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Ten only: Province rolls back gathering limit
Column Six
Size of private meetings cut as new COVID cases spike
Thirty hours on the front Serving with the “gatekeepers of democracy”
BY VOICE STAFF The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, is reducing limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province. Last week, the government imposed these restrictions in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa. The new limits are effective immediately. The Ford government is pushing an amendment to existing legislation that would see organizers of gatherings that violate the new limits hit with a minimum fine of $10,000, and temporary closure of the venues where the offenses occur. The details were provided over the weekend by Premier Doug Ford and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott. "Over the past several days, we have seen an alarming growth in the number of COVID-19 cases in the province," said Ford through a Provincial statement released Saturday, September 19. "Clearly, the numbers are
WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING In April, Pelham's Fire Chief, Bob Lymburner shows Mayor Marvin Junkin the likely timeline for a second and subsequent waves of COVID-19 infection over the following 12-18 months. DAVE BURKET
See ROLL BACK Page 16
See MASKS Page 15
BY DON RICKERS
Special to the VOICE
E Region: Mandatory masks until April Face covering bylaw extended into 2021 BY VOICE STAFF On Thursday, September 17, Regional Council voted to extend Niagara’s temporary face-covering bylaw to April 1, 2021. The bylaw requires masks in all enclosed public places in Niagara, and was set to expire on October 1. In a statement, the Region asserted that council’s decision to extend
the bylaw “recognizes the long-term nature of the pandemic, and the continued importance of following public health measures,” such as physical distancing, proper hand hygiene, and wearing a mask in public. Since the bylaw came into effect on July 31, the Region’s approach has been to educate the public and “gain voluntary compliance,” said the statement. A flash Voice online opinion poll conducted on Thursday found overwhelming support for the bylaw extension, with 188 respondents saying that face masks should continue to be
required, and just 17 respondents saying that they should not. The bylaw applies only to enclosed public places. It does not apply to outdoor locations or to indoor locations accessible only to staff. While the bylaw sets minimum requirements for face-coverings, individual businesses may implement their own policies that exceed the requirements of the bylaw. The bylaw includes a number of exemptions. Not everyone can wear a
ver since last week’s by-election was first announced, multitasking Pelham Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato has carried the ball, producing election materials, refining protocols, establishing dates and locations for two advance polls and the election day itself, and generally ensuring the accuracy and confidentiality of the voting process. In her words, the Clerk’s role is to “try to anticipate and preempt any potential issues or irregularities.” During her tenure with the Town of Pelham, Bozzato confides that there have been glitches, but none that impacted the integrity of the vote. “For me, it is not about the result…it is about the process that leads to the reSee FRONT back page
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
THE VOICE POLL So in the end, how did we do?
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
BY VOICE STAFF
Ignore the naysayers, turnout was actually up: There are lamentations being heard from James Federico supporters about “low” voter turnout in last week’s Ward 1 by-election—but don’t be fooled. Low compared to what? By-elections never bring out as many voters as general elections. The fact is that despite Pelham being in the middle of a deadly global pandemic, turnout was actually 5% higher in Ward 1 this year than it was the last time there was a by-election there, in 2011. This year saw 27% of eligible voters come out, compared to just 22% in 2011... On the front: Don't miss Don Rickers' Column Six this week on his experience at those polls...Another road trip: John Swart once again hits the road (p.18), this time closer to home. A tip of the hat for “sort of like East Fonthill on a slope,” which made me bark a laugh and startle the dog...A reward for the ride: If just reading about such exertions leaves you hungry, note that this Saturday is another prime rib night at the Pelham Street Grille (p.13), with their new NoBees® guarantee!...Probably better after you eat: A variation on an old folks joke for you, courtesy of a reader: “When I die, I want my remains to be scattered at Disneyland. Also, I don’t want to be cremated”...Richly deserved: The CBC sitcom Schitt’s Creek won a record-setting number of awards at the Emmys on Sunday, sweeping all seven comedy categories, a feat never before achieved. If you still haven’t given it a try, fire up your streaming box and click thee through to Netflix...More laughs: To our delight we've discovered that Frasier, the American sitcom that ran for 264 episodes, 1993-2004, is on Crave. It holds up very well, I'd say, and is surely wittier by far than much of what's out there these days...Decorate and win: DeVries Fruit Farm and Duliban Insurance are running a contest and charity benefit. More next week, but for now see the DeVries ad on p.7... Good to keep in mind: I was reminded recently of a quote by the journalist Bob Woodward, "The central dilemma in journalism is that you don't know what you don't know." It's also what keeps things interesting. Welcome to autumn! ◆
Once again, Voice election polling proved accurate in terms of the final outcome, and reasonably accurate as to vote distribution among the candidates. Over five weeks, the newspaper conducted an online tracking poll, inviting readers who lived in Ward 1 to tell us who they would vote for if the election were held that week. Candidate Wayne Olson started strong on Aug. 5, dipped a bit by Aug. 19, then continued an upward trajectory through the last online poll on Sept. 9, finishing at 41%. In our exit poll, conducted during the first advance voting day on Sept. 3, Olson led the pack with 57%. In the final official tally, Olson won the election with 58% of the vote. Even more accurate was the polling for James Federico. The second-place finisher ended the online poll at 26%,
Ward 1 voters: What mattered most? Do you live in Ward 1? Tell us why you did or didn't vote in last week's by-election. What issues were most important to you? Did you meet candidates face-to-face? Did Voice interviews affect your decision?
FEDERICO 26%
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BALLOONING INTEREST Grade 6 student Jinja Shepherd explains her experiment on static electricity at the Glynn A. Green Public School's annual science fair last Friday. See story, page 3. NATE SMELLE PHOTO
Public meeting tonight on school issues BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick. Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, confirms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-
Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN officials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation. DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be
“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently confirm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime. Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. “We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page
HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin. My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries. Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town. This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation. On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque. “This tree looks dead,” I said to my father. “It sure is getting there, Julie.” The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest
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Column Six
Growing up British
See COLUMN SIX Page 14
Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation
BY VOICE STAFF
A construction error was discovered following the opening of a traffic calming chicane on Haist Street north of Hwy 20 last Monday that prevented large vehicles from passing through. One resident living in the neighbourhood said he contacted the Town after seeing a small schoolbus get stuck as it tried to get through the new traffic calming measure. Later that day while driving behind a cement truck, he said that he became concerned for the public’s safety when the truck had to turn around because it couldn’t get through. “If a small school bus and a cement truck can’t make it through what about a fire
BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER
Special to the VOICE
A
Repair measures underway last week to correct a construction error in the chicane. truck or an ambulance?” he said. While waiting for the contractor to return to fix
the mistake, the Town has taken measures to temporarily allow passage for vehicles through the neigh-
VOICE PHOTO
bourhood in the short-term. Manager of Public Works Ryan Cook said that after discovering the issue with
the chicane the morning it first opened, the Town See CHICANE Page 5
Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest BY NATE SMELLE
The VOICE
Representatives from the Pelham Summerfest committee Candy Ashbee and Bill Gibson presented council with a final report on the 2016 Summerfest at the Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21. Prompted by a story in the Voice in August about a merchant petition to move Summerfest from Pelham Street, in September Town staff met with various stakeholders to hear their complaints, promising at the time that changes in the way Summerfest was mounted would be con-
Friday, Sept. 4 Motor vehicle accident, Orchard Hills/Luffman Dr., Shorthills. Vehicle fire, Highway 20 W, Fonthill (crane having mechanical issues) Medical assistance, Canboro Rd., Fenwick Tues, Sept 8 Remote alarm from security company, Fonthill (alarm set off due to cooking) Fri, Sept. 11 Burning complaint at community centre (was a propane fire pit) Sat, Sept. 12 Detector activation (faulty detector), Millbridge Cr., Fonthill Tues, Sept. 15 Grass fire (open air burn), Hansler St., Fonthill Medical assistance, Shorthills Structure fire, Farr St. Fenwick (turned out to be an openair burn), all three fire halls responded Thurs, Sept. 17 Vehicle fire, Hwy 20 Tim Horton’s, Fonthill
Vol.20 No.32
Wednesday October 12, 2016
sidered. The main concerns identified during the community engagement process were security, parking, ensuring customer can access all businesses in town, and liability for damages. How to get all Pelham Street businesses to participate and finding ways to make it beneficial for them to set up a booth were also determined to be of high priority for the committee as they plan for next year’s event. Gibson told Council that the committee is addressing these concerns in a variety of ways. To improve parking, they intend to create bet-
ter signage for out-of-town visitors to designated parking areas and shuttle services. To make participation in Summerfest more enticing to local businesses, they plan to implement a tiered-charge for booths. Under the new system, Pelham Street business owners will be charged the least, other local businesses will pay a slightly higher fee, and vendors from outside Pelham will pay the most. In response to more specific issues for individual businesses, they will also slightly alter the footprint of the event and make adjustments to security. Another way the committee plans
to improve the 2017 Summerfest is by sponsoring and working with the organizers of the Thursday Night Bandshell Concert series to select the artist performing on the first night of Summefest. They also intend to make more use of the smartphone app they launched in 2016. "We are really going to push it this year," Ashbee said. “It really helps to get people to see what events there are so they can plan out where they are going. We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses adSee CHANGES Page 5
FTER LUNCH ON Saturday, Mum and Dad had my afternoon cut out for me. Mum had more brass than anyone I knew, and it had to be cleaned. In addition there was the set of silver fish-knives and forks which were never used, but which had to be cleaned and put back in their velvetlined box. Next was a walk to the newsagents to pay for the daily delivery of the Daily Mirror. As I said, Dad was a printer, but when he was 37 he had been rejected for a job, as being too old, by the printers of the Beano. For that reason, my favourite comic was not allowed in the house, but while I was paying the papers, the newsagent let me have a 'shoofty' at the Beano. I'd explained my predicament and he understood completely. Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint
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See COLUMN SIX Page 14
BY VOICE STAFF
The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and well-rounded individuals
ceives them, enabling youth to have experiences that build character, challenge them, and allow them to try new things. The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and wellrounded individuals, better prepared for success. Apple Day helps to achieve that.”
