The Chatham Voice, July 25, 2024 by Chatham Voice

Whalens to hit the streaming channels with Due Southwest

What started as a co-working creation during the pandemic has developed into a streaming program for Chatham’s Pat and Megan Whalen.

The two parts of the duo Deep Southwest are about to launch the streaming show Due Southwest, in partnership with Bell Fibe TV1. The show will feature the Whalens performing and sharing life moments.

It is expected to be streamed sometime in 2025 and has been signed for a five-year run.

Gavin Michael Booth and Ben Srokosz will direct and shoot the project.

The show will focus on the Whalens, “two small-town country stars with big dreams. Just making it day to day is hard enough. With the rising costs of gas, groceries, and have you seen the price of guitar strings?”

Each episode will feature origi-

nal country songs as well as “hick hop,” which the Whalens describe as a blend of country and hip hop. Produced by Whalen Entertainment and partially financed by Bell Fibe TV1, Due Southwest is seeking additional funding through regional sponsorship opportunities.

“We’re looking for local businesses and investors to sponsor and showcase everything our community has to offer,” the Whalens said in a media release. “When we’ve done this project will be shown to two-million subscribers across Canada.”

Deep Southwest evolved out of a need in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Professional entertainers by trade, the Whalens were anchored in their home like so many others during the lockdowns.

“The first couple of weeks of COVID, we were at home, kind of staring at each other. As performers, we’d never had time to work together. Well, we never took the time to just have fun in a musical sense,” Megan told The Voice in 2020. “Public performances, that wasn’t our goal at first. Our goal was to take some really fun photos and play some music. Pat wanted to sharpen his video skills too.”

But perform they did; at the end of cul de sacs, curbside, or in driveways. They went out and became pickup truck performers, singing and playing out of the back of a pickup to entertain families from a safe distance.

The couple continues to perform together post pandemic and has now reached the deal with Bell.

The Chatham Voice

Contributed image

Pat and Megan Whalen, the Chatham-Kent duo behind Deep Southwest, have inked a deal with Bell to launch Due Southwest, a streaming show on Bell Fibe TV1.

Public views community hub proposal

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Yes, no, and a whole lot of maybes.

That’s the gist of the comments The Chatham Voice heard from citizens attending last week’s open house regarding Chatham-Kent’s plan to revamp the old Sears building into a community hub for municipal services that include a new museum and library.

The event saw 257 people come through the doors of the J.D. Bradley Centre to get a first look at the architectural renderings of what the new hub may look like.

Jean Baker, who lives at The Boardwalk building on King Street, said she’d like to see the community hub move forward as long as costs remain in check.

“I think it’s great,” Baker told The Voice. “Without it, I think Chatham (the downtown) is just going to fold up.”

Local resident Regina Stockus said she also supports the development.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea to modernize the downtown and pull Chatham forward by combining the old and new,” she added, but noted costs need to be con-

sidered.

“This is something you would see in the big city,” Stockus added. “ It can bring Chatham to a new age.”

However, many of the people The Voice spoke with said they weren’t sure what to think.

Local historians Sheila Gibbs and Jim and Lisa Gilbert all said they’re on the fence about the project.

“I want to know more about it. If they can prove added value for Chatham-Kent, then I’m all for it,” Jim Gilbert said.

Former Chatham-Kent Public Library chair Robert Clarke said he is worried about accessibility and parking availability for library patrons as there are only six spots currently allocated for the library on Wellington Street.

“Is it ideal? No,” Clarke said. “Is it better than what we have? Yes.”

Former library CEO Tania Sharpe also attended the session. She said the library needs more room.

“We’ve wanted more space for a long time,” Sharpe said. “Let’s make sure it’s designed properly.”

However, those in the no camp remain strongly opposed. Wallaceburg resident Jim Martin said spending the

money on the hub isn’t fiscally responsible in light of a possible 9.5-per-cent tax hike for C-K ratepayers.

“It’s not the time,” Martin said. “I don’t think the old Sears building is the place for a new city hall.”

Outside the Bradley Centre entrance, Mayor Darrin Canniff engaged with some of the residents opposed to the new community hub, explaining that the municipality will gain a brand-new facility that will attract people to the downtown.

One of those was Sheila Martin, who said she’s been told by many residents they don’t want the hub to proceed.

“Why is council going against the wishes of its citizens?” Martin asked. “We have many seniors and if they can’t pay their property tax they’ll lose their homes.

The time for fiscal responsibility is now.”

Residents who want to see the renderings of the C-K Community Hub project can access the slide presentation at letstalkchatham-kent.ca.

Community hub highlights

The Chatham Voice

• Chatham-Kent Museum would go from 11,700 square feet of space to 29,324 sq. ft., allowing for 114 per cent more exhibit space

• Space for the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre would decrease 3.6 per cent (excluding the Station 1

firehall) for a total of 46,385 sq. feet. Some departments, such as building services would be moved to the Park Avenue Business Centre

• Space for the Chatham-Kent Public Library will nearly double, going from its current square footage of 22,960 to 43,569 sq. ft.

