The Chatham Voice, May 9, 2024

Support program learns from users

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Chatham-Kent’s Peer2-Peer (P2P) project is about helping people to survive another day. That’s what board of health members heard during an evaluation report on the project at the board’s May 2 meeting.

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, medical officer of health for C-K, said opioid poisonings are prevalent here. Since Jan. 1, 16 people in C-K have perished as a result of opioids.

P2P was established in the middle of the pandemic, as eight agencies – Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.), United Way of Chatham-Kent, Women United, Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre, Linck, Ska:na Family Learning Centre, Chatham-Kent Health Al-

-

“I watched for three years before I decided to join them (R.O.C.K.). There are so many organizations out there that are a bunch of crap, but not them. I’m proud to be with them.”

R.O.C.K.’s Ken James

liance and CK Public Health – teamed up in the wake of an increase in the number of opioid poisoning-related deaths and emergency medical calls. They approached people with lived and living experience to work with them and find opportunities to address challenges.

Several volunteers and staff from various agencies spoke to the board, delivering a common message of how they realized they were not experts in this field.

Jordynne Lindsay, a public health nurse, said the peer-led outreach program had an immediate impact with her.

“Having worked in this area in public health, I quickly learned that I am not the expert. The project and relationships have fundamentally changed the way I view this work

and redefined my view of success,” she said.

Renee Geniole, executive director of R.O.C.K., said she had her eyes opened while helping substance users.

“Peer-2-Peer has changed the way we do our work. We began with what we think we know, but that’s not the truth,” she said. “When we recognize our peers – our people living it – we decided that, ‘You tell us what you need; what’s a barrier?’ That was when we could dive deeper.”

Ken James is a P2P pathfinder working with R.O.C.K. He said acceptance of outsiders into the circle of people struggling with addiction and substance use takes time.

“I watched for three years before I decided to join them,” he said of R.O.C.K. “There are so many organizations out there that are a bunch of crap, but not them. I’m proud to be with them.”

James helps guide people to R.O.C.K. to “help them out the best they can. This gives the person the ability to take care of themselves.”

Kayla Stefik, the focused outreach worker for R.O.C.K., said even as someone with the lived experience, her views have been altered while with R.O.C.K.

“Being part of this team has changed how I think substance use should be handled,” she said, stressing the survival aspect. “I care about you. I want to see you tomorrow. I

want to see you alive and well.”

Geniole agreed.

“The opioid crisis is scary. There are so many drug poisonings. We want to see people tomorrow,” she said. “But it’s not a simplistic answer... ever.”

P2P agency participants hand out items such as medical kits, sterile needles, drug testing kids and even crack pipes. The goal is to minimize spread of communicable diseases.

Stefik said supplying substance users with test strips allows them to test their supply and know what they are taking.

Geniole said testing to see if a substance includes fentanyl can save lives.

“We see a lot of overdoses in people who think they’re using meth, but there’s fentanyl in their supply,” she said. “And it’s a lot harder to reverse an overdose when there are tranquilizers and all these additives in the supply. If people know what they are consuming, they can make adjustments.”

Naloxone, a medication used to reduce the effects of opioids, is also distributed. It can also be purchased in pharmacies around Chatham-Kent.

Brock McGregor, chair of the board of health, commended the P2P program.

“I think so many people doing front-line work have been doing a great job. They’re addressing what is going on in our communities,” he said.

Pinsonneault owns L-K-M by-election

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Fifteen minutes after the polls closed May 2, it was clear Steve Pinsonneault was on his way to a landslide victory.

The veteran Chatham-Kent councillor is heading to the Ontario Legislature as Lambton-Kent-Middlesex’s new Member of Provincial Parliament.

It was a sweep for the Progressive Conservative candidate, ensuring the riding will remain Tory blue. Pinsonneault claimed 56.85 per cent of the vote in the by-election, garnering 15,649 ballots as he eclipsed second place Liberal hopeful Cathy Burghardt-Jesson by more than 9,000 votes.

Early numbers from Elections Ontario indicate just 30.3 per cent of eligible voters in L-K-M, or 27,529 people, cast a ballot in

the by-election.

A smiling Pinsonneault said he’s pumped about heading to Queen’s Park.

“I want to bring my municipal experience there,” the Thamesville resident said. “I’m overwhelmed tonight...I never dreamed the margin would be that big on the win and it just shows that the riding believes in me and I won’t let them down.”

When asked if he will be able to cross the rural-urban divide, Pinsonneault said he’s been dealing with the issue for the entirety of the 17 years he has represented East Kent and he’s certain he’ll be able to share the views of all constituents.

Long-time L-K-M MPP Monte McNaughton, whose decision to step away from politics last fall triggered the by-election, was the first to welcome Pinsonneault at the Dawn-Euphemia Community Centre in Florence where the party faithful gathered election night.

voice in the government.”

“I’m here tonight to officially pass the torch to our next MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex,” McNaughton said as he introduced Pinsonneault to loud applause.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Steve Pinsonneault thanks supporters at a gathering in Florence, Ont. Thursday night. Pinsonneault, the Progressive Conservative candidate, garnered nearly 57 per cent of votes cast in the by-election and will head to Queen’s Park as the new MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.

“I don’t have to tell anyone in this room, but we have elected an outstanding person to take our concerns for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex to Queen’s Park to be our

Continued on page 4

Pinsonneault nabs 56% of the vote

Continued from page 3

In his victory speech, Pinsonneault thanked McNaughton for his mentorship and for what he had done for the riding.

“I hope to build on your legacy,” he said.

Unofficial Election Ontario results: Burghardt-Jesson, 6,208 votes; NDP candidate Kathryn Shailer, 2,973 votes; New Blue candidate Keith Benn, 1,513 votes; Green Party candidate Andraena Tilgner, 429 votes; None of the Above Direct Democracy

Party candidate Stephen Campbell, 360 votes; Ontario Party candidate Cynthia Workman, 310 votes; and Family Rights candidate Hilda Walton, 87 votes.

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, who travelled to Florence to offer congratulations, said Pinsonneault’s win is going to be “fantastic” for the municipality.

“We’ve got somebody born and raised in Chatham-Kent now as an MPP,” the mayor said. “He’s got amazing experience. He knows all

about politics. I’m looking forward to him representing Chatham-Kent very well.”

It will now be up to council to decide on how to fill Pinsonneault’s chair. Canniff said coun-

cil can hold a municipal by-election or appoint the third runner up from the 2022 election. If coun-

cil goes with the latter, Morena McDonald will be the next municipal councillor for East Kent.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

From left, Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones, former Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton, and Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey congratulate Steve Pinsonneault, right, on his May 2 by-election win.

More progress at ’Burg hospital

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative

pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Long off life support, the renewal of Wallaceburg’s hospital has hit another milestone.

At a gathering of dignitaries at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) Wallaceburg campus May 1, it was announced the Ministry of Health has approved the second phase of the facility’s revamp, greenlighting the completion of detailed drawings needed prior to construction.

