The Voice, May 6 2020

Fourth Sobeys worker comes forward about Kore page 3 Trapped at sea—Fonthill couple’s cruise ship ordeal page 7 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.24 No.18

May 6, 2020

Published every Wednesday

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Three Town councillors attempt to muzzle Mayor Junkin apoplectic at COVID-19-specific motion, says he won’t adhere to it

BY VOICE STAFF Pelham Town Council’s 3-2 vote on Monday, April 27, to effectively muzzle Mayor Marvin Junkin from acting as a Town spokesperson on COVID-19 matters, may have the opposite effect intended by the councillors who brought the measure forward.

Junkin, for one, says he will refuse to adhere to it.

“The Municipal Act does not provide a council any legitimate way to take away the powers of a head of council,” the Mayor told the Voice. “They had no more right to pass that motion than they do to regulate the speed limit on the QEW. I will not be restricting any of my comments because of it.”

The motion was tabled out of nowhere by Councillor Bob Hildebrandt and seconded by Lisa Haun.

Fireworks ensued.

“That is a horrendous, I can’t stress enough, a horrendous blow to democracy,” an angry Junkin told the meeting—once again held via videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“That’s what it is.”

The motion passed with Hildebrandt, Haun and Councillor Marianne Stewart voting in favour. Junkin and Councillor John Wink voted against.

The resolution puts re-

sponsibility for Town statements regarding COVID-19 in the hands of CAO David Cribbs—and, as pertaining to public safety, Fire Chief Bob Lymburner.

Cribbs stressed to the

The Municipal Act does not provide a council any legitimate way to take away the powers of a head of council Voice that he was not involved in devising the measure.

“For the record, my office did not seek this delegation of authority,” the CAO said.

During the meeting, Hildebrandt explained his motion by saying, “Given the potential for municipal liability and/or confusion arising from any public misstatements pertaining to the coronavirus or the Town’s approach to addressing it, or the sensitivity of such asSee MUZZLE Page 8

Top, Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin. Above, from left, Councillors Marianne Stewart, Lisa Haun, and Bob Hildebrandt.

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The Voice, May 6, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca LOCAL FIRMS SUPPORT VOICE CARRIERS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

And we have a winner! The latest Puzzler asked, “What name do LOST, Modern Family, Grace & Frankie, The Munsters, and Steven Van Zandt have in common?” If you answered, “Larry,” that would have been wrong. But Kevin and Jill Smith, of Fonthill, answered, “Lilly,” which was correct! From left, the photos below: Aubrey Anderson-Emmons played the character Lilly on Modern Family, which just ended its final season. Alberta-born and BC-raised Evangeline Lilly played the character Kate on LOST. On The Munsters, Yvonne De Carlo played the character Lily Munster. Musician Steven Van Zandt, of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, is also a noted actor, having played Tony’s second-in-command on The Sopranos, but, more to the point, he also played a mobster in the Norwegian-Netflix co-production, Lilyhammer. Finally, from Grace & Frankie, the “one ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingy” gal herself, Lily Tomlin. (We did have another winning entry last week, but it failed to note how the name applied to each example—we must follow the rules!) The Smiths won a $30 PetValu gift card, which they’ve requested we donate instead to the Welland and District Human Society. Aww...smart and with a heart. Thanks, folks...Ticked off: I was a little peeved at our talented contributor John Swart about 48 hours ago, as we sat down to lay out this week’s paper. I was looking forward to a relatively light 16 pages for a change, particularly after the last two weeks of non-stop Sobeys updates and mayhem. But that son-of-a-gun Swart turned in a riveting account of a Fonthill couple trapped aboard their cruise ship as the globe went into lockdown. It had to run in its entirety—so 20 pages it is, folks! The story starts on page 7. You will not soon forget it…Pies for Pelham Cares (and the Legion): Be sure also to check out Vilma Moretti’s letter to the editor (p. 6), and consider contributing to her worthy cause.

Your stomach will be glad you did. See you next week. ♦

Voice

Two local businesses have generously provided gifts for our dedicated crew of 44 newspaper carriers.

Minor Bros. Country Living has pitched in a $10 gift card for each carrier. Top, the incredibly friendly Jordan Coffell, Manager of the Fonthill store, which recently had its one-year birthday.

PharmaChoice pharmacy in the Food Basics plaza, meanwhile, has provided each carrier with a portable spray bottle of hand-sanitizer.

Left, in white, owner Glen Sisak speaks with a customer.

The Voice deeply appreciates their generosity.

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There is no rhyme nor reason, To the way this all will end.

Who knows what each day brings us, As we struggle round each bend.

As we struggle now to overcome A foe we cannot see An enemy so dangerous From whom we cannot flee.

Man-made or from our planet, We truly do not know, We only know we want it gone We try to make it so.

But still it lingers Days to weeks To months, to years ?

Its victims seek.

Whether young or old, healthy, well Ignoring none, it casts its spell.

It doesn't care your colour, race Or if you have a pretty face Or if you're smart or if you work It's there, behind each door it lurks.

So some will live and some will die, There is no telling, you or I, So some will lose and some will win And good must triumph over sin.

Some will succumb and some survive But if you try to stay alive And follow rules And do what's right You may survive to change our plight For those of us who will remain Will carry forth a broken chain We'll learn a lesson all must heed To love the Lord and not...the greed.

S. M. Lazareth Fonthill

Voice

CARRIER

Back in the pre-lockdown Before Times, Sharon and David Ripley visited the Billy Graham Library, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Succumb or Survive

The

Congratulations

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Vol.20 No.48

CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

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Oops: No fire trucks for you

Column Six

The Comfort Maple myth

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Column Six

Growing up British

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

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

NATE SMELLE PHOTO

Public meeting tonight on school issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

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

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

Vol.20 No.32

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

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

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

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

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

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

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

sidered.

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

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

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

Another way the committee plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday October 12, 2016

FREE

Apple Day comes to Fonthill

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

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

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

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

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

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

After delivering to Council a petition containing

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

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

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

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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

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

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Cell 905.933.3049

T

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

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

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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

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

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

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

this minute!

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

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

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

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

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

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

Get

Pined -Sol Pelham’sPelham’s Health Food Store

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

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

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

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

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

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

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

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

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

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

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

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Page 3

Fourth Fonthill Sobeys worker comes forward Says franchisee and Pelham Town Councillor Ron Kore’s symptoms were of widespread concern among staff

All he had to do was stay home, and he didn’t even apologize for not doing that

BY SAMUEL PICCOLO

Special to the VOICE

A fourth employee of Fonthill Sobeys has spoken to the Voice about franchisee and Pelham Town Councillor Ron Kore’s continued presence at the store over a period of weeks in March and April, when he was exhibiting symptoms of respiratory tract illness. Kore later tested positive for COVID-19.

While the employee, like others who have come forward requested that his name be withheld for fear of reprisal, said that he did not personally see Kore exhibit symptoms, he said that he heard other employees speak of having witnessed them.

“I did hear of many, many other employees complaining about how he had them, and complaining about how he was still coming in.”

Three other Sobeys employees have told the Voice that they witnessed Kore’s symptoms. Kore can be seen and heard with symptoms in the video recording made of council’s March 23 meeting at Town Hall.

The employee said that he had viewed parts of the video.

“It just proves that he had symptoms while attending work.”

In a statement released to several media outlets on Sunday, April 26, Kore asserted that he had self-monitored daily for symp-

toms.

“I would never take a risk with my health, the health of my wife, employees or colleagues at Town Hall,” the statement read. Kore said then that he would not be speaking further on the matter.

Neither he nor Sobeys corporate communications department acknowledged a request for comment on this story.

The employee told the Voice that he heard store managers complain of Kore’s continued presence with symptoms, and that he heard that employees had brought their concerns to Kore, even despite the risk.

“I’m not around him as much as the managers. The floor staff I think could see it, but they wouldn’t say anything about it because he’s our boss. Even the managers—they would be afraid of that too,” he said.

Kore’s purported response to raised concerns, the employee said, was, “just that he’s fine, that it was just a cough.”

The employee said that given his coworkers’ accounts of Kore’s symptoms, they were particularly alarmed to see Kore fail to follow physical distancing guidelines in place since at least mid-March.

“With those symptoms, he was not social distancing at all, to-

Fonthill Sobeys, Wednesday, April 22. wards customers or employees.

He didn’t do enough. He didn’t do what he was supposed to do at all.

He would be a foot away from customers and employees,” the employee said, adding that he never saw Kore wearing a mask.

Two Sobeys customers wrote signed letters to the editor, published in last week’s Voice, alleging being subject to or seeing Kore’s symptoms.

The employee said that he was not surprised to read of other employees’ accounts of Kore’s illness.

“That was accurate,” he said, explaining that all the Sobeys employees he has spoken to are frustrated with Kore’s conduct. He said that no explanation has been given for Kore’s actions, aside from his April 26 statement, which he said was inadequate.

Ban on all consumer and commercial fireworks sales and use during COVID-19 Effective immediately, the Pelham Fire Department has banned the sale and use of fireworks. This ban remains in effect for the duration of the pandemic.

These fireworks include, but are not limited to: showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin wheels, roman candles, volcanoes, sparklers, Christmas crackers, Chinese lanterns, and caps for toy guns.

Any violation of this ban would be a contravention of the bylaw and subject to an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) of $250.

The fireworks ban will remain in effect during the declared state of emergency, and will be re-evaluated when emergency orders are lifted.

www.pelham.ca/fireworks

VOICE

“It was terrible to see,” said the employee. “There was no apology.

All he had to do was stay home, and he didn’t even apologize for not doing that.”

The employee said that to his knowledge there has been no contact between Kore and general staff since the story broke.

“No one knows what Ron is thinking. I think he’s just trying to get past it. Everyone I have talked to is very frustrated with him. I haven’t heard anyone be supportive of him.”

The employee said that prior to pandemic, staff’s relationship with Kore was good.

“Some people didn’t like him, but overall he was well-liked,” he said, specifying that employees’ concerns about Kore’s conduct are not a product of general disgrun-

tlement.

“He definitely made a big mistake, and the employees are trying to speak up because he should face consequences, in my opinion.

Based off of what the other employees saw, everyone is frustrated with him. He definitely deserves [the attention for this].”

The employee said that should Kore return to his post, his conduct regarding COVID-19 would remain a sore point.

“It would be a huge problem. No one would trust him. People would look at him differently.”

Their concern is primarily that Kore continued to work while exhibiting symptoms, but also that he has refused to acknowledge wrongdoing.

“I’m surprised that he hasn’t apologized,” he said.

While some relatives questioned the employee’s decision to continue to work at the start of the pandemic, given that he was around so many customers and therefore at an increased potential for exposure to the virus, he told them that it was his duty to remain on the front lines to provide what was clearly an essential service.

