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On the ice in Rondeau Bay
Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
A biting wind and cold temperatures did not deter this avid ice angler from enjoying his time on the ice of Rondeau Bay recently. Here, he prepares to cut a hole in the ice to drop a second line into the water.
Province to loosen restrictions Jan. 31 By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
After a 26-day pause, Ontario is ending its most recent lockdown Jan. 31. Premier Doug Ford announced the reopening measures last week, giving the go-ahead now that
key public health indicators are showing signs of improvement. At the end of the month indoor social gatherings can increase to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Indoor public settings, including restaurants and bars, cinemas, religious
services and retailers, will return to 50-per-cent capacity. Also on the list are gyms, museums and casinos and bingo halls. Spectator areas of places such as sporting events and concert venues will also return to 50 per cent capacity or 500 people,
whichever is less. Proof of vaccination will be required at all venues. Chatham-Kent medical officer of health Dr. David Colby said reopening measures are not a rigid rollout, but rather “a plan based on reality.” During a weekly municipal media scrum, Colby
said reopening the province is directly tied to how COVID-19 is affecting health care and hospital capacity. Again, Colby urged people to step up and get vaccinated, as it remains the best defense against COVID-19. If all goes well, further
restrictions will be lifted Feb. 21, at which time social indoor gatherings will be increased to 25 people indoors, 100 outdoors and many indoor setting will have no capacity limits if proof of vaccination is provided. The third stage takes place March 14.
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 2
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
News
School remains in session in C-K That’s when the “real staffing crisis hit,” Howitt said, noting officials are reflecting on the data, and contingency plans are in place. Face-to-face learning is back However, the director said the in Chatham-Kent with the first public board made it through week turning out better than the first week without having expected. to close schools with 98 per But it doesn’t mean staff and cent of students returning to students won’t face further imclass. pacts from the highly transmisOnly two per cent have opted sible omicron virus. for temporary remote learning. Lambton Kent District School Yet, omicron is having an effect. A total of 10 per cent of LKDSB staff were either ill, or isolating due to COVID-19 exposure, while 12 per cent of the student body was isolating at home because of enhanced screening measures. Chatham • Toronto In-person learning at the St. Clair Catholic VVisit isit u s o n l i n e : s i n c l a i r c l e a n i n g s y s t e m s . c o m us online: sinclaircleaningsystems.com District School Board went well, with education director Scott Johnson saying he was “pleasantly surprised.” “It’s going far better than we had hoped,” Johnson said. CONCORBIUMBROAD BROADSPECTRUM SPECTRUM BOTANICAL BOTANICAL DISINFECTANT CONCROBIUM DISINFECTANT The last week has seen more staff absenteeism • Health Canada approved to combat COVID-19 • Health Canada approved to combat COVID-19 and a than in December, Johnand a wide range of other pathogens. wide range of other pathogens son noted, but the board • Ready-to-Use, No rinse required • Ready-to-Use, No rinse required (residue-free, streak- has not had to utilize its free,(reside-free, bleach-free)streak-free, bleach-free) emergency contingency • Cleans and disinfects all surfaces! • Cleans and disinfects all surfaces! (including glass, plexi- measures. (including glass, plexiglass, plastic and metal) Both boards have reglass, plastic and metal) ceived extra PPE and • Available in 3.78 L Jugs (Ask us about volume discounts) SYNTHETIC • Available in 3.78 L Jugs (Ask us about volume discounts) rapid antigen tests to be SYNTHETIC distributed across the BENEFECT DECON 30 BOTANICAL DISINFECTANT CLEANER By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Board education director John Howitt said there is the possibility staff may need to be shuffled around to cover off absent teachers if cases of COVID-19 increase. Howitt told a weekly municipal media conference that based on modelling from the western provinces that saw an earlier return to in-class learning, we could expect a sevento-10-day lag.
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Bruce Corcoran General Manager- Ext.227 bruce@chathamvoice.com
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
PAGE 3
News
C-K trails see plenty of users
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham-Kent’s trail system lends support to the adage, “If you build it, they will come.” The network of more than 45 municipally owned pathways saw a large number of users in 2021, a rise officials say can be directly attributed to the pandemic. Municipal staff were able to capture data from 22 of its trails, conducting five long-term studies and eight short-term studies from July to December. According to Genevieve Champagne, Chatham-Kent’s co-ordinator of active transportation
and special events, some 427,786 trail walks took place over the six-month time period. The study said Oct. 1 was the number one day for trail walks (6,067) with the highest usage recorded in Chatham at 49 per cent, Erieau with 32 per cent and Mitchell’s Bay at seven per cent. The remaining communities of Ridgetown, Thamesville, Dresden, Blenheim and Wallaceburg made up the other 12 per cent. Cyclists were also heavy users of the trails, with 15,469 trips recorded. Champagne said safety protocols ruled out most outdoor activities during the pandemic, but not
Local Journalism Initiative/The Ridgetown Independent
The T.R.E.E.S. Trail in Ridgetown is one of the many trails used by area residents for their exercise enjoyment.