“This is the stage that immediately proceeds going to tender,” CKHA president and CEO Lori Marshall told reporters, noting that when the full project is done, the Wallaceburg hospital will have a new emergency department, six new medical beds, including one for palliative care, a new diagnostic imaging area, and a new lab area.

The building’s east wing will be demolished and the remaining west wing will be rejigged to allow the expansion of ambulatory care services.

There will also be 24-7 emergency services on site, something that’s “critical to rural health care,” Marshall explained.

According to Marshall, the “sketch plan submission” phase is part of the Ministry of Health’s capital planning process and will take six to nine months to complete, meaning the project could break ground sometime next year.

“We believe that if everything went according to plan that we could have a shovel in the ground in the summer of 2025,” Marshall said, adding construction will take 18 to 24 months to complete.

In her comments, Marshall acknowledged the dedication of members of Save Our Sydenham and the Wallaceburg community who fought to keep the hospital in place, as well as the Government of Ontario.

“Every stage that we progress through the planning process, it provides not only greater certainty, but also greater clarity about the level of detail,” said Marshall, adding the province would not have committed to funding the new power plant if the future was uncertain.

“The government would not have supported the power plant if there was not an intention to support the rest of the building that will go along with it,” Marshall said. “Every time we are able to make an announcement like this, it really

solidifies to people that this hospital is here to stay.”

In 2022, the full cost of the Wallaceburg project, to be completed in phases, was estimated at around $42 million. That included the construction of the now completed power plant, built to replace an aging boiler system at a cost of $8.1 million.

The community is expected to raise 10 per cent of the overall cost.

Continued on page 8

Learn more about our schedule/hours online at www.ck.mobilecareclinic.ca, follow along with us on social media at @mobilecareck or call us at 1-866-299-7447 (7am–7pm). Serving communities across Kent County, we provide mental health and addictions care, withdrawal services, community referrals and primary care.

Straight Talk with Nathan McKinlay

Over the past year, we have been highlighting a number of the dedicated men and women that we are fortunate enough to have working on our team. With Mother’s Day approaching, it only seemed fitting to pay homage to the mother of my children, my other half, Amanda McKinlay.

Running a family business is a lot of work, especially when you are trying to work from home with four busy boys. Amanda is an absolutely essential part of the funeral home. She does the bookkeeping, most of our accounting and manages the admin team as well as the logistics of our reception centres. She does her best work when the younger boys are asleep, so it is not unusual to find her paying bills, looking over accounts or vinyl wrapping an urn at 1:00 am. Above all, Amanda is a loving, dedicated mother. Her strength, her compassion, her intelligence, and her tirelessness make her the perfect role model for the boys – as Amanda’s mom was for her and her brother. I am very blessed to be able to be in the unique position to work alongside my wife everyday, and I could not imagine life without her.

A mother fills an immeasurable part of your heart, of who you are. That is why I count my blessings every year. Amanda and I are fortunate to still have our own mothers, but we are meeting families every day that are going through that loss. It is an especially hard time of year to lose your mom or to remember the loss of her. So, be kind to the strangers you meet, celebrate your mother if you can and if your mother is no longer with us, be sure to take some time to share stories and remember her on our beloved Mother’s Day.

Your Wishes. Your Way

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones, Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance president and CEO Lori Marshall mark the Ministry of Health approval of the second phase of Wallaceburg’s hospital May 1. Construction could begin by summer 2025.

Opinion

When guards are not enough

Apparently, security guards for council meetings are not enough for municipal administration and council (see page 17).

As a result, council rubberstamped a recommendation from administration to pump $30,000 into council chambers that they will vacate in a couple of years or so.

CAO Michael Duben declined to let the public know which councillor, or councillors don’t feel safe, as it came up in a closed session meeting.

However, several elected officials spoke about having to be escorted by police to their vehicles, or getting verbally accosted by citizens.

Those chambers sit on the second floor of the Civic Centre. The municipality has acquired the former Sears building with the intent to move operations there. Even if that does not proceed and renovations are instead done at the Civic Centre, council will move downstairs.

In other words, this is a short-term expense, and a sizeable one.

Talking with numerous councillors in recent months on how raucous things have been getting in council chambers, all have said some members of the public have gone too far at times. But those same councillors add they at no time felt outright concerned for their safety.

We did not speak to every councillor on the matter, but enough to take a decent litmus test.

Everyone has a right to feel safe when on the job. That includes politicians and support staff. The public has a right to disagree, for sure, but discourse must remain civil. Spitting on councillors, threatening them, cornering them in a hallway while wearing a disguise – that’s all way beyond the bounds of civility.

But will $30,000 in a waist-high barrier and a game of musical chairs protect council and staff? We seriously doubt it in the case of a full-blown antagonist.

The presence of security personnel will have a far greater impact. And security guards, unlike the barriers, are mobile. They can not only react to a situation, they can also move to the new location of council chambers, be that in the Sears building or down a flight of stairs.

Our letters to the editor policy

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You can also drop them off or mail them to us at The Chatham Voice, 71 Sass Rd., Unit 4, Chatham, Ont, N7M 5J4. All letters need to be signed.

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Fix council’s problem

Editor: Yipes, it has come to the point where the taxpayers, voters and citizens have become suspicious people in the municipal council chambers.

Can somebody say “paranoid?”

Yes, security is good and in fact the more disputed issues that council debates probably do require a different approach, as nobody wants our elected officials to be harassed. The cheapest solution

would be closeddoor sessions with televised meetings on a big screen into a public space provided by Your TV, which is already do ing this for home viewers. They have everything already in place now; no extra cost required. They would just need the addition of a microphone in a public room so questions can be asked remotely. By doing this, money would be saved by reduc-

ing an overpowering security issue. Let’s all stay civil. Perhaps the municipality could open public areas in the old city halls in Thamesville, Dresden, Bothwell, Ridgetown, etc. this would give access for taxpayers and they wouldn’t have to travel the 30 or 40 kilometres to Chatham.

Wayne Robertson Chatham

Program worth trying

Editor: Students - don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Students in grade 11 and 12 should speak with their career guidance teacher about the dual credit program offered by the Public and Catholic school boards and St Clair College.

Basically, it’s a program that runs on Thursdays throughout the school year. It’s called dual credit because students receive

a high school and a college credit.

Students are picked up from their high school, taken to either St. Clair College in Chatham or in Windsor – depending on the course they’ve enrolled in – and at the end of the day they are transported back to their high school.

Students are provided with all the necessary protective clothing such

as safety boots and welding masks if they choose the welding option. It’s a great way to try a trade while you are still in school. There is a range of courses offered. For more information visit the St.Clair College website and enter Dual Credit in the search bar. It’s a great program. John Willatt Chatham

EV users get gold-plated service

Doug Ford wants more Ontarians to own electric vehicles (EV). Heck, he even wants a special electricity rate to charge such vehicles.

Those of us who live in small-city, rural Ontario can’t be too happy about that. Many EVs lack the desired range between charges that most of us would be comfortable with when we have to make treks across the municipality, or beyond.