The employee wants to stay employed, and intends to return to work at the store.

Property maintenance during COVID-19: what is and what is not permitted With spring’s arrival, maintenance of property by the municipality and private contractors is a common sight. The Town of Pelham has received calls from the community asking what is and is not permitted with this type of work.

Landscaping and lawn care businesses providing services strictly for safety, security, or sanitation purposes are permitted.

This is to ensure that properties remain safe, property standards are met, and grass is maintained to help prevent weeds, ticks, and mosquitoes in tall grass and standing water.

Under provincial direction, businesses are not permitted to conduct landscaping projects that are to beautify a property, or for aesthetics, such as planting shrubs and trees or installing garden features or fountains.

During normal business hours, concerns should be directed to Pelham Bylaw at 905-658-2869 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Sunday. After hours, please call Niagara Region’s dispatch line at 905-984-3690 or 1-877-552-5579. Do not call 911.

Page 4

The Voice, May 6, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

As We See It The Gang That Couldn’t Think Straight

T

wo weeks ago marked a low point for a member of Pelham Town Council, with Councillor Ron Kore making national news for his continued public appearances while showing symptoms of respiratory illness, and eventually testing positive for COVID-19.

But at last week’s council meeting, three other councillors—apparently upset that Kore was receiving all the infamy—tried to sink themselves as well. Councillor Bob Hildebrandt tabled a motion to, in effect, muzzle Mayor Marvin Junkin from commenting publicly regarding COVID-19, instead putting CAO David Cribbs in charge of speaking on behalf of the Town. Councillor Lisa Haun seconded the motion, and Marianne Stewart voted for it as well.

The trio claimed that they were responding to resident concerns about consistency of communication regarding the serious issue of the pandemic.

The motion was a sham.

The councillors offered no evidence that mutiny was necessary. Hildebrandt asserted his worry was “the potential for municipal li-

ability and/or confusion arising from any public misstatements pertaining” to the virus, yet neither he, Haun, nor Stewart actually cited any examples of Junkin misstating anything, or making confusing state-

Junkin’s communication on the virus has been consistent with regional, provincial, and federal guidance

ments about the virus.

Councillor John Wink, to his credit, voted against the move, and said that the Mayor hadn’t been doing anything “incorrectly or doing a bad job with respect to COVID information.”

Wink is right. All of Junkin’s communication on the virus has been consistent with regional, provincial, and federal guidance on the issue.

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Not only did Hildebrandt, Haun, and Stewart fail to provide a reasonable rationale for their stunt at the meeting, they also refused to respond to the Voice’s questions about it after the fact.

This is, to say the least, disheartening over a weekend that saw the 26th annual United Nations’ World Press Freedom Day. In the meeting, Stewart said that she had declined to answer questions about the Kore’s situation because doing so would be “above her pay-grade.” Little could be farther from the truth. As a councillor, it is Stewart’s explicit pay-grade to make comments and have opinions. She was literally elected to speak for her constituents.

“I don’t want you speaking on my behalf,” said Haun to Junkin. We remind the councillor that some 4000 residents, from Pelham’s 7100 households, did want Junkin to speak on their behalf. That’s why they elected him Mayor. If Councillor Haun doesn’t like that Junkin speaks on her behalf, she can vote for someone else in two years.

What’s more, Stewart, See AS WE SEE IT back page

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Open letter to Mayor about Kore I feel compelled to comment on the Mayor’s irresponsible comments made regarding Ron Kore.

Mr. Kore did not intentionally acquire COVID nor did he intentionally want to be a carrier. How can you think otherwise?

As you should know, there are many similarities between a cold, regular flu and allergies and COVID-19. This makes it difficult to diagnose.

You seem quick to attack his moral behaviour. Of course during this time people will be stressed, anxious and tired. I am sure you heard from Sobeys employees re-

garding their valid concerns.

However, as a Mayor, you should show appropriate leadership qualities. If your comments to Mr. Kore were meant to divide and conquer, I suppose you achieved what you wanted to do.

Jan Wininger Fonthill

R

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987

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

Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

Ward 1

Electoral District: Niagara West

The Voice

Letters

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

Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805

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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

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The Voice, May 6, 2020

Page 5

OPINION Plea for unity

PELHAM AND COVID-19

For those of us dealing with the reality of COVID-19 and working as much as possible from home, wouldn't it be great to do a compilation of stories based on productive family activities during this pandemic. The idea came to me this morning when surprisingly I saw a post of my family from Fenwick posted with the logo Stay Positive!

The source of the photos was a post made on the Fonthill Public Library page, by library staff. Don't you really believe we could use a change of pace, and some positive vibes.

In my opinion, unfortunately Mike Ciolfi and Ron Kore will be replaced on council and while I do not condone what has occurred, I think Pelham has to move on. I applaud the Mayor’s effort for trying to get the Sobeys employees tested, but he couldn't budge the protocol—something like talking to a wall.

I don't wish public crucifixion on anyone. Please let's take a step on the positive side, and while we will never replace Mike in Fenwick and Fonthill may lose a generous benefactor like Ron, somehow the community must move on, and council, in order to

function, needs to replace Mike and possibly Ron Kore.

We may never know "why" to a whole host of unanswered questions, and I would prefer to have the community that I live in take the high road. To me it is an internal matter for Pelham Town Council, Sobeys, and if the Niagara Regional Police and Niagara Regional Health system see no merit for even testing the exposed employees, then what?

Mike Ciolfi's family has to deal with his loss, and Ron Kore and his family have a lot of soul-searching to do. Let's heal Pelham, not make the wounds worse. You have to remember why these two men ran for council and that was to make it better and more accountable than the Augustyn days, financially and ethically. Unfortunately this virus has taken one and recent public opinion may take another?

We have endured enough dark days in Pelham. Lets not divide this community over this matter, in the media or otherwise.

Rick Kavanagh Fenwick

No one to blame but himself The ultimate responsibility was with Ron Kore.

The media became aware of the issues because his employees felt they had no recourse. Apparently they were asking him to stay home but he refused. The Town asked him to participate remotely but he insisted on attending personally. Can you just briefly put yourself in their place?

How much stress was levied by his actions.

The virus is deadly, and as parents and family members, the thought of being exposed and possibly bringing an illness home would be excruciating. This virus can leave lifelong consequences if infected. I am an immunosuppressed individual due to cancer, I have to depend on others to be responsible when it comes to food safety. I have to assume administrators and owners will do everything possible to maintain safety and set an example.

His judgment was flawed—instead of relying on an abundance of cau-

tion now, he should have applied that attitude when he first took ill. The virus has been widely advertised.

Unfortunately Mr Kore is responsible for his own bad publicity. He mingled in public with a respiratory illness despite the magnitude of warnings and cautions. He posted an explanatory letter that showed no remorse, no regrets. The self-diagnostic tool is just that, it is a tool and not a substitute for a medical opinion. He easily could have sought medical help when he first became ill. The media attention in this exasperating virus outbreak was inevitable. His own personal exposure could have been kept private early on. I just can’t fathom anyone being so obtuse, considering the daily outpouring of COVID information.

I do wish good health for Mr. Kore and his associates.

Some readers will no doubt disagree with my opinion; however it is most disheartening to accept this

Seemed to know but not care Maybe Councillor Kore did not know that COVID is serious and easily transferred from one person to another; that COVID warnings are to be taken seriously as they are set out by people who are experts in the field; that it is not up to the individual to follow only the COVID guidelines that suit them and their situation; that a person who is infected must quarantine at home for two weeks; that arro-

gance has no place in local politics. The role of a council member is to lead by example and to always have the needs of the voters foremost in their minds and actions. His behavior shows a complete lack of respect for his employees.

Blaming others for leaked documents is childish and demeaning. Seems like he did know but just did not care.

D. Thomas Ridgeville

Back to normality—slowly

O

n Friday, May 1, the Premier of Ontario announced that on Monday, May 4, the first steps back to our “new normal” will take place. On this day, certain businesses and workplaces will be allowed to open, as long as they comply with the strict public health measures set out during the course of the pandemic.

Although large greenhouse owners in the area were hoping that garden centres would be allowed to be completely open, they can open but only for curbside pickup and delivery.

Perhaps, when step two arrives, these businesses will be given the green light to be completely open.

Some other notable businesses on the list are childcare centres, automatic and self-serve car washes, and certain municipal projects that can start up.

Golf courses can do course maintenance, obviously with an eye to allowing them to open soon to their

patrons.

T h e s e businesses, along with all other businesses on the list will have Marvin Junkin to sort out which of the site-specific regulations apply to them. There are more than 60 guidelines released by the government designed to ensure the safety of workers, customers, and the general public.

As of Friday, Ontario had 16,608 cases of Covid-19 infections and 1,121 deaths since the start of this pandemic.

It must be remembered that the lockdown we have endured for the last month or so was never meant to eradicate the virus, it was only to slow the infection rate, so that our hospitals would not become overwhelmed with cases. To that end, this lockdown was very successful.

The government has made it clear that going

forward it will continue to heed the advice of our medical advisors, but even so, deaths will continue on a limited scale. Again the

Again the height of the second wave will depend on the actions of all of us

height of the second wave will depend on the actions of all of us. To keep it low we must continue practicing social distancing and frequent hand washing along with the use of hand and surface sanitizers.

Until next time...

}

Council’s attempt to muzzle mayor ill-considered, ill-timed What a mess. Less than a year and a half ago our town was looking forward to a fresh start after sweeping the slate clean and electing a council that finally promised to listen to us. And for awhile things were good. But the honeymoon’s over. More like the prelude to divorce. The old council was at least a cohesive team. This one’s at loggerheads. Censuring the Mayor? That is not what we voted for.

Councillors, your timing could not be worse. At some point we may be heading

back to the polls in a by-election for Ward 2 – and possibly another depending on how the current situation shakes out. What is needed right now is leadership. You need to get your act together and speak in one voice, and that voice must be the Mayor’s. Many more of us voted to put him in office than any single one of you, and none of us voted for the CAO. Nick Saltarelli Fonthill Via Voice website

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type of behaviour while my cancer procedures and scanning are cancelled because of the pressures of COVID-19. We all need to be responsible and consider if our actions will negatively affect the general population while living in such uncertain times, and realize that our inaction is causing collateral damage to unseen numbers of patients.

I suppose there is a certain amount of pressure on your publication publishing these articles, especially in the milieu of a small town. However, that is why we have the privilege of free speech.

Sophie Zaworski Ridgeville

Mayor Marvin Junkin

782 Clare Ave.

(just off Woodlawn)

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

Page 6

Letters

The Voice, May 6, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

Mmm, pie On Mother’s Day, it will be three years since I closed Keith’s Restaurant. I was complaining to my son, Todd, that I wished I still had it, so I could provide food for people who are in need because of COVID-19.