walking, which led to a boost in trail use. And even though use levelled out somewhat after other activities opened up, Champagne said many residents have now adopted the habit of trail walking. Getting out in the fresh air and sunlight benefits both physical and mental
health, Champagne said. Improvements are also on the horizon. Chatham-Kent has a Trails Master Plan, Champagne explained, adding new projects are constantly being reviewed and considered. “We often hear from the trail users that if we build it, they will come,” she
added. “They have shown us over the years that this is true. “We often hear from trail users that they are happy with the trails in their community and if they are not,” Champagne noted, adding there’s a discussion about making it better which could include connecting to other infra-
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structure. Champagne said CK will continue to monitor trails using infrared counter technology – cameras aren’t used – hopefully monitoring trails not yet studied. There are plans to add to the system, Champagne said, with projects to be announced in the spring.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 4
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
News
Public questions C-K spending By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Chatham-Kent’s initial draft budget increase of 4.74 per cent has prompted a few questions about the proposed increase in municipal spending. During two online public forums last week, local residents had the opportunity to directly query municipal officials about how tax dollars will be spent in 2022. Chief financial officer Gord Quentin fielded the bulk of the questions from the public – ranging from how Chatham-Kent stacks up against it neighbours, why new staff is being hired in tough economic times, and why rural residents pay less tax than urban dwellers. Quentin explained that inflation – currently at a 30-year high in Canada – is behind the lion’s share of Chatham-Kent’s tax increase. This proposed draft budget headed into the budget proceedings with an
annual tax hike of $142 to the average homeowner based on an assessment of $3,200 to $3,600. A total of three quarters of the increase is attributed to inflation while the remainder will be spent on infrastructure assets. According to Quentin, council’s decision to increase overdue spending on big-ticket infrastructure items such as bridges, roads and buildings is the other key to the increase, he explained. However, Quentin said, inflation impacts the infrastructure decision as well, because costs for labour and materials continue to rise. When asked to compare to other municipalities, Quentin said services are much the same everywhere in the province, with Chatham-Kent being slightly below average in taxation. Quinton who has worked with Chatham-Kent since amalgamation in 1998, said the municipality has always been playing catch up on infrastructure
spending. “We’ve been moving that up over time but we’re still only about 50 per cent funded for what we need to keep and maintain our infrastructure,” Quinton said, adding the municipality has faced “tremendous inflation” over the past year and a half. A 30- to 40-per-cent increase in insurance costs is an example, Quentin noted. Some of the decisions of councils past are coming home to roost. Quentin said council’s decision in 2013 to make a $500,000 cut in the road salt budget while providing the same level of service created a “hole in the budget” that “doesn’t make any sense.” Administration is recommending adding $62,500 back to the salt budget. In response to a question as to why farmland tax rates are lower than urban rates, Quentin said that comes from council in 2004 and 2006 lowering the rate twice. “At the time ag prices had plummeted,” he added, so in order to help out Chatham-Kent’s biggest industry, councillors lowered the farm tax rate from 25 to 22 per cent. Essex, Elgin and Middlesex counties tax their farmland at 25 per cent while Lambton County’s rate is at 22.6 per cent. Quentin said the farm tax issue will be brought up again in the spring. Questions about hiring more staff were also raised. Cathy Hoffman, general manager of corporate service and the chief human resources officer, said council sets the level of service, with administration then tasked with how to fit the bill. Hoffman said there are ongoing
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Municipal officials fielded questions from the public during two online budget presentations sessions recently. Next up, budget deliberations, which are to begin this week.
monitoring and service reviews, which determine staffing levels. The draft budget recommends hiring 41.5 full-time-equivalent staff, including around 30 staff at Riverview Gardens in order to meet Ontario’s upcoming mandate of providing four hours of care for every resident in long-term care. However, the province is funding 29.5 of those full-time positions. The remaining positions include four new police cadets, a project manager for the new 9-1-1 system and two new building inspectors/ bylaw officers. A query was also raised about ways Chatham-Kent could increase its revenues. One of the ways to increase Chatham-Kent’s tax base is to attract more people. CAO Don Shropshire said the municipality has adopted an “aggressive growth strategy” to increase population density and bring more investment to the area. More people can share the cost, Shropshire said, adding Chatham-Kent has only 43 people per square kilometre, compared to places like Windsor with 1,450 people per sq. km.
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The strategy, which includes deferring taxes for with a five- or 10year period on some new builds appears to be working, Shropshire said, adding the recent boom in apartment complexes is one example of success. However, investors are still required to pay taxes on the land value prior to development. General manager of infrastructure and engineering Thomas Kelly said the financial squeeze means council has to make tough decisions. Kelly used the example of having 10 roads to fix, but only money for five. However, he said employees are constantly working on improving and adopting new technologies to cut costs, adding, “Chatham-Kent is very respected in the province for its innovation.” Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor, chair of the budget committee, reminded viewers the draft budget is a “starting point,” noting public input helps council make decisions. “The budget process is an important one as it reinforces our priorities over the coming year,” McGregor said. There’s still time for local residents to get involved. McGregor said questions can submitted to the budget committee via Let’s Talk CK, by phone. Deputations will be received prior to deliberations, which were to begin Jan. 26.
’21 budget breakdown The Chatham Voice 100 95
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2021 revenue breakdown on $339,688,401 budget • Property taxes comprise 51.3 per cent for $174.2 million; • Other revenue, including provincial funding, counts for 48.7 per cent of overall funding totalling $165.5 million; • Provincial funding makes up 34.3 per cent of the overall, with the federal government kicking in 2.6 per cent; and • The remaining revenues come from items such as user fees and licences.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
PAGE 5
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PAGE 6
Budget season It’s budget season, but don’t expect municipal council to bag a trophy buck this year. Normally in an election year, councillors will hunt big game – seeking strong savings for the public in terms of a palatable tax increase. It typically begins with municipal administration preaching doom and gloom, and delivering a large proposed tax hike – something they did this time around too at 4.74 per cent. Except inflation is squarely to blame for the bulk of this proposed increase. So in a re-election year, don’t be surprised to see councillors spend three days deliberating at most on the budget, wring their hands and say they did their best. They do have limited wiggle room ... unless they want to dig deeper into each department to seek out savings. Naturally, they won’t go near salaries, even though our municipality is rife with some of the best-paying jobs in Chatham-Kent, including management positions. Heck, they pay pretty darned well compared to neighbouring municipalities too. So, they won’t go there. Ever. There are other savings to be had, such as closing under-utilized and expensive municipal buildings, including arenas...but they likely won’t go there either. That’s a political hot potato in an election year. So too would be raising the property tax burden on agricultural land. It was sliced to 22.5 per cent during more difficult farming years earlier this century. Move it back to 25 per cent. It’s pretty much the provincial average. But that won’t happen. Rural councillors who approve such a move in an election year would be voted out of office. One ponders how many times council will dip into reserves this year. Short-term gain, however, often creates long-term pain. Just look at our lifecycle funding, the money we need to just maintain what we have in terms of municipal infrastructure. For too long, previous councils underfunded this area, and it’s chewing the municipality in the butt year after year at this point. Council is in a difficult position this year, continuing to pay for poor decisions of previous councils and dealing with inflation pressure. Some may capitulate; others may fight. One truly wonders how many will seek re-election after what will surely be more than half a term mired in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Letters to the editor policy The Chatham Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Our preferred method to receive letters is via e-mail to bruce@chathamvoice.com.