“Any money raised during Apple Day goes towards improving the Scouting program by providing more outdoor adventures for youth, camping equipment, canoes and paddles, training and many other endeavours that the youth want to experience,” says Marie. Scouts Canada has some 100,000 members across Canada, and carries out programs for boys, girls
Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept. 19 Council meeting as part of a delegation from EL Crossley Secondary School, students Abby Loewen and Neenah Williams presented Council with a list of reasons that they should immediately approve the construction of the new sidewalk proposed along Hwy. 20. The asphalt side-
walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school. Because of the large volume of motor vehicle traffic travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later. After delivering to Council a petition containing
Many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later the names of 450 students calling for a safer walk to school, Simpson handed the
podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case. Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel. As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.
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and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support. Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.
Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley BY NATE SMELLE
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Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers SUPPLIED PHOTO in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign. A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people offered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.
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Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn
Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932
While shopping in Fonthill between Friday and Sunday, keep an eye out for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in front of local stores with bushels of apples. As part of the annual Apple Day campaign, Scouting youth of all ages will be trading apples for donations. The yearly fundraising drive is an important way for young Scouts to connect with the communities they are serving, says Leah Marie of Scouts Canada. “The Apple Day campaign holds a great tradition of being able to have youth interacting within the communities they live in,” she says. “All of the Apple Day donations stay directly within the group that re-
Indulgence Bakery Mossimo’s Pelham Street Grille Peter Piper’s Pubhouse DeVries Fruit Farm Beamer’s Hardware Pelham Libraries Bob’s Boys Antiques PharmaChoice Pharmacy Fonthill Fitness Fenwick Pie Company McDonald’s Duffin Appleworks Fonthill Legion Semenuk’s Gas Bar Shoppers Drug Mart Tim Horton’s Giant Tiger Fonthill LCBO Zee Lube Express Care Food Basics Minor Bros Stores Avondale Stores A-1 Market Boggio's IDA Sobeys South Pelham Grill on Canboro Shell on Hwy 20 Circle-K
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BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick. Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues. Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students. “The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated. The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the
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SOOS 6% BRIGANTINO 2% KENYON 1%
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Soos, which steadily increased in number through the duration of the polling. Votes were recorded from US and European IP addresses, among other signs of attempted rigging. We eliminated roughly half of Soos’ votes before tabulating poll results each week, but could not be entirely sure about the validity of some of the rest, opting to leave them in. Reached for comment after the election, Soos said that he had no idea who may have been behind the effort. “As you know, I have a fairly large social media following, which could have played a part,” said Soos. “All I can really say is that I am glad those votes were disqualified, and accept the results of the by-election. Councillor Olson won by a very large margin, and it just goes to show that the only poll that matters is the one on election day.”
Final election results
KENYON 3%
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the exit poll at 26%, and in the official tally garnered 25% of the vote. Polling vs. actual results for the rest of the field were mixed, although accurately predicted single-digit finishes for all of the remaining candidates, with Colleen Kenyon coming last both online and in reality. There was a glaring exception to the polls’ accuracy: Steven Soos. In online polling Soos finished at 21%, and in the exit poll came away with 14%, theoretically placing him third overall. In reality, Soos garnered just 6% of the vote, with Wally Braun ending up in third at 8%. In fact, the Soos results were problematic from the start of polling in early August. The Voice takes precautions to detect attempts to game the system, and actively weeds out obvious shots at doing so. We noticed immediately what appeared to be out-of-area votes for
Voice exit poll, Sept. 3 SOOS 14%
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“I start work at 2:30 PM and school lets out at 2:15 PM so I can’t take any other route,” Williams explained. “I have had friends, family, teachers and other community members reach out to me in the past about how this is unsafe and how there should be another alternative for us.” Looking ahead to winter, when she will need to walk this path three or four times See SIDEWALK Page 2
HERE IS NO BETTER time to cycle than Fall. It matters not whether you’re new to the sport, a seasoned recreational cyclist, racer, touring rider or mountain biker; we all have reason to look forward to autumn. Summer’s heat has faded, and the streams of sweat that ran from soggy helmets into our eyes are now just slight perspiration. Fitness is peaking from lots of saddle time, making those tough climbs of Spring a breeze in Autumn. It’s hard to beat the feeling of beginning a crisp, cool Fall ride with a slight shiver, knowing your efforts will soon warm you perfectly. The hues of Autumn are outstanding. A Pelham route as simple as following our southern boundary is one that would make most Toronto cyclists jealous, especially when our forests and fields are ablaze with colour. Begin from Harold Black Park, and zig-zag south along Effingham Rd toward the Welland River. If you’re new to cycling, it’s important to know south is the direction away from any hills. If you avoid the morning and evening weekday rush hours caused by those travelling through Pelham between Wainfleet See AUTUMN Page 3
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
A CATALOGUE OF BEAUTY
Garden Club recently designed, planted and continues to maintain the pollinator garden at the west side of the library, going up the stairs. According to a statement by the Pelham Beautification Committee, the Town appreciates the Pelham Garden Club’s labour of love as they beautify many areas throughout the town. From left, Susan Law, Marjorie Tuck, Sandra Black, Barbara Botden, Jeanette Dempster, Jen Pilzecker (Chair of Pelham Beautification Committee), Carol Empacher, and Lois LaCroix.The Beautification Committee acknowledges the many beautiful gardens throughout the town. Of special interest are Cindy Palframan’s gardens, at the corner of Pelham and Broad
The Pelham Horticultural Society, informally known as The Pelham Garden Club, has been in existence since 1928. The volunteer members have taken on many projects over the decades with the Town of Pelham benefiting from new flower beds to tree plantings. The Pelham Library, Fonthill Branch is one recipient of the club’s beautification efforts. In 2006 the Garden Club received a $500 grant from the Ontario Horticultural Association in celebration of the Town’s 150th anniversary. The club used the grant to design and plant the garden seen here. Garden Club members continue to maintain the garden. The Pelham
Page 3
Streets in Fonthill. A neighbour who frequently walks by the property suggested Cindy’s gardens to the committee. The committee encourages residents to take a drive to view the many and varied gardens now at the height of their splendour. The Beautification Committee’s monthly “Thank You” card program is one of the Committee’s efforts to inspire the Town’s businesses, organizations and residents to exemplify ideals defined in the Beautification Committee’s Terms of Reference, available at www.Pelham.ca. The committee names a new recipient each month. Individuals are encouraged to submit potential recipient recommendations to beautification@pelham.ca SUPPLIED
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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 Peggy Brekveld Support for women in agriculture encourages equity
F
rom an historical perspective, women have always played a vital role in agriculture, but it was often undocumented, unacknowledged and unquantified. Each woman is strong and influential in their own right. These women encourage us in their leadership, actions and language. In your community, these influential women might be your mother, sister, daughter, neighbour, colleague, or partner. On the OFA board, their names are Jackie, Debra, Tracey, Teresa, and soon to be Jennifer. In the past, they included Melissa, Eleanor and Bette Jean. I am proud to have worked with these women on the organization’s board of directors. This demonstrates how the landscape of the Ontario agriculture industry has diversified to include women. Supporting evidence of this is that while the number of farms in Ontario decreased by 13% from 2006 to 2016, the number of farms with female operators increased by 12%. In the past, the agriculture sector has often been viewed as a male-dominated industry, which lacked female representation and
rarely showcased women in leadership roles. In a 2015 Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) study, only eight out of the 65 Canadian agricultural associations surveyed had a woman as
Women in agriculture continue to face more barriers than their male counterparts
their board chair or president, and only 28% had at least one woman on their board. These statistics can be daunting. Although Ontario’s agriculture industry has evolved to include the representation and inclusion of women, there continues to be a lot of work to do to eliminate gender stereotypes and achieve equity. OFA conducted a survey in January 2020 where 67% of
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female farmer respondents indicated that they had been disrespected because of their gender, compared to just 2% of their male counterparts. Women in agriculture continue to face more barriers than their male counterparts, both in their careers and their personal lives, as a result of gender roles. The CAHRC study found that women identified barriers to advancing in the field of agriculture (41%) and barriers balancing career and family responsibilities (16%). Another 16% spoke of the “old boys club” and 13% found there was a lack of female role models in leadership positions. Additional barriers noted by the women included access to childcare, gendered roles and responsibilities, different levels of on and off farm expectations, access to resources and off-farm employment. Female farming operations are also smaller scale than male-owned operations and gross less profit. In 2017-18, OFA participated in an Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and UniSee EQUITY next page
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger office@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca
Paved or gravel, trail manners matter I noted last week’s letter regarding the Steve Bauer trail, biking, walking, and the speeding cars in the neighbourhood. I'd like to add one more notation. Now that the Steve Bauer trail is being paved from Port Robinson to just south of Merritt, we could be in for a different type of speeding. When my husband and I ride our bikes along the trail we are constantly affected by the rudeness and inconsiderate riding of some “professional” bikers that we encounter along the way. I'm being sarcastic, of course, because professional bikers wouldn't be so careless.
