The Voice, May 25 2022

New subdivision gets the nod

SELL phone: 905-321-2261 www.pineSOLD.com

DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 NRC Realty, Brokerage

Independently Owned & Operated

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

Provincial party platforms overview

page 8

Big win for E. L. Crossley athletes

The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

page 3

Vol.26 No.20 

of Pelham and Central Niagara MAY 25 2022

Published every Wednesday

New gardens for Maple Acre library

page 11

Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

Column Six

Cop for a morning Beware the guy with cauliflower ears

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor

T

GREEN THUMBS ALL Last Wednesday morning, May 18, found Friends of Maple Acre Library along with some members of the Pelham Garden Club planting new gardens at the library’s Fenwick branch. Willowbrook Nurseries generously donated all plantings, say the Friends, and an elaborate tree carving is ongoing. Donations may be made at the library or online at: Pelhamlibrary.on.ca From left, Sandra Cruzo, Sandee Matthews, Gary Chambers, John Langendoen, Vilma Moretti, Sandra Black, Chad Geerlinks, Linda Stoop, and Sue Kicul.

SUPPLIED

hink being a cop is easy? Sunshine List paycheques, copious doughnuts, and cushy assignments in crowd control at Blue Jays games?

I’ve got breaking news for you. The job is stressful, and often requires officers to make split-second decisions in uncertain situations. Unholster your firearm when you should have drawn your baton or pepper spray instead, and you’ll get lawsuits, SIU interrogations, and a desk assignment. On the flip side, pull that 40-calibre Glock too late and you could end up in the ICU, or toe-tagged in the morgue.

At the invitation of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), I spent last Monday morning in a crash course in policing at their training facility located at Niagara College in Welland.

It was the third such media-focused police training day offered by the NRPS as part of the annual Police Week, and boiled down to a heavily condensed verSee COLUMN SIX Page 14

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS NRC REALTY, Brokerage 1815 Merritville, Hwy 1 FONTHILL, ON

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DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222

NIAGARA / FONTHILL, ON

debbiepine@royallepage.ca SELL phone: 905-321-2261

Somewhere down the road Spring is a time of renewal. Time to tidy up the house and yard.

But how much time have you allotted you’re going to have to to tidying up your affairs? think about it.

You’ve probably revisited your Will, but have you detailed your final wishes? Prepared your Estate?

Let us help you get your affairs in order.

Call Pelham Funeral Home at 905 892-5762 m pelhamfuneralhome@cogeco.ca

Page 2

The Voice

A May 25 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

NRPS impaired driving charges ~

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Busted: Scratch any genuine journalist and you’ll find a cop underneath. By “genuine” I mean investigative. There are plenty of reporters out there who are not genuine journalists—I’d say roughly a third of them. They are content as stenographers, dutifully transcribing official comment without question, avoiding the slightest boat rocking. They are a bore to sit next to at dinner or a bar. The older these types get the more they have to conserve—seniority, public recognition, pension—so the more conservative they become. On the flip side, the enemy of the investigative journalist is cynicism, the creeping suspicion that on some level corruption and/or incompetence is endemic, no matter the institution, and that the foremost policy of most institutions is to protect themselves—i.e., circle the wagons and shield their own, no matter how heinous the deed. The Catholic Church. The previous Pelham council.

Various unions—including police unions—and I say this as a strong supporter of organized labour. (Go Amazon/Starbucks/ Walmart/Tice Rd. workers. Get and keep thee organized!) But back to the journalist-cop thing. The journalist who gives a damn does so because they believe in the rule of law, they believe in following the rules and that the rules should apply to everyone—crook, cop, or priest. Personally, I could reside quite happily in Switzerland—even, for the most part, Singapore. So it was with genuine regret that I was unable to attend the NRPS’ Media Day last Monday, which our Contributing Editor Don Rickers describes this week in his highly readable Column Six. Good journalists have a mixed relationship with law enforcement. On one hand, police officialdom is notoriously evasive, especially in Canada, and often prides itself in how little it communicates to the news media. On the other hand, individual cops can be some of the best (and occasionally very much not best) people you’ll ever meet. Any decent journalist has heaps of respect for people whose job, 90 percent of the time, is to deal with the absolute dregs of humanity. For about 30 seconds in high school I contemplated applying for a workstudy semester with the local police department until a nice cop friend of my father’s sensibly talked me out of it. But the instinct to bring wrongdoing to light and see justice done didn’t go anywhere. It just got a B.A. in History. (Chatting with Don about his experience last week did reinforce one reason that my tenure in a blue uniform would have been short-lived: my interest in self-preservation. Shoot first, thanks, paperwork be damned.) Via its Media Day the NRPS was undoubtedly hoping for some favourable press—one of their officers shooting another a couple of years back tends to leave a sour taste in the public’s mouth—and you know what? We’re fine giving it to them. This isn’t license for using excessive force or profiling our fellow, non-mayonnaise-coloured citizens. It’s recognition that policing is elemental to maintaining a law-abiding society, See CORNER Page 15

Voice

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

From left, Director of Public Works Jason Marr, contractors Bill, Kim, and Sara Duffin, and Mayor Marvin Junkin.

SUPPLIED

Sulphur Springs repair wins Public Works Project of the Year for Pelham Vindication for contractor, Town staff once mired in red tape

BY VOICE STAFF For the first time, the Town of Pelham has won the Public Works Project of the Year in the Small Municipalities category from the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA). In association with Duffin Contracting, the award was presented to the Town for the Sulphur Springs Road Rehabilitation Design/Build Project at the OPWA awards ceremony held in Mississauga last Tuesday, May 17.

The Sulphur Springs Road

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The Pelham Fire Department responded to 13 calls for assistance from Friday, May 13 to Friday, May 20.

Saturday, May 14 Medical assistance, Station 1 Emergency assistance, Kunda Park, Station 1 Sunday, May 15 Medical assistance, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 2 Detector activation, Swan Ave., Station 1 Monday, May 16 Medical assistance, Station 1 Tuesday, May 17 Medical assistance, Station 1 Remote alarm, Pelham Town Square, Station 1

Rehabilitation Design/Build Project saw the fall 2021 reopening of Sulphur Springs Road in North Pelham. The approximately 2 km roadway was closed to all traffic in February 2016 after progressive erosion and significant weather events caused a complete roadway failure.

The project, completed using the design/build project delivery model by Fonthill-based Duffin ContractSee AWARD Page 11

Remote alarm Pelham St., Station 2 Medical assistance, Station 2 Medical assistance, Station 2 Carbon monoxide alarm, Lametti Dr., Station 1 Wednesday, May 18 Remote alarm, Pelham St, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 1 Friday, May 20 Motor vehicle collision, Hwy 20 W, Station 1

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Emily C. BARR, 36, Fort Erie Richard I. SHELDRICK, 53, Thorold Darren L. MASSE, 27, Niagara Falls Shane L. EATON, 36, Niagara On The Lake Joseph N. VANSLUYTMAN, 30, Mississauga William J. GRIST, 58, Port Colborne Christine T. LEGAULT, 44, Niagara Falls Kelton W. PRITCHARD, 24, St. Catharines Brianna M. SIGURDSON, 18, Welland Renato R. MEDALLA, 55, Niagara Falls Richard J. MCGRATH, 55, Niagara Falls The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

Stella

Permission to come aboard?

Allan and Joan Billyard, and Rod and Gloria Oakes enjoyed a trip to Lagos, Portugal!

In an effort to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Niagara Regional Police Service reports the names of those people who are charged with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence in the Region.

None of the following charges have been proved in court. In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension. The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample.

NOW IN OUR 26TH YEAR

Voice (905) 892-8690 Find the Voice at these locations: Indulgence Bakery Domenic's on 20 Pelham Street Grille Peter Piper’s Pubhouse DeVries Fruit Farm Beamer’s Hardware Pelham Libraries Bob’s Boys Antiques PharmaChoice Pharmacy Fonthill Fitness Fenwick Pie Company McDonald’s Duffin Appleworks Fonthill Legion Semenuk’s Gas Bar Shoppers Drug Mart Tim Horton’s Giant Tiger Fonthill LCBO Zee Lube Express Care Food Basics Minor Bros Stores Avondale Stores A-1 Market Boggio's IDA Sobeys South Pelham Grill on Canboro Shell on Hwy 20 Circle-K

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The Voice

Page 3

A May 25 2022

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

East Fonthill subdivision gets the okay

"I sincerely dislike these large signs that the public all see...and then the residents all of a sudden get up in arms"

BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent Pelham Town Council voted 4-3 to approve a staff report endorsing a new subdivision east of Station Street at its May 16 meeting, a site proposal that includes two new roadways.

The matter appeared to be contentious based on objections from some neighbours and the developer of a separate plot of land on the north side of Summersides Boulevard, with councillors Ron Kore, Bob Hildebrandt and Lisa Haun raising concerns.

“I don’t want to be a referee here. I think the two developers should come to a mutual agreement that would make our lives a little easier,” Kore told council.

The Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens and Councillor John Wink, however, both reminded members that the land was marked for development as part of the 2013 East Fonthill Secondary Plan, even though some roadway routing has

Pelham Town Council meets virtually on Monday, May 16. changed slightly from those initial drawings. A public meeting has been held regarding the proposed development.

“The proposed street networking system is appropriate. It conforms with the policies of your official plan,” Sara Premi, a lawyer representing development firm Hummel Properties told council.

Kore and Haun were concerned that the owner of a house near the corner of Station and Summersides would see property devaluation due to the construction.

“I think it does devalue [the address],” Haun said.

S P E C TA C U L AR F I R E W O R KS Saturday 10

pm

PARADE

FRIDAY May 27 • 7:00PM

Everyone loves a parade Join the Fabulous Fenwick Lions and view the parade travelling through the Village of Fenwick as part of the annual Lions Carnival. To participate, visit www.fabulousfenwicklions.org Marshalling starts: Friday, May 27, 6:00pm Bethany Christian Reformed Church Balfour Street, Fenwick Parade Starts: 7:00pm sharp Parade Ends: Centennial Park, Church Street, Fenwick (site of the Carnival) .

Hildebrandt, meanwhile, took issue with developer signage not accurately representing updated plans.

“I sincerely dislike these large signs that the public all see … and then the residents all of a sudden get up in arms,” he said.

“I’m not sitting here approving things when things continue to go wrong.”

In the end, Hildebrandt, Haun and Kore voted against approval but it wasn’t enough with Marianne Stewart, Wayne Olson, Wink, and Mayor Marvin Junkin voting in favour.