• Pending council ap-

proval, the project will now move into Phase 3, with the detailed design element to be initiated this fall. Costs will come back to council in the winter of 2025. Further approvals will be needed and if those are given, construction could begin in 2025 with completion slated for the spring of 2027.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

A steady stream of C-K residents attended a public information session unveiling the renderings of the proposed municipal community hub to be located in the former Sear’s building in downtown Chatham. If approved, the revamped facility will include a new Civic Centre, museum and library.

Plans unveiled for future of DCC

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

Don’t confuse the Downtown Chatham Centre with one hundred KING.

That’s the temporary name a group of private developers have chosen for a multi-million-dollar initiative designed to rejuvenate Chatham’s downtown mall.

The group, represented by Ron Nydam and Jessica Myers, unveiled the official renderings of the project July 15, aiming to transform the 220,000-square-foot space into a bustling hub of shopping, dining, entertainment and living.

Ground breaking will take place this fall, Nydam said, in what is expected to be an 18-to-24-month build.

“We’ve spent the last few years, listening, planning and putting the right pieces together, and now, the time has come to make it happen,” Nydam told the gathering. While the project will modernize the structure, including a complete redo of the parking garage, a new elevator and escalators, the look of the interior and exterior will pay homage to the block’s historic past.

The site is the former home of Harrison Hall – Chatham’s historic city hall that was razed to build the current mall.

“I love history,” Nydam added. “Going back and

looking at some of the pictures has given some of the creative juices to attempt to bring back some of Chatham’s lost history.

“We need to do something with it which is why we bought it,” he said. “We’ve been working on the look of King Street for a long time. We’re really, really excited to introduce the project and what it will do for Chatham-Kent.”

He noted it will have the “same kind of detail” that went into developing the renowned Retro Suites boutique hotel complex directly east of the mall.

According to Nydam, 10 new apartments are incorporated in the build, and dilapidated brick on the 42-year-old structure is also being redone. Established mall tenants will remain, he added, and new tenants have already expressed interest in setting up shop.

Partners in the endeavour include Rob Myers, Jessica Myers, Don Tetrault of the Tatro Group and Nydam of J.P. Holdings, as well as J.P. Contractors.

The partners have built a website so the public can see for themselves what the future holds. People can access onehundredking.com to check out the details.

Regardless of whether the municipality moves ahead to create a new city hall, library and museum in the former Sears building, Nydam

stressed the one hundred KING project is a definite go.

Jessica Myers said the group is really excited about the prospects of one hundred KING.

“I think it will be beautiful for downtown Chatham,” she said. “It makes it more attractive. It’s great for our community and we’re really excited to invest in Chatham.”

Building a new municipal hub in the downtown has been in the works since the middle of the pandemic. Dubbed Imagine Chatham-Kent, the original initiative included a private-public partnership plan to create a large-scale arena, as well as a municipal hub, including a new public library and museum.

However, that idea was scrapped. Instead, the developers put forward a proposal to sell the Sears building to Chatham-Kent for $2.95 million, with council opting to purchase the structure earlier this year. The project has not yet been finalized as further public engagement is still taking place.

The developers are holding a naming contest, asking Chatham-Kent residents to come up with a moniker for the facility.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Ron Nydam and Jessica Myers, part of the ownership group of the Downtown Chatham Centre, unveiled their future vision that will transform the property into one hundred KING, a mix of commercial, entertainment and residential properties.

Opinion

Fact vs. opinion

Never let the facts get in the way of opinions, right?

Unfortunately, the developers of one hundred KING – the former Downtown Chatham Centre – experienced that last week.

The group announced its plans to revamp the mall – NOT including the former Sears building – to be a mix of retail, entertainment and residential components.

It’s a great idea. The mall has been stagnant for years, but the planned combination is an equation for success.

And it’s a private venture, with entrepreneurs Don Tetrault, Rob Myers, Ron Nydam and Jessica Myers combining to make it happen.

It’s the same group that conditionally sold the former Sears building to the municipality, which is taking a hard look at shifting city hall, the museum and the library under one roof. And, during their announcement for one hundred KING, the developers underlined one important point, something Pam Wright captured for us in her story this week.

“Regardless of whether the municipality moves ahead to create a new city hall, library and museum in the former Sears building, Nydam stressed the one hundred KING project is a definite go.”

So, one hundred KING is a go no

matter what. And it’s a private group doing it.

Yet…the online trolls showed up to complain about the use of taxpayers’ dollars to fund such a development.

It got so bad that JP Contractors, one of the operations Nydam oversees, released a statement online that – once again – stressed the municipality is not involved.