While we are out doing our morning ride for exercise, more often than not there is some very rude and uncaring rider that can peddle ten times our speed and they go whizzing by us at a speed that should be clocked and fined. I know that the trail is for everyone to use, but when we are on it there are many walkers, joggers, and people pushing strollers, and all of these folks are in danger of being hurt. The cyclist is long gone by the time we realize that he just went by and if my balance is any indication See MANNERS next page
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900
Members of Pelham Town Council
Member of Provincial Parliament
Ward 1
Electoral District: Niagara West
The Voice
Letters
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805
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Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-5877 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647
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BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication. The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our office at 905-892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics
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Page 5
OPINION Health Coalitions' joint statement on COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the extent to which our individual health is dependent on the health of everyone in our community. Public healthcare is our best defence against this crisis and others like it. However, our ability to endure crises and care for each other has been eroded through decades of austerity budgets, privatization and inadequate planning. Even during “normal times” the health care system is at capacity. While health care workers and communities are struggling to support each other, corporate interests are trying to profit. This must be resisted. The solution is not privatization. Instead, we should be strengthening universal health care and our collective ability to care for one another. As governments ramp up efforts to address the current crisis, Health Coalitions across Canada are calling for them to resist privatization and to uphold the foundational principles of equity and compassion that underlie our public health care system. We call upon all levels of government to work together to reclaim and increase the capacity of our public health care system to: Address existing health inequities by removing barriers to access and scaling up services for marginalized communities Restore capacity in our public hospitals by reopening facilities and beds that have been closed due to funding cuts and down-
PELHAM AND COVID-19
sizing, and expand capacity under public and non-profit hospital governance Improve supports for health care workers, including by adopting the strongest protective standards, enhancing recruitment and retention, and giving workers the resources and equipment they need Ensure that all services are available free of charge and delivered publicly, including testing, vaccination, hospital stays and telehealth. Now more than ever, we need a universal, public health care system that puts patients before profits, that prioritizes the health of everyone living in Canada and that honours and respects the principles of the Canada Health Act. We cannot allow this crisis to be used to dismantle universal, public health care in Canada. Instead, we must renew our commitment to a system based not on profit, but instead on the shared belief that health care is a human right. Alternatives North BC Health Coalition Canadian Health Coalition Coalition solidarité santé Friends of Medicare Health Coalition of Newfoundland & Labrador Manitoba Health Coalition Nova Scotia Health Coalition Ontario Health Coalition PEI Health Coalition
MANNERS
continued from previous page of others on their bikes, the wind he creates would knock us over. I don't know if he is a courier or a student or someone just late for work, but he always has a backpack on and a helmet so we never see his face anyway. I just think that this is the sort of rider we don't want on the trail, whether it is gravel or paved. He has enough skill to be riding on the roads. Now that the trail is being worked on he has to use the roads but I'm betting that he will be the first to test it when it is complete. There are times when I wish he would hit a bump and fall, but he rides too fast for that to happen. I have fallen off my bike before and I don't wish to be knocked over by an idiot who doesn't care. The trail is for enjoying, not for speeding on. I hope he reads this and takes note of what people think of his attitude. J. Vlym Fonthill
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Extension of mandatory masks the right vote—for now
A
t last Thursday night’s Regional Council meeting, councillors voted to extend the Region-wide bylaw making the wearing of facial masks mandatory when residents are inside a public building, or when social distancing is not possible. The bylaw was extended to April 1, 2021. The rational for an extension this long was that this would take the bylaw through the flu season, and it is believed that with the increased confinement everyone experiences during the winter months, COVID-19 infections could rise. There were a number of councillors, I was one of them, that did not want to
extend the bylaw that far into the future. Staff pointed out that many area Regions had adoptMarvin Junkin ed the April 1 date, and if the Public Health Unit deemed that the masks were no longer needed, say in February or March, we could at that time rescind the bylaw. When called, the vote was roughly 85% in favour with yours truly being one to vote in favour of extending. On Friday, also at Region, Regional Chair Jim Bradley and the mayors of all 12 lower-tier municipalities signed a declaration making Niagara a member of the Coalition
of Inclusive Municipalities that want to improve their policies against racism, discrimination, exclusion, and intolerance. Niagara now joins 82 other municipalities across Canada that are working to advance initiatives which improve their practices to promote social inclusion, establish policies to eradicate all forms of racism and discrimination, and promote human rights and diversity. In this day and age with the Ontario Human Rights Code in place, I dare say most of these items are already covered, but it never hurts to have a re-affirmation of their policies stated. They should indeed be included in all government policies. ◆
Faith doesn't necessarily imply religion Hello again, Voice readers! I truly did not expect to be back on your pages again so soon, but felt a complimentary retort to Mr. Alan Bown was appropriate after he kindly bestowed upon me the honorific title of “a letter writer” [“Fear, faith and COVID-19,” Letters, Sept. 16, p.5].
