The Voice, September 4 2019

Fonthill doctor quits under cloud page 3 Tony Quirk vindicated page 10 New top IceDog in town page 14 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.23 No.36

September 4, 2019

FREE

Column Six

Relishing summer's end

Don't tell Saint Maria

BY ROB BELCHIOR

Special to the VOICE

F

BYE-BYE BURGERS AND BRATS This week is your last chance to enjoy al fresco servings of fine Fonthill Lions' grilled meats, as Pelham's seasonal Supper Market comes to a delicious end on Thursday night. Lions President and Grill Master Ted Gula served 'em up with a smile throughout the summer. It's also the Fonthill Bandshell Concert series' last performance, featuring a Journey tribute band. Don't stop believin'—they'll all be back again next spring.

DAVE BURKET PHOTO

OR MOST OF MY life I’ve known my oldest sister is a saint. I’m sure the Vatican would disagree with me, but given recent history, I’m not sure the Vatican is the best judge of character anyways. And it bugs me that the Vatican won’t even consider you for sainthood until you’re dead. I don’t want my sister to be dead. The Vatican also needs to see proof of miracles, and not just any old “miracle,” like, “It’s a miracle that hardly anyone died from measles after the vaccine came out.”

I’m talking about real miracles, like curing someone’s blindness, or solving the Caramilk mystery, or persuading Trump not to tweet.

Personally, I think all of that is a bit excessive. Not all that surprising, given the Catholic Church’s affinity for rich symbolism and dramatic rituals, but what’s wrong with recognizing all the smaller miracles? Like, have you ever seen what happens after a Catholic funeral? Never mind loaves and fish, how do all those See COLUMN SIX back page

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Page 2

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Arches fundraiser, Oct. 19

IN THE NEWS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

by Dave Burket

The stars align: And not necessarily in a good way. Things were coasting along nicely last week, the Labour Day long weekend ahead, with the prospect of an early finish to this week’s paper and possibly even a BBQ on the back deck. Such hopes were dashed when it became clear that the woman we’re calling Jane Smith would agree to speak on the record (page 3). More on this later...First, some thanks: A visitor who wished to remain anonymous dropped by last week with a 35-year-old Pelham Herald for our collection. The front page story? “Terry Yunblut 1984 Grape King.” The accompanying photo caption noted that Terry’s father, Wallace, was named 1968’s Grape King. It was the first time in the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival’s then-33-year history that members of the same family had been bestowed such regal honours. We are so close to the printer yelling for these pages that I don’t have time to Google whether this festival still exists. I can say, though, that something called the Mayors’ Invitational Grape Stomp is coming up on September 21, and Pelham’s own Mayor Junkin is preparing to turn his feet purple. Eagle-eyed readers who know the family, by the way, will have spotted the spelling mistake in that 1984 headline. It’s Yungblut, with a “g”! Silly Pelham Herald. Glad we never make mistakes...

Another addition: A very not-anonymous Berniece Alsop also dropped off a paper last week, this time a Pelham This Week, from 1993, its first year of publication. A young Sharon Crowe was featured on the cover, from July, holding up fresh ears of corn. Now, because the universe likes to do this sort of thing, also last week, one Ken Crowe came in. Again, no time to check, but I’m guessing this would be Sharon’s dad. Anyway, Ken loaned us a 1917 Fenwick Fall Show program, which I had every intent to scan and present in this week’s issue, but...see screwy stars, above. Ken, I’ll do so at the earliest opportunity...Did you enjoy eraser cleaning duty? The Pelham Historical Society’s tireless Carolyn Botari alerts us to a new display: “Back to School in the 1800s and early 1900s” has been set up by the Society in their cabinet at the Fonthill library, featuring photos of many of Pelham's one room schoolhouses. Was inhaling all that chalk dust at 10 responsible for the fate of my pate by 40?...Your chance to speak: The Town has not been shy about letting us all know that it wants resident input regarding the 2020 budget (ad, page 11). Speak up, or forever hold your peace...Your chance to act: Oh, this is tempting (ad, page 15)...Sponsor an arch: Get one while the getting’s good (ad, back page; story, this page)...The third Chevelle in a row: Word is that this year’s Fenwick Lions’ Chevy prize may be the last, with maybe a Mustang up next year. Tickets are still available for the draw, set for this Saturday at Centennial Park...

Are we out of room yet? May I just say, apropos of page 3, and in general, that not all males are wired the same. Are we? How women have put up with us for millennia is an enduring mystery, if not miracle. Hug your mother, your wife, your daughter or granddaughter a little more tightly tonight. ♦

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

Pelham Transit expanding

Beginning Tuesday, Pelham Transit started operating a two-bus system—the Pelham Circuit, and the Pelham Connector. The two buses allow for consistent transit stops throughout Pelham and connections in Welland, says a Town of Pelham news release.

New additions to the schedule are Niagara Region Transit stops at the Meridian Community Centre, between 7-9 AM and 3-5 PM, Monday through Friday. These stops are done during their route between Brock University and Niagara College. During these peak hours, Pelham Transit runs a half-an-hour service through Pelham on the 801: Pelham Circuit. Between 9 AM – 3 PM. On Saturdays, Pelham Transit will run two routes.

The 801: Pelham Circuit is an hourly service from North Pelham through Fenwick to the Meridian Community Centre. This route has new stops at CannTrust, Sandra Drive, and Ker Crescent East, Sandra Drive and Ker Crescent West, Sandra Drive and Maple Street, Canboro and Cream, and Brewerton Boulevard Park.

The 802: Pelham Connector is a half hour service from the Meridian Community Centre to Niagara College and Seaway Mall. Between Pelham Transit buses, there will be transfers available at no additional cost.

Pelham Transit now accepts and issues Niagara Region transfers. To be issued a transfer, there will be an additional fee of $3 on top of the $3 fare for Pelham Transit.

Transfers must be handed to the driver.

Pelham Transit remains free for all riders every Saturday.

However, Niagara Region Transfer will not be available on Saturdays.

The fall 2019 Pelham Transit Schedules are available on the bus, at Town Hall, and at the Meridian Community Centre.

To view or download the fall 2019 Pelham Transit Schedule online, please visit: www.pelham.ca/transit

Niagara Region Transit expanding service

​ lso starting on Tuesday, Niagara Region Transit expandA ed service on many of its routes and added service to the Town of Pelham. As a result of these changes, almost all Niagara Region Transit routes will have standardized service hours available Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 10 PM. According to a Niagara Region press release, riders can download the free Transit App for use on iOS and Android devices or they can find all the transit information they need including schedules, fares and maps by visiting niagararegion.ca/transit.

Voice

See IN THE NEWS Page 12

With the Fonthill Arches set to rise again, the group responsible for the project is gearing up for a major fall fundraiser to help pay for them.

The Raise the Arches social event goes October 19 at the community centre, and while tickets haven’t gone on sale yet, Frank Adamson says demand is already high.

“We’ve already got people saying, ‘Where are the tickets?’” said Adamson.

“Hopefully that will be the end of [this] week.”

Adamson, the reigning Pelham Citizen of the Year, is a major force behind the arches’ revival through the Rotary Club, working in conjunction with Pelham’s Summerfest Committee.

After all, it was Adamson and current Summerfest chair Bob Gibson who presented the plan to Pelham Town Council to bring the arches back, and pay for them solely through private donations— along with providing a reserve maintenance fund.

They appear to be well on track. Adamson says they have raised approximately $57,000 to date, with hopes that the fall fundraiser brings in another $20,000.

He figures the project will cost around $80,000.

“We’re just finalizing what we think the costs are going to be, costing materials at this point in time,” Adamson said.

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The fundraiser itself promises to be a major event on the community calendar.

“It’s going to be fairly high-end food, fine wine,” Adamson said.

Another highlight of the event will be the silent auction of loca artist Annette Steele’s painting of the arches, “Where We Gather.” Adamson also plans to use an image of the painting on thank-you cards, which will be sold later.

“She’s terrific,” Adamson said of Steele. “Just very, very passionate about the arches and getting them back up again.”

If everything goes according to plan, the new arches will arise above the same stretch of Pelham Town Square in the spring, well before next year’s Summerfest.

“It’s a day,” Adamson said, of how long it will take to raise the arches.

“It’s basically a crane and putting them all together.”

The previous arches— made of low-grade plywood, to the consternation of many—were destroyed by wind last February. Rotary and the Summerfest Committee are overseeing the project with better-quality materials this time, and Adamson says they’ll last much longer. “[The old ones] were meant to last a season, they lasted six,” he said.

“Bill [Gibson] is designing the new ones, and he and I will be long gone before the arches will.”

There are 250 tickets available for the October 19 Raise the Arches event, at $75 each. They are expected to be on sale later this week at RaiseTheArches. ca, and at various locations around town.

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Column Six Growing up British Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

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Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

BY JOHN SWART

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The Voice, September 4, 2019

Page 3

In face of sexual assault allegations, Fonthill doctor quits Longtime family practitioner agrees never to seek licensing again—anywhere in Canada

BY DAVE BURKET

The VOICE

Dr. Charles Duncan, whose family medicine practice has been a fixture for decades at the corner of Highway 20 and Rice Road in Fonthill, has resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). He has further agreed not to seek a medical license again in Ontario, or elsewhere in Canada.

Duncan’s resignation is effective October 31.

Following a monthslong investigation by the CPSO, the institution publicly released the terms of Duncan’s resignation on Thursday, August 22.

Summarizing the document—known as an “undertaking”—the CPSO stated: “College investigations were conducted into whether Dr. Duncan engaged in professional misconduct or is incompetent in his family medicine practice. In the face of these investigations, Dr. Duncan resigned from the College and has agreed never to apply or reapply for registration as a physician in Ontario or any other jurisdiction.”

The undertaking is publicly accessible on the College’s website. Shortly after it was posted, an individual related to a woman who alleges being twice sexually assaulted by Duncan contacted the Voice to bring the document to the newspaper’s attention.

The woman herself ultimately agreed to speak on the record about her experiences with Duncan, though on condition that the newspaper withhold her name.

She met with the Voice last Saturday, a short distance from her parents’ home in Fonthill. She answered all questions asked of her, and provided copies of a police report and emails which she asserted bolstered her allegations.

For simplicity, the woman will be referred to as “Jane Smith,” and hers was not the only claim made against Duncan. In fact, Smith’s involvement in the CPSO’s investigation nearly didn’t happen at all. A CPSO investigator looking into another claim against Duncan contacted Smith at the last possible moment, late last winter.

Smith answered the phone at work one day in March.

“I got this cold call from an investigator at the CPSO….My response was, ‘Is this a joke?’ It was complete disbelief.”

The investigator assured Smith that she was serious.

“She said, ‘I have been looking for you for months.’

So it was just— my mind was blown at this. This woman had been looking for me to cover all of her ends as an investigator and she found me. It felt fated.”

Outside Charles Duncan's office last week. Duncan did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The investigator told Smith that this was scheduled to be her final day on the case.

“It was her last attempt to locate me before she closed the file on the complaint.”

The delay in tracking Smith down was due to a change of name. She had married and taken her husband’s family name. But ten years earlier, in her first job in the medical profession, she had been hired by Dr. Charles Duncan, under her maiden name, at his practice in Fonthill.

