, Welland Tribune and Niagara Falls Review are all part of the Torstar-Metroland stable of papers. The other local Postmedia papers, such as The Pelham News and other weeklies, were closed. All of these papers in the Niagara Region are owned by the same company and, if you check them out online or at the newsstand, you will quickly notice that they are visually almost identical. So what was the deal? The Competition Bureau alleges in documents that the two companies conspired to divvie-up sales, territories, customers and/ See FOLLOW THE MONEY next page
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own or through regulation. There appears to be a number of investigations into Facebook’s antics underway all around the world. It is a profit-driven company beholden to its shareholders and employees, not to you, its customer and product. Speaking of corporations beholden to shareholders and their executive management, there has been some more hand-wringing over our major banks of late. It seems that people are upset over banks selling them products that they either don’t want or don’t need. Products that don’t benefit the consumer, but benefit the bank. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) recently released their findings, saying, "There are insufficient controls in place to prevent sales of financial products that are misrepresented or unsuitable for consumers. The bank’s sales-focused culture elevates the risk that employees may flout consumer protection rules.” (CBC News, March 20, 2018). Again, the key word here
H E R E WA S A G U Y selling cut-price men’s suits who used to advertise on late-night television. He ended his spiel with the line, “An educated consumer is our best customer.” If only it were so. The recent hand-wringing over the Facebook “scandal” surprised me. Facebook is an advertising company. When you sign up for Facebook, you become a consumer of the myriad of advertising that bombards you. That is the point. That’s how Mr. Zuckerberg has become a multi-billionaire. Another, less known, consequence of joining Facebook is that you become a product. Your personal information, pictures, survey responses and friend lists are sold off to the many advertisers who analyze and tailor their ads specifically to you, the consumer. A very neat trick. If the consumer becomes outraged by this betrayal, what that individual does will determine whether Facebook continues as it is, or changes, either on its
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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? Did you meet your spouse-to-be in jail or on an African safari? Do you know where Hoffa’s buried? Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)
Page 6
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
Letters
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
continued
Social media reaction to reports of snow plow damage
Snowbirds return to find municipal nest befouled
I live on Woodstream Boulevard and they did a number on my lawn, but like many in this town I will repair it myself and do a better job. These contractors who plow the sidewalks need to be 100% accountable and their contract should be terminated for next season. The damage they did at my neighbour’s home is totally disgusting. Most towns in Niagara don't have the luxury of having their residential sidewalks plowed, so why are we in Pelham afforded this at taxpayer expense? Jamie Miller Via Facebook
We have just returned from our winter south and much to our chagrin but not to our surprise, the on-going "Russian" influence has moved north to Canada. Our own little "President" is still posturing and now has cut off the "fake news" avenues. Does this surprise any-
continued from previous page or markets for advertising or flyer distribution in certain regions. The agreement concluded last year saw 41 newspapers change hands—36 were closed and 300 jobs were gone. The two companies agreed on lists of employees to terminate, and agreed to a transitional service agreement. All the employees terminated were from the closed papers. The companies also agreed not to compete in specific areas for five years. As of this writing, no charges have been laid and the allegations have not been proven in court. Torstar is the parent company that owns the Toronto Star, a
well-established Liberal paper. Our Mayor is also alleged to be a Liberal. Is it a coincidence that the local Torstar-owned papers go out of their way to support and praise the Mayor, to the point of printing certain of his statements without fact-checking them, and, at the same time, vilify Regional Chairman Caslin and a few other Regional Councillors, alleged to be Conservative party supporters? Newspapers have been picking sides since their inception. Politicians have also been courting newspapers for any support they can get. I don’t think you would find this information in any Torstar or Postmedia news source, but you did read it here. As an informed consumer it is important to realize that com-
Doesn't appreciate Allison poll The constituent poll flyer recently distributed by MP Dean Allison is deliberately designed to produce a de-
panies like Facebook want you to have as many friends as possible, so that they can sell you and your friends to the highest bidder. Facebook is not your friend. The banks are in the business of making money as well. They are not your friends either. The nice lady at the bank does not work for you, as mentioned above. Speaking of manipulative practices, the Mayor and Council remind me of a lawyer on a TV drama that rises in the court and says something to the jury that raises an objection from the opposing lawyer. The judge rules that what was said should not have been said, and directs the jury to disregard what was said. But it was said and the damage has been done. On a number of occasions, just
sired result. My comments do not fit on the space provided. It is clear that this discussion is about seman-
in the past year, the Mayor and Council have used this tactic on their jury, we, the people of Pelham. To hear them explain it, Rainer Hummel was upset over the Town holding up a land transaction, that’s why he offered to pay for a third party audit of the Town. Councillor Baty is "cynical" and has an axe to grind over the Town’s position on the NPCA, so he should just shut up and go away. Marv Junkin was "garbled, confused and inaccurate,” and therefore not credible. After nearly 21 years of service to Pelham, the Voice suddenly isn’t a real newspaper, so ignore it. Each of these accusations has been proven false, but they were said, and the Town is likely satisfied that damage has been done.