Embracing his clarion call for “action,” I reaffirmed the first listed meaning of faith in the dictionary—one which was conveniently and inexplicably omitted in Mr. Bown’s letter— namely, “complete trust See FAITH next page
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VOICE OF PELHAM
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Contact Name Tarja Barton versity of Guelph research study. Female-operated farms on average tended to be smaller acreage (132 acres), compared email to 287 acres for male-operated farms. With 57% of fegraphics@thevoiceofpelham.ca Contact Phone male-operated farms generating less than $25,000 in gross Dr. Ann Volk 905.736.0051 farm receipts, there is more to be done to support female Marketing Director Dr. Randy Pauls farmers with funding, training, and support services. HowContact email Ngo Dave Burket Dr. Jeanette ever, what the numbers fail to illustrate is the passion for email farming that women in agriculture possess. It drives their Optometrists advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca success in a way that defies the statistics. There are programs and initiatives that aim to encourMon, Wed • 8am - 5:30pm age female involvement in agriculture. In 2019, to address Approved By: TueDate: • 8 am - 7pm 905.892.8690 the gender disparity, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) developed ‘R.C. O’Hara’ 29, 2016 Thu Mar • 8:45am - 7pm the Women Entrepreneur Program to provide support for Fri • 8am 4:30pm female entrepreneurs with a commitment of $500 million PRODUCTION DEADLINES over 3 years. FCC has also developed a resource page to supBookings Camera Ready Ads News / Editorial port women searching for programs, Ad funding and resources. 1405 South Fonthill • 905-892-5191 Thursday Noon, week prior. MondayPelham, Noon for advertiser Monday Noon Additionally, in 2013 The Ag Women’s Network (AWN) was supplied print ready/ Ad Materials On Press created. The AWN is a volunteer non-profit association and approved ads. Supplied as Thursday 4 pm,through week prior, the for ads requiring Tuesday was created to cultivate and connect leaders high resolution pdfs. design, production and proofing. Distribution empowerment of women. The AWN Mentorship Program Classified ads Ad Approvals Weekly on Wednesdays receives sponsorship support from FCC to provide a unique Thursday Noon Friday Noon, week prior. opportunity for women – from any aspect of agriculture or NOTE: Deadlines may be adjusted Community Event Listings Repeatpartnership. Ads for statutory holidays. career stage – to connect in a mentoring Also, Thursday Noon MondayinNoon for ads with no changes or minor programs such as the Influential Women Canadian Agri1 proof only. across culture highlight role models for the changes. next generation all fields of farming. Now, my proposal to all of you, is to find a woman in farming that you admire, across the table, online, or maybe even in the mirror. Tell them, “You’re amazing, and farming wouldn’t be the same without you. You help grow food for the world and you should be proud of all that you do. You’ve got this. You inspire me. Thank you for all that you do for Ontario agriculture.” Our industry has an important role to play in supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplaces, our boardrooms, our governments and in our society. We are stronger and more valuable when everyone has a voice at the table. ◆
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NEWSFLASH Tell us your story! Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past. Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit? Everyone has a story. Tell us yours! NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 2000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)
Page 6
The Voice, September 23, 2020
Letters
con't
FAITH
continued from previous page or confidence in someone or something.” Precisely as I meant, leaving it to the individual reader to determine what constitutes their unique and personal faith. As Mr. Bown only knows me as “a letter writer,” he would have no verification I have an ecclesiastical background and therefore would be incorrect in his “extravagant unsubstantiated” inference that the religious definition was solely intended. At the risk of seeming to be an ultracrepidarian, however, it is my personal belief that the underpinnings of society as we know them and the personal freedoms and liberties we have so greatly enjoyed are being severely tested, and are indeed at risk from the current COVID-19 pandemic. If I can help instill faith in my fellow mankind during this time of acute crisis I will strive to continue to do so. Theron Jordan Whistler, BC Editor’s note: No, we didn’t know the word either. An “ultracrepidarian” is someone who expresses an opinion about matters beyond the scope of their knowledge or expertise. Think Cliff the mailman on Cheers. Or, more locally…. Hmm. Never mind!
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Reaction to council asking for less work, Ron Kore for in-person meetings Apparently Kore still doesn’t quite understand how this illness transmits. One would think after having it himself and a fellow councillor dying that this supposedly intelligent guy would “get” it. Why on earth would he still be pushing for face-to -face meetings? He, clearly, learned nothing from his experiences of last year. I guess this is what happens when someone doesn’t have to face any consequences for their own actions. Becky Derose Via Facebook Too much workload and not enough time for councillors? It doesn't give council enough time to organize and attack the Mayor. Rod Scapillati Via Facebook Kore should pay attention to what's going on, Bloc Q in isolation because one staffer tested positive, the conservatives in isolation because one staffer tested positive. What part of “this is highly infectious and airborne” did he not understand? He needs to stop burying his head in the salad bar. I'm sure Doug Ford would ask if he is a few fries short of a happy meal. Barbara Stramm Via Facebook
Councillor Wayne Olson, lower right, after taking his public oath of office at the start of Pelham Town Council's regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. YOU TUBE
Pelham's newest councillor gets right to work It’s been a busy few days for Ward 1’s new Councillor Wayne Olson, following his victory in last Tuesday’s by-election. The Voice asked Olson for a report on his preparations thus far to join council for his first meetings, to have occurred this Monday, September 21. Here's what he supplied. It was arranged for me to meet senior staff and Town Clerk Bozzato on Wednesday for an indoctrination prior to this Monday’s virtual meetings. I was sworn in by the Clerk so that I could receive documents and prepare for the meetings which promise to be quite lengthy.
The document package for Monday’s meetings was quite extensive. I got a pretty good start on them because it was intended that I meet with senior management on Thursday and I wanted to have a basis to ask appropriate questions. I was pleased to find that the documents were detailed, informative, consistently well written and clearly connected to the strategic plans for the Town. It is all pretty new to me but I started to see a logical pattern in the process. I think it will be easier and faster the next time through. After reading the documents, I went
back and reread the Strategic Plans and the Annual Report for the Town. I agree with one of the reports that said the Annual Report was a bit too quantitative. I also see that staff has agreed and will include more qualitative information. In any event, the Strategic Plans and the Annual Report are excellent documents for a leadership perspective. As a leader at any level in our Town, you can effectively lead using these documents. I had read them much earlier and commended the staff. See OLSON next page
See you at the MCC. Regular programming returns to the Meridian Community Centre (MCC) at the end of September and early October. Programs returning are: • Ladies learn to play hockey: week of September 27 • Stick and puck: week of September 27 • Shinny: week of September 27 • Public skating: week of September 27 • Brock fitness class: week of September 27 • Pickleball: week of September 27 • Seniors fitness: week of September 27 • Chair yoga: week of October 4 For more information, registration, and safety precautions, call 905-732-7872 or visit www.pelham.ca/mcc
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OLSON
continued from previous page Of course, I was drawn to the financial reports and evaluated the budgetary performance of several departments prior to my meetings with senior staff. I am quite familiar with the reporting format and the Ontario FIS reporting system. I did note in general that the operating budgets and the capital budgets were generally being met in each department. The community centre is currently contributing to the budget, which is quite good. On Thursday, I met for one hour each with Director Vickie vanRavenswaay, Fire Chief Bob Lymburner, and Public Works Director Jason Marr. I thanked each of them for meeting with me and assisting me in learning more about their departments. In total, we discussed our great new on-demand transportation system, the Steve Bauer Trail, possible remedies for social isolation with particular attention to rural Pelham, bylaws and enforcement, the excellent COVID-19 response, capital budgets, and roads and bridges. With respect to the current controversy about the workload for council, 300 pages would be quite a bit to read, cross reference and fully comprehend even accounting for the steep learning curve that I am now experiencing. I would defer to the opinions of my colleagues on council.
The Voice, September 23, 2020 The good news is that the staff work is excellent, and the reports are complete and comprehensive and the reporting protocols are robust. There is always room for improvement in any process and I hope that council’s legitimate concerns can be addressed.
The good news is that the staff reports are excellent, and the reports are complete and comprehensive
Further, I would prefer that we be able to meet together in person. I have been attending virtual meetings for some time since March or April and I find them limiting in the longer term. In the meantime, I guess we will continue to meet virtually. As I was leaving, I was handed a number of bylaws governing proceedings of council and conduct of members. My weekend reading. On Friday, I visited several citizens that I had met during the campaign in order to say thank you, discuss any issues and say hello to some of our shutins. People are quite interested in my introduction to council and staff. Their
valuable advice to me: stay positive. On Saturday, was able to do my personal “RUReady’ check-off to make certain I am ready for the first meeting. I also have to study the various Provincial Acts governing municipalities. There are quite a few citizens who are only available on Saturdays so I got around to see them for a short visit. On Monday, I will have a chance to do a quick review of the agendas and basically fill in the blanks in my understanding as much as I can. I am looking forward to the meetings because it will be a great opportunity to join the team and join them on the path to a constantly improving Pelham. On Tuesday afternoon, I am to continue my meetings with Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato, Planning Director Barb Wiens, and Treasurer Teresa Quinlin. I am quite optimistic about these meetings and I thank staff again for their work and for taking the time to meet with me. By this time, I want to have a pretty comprehensive but preliminary knowledge of my new colleagues, the procedures and policies, and of the issues. I am pretty sure to have a lot of questions and I am pretty certain there will more to read. After Tuesday, I intend to get back on the road for a few hours a day to visit people. I was thinking of taking my snow tires off but I guess I’ll just wait for spring.
Reopening schools safely matters to everyone That’s why the government of Ontario has worked with health officials, school boards and educators to develop a comprehensive plan to keep kids and staff safe. • Physical distancing measures will be implemented such as desk separation, signs, floor markings and one-way hallways. • Face coverings will be required for staff and students in Grades 4-12. • Hand hygiene will be enabled with hand sanitizer and hand washing. • More nurses will be in schools. • School cleaning will be enhanced.
