The Chatham Voice, June 8, 2023

Council revisits Talbot Trail erosion issue

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Chatham-Kent council has decided to take another look at the possibilities of reopening a section of Talbot Trail along the Lake Erie shore that’s been closed for almost four years. At a recent meeting, elected officials approved an addendum brought forward by West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson that may lead to a solution that

would be far less costly and invasive than the original plan approved by the municipality. Revisiting the issue will see Chatham-Kent spend close to $60,000 on an additional environmental assessment that could pave the way for a cheaper interim plan that would see the road opened more quickly. Anderson’s motion asks staff to come up with a design that meets the 30-to-100-year hazard zone criteria by examining alternatives at Talbot Trail be-

The Merlin Conservation Area MEMORIAL TREE Dedication in the McKinlay Woodlands

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023

tween Stevenson and Coatsworth Roads.

When speaking to the motion, Anderson said she appreciated the deputations made at the meeting on the subject, as well as the input she’s received from the public.

“I think that’s the whole purpose of this motion, is to see if there’s another opportunity to get this road open,” Anderson said, adding it allows the municipality to explore “what the safest and best plan will be.”

An earlier plan approved by council would have seen a two-phase initiative to construct a new 30-kilometre stretch of road. The recommen-

dation followed a decision by Chatham-Kent in 2019 to close a portion of Talbot Trail near Coatsworth Road because of severe erosion.

The first phase included rerouting Talbot Trail north along Coatsworth Road Concession Line 2 before heading east to Stevenson Road and south to Talbot Trail.

The plan’s second part would extend the detour by moving Talbot Trail north from Ellerbeck Road near Wheatley to Stevenson Road. It would move Talbot Trail north through farms and woodlots from Stevenson Road all the way to Craford Road.

The original plan met with stiff

opposition from residents in the area, and involves expropriating land.

John Mann, one of the property owners leading the charge against the original plan, said he’s pleased Chatham-Kent is exploring other options.

“We’re happy this is getting another look,” Mann said. “It seems like the municipality is listening.”

Three deputations supporting Anderson’s motion were made during the council meeting and around 50 concerned citizens also attended.

If found by administration to be feasible, an amended plan could come back before council in 2024.

New portable stage available

At a recent meeting, council gave unanimous approval

for the purchase. The state-of-the-art stage –complete with a sound system – will be available to rent for community events, concerts and festivals.

Mainstreet Credit Union

is stepping to help with a $100,000 donation.

Total cost of the stage is $256,221. The remainder will be funded by way of the community benefit contribution from Hydro One

The Chatham Voice The municipality is getting a new portable stage to be made available to communities.

Fergie festivities set for Saturday

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

The final adjustments are being made for Saturday’s celebrations, but organizers can’t wait to unveil a statue of baseball legend and Chatham native Fergie Jenkins outside the Civic Centre.

Brad Pogofsky, Jenkins’ business manager, said the Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher is also greatly anticipating the event. It all takes place at 1:45 p.m. Saturday in front of the Civic Centre on King Street West in Chatham. A nine-foot-tall statue of Jenkins, in mid-delivery of one of his devastating fastballs, will be showcased.

Pogofsky said the statue is identical to the one unveiled outside Wrigley Field in Chicago just last year.

He said Chatham Mayor Darrin Canniff played an integral role in making it happen.

“The mayor absolutely crushed it,” Pogofsky said of Canniff’s appearance at the unveiling in Chicago. “He was sitting next to (Cubs owner) Tom Ricketts. He leaned over and said, “What do you think about us having a statue like this in our city?’ Ricketts said to go ahead.”

Canniff said once he received approval from the Cubs, he sought out donors to pay for the statue.

“We were able to induce people to donate the money to make the statue happen,” he said.

The statue that will sit here in Chatham is made from the same mould and by the same

artist – Lou Cella – who did the original one for the Cubs, Pogofsky said.

Jenkins can’t wait for Saturday.

“I’m pretty excited to have a statue in my hometown. It’s very humbling, and to have my children be the ones to unveil it makes it even more special,” he said.

Kim and Kelly Jenkins, his daughters, both live in Chatham.

Canniff can’t wait for Saturday.

“What an exciting time for Chatham-Kent as far as to celebrate a pretty amazing guy. We needed to honour Fergie, and we need to honour a lot of

other people,” he said. “We’ll be rolling out a Legends of Chatham-Kent program hopefully in the near future.”

The Jenkins family and interested local residents won’t be the only people on hand for the special occasion. Pogofsky said Canada’s only other

Image

member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Larry Walker will also attend the event. Continued on page 5

courtesy the Chicago Cubs

Chatham’s own Ferguson Jenkins is shown here at the 2022 unveiling of a bronze statue outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. A twin of that statue is to be unveiled June 10 in front of the Civic Centre.

Known for his exceptional pitching abilities, as well as his durability and consistency, Jenkins is a former Major League Baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1965 to 1983. Jenkins had a legendary career with the Cubs, which includes winning a Cy Young Award and a record six straight 20-win seasons in Chicago. He is one of two Canadian-born Hall of Famers and was Canada’s first Major League Baseball player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He pitched 18 seasons in the majors and tallied more than 3,000 strikeouts.

Currently, there is a statue of Fergie located in Chicago at Wrigley Field, which was dedicated to him last year and serves as a tribute to his time with the Chicago Cubs and his contributions to the sport of baseball.

Fergie Jenkins is known not just for his outstanding career as a Major League Baseball player, but also for his character and community service. He is known for his humility and dedication to helping others and often uses his success as a platform to give back to his community. Jenkins is a great role model for young people and continues to be celebrated as both a player and a person. His efforts to help others and give back to his community serve as a reminder of the positive impact that athletes can have on communities.

Baseball rules in Chatham on Saturday

Continued from page 3

Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesse Barfield is slated to attend as well. The Cubs will send representation too.

“We’re hoping Mr. Ricketts will come,” Pogofsky said.

Volunteers organizing the event and the after party at Sons of Kent have been busy in recent weeks.

“The big day is coming and we have some amazing activities planned for the after party.”

ter party behind Sons of Kent.

- Organizer Jason King

While the main event takes place at 1:45 p.m. on June 10, there’s a great deal going on, including the family friendly af-

“The big day is coming and we have some amazing activities planned for the after party,” Jason King, executive member of the organizing committee, said in a media

release. “Along with 300 Chicago Cubs Baseballs being given out to the first 300 kids, there is the First Ontario Family Fun Zone, the TekSavvy VIP area, and the First Choice DKI entertainment area.”

Jenkins played in the

major leagues for 18 seasons, from 1965-83, and was the first Canadian to win a Cy Young. He played 10 of his 18 seasons with the Cubs. He won 284 games and posted 3,192 strikeouts during his career.

Spreading development

According to some of Chatham-Kent’s online complaint brigade, Chatham gets everything and the outlying communities get nothing.

A great deal of recent housing development has taken place in Chatham, but other communities are experiencing housing starts as well. The latest is Dresden, where the DeMall Group owners recently showcased what has been accomplished so far, and gave hints on what is to come (See story on page 15).