It was in Duncan’s office and exam rooms that she alleges the sexual advances and assaults occurred. At the time, Duncan was in his

60s. Smith was in her 20s.

The Voice tried repeatedly, through email, telephone calls, social media, and an in-person visit to his office, to obtain comment from Duncan related to his resignation, and to the allegations made by Smith. He had provided no response by press time.

From the investigator, Smith learned that the CPSO was looking into other allegations made against Duncan.

In the course of their investigation, the CPSO sought to contact all current and former staff involved with Duncan’s practice. The investigator was unaware that Smith herself had been

allegedly assaulted by Duncan a decade earlier.

In fact, almost no one knew.

Following the incidents, which Smith said occurred a week apart—both happening while she was alone with Duncan—Smith told only her immediately family, and later her husband, what had transpired.

She also, a few days later, on July 6, 2009, told the Niagara Regional Police.

Smith provided the Voice with a copy of an NRPS incident report from that date, describing in detail Duncan’s alleged actions.

Smith said that she filed the report for informational purposes only, and spe-

VOICE PHOTO

cifically told the police that she did not want to bring a criminal complaint against Duncan.

“I struggled with it for maybe a week and I chose to make a police report, an information police report... the intention behind it was to help another person, to document it, to give credence in case somebody else comes forward, and I left it, and that was it.”

And indeed that was it— for a decade.

In both the incident report and in her recollection of events when speaking with the Voice, Smith described herself as young, See DUNCAN Page 11

Pelham sees abrupt departure of second family doctor in as many years In August 2017, Dr. Duane Pelser suddenly closed his practice, leaving a host of questions unanswered, until now

Duncan and Pelser both practiced from the same building, on Highway 20 at Rice Road, in Fonthill.

VOICE PHOTO

In the months leading up to the closure of his medical office in late summer 2017, two individuals approached the Voice with allegations of personal misconduct by Dr. Duane Pelser.

Coincidentally, earlier that year Pelser had moved his family practice into the same building in which Dr. Charles Duncan maintained his practice—into office space, in fact, occupied by the Voice until December 2016.

Citing concerns for their personal safety, neither individual who contacted the newspaper would agree to speak on the record, even if their names and

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

potentially identifying personal details were withheld.

One provided police incident report numbers, reports which allegedly containing information related to Pelser’s conduct outside the office. The Niagara Regional Police Service denied the newspaper’s Freedom of Information request to obtain copies, noting that the request had to come with the consent of the complainant. The complainant was ultimately not willing to

provide this consent to the Voice.

Both individuals asserted that Pelser was under investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Citing confidentiality regulations, the CPSO would not confirm at the time whether Pelser was being investigated.

In August 2017, the CPSO stated that Pelser’s medical license had been suspended due to his failure to pay his renewal dues in a timely manner.

In an interview with the Voice, Pels-

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Page 4

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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 Put that gun away

W

HO’D EVER think there would be a time to write another opinion piece on the topic of gun control? However, tolerance does have its limits and the rate of gun related violence, here and in the USA, has not triggered sufficient intolerance to show enough people care enough. The death toll and injury rate due to the wide availability of guns has not caught the attention of enough people to rate it as a crisis.

Firstly, take the matter of handguns. The primary purpose of a handgun is to shoot people. It is befitting that those in law enforcement need be equipped with such weapons as they encounter those who wantonly ignore laws or threaten the lives and welfare of others.

It is difficult to rationalize the utility and possession of handguns to other than law enforcement, if a society is to be considered truly civil.

Many people might disagree with that last statement.

Hopefully, they will be civil and unarmed when exercising that opposition. By virtue of its definition, it is hard to fathom why in a civ-

ilized society so many people need a loaded handgun in their nightstand or in the glovebox of their vehicle.

Then there is the matter of long guns. An even worse scenario. To those who have

The number of these weapons held in US households exceeds the number stocked by the armed forces

the need to shoot wild game for sustenance or recreation then a rifle or shotgun is a logical extension to that compunction. The license to kill carries with it the responsibility to properly store and secure these (unloaded) weapons so as no harm to society should come about by their misuse.

Beyond that, a weapon such as the infamous AK47, and its kin, must surely exceed the need for hunting

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Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Mike Balsom, Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Gloria J. Katch, Megan Metler, John Piccolo, Bill Potrecz, John Swart, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

or household protection by a wide margin. These aggressive killing machines with large capacity cartridges are weapons of war. Their primary purpose is to effectively and efficiently destroy as many humans as possible with one pull of the trigger.

The presence of these in domestic households is difficult to justify by even the most liberal interpretation of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. It is an alarming fact that the number of these weapons held in US households exceeds the number stocked by the armed forces of that country.

There is some comfort in knowing that gun ownership in Canada is somewhat restrictive. Those who ignore or offend these gun control measures and, especially those who dare use guns in the commission of crimes in Canada, need be prosecuted to the very ends of the law. Law enforcement agencies should develop amnesty programs that allow people in possession of guns to turn these in anonymously, without penalty or questioning. AdditionalSee GUNS next page

Letters Do as I say, not as I do It is interesting to note the number postings the Town has put on its website, including recommending other websites, over the years to help residents control the gypsy moth infestation on their property.

Some suggestions include burlap banding, or banding with sticky barriers around the trunk of the trees. It's unfortunate the Town never followed its own advice and band all those infested trees during the years it didn't spray.

During the last council meeting, August 12, Councillor Ron Kore asked the new CAO if he would delay the billing of the gypsy

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

Ward 1 Councillor Mike Ciolfi mciolfi@pelham.ca 905-892-0077

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755

Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840

Electoral District: Niagara West

Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 289-929-2681 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

Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805 Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475

moth spray invoice for a few days until they could review the complaints/concerns associated with the spraying at their meeting on September 4.

The CAO simply answered in the negative.

This was rather an arbitrary answer based on a legitimate request for a few days delay, impacting 294 residents.

Frank Feeley Fonthill

}

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The Voice, September 4, 2019

Page 5

OPINION Webster's and Trudeau's use of English In response to Art Woodruff's letter regarding our Prime Minister Trudeau's response to the findings of the Ethics Commissioner [“Trudeau’s reaction appropriate,” August 28, p. 5], I can only agree on the point that opposition MPs are expected to condemn him.

If Trudeau stated that he did not break the law but only violated the law, then the Webster’s English Dictionary needs his help, as one of the synonyms of "violate" is break. Obviously this is “lawyer-speak,” just like his previous denials of attempting to influence the Justice Minister.

As far as violating the law in order to stand up for Canadian jobs, I guess it would be acceptable for the leader of the Canadian Auto Workers Union to violate any court injunction handed down in the name of saving Canadian jobs.

As to why the SNC-Lavelin affair had not been acted on by previous governments I do not know. But I do know that the De-

ferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) only became available under Trudeau's regime in September 2018. This DPA was stuck in with an omnibus bill with budget agenda.

Trudeau earlier had stated that he would not use an omnibus bill as Harper had done. Things were going to be transparent. Well, maybe translucent, or opaque, or maybe shady. He did not break a promise, he just violated it.

If Wilson-Raybould was shuffled for business reasons then I guess the business was to shut her up.

Trudeau has shown that his word is not to be trusted, and has plans to violate the enjoyment and lifestyle of a few million Canadians along with the help of Minister Bill Blair in order to get re-elected.

Let us hope that Canadians have a good memory.

Bill McLeod Welland

Not pleased by gypsy moth spray charge I was notified there would be spraying commenced to prevent the spread of the gypsy moth.

What I wasn't told was that a cost of $260 would be assessed to homeowners in the spray area.

I take exception with being threatened with interest penalties if not paid by the end of August, and also take exception that it would be added to your property taxes if not paid.

I guess it is a lot easier for the Mayor, Town Council and staff to just charge the owners rather than explore other avenues.

I emailed the Mayor and I did receive a response that it was done to stop

I take exception with being threatened with interest penalties

the spread of the gypsy moth and that it is not fair to charge owners not in the spray area. If this is a preventative measure, why does it not include everybody? Owners in the nonspray area that have trees also benefit from it not

spreading to their trees.

I have 12 maple trees on my property. Dead leaves started falling off my trees around the first of August.

At this point I don't know if it is just dead leaves falling or I have paid the town $260 to kill my trees.

Stu Wilson Fonthill

This U-10 team was one of many that hit the pitch at Glynn A. Green school for Soccerfest.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Soccerfest 2019 a success We just want to say thank you to the organizers of Soccerfest 2019. After a wet spring, Pelham minor soccer executive were able to reboot plans and organize an event for the last soccer day (which was August 24) for its participants, instead of its usual June spring date. We are thankful to the volunteers who organized and gave their time for Soccerfest. Our kids had a wonder-

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ly, it would likely be widely accepted by peace-loving citizens if buy-back programs for contentious weapons were introduced in both the US and Canada. The so-called “Red Flag” legislation may legitimately be contested as going too far. However, if the rate of gun possession and gun-related crime is not curtailed, such extreme measures may come to the fore. Likely it may be safe to assume that many people is this country contend that the status quo on gun control has not yet met with their expectations. Maybe some day enough people will care enough that the issue of gun possession will be under stricter control. ♦

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ful day. We’d also like to say thank you to all the coaches who volunteered their time to coach and show our kids new skills and give them confidence moving ahead in all that lies ahead for them. We are looking forward to whatever the 2020 season holds for Pelham Minor Soccer! Thanks again!

The Moore Family Fonthill

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

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Did you meet your spouse-to-be in jail or on an African safari?

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Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca

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Page 6

Letters

The Voice, September 4, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

continued

Grateful for big-hearted help When my car died recently on Merritt Road, in Fonthill, I learned what big hearts people in this town have.

A young lady who was running on the pathway on Line Avenue stopped when she saw me, and quickly flagged down another vehicle, to ask the driver if she had a phone to call CAA. She did, and CAA arrived, much to this octogenarian's relief.

I wish I had asked for their names, but if they are reading this, please know how very grateful I am for your kindness.

Heather Rohrer Fonthill

Kore-ing long overdue Good to hear there is a councillor asking questions [Kore takes aim at CAO, staff over bus, August 21, p. 3]. It has been a long time since I've heard anyone over at Town Hall questioning the financial department and the CAO on their rationale.

Pamela Robb Fonthill

Added apostrophe says it all As a resident of this wonderful small town called Fenwick, I am always appalled every time I drive by the CannTrust facility on Balfour Road.

The reeking, foul odor that is belched out from that compound is like a punch in the face, every single time.

I can’t help but feel truly sorry for the nearby residents who are immersed in that stench all day long. We know the devastating effects it has leveled against their property values.

But the bigger question should be, what kind of long-term effect is it having on their health?

It’s a shame to think that the loveliness of our small town and its residents were sold out by a bunch of self-serving politicians and greenhouse owners who were only interested one thing . . . big money.

For the sake of political expediency and financial greed, Fenwick was sold out to the weed-king capitalists, with no concern for the stinking fallout that would affect the entire community of hardworking taxpayers for years to come. However, the irony of it all should not be lost in all of this debacle.

