The Voice, November 25 2020

Hirji explains new dining rules page 5 Real estate market continues on tear page 15 Sentence in 2019 standoff page 17 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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November 25, 2020

Vol.24 No.47 

Published every Wednesday

Column Six Finding family for the first time What happens when the tree sprouts a new branch

BY COLIN BREZICKI

Special to the VOICE

H

ing stained glass windows, but no knowledge of how to work on copper,” said Boksa. Fortuitously, she read an article in the Voice concerning auto restorer Jim Ryan, and

appiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family who live in another city.”

George Burns was being funny as well as kind of serious when he said that.

No joke here, but my own large, loving, caring, close-knit family were completely unknown to me until three years ago.

It began with an email from a Michal Maleszka, in Krakow, asking if I was the son of the late Stefan Brzezicki. He explained that as a young boy he had met this man back in the ‘80s, when this Stefan came to visit from Canada.

Michal remembered him as a mainly serious person who talked a lot about politics and impressed his

See BARTER Page 22

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Gary Eller holds a stained glass weathervane repaired for him by Donna Boksa.

DON RICKERS

Benevolent barter sees weathervanes refurbished

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

Who can resist a heartwarming story in the midst of a pandemic?

Donna Boksa and her husband moved to Niagara ten years ago, and

have lived in Fenwick, on Mansfield Drive, for three. She loves antiques and old curio objects, and found one at a yard sale on 7th Street Louth near the QEW. It was a rather beatup copper weathervane, composed of a horse and carriage with a man

at the reins, with arrows indicating compass bearings north, south, east, and west. The detailing was beautiful, despite the weathervane being bent, dented, and broken at some of the welding points.

“I have some experience repair-

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Page 2

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Plenty of meat: We’re at 24 pages again this week, thanks largely to the largess of General Motors, whose advertising since the start of the pandemic has been largely MIA, particularly in community papers. Well, we’re happy to have them back, and should you be in the mood to shop for a fine truck or SUV, it looks like some Black Friday deals await. Ditto for resting your keister, as Lampman’s Furniture is also on the Black Friday bandwagon (back page), and if you need to stock up on masks and sanitizers, PharmaChoice has some bargains as well (p.13). While we’re at it, the Pelham Street Grille has introduced a fresh set of daily specials, which changes each week (p.12), and Peter Piper’s has new hours and new, family-friendly combos (p.13). Poinsettias are in at DeVries Fruit Farm (p.15), and last but particularly promising, Indulgence Bakery is bringing in top quality olive oil directly from the island of Crete (p.12). I’ll be first in line for a bottle, but call ahead first to see when stock actually arrives...COVID stats: As the Mayor notes in his column this week, we’ve seen 117 new coronavirus cases in Niagara since last Thursday. New infections over the last week have been primarily in 20-24 year-olds. There are currently four active cases in Pelham, and the Town has decided to cancel its Christmas Market this year, although the Fenwick Lions’ Santa event is still on...Going nowhere fast: That planned vacation might be a little farther off than we thought.

Don’t miss John Swart’s interview this week (p.20) with Cruise Holidays’ Pam Overholt...Small worlds: Likewise you’ll want to catch Don Rickers’ interview with Dave Smith (p.12). Two Ontario kids receiving honours at Buckingham Palace, on the same day in 1943. What were the odds...But seriously, folks: Regular readers of this space know that I like to keep it light, for the most part, tossing in hilarious lines like, Joe Biden was 78 last Friday. On January 20 he turns 46. Or: I told my suitcase that there will be no international travel this year. Now I have to deal with emotional baggage. But on the not-at-all-funny front was the inexplicably weird exchange last week between Pelham Councillors Bob Hildebrandt and Lisa Haun, and Planning Director Barb Wiens, during council’s regular meeting on Monday evening. Toward the end of the session, in what was clearly a coordinated move, Hildebrandt pretended not to know where a Fonthill street was located, apparently as a way to embarrass Wiens publicly over the fact that it was misspelled in a Town document. Haun nodded along with a sardonic smile (she’s known among some Town staff as “Officer Smirk,” a play on the Star Trek character, Officer Spock), as if this heinous error was irrefutable proof of...well. Proof of what is a good question.

Wiens brushed it aside. The fact is that if the councillors were genuinely interested in correcting a minor mistake, either See CORNER back page

The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

New Pelham solicitor to be shared

NRPS impaired driving charges

BY VOICE STAFF The Town of Pelham, the Town of Fort Erie and the Township of Wainfleet last week announced the joint hiring of Jennifer Stirton as the municipalities’ shared in-house Solicitor.

According to a Town of Pelham statement, for some 15 years Stirton has defended municipalities across southwestern Ontario in a wide range of cases. A graduate from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002, in the top nine percent of her class, Stirton also holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from McMaster University.

Stirton articled and practiced at a national firm in Toronto until 2005, before joining McCall Dawson LLP, a litigation firm in London focusing on municipal clients, practicing as an associate and a partner. Stirton has represented municipalities and other local public authorities before all court levels in Ontario.

“I am thrilled to be the new Town Solicitor for the Town of Pelham, Town of Fort Erie and Township of Wainfleet,” said Stirton. “I look forward to focusing on the legal needs of the three municipalities in service to the communities.”

According to the Town’s statement, Stirton’s hiring is expected to reduce legal costs and is, to the municipalities’ understanding, the

Voice

first such shared in-house position in Ontario.

“Local governments in Niagara are again being municipal innovators,” said Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin.

“All three mun ic ipa lities will be saving our taxpayJennifer Stirton. ers money LINKED IN and bringing valuable expertise and skill to our teams, while engaging in cost-sharing services with our municipal neighbours.

This hiring is significant on many levels.”

Stirton will take over routine legal matters, leaving conflict work and specialized work to the municipalities’ external legal counsel.

Stirton will be a direct employee of the Town of Pelham, while all three municipalities will contribute towards employment costs.

Pelham anticipates that the exact amount of time worked for any municipality will vary from monthto-month but is expected to ultimately result in a 40-40-20 (Pelham, Fort Erie, Wainfleet, respectively) split based on historical data. If the percentage paid by each municipality requires future adjustment, contractual and budgeting processes will address the issue.

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to 11 calls for service from Friday, Nov. 13 to Friday, Nov. 20 Sunday, Nov. 14 Motor Vehicle accident, Victoria Rd., Fenwick Arcing hydro lines (windstorm damage), Metler Rd., Fonthill Emergency assistance call, Hwy 20, Fenwick Smoke in the building (stove problem), Hwy 20, Fonthill Arcing hydro lines (windstorm damage), Memorial Dr., Fenwick Arcing hydro lines (windstorm damage), Haist St., Fonthill Motor vehicle accident, Foss Rd., Fenwick Wednesday, Nov. 18 Grass fire, Tice Rd., Fenwick Remote alarm (cooking activation), Effingham St., Fonthill Thursday, Nov. 19 Motor vehicle accident, Victoria Rd., Fenwick Burning complaint, Canboro Rd., Fenwick

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The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

The

VELDHUIZEN

Mon - Fri, 8 AM-6 PM, Sat 8 AM-5 PM

Elizabeth Murphy (aka Lizzy McFly), doing some aerobatics in her Cessna 150 Aerobat over the Niagara District Airport. (Yep. She's flying sideways!)

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

None of the following charges have been proved in court.

In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension.

The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample.

James D. MOORE, 62, St. Catharines Jeffrey S. PUTMAN, 58, St. Catharines Kenneth S. THORNE, 50, Lincoln Benjamin A. JOHNSON, 37, Niagara Falls Thomas E. S. VILIM, 45, St. Catharines Liam A. RICHES, 24, St. Catharines Michael EVSEYEV, 43, St. Catharines Joseph A. SAVOIE, 56, Niagara Falls

See something, Say something.

The science is clear.

Masks save lives.

Social distancing saves lives.

If you witness violations of Provincial or Regional COVID-19 safety protocols, notify the Region's Environmental Health duty officer at (905) 688-8248, x7590, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Don't allow negligence to endanger us all.

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

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada is serious.

Continue to practise all public health measures:

Follow local guidelines for gatherings Maintain physical distancing Wash your hands Wear a mask Stay home if you have symptoms, even mild ones Download the COVID Alert app

Protect yourself and others.

Learn more at Canada.ca/coronavirus or 1-833-784-4397.

Page 3

Page 4

The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Larry Coté Our seniors deserve better care

O

ne of the elements encountered in life is change. It is inevitable, whether one chooses to embrace it or resist it. One of the social changes that has taken place over the past few decades is elder care. Recently, this subject has become quite controversial and made headlines in conjunction with the COVID pandemic.

Historically, senior care was a family matter. Very often senior folks lived as part of the family unit. Grandparents living their later years among the grandchildren was the norm. Often the task of providing this care fell on the shoulders of female descendants of the seniors.

However, that normalcy began to change as more options for senior care emerged.

Some entrepreneurial types set up households and took in seniors to live out their lives in facilities that, in many ways, resembled their own. These facilities became casually known as “old folks homes.” Some religious orders set up facilities to care for seniors as part of their charitable commitment.

Subsequent years saw the development of municipally built near-hospital like settings, euphemistical-

ly referred to as retirement homes or seniors’ centres.

But municipalities could not keep up with the demand and opportunistic entrepreneurs entered the marketplace for seniors’ care. The munici-

The mortality rate of those infected is often much higher than in the general population

pally operated facilities were not-for-profit enterprises but the privately owned facilities were primarily designed to earn a profit.

Some of these privately operated senior housing facilities are richly decorated and available only to prospective seniors who can afford the fees. Such accommodation fees are substantially higher than the publicly operated facilities, which offer more humble surroundings.

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Due to the contagious nature of the COVID virus, many seniors’ facilities experienced—and continued to experience— higher infection rates than the community at large. Worse, because some residents have compromised immune systems, the mortality rate of those infected is often much higher than in the general population.

These matters about senior care have highlighted the need for serious deliberations. High among these is whether such facilities should be integrated into the current healthcare system.

During this pandemic, some seniors facilities were overwhelmed by the in-house spread of the disease. Consequently, the government temporarily transferred the governance of these operations to the community healthcare system.