Announcing our new fAmily dentAl prActice:
tics, not reproductive rights. The freedom we have in See ALLISON POLL Page 5
The local daily papers report these falsehoods for their own political reasons. But they omit the other side of the story and sow seeds of doubt in readers' minds. The owners of these dailies are now under investigation for disregarding the laws around competition and for collusion to monopolize a market, like the Niagara Region. The Mayor and Council may also soon be under investigation by the Ombudsman and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for unusual financial transactions. Now that you have been informed about the true motivations of Facebook, the banks, the local press, and our Town Hall, you can decide whether you're going to buy what they have to sell or look to shop elsewhere. ◆
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I don't even care if Joe Blow or Jane Doe from Smokino wins, they'll definitely be better. That goes for all the mice that have followed as well, including the ringmaster. Looking forward to the count. J. Vlym Fonthill
ES T
FOLLOW THE MONEY
Remember folks, the Town usually owns a few feet of your property, therefore it is theirs to fix. I agree that people are capable of shoveling their own sidewalks and helping out their neighbours. In my opinion, it helps build community. Carla Strickland Via Facebook
one? Truth always hurts, doesn't it Mr. Mayor? Power corrupts and, as the Voice's former editor stated, "You'll know you're over the target when you start taking flak.” Let's hope the turnout for the next local election is the largest one possible and that we all vote.
RS PE
I have several times in the past called the Town on the damage the snow removal tractor has caused to my property and other neighbours. I was told the damage would be repaired in the spring. That was 2017, and the
damage was never repaired. I repaired the damage last year, and again this year, it's the same ol’ story. Now, within viewing distance of my house, two streetlights are burned out. The one in front of my house has repair requests filed since 2010. Let there be light... only in the parking lot of the new community centre. Pamela Robb Via Facebook
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rbrown@royallepage.ca • www.homesniagara.com
1815 Merrittville Hwy, Unit 1, Fonthill, Ontario
“Selling Throughout Niagara”
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
Page 7
WE ARE PROFESSIONAL GRADE
2018 GMC SIERRA 1500 DOUBLE CAB 4X4
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OR
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$ + (2.28 ) 8,400 72
0
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MONTHS~
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^ Total Value: Eligible 2018 GMC Sierra Double Cab Elevation Edition 4x4: Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles purchased between March 1 and April 2, 2018. Limited time only. $11,000 Total Value is a combined total credit value for cash purchases on eligible 2018 GMC Sierra Double Cab Elevation Edition 4x4 including $4,150 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive), $1,600 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive), $750 manufacturer-to-dealer Option Package Discount Credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card (GM Card) or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) and $3,550 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive). Limited time offer, which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. *(Lease) Eligible 2018 GMC Canyon SLE Crew Cab: Lease based on suggested retail price of $41,295, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer lease cash (tax exclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Delivery Credit (tax exclusive) and $750 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive) towards the lease of an eligible new 2018 GMC Canyon SLE Crew Cab Short Box 4x4 at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $175 for 48 months at 1.9% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $3,360 down payment is required. Total obligation is $21,593 plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $19,364. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer, which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ~ 0% Purchase Financing for up to 72 months: Eligible 2018 GMC Sierra Double Cab Elevation Edition 4x4: Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada on select new 2018 Sierra 1500 Double Cab Elevation Edition 4X4 from March 1, 2018 and April 2, 2018. 0% purchase financing (2.28% APR) offered on approved credit by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank for 72 months on eligible 2018 GMC models: 2018 Sierra 1500 Double Cab Elevation Edition 4X4. Other trims may have effective rates higher than 0%. Participating lenders are subject to change. Rates from other lenders will vary. Down payment, trade and/or security deposit may be required. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Example: $39,420 financed at 0% nominal rate (2.28% APR) equals $547.50 monthly for 72 months includes $3,550 manufacturer-to-dealer cash credit (tax exclusive), $1,500 finance cash, $1,600 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) plus $750 OPD Credit. Cost of borrowing is $0, for a total obligation of $39,169. Freight and air charge ($100, if applicable) included. License, insurance, registration, PPSA, applicable taxes and dealer fees not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. € (Lease) Eligible 2018 GMC Canyon SLE Crew Cab: Lease based on suggested retail price of $41,295, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer lease cash (tax exclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Delivery Credit (tax exclusive) and $750 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive) towards the lease of an eligible new 2018 GMC Canyon SLE Crew Cab Short Box 4x4 at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $175 for 48 months at 1.9% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $3,360 down payment is required. Total obligation is $21,593 plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $19,364. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer, which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ɫ (Finance) Eligible 2018 Sierra 2500 Denali HD Crew Cab 4x4 with Duramax Diesel Engine: Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles financed and from between March 1, 2018, to April 2, 2018. Financing provided, on approved credit, by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank. Participating lenders are subject to change. Rates from other lenders will vary. Representative finance example based on a new 2018 Sierra 2500 Denali HD Crew Cab 4x4 with Duramax Diesel Engine. Suggested retail price is $89,290. $0 down payment or equivalent trade-in required. $89,290 financed at 0% (0.2% APR) equals $1,162 per month for 72 months. Total Value consists of $3,272 manufacturer-to-dealer Delivery Credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Finance Cash (tax exclusive), and $1,000 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive). Cost of borrowing is $0 for a total obligation of $83,633. Taxes, $1,700 freight and PDI, $100 air conditioning charge (where applicable), PPSA, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies and duties (all of which may vary by region and dealer) are extra. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time financing offer, which may not be combined with certain other offers. GM Canada may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. † Sierra’s 5670 kg (12,500-lb.) rating requires Sierra Double Cab or Crew Cab Short Box 4x2 with 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and Max Trailering Package. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow. ¥ Full functionality requires compatible Bluetooth and smartphone, and USB connectivity for some devices. Data rates may apply. Ω Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2017 Small Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Excludes other GM vehicles. ≥ Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow. ∫ Available on select Apple® and Android™ devices. Some features may require a paid OnStar service plan. Features and capability may vary by vehicle, device, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Device data connection required. Ω Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2017 Small Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Excludes other GM vehicles. ≥ Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow. ∫ Available on select Apple® and Android™ devices. Some features may require a paid OnStar service plan. Features and capability may vary by vehicle, device, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Device data connection required. ∞ Based on WardsAuto.com 2018 Small Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at time of posting. Excludes other GM vehicles. ± Limit of four complimentary Lube-Oil-Filter services in total. Fluid top-offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc., are not covered. Conditions and limitations apply. See your dealer for details. ᵒ Whichever comes first. Conditions and limitations apply, see your dealer for details.ɤ Visit onstar.ca for vehicle availability. Services and connectivity vary by model, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Requires active OnStar service and data plan. Data plans provided by AT&T or its local service provider.