Urban parts of the province, as in big-city urban sectors, may have supportive public charging stations in sufficient quantities, but a quick look at what has happened in Chatham-Kent, and we’re just not ready to care much about this just yet.

In fact, the thought that someone could be plugging in their car while the rest of us help subsidize that rate, or an outright lack of rate, is annoying. Look at the municipal charging stations for EVs in Chatham-Kent. There are seven locations total, with 14 chargers, located in Chatham, Blenheim, Wallaceburg and Dresden.

To date, the municipality has not charged drivers to plug their vehicles in at these locations. Of course, that’s when the cables haven’t been cut

Bruce Corcoran

and stolen – something that has occurred at the Cultural Centre in Chatham on at least one occasion.

In a report to council last summer, those 14 chargers collectively saw an average of five users a day – so about one in every three stations got utilized in a given day – and dispensed about $1,850 in free current in the first six months of 2023.

Well, not free. The cost came out of municipal coffers, so we, the taxpayers, paid for that. That’s roughly half the property tax on an average C-K home going to pay for someone else to drive an EV.

On one hand, paying for other people to charge their cars is annoying. On the other, the poor usage rate of these stations is also annoying. Granted, it will grow as EV usage grows.

Still, the lifecycle cost of the seven municipally owned charging stations is about $25,000 a year, according to municipal

officials. Operation and maintenance costs are estimated at about $10,000 a year as well – for terrible usage numbers. Again, that will change. For the rest of us who aren’t in a position to purchase an EV, what is

the municipality doing for us? Not a darned thing.

And the incentives for more people to switch to EVs in C-K are minimal. As of this time last year, C-K officials said there were an additional 14

Ridgetown (94th) Harvest Table 11 Main St. W. 9:00am - 10:00am

Chatham (100th) Satellite Restaurant 145 King St. W. 8:00am - 9:00am

or so privately owned charging stations across the municipality. Combined with municipal stations, that’s fewer than two dozen in a municipality the size of Prince Edward Island.

The province’s minis-

ter of energy wants the Ontario Energy Board to explore special rates for EV charging at public charging stations. We aren’t happy with the special treatment, but something would be better than nothing.

Community Update with Dave Epp

Coffees with Dave

Tuesday, May 14th

Tilbury (95th) Sally’s Restaurant 132 Queen St. S. 11:00am - 12:00pm

Wheatley (96th) Village Resource Ctr 108 Talbot Rd. E. 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Thursday, May 16th

Blenheim (101st) Rotary Club 24 John St. W. 10:00am - 11:00am

Erieau (102nd) The Bayside 970 Ross Lane 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Leamington (97th) Lakeside Bakery 386 Erie St. S. 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Merlin (103rd) Erie Variety & Cafe 6 Erie St. S. 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Please drop in for a coffee and share any questions or concerns you may have . If in the Chatham area, please join my 100th meeting since becoming MP in the last 4 years.

Passport Clinics

Wednesday, May 15th

Ridgetown (98th)

Adult Activity Centre 40 Erie St. S. 10:00am - 12:00pm

Leamington (99th)

Nature Fresh Farms Recreation 249 Sherk St. 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Buy a Caesar, support Music for the Mind

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Elisha Banks hopes to see a lot of local residents take part in National Caesar Day...if they celebrate at one of three local restaurants.

Banks, head of Music for the Mind, a charity that raises funds in support of mental health services in Chatham-Kent, said for every Caesar purchased at either of those restaurants, $1 will come back to her organization.

Boston Pizza, Chuck’s Roadhouse and Mike’s Place have all come on board for the celebration.

“May 16 is National Caesar Day, but May is also Mental Health Awareness Month,”

Premier stuck in fog Hail, Caesar!

Continued from page 5

Banks said. “People can celebrate one and support the other.”

She is very appreciative of the restaurants for working with Music for the Mind.

“This will provide much-needed funds for mental health supports in our community,” she said. “We hope through this fundraiser that this puts us that much closer to raising our financial goal.”

That target for this year is $60,000.

The organization opened its 2024 fundraising effort in February, hosting local bands at the Portuguese-Canadian Social Club, raising $16,000.

Three bands – 89 Next, Walkin’ 47 and Big Shiny Toons – performed over the

course of the evening, and DJ Shawn L spun tunes in between.

Funds raised from Music for the Mind events this year will go to Family Service Kent, the KIDS Team program and Chatham-Kent Victim Services. The money will help pay for minimal-fee counselling for people aged six and up, aid in covering the cost of psychological assessments for children up to age 18, and to provide supports beyond counselling for victims. Music for the Mind is also running a chicken dinner fundraiser May 30. Banks said advance tickets need to be purchased by May 25. The organization’s summer concert is slated to take place at Red Barn Brewing Aug. 17.

Premier Doug Ford had been scheduled to attend the Wallaceburg announcement, but weather in Toronto kept Ford from making

the trip. However, Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones made comments on Ford’s behalf.

“Our premier would love to be here,” Jones told the crowd, explaining that Toronto was blanketed in thick fog. Jones had hearty praise for Marshall’s leadership and the commitment of C-K’s health care workers.

“If it’s not for you and the work you do, we don’t know where we’d be without you,” Jones said. “Because you keep people healthy and safe.”

A $9 million campaign to raise the community’s portion of the build has begun, with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent kickstarting the drive with a $4.5-million donation in 2023.

CKHA Foundation president and CEO Christine Mitchell said she has confidence the “generous, caring “community will come through to support the redevelopment project.

“We look forward to working with our partners at the provincial and municipal levels to enhance our hospital’s ability to meet the needs of health-care delivery today and into the future,” Mitchell said.

Wayne Liddy* 519-436-4810

Janet Ellen Mader* 226-881-0098

Krista Mall* 519-365-7462

Adam Deseure* 519-350-5787

Lisa Everaert* 519-330-8548

226-627-8580

Michelle Hetherington 519-401-2635*

June McDougall* 519-358-5199

Sylvia Moffat** 519-355-8189

Ghassan Najjar** 519-355-8668

Heather Najjar** 519-355-8666

Cass Opiela* 519-355-7804

Meg Palin* 226-627-2078

Chris Papple* 519-350-1402

Brian Peifer** 519-436-2669

Elizabeth Peifer* 519-436-8959

Patrick Pinsonneault** 519-360-0141

Chris Polley* 905-903-0505

Scott Poulin* 519-350-5320 Katherine

Atkinson Scholarship window open until June 15

The Chatham Voice

Local 4-H members have until mid-June to apply for the Jeff Atkinson Memorial Scholarship.

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Chatham-Kent student pursuing post-secondary education in the area of agriculture and/or heavy equipment.

may nominate students that meet the criteria.

Students may nominate themselves, or 4-H leaders or high school teachers

The scholarship will be awarded annually at the Chatham-Kent Plowing Match Banquet in memory of Atkinson. Criteria to receive the scholarship include that the student has to have been a 4-H member at some point during their time at high school.

Each scholarship seeker must also include a 250word essay with their application.

