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A welcome surprise
Image courtesy Come Together CK/Facebook
Supporters of the Come Together CK group, including Michael Lindley shown here, were out in force during last week’s winter storm, brushing off the cars of health-care staff at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. The workers left the facility to find a clean surprise waiting for them. See story on page 2.
Tenants fear eviction on Pearl Crescent
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Gina Rossignol has had a lot of trouble sleeping over the past couple of weeks. On Jan. 23, out of the blue, the Pearl Crescent resident learned the townhouse she’s rented for the
past seven years has been sold, and said she was told she would have to leave voluntarily or face eviction. Rossignol said the deal was sweetened with a $5,000 cash incentive to go with a contract she felt highly pressured to sign. “The woman sat at my
BEFORE
kitchen table and bullied me,” Rossignol claimed of the encounter. “I felt like I had no choice. I haven’t really been able to really sleep since. I can’t eat… I’m so stressed.” Rossignol, who is raising her nine-year-old autistic granddaughter Sophie, is not alone. There are 24
families who learned their units have changed hands. There are six four-plex buildings in total, with five on Pearl Crescent and one on nearby Orchard Heights. The saga began Jan. 22 when tenants discovered a notice of entry for inspection taped to their doors.
The notice advised residents that two people representing the new landlord would be coming the following day to complete a one-hour inspection. However, none of the paperwork stated who the new owner was or when the townhouses were sold. The only identifying in-
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formation came from a form letter, printed with letterhead from Lotus Paralegal, a Wellandbased firm. Signed by Lotus Paralegal owner Jessica Travers, the form was presented to the tenants at the time of the inspection.
Continued on page 3
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
News
Heartening news from health alliance ly turning in the recent surge of omicron cases as the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 at the hospital has dropped. According to president and CEO Lori Marshall there is “cautious optimism,” as the situation is “very much improved.” Marshall told a weekly municipal media scrum the hospital was only treating 16 COVID positive cases, with only two
By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
The past week has brought a trio of good news stories to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. One, a group of volunteers cleaned the snow off of the cars of health-care workers – a welcome respite for employees coming off a 12-hour shift. Second, the tide may be final-
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cases in the intensive care unit. As of late last week, the ICU sat at 70-per-cent capacity with the medical/critical care/surge beds at 93-per cent capacity. Pressure on the health-care system from the high numbers of COVID-19 cases is the metric the province uses to decide when to enact or lift lockdowns as well as other safety measures. The main goal of pandemic safety protocols is to keep the health-care system from being overwhelmed. The number of hospital staff affected by the virus is also levelling off, Marshall explained. “We’re seeing a positive trend in decreasing numbers,” she added. Marshall said during the media call, at that time, there were 45 individuals either infected with COVID-19 or exposed through a highrisk contact. An additional 41 were work/isolating. The numbers are down
Image courtesy Come Together CK/Facebook
Fannie Vavoulis, director of communications for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, cleans snow off a health-care worker’s car.
dramatically from January figures that saw nearly double the hospitalizations and 21 deaths related to the virus. The third bit of good news for the hospital came following Chatham-Kent council’s recent budget deliberations. Elected officials have pledged $500,000 towards the capital cost of developing a dedicated withdrawal management services unit at the hospital. “We’re very heartened to hear
the news,” Marshall said. The municipal funding will be used to complete capital renovations, although more than $1-million is needed. CKHA officials are still waiting to hear if the hospital will be receiving funding from the Ministry of Health to cover ongoing operational costs for the new service. Marshall said the province is expected to reach a decision by March 31.
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Feel like winning a prize? It’s time to head down to your local library. The Chatham-Kent Public Library is hosting a Winter
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
News
PAGE 3
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New owners plan changes for series of four-plexes Continued from page 1
Travers, a licensed paralegal, and Dimple Grewal, a representative of WC Solutions Property Management, undertook the inspections. Rossignol, who refused to open her door for the inspection that Sunday evening, said Travers returned to her home the next day as Sophie was getting home from school. “I let her (Travers) in and she basically told me to sign the contract and that I had no choice,” Rossignol said. The contract states Rossignol and Sophie will have to vacate their unit in 60 days. She said Travers told her the reason behind the eviction is that the new owners have “a vision” to renovate all of the townhouses. The woman, who survives on an Ontario Disability Support Program pension, said she fears her little family will become homeless, as she can’t afford to pay market rent, which would be at least double her current $700 fee. A spokesperson for the purchasing company said that the new land-
lord plans to upgrade the units. The Chatham Voice reached out to the new landlord by way of an e-mail addressed as part of the contact information provided to tenants. The questions were answered in part by Sussex Strategy Group, a Toronto-based public relations firm. In an e-mailed statement, Sussex vice-president Colleen Ryan said a company called Avanew will be undertaking “extensive renovations” to address issues that include the “appearance of mold, insect infestations, a lack of smoke detectors and more” to bring the properties up to code. Ryan’s statement said renovations are currently expected to take between nine to 12 months, and that no tenants being evicted as tenants have “options to return once renovations are completed, including first right of refusal, or to voluntarily relocate with financial compensation and other supports and services to support a seamless transition” should they prefer. Even though some of the
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Gina Rossignol, Darlene Presley, Sophie Polyak, John Presley, Judy Donaldson, Harry Fry, Kelcie Bulckaert, Daniel Dossantos and Ben Allely stand in front of Rossignol’s unit on Pearl Crescent in Chatham. They are just some of the tenants currently facing eviction after the townhouses were allegedly sold. There are six buildings affected, each one compromised of four units.