In other instances, where senior care providers were overwhelmed by the pandemic, the military was brought in to provide support. Subsequently, they gave a scathing report on the inadequacies and poor conditions present in some of these facilities. Since much See OP-ED next page

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Proper use of masks is key to their efficacy COVID is not a hoax. It's not like the flu. It has dangers unique to it that medical experts are still discovering. As the world sees the second wave of COVID, Niagara seems to be a bit of an island in terms of infection numbers.

New cases per day seem to be around 20 or so for a population of about 450,000.

Yet there is much consternation over people not following the rules. Masks were pitched in the summer as the way to keep infections down. One has to wonder if the surge in cases, even where masks are mandatory

indoors, is all due to people not following the rules? Masks can reduce the spread, but governments seem to think they are some panacea when the infection numbers seem to say otherwise. Perhaps it's just an easy bylaw that cities and towns have no interest in enforcing? Look, look we're doing something!

Enforcement is purely the responsibility of business owners. Any walk through a store will see masks worn improperly and stored See PROPER Page 6

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

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

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

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Page 5

OPINION COMMENTARY / OP-ED Dr. Mustafa Hirji

PELHAM AND COVID-19

Why the newly imposed indoor dining rules make sense

A

n office worker spends her lunch break with a co-worker. A parent gets together with a sibling’s family on the weekend so that the children can play with their cousins. Someone meets up with a friend for dinner.

These three innocent social interactions all led to COVID-19 infections in Niagara over the last few days.

COVID-19 spreads when people are physically close. The longer we are close together, the greater the risk. As a result, close social interaction is the greatest risk activity for catching COVID-19.

It is also why long-term care and retirement homes see so much infection—these are people’s homes, where interacting with each other is common. Indeed, after longterm care and retirement homes, family homes are the second most common setting for COVID-19 to spread.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, we need to break up in-person social interactions. Keeping 2 metres distance, erecting clear acrylic barriers, and wearing masks are all ways that we can interrupt normal social interaction, thereby making it safer. Most effective, of course, is not to have the social interaction in the first place. Indeed, this is why lockdowns work—people stay home and don’t interact socially with one other, preventing infection from spreading.

Often people are vigilant about taking pre-

Mayor Marvin Junkin

Regional Council requests change, but restaurant rules remain

cautions such as keeping distance and wearing masks while around others in public, but they are more relaxed around their friends, co-workers, and extended family with whom they feel safe. We aren’t likely Dr. Mustafa Hirji to interact closely—or if we do, for very long—with strangers in public, but we do interact with those important people around whom we feel comfortable. And so the risk of COVID-19 is tragically highest around those we know and trust.

Indeed, in the past week, Public Health traced new COVID-19 infections back to an identifiable person as the source in almost 76% of cases—identifiable because these were the known social contacts with whom the newly infected persons had interacted.

This is the great challenge of COVID-19. Social interaction, a fundamental part of human existence, is what puts us at risk. And the lack of this socializing makes us long evermore for that social connection the more we are without it.

Over the past three months, COVID-19 has been rising in Canada. In Ontario just this past week, the Ontario government put more parts of the province into the Red-Control level, and moved both Toronto and Peel Region into lockdowns. These moves severely See HIRJI next page

A

s Niagara Region inches closer to a Red-control designation, Toronto and Peel regions have been put into lockdown. These lockdowns, among other restrictions, will shutter salons and gyms, and force restaurants to provide take-out only, as indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants is banned. Retail businesses and department stores not selling essential items will only be allowed to open for curbside pickup and delivery, with customers not allowed inside. Schools and daycares will remain open.

The lockdown began this Monday, and is scheduled to last 28 days. To help businesses affected by the lockdown, the Ford government has set aside $600 million to help with fixed costs, such as property taxes and hydro bills.

Back in Niagara, we have seen 117 new infections since last Thursday, with 36 on Saturday alone. Last week the Acting Medical Offi-

cer of Health, Dr. Hirji, issued orders that restaurants will be required to confirm patrons dining Marvin Junkin at tables were of the same household. All councillors of Regional government were inundated with emails from restaurant owners doing business within the region, claiming that they were being singled out by these orders, and these restrictions would force them ever closer to bankruptcy. Regional Council held an emergency meeting last Wednesday to debate the issue and to hear firsthand from restaurant owners and their representatives. The result of that meeting was a motion put on the agenda for our regular council meeting the next day, Thursday, November 19.

This motion recommended, among other directives, that Dr. Hirji rescind the or-

der restricting only household members dine together in restaurants. The motion was passed unanimously by council, but at the time of this writing, Dr. Hirji has taken no action. The health boards of Ontario are separate entities unto themselves, not under the jurisdiction of Regional Council. Therefore, we as a council can recommend, but not instruct, the actions of Dr. Hirji.

On the national level it has been decided that the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed, except for essential travellers, until at least December 21. Worstcase scenarios issued by the public health agency of Canada show that Canada could see 60,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day if contact rates continue to increase.

British Columbia announced new rules, including mandatory masks for indoor, public, and retail spaces, along with restrictions on social gatherSee JUNKIN next page

3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund

OP-ED

continued from previous page of the care provided is decidedly health- related, there is growing advocacy that these senior care complexes should be integrated with the local health care system.

Additionally, there are some who raised the issue of privately owned senior’s operations, many of which are

owned by large chain corporations. The prospects of balancing levels of care and the contribution to the bottom line might, at times, be conflicting priorities.

If there be any positive outcomes following this pandemic, then a better system of caring for our seniors could just be among such positives. That surely would be welcomed change. ◆

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Page 6

The Voice, November 25, 2020

Letters

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

Thanks from the Fenwick Lions The Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club would like to thank the residents of Fenwick and surrounding area for making our 2020 Fish Fry an outstanding success.

All those attending adhered to all COVID-19 protocols which greatly helped and was appreciated.

We would also like to thank the Town of Pelham and the Niagara Public Health in

providing the protocols we were required to follow to keep everyone safe.

Last but not least were the Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club members and other volunteers that came out at each Fish Fry even with the COVID-19 threat.

Lion Jeff Pickup 1st VP & Secretary

"Criminal" paving over of Niagara continues apace

At the MCC Dec. 10, 2020 • 4 - 9 p.m. $25/child (dinner included) Ages 4-12

With parents being just as busy as Santa’s Elves this time of year, this is the perfect opportunity to get your last-minute shopping done as the holidays quickly approaching! Bring your children to the Meridian Community Centre for a night of (physically distanced) crafts, movies, popcorn and holiday spirit! With chicken fingers and fries for dinner, your child will have a night of fun while you get your shopping done!

www.pelham.ca/register

May your mayor, Marvin Junkin, and all the councillors take time to digest the important forewarning thoughts in the excellent letter of E. J. Smith [“Open letter to Mayor Junkin,” Letters, Nov. 18, p.6].

What are all of you leaving for future generations?

They certainly won't be left

PROPER

continued from page 4 in cars improperly. According to the Public Health Ontario website: "Wearing a mask can help to prevent the spread of some respiratory illnesses, but it can also become a source of infection if not worn or discarded properly. If you need to wear a mask, you should also be sure to clean your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer."

We spent months getting used to social distancing in public places, which, by the way, is still the gold standard in infection prevention.

So far, governments and public health units have issued advice that caters to the most cautious among us. Life is an exercise in risk management. Each time you start your car and enter a road, risk is there. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood is a risk. Staying at home, where falls can happen, is a risk.

As a vaccine is hopefully on the horizon, I

HIRJI

continued from previous page

Dec. 21-23, 2020

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (extended care avilable) $120 per registrant (includes lunch) Ages 4-12 Beginning just before Christmas, the camp will run from December 21-23. In years past, the second part of the camp would continue after Christmas; however, due to COVID-19 and likely holiday gatherings and travel, the camp will not run into the New Year.

We’ve condensed this usual week of fun into three days, getting the campers into the holiday spirit through games, skating, gym time, movies, crafts and more!

www.pelham.ca/register

the pleasure of hunting tadpoles as described by Mr. Smith.

It is criminal how quickly everywhere one looks across Niagara there is nothing but building and paving over, with no thought to the connection humans have with nature, especially the developing minds of children.

restrict economic activity in hopes of breaking-up social interactions.

In Niagara, we have remained in the Orange-Restrict level, but are at risk of joining our neighbours of Hamilton and Halton Region in the Red-Control level if our trajectory of cases rising continues.

Unfortunately, the only way to change this course is to curtail our social interactions voluntarily, before they are severely restricted by the provincial government.

And just as staying home during the lockdown helped us control COVID-19 in the spring, voluntarily limiting our social interactions to just our households could deliver us the rapid reduction in COVID-19 cases that we seek.

I recently released a letter urging us as a community to do just this: limit our social interactions to only our households for a period

feel Niagara residents have done a pretty good job at controlling COVID. Of course, our low population density, low reliance on public transit and low population per dwelling unit help immeasurably versus larger cities.

Peter Leyser Fonthill Editor’s note: Proper mask usage is indeed key to their effectiveness, particularly now that we know COVID remains present in the air for much longer than initially thought, and in micro-particle, aerosolized form. In fact, the “gold standard” of COVID safety is never leaving the house, just as the gold standard of auto safety is never riding in a car, and the gold standard of flight safety is never getting on an airplane. That’s not how life works, as the writer points out. Therefore we look to “silver standards” instead: Seatbelts and airbags in cars; a century of engineering advances in aircraft; and wearing face masks to reduce the spread of the deadly, airborne, respiratory virus called COVID-19.

(making exceptions for persons outside of our household who are important to our physical and mental wellbeing).

This is what public health authorities have been recommending for over six weeks now. In recent days, the Ontario government has given this recommendation much more emphasis, and the British Columbia government issued a population-wide order to enforce it in some situations. Locally, there has been much attention to our local order which seeks to limit dining in bars, restaurants, wineries and other food services to just our household (and exceptions as above).

Doing this is not easy.

After 10 months of disruption in our lives, we are understandably struggling with the prospect of losing those important social connections in our lives. There’s no way to make it easier. But it is what we need to do to save lives, 18 of which we have lost in just the last six weeks.

JUNKIN

continued from previous page ings.