Page 8
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
Letters
COMMENTARY by Paul Bryant
S
Easter a time for reflection, renewal
OM EHOW IT'S A L MOST A PR IL and Easter is upon us. You may be planning on celebrating Easter as a religious holiday or in a secular manner. For Christians, Easter celebrates the rising of Christ from the grave three days after his crucifixion. Even if you don't subscribe to this belief, there is an overbearing sense of renewal interwoven with the secular holiday of Easter as well, and that's something that we can all use come the end of winter and beginning of spring. In early April, birds are chirping, flowers are starting to pop up from the ground and trees are seeing emerging buds. Green thumbs are planning their gardens and lawns and watching for the first signs of the bulbs they planted last autumn. The world, in short, is coming alive again after a long and cold winter. As the weather begins to change, why not let ourselves change as well? Easter is symbolic of rebirth and all that it entails—even if you're spending your Easter Sunday eating too many treats or hiding Easter eggs for all the little ones in your life. Eggs have long been seen as an important fertility symbol, associated with new life. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and his resurrection. The precise reason for decorating eggs is not known, but one theory is that eating eggs is not permitted during Lent. Because of this, people would decorate them to eat at Easter as a celebration. The first chocolate eggs began to appear in the early 1800s. Now, over 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made each year. Many cultural historians find a convergence of the three traditions in the celebration of Easter— Pagan, Hebrew and
Christian. Whether we are religious or not, we need markers in life. And the major holidays, such as Easter, serve to remind us of the turning world. For those who observe its religious context, Easter is too grand an occasion to be experienced adequately in a single day. Our ancestors in the faith realized this and over a period of time developed a season of preparation. We call that season Lent. For well over 1500 years, Christians have used this period of roughly seven weeks to prepare their souls for Easter Day. Easter is the holiday that celebrates and commemorates the central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death. Jesus is the Son of God and heroically gave His life to die for our sins. On the third day after He died, the day we now celebrate as Easter Sunday, His friends went to His burial cave, and found that the large stone used to block the entrance had rolled away. They saw an angel who told them, "Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as He said it would happen.” Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. All the Christian movable feasts and the entire liturgical year of worship are arranged around Easter. The Jewish Passover under Moses commemorates Israel's deliverance from about 300 years of bondage in Egypt. But some close readings of the Bible show that the Passover was actually established by Moses before that deliverance—the exodus—even happens. “It is as though the miracle happens primarily so that it can be remembered,” writes one scholar, and you can’t help but See EASTER Page 14
Boggio Fonthill Pharmacy
&
Log Cabin Gift Shoppe
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
continued
Council candidates, please step up There exists significant discord in Pelham related to the process and decisions enacted by Mayor Augustyn and council. As the election will take place this autumn, who among us will step forward with leadership and skills to make Pelham fiscally successful? It is understood that more compact developments cost less than those widely dispersed, hence Fenwick and East Fonthill housing starts. We need better transit to cultivate job opportunities and connect
people to resources. There is apparently no money in the reserve fund to support unforseen issues, or the unknown operational costs of the Meridian Centre, or to repair the deplorable roads. Change is needed to promote inclusion and participation for successful growth in Pelham. New Leaders required! Bring on the competition. Create stability in Pelham. Louise Morgan Fonthill
Read your local newspaper because... The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. John F. Kennedy The Voice of Pelham is the gatekeeper, the watchman on the wall for our community. It is a tangible cord that binds our community together. It promotes and displays our wonderful businesses’ products, services and specials. It provides a notice board when employment opportunities are available. It ignites conversations. It showcases our outstanding citizens. It retraces history to keep memories alive. It offers opinions which help us see other perspectives. It is a place to vent frustration, thank someone for a good deed or tell a personal story. It is a place to assist
Your local newspaper is a place to mourn the passing of a loved one, rejoice in a birth announcement or congratulate a student’s success
in finding a lost pet or a lost wedding ring. It sounds the alarm when we are threatened and rallies us to a cause. Your local newspaper is a place to mourn the passing of a loved one, rejoice in a birth announcement or congratulate a student’s success. It can be accidental-