tenants opted to take the $5,000, agreeing to be out in 60 days, others aren’t buying it. Harry Fry, who has lived in one of the units for the last 25 years, said he isn’t budging. “They’ll have to come in with a bulldozer,” Fry said. “That’s the only way you’re going to get me out of here.” Fry is critical with the way the process was handled, calling the actions of paralegal supposedly representing the new owners “sketchy.” His fiancé Judy, who is ill, has lived at the address for 35 years. Fry said he fears a move will kill her. Carrie Allely, who has lived in the cul-de-sac with her two sons for sev-
en years, said she didn’t gal Jeff Wilkins, who has the affected tenants are sign the contract present- been working on tenant/ entitled to compensation ed by Travers, but she felt landlord issues for many and to first right of refusal pressured to do so. years, said what’s cur- once the renovations are She did end up letting rently happening at Pearl complete. Travers and Grewal in Crescent is the most “blaUnder the law, the tenfor the inspection. Allely tant example of bullying ants may move back in said the pair checked the tenants” he’s ever seen. and the rent can only be smoke detector and then Wilkins, along with raised 1.2 per cent per Travers launched into a members of the Cha- year, according to provinhard sell, urging her to tham-Kent’s housing ser- cial guidelines. sign a document and take vices team, met with 15 of Some of the Pearl Cresthe $5,000. the affected tenants Jan. cent residents said they “It was very, very 25. were told by Travers the pushy,” Allely stressed. He urged them not to renovations would take “There was no notice, sign anything. up to a year and a half to no paperwork, no timeWilkins also advising complete. frame. those who did agree to Others said they were “I don’t know who this take the $5,000 and leave also told they could come is or what company it is,” to let the company know back and pay their curAlley said. “It just doesn’t they want to rescind their rent low rate of rent for make sense.” approval. a year but after that it None of it makes sense to Wilkins said it’s not ille- would increase to market Chatham-Kent’s housing gal to evict tenants to do rate value. Continued on page 4 stability worker either. Li- renovations, but notes censed paraleA Warm, Accessible Space to Say Good-Bye
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 4
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
News
Understanding omicron By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Fewer tests, less official reporting and the wildly contagious omicron virus have altered the way public health is handling COVID-19. Although trends indicate a lower number of cases and hospitalizations, Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health said current testing methods don’t paint an accurate picture of how many COVID-19 cases are out there. “Despite us seeing positive signs of moving in the right direction, we need to understand that omicron is still very much around us,” Colby told reporters recently. “Omicron is so contagious there’s no prospect of community control, you can only control outcomes,” the doctor explained. The danger of COVID-19 has not passed. A total of three deaths were reported in the past week, bringing the local death toll from the virus to 52 as of Monday.
T h e way CK Public Health reports o n Dr. David Colby COVID h a s changed. The number of cases will be posted on the Public Health webpage Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, rather than each day. It’s no longer a matter or “winning or losing” against COVID-19 Colby said, noting the point is to deal with it and “cope the best you can.” He pointed out public health measures – such as intensive case management – worked well to contain the virus earlier in the pandemic, but omicron changed the game. “We had to change gears,” Colby explained, noting the only cases now tracked by public health are those linked to highrisk settings such as longterm care or a group home. Colby said it’s hoped people will continue to come forward to get the shot, adding walk-ins are being accepted at clinics.
Residents report feeling ‘bullied’ on Pearl Cres. He said they have no idea who their new landlord is, or who they are supposed to pay their rent to, although some were told to forward money to the Welland based Lotus Paralegal. Wilkins advises against that. “There’s a legal way to do this and this isn’t it,” Wilkins noted. “Plus, it’s morally wrong.” For the tenants, it’s now a game of wait and see. The e-mail correspondence from Ryan indicated the property was sold in late January, going on to say the units were “left in a state of disrepair by previous owners with many severely dilapidated and unsafe for residents.” According to the e-mail, neglect by previous owners means the properties “require extensive changes for safety, which will also serve to enhance the current properties and surrounding community.”