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The publisher of this newspaper, CK Media Inc., reserves the right to clarify or refuse any advertisement based on its sole discretion. The publisher reserves the right to reject, discontinue or omit any advertisement without notice or penalty to either party. Liability for errors or non-insertion is limited to the amount paid for the cost of space occupied by the error. Claims of errors must be made prior to the next publication date.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021
Opinion
Taxing unvaxxed goes too far Editor: I see now the Quebec government is trying to tax the unvaccinated because of the heavy burden they are inflicting on our healthcare system. If the numbers are as they say, a hefty price tag is being spent on the treatment and care of the unvaccinated. Since our health system has always been to treat and care for everyone no matter what their choice,
it seems to me they are now veering way off course and should really think about the direction they are heading; American style health care. If we are going to charge the unvaccinated, it would only make sense in helping the system out even further, to tax the smoking population along with obese people. And let’s not forget the alcoholics
who have caused so much death and destruction on our highways and to family life. While we are at it, why not the Catholic Church too? They have caused such irreparable damage to the many health-care needs of the Indigenous population of Canada. Our leaders are the ones who have weakened the health-care system to this
point and for decades we have been underserved by their choice to cap the number of students entering our schools to become doctors. We are paying that price now. The government has proven to me they are clearly not immune from making a lot of questionable decisions. Merle Knutson Chatham
Woman hopes wedding ring returned Editor: To the person who this letter refers to who found a wedding ring in Value Village that was lost on Dec. 23 and did not feel honest enough to hand it in there, or the police station.
May have had a not-so-good Christmas like me. It may only be good for you to maybe sell for money. But meant far more to me, as I lost my husband in September and cannot
replace him or the ring. I ask that you be kind enough to return the ring, no questions asked. I’m hoping I will be lucky. As most people in Chatham have returned
things they have found. If it is not returned, then you know what kind of 2022 I wish you. As they say, what goes around comes around. Ruth Draper Chatham
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
PAGE 7
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 8
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
News
Colby talks omicron The Chatham Voice again reached out to ask a series of COVID-19-related questions to Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health Dr. David Colby. The Voice: If you have contracted the COVID-19 omicron virus and experienced a mild to moderate case, what’s next? Do you have super immunity against the virus? Will you require another booster and when? Colby: There is some immunity from natural infection but immunity from the vaccine lasts
longer, so you should still get a booster after infection. Anytime after symptoms subside is OK, but most experts say 30 days later is better. If you had omicron, can you still contract other variants such as delta? Has delta disappeared, and if not, what is the status of that strain of the virus? Can you catch omicron again? Colby: There is still some delta circulating, but over 90 per cent of infections are omicron. Omicron can infect people who recently had delta. Immunity to coronaviruses does not
last long, so get boosted to prevent reinfection. There is much talk that omicron will become “endemic” and that getting the virus is inevitable? Some people are even saying they want to “get it over with” and are seeking exposure to the virus similar to “chickenpox parties” held back in the day? What are your thoughts? Colby: Most people will get infected with omicron over time but vaccination is excellent at protecting against severe disease outcomes. COVID could become endemic but there are a lot of unknown vari-
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we offer people the best vaccine for their own personal circumstances. When do you expect the current wave of omicron to peak? Colby: I think the current omicron wave will peak before the end of January. What percentage of the population do you think will be infected with omicron? Colby: I can’t put a number on it, but it will be high.
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Chatham-Kent’s roads and bridges infrastructure is getting a $10-million boost from the province. It’s $5 million more than expected. The money is part of $22 million handed out as part of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. A total of 14 Southwestern Ontario communities are benefitting from the funding aimed at supporting projects in rural areas. The province’s investment in OCIF is part of the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario. Chatham-Kent’s CAO Don Shropshire told a municipal press conference recently the OCIF grant is double the amount the municipality normally receives. Shropshire said the money must be used on actual road and bridge projects.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 9
News
‘Grim’ figures for COVID locally
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health told the Chatham-Kent board of health our omicron COVID-19 numbers are “fairly grim.” Dr. David Colby spoke to the board Jan. 19, the day two more Chatham-Kent COVID-related deaths were announced. Two women, both in their 90s, died at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. By Monday, three more residents, a man in his 40s, and two women, one in her 70s and another in her 90s, died due to COVID. Colby, in his monthly COVID overview, called the numbers “dizzying,” but did say the omicron wave may have plateaued at this point. As he drilled down and moved closer to home, Colby said Ontario, where more than 29.5 million doses of the vaccines have been injected into citizens, there were fewer than 7,100 new cases reported Jan. 18, “down considerably from recent weeks. There have been well over 12,000 cases a day (in Ontario) in recent weeks.” While those numbers appear to be in decline, hospitalization and patients battling COVID in intensive care units (ICUs) are up substantially from mid-December. When Colby reported to the board in December, there were 385 people in hospitals across the province with COVID. As of Jan. 19, that number was nearly 4,200. Serious cases in the ICU reached 579 on Jan. 19; a month earlier the number was 152. Colby said hard numbers of COVID-positive cases are no longer accurate. Tracking COVID has become exceedingly challenging, as the lack of PCR test kits and stretched manpower at testing centres has left “no comprehensive testing system” since the end of 2021. “Because of testing shortages and manpower shortages due to the huge load omicron has put on the system, I don’t have any confidence the testing figures are accurate or are capturing even a significant fraction of what is happening out there,” he said.
Instead, Colby said he’s looking at trends to get as accurate a picture as possible on what is taking place. “There are positives – a 20-per-cent drop in new cases over the last week, and a 30-per-cent drop in active cases over the same time period,” he said, however, “we’ve seen very bad trends. Deaths were up 67 per cent in the last week, and hospitalizations are up 45 per cent.” Twelve Chatham-Kent residents died to the virus from Jan. 1 to 24. That’s an average of one every other day. At a weekly municipal media scrum, local health leaders discussed the implications of mortality from COVID-19. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance CEO Lori Marshall said the impact of each death is far reaching. “I can tell you each death in the hospital is something that is very hard for staff and the physicians to experience. We definitely send our condolences and thoughts to the families of those individuals who we have lost,” Marshall said, “not only in the last few days but throughout this entire pandemic.” Colby said the rise or drop in active case counts has a one- or two-week delay in translating to any increase in hospitalizations. “The rate of new cases seems to be dropping considerably, but that’s not reflected yet in what’s happening in the hospital,” he said. “There will always be an increase in active cases long before we see an increase in hospitalized cases. It takes a while for people to actually come down with this and then it takes a while for them to get sick enough to be admitted to hospital.” The volume of new cases over the past month has been staggering. “It seems like yesterday since I reported we have over 3,000 confirmed cases. That number has gone up 2,103 since I last reported to the board (in December),” Colby said. Numbers have risen across the board, including deaths. “That by far is the most grim report I’ve had to tell the board.” Colby also looked at
COVID figures from nearby municipalities. He said
Windsor-Essex and Sarnia-Lambton rates of in-
fection are “in line” with what’s happening here, if
not slightly worse.