The licensed CannTrust facility was busted for having an illegal grow-op area, complete with a false wall, for growing unlicensed weed!

Imagine that, still growing it like the good ol’ days.

Gotta wonder who they were selling it to? I guess they weren’t making enough money through the ordinary legal channels.

Oh well, so much for trust. But what did we really expect when you mix politicians, psychoactive drugs, and huge profits?

Methinks some rebranding is in order, including an immediate name change.

Nothing big. Just the addition of a little apostrophe.

Welcome to Cann’Trust, where everything we say and do can’t be trusted. I would even provide the can of spay paint to touch up their sign.

Cheers everyone. Keep smiling. Fenwick is still the best place to live . . . even if all of us now have the munchies 24/7. At least our Avondale should be busy for years to come! I hear their chip sales are through the roof.

John Dunn Fenwick

Get out and attend the meetings Our representives on the Cannabis Control Committee wrote an Open Letter to Pelham Residents in the August 28 edition of the Voice, urging us to be present at the September 10 public meeting (Community Centre, 5:30 PM) and the September 23 council meeting (Town Hall) to be sure our voices are heard before crucial decisions are made. The Committee is not satisfied with the staff-proposed regulations, including the distance they will be allowed from homes. If this committee, which has worked with Brock and the Vineland research station, is not happy, we should be alarmed. Hopefully there will be a good turnout at the meetings. Both distance and odours will be discussed.

Tillie Clapp Fenwick

Pelham High School memorabilia at Marshville We had our Pelham High School display set up in the Country Store at Marshville over Labour Day weekend. We were pleased to see many former students and staff take the beautiful drive through the country and join us there.

Vilma Moretti Fonthill

Distracted male drivers take note—next time it could be you in jail This very incident concerns me [Pelham man arrested in fatal hit-and-run, August 28, p. 2]. I too live in a rural area—Pelham—and I too walk these roads, and there’s a couple of times

When are drivers going to smarten up? I have a family I’d like to come home too as well.

LeAnne Bale Via Facebook

Applauds recent policy change regarding conservation authorities Hopefully the PC government has seen the light, after a long dark winter under the egregious actions by the Conservation Authorities (C.A.s) and Conservation Ontario. Far too long people have been denied the use of their property or even the ability to build their homes because of the abusive actions of the C.A.s, under policy which had been devised, partially, through Conservation Ontario.

Many may be of the opinion that the C.A.s were created to stop people from building homes, planting crops, restricting the use of property, based in some false narrative of water conservation, and “reduce and prevent the costly devastating damages of flooding.”

To accomplish this mandate, the C.A.s were to clean out rivers, dredge waterways and build dams for reservoirs, in case of drought. They were never intended to designate private property as “wet-lands,” create havoc through denied ability to build a home, onerous permitting fees, and the evenworse application of draconian fines.

YOUR FRIENDLY FONTHILL REALTOR

In 1946, the first provincial Conservation Authorities Act was enacted.

The intent/"principle" of the Act was to purchase/ expropriate privately owned land/property for the implementation of its projects, or enter into agreements with private property owners, to fulfill their mandate, as expressed in the legislation and as determined by the legislators.

The principles and intentions of the C.A.s were explained in the 1948 Hansard by the Right Honourable Dana H. Porter: "…in 1946 … the Conservation Authorities Act, and the principle upon which that Act was based was that the municipalities concerned in a river valley could join together and set up an organization which has been defined as a Conservation Authority. That organization has power to adopt a scheme for the control of floods, and in general the conservation of resources in the area, and has power also of expropriation of land and power to carry out any works that may be required to effect an improvement of conditions in the area."

The C.A.s were to clean out rivers, dredge waterways and build dams for reservoirs, in case of drought

And, from the Canadian Water Resources Journal Vol. 17, No.3, 2013: "At the same time, municipalities are becoming increasingly reluctant to bear any greater proportion of the funding load for conservation authorities. … They also express concerns about duplication, or redundancy between authorities and municipalities.

Why pay conservation authorities for work which municipalities are already expected to undertake?

Why inflict another layer upon the taxpayer?"

And as expressed by the Supreme Court of Canada: "There is no reason why a disproportionate share of the cost of such a beneficial

service should be visited upon one member of the community by leaving him uncompensated for damage caused by the existence of that which benefits the community at large."

So, hopefully the PC government has seen the light, after a long dark winter under the egregious actions by the Conservation Authorities (C.A.s) and Conservation Ontario. And let all of the people of Ontario hope this continues.

Elizabeth F. Marshall Director of Research Ontario Landowners Association

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Page 7

Page 8

The Voice, September 4, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

2019 Bandshell Series

ANOTHER ROUND

by John Piccolo

Obviously we have a lack of communication

M

Y WIFE AND SON have managed a great many adventures over the 23 years of his young life. The west coast a couple of times, Australia, England, the east coast and many little jaunts nearer to home. My schedule never allows me to accompany, but a bunch of winters back now I yanked him out of class for a couple of days of wintry activities in Collingwood.

The package I booked included rentals and lessons for either skis or snowboarding. I fully intended to ski but as I thought about it, the challenge of trying something new was something I hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Snowboarding it was. It was quite a fascinating experience.

It was set up so you went through stages at various stations. The first was to simply learn to propel yourself well enough to get to the launching pad. I asked a lot of questions and the very young lady was very good with the explanations.

It was mostly like the little bit of skateboarding I did in my youth, so I aced that one and was off to stage two.

This involved taking a conveyor belt up the bunny hill, where you hook up

with the next instructor.

This is where I learned the first of two things which have benefited me as a golf instructor. Your knowledge of how to do something is

I didn't realize how good the first young lady was until I got to the dude at stage two

mostly useless when teaching someone else how to do the same. It is your ability to communicate which is your greatest asset. Much like the golf industry my experience with snowboard instructors gives waste to the term “certified.”

I didn’t realize how good the first young lady was until I got to the dude at stage two. He wasn’t into detail.

He didn’t get much into how to stop and turn and stuff, and basically encouraged me to just go. To be fair that is how I start my les-

sons. I want to see where the person is starting at so I don’t waste time telling them stuff they don’t need to know. Of course, when teaching snowboarding this tactic could put your students at risk of injury.

Wow! Way harder than it looks. Nothing like skiing.

Nothing like skateboarding that I remembered.

In golf I am constantly talking of the importance of keeping the tension out of your body in order to be successful. I know intellectually it is the same in any activity but when hurtling down the bunny hill at speeds approaching 10 km an hour on an unchangeable path toward an immovable object tension somehow seemed fitting.

At this point I did what all rational people who have bolted their feet to a waxed piece of carbon do in such a situation—ignored all commands emanating from dude and wiped. Hard! Holy crap it hurt.

This is where good instruction can make all the difference. Whereas the first instructor was patient and answered all and even promoted the asking of the most basic questions, I found the next three I dealt See BOARDING next page

Epic Journey

BY JIM CASSON

Special to the VOICE

This Thursday sees the season finale at the Fonthill Bandshell Concerts, with Epic Journey, Canada's Definitive Journey Tribute Band. Epic Journey transports you back in time to the Steve Perry Era of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, “Journey.”

Songs such as "Don't Stop Believin',” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” “Faithfully,” “Anyway You Want It,” Epic Journey will be performing these and other chart-toppers, along with some deep cuts for diehard Journey fans.

We bring you Roy Nichol as “The Voice”

in full costume and backed by an all-star rhythm section of some of Canada's best musicians, who hold a high reverence to the signature parts that you would expect to hear. You will relive the music of Journey when they ruled the airwaves.

Sponsored by Meridian Credit Union, the show starts at 7 PM and runs until 9 PM. There is no cover charge but donations are greatly appreciated to allow the volunteer Bandshell Committee to continue to bring you great concerts each week. For more information visit www.fonthillbandshell.com

New pelham.ca coming soon!

COMING

SEPTEMBER 12 IN YOUR EDITION OF NIAGARA THIS WEEK!

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Page 9

V's classics are better than ever Vera McKeown's new store offers old made fresh

BY GLORIA J. KATCH

Special to the VOICE

"Is this supposed to be happening..."

BOARDING

continued from previous page with less than stellar. Not bad kids and very skilled themselves but not teachers.

I slid and crashed and somehow managed to carve a few turns the rest of that first morning. I also managed to incur more bruising and minor concussions than I have accumulated in a decade’s worth of old-timer hockey.

As lunch grew near, the second benefit of the trip occurred to me. I asked why I was putting myself through this? This is the question which must occur to new golfers all the time. I enjoy skiing and already do it at a level which allows me to enjoy it. Why put so much of my

ANATOLIY GLEB PHOTO

limited time into something which, after many hours of practice, likely won’t give me any more joy than something I can already do? This is what I have to convince a new golf student of. What will they get out of golf they don’t already get somewhere else.

If I had stayed with the patient young lady all morning she might have been able to get me hooked. Without that support I took my wounded body and pride and went back to what I knew.

Good beer in the pub though.

John Piccolo is a golf instructor and runs Piccolo’s Custom Golf Shop at Eagle Valley Golf Club in Niagara Falls. Email him at picgolf@ vaxxine.com

It’s a treasure trove of collectibles— antique-looking furniture, wall hangings, mirrors and book covers— all designed by V. The “V” stands for Vera McKeown, who recently opened her Creations by V store at 1400 Pelham Street, just south of Church Hill in Fonthill, but perhaps the moniker should have an additional “4U” tagged at the end, as it’s her personalized custom design service that keeps her business booming and passion flowing.

McKeown loves refurbishing something old and turning it into an exquisite conversational piece.

Conversation being the key point. Every knickknack and furniture item tells a story, she says.

“I love taking pieces of furniture and bringing new life into them. It’s like they’re saying thank you for keeping me around a little longer.”

McKeown appreciates the sentimentality in wanting to keep some memorabilia or keepsake handed down through the generations by a client’s grandparent, for

Ava Sperry is a delighted little shopper already intent on spending her college fund at Creations by V. Vera McKeown, centre, discusses personalized designs with customer Margaret Sperry. GLORIA J KATCH PHOTO example.

McKeown is often asked to refurbish items such as chairs, cupboards and coffee tables, which she does at the back of her shop, with the help of her husband, Terry Keagan, who picks up customers’ items and brings them to their house, or her store to refinish. She recently spent some time at a customer house, refurbishing an entertainment center that was too big to move.

However, after the project was completed, McKeown

made a new friend, painting and chatting away.

McKeown tackles most jobs at the store, which allows her to greet and assist customers wandering into the shop. While the work can sometimes be labour-intensive, like distressing, which takes four steps to acquire a variety of vintage looks, McKeown says she finds her job, “peaceful.”

“I’m in my own little world, and I love it. It relaxes me.”

Over the last little while,

she has noticed improvements in her work which has helped build her confidence.

“The end effect is always the best,” she says, adding that she wants to learn new techniques and styles.

Today’s paint techniques have expanded to include finishes that reflect everything from art-deco, pop, classical and contemporary styles. Distress painting adds that vintage, barn See CREATIONS next page

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Page 10

The Voice, September 4, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Audit exonerates Quirk Various of her creations on display at Creations by V, in downtown Fonthill.