Hildebrandt backtracks on supply chain criticism

Hildebrandt initially took issue with Public Works’ stalled attempts to procure a tractor and some trucks for the Town’s fleet, but appeared to backtrack when told the realities of ongoing global supply chain issues are the reason for the inflating budget on the equipment.

Staff asked council for an extra $21,000 for a baseball diamond grooming tractor alone, citing supply chain issues and associated pricing.

“What concerns me is that you

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Come out to Centennial Park to bid on a wide assortment of shrubs, perennials, annuals, trees, evergreens, hanging baskets, herb and vegetable plants.

May 27, 28, 29

These may be purchased until Friday, May 27, at 5 PM at Clarence Service Centre, Rooted Hair Studio, DeVries Fruit Market in Fenwick, or the Avondale at Haist & Canboro, Fonthill.

Enjoy unlimited access to the midway rides on any one day:

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[haven’t gone] far enough afield to the big suppliers of this kind of equipment rather than just locally,” Hildebrandt told Public Works Director Jason Marr and Manager Ryan Cook. “You’re asking me to double the value of the quote without enough investigation.”

Marr, Cook, and Treasurer Teresa Quinlin-Murphy all shot back at Hildebrandt’s assertion.

“We don’t make [prices] up,” Cook said. “This [proposal] went out to 5,000 different vendors.”

Marr said the same procurement process is being used for the equipment as with any significant Town of Pelham purchase.

“We’re following the Town’s purchasing policy, it is going out in a competitive environment,” the director said. “It is going through our procurement policy and it is

Friday, May 27 5:00 PM – 11 PM Saturday, May 28 12:00 PM – 11 PM Sunday, May 29 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Saturday May 28th, 2:00pm

The Fenwick Lions would like to thank our local growers and garden centers for their donations.

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Page 4

The Voice

A May 25 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

COTÉ'S COMMENTS Larry Coté

A town without physicians

T

here is a crisis in the medical system in Ontario and across the country. There is a shortage of family doctors. Millions of people do not have access to a general practitioner. The problem is not new and has been decades in the making. According to Statistics Canada, 4.6 million people did not have a family doctor in 2019.

The issue is severest in northern communities, the Maritimes, and Indigenous reserves.

The resolve of this matter is not an easy one and may even worsen. Many communities have established recruitment commissions to attract doctors to their constituency. Although communities disclaim competing with each other, each is developing incentives more attractive than their neighbour. The additional staff and cost of incentives is especially troublesome for the budgets of smaller communities.

Many of these incentives include cash and various other perks such as assistance with office space and jobs for the doctors’

spouses. Cash incentives are an attractive perk to many medical graduates as they fi nished their studies, owing significant amounts that subsidized the costs associated with their schooling.

"According to Statistics Canada, 4.6 million people did not have a family doctor in 2019"

A number of local doctors have or are about to retire and their patients are frantically searching for a family physician.

However, they are fi nding the patient quota for these local doctors is maximized and they are unable to take on more patients.

There are some serious consequences associated with the sparsity of family physicians. One of these is that a person’s malady

NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL Distress Centre Distress and crisis.

24-hour help line: 905-688-3711 Mental Health and Addictions Access 1-866-550-5205 (Toll Free) Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting.

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Narcotics Anonymous 1-888-811-3887.

Gambler’s Anonymous 905-351-1616 Kids Help Phone Service for youth.

416-586-5437 800-668-6868 (Crisis Line) www.kidshelpphone.ca

Assaulted Women’s Helpline Mobile calls to: #SAFE (#7233) 1-866-863-0511 (Toll-free) Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) www.niagaratips.com Text - 274637 (CRIMES), keyword Niagara, then your tip

The Voice

Z

Duc, sequere, aut de medio fiat

Z

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 Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR Don Rickers

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger

CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Michael Coren, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

is not detected in its early treatable stages and may become a major trauma or more difficult and expensive to treat. Family doctors are the front line in the healthcare system and treat medical issues in the early stages before these become more debilitating.

Another consequence to the shortage of family doctors is the impact on the hospitals in communities where there are too few doctors for the area population. That often results in people who suffer from minor ailments to attend emergency departments of nearby hospitals. Such visits put an enormous and unexpected load on those hospitals and their often times limited staff. Ideally, such minor ailments are most effectively handled by clinics operated by family physicians.

Another reason that there is a shortage of family physicians is the fact that fewer med students are choosing that specialty. They observe this sector as being the least compensated and choose other specialties that have See DOCTORS next page

Letters Thank you from Friends of Maple Acre Library On behalf of the Friends of Maple Acre we would like to thank the Voice for the coverage of our cleanup, tree carving, and garden project. Your coverage was most appreciated.

As we continue with our enhancements we have seen the community interest increase and hope that this will continue with additional donations and support.

We are planning the return of our annual pre-parade BBQ on Friday May 27, from 4 to 7 PM in front of the library. Come out and support your local library. Enjoy a bar-

becued hamburger, hot dog, drinks, and fresh homemade pie.

In addition to the BBQ, the Friends of Maple Acre are celebrating over 100 years of existence and also celebrating the fire department that once shared this plot of land. To celebrate this milestone, a short vignette called “At Your Service,” will be performed in front of the Library at 6 PM sharp.

This dramatization is written and perSee BBQ next page

7

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900 Member of Provincial Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033

Today's forgotten business stopped advertising yesterday

Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805 Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-5877 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647

Cabinetry Showroom & Design Centre 7-200 Hwy 20 East, Fonthill ON L0S 1E6 Open: Mon - Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Call (905) 932-7069 to schedule an appointment for a design consultation.

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

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

REAL ESTATE, PURCHASES, SALES & MORTGAGES, BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS & SALES, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY FONTHILL (Main Office)

10 Highway 20 E., P.O. Box 743, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 T: 905-892-2621 • F: 905-892-1022

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NIAGARA FALLS (Satellite Office)

Pio Plaza, 8685 Lundy’s Lane, Unit #2, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 1H5 T: 289-296-2629 • F: 289-296-0222

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NEW LOCATION

Well don't just sit there. Share it with The Voice! letters@ thevoiceofpelham.ca

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The Voice

Page 5

A May 25 2022

OPINION Let your feelings be known Many will remember the brutal killing of my husband, Earl Clapp, on October 2, 2020.

We have learned during the court process that there was no conversation or interaction between the thieves and my husband.

Earl was simply walking down the street in their direction to check on noise. He was run down by a thief afraid of capture, and dragged for two kilometres to his death.

The Pelham community with the leadership of the Fenwick Lions demonstrated not only their support for our family but the unity and determination of Pelham residents in protesting against trespassing and theft on our properties and the violence that inevitably results. I have learned through the preliminary hearing that the planning and execution of theft of trailers, trucks, tractors, and ATVs has become routine and seen by perpetrators as their exclusive means of “earning” a living.

On June 7, beginning at 10 AM at the St. Catharines courthouse (59 Church St.), the

perpetrator in our case will be sentenced.

For our family and Earl's friends, we look to this as hopeful closure to what has been a difficult journey. But for the broader community, it is an opportunity to be present and demonstrate to the court and policy-makers that communities must not live in fear and be victims of what appears to have become a well-oiled crime machine.

If you would like to believe that the trailer, truck, or ATV that you have worked hard for is yours, and not a target for thieves who believe that there will be no consequence, I encourage you to attend for part or all of the day to show your concern. Observers are allowed to enter or leave a courtroom at any time unless the judge is speaking. It is expected that this hearing will go into the afternoon.

Questions? Email me at tillieclapp@ gmail.com Tillie Clapp Fenwick

MUNICIPAL MATTERS Pelham

Preparing to welcome Summer Games torch relay

BY MARVIN JUNKIN Mayor Town of Pelham

A

ugust 6, the first day of competition for the Canada Summer Games, is fast approaching.

The games organizers are ticking off items from the list of “things yet to be done” at a steady pace. From past games it is estimated that 5000 volunteers will be needed to make these games run smoothly. The organizers are very close to this number and will continue to accept volunteers right up to opening day.

Prior to every Canada Games a torch relay takes place and sees the Roly McLenahan Torch travel through parts of the country as it makes its way to the host city for the opening ceremony. In keeping with this time-honored Canada Games tradition, the Niagara 2022 Torch Run will begin in Ottawa then head to Montreal for its unprecedented journey on water. From Montreal it will travel by boat to the Welland Canal, where it will disembark to continue the land journey across Niagara.

The torch will then visit all 12 municipalities and engage

with local residents in the lead-up to the 2022 Games.

The torch will be in Pelham on Saturday, July 16, which coincides with our annual Summerfest festival. Please keep this date in mind and if possible come out and show your support for this oncein-a-lifetime event!

After the final leg of the land programme is complete, the torch will arrive at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines on August 6 for the opening ceremony, where it will ignite the Canada Games Cauldron and officially commence the competition. ◆

Lock your doors We want to alert the community that car break-ins continue, following a break-in story the Voice printed last summer. Two cars on Fallingbrook Drive, Fonthill, were broken into overnight on Friday, May 20. Unfortunately, neither homeowner had cameras or sensor lights, and valuable items were stolen. Are these the same kids from last year?

A Concerned Resident

Effingham speeding needs crackdown My husband and I live on Effingham Street. The homeowners on the street have been calling the Town for years asking for assistance in slowing down the traffic on Effingham, where we call home.

The speed of the traffic makes it difficult to leave our country driveways (steep, treed, uphill). We have had many close calls.

Also, we have witnessed numerous accidents. Something has to be done. Kids live

DOCTORS

continued from previous page greater earnings potential.

In some cases, family doctors are compensated on a per visit basis. While this

in these homes and teenagers who drive.

I fear every time they leave our driveway.

Also, I have to drive my car around the corner in order to go for a walk.

We need to slow down the traffic. Especially near our address—someone has died on that turn already. We don’t need a repeat.

Kelly Burton Effingham

rate varies from province to province, in British Columbia this rate is capped at $30 per visit.

The Canadian Resident Matching Service, used by graduating medical students to get their fi rst

posting, reports there were 1,569 family medicine positions available in 2022.

According to that Service, 99 of these positions went

BBQ

continued from previous page formed by some of the members of SAY IT! On Stage, an intergenerational theatre program run by the Town of Pelham. SAY IT! is in the process of building an original stage play in November, but were happy to devote some of their creative energy to this celebration of some important parts of Fenwick history.

The script for this short play was built with information gathered through both reading material kept in Maple Acre's historical collection, and through conversations with members of the Fenwick community.

unfi lled this year.

It is to be hoped that future elected officials will turn their undivided attention to resolving this

“At Your Service” pays tribute to the dedication and hard work that have made Pelham Fire Station #2 and the Maple Acre Branch of the Lincoln Pelham Public Library cornerstones of the Fenwick community.

