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New bylaw ofﬁcer on the street

page 11

Peter Piper's empire expands

The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

page 3

of Pelham and Central Niagara

Published every Wednesday

MAY 26 2021

Vol.25 No.21 

BY JANE BEDARD Special to the Voice

Fonthill residents offer $500 reward for solution to car wash noise

don’t camp well. I don’t think I would even glamp well. Which is why it is so surprising that I accept our friend Tom’s invitation to go camping. I guess I figure if we don’t go with him, our three kids may never go—this is in part because the only person less fond of camping than I is my husband, Peter. The closest we’ve come is the blanket fort we made in our living room when the kids were really young—proof that we’re familiar with the concept of roughing it. Since we are about to move into a new home, Peter volunteers to stay home and pack up the rest of the house while we are gone. When I was a kid, my family went car camping, where we slept in tents, by a lake with a buoy line around the shallow area, near a building that housed proper toilets and showers, along with my favourite camping tradition—the tuck shop. Subsequently, I have become a bit of a Ritz-Carlton Diva, but since this would be a great opportunity for Satchel, Tanner and Cole (ages fifteen, eleven, and nine, respectively) to experience the great outdoors, and since Tom is the ultimate host, we decide to attend this party, held in Mother Na-

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent cording to Bob Reinhart, who resides on Stonegate Place, and has kept a meticulous timeline of all details related to the issue. On February 11, resident Tom Campbell emailed Mayor Marvin Junkin, expressing his disappointment that the car wash had been operating since November 2020 “with very loud dryers that affect residents on Stonegate Place, See NOISE Page 14

Located opposite the Food Basics plaza in Fonthill, the Pelham Car Wash has drawn the ire of nearby residents for what they describe as intolerable noise.

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Peace and quiet on Hurricane reward for a successful suggestion as to how to convince the Town of Pelham to “overcome their inaction in enforcing noise and nuisance bylaws” related to the Pelham Car Wash, located at 151 Highway 20 East. Some 70 homes are immediately north of the facility and within hearing range. A formal presentation to Town council is also in the works, ac-

Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

Column Six

WANTED:

Homeowners along Stonegate Place and Hurricane Road have a bad case of the car wash blues. And they’re putting their money where their mouths are. A group of neighbours — many of them retirees — have sent Town staff and councillors a flyer which offers a symbolic $500

page 21

See COLUMN SIX Page 17

Page 2

The Voice

A May 26 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket

Reporting without fear or favour—that's real journalism's thing First the fun stuff: Before we get to what’s behind that headline, let’s take a walk on the brighter side... Fish Friday for Emmett: The Fenwick Lions are donating proceeds from this week’s Friday fish fry to the family of Emmett Gervason, the boy who’s headed to California this summer for ear surgery (ad, p.20), so get on out to Centennial Park if you can, and fingers crossed that the weather holds. We need the rain, but not this Friday evening…Nuts and bolts: With many of us stuck at home, or at least spending more time there, fixing things, a birdie in the know tells us that Beamer’s Hardware had their best day ever in mid May, and good for them. A letter to the editor this week tells a big box horror story that will sound all too familiar. Stay local when you can... Ample calories: This week’s issue has plenty to chew on, from the lightheartedly adventurous (Jane Bedard’s Column Six), to the inaugural (Peter Piper’s gets into the ice cream game), to the welcoming (Pelham hires a new bylaw enforcement officer), to the frustrating (a noisy car wash), to the continuing, amusing-slasheye-rolling saga of Pelham Town Council, specifically its increasing inability to make sensible decisions, the most recent example being its wholly unnecessary interference in an effort by Trout Unlimited and others

to improve the Twelve Mile Creek (two stories—council report, p. 3, and a project recap, p. 10). We’re reliably informed that this has been pegged inside Town Hall as yet another new council low among certain disaffected staff, who over the last year and change have not only had to deal with pandemic stress, but a council that from its earliest days seemed hellbent on obstructionism. Running throughout has been some councillors' undercurrent of suspicion, a vaguely paranoid, conspiracyminded skepticism of staff motives. The latest example is Councillor Bob Hildebrandt’s comment during last week’s council meeting, that a simple pro forma approval asked of council was “a last-minute effort to push this through council without proper disclosure,” implying malign intent on the part of the Town’s professional managers. It’s almost impossible to overstate how odd this is, and how it inevitably affects employee morale... Don’t worry, that’ll buff out: So, about that headline above. It’s pretty self-explanatory, and is the ideal goal of any legitimate reporter, or editor, or publisher: tell the truth as well as you know it, without prejudice, and without kowtowing or bending to pressure. I’ve been the target of various attempts to influence stories over the years, but a new low—if a mildly comedic low—was

reached last week, when writer Don Rickers came back to report that local businessperson Gail Levay explicitly told him that if the Voice ran this week’s story about her car wash, she would “never advertise with the Voice again.” Incredulous that anyone in the public eye with any common sense would make such a crude threat, I called Levay to see whether Don had perhaps misunderstood. Oh, no, Levay told me. That’s exactly right, and furthermore, “something” would be coming our way if we did publish. Levay wouldn’t specify what thing some of which would be coming, but by inference it was apparently code for “lawsuit.” In the immortal words of Charlie Brown, good grief. Give your head a shake. Threats of retaliation are red meat to journalists (crispy tofu for the vegetarian ones). You want to guarantee continued scrutiny by the press? Threaten them. Now the comedic part is, as far as we can tell, looking back a decade, Levay doesn’t advertise in the Voice anyway. There was an ironic exception last autumn, when she advertised the opening of the very car wash that is causing so much consternation among her northern neighbours. Otherwise, zip. And, I hope by now needless to say, whether she had spent $300, $3000, or $30,000 on Voice ads over the years, this would have had zero

Voice

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Pelham's Regional Councillor Diana Huson was happily jabbed last week at Pelham's community centre, which has doubled its capacity and is the largest such site in Niagara.

GETTING THE COVID JAB? SEND US A SELFIE! Email: ofﬁce@thevoiceofpelham.ca S P O N S O R E D

influence on our reporting. After it’s all said and done, this week’s car wash tale is objectively told, with all sides presenting their views. That’s just responsible reporting. Does Levay’s apparent “stature” in Pelham see her granted special privileges? Maybe, maybe not. I echo the sentiment of one Town Hall occupant: “I wouldn’t know her if she came up and kicked me in the ankle.” As for how loud the car wash dryers are, I was naturally curious to hear them myself. On Sunday I took a drive over—stopping for ice cream at Peter Piper's new parlour (cherry for me, pistachio for the better half, both delicious)—and parked on Hurricane directly

opposite the car wash building. I was expecting an F-22 carrier departure. What I heard was a distant Dyson. That said, it was a Dyson that also sounded like a far-off London air-raid siren—V-1 buzz bombs, incoming. Or maybe a 1960s nuke warning, ten minutes to get to the shelter. It wasn't loud, but it burrowed in. I could certainly understand how hearing it dozens of times daily might lead to some frayed nerves and cranky neighbours. To what extent the Town comes down on the side of peace and quiet, or on the side of unfettered capitalism, will be interesting to watch...As ever, stay safe: See you next week. ◆

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Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to 10 calls for assistance from Friday May 14 to Friday May 21 Saturday, May 15 Vehicle Fire, River Rd., Fonthill Sunday, May 16 Burning complaint, Twenty Rd., Short Hills Tuesday, May 18 Garbage ﬁre, Hwy 20 E, Fonthill Grass ﬁre, mutual aid, Wright St., Fonthill Medical assistance, Fenwick

Thursday, May 20 Grass Fire, Cream St., Short Hills Barn ﬁre, mutual aid, Fly Rd., Fonthill Burning complaint, Canboro Rd., Fonthill

PELHAM FIRE DEPT PHOTO

Tractor fire on Eﬃngham

On Wednesday, May 12, Pelham Fire responded to a vehicle blaze on Effingham Street near Sulphur Spring Drive. A large tractor was pulling a trailer full of manure when it caught fire, directly over the cold water stream which travels under Effingham. “The fire consumed the vehicle, and a number of fluid tanks were breached, mainly diesel fuel and hydraulic fluids,” Fire Chief Bob Lymburner told the Voice. “If it wasn’t for the quick actions of the fire crews and their mitigation efforts, we could have had something of an environmental disaster. Damming and diking and cleanup efforts were a collective effort from the Department of Public Works, and the crew of Station Three, including supervisor Dave Nichols, Tim Zack, and Kent Murphy. Big shout-out for a job well done.” Lymburner said that the

fire itself “was not a big deal. The concern was the cold water stream. Our efforts were focused on keeping contaminants out of that creek.” Absorbent fabric “socks,” which resemble large pool noodles, were used in the cleanup, which float on the water’s surface and absorb any chemical spillage.

Court appearance in Hipwell's arrest

A man arrested at Hipwell’s Motel on December 11, 2020, appeared before Justice Nancy Rogers-Bain in a St. Catharines courtroom last Thursday. Donald Lush, 45, of no fi xed address, had been arrested by Niagara Regional Police and charged with seven counts of theft under $5000, plus four counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000. Much of the stolen property has since been recovered by police.

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Lush, who had outstanding warrants and appeared on the NRP’s online “wanted list,” has been held in custody in the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold since being apprehended. Lush’s lawyer, Sara Ramalho, had attended a resolution meeting with crown attorney Michal Sokolski the previous day, and a follow-up with Lush was scheduled for May 25 at 10:45 AM via videoconference.

The

Voice (905) 892-8690 Find the Voice at these locations: Indulgence Bakery Mossimo’s 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

e s d l I m o a o r l T

P D S A W A N M L R O J O J

every year. stroys thousands of lives deaths in Canada and deleading cause of criminal Impaired driving is still the ment programs like RIDE. offenders through enforceand the apprehension of offences through education reducing impaired driving lice Service is committed to The Niagara Regional Po-

Pelham David M. GEORGIEV, 36, St. Catharines Andrew DEGRAVE, 22, Welland Allan G. HIPPSLEY, 32, Niagara Falls Michael P. VANHELVERT, 33, Lincoln Richard W. PARRY, 48, Orchard Park NY Jamie HIDALGO, 39, Oakville Justin D. GODDERIS, 33, blood sample. refusing to provide a breath / alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or centration above 80 mgs of with a blood alcohol conby alcohol or drugs, driving nally with impaired driving have been charged crimiThe following individuals vention of the suspension. who are driving in contraStoppers to report those fic Safety Hotline or Crime gional Police Service Trafto contact the Niagara ReThe public is encouraged motor vehicle on a roadway. prohibited from operating a cense Suspension and are Administrative Driver’s Litry of Transportation 90-Day areNow alsothat’s bound by a Miniscruising, charged, Club these individuals Azamara Cruises Book now before this disappears. In addition to being proved in court. all seven continents lowing charges haveimmerse been yourself in No lines, no hurry, the Region. None of the folon smaller ship’s. Extended stays offence in port, some overnight impaired driving in with an alleged criminal people included. who are charged tuities Selectlast spirits, wines, Int’l Beers & Grayear! reports the names of those tique hotel at Police sea. Service one cruise at a time araExplore Regional thetime world onboard your bouThis Pelham St., Fonthill 2019—a year to explore the world, alcohol or1400 drugs, the NiagPAST www.niagara.cruiseholidays.com driving while impairedofﬁ byce@thevoiceofpelham.ca http://www.hooahhvideos.ca/ select voyages Enjoy a and veranda an interior price onyourSanta Raidy Manso (center), attention deterrence toreaders! and we’ll share it for with our Email photoCayo, with aCuba! brief description to BLAST FROM THE DOUBLE UPGRADE EarlyON's Fenwick United Church location. In an effort to bring further Send us Sue your Lough picture withholding daughter The Tamara, Voice, of whether Fenwick, across with new townCuban or abroad friend

toEarlyON go chargesCentres closing driving planners 83 days instead, sayRESULTS Fenwick and South Pelham NRPS impaired Peace on Earth Existing community facilities toand beAirbnbs used in Pelham At Hoo-Ahh Aerial of theHome Week qr 905.892.7900 THE VOICE POLL: Hotels

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The Voice

Page 3

A May 26 2021

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Backtracking, confusion mark regular meeting Encouraging ﬁnancial numbers a welcome positive BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent Pelham Town Council’s bizarre odyssey with the proposed Park Place South townhouse development nearly came to a merciful end at the May 17 virtual meeting, with members finally approving the plan after three tries—though a final, confirming vote is due at their next meeting. The trouble began at council’s March 22 virtual gathering, when political allies Lisa Haun, Ron Kore, Bob Hildebrandt, and Marianne Stewart took the unusual step of balking at Mountainview Homes’ design plans for blocks of back-toback townhouses in East Fonthill. “The public had no objection to the original plan, there were no comments at all,” Ward 2 Councillor John Wink said last Monday. “I firmly believe it’s not up to councillors to base their decisions on personal biases regarding such things as building design, outdoor space, et cetera.” The developer returned revised drawings to the Town during the week of May 10, and it appears that a fractional increase in the buildings’ setback—approximately the width of a sidewalk— was justification enough for the bloc of aligned councillors to change their

tune. However, in an exercise in semantics that took up the better part of an hour, Hildebrandt and Haun dissected the difference between Mountainview’s and the Town’s setback figures. “I can’t reconcile these reports,” Hildebrandt said. “I’ll approve Mountainview standards but I won’t approve the Town of Pelham’s Planning Department standards.” Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens said that because Mountainview’s new plans were 11.7 metres, it was a moot point. However, she did concede that an amendment could be made to establish the minimum at 7.5 metres— and that because Mountainview’s new drawings weren’t building-permit-ready, changes could happen. Haun then moved a motion to establish this figure, and the measure finally passed. In doing so, councillors abandoned their objections to limiting the townhouse design to four units per block, approving the original eight. During the first debate over the matter on March 22, Haun and others objected to the layout, cit-