Continued from page 3
Wilkins said that’s illegal. According to Wilkins, most of the Pearl Crescent residents he spoke with said they feel bullied and scared. He added the $5,000 incentive might seem like a lot of money at first, but it’s not when you “drill down into it.” The contract that he saw indicates the monthly rent will be deducted from the amount so it doesn’t end up being a full $5,000. Plus, with the scarcity of affordable housing, Wilkins said there’s no place to go. “These are inexpensive three-bedroom units,” Wilkins explained. “They’re like unicorns now.” Wilkins, who regularly handles tenant/landlord issues with the Chatham-Kent Legal Aid Clinic, said Pearl Crescent tenants have been blindsided.
According to Wilkins, Chatham-Kent is now a target for opportunistic landlords as it’s one of the few remaining municipalities in Southwestern Ontario that’s left with any housing inventory. The Voice has learned that Avanew Single Family Rental GP, the name on a rental agreement Wilkins witnessed, is a subsidiary of Core Development Group. Toronto-based Core announced in 2021 it has a goal of acquiring a $1-billion portfolio of 4,000 rental units in Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Atlantic Canada by 2026. As previously reported by the Globe and Mail and the CBC in June 2021, Core’s main business has been condo development with numerous projects in the Toronto region. The articles state Core is buying hundreds of detached houses in Ontario with the plan of renting them out and profiting
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on Canada’s housing crisis. The approach is one not normally undertaken in Canada, but is said to be modelled on the highly lucrative institutional house rental market in the United States. Core has stated it is targeting mid-sized cities in Ontario in the expansion, including Kingston, St. Catharines, London, Barrie, Hamilton, Peterborough and Cambridge. The company’s plan is to buy, fix up and rent ground-level suburban homes, turning them into multi-unit residences. In the meantime, Pearl Crescent residents face uncertainty. For her part, Rossignol says she remains confused. “I still have a lot of unanswered questions,” she said. “I would like to stay here. This is like a family here and it’s the only home Sophie has ever known.”
THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
PAGE 5
News
Ratepayers face 2.79% hike By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” If Charles Dickens had written about the 2022 municipal budget process last week, he may very well have titled it “A Tale of Two Budgets,” and opened the piece in much the same way as he did his famous novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” It was indeed the worst of times, with council spending in excess of four hours to ultimately shave off 0.03% of the proposed budget increase on Feb. 1. In the middle of it all, the video feed to the public temporarily stopped working. The budget committee of council came back a day later and spent little more than an hour in session, culling 0.14 per cent off the increase and
passing the budget with a 2.79-per-cent hike tagged onto it. With cuts to planned infrastructure and lifecycle spending increases, the addition of an ambulance, some fund shuffling and a failed run on municipal reserves, the budget committee had finally shaped the 2022 budget. After opening deliberations with committee armed with proverbial chainsaws, the second evening of budget talks dipped the number down to a proposed increase of 2.99 per cent. But on Feb. 1, things went sideways, as the committee added items, including the additional land ambulance, initially raising the increase to 3.14 per cent. More frustrated back and forth on the divided committee pull the number down to 2.93 per cent, but a split vote meant the
budget did not pass on the night. Budget chair Brock McGregor was clearly frustrated following the Feb. 1 meeting. “This is our fourth time through the process,” he said of council’s fourth year in its mandate. “Everyone has all the chances they need to get the information they require,” he said. “I think everyone has the right to go through questions and go through the binder. I think there’s a responsibility to go through the binder in advance.” However, the committee appeared refreshed and rejuvenated for the fourth night. The budget committee trimmed another $225,000 off the increase. It all revolved around Mayor Darrin Canniff bringing two areas of cuts to the table to open the meeting. He successfully
Contributed image
Municipal council spent four days on the 2022 budget, ultimately delivering a tax increase of 2.79 per cent.
proposed pulling about $135,000 in investment income out of general revenues, as well as more than $95,600 in infrastructure spending. That $95,600 figure was the only amount the budget committee was to put into a hike in infrastructure spending this year. It should be noted there are increases to infrastructure spending, due to previous years of commitment from council. How-
ever, this year, the budget committee deviated from its pledge to continue to top up spending, which has been sorely underfunded, according to administration, for years. Where Feb. 1 saw two deadlocked votes fail to pass the budget, at 9-9, a day later, the budget committee passed the motion to approve the budget by a 10-8 vote, meaning one councillor was appeased by the added reduction.
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After four sessions of budget meetings, Canniff said inflation fuelled this year’s budget increase, pure and simple. “If inflation was at zero, we would have a 1.6-percent tax decrease,” he said. “We were able to find savings throughout everything else. As well, we added to ambulance service and are spending $4 million more on capital. Inflation was the driver in this budget.”