A silent auction will also be held inside the library with donated items.

Please come out and see our tree carving progress to date, enjoy the BBQ, explore the library, and enjoy the performance while waiting for our Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club parade.

All support and donations to our library projects are most appreciated.

Sandee Matthews Friend of Maple Acre Fenwick

crucial issue. According to the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the problem of this doctor shortage will not be over-

come until the provinces make this specialty more winsome by introducing more attractive compensation packages .◆

Professional SERVICES Directory Dr. Ann Volk Dr. Randy Pauls Dr. Jeanette Ngo

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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

Plant Sale Bake Goods

Treasures

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

Sat May 28th 8:30am – 12 noon

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

Everyone has a story. Tell us yours!

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The Voice

A May 25 2022

COMMON DECENCY Rev. Michael Coren

Letters continued Prime property sale a mistake

Parliamentary prayer more show than substance

I

begin and end every day with formal prayer. Glutton that I am, I also pray throughout the day, both in an organized manner in church, and while I’m simply walking and being. It rather comes with the job, in that I’m an Anglican priest. But millions of other people also bathe their lives in prayer, from every religion. It is, if you like, their and my core, our epicenter, and our foundation. In other words, it’s extraordinarily important to so many of us.

Which is why it might be surprising that I think that MPs were likely wrong to reject a Bloc Québécois motion in early May to remove the brief prayer that is held before parliamentary proceedings begin. Not because prayer doesn’t matter, but precisely because it matters so very much indeed.

Conservatives and Liberals voted against the proposal, and in spite of it being supported by a number of NDP MPs it was heavily defeated 266-56.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voted against, and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh voted for. So the non-denominational prayer, read partly in French and partly in English, followed by “a moment of silence for private thought and reflection” will remain. Politicians can say in unison, “Almighty God, we give thanks for the great blessings which have been bestowed on Canada and its citizens, including the gifts of freedom, opportunity and peace that we enjoy” and then ask for supreme guidance.

All good I suppose, if those MPs are serious about the whole thing. Forgive my cynicism, however, but I’ve met too many of them to believe this to be the case. Whatever their party or their individual quality, many are distracted, bemused, or indifferent.

And judging by the increasing degree of vituperation, anger, and bombastic partisanship in Ottawa at the moment, these prayers are having very little effect on ethical behavior and standards.

The point is that perfunctory prayer is no prayer at all. It removes the nourishment of this privileged conversation with God, reduces a sublime dialogue to sheer banality. It’s rather like a handshake or a casual “How

"Prayer is difficult and challenging, and is supposed to change us rather than change God"

are you?” — they once signified visceral feelings but now mean hardly anything at all. Then we have sheer hypocrisy, epitomized by right-wing politicians in the US. They invariably oppose all effective gun control measures but then announce that they’re praying for the victims after yet another gun massacre takes place. God must be weeping.

The crucial aspect of authentic prayer is its raw and powerful honesty. It should open us up, revealing intimacy and vulnerability, leading us to question our actions and filter our emotions and feelings through a prism of goodness and kindness. Can we in

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all honesty argue that this is what happens in the House of Commons?

Prayer is difficult and challenging, and is supposed to change us rather than change God. If we pray so as to be seen, pray to be noticed, we are not only getting it all wrong but positively shaming its meaning and purpose.

From a Christian point of view, Jesus is especially hard on those who pray in public because they assume that onlookers will have a higher regard for them because of it. I’m not accusing Canadian politicians of this, but those MPs I know personally who are people of deep faith are some of the least likely to make a loud noise about public prayer. The great paradox of Christianity is that in defeat is victory, and that’s a dark, deep problem for any politician ambitious for ideology and career.

Martin Luther King, a man of deep faith who dedicated his life to social and political change, and was certainly not afraid to pray in public, said: “Although prayer is native to man, there is the danger that he will misuse it. Although it is a natural outpouring of his spirit, there is the danger that he will use it in an unnatural way.”

I hope that those MPs who voted to preserve prayer and quiet reflection in the House of Commons will use this rare moment of disagreement about spiritual matters to think again on what prayer genuinely means, and how a conversation with the creator can be employed to improve the lives of all people, and also make for better, fairer, and more empathetic politicians. I’ve seen enough examples of change and growth over the years to know that anything is possible. And apart from anything else, I’ll be praying for it. But quietly and privately. ◆

Thank you Welland Councillor Tony DiMarco for having a thinking mind and courage to speak out against the rushing of the process and especially pointing out the lack of consideration being extended to the public so they get to have input on this extreme Welland change of landscape forever, which includes future generations.

Mayor Frank Campion dressed down DiMarco for insulting the staff. Really?

You as Mayor, that is where your loyalty lands, not to the public taxpayers?

Has anyone noticed as you drive around Welland today that you can feel your lungs fi lling with the fumes of more and more vehicles being added to the grid? And what about the lungs of the earth, our God-given trees toppled down throughout Welland and now with this sudden takeover of 62 hectares more climate-changing nature help to be eliminated—all at the whim of a mayor and certain councillors.

This antiquated idea that cookie-cutter houses save the day is wrong-headed in my estimation. People buying those houses have demands and demands cost money compared to benefiting from 62 hectares that could draw people from all over. Did you see that green spaces are so in demand they now have to be booked.

Not to mention home to myriad wildlife that goes where?

Niagara is being turned into a concrete city and is that what the public wants?

Check out the drug use, knifes and gun deaths going on in Hamilton, Toronto, etc.

Politicians should not be entitled to such abuse of public lands. Truly they are not the owners and where will all this influx of people go for proper hospital care?

Thanks as well to the three other Welland Councillors Graham Speck, Bonnie Fokkens, and John Chiocchio who are doing a correct job of thinking of the taxpayers.

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Page 7

Page 8

The Voice

A May 25 2022

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PEOPLE AND POLITICS

by David Siegel

The Ontario election campaign: An overview

V

oting is very important, but making the decision about who to vote for can be difficult. There is a great deal of information floating around out there and you seldom find a party or candidate whose views are exactly in line with your own. What is a conscientious voter to do?

You certainly need to inform yourself about the front-andcentre issues in the campaign, but you also need to keep in mind that you are choosing a government for the next four years, and it can be difficult to predict what the major issues will be four years from now. When you voted in the 2018 election, did you know that the government you chose would be dealing with a major pandemic? Therefore, you need to choose a government based on its basic philosophy of governing, its ability to handle difficult situations, and its competence in delivering.

If you watched the televised leaders’ debate last week, you were treated to a buffet of numbers tossed out very quickly. How do you assess the accuracy or importance of all this? “Your government reduced expenditures on unicorns by x millions of dollars.” “When your government was in power, the cost of widgets increased by y percent.”

How does the average voter assess the accuracy of these claims? Even the professional fact-checkers are stymied by the fact that the calculation of percentage change has to do with which base year you use, and change in expenditure on unicorns depends on what you include

as going for unicorns. It’s a muddle.

My suggestion is to forget about the trees and concentrate on the forest. If you do that, some differences between parties become clearer. Let’s go for a broad overview of what the parties have said in this campaign. This summary draws on the parties’ published platforms and some statements that have been made on the campaign trail.

The Conservative Party’s slogan is “Let’s get it done.” The party is focussed on major infrastructure projects, exemplified by construction of Highway 413 and construction of new hospitals and improvement of existing ones.

The party’s program for people promises more skill training, more jobs in manufacturing, and alliances with clean steelmakers. It also promises to hire more healthcare workers. There has been little discussion of the “new economy,” the high-tech sector.

There seems to be no detailed plan to deal with affordability, although there is a commitment to reduce costs by cutting the gas tax, eliminating the annual vehicle sticker fee, and eliminating tolls on two short roads east of Toronto.

The general idea is that the Conservative Party is focused on working through the private sector to create more jobs in construction and manufacturing. There is no mention of the new digital economy. During the debate, the Premier mentioned reducing regulation several times.

My apologies if I have overlooked some aspects of the Conservative agenda. As a reasonably experienced web researcher, I was able to find the platforms of the Greens (64 pages), Liberals (82 pages), and NDP (192 pages) fairly easily. I could not locate a platform document for the Conservatives.

When I went to the “Get It Done” website, I could get a lawn sign,

"This could be a reflection of my search skills, but you would think that a party would want to make this sort of thing easy to find"

volunteer, or donate, but it was decidedly one-directional. I could not leave a message or ask a question. (I was able to leave a query on the website of a local candidate, but a day later, I have not received a response.) There were also some fragments telling me some things that the party planned do and others criticizing other parties, but I was unable to locate one place that clearly and systematically described the party’s platform. This could be a reflection of my search skills, but you would think that a party would want to make this sort of thing easy to find.

The Liberal platform was written is a way that emphasized the impact it would have on people. It began with a commitment to affordability in the form of increasing the minimum wage, implementing comprehensive rent controls, and stimulating home building.

The platform also promises to guarantee home care, end for-profit long-term care, and eliminate the surgical backlog. It also promises to increase expenditure on education by improving school buildings and hiring more teachers. It also recognizes environmental concerns by promising to reduce carbon pollution, increase green space, and reduce transit fares.

The NDP platform was also written from the standpoint of the impact that its policies would have on people. Its major theme is “quality public services you can count on.”

It promises an end to privatization in health care and electricity.

It deals with affordability through comprehensive rent controls, affordable child care, and cheaper auto insurance. In the healthcare sector, it promises pharmacare, better access to mental health care, and extension of publicly funded dental care. There is also an emphasis on carbon pricing and dealing with climate change.

Predictably, the Green Party sees issues through an environmental lens, but it does have a comprehensive platform. It does not make the same specific commitments that other parties do like pharmacare, but it does recognize the need for more funding for healthcare. Its

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platform generally takes a holistic approach to issues. For example, it notes that the “connected communities” that it advocates would be both more environment-friendly and better places to live.

There are some clear contrasts among the parties. The Conservatives focus on the private sector, while the NDP is unabashedly about public provision of services.

The Conservatives have focussed on infrastructure, but have not said much about climate change.

The Liberals and NDP both make significant reference to environmental issues, but the Green Party is the only party which has a well-developed comprehensive approach to dealing with climate change. All parties have made significant commitments in the field of healthcare. The Conservatives have committed to major expenditure on buildings and hiring more staff. The NDP has been more specific about its commitment to mental health, pharmacare and dental care. Not surprisingly, the Green Party stands out for its comprehensive approach to environmental issues, although the Liberals and NDP also make strong references to concern for environmental issues.

Space prevents me from going into more detail on these issues, but you should do some digging on the issues that are important to you. The important message is to inform yourself and then get out and vote. ◆ David Siegel is a Brock Emeritus Professor of Political Science.