Pelham Town Council meets via Zoom, May 17 2021. ing the fact that the middle six of such units would lack yard space as a result of their back-to-back construction. When it was pointed out that the design was related to the project’s lower price point, several councillors were publicly criticized. Haun specifically took aim at the Voice, accusing the Ward 3 Councillor newspaper Lisa Haun. of painting FILE her as antiaffordable housing. The councillor took another swing at the paperlast Monday, claiming that the developer had provided her with new materials—something she asserted didn’t happen at the beginning. “I just want to take the opportunity for those who are viewing, and also the local tabloids that can capture that [Mountainview Homes] supplied us with new drawings as of … Thursday or Friday,” Haun said. “I think that’s important in-

formation if that wasn’t already captured.” Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson, however, told the Voice several weeks ago that council had been provided with adequate information from the start, and that, “I knew what I was voting for” from the beginning, on March 22. Planning Director Barb Wiens confirmed to the Voice that over the intervening weeks, despite the council drama, nothing about the design had been changed by the developer. “In the end, the Park Place South draft plan of subdivision was not modified...[the] change to the front yard setback in the proposed zoning bylaw amendment will not result in any change to the developer’s design of the back-to-back townhouses or a change to the draft plan of subdivision.” According to a Town staff report, had council not approved the plan, Pelham would have been on the hook for approximately $40,000 in legal fees from what would almost certainly have been a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) challenge by Mountainview.

YOUTUBE

One obstruction falls, another arises

While that odd chapter closed, council erected a new set of unexpected roadblocks when five of seven members voted to defer allowing the City of St. Catharines to spend $250,000 of their own money inside Pelham borders on Twelve Mile Creek remediation measures. While Mayor Marvin Junkin attempted to explain that the plan involved no commitment from Pelham whatsoever, except a technically required granting of permission to St. Kitts, the political faction of Hildebrandt, Haun, Kore and Stewart —joined by Ward 2 Councillor John Wink— balked. “[The Town of Pelham has] nothing to do with this project,” the Mayor opened by saying. “St. Catharines has got to have our permission. That’s all they’re asking for from us.” Hildebrandt immediately took issue with a supposed lack of oversight from Pelham, even though none is required, nor likely legally See COUNCIL back page

June is Seniors Month

This year’s theme is stay safe, stay in touch.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on our seniors, the Town of Pelham, in partnership with local organizations, is pleased to offer a series of events running throughout June that keep seniors connected and engaged. Learn more and get your calendar of events by visiting www.pelham.ca/55-programs or calling 905-892-2607 x327. *All activities are subject to change

Key Dates JUNE

JUNE

15 JUNE

Alzheimer Society brain wave cafe 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Raising of Seniors Flag at Town Hall and Seniors Garden unveiling - 11:30 a.m.

FREE Seniors swim program 10 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Qigong 1- 2 p.m.

Page 4

The Voice

A May 26 2021

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

The Highway Traﬃc Act is loud and clear

while back this spring, the Niagara Regional Police announced a new initiative they are calling “Operation Loud and Clear.” This means they intend to issue tickets for unnecessarily noisy motor vehicles. It is uncertain if the April 1 date of the announcement was NRP’s attempt at humour or just a slow news day. Most people don’t need be reminded who is commemorated on that specific date. I openly admit that I am in no way, shape or form a car buff, and so I declare a level of ignorance about all things automotive that would fill the trailer of a diesel-powered eighteen-wheeler. I drive through a touchless car wash three or four times a year whether my old crock needs it or not. The bottle of windshield washer fluid I bought is still unopened in the trunk because it doesn’t include a diagram of where to pour it. All I remember about my high school auto class elective is the mnemonic that explains the four-cycle powerplant to those in the academic

stream: suck, squeeze, bang and blow. So with that admission I find it difficult to understand why certain car buffs compete for the loudest engine noise on the road-

Does ear-splitting engine noise have anything to do with masculinity?

ways. Why would damaging the ear drums of people for miles around turn their crankshaft? Do these auto-engine-amplified-aficionados not realize that by driving these noise makers, they themselves will be stone deaf by age 30-something, or even sooner. What is it that they don’t understand about auto manufactur-

NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL Distress Centre Distress and crisis. 24-hour help line: 905-688-3711

Narcotics Anonymous 1-888-811-3887.

Mental Health and Addictions Access 1-866-550-5205 (Toll Free) Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting. 905-682-2140

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

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger ofﬁce@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, 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

ers spending millions on the effort to quieten engine noise. Regrettably, the penchant to make the most irritating noise has spread beyond the hot rod crowd. Some motorcyclists are hell bent for leather to outdo their four-wheeled road warrior brethren. They may be heard to boast at the local Tim’s that “I’ve got way more decibels than you.” Perhaps psychologists and others who explore minds might be able to explain what motivates people to remove factory installed mufflers and replace these with mufflers that don’t muffle, or shedding them entirely. Does thunderous engine intensity have something to do with the measure of one’s machismo? Does ear- splitting engine noise have anything to do with masculinity? What exactly is it that equates decibel level with a perceived self image? So, if you are one of those who drive one of these noise-making monsters that cause dishes to fall

Letters Come on out this Friday in support of Emmett The Fabulous Fenwick Lions club is all about community. We try to live up to our motto, “We Serve.” As such, we are doing a fundraiser for a three-year-old Pelham boy in need of a major surgery. We would appreciate your support. Please come out to our May 28 Fish Fry Fryday, from 4 to 7 PM, at Centennial Park Fenwick. Cash donations gratefully accepted. All proceeds from this event will be going towards the Emmett Gervason life-altering ear surgery fund. Emmett was born without a functioning ear canal. The out-of-province surgery will cost an estimated $250,000. Stop by for some Fish and Chips and help support the Gervason family. A GoFundMe account has also been set up at gofund.me/579dd63f Thanks for your continued support. Lion Jeff Pickup, 1st VP & Secretary Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club

See NOISE Page 6

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

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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

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

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The Voice

Page 5

A May 26 2021

OPINION PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

REGIONAL COUNCIL UPDATE Diana Huson, Regional Councillor for Pelham

Choosing the right option now means a better future

his past week Niagara Regional Council was tasked with endorsing an option for our Natural Environment System (NES), which is an important component of Niagara’s new Official Plan. This document will guide how and where growth will take place across Niagara. The NES component specifically addresses planning policies with respect to Niagara’s natural environment and response to climate change. A decision on the NES was critical to begin the next phase of work on the natural environment work program, allowing for the development of mapping and policies. Staff presented council with three options: Option 3A – Consisting of Provincial minimums Option 3B – Exceeding Provincial minimums, and protections for woodlands in urban areas Option 3C – Exceeding Provincial minimums, and protections for woodlands, and protections for small linkages between woodlands and wetlands, as well as buffers on non-regulated features in urban areas Regional staff recommended Option 3B after extensive consultation with the public and local planning staff. They felt this was the best option to balance competing interests between constituent concerns, local planning comments, and input from developers. However, they also clarified they would be happy to proceed with whatever direction council determined. The Planning Committee recommended 3B after an extremely close vote attempting to change the endorsement to 3C. I once again tried to amend the recommendation at council to 3C, however council opted to

endorse both 3B and 3C to appease some concerns over mapping and avoid making a decision on a singular option but still allow for our Official Plan work to proceed. I’m fully supportive of Option 3C and I’m happy to tell you why. The singular question before us is, “What natural features do we want to protect in our urban areas?” My answer is all of them. Our urban areas are the ones that will experience the most growth and development over the next few decades. I believe these natural features are the ones that truly reflect our local character and charm. It’s what will preserve our “small town feel” in the face of growth, allowing for growth outside of those areas. The most important aspect of Option 3C is the linkage features. These linkages connect natural spaces and more accurately reflect a systems-based approach (i.e., science!) to managing and protecting them. We’re not talking about building anything new here. These linkages already exist. Therefor the question is whether we want to acknowledge and protect them, or consider them optional. Failure to protect them could potentially make them developable! Opponents of 3C were primarily concerned with municipal autonomy. They felt local municipalities should be responsible for determining what local linkages should be protected through local planning decisions and policies. They were concerned about the Region “taking over” planning decisions. In other words, they felt 3C was stepping on their municipal toes and local councils were better to make those decision. See HUSON next page

Looking out for Lookout I just paid our annual membership fee online. Since I’m a techno dolt (among other dolts) I just wanted to make sure my account isn’t of the automatic annual recurring variety. If it is an automatic deduction, then keep the extra payment and, as Jerry Seinfeld would say, “Buy yourself something frilly.” I’d like to take this opportunity to make a suggestion regarding the membership benefits. For those of us subscribers in the “Lookout” neighbourhood (yes,

that term is having more meaning every day), it may be more appropriate to have three free sex-trade worker visits. Pak Pijlott Fonthill Editor’s note: The reader’s generosity is noted and appreciated. To put minds at ease, however, there is no automatic renewal option for Voice membership. Renewals go out on a W WR basis—When We Remember. As for targeting membership benefits based on neighbourhood, may we

suggest that doorbell security cameras may be the better option for Lookout?

Steady improvement in cases; June 30 for 30 challenge

t was great to see outdoor facilities were allowed to reopen as of last Saturday, especially with the great weather we are experiencing. At the same time that the provincial government announced the opening of the outdoor facilities, it also announced plans for the reopening of the province, which are based, largely, on the percent of the population that is totally vaccinated. Case numbers continue to fall all across the board, with Niagara’s new cases consistently below 100 per day. As of last weekend, active cases in Pelham were at 31, with active cases per 10,000 now at 17.2, which is middle of the pack for the 12 Regional municipalities. The highest was Port Colborne, with 25.3, and the lowest was Fort Erie, with 11. Provincially, new daily cases are now usually below the 2000 mark.

ust as the Niagara Region is renewing its Official Plan for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Town of Pelham is updating our comprehensive zoning bylaw, which had its last renewal in 1987. Most of this work is being accomplished by Town Policy Planner Tara O’Toole. Since late February, Pelham planning staff have been hosting “Tuesday’s with Tara,” which is the opportunity for the public to engage with Ms. O’Toole

on the details of the revised bylaw. Tara has set aside dedicated time to have oneon-one conversations with the public pertaining to this bylaw. She informs me that she has many positive discussions with members of the public regarding future plans that they may have for their property, concerns

This would make our Town Treasurer very happy, and a happy Treasurer is a happy Town!

they may have with proposed changes, and suggestions for changes that they feel are appropriate. Updating the zoning bylaw is one of council’s strategic priorities and information regarding the proposed new zoning bylaw can be found at the Engaging Pelham webpage at engagingpelham.ca/comp r e h e n s i v e -z o n i n g-b ylaw-review On the webpage you can connect with Tara through email, or you can contact her directly by phone by calling Town Hall, 905-892-2607 ext. 335. This is a bylaw that

is important to everyone, so please, give Tara a call for information or to give her your comments. “Tuesdays with Tara” is very catchy. Don’t know what we would have done if her name had been Vanessa.

ow and then, as your Mayor, I must challenge the residents, businesses, and organizations of Pelham. Challenge them to show their spirit, pride, and unwavering support of the community they call home. And so, with that in mind, I am laying down the gauntlet and challenging you to get active for the entire month of June, every day, for 30 days. It doesn’t matter if you’re nine or 90 years old—you can play a part in making the Town of Pelham the most active community in Canada. This challenge is part of ParticipACTION’s National Community Better Challenge, and it comes with a $100,000 prize toward supporting local physical activities initiatives in Pelham. This would make our Town Treasurer very happy, and a happy Treasurer is a happy Town! The Town’s recreation department has created a calendar of activities to help you get moving for the month of June. Appropriately named “June 30 for 30,” anyone and everyone can See JUNKIN next page

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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story! Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past. Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit? Everyone has a story. Tell us yours! NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 4000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