Todd suggested that we make up a Keith’s Pie Recipe Book, sell it and have the proceeds go to the Legion and Pelham Cares, who are feeding so many. Todd set up a Go Fund Me Page and the response has been great.

We can now give $2000 each to the Legion and Pelham Cares. I have also reached out to some businesses in Town and many are going to sponsor by putting an ad in the cookbook. So, there will be more money to come.

If you are interested in buying a Keith's Pie Recipe Book, or sponsoring an ad, please call me at 289-8207004 and I can give you details.

This coronavirus has shown us that people are generous, kind and thoughtful. As everyone is now saying, “We are in this together” and we have to look after each other. Thank you to those who have already contributed.

Vilma Moretti Fonthill

Fence stalemate continues We now have a 9-foot tarp hung up, viewable from the road, added to the 9-foot monstrosity in our side yard. Our council member has informed us that because it's 8- 10 inches from the fence that it is considered as a privacy screen.

We do not want to see these awful- looking structures popping up all over our beautiful village. It seems to us that the Mayor, all of council, and the CAO need to be paying some attention to the bylaws that are or are not in place, obviously they are outdated. It is, after all 2020 not 1920. If the bylaw officer’s job description were to change so that it is THEIR responsibility to inspect all new structures, fences, privacy screens, properties that are ill-kept—such as Christmas trees on rooftops for at least five years—ve-

hicles not licensed, overgrown yards, etc. maybe the CAO’s statement awhile back that “good fences make good neighbors, bad fences make bad neighbors” wouldn't happen.

After all, the bylaw officer has his own office, a secretary, and a decent vehicle to drive around in and a nice paycheck. You have to wonder what his job description really is. Taxpayers should not have to report on their neighbors if they are breaking the bylaw. That makes bad neighbors. There are a lot of vehicles slowing down to have a look at this mess, many phone calls asking whatever is going on there. By the way, if you'd like to have a look, we are at 673 Canboro Road, Fenwick.

Merelle and Marlene Stirtzinger

DON’T RELAX YOUR GUARD JUST YET Pedlar Funeral Home owner Tina Sidler sends in this shot of their 16-year-old comfort dog, Condor, who says, “I don’t always wear a mask, but when I do I expect a treat. Stay safe my friends and remember to self-distance yourselves!”

SUPPLIED

Fenwick nursery donates seedlings to local scouts Scoutree program has planted 80 million trees across Canada over the past 50 years

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

With most charitable efforts on hold during the current pandemic, a local farmering couple have decided to proactively support next spring’s fundraiser for the 3rd Fonthill Scouting Group.

Rosemarie and Frank Haegens, who operate a wholesale nursery in North Pelham, have a curbside stand with various trees and shrubs. They plan to donate seedlings to the Scoutrees program for planting in the spring of 2021. For every tree sold, they will donate a seedling to the cause. The Scouts have a goal of planting 500 trees.

Each spring since 1972, thousands of Beaver Scouts (ages 5-7), Cub Scouts (810), Scouts (11-14), Venturer Scouts (15-17) and Rover Scouts (18 and over) have planted trees across Canada through the Scoutrees program, to demonstrate their concern for the environment. Planted in con-

servation areas, provincial parks, on crown-lands, and at Scout camps, the trees act as windbreaks to help reduce soil erosion from wind and rain. They also provide wildlife habitat for birds and other animals, and beautify the landscape.

“The 3rd Fonthill Scouts has a membership of about 70—predominantly boys, although girls are welcome—operating on Wednesday evenings out of Fonthill United Church,” said Krystle Vanderzanden, one of 17 adult Scout leaders with the group.

“The idea was to let people know about the Scoutrees program, with the hope of paying it forward for deliveries next spring,” said Vanderzanden. She noted that all the Scout groups in Niagara combined plant between 500 and 1000 trees annually, with Scoutrees nationwide planting almost half a million.

Haegens said the empha-

Nursery owner Rosemarie Haegens and local Scout Commissioner Greg Davidson with seedlings being donated to the Fonthill Scoutree Program.

DON RICKERS sis was on planting species which are native to Niagara, including the tulip tree, sage bark, hickory, and butternut.

She is working with a nursery in Ancaster, which deals primarily with native trees.

“I could produce all of the seedlings for the Scouts myself. But the idea was that if somebody is helping me, I'm going to turn around and help somebody else. That's

why I've contacted other nurseries. In these trying times, we all need to help each other,” she said.

“We're lucky to rely on the expertise of Linda Grimo [of Grimo Nut Nurseries in Niagara-on-the-Lake].

She's agreed to work with us, provide her advice, and help us purchase some trees that are native species,” said Haegens.

The local Scouts have a couple of other ways to build their coffers each year.

“Our biggest fundraiser is Scout Mulch,” said Vanderzanden. “We sell bags of garden mulch at $5 for a two cubic foot bag, cash and carry, out of the Fonthill United Church parking lot in April. All Treat Farms in Arthur, Ontario is the company that supplies us with

the mulch, and donate back to the cause.”

Another fundraiser is the annual Apple Day in October, in which the Scouts give away apples and solicit donations outside of stores and businesses.

Information about the local Scout group and their activities may be found online at 3rdfonthillscouting. ca.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Page 7

TRAPPED BY COVID-19

on the MS Zaandam

An unthinkable month of cruising, and lessons learned

The MS Zaandam transits the Panama Canal.

W

e were doing it as the trip of a lifetime,” said Tim Wright of Fonthill, without a hint of irony. He was referring to the cruise he and his wife Karen took this March and April on the MS Zaandam. They would be sailing around South America, departing Buenos Aires for the Falkland Islands, then navigating the Beagle Channel and Straits of Magellan before returning north along the remote shores of Chile, traversing the Panama Canal, and concluding in Fort Lauderdale 31 days later.

You may know Wright as a recent volunteer Chair of the Pelham Library Board, a Rotarian, or as a member of various community associations. Professionally, he was President and CEO of the Welland County General Hospital, VP of Regional Operations at the Niagara Health System, and Executive Director of the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre.

The following is his account of what happened as COVID-19 engulfed the Zaandam, and some of the many lessons learned.

“We didn’t take the decision lightly, we thought seriously,” said Wright. “We talked about what the chances were of there being problems.” The Wrights had booked their trip nine months earlier.

“As the cruise got closer and other cruise ships became in the news, notably the Diamond Princess and Westerdam, certainly we started thinking—do we still want to do this, do we want to back out, what would the consequences be?”

Holland America offered no options other than to lose everything, which for this 31-day cruise was a substantial amount of money.

Wright realized that if just one infected person boarded the ship there was the potential for trouble, so he studied all the available information in late February and early March, and did the math.

“They were talking 20 to 40 COVID cases in all of the United States.”

Since the number reported at that time for Canada was slightly higher, Wright suspected the US number was inaccurate, and estimated it was probably more like 1000 or 2000.

He then figured, “What are the chances of one of those people getting on the ship?”

Wright’s research suggested there were 150 cruise ships circulating in the world, averaging trips of two weeks’ duration. During the most recent 300 trips, only three ships experienced trouble, so in his mind the chance of a problem was a one in one hundred, or one percent.

Wright also saw that in all of South America there was only one reported case of COVID-19, concluding, “We were cruising to a part of the world where it was not an issue. We decided to go.”

In response to comments made to or about them as the Zaandam’s plight was reported in the press, Wright responded, “It was a wrong decision, but I don’t think it was a stupid decision. I don’t think anybody in the world, if they’re being honest in their mind, anticipated the amount of change that was going to happen in the world between

BY JOHN SWART

Special to the VOICE

March 7th and April 1st. We didn’t have any thoughts of something like that in our mind.”

After spending a night onboard in Buenos Aires, day two was a short cruise to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Next were the Falkland Islands, where Wright speculated how in-

That night I felt lethargic with chills and flushing.

I thought I should report this. The next morning, I went to sick bay.

teresting it would be to spend time in such an isolated place. He and Karen enjoyed a beautiful first five or six days of cruising.

The Zaandam next docked in Punta Arenas, Chile, at the southern tip of South America.

“This is when all hell started to break loose.”

While moored, the captain notified guests that their next port-ofcall, Ushuaia, on the southern tip of Argentina, was closing.

The captain decided to sail south toward Ushuaia to view Cape Horn and the spectacular channels, knowing there would be no dock-

age. During that night’s cruise to the Ushuaia area, the captain received word that Chile was also going to close their ports the next day.

Understanding that Punta Arenas had a small airport from which passengers could have been flown home, the captain reversed course in an attempt to reach Punta Arenas while their port was still open.

Chile arbitrarily advanced their deadline by eight hours, ensuring the Zaandam did not arrive in time.

The ship stayed at anchor in Punta Arenas for two days while negotiating permission for the passengers to depart from the local airport. Holland America, the ship’s owner, managed to arrange flights, but ultimately Chile would not let the ship dock. The captain was forced to sail north along the west coast of Chile, searching for a port with access to a larger airport that would allow the Zaandam to dock.

The five days spent sailing north to Santiago’s port city, Valparaiso, didn’t disrupt the cruise much.

“That part of the cruise was a little happy-go-lucky. People were disappointed they didn’t get to see some ports and sights, but we had access to entertainment, food, bars. People were lightheartedly saying that in reality we were likely in one of the safest places on earth.

At this time we’re assuming the cruise is clean. In Punta Arenas, there was no word from anyone of any illness on the ship.”

The March 20 and 21 stop in Valparaiso was an anchorage for fuel and supplies only, Chilean authorities would not allow dockage or

BIGSTOCK

passengers to leave the ship.

During this portion of the trip, Tim and Karen both endured mild illness, but recovered. Wright recalled the experience.

“That night I felt lethargic with chills and flushing.

I thought I should report this. The next morning, I went to sick bay.”

Wright searched for descriptive words, eliminating “shambles” and “mess,” settling upon, “It was extremely busy. There was a ton of people down in sick bay. I was probably the healthiest person.”

“I had to wait, there was a long lineup of people, and they took my temperature. My temperature was normal, and by that time I felt fine.

I was told that I wasn’t sick, and that I could go. Sort of a ****-off, we got more important things to do.”

Leaving Valparaiso, Tim and Karen had just finished a Trivia game with 50 other passengers when the captain’s voice was heard throughout the ship. “Go directly to your cabin, do not delay, stay in your cabin until further notice.”

“Within 20 minutes to half an hour, the ship was abandoned,” says Wright. “Some time later the captain came on again and said that there was a lot of illness on the ship, sick bay was very busy, and for everyone’s protection he ordered us to stay in our cabins until further notice.”