Niagara

West

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The Voice

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT S

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ganic Mulch decomposes into the soil over time, mulching around your trees and shrubs provides many benefits to your garden!

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and trees. Why mulch?

Natural mulch is fantastic for aiding the growth of gardens. Natural mulch, such as Safe Tree’s Natural Organic Mulch acts similarly to a forest floor by replenishing the soil and serves as nutrients for the trees and other plants.

There are many different types of mulches available in the market, and some are unfortunately created using landfill refuse. This type of mulch contains many unwanted chemicals, plastics, and glues that could potentially harm your trees and plants! Choosing natural mulch for your garden is a sustainable solution. It’s compost safe, free of chemicals, and is a great way to reuse leftover tree debris.

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Additional nutrients If a new layer of mulch is added each year to the garden, the lower layer of mulch will be able to break down and eventually serve as food for your trees and plants. As mulch decomposes, nitrogen is the primary macronutrient released into the soil, alongside other vital nutrients for plant health.

Air pockets and soil drainage As soil breaks down, it is broken up into little separate pieces. This process infuses the soil with air pockets which is essential for root growth. These air pockets allow the roots of trees to breathe, gain better access to nutrients and aid in water drainage. If roots sit in water that stubbornly wont drain, they won’t be able to absorb all those nutrients they require. Worse yet, they may even fall susceptible to root rot and eventually fail.

Regulate soil moisture Like most things, trees also need to have balance in life.

Trees don’t like their roots being overly saturated or dry.

Mulch serves to wick excess moisture from the soil when conditions are too wet and when conditions are too dry, mulch helps to lock some of that moisture in.

Regulate soil temperature Regardless of the season, mulch acts as an insulating layer for the roots below, so that the changes to the temperature are more gradual.

Minimizing the fluctuation in temperature helps the tree adapt to and thrive in its urban environment.

Reduce weeds in garden Mulch prevents many weed seeds from germinating by lessening the amount of light they get. Ultimately, weeds have a hard time pushing through heavy, organic mulch. That means less time you need to spend weeding your garden!

Visual appeal Last but not least, mulch is a great finishing touch in the garden. Safe Tree offers both natural and dyed mulch, depending on how you want to style your green space. Hav-

ing beautifully and clearly defined garden beds filled with natural mulch offers a decorative aesthetic complimenting your home’s landscape design.

At Safe Tree we strive to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment. Safe Tree’s natural mulch is made using 100% repurposed wood from prunes and removals, from local urban forests. Available for scheduled pick up or delivery, Safe Tree’s natural and dyed mulch is sure to maintain and keep your garden thriving. If you’d like to know which Safe Tree mulch is best for your garden or learn more about Safe Tree’s tree health services, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us at info@safetree.ca, let’s talk and get you mulching!

Page 10

The Voice

A May 25 2022

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Lake-to-Lake Challenge for Huntington’s Another try at State of Emergency declaration

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor

It’s similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but worse than both.

That’s how many people describe the progressive neurological disease called Huntington’s, an incurable genetic condition marked by uncontrollable and jerky movements known as chorea, as well as cognitive, behavioural, and emotional deterioration. The disease and its symptoms typically begin in adulthood, and worsen over time. Walking can prove difficult, and falls are commonplace.

It impacts not just the affl icted, but family and friends charged with providing ongoing care.

Carol and Henry Zablocki, in Fonthill, know fi rsthand the impact of Huntington’s. Their son, Brandon Robinson, is suffering symptoms of the debilitating illness.

“It's a genetic disease, passed down to Brandon from his father, and his grandfather, and his great-grandmother also had it,” said Carol. “Brandon was tested in 2009, and it was confi rmed that he carried the gene. We really didn’t think much about it, because back then he didn’t have symptoms. Life goes on.”

In 2020, Brandon, age 41, started having problems.

“As his symptoms increased, it was clear he couldn’t live on his own, so he lives with us now,” said Carol.

“We’re his parents and his caregivers, and we’ll be there for him, wherever this road takes us. We take one day at a time.”

One of the symptoms of Huntington’s is not being able to process information quickly, said Carol.

“When we talk to Brandon, it sometimes takes a while for him to understand and formulate a response,

but he's doing fairly well. We're in the Huntington’s support network, which is nationwide, and they are helping with us with therapies that can improve his living situation.”

Carol and Henry have maintained a positive attitude throughout the ordeal.

“We’re very blessed, because Brandon is just such a co-operative, joyful person,” said Carol. “He had to quit his full-time job in 2020 because he couldn't deal with the workplace stress. Now he works part-time at our business, the Circle K convenience store in St. Catharines, at Lake and Scott streets. We found that he couldn't deal with the pressure of the carwash and computers and customer lineups, so now he works the midnight shift a few times each week, which is really good because the carwash is closed and there is less traffic in the store.”

Brandon no longer drives a car, having made the decision for fear of injuring himself, or someone else.

Roughly 1 in 7,000 Canadians has Huntington's, and every child of a parent with disease will have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene. Both men and women are affected.

Huntington’s makes it challenging for the affl icted to remember the content of conversations, and process complex tasks. Patients are at risk of getting lost, even in familiar places.

But usually past memories are retained, along with the ability to recognize familiar people.

It is not uncommon for Huntington’s patients to display inappropriate behaviour, including that of a sexual nature. Agitation, irritability, and aggression are other possible personality changes. Some patients may experience hallucinations and

delusions that can severely affect their day-to-day interactions. Anxiety, depression, apathy, and frustration are not uncommon.

Counselling and psychotherapy, along with antipsychotic and antidepressant medications, are usually prescribed. There are no drugs to slow or stop the progression, only to reduce the symptoms.

The Niagara chapter of the Huntington Society of Canada (HSC) will host a fundraising walk, the Niagara Lake-to-Lake Challenge, on May 28. The event takes place along the Welland Canal Parkway Trail, with the option of a virtual walk in one’s own neighbourhood. Participants are asked to track all kilometres, which will be added to the society’s national goal of 4,000 kilometres. The Niagara chapter is hoping to contribute 750 kilometres to that total.

“Henry and a bunch of our friends are going to walk the whole route,” said Carol. “Brandon can't walk that far, and I'm not much of a walker, either. But we're going to be there, participating.”

Registration is available online, and in person on May 28 at the Allanburg Bridge parking lot on Highway 20, beginning at 10 AM. All donations made to the event before June 30 will be matched by an anonymous donor.

More information is available on the chapter’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/HDNiagara.

Participants are encouraged to share photos of themselves participating in the event on Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtag #HuntingtonHeroesNiagara

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Niagara politicians, activists push for action on mental health, homelessness, and addiction

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor An effort to declare a state of emergency on mental health, homelessness, and addiction in Niagara is back in the political realm.

Social activist Steven Soos was driving the issue last year, encouraging Niagara West MP Dean Allison to sponsor a federal petition, e-3351, for the cause. Soos and Niagara Falls City Councillor Wayne Campbell sold 11 of the 12 Niagara municipalities on the concept earlier in the year, with Lincoln being the sole holdout. The request failed at the Regional level, where an alternative motion was drafted and received approval.

Now Thorold City Councillor Carmen DeRose is championing the cause, pushing for reconsideration.

“I presented the declaration as a Notice of Motion, so it will be brought forward at the next meeting as a motion on June 7 for discussion,” DeRose told the Voice.

“The new goal is to revisit Niagara area municipalities, and encourage as many as possible to declare the emergency. If they supported the initial request, we are asking them to go a bit further and actually declare,” said Soos.

“Niagara went from 620 opiate overdoses in 2020 to 1001 last year. The point is that the need is greater now than it was before.”

The declaration specifies that approximately 665 residents, including 121 children in Niagara, were counted as homeless in March of 2021, and that Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) reported 1001 suspected opioid overdoses in 2021, with 210 suspected opioid overdoses thus far in 2022.

Niagara’s suicide rate of 9.8 deaths per 100,000, according to StatsCan, is higher than the provincial average of 7.7.

Soos said that the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, Emergency Management Ontario, the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, all Niagara-area MPPs, and all Niagara sub-municipalities have been copied on the resolution.

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The Voice

SOSSA CHAMPS E. L. Crossley Secondary School’s track and field team has won the SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary School Association) competition overall and SOSSA girls team and SOSSA boys team titles.

“This is an excellent accomplishment,” says Coach Maryann Mergl.

The following 16 athletes placed first in one or more of their events: Maiya Bolibruck in senior girls pole vault, Izzy Brenzil in junior girls shot put, long jump and 4 x 100m relay, Jack Brownlee in novice boys javelin and fourth in discus, Alexis Collins in junior girls 4 x 100m relay and third in pole vault, Keon Darling in novice boys 4 x 100m relay, Cherith Dunn in novice girls pole vault and third in 4 x 100m relay, Regan Hildebrandt in junior girls 4 x 100m relay, third in 80m hurdles, third in 300m hurdles and fourth in pole vault, Samuel Jeffery in senior boys 110m hurdles and 4 x 400m relay and second in pole vault and third in long jump, Olivia Jones in junior girls 4 x 100m re-

AWARD

continued from Page 2 ing, involved the reinstatement of the roadway using environmentally sustainable products with a focus on the health and sensitivity of the environment and the adjacent 12 Mile Creek. The 12 Mile Creek is the last remaining cold-water

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A May 25 2022

lay and second in pole vault, Adam Kleinsmith in senior boys 800m and 4 x 400m relay and second in 1500m, Matt Kleinsmith in 4 x 400m relay, third in 800m, Henry Knafelc in novice boys pole vault, Lucas Nuziato in novice boys 100m, 4 x 100m relay and second in the 200m, Noah Paquin in novice boys 4 x 100m, Jackson Sider in novice boys 800, 4 x 100m relay, 4 x 400m relay and fourth in 1500m, and Ava Young in junior girls discus and javelin. The following athletes are also advancing to OFSAA Regionals next week in their events: Kendra Ambersle fifth in junior girls discus, Mackenna Belding fifth in senior girls discus, Brandon Bernardi third in junior boys javelin, Simon Bolhouis fourth in senior boys pole vault, Ryan Bradbury third in novice boys 100m hurdles, Kayden Gyugyei third in senior boys 4 x 100m, Hillary Haining third in novice girls pole vault and third in 4 x 100m relay, Kennedy Hall second in senior girls 4 x 100, second in 100m and 200m, Hannah Holmes fourth in senior girls 400m hurdles, Callie Johnstone third in novice girls 4

stream in Niagara and home to endangered species such as the Brook Trout.