Atkinson passed away eight years ago. The Thamesville-area man was a mechanic, worked in metal fabrication, and was a farmer.

To apply, send an email to C-K 4-H secretary/ treasurer Janet Campbell at chathamkent4h@gmail. com by June 15 with your name and contact information. For more info, visit the Chatham-Kent 4-H website.

class holding reunion June 15

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

“Because we still can.” That’s the motto of a group organizing a reunion open house for graduating students of 1974 and ’75 at John McGregor Secondary School. Why gather? “Because we still can,” said Grace Patterson, one of the event organizers.

Capturing the two-year graduating class window around the 50th anniversary of those events is to celebrate the efforts of students who took the four-year and fiveyear academic routes, Patterson said.

“We started together,” she explained.

The classes have reunited in the past. Patterson said 30th and 35th anniversary dinners took place.

She said this time around, things will be a bit different.

“The group didn’t want to hunt down people to prepay

for a meal,” Patterson said.

The gathering is to take place June 15 at Sons of Kent on Adelaide Street in Chatham. Coinciding with the craft brewery’s seventh anniversary, the event will feature fun, food trucks, and entertainment.

Tracking people down to inform them of the gathering has been a bit of a struggle, Patterson said, as everyone is that much older.

“Most people are retired now. Any work emails we had are no good if someone is retired,” she said. “Home phone numbers aren’t working because people use cell phones.”

Patterson encourages people to RSVP at jmss2024reunion@gmail.com to give the organizers an idea of how

much space to reserve at the backyard event at the brewery.

The event begins at 3 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. There will be a group photo taken about 5 p.m.

Patterson said it is a very casual affair.

“Pop in, say hello and stay as long as you want,” she said. “I’m excited to get together with some former students.”

Patterson said she and the other organizers would also love to see any former teachers.

She encourages people to bring a lawn chair and any memorabilia they’d like to share.

In the event of rain, the celebration will shift indoors at Sons of Kent.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Members of Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal lined the sidewalk across from the Wallaceburg hospital waving signs to protest the York1 landfill expansion May 1. See story on page 14.

They C.A.R.E.D., but Ford got fogged in

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Dresden C.A.R.E.D. protestors waited for Premier Doug Ford outside the Wallaceburg hospital May 1 to make their opposition to the Dresden landfill expansion known.

The wait was for nothing.

Ford, scheduled to make a morning appearance at a Chatham-Kent Health Alliance funding announcement, was unable to make the trip due to foggy conditions in Toronto.

It didn’t endear him to

members of the grassroots organization founded to stop York1 Waste Solutions’ plan to revive a dormant landfill north of town that would accept 6,000 tonnes of construction waste per day. The GTA-based company also wants to build a regenerative recycling facility and a leachate pond system close to a creek that feeds into the Sydenham River watershed.

Around 30 people showed up on behalf of Dresden C.A.R.E.D. They lined the sidewalk opposite the hospital, hoisting signs intended to convey

their vehement disapproval of the York1 plan.

“Mr. Ford – come talk to us PLEASE!” read a sign on a pickup truck belonging to Dresden resident

Joe Galos. Another said “Stand for Your Children’s Future” and many read “Save Our Sydenham” with “Our History, Our Home, Not a Dump-

ing Zone” on the flip side.

Dresden C.A.R.E.D. chairman Stefan Premdas said the group wasn’t surprised Ford didn’t show up, and didn’t expect the premier would talk to them anyway.

“Judging on his previous press conferences where he showed up in ridings where they’ve expropriated land for highways like the 413, he didn’t answer questions,” Premdas explained. “We showed up today to show the premier, peacefully, that our community would not be ignored.”

According to Premdas,

next steps for the grassroots non-profit include getting an NDP-sponsored parliamentary petition introduced in the Ontario Legislature.

“We’ve been working across the aisle with all the opposition parties getting a lot of support,” he added.

Dresden C.A.R.E.D. is also working with local First Nations groups to fight York1. According to Premdas, Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island First Nation) leaders have pledged their support, as have members of the Chippewa on the Thames.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice Joe Galos protests York1’s proposed landfill for Dresden.

Stigma, discrimination impacting lives in C-K

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

“Our discrimination against people who are overweight is the last accepted form of bigotry.”

Those words from Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for the municipality.

times leads to legal consequences.”

As with other instances of substance abuse, Nesathurai said some see alcoholism as a problem of self control.

“Stigma is adverse to the health of individuals and adverse to the health of the community.”

He addressed the board of health at its May 2 meeting and spoke about stigma and its impact on individuals and society in general.

- Dr. Shanker Nesathurai

“There’s something we can all do – reduce stigma,” he said. He added that the term was used as a sign of shame since the days of yore.

“In modern times, it’s a prejudice by others against another. And it’s shame and self-loathing by someone who is affected,” he said. “Stigma is adverse to the health of individuals and adverse to the health of the community.”

One area where stigma is heavily negative is opioid use and addiction. Nesaturai said that negative mindset should be stopped.

“Opioid use is a disorder. It’s fundamentally an illness,” he said.

And it’s rampant.

Nesathurai said through the first four months of 2024, 16 people have died in Chatham-Kent as a result of opioid use.

Alcoholism is another area long impacted by stigma, Nesathurai said. A total of 45 people died in 2023 as a result of alcohol use.

“Alcohol is toxic. As we all know, some people consume alcohol to the point it affects relationships,” he said. “It some-

That’s also the case with obesity, he added.

“Obesity is not a crime. Nevertheless, people who are overweight are dismissed as lacking in self control,” Nesathurai said. This despite the fact that two out of every three people in Chatham-Kent are technically overweight, according to the Body-Mass Index.

what would people think?”

Nesuathai said people are quick to judge.

“Obesity is not what we eat or how much activity we do. It’s a much more complicated phenomenon,” he explained, adding health-care professionals can be guilty of adding to the stigma. “People who are overweight often have their medical problems dismissed. That’s not a great way to practise medicine.”

Nesathurai said all is not lost, despite the stigma that is prevalent in many sectors of society.

“Obesity is not a crime. Nevertheless, people who are overweight are dismissed as lacking in self control.”

“I’m 206 (pounds), am 5-foot-9. Under the BMI, I am overweight,” he said. “If I picked up a donut, what would people think? But if I weighed 360 and picked up a donut,

- Dr. Shanker Nesathurai

“I’m a cultural optimist. We can all change. We can all reflect on our ideals, our speech and our attitudes,” he said. We can do something today. The treatment is dialogue. It’s respectful dialogue. It’s breaking taboo.”

Image courtesy Metro Creative Graphics

Obesity is not a crime, yet Dr. Shanker nesathurai, Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health, says overweight people are quickly judged by others.

Road to recovery goes through Joseph Street

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

A zoning change to allow a men’s sober living home to continue to operate in Chatham has received unanimous support from C-K council.

Located at 20 Joseph St., Journeys Recovery Home began operating in June 2023. It offers a faith-based program for adult males struggling with trauma and substance use disorder.