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 6
Snubbed! It’s only a provincial championship. What’s the big deal? That may very well be the mindset of the committee that once again snubbed the 1934 Chatham Coloured All Stars, keeping them out of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (see story on page 10). Well, we believe it’s a huge deal. This team overcame adversity, bigotry from opponents, their fans, and even the umpires, to win Chatham’s first provincial baseball title at a time when racism was all too prevalent across this country. These men came from all over the region to play ball together, and took on adversity head on, letting their play do the talking. Their efforts have been recognized by the Toronto Blue Jays on numerous occasions. The Jays in 2001 wore the All Stars’ uniform in a Negro League tribute game in New York. A year later, they donned the jersey for a home game in Toronto. The Major League Baseball club recently teamed up with Chatham baseball legend Fergie Jenkins to honour the All Stars at the start of February as part of Black History Month. However, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame again looked past the Chatham All Stars. The only inductee named this year is Vancouver-born former big-league pitcher Jeff Francis. It’s not like there wasn’t room in the ceremonies, although the 2021 class will be inducted this year, as the pandemic postponed the ceremony a year ago. The first Chatham team to win a provincial baseball title is an honourific that should certainly garner zero interest for induction to the hall. But for a committee to possibly look at only that factor and dismiss the candidacy would be akin to reading social media and believing you consumed all the news you need. The All Stars faced racist crowds in many communities in which they played, but persevered. Finding accommodations and even getting a bite to eat was challenging. And then, in the deciding game of the championship in Penetang, the umpires called the game with the All Stars leading. Why? On account of darkness. Except, the sun was far from setting at that point. The only ‘darkness’ was the colour of the skin of the players on the team from Chatham. The determined bunch finished off their opponents the next day. The determination continues in their descendants. They aren’t letting this fade away. The team is on the ballot until 2026, and the awareness raising will continue.
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 (use “Letter” in the subject line). You can also drop them off or mail them to us at The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4, Chatham, Ont, N7M 5J4.
Advertising policy
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, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
Opinion
Vaccination team ‘outstanding’ Editor: I would just like to say thank you to all the staff and volunteers at the Bradley Convention Centre who have done an outstanding job running the vaccination clinic in our community. What a wonderful group of humans, each and every one of them.
This has undoubtedly been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, but the way they’ve handled this massive undertaking is worth recognizing. I am so impressed with the high level of organization and efficiency at
which they operate; it certainly made my visits to the clinic more enjoyable. Their kindness and compassion is on display the minute you walk in and you’ll never leave without hearing them say “thank you for coming in” with a real
sense of appreciation in their voices. I am grateful to all of them and I hope they realize how appreciated they truly are; we couldn’t have done this without them! Lila Walker Chatham
Burden sectors face added taxation Editor: I read the letter to the editor on the Jan. 27 issue of The Voice dealing with the taxing of the unvaxxed. While I fully understand the sentiments, I disagree with the comparison with
alcohol and tobacco consumers. I consume neither, however, if I am not mistaken, the combined federal/ provincial tax on spirits is around 70 per cent and
Editor: My suggestion to all the municipalities that have incurred extra expenses due to the presence of the COVID-19 non-vaxxer trucker dem-
onstrators is to make applications to their GoFundMe account to cover the costs of police involvement, lost
the combined tobacco tax is about $6 for a pack of 20. Such taxes are defended precisely because of the additional burden that consumers of those
products place on the health-care system. For obvious reasons, the HST was not included in the above numbers. L.A. Forster Chatham
Cities should grab GoFundMe cash business revenue, and any other legitimate expenses brought on because the truckers and their supporters
were in town. Sandy Blackshaw Chatham-Kent
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THE CHATHAM VOICE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
PAGE 7
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Eric Fitzgerald* 519-436-4865
Brian Keenan* 519-365-6090
June McDougall* 519-358-5199
Chris Papple* 519-350-1402
Katherine Rankin* 226-542-2964
Michael Smyth* 519-784-5470
Penny Wilton** 519-360-0315
Evan Gaiswinkler* 519-401-5213
Gwen Liberty* 519-784-3646
Sylvia Moffat** 519-355-8189
Brian Peifer** 519-436-2669
Deborah Rhodes* 519-401-5470
Carson Warrener* 519-809-2856
Lisa Zimmer* 519-365-7325
CHATHAM OFFICE 34 Raleigh St. 519-354-5470
*Sales Representative **Broker
BLENHEIM OFFICE 42 Talbot St. W. 519-676-5444
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 8
Community Events
Fun Stuff