“The Sulphur Springs project has been a critical and environmentally sensitive undertaking for the Town,” said Mayor Marvin Junkin.

“Pelham was very fortunate to have such an experienced contractor as Duffin Construction available to do all the work that was

required. Working alongside the stream meant extra care had to be taken to protect the environment, while also implementing various up-to date road building techniques to ensure the road base was stabilized.”

The success of the project is a result of the collaborative approach between stakeholders, including the Town of Pelham, Duffin Con-

x 100m and fifth in 300m hurdles, Josh Larochelle third in senior boys discus, Lucas Motola third in senior boys 4 x 100m, Max Myers second in 800, second in 1500m and second in javelin, Tyler Paquin third in senior boys 4 x 100m relay, Max Pasma fourth in novice boys pole vault, Sarah Rice second in senior girls 4 x 100m, Aakash Senthil fourth in senior boys long jump, third in 4 x 100m relay and fourth in high jump, Jinja Shepherd second in senior girls 4 x 100m relay, L’Jayah Simmonds first in junior girls 4 x 100 relay, Cole Stegner fourth in novice boys 100m hurdles and second in 300m hurdles, Abby Stolk second in novice girls pole vault, Ethan Van Niekerk second in junior boys javelin, second in pole vault and fourth in 100m hurdles, Karlyn VanVliet third in novice girls 4 x 100m relay, and Ryan Zucco second in novice boys high jump. Mergl says that she and her fellow coaches, Ryan Huxley and Jordan Lew, “are very proud of the entire team with their perseverance and hard work ethic to get where they are.”

SUPPLIED

tracting, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and environmental interest groups such as Trout Unlimited Canada Niagara Chapter. The Town of Pelham was the only municipality in Niagara to receive recognition this year.

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The Voice

A May 25 2022

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Town of Pelham Notice of Public Meeting Notice of Electronic Public Meeting: New Comprehensive Zoning By-law and accompanying Housekeeping Official Plan Amendment (Housekeeping OPA) Town Council approved Public Hearings to be held remotely during an emergency via By-law No. 4422 (2022). The Town of Pelham will be livestreaming this Public Meeting at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TownOfPelham

June 13 |

Public Meeting 5:30 p.m.

By Zoom Webinar

Purpose of the Public Meeting Take notice that Council for the Town of Pelham will be holding an electronic Public Meeting for a New Comprehensive Zoning By-law and accompanying Housekeeping Official Plan Amendment (Housekeeping OPA) in accordance with Sections 22 and 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O.1990, as amended. The purpose of the electronic public meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to understand and comment on the proposed Zoning By-law and Housekeeping OPA which both will be applicable to all lands within the Town except areas subject to the Niagara Escarpment Plan permit area.

Purpose of the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law A Zoning By-law is prepared under the requirements of Section 34 of the Planning Act and regulates the types of land uses and the character, height, location, size and massing of buildings for all lands within the Town. The Zoning By-law is the Town’s primary tool to regulate the use of all land in the Town. The new Comprehensive Zoning By-law will replace Town of Pelham Zoning By-law No. 1136 (1987) and implement the policies of the Town’s Official Plan and provided new and updated zoning and development standards that reflect policy and regulatory initiatives at the provincial and regional level.

Purpose of the Housekeeping Offical Plan Amendment A Housekeeping OPA is being proposed to update the agriculturerelated, on-farm diversified and value-added agricultural use policies to align the current plan with updated Provincial policies and permit and support the updated regulations proposed in the New Zoning By-law. This will improve and clarify the existing policies around secondary agricultural uses.

The Housekeeping OPA will also introduce policies to enable Council to delegate the authority to pass by-laws under Section 34 of the Planning Act to removing holding “H” symbols (holding by-laws), authorize the temporary use of land, buildings or structures (temporary use by-laws) and to pass housekeeping by-laws for the purpose of making clerical or other changes to assist in the interpretation of the Zoning By-law to a Committee of Council, or an authorized officer or employee of the municipality.

The Town is seeking input and feedback on both the proposed New Comprehensive Zoning By-law and the Housekeeping OPA.

Written Submission Input on the proposed draft Zoning By-law and Housekeeping OPA is welcome and encouraged. Unless indicated otherwise, personal information and all comments will become part of the public record and may be publicly released. To provide input in writing, or to request personal notice if the proposed Zoning By-law and Housekeeping OPA are approved, please send all correspondence by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 for inclusion in the public meeting agenda package c/o Town Clerk, Holly Willford, PO Box 400, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, Ontario L0S 1E0, or by email at hwillford@pelham.ca.

Comments and requests received after this date will still be received by Council, however they may not be published as part of the public meeting agenda.

Have Your Say To participate at the public meeting you must pre-register with the Clerks office by sending an email to clerks@pelham.ca before 12:00 PM on Friday, June 10th, 2022.

All registrants will be provided with instructions on how to use your computer, tablet or phone to participate in the Public Meeting. Registrants will also be notified of Council’s decision.

If you have not submitted written comments or pre-registered before the aforementioned deadlines, but wish to submit comments during the Public Meeting, you may livestream the meeting from the Town of Pelham’s YouTube channel and email comments to clerks@pelham.ca during the public commenting portion of the subject applications only. If your comments are not received prior to the closing of the public commenting portion of the meeting, they will not be considered.

More Information For more information, please contact Lindsay Richardson, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner, at 905-980-6675 or 905-892-2607 ext. 335, or via email at lrichardson@pelham.ca.

For further information or for a copy of the draft Zoning By-law and Official Plan Amendment, please visit engagingpelham.ca and search the project page or scan this QR code.

A copy of the Information Report regarding the proposed application as well as any additional information may be obtained on the Town’s website at http://calendar.pelham.ca/council or from the Community Planning and Development Department by appointment after 4:30 pm on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Important Information If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the Town of Pelham’s Municipal Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written statements to the Town of Pelham before the by-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the Town of Pelham before the by-law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.

Dated at the Town of Pelham, this 24th day of May, 2022.

Holly Willford, Town Clerk hwillford@pelham.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

COUNCIL

continued from Page 3 a competitive process, we’re just not getting the bids.”

Quinlin-Murphy summarized that, “the vendors don’t have the equipment. It’s a supply chain issue.”

Olson raised a concern that delays on new snow removal equipment until late 2024 could adversely affect his Ward 1 roads, which are deemed lower-priority than in the urban zone.

“There certainly is a supply chain issue,” Olson said. “With Class-A trucks, I looked up the capacity for the industry in North America and it’s 360,000 right at the moment, per year, and demand right now is 600,000 … might as well get your name on the list. We need reliable vehicles on the road.”

Hildebrandt then relayed a personal anecdote about the auto industry.

“Talking to one of my friends who is in the automotive business, the market in the U.S. is so strong that when you drive by the new car dealers here in town, what’s happening to a lot of their vehicles is they’re being sold at a profit to the U.S. market instead of staying where they should and servicing the local community,” he said. “I think is the real crime of what is happening to the Canadian economy. It’s a terrible situation.”

Haun asked Quinlin-Murphy why the Town purchases some vehicles rather than leasing them.

The Treasurer said a 2017 report demonstrated better value in purchasing, but that the report is due to be updated later this year.

Councillor, staffer spar over privacy

Council voted to include a planting strip with coniferous

trees a minimum of seven feet tall as part of approval for new townhouses in the 690 block of Quaker Road. Hildebrandt and Haun moved the amendment, requiring the trees be planted on the rear (north) side of the property so as to provide privacy for the existing single-storey homes behind the development.

Wiens minimized the issue.

“I think there’s a lot of fear about privacy,” the Director of Community Planning and Development said. “What I can tell as someone who lives in a two-storey house, I look out my window, I don’t look down into my neighbours’ yards, it’s just not something you do. You get up in the morning and open your blinds, and look at the sky. I think there’s a lot of fear around privacy that is really … to a certain degree misplaced.”

Haun, explaining that she used to live nearby, took issue with Wiens’ remarks.

“On more than one occasion, a two-storey house—and it’s hard to believe, but privacy is pretty important to most people— and when you actually have binoculars looking down at you from a two-storey house that’s not far from your backyard that’s a huge invasion of privacy,” Haun said. “It’s not paranoia, it’s reality. I think people were pretty much locked at home for two years looking for things to do as they couldn’t leave their homes for all intents and purposes because of Covid, people got curious. And hopefully we’re over that period where we have to be in lockdown. I don’t think that’s an issue that should be downplayed in any way.”

The amendment passed unanimously.

111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL

Page 13

A May 25 2022

Disturbed over large garage

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Doug Gabourie of Spruceside Crescent in Fonthill likes to gaze out his front window. But the view will soon change.

His neighbour, who has a raised bungalow at the corner of Deerpark and Spruceside, has been granted a variance from Pelham’s Committee of Adjustment, allowing the construction of a two-vehicle garage which will obscure Gabourie’s view.

“I am already calling it ‘the barn,’” said Gabourie, who had spoken with town planner Kenny Ng about the 12-ft.-high structure. “We received a letter from the Town six days before we had to have our paperwork in to oppose the build. We got it in right away. I’ve got nothing against my neighbour personally, it's just that I don't want to be staring at this.”

He referenced similar issues on Pancake Lane and Haist Street, where he said construction was being pushed through without due process.

His efforts to engage the committee via Zoom were impeded by his lack of computer literacy, he said.

“I had to put up with a 24-foot trailer parked right beside my house in a neighbour’s driveway for years,” he said. “I bumped heads with the bylaw officer on that one.

I called a few times, and they said it had to be five feet from the town easement, meaning from the sidewalk. Well, it wasn't. I finally gave up on it.”

Gabourie said that if the garage was in a rural area, or just a single

A garage is to be built on this Spruceside Crescent lot. car garage, he’d probably be okay with it.

“The neighbour did talk to me a couple years ago, saying he wanted to build a garage. One of the neighbors down the street has a single car garage, but he's got one of those electric lifts in it. And he puts two cars inside, one stacked on top of the other. It's a normal looking garage. And I thought well, that would be good. But this double-car design is a bit much.”

His wife reminded him that by pushing the issue, he was going to make enemies and alienate himself from Town staff.

“I told her that I had to say something,” said Gabourie. “I have to take a stand.”

Barb Wiens, Director of Community Planning and Development for the Town of Pelham, told the Voice that the applicant received approval from the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance to reduce the setback.

“The closest point is 2.47 meters from the property line,” said Wiens. “The sidewalk is beyond that a bit. I know the committee

BOB LOBLAW

did receive [Gabourie’s] input and hear his concerns, but ultimately made the decision to approve the variance. The applicant actually didn't need a variance with respect to the height, which was already in compliance with the bylaw. The applicant said that he had two classic cars that he wanted to store in the garage.”