A dozen new homes are built in the Rolling Acres subdivision in Dresden, with another 30 planned on property the ownership group possesses. But they’ve recently brokered a deal to acquire another adjacent 20 acres, so expansion will continue in this North Kent community.

A new three-acre park – including outdoor squash courts and pickleball courts – is also in the works for Rolling Acres.

The DeMall Group is a partnership between two couples, Krista and Kerry Mall and Dave and Kim Depencier. All have roots in Dresden. Depencier runs Depencier Builders out of

Dresden as well, and Kerry Mall, who moved from India a decade ago, and fell in love with Dresden, a community he said proved to be very welcoming. Wallaceburg, Blenheim and Wheatley are experiencing new construction as well. It’s not like it is isolated to Chatham.

And with good reason – Chatham does not have everything. With a population of 40,000, it doesn’t exactly have small-town charm. Dresden, like a multitude of other communities in Chatham-Kent, is a gem on its own. It has a beautiful downtown, a number of very unique shops, a harness racing track and incredibly friendly people. It’s home to very well attended night markets at various points in the year, something that helps expose the community to residents who come from other parts of Southwestern Ontario.

“My dreams are big and I’m not shy about that,” Kerry Mall said recently. “We want to make Dresden one of the best towns in which to live in Southwestern Ontario.”

The community is already well on its way.

Our 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).

Lots to do, but no harm in adding more

Editor: There’s a lot to do in Chatham-Kent but it’s just not enough. This is my response to the June 1 editorial in the Chatham Voice, “A hotbed of activity.”

driving all the way to Windsor or London or Detroit, I hope my retail therapy needs are taken care of within Chatham-Kent itself.

Detroit look forward to coming to Chatham Kent and not vice versa?

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.

Chatham Voice 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.

Being someone who has recently moved into this cozy and scenic landscape, I am definitely enjoying my time in an extremely friendly, safe and caring neighbourhood, but having said that I strongly feel that this place has way more potential and can offer so many of us so much more than it already does. It can up its game when it comes to multiple necessary lifestyle options that can address and cater to the needs and demands of the community, especially the younger people living in Chatham Kent. I am a shopaholic. I would love to see a couple of high street brands and outlets pop up in Chatham Kent. Instead of

The downtown Chatham mall remains a silent spectacle. I have walked into it multiple times only to find it looking like a deserted space with only a few shops to name. How it would benefit from a much-needed makeover. I, for one, would be over the moon to see that happen.

With kids aged eight and 12, I look for more places for my children to enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities. Perhaps by giving the Chatham Kent youngsters more options to choose from, the area can develop itself to be a major attraction for millennial tourists from nearby neighbouring cities. After all, shouldn’t people from Windsor and

It was such a welcome change and a breath of fresh air to hear that an indoor trampoline park is soon to open in Chatham-Kent. My kids are excited for that and so am I.

Chatham Kent is already an inclusive community. Undoubtedly it welcomes people from different backgrounds and faiths. More places of interest targeting a newer set of people, making Chatham-Kent their home need to be integrated to make it even better. Hence, without ignoring the many pros of Chatham-Kent I am simply asking for more. As Oliver Twist would have said, “Please Sir, I want some more.”

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Dresden pooch park approved

Area.

Another off-leash dog park for Chatham-Kent has been given the green light.

At a recent meeting, municipal council endorsed a plan to create a new canine playground in Dresden at the Stranak Con-

The 20-member Dresden Dog Off-Leash Recreation Area Committee is spearheading the effort, which includes fundraising to pay for infrastructure costs, including signage.

The committee is responsible for the initial investment, as well as the park’s

ongoing maintenance costs.

According to a report from administration, no activities will be allowed at the site until the necessary infrastructure is in place.

The Dresden dog park is the third to be developed in Chatham-Kent.

Water park a go for Erieau

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

If the provincial and federal approvals are met, Aqua City at Erieau is a go this summer.

After a discussion on safety, liability, parking and profit-sharing concerns, Chatham-Kent council approved the Lake Erie beach hamlet as the site for the new inflatable water park in an 11-4 vote.

South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle, who brought the motion forward, gave a detailed explanation on how the idea came to the municipality.

“There’s been a lot of misinformation out there with regards to what’s going on,” Doyle told council, adding he wanted to “get everybody on the same page” as to how the idea came forward.

He said owner Sam Tudorica and Aqua City director Dr. Michael Fife approached him.

“I’m not worried,” Doyle said. “It’s their investment. If they want to take the risk, I say let them take the risk.”

He said the water park will serve to attract bigger corporations who want to see “family friendly” activities, plus through profit-sharing, it will help fund projects in the Erieau community.

“To me this is a winwin-win. There are really not too many downfalls,” Doyle explained, adding insurance liability at the park is covered up to $10 million in a liability policy.

“The only way I believe the city would be dragged into this over our insurance is if there was a claim over $10 million,” Doyle said.

Aqua City, which includes slides, swings and an obstacle course, can

accommodate 60 people at time, and up to 360 per day.

All visitors are required to sign a waiver and register online.

Lifeguards will be on site continuously, and every participant must wear a lifejacket. A dinghy will also be available to quickly move people if necessary. Aqua City will employ 15 to 20 people.

Council learned the water park will be well anchored about 1,000-feet away from the pier to avoid the undertow and will be deflated to 40 per cent in rough water. It will not be used during storms or if there are water quality concerns, such as an algae bloom.

The proposal received enthusiastic support from some members of council, but there were misgivings from others.

West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson said why not try it and see what happens.

“I think that this is a great idea,” Anderson said. “I think my kids are going to love it, I think that I’m going to love it... we love going to Erieau and exploring Erieau and this is all the more reason to go there.”

North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail said she’s worried about extra costs created by Aqua City.

“My biggest concern is that this does put an extra cost to the taxpayer of Chatham-Kent,” McGrail said, adding it’s a for-profit business.

Both Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey and Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall, expressed concerns about safety, but were assured by assistant fire chief Adam Walters that Aqua City must have a safety plan, as is required by every C-K business.

Shortly after the initial announcement was

made, the C.M. Wilson Conservation Area was floated as secondary location for Aqua City if Erieau wasn’t possible. However, concerns about water quality quashed the idea.

NOTICE OF COMPLETION

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Northeast Chatham-Kent Water Distribution System Municipal Class Environmental Assessment – Schedule ‘B’

May 22, 2023

The Study

The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission has completed the Northeast Water Distribution System Municipal Class Environmental Assessment evaluating a range of water servicing strategies to provide sustainable water to Northeast Chatham-Kent to accommodate long-term future demands while also providing reliable water to the Delaware Nation Community. The recommended strategies include the following:

• A new 300mm watermain along Jane Street, Baseline, Zone 6 Road, Fairfield Line and Bothwell Road.

• A new 200mm watermain stub and meter on Longwoods Rd adjacent to Delaware Nation.

• A new Booster Pumping Station at the northeast corner of Zone 5 Road and Baseline.

• Reconstruction/Replacement of the existing Thamesville Standpipe.

• A new 500mm watermain on Longwoods Road/Huff Side Road/Wabash Line.

• A new 400mm watermain Smoke Line.

A Project File Report has been prepared and a copy will be placed on public record on May 22, 2023 to June 21, 2023 for thirty (30) calendar days.