GLORIA J KATCH PHOTO

Accounting firm clears former Regional councillor in campaign finance complaint by Ed Smith

BY JOHN CHICK

Special to the VOICE

CREATIONS

continued from previous page and shabby chic look, and some pieces of furniture have several different techniques applied to them for a unique, one-of-a-kind design. Sometimes this includes distressing the top of the table, cabinet or dresser, then painting the sides with another texture or solid colour. Stencils and transfers of flowers, sayings and snippets of poetry topped with a finishing stain, oil or wax can add spice to any piece of furniture.

McKeown will offer design advice to someone, who isn’t quite sure what they want.

“You kind of get a feel for the home,” she says, adding today’s modern look includes mixing contem-

porary and classical styles together.

“I’m not a big fan of the contemporary look, because it’s a little too sleek for me.

It doesn’t have that lived-in look.”

She prefers to infuse some character, colour, pop and personality into the home by creating that special piece for her clients.

After many years of dabbling with decorating and design, McKeown decided to follow her dreams. A recent painting class became the catalyst for a life-changing experience. After being in the restaurant business for 30 years, McKeown felt it was time for a change.

“When one door closes, another one opens,” she says, and soon after she was turning the key in the lock of her new business, which

is in a prime location in the heart of Pelham.

“It’s perfect, it’s quaint,” she says. “I like Fonthill.”

A lot of people drop in to shop or browse, and it attracts curious spectators walking by.

“I’m getting great feedback. It’s been so positive.”

After attempting to run her business from her Welland residence and Marketplace Online Shopping, McKeown noted most people buying collectibles want to “touch and feel” the products, so opening a store has brought success.

The other aspect of her business involves that dangerous word —“shopping.”

“Who doesn’t love shopping?” she asks.

The store is packed with items, as McKeown constantly hunts for fresh stock

at antique dealers, flea markets and secondhand stores.

She admits it requires storage space and some “restraint.” She also carries a popular brand known as 1803 Candles, a large selection of Fusion Mineral Paints and brushes, decoupage glue, and metallics for those who want to refurbish projects themselves. In the future, she will be hosting a DIY “Welcome Board Workshops” to teach interested participants in the fall.

McKeown says she recently purchased a sewing machine, and is now “hooked” on creating her own custom-made pillows.

For people like McKeown who follow their passion, there are so many ideas, so little time.

For more information, see www.creationsbyv.com

Former Niagara Regional Councillor Tony Quirk, of Grimsby, has been cleared by a third-party audit after a complaint from a resident over previous campaign finances.

Accounting firm MNP last Monday released the findings of its report, determining Quirk was compliant under the Ontario Municipal Elections Act when a man named Derek Holmes performed an audit for him valued at $250 during Quirk’s failed 2018 re-election campaign. Holmes was also recorded donating $500 to Quirk’s campaign.

The sums became an issue when Ed Smith, a community activist and current member of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) board, filed a complaint based on his assertion that fair market value for auditing services is approximately $1,600, meaning that Holmes’ total contributions to Quirk’s campaign may have exceeded the $1,200 limit for an individual—as stipulated in the Municipal Elections Act. Smith, a former Armed

Forces officer who now leads the advocacy group A Better Niagara, said in his initial motion in May that the situation amounted to an in-kind campaign donation from Holmes to Quirk.

“I believe that Mr. Holmes’

If they had to use their own money instead of taxpayers’ money, would they be making these defamatory accusations? audit was an in-kind donation,” wrote Smith in his complaint. “Which would suggest this total contribution was $2,200, in excess of the maximum individual contribution limit of $1,200.”

MNP disagreed, saying Quirk properly disclosed the See CLEARED Page 12

Dean Allison Member of Parliament for Niagara West Shadow Minister for International Trade Diversification

“Thank you for your continued support and confidence.

I am honoured to serve as your representative in Ottawa.”

Dean

Contact Dean’s constituency office for inquiries and assistance with: Federal government programs such as CPP, OAS, GIS, Revenue Canada, Employment Insurance, Veterans Affairs, Federal legislation or regulations.

Toll Free 1.877.563.7900 | info@deanallison.ca | www.deanallison.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

DUNCAN

continued from Page 3 trusting, and initially “naive” about the nature of Duncan’s behavior towards her.

“It didn't start out right with the assault. I was groomed for that assault. It was hand on my shoulder, friendly, stuff like that.

I mean, I looked at him paternally as a trustworthy older man who would not see me in that light, you know?”

Smith started working for Duncan in October 2008, as a lab assistant, taking blood, performing ECGs and pulmonary function tests, and administering injections. It was a part-time job in the mornings. In the afternoons she would go on to a second job at a Niagara Region hospital.

In part, the 2009 police report reads, “[Smith] advised that Dr. Duncan is very affectionate with his staff and several times a week he asks her into his office and shuts the door. [Smith] stated Dr. Duncan would stand very close to her and rub her shoulders, or he would sit in his chair and rub his hand up her inner thigh. [Smith] advised that she would move away when Dr. Duncan would make sexual advances but admits that she was very naive and didn't want to believe what he was doing was on purpose. [Smith] advised that she didn't tell him to stop, but she did move away and leave the room. [Smith] advised that she was afraid she would lose her job if she said anything. [Smith] advised Dr. Duncan's sexual touching was progressively getting worse over time to the point that she would go out of her way to stay away from him.”

On June 23, 2009, Smith had two moles removed at another medical facility. The next day, she

The Voice, September 4, 2019 asked Duncan whether he would examine the stitches and eventually remove them, saving her having to book an appointment with her family doctor.

“Because I couldn't see—there were two stitches, one in my armpit and one in my back. And I asked him, ‘Can you just have a look at them and make sure they're good, they're not infected?’ I trusted him. He was older than my father.”

Smith says that she went into an exam room and lay on her side on the examination table, facing away from Duncan.

From the 2009 incident report: “[Smith] advised she didn't remove her shirt, she just lifted it high enough to show the stitches. [Smith] stated that Dr. Duncan stuck his hand down the front of her shirt and stated, "Oh nice."

[Smith] stated he took his hand out so fast she was still in shock with what he had just done to her.

[Smith] stated he pretended it didn't happen, and after looking at her stitches he left the room.”

Smith said she left work in a daze.

“I told my parents right the same day. I left his office, I finished at one o'clock over there, and I went straight there.”

She said both parents were upset. Her father was ready to confront Duncan immediately.

“But my mom, she was very much aware and concerned that if I took it to the CPSO, that my character could possibly be destroyed as the result of it.”

Smith said she feared being labelled a troublemaker.

“This was my first steady [medical] job and what I thought was a reputable office. I enjoyed the patients. I enjoyed what I did.

And at what cost?”

Smith also wondered whether

Page 11

she had inadvertently sent sexual signals to Duncan, who was married with a family.

"Am I guilty? Did I smile too much? Did I laugh too much? Did I do something to give him the green light that this was okay?"

Even at the time, however, Smith said she knew that what Duncan had done was wrong, and the passage of time has strengthened this conviction.

“I know now...that this was never about me. Now I see that.

Ten years ago, I didn't have the wisdom, the understanding, the life experience to see that. I think you grow up and things that had a blurred line in your 20s are a nice straight, hard line in your 30s, right? I think that's a universal growth.”

Two days later, Duncan, who had never emailed Smith before, did so, asking how she was feeling. Smith replied that she was fine, and would be back in the office the next day. Duncan replied, “Do I have to wait that long? Just kidding…. I will get back to work and leave you alone. Take care.”

Smith provided copies of these and other emails to the Voice, emails she said that she also gave to the CPSO. A week after he allegedly groped Smith, Duncan asked her whether she was ready to have the stitches removed.

“He says, ‘I can come and I can take your stitch out.’ And I'm frozen. I'm frozen. Do I say, ‘No, I don't want you to,’ in front of the receptionist, you know what I mean, and make waves, and resist? So, I walked in.”

From the 2009 incident report: “[Smith] stated she removed her shirt and held it in front of her breasts. [Smith] stated Dr. Duncan unclasped her bra, and she [held] her shirt up to her breasts

Am I guilty?

Did I smile too much?

Did I do something that gave him the green light that this was okay? and sat on the examination table.

[Smith] stated when Dr. Duncan was cleaning the stitches in her [armpit] he tried to pull down her shirt and uncover her breasts.

[Smith] stated she resisted and Dr. Duncan stated, "Come on, I've seen tons." [Smith] stated she replied "That doesn't matter."

[Smith] stated he removed all the stitches and when he was finished he leaned in to kiss her on the mouth. [Smith] stated she turned her head and said, "Come on Dr. Duncan." [Smith] stated she left the office and went back to work.”

Smith said that she was “100 percent” certain that Duncan was seeking a sexual affair.

Again rattled, but also increasingly angry, Smith went home and emailed Duncan to express her feelings.

On June 30, 2009, she wrote, “Dr. Duncan, I just want you to know that I was totally not okay with what happened today when you were taking out my stitches. I realize that you are a very affectionate employer but you crossed the line today and I don't want it to happen again. I also don't want to talk about this at work. In fact, I don't want to talk about this again. Please respect my feelings and my right to work in an envi-

ronment where I am not apprehensive to be behind closed doors with you. See you Thursday.”

Sixteen minutes later, a 3:28 PM, Duncan replied: “I apologise if I offended you and it won’t happen again. Probably best if you don’t ask me to provide medical care for you and then we can keep our relationship totally professional. We have been kidding with each other and that has made it difficult to draw a line but will do so. Enjoy your day off.”

After again discussing her situation with her parents, Smith decided to file the police report, but not to press charges.

“We have all been conditioned to not say anything, not do anything. What if it came back and I was labeled a…. What if he says I was [trying to seduce him].”

Smith returned to work, where she said relations with Duncan were “icy” from then on. Three months later she took a full-time job in the Niagara Health System, and has not seen Duncan since.

Smith’s decision to document the incidents as a means to help other potential victims remained dormant for a decade—until the CPSO called in March. It was a call that sent her into a tailspin.

Smith said that over the ten years she’s worked in the NHS, she has received consistently positive performance reviews. She has not been subject to any unwelcome sexual advances, or other untoward behavior from colleagues or supervisors. She married, and has two children.

The call “unlocked a box,” and brought feelings she had repressed for a decade back to the surface.

The CPSO investigator asked if Smith would be willing to file a See DUNCAN Page 20

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Page 12

The Voice, September 4, 2019

CLEARED

continued from Page 10 value of Holmes’ auditing services, adding that that a separate auditor provided services valued at $226 for another regional candidate.

“Mr. Quirk obtained a rate of $300 from his accountant,” the report read. “MNP notes that while a weighted average rate of $300 provided by Mr. Quirk’s accountant would be appropriate for a professional accounting firm, the rate would be high for a retired practitioner who does not have the costs associated with maintaining a practice. As such the rate of $300 is likely high for estimating the fair value of the services performed by the campaign auditor.”

If the allegation sounds trivial, it’s because bad blood appears to have existed between Quirk and Smith dating back several years.

“The [MNP] audit speaks for itself,” Quirk told the Voice. “I never had any doubt that an audit would completely vindicate me. I am just frustrated as a taxpayer that, once again, we are pay-

ing to investigate Ed Smith’s false accusations and delusions.”