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ly dropped and no LED screen will break. It does not need batteries, or to be plugged in, although you are “plugged in” when you read it. Your community newspaper proves its value every week. Paul Bryant Fenwick
ALLISON POLL continued from Page 6 Canada is to practice the religion of our choice. Most well-meaning religions permit abortion in the case of rape or medical danger caused by continuing pregnancy. If an organisation agrees with the global individual right without their congregation, then they can tick the box in good faith. No person is being denied their rights just because particular congregations spurn those rights. This too is their right. The refusal of funding should only apply if they actively promote their beliefs using those funds. Activities that you have cited should not be a restriction for funding. Please take a conciliatory approach when you approach the appropriate minister for clarification. Having listened to recent Question Period clips reported in the news, nothing has changed. This is still an embarrassing free-for-all used to gain brownie points over the other party. No parliamentary business is advanced during this period. Please discuss this with the government in a manner that will produce funding for the activities needed in our riding. David Jarman Fenwick
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
Page 9
Agape Valley revels in its season People line up to visit the sugar bush For all the attention given to traffic jams on Highway 20, it was on Kilman Road that cars backed up on a recent Saturday. Outside Agapé Valley Sugar Bush, for most of the morning, cars were waiting to be waved into the parking lot. “It’s our busiest day— we’ve got free inside tours, free outside tours, free tractor rides. You only start paying when you start eating,” said Steve Dube, who was directing the line waiting to get in to the pancake house. “It’s a Saturday. It’s the last day of March break. And the sun is shining.” The sun was indeed shining, and those waiting in line to eat didn’t seem to peeved by the delay. Agapé Valley is owned and operated by Niagara Shorthills Christian Ministries, and is run entirely by volunteers. “People are being patient. It’s only a five-minute wait or so, and there’s lots of other things to do in the meantime,” said Dube. Amy Chen and her daughter Julia were among those in line. Julia pointed to the tractor pulling a wagon-full of people down to the sugar bush. “We’re starting off with lunch,” Amy reassured her. “And then we’re going to go down to the sugar bush. Aren’t you excited to eat pan-
BY SAMUEL PICCOLO
The VOICE
cakes?” Julia said that she was. For the entertainment of those waiting, a burly, bearded, chainsaw-wielding woodcarver revved-up and hacked into a log. In front of him were arranged impressive renditions of bears and moose, among other animals. “You don’t have to wait for the tractor,” said Dube to a group of people. “You can just walk right down to the sugar bush. It’s only five minutes—and it’s beautiful. Once you go around that bend, look at the view. It’s the nicest place in the Niagara Region, and I’m not just saying that.” At the end of the road was the building where Agapé Valley makes its syrup, and people congregated near its entrance to wait for guided tours to start. “We have a teepee here because it was the First Nations who started using the sap from maple trees,” said a guide to a rapt crowd. Thirty or so parents and their children sat on logs in front of a fire, grimacing when the wind blew drifts of smoke into their eyes. More than a few sucked on maple taffy. “What the First Nations made wasn't maple syrup as
we know it,” said the guide. “They would pour the sap into a hollowed out log, and then put hot rocks into the liquid.” He demonstrated the process by using a pair of tongs to drop a stone from the fire into a hollowed log filled with liquid. Steam spurted up from the surface. “When the European settlers came, they brought iron pots,” continued the guide, pointing to three black cauldrons hanging over the fire. After the fire demonstration the group was led through the woods, which the guide called “Spaghetti Valley.” “It’s because of all the sap lines,” said the guide. “Up until recently, we used buckets here. But now these lines are connected to all the trees and a special vacuum pump collects all the sap.” Narrow blue tubes were strung from tree to tree, with the blue lines leading into thicker black pipes. All pipes led to the sugar barn. Nowadays, high-tech evaporators are used to boil down the sap. Near the end of the tour a big board was arranged with a visual representation of all the buckets of sap needed to make one bucket of syrup—40 gallons of sap for one of syrup. The guide explained this further, pointing out the
problem in terms of sugar content. “The sap is only three percent sugar. That maple
candy your kids are eating is sixty-six percent sugar,” he said. “That’s why they’re so hyper.”
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Top: Rachel, Julia, Amy, and David Chen enjoy a pancake lunch at Agapé Valley before taking a tour of the sugar bush. Left and above: Visitors learn about the syrup-making process.