The Wrights were in quarantine.

“We did not hear again for four days. No other word on the seriousness of things. We had no idea of the magnitude.”

See TRAPPED Page 12

Page 8

The Voice, May 6, 2020

MUZZLED

continued from Page 1 pects as the safety and functionality of major employers in Pelham, consistency is of paramount importance. The reason for my motion is the number of emails that I as a councillor have received, and calls I have received … my motion will be that the CAO will be appointed as the sole spokesman for the Town of Pelham, save and except Chief Lymburner [regarding COVID-19] for the duration of this pandemic. Council must be notified of all statements made on behalf of the Town within 24 hours.”

Hildebrandt did not respond when asked by the Voice about the nature of the emails and phone calls he asserted he received.

As debate got heated, Hildebrandt asked whether discussion on his motion should be deferred until later in the meeting, to be discussed in closed session, out of public view. Junkin objected.

"No, I'm against that," the Mayor said. "We are not going to move this in camera.

This deserves to be debated in the public eye. We are not going to hide it. We're going to have a recorded vote in public so that everyone can see."

Hildebrandt’s move came on the heels Ward 2 Councillor and Sobeys franchisee Ron Kore’s reported conduct in public while exhibiting signs of a respiratory illness. Kore tested positive for COVID-19 early last week.

News of his continued attendance at his grocery store and on council business, while likely infected

according to Niagara Public Health’s timeline, drew regional and then national attention to Pelham, including on CBC’s The National news program.

Asked by the Voice whether their move could be perceived as being motivated by political rather than public safety considerations, neither Hildebrandt nor Haun— seen as a close ally of Kore— responded.

For the second straight meeting, Kore was not in attendance. Kore has not replied to Voice requests for comment since April 6, when he pushed to attend that day’s council meeting in person, despite COVID-19 precautions at Town Hall.

Kore did not attend the April 6 meeting in person or by videoconference.

Asked if he believed that concerns over litigation from Kore drove Hildebrandt’s motion, Councillor John Wink told the Voice he didn’t think so.

“I think that’s a stretch,” the Ward 2 councillor said Thursday. “I don’t think it has anything to do with litigation, but you may want to ask that of the other councillors … I can’t speculate what their thought process was.”

Hildebrandt did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Haun directed the newspaper to CAO Cribbs.

Wink doesn’t believe Junkin said anything out of line during his media interviews.

“I don’t think the Mayor has been doing anything incorrectly or doing a bad job with respect to COVID

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Council and some senior staff attend last Monday’s meeting by Zoom. Councillor Ron Kore was absent.

YOUTUBE information,” he said. “He has the right to speak on behalf of the town and our community and if you look at any other [municipality] … it’s also the mayor speaking, it’s the mayor of Toronto, the mayor of Hamilton, St. Catharines, whatever.”

During the council meeting, Haun said she didn’t want the mayor speaking for her, while highlighting Cribbs’ “media training.”

“Mr. Mayor, you’re welcome to speak on your own behalf,” she told a visibly annoyed Junkin. “But I think what Councillor Hildebrandt is trying to say is, and certainly myself, is I don’t want you speaking on my behalf— especially with things that I may have a completely different opinion on.”

Junkin interjected.

“Show me in the Municipal Act where a council can do this,” he said.

For her part, Councillor Marianne Stewart told

Public Notice of Pesticide Use for Gypsy Moth Control The Town of Pelham is conducting an aerial spray program to control European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) along the following municipal roadsides/parks, Town owned properties, and private owned properties: Area Map 1: Cherry Ridge Park, Memorial Drive, Maple Street, Canboro Road Area Map 2: Canboro Road, Sunset Drive, Garner Avenue Area Map 3: Memorial Drive, Canboro Road Area Map 4: Canboro Road, Hillside Cemetery Area Map 5: Canboro Road Area Map 6: Canboro Road, Timmsdale Park, Concord Valley Area Area Map 7: Hillcrest Park Area, Pancake Lane Area, Berkwood Place Area Area Map 8: Crosshill Area, Berkwood/Rolling Meadows Area Area Map 9: Kunda Park (John Street/Stella) Area Map 10: Lookout Park All areas are within the Town of Pelham and the villages of Fenwick, Ridgeville, and Fonthill.

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www.pelham.ca/gypsy-moth

council that she didn’t feel comfortable talking to the press during the fallout from the Kore affair, and seemed to wonder if Junkin was allowing emotions to get the better of him.

“Speaking for myself, in light of the circumstances that presented themselves in the last week, I don’t know about the councillors, but I was contacted by both CBC Toronto and Hamilton, and [CHCH-TV] and a slew of other media outlets,” she said.

“Speaking to them would’ve been far above my pay grade because of the emotional nature of everything that’s happened, so I deferred all of that to the CAO.” Stewart did not acknowledge a Voice request to say why she voted for the motion.

Asked for reaction after the meeting, Junkin said that the move came as a surprise.

“There was no warning from [Hildebrandt], no discussion with me in advance, he just brought the motion with no heads-up to me. And when I asked the councillor whether, if this motion passed, would I have to hand the material that I write for the newspaper to the CAO for his approval, unbelievably, without batting an eye, and with no hint of embarrassment, he said ‘yes.’ So think about it.

They want an unelected official to okay what an elected official puts in the paper for the residents to read.”

Junkin said that he was never provided with evidence that he had made any inaccurate statements.

“At no time during the discussion was any proof given of past inaccuracies.

When putting my commu-

nication together I have always used federal and provincial information sites, and checked any facts with the Fire Chief. I am positive that I have not misstated any facts in any of my interviews or columns. I take the privilege of being Mayor very seriously and have always made sure that my information is correct.”

CAO Cribbs explained that in crises, it is not uncommon for municipal councils to designate a single point of contact, but also said there is very little anyone can do about restricting the free speech of an officeholder.

“The rights of every elected official to engage in constitutionally protected speech cannot be limited without adequate justification,” Cribbs told the Voice.

He added that he can’t discipline Junkin for speaking publicly.

“The office of the CAO does not, will not and cannot engage in disciplinary measures against an elected official for engaging in alleged conduct that runs contrary to a vote of council.

Only a majority of council, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice or the Integrity Commissioner have authority or jurisdiction to address alleged rule-breaking by one of its members.”

Brock Professor Emeritus of Political Science David Siegel agreed that if Junkin continues to speak regarding COVID-19, the penalties are few and without much bite.

“Council could pass a motion of censure, which doesn’t have any practical consequence, except stating the opinion of the majority of council,” said Siegel.

He said that council could escalate the matter to the Integrity Commissioner, who could come back with a recommendation that Junkin lose a certain amount of pay and be prohibited from attending council meetings for a given period.

“There's very strong idea in Ontario legislation that these people have been duly elected by the electorate and they should have the right to represent the electorate in the way they see fit, and then the electorate can deal with that at the next election,” said Siegel. “But it's not up to individual councillors to discipline other councillors except in areas where the integrity commissioner has become involved.”

Siegel said he had seen attempts elsewhere in Ontario to restrict free speech among elected officials.

“There’s always an issue around councillors trying to find a way to muzzle other councillors, and frequently they want to direct the mayor to do something, and they can’t do that. Councillors and the mayor are elected representatives, they have a right to speak. In certain circumstances it might be unwise for them to do so, but you can't restrict their right to speak. You do hear about it every once in awhile, and it always has the same outcome. They’re elected members and they have a right to speak their minds.”

Siegel noted that over the years he had served on various municipal legal panels with Pelham’s CAO, who is a licensed attorney.

“What I get from these sorts of things is that the CAO is put in a very difficult position. It sounds like the CAO in this case has handled it very well.”

Junkin said that he is curious to see how those who voted for Hildebrandt’s motion will react when, “they realize I will pay no heed to it.”

“Will they banish me from the town? Perhaps proclaim a sentence of death by firing squad? Or—and this is the worst —will they insist that I comb my hair? All kidding aside, the residents of Pelham should feel deeply insulted by the actions of these three councillors.”

With reporting by John Chick and Dave Burket.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, May 6, 2020

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Page 9

Page 10

The Voice, May 6, 2020

NEWS FROM THE STACKS

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OBITUARY

Amy Guilmette, Acting Library CEO

More library layoffs another COVID casualty

A

s an acting CEO, you hope you will not have to be involved in difficult decisions that will have a negative effect on your staff.

However, these are unique and difficult times and we have some unfortunate news to report.

As of May 4, we will be laying off six of our remaining ten staff at the Pelham Public Library. It was a difficult decision to make, as most of the employees who will be laid off are doing meaningful work from home.

Library staff work the majority of their hours off desk, selecting, ordering, receiving and cataloguing new materials, creating, preparing, and scheduling future programs, updating and managing the website and social media, producing marketing materials such as posters and online and print newsletters, ordering, setting up and maintaining computer equipment and software, working on the integrity of the catalogue and the general administrative and bookkeeping aspects of any small business.

However, keeping in mind that both the Library and

the Town will have a reduction in revenues during this closure period, the Library Board found it necessary to implement this second round of temporary layoffs to reduce staffing costs while still preserving the employment relationship.

We had already temporarily laid off five staff in early April and this next round of layoffs will involve Library staff who are familiar to our regular Library users.

This is not a reflection on the quality of the work that Library staff do, which is exemplary, nor is it a reflection of the nature of the work that they do, which is important. However, due to financial constraints, the Library Board had to make some difficult decisions and set priorities for service while Library staff are not allowed to work in the Library due to COVID-19.

The Library Board, under my recommendation, prioritized the following Library services for the public: • Adding to, maintaining, and troubleshooting the Library’s online resources • Creating and renewing Library cards so the public can continue to access electronic materials, and

assisting the public with accessing these materials • Supporting students/ teachers/parents with online materials and guidance for these materials • Setting up an interactive online summer reading program • Maintaining an online presence by being responsive to community needs, both with the website and through social media • Purchasing and preparing PPE for Library staff and creating and updating a recovery plan to reopen the Library There are also many administrative, financial, and operational aspects that need to continue while the Library is closed.

When the Library reopens, services are likely to return in stages and we will use a staggered approach for having staff members return to work. For instance, when staff are allowed to work within the building, we will call back some staff and institute curbside pickup as well as a homebound/ quarantined delivery service. Then, when we are allowed to open to the public, we will call back more staff but limit Library operating

hours and limit the number of people allowed in the building at one time according to government guidelines. Staff will have PPE in place, and we will limit the

The Library Board had to make some difficult decisions and set priorities

types of services and materials available based on procedures recommended

by Public Health. When we finally open for full service, we will be able to call back all staff who have been laid off. I sincerely hope this is sooner rather than later, but I also do not want us open too early and create an unsafe work environment or be the cause of a community outbreak.