Project Report for Public Review

The Project File Report can be reviewed by members of the public and/or any other interested party on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Lets Talk website, at https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/north-east-ne-chathamkent-water-distribution-system-municipal-class-ea-mcea

If there are any outstanding concerns or issues with this project during the 30-day review period, please address them to the Public Utilities Commission (Ali Akl, CK PUC) and consultant (Paul Adams, AECOM) staff listed below and we will attempt to seek a mutually acceptable resolution.

Under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act a request to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order to require the City to undertake a higher level of assessment may only be made on the grounds that the order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on the existing Aboriginal or Treaty rights of an indigenous community. Requests under Section 16 can be made to:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J3 minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor Toronto ON, M4V 1P5 EABDirector@ontario.ca

Ali Akl, P.Eng., PMP. Project Engineer

Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission

Municipality of Chatham-Kent 325 Grand Ave East Chatham, ON N7L 1W9 alia@chatham-kent.ca

Paul Adams Environmental Planner AECOM Canada Limited 250 York Street Suite 410 London, ON N6A 6K2 paul.adams2@aecom.com

If no issues or concerns are raised by June 21, 2023, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment and may proceed with detailed design, tendering and construction of the recommended works as outlined in the Project File Report.

This Notice of Completion was first issued on May 22, 2023.

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSO 1990, c.F.31), Municipal Freedom of Information and Prote ction of Privacy Act (RSO 1990, c.M.56) and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless o therwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this atter and may be released, if requested, to any person.

50/50 draw nets local man $6,500

The Chatham Voice

Joe Rush has more than 6,500 reasons to smile. Rush was the lucky winner of the FreeHelpCK 50/50 raffle, which generated $13,056 in ticket sales, meaning the winner walked away with $6,528. A retiree, Rush hit the win by purchasing five tickets in the recent draw, which saw a big push in ticket sales during Rims and Ribs recently. Rush also had a car on display downtown for the event, a 1973 MG Midget.

“We are grateful to RetroFest for allowing us to be a part of the event and being such fantastic hosts,” said FreeHelpCK’s Tim Haskell. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Connie and the entire RetroFest team for their unwavering support, contribution, and love towards our cause. It’s people like you that make a significant difference in our society.”

Haskell also sent appreciation and accolades to Chris Glassford, who handled the Ribs side of

Rims and Ribs.

“Your dedication and hard work have manifested in the success of the event and we couldn’t thank you enough,” Haskell said of Glassford.

C-K’s

Weaver to head OAPSB again

The Chatham Voice Pat Weaver, the veteran chair of the Chatham-Kent Police Service Board has been re-elected to a fourth term as chair of the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards. According to a media release from the Chatham-Kent Police Service, Weaver has “demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting excellence

in policing across Ontario.

“His dedication and commitment to the role have been evident in his tireless efforts to ensure that our police services are accountable, effective and responsive to the needs of our communities,” the release said. The association is the leading voice in police governance in Ontario.

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAYS

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent in conjunction with Waste Connections of Canada Ridge Landfill will be holding eight Household Hazardous Waste Days between April and November in 2023. The events will be held:

Location: Veolia Environmental Services 141 Prosperity Way, near Chatham

Day: Time:

Tuesday, June 13, 2022 8:00am - 1:00pm

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:00am - 1:00pm

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 8:00am - 1:00pm

Saturday, September 9, 2023 8:00am - 1:00pm

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 8:00am - 1:00pm

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 8:00am - 1:00pm

For more information please visit www.chatham-kent.ca, your nearest Municipal Centre or call 311 or 519-360-1998. This event is provided by Waste Connections of Canada’s Ridge Landfill and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Contributed image

Joe Rush, left, accepts a cheque for $6,528 from FreeHelpCK’s Tim Haskell and Geri Hughson.

Williston named C-K’s top senior

The matriarch of one of the most giving families in Chatham-Kent received recognition for her decades of helping others by being named C-K’s Senior of the Year recently.

Williston, her late husband Phil, their children, grandchildren and even their great grandchildren have collectively donated

750 years to helping others.

Mayor Darrin Canniff said her efforts are impressive.

“We wanted to say thank you to Mary and recognize her and all of the older adults in Chatham-Kent who do so much for our community,” he said in a media release.

Mary, 84, has been a community volunteer

her entire life, especially with the Chatham Goodfellows, and continues to contribute to the community by devoting her time to several causes. She’s been with the Chatham LaSertoma Club for more than five decades, where she’s currently serving as president.

She has also been involved in programs, summer camps and af-

ter-school programs run out of the W.I.S.H. Centre.

Mary is one of 16 adults aged 60-plus honoured this year for achieving significant goals and making outstanding contributions as volunteers within Chatham-Kent.

More than 1,000 Chatham-Kent citizens have been honoured since the awards began in Blenheim 34 years ago.

It’s time for an UPGRADE...

It’s time to UPGRADE and move in to one of our few remaining rental suites at Park Place & Park Place II. With all utilities included, designer finishes like granite countertops, a full-size washer and dryer in every unit, suite-controlled temperature, central air included, and unique amenities like an outdoor saltwater pool, outdoor lounge and natural gas bbqs, and on site fitness facility.

For a limited time, we’re going to further enhance your “Upgrade” and include a move-in bonus valued at over $900 and includes a bottle of champagne, a Nespresso machine, and so much more!

This promotion is only available to NEW rental applications and leases signed between June 1 to June 30, 2023 with move-in dates prior to September 1, 2023. Please contact our leasing team for more details!

The Chatham Voice

Contributed image

Chatham’s Mary Williston, left, receives her Senior of the Year award from Mayor Darrin Canniff.

The Study

NOTICE OF COMPLETION

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the Sanitary System and Pump Station 14 in South Lynnwood Area

May 22, 2023

The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission (CK PUC) initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) study for the construction of Sanitary System and Pump Station 14 in South Lynnwood Area in accordance with the planning and design process for “Schedule B” projects under the Environmental Assessment Act as outlined in the Municipal Engineers Association’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (2023).

This MCEA study reviewed and confirmed municipal sanitary servicing requirements and identified capital project upgrades required for the Sanitary System and Pump Station 14 to provide sustainable municipal wastewater servicing and accommodate near and long-term future growth demands. Specific to this study, the MCEA is siting a new sewage pumping station, new inlet sanitary sewers in the South Lynwood area, and outlet forcemain and gravity sewer connection to the community of Chatham’s sewage collection system.

The Municipal Class EA evaluated a set of alternatives that included: Do Nothing, Private/Development Level Solution; Sewer Collection System to Interim Pumping Station in Area A; and Gravity Sewer Connection to Pumping Station 14. Through an evaluation of alternatives, the study identified the preferred solution to be a Gravity Sewer Connection to Pumping Station 14.

At this time, a Project File Report has been completed to document the Class EA process, which identifies the preferred solution and design concepts for Pump Station 14 and gravity sewers. Subject to comments received as a result of this notice and the receipt of necessary approvals, CK PUC intends to proceed with the design and construction of the preferred solution.

Project Report for Public Review

The Project File Report will be available on public record for a public and agency review period from May 22 to June 19, 2023. Hard copies of the Project File Report will not be available at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent offices. Instead, an electronic copy of this report will be accessible online through the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent website (www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca).