However, because the property was zoned residential, council needed to allow the house an additional permitted use as a temporary care facility.

The 90-day program at Journeys Recovery offers programming that incorporates Alcoholics Anonymous,

cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, as well as prayer and spiritually based meetings.

The home has beds for seven residents and one full-time counsellor.

Many are singing the facility’s praises, as outlined in deputations made to council at a recent meeting.

Neighbour Margaret Butler, who lives across from Journeys Recovery, urged council to support the zoning change, saying the organization has brought welcome change to her street.

“There’s healing going on right in front of my eyes every day,” Butler told council, stating problems like petty theft associated with substance abuse have decreased since the recovery home opened.

Butler, a single mom and do-

mestic abuse survivor, said the fellows from Journeys Recovery are restoring her faith in men, checking in on her and offering to do chores such as snow shovelling.

“They don’t need seven beds, they need 12,” Butler stressed. “They need one of the empty schools. This is the solution to Chatham’s problems.”

Rev. Michael Koppes, long-serving pastor at Praise Fellowship Church, and a Chatham-Kent police chaplain, said he’s witnessed remarkable change in the men who have been part of Journeys Recovery.

“I’ve seen a real, genuine lasting healing in these men,” Koppes told council. “Men who have a new-found hope – a new lease on life, if you will.”

Koppes said the program is

taking the addicted off the streets, giving them an opportunity to not only heal from addiction, but to start fresh, as contributing members of society, restored to the community and their families.

“This is a program that’s working,” the pastor added, saying he believes Journeys Recovery is the

“answer we’ve all been looking for.”

In speaking to the issue, Mayor Darrin Canniff said he is inspired by the success of Journeys Recovery.

“Thank you to everyone for what you are doing,” the mayor said. “It warms my heart.”

Chatham Voice file photo

Journeys Recovery Home intake co-ordinator Zoe Mendler stands on the front porch of the 120-year Queen Anne Victorian home on Joseph Street in Chatham in July of 2023. Council approved zoning to ensure the facility keeps running.

News

$30K spent for security

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

On the heels of verbal threats and at least one physical altercation, increased security is the new norm for Chatham-Kent council.

At its April 29 meeting, council approved spending just under $30,000 to reconfigure the chamber space, as well as hire security for council meetings. The proposal will see the installation of a waisthigh barrier to prevent anyone from physically entering the council horseshoe area, and seating will be rearranged to minimize risk to council and staff. Visitors will be required to don a badge when coming into a coun-

cil meeting and return it when they leave.

The issue generated discussion – and questions.

Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy wanted to know what sparked the recommendation, wondering if it was a request by council or administration.

“The reason I’m asking this, as many of us will know, we sort of get beat up on this (type of) thing,” Bondy said. “I just want to clear this up that council didn’t secretly ask for these new security measures. Why are we doing this?”

Bondy said he was aware of a “little incident with some guy in a balaclava” recently, but also wanted to know if increased security is a province-wide practice.

In response, chief administrative officer Michael Duben said there was no “secret” ask by council, but noted there have been incidents when councillors have felt threatened within council chambers.

However, Duben said it wasn’t appropriate to discuss the details in open session as he did not want to identify the councillors involved. He went on to say increased security at council is something that’s happening across Ontario and Canada, not only in council chambers but in municipal buildings in general.

“It comes up at almost every meeting I have with other CAOs,” Duben explained.”I have an obligation, as does everyone on senior management, to

make sure everybody is safe. And so even if councillors weren’t interested in it, I have an obligation to make sure our staff are safe as well. I do think I have that same obligation to each of you as councillors, and to your families, and that’s why it’s come forward.”

The vote was split into two parts, following a request from South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle, who said he could support having a security guard on site but couldn’t justify spending $30,000 in light of the fact the civic centre may be moving to the old Sears building.

“To spend that much money for a couple of years just doesn’t make sense to me,” Doyle said.

Continued on page 18

Image courtesy Metro Creative Graphics Municipal council has opted to increase security in council chambers.

Follow rules, no need for security

Continued from page 17

North Kent Coun. Jubenville echoed Doyle in support of security guards, but noted that if the rules of decorum for meetings are followed and enforced, extra security measures aren’t necessary, especially as the C-K Civic Centre may relocate. But other councillors said in-

creased security is necessary.

North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail took a strong stand on the matter.

“I will absolutely support this,” the councillor said, adding she’s been subjected to people speaking to her in council chambers in a “not nice manner.

“It really shook me up,” Mc-

Grail added. “I believe everyone has the right to be able to sit in this horseshoe and make their decisions and feel good about their decisions and feel safe about their decisions.”

Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall agreed, noting safety is paramount. “When you’re getting escorted down to your car by

a police officer, it really makes you think about things a little bit.”

Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey pointed out that making the space safer reinforces the adage “it’s better to be safe, than sorry.”

Storey said she has felt unsafe “multiple” times at council,

including an incident in April in which she interacted with a balaclava-clad man alone in a hallway outside council chambers.

The segment of the vote relating to paying for adding security guards was unanimously approved. The portion to reconfigure the space passed 12-4.

Council kills boundary review

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative

pamwrightlji@gmail.com

The size of Chatham-Kent council and current municipal ward boundaries will remain the same at least for the foreseeable future. At its April 29 meeting, a recommendation from staff to hire Strategy Corp to carry out a $68,000 third-party study on both issues failed following an 8-8 tie vote.

Currently, Chatham-Kent has six wards with 17 councillors, plus a mayor.

Discussions regarding the review were sharply divided, evoking strong sentiment from both sides.

Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy said another review is long overdue.

“I think we should have made these changes 12 years ago. There’s too many councillors.”

-Coun. Michael Bondy

“I think we should have made these changes 12 years ago,” Bondy said.

“There’s too many councillors.”

Bondy said the municipality has changed a lot

since 1998 and boundaries and number of councillors deserves a “fresh” look.

Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor agreed the matter should be examined, noting the cost isn’t large compared to the fact council is expected to spend $1.8-billion over its four-year term.

“We’re talking about $70,000 to make sure that we feel the people in the community are represented in the spending of those funds,” McGregor said.

“It’s something that should have been done before and even if we do this, it’s something that

should be done again. The community has changed and representation needs to change. Even if we decide not to change anything, we at least owe it to the community.”

It isn’t the first time the municipality has examined the issue.

“I want people to understand it’s not just Monday nights that councillors deal with.”

about following a successful motion from North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville in February. Prior to the vote, Jubenville said conducting the review doesn’t mean council has to make any changes.

- Coun. Trevor Thompson

Established in 1998 at the time of amalgamation, the boundaries were looked at by previous councils in 2008, 2011 and 2015 to the tune of some $250,000 to date.

The latest proposal came

“We’re not making a commitment,” she stressed. “We’re just exploring. I do think we owe it to the constituents in Chatham-Kent to have this review to bring things up to date.”

In his comments, South

Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson pointed out there are 54 appointed spots councillors hold on various committees, including bodies such as the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority. The number doesn’t include other ad hoc committees councillors may be called to serve on.