What Library services

will be missing due to these layoffs? The following is not a comprehensive list of services we will be pausing due to the closure but will give you an idea of what to expect: • Book / material ordering will stop • Cataloguing / processing of new material still being delivered will stop and lead to a backlog • Interactive programs with Library staff on YouTube will not be continued • Online Library program creation will cease for the layoff period • Staff time dedicated to assisting community members in accessing online materials will be reduced and response times will slow down.

All of the Pelham Public Library staff care about Library services and the community they serve. They are anxious to get back to work and to help everyone who needs anything the Library can provide. While we cannot help a lot of you at this moment, we are counting down the days until we are able to return to full service.

We miss you and hope this period of closure is successful in flattening the curve. ♦

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OBLINSKI, Azelle Pearl (Roland) January 4, 1921 April 24, 2020 It Is with profound sadness that Azelle’s family has to announce her passing in her 100th year after a battle with Dementia. She fought it with courage, tremendous dignity and her sense of humour never left her. Mom is predeceased by her parents John and Pearl Roland, her brothers Donald, Clyde, Max and Lawrence Roland and great granddaughter Megan Nickerson. Azelle’s beloved husband and best friend Nick Oblinski left her too soon passing away in 2000.

She is survived by her son Terry Oblinski and his wife Ruth of Perth On. And her daughter Nikki Stager and her husband David of Welland On. She will be missed by her granddaughter Tammy Stager and her husband Dave of Fonthill On. She is survived by her other grandchildren Matt Lanteigne (Stacey McKenna) of Smithville, Cherie Nickerson of Ottawa and Jason Oblinski and his wife Karen of Regina Saskatchewan and 13 Great Grandchildren. Azelle was born in St. Catharines and raised in Rockway on the family farm and she attended high school at the St. Catharines Collegiate. She helped with the war effort working at the Inglis plant in Toronto and Thompson Products in St.Catharines making shells for bombs during WWII. Azelle met and then married Nick Oblinski on November 18, 1944 just before he was deployed overseas.

After the war Azelle and Nick lived in St. Catharines where they raised their 2 children.

In 1968 they moved to North Pelham where they opened a store (stop”n”go variety) and a gas station. Mom spent the last years in the Pelham area living in Fenwick and Fonthill. Mom was a member of the Fonthill Legion branch 613 where she enjoyed many afternoons and evenings playing cards or shuffleboard with her friends.

Everyone knew she was coming in when they heard “WHOOPDE-DOO.” We would like to thank the staff at Plymouth Cordage Retirement Home in Welland, especially Santanna and Michelle for their patience understanding and friendship to our mother.

Also a very sincere thank you to Westpark Health Centre long term care staff, nurses, P.S.W.’s, dietitian, Dr. Halladay and the young lady who made sure the family had snacks and hot tea, and especially to Rena McCormick who was so compassionate, caring and took time to call and inform us almost daily to give updates on Mom’s condition.

These calls meant so much to us especially at this time due to Covid as we were not able to see Mom until the last two days of her life. She is a great loss to her family but will be remembered lovingly by all those who knew her.

Cremation has taken place

by Lampman’s Funeral home in Fenwick. There will be an internment at a later date with a celebration of life to follow immediately after. Details will be posted in the obituaries section of the papers.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Page 11

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

Short-term report deferred, “near and dear” to Kore

There was more than muzzling on the agenda at last Monday’s Pelham Town Council meeting.

Council voted 3-2— along the same lines as the gag order on Junkin (story, p. 1) — to accept staff’s shortterm accommodations report but to defer vote on the topic. Haun cited Kore’s enthusiasm over the matter as the central reason to defer.

“I would like accept this report for information only at this particular time, but not to make changes until we have the return of Councillor Kore,” Haun said. “I know this is near and dear to his heart as well, he should have the opportunity to review any changes.”

Junkin and Wink disagreed, saying council had quorum.

“These residents have been waiting for a year, year and a half for some kind of resolution,” Wink said. “I don’t see the need the need

for us to keep continue deferring decisions on this.”

Happy Mother’s Day!

COVID-19 update

Fire Chief and Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bob Lymburner gave an update on the pandemic situation, and echoing the recent tones from the provincial government, sounded cautiously optimistic.

“We’re getting to the end of this, we are going to have a few more lumps and bumps, but generally speaking we’ve done a good job,” he said.

Lymburner added that the Town recently received an order of personal protective equipment.

“Our critical mask inventory is in good state right now,” he said.

Tribute to Ciolfi

Council began its session with a tribute to late Councillor Mike Ciolfi.

“There is a noticeable void in council tonight,” Junkin said. “Though there are many words to describe Mike and his contributions —dedicated, passionate, diligent, studious to name

The late Coun. Mike Ciolfi.

FILE but a few — there are few words to describe the emptiness of his seat at council.

Weeks later, we are still at a loss for words. I ask you remember Mike. That you remember his work. His passion. His dedication to his family, friends, and community. Mike was a titan, looming as large in life as he will in memory.”

Council also observed a moment of silence for the victims of last month’s Nova Scotia shooting rampage.

Mayor favours by-election to fill Ciolfi’s seat, but logistics unknown

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

The untimely death of Mike Ciolfi has left a vacant spot on Pelham Town Council, but it will be another week before the Town decides on how to proceed filling the Ward 1 seat.

There are two ways to go.

“The two options are to appoint or to hold a by-election,” Town Communications and Public Relations Specialist Marc MacDonald said. “The first step is to declare the seat vacant.”

That was not set to happen at last Monday’s meeting —the first since Ciolfi’s passing — out of traditional respect for a deceased member, but it was expected to come at this Monday’s meeting, May 4.

“Once the declaration is made, the clock starts on how council will determine the method for filling the seat,” MacDonald said.

For his part, Mayor Marvin Junkin thinks a by-election is the way to go.

“On the 4th, the clerk is bringing forth a report as to what our options are under the Municipal Act,” Junkin told the Voice.

“Right now, without seeing the other options, I’m kind of leaning towards a

by-election. But it is, of course, a decision by all of council.”

Ciolfi died April 12 at the age of 51. His death came less than two years into this council’s four-year term. How a Ward 1 by-election would be handled logistically during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown, but there is also precedence for not holding a by-election and simply appointing somebody to fill out the rest of the term.

In 2017, Junkin himself resigned as a councillor over ethical objections to the administration of then- Mayor David Augustyn. James Lane was appointed to fill the seat, the third time he had been so appointed to fill a Ward 1 vacancy.

The last time Pelham held a by-election was in 2011. Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato said recently that the cost of that endeavour was around $10,000.

Prices have gone up since.

“I am working closely with vendors to best determine costs to conduct a by-election,” Bozzato told the Voice. “Early estimates would indicate in the $15,000 range, but costs will be impacted depending on the extra measures needed to deliver a safe election experience— during or immediately following a pandemic.”

TUNES ON THE TRAIL Sunday morning the residents that back onto the greenbelt between Woodside Square and Spruceside Crescent were treated to an impromptu serenade from Vida Godina, of Vida Piano School, says reader Paul Verroche, who sent in this photo. “In these times of stress and uncertainty it’s a pleasure to have someone like this in our neighbourhood,” he said.

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Page 12

The Voice, May 6, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

TRAPPED

continued from Page 7 Wright’s understanding was that the ship would then pass through the Panama Canal headed to Fort Lauderdale, the original embarkation point, and that the MS Rotterdam was on its way from Acapulco to assist with medical supplies and personnel.

“Life in isolation is horrendous,” stated Wright matter-of-factly, recalling the leg from Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale.

“The cabins are small. You have a king bed, a narrow strip down each side to get in and out of bed, a small sitting area and a small washroom.

That’s your world. You’re under quarantine, you couldn’t step out into the hall, meals were delivered to your door. There was a knock on the door, the person disappeared, and you pulled your tray in from the hallway. You ate and put the tray out. That was the highlight of every day. Three meals. The [in-cabin] entertainment package is notoriously bad on cruise ships. We had Fox and MSNBC, two garbage news channels, the Food Channel, a channel about the off-ship excursions you could take, and a music channel. So you had lousy entertainment, three meals a day, and your bed to sleep on.

Happier times—Time and Karen Wright on a previous trip.

That was quarantine life. We got clean towels every second day, we put our garbage outside and it was taken away. There was no housekeeping in the rooms, and no clean sheets. The ventilation is a central system, sometimes it seemed to

work, sometimes not. There was a question in our mind as to how healthy it was.”

Wright said that it took four days to reach the Panama Canal.

“As we got closer to population centres, and hopefully some help,

SUPPLIED

our mood brightened. We’re sailing into Panama Harbour, seeing other ships, feeling a bit better, and the captain comes on and gives an update of our situation.”

Wright said the news shocked him and his wife.

“Four people had died, there were 80 people ill—40 passengers and 40 crew—with basically undefined, flu-like symptoms.”

Passengers learned there were no testing kits on board, and that the captain was awaiting word on passage through the Panama Canal. Morale totally deflated.

Wright noted that by this time CBC had picked up on the Zaandam story, and he wondered if the captain would have announced anything if their situation wasn’t becoming public knowledge.

A positive thing the captain did early into lockdown was provide every cabin with WiFi for communication—a lifesaver for Tim and Karen. Karen began writing emails to about 35 friends, and they Facetimed with their daughter twice a day, getting and giving support.

While the Zaandam waited for clearance in Panama, some 800 healthy people chosen from the 1800 on board were transferred to the Rotterdam, including Wright and Karen. During the first night on the Rotterdam, Wright’s flushness and fever returned. He reported it to sick bay by phone, and was provided an in-cabin consultation.

The medics then put him and Karen in isolation, which is a step more severe than quarantine. Two days on the Rotterdam, and they were

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca both on the sick list.

Although the Rotterdam was allowed through the Panama Canal, they learned via internet news media that Florida didn’t want them.

The passengers were sur-

We got no information at all. All we knew was that we weren’t being included in this.

prised, as they had expected American ports to be more welcoming.

On Thursday April 2, they finally docked at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale.

A communication nightmare ensued. Despite many calls to the front desk, the Wrights were provided no information, and had no understanding of their status.

Friday they learned that relief flights to Canada had been arranged.

“We kept seeing suitcases appearing in the hall, then being carted away, and we didn’t get any information as to be ready. We got no information at all. All we knew was we weren’t being included in this.”

They later learned that this was because of their illness status.

It was about this time that the Canadian consulate in Miami contacted the couple, providing support. On Saturday Tim was declared off isolation, but Karen was not put on “Santa’s good list” until Sunday, April 5. This was vitally important, because they heard there was another flight leaving Sunday.