In our town, Pelham Cares has now completed three weeks of their five-week food drive, and they are happy to report that the generosity of Pelham residents remains as high as ever, even in these trying times. No surprise there! At Town Hall itself, council

City people are coming to Niagara for a better, quieter, life, while in return cities are springing up in that quieter once greener space.

Do the city people realize they are coming to a place with few doctors, hospital services and real local jobs?

Faye Suthons Wainfleet

What will hopefully help us is to focus on the prospect that a vaccine to COVID-19 looks much closer than we’d hoped. While it will still be several more months before we can start to get vaccinated, we can now see that finish line is coming up. And like any marathon runner, we can pace ourselves with a few milestones to get there.

First up are the upcoming winter holidays. These are normally a time of social gatherings with our families. While we likely won’t be in a position for our normal winter festivities this year, if over the next four weeks we can drive our cases lower, we will be able to buy ourselves room to have a little more social interaction over the holidays.

Let us all commit as a community to this goal, and find ways to keep to just our households for the next four weeks so that we can enjoy the holidays a little before pushing to the next milestone. ◆

was happy to learn that the CAO, along with the CAOs of Fort Erie and Wainfleet, have been successful in hiring a Town solicitor.

Her name is Jennifer Stirton, and although she will be a direct employee of the Town of Pelham, all three municipalities will contribute towards her employment costs. This is yet another example of your council reaching out to our neighbours and exploring avenues where mutual savings can be achieved. ◆

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, November 25, 2020

^

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Page 8

The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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Compassion, not cash, urged for panhandler

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

A woman frequently seen panhandling in downtown Fonthill has raised the concern of some, although not necessarily from a nuisance perspective.

“I’m concerned for her safety,” Jennifer Morrison told the Voice recently. Morrison operates Believe Hair by Jenn, at 1415 Pelham Street, near where the blonde woman is often seen asking business owners and passersby for money, while occasionally walking into traffic. Morrison says she has developed a relationship with the woman, whom Morrison says has a troubled past, is about 35 years old, and lives on nearby Church Hill. Her concern is exacerbated by what the woman may be spending the money on that she’s given.

“People need to stop giving her money,” Morrison said. “I think we need compassion, but it doesn’t help when people are giving her ten, twenty dollars.”

On at least one occasion, the woman has been seen speaking to police, but such acts of panhandling rarely result in arrest in any jurisdiction.

“Other businesses have given her food, but then she will stand out front and pan-

handle,” Morrison added. “So, some have gotten stern with her.”

Pelham’s chief bylaw enforcement officer and Fire Chief Bob Lymburner, urged compassion when encountering panhandlers. “We do have a [nuisance bylaw] which speaks to loitering and soliciting,” Lymburner said. “In most cases when dealing with persons who panhandle, solicit, loiter etc., there is a degree of mental health issues and in most incidents these persons are totally harmless. As a society, we do a real poor job on helping and dealing with mental health. These people who suffer in varying degrees are usually shoved out into the street, in large part ignored by family members and left to fend for themselves.”

Approached by the Voice, the woman declined to give her name or speak about her situation.

The Voice reached out to two mental health organizations for comment— Niagara Health, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health—neither of which acknowledged the request.

“There are a number of agencies who help people with mental health issues, but unfortunately they are underfunded, understaffed and overworked,” Lymburner added.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, November 25, 2020

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Costco and its affiliates do not sell automobiles nor negotiate individual transactions. ®: Registered trademark of Price Costco International, Inc. used under license. ^ Black Friday Bonus valid toward the retail purchase or lease of one eligible new in-stock 2020 or 2021 vehicles purchased and delivered in Canada between November 20th, 2020 and November 30th, 2020. Tax exclusive credits and allowances are manufacturer-to-dealer and are applied to vehicle purchase or lease at dealer discretion. Eligible 2020 models include: Chevrolet: Camaro, Bolt EV, Trax, Equinox, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado LD, Silverado HD. Eligible 2021 models include: Chevrolet: Camaro, Trailblazer, Trax, Equinox, Blazer, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado LD, Silverado HD. ≥ Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles purchased and delivered between November 3, 2020 to November 30, 2020. 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Page 10

The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Attempt by Hildebrandt, Haun, to initiate change in voting procedure fails

BY VOICE STAFF During their regular Nov. 16 meeting, a faction of Pelham Town Council regarded by some observers to be sympathizers of Councillor Ron Kore, whose current leave of absence is set to run out within weeks, briefly attempted to rush through an order for staff to provide information on absentee proxy voting.

At issue was a bill passed in July by the Government of Ontario to amend regulations for municipal council voting—adding an option for proxy voting, now that meetings across the province are being held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In brief, proxy voting would allow a councillor not to attend council meetings—neither in person nor by video conference—instead notifying the Town Clerk ahead of time, by means to be determined, which way he or she wished to vote on that meeting’s agenda items.

Under such a scenario, the councillor would be able to avoid debate, discussion, or the responsibility to vote on amendments to motions, or to discuss and debate unique motions, made during the meeting itself.

This would effectively allow Kore, for example, to return to council without actually being present, participating in debate, or being

answerable to other council members’ concerns.

Ward 3’s Bob Hildebrandt led the charge, seconded by Lisa Haun, requesting that staff bring back a report by Dec. 7 on the feasibility of implementing proxy voting.

Clerk Nancy Bozzato diplomatically suggested it would be “challenging” to do so in this timeframe, while CAO David Cribbs was more direct.

“This falls under changes to the procedural bylaw, which you, not two months ago, ranked as a priority between ten and 15,” the CAO replied, referring to council’s setting of strategic priorities for 2021.

“We have set our work accordingly. I actually fear the Clerk is so polite that it causes us problems sometimes, when she says Dec. 7 would be difficult. I don’t think it’s at all possible. That’s actually going to require a lot of back-end work on our part. It’s not a traditional municipal norm at all.”

Hildebrandt remained adamant.

“The plans changed based on what we’re doing,” he said. “It would become a very useful tool for all of us as councillors, so to me it becomes a high-priority item.”

Kore faces a deadline of Dec. 14 to return to council or find his seat declared vacant. He hasn’t participated on council since Sept. 23, tak-

Pelham Town Council meets by Zoom, on Nov. 16, as it has done since early spring. ing his second leave of absence this year in the face of criticism, inside and outside of Town Hall, regarding his conduct during the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillors Lisa Haun and Marianne Stewart agreed with Hildebrandt.

“The provincial government seems to think it’s okay, that’s why they passed the bill,” Haun said.

“We just learned about this.”

However, Haun’s assertion is incorrect.

Back on Aug. 10, council received and discussed a report from Clerk Bozzato which specifically outlined the proxy proposal. “[Provincial] Bill 197 introduces new rules to permit proxy voting at council meetings,” read the report. “However given that the

Clerk would be required to establish an appropriate process to develop appropriate procedures in this regard, it will be necessary to further study the rules related to proxy votes before a recommendation can be made. Because this represents an entirely new policy direction through the Municipal Act 2001, a thorough review is needed.”

In fact, the motion to accept the Clerk’s report on Aug. 10 was made

by Kore, and seconded by Haun.

Already aware that proxy voting was potentially an option, council nonetheless opted not to prioritize it some six weeks later, during a marathon, three-hour strategic planning meeting held on Sept. 28, which set municipal priorities for 2021.

The only apparent variable be-

YOUTUBE

tween Aug. 10 and last Monday was that Councillor Kore had taken a leave of absence in the interim.

Mayor Marvin Junkin and Councillors Wayne Olson and John Wink were in opposition.

“I find that wild, I think that anybody that votes on something should be in the council chamber so they can be accountable for it,” the Mayor said. “To think we can bring this forward … in two weeks, councillor, no offense but I think you’re being unreasonable,” Junkin told Hildebrandt.

“We’ve never had proxy voting before,” Wink added. “And we’ve been fine, thank you very much, without it.”

Ultimately Hildebrandt softSee COUNCIL next page

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, November 25, 2020

Page 11

ANALYSIS

Just what is “proxy voting”?

Expert sees no rationale to introduce scheme in Pelham—or anywhere else

BY DAVE BURKET

The VOICE

Although they were made aware back in August that the Ford government had introduced a proxy voting option for municipal councils, seemingly out of the blue last week Councillors Bob Hildebrandt and Lisa Haun discovered new urgency in pushing through this radical departure from the norms of representative democracy.

Voting by proxy means that a councillor could nominate a fellow councillor to vote on his or her behalf, without attending the council meeting during which the vote takes place, nor engaging in discussion about the matter at hand, nor being subject to questions from fellow councillors.

The Ford government introduced the op-

COUNCIL

continued from previous page ened his stance and ended up agreeing with Cribbs’ assertion that it would be more sensible to deliver the report early in the new year.

Council then voted to have staff report on the matter in February.

In a cursory online search, the Voice was unable to identify any Ontario municipal council that had adopted the proxy option.

Councillors will also vote Dec. 7 on the matter of extending meetings by video conference to as late as next August.

Short-term rental casualty

The Town’s sweeping ban of short-term rentals saw its first claim of unfair targeting from a small business owner during the meeting.

Bobby Kozjan, who owns a semi-detached, two-unit house on Welland Road in Fenwick, and rented one of the units out as an Airbnb for more than two years, tried to present his case to councillors that the property should be exempted from the Town’s new requirement that any short-term rentals be subject to a costly zoning amendment application.

Kozjan said he spent $75,000 to renovate the house into its current configuration of a two-unit structure, and that revenue from the Airbnb was helping pay for his mother’s residence in a long-term care facility. He said the rezoning application would cost him another $20,000.

Most staff and councillors provided little sympathy.

“It is now caught by the new policies and licencing requirements,” Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens said, describing the structure as a semi-detached residence.

The only grandfathering exemptions for the short-term rental bylaw exist for traditional bed-and-breakfast operations inside single-detached, owner-occupied homes.

However, Kozjan pointed out that his sister-in-law lives in the non-rental unit —providing a full-time presence — while adding his Airbnb never received a complaint from neighbours. Wiens confirmed the latter.

Still, CAO Cribbs appeared to chastise Kozjan for not bringing up his concerns during the public meeting process leading up to implementation of the bylaw earlier this year.

“There were multiple public meetings, public articles on the topic,” the CAO said.