“I want people to understand it’s not just Monday nights that councillors deal with,” Thompson said, noting that reducing the size of council will increase the workload and could lead to the need for full time councillors.

Continued on page 22

Community Events

Thursday, May 9, 2024:

• Retired Workers Chapter Meetings are the perfect opportunity to enjoy coffee and visit with friends and former fellow workers. Keep up to date with the community, pensions, benefits and info provided from informed leadership and guest speakers. Spouses are welcome. 10:00am at the Unifor Local 127, 405 Riverview Dr., Chatham.

• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. 3:30-6:30pm. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask a question, read a book, or chat about life or what we’ve been working on. Get some clothes from our Out of the Closet program, use the Community cupboard & more! No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please. All ages & allies welcome.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Come check out our daily specials. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Join us for a fun filled afternoon Jam Session. Bring your instruments or singing voices from 1-4:30 pm. All are welcome to attend with a $2 donation 4-7pm: Homemade Panzerotti + menu available. Merlin Legion, 519-689-4884.

• Ukulele from 1:15-2:45pm at the ALC! Do you enjoy pulling out your Ukulele? Come join our musical group to strum along! We would be happy to have you join in the fun!

Friday, May 10, 2024:

•The KCCC presents a Youth Group Fundraiser. Quarters In, Paddles Up! Quarter Auction. Doors open at 6pm, auction at 7pm. $5 entry = one bidder paddle. Extra paddles $2 each. Cash bar, kitchen open, 50/50. Bring your quarters! Quarter tickets available to buy! Kent Cloverleaf Conservation Club, 9092 English Line, Chatham.

• Kent Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society In Person Presentation at 7pm. Speaker: Ian Trott. Title: The Stone Man Commeth. McKinlay Funeral Home Reception Centre, 461 St. Clair St., Chatham. Ian and his wife have photographed headstones in many cemeteries across Chatham-Kent which they upload to the Findagrave website to assist other researchers. This event is free and open to the public. Visit https://kent.on.ca for more info.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00-6:00. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Perogies & Smoked Sausage or Fish & Chips, $13.00. Take out available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Fun Darts at 7:00 p.m. Everyone Welcome.

• Join us 4:30 to 7pm for Ham & Scalloped Potatoes with corn at the Merlin Legion. 519-689-4884.

Saturday, May 11, 2024:

• Morning Breakfast Program at First Presbyterian Church (corner of Fifth St. and Wellington). A delicious and nutritious breakfast served free of charge from 9:30am-11:00am, serving indoors, no take out. Wheelchair accessible.

• Mother’s Day Extravaganza Vendor Sale – St. Ursula Parish Parking Lot. Corner of Lacroix St. and Tweedsmuir Ave., Chatham. 10:00am-2:00pm. Outdoor perennials, baked goods, garden décor, St Ursula’s Butter Tarts, soaps, candles, jewelry, over 35 vendors. Many Items for Mothers’ Day Gifts. Rain or Shine.

• Skydiggers is coming to the Mary Webb Centre for the Arts in Highgate. A Canadian roots rock band from Toronto, since 1990, they have released 20 albums/Eps, Tickets are $55 in advance, $60 the day of the concert, taxes in. More info at marywebbcentre.ca. Door to concert hall opens at 7pm, the concert is at 8:00pm.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 3:00pm-5:30pm. Entertainment by D.A.M. Band from 4:30-9:30. Everyone Welcome.

• Punk Rock Flea Market Chatham (or PRFM Chatham) is a local makers market whose main focus is to create community for Chatham Kent misfits (a collective of individuals from minority groups). This event will be our third, and biggest full sized market yet with over 30 vendors at Skinny’s Bar (formerly Glitters) in downtown Chatham. All ages and communities welcome! 12pm-5pm. Skinnys Bar 162 King St W., Chatham, Ontario.

• Join us 4:30-7pm for ham & scalloped potatoes with corn at the Merlin Legion, 519-689-4884.

• Meet & Greet – Come out 12pm-3pm to 70 Taylor Avenue in Chatham to meet female race car driver Lora Authier. On display will be Lora Authier’s Southern Ontario Motor speedways dirt Thunder Stock and the Ontario Sportsmen’s Series asphalt car. Bbq, vendors and Lora Authier racing merchandise.

Sunday, May 12, 2024:

• Mother’s Day Breakfast $13.27 + tax = $15.00 (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, peameal, home fries, coffee, tea & juice plus all you can eat French toast & pancakes at the Merlin Legion, 519-689-4884.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Today’s special is spaghetti with meat sauce. Come play Euchre at 1:00 or spend the evening playing Shuffleboard or Euchre starting at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024:

• Kent Coin Club meeting at the Active Lifestyle Center (7pm – 8pm). 20 Merritt Ave Chatham. New Members and guests welcomed. We have members that collect Canadian, USA, and World coins and paper money. Gain knowledge and trends of the hobby. For more info contact President Paul Robb (probb1@cogeco.ca) (289-228-2817).

• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. 330-630pm. Game night at 6:30pm. You are welcome to bring a game to see if others want to play it or play what we have. Light refreshments / snacks potluck. Come spend some time in a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space 48 Centre St., Chatham. Hang out, have a coffee, do your homework, ask a question, read a book, or chat about life or what we’ve been working on. Get some clothes from our Out of the Closet program, use the Community cupboard & more! No RSVP needed! Come & go as you please. All ages & allies welcome.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Our daily special is meat loaf Dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. We have Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Art Evenings at Dresden Library! Come in to make a craft using the supplied materials and following a tutorial! 5:00 pm in the Dresden Library basement. That’s after hours, so come in the side entrance! Ages 16+, registration not required. For more information, call the library at 519-683-4922.

Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-Anon can help! Call – leave message – 519-350-3462

Alcoholics Anonymous, we can help! Information Line 519-360-5246.

Send your events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com

Fun Stuff

3. Resembling a wing or wings

4. Tears down

5. Professional designation

6. Noise a sheep made

7. Type of lodge

8. Speak poorly of

9. Ties the knot again

10. Apron

11. Studied intensively

12. City in Finland

CLUES ACROSS

1. It wakes you up

6. A place to sleep

9. Czech village

13. Appetizer

14. African country

15. Dark brown or black

16. Parent-teacher groups

17. Saturates

18. ESPN personality Kimes

19. Songs to a lover

21. Cavalry-sword

22. Begat

23. Patriotic women

24. Famed Princess

25. One who does not conform

28. Neither

29. Nigerian monetary unit

31. Body parts

33. Hit Dave Matthews Band song

36. Depicts with pencil

38. Make into leather without tannin

39. Plants grow from them

41. Alias

44. Fingers do it

45. More dried-up

46. Clod

48. Senior officer

49. A way to listen to music

51. The bill in a restaurant

52. Historic center of Artois region

54. Cyprinid fishes

56. Poisonous perennial plant

60. Scottish Loch

61. Heads

62. Extra seed-covering

63. Wings

64. Britpop band

65. Forearm bones

66. Small immature herring

67. Female sibling

68. Hymn

CLUES DOWN

1. Vipers 2. Not on time

14. One who monitors 17. 18-year astronomical period

20. Trent Reznor’s band

21. Takes to the sea

23. Split pulses

25. Valentine’s Day color

26. Wyatt __

27. Type of rail

29. One from the Big Apple

30. Asteroids

32. Made more sugary

34. Change in skin pigment

35. Mild yellow Dutch cheese

37. Koran chapters

40. A place to relax

42. Young woman ready for society life

43. Female horses

47. Half of Milli Vanilli

49. Icelandic poems

50. Indiana town

52. Golden peas

53. Closes tightly

55. It’s mined in mountains

56. Cliff (Hawaii)

57. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid

58. Monetary unit

59. Primordial matter

61. TV station

65. Rise

Local renter granted special hearing

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative

pamwrightlji@gmail.com

A Chatham woman in a legal tussle with her landlord at Riverside Estates has won the right to a Mobile Access Terminal (MET) meeting with Ontario’s Landlord Tenant Board.