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
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Business FOCUS
Physiotherapist praises new rehab treatment BY DON RICKERS
Special to the VOICE
Ryan Walker, the physiotherapist/owner of Niagara Orthopedic Institute in Fonthill, is in the pain business. His clients are young and old, athletic and sedentary, all eager to rehabilitate their joints and muscles due to injury, or deterioration with age. And pain is an unfortunate consequence. Walker offers a broad range of treatments, but the one he is currently most excited about is blood flow restriction therapy (BFR). His is one of the few clinics in Ontario currently offering the procedure, and Walker himself is one of fewer than a dozen certified practitioners in all of Canada. BFR involves brief and intermittent occlusion of blood flow of a limb using a tourniquet—in this case, a pneumatic cuff, not unlike an inflatable blood pressure cuff. Both arterial blood flow (from the heart) and venous blood flow (to the heart) are restricted. Light-load exercise is performed while the cuff is inflated, with potential gains in muscle mass and strength comparable to those of heavy resistance training. The treatment has post-operative and post-injury applications. “Right now I have about four clients on BFR. A couple are competitive athletes, one's a post-operative patient, and one's an older woman with an arthritic knee,” said Walk-
er. Developed in Japan in the 1970s, the treatment gained attention about 20 years ago when an American army physical therapist used the technique to build muscle strength in soldiers, especially those who had been injured in battle. Bodybuilders have also employed blood flow restriction in their training by tightly wrapping their knees and elbows as part of their weight lifting regimen. BFR therapy is not yet widely prescribed by doctors, but Walker says research increasingly shows that it is a safe and effective way to improve strength and cardiovascular function, especially in older people who are unable to tolerate traditional strength or endurance training. Walker stresses that this treatment is not experimental, having undergone rigorous random control trials worldwide, with plenty of scientific data supporting its effectiveness. “The awareness of BFR just isn't there yet…most surgeons have no familiarity with it. It's a big unknown in Canada. I was planning to get out to speak with local health care professionals about BFR, but COVID put a damper on that,” he said. Walker considers it especially noteworthy that studies have indicated BFR encourages the release of
Physiotherapist Ryan Walker demonstrates BFR therapy. chemical mediators like endorphins (one of the “feel-good” hormones) that relieve pain. Although many studies have reported positive results from BFR, some medical professionals advise against the unsupervised use of the therapy. If performed improperly, BFR has the potential to cause a thrombosis (blood clot) or nerve damage. “Nerve damage is probably the most real concern with this, and that's mitigated in a couple ways,” said Walker. “We use a wide pneu-
matic cuff, which distributes the pressure over a larger surface area. In addition, our unit has a Doppler ultrasound feature, which adjusts the cuff pressure to each unique patient.” The potential risk of a thrombosis is very low, said Walker, since the inflated cuff is only activated for about eight minutes at once, which allows the body plenty of time to restore its normal blood flow to the limb. By comparison, tourniquets applied during medical operations restrict blood flow for much longer
DON RICKERS
periods. Asked about frequency of treatment and costs, Walker said “I would recommend two sessions a week for at least four weeks to see positive results. Patients require an initial assessment ($85) to see if BFR is right for them, with follow-up sessions ($70) lasting about 30-45 minutes per session.” “BFR really is a game changer when it comes to rehab therapy,” said Walker. “It’s one of the biggest breakthroughs in the field in the past 20 years.”
ADD YOUR VOICE TO NIAGARA’S OFFICIAL PLAN NIAGARA IS GROWING!
The region is forecasted to grow to a minimum of 674,000 people and 272,000 jobs by the year 2051. To guide this growth, Niagara Region is creating a new Official Plan. The Niagara Official Plan will set out objectives and policies to shape Niagara’s physical development, while protecting what’s valuable. It will cover topics like: Niagara’s natural environment, land needs, growth allocations, housing, transportation, urban design, employment lands, agriculture and more.
YOU’RE INVITED
Attend a series of virtual public information centres to learn more about key directives and core policy information that will inform the Niagara Official Plan. Get informed, ask questions to staff, and provide your input on how Niagara should grow. If you require any accommodations for a disability in order to attend and participate in meetings or events, contact the Niagara Region’s Accessibility Coordinator at 905-685-4225 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca. Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. If you are not able to attend, you can provide input or ask questions by emailing makingourmark@niagararegion.ca, or contact David Heyworth, Official Plan Policy Consultant at 905-980-6000 ext. 3476
niagararegion.ca/official-plan makingourmark@niagararegion.ca
VIRTUAL PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRES
Register for each of the following sessions at niagararegion.ca/official-plan. Video recordings will also be available online following the sessions. Wednesday, Oct. 7 6:00 p.m. Topic: Growth Management - Growth Allocations, Settlement Area Boundary Review, Regional Structure, Land Needs, Housing Thursday, Oct. 8 6:00 p.m. Topic: District & Secondary Plans, Urban Design, and Employment Lands Tuesday, Oct. 20 6:00 p.m. Topic: Rural & Agriculture, Mineral Aggregate Resources, Archaeology & Culture Wednesday, Oct. 21 6:00 p.m. Topic: Infrastructure, Water and Wastewater, Stormwater, Transportation
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
Page 9
Vehicle bursts into flames at Fonthill Tim Horton's The Pelham Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in the Tim Horton's parking lot on Highway 20, Fonthill, around 1:30 PM last Thursday afternoon. "On arrival we had a service van with fire showing in the engine compartment and seating area of the van," Fire Prevention Officer Jason Longhurst told the Voice. "The van had a divider that stopped the fire from getting into the back, where all the ser-
vice equipment was kept." The flames were extinguished by the responding fire crew, and by late afternoon all that remained was charred pavement with a thin layer of what appeared to be fire retardant foam slowly evaporating. Longhurst estimated the loss at around $20,000. There were no reported injuries. ALEX BRADY
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
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Through Louis' Lens
T H E PHO T O GR A PH Y OF
LOUIS ALBANESE
I
t was an ethereal scene in rural Welland south on September 14, as smoke from the wildfires out west reached Ontario once again, causing the setting sun to appear more like a rising Blood Moon. "The haze was such that I could meter the scene off the sun itself," said Albanese, who shot the image with a 300mm lens on a Nikon
D850 at ISO 400. Some 5 million acres of forest have burn Washington, and California. According to an analysis by the Times, wildfires are getting larger and occurring more o the ten largest fires in California history have burned in the Two weeks ago, the massive August Complex became the
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ned in Oregon, e Los Angeles often. Eight of e past decade. largest fire in
The Voice, September 23, 2020
the state's history. Smoke from west coast has risen tens of thousands of feet, leaving eerie orange scenes in the middle of the day on the west coast, and travelling east on the upper-level winds known as the jet stream—all the way to Ontario and points farther east. The Times noted that since the fire season doesn't usually peak until autumn, the situation is likely
to worsen still. The fires show how climate change is affecting the most populous US state, says Scientific American. "Hotter temperatures, less dependable precipitation and snowpack that melts sooner lead to drier soil and parched vegetation. Climate change also affects how much moisture is in the air."
Page 11
Page 12
The Voice, September 23, 2020
ON THE LAM Spotted on Saturday at the intersection of Deerpark and Spruceside Crescents, this crustacean may well have been on the run since February and a certain dinner gathering. See Voice on Vacation, p. 2. BOB LOBLAW
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NO MATCH FOR KIDS WITH SPEARS Debris at Marlene Stewart Streit Park didn’t stand a chance last Wednesday as the 3rd Fonthill Scout Group descended en masse for a clean-up. Well bagged, scouts, well bagged. SUPPLIED
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
Page 13
Root finds new home BY BILL POTRECZ
BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM
down in April after a decade to accept the coaching position at Ryerson. “He recruited me for almost three years,” Root said. “McGill was the first USports team to reach out to me going into my first year at Ridley in Grade 11.” Ryan Thorne replaced DeAveiro as head coach, but Root isn’t concerned the coaching change will affect his position on the team. “It was obviously a bit of a shock at first but I still felt that McGill was a place I could have an impact on a team that has a real chance at winning a national championship,” Root said. “They were 12-4 last year and I really believe we can make a run.” Root, a 6-foot-5 forward/guard, is looking forward to the challenge of playing at the next level. “I think my style of play may change now that DeAveiro is no longer at McGill but the style of players he recruited will be,” he said. “I feel my role will be dependent on how
BILL POTRECZ
McGill University was the perfect fit for Alex Root, both on and off the court. The 18-year-old Welland native was looking for a post-secondary institution where he could study business as well as further his basketball career next season after graduating from Ridley College. McGill checked all the boxes. “I was looking at a variety of Division 1 schools in the States and a plethora of D2 and D3 [schools] and it came down to factors that had to be balanced for me,” Root said. “Going to Ridley really gave me a broader view on the value of education so McGill really does provide the best balance of all that. “It’s somewhere where I can play right away and impact the team along with being one of the best business schools in the country. That was one thing that pushed me away from some of the other programs.” Root was recruited by former coach David DeAveiro, who stepped
I perform and what I bring to the team, but my understanding is that I have an opportunity to play my way into a position that can really help the team win.” Root, who captained the Tigers’ Ontario Scholastic Baseball Association teams in 2019 and 2020 and averaged 15 points and five assists per game, is thankful to have his future mapped out. “Right now, I can see it through some of my teammates who are going through the recruiting process and it’s very stressful,” he said. “I am really thankful I was able to go through mine fully because it’s very uncertain.” Root attended Notre Dame for two years before moving to Ridley for his final two years of high school. Root said attending Ridley helped take his game to the next level. “I felt Ridley was the best place in Canada in the OSBA to develop your game competing against the best players, not only on the other teams, but also on your own team. In practice at Ridley, you saw all these national team players who checked their egos at the door and just went into the gym to get better. “I felt like I had to make that move. It really helped my game and I’m glad I did it.”