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 presentation with the link sent to your email. Link to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZYodu2vpzssGdcKl-B3rLhEjvtlyK53WTNp • Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. will be a BBQ rib dinner with a baked potato, baked beans, coleslaw and a bread roll for $15. Please call daily from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at 519352-8291 to place your order. Dine in will be served at 5:30pm and pickups will start at 6:00pm. Everyone welcome. • 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 519-351-5639 after 11:00am on Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience. 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). • The Chatham-Kent Quilters’ Guild meets via zoom on the third Wednesday of every month. Everyone is welcome to join us, including non-members. Non-members will pay a $5 fee/meeting and can enjoy our presentations, guest speakers and all of the other fun at our meeting. Our membership fee is $50/year and this entitles you to our Newsletter and all of our regular meetings free of charge. You are welcome to contact us through our Facebook page or our website at www.ckquiltguild.com to get more information. Friday, February 18, 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 lasagna or fish & chips. $12.00 tax included. Please call 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639 after 11:00am on Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience. Saturday, February 19, 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. Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Call - leave message - 519-350-3462 Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
CLUES ACROSS 1. One point east of due south 4. City in Maine 10. Inquire too closely 11. Make dirty 12. Small Greek island 14. Bitterly regret 15. Millisecond 16. __ the ante 18. Without value 22. Eurasian ryegrass 23. Authentic 24. Having a mournful quality 26. Not out 27. Salvador __, Spanish artist 28. Cargo (abbr.) 30. This (Spanish) 31. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 34. Slang for trucks with trailers 36. Helps you hear 37. Steer a boat 39. British School 40. Genus of olive 41. Computer term (abbr.) 42. Horse gear 48. Give off 50. A type of salt 51. Exposing human vice or folly to ridicule 52. One who watches birds 53. Sailboat 54. A major division of geological time 55. Sodium 56. American state 58. Soak in water 59. Thin decorative covering of fine wood 60. Affirmative
Answers found on page 11
CLUES DOWN 1. One of the four seasons 2. Its sultan is famous 3. A lens for correcting defective vision in one eye 4. College degree 5. Soldiers need it 6. Japanese car manufacturer 7. A way to address 8. Obstruct 9. Atomic number 45 12. Ill-mannered 13. Opaque gem 17. Indicates before 19. Remove 20. Populous Argentine city 21. More cunning 25. Rich dessert 29. Payment (abbr.) 31. Footwear 32. Famed Alabama city 33. Sheep’s cry
35. Arrogance 38. Clergical vestment 41. Serving no practical purpose 43. An evening party 44. Print errors 45. Not good 46. Egyptian Sun god 47. Industrial German city 49. Scottish island 56. Early multimedia 57. Atomic number 18
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, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
PAGE 9
News
Casino funds flow to Chatham-Kent The Chatham Voice
Fourth quarter funds from the operation of the Cascades Casino in Chatham recently landed in the municipality’s lap.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) said a non-tax gaming revenue payment of $326,705 went to the municipality for hosting the casino.
Since April 2001, Chatham-Kent has received more than $14.1 million in non-tax gaming revenue. OLG makes payments to host communities under the Municipality Contri-
bution Agreements, using a prescribed formula consistently applied across all sites in Ontario that is based on a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site or sites.
Darrin Canniff, Mayor of Chatham-Kent, said normal quarterly payouts are about $400,000, adding COVID-19 and pandemic restrictions have certainly impacted the operation.
Funds from the payout are placed in the overall municipal budget, Canniff said. The casino does more than funnel money to the municipality, he said.
Notice of Commencement and Community Open House #1 Class Environmental Assessment for a new 230 kilovolt Transmission Line between Lambton and Chatham
St. Clair Transmission Line
February 2022 Hydro One is committed to energizing life in southwestern Ontario. As demand for electricity in southwestern Ontario is anticipated to grow significantly over the next several years, Hydro One is initiating a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to construct a new double-circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between the Lambton Transformer Station, located in the County of Lambton and the Chatham Switching Station, located in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Hydro One is calling this undertaking the St. Clair Transmission Line Project. This transmission line is part of a network of electricity infrastructure projects identified in the region by the Independent Electricity System Operator, the organization responsible for planning for the province’s future energy needs. This project will help meet the rapidly growing electricity demands of the industrial, agricultural and residential sectors in the region.
Planning Process
Minimizing the effects of our projects and operations on the environment is important to us. The planning of this project will follow the “Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities” (Class EA for MTF, 2022), established in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This planning process applies to transmission infrastructure projects that are carried out routinely and have predictable environmental effects that can be readily managed. Following completion of the Class EA, the project will also require Ontario Energy Board (OEB) approval under Section 92 (Leave to Construct) of the Ontario Energy Board Act. The in-service date is expected no later than 2028.
We’d like to hear from you
Your input is important to us. Receiving feedback from residents, Indigenous communities, businesses, government agencies, and interest groups will be instrumental to inform all aspects of the Class EA. We invite you to join our upcoming virtual Community Open House #1 to learn more about the project, ask our team questions and provide feedback.