VOICE PHOTOS
Page 10
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS CIP funding, grants, airport committee, Town awards on agenda BY VOICE STAFF At its meeting last Monday night, Council discussed the Community Improvement Program, which offers grants to property owners in the downtowns of Fonthill and Fenwick if they make certain investments in their buildings. Town staff were recommending to Council that the program be frozen for at least two years so that funds could be returned to the reserve, but eventually it was unanimously decided to send the recommendation back to staff for more analysis. “At the end of this year, the fund will be in a $36,000 deficit,” said Director of Planning Barb Wiens. “Next year $100,000 needs to be paid out.” Wiens also said that a current application for CIP money, which has yet to be approved by the Town, would cost in the neighbourhood of $200,000 to
$300,000. Accursi lauded the program, saying that it had changed the face of the downtown core and asserted that $5.7 million in private sector investment had resulted from the Town’s total CIP funding of $934,000. “I understand the reasoning for the changes put forward,” said Accursi of the planned pause. “Now might be an appropriate time to examine the entire program, look at designated areas and see about increasing or decreasing [certain locations].” Mayor Dave Augustyn similarly lauded the program, but pushed back against the recommendation that a pause occur. “I’d hate to stifle the multiplier effect for the investment,” he said. “Small investment from the public, large from the private.” “I understand the funding challenge, but would hate to cut someone off if it would lead to development
of properties downtown. I don’t want us to suspend this—it’s been very, very successful.” Augustyn suggested that the Town apply for grants from the province to use for the program, and wondered if staff could “sharpen the pencil in a more creative way.” Following Council’s discussion, there was a unanimous vote to refer the program back to staff to reconsider the possibility of another solution. “We could convene a ‘How Might We’ session,” said Accursi. “We’ll do that internally,” said Ottaway. Accursi, who with his wife owns property in downtown Fonthill, did not declare a conflict of interest before the discussion. “When my properties have been considered I have declared,” said Accursi. “If you read the conflict of interest rules, I have every right to comment on the
Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin reports that yet-to-be issued debt has been reduced from some $10 million in November, to an expected $4.7 million now. VOICE PHOTO process that affects the entire area, and doesn’t treat me any differently than anybody else.” Despite Accursi’s asser-
tion, there is precedent for councillors to declare conflicts of interest when they own property within a CIP. In 2015 in Centre Welling-
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John Wink accepts recognition for staff and volunteer work on Summerfest. VOICE PHOTO ton, Councillor Don Fisher declared a conflict of interest during general discussion of CIP implementation because he, like Accursi and his spouse, owned land in a CIP zone. Brock University’s Professor Dave Siegel, an expert of municipal politics, called conflicts of interest “one of the most difficult grey areas.” “The principle is that you do not have a conflict of interest when the interest at stake is an interest that you share with the broader community,” said Siegel. “A classic example would be approving the property tax rate. It affects the councillor directly, but it also affects everyone else in the community. The problem is: How large does the community have to be to be considered the broader community.” Siegel said that if the policy only affected the councillors’ property, it is a conflict. “What if it affects five people? Ten? Fifty? At some point, the group is large enough to be considered the broader community, but at what point? I understand that I'm not being very helpful, but this is a very difficult area.” Council also heard a request from the Dorothy See COUNCIL NEWS next page
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COUNCIL NEWS continued from previous page Rungeling Airport, which is owned by Welland, Pelham, Port Colborne and Wainfleet, for a representative from Council and staff to serve on a special committee. The committee will consider the possibility of the Region taking over ownership of the airport, among other things. “The request to all four municipalities is for a committee to determine what we want to achieve in negotiations with the Region,” said Councillor Richard Rybiak, who is chair of the airport commission. “It’s important for owners to airport to have a position in common, so that when we sit down with the Region, they know what it is we’re trying to achieve.” Augustyn volunteered to serve on the committee, and while Peter Papp expressed an interest in doing so, he ceded to the Mayor. Accursi questioned the necessity of such a committee.
LOAN REQUEST continued from Page 1 the new facility. At the special Council meeting held on November 29 at E.L. Crossley, Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin said, “Substantial completion and occupancy is still on schedule for June 1 of 2018.” If this date remains accurate, then Pelham will have to pay back the entirety of the short-term loan by the end September or the beginning of October. If the Town does not pay off the short-term loan, it will have to convert the short-term loan to longterm debt. Until it was removed from the agenda, Infrastructure Ontario was asking the Region to reaffirm that it remained committed to its 2016 approval of Pelham’s debt for the community centre. Last fall, following the resignation of Councillor Marvin Junkin and his revelations regarding the Town’s use of reserve funds, Regional Council passed a motion deferring any consideration of addition Pelham debt until the Town provided the Region with a copy of the summer KPMG audit to which Junkin referred. At the November 29 meeting at E.L. Crossley, KPMG said that what Junkin had called an “audit” was actually financial review brought about during a human resources investigation. On Thursday, Caslin said that because this document was not a “summer audit,” the Town couldn’t comply with terms of the Regional motion. In response, Junkin said that while the Town and KPMG have asserted that the financial review was part of
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018 “Looking at the [commission] that runs the airport, it’s intimately familiar with all issues. I look at them as an advisory committee with respect to operations. It sees redundant to me to create another committee—if you want to add staff members, I can see that,” said Accursi. “I could no more serve on this committee than fall off a log. I’m not familiar with the issues.” Rybiak said that he had heard a similar point from Port Colborne Mayor John Maloney. “My answer to him was that the commission is not in a position to ask questions about its own existence,” said Rybiak. “I don't see an intimate knowledge of details as important. This is high-level stuff. Who owns it? Who puts the money into it?” At the beginning of the meeting, Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin added a report explaining how the Town’s yet-to-be issued debt had been reduced from some $10
an HR investigation, this was not how it was characterized to Council during a closed-door meeting on September 5. “It was presented by [KPMG’s] Karen Grogan, and everyone—she and the Treasurer—referred to it as an ‘audit’ with no mention of an HR connection,” said Junkin. Indeed, at a special meeting of Council on November 15, called in the aftermath of Junkin’s resignation, Councillor Richard Rybiak also appeared to refer to the report presented to Council on September 5 as an “audit.” Upon his resignation, Junkin asserted that Treasurer Teresa Quinlin said
million in November, to an expected $4.7 million now. “All the projects that Council approved in the past have been earmarked to be funded with debt,” said Quinlin. “Do we still need that full amount? Some projects were funded with debt substitution—with grants or with money out of the reserves.” At the beginning of the meeting, members of Pelham Minor Hockey’s Midget A/E team received recognition from Council for their victory in the International Silver Stick Championship. Mayor Augustyn recognized the staff and volunteers involved in Summerfest, which was recently named one of Ontario’s top 100 festivals for the fourth consecutive year. Town staff involved in the greening of the Thursday night supper market, which was also awarded at the Festival and Events Ontario gala, were also recognized by Council for their work.