The Voice estimates the cost of the audit to exceed $10,000, an amount to be charged to Niagara taxpayers.

“Yet again A Better Niagara tries to use the system to settle scores.” Quirk wondered if Smith and A Better Niagara would be so quick to demand audits and investigations if they had to cover the costs.

“If they had to use their own money instead of taxpayers’ money, would they be making these defamatory accusations?”

Smith mostly declined comment over the weekend, saying anything he could say about MNP’s report would be “speculative” ahead of response from the Niagara Compliance Audit Committee —which, to his understanding, must be reconvened before a “final decision” is made.

“Only the Audit committee can decide what the outcome is and therefore I need to wait for their decision,” Smith said.

According to the MNP

report, the critical issue to Smith’s application related to the “fair value” of the audit services that Holmes performed for Quirk.

“The Election’s Act’s definition relies on an assessment of the lowest amount a business would charge for the service,” the report stated. “The applicant submitted that the fair value of the audit services claimed by the candidate was not reasonable based upon a comparison to the average of other filings. The use of average values may be appropriate in some cases to obtain a range of values or to identify potential anomalies, however the use of comparable averages is not a definitive analysis due to the number of variables that can impact costs.”

Smith’s recent naming to the NPCA Board comes two years after the same conservation authority sued the St. Catharines resident for $100,000 for defamation over his distribution of a report entitled, “A Call for Accountability at the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.”

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Sanitary sewer flushing

Sanitary sewer flushing and CCTV work began in Pelham in mid-August and will be completed by approximately September 20, according to a Town statement. Flusher and camera trucks will be in various locations throughout town between 7 AM and 5 PM, weather-dependent. Flusher and camera trucks will be cleaning and videoing the sanitary sewers to clear away debris, blockages and inspect sewer conditions. Motorists are advised to expect some delays when trucks are set up completing the work.

Two hours see 37 charges

On Thursday, August 22, police attended the area of Effingham St. and Pelham Rd., near the Henry of Pelham winery, in response to public complaints of speeding and aggressive driving. According to an NRPS news release, during a two-hour period, 37 tickets were issued. One vehicle had its plates removed and was towed. Another vehicle was stopped after driving 104 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. Two drivers had no license, and several were speeding more than 40 km/h over the limit. When charged with speeding 50 km/h over the limit, this results in a seven-day license suspension and a seven-day impound of the vehicle. Driving with an expired license carries a $325 minimum fine.

FOUR ON THE FLOOR Kim Nickel and Bill McRoberts, right, bought what they both claimed were the winning tickets for the Fenwick Lions' grand prize, a 1971 Chevelle Malibu, to be raffled off this Saturday, Sept. 7, at their Third Annual Classic Car Show, from 8 AM at Centennial Park. DAVE BURKET PHOTO

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continued from Page 2

With additional reporting by Kevin Vallier

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IN THE NEWS

The following year a judge threw out the lawsuit, saying the claim against Smith was “designed to silence the defendant, who was an annoyance to the authority.”

The judge also ordered the NPCA and former CAO Carmen D'Angelo to pay Smith $131,000 in legal costs.

D’Angelo would later become Niagara Region CAO, before leaving under a cloud of controversy and suing the Region himself —while the NPCA has since seen mass turnover and a damning report by the Ontario Auditor General.

For its part, this wasn’t the first time that the group A Better Niagara went after a former Regional councillor with regard to campaign expenses. In July, Sandy Annunziata appeared before Regional Council’s Audit Compliance Committee to address a complaint about his campaign finances brought forward by Dennis Edell, a director on A Better Niagara’s board.

Annunziata needed about seven minutes to quash the allegations against him. After Annunziata explained how he negotiated the rental of a billboard, Edell withdrew his complaint.

“It’s unfortunate that A Better Niagara wants to weaponize the Niagara Compliance Audit Committee.

I’m grateful the committee was thoughtful enough to see through that deception,” said Annunziata.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca "I know I am getting better at golf because I'm hitting fewer spectators."

Gerald Ford

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Sporting Green The Niagara

Page 13

Canadian champion's tough choice 15 Pelham swimmers and their trophy 16

The Voice and TheVoiceofPelham.ca | September 4, 2019 |

Hot Hand Luke tops field

ATHLETICS AT BROCK Sunday, Sept. 1

DelGobbo captures Canadian golf championship

HOME GAMES (Brock Alumni Field) Women’s Soccer vs. Windsor, Noon

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

Men’s Soccer vs. Windsor, 2:15 p.m.

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

J

BERNIE PUCHALSKI PHOTO

ust advancing to the final two rounds of the Canadian Junior Boys Golf Championship wasn’t going to cut it for Luke DelGobbo. “I had intentions to win the under-17 [juvenile] division and then top 10 in the under-19s,” the 16-yearold Fonthill resident said.

Playing at the Covered Bridge course in Hartland, N.B., DelGobbo did exactly that.

He fired rounds of 71, 70, 69 and 70 and his eight under par score was good enough to tie him for first place in the juvenile division, where he won in a playoff. In the under-19 division, his score was good enough to tie him for seventh place.

“I set those goals at the beginning of the season and I worked hard to get there,” the Lookout Point member said. “I checked [those goals] off the list when I was there and it was nice to do it.”

DelGobbo captured the juvenile crown when he sunk a six-foot par putt on the second playoff hole. Both golfers parred the first playoff hole to set the stage for DelGobbo’s winning putt.

“It was kind of like ‘Wow. I did it.’ I was very happy to do it and I had my friends and family there to see it.”

Getting to share the moments with his parents, Mike and Lucia, and friends was priceless.

“I couldn’t have done it with anyone else,” he said. “It was awesome.”

The Grade 11 student at E. L. Crossley has been playing well for a couple months now, ever since an impressive performance at the prestigious International Junior Masters tournament in East Aurora, N.Y., in late June. DelGobbo shot 75 and 76 in stroke play to advance to the match play portion of the tournament as the 13th seed. He made it all the way to the finals before losing 2&1 to Jackson Chandler. Chandler will be playing scholarship golf at Ohio State this fall.

Along the way, DelGobbo had a second-round victory over a golfer ranked in the top 20 in the United States. That golfer has signed with the University of Virginia.

“I just finished writing exams. I played well there and I have been playing well ever since,” he said.

Before the nationals, DelGobbo made the quarterfinals of the Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship. He was four down with five holes to play in his quarterfinal match, but gutted it out before losing on the 18th hole.

The talented teen is in the process of figuring out his schedule for 2020.

“I haven’t decided what tournaments I am going to play next year and I haven’t see my goals, but obviously I want to win them all,” he said. “We will see.”

DelGobbo’s goal is to garner a golf scholarship in the United States. In about three weeks, U.S. schools will be able to contact him and express their interest.

“If they come, they come and if not, whatever.”

He’s obviously not worried about the process yet.

“It’s no big deal,” he said. “I have two years until I have to commit. As long as I can get it done in two years, I will be happy.”

DelGobbo started golfing when he was 11 or 12 when a friend, Jake DiBellonia, took him out to play a round at Eagle Valley.

Monday, Sept. 2 HOME GAMES (Brock Alumni Field) Exhibition: Men’s Rugby vs.

McMaster, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 7 Softball vs. York, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. (Lancaster Park) Exhibition: Men’s Lacrosse vs. Western, 4 p.m. (Brock Alumni Field) Sunday, Sept. 8 Softball vs. Queen’s 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. (Lancaster Park) Men’s Rugby vs. Western, 1 p.m. (Brock Alumni Field)

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Page 14

The Voice, September 4, 2019

HOT HAND

continued from previous page “I went once and I have loved it ever since,” he said.

He won the under-15 division of the Niagara Junior Golf Tour in 2017 and added the junior boys title at the Niagara Champion of Champions golf tournament.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Thomas named Niagara's top Dog Forward easy choice for IceDogs' captainship

BY BILL POTRECZ

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

I went once and I have loved it ever since

“I had a good year that year.”

In 2018, he placed fifth at the National Drive, Chip and Putt Championship held at Augusta National.

The only other Lookout Point golfer in the field at the Canadian Junior/Juvenile championships was Freddy D’Angelo (70-6871-78) who tied for 28th in the junior division.

At the Ontario Juvenile championships DelGobbo opened with a 81 but rebounded with a pair of 72s to tie for 13th.

Other Lookout Point members in the Ontario field included: Isaiah Ellis (74-79-75), tied for 19th; Matthew Martel (74-77-77), tied for 19th; and, Cameron Kiemele (73-76-80), tied for 22nd.

The Niagara IceDogs wasted little time naming their new captain.

Before the IceDogs even hit the ice for the start of training camp last Tuesday, the club had already announced veteran centre Akil Thomas as their captain for the 2019/20 Ontario Hockey League season.

“I’m very excited,” Thomas said Tuesday before hitting the ice for a series of inter-squad games.

“Coming into my first year, I had Ryan Mantha as my captain and he was a really good guy to me. He really showed me the ropes.

Then I had Johnny [Corneil] and Ben Jones. Just to learn off them was really cool.”

IceDogs head coach Billy Burke said Thomas was a natural choice given his play on the ice and the way he conducts himself away from the rink.

“It really was a bit of a no-brainer with Akil this year,” Burke said. “He’s a special case. He was a guy who came in at 16 and was good enough to make a major impact right away.

“It feels like he’s been

here for so long. His play on the ice speaks for itself. He’s a warrior and a competitor on the ice but it’s the behind the scenes stuff that’s most impressive. He really is a team-first guy with no ego and very inclusive.”

Thomas, who was drafted in the first round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection (12th overall), has accumulated 231 points (81-150) in 192 games with the IceDogs.

He set a record for most points by an IceDogs rookie in the 2016-17 season (48), and was one of three Niagara players to surpass the 100-point mark in the 201819 season.

Thomas said having a strong leader in the room is vital.

“It’s huge. All three captains I’ve had here have been amazing. It helps the mojo in the locker room so it all starts with them and creates a team atmosphere,” he said.

Thomas, who was named an alternate captain in the 2017-18 season as a sophomore player, isn’t a huge rah-rah type of player, but also isn’t afraid to speak up

New IceDogs captain Akil Thomas.

when necessary.

“I think he’s a bit of a hybrid,” Burke said. “He’s not the loudest guy in the room —a Ben Jones may have been a little more vocal — where Akil will speak up but he’ll pick and choose his spots. He likes to take guys aside and communicate that way as opposed to speaking in front of everybody.

“He wants to be the best player in the league and use that as leadership as well.”

Thomas said he under-

stands his role as a veteran on a team that is suddenly filled with younger players after having a locker room full of veteran stars last season “For sure, [I’ll] definitely have to be more patient,” he said. “I like the opportunity. It gives me the chance to take over games and win games for my team.

“I’m excited for the role and to show the younger guys the way and to help them. Hopefully I can be

OHL IMAGES PHOTO

someone they mention in an interview one day that helped them out.”

Thomas, a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft (51st overall), skated and worked out with some of the Kings during the summer and will be attending Kings training camp.