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A May 26 2021

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Letters continued JUNKIN

continued from previous page participate. All you need to do is track your minutes through the app or by calling them into the Town. The timing of this challenge is fitting given that June is also Recreation Month. It doesn’t matter how you participate. It could be playing tag with the kids in your yard, going for a walk on the Town’s trails, biking the picturesque routes throughout the rural areas, or getting some gardening done. It all counts. During this pandemic, I’ve seen firsthand and heard many more stories about Pelham residents, businesses, organizations, and groups answering the call to participate in virtual or distanced events, attend our drive-through parades, and engage with one another the community in safe ways. This challenge is no different, and why I believe we can win this thing. All challenges in the June 30 for 30 calendar can be done safely and consider health and safety measures. As more amenities open up, so too will your options in how you participate. Everything you need to know about the June 30 for 30 challenge and how to participate can be found by visiting www.pelham.ca/ june30for30 or by contacting Leah Letford at lletford@pelham.ca or 905-892-2607 x352 So, Pelham, what do you say? Do you think you have it in you? Do you think you can help make the Town of Pelham the most active community in Canada? I believe you can. Now get out there and get active! Until next time… ◆

MCC donors on board with "agreeable outcome" In the last week’s “Publisher’s Corner” column, attention was brought to the council-approved modifications to the second floor of the Meridian Community Centre. Those who closely follow the goings-on at Town Hall will know this is the formal location choice for an installation honouring the late councillor Mike Ciolfi. Details remain intentionally ambiguous about the works in support of a public unveiling to come sometime later this year (pandemic health considerations being a major determining factor of when that will actually happen). The work is not complete, but what I’ve seen is attractive. The idea of making a new space with a local history theme on the

second floor of the MCC is one that has been in circulation ever since the MCC opened. The Town has a hospitality advisory committee, upon which Councillor Ciolfi sat, that has discussed different ways that local history might be recognized on the second floor, while recognizing that the donors must still be honoured. While the tragic death of Councillor Ciolfi was unforeseen, the design and fundraising efforts currently underway are merely a continuation of this earlier advisory committee work with which he was involved. I can confirm that council approved the formation of a working group to complete this project, which Councillor Haun heads. One of the working group’s mem-

bers was in communication with Mountainview Homes during the planning stages as was mentioned in the Voice’s reporting. I understand that any potentially impacted donors have been consulted and that the work being undertaken by the working group will result in an agreeable outcome that continues to recognize the donors, but also has space recognizing Councillor Ciolfi. For example, the Upper Arena Lobby will remain solely sponsored by Mountainview Homes. I would be remiss not to mention that Mountainview Homes has continued its generous community support by yet again making a contribution to the MCC, this time specifically towards the Ciolfi memorial that

NOISE

HUSON

from cupboards and fillings to pop from teeth, maybe you could explain what it is you are attempting to project. We haven’t yet heard of a trophy for having the most thunderous engine noise and you are a large part of the reason that we can’t hear so well anymore. But alas, your reign of aural terrorism is about to be quietened. The introduction of the near-silent electric car will mostly eliminate those piston-packing, four-cycle, V-something engines. Harley Davidson is selling electric motorcycles. So maybe you should get ready to amplify your near-noiseless car’s audio system if you want to remain loudest among the most irritating audiophiles on the road. ◆

The reality is what we’re trying to accomplish is setting a minimum standard for environmental policies. Local planning and councils have the ability to go above and beyond a Regional policy direction should they wish. By allowing for 3B and hoping local municipalities implement 3C, we’re really missing the mark when it comes to the opportunity before us. I was ready to embrace the responsibility before us even if others were not. When you diffuse responsibility across a great number of people (i.e., the 100-plus councillors in our 12 local municipalities) it becomes the responsibility of no one. We’ll end up with a hodgepodge of environmental planning policies scattered across Niagara, because everyone could, and most likely will, make different decisions. No one wants that. And regardless of what option is selected down the road, the Region is a partner

continued from Page 4

will be adjacent to the Upper Arena Lobby. The Town is lucky to have community champions such as Mountainview Homes, the volunteers on the memorial working group, and the previous and current councils that gave birth to the MCC and have now made it more-or-less financially viable, at least outside of pandemics. David Cribbs Chief Administrative Officer Town of Pelham Editor’s note: We couldn’t agree more. All things considered, in response to the changes proposed for the MCC's upper lobby, and they way they were communicated, Mountainview has indeed been exceptionally accommodating.

continued from previous page with our local municipalities. They must work together, collaboratively and cohesively. The do so now, frequently and effectively. So, the fight for 3C will live for another day, another meeting and another vote. I truly felt we had an opportunity before us to set a vision for Niagara to the benefit of generations to come. There’s a bigger picture here that seemed to be lost on a few. Municipalities are important partners in the fight against climate change. In fact, good land use planning is one of our most effective tools for adapting to climate change, and once we lose our green spaces, they are gone forever. Let’s not lose sight of the incredible opportunity before us and the gift we can leave our children, and their children for generations to come. ◆

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Online Public Information Centre #2 Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Merritt Road (Regional Road 37) and Rice Road (Regional Road 54) in Pelham, Thorold and Welland Niagara Region is undertaking an Environmental Assessment Study for improvements to Merritt Road and Rice Road as a result of proposed developments in the Town of Pelham, the City of Thorold and the City of Welland (see the study area map below). The study will aim to identify improvements to the two roadways to meet the future needs of the surrounding community for all road users. The study will address active transportation needs by providing dedicated pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure that is safe, attractive, conform to a complete streets approach, and compatible with the changing land use in the three local municipalities. This study is being carried out as a Schedule ‘C’ project in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. It will address the requirements of Class Environmental Assessment Phases 1 to 4.

the study, the evaluation of alternative solutions, the preferred solution and obtain input for consideration into the study. Public Information Centre #2 will be held in an online format via project webpage niagararegion.ca/projects/regional-road-37. You are invited to attend the online presentation on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, starting at 6 p.m. There will be an opportunity at the end of the presentation to ask any questions or submit comments. To join the online presentation, please visit the project page on the day of presentation and click on the presentation link. In addition, the information materials related to the Public Information Centre #2 will be available on the project webpage starting June 9, 2021, and comments will be received until June 30, 2021. If you have any questions or comments, please contact one of the study team members: Maged Elmadhoon, M.Eng., P.Eng. Manager, Transportation Planning Niagara Region 905-980-6000 ext. 3583 Maged.Elmadhoon@niagararegion.ca

Jeff Suggett, M. Sc. Consultant Project Manager Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions 905-380-3601 Jeff.Suggett@woodplc.com

Personal information collected or submitted in writing at public meetings will be collected, used and disclosed by members of Regional Council and Regional staff in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The written submissions including names, contact information and reports of the public meeting will be made available. Questions should be referred to the Privacy Ofﬁce at 905-980-6000, ext. 3779 or FOI@niagararegion.ca. The Public Information Centre #1 was hosted from March 24 to April 7, 2021 to introduce the study. A Summary Report documenting the comments received from Public Information Centre #1 and study team’s responses is provided on the project webpage. Niagara Region is now planning to host the Public Information Centre #2 for this study. The purpose of this Public Information Centre is to share information about

If you require any accommodations for a disability in order to attend and participate in meetings or events, please let us know in advance so that arrangements can be made in a timely manner. Please contact the Accessibility Advisory Coordinator at 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca. Notice ﬁrst issued in the newspaper on May 26 2021.

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The Voice

A May 26 2021

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We can all help bring families together again. Get vaccinated. Canada.ca/covid-vaccine 1-833-784-4397

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2021-05-05 12:34

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Letters continued Appreciates assistance On Wednesday, May 12, a man fell on the sidewalk in downtown Fonthill. A big thank you to all who helped. He is doing well, healing with stitches, cuts and bruises. It’s so nice to live in Pelham, with such caring, thoughtful people. Don and Karen Beckett Fonthill

Slow walk to nowhere has gotten old

Your turn is coming soon.

Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine plan is helping to stop the spread and save lives. Thousands of people across the province are getting vaccinated every day. As vaccinations continue, we need to stay the course to protect those we love. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Find out when, where and how to get vaccinated at ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan or call 1-888-999-6488 for assistance in more than 300 languages.

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

A friend of mine said he just waited six days to get a new garden rake from one of our big box hardware stores under the new online ordering rules. I had to wait only three days and two phone calls, four emails, and 40 minutes in a parking lot lineup for my three bags of cement. I may be going out on a limb, but I think that we can do better than that. There were six vehicles in front of me as I arrived at my internet-appointed pickup time. Thirty-five minutes later, as the lineup was cleared, a guy walked over to my window, but slowly, like in a dream. He asked me what I wanted. Stranger still. I said this is my order number. He said what is your order number. I repeated the order number off my phone. He is not checking it against his list. I say you should be looking at your list of orders when I give you the number. He says, like a cop, what is your address? What is your phone number? Thats not the order number. It should start with “S-O.” I look around on the email until I find some undesignated list of numbers that starts with S-O. I also check to make sure I have pants on because it seems like I am not in Kansas any more. I say it’s three bags of mortar—would you like a stool sample? He looks puzzled and after an eternity says I am going to look into this for you. I am so happy as I watch him slow-walk back into the store. And I mean SLOW. Its

an Olympic level of slow walking. Its a long time before he reemerges, floating effortlessly across the pavement with a pallet cart and my three bags. I have time to watch all the other staff do the slow walk as well while he is gone.

He looks puzzled and after an eternity says I am going to look into this for you

It occurs to me that there is a lot of this hopelessness going on. It obviously infects big corporate structures like this store. But our governments are really good also at wasting everybody's time and accomplishing very little, except multiplying their bureaucracies, gathering more and more information for no purpose, and spending billions on halfbaked computer systems and all that goes with them. The Wizard of Oz response to the pandemic is a good example of this. A simple problem to solve with no answer in sight. People, give your head a shake. We do not have to put up with this slow walk to nowhere. Steve Matthews Ridgeville

ETHAN MERGL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Pancake & Sausage Fundraiser JUNE 1 Please join us TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 9 AM to 3 PM, for a pancake and sausage fundraiser in memory of Ethan Mergl. All proceeds to be donated to the ETHAN MERGL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Ethan was part of the Pelham Street Grille team and we are honored to contribute and be part of helping his friends raise money for this amazing cause. All donations gladly accepted.

PRE-ORDERS: (289) 897-9191 WALK-INS ARE ALSO WELCOMED! 1507 Pelham Street, Fonthill (289) 897-9191

L.L.B.O. Licensed

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The Voice

A May 26 2021

COMING EARLY FALL 2021

The Refuge TURN-KEY, CUSTOM-BUILT, FREEHOLD TOWNHOUSES

CHECK OUT THE REAR YARD WALKOUT BASEMENTS AND COVERED PORCHES! FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.therefugefonthill.com

Page 9

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Not so fast with your $250,000, St. Catharines Asked to okay a formality, Pelham Town Council ignores staff recommendation and votes to defer BY VOICE STAFF It was deja vu all over again at last week’s regular meeting of Pelham Town Council, as it appeared that some councillors did not fully understand the motion they were voting on. Asked to approve the City of St. Catharines’ contributing $250,000 to a non-profit organization working on an environmental project in Pelham, four councillors insisted on challenging how the money was to be spent. CAO David Cribbs and Mayor Marvin Junkin repeatedly pointed out that this was not a matter for council’s involvement. As Cribbs put it, “It is only a legal technicality that [requires this to be] before you at all.” A requirement of the Municipal Act says that a municipal government must inform another municipality if it intends to spend money in that municipality. Cribbs went on to point out that, “It’s like the Fonthill Legion’s strategic plan, or Beamer’s Hardware...proud members of our community, but none of our business how they are going forward.” He referred to the motion before council as having been drafted by staff “because we assumed the answer would simply be ‘Yes.’” The money in question is compensation that the City of St. Catharines is required to make for the destruction of fish habitat during

construction on the Lake Ontario shoreline. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) assessed the value of the habitat restoration at $250,000 and the City hired a consultant to find an appropriate project that would satisfy the DFO. The consultant, Tarandus Associates, recommended that a dam on Twelve Mile Creek, near the source of the stream in Fonthill, be removed or bypassed, allowing the spring water to flow unimpeded along Pelham Road and Hollow Road on its way to Short Hills Park and eventually to St. Catharines. The dam, originally constructed more than 100 years ago, created a pond that was used by the adjacent cannery (now an apartment building). According to the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada, who were consulted on the compensation initiative, temperature loggers and water quality analysis above and below the pond reveal both significant temperature increase and a decline in water quality caused by the pond. The stretch of the creek below the pond is therefore at present unsuitable for trout, so removing or bypassing the dam would create important fish habitat and potential spawning territory. Tarandus proposed the idea to the DFO, who agreed that this project would be

The cannery pond behind Spring Valley apartments is picturesque, but according to the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada, by blocking the ﬂow of spring water it warms and degrades Twelve Mile Creek. FILE adequate compensation for St. Catharines. Agreement in principle was also received from the NPCA and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries. St. Catharines City Council agreed and directed their staff to proceed with finding a project management solution. Mayor Junkin outlined this history before debate, but was careful to make the point that, as worthy as the project was, it was not Pelham council’s business to comment on it, as it was on private property and being paid for by St. Catharines. When the time came for the project to go forward, he said, it would have to pass inspection by numerous government agencies, at which time stakeholder consultations would be part of the process. The Town would have “no skin in the game.”