Please join us:
Visit the project website HydroOne.com/SCTL to tour through our virtual open house which will exhibit project information and provide opportunities to share your feedback.
Hydro One Networks Inc. St. Clair Transmission Line Project " ) Station
£ ¤ 40
Courtright
Lambton TS
" )
St. Clair River
0
Route 1 Route 2* TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR
North Sydenham River
4
8
km
For these route options only, a dashed portion indicates where the proposed 230 kV line will replace an existing 115 kV line
Route 3* Route 4* Route 5
Local Study Area (500 m buffer on either side of the route alternatives) Existing Transmission Lines TS = Transformer Station SS = Switching Station * Routes 2, 3 and 4 will require an upgrade to the Wallaceburg TS, and replacement of existing transmission lines
Port Lambton
Wallaceburg
Wallaceburg TS Walpole Island First Nation
MCCR EARY LINE
" )
£ ¤
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 7 - 8 p.m. EST Thursday, March 10, 2022 7- 8 p.m. EST 1. Visit HydroOneMeeting.ca to register and view our live stream materials. 2. Dial 1.800.851.2595 to join the call and listen to the presentation. You may also receive an automated call on both days, reminding you about the upcoming session and inviting you to stay on the call to participate. To submit a question in advance please email Community.Relations@ HydroOne.com
We’re here to help If you would like any further information or have any questions, please contact Community Relations at: 1.877.345.6799 Community.Relations @HydroOne.com
Thames River
40
CO
Live Discussions
HydroOne.com/SCTL
MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT
IE
Lake St. Clair
Sydenham River
Dresden
The virtual room will be available starting February 25, 2022. We will continue to monitor the latest pandemic developments and will look for safe in-person Community Open House Opportunities in the future.
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Legend USA
KIMBALL ROAD
As part of the Class EA, Hydro One has identified five viable route alternatives for the new transmission line as shown in the attached map and online HydroOne.com/SCTL. These route alternatives will be studied and evaluated to ultimately select a preferred route for the new line. Indigenous communities will be consulted and engaged to determine potential impacts to rights.
Community Open House #1
V Y TR NE I U L
Louisville
W
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£ ¤ 401
Chatham
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Chatham SS
All personal information included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. As this information is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protection of personal information provided in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal information you submit will become part of the available public record unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 10
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
Sports
Chatham All Stars snubbed...again
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
What a great way to start Black History Month: induct the 1934 Chatham Coloured All Stars into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Except, it didn’t happen. Instead, the hall’s committee selected just one inductee this year, Vancouver native Jeff Francis. Francis enjoyed a decent Major League career as a pitcher. The All Stars,
however, broke down colour barriers in 1934 when they became the first all-Black team to win a provincial title. The win came despite obvious attempts to pull victory out from under them. With the All Stars leading 3-2, the umpires called the championship game in Penetang on account of darkness, except the sun was still in the sky. A day later, they won regardless. For Samantha Mere-
dith, executive director and curator of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, seeing the local team left off the list Feb. 2 was a Groundhog Day kind of moment for her. It’s the fifth straight year the team’s been on the ballot, and fifth consecutive year it has not been enshrined. This year was particularly tough to swallow, as the Black Historical Society, an author, a craft brewery and descendants of the players on the 1934 team all worked to raise awareness of the milestone the All Stars achieved 88 years ago. Author Brock GreenhalContributed image gh penned “Hard Road The 1934 Chatham Coloured All Stars, the first Black team to win a provincial baseball title, to Victory” detailing the hurdles the team had to failed to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, despite a strong 2021 push from supporters. The team remains on the ballot until 2026. overcome. “So many of us were up History Month, with an ting stuff out there.” Sons of Kent brewery They have help. The Toput out a commemorative early that morning, wait- all-black baseball team,” beer in the team’s hon- ing on the website,” she she said. “You sometimes ronto Blue Jays and Chaour, and, combined with said. “To see the class wonder if they (hall com- tham native Fergie JenGreenhalgh’s book sales, induction was only one mittee members) don’t kins – whose father was on the 1934 helped raise $7,000 for the person...It was super dis- realize the appointing s i g n i f i - “It seemed like it All Stars – Black Mecca “To see the class news. We cance. They would have been such have put Museum. All a perfect fit, the start of out a vidAnd in induction was only one all thought (the this year Stars) were eo in the h o n o u r person...It was super was going trailblazers Black History Month, team’s honof the All disappointing news. to be the breaking all with an all-black base- our. Stars, de100 these barri- ball team...They (the Jenkins s c e n d a n t s We all thought this year year.” M e r e d i t h ers.” also hapof95 players was going to be the All Stars) were trailsaid getting As for blazers breaking all pens to be came to year..” the news on what’s next, an inductee C75h a t h a m - Samantha Meredith the second the team these barriers.” to the Cathis past day of Black still has four - Samantha Meredith nadian hall October of fame in to play in a ball game History Month would more years 25 dubbed “Field of Hon- have been very appropri- of eligibility, meaning it is 1987 and a 1991 inductee ate, considering what this on the ballot until 2026. into the National Baseball our.” 5 “For us, we’re just going Hall of Fame in CooperMeredith said she and all-Black squad had to ento keep sharing the story stown, NY. He enjoyed others excitedly woke dure. 0 “It seemed like it would and having events to hon- a long and storied career Feb. 2 to track the announcement from the hall have been such a per- our these guys,” Meredith on the mound in Major fect fit, the start of Black said. “We’ll just keep get- League Baseball. of fame.