Continued on page 11
Chatham Kent Public Utilities Commission Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the Sanitary System and Pump Station 14 i PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT South Lynnwood Area ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT WALLACEBURG TheWATER Study TREATMENT SERVICING STUDY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE #2 The Public Utilities Commission for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK PUC) isCommission conducting a(CK study to identify and The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities PUC) has initiated a Municipal C evaluate alternatives for the existing Wallaceburg Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to meet the current and future needs of Pump Statio Assessment (MCEA) study for the construction of Sanitary System and the Community of Wallaceburg and neighbouring communities while also satisfying industrialfor demands. As a part of delivery this Lynnwood Area. The CK PUC is responsible the treatment and of safe d study, aspects of the water supply infrastructure will be evaluated, including the following: collection and treatment of sewage in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. • A potential new Wallaceburg WTP MCEA study will review confirm municipal sanitary servicing requirements • Alternatives for a new raw water intake andThis a new low-lift pumping stationand for the Wallaceburg WTP upgrades for thewater Sanitary System and Pump Station 14 to provide s • Water availability at Chenal Ecarte to meetproject an increase in therequired forecast future demand • Water supply to the Dresden Water Distribution System (WDS), a potentially new accommodate independent pressure zone municipal wastewater servicing and near and long-term future growth • Water supply to support potential greenhouse development the service areaat siting a new sewage pumping station, new inlet s to this study, theinMCEA will look
the South Lynwood area, and outlet forcemain and gravity sewers connection to the Chatham’s sewage collection system. The Process
The MCEA study will be following the Schedule "B" planning process as per the Mun Association’s MCEA manual (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011 and 2015), under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. A Project File documenting the M be available for public review at the end of the study. How to Get Involved
Public input is essential to this project. The CK PUC invites anyone with an interest have an opportunity to provide feedback and help inform the decision-making proce Information Centre (PIC) will be Figure 2: Study Areaheld. The PIC will introduce the project and present constraints and opportunities, potential solutions, evaluation criteria, and the propos Figure 1: Potential Wallaceburg Water Treatment servicing Plant Studystrategy Area including associated capital projects. Advance notification will be The Wallaceburg WTP is a critical component within the Wallaceburg Water Supply System that is reaching the end PIC.
of its life expectancy and is known to be susceptible to failures requiring frequent repairs and replacement. In addition If you have comments, require further information or would like to be added to the s to the anticipated needs for a resilient water supply, there is also a forecast of increased water demand for industrial receive notifications, please contact either: growth, expanded service area, and development of future greenhouse. To identify the preferred solution(s) for water supply to meet future demands, the CK PUC will evaluate and identify poJohn Tyrrell, solutions M.Sc.(Eng.), P.Eng. Alisupply Akl, P.Eng., PMP. tential alternatives for water supply, raw water and water transmission, and design preferred long-term Senior Project Manager/Regional M Project Engineer to revitalize and renew the Wallaceburg WTP to reliably meet current water quality regulations and system safeguards. R.V. Anderson Associates Limited Chatham-Kent Utilities Commission The assessment is being carried out in accordance with the Public planning and design process for “Schedule C” projects 557 Southdale Road East, Suite 20 of Municipal Chatham Engineers - Kent Association’s Municipal under the Environmental Assessment Act asMunicipality outlined in the Class EnvironLondon, ON N6E 1A2 325 Grand Ave2011, East and 2015). mental Assessment document (2000, as amended in 2007, jtyrrell@rvanderson.com Chatham, ON N7L 1W9 We want to hear from you 519-681-9916 ext. 5038 alia@chatham-kent.ca At the first Public Information Centre (PIC), held in a virtual format from October 14th, 2021 to November 27th, 2021, the 226-312-2023 ext. 4347for water supply, which relates to the future of the project team presented the alternatives development and evaluation Wallaceburg WTP. Alternative 2a: Build a new Wallaceburg WTP with a rated capacity of 28 million litres per day was notice on December 9, 2021water to Wallaceburg, Dresidentified as the preferred solution for water This supply. The first new issued Wallaceburg WTP will supply den and future greenhouses on Base Line between Wallaceburg and Dresden. PIC #1 information is available at https://part of the pub With the exception of personal information, all comments will become www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wallaceburg-water-treatment-servicing-study. Study. The Study is being conducted according to the requirements of the Municipa As presented at PIC #1, the next step of theEnvironmental study is to develop and evaluate alternatives for rawprocess water supply and waAssessment, which is a planning approved under Ontario’s E ter transmission. The raw water supply alternatives evaluation will identify the preferred location for a new low-lift pumpAssessment Act. ing station and raw water intake, while the water transmission alternatives evaluation will identify the preferred alignment of the new watermain that will supply water to Dresden and the future greenhouses on Base Line. Public input and comments are an important component of the Class EA process. The second of three Public Information Centres (PICs) has been scheduled to present project progress to interested members of the public, as well as for those interested members to provide input and comments on the project. PIC #2 will provide information on project background, future raw water supply needs, future water transmission needs, the evaluation process for raw water supply alternatives and water transmission alternatives, the next steps and project timing. The PIC will be virtual and open for public comment, with details as follows: Date: January 17th, 2022 to March 1st, 2022 PIC Link: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wallaceburg-water-treatment-servicing-study If you have comments, require further information, or would like to be added to the project mailing list, please contact a member of the Project Team: Dhana Niriella, Ph.D., P.Eng. PE Project Manager, Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission - Engineering & Compliance 325 Grand Avenue East Chatham, Ontario N7L 1W9 Telephone: 519-360-1998 Email: dhanan@chatham-kent.ca
Tom Mahood, P.Eng. Project Manager, Jacobs Engineering 72 Victoria Street South, Suite 300 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4Y9 Telephone: 519-579-3500 extension 73241 Email: Tom.Mahood@jacobs.com