They fought hard to get on that flight, but the consulate, their only link to what was really happening on the

The Voice, May 6, 2020 ship, kept replying, “You’re not on the list, you’re not on the list.”

Wright informed the consulate that they we’re cleared to fly, but they came back each time telling them they were not on the list.

What they learned later was that Karen had in fact been added to the flight list—after the plane had taken off. Wright despaired, “Something in the internal communications between the doctors or infirmary and guest services was such a slow process that we did not get on the flight.” This was the second opportunity to leave that they had missed.

To make matters worse, the Wrights had been repositioned to an upper balcony cabin, so they watched as busloads of fellow-Canadians disembarked while they were left behind.

The Wrights knew there were very few people left on the ship by the number of meal trays being delivered, maybe three or four in the whole hallway. They still had no communication from the ship, or Holland America’s Head Office in Seattle, which had taken command.

On Monday morning, April 6, the captain informed those few remaining on the ship that the Rotterdam would be leaving port that evening, yet the Wrights had heard nothing of their fate.

Wright said that at this point his mood was very down and depressed.

“There was no information, no idea if they’d come up with a solution or not. I’d heard so many times from the front desk that they’re working on it, ‘We’ll get back to you’—you don’t believe anything you hear.”

Late on that exasperating Monday, the captain came back on the PA and informed those remaining that the ship would stay docked in Port Everglades one more day.

Finally, Tuesday morning, April 7, the notorious front desk called Wright, and asked if they were packed.

Wright replied they had been

Tim Wright in Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Stanley, Falkland Islands, before, “All hell started to break loose.” SUPPLIED packed for five days. Front desk told them to be ready to leave in two hours.

Time and Karen were glad of the news, but wouldn’t believe it until they were off the ship. They waited three hours without word, searching for a bus to appear dockside. It never came.

At 2:15 PM, the couple were assisted off the Rotterdam.

There was still no bus, but the Wrights were directed to a pair of limousines. Nine other Canadians disembarked with them, the last of the 250 that had been on the Rotterdam when it docked five days earlier. Four or five Canadians remained in Fort Lauderdale hospital.

Once off the ship, Wright said the arrangements made

by Holland American were excellent. They were driven to a far corner of the Miami airport tarmac, separated from the public and never near the terminal. The 11 Canadians shared a plane

north with approximately 100 Americans released from the similarly distressed Coral Princess, in Miami. The flight stopped at Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington DC, deplaning passengers on distant runways with accelerated protocols every time.

From Washington, destination for the final American passengers, the 11 Canadians flew via a small executive jet back to Toronto. Public Health officials entered the plane upon arrival in Toronto, taking temperatures and

questioning everyone. Upon clearance, each person was given a COVID-19 kit with instructions to be followed during mandatory isolation.

Canada Customs did a quick check of passports, then Karen and Wright were driven to their door in Fonthill via minibus.

Public Health Canada called Wright and Karen twice a day during self-isolation, checking on their status and asking questions about symptoms. The Wrights had to take their temperature every morning and late afternoon, and provide the results to Health Canada.

Wright said with a smile, “We passed with flying colours.

We’re back, we’re healthy, and just as bored as everyone else now.”

But there were lessons learned and thoughts to share about cruising and travel in the future.

“If there’s any hint of a problem, do research.”

Wright wishes he’d done more. He’s just now learning via recent studies not available pre-cruise, that when statistics in early March claimed 20 people sick and one dead from COVID-19 in the US, there were in fact probably 30,000 people infected.

For Wright, this more accurate information would have changed his calculation, and there is “no way” he and Karen would have taken the cruise.

As an aside, Wright shared that on the morning of departure from Buenos Aires, after all passengers had spent the previous night on

board the ship in preparation for sailing, one woman felt so uncomfortable she abandoned the boat.

“In hindsight,” says Wright, “she’s the smartest woman I know.”

When things started going badly, we registered with Global Affairs Canada

Wright said that it was important to register with Global Affairs Canada, and use the Canadian Consulate.

“When things started going badly, we registered with Global Affairs Canada, and I would urge everyone to do so if they start getting into a situation like this. Through this whole thing, the consulate was extremely supportive of us. I must have talked to my contact there, a very pleasant lady, a dozen times while we were stuck in Florida.”

Wright stressed travelers should recognize that the consulate provides moral support, and can argue your case for you, but they have absolutely no power. Everything is up to the host country.

See TRAPPED Page 15

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The Voice, May 6, 2020

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is to becontinued printed from by all participating Ontario papers Page 18

six hours sleep or less have 50% less immune system protection than those sleeping for eight hours, definitely something to consider at this time.

Everyone’s sleep requirements vary, so how can you determine how much sleep you need? The UCLA Sleep Disorder Centre suggests this experiment. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up naturally—no alarm clocks.

This may be more feasible with our new normal, so you might not have to wait until your next vacation to try it.

After three or four days, you will begin waking up refreshed. Note how long you’re sleeping, and that’s how much you need as a regular daily regime.

Morning runs and more sleep—your perkiness in these times will drive everybody nuts. Perfect! ♦

The children give glowing examples of turning off the TV when mom calls supper.

Or taking out the trash when dad asks the first time. We leaders start feeling pretty good. “It’s getting through,” we think. Then we have some cookies and juice and (in the winter) head out to the rink for a skate. Then mom or dad shows up and shouts, “Time to go!” and the child… skates off in the opposite direction. “Oh well,”we sigh, “We’ll try again next time.”

Care

When I was young, my mother was my primary caregiver. So was my father but he worked every day at a Welland plant and my mom was the one at home waiting for me when I got off the bus. “How was your day?”

“Did you eat all your lunch?” “Do you have much homework tonight?”

Now as I approach my senior years and my mother lives out her sunset years, I’ve noticed the roles have been reversed. “How was your night, Mom?” “What are your blood sugar numbers?” “Are you warm enough?”

One of the most touching scenes in Scripture takes place when Jesus was hanging on the cross suffering excruciating (literally “out of the cross”) physical and spiritual pain. At the foot of the cross is his mother, Mary, and his disciple, John. Jesus looks at

ICE DOGS

Even on the cross, carrying and paying for the amassed sins of humanity...

Jesus thinks of his mother

his mother and says, “Dear woman, here is your son.” Then he looks at John and says, “Here is your mother.” The next line reads, “From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27) Even on the cross, carrying and paying for the amassed sins of humanity (which included mine and yours), Jesus thinks of his mother and cares for her future needs. What an example to follow. Join me in prayer and make it your own: “Thank You, Lord, for my mother and all she means to me. Help me to follow Your example and honor and care for her today, tomorrow and all the days to come.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.” ♦ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor and current member and deacon at Fonthill Baptist.

continued from Page 17 round, they selected Ryan Strothers from the Oakville Rangers.

The 5-foot-11, 161-pound centre collected 13 goals and 30 points in 29 regular season games, then added 14 points in 14 playoff games.

In the sixth round, they selected 5-foot-9, 149-pound forward Zaccharya Wisdom from the Mississauga Senators. Wisdom had 16 goals in the regular season and 10 points in 10 playoff games.

The IceDogs selected 5-foot-8, 161-pound winger Kailin Chen from the Toronto Marlboros in the seventh round. Chen had six goals and 13 points in 30 games.

In the eighth round, Niagara took winger Ryan Conmy. The 5-foot-9, 171 native of Virginia had 27 goals and 48 points for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15’s.

Stevie Li, a 5-foot-6, 185 pounds winger from Aurora

was the IceDogs ninth round pick. Li collected five goals and seven points for Aurora of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The IceDogs did not have a pick in the 10th round. In the 11th round they selected Ilia Chmelevski, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound centre from the Detroit Victory Honda 15’s.

Chmelevski had 17 goals and 46 points in 65 games.

In the 12th round, defenceman 5-for-9, 154-pound Lucas Littlejohn of the Clarington Toros was selected.

Littlejohn collected two goals and 17 assists in 32 games.

The IceDogs did not have a selection in the 13th round. In the 14th round, they picked forward Gregory Spitznagel of the New Jersey Rockets 16U where he collected 23 goals and 39 points in 19 games.

With their 15th and final selection, the IceDogs chose defenceman William Godfrey of the Whitby Wildcats.

The 5-foot-11, 152 pound rearguard had four goals and 17 points in 34 games.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Page 15

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continued from Page 13 “It’s very worthwhile to include them, but don’t expect them to solve your problems.”

Wright added that it’s important to understand the additional risks travelling in remote areas entails.

“One thing that struck me later about the period when we were sailing up the west coast of Chile is how remote that area is. There is absolutely nothing down there.

It’s really an isolated part of the world.”

Wright warns how these areas present accessibility challenges, and avoiding such destinations will influence his next trip.

He cannot imagine the risks that would have ensued had all the Zaandam’s passengers been allowed to fly out of Punta Arenas.

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edge of their health status.

Don’t expect normal communications during a crisis, said Wright.

“The communication on the ship was terrible. The captain made one announcement, then disappeared for four days. The only communication passengers have is by telephone. You couldn’t go into THE the hallway, walk to guest services, any of these things. You had to call guest services, and their refrain 905.892.8690 each and every time was, ‘We’re working on it, we’re looking into it, and we’ll get back to you.’ No one ever got back to you. I was worried about my mild illness and wanted to ask some questions, but you were never able to get beyond guest services.”

Plus, Wright said, there were no counselling services that he could find for those that might be in a special situation.

Wright believes the stress of losing control had the worst neg-

VOICE

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ative effect on him. Towards the had control over my life. This nomic benefits derived when a end of the ordeal, he began hav- is a huge warning to people that cruise ship docks. ing nightmares, which continued once you fall into that part of the “It was a very severe disapThe Voice of Pelham ad size Advertiser THE OF PELHAM for aVOICE few days after returning system, you’re very easily con- pointment that at the first sign Service Directory ad Fonthill Rlectric Ltd home. Director He was willing to share trolled, then lost in the system. of trouble, the abandonment by Creative w:2.5” x h: 1.75” thisBarton during the interview only toContact People don’t seem to care about that other partner in the process Name Tarja emphasize the following point. Taryn you, and you have no control overColor [the Infocountry being visited] was Wilton email “My message to people think- anything in your life.” blacktotal, only as was the betrayal of pasContact Phone graphics@thevoiceofpelham.ca ing of travelling, especially on Where are the Wrights going sengers that wanted to see their Due Date 905.401.5748 cruise ships, or even in general, is next? country.”