Classifieds Place an Ad
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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!
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Call John at 519-252-6953 - 24 hours or email john@unimorcapital.com UNIMOR CAPITAL CORPORATION Brokerage Lic.#10675
Travel /Tours
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
Appin Tours
2022
Plan to Travel in 2022!
June 13, 14, 15 � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Shipshewana July 7 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Walters Theatre August 18 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Walters Theatre Oct 4, 5, 6 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Shipshewana featuring Daniel O’Donnell October 24 - 31 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Nashville November 18 � � � � � � � Walters Family Christmas (Brantford) Call Pat Carruthers for details!
519-289-2043 or 519-494-8989
51 Wellington Ave., Appin ON NOL 1AO TICO #500 25867 Itinerary subject to change/cancellation/Covid restrictions�
Wanted Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewelery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-727-8894.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
ATTN: SMALL BOAT BUILDERS Small Boat Builders in Chatham-Kent As a small boat hobbyist I would like to communicate with other boat builders living in Chatham. It is advantageous for an amateur builder to have a community to share technical questions, so I am reaching out to other boat-builders in this area. Perhaps we can share our experience. Please contact me: James Prendergast: thewurd@gmail.com 519-732-9515.
Anniversary
Happy 69th Anniversary Bertram & Donna Millson February 14th, 1953
Love from all the family Linda, Kenneth (Laina), Brian, Dennis (Perianne), Patrick (Ann Marie) and the late Dianna Lynn (Randy)
Obituaries
This week’s answers. Puzzles on page 8
Gerard Joseph Lizotte (better known as Gerry), a resident of Chatham, passed away peacefully on Friday February 4, 2022 at Chatham Kent Health Alliance at the age of 86. He was born October 29, 1935 in Ville Saint-Pierre, Quebec. Son of Gerard and Marie (Ducedre) Lizotte. Brother of Michael Lizotte (Marielle) and Richard Lizotte (Evangeline). Also survived by nephews Trevor Lizotte (Tanya), Timothy Lizotte (Katie) and Matthew Lizotte (Jenny). Earlier in life Gerry trained as a Tele-Communications Officer with The Royal Canadian Air Force and later worked with the Marconi Company. Eventually he moved to work within the Camera retail industry. His love of photography lead him to capture every lighthouse on the Great Lakes as well as many ghost towns as points of interest. Another passion for Gerry was anything and everything Bluegrass. A treasured item being a photo of his meeting of Bluegrass legend Bill Munro. Gerry loved British comedy and cross word puzzles but his many hours were spent between Bluegrass concerts, Camera Club, and with William Street Café coffee buddies. Gerry always thought highly of the work of the WarAmps and would appreciate any donation in his memory being directed to them. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 11
Classifieds Obituaries Dzieciol: Ireneusz “Eric”
It is with heavy hearts that we share our loss with the passing of Eric. He will be deeply missed by his beloved partner and best friend Tracy Foss and her family. Loving father of Chris Dzieciol (Agata), Nusia Zalewska (Peter) and Ania Dzieciol and the lights of his life, his grandchildren. Joining his father Eugeniusz Dzieciol and sister Dorota in eternal life. Will be missed by his step-mother Lucyna Dzieciol and his mother Stefania Teodorowicz, brother Roman and sister Kasia, and many friends & family in Canada and Poland. Eric was born in Szczecin, Poland on December 21, 1956. Eric graduated with an Engineering Degree from the University of Warsaw, Poland. When he moved to Canada he worked as an Engineer in Chatham, Michigan, Ohio and Windsor. Eric was a gentle kind man with a fun vibrant personality. He had a thirst for knowledge and enjoyed the adventure of traveling and seeing the world with Tracy. He watched all sports and enjoyed swimming, skiing and sailing. He loved all things Polish. In life we loved you dearly In death we love you still In our hearts you hold a place, no one else will ever fill. Wieczne odpoczywanie racz mu dać Panie, a światŧość wiekuista niechaj mu świeci na wieki, wieków. Niech odpoczywa w pokoju wiecznym. Amen Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Church, 490 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Interment Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Donations made in memory of Eric to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.