she became concerned about the Town’s financial state after being on the job for just two or three weeks, and that it was this concern that prompted KPMG’s summer review. KPMG has stated, “In July 2017, KPMG was engaged to investigate certain concerns over the financial health of the Town,” as Junkin had said, and that the firm’s involvement was requested by Town lawyers, “in contemplation of litigation with an identifiable individual.” In a report attached to Thursday’s meeting agenda, Regional staff wrote that unless the Region effectively confirms that it remains committed to its 2016 de-
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cision to approve Pelham’s loan request, Infrastructure Ontario “will not make any further short term/construction financing available to the Town.” But the last-minute removal of the request suggests that Infrastructure Ontario changed its mind, and will provide the Town with short-term financing without such confirmation from the Region. “The reason the report was pulled was because Infrastructure Ontario acknowledged that the document was not needed. As per the funding agreement, Infrastructure Ontario is required to provide the short term advance,” said
Regional Councillor Tony Quirk. “[The Region’s] response was that if Infrastructure Ontario does not advance Pelham the short term loan, it would be Infrastructure Ontario that would be in breach of the agreement, not the Region.” Town lawyer Donald DeLorenzo, who was slated to speak to Regional Council but did not end up making his presentation, previously asserted that it if the Region did not provide confirmation to Infrastructure Ontario it would be “looked at as a lack of good faith in fulfilling its contractual commitments.” Mayor Dave Augustyn did
not respond to or acknowledge a request for comment. In requesting that the Region affirm its commitment to long-term debt from Pelham, which is what Infrastructure Ontario was asking the Region to do before the request was pulled from the agenda, Quirk said that Infrastructure Ontario was “trying to pre-judge what might happen should the debenture request comes forward from the Town of Pelham.” Such a debenture request would likely come from the Town if it is unable to pay back the short-term loans within 120 days of the community centre’s substantial completion.
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Local wins East Coast Junior Mogul Championship BY VOICE STAFF Fonthill resident William Hamilton won the United States East Coast Junior Skiing Championship in moguls in Sunday River, Maine in mid-March, topping a field of 60 boys aged 11 to 18. Hamilton, who is 14 and in Grade 9 at E.L. Crossley Secondary School, is a member of the freestyle team at Holiday Valley Ski Area in Elicottville. “My first run was my best,” said Hamilton last week. “That’s usually how it is—I do well on my first one, and then I go way too fast on the second.” Mogul skiing, the discipline in which Canadians Jennifer Heil, Mikael Kingsbury, and Alexandre Bilodeau have all won Olympic medals, is a some 200-metre course with two ramps along the way. Competitors ski through the moguls as fast as they can, and then attempt tricks off the jumps. Moguls are often formed naturally on ski hills, as skiers push the snow into mounds as they make sharp turns, though they may also be artificially created.
The first mogul competition occurred in 1971, with it becoming a demonstration sport at the 1988 Winter Olympics and a medal event since 1992. “The score is twenty percent speed, twenty percent air, and sixty percent moguls [the turning],” said Hamilton. Judges look for technique when assessing the mogul portion of the run—Hamilton’s snow pants have stripes across the knees, and this makes it obvious whether or not his legs are close together when going down the hill. Hamilton has always competed in the United States, saying that moguls is not as popular in Ontario as compared to Quebec, where most of Canada’s best mogul skiers originate. Hamilton said that downhill skiing— slaloms—never really appealed to him. “I didn’t want to just go around gates,” he said. “And of all the freestyle events, I think that moguls makes you the best all-around skier.” Hamilton likes the jumps involved in mogul skiing too. “I do three-sixties now,
and it took me a good year to do a good one,” said Hamilton, referring to a full horizontal rotation in the air. “Next year I’m going to start learning backflips. I’m really looking forward to that.” Hamilton’s mother, Laure, who grew up in France skiing in the Alps, said that she’s not looking forward to William doing backflips as much as he is, though she is comforted by the extensive training required to attempt the trick. “You have to do one hundred back flips into a pool,” said Hamilton. “I’m going to Lake Placid this summer to start the training. You go down a little slide on special skis and then flip into water.” Typically it takes at least two summers to get to a hundred flips in the pool. Even then, to be able to attempt a flip in competition, skiers must successfully land a number of them when going at various speeds. “It’s really hard to learn how to do. Most people will try to flip too early and then they’ll definitely hit their head on the jump,” he explained.