Monique Paquette, a resident of the mobile home park on Longwoods Road is but one of a handful of people in the province who have been granted a MET hearing, due to her diminished mental capacity caused by a brain injury and the fact she is computer illiterate.

The Landlord Tenant Board hearing is being held to hear an application from the landlord

who is seeking rent arrears from Paquette. On May 2, the board rented office space in Chatham to accommodate Paquette, and provided her with an assistant to help her navigate the technology in the virtual hearing. Results of the hearing are not yet known.

Paquette has a number of concerns with her landlord and stopped paying the $331 monthly rent on the cement pad where her mobile home rests. She says she took the action in January 2023 to protest the fact the trailer park no longer provides proper maintenance such as grass cutting and garbage removal. She also claims there are numerous fire code violations that put many of the seniors with-

in the park at risk.

But the biggest concern, Paquette said, lies with the owner asking for a police criminal background check.

It’s a violation of her rights, she said of what she calls a “felonious” request.

“I have nothing to hide,” Paquette explained. “I’m as out there as out there can be. I want it to be safe here, not just for me but for the old people that have lived here for 30 or 40 years. My biggest fear is me or someone else dying in a fire. If I’m paying taxes, I want what I pay for.”

Continued on page 22

Rick and Margaret Henderson of Chatham are seen with Luce Cools picking up their brand new 2024 Durango GT. As longtime customers, this is the Henderson’s 14th vehicle they have purchased from Luce over the years. Thank you for your continued trust and enjoy driving this summer!

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Monique Paquette stands on the doorstep of her home in Riverside Estates near Chatham. Paquette is one of only a handful of Ontario tenants to be granted a Mobile Access Terminal meeting with the Landlord Tenant Board to accommodate her disabilities and computer illiteracy.

OBITUARIES

Suzanne McDonald

63, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

McKinlay Funeral Home

Dan Lucio

78, Saturday, April 27, 2024

McKinlay Funeral Home

Michal Mazan

87, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

McKinlay Funeral Home

Janet Markowiak

67, Wednesday, May 1, 2024

McKinlay Funeral Home

James Baxter

Thursday, April 25, 2024 Life Transitions

Jacqueline Simpson

72, Friday, April 26, 2024 Life Transitions

James “Jim” Valentine Matlovich

67, Friday, April 27, 2024 Nicholls Funeral Home

Mathilda “Thilda” Du Puy

84, Sunday, April 28, 2024

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

David Green

71, Friday, April 26, 2024

Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Dr. Jill Lowther

35, Monday, April 22, 2024

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Dustin de Liberato

35, Thursday, April 25, 2024

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Adam Wolfe

43, Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Alexander & Houle Funeral Home

Jim Johnson

92, Thursday, April 25, 2024

Badder Funeral Homes

Carol Craig

67, Saturday, April 27, 2024

Badder Funeral Homes

Gary Allan Comeau

69, Monday, April 29, 2024

Badder Funeral Homes

Judy Lynn Bahro

66, Friday, April 26, 2024

Badder Funeral Homes

Visit us: badderfuneralhome.com

Badder Funeral Home & Reception Centre Dresden - 519-683-4444

Badder & Robinson Funeral Home

Bothwell - 519-695-2716

Continued from page 21

Paralegal Jeff Wilkins, housing stability worker for the Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic, said the MET hearing is a first in the municipality and to his knowledge, one of the first in Ontario. A four-hour block of time was set aside for the meeting.“They’re basically setting up an office for Monique,” Wilkins explained. “It’s fairly extreme and as close to an in-person hearing as you can get. I’ve talked with many of my colleagues from around the

province and don’t know of anywhere else MET hearings have been held.”

In 2014, Paquette moved to Chatham from Windsor, purchasing the trailer outright with money she received in an inheritance. But she says she’s faced ongoing problems with three different owners, as the property has changed hands twice since she bought it. Paquette, who worked at a Windsor grocery store for 25 years before she was injured, thought Riverside Es-

tates would be a calm and peaceful place, however, the 61-year-old said that has not been the case. She said she’s had problems with landlords from the start and staved off an eviction notice at the same park from a previous landlord in 2017.

The application lists the park’s owner(s) as Bashir Akhmad, BC London Inc. and 14502019 Canada. Attempts to reach the landowner were unsuccessful as of press time.

No decision yet on tenant hearing Vote split over change

Continued from page 19

While admitting that the demographics of C-K have changed, Thompson said reducing the size of council to 12, for example, could see rural councillors relying on the “benevolence” of urban councillors to get things done in their wards.

Such a change might mean “entire swaths” of the population would go unrepresented, he said. “This is not

a road we should be going down.”

Those voting in favour of the review included Jubenville, Bondy, McGregor, Conor Allin, Aaron Hall, Melissa Harrigan, Alysson Storey, and Mayor Darrin Canniff. Against were Thompson, Lauren Anderson, Anthony Ceccacci, Jamie McGrail, Marjorie Crew, John Wright, Ryan Doyle, and Amy Finn. Carmen McGregor was ab-

HAPPY NATIONAL

NURSES’ WEEK

you for

sent and Steve Pinsonneault is away on a leave of absence. Municipal clerk Judy Smith said it’s difficult to anticipate the costs associated with changing boundaries or reducing council size, but it would have needed to be done before the next election. However, she said that because council has nixed the idea, no further work will be carried out by administration on the matter.