“I’ve been talking to them a lot. I played a little bit with them this summer and looking forward to it to see what happens there.”

Niagara Region Transit

is coming to Pelham

Route 70A/75A will pick-up residents at the Meridian Community Centre and connect them to Welland and St. Catharines

Plan your trip by downloading the Transit App from the app store or by visiting niagararegion.ca/transit

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Page 15

Canadian champ's career in jeopardy Wrestler Jevon Balfour facing difficult result off the mat

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

One of Canada’s top male wrestlers is contending with the heartbreaking, paradoxical choice of hoping that his promising athletic career is over.

Five-time defending senior champion Jevon Balfour has a detached retina in his left eye and is faced with two possibilities. If doctors are able to reattach his retina, it will be too risky for him to continue wrestling. If the retina can’t be repaired, he can continue wrestling, but he will be facing a lifetime of severely restricted vision.

“It is frightening, for sure, but at the end of the day I can’t do anything about it,” the Brock Wrestling Club member said. “If I can pick one, it is obviously to see out of this eye, but I don’t know which one is going to happen right now.”

Balfour had an appointment with an eye surgeon Monday and is now waiting for an appointment with a retina specialist.

“I can see a lot of light, but I can’t make out details.”

The 24-year-old Brampton native can’t even pinpoint when he suffered the injury. Getting poked in the eye is a common occurrence in practice and in competition, and it was one of the pokes that did the

damage.

Like every high-performance athlete in the Brock wrestling room, Balfour has put his life on hold and has been training like a fiend to chase his Olympic and world championship aspirations.

He gets closer every day to reaching his dreams and is surprisingly philosophical about the major curve ball he has been thrown.

“It is the same thing as wrestling,” the recent graduate said.

“It teaches you a lot and you have got to be level-headed.

“This sport was going to end for me sooner or later — obviously it sucks that it could be sooner then it could have been or sooner that I wanted it to — but what can I do?”

He prefers not to moan about his bad fortune.

“Everyone keeps asking me how I am reacting this way, but I don’t know,” he said. “I can’t explain it, but in my mind it is already one or the other.

“Whatever happens, I am going to go with that route.”

His chosen route is obviously having the retina reattached.

“If not, I am going to work my ass off to become that Olympic champion that I want to become.”

Champion wrestler Jevon Balfour.

If his wrestling career his over, the social science graduate is not sure what he would do next.

“I will figure it out step by step.”

Balfour competed at the recent Pan Am Games and was still able to bring home a bronze medal in the 74-kilogram division despite the injury.

“It didn’t feel like my eyesight was terrible, until I close my right eye,” he said. “It must have been a competitive disadvantage, but I don’t like to think that it was. I don’t want to use it as an excuse.”

Balfour lost to Puerto Rico’s Franklin Gomez Matos in the semifinals before beating Argentina’s Jorge Llano by technical superiority (11-0) in the first round of the bronze-medal match.

“It was very nice to win, but I knew I could beat this guy,” he said. “If it was a harder match, it would have been a lot more satis-

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fying.

“But it was still very, very sweet to know that I am making progress.”

Balfour’s 74-kilogram weight class at the Pan Ams was loaded with top wrestlers, including Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs from the United States, and Matos, a former world medalist.

Balfour fell behind early to Matos and had to take chances to try and get back in the match, Losing 11-0 was a tough pill to swallow because he had lost 3-2 the last time the two had squared off.

“I got out of position and I was not as focused in the beginning,” he said. “I was down by too many points and I had to do something.”

But with every tough loss comes a lesson learned.

“I know I have to be more patient when I wrestle and I know that these guys are world cham-

pions,” Balfour said. “I can’t go out there and pretend these guys aren’t world champions and that I am way better than them.”

“This guy is good, I am good and it’s going to be a battle.”

In 2015, he placed fifth at the Pan Am Games.

“This was my second Pan Am Games — the other one was in Toronto — and I am not trying to be biased but Toronto was a better Games.”

He enjoyed the entire experience.

“The stadium was really nice, the fans loved us as Canadians and it was pretty good.”

Pan Am head coach Tonya Verbeek said Balfour had a tough road in Peru.

“I would say that he had the toughest weight class at the Pan Ams on the men’s side,” she said.

“He wrestled well, but when he wrestled Gomez, he got caught right at the beginning and he had a hard time getting back on track.”

Balfour and the Canadian coaches have high expectations for him.

“He is starting to prove that he is there with the top guys,” Verbeek said. “He is super eager to put it all together and he’s doing what he needs to do to do that.”

The Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medalist has not been practising while he waits for news about his eye. If his wrestling career is meant to continue, he will need to start preparing for the senior world wrestling championships September 14-22 in Kazakhstan.

A top-six result would guarantee a spot for Canada in his 74-kilogram weight class at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Canada’s Olympic trials will be held December 6-8 in Niagara.

“I want to find out what is going on right now,” he said. “They are in there training and I wish it was me.”

Page 16

The Voice, September 4, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

SLIDING TO VICTORY The winning chefs in the Fonthill Lions’ Third Annual Sliderfest competition, Hunter and Kenny Fraser, of The Butcher & Banker restaurant, celebrate their victory. Although attendance was reportedly down from previous years, the fundraiser managed to pull in donations that will make their way to various local causes, including Pelham Cares, and the “Raise the Arches” restoration project spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Fonthill. GLORIA J KATCH PHOTO

O

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, September 4, 2019

PELSER

SUMMARY

continued from Page 3 er said that the CPSO informed him that he would be required to apply for a new license, as if he were a new doctor. This left Pelser’s estimated 1,000 patients without a family doctor, which inspired a petition drive among some of them to get the CPSO to reverse course.

Pelser returned to his native South Africa, vowing to appeal the decision. By the following spring, he had stopped replying to Voice follow-ups about his intentions.

It now emerges that the CPSO ruled, in four separate findings between 2018 and this year, that Pelser had violated multiple regulations.

Specifically, each report— publicly accessible on the CPSO’s website—focused on his conduct, professionalism, and interaction with colleagues; his use of medication returned from patients, and failure to protect patient health information properly; and improper prescribing of medications.

In the first report, from July 2018, the CPSO ruled that Pelser failed to meet the standard of practice in nine of 21 patient charts reviewed. According to the report, clinical deficiencies identified by an appointed medical inspector included improper test result follow-up, inadequate documentation (including management of a patient’s mood disorder), inadequate prenatal care, inappropriate management of microscopic hematuria, not following prostate cancer screening guidelines, not investigating elevated ferritin, and suboptimal medical management of a patient’s glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes—and delayed referral to a specialist.

The medical inspector cited a lack of knowledge, skill and judgment in certain charts, and opined that

OBITUARY

Page 17

DR. DUANE DEREK PELSER (CPSO# 84171)

1.

Disposition

On July 11, 2018, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (the Committee) required Dr. Pelser (Family Medicine) to appear before a panel of the Committee to be cautioned with respect to the use of medications returned from patients and the failure to protect patient health information properly.

2.

Introduction

The complainant, who was at one time involved in a personal relationship with Dr. Pelser but was never his patient, contacted the College with a number of concerns about him, including that he was mentally and physically abusive, he breached patients’ confidentiality by allowing others to read patient records, and he arranged for her to receive medication either by having his colleague prescribe for her or obtaining it from medication he had originally prescribed to his patients. The complainant also claimed that Dr. Pelser used drugs from his patients for his personal use or would go onto another physician’s computer to print off his own prescription.

Excerpt from a CPSO report on Dr. Duane Pelser, from July 2018.

VOICE GRAPHIC In his response, Dr. Pelser denied his relationship with the complainant was abusive. He Pelser’s clinical used from his pautilized colleague’s office acknowledged thatpractice, he personally useddrugs an anti-inflammatory medication thata patients returned behaviour or conduct was tients for personal use, and computer—using that indito him.

He denied deliberately patient confidentiality. admitted that he took write likely to expose patients to breaching logged into another physi- He vidual’s password—to harm or injury in three of 21 cian’s computer to print off prescriptions for himself. patient charts home to complete documentation and did not keep them locked up. patient charts reviewed. his own prescription.

Pelser denied prescribing The CPSO also documentThe woman also claimed medication to the woman ed a report from a woman that Pelser had been phys- with whom he had the rela3. at one Committee Process who point had been ically and mentally abusive tionship, although acknowlin a personal relationship to her in the course of their edged doing so for the family A General Panel of thenever Committee, consisting of public and physician members, met to review with Pelser —but had relationship. member. been his patient —assertIn his only response listed However, in the CPSO’s the relevant records and documents related to the complaint. The Committee always has ing that Pelser prescribed in the CPSO reports, Pels- final committee summamuscle both and er regulations, denied thealong abuse report this past beforerelaxants it applicableto legislation withallepolicies ry that the College has June, the the woman and her family gations but acknowledged College stated that investimember. The complainant he kept some discarded gators obtained information also claimed that Pelser patient drugs, and that he indicating that Pelser had

written numerous prescriptions for himself, and that records of many of them had been deleted. Investigators also uncovered multiple prescriptions from Pelser for the individual with whom he had the relationship.

CPSO policy states that physicians must only provide treatment for themselves or family members, in limited circumstances, and that none applied in any of Pelser’s circumstances.

Pelser’s certificate of registration with the CPSO expired on August 10, 2017.

Several of Pelser’s patients in Pelham had difficulty accessing their medical records after his departure.

The CPSO’s position is that given Pelser is no longer a College member, and is not presently practicing medicine in the Province of Ontario, they are “satisfied the public is protected.” In each report, the CPSO states that Pelser would have to attend a hearing of the College’s Discipline Committee if he were ever to reapply to practice medicine in Ontario.

Pelser did not reply to requests for comment sent through email and social media over the weekend.

Pelser's former office on Highway 20—which saw some $100,000 in renovations before he moved in— remained unoccupied and dark when the Voice visited the building late last week.

(nee Horton)

Passed away January 10, 2019 Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at 2pm, September 14, 2019.

The ceremony will take place at the North Pelham Cemetery, 602 Metler Road, Fenwick.

Please bring lawn chair for service, as it will be held outdoors, weather permitting. If weather not acceptable service will be held at The North Pelham Presbyterian Church, 602 Metler Road, Fenwick.

R

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It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our only son Darren. At the University Hospital in London, Ont he valiantly fought a battle with eosinophilic gastroenteritis for 6 years. Now he is at peace.

He is survived by his wife Karen (nee: Mcdonald) his daughter Eve, his parents David and Maxine, in-laws Evelyn and Brian Mcdonald and brother-inlaw John. Darren was employed at Oxford County. Darren loved his family more than anything else. They all loved being in the great outdoors together.

A memorial celebration of life will held Saturday, September 21 from 1-5 at the Westview Funeral Chapel, London.

R REGENYE, SUZANNE

With additional reporting

by Dave Burket

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Page 18

The Voice, September 4, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

COMMUNITY EVENTS & CLASSIFIEDS

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Pioneer Steel 1-855been exploring and performing time-honoured melodies from the stomp- Bricklaying, tuckpointing, 212-7036 www.pioneersteel.ca FREE benefits package. step repair, granite ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, coatings, brick slices guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos P18-28 905-682-7061. blend boundless energy with thePERSONAL unmistakable ASSISTANCE joie de vivre found only in FLOORING BIKES FOR SALE traditional Quebec music. Show runs from 7-9 p.m.