Four Chatham-Kent entrepreneurs are working to breathe new life into downtown Chatham.

Instead of celebrating such news, some people chose to attempt to throw shade.

They also apparently either don’t read stories or just opt to not believe what they read.

The four entrepreneurs are all invested in the success of downtown Chatham. They’ve renovated numerous buildings down there and run successful businesses. We have to agree with the statement from JP Contractors: “This group is the biggest reason why we even have beautiful restored old buildings in our downtown. This group has poured their heart and souls and talents into our community.”

Let’s celebrate the fact they are continuing to pour their efforts into Chatham’s core, not attempt to undermine things by spouting lies on social media.

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).

The Chatham Voice reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity. 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.

A tax on protests

Editor: Let me get this straight; C-K council has enacted a policy guide regarding “interacting anywhere with anyone associated with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent,” and that includes emails, Facebook, X, etc., that could result in someone being charged with trespass? Does that include letters to the editor of local news publications? Isn’t that why councillors/ politicians are elected?

To interact with the citizens they represent? So they have made it illegal to protest too much?

I suppose they would say only in the most egregious of situations, but who gets to decide that?

If the perpetrator wants to argue/protest their decision, there is a $200 fee to do so. Aha! A tax on protests!

We’re on the slippery slope here, friends.

I suspect there are some on council who want to expropriate the old town jail and use it to house “egregious protesters.” I say that with tongue-incheek, but don’t laugh too hard; this is how things rapidly got out of hand if you look at past history.

Joseph Goebbels would be so proud.

Bryan Marino Chatham

Editor: I recently witnessed pesticide being hosed onto an empty lot on St. George Street in Chatham.

The hose used to administer the pesticide was at least two-inches in diameter, allowing gallons of the chemical to issue out in seconds. I was flabbergasted at how much of this liquid

was being dumped on the lot.

Two days later, everything living there was dead and brown.

There is no fencing surrounding the lot. Children and cats can easily enter this area. There is no fencing around it. Why didn’t the owner of this property keep it

cut back so that such huge amounts of pesticide were not needed. I feel this is grossly irresponsible of the owner, and a health hazard to the community. What can the city do about this situation?

Katherine Budd Chatham

Construction looms for treatment centre

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

The shovels may not be in the ground yet, but the overseers of the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTCC-K) know who will be doing the digging – and building – for the new centre.

Eight years in development, the new treatment centre will finally begin construction this summer, with Norlon Builders London Ltd. running the show.

The company won the contract bid in the wake of an open bid process for the new 58,000-squarefoot facility on McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham.

Donna Litwin-Makey, chief executive officer of the treatment centre, said she and other centre officials are overjoyed at how the progress has snowballed in recent months. Once the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services approved the funding for the project, CTCC-K officials chose an architect, Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc., and now everything has reached the ready-to build phase with the selection of Norlon.

Litwin-Makey anticipates construction will begin this summer, with completion expected in about two years’ time.

“Preparation work is underway already,” she said of the McNaughton Avenue West site. “It’s going to be as fast as they (Norlon) are able to mobilize. But these things take a couple of years.”

Michael Parsa, Minister

of Children, Community and Social Services, is also happy to see construction about to begin.

“Congratulations to the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent on reaching this significant milestone,” Parsa said in a media release.

“We are proud to partner with the community on this project that will help families receive the support they need closer to home. This new and expanded centre will provide a safe and fully accessible space to deliver a range of specialized services for children with special needs.”

Mike Genge, president of the CTCC-K Foundation, said donors have been incredible.

“It (construction) means everything. All the work we’ve done with the community. They are seeing it come to fruition. Our donors are now seeing it is actually going to happen,” he said. “We’ve got the government funding to build.”

Genge said the announcement should help with a final push for community funding which will take place in October. Build for the Kids will raise the final $500,000 needed to fund the construction.

Litwin-Makey said the push for a new centre has been underway since 2016 when CTCC-K officials submitted a “fresh” business case to the province.

To see it reach the point of construction leaves CTCC-K officials “thrilled,” she said.

“Our new space will be very functional to help kids excel. This kind of

gives us the ability to expand to do things we don’t have the space for here,” she said.

A big improvement will be overall accessibility, Litwin-Makey said, plus just the ability to spread out again.

On the current site on

Courthouse Lane, there is no space for programs for teenagers, for example. Instead, such efforts take place off site in local high schools.

“We’ll have an area more specifically designed for our teens,” Litwin-Makey said. “We

will have a gym – an area where we can work on more recreational and more gross motor skills.” There will also be a parent resource area and a music room, plus additional outdoor spaces, as well as expansions around the pool area.

Litwin-Makey credited the support of Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones for helping to push things along.

“Trevor Jones has really been an advocate for us and he worked hard to make this happen.”