The Planning Act requires a tenday notice, said Wiens, “and in this case, we were able to get the notice out sooner than that. There was something like a 28-day notice given on this application.”

Wiens added that there are some street trees in the road allowance that will not be impacted by the construction, and will help screen Gabourie’s view. ”We've also asked for a landscape strip to be added to minimize the impact of the structure,” she said.

“I just think this was done deal before we even got our paperwork in,” lamented Gabourie. “It all happened too fast. I've been here in Fonthill for 34 years, and I can tell you that ‘due process’ in Pelham is not a straightforward process.”

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Page 14

The Voice

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 sion of the 13-week Ontario Police College training program in Aylmer—the Coles Notes bullet points, so to speak—minus (thankfully) the hefty fitness component.

Four other intrepid journalists — Dave Johnson from the Niagara dailies, Evan Saunders from the Lake Report in NOTL, Mike Balsom from YourTV/Cogeco (and occasional contributor to the Voice), and Stephen Murdoch, VP for Public Relations at Enterprise Canada — joined me in the demonstration, intended to give both the media and the public insight as to how the NRPS prepares their officers to protect and serve the community.

Topics discussed, demonstrated, and replicated included use of force protocols, defensive tactics, firearms and conducted energy weapons (aka Tasers), and situational police scenarios that subjected the participants to physical and mental stress.

NRPS Chief Bryan MacCulloch offered greetings, noting that “safe communities really can't happen without partnerships. Our officers are experiencing so many challenges nowadays on the front line: mental health issues, drug addiction, homelessness, poverty.

We feel that the media plays a huge part in helping us get the story out to our community about what's going on in the policing world.”

The Chief expressed a prophetic warning.

“You'll see that when you're involved in some of the scenarios, they happen very quickly,” he said.

“We're not here to trick you.

The situations that you're going to face are real-life scenarios that our officers have experienced, which we’ve incorporated into our training.”

NRPS Media Specialist Constable Phil Gavin underscored the Chief’s message.

“This is a volunteer experience,” said Gavin. “There's no hero cookie involved. If you do not feel comfortable with anything you're asked to do, just say ‘stop.’”

MacCulloch said that the NRPS brass recently reported annual use-of-force statistics to its overseeing body, the Police Services Board.

“In 2021, out of literally hundreds of thousands of interactions where our officers engaged with members of the public, there were only 186 incidents that required the filing of a use of force report,” he said.

“We’re talking about a very small number of incidents, and I think that's really a testament to the training that our officers received at the Ontario Police College, reinforced by our fabulous instructors here at our NRPS training centre.”

Constable Andrew Watson, one of the instructors, provided a lecture on the NRPS’ use-of-force model, a wheel-shaped graphic representation of the elements involved in the process by which cops assess a situa-

A May 25 2022

tion, and respond in an appropriate manner.

“What’s the individual’s behaviour?,” asked Watson.

“Is he cooperative, passively resistant, actively resistant, assaultive, or does he possess a lethal weapon that potentially creates a lifeor-death situation?”

An officer’s perceptions mesh with tactical considerations, such as the environment (confined or open area, bright daylight or poorly lit alley at night), the number of subjects, knowledge of the subject (criminal history), possible subject abilities regarding physical violence based on size and musculature, and what Watson refers to as “time and distance.”

“We tend to deal with some of the same people over and over again,” said Watson. “If a guy is known to like to fight with the police, that's going to affect how close I get to him. Time and distance allows us to properly assess the situation. Communication is the biggest tool we have, better than anything on our service belts. Our job is to de-escalate a situation, and the best way to do that is with great communication.”

Every situation is different. Perhaps a police dispatcher provides a description of a suspect, related by a citizen, along with a criminal history check. It could be a routine traffic stop for a broken taillight. But what if the vehicle was reported stolen, or the registered owner has multiple weapons violations?

“What are his hands do-

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

ing?,” asked Watson. Are his fists clenched? Is he reaching for something? Does he have cauliflower ears?”

Guys who are regular brawlers, or training in boxing, wrestling, or the martial arts, often bear scars and, yep, an ear deformity called cauliflower ear, caused by blunt force trauma or injury. It’s a warning that this bloke might have no trouble with mixing it up a bit.

“Obviously, if a guy is standing there with his fists up and verbally threatening you, there’s a good chance things are going to get ugly real fast. In policing, we call that a ‘clue,’” said Watson with a sly grin. “If he’s gritting his teeth, and has that eerie 1000-yard stare, it's a sign that maybe I should back off and reassess the situation.”

Watson said that it’s not unusual for some scrappers to size up an officer’s duty belt.

“People that want to attack us will stare at our Taser, our pistol, our baton,” he said. “That’s another clue that things could deteriorate rapidly.”

Constable Chad Davidson led the media recruits through soft and hard physical control measures, using pressure points, kicks, and punches. Intermediate weapons such as OC (oleoresin capsicum) pepper spray, and the 21-inch telescopic metal baton, were also demonstrated.

“We use the baton in two ways, either in a striking fashion, or in a ‘soft mode’ application, to essentially

OBITUARY BARBARA WATSON Age 87

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Barbara Gwen Watson, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on May 14, 2022. She left us while sleeping peacefully at the Niagara Health Care Centre in Welland, Ontario. She was in her 88th year. Born in Englewood, N.J. USA, in 1934 Barbara traveled to Canada in 1963 with her young family where she lived on Haist Court until her passing. She was a staple in the community and she will be missed by all who knew her. Barbara (Bobba) was the beloved mother of Laura (deceased daughter), Craig (Debbie) and Brian (Annemarie) and proud grandmother of Heather, Ashley, Derek, Christian, Brendon and Gwen, and great-grandmother to Sloan and Jack. She was predeceased by her husband Eugene and parents Florence and Wendel Chamberlin, she was an only child. She lived a full life as a wonderful mother, mentor, and her love for the outdoors, especially Algonquin park and Lake Opeongo. Most of all she loved her family, friends, and all animals, especially her beautiful dogs that she used to walk and tend to. She instilled good values in her children and grandchildren that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. pry a resistant person’s arm free,” he said. “We teach officers a pattern of strikes not involving the head, neck, joints, or back. We're striking major muscle mass against a person displaying an assaultive behaviour.”

In 2020, batons were used only twice by NRPS officers, in a soft application. Officers drew their pistols 66 times, discharging them 12 times. They are trained to fire their weapon until the threat is neutralized.

Constable Rich Vujasic provided the skinny on use of the Taser, a reliable, non-lethal tool which fires two darts about a foot apart attached to the device by 25 feet of wire, conveying an electrical current which usually renders the target

immobile.

“I want to create MNI, or muscle-neural incapacitation,” said Vujasic, who said that the darts work on individuals wearing heavy winter clothing, and that the main body mass (torso) is always the target.

The Taser is holstered on the left side of the officer’s duty belt, away from the Glock handgun, which is on the right. The Taser requires a cross-draw by a right-handed officer, thus eliminating (with training) confusion with the service pistol, which is for lethal purposes only.

Firearms instructor Constable Brittany Wright was up next, and explained (amidst groans of disappointment from the assem-

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca bled writers) that, due to a ventilation issue, live ammunition would not be used. (You don’t want to be inhaling lead residue from a fired round.) Instead, we would be employing a lower-velocity projectile in the Glocks called Symunition, which offers no recoil, but still goes “bang” and strikes with accuracy over short distances.

Wright explained the concept of muzzle integrity, which is a fancy way of saying keep the pointy-end directed towards the target.

We were each assigned an officer to closely supervise our pistol use.

“Leave it in your holster until you're given instructions do to otherwise,” stressed Wright, appearing, for some undetermined reason, to be looking directly at me as she issued the warning. She explained universal cover mode, which means you don't put your finger on the trigger until you have drawn the weapon and made the conscious decision to fire.

“We're shooting at the upper thoracic area, the torso, where there are a lot of organs,” she said, “which causes rapid incapacitation. We're not shooting to kill anybody, we are shooting to stop the threat. Once we have done that, we secure the scene, and immediately render first aid to that person.”

We were taught pistol grip, stance, racking the slide, target acquisition, trigger control, and moving from the tuck position to “punching out” with the pistol.

Our paper targets were set at a distance of only 10 feet, which might seem very close. But they are obscured until they abruptly turned to face us, at which point we attempted to quickly unholster the pistol, assume our grip and stance, acquire the orange square in the centre of the target, and fire off one round in two seconds. Then two shots in three seconds.

Then one shot in one second. The adrenaline was pumping.

If your idea of pistol shooting is James Bond dropping some miscreant at 50 yards with his puny Walther PPK, let me enlighten you.

That’s pure Hollywood. It just doesn’t happen in real life. Shooting a handgun with precision is hard, even at close range, due to the short sighting radius (the distance between the front blade sight and the rear notch sight.)

Rifles have a longer sighting radius, and that’s why they have greater accuracy.

CORNER

continued from Page 2 and that its practitioners are trained professionals who for the most part are doing their best. And genuine journalists are still around, at least for now, to hold them to their oaths...

Other jobs on offer: Lookout Ridge is looking for a cook (ad, p.20), and DeKorte’s is looking for landscapers (ad, p.16)...Something for Fido: Ruffin’s Pet Centre, in the Food Basics Plaza (and under new ownership) is holding a Customer Appreciation Day this coming Saturday (ad, p.6). Free grab-bags!...BBQ by the book: On Friday evening the Friends of Maple Acre Library are throwing a BBQ (letter, p.4), as the Fenwick Lions Carnival Parade once again marches down Canboro (ad, p.3)...Also on Canboro, at 361: Fresh, homemade honey oat bread is back, at Tom's Farm stand, just west of Effingham St. It freezes well, too...Basted like a turkey: I learned a lot more about sunscreen than I knew before, courtesy of John Swart

The Voice

Page 15

A May 25 2022

Constable Chad Davidson demonstrates a takedown maneuver.

I managed mostly hits in the fluorescent square, with only two straying high and to the left (not unlike my tee shot on the golf course.) At greater distances, I would no doubt have missed the target completely. Regular practice makes the process instinctive, we are told.

The grand finale was the much-anticipated series of real-life scenarios.

Dave from the dailies assumed the role of an officer stopping a vehicle on a darkened roadway, police cruiser lights flashing as he exited the car with his flashlight. Two guys got out of the van in a belligerent state. After a brief exchange of words, and commands by Dave to step away from the vehicle, the van driver retreated back inside the car, emerging with something in his hand.

Dailies Dave drew his Taser, but in the heat of the moment, neglected to turn it on. Luckily for Dave, the man turned out to be holding a cellphone and not a weapon.