“This was years of work in the making to create this product, that quite intentionally, licences.”

Kozjan said he was unaware of any of it until after the bylaw was passed.

“The first time we heard about this, is when we heard about the bylaw,” he said.

Olson provided the only real conciliatory tone — agreeing that because a family member lives permanently on-site at the rental property, it was a significant consideration.

“It seems like there’s an element of unfairness in this whole thing,” Olson said. “Perhaps we should go back and look at the rules

tion in July, as part of a COVID-19 response bill, although the change will remain in place after pandemic emergency measures are lifted. The Voice is not aware of any Ontario municipality that has opted in.

Last week, the Voice reached out to Brock University Emeritus Professor of Political Science David Siegal for his take on the wisdom of proxy voting.

Siegal said that the principle of elected council governance puts a great deal of emphasis on the members of council meeting as a group, discussing an issue, and arriving at a meeting of minds, before arriving at a decision.

“That sharing of views among members is seen as important,” said Siegal. “This is See PROXY back page

and see how they apply here.”

Earlier, Mayor Marvin Junkin had implied there was little council could do, but suggested staff contact Kozjan directly.

“I don’t think there’s a will on council to make an exemption,” the Mayor said.

Speed study results

Staff presented results of a speed study on Pelham Street north near Shorthills Place, where residents have asked for installation of a three-way stop. The study, conducted between Oct. 29-30, recorded some 1,100 vehicles, with a combined average speed of 53.5 km/h.

Still, Olson pointed out some higher speeds, calling them dangerous.

“These speeds I see on this chart are not survivable,” the Ward 1 councillor said. “I’m astonished at some of these speeds and combined with distractions, this is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Public Works Director Jason Marr said the high-speeders constituted a limited number, but agreed it was concerning. The next step for staff will be to determine the course of potential traffic-calming measures.

Financial update

Town Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services Teresa Quinlin provided an update, and projected a current potential year-end shortfall of $221,000. She added, however, that Pelham’s application for Phase 2 COVID-19 relief funding from upper levels of government has been submitted, and said losses this year have been mitigated by the previous layoffs of 43 town and library staff, as well as other cuts — to the tune of $704,000 in savings.

Spelling snafu

In an odd interaction toward the end of the meeting, Councillor Bob Hildebrandt pointed out a spelling error in a document regarding a section of Brayden Way, in Fonthill, meant to finalize its designation as a “public highway,” i.e., a municipal road. Town records had inadvertently listed the name as “Braden.” As Hildebrandt spoke, Councillor Lisa Haun visibly anticipated his line of questioning, nodding affirmatively, then bowed her head in apparent bemusement when Wiens confirmed the spelling error. Haun did not respond to a request for comment regarding the evident importance she attached to the spelling mistake, nor her reaction in seeing Wiens acknowledge it.

In any event, the matter appeared to be a minor oversight dating back to when the surrounding development was completed.

“It’s just really cleaning up something that should have been done six or seven years ago,” Wiens said.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. On November 15th, a powerful storm hit communities across Ontario, damaging over 500 utility poles and leaving 534,000 families, homes and businesses without power.

With your support and patience, our teams worked alongside 12 other local utilities through these heavy weather conditions to restore power. Not just to homes, but to critical places like emergency services, long-term care homes and hospitals.

On behalf of all of us, thank you for the support and patience that you gave our field teams – the people outside getting the work done. And to the customer team that needed a bit of extra time to answer and respond to over 53,000 calls in just a few days.

This wasn’t our first serious storm, and it won’t be our last.

But every time the lights go out, you have our commitment that we’ll work with you to do whatever we can to get them back on as quickly and safely as possible.

Once again, thank you.

We’re stronger together, Ontario.

Plans to open outdoor rink

With COVID-19 regulations limiting attendance at the MCC, Fire Chief Bob Lymburner confirmed that the fire department still plans to flood their outdoor hockey rink at Fire Hall No. 3 in North Pelham when weather permits.

The Hydro One and Design trademark is owned by Hydro One Inc.

Page 12

The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Two heroes crossed paths at Buckingham Palace Dave Smith's dad flew the same skies as Bud Perkins; both men received medals on the same day

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

In the Small World Department, it doesn’t get much smaller than this.

Dave Smith, of Welland Road in Pelham, read with interest the recent Remembrance Day article in the Voice about Coleman “Bud” Perkins. A Fonthill farm boy, Perkins had enlisted in the Royal Air Force, was shipped overseas in 1941, and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross at Buckingham Palace by King George VI, for dedication to duty and bravery over enemy territory.

It turns out that Smith’s father, Don, was also at Buckingham Palace that day, and also received a Distinguished Flying Cross from the hands of the King—at the same ceremony as Perkins. Smith and Perkins were photographed together, along with other award recipients that day.

The Perkins story prompted memories for Smith of his father, who, like Perkins, served in Bomber Command and flew missions over Europe. In fact, it further turns out that Smith and Perkins flew three missions together in 1942—Oct. 8 to Aachen, Oct. 13 to Kiel, and Nov. 28 to Turin.

Smith’s job was to fly ahead of the bombers, marking the targets.

An account of his father’s exploits was submitted to Danske Militaerhistorie, a Danish military history website. Smith commented that he remembered many visits from his father’s air force friends, but that they never talked about experiences during the war.

This led Dave to the mistaken impression that his father had spent the entire war without seeing any action, which he learned couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Don Smith had a harrowing experience on April 21, 1943, when his Wellington bomber was shot down off the coast of Denmark. He was the sole survivor of the crash, and successfully evaded the German military after connecting with the Danish Resistance. Smith escaped to Sweden, and then managed to fly back to England, where he rejoined the war effort by training pilots back in Canada.

“My father is documented as being the first Allied airman to escape from occupied Denmark,” said Smith.

Born in Beeton, a small town about 40 miles northwest of To-

Following their investiture ceremony, on April 12, 1943, Don Smith, third from left in the front row, and Bud Perkins, cent ronto, in Simcoe Count, Don Smith moved to St. Catharines, and worked in Welland. When WWII commenced, he enlisted and was sent to England. He started off as an airframe technician working on Spitfire and Hurricane fighter aircraft, and was later reassigned to flight crew training and operations at his request.

With his pilot qualifications, Smith served as a flight engineer on a Short Sterling, a four-engine

heavy bomber with a crew of seven. His plane was attached to the Seventh Squadron Pathfinders, whose duty was to precede the other bombers and drop incendiary bombs, which marked the targets below in enemy territory.

They had an eighth crew member the night they were shot down, a Canadian pilot from Toronto named Blake, who was on an operational training mission. Dave Smith said that Blake was sitting

in his father’s seat beside the pilot in the aircraft when it was raked by cannon fire from a Messerschmitt 110 night fighter. The bomber was set ablaze and crashed on the west side of the island of Zeeland, the main island of occupied Denmark.

“The Germans counted seven bodies in the wreckage and thought all the crew were accounted for, so they probably didn't even look for my dad,” said Smith.

After burying his parachute,

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tre in the back row.

The Voice, November 25, 2020

SMITH FAMILY PHOTO

Smith commenced a trek of several days across Denmark to Copenhagen, carefully avoiding German soldiers. He had minor injuries from the plane crash, but persevered on his journey. Smith received help along the way from local farmers, who supplied him with food, shelter, and directions.

They communicated via hand gestures, since neither spoke the other’s language. The Danes were anti-Nazi, but had to be cautious,

Dave Smith holds a wartime photo of his father. since it was a capital offense to be discovered collaborating with the Allies.

Smith stole a kayak one night and paddled in the darkness across open water to Sweden, where he was thrown in jail for a short period of time for illegal entry. Smith was supplied with books in English while in lockup. Shortly after he was released, he was invited to coffee with the Crown Prince of Sweden. A week later, the Swedes

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“Dad was taken for lunch at an upscale restaurant by a couple of his Danish Resistance friends once he arrived in Copenhagen,” said

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Smith lost about 25 pounds during the ordeal.

After the war, Don Smith went on to a career in the aircraft industry, working on the AVRO Arrow project, and later at Union

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 hosts with his ability to float completely motionless on their cottage lake.

Michal took pains to sketch his family tree all the way back to his great-grandmother Julia Maleszka, whom he claimed to be Stefan’s elder sister. He included photographs, one of which shocked me—I realized I had taken it myself many years earlier.

But the floating story had already clinched it. My father took little obvious delight in anything, but as a child I remember him displaying his uncommon buoyancy whenever we were at a lake and the water was calm.

It wouldn’t be of much use in a swimming heat or a typhoon, but it was remarkable all the same.

He looked like he was lying in bed, sound asleep.

Anyway, Michal’s account clearly showed that his great-grandmother Julia was the aunt I never knew I had. Neither did my mother, who was understandably suspicious when I read out Michal’s email.

“I don’t know these people,” she said. “What do you think they’re after?”

“I think they just want to connect. They’re family, Mum. I’m excited.”

“Your father never mentioned having two older sisters. Only Sabina, and she moved to America before the war.”

Mum looked perplexed.

“I don’t believe any of this.

Steve would have told me.”

I thought for a moment before pursuing it further.

“Remember when he visited Poland that one time and stopped over in England to see me and meet his brand new granddaugh-

From left, Mateusz, Maya, the author, Krystov, Maria, and the author's mother, Eunice. ter?”

“Yes. Catherine was, what, eight months then. What’s that got to do with this?”

“Well, Michal included some photographs in his email. Look.”

I showed her the photo I had taken of my father and our daughter when he visited my wife and me in England. I gave him copies of the photo to take to the “friends” he was going on to visit in Poland.

Mum stared at the photo and went quiet. There was suddenly a lot for her to think about. I wrote back to Michal and said I was thrilled that he’d got in touch.

A few weeks later I heard from his younger brother, Mateusz, born about ten years after my father’s visit. Matt and his father, Krystof, were staying with family friends in Boston, and wanted to come up to Niagara to visit us on their way to watch the Raptors in Toronto (Matt was a big NBA fan).

I was excited. Mum was still

hesitant, but curious. “Yes, we’ll invite them,” she said.

When they arrived she immediately noticed the physical resemblance between me and Krystof.