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Page 14
The Voice, September 23, 2020
ESCARPMENT
continued from Page 18 ping Toronto visitors staring at you from the patios are enviously wishing they were you. The second climb meanders gradually upward via Glen Road into Ball’s Falls. Chalk one up for cyclists here, as since completion of the new Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s visitor’s centre, all free on-street parking has been eliminated. If you’d like a break, or to take a photo in front of historic St George Anglican Church, in what was once the village of Glen Elgin, just roll your bike onto the grass. No need to
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Above, warning sign on top of Regional Road 18 in Beamsville. It doesn’t get better than this for a cyclist. Right, Looking down toward Lake Ontario from near the top of Woolverton Cut in Grimsby. It’s a long way down. JOHN SWART
pay. Next it’s west on Moyer Road past graceful Vineland Estates Winery, then a northern descent on Cherry Avenue between Tawse Winery and Megalomaniac Winery. The story of these three wineries couldn’t be more different. Vine-
land Estates has melded new facilities exquisitely with the original historic barn and stone buildings. Tawse Winery is organic,
Fonthill Plaza (905) 892-5443
and worked hard to minimize their environmental impact by using a six-level, gravity-flow production process, and a geothermal cooling system including a wetland bio-filter, in its design. Massive Megalomaniac Winery, on the other hand, perches atop a naked knoll in all its bright limestone glory, halfway up the escarpment for all to see, perfectly portraying its tongue-in-cheek name and vibe. I’m twice up the escarpment and 30 kilometers into the ride now, and happy that Quarry Road is the next climb. It’s long and winding, yet the grade is consistent and not too steep. The views east and
west are pastoral, and on a clear day, it’s no longer just the highrises of Toronto in the distance, but also Etobicoke, Oakville, Port Credit and Burlington—all the more reason to value our quiet Niagara back roads above the escarpment. Regional Road 18 drops me into Beamsville, and the flashing warning sign for commercial vehicles at the top of the escarpment only serves as a magnet. It reads, “Caution, long steep slope. 8% (descending) grade for 1.4 kilometres.” The ride down the escarpment here is a showcase for the metamorphosis of Niagara. Rural farms and dignified brick homes give way to new developments, and it feels like you’ve lost
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your way and entered the GTA. It’s sort of like East Fonthill on a slope. From downtown Beamsville, it was Lincoln Road then Locust Lane back up; passing Hidden Bench Vineyards, Locust Lane Estate Winery, Fielding Estate Winery, and The Organized Crime Winery. This group of out-of-theway wineries represents why the Twenty Valley Bench wineries offer such a pleasant alternative to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Thirty Road was the next opportunity to descend, and I enjoyed every twist and turn on this endless, gentle, downhill gradient. The climb up Park Road in Grimsby is so ridiculous the first and last 100 meters might as well be vertical, and the flatter middle section is an optical illusion your leg muscles will instinctively confirm. Down Mountain Road into Grimsby set me up for the finale, climbing Woolverton Cut. In response to COVID-19 restrictions, downtown Grimsby has removed all the parking spaces on the north side of their Main Street to allow the many cafes and bars to have patios. If you try this ride, this might be the perfect place to fuel-up prior to attempting Woolverton Cut. The extra energy intake from lunch may be just what you need to summit the Westernmost, and most difficult, climb in Niagara. On the other hand, an undigested, pre-climb frothy pint and greasy burger in your stomach might not be ideal as you struggle to attain the final few metres to the brow. My ride up Woolverton Cut was neither pretty nor pleasant, but it did answer the question which provided my excuse for stringing these climbs into one ride. Six times up the escarpment without repeating a road is possible, and a flat, relaxing ride through West Lincoln will get you back home to Pelham— or you could do it all in reverse. That would just be sick. ◆
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Tell me what you I love ANTAN old clasConsolidation, Construction, Home PRESENTS DEhave, TEMPS sics especially German and British. Renovations...CALL 1-800-225-1777, Whether it's been in the barn For more information Email: Burke’s(LIC Masonry Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc www.homeguardfunding.ca Dupuis have kmagill@rogers.com for 25 years, or your pride and joy that #10409). Bricklaying, tuckpointing, been exploring and performing time-honoured is fully restored. I'll paymelodies CASH. Callfrom the stompDavid 416-802-9999. 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 the unmistakable de vivre found include only in with some joieNewcomers PANTHERS FLOORING drills and goalies Brayden Kelso and continued from Page 17 traditional Quebec music. Show runsscrimmagfrom 7-9 p.m. Duncan Rolleman, for-
es. There’s wards Joey Furlano and see what happens. Hopenot a whole Alessandro Nicastro, and fullyPELHAM we can return to play CARD MAKING WORKSHOP LIBRARY lot to do for defencemen Zane Burleigh sooner rather than later.” Make six cards with fall themes, learning of techniques. anya b ovariety dy and Darcy Scott. Materials Johnstone, who will be right now so “We’ve skating for are provided. At time of registration, please enquire aboutbeen tools needed. assisted by his son, Carson Tim Tofolo. the focus is a while so we’re quite hapJohnstone, and Christian TWITTER Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register Visit on the club ahead. py with the www.pelhamguys we have Wiley, is mindful of the and how coming back,” Toffolo said. library.on.ca call 905-892-6443 for more details. unique situation ofor having they’re coming together.” “A few guy haven’t come three months to practice The Panthers, who fin- down yet because they before the first game. in sixth FABULOUS LIONS FISHspot FRYwith a think they may have oth“You just keep FENWICK it in- ished 17-31-2 record last season er options but I don’t know teresting. If we’re lucky Tasty treats with funds under heading straight back into the community. Haddock, Johnstone and his where they would be.” enough to start Dec. 2 then predecessor, Mark Barrick, Johnstone has embraced french fries and much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m. we’ll be ready,” he said. return a dozen players: Dev- the situation. “We want to keep it fun “It’s really exciting. It’s and structured to a point. on Sanders, Philippe Angervil, EQUIPMENT Cody Miskolczi, SALE Jack different and odd. Some of MINOR HOCKEY Two PELHAM or three months from Jonah Devereux, routine has been taken now,Buy, they’re to get sellgoing or trade usedMerkosky, equipment at the Pelham the Arena. Aimed to provide out of it and if you’re an old tired of listening to the Jordan Tutt, Julien Bianchi, cheaper options for players this upcoming Runs 6 from Griffin inVaughan, Michaelseason. goat like me Sept. it’s different, coaching staff. Hutchings, Jason Gee, Evan it’s new stuff to handle and “We need to keep it alive 9-12 in the morning. Gibbs, and Liam Sodtke. that’s good,” he said.
PELHAM MUDFEST Men and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is MASKS heldfrom at Bissil’s continued Page 1 Hideaway. mask and many disabilities are invisible. NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION There's no requirement for people to prove games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It they Rodeo, are exempt. "Asruns a council we can11-14 rescind from Sept. atthis the bylaw Welland Fairgrounds. at any time, should the Regional Health Unit deem it unnecessary," Mayor Marvin Junkin told the Voice. "Myself,RIDE along with BIG MOVE CANCER several other councillors, would have liked The Bigit Move Canceruntil Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. to have seen only extended February or March, but the vote was Big called before an in Niagara and support the Walker Fam7. Proceeds for the Move stay amendment could be put on the floor. With Voice online opinion poll results, Thursday, ily Cancer Centre. the beginning of both school and flu season, everyone was reluctant to let it run out Oc- Sept. 17, showing overwhelming support for extension of the Region of Niagara’s face covtober 1." WALKING CLUB Chief and Emer- ering bylaw. VOICE Pelham Fire Department gencyInterested Operationsin Centre Bob Lym-Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena walkinglead in Pelham? burner supported the extension. from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill forpandemic 9-10:30wasn't am. over. There clear Bandshell the COVID-19 "The numbers continue to increase and “Regional Council’s decision to extend the our younger are the For probis no feedemographics for this program. more information, please contact jcook@ lem," Lymburner told the Voice. "Wearing a face-covering bylaw reflects Niagara’s unitpelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329. face covering will reduce the risk of infec- ed commitment to safeguarding the health of our communities by following established tion." public health advice," said Bradley. Council Chair Jim Bradley said that it was
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Places of Worship Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca
First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham
Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org
Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca
Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill
Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill
Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com
Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca
Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com
Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill
St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church www.stalexander.on.ca
Fenwick United Church www.fenwickunited.com
Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com
Pelham Community Church (United Church) www.pelham.cc
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com
FAITH LIFT
ROLL BACK
now an old man. Most of the chapter is a prayer of confession to God. Even though Daniel had led a holy life of faithfulness to God, he identifies with the sinfulness and unfaithfulness of his people in exile. Instead of praying “they have sinned,” he says “we have sinned.” During the long, heartfelt prayer (verses 4-19) Daniel says repeatedly, “We have been wicked… we have rebelled… we have turned away… we have not listened… we are covered with shame… we have not obeyed… we have transgressed… we have not sought You… we have done wrong.” And he cries out for God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness.