All personal information included in a submission, such as name, address, telephone number, and property location, is collected, maintained, and disclosed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in Section 37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential. For more information, please contact the Project Officer or the Ministry of the Environment’s Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 416 819 5148. This Notice of PIC #2 was first issued on January 17th, 2022.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 10
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
COLD WEATHER PET TIPS The cold weather is officially here and with this change in temperature comes the responsibility of keeping our pets toasty warm. Below are some useful cold weather safety tips. 1. Never leave your pet alone in a cold car. Cars hold in the cold, acting like refrigerators, which can cause your pet to freeze to death. 2. Keep animals away from puddles. They may contain ethylene glycol found in antifreeze which can be fatal if ingested. 3.Keep your pets warm. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet. Although some breeds can withstand colder temperatures, it is important to supply adequate housing. 4. Keep your pets away from bodies of water. With melting ice and rising water levels, lakes can be extremely dangerous for you and your pet. 5. Wipe your pet’s paws and underside after being outside. Salt and ice melt can irritate and burn, and also be fatal if ingested. 6. Be aware of cats seeking warmth under vehicle hoods. Try knocking on the hood of your car to scare them away. 7. Don’t let your dog off leash especially during a snowstorm. They can easily lose their scent and get lost. 8. A warm place to sleep. Ensure your pet has a thick, cozy bed or blanket away from any drafts and off the cold floors. 9. Dress for the weather. Use booties and winter sweaters to help keep your pets warm during outdoor excursions. 10.Prepare an emergency pet survival kit. You never know when a storm might keep you from being able to leave the house for extended periods.
How to safely walk your dog during the winter
BEWARE OF SNOW! Try to stop your pet from eating snow as much as possible. Even if it looks clean, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. Eating snow can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting.
During the colder season, it’s important to take a few precautions when bringing your dog out for a walk. Read on to find out how to make your snowy strolls enjoyable and safe for your pup. Each dog deals with the cold differently. Depending on your dog’s breed, age and health condition, your trusted companion could be extra-sensitive to cold temperatures. Never push your dog beyond its limits when it comes to weather sensitivity.
Keeping your cat safe in the winter
Before venturing outdoors, protect your dog’s paws from the salt used on city streets and sidewalks. Invest in tiny boots specially designed for dogs. If your pup refuses to keep them on, avoid walking in areas with too much salt on the ground. Furthermore, consider dressing your furry friend in a warm coat to help preserve its body heat. Some pet-sized snowsuits will even cover your dog’s paws.
Cats are resorceful creatures with good survival skills. But when the cold chill of winter sets in they are vulnerable to hazards.
In periods of extreme cold weather, take frequent short walks to ensure that your four-legged friend gets enough exercise.
Letting your cat outside when it’s cold: Your cat’s fur coat only really works when it’s dry. If your cat’s fur gets matted from being wet or snowy it can’t trap heat among the hair filters like it should. You can try using a hair dryer to dry them off quickly but most cats won’t tolerate that, try a nice rub down with a warm towel as an alternative.
Finally, if you notice that your dog’s fur is wet after a stroll outdoors, make sure to dry it thoroughly with a towel or blow dryer. Focus on the paws, belly and ears, and take the opportunity to inspect the pads under Fido’s feet for any signs of injury.
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Longhair cats are prone to getting snowballs on their bellies and the long fur between their toes can cause discomfort and slow them down. Regular brushing can help keep their fur from matting and redistribute their natural oilsl. Keep the patches of fur in between your cat’s toes well trimmed. Have an emergency shelter outside, a small doghouse or even a Rubbermaid type container that’s small enough to trap heat but big enough for your kitty to get inside will do. Make sure it’s a water tight container, and regularly check to see if feral cats or racoons have moved in.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 11
News
Added addiction treatment needed By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
The Chatham-Kent Board of Health sent a ringing endorsement council’s way over a potential new addiction treatment option. The board on Jan. 19 voted unanimously to support the notion of providing $500,000 in municipal funds to help develop a resident withdrawal management program for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA). If the Ministry of Health approves the project and provides operational funding, CKHA administrators want to have the program operational before the end of this year. That will require an estimated $1.2 million to make it happen. Hospital administration approached council recently seeking the $500,000 in assistance to help make this a reality. It’s a one-time funding request for a 10-bed detox centre that would run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. April Rietdyk, general manager of health and family services for the municipality, agreed with
CKHA officials in that the centre is badly needed locally. “When I learned of this idea, it was the light in my day. We are one of the only communities of our size in the southwest that does not have our own residential withdrawal management program for the citizens in our community,” she said. We have a drug crisis – an addiction crisis – that expands to our entire country. COVID has not helped. “It’s not a health problem. It’s not a policing problem. It’s an entire community problem,” she added. “We are seeing increases in our deaths from drugs; they are certainly increasing very dramatically. I just think every death, if we can avoid that, that’s certainly dollars well spent,” she said. Dr. David Colby, Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health, supported Rietdyk’s direction. “The drug situation we are dealing with is the second pandemic,” he said. “Not only is this (resident withdrawal management program) a great idea and a positive step forward
Omicron wave plateaued?
Continued from page 9
Provincial figures, Colby said, indicate the omicron wave may have plateaued, however, locally, it has not quite reached that point yet. “I’m unable to say we are on a steep downside just yet,” he said of the wave. Chatham-Kent’s vaccination numbers are about 84.5 per cent of people aged 12 and up,
numbers Colby said were impressive, but still “lagging behind” provincial numbers. This is not due to a shortage of vaccines in Chatham-Kent, nor is it due to a lack of personnel to put needles in arms. Instead, he said it is due to a lack of people in the unvaccinated pool of individuals opting to get the jab.