“If it's out, it should be on,” instructed Sergeant Matt Whiteley, referring to the police protocol with the Taser.

(p.18). I wish I'd been better informed and not so lazy back at age 28, when, visiting Bali for the first time, I was practically baked to a Caucasian crisp one morning on a beach along the Indian Ocean, and my face in particular never felt the same again—seriously. Reading this, young ones? Slap that stuff on if you want to maintain that velvety smoothness...We don't need no stinking platform: Prof. David Siegel takes a look at the major provincial party platforms for us (p.8) and has some difficulty finding anything from the Conservatives...

Bargains and baked goods: Fenwick United Church is holding a garage sale on Saturday (ad, p.5). You had me at butter tarts...Rattled: Did you happen to hear that monster thunderclap on Saturday night, around 10? It rebounded, too, shaking the house. Imagine that happening without let-up, for hours or days at a time, and you have eastern Ukraine. We have a lot to be thankful for, living in Canada. Let's not forget it, whatever our momentary differences may be. See you next week. ◆

Fonthill Plaza (905) 892-5443

DON RICKERS

Mike from Cogeco was next, informed that Best Buy had reported a shoplifter running from the store, wearing a white hockey jersey and dark pants, and carrying a backpack.

Mike cornered him in a poorly-lit room.

“You're way too close, dude, I’m telling you right now,” said the suspect (one of the police instructors assuming the role), who proceeded to extract a cellphone and laptop computer from the backpack.

Ignoring Mike’s repeated commands to drop the backpack, the perp snarled, “I've got something else for you,” and pulled a handgun from the pack.

“Bang, bang, bang, bang.”

Mike, with that deer-in-the-headlights look in his eyes, froze, and ended up shot before he could react with his own firearm.

One of my scenarios was played out using the electronic judgment training system, or simulator, that interacted with the screen through an infrared connection to my service belt weapons, which was read by the cameras on top of the projector.

I was told that there had been a break-in

at a factory, and I was to investigate. As I scanned the room with my flashlight, a man entered through a door and stood in front of an enclosed counter.

“Get on the ground!” I told the guy, in my most assertive voice.

“Hey, man, what’s going on? I work here,” the guy responded.

I repeated my command twice, and then told him that if he didn’t step back from the counter and get on the ground, I was going to tase him.

I could feel my pulse quicken. Tiny beads of sweat gathered on my brow. My palms were wet as I drew my Taser.

At that instant, the guy reached under the counter, and produced a handgun.

“Bang!”

An opening for a contributing editor just opened up at the Voice of Pelham.

Another simulated scenario involved a suicidal man with a handgun, talking to his girlfriend on the phone, who failed to heed Evan from the Lake Report’s call to drop his weapon. The despondent man ended up pointing his gun at the wannabe officer, seemingly a wish for “death by cop.” Evan paused, perplexed.

The consensus of the officers was that, at that point, lethal force would be a very real option for an officer.

My favorite simulation was of a traffic stop involving a shapely young woman, who exited her vehicle wearing a revealing halter top and cutoff shorts. It took us (well, me specifically) about ten seconds before I identified a handgun hanging from the door panel. Hey, I was distracted!

Back in the briefing room, we discussed the scenarios, and were reminded that the police response must be reasonable under the circumstances. You can’t unholster your sidearm if the guy is just giving you attitude. If he has a rap sheet for violence and comes at you with a Louisville Slugger, well, that changes things. But cops will still pull their Taser before their Glock except in extreme situations.

Asked about his best moments as a police officer, Constable Davidson expressed his fond memories of working in Niagara high schools as a resource officer.

See COLUMN SIX Page 17

PET DAY Saturday, June 4

Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 hour. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

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This week at the Meridian Community Centre MAY 24 Pickleball 9 – 12 PM Zumba 9:30 – 10:30 AM Chair Yoga 11:15 – 12:15 PM Drop-In Volleyball 12:15 – 2:15 PM Parent & Preschool Skate 1 – 1:50 PM MAY 25 Mom & Baby Fitness 9:30 – 10:30 AM Pickleball 10:30 – 1:30 PM 7-12 Stick & Puck 3 – 3:50 PM Drop-In Family Gym 4 – 5:30 PM Hatha Yoga 6:30 – 7:30 PM Pickleball 7:30 – 10:30 PM May 26 Pickleball 8:30 – NOON

Parent & Preschool Skate 9:30 – 10:20 AM 55+ Aerobics with Conditioning 11 – NOON Chair Yoga 11:15 – 12:15 PM Adult Only Skate 1 – 1:50 PM Adult Learn to Skate 2 – 2:50 PM Ticket Ice 3:30 – 4:20 PM Yogalates 5:30 – 6:30 PM May 27 Pickleball 9 – NOON Men’s Shinny 9 – 9:50 AM Men’s 60+ Shinny 10 – 10:50 AM Public Skating 7:30 – 9:20 PM May 29 Public Skating 1 – 2:20 PM

proofing, drainage systems, quarry stone supply, place- sonable ment. 905-384-1972. P18-23 30, 8AM

toward sports participants, also need to be used with an understanding of their true PELHAM MUDFEST May 30 edges more studies are capabilities.

60+ Stick and Puck needed, but at this time Men and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is No sunscreen is 100 perthey are following Ameri10 – 10:50 AM held at Bissil’s Hideaway. cent waterproof, and labels can FDA guidelines which 55+ Aerobics with Condiin Canada generally caution claim sunscreen absorption tioning 11 – NOON an effective limit of 80 mindoesn’t pose a risk and that Pickleball 12:30 – 3:30 PM NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION utes. All sunscreens, inany of the chemical ingrediAdult Only Skate cluding Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years moisture exciting resistant, event. It ents currently found in sun2:30 – 3:20 PM should be applied approxiscreen are safe for use. runs from7 –Sept.

Mom Fitness 8 PM11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds.mately 10-15 minutes before Sunscreens labeled exposure to the sun or going Pickleball 7:30 – 10:30 PM “broad spectrum” contain into water. Use of towels to Women’s Shinny both physical and chemiBIG MOVE dry oneself, or a sleeve or 7 – 8:20 PM CANCER RIDE cal blockers, which means the taking back ofplace a cycling golf The Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride on or Sept.

Men’s Shinny they are effective in blockglove to absorb perspiration 8:30 – 9:50 PM both UVAinand UVB rays, 7. Proceeds for the Big ing Move stay Niagara and support Walker will also the remove mostFamsunMay 31 maximizing overall protecscreens, reducing protecily Cancer Centre. tion from the sun. In Canada Pickleball 9 – NOON tion. broad spectrum sunscreens Zumba 9:30 – 10:30 AM Does using sunblock creare labeled with a DIN numChair Yoga CLUB ate a risk of Vitamin D defiWALKING ber.

11:15 – 12:15 PM ciency? The science says no.

It’s important to recogInterested in walking in Pelham?

Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena Drop-In Volleyball At peak sun times, between nize that a sunscreen’s SPF 12:15 2:15 PM thirtyam. minutes of from –9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshellfive for and 9-10:30 There rating is not an indication of exposure to sunlight each its ability to protect from all is no fee for this program. For more information,day please contact jcook@ will provide humans types of radiation. pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329. with sufficient Vitamin D. SPF is a relative measure It is highly likely that even that compares the amount of the most conscientious time it will take unprotected HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES sunscreen users will find skin to burn compared to a themselves exposed withPurchase fresh fruit andspecifi vegetables at the Market c sunscreen when ap- or bring a non-perishable out protection for a suffiplied as directed on its label. food item to fill the hampers at the Pelham Farmers Market on Sept. cient time each day. 4.

SPF numbers therefore repFor those that hike, bike, resent a protection factor paddle, or participate in any related to sunburn only, not other sports that place them other types of skin damage in proximity to mosquitoes, such as accelerated skin agticks and blackflies, suning, DNA cell damage, free screen and insect repellent radical generation, and skin can safely be used together.

Event Submissions Standards cancer. If you re-apply your Apply your sunscreen first, sunscreen at two hour inIf your organization is hosting an event that would be ofand interest the prerequisite community, give to it the as recommended, you may submit an eventstervals profile by sending your community events information to 10-15 minutes before applyan SPF rating of 30 is coning your choice of insect reeditor@thevoiceofpelham.ca Somesuffi restrictions apply. Event submissions that meet sidered cient. Ratings pellent over it. more the acceptability standardsbeyond of The SPF Voice60of have Pelham will thenUnused be posted until thedetedate sunscreen to do with marketing than of your event. The Community Events Calendar is updated weekly.

Please riorates with time. provide On the protection. tubes in our home the expiry as much notice and information as possible including Sunscreens advertised as the date, time and description date is stamped in the plasor sweat-resisof your event. The Voice ofmoisture Pelham reserves the right totic edit for space. at the bottom where the continued from Page 18

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tube is heated and squished for sealing purposes.

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Applying the proper amount of sunscreen is important. Health Canada recommends a teaspoon per each arm, leg, your front, back, and face or neck. That equates to about seven teaspoons to cover all areas of exposed skin on our body, or 35 milliliters. If metric conversion isn’t your strength, using a shot glass full of sunscreen will do a complete job.

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The Voice

Page 17

A May 25 2022

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FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19 with every social class. It was said that every English home with a Bible also had a copy of Bunyan’s bestseller. Over 1,300 editions have been printed since in various languages.

Bunyan began his allegory, “I saw a man clothed with rags ... a book in his hand and a great burden upon his back.” Most of the places in it resembled sites near his hometown. Most of his allegorical characters resembled people he knew (plus a few giants and monsters). Bunyan saw himself in the main character, Christian, who was a tinker. The burden on his back (an anvil) represented his sin.

On his way to the Celestial City (symbolizing heaven), Christian journeys from his home in the City of Destruction

through several places such as the Slough (swamp) of Despond, the Delectable Mountains, the River of Life, and Vanity Fair.

Some places are helpful but most are not and try to divert him from his desired destination. Christian also meets several characters along the way such as Evangelist, Talkative, Ignorance, and Worldly Wiseman. Again, some are helpful but most are not.

About halfway on his journey, Christian loses his burden atop a hill by a cross. This, of course, symbolizes his conversion when he puts his faith in Christ’s sacrifice and his sins are forgiven. His companions are Faithful and Hopeful and their adventures after their conversion represent the challenging path of discipleship and spiritual growth. Bunyan used his allegory not only to describe obstacles to faith but also to

warn of traps (such as legalism) which can hinder believers.

Bunyan wrote a sequel to his classic in 1684 (six years after the first). He simply called it, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Second Part, and it describes Christian’s wife (Christiana) and their children on their journey to faith as well. His unpolished style was sometimes scorned by literary critics but it helped him connect with the common man.