Thomas R. Maxwell III Student Bursary

Thomas R. Maxwell, “Max” passed away Monday, July 3, 2023, at the age of 68. He was a co-founder of The Sandwich Guys and for over 17 years he helped by feeding people each week. He was at the forefront of Harm Reduction work, leading many community initiatives including CK Aids Support, CK Harm Reduction Program, and the CK Needle Exchange. As a pioneer in our community Thom educated us, generously giving his time, compassion, and heart, showing us how to meet people where they are at. We at the Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council want to recognize the good work Thom started in our community and to encourage others to follow his example.

CKDAC is dedicated to supporting a student who is looking to work in the field of substance use and recovery, or a related human service and justice-related, with a financial contribution. All students who meet the application criteria will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Students who attend a full-time program in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 are eligible for $1000, and those who attend part-time will be considered for $500. The bursary award will be disbursed each year to one student. Students can apply each year until a program is completed, however students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their Program to receive funding in subsequent years. Money can be used towards education expenses for tuition, books, childcare, personal living expenses, supplies, and equipment.

• Only ONE (1) bursary will be given out each school year.

• Those who have expressed interest or experience working in Harm Reduction and/or street-involved individuals are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.

• Candidates with who have lived expertise with substance use, must be in recovery for at least 1 year, with supporting letters from employers, family or health/service professionals who can attest to efforts made in recovery.

Application Criteria and Expectations:

1. Applicants meet all admission requirements to their program of choice and show evidence of their acceptance.

2. Applicants must be residents of Chatham-Kent, with submission of recent ID or document verifying address.

3. Write a short statement (200-500 words) about their financial need/benefit from the scholarship.

4. Students are expected to write a short application essay (200-500 words) about their personal connection to substance use and recovery & include any Contact info for any volunteer experience.

All applications must be submitted by: September 1, 2024 (Recipient to be notified by September 13, 2024) Applications can be submitted to admin@ckdac.ca

Generously supported by grant received from Chatham Kent Community Foundation, inclusive of funding from the South Kent Wind Community Fund

Council keeps door open to turbine projects

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative

A bid by North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville to designate Chatham-Kent as an “unwilling host” for future wind turbine projects has been turned down.

In a 11-3 vote July 15, Chatham-Kent council defeated the motion that would have seen the municipality join 155 other Ontario communities that

aren’t allowing construction of wind farms.

Jubenville told council she was encouraged by the example of other communities.

“Plympton-Wyoming was recently added (to the list) and that inspired me as well,” Jubenville told council, noting fouled wells in North Kent were the main reasons for putting the motion forward.

“There has already been too much damage to hundreds of families in North Kent,” Jubenville said, noting she’s also hearing about the negative effects of wind farms from residents in South Kent. Many can’t talk about the downside of wind turbines, she added, because they’ve signed non-disclosure agreements with wind companies.

Jubenville pointed out that no future wind farm should be in C-K’s future as Ontario’s Ministry of Health hasn’t responded to a 2023 request from the municipality to undertake a comprehensive health hazard study to examine the potential toxicity of sediment within affected wells in North Kent.

An all-hazard study carried out by the province in 2021 only examined water quality, not sediment, and only targeted wells in the former Chatham Township, not in Dover.

The meeting saw Dover area resident Christine Burke also ask council to designate C-K as an unwilling host for wind farms, as she held up a jar of murky grey water

from her well.

Geo-scientist Dr. Keith Benn, who sat on the MOH expert panel of the ministry’s all-hazard well study, echoed Burke. Benn said the sediment poses “significant” health risks that need to be determined, saying it would be “highly irresponsible” for Chatham-Kent to “not close the door now” to additional wind turbines.

But other councillors disagreed on the idea of giving a hard no to future wind projects, as other C-K wards benefit from wind turbines in their wards.

In speaking to the motion, both West Kent councillors mentioned the contributions made by Romney Wind to the Ward 1 community.

“So, it’s challenging for me as a councillor to provide support to something that’s more of a blanket policy statement when I see that there is an opportunity for us as a municipality to really look deeply at individual applications should they come knocking on our door,” Coun. Melissa Harrigan said.

Coun. Lauren Anderson said she was not willing to “completely shut that door” to future wind projects as council has the opportunity to examine and approve each project, un-

like in the past.

In speaking to the motion, C-K general manager of community development Bruce McAllister said new wind projects require municipal approval, meaning council will have the final say about what projects can move forward.

“From the standpoint that council has ultimate control, I don’t see why council wouldn’t want the benefit of all the information available before making a decision on a project,” McAllister told council.

Jamie McGrail, Chatham-Kent’s other North Kent councillor, said she didn’t want to rule out all wind farms but she would not support future wind turbine builds in Ward 4. McGrail said she couldn’t support Jubenville’s motion, “but going forward I want to make it very, very clear that if a project does come to North Kent, I will not be supporting it because of what we already learned in North Kent.”