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for Chatham-Kent, I believe it is absolutely essential.” Rietdyk said not having resident withdrawal management program in place makes it more difficult for people to get though addiction withdrawals, a huge roadblock to overcoming that addiction. “Right now, anyone who wants to have help with withdrawal management
has to leave our community. That’s really hard for people to do,” she said. “We have to help our citizens as they begin that journey to come out and tackle their addictions,” she explained. “Public Health is involved in drug awareness and heavily involved in harm reduction. We have to help our citizens as they begin that journey to come out and
tackle their addictions.” Rietdyk said hospitals are only given funding from the province to operate programs and that it is up to the community to fund for infrastructure. That could come in the form of corporate donations, community fundraising efforts and municipal support. Rietdyk is now armed with the full support of
the board of health for when she addresses the budget committee of council this week, urging it to spend the money. “I will be presenting at budget. Because this is a one-time ask, we typically look at our reserves to see if we can fund it from there,” she said. “I will recommend that some of our health reserve can be used to fund this project.”
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 12
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
News
Updating 911 system a pricey task By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Change is on the way for the delivery of emergency 9-1-1 services in Chatham-Kent. Mandated by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission with a 2025 deadline, the switch will see a new ‘Next Gener-
ation 911’ (NG 911) digital system replace the out-dated analog system currently in use. At the Jan. 17 Chatham-Kent council meeting, Holly Barkwell of the Barkwell Holland group, presented councillors with the results of a recent municipal 911 needs assessment conducted by the company.
The veteran public safety advisor told the meeting 911 is going to change dramatically from the system set up more than 40 years ago. “As we’ve transitioned to the introduction of mobile technology and smart devices, it’s become increasingly clear that the infrastructure cannot handle the load that we’re
placing on it today,” Barkwell told council. “And it will not prepare us for tomorrow.” Once the change is implemented, Barkwell said the public will be able to contact 911 from any device, stressing the word “contact” as real-time texting, real-time video connections and other electronic data will be
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incorporated rather than Although the Chasimply making a phone tham-Kent current 911 call. system is operated by Data from smart build- the Chatham-Kent police, ings and vehicles will also paying for the service is a come into play, Barkwell municipal budget item. said. In adT h e dition, GIS “As we’ve transitioned c h a n g e (geographic to the introduction of comes with information a hefty s y s t e m ) mobile technology and price tag, m a p p i n g smart devices, it’s beestimatt e c h n o l o - come increasingly clear ed to cost gy is a core that the infrastructure approxplank of cannot handle the load i m a t e l y NG 911. somewhere The time- that we’re placing on it b e t w e e n $1.5 to line from today.” $2-milthe CRTC - Consultant Holly Barkwell lion to indicates the new digital frame- implement and around work will be ready for $600,000 annually to oponboarding by March erate. Costs for the new sys2022. All public safety answering points in Canada tem have already been – such as Chatham-Kent’s built into the 2022 draft 911 call centre, must be budget and will be part connected to the system of this year’s budget deliberations. by March 4, 2025. Administration has rec“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to look ommended the municiat the numbers,” Bark- pality spend $2 million well explained. “We have on NG 911, to be split approximately 46 to 47 between the 2022 and the months of work to do and 2023 budget. There is an additional 39 months to complete it.” “Work needs to be- ask of $125,000 for the gin immediately,” she base budget for 2022, and stressed, noting costs will $250,000 in the next year, just continue to mount if along with funding for a full-time project manager the work is postponed. The CRTC mandate also to oversee the transition means Chatham-Kent for at least three years. Ongoing base budget must have a fully equipped backup system costs after 2023 are estiin the event of an emer- mated at $570,000 annually. gency.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 13
Life
Film highlights Westover program By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
For the first time ever, the public is getting an unflinching behind-thescenes look into Westover Treatment Centre’s chemical dependency program. A new TVO documentary entitled ‘Come Clean’ premiered Jan. 25. It provides that look, revealing the stories of the members of Westover Group 1313, as they embark on the journey of recovery. The filming began on New Year’s Eve in 2018.
But ‘Come Clean’ doesn’t stop at the end of the 19-day residential treatment program. Producers Derreck Roemer and Neil Graham continue to follow the stories of four of the participants for an additional 18 months – giving viewers a gritty look into the challenges of staying clean and sober. Westover’s executive director Laird Brush said the imbedded filming – producers stayed in the centre for three weeks – broke with the usual tradition of confidentiality, but the approach allows
for a heavy dose of reality. “We’ve never had unfettered access to our programs before,” Brush said, adding participants were given a choice if they wanted to take part in the documentary and all agreed. Brush said it’s hoped ‘Come Clean’ will dispel some of the ongoing myths that surround addiction.
“We are often frustrated with the stigmas around addiction,” Brush explained. “We want to start smashing those, and films like this are a good start. “It (‘Come Clean’) goes a long way in breaking the stigma,” he said. The four clients who the producers followed came from very different backgrounds, Brush said, and had varying levels
of success in recovery post-Westover, with only one maintaining continuous sobriety. “It’s pretty interesting,” he said, as there are four different approaches. Brush gives a nod of approval to Roemer and Graham. “The documentary is really well done,” he said. “They did a really good job.”
‘Come Clean’ may have premiered already on TVO, but it will also be found at TVO.org, YouTube and other TVO streaming channels. On Feb. 14, Westover will celebrate 36 years of operation in Thamesville. The 30-bed facility offers a residential chemical dependency, co-dependency and relapse prevention programs.
Warming centre opens in Wallaceburg The Chatham Voice
Thanks to a new initiative, Wallaceburg residents have a place to come out of the cold. Located at the St. James Anglican Church in the town’s downtown, the recently established warming centre is available to offer warmth, food, respite and connection to those in need. The centre – currently running Friday to Monday unless there is an extreme cold weather event declared – is a partnership between Ska: Na Family Learning Centre, R.O.C.K. Missions and the United Way of Chatham-Kent. R.O.C.K Missions operations manager Renee Geniole said the group is grateful for the opportunity to expand its work to Wallaceburg, alongside
dedicated partners. “The work we began in Wallaceburg with our outreach team, and now the James St. Drop-In, reflects our values and commitment to reaching each one of our most vulnerable people,” Geniole said in a media release, while “providing the equity in care and concern that we all deserve.” The James St. Drop-In is presently looking for volunteers to assist at the centre. There is also an immediate need for donation of men’s gloves. Cash donations to uwock.ca are also welcome. For a full list of the most needed items, e-mail reachoutchathamkent@ gmail.com. James St. Drop-In is open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 719 James St. Wallaceburg.