LET ME HELP YOU… Organize, Stage, Decorate, or Downsize PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP Wendy Arscott Make six cards with fall themes, learning of techniques.

Call a orvariety text: 905-964-1515

2 multi-speed bicycles, ready to ride, ready to sell.

Phone 905-892-3995.

1 Fonthill route available!

UPDATED SEPT 4!

Materials are provided. At time of registration, please enquire about tools needed.

SUPERINTENDENT COUPLE WANTED Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead.

Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details. COUPLE SUPERINTENDENT

Attention!

Currently seeking a full-time live-in superintendent couple Great for students, children, to maintain and operate a condominium building. Duties to adults, FABULOUS seniors, and everyone FENWICK include, LIONSbut FISH FRY to, carrying out regular inspections not limited and routine maintenance around the building, maintenance who likesTasty fresh air and exercise. treats with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, of the outdoor pool, housekeeping duties, garbage and

french fries and much more.

Runsduties, Sept.respond 9 from to4-7 p.m. recycling emergencies, keeping the

exterior common areas clear, and liaison with the Board, Route 46 – Church Hill residents and management.

PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE The building is pet and smoke free.

31 homes Please send a cover letter and resume to info@

Buy, sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide shabriproperties.com or fax it to (905) 684-9544 cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from 9-12 in the morning.

HELP WANTED

PAPER ROUTES AVAILABLE! Call (905) 892-8690

HELP WANTED

PELHAM MUDFEST Labourers and Caulkers, full and part-time, removing and/or vehicle to get to job site or office, ladder work, Men and women will be installing, back in own the mud aswork theboots, second run on the year repetitive tasks, own wage determined upon is experience.

Call 905-680-8377 or fax resume 905-680-8378. held at Bissil’s Hideaway.

If your message to Pelham KEYS FOUND NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION isn’t in our pages, FOUND Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It Set of Keys on July 26 on Canboro Road past Regional Road

Then it isn’t being seen.

BIG MOVE CANCER RIDE

Do you have old issues of the Voice published from 1997 to 2007? How about the Pelham Herald (any year). We'd love to add them to our archive.

Contact: publisher@ thevoiceofpelham.ca Or drop by our office, 1428 Pelham St., across from Beamer's Hardware, Fonthill.

CLA

PELHAM LIBRARY’S COMPUTER CLINIC Inventing.Davison.com/Ontario GET UP TO $50,000 from the GovNo Income, Bad Credit “One-to-One Help” with a volunteer tech tutor. Get help with web browsing, Excavating contractor. ernment of Canada.

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Includes use of laptop or BYOG (bring your own gadget).

CALL! Cancer, COPD, Depression, FOR MORE INFORMATION proofing, drainage systems, 12:30 – 3:30.

Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 Diabetes, Difficulty Walking, FibromyYour Classified Ad or Display Ad CALL TODAY TOLL-FREE: Saturdays STEEL BUILDINGS quarryinstone placealgia,www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca Irritable Bowels, Overweight, or call 905-892-6443 for more details. would appear weeklysupply, newspapers hour. Visit 1-800-282-1169 Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds STEEL BUILDING CLEARANCE ... each week across Ontario in urban, ment.

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runs from Sept. 11-14 at24the Welland Fairgrounds. heading toward Wellandport direction. Call 905-892-3953.

OLD PAPERS

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The Voice

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Short is Hills Farm'N'Flea Trunk Sale Pelhamplace Fire Station #3 The Big Move Cancer Ride a non-competitive rideattaking on Sept.

Sep Week 21, 8AM-1PM, 2355 Cream St. RAIN OR SHINE. 7. Proceeds for the Big Local MoveCrafts stayof in Niagara and support the Walker Famand Artisans! Antiques!

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September 2 More info on facebook or shorthills@yahoo.com ily Cancer Centre.

The paper that Pelham reads.

WALKING CLUB

Posted August 28

FREE CAT FREE

Interested in walking in Pelham? them Tuesdays at the Pelhamnot Arena To lovingJoin home, Bengal cat, 5 years old, sociable, declawed, recent rabies vaccines by Dr. Bos. (905) 892-8690 from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There Central Call 289-897-9699. is no fee for this program. Region For more information, please contact jcook@ advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca Ads included CUSTOM MILL pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

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7 SPRU FONTH items, clothes sonable 30, 8AM

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Phone: 905-892-7898 Fax: 905-892-4811

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COMMUNITY Events

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Page 19

SERVICE DIRECTORY Electrical Electrical

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874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 874 Hwy #20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 l Landscape Design l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways Landscape Design Landscape Construction Driveways, Patio & Walkways l Natural Stone l Retaining Walls l Outdoor Wood Projects Natural Stone Retaining Walls Outdoor Wood Projects l Water Features l Outdoor Lighting Water Features Outdoor Lighting l

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Creative Director Tarja Barton email graphics@thevoiceofpelham.ca

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THE

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Advertising

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"Waiter, it's been one of those weeks. Just bring a bottle of tequila, two glasses, and another bottle of tequila"

Places of Worship and Events Bethany Christian Reformed Church 1040 Balfour St., Fenwick

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., Fenwick

Glad Tidings Church of God 1 Pancake Lane, Fonthill

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church 940 Haist St., Fonthill

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church 1414 Pelham St., Fonthill

Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1557 Pelham Street, Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel 418 Canboro Rd., Ridgeville

Fenwick Church of Christ 765 Welland Rd., Fenwick

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

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

St. Alexander’s Roman Catholic Church 50 Pelham Town Sq., Fonthill

Fenwick United Church 1050 Church St., Fenwick

Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Fonthill

Pelham Community Church (United Church of Canada) 461 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church 834 Canboro Rd., Fenwick

Page 20

The Voice, September 4, 2019

OPEN HOUSE MEET & GREET

with Lynn Brazeau of

Journey Through the

Stars

your local Intuitive Tarot Reader & Energy Healer

Saturday, September 7th from 1-4pm 27 Millbridge Cres, Fonthill 905-745-8696

Enjoy light refreshments, socializing, card of the day 3:30 pm meditation lead by renowned Intuitive Healer Carolina Lipinski of Haven Global

You won’t want to miss this!

DUNCAN

continued from Page 11 formal complaint with the College.

“I had to look back at my intention ten years ago and that was to help another person. So there was no hesitation for me, even though I would be exposed, my name would be out there, Dr. Duncan would know that I was the second complainant, they know.”

Smith said that the CPSO would not disclose to her, even in general terms, who the other complainant was.

“We're living in a society right now where there are, I'm sure, lots of women that this has happened to. You don't come forward, you don't come forward, and the bravery that it took for this person to come forward. I don't know if it was a woman, I don't know if it was a male...an employee, a patient. I don't know if it was a young woman, a senior woman.”

Despite agreeing to help the CPSO, Smith said that the anxiety over doing so, and the process involved, left her emotionally

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

drained.

Investigators came to interview her at home. They requested that she show them the scars where her moles had been removed. “[They were] there for three hours, and I had to draw my memory of the exam rooms. Where was I positioned? Where was he positioned? They took pictures of the scars of the moles that were removed, the stitches that were removed.”

Smith said that through April and May she was “a mess.”

“Just being seen by him again, you know what I mean? Not visibly seen, but I was going to come back up in his life and he was going to know it was me, which is pretty scary.”

Smith began seeing a therapist.

The CPSO kept her informed throughout, she said. Duncan steadfastly maintained that he had done nothing wrong—either with Smith, or with the other complainant. By August, the cases were set to go before a CPSO investigative committee—the

This is a more significant outcome than we would've been able to achieve by pursuing a contested disciplinary hearing equivalent of a grand jury— which would decide whether there were sufficient grounds to proceed to a full disciplinary hearing, the equivalent of a trial.

“Absolutely there was enough to move it forward to a disciplinary hearing,” said Smith. “And at that point he is found guilty of professional misconduct or he is found not guilty of professional misconduct.

It's basically a trial where I would witness, I would go on the stand and I would be cross-examined by his team of lawyers or lawyer or whatever. And I would have to be prepped and everything like that by the

lawyers at the CPSO. And I was willing to do that.”

To her regret and relief, in the end Smith wouldn’t be required to do so.

On the day that the committee began its deliberations, Smith said that an attorney representing Duncan preemptively presented the “undertaking” agreement, in which Duncan—without admitting guilt or liability—voluntarily agreed to resign, and not to reapply for a medical license in any jurisdiction.

CPSO Senior Communications Advisor Shae Greenfield told the Voice that had Duncan effectively gone to trial and been found guilty, the loss of his Ontario medical license would not have prohibited him from seeking to practice elsewhere in Canada. The undertaking, however, does stop him from doing so.

“This is a more significant outcome than we would've been able to achieve by pursuing a contested disciplinary hearing,” said Greenfield. “I think that's worth keeping See DUNCAN Page 22

Voice

HOROSCOPE

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS SEPTEMBER 1 Zendaya, Actress (23) SEPTEMBER 2 Keanu Reeves, Actor (55) SEPTEMBER 3 Kaia Gerber, Model (18) SEPTEMBER 4 James Bay, Singer (29) SEPTEMBER 5 Rose McGowan, Actress (46) SEPTEMBER 6 Idris Elba, Actor (47) SEPTEMBER 7 Kevin Love, Athlete (31)

E

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SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Bedaub 2. Indigos 3. BTU 4. Saco 5. Fond 6. Evan 7. Satires 8. Stoned 9. Path 10. Dens 11. Neuronal 12. Orem 14. Rcpt 15. Soared 18. Leis 20. Erased 24. Anon 26. Bestow 28. Sureties 30. Sion 32. Relics 34. Gondola 35. Sora 37. Servile 38. Sieges 40. Nets 42. Sailed 43. Arad 45. Sets 47. Pees 49. Envy 50. Dies 51. Sacs 55. Bah

155 HWY 20 WEST

for you this week, Scorpio. Be sure to get outside and enjoy it as much as possible over the next several days.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 There is a fine line between being flexible and standing firm when you believe in your point of view, Sagittarius. Speak up if you feel strongly about your position.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Make a concerted effort to ensure a certain situation is not blown out of proportion, Capricorn. Carefully examine things before offering your input.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Try to add more exercise to your routine, Aquarius. Not only will it make you feel better physically, it can clear your head and allow for alone time to do some thinking.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, your life may be a little hectic over the next few days as a deadline draws near. Eventually things will return to normal.

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Bibs 5. Fess 9. Pentad 11. Novato 13. Adducer 15. Senator 16. Tai 17. On cloud nine 19. Huge 21. Spear 22. REM 23. Bora 25. Tiro 26. Bed 27. Sans 29. Senses 31. Sour 33. Dais 34. Genres 36. Lots 38. Sod 39. Elon 41. Noes 43. Ain 44. Tires 46. Wrap 48. Rededicates 52. Vie 53. Agonies 54. Stabile 56. Delves 57. Scales 58. Says 59. Shed

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, be careful with your words so they are not taken the wrong way in the coming days. If you practice what you plan to say, others will see your words for the kind gesture they are.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, there’s no need to apologize if you want to stay close to home this week. Invite some friends over to join in the fun.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Expect to work in a group setting this week, Gemini. Doing so will require you to carefully manage your time so everything can be done efficiently. Embrace others’ input and the collaborative effort.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Start this week with high energy, Cancer. You can ride that momentum through the weekend when you may need an extra boost. Find friends who can help you along.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, don’t be so modest that you won’t share your recent accomplishments with those you love the most.