I could even see the similarity in this nephew of mine—son of Sabina and grandson of Julia—now in his late 60s. It turned out to be a magical evening. Mum shed her reserve as we shared photos and stories from long ago. For me it was like finding the other half of my life after 70 years.

A couple of months later I arranged to meet Michal and his wife, Kazia, at Pearson International. They had a stopover on their way to a vacation in Havana. More stories and photos over lunch made me feel like I’d always known them too.

The following year we made plans to holiday with the Maleszkas in Scotland, where my father and mother met during WWII and where I was born. Mum looked forward to showing her late husband’s family around the

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old haunts in her beloved homeland. That we would be sharing a house for two weeks with people we’d just met didn’t deter her at all. Or me.

And so, the summer before COVID, we gathered at a beautiful country home just outside Aberfeldy on the River Tay. We were eight now, with Krystof’s delightful wife, Maria, and Mateusz’s lovely fiancée, Maya, along with Michal, his wife, Kazia, my mother and me.

It was everything we hoped for.

Our accommodation was spacious and modern and wellequipped, with its gardens in bloom and the River Tay at the end of the driveway. Along with the rainbow.

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in the famous distillery), Fort William, and Glencoe. Our Polish family couldn’t get enough of Scotland, the scenery and the castles and the connection they now felt with the country.

The stories over dinner in the evenings were endless, the wine and the laughter flowed, and the younger generation were kept busy translating the conversations, as Krystof and Maria understood English as much as Mum and I did Polish. Another highlight for Mateusz the Raptors fan was watching Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beating fourbounce basket that put them into the final.

There is some context here. For all his flotation skills, my father wasn’t an easy man, but I’ll leave it there. I know he didn’t find me an easy son. Our relationship was tense at the best of times. We spent many years apart, and not just after I left home. I suppose we both mellowed a little as we got older but then he kind of disappeared into himself.

And so to spend those two weeks with his “other” family and share love and laughter, and to watch them treat my mother as the grand matriarch, were experiences I’ll never forget.

Mateusz and Maya are to be married next September and so, COVID-permitting, I’ll be making my first trip to Poland. I look forward to meeting sister Anya, her husband, Pyotr, and their young daughters Lydia and Helena, and to celebrating the joyous occasion with them all. Mum can’t make the journey but will be there in spirit, and we’ll share my photos when I return.

Mary Karr once wrote, “A dysfunctional family is any family with more than one person in it.”

I used to suspect that was true.

Not so much now. ◆

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Page 15

Hot, hot, hot Sizzling real estate market quickly making Niagara tough to enter

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

It’s a good news/bad news story.

If you are a realtor or home seller, the housing gods are smiling on you. Sales (and commissions) are brisk, and prices are climbing upwards.

But it’s bad news if you are searching for a home in Niagara, because properties are becoming so expensive that it may limit a young family’s ability to handle the debt load, even if bank interest rates continue at a low ebb.

“It's evident the Niagara Region remains at the top of the list for home buyers,” said Terri McCallum, President of The Niagara Association of Realtors, in a November 3 press release. “Looking at 2020 vs 2019, the number of new listings is down only 1.2%, while sales are up 39.5%, moving the homes price index up 18% and the average days on market down 36.2 %.”

Residential home sales in Niagara totaled 883 units this October, compared to 663 in October 2019.

In Pelham, both listings and sales were up from September, and the average price of a home sold was $651,000, up some $75,000 from a year ago. The benchmark price of homes in Pelham is second only to Niagara-on-the-Lake within the region. The average sale price across all of Niagara was $498,900 in October, an 18% increase from the same point in 2019.

Paul Allaster, a sales rep for Re/

Max Garden City Realty in Fonthill, said that the current market has low inventory and more buyers than available houses, with many purchasers migrating from outside of the area. He expects the price differential between Niagara and Toronto will keep the local market strong, spurred by low interest rates, the promise of GoTrain expansion, and people working remotely from home during the pandemic with no need to commute.

“Over the next two to three months we know there will be a slowdown in the volume of sales… that’s just a seasonal reality,” said Allaster. “Price gains are generally restricted to the first six months of the year, so prices should remain relatively stable until the end of [this] year. But with economists forecasting record low interest rates for the foreseeable future, we expect the market will catch fire again early in 2021.”

Darcy Richardson, a broker with Revel Realty in Fonthill, said that when the pandemic hit, there was initially a massive decline in the number of sales and new listings.

People were nervous, not knowing what the economic landscape was going to look like in the months ahead. But a shortage of inventory contributed to sale prices holding firm, and average days on the market remained low.

“In July, we began to see the

Source: Niagara Association of Realtors. number of sales spike from the prior year. However, the number of new listings remained slightly less than in 2019. This is where we began to see the average sale price creep up slightly more than the past months,” said Richardson.

The current lack of supply in relation to the demand of inventory in the Region has created a seller’s market, which lends itself well to those selling their home, she said.

“While there is a strong demand for homes in Niagara, coupled with interest rates being historically low, I find that buyers are still very cautious when it comes to purchasing a home and continue to be mindful of the fair market value of a house when offering to purchase a property. With the ever-changing effects of COVID-19, it is hard to predict with exact certainty where the Niagara real estate market is headed, but currently there are no indications of a slowdown.”

One of the local market’s most experience agents, Debbie Pine, with Royal LePage in Fonthill, agreed that the market is in uncharted territory with the pandemic, but that if a listed house is priced correctly, it should sell quickly.

“Now more than ever, people really need to have an experienced realtor helping them navigate the market because, by yourself, you're not going to get what you want,” said Pine.

The buyers Pine feels most sorry for are prospective first-timers, who are having a hard time affording a foothold in the market.

“The half-million-dollar price point is very hot in Niagara, attracting multiple quick offers,” said Pine.

“In Pelham specifically, the $500,000 to $800,000 segment is moving, as long as the houses are remodeled, renovated. And even in

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the $1 million- plus segment, if the house has been done up and staged right, people are willing to pay the price.”

No open houses are currently occurring in Niagara due to COVID, and the local real estate board is asking all agents to make sure that there are no overlapping showings, to encourage social distancing.

Face masks and disinfectant are available at all showings.

Niagara’s housing prices have doubled in the past decade, but are still considered to be affordable for the average family, costing about half the price of a comparable home in Toronto. But some in the real estate business believe we have reached a “tipping point.”

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation market analyst Inna Breidburg, speaking at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s Niagara Economic Summit series last week, told the St. Catharines Standard, “If prices continue to escalate and wages grow at a slower pace, conditions won’t be affordable in the Niagara region, and it’s going to happen quite soon.”

Surprised by the speed of the housing market recovery during the pandemic, Breidburg said that part of the reason is “pent-up demand” on the part of those who have been delaying a house purchase, but have decided that now is the time to lock in at “all-time low mortgage rates.” The pandemic has played a role, given that people are spending more time at home socially-distanced, which has caused them to reflect on the inadequacies of their existing living space.

Niagara Region Director of Community and Long-Range Planning Doug Giles, another speaker at the Niagara Economic Summit, said the Region’s population continues to increase at about 1.6 percent annually, with expectations of reaching 674,000 by 2051.

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Page 16

The Voice, November 25, 2020

HANDLEBARS

continued from Page 20 believe my interview with Overholt would be enlightening.

Overholt read my mind, and answered my first question before I asked it.

“Right now, there’s zero travel. No one is travelling.

We are taking bookings into next year, and 2022 has just opened,” explained Overholt candidly.

“We’re booking no flights whatsoever, even when it’s linked with a tour.

We don’t know when [the market] will open up, and we don’t want our clients to be at risk.”

So what exactly is the financial risk of booking cruises, flights or tours at this time?

“This is befuddling for all of us in the retail side, because as licensed travel sellers in Ontario, we have to adhere to the Travel Industry Act. We have to give full disclosure to the client, which is a challenge, because if you look at airline websites, every airline and every tour company has their own rules, and their own interpretation of what’s refundable and what’s a future travel credit.

The future travel credit is a challenge.”

She used Air Canada as an example.

“Air Canada said we’ll give you twelve months to use your flight voucher. Then they changed it to 24 months. Well, we have customers coming back to us and saying their situation has changed, they have health issues now, and won’t be able to travel again.

Airlines, particularly in Canada, are still not giving refunds.”

This conversation is drilling down to one of the reasons I called Overholt. In February of 2020, I chose to cancel an early March flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, which I had booked directly through EVA Air, a Taiwanese carrier, to avoid a stop in turbulent Hong

Kong. It was early into the pandemic, and no one knew how long it might last. I was offered a 100 % voucher for future travel, or a cash refund minus a $200 service fee. I took the refund, and received the funds within a month. I am not so sure I’d be that lucky today.

Overholt shared another story of customers who were booked for flights to Portugal and Africa via TAP Air Portugal, the country’s premier carrier.

With the COVID situation, and dangerous political unrest in their African destination, they simply were never going to go there in the future.

Overholt wound up at the European Travel Licensing Board to try and get refunds.

She continued, saying that if travellers have travel insurance, she can often appeal to the insurers to reconsider and provide refunds.

“Just yesterday I had somebody call me.

They finally received, after an appeal, a refund through an insurance company that took over eight months.”

Bottom line for Overholt?

“All consumers in Ontario should be booking with a registered, licensed, Ontario travel agent. If the agency is not listed on the TICO list, consumers need to give it a second thought. They need to do that, then you’re fully protected under the Travel Industry Act for consumer protection. So if anything goes south, there’s a loss of money, you can put a claim in through the travel industry.”

Overholt said that if a tour company, cruise line, or airline goes bankrupt or closes up shop, and you’re not booked with an Ontario registered agent, you’re not protected as a consumer.

“Find your favourite travel agent, whoever you have rapport with, and book with them.”

Is there really a pool of money set aside in Ontario for this purpose? Overholt said there is, supported by mandatory contributions

from registered travel retailers, and administered under the Travel Industry Act. I was curious as to whether tying traditional travel together with cycling, be it the soft adventure variety or simple day trips, was a growing travel phenomenon. If so, what is available?

Overholt responded that e-bikes are dramatically accelerating the popularity of bicycling as an add-on to travel tours and cruises for non-hardcore cyclists.