“All they’re asking us for is to say ‘Yes, if you want to spend your quarter million dollars in our municipality, by all means do it!’ It’s going to be looked at by the proper authorities and will go ahead only if it meets strict specifications.” However, Councillor Bob Hildebrandt (who originally moved the motion to accept the report) insisted that he was getting questions from citizens about the project and he needed to have answers and oversight, to which Cribbs replied that oversight would be supplied by all the agencies that would have to give approval before any proposed project even left the planning stage. Both he and the Mayor cited the NPCA, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Ministry of the Environment, and MNRF as having oversight on any work contemplated. Such over-

sight would include stakeholder consultation. Ignoring the repeated admonitions that the project itself was not part of the motion, Councillor Ron Kore wanted to know where the public meetings would take place. Councillor Lisa Haun wanted to know if the Nature Conservancy of Canada had been consulted. Councillor John Wink wanted to know if the Town would be liable if the landowner didn’t like the result of the proposed work (the Town solicitor assured him that it would not). Councillor Marianne Stewart wanted assurances that councillors would be copied on all correspondence from all parties pertaining to the project so they could be kept informed. A visibly frustrated CAO Cribbs answered that, “In the normal course of things, this would be a simple ‘Yes.’ What happens if we vote ‘No’? The City of St. Catharines will go elsewhere to spend their money.” The City, he said, cannot move forward with their development plans along the lake without DFO approval for the compensation, wherever it takes place. In the end Cribbs undertook to have staff revise the report to address concerns about oversight and consultation, public information and stakeholder engagement, and return to council with the revised report at the next meeting on June 7. It was moved by Councillor Wink and seconded by Councillor Kore that the matter be deferred until staff could present a report that addressed all their concerns. Only Councillor Wayne Olson and the Mayor voted no on the deferral.

ACTIVE IN PELHAM ROAD SAFETY. IT STARTS WITH YOU. The Pelham Active Transportation Committee hopes that you will SAFELY share the sidewalks, pathways, trails and roads in Pelham now that you have seen the messages from our Road Safety and Education Campaign.

To learn more visit: Ontario.ca/Transportation

TAKE ACTION. If you are concerned about speeding in your neighbourhood, and want to take action, please read the Town of Pelham’s Traffic Calming Policy at this link: www.pelham.ca/en/transit-and-roads/ speeding-traffic-complaints.aspx You can report traffic complaints by email to: trafficcomplaints@niagarapolice.ca or by submitting a form online to: niagarapolice.ca/en/what-we-do/submitatrafficcomplaint.aspx Pelham’s Road Safety and Education Campaign is supported by the Town of Pelham and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

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Page 11

A May 26 2021

Pelham's newest bylaw officer hits the street BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent immediately interested,” she said. “Pelham is just beautiful. My grandparents had a seasonal trailer at Bissell’s, so I was here annually for part of the summer while growing up.” Grodesky concedes that there's a lot to learn, especially in the midst of a pandemic. “Sometimes you’ve got to wait until a situation happens before you can train for it, and each day brings different challenges. But everybody has been very helpful and welcoming,” she said. Having heard about some of the popular Pelham events like Summerfest and the Thursday Night Experience at Peace Park (comprised of the Farmers Market, Supper Market, and Bandshell concert series) Grodesky is keen to participate. “That’s what I love about this little town, being a city girl. Pelham organizes these great events where everybody seems to come together.”

DON RICKERS

Melissa Grodesky is Pelham’s newest bylaw officer, replacing Greg Young, who is now the fire training officer for Pelham Fire Services. Having spent a couple weeks learning the ropes, one of Grodesky’s first solo duties is training the Town’s new seasonal bylaw officer, Ceara Obdilyn, who serves the community from May through September. Grodesky is also responsible for marshalling the safety crossing guards during the school year. She grew up Niagara Falls, where she still resides. Grodesky earned a diploma in law and security from Fanshawe College in London, and for the next 20 years was employed in the security department for Niagara Casinos, working her way up the ladder from security officer, to investigator, and finally supervisor. “I wanted to make a career change, and when the job opened up in Pelham, I was

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Page 12

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A May 26 2021

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Province lays out "Roadmap to Reop Niagara Covid cases trend downward, but clouds remain on horizon BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Pelham golfers were teeing off last Saturday, and the skateboarder crowd was back in action. However, safety restrictions are in place, and the provincial government’s stay-at-home order is still officially in effect until June 2. Premier Doug Ford announced last Thursday that some outdoor recreational activities could restart, but that outdoor social gatherings would be limited to five people, including members of different households. Physical distancing is still required. The new reopening guidelines announced by the province allow residents of long-term care homes to meet outdoors with up to two visitors, including mem-

bers of different households. They can also meet with two essential caregivers, for a total group size of up to five people. In its recently released “Roadmap to Reopen,” the Ontario government provided a three-step plan to safely lift public health measures and restrictions on businesses and recreation. “As a result of the strict public health measures we introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants, we are seeing a steady improvement in our situation as ICU and hospital numbers begin to stabilize,” said Premier Doug Ford in a media statement. “While we must remain conscious of the continued threat the virus pos-

es, with millions of Ontarians having received at least their first dose of vaccine we can now begin the process of a slow and cautious re-opening of the province in full consultation with our public health professionals.” Step One involves a resumption of outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table, and non-essential retail at 15 percent capacity. Step Two further expands outdoor activities and resumes limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn, and includes indoor religious services at 15 percent capacity. Step Three expands indoor settings, with restrictions and capacity limits, and includes indoor dining, indoor sports and fitness activities, museums, art galleries, li-

braries, casi Based on cluding the expects to e June 14. The mos COVID-19 ca ing, and con The prov of the Astr stopped aft deadly blood United King much lower Due to a lim

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A May 26 2021

pen"

inos, and bingo halls. current trends in key health indicators, inprovincial vaccination rate, the government enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of

st current data modelling confirms that ases and hospitalization rates are decreasntrol of the pandemic is improving. vince has also lifted its pause on the use raZeneca vaccine, which was temporarily ter studies linked it to rare but potentially d clots. The latest data from research in the gdom suggests the risk of getting a clot is r after a second shot, about one in a million. mited vaccine supply, roll-out programs of

second AZ doses have for now been restricted to Toronto, Windsor-Essex, and Kingston, as well as some pharmacies in Hamilton, for people aged 60 to 64. As far as Health Canada is concerned, AstraZeneca jabs can be given anywhere from four to 12 weeks apart. However, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna shots (which are mRNA vaccines), AstraZeneca a viral vector vaccine, and research data suggests that for these doses, immunity continues to builds after the first shot. Waiting for 12 weeks seems to provide the strongest protection. There is some urgency to get the AZ vaccine into arms. Ontario Health has approximately 45,000 doses of AstraZenaca that expire at the end of the month, and the province doesn’t want to see the supply wasted. Niagara’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mus-

tafa Hirji, said in a news conference last week that the latest research is showing that delaying the second dose seems to increase vaccine effectiveness. “If you’re in a high-risk situation, working in a hospital with COVID patients, maybe it does make sense to get that earlier second dose,” he advised, but for those not in a high-risk group. “By getting the second dose at three or four months as is currently scheduled, we will actually be better off over the long term.” Appearing on a Zoom session May 18, moderated by Niagara Chamber of Commerce CEO Mishka Balsom, Hirji said that vaccine uptake is currently around 55 percent in Ontario adults. “If we reopen [too soon] See ROADMAP Page 18

Greg Foisy of Beamsville, Ian Hamilton of Fonthill, Robert Jordan of Smithville, and Jim Campbell of Fonthill enjoy an afternoon of golf last Saturday, as Lookout Point Golf Club reopened, with restrictions in place. DON RICKERS

Page 14

The Voice

A May 26 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

NOISE

continued from Page 1 Scottdale Court, and Hurricane Road. This car wash is operating 7 AM to 11 PM, seven days a week. The dryer can be heard from the MCC in the south to the ravine behind Stonegate in the north,” he wrote. “My wife and I are in our 80s, and do not feel that we and our neighbours should be subjected to this constant loud noise both day and night.” Campbell noted that due to pandemic lockdowns, they were confined at home, “which has always been our joy, but with the constant whining of the car wash dryers, when the warm weather arrives, we will not be able to utilise our back patio, and windows and doors will have to be kept closed.” Bylaw officer Craig Genesse met with residents about the complaint, then referred the matter to Shannon Larocque, of the Town’s planning department. The Town of Pelham’s current noise bylaw does not establish an objective decibel level as a criterion for acceptable or unacceptable noise. Rather, it refers to a subjective standard of “unwanted noise” at the point of reception at a residence. The Town modified its noise control bylaws in 2010, according to Reinhart, the end result being that protection for residential areas was provided by prohibiting any commercial car wash disturbances “at all times.” He insists that council made very specific changes to the bylaw, due to resident complaints about car wash noise emanating from this same location, which at the time was the only drive-through car wash in town. The pitch of the noise is part of the problem. As car wash machinery ages, it often emits sounds at

Would you tolerate a barking dog in your home for 16 hours a day, from 7 AM to 11 PM?

Residents living north of the Pelham Car Wash have circulated a "Wanted" poster among Town staff and elected officials. SUPPLIED higher frequencies, which can be especially aggravating. It is not simply about the volume of noise, as measured in decibels, according to Reinhart. While the current car wash went into operation in 2020, the equipment installed in it was used, and was already nearly a decade old on opening day, according to an industry source familiar with the

location and installation. Jerry Hadrasky is a retired engineer, with a background in acoustics and vibration, who has lived on Stonegate for 19 years. He described how pitch, location, wind speed and direction, and sound reflection are all auditory variables, along with decibel measurement. “Regardless of the decibel lev-

el, the continual noise affects your nervous system, and your mental health,” he said. Pat Gray, a realtor who has lived on Hurricane Road since 2005, is another aggravated homeowner. He provided an analogy. “A barking dog registers between 50 and 70 decibels, which is lower than what might be measured at the exit of a drivethrough car wash. Nevertheless, would you tolerate a barking dog in your home for 16 hours a day, from 7 AM to 11 PM, and barking all day at even 60 decibels? I think not. Everyone deserves peace and quiet in their homes.” Mayor Junkin emailed residents to say that the Town is “headed in the direction of a high soundproof fence, paid for by the owner and on the owner’s land. This is coming to council to approve the bylaw amendment to allow the fence. If the fence proves unsatisfactory, the Town will explore other options. I am asking you to please be patient on this matter.” Asked for comment, Junkin told the Voice that he was “disappointed that it has taken as long as it has to get this barrier built, but it must be remembered that the owners have tried several other steps to alleviate the problem. While the residents have made it quite clear that they are not satis-

fied with the time frame that this process has taken, the fact of the matter is is that there is a process, and it must be followed.” The property is owned by Gail Levay, who says she has been operating various businesses on the site for 52 years, before many of the nearby homes were built. The car wash itself is operated by Blake Atkinson and Spencer Carter, under the business name Car Wash Guys. They refitted the car wash for operation in 2020. Fire Chief Bob Lymburner oversees bylaw enforcement in Pelham, and told the Voice that action has been taken by Levay. He said the car wash entrance and exit direction have been reversed in an effort to reduce the noise on Hurricane, and that the doors have been reprogrammed, so that they remain shut until the blowers are off. “With bylaws, the way we run things here in Pelham, it's done in a pragmatic way. We don’t want to shut down businesses, and affect people’s livelihoods. So we try to mitigate to make both parties happy. The report [on the bylaw variance application] goes to council on June 7, and if it gets approval I would anticipate the construction to be done very soon.” Typically both the property owner and any business operating on site are equally liable for bylaw violations. Numerous emails were sent to the Mayor, said Reinhart, pleading the case for the residents. “Please explain to our community how the Town proposes to compel Ms. Levay to build a 160-foot-long, 14-foothigh, soundproof fence, the cost of which could be as high as $100,000, when the Town has no means to do so, because the Town allowed her to violate the site plan agreement for so long, that you now have no means to compel her

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Register for each of the following session at niagararegion.ca/official-plan. Video recordings will also be available online following the sessions.

The Niagara Official Plan will set out objectives and policies to shape Niagara’s physical development, protect what’s valuable, and balance the interests of current and future residents. Niagara is facing many growth management challenges, including; housing affordability, protecting the natural environment, minimizing impacts from a changing climate, and increasing economic prosperity. A made in Niagara solution, is being developed to address these challenges.

YOU’RE INVITED Attend a series of virtual public information centres to learn more about key draft policy directives and core policy content that is intended to be part of the Niagara Official Plan. Updates on other key sections of the official plan will also be provided. Background information and draft policies are now available for review through niagararegion.ca/official-plan. If you require any accommodations for a disability in order to attend and participate in meetings or events, contact the Niagara Region’s Accessibility Coordinator at 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca. Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

niagararegion.ca/official-plan makingourmark@niagararegion.ca

Wednesday, June 9 | 6 p.m. GROWING REGION • Growth Allocation and Land Needs - Draft Policies • Regional Structure Draft Policies • Housing - Draft Policies • Settlement Area Boundary Reviews -Update

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Wednesday, June 16 | 6 p.m.