It is okay to brag about yourself once in a while.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, many people are willing to lend you a helping hand, so take them up on their offers. You will be able to repay them in time if you feel the need to reciprocate.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Join a group of people who share the same goals as you, Libra. It can be a work group or a social movement if you so desire. Either way, socialize along the way.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Being outdoors has much appeal

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice, September 4, 2019

Voice

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

CROSSWORD

Steve McQueen, the untold story

S

T E V E MC Q U E E N, “the king of cool”, is an American movie legend. Last summer I enjoyed viewing a 2017 documentary on his life called, “Steve McQueen: American Icon.”

It was full of clips from his many movies, footage of McQueen himself, and commentary from his family and close friends. I learned a lot and could see that his life consisted of three distinct chapters.

The tough years

McQueen was born in 1930 in Indiana to alcoholic parents. His father, a circus stuntman, left his mother after only six months. McQueen’s mother had two more husbands, who were abusive to her and her son.

After being thrown down a flight of stairs, young McQueen threatened to kill his stepfather if he tried it again. He also lived off and on with his grandparents and uncle. At a young age, McQueen left home to live on the streets. He joined a gang, which led him into drinking, drugs, crime and reform school. He then

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drifted from job to job until he joined the Marine Corps in 1947 at age 17.

Three years later, he left the Corps and began to study acting in New York City. He had found his niche and his life was about to change.

The wild years

The young actor with the sad blue eyes began making a name for himself. His first movie as a lead actor was the 1958 sci-fi flick The Blob (not exactly the coolest name). From there his fame grew as he starred in a steady string of cowboy and thriller movies such as, The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), Bullitt (1968), Papillon (1973), The Tower-

Page 21

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ing Inferno (1974), and Tom Horn (1980). They were all box office successes with the exception of Le Mans (1971), which went bust.

McQueen was one of Hollywood’s leading and highest paid actors in the 1960s and 1970s. He was nominated for several Academy and Golden Globe awards.

The movie I remember best from my youth is The Great Escape, based on a true story of a Nazi POW camp and the daring (but largely doomed) attempt by Allied prisoners to tunnel their way out. Appropriately, McQueen spent a lot of his time in the “cooler,” a solitary cell, for his See FAITH LIFT next page

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Page 22

The Voice, September 4, 2019

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FAITH LIFT

DUNCAN

defiance and determination to escape. In one famous scene, McQueen is being chased by Nazi soldiers and jumps a fence on a stolen motorcycle.

In car-racing scenes, he performed many of his own stunts.

Unfortunately, his wealth also amply financed his destructive habits— drinking, drugs and immoral living.

He was seeking happiness but looking in all the wrong places. Actor and film director Mel Gibson commented that McQueen was desperately trying to fill a void in his life. He also loved fast cars and motorcycles and had lots of both. McQueen married three times.

His first marriage lasted 16 years and produced two children. His second marriage, to actress Ali MacGraw, lasted five years, and his last came at the end of his life.

This chapter of his life concluded with a near-death experience, not from an overdose or accident but from a crazed cult leader, Charles Manson.

McQueen was one of several high profile actors on Manson’s hit list. He had been invited to the party at the home of actress Sharon Tate where five (including Tate) were brutally murdered

by Manson cult members. Fortunately for McQueen, he picked up a female hitchhiker enroute and never made it to the party. Shaken by the close call, he started carrying a gun and became increasingly reclusive.

in mind.”

Greenfield said that he was prohibited by law from revealing even the general nature of any other complaints against Duncan, or any personal details about who may have filed them.

Asked whether the twomonth delay between Duncan’s agreement to resign and his actual departure was unusual, and possibly represented an ongoing risk to Duncan’s patients, Greenfield paused and seemed to want to choose his words carefully.

“What I would be able to say, is that, in general terms, the College would not allow a physician to remain in practice where there was concern, an immediate concern about the safety of the public. And, obviously, you can infer from that. But that would be the issue that I, again, under the Regulated Health Professions Act, I wouldn't be able to speak to the specific considerations involved.”

Smith said that she was informed of the committee’s decision the same day.

“I got the call just a couple hours after by the investigator to let me know the result of it.”

The Voice has learned that Duncan has approached at least three Niagara physicians in recent weeks, asking whether they could take his patients, estimated to be “in the hundreds.” To the newspaper's

continued from Page 20

continued from previous page

The final years

Most people remember McQueen as the cool movie star living life in the fast lane. But there’s more to his story.

Then in his late 40s and always seeking a new adventure, McQueen decided he wanted to learn how to fly.

He bought a vintage two-seat aircraft and enrolled for lessons. His flight instructor, Sammy Mason, was an older

Steve McQueen's booking mugshot, on being arrested on charges of impaired driving in Alaska, 1972.

WIKIPEDIA PHOTO man and devout Christian. He became a close friend and father figure for the famous actor who never had a good father. One day McQueen asked Mason why he was different and where he could find the same peace that he had. Mason simply told him that he found it in Jesus.

McQueen told his wife they were going to church the next Sunday. Soon after he met with the pastor and asked him many questions about Christianity and the Bible. Satisfied, McQueen told him he wanted to be a Christian too. His life began to change. He married his partner, Barbara Minty. The drinking and drugs stopped. He attended Ventura Missionary Church with his wife faithfully. He went back to the reform school of his youth and began spending time with the teenage delinquents pointing them in a better direction. He made plans to buy some land and start his own retreat centre for troubled youth.

Sadly, however, that dream was

never realized. He began to feel weak and was eventually diagnosed with cancer. He told his pastor he wanted to meet Billy Graham. One day when McQueen was preparing to fly to Mexico for cancer treatment, Graham met him at the airport. They talked and prayed together. McQueen told Graham he had forgotten his Bible so the evangelist promptly gave him his own. As they parted, McQueen said, “I’ll see you in heaven.”

On November 7, 1980, McQueen died in his sleep at the age of 50 from heart failure after cancer surgery in Mexico.

He was clutching Graham’s Bible.

In his final interview, Steve McQueen said that he hoped the change in his life would help others find the Lord as well. After a tumultuous life, the “King of Cool” had finally found peace with the King of kings. ♦ Pastor Rob Weatherby served congregations in Nova Scotia and Ontario over the last 40 years and enjoys good movies.

knowledge, none agreed.

Smith wasn’t surprised by the outcome, saying that CPSO investigators told her that Duncan would most likely quietly retire in the face of the evidence gathered.

She shook her head.

“But an innocent man doesn't do that, with a 40year practice in a small town.”

Smith said she wants the other complainant in the investigations to know that she supports them— and others who may not yet have the ability to come forward.

“My mom says to me, ‘You let that reporter know that the Jeffrey Epsteins of the world are alive and well in sleepy Fonthill.’ [But] these assaults don't just happen to young teenage girls. We have to be aware that there are people in positions of power. It could be a woman, it could be a male. But in my experience, I was assaulted by a male in a position of power. He was a doctor, he was my boss.”

Smith pointed to a paragraph in Duncan’s undertaking, where her case and that of the other complainant are identified by numbers.

“To number 1106198, there was no way I wasn't going to be there. I have to look back at what my intention was ten years ago and remain true to that, which was to help another person.

I would love for the other complainant to know I was always going to have her back.” ♦

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The Voice, September 4, 2019

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 diagonally-cut sandwiches and salads and trays of baked goods appear out of nowhere to feed everybody on such short notice?

I’ll tell you how: it’s thanks to the efforts of the Saint Marias and Joans and Ninas and Anns. Need to feed the masses after a funeral or a baptism or a short-notice wedding? Call Maria. In a flash she’ll mobilize a mini-army of God’s servants, clad in polyester slacks, sensible shoes and turtlenecks (crucifix on the outside of course). They march to the front line, armed with coffee pots and potato salad ladles.

Need to set up an event?

Call Maria. Need a treasurer for a fundraiser? Call Maria.

Organize a work party to clean the hall? Call Maria.

Need bail money? Actually, let’s forget that last one.

Never happened.

You’ll find a similar tale at every place of worship for every religion. The goodness and the service and the charity don’t flow from the top down. It happens every day in a million different ways, and it is a battle fought by soldiers who look nothing like soldiers. In my sister’s case, it’s driven by a lifetime of absolute unflinching faith, and a history of just always being there. She was there to help our mother raise her 14 chil-

dren. She was there changing diapers, cleaning house, taking kids to appointments, taking names and kicking butts. It’s a miracle she didn’t leave any of us on the bus or in the pews of St Helen’s Church. (I’ll bet you St Helen didn’t have to raise 13 unruly siblings.)

She was there for 47 years of marriage to a man from an entirely different world than hers. He was as ironwilled and stubborn as she, and yet they made it work beautifully until his passing last year. Their marriage answered the ages-old question, “What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?”

She was there for a family

trip back to Portugal. About 30 of us on one plane, and not one of us paid attention to the flight attendant’s pre-flight routine. Not one of us noted the location of emergency exits or the instructions for the flotation vest. Because we all knew Saint Maria had her rosary beads. Good to go.

It’s that moral steadiness, reliability, and unfailing “presence” that has elevated her to iconic status in our family, and that is why I christened her Saint Maria so many years ago. I’m sure everyone knows someone just like her, and I’m sure any priest and Maria herself would say I’m not qualified to make that judgment. But if I’m wrong, I don’t want to

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca be right.

Realistically, I am indeed completely unqualified to bestow religious titles.

Whereas my sister embraced her faith and dived headlong into its purity, I questioned from day one. The curse of an inquisitive mind is that it questions everything it’s confronted with. Confronted with the rituals and teachings of Catholicism all the way to high school graduation, I never found that unwavering belief that I deeply admire in others. My beliefs are science and history and rationality. They don’t play well with “faith.”

Not for me, anyways.

The struggle for me nowadays is to not delve into matters religious whenever Maria is around. I’m 100% confident in my beliefs, but I am still seriously afraid of her. She’s 10 inches shorter and 125 lbs lighter, but I think she could snap my spine with one withering look. If she

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flipped up the rock of my atheism, I fear that I would scurry away like a bug from the light of her halo. Maybe it’s just a residual effect from when I was a toddler and she was my caregiver, but regardless, I’m just not going down that road. My very soul could be at stake, if I were to believe in such things.

So if you ever happen to encounter my amazing eldest sister, just smile and nod when she tells you her baby brother is such a good boy. She has her faith, and I have mine, and never the twain shall meet. If she happens to read this article, there will probably be heck to pay, but I know what Saint Maria will also do: she’ll pull out her rosary beads and say a few extra prayers to her God for my eternal soul. It might not be enough to get me to that place I don’t believe in, but I’ll still sleep better knowing she’s got my back. ♦

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