Animal support effort tops $41K The Chatham Voice
Chatham-Kent animal lovers have stepped up in a big way to support the Pet and Wildlife Rescue’s “Under One Roof” fundraising campaign. Running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, the initiative raised $41,229 – quadrupling the original goal. “We had set our goal at
$10,000 and we thought that was achievable,” said PAWR operations manager Myriam Armstrong in a media release. The money raised will be used to pay for daily animal care needs and to establish an emergency medical fund. Armstrong said creating an emergency fund has long been a dream of hers.
Proud to be Proud to be a part of your Proud toof beyour a part community a part of your community 1947. since community since 1947. since 1947. Chatham Main 213 King St. West Chatham, Ontario
Chatham Main ®Chatham Registered of The BankWest of Nova Scotia. 213trademarks King St. Main 213 King St. West Chatham, Ontario Chatham, Ontario
® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 14
Community Events
Fun Stuff
Friday, January 28, 2022: • Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham is open for takeout meals only from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Supper will be served from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Liver & Onions or Fish & Chips $12.00 tax included. Please call 519351-8733 or 519-351-5639. After 11:00 on Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience. Friday, February 4, 2022: • The Chatham Legion,corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham is open for take-out meals only from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Supper will be served from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are roast beef or fish & chips. $12.00 tax included. Please call 519-351-8733 or 519-3515639 after 11:00am on Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience. Saturday, February 5, 2022: •Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-11:30am. This will be a TAKE OUT only. Friday, February 11, 2022: • Ontario Ancestors Kent Branch Educational Presentation at 7:00pm. Remembering Their Legacies: Stories from Chatham-Kent’s Black Community. The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum archives hold over 400 family histories of local Black families. Though some families have more extensive information then others one thing rings true, the stories you’ll discover here are often unexpected and extraordinary because they are so often left out of history. Join Dorothy Wallace and Samantha Meredith who will share just a tiny handful of some of the hidden stories of a few local families from our Black community. Free and open to everyone. Please join us online on our Zoom platform. Simply register then join the evening of the presenation with the link sent to your email. Link to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodu2vpzssGdcKl-B3rLhEjvtlyK53WTNp • The Chatham Legion,corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham is open for take-out meals only from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Supper will be served from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are ham & scallops or fish & chips. $12.00 tax included. Please call 519-351-8733 or 519-3515639 after 11:00am on Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
CLUES ACROSS 1. Brew 4. NY ballplayer 7. Rigid external covering in some animals 12. Promotional materials 15. More high-pitched 16. Widely cultivated cereal 18. Dormitory employee 19. Bad act 20. One’s mother 21. Scored perfectly 24. Space station 27. Exchange for money 30. Edible seaweed 31. Iranian city 33. Lakers’ crosstown rivals 34. Nothing 35. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation 37. __ student, learns healing 39. Military official (abbr.) 41. Matchstick games 42. Gasteyer and De Armas are two 44. Distant planet 47. A type of residue 48. Punk art icon Jimmy De__ 49. Millihenry 50. Canadian media firm 52. Type of withdrawal 53. Spicy 56. Dish of minced meat or fish
61. Noted previously 63. Happily 64. “Partridge” actress Susan 65. Not present CLUES DOWN 1. In a way, brought to an end 2. Scandalized actress Loughlin 3. This (Spanish) 4. Essay 5. Continuing indefinitely 6. Tool for lifting food 7. Partner to Adam 8. Dry white wine drink 9. Spanish be 10. Smaller quantity 11. Last or greatest in an indefinitely large series 12. (Scottish) island 13. Church officer 14. Large wrestler 17. Polite address for women 22. Famed Susan Lucci character “__ Kane” 23. Mason __ Line 24. Disfigure
25. Asian nation 26. Rage (Span.) 28. Khoikhoin peoples 29. Opera solo 32. Database management system 36. Similar 38. Move up and down playfully 40. Alfalfa 43. Satisfied 44. Baseball official 45. Large, flightless bird of S. America 46. Money given in support 51. Flower cluster 54. Beginning military rank 55. Russian weight measurement 56. Explosive 57. An individual unit 58. Midskirt 59. Weapon featuring balls 60. Used of a number or amount not specified 62. Unit of measurement
Answers found on page 15
Wednesday, February 16, 2022: • Kent Coin Club meeting from 7:00pm-8:00pm. Boardroom at Memorial arena, (80 Tweedsmuir Ave Chatham). Fully Vaccinated and masking required. For more info contact President Paul Robb (probb1@cogeco.ca). Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com
Sudoku 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
New Members Welcome
Classifieds
For Sale
Obituary
Kent Coin Club is welcoming new members. Adults, teens and children. Call Paul 289228-2817.
Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $35. 519-354-3411
Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewelery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All Paid Cash. 519727-8894.
Ford Escape - 4 Cooper Weather Master Winter Tires on rim 235/55/ R17. About 5000kms. Asking $450 obo. Phone 519-351-9006, leave message.
Wanted
Office Rental
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Located in South Chatham, 392 Park Avenue East, approx 400 square feet. Office has reception area and private office-- ideal for professional services. Great location, good parking a must to view. Located in South Chatham, 392 Park Avenue East, approx 1,000 square feet. Two private offices, large board room / main reception with kitchen area and lots of storage. Reasonably priced, freshly painted, ground floor. Great location, a must to view. Call Henry @ 519-437-1793 or email henryregts@gmail.com
Place an Ad
HOW TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE CHATHAM VOICE
IN PERSON: 71 Sass Rd. #4, Chatham CALL: 519-397-2020 EMAIL: MICHELLE@CHATHAMVOICE.COM. Classified ads starting at only $6.00 for items for sale for 15 words. Announcement ads starting at $44.00. All ads include colour!