“People absolutely love them,” she said, and cited two examples.

Suppose you’re on a river cruise with a two day stopover in Vienna, and you’re not into the museum scene.

(She nailed that one.) It’s possible to set up a tour, or a freelance ride, and have bikes delivered to your room.

Another add-on cycling adventure, which sounded quite memorable, involved a family who were flying to California to begin a cruise.

Before embarking, they rented e-bikes in San Francisco and cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, 67 metres/220 feet above the strait connecting the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. These would be great experiences, and Overholt can provide other examples, such as the local customer who met a friend in Germany, then the two of them travelled to northern Spain to tour the back roads by bicycle.

But I’ve been a do-ityourselfer on most of my bike travels, and often considered the mistakes I made as an interesting part of the experience.

The Canadian government has a helpful and generally current website that offers travel advisories by country, and additional travel safety protocols, which I have used in the past. Visiting it today is unnerving.

Every country is either listed as “Avoid non-essential travel” or “Avoid all travel,”

and the list of other safety protocols is mind-numbingly long with the addition of COVID-related and quarantine information.

Then there are the countries that are concerned about their health care systems being overwhelmed, and don’t want tourists under any circumstances.

I asked Overholt if she, as an industry insider, might have information that was unavailable to me, or other independent travellers, in our new normal.

“The advantage of working with a travel agent is we know where to look, we know who to look to. The most important thing is we always have to tap into the Government Canada information for travel recommendations and safety. There’s a “No-go” list, and as soon as a destination goes to level three, meaning you’re not to travel, then we have an insurance issue,” said Overholt. She does not differentiate between insurance bought from travel agents, employer plans, or private insurers people might use.

“As long as Canada says you should not be going to those regions, then you don’t have insurance. This is always our concern—is it safe, and is the Canadian government going to come and get you if you get into trouble?”

Overholt said that there are now certain regions of the world where the Canadian government has made it clear—this is a no-go destination, if you choose to go and you get into trouble, we are not coming to get you.

“And insurance is saying, you have no coverage.”

This struck close to home.

Rightly or wrongly, I’ve never taken out trip-cancellation type insurance in the past. I have, however, taken more than a few trips for which I’ve chosen to have repatriation insurance to get me or my body home in a hurry. I remember vividly a friend who got

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca struck by a car just outside Addis Ababa, on our cycling trip in Ethiopia, and suffered a brain injury. He was immediately taken to the Korean hospital in Addis Ababa, and within 24 hours his wife and a medical team from Australia arrived to repatriate him, all paid for by his insurance. He’s riding again today, and is sure that the ability to receive treatment at home so quickly allowed him a full recovery.

Overholt continued, using examples of floods, virus contagion, family emergencies, the massive wildfires in Australia, and such, and this semi-intrepid traveller was definitely listening.

“I’m not saying the world is unsafe, just that it’s fragile and things happen quickly. If we see anything changing along the way, we’re going to be phoning you. I’m sort of a nerd on that. I’d like to be in your back pocket all the time, just kind of watching where are you going, what are you doing, maybe you need to rethink that because we have some civil unrest in that city, or we have something going on that has kind of blown up on our screen.

In this world, especially in more exotic destinations, we need to know what you’re up to, and to keep you informed.”

I asked Overholt if the recent announcements regarding potential vaccines being on the horizon has made her phone ring, especially with so many “deals” being promoted.

“It hasn’t got my phones ringing like crazy. We have people that are avid travellers, and very optimistic and already booked and committed.

We do have calls from people wanting to book more exotic destinations, but they are holding back for the vaccine,” she says.

Overholt believes the deals for booking now are legitimate. The prices are good, there are lots of incentives and perks, and prices in the future will have to increase. There are so many new protocols that have to be instituted on board ships and in hotels that even with See HANDLEBARS next page

OBITUARY

HAAG, Susan Isabel (nee Alsop) It is with heavy hearts that the family of Susan Isabel Haag announce her unexpected passing at Georgian Bay Hospital - Midland on Sunday November 15, 2020 at the age of 68 years young. Forever loved and greatly missed by her husband Peter of 39 years. Much loved mother of Adam and Jordan (predeceased in 2002), and her parents Norma and Donald Alsop. Dear sister of Beth Krupa, and brother Alan Alsop.

Missed by her nieces and nephews Jennifer, Gordon, Hillary and Taylor. Susan had a vibrant and charming personality much admired and enjoyed by her many friends. Keeping in daily contact both personally and with her I-Pad usually at her side, she much enjoyed sharing humorous cartoons and witticisms to start the morning. If by chance she missed a day a flurry of E-mails and phone calls would begin inquiring where they were.

Susan also enjoyed travelling with husband Peter to numerous parts of the world later to enjoy again through the many photographs taken during those adventures. In keeping with Susan’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Online condolences may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Page 17

Pelham man sentenced in 2019 standoff

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

A Fonthill man who sparked a fourhour, armed standoff with police in 2019 was sentenced to 18 months in prison last week. Michael Roosma, 30, was encouraged by a St. Catharines judge to take advantage of mental-health and self-care programs while serving out his sentence.

“We’re all complex, we have our demons and we have our achievements and, in order to have a long and happy life, it’s important that we recognize what features in our makeup … that takes us down the wrong path, because if we don’t recognize what those features are, we can’t start to address them,” Judge Fergus O’Donnell told Roosma, according to the St. Catharines Standard.

Roosma pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

Police were called to Roosma’s Pelham Street residence on April 20, 2019, upon reports of a disturbance. The man then fired a weapon indiscriminately, prompting a massive response that included Emergency Task Force officers, hostage negotiators and backup from other jurisdictions. Nearby residents

HANDLEBARS

continued from previous page a vaccine, costs are going to go up. Ships are being changed dramatically— from new ventilation systems with HEPA filters and air purifiers, to reimagining on-board food service. The day of cruise ships or resorts with free-for-all and selfserve dining will disappear or be greatly diminished.

I ask if there is a time frame when travel, and cruising, will return to normal.

“You know, we get weekly Zoom calls from the CEOs of every major tour company and cruise line, giving us updates of what they’re doing, and what they’re finding, how to open safely.”

Overholt said they are cautious. ‘[Cruise and tour operators] have all come together, they’re competitors, but they’ve all come together, they’ve hired experts, doctors, scientists from Johns Hopkins, utilizing various research facilities and universities, working with the CDC, to find out what is the proper way to open. The cruise lines know that if we don’t open correctly, and if we don’t do this right, it will be a disaster. It’ll be a death knell to certain companies that don’t do it right.”

Overholt referenced the small cruise ship (fewer than 100 passengers) departing Barbados last week that the company Sea Dream used to assess the market and feasibility of cruising.

Everyone was tested for COVID before boarding, and there were no issues. Three days into the trip there were five outbreaks resulting in nine infected customers and staff.

Sea Dream has disbanded, and cancelled the rest of their season.

“I don’t think anyone is anxious to get out there and be the first one,” said Overholt. “Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean, which is Celebrity and Azamara as well, have all said they’re not prepared to share a date.”

Hairstyling...

Police respond to the Roosma residence on Pelham St., April 20, 2019. were either evacuated or instructed to shelter in place.

During the standoff, Voice monitoring of a Niagara Regional Police radio frequency described the barricaded man as unwilling to “leave the house alive.”

Roosma eventually surrendered to authorities without incident.

Court heard that he was under the

All major cruise lines in North America, including Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and others, announced last week that there will be no cruises or tours until at least the end of January, and at that time they will re-evaluate. The Carnival Corporation said they don’t think they’ll see full operation as we’ve seen it in the past until 2023.

So what, if anything, is selling now, and where might my bicycle and I fit in?

“Small tours and small ships,” said Overholt, “and some Canadian destinations.”

She likes Portugal because they’re being diligent, and Ireland because of the common language, and it’s only six hours from Canada — the shorter the flight the safer it is.

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influence of alcohol at the time, and has struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues in the past.

“He wants nothing more to have a nice life with his family and fiancée,” Roosma’s defense attorney David Protomanni said. “Once all the dust settles and he is released, he aspires to be a better person.”

“Mega ships right now are a bit of a concern.”

So maybe there’s hope.

While they don’t have the exotic appeal of the King’s Highway in Jordan or the Ha Giang loop in northern Vietnam, the west coast of Ireland is one of my favourite destinations for cycling, and there’s much of Portugal I have yet to explore.

Then Overholt issued a personal word of caution.

“Travel is great, but you want to be wise. I wouldn’t personally book anything until the late summer. July, August, September next year, and make sure it is fully refundable or changeable.

People need to know that things will change, we’ll get through this, but you need to plan. In my opinion, the world as we know it, for travel, has changed forever.” ◆

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

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your face ied 56 years earlier at the I thought the sun rose in Commonwealth War Graves continued from Page 13 at second run Men and women will beCommission back in thecemetery mud as the oneyes the year is your Svino in Denmark.

And the moon and the stars Dave.held “They soon realized at Bissil’s Hideaway.When Dave and his that seated at tables around Were the gifts you gave” brothers arrived in Denthem were German officers, mark with their father’s also NIAGARA enjoying their meal. So REGIONAL EXHIBITION cremated ashes in May of Our family is growing here he was an Allied airthey were taken aback this years exciting event. It Rodeo, games and live1999, entertainment headline with little ones you would man on the run, dressed by what followed. They had runs from Sept. hav11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds. adore, but your memory in civilian clothes, expected a modest service ing a conversation in mufkeeps us close and with a few embassy officials fled tones in English.” If and perhaps a representaconnected, forevermore.

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Proceeds for the Big Move stay inhad Niagara and support the Walker Famther told him that RAF fliever but never forgotten for the interment to coiners survived on a steady ily Cancer Centre. cide with National Liberby Mom, Blair, Willie, diet of mutton and Brusation Day ceremonies, and Lindsay and Chris. sels sprouts during the war, there were some 70 people which resulted in a lifetime WALKING CLUB attending the service, with dislike for those foods. So one Pelham will ever take television Interested in walking in Pelham? and Joinnewspaper them Tuesdays No at the Arena the Copenhagen meal would coverage. A reception and your place in our hearts. havefrom been a9-10 greatam treat. and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There dinner followed, organized Donald Smith died in by a church. is no fee for this program.