heading in the wrong direction. That's why we are taking decisive action to lower the size of unmonitored private social gatherings in every region of Ontario. We need everyone to follow the public health rules in order to prevent another province-wide lockdown, and protect all our citizens, especially the elderly and the vulnerable." Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs, or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is: • 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or • 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100) The Province says that indoor and outdoor events and gatherings can-
continued from Page 19
continued from Page 1
Dare to be a Daniel
I used to sing a song by this name in Sunday School at Fonthill Baptist (maybe you did too). The life and example of Daniel, however, is for all generations and all people. It took guts (excuse the Greek) to be a Daniel. It also took humility and compassion for one’s fellow man. As a country and culture today, we are far more secular than sacred. We could use a few “Daniels” (young and old) to stand up humbly (yet boldly) for truth, holiness and justice regardless of the cost. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who is a lot closer to 91 than 19.
not be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted. "We are taking further action to slow the spread and limit new cases of COVID-19 by reducing the size of private social gatherings across Ontario. This action is based on the increasing case counts that we are seeing," said Minister Elliott. "As we continue to closely monitor the spread of this virus, we will never hesitate to take further action to protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians." The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. Existing rules, including public health and workplace safety measures for these businesses and facilities, continue to be in effect. "It is critical that we continue to take the necessary steps to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones via the Provin-
cial statement. "We are making it easier for communities to keep people safe through a broad array of tools and deterrents including stiffer penalties for organizing social gatherings at private residences that violate the applicable size restrictions." The Province reminds resident that it remains important to continue following public health advice. This includes: • Staying home when ill, or keeping your child home from school when ill, even with mild symptoms; • Practising physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, or at gatherings; • Protecting your social circle; • Wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so; • Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly; and adhering to gathering limits and rules. COVID-19 testing is available at the province’s 147 assessment centres. To find your closest assessment centre, visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
The Voice, September 23, 2020
Page 17
Panthers prepared to play in empty arena BY BILL POTRECZ
BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM
Fans or no fans, the Pelham Panthers are prepared to play this season. Panthers owner, director of hockey operations and general manager Tim Toffolo says the Panthers are willing to play in an empty arena if need be should the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League begin play in December. The GOJHL has submitted a proposal to begin play Dec. 2
with a maximum of 30 percent capacity of fans per venue pending government approval. “We’re ready to play with no fans if we have to,” Toffolo said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s about the kids this year and having them develop. That may not be the perception other organizations have, but that’s mine. These kids can’t have a year without hockey because where does that put them next year? “If we can make sure we can develop them and they don’t lose a step, that’s what our goal is.”
The Panthers, who averaged 288 fans per game over 25 dates last season, hit the ice for the first time as a full team earlier this month at the Pelham Meridian Centre. “It’s been stressful for sure, but there’s been a lot of hard work done by everybody in the organization,” Pelham head coach Chris Johnstone said. “We started back in July with eight and then went to 15 and most recently 25. “The kids have been great. They just want to be on the ice
through all of this uncertainty and that’s what we’re providing.” Toffolo said he’s proud of the work put in by the organization to ensure the players are as safe as possible under the current conditions. “For us to be where we are, I think we’re years ahead of any other organization as far as what we’ve done and are doing,” he said. “We have the space to do it and we’ve done a lot of planning.” The Panthers have plenty of ice time for development with three
mandatory hours per week plus an optional hour Monday as well as the ice time normally allotted for their home games Sunday afternoon. “We’ve made the commitment to these kids and the families that we’re going to do everything we can to train them for the year,” Toffolo said. “That, right now, is what we can promise. We can provide them with ice time and skill training and development but after that, we’ll have to See PANTHERS Page 15
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
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FROM THE HANDLEBARS
by John Swart
Up and down the escarpment
D
o you have any idea how many times a cyclist can climb and descend the escarpment within Niagara without repeating a road, heading west from Saylor’s Hill in Pelham? Didn’t think so. Probably not a priority question for most rational cyclists. This gloriously cool and clear fall weather has offered just the opportunity I needed to find out, although my late -season conditioning in this crazy 2020 is definitely behind schedule. The good news is that the first half of the route features relatively gentle climbs, while
the better news is that I’ll pass numerous wineries at opportune times along the way. There is no doubt the Niagara escarpment offers unique and beautiful scenery for cycling. During spring blossom season, the colours and fragrances are glorious. In summer, tender fruits ripen and fields of wheat, corn, and soy reach for the sky. Autumn may be best. Colourful foliage is stunning, crops are turning to golden hues, and grape harvesting is in full swing. My ride begins cautiously from the top of Saylor’s Hill, which I much prefer
climbing to descending. The real fun is the gentle ups and downs between Metler Road and the historic Village of Effingham. The Wizard of Oz’s Tin Man welcomes you into horse country as Effingham Road crosses Roland Road. The patriotically decorated old barn that’s home to Balanced Dressage on Wessel Road is a fitting stable for the many elegant horses grazing their Rockway pastures. While winding through Rockway and coasting down Eleventh Street on my bike, I’m reminded that the number of wineries in Niagara continues to grow, and that agriculture remains a small bulwark against development in many areas along the bench. The initial trip back up the escarpment on Seven-
An excellent crop of grapes waits for harvester on Moyer Road in Beamsville. teenth Street is the easiest of the route. Flat Rock Cellars winery welcomes me to the top, but at just 14 kilometers into my ride, it’s much too early to consider a tasting. After coasting down
Nineteenth Street into Jordan Village, a tour of the Main Street by the Cave Spring Winery and the Inn on the Twenty is always fun. Whether you’re male or female, cycling languidly by the busy patios
JOHN SWART
is an ego boost. Your cycling muscles flex as you ride, and faint perspiration makes your skin glisten. It’s easy to imagine that at least some of the wine-sipSee ESCARPMENT Page 14
Voice
HOROSCOPE
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Professional prospects are excellent this week, Aries. You have all the bargaining power you need to ask for a raise or to land a job if you are ready to change companies. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, a dilemma confronts you and your romantic partner this week. Approach it straightforward as a team and the problem will soon be solved. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, money may be more plentiful for you this week for a variety of reasons. Rather than spending it freely, invest these funds wisely and enjoy a rainy day in the future. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 The support of a friend or loved one can help you overcome a setback, Cancer. This heartfelt bond will only strengthen as this person helps you along. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, if you focus on positive energy, a stronger and healthier version of yourself is possible. It won’t happen overnight, but expect some changes soon enough. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Your artistic side is just waiting to pop out, Virgo. The universe has gifted you with nimble and capable hands and you’re apt to create things that inspire others. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you may need to retreat from the spotlight for a little bit and nurture yourself. This can only be done in the privacy and comfort of your home base.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, being positive can help you attract money, love, luck and quality company. Make mindful and positive choices and others will soon gravitate toward you. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, your financial future could be greatly improved with a lucrative job that seems to be coming your way. This opportunity can enable you to indulge in some luxury. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, this is a big week for you that is marked by major planetary energy. This could translate into a boost in your love life or another positive change. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, with all of the time you have been spending at home lately, you may want to consider a remodeling project. Embrace your inner interior designer. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Start speaking with people who share your values, Pisces. You can expand your group of friends and make some lifelong relationships. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS SEPTEMBER 20 Jon Bernthal, Actor (44) SEPTEMBER 21 Bill Murray, Actor (70) SEPTEMBER 22 Tom Felton, Actor (33) SEPTEMBER 23 Bruce Springsteen, Singer (71) SEPTEMBER 24 Ben Platt, Actor (27) SEPTEMBER 25 Donald Glover, Actor (37)
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
Voice
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
CROSSWORD
Daniel and 19 and 91
S
ome messages have impacted me greatly over the years. One was preached in a very multicultural church in Scarborough about 15 years ago. It was delivered by a guest speaker who served as a Christian ambassador to the United Nations (I never knew such a ministry even existed). At the UN, he didn’t represent any of the 200-plus countries in the world. Rather he represented the Lord and believers around the world and served the spiritual needs of the people there regardless of their religious background. He was like a chaplain to the UN and felt a kinship to the Old Testament prophet, Daniel. He called his message “Daniel the Diplomat.”