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William Hamilton competes in at Holiday Valley Ski Area in Elicottville, NY. SUPPLIED PHOTO “You’re only allowed to do flips with a ski instructor present,” said Hamilton. “Otherwise they’ll take your pass away.” Hamilton’s victory this year came in the “B” division, where flips are not permitted, and next year he’ll have to move up to “A.” “Since I won in ‘B’ this year, I won’t really be welcome there next year. You have to move on,” he said. Hamilton has been skiing since he was five, when his family would go together several times a year. In 2010 they bought a condominium nearby Holiday Valley, and now go every weekend during the season.
“I’ve started going on Friday nights too,” said Hamilton. “And then on Saturdays and Sundays I have training from 8:30 until 2:00.” Hamilton said that because he doesn’t live close enough to a ski hill, he is at a disadvantage compared to those who can ski every day. “I built a little jump on the hill by the neighbour’s driveway, but it’s not much,” he said. “The condo is great,” said Laure, “but if he wanted to go to the Olympics…we’d have to move.” Hamilton’s sister is a competitive gymnast. On the weekend that William was in Maine with his father, Laure
was with her daughter at a gymnastics event. “My sister will have her driver’s license soon,” said Hamilton, a prospect that Laure said she’s looking forward to. “We like to ski, so we’ll stay with William—our daughter can drive herself home,” she said, smiling. The banquet for the Holiday Valley team season was this past Saturday, marking the end of the training season, though Hamilton said that he intends to ski until April. After that, he’ll be waiting for the back-flip training this August, passing the summer by playing golf.
Page 14
The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
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Lookout Ridge holds Rungeling memorial Friends, pilots, admirers remember late legend A memorial service was held on Saturday for Dorothy Rungeling, the aviator, author, and Order of Canada member who died at age 106 in February. The service, which was at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home, where Rungeling lived for the last years of her life, was attended by dozens of friends, fellow pilots, flying students, and admirers. Rungeling’s friend Mary Beattie led the service. She reminded everyone at the beginning that the group was gathered not to mourn Rungeling but to honour her memory. Marilyn Dickson of the Ninety-Nines, the organization of female pilots that Rungeling first joined in 1951, when there were just nine members, spoke at length about Rungeling’s accomplishments.
BY SAMUEL PICCOLO
The VOICE
“She was so versatile,” said Dickson, pointing to Rungeling’s love of and adeptness with motorcycles, musical instruments, sailing, writing, and mechanics. She read from Rungeling’s book The Flying Housewife. “’Opportunities always seemed to fall in my lap. Everything I did just happened,’” read Dickson. Cal Eden was an air cadet student of Rungeling’s in 1953. He flew in from Daytona Beach for the memorial. “I was on a flight from Atlanta to Buffalo and the pilot was a woman,” said Eden, who echoed other speakers in drawing attention to Rungeling’s trailblazing for her gender.
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Another friend of Rungeling’s, Marilyn Scott, praised her attentiveness to others. “She wasn’t just interested in herself. She was interested in everything and everybody,” said Scott. “She made each of her days mean something.” Also present were Peter Van Caulart and Cathy Boyko, the co-chairs of a committee organizing the final stop of the 2019 Air Race Classic, which will be the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport. The airport was renamed after Rungeling in 2015. “I think that it’s the only airport in Canada named after a woman,” said Marilyn Dickson. Van Caulart said that the five-day, 2500 mile race is flown by some 100 women who fly in friendly competition to promote their abilities and draw attention to aviation careers and accomplishments by women. “It’s fitting that the 2019
Marilyn Dickson of the Ninety-Nines speaks at the memorial for Dorothy Rungeling at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home on Saturday. A portrait of Rungeling hangs behind her. VOICE PHOTO
air race will be a tribute to Dorothy Rungeling’s legacy and is finishing at the only airport named for a Canadian aviatrix.”
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“I would be missing something if I didn’t hit you up with a commercial pitch,” said Van Caulart. “There will be many opportunities to sponsor parts of the ARC.” Councillor Richard Rybiak, Chair of the Airport Commission, spoke briefly, praising Fenwick resident Carolyn Botari for first suggesting that the airport be renamed for Rungeling. Though Beattie began
the hour by acknowledging that there wouldn’t be time to discuss all memories of Rungeling, she pointed out the cards that were left on each table, and asked that attendees wrote down their own stories. At the end of the hour they did just that, writing and talking about a woman who lived for nearly 107 years, and who those present were happy to have known for just a fraction of that time.