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The Comfort Maple myth

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

BY VOICE STAFF

See DSBN Page 9

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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

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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

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

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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 ad-

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Growing up British

BY VOICE STAFF

Debbie Pine

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm ◆ Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm Sat 9:30-5:00pm

Column Six

Haist Street traffic-calming measure a little too effective 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

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Column Six

Request made of community still peeved at name change The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See CHANGES Page 5

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

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Vol.20 No.32

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

Wednesday October 12, 2016

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Apple Day comes to Fonthill

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.”

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

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H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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.

“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

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

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-

Office 905.892.1702

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.

“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

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 SIDEWALK Page 2

See AUTUMN Page 3

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Page 19

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Places of Worship Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

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Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill

St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church www.stalexander.on.ca

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Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

Pelham Community Church (United Church) www.pelham.cc

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FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 21 the vocal cords and lungs of my youngest, I just know he’s going to be a preacher.

When I ask my oldest (age 6) how school was today, she says “Terrible!” When I ask my second oldest (age 4) what she learned today in school, she says “Nothin’.” Oh well, maybe things will improve tomorrow.

In a word, they are real. What you see (and hear) is what you get. I’m not advocating that we (as adults) become impulsive or insensitive, but we can all become a bit more real with each other as we strive to “speak the truth in love” (see Ephesians 4:15).

I hope to keep learning from my grandkids as I try to grow old gracefully. Grandchild no. 7 is arriving (Lord willing) in March, so I’ll have one more to learn from.

And I sure hope they can learn something from their Grampa too. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who always laughs when he hears one grandchild call him “Grampoo.”

Driver opts to represent himself Michael Bond to plead not guilty a year after accident causing death

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

A 52-year-old Pelham man who allegedly struck and killed a woman with his car last November, as she was walking along Effingham Street, has decided to represent himself in court and plead not guilty to all charges.

Michael Bond is charged under the Highway Traffic Act with careless driving causing death, driving while under suspension, driving with no vehicle license, and operating an unsafe vehicle.

A year ago next week, on No-

vember 30, 2019, a 66-year-old Ridgeville woman was walking along Effingham Street, between Foss and Welland Roads, when she was struck and killed by a southbound vehicle, allegedly driven by Bond. She has not been publicly identified by police.

During a court session conducted via audio conference last Friday, November 19, prosecutor Andrew Brown noted that the case has been proceeding slowly, to which the presiding judge responded was due in

I feel confident I can defend myself

part to COVID-19 court closures and restrictions. However, they agreed that an early date should be established for a pre-trial court date. A meeting has been scheduled for November 25, prior to a pre-trial date being set.

The last time he was in court, Bond told the judge that he could not afford an attorney, and the judge allowed him time to investigate one through legal aid channels.

“That's not available for me.

It's just not something that I can pursue and I feel confident I can defend myself,” Bond told the judge last week.

The court clerk had a telephone number to reach Bond for the meeting, but the phone was answered by his mother, who provided an alternate number on a new cellphone Bond had procured.

“If somebody could call me back later on, let me tell you, there are some serious problems with my son,” said Bond’s mother.

“Well, we're not going to get into that at this point. I hope that you can resolve whatever issues there are with him,” said the judge.

Bond did not respond to Voice requests for comment.

Page 20

The Voice, November 25, 2020

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FROM THE HANDLEBARS

by John Swart

Travel industry insight—local and unfiltered

I

called somebody in Istanbul, Turkey, and got him out of bed to tell him that 9/11 had happened. I said do not leave your hotel, do not proceed to the harbour to board your ship, because everything is shut down. Please stay in your hotel until I have further information, and he got mad at me because I woke him up,” recounts Pam Overholt, co-owner of Cruise Holidays of Niagara, in Pelham. “We still joke about it.”

Would it be fair to say that there’s at least one or two of us that are really missing our travel? Recent news of potential vaccines has of-

fered a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, and awakened us to planning and dreaming again.

Is travel going to be different this time, or maybe forever? Is it still reasonable of me to expect to deplane in Hanoi, or step off a cruise ship in Budapest, bicycle tucked under my arm, and pedal off to explore?

And when?

How do all these travel offers really work? The ones that urge booking your tour now for 2021, with teases like fully refundable, dates optional, best prices ever, we’ll honor travel credit and vouchers for 12 months, or 24 months. What happens

if the company goes bust?

I read that Portugal will guarantee travellers free hospitalization if they have COVID-related health problems while on holiday there.

Is this to be believed?

I wanted to learn from a professional within the business what was happening in the world of travel, especially soft adventure travel and exotic destinations, and how soon my bicycle tires might be navigating foreign roads again.

After working for Holland America in Vancouver, then having her own travel marketing business in Toronto, Pam Overholt opened shop 23 years ago in Pelham, selling cruises. Driven by customer demand, her business has morphed into a full service travel agency.

“We have customers that are very adventuresome.

They want to do safaris,

Decisions, decisions. How long before the roads in rural Provence are open to bicycle tourists again?

JOHN SWART climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, they have a bucket list,” she said.

Hearing the story above about helping extract a customer from an adverse 9/11 situation, and her tale

of wisely demanding that a niece cut short a trip in Australia and not continue to Indonesia and Thailand early this year, as COVID-19 advanced—then guiding

her to stay away from United States and choosing the most direct flight home via Vancouver— led me to See HANDLEBARS Page 16

Voice

HOROSCOPE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 This week you will display the utmost competence and mastery at work. This could provide an opportunity for supervisors to see what you are made of, Aries.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 The hard work you put into your education will pay dividends shortly, Taurus. You may find it will give you a leg up over others seeking to advance their careers.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, it may be time to have a conversation with your family about resources or finances. The conversation may be tedious, but it is absolutely necessary.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, it is alright if you feel weighed down by a heavy conversation with someone. Not every interaction can be light and airy. Distract yourself if you need a mood reboot.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, if you are in a relationship, it is possible that this week you will reach a particular level of intimacy that many couples aspire to. You are definitely in an intuitive space.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Family obligations leave you with little free time for rest and recreation for the next several days, Virgo. It can be sobering to give up the fun, but duty calls for a little while.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Let your imagination run a little wild and enjoy being aspontaneous, Libra. You can use some time to fantasize about what the future holds.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you may seek out the advice of a role model who embodies a

lifestyle that you admire. Don’t hesitate to put your own spin on things if you want to do so.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Your gift of gab could help you secure a raise or even a better job, Sagittarius. Demonstrate that you can fill the role well and not just talk your way through.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you may find yourself opening up to new ideas or beliefs.

Remember to take everything at face value until you have had ample time to do your research.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, like so many people you have been spending more time at home lately. You may get back into the groove of socializing and interacting with others soon enough.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, carve out some time to have an important conversation with a loved one about future plans. It is time to take a few serious steps.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER 22 Scarlett Johansson, Actress (36) NOVEMBER 23 Chris Hardwick, Comic (49) NOVEMBER 24 Katherine Heigl, Actress (42) NOVEMBER 25 Billy Burke, Actor (54) NOVEMBER 26 Rita Ora, Singer (30) NOVEMBER 27 Jaleel White, Actor (44) NOVEMBER 28 Karen Gillan, Actress (32)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Astern 2. Goalie 3. Annuli 4. ETA 5. Babies 6. Bilbo 8. Sty 9. Damn 11. Gleg 14. Bah 15. One more 18. DH 19. CRT 20. Adar 22. Benefit 23. Oak 24. Obi 27. Bios 28. Urn 29. Wee 31. Bdl 32. Camera 33. Elm 34. AR 35. Tewa 36. Ibexes 37. Oblige 38. Nelson 39. Bibb 40. Isaac 44. Sac 47. Did

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Aga 4. Ebb 7. Son 8. Staid 10. Tang 12. Tabla 13. Elul 14. Bay 16. IBM 17. Riled 19. Can 20. Aeon 21. Neighborhoods 25. Eat 26. TBA 27. Bunk 29. Whir 30. Ire 31. Bee 32. Confederation 39. Bias 41. Ill 42. Rebbe 43. Ism 44. STM 45. Well 46. Baeda 48. Axis 49. Baric 50. Ego 51. Cad 52. Sen

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays!

From our family to yours...stay safe

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Page 21

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Things I learned from my grandkids

I

’m realizing more and more just how much I have in common with my youngest grandchild. Caleb is 11 months and is just beginning to walk. We both like to sleep a lot, we both get grumpy when hungry, and we’re both ridiculously cute. Yep, he’s a chip off the ol’ block. Seriously, I have been learning lots of things from my grandkids.

Here are three.

Humble trust

Children have a wonderful capacity to trust and that’s true of my six grandkids. When you tell them something (with a serious face), they believe it. Sometimes I say something ridiculous (with a straight face) to encourage them to begin using their critical thinking skills. I then explain it to them so they’re not confused. Trusting can be a good thing if the object of our trust is good. But it can also make a child vulnerable if they trust the wrong person or advice.

One day Jesus’ disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus was not impressed and called a child nearby to stand in their midst. He then said to his disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) He was not asking them to be childish, but to be child-like in their humility and faith.

Jesus was molding them to become servant leaders.

Carefree faith

My grandkids don’t worry about a whole lot. They know they are loved by their parents and grandparents (and other relatives) and that makes them feel secure. They are also being taught that there is a God (even though they can’t see him) and that He loves and

cares for them even more than we do.

They know there will be food on the table in the morning and a warm bed to jump into at night. So, their days are filled with playing and learning, laughing and crying, sharing and fighting. But not worrying. Jesus once asked His listeners if they could add one hour to their lives by worrying (see Matthew 6:27). The answer is “no” (but you can subtract quite a few).

Chip off the ol' block, Caleb.

ROB WEATHERBY

Real emotions

There’s no pretense with children.

They haven’t learned yet how to hide their true feelings and emotions.

If they are upset, you soon find out. If they are hungry, they let you know. With See FAITH LIFT Page 19

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Apple Vinegar Chicken This recipe for “Poulet au Vinaigre” from “Simple Soirées: Seasonal Menus for Sensational Dinner Parties” (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) by Peggy Knickerbocker takes about an hour to get on the table and it’s a flavorful dish that can be a succulent and special option for holiday meals.