According to chief financial officer Gord Quinton, Chatham-Kent receives $2 million per year from taxes on wind turbines amounting to about one per cent of C-K’s budget. Plus, farmers who allow turbines on their property are compensated directly.

Chatham Voice file photo

Chatham-Kent council opted to keep the door open to potential future wind turbine development following debate at a recent council meeting.

Marco Acampora* 519-784-4348

Ashley Amato* 519-365-5677

Dane Appleton* 519-436-7195

Kelly-Anne Appleton* 519-365-7155

Austin Bentley

226-340-1163*

Sarah Callow* 509-809-5446

Megan Canniff* 226-626-7133

Stephen Carroll* 519-355-9774

Terry Chauvin* 519-437-8498.

Anna-Marie Clark* 519-354-7890

Ron Collins* 519-401-8464

Adam Deseure* 519-350-5787

Lisa Everaert* 519-330-8548

Eric Fitzgerald* 519-436-4865

Michael Gibbons* 519-365-5634

Jeff Godreau* 519-365-4852

Matthew Giffin* 647-222-3472

Darren Hart* 226-627-8580

Michelle Hetherington 519-401-2635*

Janet Ellen Mader* 226-881-0098

Krista Mall* 519-365-7462

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 Rankin** 226-542-2964

Deborah Rhodes* 519-401-5470 David Smith* 519-350-1615

Quiet North side. 4br,

baths, full finished basement. Call Brian Peifer. Slice of

kitchen. Call Katherine Rankin or Kate Stenton.

One-owner bungalow. 4br,

bath, gas fireplace, galley kitchen. Call Elliot or Ashley Wilton.

Fun times at Cherryfest

C-K collects its OLG winnings

Gamblers continue to flock to Cascades Casino in Chatham, so much so that the municipality recently pocketed more than $440,000 in host community cash.

And that’s just from revenues related to casino operations between April 1 and June 30.

Since the gaming site opened initially in Dresden in April 2001, Chatham-Kent has received $18,241,507. These payments to host communities are based on a formula in the Municipality Contribution Agreement that is consistently applied

across all land-based casino sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site. “Investing OLG’s profits back into host communities is another example of our government’s continued efforts to strengthen local infrastructure and community programs,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, in a media release. “We remain focused on working with our municipal partners to ensure that communities across Ontario have the supports in place to empower their residents to lead active, fulfilling lives and enable local businesses to thrive.”

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

A visit to Blenheim’s Cherryfest proved to be fun for this trio of friends as they checked out the midway. Emberlynn Symons, Henley Griffiths and Tala McLemore, all of Blenheim, were all smiles as they rode the Scrambler.

The Chatham Voice

Cultural diversity in Taste of C-K

The Chatham Voice

Fire up those cultural taste buds, because the rest of the summer is slated to feature cultural magic from around the globe.

Taste of Chatham-Kent (ToCK) begins July 27 and runs through to the end of September throughout Chatham-Kent.

Tracy Callahan and Dava Robichaud were on hand at the July 15 C-K council meeting to officially kick off ToCK.

Adult Language and Learning Centre executive director Callahan said the event is a multi-week effort aimed at celebrating

cultural diversity, bringing together a wide cross-section of ethnic associations and community groups to “showcase the unique and exciting cultural activities taking place all over Chatham-Kent.”

There are ToCK events already scheduled, such as a Newcomer Picnic in the Park, happening July 27 at Kingston Park; the Chatham-Kent International Food Festival, taking place in Tecumseh Park Aug. 1618; and the CK World Cup Soccer Tournament, hosted by the Portuguese Canadian Club of Chatham, taking place on Aug. 24. There are many more to

come, and more are being added weekly. “These events include live music, ethic food, citizenship, cultural celebrations and even some sporting events,” Callahan said.

work with groups hosting ToCK events to help promote and spread the word about the event within the community.

“Taste of Chatham-Kent brings cultural events throughout C-K togeth-

Community or cultural groups that are planning events such as dance performances, live music, a special night at a restaurant, hosting an open house, or planning an activity to showcase cultural heritage can send details to info@tasteofchathamkent.ca and the event will be added to the ToCK lineup. The ToCK committee will

I Want To Downsize . . . Where Do I Start?

You have made the decision that downsizing is right for you! It may feel overwhelming, and we completely understand because we’ve been there too! The thought of decluttering, letting go, packing, selling, moving, and making your new, smaller space feel like home probably feels like more than you can handle. Having a trusted Realtor® and a plan to approach the process will go a long way in reducing the stress and overwhelm that downsizing can bring.

Decluttering and purging items in your current home will often be the first leg of the journey. Moving to a smaller space means you will have to let go of some of the things you currently have in your home. Depending on the amount of “things” you have, this can be a very challenging job. Starting your decluttering process early gives you lots of time to make thoughtful decisions and reduces last minute stress. Ideally you will have at least six monthsone year to work through this process.