COMPETITIVE REGION • Agriculture - Draft Policies • Employment areas - Draft Policies • Aggregates - Draft Policies

Thursday, June 17 | 6 p.m. CONNECTED REGION • Transportation - Draft Policies • Infrastructure - Draft Policies

Wednesday, June 23 | 6 p.m. SUSTAINABLE REGION • Natural Environment System Update • Watershed Planning - Update • Climate change - Update

If you are not able to attend, you can provide input or ask questions by emailing makingourmark@niagararegion.ca or contact David Heyworth, Official Plan Policy Consultant at 905-980-6000 ext. 3476.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 15

A May 26 2021

Our cash wash is no different from any other. Our equipment here is not old.

In this undated file photo, business owner Gail Levay is in the driver's seat at her Fonthill business. to build that fence.” Reinhart’s comment referenced what he asserted was a site plan condition, dating from 1988, that Levay erect a 150-foot fence at the car wash, which has never been completed. Reinhart maintains that the fence will never be built, and suspects that the fence proposal is just a ploy designed to calm the residents “by having us wait for a June council meeting, then put us off some more waiting for the dream of the soundproof fence that’s going to restore our quality of life. Of course, it will never come. But what will happen throughout all this is that the air dryer noise will continue.” In his email to the Mayor, Reinhart attached an audio recording of the noise, with instructions for

Junkin to “be sure to play it during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on your deck, in the bathroom, relaxing with your family, and when you’re not feeling well. Remember to play it every five minutes or so. Put it on your phone so you can play it while walking your dog, strolling through your neighbourhood, or when you’re gardening. Perhaps if you do this you’ll get some sense of our frustration with this noise.” “I imagine that if you lived in our community this noise would have stopped long ago.” “All the pertinent details have been communicated to the Town’s solicitor,” said a frustrated Gray. “For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Town doesn’t simply enforce their noise bylaw

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and compel the operator to muffle the dryers or bring the current dryers up to today’s standards of quiet efficiency.” The residents group has indicated that they do not want a fence—they want the dryers muffled, or replaced with more modern, quieter equipment. Another issue which Gray raised was diminishing property values. “As a realtor for 11 years with Royal Lepage NRC Realty, I contend the level of the present racket would have to be disclosed to potential buyers to ensure the property was presented in an open and fair light,” he said. Such a disclosure, he maintained, would negatively affect the negotiations for the seller, and could be used to justify a lower of-

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fer. “Just like the cannabis operation on Foss Road has affected nearby values, or wind turbines throughout West Lincoln, such disturbances or facilities are required to be disclosed by a reputable realtor,” said Gray. Gail Levay (who also owns the gas station on site) maintains that the car wash property is zoned commercial, and predates the subdivision by a significant number of years (most of the homes along Hurricane are approximately 15 years old). The business is something of an anomaly, in that commercial car washes rarely have residential units near them. Approximately 150 vehicles use the drive-through wash daily on average, Levay told the Voice, who declared that the drive-through has always been a fi xture on site. However, the residents group contends that this is false. They insist that a manual car wash (without the noise) was present from 1988 to approximately 2008, and then became AutoHaus of Fonthill, a car repair facility. They say that later it was used as a storage facility, and then leased to Nine Lives Custom Refinishing until 2019. Mike Gallagher, Levay's sonin-law, who grew up in Pelham, told the Voice that the original

car wash was installed in 1989, and operated for 20 years before going dormant. Current operator Blake Atkinson offered a different daily wash number than Levay, asserting that at most 50 cars go through on average. “We’ve never had more than 100 cars go through the car wash on any given day,” said Atkinson. His partner, Spencer Carter, also pushed back on the age of the equipment installed, although acknowledged that it was bought used. “I've been all across this country building car washes,” said Carter, “and I can tell you that our car wash is no different from any other. Our equipment here is not old—we're talking three, four years max.” Levay said she has applied for the bylaw variance to erect a long, high, acoustic barrier at the back of the property—which Carter compared to those seen along highways— but asserted that updating the car wash machinery and replacing the dryers and fans would be prohibitively expensive. She claims truck noise on Highway 20 is more of a disturbance than her car wash noise, and added her own complaints about some Hurricane-area pedestrians who walk across her parking lot, taking a shortcut to Highway 20. Some residents wonder whether Levay’s stature in the community may be shielding her from more vigorous bylaw enforcement. Levay, 80, was a charter member of the Fonthill Rotary Club, and has served in a multitude of civic roles over decades, including on the Fonthill Bandshell Concert Committee, crossing paths with both Ward 2 councillors Ron Kore and John Wink. The business is located in Ward 2. Neither councillor See NOISE next page

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The Voice

NOISE

continued from previous page responded to a Voice request for comment. For a 2018 article on Levay’s lengthy tenure with Rotary, past president Paul Snack noted that she was a “lifelong Pelham resident and business owner.” “She is plugged in to the community and knows most of the ‘who’s who’ of Fonthill,” Snack told the Voice. “Gail grew up here, so, when we hear her stories it sounds like she has known absolutely everyone or is at least related to half of them.” Pat Gray argues that such a legacy “should not give her a ‘Get out of Bylaw Free card.’” “Especially when dodging the noise bylaw is ruining her neighbouring senior citizens’ enjoy-

ment of their final years.” Noting that “Service Above Self” is the Rotary motto, Gray said that Levay will be better regarded if she would place “Neighbours above self.” “Surely Gail doesn’t wish to be remembered as someone who used her reputation, standing and influence in the community to permit her to ride roughshod over its bylaws and her neighbours,” said Gray. “Her local stature coupled with the inaction of the Town to enforce its noise bylaw might be construed to be a case of bias, and calls for investigation to determine if favoritism is in play, and whether a boycott of Gail’s facility is warranted.” Mayor Junkin downplayed the suggestion of favouritism. “I personally have never met

A May 26 2021

[Levay],” Junkin told the Voice. “This is a legitimate business operating in a commercially zoned area of the Town, and I am confident the owner will continue to work with the Town to resolve this problem.” Despite speaking at length and in person to the Voice at the car wash, Levay concluded by stating, “this can't go in the newspaper.” When told that an article presenting all sides would indeed be published, Levay repeated her instruction that the paper not do so, then said that if a story did appear, “I'll never advertise with the Voice again.” Pelham CAO David Cribbs commented that for the past two years, the Town has been consistently examining and reviewing its bylaws. “As we become aware of defi-

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca ciencies, we certainly have a track record of addressing them, and the Town's solicitor is now aware of some potential enhancements and modernizations that are possible with the Town's noise bylaw,” he said. “We're not trying to be insensitive—we think we've found a solution [the acoustic barrier/ fence] that doesn't drive the car wash owner out of business, but does respect the privacy rights and the reasonable expectation for quiet enjoyment of property. And we do want to deliver on that.” Responding to the residents’ request that the car wash dryers and blowers be replaced with quieter equipment, rather than having a wall erected, Cribbs said, “the Town has no way to legally enforce that. The noise bylaw doesn't say, ‘and by the way, you

can force a business to invest in capital.’” Cribbs asserted that the bylaw department was attempting to find a “balance between resident concerns and the practical operation of a small business.” “Both have legitimate needs and concerns. Further commentary is inappropriate at this time as an aspect of the underlying issue will be on the next council agenda.” Mike Gallagher said that the residents don’t need to worry. “We are people who keep our word. My mother-in-law has been in the community for 50 years running that business. So when we say we're putting up this fence, we're going to follow through with it.” With files from Dave Burket.

Letters continued Open letters to Mayor Marvin Junkin on Option 3C Editor’s note: Readers who are encountering the term “Option 3C” for the first time are invited to first read Regional Councillor Diana Huson’s commentary this week for background, p. 5. On behalf of 475 members of the Pelham Tree Conservation Society, there is a major disappointment that you did not support the Option 3C for the Merritt Road extension. We are asking you to reconsider your vote. As we see it, “Anything less that Option 3 doesn’t ap-

pear to conform with the Provincial Policy Statement.” Option 3C, as you are aware, includes small linkages between significant features such as wetland and woodlands outside of urban areas, as well as inside of them if the linkages are in a natural state. It requires buffer along the edge of the significant woodlands or wetlands in urban areas, the size of which would be determined after a developer paid for study. As well, 3C allows for the pos-

sibility of adding enhancements areas (places where environmental restoration could occur adjacent to a significant feature) to the Natural Environment System in urban areas. The staff report said these additions would only require 1.5 percent in urban areas. Under Option 3B, which doesn’t include any of elements mentioned above, woodlands and wetlands inside of urban areas are unlikely to survive over time.

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As you are aware, the Pelham Tree Conservation Society goals are: To promote the preservation of our urban forest; to educate the public about the value of trees; to help promote public discussion on the value of trees. Mike Jones Pelham Tree Conservation Society Mayor Junkin, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the beautiful natural spaces we have in Fonthill and in other parts of beautiful Niagara. So many of us enjoy these spaces on a daily basis for our physical, mental and emotional health, and quality of life. Our wonderful woodlands and wetlands are teaming with life! I would love to see them take priority over excessive development, therefore l respectfully ask that you will choose option 3C on which Natural Environmental System will be implemented in Niagara. B. Burger Fonthill

Mayor Junkin, I must add my voice to the concern raised by Mr. Mike Jones and the many members of the PTCS regarding your vote for option 3B instead of 3C at Regional Council. We are temporary stewards of this planet, and thus far it is the only one supporting life as we know. Furthermore, we have a responsibility to leave it in the best shape for future generations. This applies to everything we do from the global to the local level. So, let's do the right thing and protect as much as possible of our current environment and habitat. I implore you to change your vote, and vote at the upcoming Regional Council Meeting for the much better option (3C) available to protect some lands within the Town of Pelham. Together we can make and keep this a better place. Dr. Uwe Brand Fonthill Mayor Junkin, I see the vote on Merritt Road environmental protection as

FAITH LIFT

PETITION

and it certainly exhorts us to godliness but that maxim comes from another source—not a desperate mom with a lot of dirty kids, but the great English scientist and philosopher Sir Francis Bacon. So how did you do? Four out of four right? Two out of four? I won’t embarrass you by going any lower. Maybe this little exercise has reminded you that it’s time to take the Good Book down from the shelf, blow off the dust, and actually read it. God gave us His Word for a reason. But if you’re resisting my suggestion, just remember this: “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” ◆

have the conversation.” Phone calls from Niagara business people who are fearful of losing everything have been regularly received by Allison, and he is quick to point out the marginalized employees in service industries like hospitality and tourism, who haven't been able to work at all for the better part of a year. “I'm reaching out to the parliamentary health committee, trying to get something on the agenda around this issue,” said Allison. “They may decide not to call it a national health emergency, but the whole point is that we need them to figure out ways that we can do a better job dealing with mental health.” Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin is one political leader in Niagara who has thrown vocal support behind Soos’ petition. “As a politician, I recog-

continued from Page 23

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who will keep you guessing on the last one.

continued from Page 19

being a local variant of the National “Pipelines or no Pipelines” controversy. We either step in and take resolute measures to protect the climate and our environment, or we leave it for someone else to do. I plead with you to take the more far-sighted and difficult road. Dave Nicholson Fonthill We have been following proceedings at the Region regarding environmental stewardship as this will impact all of our legacy for the next decade and more. Surely now is the time to cement our collective legacy in acting to answer the question: Will I leave this planet in a better state than I found it once my time has come, and what could I have done differently to have positively impacted that outcome. We respectfully implore you to vote for Option 3C. Graham and Edie Pett Fonthill

nize that the lockdowns are necessary, to a point,” he wrote. “I also recognize that they come with huge social costs, because of the isolation and loneliness they instill. The true cost may not be fully appreciated until several years from now. Soaring rates of drug overdoses and drug-related deaths, huge increases in child abuse cases and domestic violence…all these things point to citizens that have become mentally fatigued, and are having an extremely hard time coping with the daily grind of existence in a pandemic. This group — and it is a very large group — needs our added assistance.” Mental health is a human issue, not a [political] party one,” insisted Soos. “It touches the lives of Canadians and Niagara residents from all walks of life.” Soos is hoping that 10,000 signers will support his petition, which is available at https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Pet it ion/Details?Petition=e-3351

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 ture’s living room—pre-pandemic. We arrive in Muskoka and converge on Tom’s cottage for the first night, where we meet our fellow campers, Tom’s friend, Collin, and his eight-year old son, Ben, who are also experienced outdoorsmen. Tom’s 12-foot long dining room table is crowded with food for the trip, a first aid pack, cooking gear, and tents, along with all the incredible tools and gadgets for surviving in the wild. Looking at all that gear, it’s hard to imagine that Tom, Collin and Ben will be out for five days, while my boys and I will pack as much fun as we can into two days and one night of camping, which is all we can fit in before our move. After a swim in Lake Rosseau and a hearty dinner, we gather around for The Talk. Tom teaches us how to be safe out there in the wild, which includes a mini course titled, “What To Do If We Encounter a Bear, 101.” My littlest adventurers freeze at the mention of bears. They give me a look that says, “We did not sign up for bears.” Tom assures us that the most likely place we would see a bear would from the car, inside the provincial park, and it would probably only be a black bear. But we are urbanites and have no bear prejudices—black, brown, polar, grizzly—we are equally terrified of them all. Understandably, the topic comes up again at bedtime. “We don’t want to meet any bears,” they say. “We want to go home.” It’s hard to convince them that we won’t see any bears when we were just told what to do if we see a bear, which means, there are definitely bears out there. Early the following morning, in two cars, under grey skies, we wind our way through beautiful northern Ontario, until there are no more

The Voice stores or burger joints, only signs for camping, hiking, and boating. Finally, we turn into the entrance for Killarney Provincial Park. Not three minutes later, right in front of us, crossing the road like he owns it, is a black bear. I react quickly: “Isn’t it a good thing we got that bear sighting out of the way? Now we can relax about the whole bear thing, right kids?” They remain un-amused. After picking up our two rented canoes, we load them up with our gear. The food pack alone weighs in at around 175 pounds. Add the tents, camping gear, and seven human beings and you can imagine that our canoes are quite low in the water. Using my rudimentary calculations, our two vessels are hauling well over a thousand pounds of camp-bound stuff, some of it reluctant. Tom assesses our individual weights (including optimistic ballpark assessments by some of us) as well as our paddling strengths, and loads us accordingly. Then we push off into the lake and begin our paddle toward what I think will be our campsite. This is my first misconception; we actually paddle to our first portage, then, carry all that stuff, over multiple trips, including the canoes, through the forest, only to load it all up again and paddle to our second portage, so that we can reach our third lake and seek out a settlement. After a reconnaissance paddle around the lake, Tom chooses our site and the tents go up. The lake is quiet and the large rocks surrounding it are smooth and heated by the sun, ready for heat-seeking salamanders like myself to collapse onto and relax. Sadly, my hot rock fantasy melts away when camp director Tom announces, “Looks great everyone! Still enough daylight to go for a hike!” Really? We pile back into our canoes and paddle to the trailhead.