Classifieds

In Memoriam

Mazan: Michal

A resident of Chatham, formerly of Tilbury East, Michal Mazan passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on April 30, 2024 at the age of 87. Born in Poland, Michal was the son of John and Mary (née Trush) Mazan. Loving husband to Corrie (née Van Veen). They were married February 26th, 1959. Together they had three children, Mary (Henk) Mouissie of Chatham, Patty (Wayne) Pinsonneault of Chatham, and Andrew “Andy” (Melinda) Mazan of Tilbury. Grandpa to Megan (James) Rombouts, Michelle Laprise (Sean Frazer), Mike Mouissie (Nicole Melton), Sylvia (Mason) Powell, Nicole Pinsonneault (Brandon Schramm), Andrea (Giovanni) Pisciotto, and Sarah (Jeff) Sonneveld. Great-Grandpa to Zoe, Tessa, Eliana, and Vincent. He will be forever be remembered by his sister Sandra Litwin of Ridgetown. Michal will be reunited with his siblings Piet Mazan (2007), Anna Cammaert (2001), Steve Mazan (2008), and Kay Labadie (2020). Michal will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members. Michal retired from Chrysler 26 years ago after dedicating himself for 30 years. He was an avid farmer and could often be found tilling the fields or tinkering in his shop. As per Michal’s wishes, Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service was held on Monday, May 6th at McKinlay Funeral Home with a graveside service that followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Donations made in memory of Michal to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.

Ads start at only $6.00 in the classifieds! Call today 519.397.2020!

Notice

A heartfelt thank you to my family and friends for helping me celebrate my 90th birthday. Whether in person or in spirit, your presence, kind words, and thoughtful gifts made the occasion truly unforgettable. A special thank you to Gina and the staff at Smitty’s-Aristo’s for the outstanding services provided and to Tom Lockwood’s musical talent which added to the joyous atmosphere. Thank you once again for helping to make this milestone celebration a truly memorable one for all.

Sincerely with love, Lillian McMath

TYLER CLARK BRITTON

Dec. 20, 1992May 10, 2017

Seven Years Have Passed

In memory of our wonderful son and brother who passed away seven years ago. You may be gone from sight, but you are never gone from our hearts. Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. Remembering you is easy, we do it everyday, but missing you is a headache that never goes away.

HELP WANTED: Looking for Experienced Cook. Apply in person to Hungry Man, 29 Keil Dr., Chatham.

FARM PROPERTY FOR SALE BY TENDER

PT LT 13-14 CON B CAMDEN PT 1, 24R5631; CHATHAM-KENT containing 125 acres, 80 acres workable and 45 acres non-workable, more or less, with a Sandy Loam and Clay Loam soil. The property is partially tiled and includes a large implement shed, separate office and barn. The non-workable land has a pit and bush. The property has been historically farmed with corn, soybeans and wheat. For information regarding the property please contact 519-360-6681.

The property is subject to an accepted Agreement of Purchase and Sale for a severance of land for a Janeway to the adjacent fertilizer plant with Agris Co-operative Ltd. (the “severance lands”). The successful Purchaser shall be bound by the terms contained therein and the proceeds from the sale of the severance lands shall remain with the Vendor. Particulars of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale can be obtained from the solicitor noted below. The property is currently rented for the 2024 season, with no ongoing lease subsequent to 2024. The crop planted in the field for 2024 shall remain with the current tenant. All rental payments subsequent to closing shall be assigned from the Vendor to the successful Purchaser. All tenders shall be submitted in the prescribed form, available from the undersigned solicitor, and shall be delivered in writing, sealed, to Anderson Law Group, attention Lindsey A. Anderson, 44 William Street North, Chatham, ON N7M 5K1 (Chatham Armoury), no later than May 24, 2024 at 4:00p.m. All tenders are to be accompanied by a certified cheque or bank draft for $10,000.00 payable to Anderson Law Group, in trust. Unsuccessful tender cheques will be returned.

The sale of the property is to close on or before June 30, 2024 or such earlier or other time as may be agreed to by the Parties thereto.

The Vendor is not obligated to accept the highest or any tender. HST shall be in addition to the purchase price.

To obtain the tender documentation please contact: Anderson Law Group, 44 William Street North Chatham, ON N7M 5K1 (Chatham Armoury)

Contact number 519-397-2889

Contact email: anderson@alglaw.ca

Summer Camp ages 7 and up and ages 4-6 Little Britches. Monday to Friday 9am4pm. Horsemanship lessons, horseback/ pony riding, outdoor games, scavenger hunts, crafts, outdoor farm fun, water games and Camp Achievement Day to finish off the week, with family members welcome to attend. Register your child today, while opening are available. $499 per week plus tax per camper. Call 519354-7517.

LARGE ESTATE AUCTION

St. Simon & St. Jude Parish Hall 267 Meunier St., Belle River Saturday, May 18th

Preview: 8:00am, Auction Starts: 9:00am Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card and many more. Go to this website for pictures & more info www.murrayknappauctions.com

TERMS: CASH OR CHEQUE WITH PROPER I.D. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS DAY OF SALE. 10% Buyers Premium MURRAY KNAPP AUCTIONEER 519-727-8894

Redeemer of Love Ministry has a Christian male support group for males struggling with sexual addiction. Coffee and bible study weekly. Prayer line open 12am-7pm daily and a fellowship pot sharing meal on Sundays at 6pm. A house based ministry call Doug for more info 519-354-3532, if not in, leave a message, your call will be returned.

MOTHER’S

DAY

VENDORS

EXTRAVAGANZA - MAY 11,2024. 10:00am to 2:00pm. St. Ursula Church parking lot at Tweedsmuir & Lacroix. Bake sale, St. Ursula homemade buttered tarts and Blessed Sacrament cupcakes. Plant sale, face painting, BBQ, over 38 vendors. Great gifts for mom!

KCCC QUARTER AUCTION

I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again, We love you and miss you

Love Mom, Dad, Taylor, Gary, Kinsley Tara, Trisha and Hendrix

Friday, May 10, 2024 - Doors open at 6pm, Auction at 7pm. Cash bar, kitchen open, 50/50. Come help support the youth group while enjoying a fun filled evening. Bring your quarters or purchase quarter tickets! Kent Cloverleaf Conservation Club, 9092 English Line, Chatham. $5 entry = 1 bidder paddle. Extra paddles $2 each. Text or call 519-401-8242 (please leave message with name & number of tickets, and we will get back to you)

Phonak hearing aids with rechargeable batteries. Also need handy-man services for some outdoor work. Phone 519-3547241.

Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools. We Buy All - Paid Cash. 519-727-8894.

For Sale

Silk Cemetery Saddle Arrangements. Everyday/ Holidays. Ready-to-go. Many colours available. $40. 519-354-3411

Lessons

Beginner Guitar Lessons. Call 519917-2339.

Garage Sale: May 11, 8am-12pm. 5 & 12 Veranda Court, Chatham. Antiques, tools, electronics, home goods, books, jewelery and much more.

YARD SALE: SATURDAY, MAY 18 8am1pm. Rain date Sunday 19th. 24 Allen St., Chatham. Antique parlor tables, hutch, approx 30 unopened boxes Dragon Model Tank kits - 1/35 scale. all kinds. Old framed prints. Air brushes. Good stuff!

Coming Events Help Wanted

The Chatham Voice is looking for carriers in the following areas: Joseph/Llydican, Wedgewood/Copperfield, Parkview/ Parkwood. Email Michelle at michelle@ chathamvoice.com or give her a call at 519-397-2020 for more info!

More info 519-436-7229 or email tikidog18@ gmail.com

Check us out at chathamvoice.com