Here are steps to begin the decluttering phase of your downsizing process:

• Set a Start Date: Decide on a specific date to begin your decluttering process. Mark it on your calendar to make it official.

• Create a Decluttering Schedule: Plan regular decluttering sessions, whether daily or weekly, to keep it from feeling overwhelming.

• Gather Supplies Early: Collect boxes, bags, labels, and other necessary supplies before you start to avoid interruptions.

This is also a good time to reach out to a trusted Realtor®. Downsizing can be a very emotional journey and it’s important to find a Realtor® who will walk beside you each step of the way. Reach out to us to discuss how to get started with our Six Step Roadmap to Downsizing - a proven method to reduce the overwhelm and make the process as stress free as possible. We’d be honoured to help!

er in a way that can be shared and promoted within the community,” Mayor Darrin Canniff said in a media release. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Chatham-Kent to come together and celebrate our growing community, our growing cultural diversity, and all things that make Chatham-Kent an amazing place to live.”

A schedule of events is available at tasteofchathamkent.ca.

SENIORS LIVING SENIORS LIVING SENIORS LIVING

Next steps in Wheatley’s recovery

By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com

The work to keep Wheatley safe from potential hydrogen sulfide gas explosions continues.

As part of next steps to address concerns with the possible discovery of gas-emitting abandoned wells, the municipality is set to remove the foundations of buildings located within the evacuation zone in the town’s downtown.

At its July 15 meeting, council approved two contracts related to the work. A $6-million contract has been awarded to 360 Engineering and Environmental Consulting Ltd., and T.L. Watson and Associates is contracted for $250,000.

The demolition of nine buildings in the blast zone was recently completed. Now the municipality needs to dig deeper to remove the foundations of the affected structures by excavating the entire site.

According an administrative report, the main challenge going forward is that another hazardous well could be discovered, leading to another possible evacuation. As a result, Chatham-Kent must have emergency resources on standby

for the duration of the excavation slated to begin the first week of September. It’s expected to take several weeks.

C-K public works director Ryan Brown said the municipality knows there is risk associated with the work and the engineering team will be working closely with the fire department.

“It’s going to have some angst around this work,” Brown told council, adding experts will be brought in, including some from Alberta who are familiar with the scenario Wheatley faces.

West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson thanked Brown and staff for the work they’ve undertaken, noting it’s an unprecedented situation. She too emphasized that an emergency plan will be in place to keep residents safe and timely information will be communicated to the public.

Brown assured Anderson that the municipality will engage with community groups and residents to keep the public apprised of progress on the excavation.

Work in Wheatley has been ongoing for the past three years, since the Wheatley explosion in August 2021.

Child porn charges laid

A Chatham man faces child pornography charges following a raid Thursday.

Chatham-Kent police say the arrest was part of an investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material

Members of the Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) executed the warrant.

A 46-year-old Chatham man is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of accessing child pornog-

raphy and two counts of making child pornography available. The man was held in custody pending a bail hearing. That hearing saw him get remanded into custody.

Police remind the public they can report suspicious Internet activities relating to child exploitation to the Chatham-Kent Police Service or online at cybertip.ca.

Internet safety tips for parents, children, and Internet users are also available on www.ckpolice.com as well as the Cybertip website.

The Chatham Voice

Parks and rec plan up for public discussion

The Chatham Voice Municipal officials encourage the public to attend an open house Aug. 1 to discuss an update to the Parks and Rec Master Plan for the municipality.

Chatham-Kent officials said the Master Plan will provide a framework for the municipality to identify and prioritize the delivery, upgrading, divestment, or new development of parks and recreation infrastructure, services, and programs to meet the needs of residents over the next decade.

It will replace a previous plan enacted in 2010.

The open house for the discussion will take place at the Bradley Centre from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will be held in a drop-in format.

It will feature interactive presentation boards on display, allowing for a walkthrough experience. They will provide a project overview, purpose background and study area; and point out goals and objectives; an inventory on parks and other facilities; trends and best practices; public feedback; perception of the current parks and rec systems; wants and needs for the future; and next steps.

Staff will be available to answer questions and take comments during the session, officials said.

The public is also asked to complete a survey online at letstalkchatham-kent.ca. Surveys are open until Aug. 9.

Multiple surveys are available for varying age categories.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

Trudy Reimer of Tacq’s Garden Market near Tupperville picks a bouquet of fresh flowers to be sold at the stand. The business also has a flower subscription where subscribers can get a new bouquet every two weeks during the summer months.

Night Market returns to Dresden

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

A fast-approaching hot summer night is sure to result in some sizzling sales and scorching fun in downtown Dresden.

The annual summer Dresden Night Market takes place on Saturday from 4 pm. to 10 p.m. Co-organizer Morena McDonald said the summer event first took place in 2018. It, like so many other public events, was interrupted during the pandemic, but it returned and continues to grow.