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A May 26 2021

The hike turns out to be unexpectedly steep and takes us up to a peak in the park, from which we can see for miles. It is a breathtaking sight, particularly for those of us who can still breathe comfortably after the challenging climb to the summit. (I toyed with playing my princess card halfway up, but being part of this boys’ club means holding my own or hearing about it for eternity. No divas on this trip.) By the time we land back at our campsite, it’s almost dark, with only time enough for a quick swim to wash off the sweat and bug spray before starting dinner. The two men work efficiently, starting a fire, and cooking up bean burritos, while delegating smaller jobs to the rest of us. With dinner come the uninvited mosquitos, who sense a feast of their own, and drive us quickly into our tents for the night. Satchel falls asleep immediately. Tanner and Cole however, have a different idea. They are sitting up, hugging their knees tightly, rocking back and forth, and waiting for the bear to attack. I pull them close, one under each arm, and hold them until they fall asleep, at which point I spend the next few hours preparing a plan for what to do when the bear attacks. Then I watch the shadows of daddy long legs crawling across the tent, hoping they won’t appear in my recurring spider dream. I hear the raccoons rummaging through the pots and pans hanging on the trees, looking for scraps. As a grand finale, the monsoon hits. And it rains and rains, like God is pouring a heaven-sized bucket of water directly onto our tent. Everyone’s sleep is restless, and each time any child twitches in the tent I bolt up, making sure they are all okay and discovering that each fresh look around shows our four bodies in the shape of a different letter of the alphabet.

In the morning, it takes a while to set up a tarp and make breakfast, as the deluge continues. Unfortunately, a full day of enjoying our surroundings is looking more like a hostage situation, as we wait for a reprieve in the weather to make our escape. Tom, Collin and Ben also watch the skies, wondering if the forecast, which calls for rain for the next four days, will be accurate. We keep ourselves busy at camp, packing up our tent and sleeping bags, cleaning up after breakfast, and wondering if we will ever get back out on the water. By late morning, I can’t find Tanner, and go for a scout around our campsite. I discover him standing in front of the “treasure chest”—a wooden box, covered by a lid, which is our designated lavatory. Together, we consider his dilemma in silence. Using a long stick, I lean in and hoist up the lid. There is a hole cut out of the top, out of which we see spiders crawling, while a cyclone of flies spin in and out. The grisly content of the box has grown dangerously close to the opening, indicating that the relocation of the box is long past due. We both throw up a little in our mouths. “This is it, buddy. Shall I wait for you over there?” I say encouragingly. He continues to stare for a moment, trying to draw some courage from deep inside, then says, “It’s okay. I can wait.” Which he does for the next eight hours. We can never un-see this image and I feel a loss of innocence for both of us. I put “plumbing” on my list of things to hug when we get back to civilization. Around midday, the rain slows briefly and we, along with our gear and accumulated garbage, are swiftly loaded into our canoe, while the others chaperone us in the other canoe, towards what I think will be our original boat launch. This is

where another of my misconceptions occurs; Tom, Collin, and Ben help us get over the first portage, then wish us luck on the rest of the journey home. Excuse me? We are heading back the rest of the way without our seasoned guides? As we sit in our canoe, clearly confused at our abandonment, the boys and I watch our “friends” wave from the portage point, then disappear into the forest. I had not anticipated that we would be on our own, so far away from civilization, in a canoe, loaded to the hilt, in wind, drizzle, and choppy water, with no cell service. As we paddle through whitecaps, up-wind the whole way, I make everyone check their life jackets and constantly examine our surroundings, always aware of the closest shoreline in case we dump. It’s eerie, and every awful, tragic, Titanic thought crosses my mind as I downplay my concerns to the kids—even though a capsizing feels way more real than a bear attack ever did. We make our way through another portage and an hour later, with tired and sore muscles, we gratefully touch land and climb aboard our minivan for the last leg of our journey—a five-hour drive home. The kids immediately fall asleep while I reflect on our adventure; treasure chest notwithstanding, we survived and proved to our city-slicker selves that we are resilient and adaptable—for a 24-hour shift anyway. Camping has officially been checked off my family adventure list. Next time, kids, you’re on your own…okay, probably on your own…I guess it depends on the forecast… and the bear situation…and the number of portages... and the lavatory…and if I can play my Princess Card at any time, without consequence. Then again, I just saw a Groupon for the Ritz-Carlton… ◆

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I will come to your home or farm and custom mill your logs. emerging from an Firewood & lumber also available. Call Rob Patterson, egg mass in mid May. Bryant says that theFENWICK LIONS FISH FRY905-401-4948, FABULOUS riverwood@primus.ca mass wastreats just a little Tasty with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, larger than a loonie, french 9 from 4-7 p.m. and locatedfries alongand much more. Runs Sept. BOAT FOR SALE a walking trail in 20 Ft. Doral-Mirage, Mercruiser, V5, Excellent condition, $11,000. Fenwick. PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE Phone 905-931-2073.

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continued from Page 13 we’re going to see a surge of cases—55 percent vaccination isn't quite high enough to protect us. But if we get up to 75 percent of adults vaccinated, we actually see that that there is no real significant bounce, and we stay well within what our hospitals are able to sustain.” Hirji suggested that it will likely be late September when the 75 percent two-dose vaccination threshold is reached, a point where a sense of normalcy will return to indoor activities, family gatherings, and relatively unrestricted operation of businesses, restaurants, colleges and universities. “I'm a little less sure that [in September] we're going to be filling up stadiums, doing really large groups. I think that might be a little bit more delayed,” he said.

Course. Call Doug at 905-327-1492. PELHAM MUDFEST Men and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is Niagara Region Public Health has anFOUND nounced additional held COVID-19 vaccination at Bissil’s Hideaway.

clinics, including: Engagement ring on path at Welland Canal. Description of ring MacBain Community Centre in Niagarequired. Contact cabanaroo@gmail.com ra Falls (May 31), West Lincoln Community NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION Centre (June 6-8), and Meridian CommuniRodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It ty Centre in Pelham (June 9-13). Individuals 18 years old from or older are now runs Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds. eligible to book an appointment via the provincial booking portal at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling BIG the provincial booking MOVE CANCER RIDE system at 1-833-943-3900. The Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. Appointments are also available at phar7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Fammacies that are providing vaccinations (currently using Moderna or Pfizer). A diily Cancer Centre. rectory is available at: covid-19.ontario.ca/ vaccine-locations. The most up-to-date information about WALKING CLUB COVID-19 and Niagara Public Health vacciin walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena nation efforts can beInterested found at www.niagararegion.ca/health/covid-19/vaccination/ from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There

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Activist Steven Soos' appeal endorsed by Pelham council MP Dean Allison sponsors petition on mental health BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Social activist Steve Soos told Pelham Council last week that one in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem over their lifetime, and that the economic burden of mental illness in Canada is estimated at $51 billion per year, including health care costs, lost productivity, and reductions in health-related quality of life. He approached council for support of his federal petition, e-3351, calling on the House of Commons to launch a study in the Standing Committee on Health (HESA) pertaining to the declaration of a national emergency on mental health. “Pelham council was extremely supportive with the original call [to have the Region declare a state of emergency,] and now we're simply taking it to the federal level,” said Soos. This federal petition is Soos’ second attempt at having a state of emergency declared. He and Niagara Falls Councillor Wayne Campbell sold 11 of the 12 Niagara municipalities on the concept earlier in the year, with Lincoln the sole holdout. The request failed at the Regional level, where an alternative motion

was drafted and received approval. Undaunted, Soos has made the petition a focus of his online interview program True Politics, which hosts a variety of personalities and perspectives, drawing mostly on regional politicians and social activists for the homeless, unemployed, and substance-addicted. With a goal of bring mental health into the national spotlight, Soos is perhaps most concerned about the damage close to home. “Suicide and self-harm in Niagara is higher than the provincial average, and over 14 percent of our secondary students have indicated that they have seriously considered committing suicide. That's alarming,” he said. Soos described how the national Kids Help Phone crisis line had 1.9 million usages before the pandemic, and 4 million today. “That’s a huge jump,” he told council. “These are our young people—our kids, our grandkids.” Mayor Marvin Junkin commented after Soos’s presentation that “the effects of the current pandemic are going to be felt for months, if not years—mental stress that

Steven Soos. everyone has endured over the last year, and obviously for a little bit longer into the future.” Councillor Wayne Olson was supportive of Soos’s effort, saying that he had noticing “Pelham residents complaining about the sense of isolation that they feel, a sense of loss and hopelessness—this is a huge

FILE

issue.” Olson put forward an amendment to councillor Marianne Stewart’s original motion of support, directing the Town Clerk to circulate the endorsement to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, members of the federal Standing Committee on Health, Ontario Premier Doug

Ford, the provincial Minister of Health, local MPs and MPPs, and the councils of Niagara Region and local municipalities. The amended motion passed unanimously, as did the original motion. "I would like to express my gratitude to Pelham Town Council for their support of Petition e-3351, and their continued support for mental health in our community,” Soos told the Voice. He added that Thorold also unanimously endorsed the petition last week, and on June 1 Councillor Campbell will introduce the motion at the Niagara Falls council meeting. Soos said he will be presenting to West Lincoln Council on May 25, and has been in contact with the councils in Port Colborne, Fort Erie, and St. Catharines. Dean Allison, the Member of Parliament for Niagara West. who is sponsoring the petition, said, “It's a great opportunity to continue to raise awareness on the issue. I don't think that anyone would disagree that there's a mental health crisis. Every party in Parliament understands it—they're hearing it from their constituents. Will members have a problem supporting the wording? I don’t know. But I think it's important, and we need to get on board with it. So let's just get it out there, regardless of who supports it, or who doesn't. We need to See PETITION Page 16

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The Voice

A May 26 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

BALANCED LIFE

OBITUARY

continued from Page 22 It will be the rest of us, those in the middle, that will have the most difficult time finding satisfying travel options during the remainder of 2021 and 2022. We want our travel to include a little wild, a measure of adventure in both geography and culture, but our choices will have to be made carefully. Geographically, our wild might mean travelling farther from health and safety resources than the typical packaged tour. When we envision the unspoiled beauty of New Zealand’s Milford Track, we understand we’re hiking away from population centres, but we also know that our GPS tracker will summon a rescue helicopter if necessary, and we’ll be in a wellequipped hospital with English-speaking staff in an hour. A five-night trek on the Toubkal Circuit through Morocco’s Atlas Mountains is a little higher on the wild scale, and a safe trip is going to be harder to achieve.