Marketing Director Friday, March 18 at noon email thatBurket when you’re travelling over-Contact Tim responds quickly, vowing “People are seeing the precarDave seas, you’re basically there at theinfo@fonthillelectric.ca that they will not stop travelling.Rundate(s) iousness of travel, and what can email 23, Apr. 6, 20,The May travelling 4, 18, will of the governments where He does admit that he and Kar-Mar.happen. public advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca 1, 15 and 29. you are. You can go quickly from en have different opinions aboutJunemust have in mind what will haphaving the rights of a traveler to whether they might cruise again pen if they do get in crisis, and Cost Approved By: Date: having no rights, and very little though. ensure that the travel companies $42 per insertion plus HST. recourse to do anything about Wright believes the cruise in- they choose and their partners Duethese on publication it. It was amazing how quickly dustry will take a tremendousTerms: have types of emergency the captain put us in lockdown. It hit, but says others share the systems set up.” became very militaristic. I went blame.

Lastly, the Wrights want to from a citizen of good stand“My biggest disappointment in thank everyone in the commuing, able to do pretty much what this is the reactions of the var- nity that supported them. The I wanted to do, to an individual ious governments in the world. well-wishes, they said, and who had no rights at all. I didn’t The cruise industry has had knowledge people were thinking have access to any of the au- pitches from so many countries, of them, made a tremendous difthorities on the ship, any of the ‘Come here, come here, we want ference to their morale and gave authorities in the countries we you here.’” them a warm sense that they visited, those that at that point Wright is referring to the eco- were cared about. ♦

Page 16

The Voice, May 6, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Fenwick Lions cancel May carnival Social distancing restrictions scrub 50-year-old tradition

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

If the Fabulous Fenwick Lions staged a production of The Lion King, the logical choice for King Mufasa would be Al Beamer, who has been a member for over 40 years and held almost every position within the organization.

Lamentably, there won’t be productions of any sort in the foreseeable future. The Lions have had to cancel this year’s annual May Carnival, slated for the May 24-26 weekend, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and government decrees regarding physical distancing.

Beamer spoke to the Voice last week and reflected back on past carnivals, which attracted thousands.

“Friday night and all day Saturday, it was packed. This event was part of the fabric of Fenwick for decades. The Friday night fireworks was sort of our gift to the town.”

In the last few years, the cost of hosting the Carnival has increased significantly, said Beamer, with mounting fees for police and security, portable washroom facilities, and the like.

“Everything has been more expensive…but we have always figured it to be a community service.”

About 40 members of the Fenwick Lions normally took shifts staffing the event.

The Friday kick-off parade was to have started on Balfour Street, and ended at Centennial Park on Church Street, the Carnival’s location. A plant auction (with products donated by local nurseries and greenhouses) was scheduled for Saturday, with fireworks that evening. Sunday was to be Toonie Day (all midway rides for $2), with a fundraising walk for guide dogs that morning. The Lioness Penny Sale was to have run throughout the event. Admission was always free to the Carnival.

“When I was a kid, which would be 60 years ago, there was a horse show as part of the spring fair in Fenwick,” said Beamer. “My kids still remember it. Long gone now.”

Club President Ron Acaster

IMAGES OF CARNIVALS PAST. Left, at last year’s event, from left, President Ron Acaster, “BBQ Bill,” Mayor Marvin Junkin, Ken Anyle, and the late Councillor Mike Ciolfi. Above, from left, Jeff Pickup, Ron Acaster, and Dalton Woodlock

FENWICK LIONS said, “Our concern for the public's health is first and foremost….we regret having to cancel the Spring Carnival. However, we look for-

ward to hopefully having our Friday Fish Fry back in action soon, and down the line a ways to our annual Santa Parade.”

The Fabulous Fenwick Lions have been in operation since receiving their charter in 1949. They are active currently as part of the

Pelham Support Network, making home deliveries of needed supplies to seniors.

SMILES WHERE WE CAN FIND THEM Nancy Benko, who lives on Haist Street in Fonthill, has a habit of putting a scarf on each of the two large dog statues in her front garden during the winter season. Then the idea struck her: why not dogs in masks during the pandemic? Soon, the entire pack of canine statues and other statues were sporting a colourful mask. “Every day, I have people stop and take pictures. They come right up to the porch.

People point at the dogs and they laugh. It is just so cute the reactions I get,” she says.

DON RICKERS

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

“I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.”

Rodney Dangerfield

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Sporting Green The Niagara

Page 17

Time your lockdown exercise right, and sleep better, says John Swart 18

The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | May 6, 2020

ICE DOGS select centre

OHL IMAGES

BY BILL POTRECZ

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

The Niagara IceDogs got their man.

The IceDogs have selected centre Pano Fimis from the Toronto Junior Canadiens with the second overall pick in the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

The North Bay Battalion used the No. 1 selection to pick defenceman Ty Nelson, leaving Fimis available.

“This is the guy we’ve wanted from day one,” IceDogs general manager Joey Burke said. “I could not be more excited about what a great fit Pano will be for our organization.”

In 32 games with the Junior Canadians this season, the Richmond Hill native collected 14 goals and 42 points to go along with a 65.24 per cent face-off percentage. He helped the Jr. Canadiens win the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s playoffs.

Fimis, who is listed at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds, was thrilled to be selected by Niagara.

“I had interviewed with Niagara not too long ago and they were definitely an option for me,” he said. “I didn’t know 100 percent.

It was definitely a possibility and I had good feelings after how well the interview went with them.”

Fimis said it hit home when he saw his name appear on the com-

puter.

“It’s just a great feeling and something you work hard for,” he said. “To see your name pop up on the screen is something special and to be drafted by Niagara is something I’ll never forget. It’s just the beginning of my journey so I can’t wait to get started with them.”

Fimis hasn’t been to Niagara, but has heard good things about the organization.

“I’m with the same agency as Akil Thomas so there’s a bit of a connection there. I know some guys down there who have had some success, so I can’t wait.”

The selection is the highest in IceDogs history.

“I could not be more excited to be bringing Pano to Niagara,” Burke said. “This is a franchise-changing player, who brings the ability to be our firstline centre for years to come. He is as complete a player as it gets, and does everything at an absolutely elite level. This is a guy who dictates the pace and controls the game. He is excellent in the faceoff circle and possesses a lethal release.”

Fimis said he concentrates on both ends of the rink.

“I’m a two-way centreman, I play a 200-foot game,” he said.

“I like to work hard. I bring that compete level and my playmaking abilities are high, I like setting up

guys, and I like to put the puck in the net.”

In the 2018-19 season, his first with the Jr. Canadiens program, Fimis was named an alternate captain. In the 2019-20 season, he wore the captain’s C.

It’s just a great feeling, and something you work hard for

Fimis was selected for the GTHL’s 2020 Top Prospects Game.

He represented Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he captured bronze. He was also named the 2020 GTHL Player of the Year. Previous winners of this award include Shane Wright, Jamie Drysdale and Connor McDavid.

With their first pick of the second round (27th overall), the IceDogs chose 5-foot-10, 175-pound defenceman Alex Leonard from the Mississauga Reps.

The right-hand shooting Leonard collected five goals and 15 points in 31 games.

According to the OHL draft preview guide, Leonard is an elite level skater who uses his speed to his advantage on every shift.

Leonard said Niagara was his first choice.

“Definitely it was my first pick of teams to go to. It’s an amazing place to play, amazing fans and a great organization,” he said. “I went down to meet the guys and see a game. It was a great atmosphere.

“I would have loved to be down there today. Too bad we can’t but I’m just super happy.”

Leonard feels he is ready to make the jump to the OHL. “I’ve been to a few OHL games this year and seen the level of play. I feel I can jump in and make an impact right away and not have too much trouble with it.”

Burke loves Leonard’s skill set.

“Extremely complete, elite offensive side to his game, moves very well, sees the ice very well and moves the puck at an elite level,” Burke said. “Plays physically, defends well, very complete defender who does everything at a high level.”

The IceDogs went with forward Brice Cooke with their second pick of the second round (33rd overall).

Cooke is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound Orangeville native who netted 20 goals and 35 points in 30 games with the Toronto Junior Canadiens. Prospectpipeline.ca had

Cooke rated No. 41 overall.

Cooke was excited to be selected by the IceDogs, where he will be reunited with Fimis.

“Pano was my centre. He got most of the assists and I got most of the goals,” he said. “It’s awesome. He’s a great kid and we’re just going to continue the chemistry at the next level.”

Cooke couldn’t hide his excitement after seeing his name drafted.

“I was going crazy, it was awesome. I’m fortunate things worked out.”

Cooke describes himself as a big power forward and a physical player who can put the puck in the net.

Burke feels Cooke has a big offensive upside.

“He’s an elite goal scorer who elevated his game all year and was a star in the playoffs. He’s smart with a good stick, hands and a great release.”

Centre Dylan Roobroeck, a 6-foot-3, 157-pound London native, was Niagara’s third-round pick (85th overall).

Roobroeck played for the London Jr. Knights where he accumulated 32 points in 33 games. He was rated 82nd by Prospectpipeline.ca.

The IceDogs did not have a pick in the fourth round. In the fifth See ICE DOGS Page 14

Page 18

The Voice, May 6, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FROM THE HANDLEBARS

by John Swart

Can this “New Normal” improve sleep quality?

I

f you run or cycle, and you’re searching for positives in our COVID-19 world, try this one: now may be a great chance to improve your sleep quality.

Running and cycling, and exercising in general, is one of the best science-backed ways to improve your sleep and health. One study of older adults determined that exercise nearly halved the amount of time it took to fall asleep and provided 41 more minutes of sleep per night.

Another found that for people with severe insomnia, exercise offered more benefits than most drugs.

Exercise reduced time to fall asleep by 55%, total night wakefulness by 30%, and anxiety by 15% while increasing total sleep time by 18%.

So how does the pandemic-induced disruption we’re facing now relate to sleep quality? The relationship between sleep and exercise is complex and interdependent, and when you choose to exercise has a significant impact on sleep benefits.

The old normal routine was arrive home from work, have dinner, chill for an hour or put the kids to bed, and then run or cycle vigorously. This stimulates

heart rate, blood pressure, metabolic rate and mental activity, and kicks in our sympathetic nervous system — the ‘fight or flight’ stress mechanisms —at the worst possible time to encourage sleep.

The rebound effect, which causes our body to feel tired and want to sleep, doesn’t occur until three to six hours after exercise, pretty much ensuring you’ll be watching Crave or Netflix past midnight if you run or ride during the last few hours before sundown.

Strenuous evening exercise also disrupts our natural body temperature balance, which increases during the day and cools as night approaches, helping us sleep. An aerobic run of just three kilometres can raise body temperature by two degrees, and require

five to six hours to return to normal.

When is the best time to run, and why might new normal schedules be a benefit? A routine of running late in the afternoon, after work but before dinner, is ideal for helping you fall asleep at a normal bedtime, and raising metabolism just when it’s needed to increase appetite and then burn off dinner’s calories.