The market leads to the downtown core being shut down to vehicular traffic. The streets are transformed into one large outdoor market.

“We create a fun atmosphere. Everything is vibrant,” McDonald said, of the ever-growing interest in the evening.

“We basically take four main blocks of downtown, shut down the roads, and include Jackson Park,” she added.

“It’s an event that celebrates small business and the community. We have lots of vendors downtown and the downtown businesses are open late as well.”

Stores and vendors are open until 9:30 p.m. The final 90 minutes of the event is focused in Jackson Park.

There, visitors can find food trucks, live entertainment and a pop-up bar.

The park is open for fun at 4 p.m., just like the downtown.

McDonald said people come from as far away as Toronto and across the border to check out the Night Market, as word has spread about the fun and excitement.

“The businesses and volunteers tell us they’ve had customers from London, Sarnia, Windsor and as far away as Toronto and the (United) States too,” she said. “People will tell their family who are outside of Chatham-Kent and they tend to come.”

Sustainability is an important element of the Night Market, McDonald said, as shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags with them, just like they do when going grocery shopping.

On top of that are the cups for the pop-up bar. McDonald said they cost $1, and are reusable. And people tend to bring them back year after year.

“We give you a cup and you can reuse it over the course of the night. We’ve heard people say they have the same cup from when they first bought it (at a previous Night Market),” she said. “We really try to keep sustain-

ability in mind. We have significantly reduced the amount of waste we pro-

duce from the event.”

The Dresden Night Market in the past has earned

a spot in the top 100 of Festivals and Events Ontario.

Chatham Voice file photo

Organizers of the Dresden Night Market always deliver interesting entertainment as part of the fun of the market. The event returns on Saturday.

Community Events

Thursday, July 25, 2024:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 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 1-4:30pm. All are welcome to attend with a $2 donation. 4-7pm: Homemade Panzerotti + Menu available. Merlin Legion 519-689-4884.

Friday, July 26, 2024:

• 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 liver & onions or fish & chips, $13.00. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. On the Patio, you will be entertained by SoulEau – Mary Ann Patterson 7pm-10pm. Everyone is welcome.

• A Summer Ghost Walk leaving from the Centennial Clock on the former Sears plaza will explore Chatham’s haunted downtown area on Friday, July 26th three times a night at 7 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm if demand warrants. A special guest will reveal their personal experiences at one point in each walk. Tickets for Adults are $15 and Children $10 (12 and under) plus fees available at www.eventbrite.com We go rain or moonshine. Do you dare?

• Friday night supper at the Chatham Moose Lodge, 850 Richmond St. is a Lasagna dinner with a caesar salad and garlic toast. Dine ins $13 and pickups $14. All meals are served at 6 PM. Everyone welcome. Please daily at 519352-8291 to order or to reserve.

Saturday, July 27, 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.

• Chatham-Kent 4H Judging Night

– Registration: 6pm. Judging starts: 6:30pm. Location: Dresden Fair Grounds. Rain Date: August 1st, 2024.

• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In. 11am-3pm. 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.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. Meat draw at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 3:00 pm–5:30pm. Entertainment by Terry Barker and Friends from 6:00-9:30. Come out and check out our menu. Everyone is welcome.

• Join us for our delicious Merlickin Chicken plus menu serving 4:30 to 8 pm (NO ENTERTAINMENT) Sun Jun 23rd –Jamboree 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm – Steak BBQ – Host Band “The Marquis”. Merlin Legion Br. 465 Call 519-689-4884.

Sunday, July 28, 2024:

• Classic Country Jamboree, Merlin Legion 2 Stanley Street from 1:30 to 5:30 with delicious Merlickin Chicken Dinner to follow. Come out and sing along with The Marquis or dance the afternoon away! Meat Draw and 50/50 at 4pm. Call Lori at 519 476 5870

• Voz Vinyl comes to the Two Creeks stage on Sunday, July 28. Great female three part harmonies from Carol Kerr, Christine Chemelle and Rochelle Days backed by some of the area’s best musicians.All the hits from the best Girl Bands from the 60’s to today. 6pm. 1km north of Wheatley. No admission but we do pass the hat. Lots of parking. Food and drink from the Scouts. twocreeks.ca

Monday, July 29, 2024:

• St.Clair Estates Social Club Euchre 1 p.m. 9 Dunkirk Street, Chatham.

• Join Chatham Branch’s Mahjong Club from 3:00pm-4:45pm in the Chatham Branch Meeting Room. Come learn the basics of Chinese Mahjong or join a group that already is well versed in the game. All playing levels welcome.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The

kitchen is open to serve lunch from 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 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024:

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00am–1:30pm. Our daily special is Meat loaf Dinner. Come check out our other daily specials. Everyone is welcome.