Ironically, he influenced many later literary giants including C.S. Lewis, Charles Dickens, and George Bernard Shaw. Over the years, his work has also inspired plays, films, TV and radio programs.

In spite of great persecution, God used “the tinker of Bedford” to lead countless fellow pilgrims to salvation and their eternal home. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 15 “I’ve actually had a recruit who's going to the Police College, who remembers me as a resource officer when they were in Grade 10,” he said.

“We had a great conversation about policing. And a young lady, that I actually arrested on one occasion, invited me to her high school graduation ceremony, saying that I had a positive impact on her life. ‘Without you, I probably wouldn't be graduating,’ she told me. That was, for me, a wonderful moment.”

One officer shared a “lived experience,” and referenced his involvement in a police shooting four years ago of a knife-wielding assailant, which exacted a toll not just on the person who was shot, but on the mental state of the officers who confronted the attacker.

Bottom line: cops are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. They

want to go home to their spouse and kids at the end of the shift, just like your average teacher, florist, restaurateur, or backhoe operator. Unlike these other occupations, however, cops often carry a heavy psychological burden. For most police officers, shooting someone would be the worst day of their life.

They are public servants, who endure more than their fair share of abuse, and need to make split-second decisions under trying conditions.

They are well-trained and, yes, well-paid. And they work hard to be well-respected.

Remember that next time you’re inconveniently pulled over for speeding, and are politely requested to produce your license and registration.

I’ve got to admit, though, the thrill-seeking side of this 60-something scribbler enjoyed the whole experience. Which prompts my question, Chief MacCulloch, will you be taking on any new recruits who are senior citizens? ◆

Page 18

The Voice

A May 25 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

The truth about sunscreen

H

ow do you choose your sunscreen? In a conclusive study conducted on four of my male cycling friends, it appears to be by the colour of the tube.

Ten days ago, during our week of July in May and at a drive-to ride beginning in Cayuga, none of us had remembered to bring sunscreen. All that was available were a couple of mostly used-up tubes of dollar store suntan lotion that had spent the winter in my van. One tube was a cute pink, the other a more masculine orange. Both were marked SPF 30 in print bold enough that we could all read it without

our glasses. When the two tubes were offered to the guys, every one chose the orange without questioning ingredients or protection.

Why should we care?

Getting past the colour of the tube to understand sunscreen, what it can and cannot do, the different types available and the advantages and disadvantages of each, can make significant longand short-term differences in the health of your skin, and how likely you might be to contract one of the three most common types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates

that in 2022 some 9000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma, the most common but least deadly form of skin cancer. Twelve hundred will die from it— 770 men and 440 women.

Melanoma originates in our melanocyte cells, most of which are located in our skin. Cancer occurs when melanocyte cells grow uncontrollably and develop into tumours which most frequently present on the back of men and back and legs of women.

The National Cancer Institute of United States says the rate of new cases has tripled since the 1970s, and lists ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation and severe sunburn as major contributing factors.

To choose sunscreen wisely, it’s important to know that the sun emits two distinct types of ultraviolet

light. Each reacts differently with our skin and causes different long-term health effects.

UVA light has a longer wavelength which can penetrate into the dermis, our thickest layer of skin. Skin aging, wrinkles, and immune system suppression can result from unprotected exposure to UVA rays.

UVB rays have a shorter wavelength, and are the rays associated with burning the top layer of skin. The resultant sunburn, and hence UBV rays, play a key role in causing skin cancer and permanent skin damage over time.

The protective ingredients found in sunscreen lotions are classified in two main groups.

Sunscreen that includes physical blockers protects us by reflecting and scattering UV rays away from our

skin. Sunscreens that use chemical blockers protect by absorbing the sun’s UV rays and converting them to heat.

Physical blockers usually include two active mineral ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are classified by Health Canada as natural ingredients.

Sunscreens which contain only physical blockers can be identified by an eight digit natural product number (NPN) on their packaging.

A recent trend in manufacturing sunscreen containing physical blockers is to reduce, or micronize, their mineral compounds to nanoparticles. This process makes the sunscreen easier to apply and allows it to disappear into the skin, eliminating the greasy white residue of past suntan lotions.

Studies have shown that these nanoparticles do not

penetrate our bodies beyond the skin or enter our blood stream, so they are unlikely to create additional health risks.

Sunscreens using chemical blockers such as avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, octinoxate and oxybenzone are classified by Health Canada as having drug ingredients, and carry a drug identification number (DIN) on the label similar to other non-prescription drugs. Some small studies conclude that these chemicals may soak through our skin, as evidenced by high concentrations found in human blood, urine and breast milk. This is especially common in people that apply large amounts of sunscreen to their skin.

Health Canada acknowlSee BALANCED LIFE Page 16

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 You may be questioning some of your relationships this week, Aries. Periodic reflection is good for your long-term well-being, but move ahead with caution.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, finding balance between your professional life and your home life may be challenging this week. Try not to hurry through your decision-making process.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Typical routines just aren’t fulfilling you lately, Gemini.

Avoid succumbing to frustration and dissatisfaction by trying a new hobby or brainstorming ways you can change.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Avoid comparing yourself to friends and colleagues, Cancer.

You may need a confidence boost, so hang around friends and family who have your back LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Has your love life affected your professional ambitions lately, Leo? Take a step back and analyze the situation to see what you can change for the better.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Take some time to audit your health, Virgo. What you eat, how much you are sleeping, how often you are exercising — these are all factors that may require some change.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, watch out for power struggles at work, especially if you feel they are causing you to be treated unfairly. Bring issues to a supervisor if it comes to it.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, fatigue may catch up with you if you have not been pacing yourself or taking enough time to care for yourself. Slow down and take a mental health day … or two.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 You may be more sensitive than usual this week, Sagittarius. You may feel like family or friends are judging you, but that’s not necessarily so.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Try not to take part in popularity contests or gossip sessions at work, Capricorn. It can only come back to bite you when you least expect it. Stay the course and keep working hard.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you may be seeking greener pastures, both at home and in your professional life. Impatience can get the best of you, but a change will happen over time.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You may have a tough time relating to others this week, Pisces. You view the world through a creative lens even when others don’t.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 19

A May 25 2022

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

John Bunyan: Persecuted pilgrim

A

fter the Bible, what book has been bought, read, translated and distributed the most? The answer is: John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Who was the English Puritan who wrote it and why did it have such universal appeal for so long?

The man

Bunyan was born into a poor family in the Midlands of England in 1628.

His education was limited but he did learn to read and write. He then learned his father’s trade and became a “travelling tinker” (repairer of pots and pans).

He later confessed he also learned his father’s habit of swearing. Sadly, his mother and sister both died when he was 16.

Bunyan then served in the army for three years, living an ungodly life. Shortly after his discharge, he married at age 21. His wife was a pious Christian and they settled in the town of Bedford. Her family too was poor and her dowry consisted of two Puritan books. But she (and the books) had a profound impact on Bunyan and he became a believer as well.

They joined a non-Conformist (i.e., non-Anglican) Puritan church. The name “Puritan” began as a nickname for believers who wanted to “purify” the state church’s theology and morality. Within four years Bunyan became a lay preacher drawing large crowds. However, his wife died in 1658 leaving him (at age 30) with four young children (the oldest one blind). A year later, he remarried.

When religious persecution increased, Bunyan was jailed for 12 years for refusing to stop preaching.

His young family survived

with the help of Bunyan’s church and his meagre income from making shoelaces in jail. Although the separation from his wife and family was very difficult, it gave Bunyan ample time to think and write. He penned nine books during his imprisonment. During his last five years in jail he wrote his classic allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress.

After his release in 1672, Bunyan wrote and preached full-time in Bedford. His second marriage blessed him with two more children. Affectionately nicknamed “Bishop Bunyan,” he also travelled on horseback

to other towns to preach. On one such mission to London, he was caught in a rainstorm and became ill. Bunyan died of a fever shortly afterwards in 1688 at age 59. He would become one of England’s most famous authors.

The message

During his lifetime Bunyan wrote nearly 60 titles, including an autobiography and many of his sermons. But by far, Pilgrim’s Progress was the best known. It was published in 1678 (several years after his release from jail) and was immediately popular See FAITH LIFT Page 17

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

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Page 20

The Voice

A May 25 2022

LOOKOUT RIDGE NOW HIRING: FULL TIME COOK The Community of Lookout Ridge offers adults an environment uniquely adapted to a senior’s lifestyle providing compassionate, excellent care. We currently have an opening for a Full Time Cook.

 Possess previous experience with meal preparation in a restaurant or retirement home setting required. (Red Seal Certification and Culinary Diploma preferred).  Be willing to learn new methods or procedures, be flexible in routine and assist in other areas as required.  Possess valid, current safe food

handling certificate.  Must be capable of safe operation of commercial equipment required in performing duties.  Be capable of multi-tasking and meeting meal time requirements  Must demonstrate a commitment to resident meal service

 Must be available to work weekday and weekend shifts as required.  Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.

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FINANCING AVALABLE (OAC)

Grills are firing up all across the country and the savory aroma of smoky foods are wafting through neighborhoods far and wide. Burgers a staple of grilling season, and grillmasters have a lot of leeway when it comes to what goes into their creations.

Even though beef is often the meat of choice when making burgers, any ground meat can be used in its place. In fact, leaner meats, such as lamb, pork or chicken, may help people stay the course as they try to eat healthy.

This recipe for “Chicken Burgers with Kiwi Salsa” from “125 Best Chicken Recipes” (Robert Rose), by Rose Murray is sure to please. To add even more variety in recipes, choose kaiser rolls, focaccia bread or pretzel rolls instead of plain hamburger buns.

Chicken Burgers with Kiwi Salsa Serves 6 1 1-1⁄4 1⁄3 3 1⁄2 1⁄4 6

egg pounds ground chicken cup dry bread crumbs tablespoons milk or cream teaspoon salt pepper toasted hamburger buns

1. In a bowl, beat the egg; mix in the chicken, bread crumbs, milk, salt and pepper. Form into six patties, about 3⁄4-inch thick.

2. Place on grill and cook, turning once, for 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside (160 F on instant read probe). Place in buns; spoon on kiwi salsa (recipe follows).

Kiwi Salsa Makes 11⁄2 cups 2 1⁄2 2 2 1⁄2

kiwi fruit, peeled and diced cup diced red onions tablespoons fresh lime juice teaspoons packed brown sugar teaspoon dried oregano

In a small bowl, stir together the kiwi fruit, onions, lime juice, sugar and oregano.

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