Alan Panter

Brian Bradford, of Minden, ascending the ascending the La Cloche Mountains, a 1.88 billion year old quartz range north of Lake Huron. JOHN SWART Local buses and people we encounter might not be as Covid safe as we’re expecting, and there won’t be a rescue helicopter around

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the corner. Culturally, finding a suitably wild-but-safe postCovid destination could be very difficult. Immersing oneself in a foreign culture is the true unknown of independent travellers. Planning such a journey will require a tremendous amount of research and knowledge, and more faith in Lady Luck than we may usually extend. Staying up to date on the latest variants and ever-changing quarantine requirements in off-the-beaten-path Asian or African countries will be even more difficult than trying to figure out Ontario’s regulations. COVAX aside, vaccinated travellers from rich countries cannot assume the traditional warm welcome from countries that feel our wealth has denied their citizens a fair allocation of vaccines. International trust seems in short supply, and worldwide tolerance for those different than ourselves seems to be ebbing as political and religious strife increases. Countries that seemed “wild” but relatively safe only a few short years ago now seem risky. In South America, stable democracies like Chile and Peru are unwinding. Just yesterday eastern Europe was a newly discovered adventure destination that offered unfamiliar cultural

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and natural experiences to English-speaking travellers, but Turkey, Czechoslovakia, and even Poland are rapidly becoming less inviting. Summer and fall are approaching, and vaccination rates in Canada are rising nicely. It would be a stretch to pretend that Quebec offers the charm of rural France, or historic Old Town Lunenburg compares to the medieval port of Herceg Novi, yet there are historic gems in Canada. Newfoundland, the prairies beyond Calgary and Edmonton, and Haida Gwaii prove that unique pockets of diverse culture exist within Canada too. For those seeking their wild in mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and three coastlines, Canada is one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world. We have 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including truly wild Gros Morne, Kluane, and Mistaken Point. Grizzly bears, elk and puffins complete the natural package. If Canadians believed discovering the stark natural beauty and Inuit culture of Nunavut carried the same travel prestige as trekking Nepal or sailing Antarctica, we might truly begin to come together with our indigenous communities. No matter how you define your travelling wild, spending the next year or two exploring Canada can provide it. ◆

In celebration of a life filled with love, we are saddened to announce the passing of Alan Panter on May 15th, 2021 in his 78th year. Beloved wife of over 50 years to Carol Anne (nee Evans). Devoted father to Diana Huson (Todd), David Panter (Mireille). Proud grandfather of Natasha Panter (Johnathan), Chloe Bilodeau, and Jasmine Bilodeau. Alan was a special “Doggy Father” to Charlie (Prince & Duke deceased). Alan was born and raised in Etobicoke. He had an early career as a lifeguard with the Toronto Harbour Police before joining the Royal Canadian Armed Forces, Artillery Reserve Division. He was a proud member of the 7th Toronto Regiment, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer. He had cherished memories of the armouries during his 10 years of service, working with gun crews and firing artillery shells. After meeting the love of his life, Carol Anne, the couple moved to St. Catharines and started a family. He worked as an electronic technician with CN-CP for 42 years prior to retiring. He had an impeccable work ethic, only missing a half day of work his entire career. He also volunteered at Cornerstone Clubhouse in London Ontario helping individuals with brain injuries learn how to use computers. The family also hosted Brock international students, where Alan attentively helped them learn English, with homework and to provide a Canadian family experience. An avid history buff, Alan was a “foodie”, loved animals and computers. Often armed with a spatula at the barbecue, he was often the cook and loved family gatherings. He had a veracious appetite and sweet tooth, happily whipping up a pot of chilli or finishing off the leftovers. The only thing bigger than his love of food, was his booming and infectious laugh that often caused everyone to laugh along with him. Alan was a gentle giant. He had a passion and unwavering dedication to his family. Becoming a father and grandfather brought him great joy. He attended every birthday party, coached our baseball teams with Merritton Athletics, and happily volunteered as the family “Uber” driver for his children, grandchildren, and all their friends. He never missed a single family moment. Alan was fun, kind-hearted and generous. He was deeply loved by his family and friends and will forever be missed. In keeping with Alan’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Due to the current COVID restrictions, a private Celebration of Life has taken place. If desired, donations in Alan’s memory to the Walker Family Cancer Centre would be appreciated by his family. Arrangements entrusted to George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. Leave a memory in our online guestbook at www. georgedartefuneralhome.com

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Page 21

A May 26 2021

New Business FOCUS

Ice cream and other frosty delights Peter Piper’s Parlour Cones and Café debuts just as summer temps loom on the horizon BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent “I can’t get away from the alliteration,” said Peter Moore with a laugh, a reference to the plosive peez and concussive kayz in his latest venture, Peter Piper’s Parlour Cones and Café. The grand opening of the ice cream joint was last Friday, and many locals were on hand to sample the chilled delights. The parlour is located just down the strip plaza from Moore’s main business, Peter Piper’s Pubhouse, at 110 Highway 20 East. “Ever since the Log Cabin and Lazy Loon’s ice cream counter closed [on Highway 20 West], I felt that Fonthill would support another ice cream vendor,” said Moore. “So a couple months ago, when the owners of Ziya Blue came to me and said that they were relocating

to the Pen Centre, I decided to move on my idea.” Fonthill already has a gelato vendor, on Pelham Street, but Moore believes there is plenty of business for both. In addition to 24 flavours of hard and soft ice cream, Moore will offer soda, coffee, and milkshakes (which he is calling Cyclones, as a tribute to the school teams at E.L. Crossley). Those in search of milk or dark chocolate bars will, sadly, have to look elsewhere. “No chocolate, and no pastries either,” said Moore. “We have some great bakeries in the area, and I don’t want to upset their applecart.” Rather than tables, the plan is to have wall bars with stools. But given the state of the pandemic lock-

Owner Peter Moore, manager Kelly Richardson, servers Kaede and Marissa, and ice cream customers Cal and Evan at last Friday's opening of Peter Piper's Parlour Cones and Cafe. DON RICKERS

down, “I'm in no rush, obviously,” said Moore. The walls have been hand-painted by Moore’s kids, and by those of his manager, Kelly Richardson. He is also taking advantage of a free picnic table offer from the Town, and will have a few outside the shop as soon as outdoor service is permitted again.

During the school year, the ice cream parlour will be open Monday to Thursday, from three until eight. Fridays will be three to nine, Saturdays twelve to nine, and Sundays twelve to eight. The ice cream will be provided by an all-female-owned company in St. Thomas called Shaw's. Chapman's, located in

Markdale, and Canada’s largest independent ice cream producer, will also be a supplier. Moore said that the opening day had been a success, but “what a battle to open a business during a pandemic. Countless delays…I just got the cash register delivered and programmed today.” Contacted for a follow-up

on Sunday, Moore said that rules limiting the number of customers inside at any one time worked well, “as for many of our staff it’s their first-ever job.” The most popular flavours as of Day Three? Shaw’s Moose Tracks, followed closely by Shaw’s Grammy’s Cupboard. “It’s been great to see our young team learn.”

Pelham Cares reaches out to gardeners, pet lovers Donations of pet food, soil, and seed fund latest projects

I have never gardened, but I would love to learn how so I can eat healthier

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Jennifer Dubé, Coordinator of Client Services at Pelham Cares, is used to fielding calls from residents about the food bank. But a recent inquiry germinated a new outreach project. “A client called inquiring if we could provide soil so that they could grow their own food, which prompted us to think about providing a home garden kit for individuals and families, giving them the opportunity to grow their own herbs and vegetables to sustain a healthy diet,” said Dubé. She added that in the past year, as Pelham Cares has seen an increase in demand for their services due to job loss during the pandemic, clients have increasingly expressed concern about the processed food they eat, and its impact on their health. Many suffer food allergies from gluten and dairy products, have diabetic health concerns, and require low sodium food due to heart disease and high blood pressure. A segment of food bank users have cancer or other chronic illnesses, and some have adopted a plant-based or vegetarian diet. The staff at Pelham Cares does its best to accommodate their requests. “When the board of directors agreed to move forward with the soil and seed project, we put out an email blast to our clients to see if there was sufficient interest,” said Dubé. “We received a landslide of responses: ‘Our finances are so tight, we just could not afford to put any funds towards starting

a garden, so this is amazing that you will aid us with this,’ ‘Groceries are so expensive, it is hard to eat healthy with fresh produce,’ and, ‘I have never gardened, but I would love to learn how so I can eat healthier.’ We let them know that planter kits would soon be available, and they were very happy to hear that news.” The next step was to target social media, in order to find people to help assemble planting boxes. A couple of cabinet makers came forward, one to build indoor boxes from wooden pallets, while the other donated materials to build the outdoor boxes. A Pelham Cares volunteer pre-measured soil for the indoor boxes, while another sorted seed packets and researched gardening, so as to prepare a simple brochure to accompany each order. “We even had one of our clients, who had pre-seeded their own tomatoes in April, donate a few of their plants, and local greenhouses has offered to provide pre-planted vegetables after the long weekend.” Both indoor seed box kits and larger outdoor boxes are ready to go. “We want to give a huge thank you to Jeff Carrey, Director of Operations at Cabico, in St. Catharines, for donating and constructing the large garden boxes,” said Dubé, “and also to Ross Duff, a retired Pelham cabinet maker who built the indoor herb planter boxes, and Miller DKI, who sponsored

Pelham Cares is distributing indoor seed kits to local families. Vicky Smith and Aaron Harper with the first garden box completed. SUPPLIED the soil and seeds for the project.” As if the garden kits were not enough good news, Dubé also announced that the pet food inventory at Pelham Cares had been replenished, thanks in large part to Kevin Strooband, executive director of the Lincoln County Humane Society (LCHS) in St. Catharines. The LCHS received a grant of $3,500 to purchase pet food, made possible by Humane Can-

ada. Strooband went directly to the pet food manufacturer Mars Petcare (maker of Pedigree, Royal Canin, and Nutro brands) with the grant money, and Mars graciously turned a $3,500 purchase of two skids of food into a contribution of 14 skids. “Pets are part of our families, and bring so much to our lives. This has never been more evident than throughout this ongoing

pandemic,” said Suzanna Dalrymple, General Manager of Mars. “That’s why we’re so pleased to support the Lincoln County Humane Society, and help those pet parents in need with access to food.” Strooband said that the grant and subsequent donation will reach many families and pets in need across the Niagara Region. “Our goal is to keep families and pets together. Humane Canada, MARS and our Food Ontario food bank partners have worked together to meet that goal and to help our community.” As many pet food recipients are unable to attend the LCHS shelter in St. Catharines, the organization formed new partnerships with several food banks across Niagara, including West Lincoln Community Care in Smithville, Community Care of West Niagara in Beamsville, Welland Hope Centre in Welland, Port Cares in Port Colborne, and Pelham Cares in Fonthill. Those in need of pet food are encouraged to visit the Lincoln County Humane Society on Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines, or contact Pelham Cares at 905-8925300.

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The Voice

Page 22

A May 26 2021

THE BALANCED LIFE by John Swart

What is your travel wild?

hat is your wild? It’s a nuanced word that lights up our psyches, interpreted differently by each of us. Vocabulary.com lists 17 meanings for the word wild, and maybe I’ve been locked down too long, but that was enough to make this online dictionary a page-scroller. Is wild an adjective for you? Does Johnny Strabler, Marlon Brando’s menacing and unruly, yet distracted and directionless motorcycle misfit in The Wild One spring to mind? Does wild have a slightly salacious tinge for you, beyond

Brando to the sinister and violent unpredictability of Neve Campbell, in Wild Things? Is it a noun? Cheryl Strayed (Wild) walked the mountainous Pacific Coast Trail, and Chris McCandless (Into the Wild) lived alone in a bus in the Alaskan wilderness. Each had their motives and burdens to unload, but their wild was a cleansing place, challenging and dangerous, yet beautiful and restorative. For every Wild One-Strabler there is a Happy DaysRitchie Cunningham, someone whose lifestyle is the anathema of wild. For

them, risk aversion is essential, and why anyone would consider hiking Vancouver Island’s rain-soaked West Coast Trail amongst the grizzly bears when they could go to Disneyland is incomprehensible. The same diverse interpretations of the word wild are found in the travel industry. For many travellers, comfort, luxury and predictability are the epitome of a successful trip or vacation. For others, emotional or physical risk and the resulting adrenalin surge are the reason to travel. For them, wild can be as simple as life outside their comfort zone, or may mean seriously testing oneself in the wilderness. The last 15 months have turned the travel industry upside down. Their definition of wild has always been in flux, and Covid is

causing it to be redefined one more time. Potential customers and travellers everywhere are rethinking just how wild they want get, and how far into the wild they’re prepared to go. Half of the world’s travel snobs are in a free-fall of indecision. A travel snob is someone with a narrow-minded view of what defines the “correct” way to travel. They’ll argue well past closing time that taking a vacation trip isn’t travelling, and they rail against mass tourism. One category of travel snob will stay in five-star hotels and luxurious all-inclusive resorts, the other relishes sleeping in the desert with a bivy sack. One wants to hit every Conde Naste-promoted hotspot and trendy destination of the month, the other just wants to live and travel at

their own pace, self-sufficient amongst the locals. One would never assume a risk, the others believe it’s only when you are at risk that travel comes alive. Those that crave the luxury destinations and meticulous catering will be the least affected by Covid. Their definition of wild is merely exotic, a version of travel that’s spicy but not too hot. Their destinations of choice have the infrastructure and financial resources to become Covidsafe quickly. Tours of the Galapagos on small ships with other vaccinated travellers, glamping safaris in Kenya, and wine-infused dinners in Provence will soon enough become safe for those that can afford them. Many who crave the true wild in its natural state, mountainous or desert

wasteland, remote jungle forests or storm-tossed sea coasts, will soon be travelling again too. They travel alone or in small, tight groups and head for the wilderness, canoeing the MacKenzie River or trekking the Great Divide where the risks are small. Nepal has issued 394 summiting permits for Mt. Everest in 2021, the most in their history—though as many as 200 suspected Covid cases in base camp last week are calling into question whether those permits will actually be used. Wild and rebellious aren’t synonymous with selfish and irresponsible, so we’ll ignore those travellers who seek to find loopholes and work-arounds for rules designed to keep countries and their citizens safe. See BALANCED LIFE Page 20