Project webpage link: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/south-lynwood-area-sanitary-system-and-pumpstation-project

Interested persons may provide written comments to our project team by June 19, 2023. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to Ali Akl at CK PUC and John Tyrrell at RVA, per contact details below.

In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name.

Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the Ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request. Please visit the Ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-section-16-order

The request should be sent in writing or by email to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks per contact details below, and also copied to Ali Akl at CK PUC and John Tyrrell at RVA:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J3 minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Council to lobby province over water well testing

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Chatham-Kent council has agreed to ask the province to conduct a health hazard study to examine sediment found in fouled water wells in North Kent.

As per a motion put forward by North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville, it means the municipality will be formally asking the Ministry of Health to proceed with a “specific health hazard testing that remains incomplete,” following the province’s 2021 all-hazard study.

The motion specifically asks for sediment testing in wells within the footprint of the North Kent 1 Wind Farm, the East Lake St. Clair Wind Farm and the Boralex Wind Farm, to see if heavy metals found in the well sediment are bio-accessible and toxic to the human body.

Jubenville expressed her appreciation for the vote.

“Thank you to my fellow councillors and mayor on behalf of the residents of North Kent,” she said.

study did not sample the fine-grained sediment.

“Not a single sample of sediment was collected or analyzed,” Benn said, adding the contractor who conducted the study used methods “not conducive” to the examination of fine silts and clays.

“Bio-accessibility studies need to be done,” he said.

Christine Burke, a well owner near Mitchell’s Bay who is a member of the Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns group, told council the issue is “hard to imagine, unless you live with it.”

Holding up a sample of grey, murky water from her own well, Burke said the matter is urgent.

“The sediment in our well water is not sand,” she stressed.

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor

Toronto ON, M4V 1P5

EABDirector@ontario.ca

Ali Akl, P.Eng., PMP. Project Engineer

Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission

Municipality of Chatham-Kent 325 Grand Ave East Chatham, ON N7L 1W9 alia@chatham-kent.ca

John Tyrrell, P.Eng. Senior Project Manager R.V. Anderson Associates Limited (RVA)

557 Southdale Road East, Suite 200 London, ON N6E 1A2 jtyrrell@rvanderson.com

If there is no request received by June 19, 2023, CK PUC will proceed with design and construction of this project.

This Notice of Completion was first issued on May 22, 2023.

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSO 1990, c.F.31), Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSO 1990, c.M.56) and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this atter and may be released, if requested, to any person.

Jubenville’s motion was approved within council’s consent agenda with no discussion. However, several deputations on the matter were heard from well owners, as well as geologist Keith Benn, who sat on the expert panel for the government’s all-hazard study.

“There are serious and well-founded concerns,” Benn said in his deputation, adding the problem goes beyond “esthetic problems.”

Benn said the original

Burke helped spearhead a GoFundMe effort to help pay for expensive testing of nine private wells, raising around $12,000 in short order. The tests, conducted earlier this year and analyzed by a private laboratory in Michigan, found levels of heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead that may be bio-accessible carcinogenic to humans.

Council heard similar concerns from other well owners, as well as a real estate agent who said property values are affected by the well issue.

The dirty water wells issue has been a political hot potato in Chatham-Kent for a decade, when some property owners discovered their well water turned black when the wind farms were constructed.

Dresden subdivision expanding

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

At Dresden’s new Rolling Acres subdivision, there’s much to celebrate.

Located on the northwest corner of town, 12 unique new homes stand tall and are testaments to growth in this North Kent community.

A total of 42 homes are set to take shape on current land, however, many more are in store as the developers behind Rolling Acres have recently purchased an adjacent 20 acres to expand the subdivision.

Long time custom home builder Dave Depencier told the large crowd gathered for the official opening of Rolling Acres Friday that the land recently acquired will allow Rolling Acres to “continue to build for many years to come.

“This is our home and we are here to stay,” Depencier said. “Dresden is where we live and you can too!”

Depencier, who owns Depencier Builders, is partners in a second company called the DeMall Group with his wife Kim Depencier and Kerry and Krista Mall.

The four have spurred development by creating Rolling Acres, reversing a long trend of low growth in the area.

“We’re building the community so people, businesses and schools can survive and thrive,” Depencier said, adding the company is committed to affordable housing starts.

Rolling Acres features detached and semi-detached homes, beginning with a price tag under $500,000.

The success of Rolling Acres is also a story of diversity. Partner

Kerry Mall, a native of India, came to Dresden a decade ago, with a couple of suitcases full of dreams.

In Dresden he said he found a warm welcome and a place to create his vision.

“My dreams are big and I’m not shy about that,” Mall said.

“We want to make Dresden one of the best towns in which to live in Southwestern Ontario.”

Dignitaries on hand at the announcement praised the work of the DeMall Group.

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

MPP Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, immigration, skills and training development, said it’s positive news for the Dresden community, and the local labour mar-

ket.

He thanked the DeMall team for their investment in the community.

“This construction is so important to train the next generation of workers, especially locally because we know there are thousands of jobs across Southwestern Ontario that are going unfilled,” McNaughton said.

C-K Mayor Darrin Canniff was also on hand offer his congratulations.

Depencier also announced that he will be taking on another high-profile role this fall when he becomes the president of the Ontario Home Builders Association.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

DeMall Group partners Krista and Kerry Mall and Dave and Kim Depencier celebrate the official opening of the Rolling Acres subdivision in Dresden, along with Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Minister of Labour; and Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff.

The MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT

FORM 6 SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER

Municipal Act, 2001, c 25, s. 379 (2) O. Reg 181/03, s. 5(1), Form 6

Take Notice that tenders are invited for the purchase of the land(s) described below and will be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on June 22, 2023, at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5K8.

The tenders will then be opened in public on the same day as soon as possible after 3:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5K8.

Description of Land(s)

All lands are in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the following are the geographic descriptions and municipal addresses.

1. Roll # 3650-010-001-01302 PT LT 1, BROKEN FRONT CON, GEOGRAPHIC TWP OF ROMNEY, PT OF THE ROAD ALLOWANCE BETWEEN ESSEX COUNTY & KENT COUNTY AS CLOSED BY BY-LAW R011904, DESIGNATED AS PTS 2,3 & 4, 24R6266; CHATHAM-KENT. Being Erie St S., Wheatley P.I.N. 00846 0448 (LT) Assessment: IX 1,500

2. Roll # 3650-010-001-66250 PT LT 10 OR 212, CON 1 OR TALBOT RD AS IN 143215 (3RDLY); DESCRIPTION MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE IN FUTURE AS IN 143215; ROMNEY. Being Cemetery Rd., Wheatley. P.I.N. 00847 0086 (LT) Assessment: RTP 39,500

PT LT 171-172 PL OLD SURVEY AS IN 189221; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 405 Park St., Chatham ON N7M 3S7 P.I.N. 00503 0205 (LT)

22. Roll # 3650-420-043-05850 BLK A PL 578; CHATHAM-KENT. Being Victoria Ave, Chatham ON P.I.N. 00545 0182 (LT) Assessment: RTP 2,100

23. Roll # 3650-442-008-06300 LT 21 PL 352; CHATHAM-KENT. Being 75 Dell St., Wallaceburg P.I.N. 00584 0094 (LT) Assessment: RTP 17,400

Tenders must be submitted in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by a deposit in the form of a money order, bank draft, or cheque certified by a bank or trust corporation payable to the municipality (or board) and representing at least 20 per cent of the tender amount.