Art Tolsma,
child of God, finished his earthly work, Tuesday, January 18, 2022. He was a man of integrity, humble, striving to be the lesser, a deep thinker, full of wisdom and gratitude. Art graduated from Trinity Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts and went into teaching. After two years, he decided to join his father in the field of construction. He was an active member in his church and community, supporting missions and ministries and also serving on many committees and boards, including Evangel Community Church, Chatham Christian School, Grace CRC, and the Chatham Home Builders Association. He loved to putter in his yard, constantly raking, picking up sticks, fixing things, tinkering in his shop, and charging the gators for the grandkids. He loved his work too much to retire. He was a wiz at the daily crossword, and would honour his wife by playing many rounds of cards at the kitchen table. But the legacy that he will be most remembered for is his love and passion for Jesus Christ, his Saviour. He earnestly shared his heart and love for the Lord with his family and friends, especially his children and grandchildren. His desire was for everyone to know Jesus as their personal Saviour. Art was the son of the late John and Tina Tolsma. Born September 17, 1950, in Chatham, Ontario. He was married to the love of his life, Enica (Langeveld) Tolsma for 50 years. God blessed them with four awesome children, two sonsin-law, one daughter-in-law and ten grandchildren. Alecia and Rick Merrihew: Tyler, Kyle, Ally, Caleb. JP and Stacey Tolsma: Emily, Charlotte, Kate, Jack. Nicole and Matt Schroeder: Levi, Jayce. James Tolsma. Art is survived by his three sisters, their spouses and children. Marg and Win Elzinga, Rita and Brad Moor, Linda and Gerry Wolting. Also survived by sisters-inlaw; Wilma and Casper Saarloos, Sandy Langeveld, Marie Langeveld-Krisko, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and parents-in-law and four brothers-in-law. Donations to Loads of Love or Chatham Christian School are welcomed in Art’s memory. A visitation will take place on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 10am to 12pm at Evangel Community Church (76 Sandys Street, Chatham). Funeral service to occur on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 1pm, also at Evangel Community Church. Please reserve your space for the visitation and/or funeral service on his obituary page at www.lifetransitions.ca or by phoning 519-351-4444. Art’s funeral service will also be live streamed at www.evangelck.com.
Rental
Loans
MORTGAGES / LOANS
CONSOLIDATE DEBTS LOWER YOUR PAYMENTS
Difficult Situations Accepted Borrow $50,000 for $213.90/mth $100,000 for $427.81/mth $150,000 for $641.71/mth $200,000 for $855.61/mth $250,000 for $1069.52/mth
WE ALSO ARRANGE UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT/LOANS
with INTEREST ONLY payments at 2.45% (P+0%) Borrow $5,000 for $10.21/mth $10,000 for $20.42/mth $25,000 for $51.04/mth
For qualified borrowers. First mortgage based on 2.09%/yr fixed rate, 5 yr term, 25 yr amortization. On approved credit, & subject to borrower qualification. Rates & terms subject to change without notice.
Sample of payments if you qualify
Call John at 519-252-6953 - 24 hours or email john@unimorcapital.com UNIMOR CAPITAL CORPORATION Brokerage Lic.#10675
This week’s answers. Puzzles on page 14
Obituaries
SENIORS APARTMENTS
Studio or 1 Bedroom Includes: • housekeeping • laundry • meals • cable TV • phone • access to on-site pool For a tour, call us at 519-627-9292 80 McNaughton Ave. Wallaceburg, ON
PAGE 15
Obituaries
OBITUARIES Edward Woods 85, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Ruth Cooper 86, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Elena Grace Black 99, Friday, January 21, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Ian George Haskell 71, Saturday, January 15, 2022 Kendrick Funeral Home
Nola Clarke Bak 75, Saturday, January 15, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
David Heide 71, Saturday, January 22, 2022 Kendrick Funeral Home
Rick Francis 62, Sunday, January 16, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Paul Goldhawk 82, Sunday, January 16, 2022 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Brian Rikley Tuesday, January 18, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Mary Jean Seaton 86, Friday, January 21, 2022 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Clara Willett 90, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Larry Moody 60, Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Life Transitions
Norman Scott 58, Thursday, January 20, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Mildred “Millie” Hartley 85, Thursday, January 20, 2022 Life Transitions
Harriett Reekie 74, Thursday, January 20, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Chris Black January, 2022 Life Transitions
George Russell Holmes Sunday, January 16, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Elaine Laidlaw 70, Monday, January 17, 2022 Life Transitions
Frances Kacer 93, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Alexander and Houle Funeral Home
Art Tolsma 71, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Life Transitions
Brenda Skipper 63, Thursday, January 20, 2022 Alexander and Houle Funeral Home
Victoria “Vickey” Apthorp 76, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Life Transitions
Marilyn Mallette 82, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home
Elda Mae Pickering 86, Friday, January 21, 2022 Life Transitions
George DeMaeyer 89, Friday, January 21, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home
See full obituaries at www.chathamvoice.com/obituaries
Jeannette Vidler 93, Monday, January 17, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home Stephen Cutler 67, Monday, January 17, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710
alexanderfuneralhome.ca
A Part of Wallaceburg since 1943.
519.627.2861 ericnichollsfuneralhome.com
459 St.Clair St., Chatham • 519-351-2040 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141 141 Park St., Blenheim • 519-676-3451
www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
lifetransitions.ca • 519-351-4444 Generations of Families Have Placed Their Trust in . . . 156 William St., Chatham | www.peseski.com | 519.352.5120
4 Victoria Ave, Chatham (519) 352-2390
60 Stanley Street, Blenheim (519) 676 – 9200 blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com
Serving Kingsville, Wheatley & Chatham kendrickfuneralhome.com
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 16
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
RESTORATION COLLECTION
®
Flooring
beyond words.
RETAILER INFORMATION HERE
A kitchen or bathroom remodel is filled with overwhelming decisions. Mannington makes it easier with our Restoration Collection® flooring. Beautiful. High-performance. It’s flooring at its best, combining the most realistic hardwood visuals and trending plank sizes with superior durability. Plus, the added boost of a waterproof surface warranty. Kid & Pet Friendly Indentation Resistant Scratch Resistant 25-Year Warranty
Certified as meeting stringent indoor air quality standards
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9AM - 5PM, Saturday 9AM-3PM & Closed Sunday
701 St. Clair St., Chatham 519.354.6121
Made in the USA Environmentally Friendly
Visit Mannington.com/Restoration to find the design and color that work for your home.
www.sacwalflooringcentres.com
Begin to imagine