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, love and romance are definitely in your favor this week. If you have been pondering setting up a date or taking a spouse out for a night on the town, do it. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Even the best partnerships can be challenging, Taurus. Right now neither one of you is looking to take the lead. Even if it means flipping a coin, someone has to step up. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, grab what you want this week, but remember that the more tightly you try to hang on to it, the more likely it will slip through your fingers. Employ some give and take. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, you may be unsure of which way a relationship is leaning and waiting for the other person to make the next move. Don’t let opportunities pass you by. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, if a supervisor seems set in his or her ways, you might have to present your proposal in language that will appeal to this person the most. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, if you are oﬀ doing your own thing, you may have to instruct others who count on you how to proceed in your absence. Keep the lines of communication open. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Other people are not mind readers, Libra. If you need something or are unhappy with a situation, you must speak up. Address concerns promptly. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 It is quite easy to manipulate a situation if others aren’t pay-

ing attention, Scorpio. If you are guiding or mentoring someone, exercise caution to stay neutral. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Don’t get ahead of yourself by projecting scenarios that may never see the light of day, Sagittarius. It’s better to live in the present and then adjust to what comes your way. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Your thoughts may be pulling you one way and then another, Capricorn. Find focus by zeroing in on the main thing that needs the most attention at this point. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you may have to take a more reserved approach to get where you need to go. Even still, your love for adventure and freedom can be compelling motivators. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Figure out your needs before making long-term plans with others. Even though you’re sure of yourself, sometimes you let others take the lead. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MAY 23 Melissa McBride, Actress (56) MAY 24 Patt i LaBelle, Singer (77) MAY 25 Ally Raisman, Athlete (27) MAY 26 Stevie Nicks, Singer (73) MAY 27 Lily-Rose Depp, Actress (22) MAY 28 Seth Rollins, Wrestler (35) MAY 29 La Toya Jackson, Singer (65)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. FLOSSY 2. REVOKE 3. ANEMIA 4. TANNIN 5. CRAB 6. REDUCED 7. US 8. MT 9. BRITT 10. SIRE 13. CW 14. TIMBALE 15. SNICKER 20. AN 21. MG 22. LORY 23. AAR 27. NERI 29. TD 30. BEL 31. BED 32. UD 33. MGD 34. ABASHED 35. RATABLE 36. CAEN 37. HEN 38. UN 40. UNTO 41. PROFANE 42. EH 44. GAT 45. RELOAD 46. AROUSE 47. SCOTTY 48. PEPSIS 50. SUDRA 51. AH 52. ME 54. ONES 55. TIES 57. AT 61. MB 62. IL

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. FRAT 5. CRUMBS 11. LENA 12. RESTRICTS 16. OVEN 17. AD 18. IRWIN 19. SOMNAMBULATE 24. MI 25. SKIING 26. COAT 27. NBC 28. YEAN 29. TERR 30. BEAK 31. BUDDY 33. MERLE 34. ARCHED 38. UGLIER 39. BAAED 40. UPEND 43. ATEN 44. GNRH 45. RASP 49. SAN 50. SATO 51. AMERCE 53. HB 54. OUT OF THE LOOP 56. ELAND 58. AI 59. OUTS 60. DETERMINE 63. ASTI 64. SABLES 65. DEYS

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays! From our family to yours...stay safe

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The Voice

Page 23

A May 26 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Ready for a Bible quiz?

You’ll search a long time to find that one in Scripture (although I’m sure the search will do you good). The saying sounds nice but it deceptively implies that we can partially save ourselves. The Bible, however, says that salvation is a free gift that can be received or rejected, but not earned. We can’t add anything to what Jesus did for us on the cross when He took our place and paid for our sins. The Good News is that God offers it to anyone who sincerely asks, which leads me to our next one.

hen I was attending seminary at Acadia, I had a student pastorate in a couple of country churches on the north mountain (actually long ridge) of the beautiful Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. During the Sunday School time we often did “sword drills.” Everyone would raise their “swords” (Bibles) into the air and someone would give a Bible reference (book, chapter and verse) and then shout “Go!” Everyone would quickly try to find the verse and the first one would stand up and read it. It was a fun way to get to know our Bibles better. One Sunday I was leading and said, “Hezekiah, chapter 4, verse 7… Go!” Everyone searched frantically. Someone thought they found it but it turned out they were in Habakkuk. Finally, one of the older ladies at the back spoke up, “There is no Hezekiah!” I don’t think they ever forgave me for that one. Well, let’s try a different kind of Bible quiz. Answer “Yes” or “No” as to whether the following statements are in the Bible or not. Sometimes we think a tried-andtrue saying must be biblical when it’s not. Ready, set… go!

The answer is yes. Jesus gives this promise in Matthew 7:7 which says, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” This truth can apply to someone coming to faith for the first time as well as to a mature believer who prays for something according to God’s will.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

Surely this one is straight from holy writ. What do you say? The answer is no. The Bible is all for keeping clean

Seek and you will find

See FAITH LIFT Page 16

Well, what do you think?

No peace for the wicked

Is that statement in the Bible? Don’t read ahead. Cheating is a sin, you know. The answer is yes. Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” By the way, I hope that verse doesn’t describe you.

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!

God helps those who help themselves

I’ve heard this one quoted quite often over the years. Well, is it biblical? The answer is nope.

Word Search: Banking R E Z I T I N A S V X H Y C C T U G D W

I T K E U T X A Y S C I Q O J K D A M X

E V I L U O T K T N N U I P O V E U W W

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I E B C H N R R D U S T A T E M E N T D

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D N C C U X W A Y C I C N X S I V N W T

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L F P R D E K K B T H U W G X E N F L Y

Q A C O Y C N E R R U C E R A Q Y D T C

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T H B C L J I Y X E N D O R S E M E N T

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards. ATM BALANCE BRANCH CARRIER CASH CHEQUE

COINS CREDIT CURRENCY DEBIT DEPOSIT ENDORSEMENT

INTEREST LOAN LOONIE PAY QUEUE RECONCILE

SAFE SANITIZER STATEMENT TELLER TOONIE WITHDRAW

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

Voice

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Page 24

The Voice

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4 Chipotle Burgers

As the mercury rises, the opportunities to cook a greater number of meals on the grill increases. For many people, there’s nothing like the smoke-kissed flavor of meats, poultry and vegetables seared over an open flame. Hamburgers are a grilling staple in many households. Burger flavors and toppings are only limited by a home cook’s imagination. For those who may need a little burger inspiration, this recipe for “Barbecue Chipotle Burgers” courtesy of the Iowa Beef Council features a beer-based homemade barbecue sauce and is best served on Texas Toast for an extra burst of flavor. Barbecue Chipotle Burgers Serves 4 1 1⁄2 2 2 1 1 4 2

pound ground beef (93 percent lean or leaner) cup beer tablespoons brown sugar tablespons ketchup tablespoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce tablespoon Worcestershire sauce slices frozen Texas Toast spears pickled okra, sliced

To prepare barbecue sauce, combine beer, brown sugar, ketchup, chipotle peppers, and Worcestershire sauce in saucepan; bring to a boil. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until sauce is thickened; set aside. Lightly shape ground beef into four 1⁄2-inch thick patties. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 F, turning occasionally. (Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.) Meanwhile, prepare Texas Toast according to package directions. Cut each piece of toast in half. Fresh Texas toast, buttered, may be used instead of frozen product. For each sandwich, spread 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce over one toast half. Top with burger, another tablespoon sauce and okra slices. Close sandwich. Cook’s Tip: Dill pickle chips or pickled jalapeño peppers may be substituted for pickled okra.

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A May 26 2021

COUNCIL

continued from Page 3 permissible. “My question becomes this,” Hildebrandt said, misstating the facts, “why would I allow another municipality to carry out a project where I give up all my rights as a community, no inspection, no oversight, no transparency, and yet I have to answer to the residents?” While St. Catharines would fund the project, the City would not “carry it out.” CAO David Cribbs tried to explain that such projects aren’t uncommon, and that ultimately the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA)— as well as the Province and even the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans — would have say in the matter, given the work is set to improve the creek’s flow across private property (not Town land) into Lake Ontario, in St. Catharines. “Whatever work they do, there will be government approval, we’re just not that government,” Cribbs said. “And while citizens may have questions for you, you’re not supposed to have answers because this is not a Town project. This is sort of like asking what’s the strategic plan for the Legion, or Beamer’s Hardware...proud members of this community, but none of our business how they’re going to go forward into the future.” The CAO stressed that the land where the work is set to take place—to be undertaken in conjunction with the conservancy group Trout Unlimited, as reported in last week’s issue—is private property, not Town of Pelham property. Hildebrandt remained unmoved. “I know we don’t own it, but it’s within the municipality of Pelham,” he rebutted. “So therefore, we’re responsible in my view.” Wink then looped in Town Solicitor Jennifer Stirton, asking her if Pelham could be on the hook for any legal issues after the fact. “I can’t see any basis for a claim against the Town,” Stirton replied. While any public meetings relating to project would be handled by the upper levels of government, Councillor Stewart wanted to ensure that Pelham be copied on any correspondence regarding the project. Cribbs appeared frustrated, saying he presumed the authorization would be a technicality. “We don’t have some greater understanding or moral authority than any other branch of government,” Cribbs said. “And in the normal course, this would be a vote [in which council said] ‘Yes, of course, you can donate money to

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an environmental organization here in Pelham.’” Despite warnings that St. Catharines and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans require agreements in place before the preservation work could commence, Hildebrandt hinted at something untoward. “This seems like a last-minute effort to push this through council without proper disclosure,” the Ward 3 councillor said. Councillor Wink asked that a more detailed staff report on the proposal be made available at the next council meeting. Only Junkin and Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson voted against deferring the matter. [See related story, page 10.]

SDU update

Council received an update on secondary dwelling units (SDUs), another contentious topic relating to housing affordability which has seen past pushback from some councillors. A Town survey yielded around 20 comments from residents — the majority from Fenwick — mostly regarding the sizes and types of units which would ultimately be permitted. Because property lots tend to be larger in the rural or agricultural zones of Pelham, many questions centred on how that would work. Planning Director Barb Wiens said that applications would be reviewed case-by-case, but stressed that any SDU was to be “subordinate” in size to the existing dwelling. “It’s not to have two principal dwellings on one lot,” she said. The provincial conservatives have explicitly mandated that secondary (or “granny”) units be made part of municipal Official Plans, an aspect of their “More Homes, More Choices Act” of 2019. Compared to most of Niagara, Pelham is behind on implementing such planning, due in part to what seems to be a deliberate pattern of delays by Town Council. Councillor Kore asked if property taxes would go up on lots that constructed either secondary structures or in-house additions, to which the CAO answered was likely. “It’s absolutely foreseeable … because that seems self-evident, you’re adding value to the property,” Cribbs replied.

Financial work lauded

A round of back-patting stemmed from an Audit and Finance Committee Report, with Councillor Wink lauding the work of Treasurer Teresa Quinlin and Deputy Treasurer Charlotte Tunikaitis. “We’re really pleased with the results,” Wink said. “I look at the expenses

of 2020 compared to 2019, and they’re almost identical. So, there’s been a concerted effort on keeping the costs down.” While the Ward 2 councillor warned that reserves remained short of goals, it was still good news given the cost of COVID-19 — something that also netted the Town a substantial amount of upper-level emergency funding. “We were able to replenish reserves quite a bit,” Wink said. “We’re still probably about $8 million short of where we should be. But I commend staff … under such a difficult year.” Kore added his own praise, suggesting that the Town’s finances have a come a long way under the new administration. “What they brought back to that department was integrity, structure, reporting, and most of all transparency,” Kore said. “It really feels good that we’re not trying to hide anything anymore.”

Covid update

Fire Chief Bob Lymburner reported that 227,637 doses of vaccine had been dispensed in the Niagara Region as of May 17, representing 44.7 percent of the eligible population. He said approximately 2000 people a day were going through the vaccination site at the MCC, since the community centre’s capacity was expanded. Second shots for frontline workers have been moved up, with Lymburner saying he was expecting his own second dose this week. “Things are going well,” he said.

Odds and ends

 Haun announced she was leaving her seat on the Niagara Region Transportation Steering Committee due to timing conflicts, and tabbed political ally Stewart to replace her. “I’m doing the responsible thing here and passing on this position on this committee, to hopefully, Councillor Stewart if that’s the will of council.” Council unanimously approved.  A Town report on sports video streaming at the MCC was received. Unlike the streaming equipment for seniors’ programs centred in the Accursi Room at the community centre — which cost the Town about $51,000 — staff recommended contracting out sports streaming to private company GameOn Streaming, who can reportedly stream games at the price of $9.99 per month for interested parties.  Council also formally approved the hiring of Sarah Leach as Deputy Clerk.

With files by Dave Burket

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