Poulet au Vinaigre Serves 6 to 8 12

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chicken thighs (about 3 to 4 pounds), bone in Salt and freshly ground black pepper tablespoons unsalted butter tablespoons olive oil shallots, minced cloves garlic, minced cup apple cider vinegar cups dry white wine tablespoon tomato paste cups chicken stock, preferably homemade cup chopped Italian parsley

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Donna Boksa's weathervane, back in fine fettle. his work, considering it a labour of love.

While leaving Eller’s workshop, Boksa notice a stained glass rooster

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wondered whether he might be able to weld her treasure.

Ryan examined the weathervane at his Balfour Road auto shop, but said that he didn’t have the specific tools required to weld copper. He referred her to Clarence’s Garage in Fenwick, saying, “If they can’t fix it, they’ll know who can.”

Boksa was told at Clarence’s that she should seek out a local retiree and farming machinist named Gary Eller, who maintained a workshop at his rural property on Sixteen Road.

“Gary loved my little piece of coppery artistry, and knew what needed to be done,” said Boksa.

Eller was happy to have a go at the challenge, and refused to accept payment for

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Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper to taste. In a large, deep skillet (big enough to hold all chicken fairly close together; or use two skillets), melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for about 8 minutes, turning so both sides get nicely browned. Transfer the chicken to a deep, broad, ovenproof casserole that can go from the oven to the table.

Remove the skillet from the heat and pour off most of the fat.

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Place the skillet back over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until they become translucent. Add the vinegar and wine, and stir up the crispy bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan. Allow the liquids to cook down a bit, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Whisk in the tomato paste and let the sauce simmer and condense, about 5 minutes more. Then add the chicken stock, a little at a time. Keep stirring to mix well.

Pour the sauce over the chicken. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken is very tender, turning the chicken pieces halfway through, so that both sides are infused with the sauce. Remove one thigh and cut into it to make sure it is done and no red juices flow from the cut.

Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the parsley on top, and serve.

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had worked with stained glass before, Boksa offered to fix Eller’s rooster weathervane, as a thank-you gesture for Eller’s good deed.

The first thing Eller did was call up his friend, neighbor, and old school chum Robert Wegman.

“He’s good with a welding torch, and has specialized skills in repairing copper,” said Eller of his buddy. The carriage had no wheels, so Wegman went to work fashioning the rims and spokes out of soldered wire. Six weeks later, the pair of octogenarians had restored the weathervane to its original splendor.

Boksa returned to the Eller workshop with the rooster weathervane, which she had repaired with the help of a stained glass artisan in St. Catharines named Caroline Freeland. She was thrilled to see her restored horse and buggy weathervane brought back to life.

“It’s wonderful that in our community we have people willing to share their unique talents to help a neighbor or someone from the local area. All it took was asking someone, who then knew someone else willing to assist. This is part of why I love living in Pelham,” said Boksa. “During this time of isolation, it’s nice to know we are not alone. I was delighted to get acquainted with Gary and Robert, and hear some of their stories of Pelham ‘back in the day,’” she said.

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The Voice, November 25, 2020

Sporting Green The Niagara

Page 23

Swart: Bike tours, cruises, all on indefinite 20 hiatus

The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | November 25, 2020

Falls teen commits to Niagara University MacClean to play Division 1 soccer

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

Maia MacLean finally had something to smile about Thursday after what has been an incredibly trying 2020.

The Grade 12 student at Saint Paul celebrated signing her commitment letter to play NCAA Division 1 soccer at Niagara University with a hug from her parents, Dina and Dave MacLean, and a kiss on the cheek from her nonna, Mary DiCarlo.

In addition to dealing with all the concerns and upheaval related to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, the 17-year-old Niagara Falls native lost her beloved nonno, Sam DiCarlo, in March, and then was diagnosed with and had surgery to remove a non-malignant tumour in her stomach in July.

“This decision was pretty easy but there has been a lot of things going on in my life,” the five-foot-three midfielder said. “It’s a big boost to my confidence and I am so excited.”

The signing has helped her forget the health issues she faced in the summer.

“It was a very scary time but it’s all good now. I am back to normal, I am healthy and I can’t wait to go play.”

She agrees it wasn’t easy to deal with all the curves thrown her way in 2020 but she managed to persevere.

“It was knowing that my family and my friends were at my side and that my nonno is up in heaven looking down on me and watching over me.”

The Western New York Flash player chose Niagara over offers from the University of South Alabama, University of South Florida, Canisius, University of Rhode Island, Dayton, and Campbell.

“It’s a beautiful campus, it has great academics and I am excited to meet the team and the coaches. I can’t wait to have my family and friends come and watch me play.”

The deciding factor for her was the leadership at Niagara.

“The coaches were very convincing,” she said. “They are awesome people and they have been there for me all the time helping me out, I am very appreciative.”

MacLean realized she had a chance to play NCAA Division 1 soccer when she first joined the Flash seven years ago.

“They told me that it would come one day and my teammates started committing last year,” she said. “I knew my time would come and my coaches and teammates helped me through everything. It was awesome.”

She is not taking anything for granted even though she is signed, sealed and delivered to Niagara.

“I have to keep working hard, keep my fitness level up, keep my academics up and stay strong and confident.”

Her main goal is to just make the team.

“I can’t wait to keep playing soccer.

I like meeting new girls, meeting new coaches, getting the chance to play at the D1 level and competing against different teams across the country.”

MacLean will be staying in residence at Niagara in Lewiston, N.Y., for her first two years, for sure, and probably all four years. Having her family so close is a godsend.

“They are not even 20 minutes away so that’s awesome. That’s a huge thing because my family and I have been close forever.”

She plans to study education with

Maia MacLean gets a congratulatory peck from her nonna, Mary DiCarlo. hopes of becoming a French, math or science teacher. Her mother teaches at Saint Paul.

MacLean started playing soccer when she was five. She has suited up with Niagara United, the Niagara Regional team and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Rangers before joining the Western New York Flash.

“The Flash has got me this far,” she said.

The Flash has advanced to the national championships the past three seasons. In 2016, MacLean helped her Niagara-on-the-Lake team win an Ontario Cup. She assisted on the first goal and scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory.

Saint Paul coach Steve Abbruscato has loved having MacLean on his team.

“She is a great leader for our team and she is an excellent player,” he said. “It’s her passion for the sport, her dedication to becoming better, she’s fit, she plays at

a very high level and she is the engine of our team.”

Abbruscato has seen steady improvement in MacLean, whom he describes as Saint Paul’s best player.

“She has always been a highly technical player and where she has improved the most is her leadership,” he said. “As she has gotten older, she has been able to lead by example on the field and she is very well-liked too.

“She has that respect and is very coachable. She is an all-around great athlete and a great person as well.”

Abbruscato is certain MacLean will be successful at the NCAA Division 1 level.

“I have been around the game long enough to know what it takes and she possesses all the qualities required.”

Like every high school player moving to the university level in any sport, MacLean’s biggest adjustment will come with dealing with the physicality of older

DI CARLO FAMILY

players. Abbruscato isn’t worried.

“The thing with Maia is that she is a tough player and she’s doesn’t give up easily. She’s determined and physically she is very fit and strong. There’s no doubt in my mind that she will be able to keep up with the pace and physicality.”

MacLean comes from a gene pool swimming with high-level athletic talent. Her aunt, Amanda DiCarlo, played scholarship soccer at the University of Maryland Baltimore. Among her first cousins are Nicholas MacLean, on a golf scholarship at Adelphi University, and Eric MacLean, a scholarship golfer at Niagara University. Some of her more illustrious second cousins include Frank Pietrangelo, who won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins; Gina Pietrangelo, who had a dual scholarship at Princeton University for soccer and hockey; and Louise Pietrangelo, a scholarship hockey player at Dartmouth.

Page 24

PROXY

continued from Page 11 why boards generally do not countenance proxy voting or any other form of participation in decision-making without participating in the shared discussion that leads up to the decision making.”

Siegal said that a council member could enter a meeting with one view but switch views because of the nature of the discussion, or sometimes a member of the board “might present one of those surprise blockbuster bits of information that puts the issue in a whole different light.”

During the pandemic we have been forced to change our way of doing things, Siegal pointed out, saying that the provision for virtual meetings—by telephone or video conference—

The Voice, November 25, 2020 has been a positive thing.

“People can discuss issues in real time, even though they must remain separate for public health reasons. People feel like it is a second-best alternative, but it is a necessity.

Personally, I don't see the necessity associated with proxy voting.”

Siegal said that councillors can attend virtual meetings to hear and participate in all the discussion with no danger to their health, as municipal councils have been doing across Canada since the start of the pandemic.

“I see no reason why people who have not ‘attended’ a meeting and benefited from the discussion at the meeting should be able to vote on an issue, when the person might not be informed of important matters that were discussed at the meeting.”

CORNER

continued from Page 2 of them could have telephoned or emailed Wiens earlier that day. Instead, it appears that their true intent was to publicly humiliate. Neither Hildebrandt nor Haun acknowledged a Voice request for comment.

It was a petty, mean-spirited moment, one beneath the dignity of their offices.

By all accounts, this town is lucky to have a professional of Wiens’ stature on board, and she deserves the respect which her professional achievements have earned her...It’s the most magical time of the year: By which we mean break time. The Voice will publish its last 2020 issue on Dec. 23. Then we’re on a two-

week break that can’t come soon enough, returning Jan. 13. So if you need to get a message out to Pelham before January, you have four issues to go!…The closer: Brenda and Steve took their six-year-old son to the doctor. With some hesitation, they explained that although their little angel appeared to be in good health, they were concerned about his rather small manhood.

After examining the child, the doctor confidently declared, “Just feed him pancakes. That should solve the problem.” The next morning when the boy arrived at breakfast, there was a large stack of warm pancakes in the middle of the table.

“Gee, Mum!” he exclaimed.

“For me?” “Just take two,” Brenda replied. “The rest are for your father.” ◆

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

STOKED! Proud dad James Stokes says he hopes that other young volunteers will be inspired by his kids Callie and Nicholas, shown with the two shopping bags of trash they collected along the Steve Bauer Trail recently.

JAMES STOKES