Except as follows, the municipality makes no representation regarding the title to or any other matters relating to the land to be sold. Responsibility for ascertaining these matters rests with the potential purchasers. This sale is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Tax Sales Rules made under that Act. The successful purchaser will be required to pay the amount tendered plus accumulated property taxes and any taxes that may be applicable such as the land transfer tax.

The lands do not include mobile homes situate on the lands.

The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchaser.

A copy of the prescribed form of tender is on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website, www.chatham-kent.ca and on the website of the Government of Ontario Central Forms Repository under the listing for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Tune into our Municipal Facebook page for a virtual event where the tenders will be opened live beginning at 3:20 p.m. Further details are available by visiting www.chatham-kent.ca.

For further information regarding this sale and a copy of the prescribed form of tender contact:

Title

Amy McLellan, Manager Revenue or Matthew Torrance, Deputy Tresasurer

Address of Municipality or Board

315 King Street West, P O Box 640, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K8

Name of Municipality or Board

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

www.chatham-kent.ca

Personal information contained on this form, collected pursuant to the Municipal Act will be used for the purposes of that Act. Questions should be directed to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Co-ordinator at the institution responsible for the procedures under that Act.

More support for Wheatley

The Chatham Voice

Chatham-Kent is getting a boost from the province to help mitigate the fallout from the Wheatley explosion.

Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith came to Blenheim Friday to announce the municipality will receive an additional $2.5 million to help with emergency management costs associated with the blast.

The explosion, sourced to an abandoned gas well, rocked the town in August 2021, destroying buildings and injuring 20. The subsequent evacuation led to the displacement of many residents and business owners for months, and a hefty emergency services price tag.

Smith also used the platform to unveil a $23.6-million plan to develop a province-wide strategy to identify and plug old gas wells that may be dangerous.

“This investment represents the first step in our government’s action plan to address the challenges and

risks old oil and gas wells pose to communities across Ontario,” Smith told the gathering.

“With this funding, Chatham-Kent and other affected municipalities will be able to help keep their communities safe and prevent petroleum-related emergencies in the future.”

Ontario has records for some 27,000 oil and gas wells, primarily located on private land. According to the MNRF, the administrators for the abandoned well program, the province has spent $29.5 million to plug 415 wells.

Gray said the $23.6 million will be used to develop an action plan, using science and research.

In a media release, Mayor Darrin Canniff thanked the government for its commitment.

“We appreciate the financial and technical assistance provided to date and the province’s recognition of the need to provide further assistance,” Canniff said. “This will contribute to the healing of our community and protection of the environment.”

Local man wins $100,000

Chatham’s Clayton Payne is $100,000 in the black following a recent lottery win.

Payne played the Encore in the

April 28 Lotto Max draw and matched six of seven numbers to win the $100,000.

The winning ticket was purchased at Mini Mart & Video on Grand Avenue in Chatham.

The Chatham Voice

Notice of a Preferred Route and Invitation to Community Open Houses

St. Clair Transmission Line

Hydro One has reached a milestone in the St. Clair Transmission Line project and we would like to invite you to join our community open houses to learn more, hear about next steps, speak with project team members and provide your feedback.

Since February 2022, Hydro One has been conducting a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act to build a new double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line between Lambton Transformer Station in the County of Lambton and the Chatham Switching Station in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Through the Class EA process, five route alternatives were evaluated by collecting environmental and technical information, as well as input from Indigenous communities, community members, elected officials, interest groups and businesses.

Based on information gathered and feedback received, Route Alternative 2 has been selected as the preferred route for the new transmission line, as shown on the reverse map. This Project will also include the expansion of Lambton and Wallaceburg Transformer Station, and Chatham Switching Station, as well as an upgrade of the Wallaceburg TS from 115 kV to 230 kV.

This project is part of a network of electricity infrastructure projects that will support the regions’ economic growth. Once built, the St. Clair Transmission Line will support local food supply and security, economic development and job creation.

1.877.345.6799

Community.Relations

@HydroOne.com

Tuesday,

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Kent Belgian Centre 34 Byng Ave, Chatham, ON N7M 3E2

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. If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this Study, please contact Community Relations listed above.

190 anglers prepare for Mitchell’s Bay tourney

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Nearly 200 avid fishermen will descend on Mitchell’s Bay next month to take part in what is rapidly becoming the largest bass tournament in the country.

The Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open takes place July 7-8 and will feature 190 anglers and 95 boats.

Although there are local participants, anglers come from as far away as South Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana to take part. Included in that group is Steve Clapper of Ohio, who is in the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Despite the strong U.S. showing, Tom Beaton, one of the tournament organizers, said the Canadians will be well represented.

“We’ve got Bob and Wayne Izumi, and David Chong, who is one of the top Canadian bass anglers,” he said. “There are also previous Canadian national bass champions fishing the tourney. There’s just a lot of talented pros fishing our tournament.”

As big as the event has become, Beaton said it’s at its maximum at this point.

“We’re tapped out at 95 boats. Mitchell’s Bay Marina can only handle so many boats and trucks,” he said. “The 95 boats, that’s the capacity without going and parking vehicles and trailers somewhere else.”

How popular is the tournament? Beaton said two days following the completion of the tournament, they’ll open up registration for the next year’s event, and it will almost immediately book up.

Beaton points to the organizational effort – and Lake St. Clair – as to why the event has become so popular among pro anglers.

The people of Mitchell’s Bay help make the event a success.

“It takes a village to host a bass tournament. We have over 50 volunteers,” Beaton said. “Mitchell’s Bay is committed to it. The day of the tournament, when our committee members say they need people for Saturday for 10 o’clock in the morning, boom, they all show up.”

As for the lake, it’s home to a thriving bass population

“The lake is noted as a bass factory. It’s famous for bass fish-

fishing industry pumps $10 billion annually into the economy.

“We are proud to be a part of that economic driver and offer anglers the opportunity to compete on a world-class bass hatchery,” he said.

Lake St. Clair is relatively shallow, making it a great place to fish for bass just about anywhere on the lake, Beaton said.

And due to being part of the Great Lakes system, the lake is constantly refreshed with new water pouring down the St. Clair River from Lake Huron. That leads

to ideal breeding grounds for many species of fish, he added. However, anglers aren’t restricted to fishing Lake St. Clair.

“It’s an open tournament,” Beaton said. “You can go anywhere. You can go fish Lake Erie or Lake Huron. It just depends on what kind of boat you have, how fast you can go and when you can get back.”

Continjued on page 20

RONDEAU JOE’S PUB

Come

ing,” he said. “That’s a big attraction.”