EASTER
The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolizes the cross on which Jesus was killed. Whatever you may be facing this week—and whatever you believe—remember that in three short days, the disciples and family of Christ went from hopelessness to hopeful; from devastation to celebration; from defeat to victory. Because of the cross and the tomb, we have a hope in Christ. May you, in this way or another, have a hope of your own.
continued from Page 8 think that he’s right. We have a need to remember, and in Easter we satisfy that need. It was during Passover in 30 AD that Christ was crucified under the order of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, with the Jewish high priests accusing Jesus of “blasphemy.” It’s traditional to eat hot cross buns on Good Friday.
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The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
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The Voice of Pelham, March 28 2018
COLUMN SIX continued from Page 1 when you consider we’re a country built on a bedrock of God-fearing Presbyterians, Calvinists, Methodists, Catholics and United Empire Loyalists, further stratified by generations of immigrants from war-torn, invaded, pillaged, and economically challenged countries over the past hundred years. Knee-slappers, all. Still, being Canadians, we do as we’re told. So when the photographer says, Don’t smile, we don’t, and we’re happy with that. Humorists by nature, we know the importance of a straight face; not cracking a smile when you tell a joke sharpens the punch line. Anyway, along with the photo that made me look like a terrorist, something
else in my new passport caught my eye. Its 35 pages now feature the icons of our history and culture, as selected by committee. I flipped through pictures of somber Aboriginals standing beside an inukshuk, Samuel de Champlain and the Fathers of Confederation (all repressing the urge to smile for their passport daguerreotypes), the Last Spike, Canada’s North, the Prairies, Halifax, the Parliament Buildings, Niagara Falls, the Vimy Memorial, Quebec City, the RCMP Musical Ride, the Grey Cup and Stanley Cup, Nellie McClung, Terry Fox, the National War Memorial, Cape Spear and the Bluenose. Nothing funny here. Not a smile anywhere. No John Candy, Leslie Nielsen, Wayne and Shuster, Jim Carey, Eugene Levy or Mike Myers.
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I’m not joking. We have a waterfall, a cape, mountains, w h e a t fields, a railroad to run through them all, and a man on one leg who tried valiantly to do just that. Ice-fields that accommodate our national game, which by the way, along with American football, seems to n, t desig be the sum total of asspor p t s te a's la , 1885." our culture accordCanad In the he Last Spike ing to Passport CanT tled, " ada. It’s just as well I d edidn’t see the new clare when passport before I posed we go abroad. for my photo. Otherwise— “Can I see your passport, right, I’d be struggling to please?” keep a straight face. “Sure. My name is Joe and Our selection committee I am Canadian.” deftly sidesteps the cultur“Please, can you explain ally highfalutin’ and keeps to me what are all these things simple. Canada with pages?” all the fixins. Maybe Don “Well, they represent Cherry chaired the group. Canada. They’re our history There isn’t an artist, and culture.” writer, actor, director or “But I see only rocks musician of any kind;. We’re and wheat and politicians. a nation of rugged terrain, A sailboat, yes, and a very politicians, soldiers and courageous man running on hockey players. one leg, but people playing That gives us not a lot to ice hockey and American
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca tains. The Danube. The Rhine. Just, we don’t regard these things as achievements. So tell me, why in your passport you have no pictures of your artists, your writers and musicians? Here we have Durer and Holbein, Beethoven and Mozart, Hegel and Schlegel and Goethe—statues of these people everywhere.” “Not very funny though, were they?” “Good point. We Germans wish we could laugh more, be like you Canadians. But please, my questi- tion. Are there no artists, er y en g a im feature STRATION musicians or writers in 10-11 LU pages OICE PHOTO IL Canada? Noteworthy V people?” “Okay, Gunther, I’ll f o o tjust give you the shortball is your cullist because we’re holdture?” ing up the line here. Em“Well, yeah, but there’s ily Carr, and the Group of way more than that. How Seven. Glenn Gould, Oscar about two world wars? On Peterson and Ben Hepthis page, see? Sorry, Gunpner. Leonard Cohen, Neil ther, but your team lost, two Young, Sarah McLachlan, and out. And women got the Joni Mitchell. Christopher vote on our little Nellie, not Plummer, William Hutt and yours. And this here’s NiagDonald Sutherland. Alice ara Falls, one of the seven Munroe, Mordecai Richler natural wonders, pal, so you (even the Americans found can put that in your Meerhim funny), Gabrielle Roy, schaum and smoke it.” Margaret Laurence, Mar“Yes, but of course we garet Atwood. Norman have many natural wonders Jewison, Norman Bethune, in Germany also. The Alps. Frederick Banting, Romeo The Black Forest—famous Dallaire, Marshall McLufor the cake and the ham. han, Roberta Bondar and The Elbe Sandstone MounChris Hadfield. That’s off the top of my head. Oh, and Tim Horton.” “So tell me please why they are not mentioned in the culture pages of your passport?” “Well, um, because we don’t want them to think they’re better than anyone else. It’s that whole tall poppy thing—lowers everyone else’s self-esteem.” “Ha ha. You Canadians. Always joking. We like your sense of humour. You’re famous for it. Thank you and have a good day.” “You too, Gunter, keep smiling.” “And don’t forget your passport.” ◆
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