Morning running or cycling is even better. Our bodies love routine, and our sleep/wake cycle benefits from intense morning exercise, particularly outdoors just after sunrise.

Light, activity, and darkness trigger circadian rhythms, our internal biological clock that responds to light signals to tell our brains when it is time to be awake and asleep. This helps establish a consistent

time for the onset of sleep.

A morning run or ride also fosters increased concentration, lower anxiety, a better mood, and improved energy during the workday when they’re needed.

Back to the positive premise.

If COVID-19 is forcing you to work from home, or has changed the hours you work and increased your time flexibility, or is allowing you to share early-morning duties with a spouse or partner because the kids don’t have to physically report to school, try adjusting your running, riding or exercising schedule to early morning or pre-dinner.

If you’re retired, and your commitments are temporarily decreased, the above might apply to you too.

Unfortunately, changing schedule doesn’t mean that you can slacken the

intensity of your exercise.

It’s the vigorous aerobic nature of running and cycling that’s key. Walking, yoga, resistance workouts, and similar exercises are all good, but don’t have the sleep-enhancing benefits of intense cardiovascular effort.

An Australian study compared the sleep habits of distance runners, serious weight lifters, and sedentary people. The runners fell asleep 12 minutes more quickly and slept 0.8 hours longer compared to both other groups.

Sleep plays a critical role in restoring our bodies during post-exercise recovery. Studies show that lack of sleep interferes with metabolizing glucose, delaying muscle rebuilding, and that those who get See HANDLEBARS Page 14

Voice

HOROSCOPE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Confusion may come into the equation this week, Aries. In an effort to make sense of the situation, you seek the advice of others. Don’t try to be in control; relax and let it run its course.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 You are on call for the next several days, Taurus. You are ready to spring into action. Just use a little caution when choosing which projects to take on.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 It may be challenging to get to the heart of the matter between friends, Gemini. As hard as you try, solving this will take time. Be patient and consider any and all information.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, enjoy a week in which you indulge in some of your favorite pastimes that have been on the back burner for awhile. Now is the perfect time to have a little fun and let loose.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 You may be concerned with some people in your immediate circle, Leo. If you suspect something is amiss, team up with a spiritual leader or another helper.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, this week is full of action and you may not be able to settle in to relax until later in the week. Take a step back and find some time to relax when a break arrives.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 You probably will have to roll with the punches at least one or two days this week, Libra. Don’t take things too seriously, even when the rumor mill is in full force.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Make sure your head is entirely

in the game before you jump into action, Scorpio. Part of the problem is trying to juggle too many things at once and getting distracted.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, the more information that comes your way this week, the more confusing things may seem.

You can ask someone to help filter extraneous messages first.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, your fantasy world may mesh with your real world activities this week. You may experience some difficulty figuring out what is real and what isn’t, but enjoy.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, things may not feel like they are in place lately. You may be tempted to turn off your brain and retreat into a fantasy land. Don’t avoid the situation.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You may embrace physical vitality this week, and go with that, Pisces.

Maybe switch up your workout to incorporate something new.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MAY 3 Noah Munck, Actor (24) MAY 4 Jidenna, Singer (35) MAY 5 Adele, Singer (32) MAY 6 George Clooney, Actor (59) MAY 7 Earl Thomas, Athlete (31) MAY 8 Stephen Arnell, Actor (39) MAY 9 Rosario Dawson, Actress (41)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Either 2. MD 3. Beats 4. Rcpt 5. Yap 6. Oregon 7. Asides 8. Rat 9. Ales 10. Basal 11. LM 12. Eighteen 13. Sushi 15. Sneezed 18. Tat 21. Onslaught 24. Daffodils 26. Tai 27. Sit 30. Penes 32. So far 35. Wit 37. Fri 38. Sedated 39. Placated 42. Dab 43. San 46. Drapes 47. Vienna 49. Acorns 50. Nanas 52. EAsel 54. UPI 55. Arsis 57. Rosa 59. Asti 62. Any 63. Ear 66. Of I 68. Old English

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Embryo 7. Arable 13. Sidecar 14. Salamis 16. UT 17. Appetites 19. GN 20. Shott 22. Gad 23. Sadhe 25. Hens 26. Totes 28. Late 29. IRS 30. Pan 31. Sis 33. Fez 34. Lwei 36. Toffee 38. Spain 40. Frond 41. Eluted 43. Said 44. Dag 45. Sad 47. Var 48. Ian 51. Ache 53. Bruin 55. Alca 56. Tatar 58. Ape 59. Arson 60. ET 61. Soapiness 64. RA 65. Demesne 67. Nations 69. Delays 70. Arises

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

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Voice

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

CROSSWORD

T

Sacrifice

We can all think of examples from our childhood when our mothers sacrificed for us. Not quite enough food or dessert to go around the table? Guess who quietly goes without?

As a child you hardly notice.

As we grow older, hopefully we do.

I remember years ago reading a biography called My Big Father. It was the story of a poor family in Turkey, in which the son decided to become a Christ-follower. That’s not an easy (or safe) thing to do when most of your compatriots follow a different religion.

However, it’s a story about his mother that stands out in my mind. The son had a serious kidney disease and needed a new kidney. The doctor asked his uneducated mother if she wanted to donate a kidney. Without hesitation she said yes. The mother then asked the doctor who would care for her son after she died. The doctor assured her she was not going to die because she had two kidneys. She thought she only had one.

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Thank God for mothers his Sunday is Mother’s Day. If your mother is still living, I hope you have plans to honor and celebrate her in some special way. I’m thankful that I still have my mother. She turns 94 this summer. Each Mother’s Day is extra special when your loved one gets to that age.

We are all tempted to think that our own mother is the best. The truth is every mother is special and unique in the eyes of her children. In a sense every mother is “the best.” Here are three words to think about as you prepare for Sunday…

Page 19

Honor

We all have a great opportunity on Sunday to honor our moms. Perhaps it will take the form of a card or phone call or gift or flowers or a personal visit (two metres apart). If your mother has already passed on, it may mean a visit to a cemetery to put fresh flowers on her grave site and say a prayer of thanksgiving for her life.

In my last church, we had a children’s program called “The Sonshine Club.” We spell the word “Sonshine” that way to point the children to Jesus, the “Son” of God. Over the years we’ve

taught these precious boys and girls the Ten Commandments using their fingers. Most adults can’t remember all ten and they certainly can’t say them in order. Can you? If not, you’re welcome to club. They accept over-agers!

Anyhow, when we come to commandment number five we have the children show us five fingers. Then as we count our fingers we say together, “Honor your father and mother.” Get it? Five fingers, five words.

Then we talk about what that looks like.

See FAITH LIFT Page 14

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!

Weekly Word Search

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards.

ACETAMINOPHEN ANTIBODIES AQUATHERAPY ARTHRITIS ARTHROCENTESIS AUTOIMMUNE

BURSA CARTILAGE CHONDROITIN CORTICOSTEROIDS C-REACTIVE PROTEIN DEGENERATIVE

EXERCISE GOUT INFLAMMATION INJECTION JOINTS MOBILITY

MOTION NERVES RANGE OF MOTION RHEUMATOID SACROILIAC SPINE

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

Page 20

The Voice, May 6, 2020

“Niagara Light of Hope” coming to Pelham

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In partnership with Niagara’s 13 municipalities (including the Region) and Production Service Industries (PSI) Niagara, the 2021 Canada Games Host Society, will be presenting the “Niagara Light of Hope” in an effort to transmit a “message of hope and solidarity” across the region amidst the outbreak of COVID-19, according to a statement from the Summer Games.

In order to brighten up the region during this challenging period, Niagara 2021 and PSI Niagara will install a beam of light that will mark the skyline in each of Niagara’s local municipalities

AS WE SEE IT

continued from Page 4 Haun, and the rest of council, should they disagree with the Mayor, have every chance to say so when asked for comment by the Voice and other media. Last week,

for one hour over a two-week period in the month of May. “The coronavirus pandemic has created significant challenges and adversity for many across the region,” said Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the 2021 Canada Games Host Society. “We hope this initiative will provide some inspiration, and foster a sense of unity amongst our communities.”

The “Niagara Light of Hope” will also serve as a tribute to frontline workers, “who continue to work tirelessly to serve our communities in the fight against COVID-19,” said the statement.

“Thanks to the collective efforts of our first responders, health care profes-

per usual, with the exception of Wink, they declined to do so. After merely a year and a half, the new boss is suddenly acting a lot like the old boss. Judging by online reaction to this story over the weekend, the voters have noticed.

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sionals and essential workers, Niagara’s communities have been able to persevere through the current challenges.”

“It is during challenging times like these,” said Jim Bradley, Niagara Regional Council Chair, “that we are given the opportunity to show our support and appreciation for those who are on the front lines, tirelessly doing their jobs to keep us all safe, healthy and fed.

The Light of Hope initiative is a small way to show our gratitude, while also demonstrating that we are eternally hopeful for a brighter future.”

In Pelham, the light will operate for one hour, 9 PM to 10 PM, on Wednesday, May 16, weather-permitting.

Haun presents a particularly interesting case. Considering that over the past two months alone she has revealed herself woefully ignorant of how development charges work, and ridiculed town residents who still need bus service during the pandemic, she might do better having someone else speak on her behalf.

More telling was Haun’s next line: “Especially with things that I may have a completely different opinion on,” she said.

Haun did not specify what “things” she had in mind. In keeping with her pandemic attitude toward Pelham Transit, perhaps she’s irked that Junkin hasn’t explicitly ordered car-less Pelham residents to walk miles to a grocery store if they prefer not to starve in their own homes.

More likely is that Hildebrandt and Haun—the latter widely perceived to be a close ally of Kore—are peeved at Junkin for Kore’s recent bad publicity.

Such blame would be ridiculous, which is why none of the trio will dare say so out loud.

Junkin did not tell Kore to continue to go to Sobeys while ill.

Junkin did not tell Kore to attend council on March 23 while ill.

Junkin did not tell Kore to bullishly insist on attending the April 6 council meeting in person, when everyone else was videoconferencing in because, you know, coronavirus.

In fact, Junkin’s public messaging on COVID-19 told Kore to do the opposite of what he did, and if had listened, he might not have ended up in the situation he’s in now.

As Kore’s conduct made news two weeks ago, Junkin barely mentioned him at all when asked for comment by local and national media, saying only that he wished Kore had been more careful.

More than one Pelham resident has told us they think Junkin—and our editorial comments last week—went too easy on Kore.

The Mayor of this town should be as subject to scrutiny as anyone. But on COVID messaging and his response to the Kore situation, Junkin’s actions are blameless.

Councillors Hildebrandt, Haun, and Stewart do themselves and their constituents no favours by pretending otherwise. ♦

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