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a priest or religious leader but rather a top-ranking civil servant with the gift of prophecy. It was a miracle that Daniel survived physically and spiritually for so long in such a hostile culture.
Daniel at 19
The opening chapters of the book of Daniel describe his youth. In chapter one, Judah is conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar. Most of the able-bodied people are taken as prisoners to Babylon while a remnant of the weak and poor are left behind in Jerusalem. A select group of young royals and noblemen (in-
Page 19
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cluding Daniel and his friends) are chosen and groomed to serve in government. Even as a teenager, Daniel stood by his convictions and “resolved not to defile himself” with pagan practices (see Daniel 1:8). Such a stand could have cost him his life but God protected him. The most famous story about him (Daniel in the lions’ den) is a prime example of divine intervention (see Daniel chapter 6).
Daniel at 91
By the time we get to chapter 9, about 70 years have passed and Daniel is See FAITH LIFT Page 16
Daniel the Diplomat
Do you struggle sometimes today to live for the Lord in a very secular country and culture? We can identify with (and learn a lot from) Daniel who lived and served in a pagan, hostile culture in ancient Babylon. John Lennox (not Lennon) wrote a helpful book on this topic called Against the Flow. During his long life (about 90 years) and service (about 70 years), Daniel served under seven heads of state —Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach (don’t even think about calling your kid that), Nergal-sharezer, Labashi-marduk, Nabonidus, Darius, and Cyrus (you win a prize if you pronounced all those names correctly). All of these leaders were pagans who worshipped Babylonian or Persian gods and not Jehovah, the God of Israel, whom Daniel worshipped and served. Officially, Daniel was not
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The Voice, September 23, 2020
FRONT
continued from Page 1 sult,” said Bozzato. When she put out the call for the recruitment of workers to staff the polls, this scribbler took notice. Having never been involved in the backstage element of the electoral process, I figured it was high time for me to gather my civic pride and find out exactly what went on in the engine room of a polling station. I completed the online application found on the Town of Pelham’s website, dutifully answering a list of questions which attempted to gauge my competencies and proclivities. Have you worked on a federal, provincial, or municipal election before? Do you feel comfortable using automatic vote counting equipment? Do you have experience with basic balance sheet calculations? Do you promise not to eat the firemen’s pickles and cheese stored in the fire hall kitchen? (I had to think hard on that one.) To my disappointment, I learned that the most of the really responsible jobs (poll supervisor, deputy returning officer, revisions clerk, vote tabulator operator) had already been filled by seasoned veterans. Luckily for me, given the dangers of COVID-19, the municipality had created a few new roles: polling station cleaner (to ensure readily available and consistent cleaning of high touch points and ballot casting areas), health assessment officer (to screen electors entering the polling station), and physical distancing officer (to help guide and remind voters of spatial requirements). My wife had given me specific instructions not to come home smelling of latex gloves and Lysol, so the cleaning gig was out. And the health assessment duties, I learned, were generally filled by nurses, or at least those with a clean set of scrubs who were not averse to asking strangers if they had spent the weekend in Caracas or Mumbai. But lo and behold, I received a call from Sarah Leach in the Clerk’s Office, confirming that I had been selected to socially distance the good people of Pelham at Fire Station 3 as they waited in
line to vote. Separating the masses if you will, in my mind something akin to Moses parting the Red Sea. I went to bed with images of hanging chads dancing in my head. (If you are haunted by the aforementioned reference to the Florida recount during the 2000 U.S. presidential election, in which punch-card ballots were inconclusively perforated, you probably have a Gore/Lieberman button stashed in the back of your desk drawer.) A short training session was held a couple weeks prior to the first advance poll. Bozzato walked us through everyone’s role, and provided an overview of the election process. Masks and /or face shields were mandatory, of course. We would be working two advance polls (September 3 and 12) plus election day on September 15, a total of 30 hours. She appeared mildly annoyed when I referred to my role as sergeant at arms rather than physical distancing officer, and she stubbornly refused to allow me to carry mace and handcuffs to restrain any citizens who refused to abide by the “two-metre rule.” Hey, things can get crazy in a hurry…just look at all the turmoil south of the border. Speaking of the good ol’ USA, it’s interesting to note that they have to scavenge for poll workers during their elections, whereas in Pelham we have a waiting list of willing citizens eager to take one of the 33 poll worker positions. The American general election on November 3 (also know as the “I’m Donald Trump, just try and get rid of me!” conundrum) will require some 900,000 poll workers, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. In the 2018 US general election, 58 percent of poll workers were age 61 or older, and 27 percent were 71 or older. This year, the shortage has been made worse by the fact that the retirees who typically work the polls are also the most at risk for severe illness due to the coronavirus. There were more than a few seniors working the poll at Pelham’s Station 3, including yours truly. It was a good-natured group, predominantly of the female gender. The ladies were generally assigned to duties which required mathematical tabulation and digital dexterity—in other words, height-
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Voters waiting to enter Fire Station #3 in North Pelham, Tuesday, September 15. ened functioning of the cerebral cortex. By comparison, a well-behaved chimpanzee fed bananas as a Pavlovian reward could likely have assumed my function. Or perhaps one of Elon Musk’s robots from the Tesla assembly line. The two advance polls were valuable to familiarize workers with their responsibilities. Clerk Bozzato happened by a couple times throughout the ten hours each day that the polls were open, dropping off doughnuts or chocolate bars, and providing a pep talk for the troops. Given that long periods of inactivity were the norm during the advance polls, I think Bozzato was really trying to catch me nodding off at my post. The Keurig coffee machine saved me from such an embarrassment. We had 51 electors place ballots at the first advance poll at Station 3, 83 at the second, and 113 on election day. I was quickly made aware that staffing the election station is serious business. At the beginning and end of the shift, you must swear a verbal oath and sign a document saying that you will not and did not associate with any skullduggery while in the execution of your duties. Rumour had it that there was also a secret handshake, similar to that of the Masonic Order, but the pandemic precluded its use.
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Although the polling area was well-marked with signage, and red circles with arrows on the floor designated the traffic direction for voters, a lot of people seemed to have trouble going with the flow. Perhaps the red discs confused them. I think next election, Pelham needs to take a page from the Wizard of Oz, and listen to the advise the Munchkins gave Dorothy and her little dog Toto. “Follow the yellow brick road!,” they exclaimed, indicating the path to the Emerald City. Let’s have decals with Pelham paving stones mark the route from the front door. Enter, register, mark your ballot, hand it to the tabulator at the exit door. Done. Easy peasy. Where’s that suggestion box? It was my observation that Station 3 voters were predominantly of the older generation. Lots of canes and walkers, and a few wheelchairs, passed through the doors. You’ve got to hand it to those seniors. They rightly view voting as a civic responsibility, maybe even a sacred duty. Of the 1557 potential voters in Ward 1 aged 60 or older, 710 cast ballots (just over 45%). Compare that to the 42 of 422 eligible voters age 25 or under who took the time to complete a ballot (a tad shy of 10%). It was impressive how quickly the results were tallied. The polls
DON RICKERS
closed at 8 PM on election night, and a mere 15 minutes later the unofficial results were on the Town’s website. Ward 1 resident Wayne Olson won in dramatic fashion, taking almost 60% of the popular vote. One thousand and seventy seven citizens completed a ballot, out of 4364 eligible on the Ward 1 registry—a 27% participation rate. While this rate may seem low, it’s still impressively up from the 22% turnout during the last Ward 1 by-election, in 2011, when there was definitely not a pandemic happening. Bozzato advised poll workers that she had received plenty of positive feedback from electors on their voting experience, and that there were no concerns or issues reported. Election poll workers have been referred to as the “gatekeepers of democracy.” True enough. Politics is not a spectator sport. Like a game of ice hockey, it involves contact. Citizens are needed to organize, oversee, and even referee to ensure fairness, transparency, and accuracy. It’s about civics, not partisan politics. So, well done, Pelham poll workers. And by the way, the fire chief at Station 3 wants to know who ate his gherkins and cheddar. ◆
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