Beaton said the Canadian recreational boating/

11521 Wildwood Line, Rondeau • 519-674-0006

rondeaujoes@hotmail.com

Infrastructure and Engineering Services Public Works

Public Notice of Pesticide Use

Notice is hereby given that the Municipality of Chatham-Kent intends to utilize Green Stream Lawn & Vegetation Management Inc. and Veg-Tek Agri Inc. for the purpose of controlling noxious weeds along all municipal rural roadsides.

This pesticide use falls under Public Works Exception of the Cosmetics Pesticides Ban for the promotion of public health or safety.

The following pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) will be used:

ClearView Herbicide (Reg. #29752) containing the active ingredients

Metsulfuron-methyl and Aminopyralid, present as potassium salt

Gateway Adjuvant (Reg.#31470) containing the active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants

• Navius FLEX Herbicide (Reg. #30922) containing the active ingredients

Metsulfuron–methyl and Aminocyclopyrachlor

The spring spray period is expected to take place between May 15 and June 15, 2023, and fall spray period is expected to take place between September 15 and October 15, 2023 for spot treatment. Application will be weather permitting and confined to weedinfested portions of the municipal right-of-way.

A map of the specific spray locations can be requested through the Chatham-Kent Public Works Department by emailing ckpw@chatham-kent.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Jordan Gray: Manager, Public Works South, Municipality of Chatham-Kent

P: (519) 360-1998 or 1-800-714-7497 ckpw@chatham-kent.ca

Steve Ford: Green Stream Lawn & Vegetation Management Inc.

P: (905) 510-1229 or sford@green-stream.ca

Trevor Caron: Veg-Tek Agri Inc. P: (519) 809-4812 or trevorc@vegtek.com

Chatham Voice file photo Chad Wentzell showcases some of he and Bill Valberg’s catch at the 2021 Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open Bass Tournament.

Smile Cookies deliver $69,000 to Centre

The Chatham Voice

It is said that it takes a community to raise a child. Well, it also takes a community to raise funds to help children.

That was the case in May when local Tim Hortons outlets ran their Smile Cookie Campaign. The event brought in $69,000 for the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent (CTCFCK), and was helped by a team of 140 volunteers organized by the Foundation.

During the week of May 1-7, the Tim Hortons

Smile Cookie Campaign supported 550 Canadian charities, hospitals and community programs.

Local Tim Hortons owners – the Pritchard family and Mike and Paula Grail – donated the proceeds from their various outlets in Chatham-Kent to support the CTC Foundation.

More than 140 volunteers from the community, including treatment centre staff and community members, assisted with baking and decorating Smile Cookies at the Chatham Armoury kitchen to augment the baking inside the Tim Hortons

locations.

Throughout the course of the seven-day campaign, volunteers baked more than 25,000 cookies.

Funds raised from the Smile Cookie Campaign will go towards providing programming and therapy for children that attend the treatment centre. The CTC served more than 5,000 children in 2022, which equals to one in every five Chatham-Kent children.

Not all services at the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent are covered by government funding.

Bass tournament returns to Mitchell’s Bay July 7-8

Continued from page 19

Most participating anglers stick to Lake St. Clair and to the St. Clair River to the north of the Detroit River to the south.

“Everyone has their own preferences,” Beaton said.

Returning as many fish

to the lake as possible is a primary goal for tournament organizers as well. Each bass boat when it departs on tournament mornings is inspected to ensure it has a functioning live well.

After weigh in, fish are

taken to the Long Point Bass Association’s live release boat to be returned to the lake.

Beaton said the goal is to have a mortality rate of under one per cent.

Canadian Tire’s support for the Kids Fishing Day

is memorable. Beaton said 22 lucky kids will enjoy a morning of fishing, followed by lunch and an interpretive hike hosted by the Sydenham Field Naturalists. On top of that, each junior angler will go home with a rod,

Are

Inquire

Join

Get

9:30am: 200m Kids Fun Walk/Run/Move

10:00am: 5km Walk/Run/Move

Run for the Kids is a family friendly event, with a paved 200m and 5km route accessible for strollers, wheelchairs and wagons.

This event is open to participants of all ages and abilities

Join us to walk, run or move through Rondeau Provincial Park. Visit https://ctcf-ck.com/runforthekids/

reel, tackle box and tackle. Proceeds from the bass tournament go towards improvement in and around Mitchell’s Bay.

“We’ve identified a couple of projects we want the money to go to. And the sponsors like to know

where their money is going,” Beaton said. “Ours is wetland habitat restoration, tourist enhancements, park developments, improvements to the beach area and making things more handicap accessible.”

Contributed image

From left, Paula Grail, Tim Hortons owner; Mike Genge, president of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent; and Jessica Pritchard, Tim Hortons owner celebrate raising $69,000 for the foundation, all from the sale of cookies. The funds are the proceeds of this year’s Smile Cookie Campaign.

C-K celebrates community spirit

Family recognized for 750 years of volunteering

For Chatham’s Williston family, volunteering is a way of life.

So much so, the combined efforts of five generations serving the community total some 750 years.

“We’ve been involved with volunteering since the day we were born,” said Scott Williston. “We were indoctrinated into this way of life.”

Scott credits his parents Phil and Mary for getting the ball rolling. On their first date in 1959, the couple painted toys for the Chatham Goodfellow’s Christmas campaign.

The rest is history.

Phil, now deceased, and Mary, who is 84, tied the knot shortly thereafter, and when children

Scott, Craig and Cynthia came along, the three were introduced to their parent’s passion of helping others.

Scott and his wife Helen, Cynthia and her husband Darrell McColeman, and Craig have kept up the tradition, passing the volunteering gene on to their children.

“I think it gives the younger generation a look at the other side of life,” Scott said. “We’ve all had good jobs, so volunteering teaches them that we all need to help others. It gives a sense of purpose and we need to pass it on. It’s just the way it is.”

On May 31, the entire clan was honoured by

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff and council for their indefatigable service to others.

The Williston family – 36 members strong – were among those feted at Chatham-Kent’s inaugural Community Recognition Awards celebration held at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. All told, 25 awards were presented at the event, covering a wide range of clubs, causes and campaigns.

As it stands, the Williston family plans on upholding its rich legacy. Scott said family members continue to volunteer in a myriad of ways –including coaching minor sports – with matriarch Mary leading by example.

She’s still packing food boxes, preparing food for the homeless, helping at her church and is currently the president of Chatham’s LaSertoma Club.

“Who knew that painting a little red wagon would lead to all this?” said Mary, who has also been named Chatham-Kent’s Senior of the Year. “We’ve got five generations volunteering since the cradle. Even the three-year-olds are already packing toys.”

The family has played a vital role with the Chatham Goodfellows over the years with six family members having been recognized as Mr./Mrs. Goodfellow.

Five generations of the Williston family were recently honoured for their commitment to the community at the inaugural Chatham-Kent Community Recognition Awards celebration at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. All told, the Willstons have racked up more than 750 years of volunteering, led by matriarch Mary, seated in centre. The family is joined by Chatham councillor Amy Finn and Mayor Darrin Canniff. CN Rail is the sponsor of the event, which saw 25 awards handed out.

Mayor Canniff said the night will go down in the record books as something special.

“This is the first time that Chatham-Kent has gotten together like this

and recognized the special efforts that so many people in this room have done for Chatham-Kent,” he said, noting that when he looked around the hall he saw “all stars.