Mary (Aunt Willie) Bellinger Mary Bellinger (Aunt Willie) passed away peacefully at the age of 93, at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, on January 18th, 2022 with family by her side. Born in Chatham, Mary was the daughter of Bertha (Soper) and Russel Bellinger. Mary is predeceased by siblings Anna (Chestle) Payne, Donald (Doreen) Bellinger, Marlene (Jim) Philips, brothers in law George Cook and Robert Tuck, and is survived by Edith Cook and Ruth Tuck. Mary is remembered by 14 nieces and nephews, 24 great nieces and nephews and 46 great-great nieces and nephews. Mary worked at Bell Canada for 45 years and never missed a day of work. She loved to travel both locally and internationally. She enjoyed camping with her family, from coast to coast (two favourites were Maine and New Hampshire) and would tell stories about her time in Scotland and England. Mary also loved to drive her car, in her younger years she was known to pick up friends and family in her Dodge Demon to drive all over the country. Mary sang with the Sweet Adeline’s and later joined The Quinn Sister Act, singing as a Nun. She had a beautiful voice and never hesitated to be front and centre. She was outgoing, passionate and had a wonderful sense of humour. Mary once said, as a bit of advice to one of her great nieces, “I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it.” Mary didn’t enjoy cooking, but she always appreciated a home cooked meal and saved room for dessert. She took friends and family out for lunch or supper and supported the local restaurants, getting to know the staff personally. She loved her family and their children and was known to all as “Aunt Willie”. Family was the most important part of her life and despite her perfect attendance at Bell, she always had perfect attendance at sporting competitions, school events, birthday parties and Sunday suppers. Aunt Willie was a second grandma to many and her family loves her as much as she loved them. She was our Superhero. Aunt Willie believed in Angels and now she is one. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Mary are asked to please consider Chatham Kent Hospice or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held in the spring of this year when we can share memories of Aunt Willie with family and friends at an outdoor gathering. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc.
For Sale
Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS
All claims against the Estate of Mark Michael McLaughlin, late of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, who died on or about the 6th day of January, 2022, must be filed with the undersigned personal representatives no later than February 28, 2022, after which date the estate will be distributed having regard only to the claims of which the Estate Trustees then shall have notice. DATED at Chatham-Kent, this 28th day of January, 2022. Mary Elizabeth Lachine and Martha Loyson Estate Trustees With a Will by their lawyer Hinnegan Law Professional Corporation 75 Thames St., Box 428 Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K5
Sump Pump automatic, $50. Works good. Phone 519380-9736. Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $35. 519-354-3411
OBITUARIES Malgorzata Wolanski 61, Monday, January 31, 2022 Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home
Jeannine Parsons 85, Wednesday, February 2, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Larry “Doc” Johnson 75, Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Life Transitions
Gary Hudson 63, Sunday, January 30, 2022 Alexander and Houle Funeral Home
Bonnie Ruckle Monday, January 31, 2022 Life Transitions
Sheila Hime 82, Sunday, January 30, 2022 Alexander and Houle Funeral Home
Bill Warren 81, Sunday, January 30, 2022 Life Transitions
David Starr 70, Friday, January 28, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home
Jan Graves Sunday, January 30, 2022 Life Transitions
Elizabeth Jean Haggerty 82, Monday, January 31, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home
David Knott 74, Monday, January 31, 2022 Life Transitions
Jacquelyn “Jacquie” Carroll 88, Monday, January 31, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home
Fred Postma 63, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Life Transitions
Ida Yoos 95, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Nicholls Funeral Home
Mary Bellinger 93, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Life Transitions
Betty Attewell 74, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Aileen Wilson Mitton 97, Sunday, January 30, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Peter Dyck 66, Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Kendrick Funeral Home
Eric Dzieciol Monday, January 31, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home Martin Rintjema 90, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 McKinlay Funeral Home
Generations of Families Continue To Place Their Trust With Us 156 William St., Chatham | www.peseski.com | 519.352.5120
4 Victoria Ave, Chatham (519) 352-2390
lifetransitions.ca • 519-351-4444
459 St.Clair St., Chatham • 519-351-2040 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown • 519-674-3141 141 Park St., Blenheim • 519-676-3451
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Serving Kingsville, Wheatley & Chatham kendrickfuneralhome.com
60 Stanley Street, Blenheim (519) 676 – 9200 blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com
A Part of Wallaceburg since 1943.
245 Wellington St. W., Chatham 519-352-2710
alexanderfuneralhome.ca
519.627.2861 ericnichollsfuneralhome.com
THE CHATHAM VOICE
PAGE 12
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
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