“There are hundreds of people in this community that deserve to be here,” the mayor said, “but you are the first. Chatham-Kent is one of the best places on the planet

to live, I believe, and it’s because of the people here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The Community Recognition Awards event was sponsored by CN Rail.

Other Community Recognition Award winners

• Jackie Beatty, Bothwell;

• Ken Bechard, Chatham;

• Carol Ann Bélanger, Mitchell’s Bay;

• Richard Bouwmeester, Blenheim;

• George & Margaret Darnley, Merlin;

• Kim Doucet, Tilbury;

• Hassan El Khodr, Chatham;

• Dianne Flook, Raleigh Township;

• Jim & Lisa Gilbert, Chatham;

• Derek & Brett Gore, Chatham;

• Sandra Johnston, Wallaceburg;

• Tim Joyce, Blenheim;

• Blake Handsor, Chatham;

• Mary Ann Hawthorne, Ridgetown;

• Liz Kominek, Dresden;

• Donna Matier, Wheatley;

• Donald McKillop, Highgate;

• James Rankin, Pain Court;

• Newt & Deb Richardson, Wallaceburg;

• Bert Vanderheide, Thamesville;

• Jeff Vidler, Erieau;

• Dorothy Wallace, Chatham;

• Marianne Willson, Chatham; and

• Bill Wolsing, Wallaceburg.

Hundreds more are deserving of recognition

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will continue this tradition in the future

The mayor and council are excited about these awards

Community Events

Homemade Butter Tart or Lemon Tart Fundraiser for the Active Lifestyle Centre. $13.00/dozen. Taking orders from now until June 19th, 2023 . Pick up from 10am-3pm on Fri., June 23rd. Call to place your order today- 519-352-5633.

Thursday, June 8, 2023:

• Chatham-Kent Public Library (CKPL) is collaborating with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to provide the interactive webinar “Be Scam Smart.” This virtual information session will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Join the webinar virtually via Zoom or attend the live session being shown at CKPL’s Blenheim, Chatham, and Dresden branches and the Ridgetown Adult Center. Register for this free information session in-person at your local CKPL branch or by contacting Ask CKPL: Phone: 519-354-2940. Text: 519-401-7174. Email: cklibrary@ chatham-kent.ca. Facebook Chat: @ckplibrary.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch from 11:00am1:30 pm. Senior Euchre starts at 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

• Merlin Legion 2 Stanley Street, Merlin 519-689-4884 - 1:00 to 4:30 Jamboree Entry $2 donation. Bring your instruments, singing voices simply come and clap & dance along to the music that’s created. Kitchen opens @ 4pm – Panzerotti Special or Menu available.

Friday, June 9, 2023:

• Adult Colouring at the CKPL Chatham Branch Community Living Café. 2:00pm-4:00pm. Are you looking for a creative outlet? Need some time to escape the everyday? No registration required, come and go as you please.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Supper served from 4:00-6:00. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials: meat loaf or fish & chips. Take out available, call 519-3518733 or 519-351-5639. Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Everyone Welcome.

• Merlin Legion 2 Stanley Street, Merlin 519-689-4884 - Opens @ 4 pm. Sweet & Sour Pineapple Chicken with Rice, veggies, coleslaw, and dessert - $11.95 + tax = $13.50. Call to reserve your meal if possible 519-689-4884.

• Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St is a lasagna dinner w/ caesar salad & garlic toast. Dine in $12/ pickup $13. All meals served at 6pm. Call daily to place your order at 519-352-8291. All welcome.

Saturday, June 10, 2023:

• 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-10:30am. Take out only.

• “The Secrets Among Us”: Exploring Domestic Abuse in Our Community. 9:30-3:30. Ladies Event at First Baptist Church, 418 Greenfield Street, Petrolia. Pre-Registration encouraged; suggested donation $10 per person. Guest speakers Zelda Elijah, Tina Hunter and Tess Scott. Information, discussion, luncheon, resources, Worship time, fellowship. 519-882-2480 or fbcpetrolia@gmail.com.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00a-9:30 p.m. There will be a meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. Kitchen open for lunch from 3:00pm-5:30 p.m. Entertainment by Unity Station from 4:309:30. Come check out our menu. Everyone Welcome.

Sunday, June 11, 2023:

• Creekside Church - 10:00am Sunday’s at the Active Lifestyle Centre, Merritt Ave. Haven’t been to church in a while? Come find community with us. creeksidechurch.ca.

• 32nd annual McGregor Music Festival. Co-Ann Park, 11071 Concession Rd 11, McGregor, ON. Gates open at 10am-$5 per person. Live music, from 8 local bands, car show, pig auction, raffles, door prizes and more! Proceeds support the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.

• Third Annual Veterans’ Memorial Day. All Welcome. 2:00pm at Arnold Cemetery, 10282 Longwoods Road, Chatham Kent. Program includes: Opening remarks, marching on of flags by an air cadet squadron, O Canada, synopsis of Canada’s war history, placing small Canadian flags on gravesites, reflection, a closing prayer, and the Royal Anthem. For more information contact Bill Finlay at 519-359-0370 or Sue Lindsay at 519-352-2811.

• Classic Country Jamboree/Dinner 1-5pm at the Merlin Legion. Music by The Marquis. Dinner of perch, potato, coleslaw, veggie and dessert. Price for 3pc $15 or 5pc $20 which includes entry. Pick up dinners also available and Jamboree only $5. Please call Lori 519 476 5870 to book your spot.

• Come to the Chatham moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St for a cooked to order Breakfast from 9am to noon. Everyone welcome

Monday, June 12, 2023:

• Community Creative Expression

Antibullying Murals with Shannon Rose Artist & Photography at James Street Drop In Centre, 719 James St., Wallaceburg. 2pm.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023:

• Chess Club at Chatham Branch of CKPL. 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Drop in program. Great opportunity to learn new strategies by playing with different players. All ages and all skill levels are welcome.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen is 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 starting at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023:

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen is open for lunch 11:00am-1:30pm. Our daily special is meat loaf dinner. Fun Darts at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, June 15, 2023:

• St. Andrews Residence Strawberry Social. Come and enjoy delicious strawberry shortcake from 1:30pm-3:30pm. All we ask for is a small donation to St. Andrew’s Residence. We kindly ask everyone to wear a mask while in the hallways. 99 Park St. Chatham, ON. 519-354-8103.

• Retired Workers Chapter Meeting for Nominations & Elections and also the perfect opportunity to enjoy coffee and baked goods 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.

• Community Creative Expression Antibullying Murals with Shannon Rose Artist & Photography at New Beginnings, 9 Maple Leaf Drive, Chatham. 11am-2pm.

• The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham open 11:00am-9:30pm. Kitchen is open for lunch from 11:00am1:30pm. Senior Euchre at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

• Merlin Legion 2 Stanley Street, Merlin 519-689-4884 - 1:00 to 4:30 Jamboree Entry$2 donation. Bring your instruments, singing voices simply come and clap & dance along to the music that’s created. Kitchen opens @ 4pm – Panzerotti Special or Menu available. Call to hear special 519-689-4884.

Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al-anon can help! Callleave message - 519-350-3462

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

Submit your coming events to bruce@chathamvoice.com or michelle@chathamvoice.com

Fun Stuff

63. Gadget whose name you forget

65. Another recording

66. Small blisters

67. Dark brown or black CLUES DOWN

1. Licensed for Wall Street

2. “__ and flow”

3. A very large body of water

4. Accumulate on the surface of

5. Central cores of the stem

6. Angry

7. Ceramic jar

8. Scraped a car

9. __ route

CLUES ACROSS

1. Flat tableland with steep edges

5. Where there’s __, there’s fire

10. Talked incessantly

12. Skill

14. Without shame

16. Where teens spend their days (abbr.)

18. Boxing’s GOAT

19. Used to anoint

20. Cluster cups

22. Footballer Newton

23. They make up a forest

25. Split pulses

26. Self

27. Post-office box

28. Test for high schoolers

30. Large, flightless bird

31. Expectorated

33. Falsehood

35. Prickly, scrambling shrub

37. French river

38. Told on

40. Hillside

41. Peyton’s little brother

42. Soviet Socialist Republic

44. Cathedral city in Cambridgeshire

45. Witness

48. Brews

50. Yellowish-brown

52. Arctic explorers, abbr.

53. Mexican agave

55. A type of “cast”

56. Encourage

57. Atomic #52

58. Relating to position north of south of equator

10. Soviet labor camp system

11. Strong hostilities

13. Vitamin of the B complex

15. Go quickly

17. Toast

18. A team’s best pitcher

21. A Philly culinary specialty

23. Small child

24. Unhappy

27. Trims away

29. Characterized by crying eyes

32. Soft touch

34. American spy organization

35. A person’s chest

36. Came from behind to win

39. Fall back

40. Nellie __, journalist

43. Great places to kayak

44. Suffer patiently

46. Majestic bird

47. Electroencephalo graph

49. Organic compound used as an antiseptic

51. Objects connected to the web (abbr.)

54. Ship as cargo

59. The bill in a restaurant

60. Upper-class young woman (abbr.)

61. Judge in OJ Simpson trial

62. One’s grandmother

64. Siberian river

This Weeks Puzzle answers.

Classifieds

Obituary Obituary

Sherry Selby Peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Monday, May 29, 2023, Martha Sherry Ann Selby, age 71. Born in 1952, daughter of the late Barb (Gross) and John “Jack” Selby. Loving mother of Floyd Selby. Dear sister of Joyce Lambkin, Sheila Selby, Noreen (Dave) Thorpe, Marie Selby and the late John Lyle Selby. Sherry will also be missed by several nieces and nephews. As per Sherry’s wishes cremation has taken place. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Canada would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham (519-352-5120).

Ronald Archie Green of Chatham, passed away peacefully at Riverview Gardens on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Born in Chatham, Ontario in 1940 to the late Jean and Archie Green. Devoted husband of Vera Green (nee Lozon) for 62 years. Loving father of Gary Green (Sheryl). Proud grandfather of Ashley Henry and Amanda Henry. Brother-in-law of Theresa Eastcott and Albert Lozon (Cathy). Ron retired from Rockwell International, after 30 years of employment. He and Vera enjoyed 17 winters in Florida’s Winter Garden and summers at Cathcart Park along the St. Clair River. Ron was an avid reader, fisherman, and camper. He also enjoyed his daily coffee club at Tim’s, sometimes twice a day, and his weekly yard sale adventures on Saturdays, both in Chatham and in Florida. Ron will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Ron’s memory are asked to please consider the Canadian Diabetes Association. Just as Ron wished, his family will be remembering him privately. Arrangements entrusted to Life

Obituary of Sandra Lynn Parker 1955-2023

The family of Sandra Lynn Parker (nee Derbyshire) is heartbroken to announce her passing on May 31, 2023 at the age of 67. She is survived by her mother Audrey Derbyshire of Brantford, sister Cathy Telfer and brotherin-law Bob, niece Cory Woodrow her husband Mark, great-niece Amanda (Taylor Broad) and great-nephew Jamie all of Chatham. She will be fondly remembered by MacGirr and McKnight cousins of Huntsville. Predeceased in 2019 by father William (Bill) Derbyshire. Sandy faced many health challenges throughout her life but Covid proved too much for her kind heart. Retired from the Grand Erie Board of Education, she was a friend to many and will be missed by all.

The family has chosen to remember Sandra privately. Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCleister Funeral Home, 495 Park Road North, Brantford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Diabetes Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.mccleisterfuneralhome.ca McCleister (519) 758-1533.

Ministry For Rent

Bungalow for Rent. 111 Van Allen. 2 small bedrooms, 3pc bath, laundry, kitchen stove, fridge, kitchen island with 4 bar stools, driveway for cars. Contact 647.639.4528.

Healing Love Ministry is an all night prayer line with counsellors available from 12:00am7:00am. Also, a male support group for those struggling with sexual addiction. A home based ministry, private and confidential. 519-354-3532.

Shop Local

For Sale

Shared Accommodation

Seeking compatible senior, 70-years-plus to share a luxury 2-bedroom apartment in Chatham. Congenial person, non-smoker, social drinker, with a good sense of humour. For more information please call 519397-4784.

Wanted

Looking For Shop Local

Wanted: scrap air conditioners and electric motors. Phone 226-229-2614.

BUYING: coin collections and silver coins. Any questions call Paul 289-2282817.

Wanted to rent or buy 3 or 4 acres of land in Chatham-Kent area. No buildings or utilities needed. Rural area preferred. 519-352-5414 or 226-6275414.

The Great Indoor Store, Tomato Trellis Gardens on Wheels. Our Price $99.99 While supplies last. Call 519-352-GROW (4769) 241 1/2 Grand E. Chatham

The Great Indoor Store has complete 4 pail Hydroponics Systems including everything required. Just add water and what you want to GROW. .Our pkg price $299.99

Call 519-352-GROW (4769) 241 1/2 Grand E. Chatham

Wanted to Buy: Antiques, costume jewellery, gold, silver, coins, military, furniture, tools.

We Buy AllPaid Cash. 519727-8894.

OBITUARIES

Brenda Lee Hogg 72, Monday, May 29, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Ronald Paxton

66, Tuesday, May 23, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Ron Boivin

75, Friday, May 26, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Maxine McFadden

85, Saturday, May 27, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Donald Congo

80, Friday, May 26, 2023

McKinlay Funeral Home

Sherry Selby

71, Monday, May 29, 2023

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Bonnie Crevits

87, Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home

Carl Gordon Fralick 60, Friday, May 26, 2023

Nicholls Funeral Home

Terry Russell 69, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Blenheim Community Funeral Home

Shirley Siddall (Rice)

Silk Cemetery

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

83, Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Life Transitions

Phil Kaloyanis

71, Saturday, May 27, 2023

Life Transitions

Tyson Hannon Sunday, May 28, 2023

Life Transitions

Ronald Green

Monday, May 29, 2023

Life Transitions

Delbert Baverstock

83, Monday, May 29, 2023

Life Transitions

Richard Arnold

91, Monday, May 29, 2023

Life Transitions

Patricia Profota (Repka)

88, Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Life Transitions

519-354-9157