• Chatham Concert Band concerts every Wednesday from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in Tecumseh Park. More information is available on our Facebook page or website.

Thursday, August 1, 2024:

Friday, August 2, 2024:

• Bill’s Place Community Space Drop-In.. 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.

• Come join us at The Chatham Legion, corner of William & Colborne St. Chatham from 11:00am–9:30pm. The kitchen is open to serve lunch from 11:00am– 1:30pm. Supper will be served from 4:00–6:00. No orders after 5:30pm. Tonight’s specials are Meat Loaf or Fish & Chips, $13.00. Take out is also available by calling 519-351-8733 or 519-351-5639. Everyone is welcome.

• Enjoy a friendly game of Pepper, 1pm. St. Clair Estates, 15 Dunkirk Chatham. $3.00 per person. Everyone Welcome.

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

Fun Stuff

CLUES DOWN 1. Charge with a crime 2. Mended with yarn 3. North Atlantic flatfish 4. Boil at low temperature

Lapps of northern Scandinavia

Poisonous plant

Atomic #22

36 inches

Monetary unit of Russia

Type of gin

An alternative

Alone

A way to ooze

Publicity

American firm

Jewish calendar month

CLUES ACROSS

1. Average damage per system (abbr.)

5. Lustful woodland gods (Greek mythology)

11. Colombian Town 12. Sour 16. A way to stuff 17. Former AL MVP Vaughn 18. Carried or transported 19. Cannot even fathom 24. Hammer is one 25. A way to separate 26. Not moving 27. Women’s service organization (abbr.)

28. German river 29. Quantitative fact 30. A person’s head 31. Process that produces ammonia 33. French modernist painter 34. Too much noise

38. Agree to a demand

39. One a line at right angles to a ship’s length

40. Employees 43. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid

44. Component of hemoglobin

45. Quick and skillful in movement

49. Passing trend

50. Part of the eye

51. One who acclaims

53. Deadly amount (abbr.)

54. Taste property

56. Genus of mosquitoes

58. Blood type

59. A group of countries in special alliance

60. Institute legal proceedings against 63. Shade of a color

64. Spoke 65. Work units

Popular sandwich 27. Comedian Cook 29. The NFL’s big game (abbr.) 30. Political action committee

31. Make a low, steady sound

32. Legendary sportscaster Michaels

33. One thousand cubic feet (abbr.)

34. Designed to keep ears warm

35. One who scrapes

36. Tear into two or more pieces

37. Supervises flying

38. Flying arm of the U.S. military (abbr.)

40. District in Peru

41. One died leaving a will

42. Morning

44. The world of the dead

45. Widen

46. Drink containing medicine 47. Celebrating 48. Secret encounters 50. A type of tag

Halfback

Modern tech

Monetary unit 55. Resigned to one’s sleeping chamber

57. Execute or perform 61. “The Golden State” 62. “The Beehive State” (abbr.) Puzzle answers found on page 19

By Ephraim Ellis

Esther Chung Reid Janisse Mark Kreder

the sixth inning.

New boss at CKHA

The Chatham Voice

The new leader of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is returning to his rural Ontario roots. Effective Oct. 1, Adam Topp will take over as the organization’s next president and CEO.

With more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector, most recently in Manitoba, Topp has proven himself as a strategic health-care leader.

CKHA board chair Deb Crawford said she is “delighted” Topp has been chosen.

“He brings significant experience and knowledge to the organization, and a well-established track record of strategic leadership, transparency and collaboration, with an authentic focus on patients and families,” Crawford said in a media release, noting she wanted to thank everyone who took part in the recruitment campaign to replace Lori Marshall.

According to the release, Topp’s experience consists of a combination of leadership in hospital clinical and financial operations, as well as consulting, government and entrepreneurship. He has been successful in facilitating the resolution of complex strategic challenges, including provincial health system transformation, as well as planning and redevelopment.

Topp, who grew up in the Ontario countryside, is excited to return to his home province from Winnipeg. He has four grown children, one of whom will be attending post-secondary education in Ontario.

“I very much look forward to joining Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and settling in the community of Chatham-Kent,” Topp said in the news release. “I was especially drawn to CKHA’s vision of Together, Growing a Healthier Community,” he said, noting that with its implied reference to the rural com-

munity, it “resonates with me as a one-time farmer.”

Topp’s former roles include president and CEO of Shared Health Manitoba; director of Health Transformation for the Government of Manitoba’s Priorities and Planning Committee Secretariat; senior associate consultant, Hay Group Health Care

Consulting; chief operating officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority; and various leadership roles at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Aaron Ryan will continue to serve as CKHA’s interim president and CEO until Topp assumes his new post.

Fans of all ages enjoy an evening of baseball recently at Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham, when the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers hosted the London Majors in Intercounty Baseball League play. Rain rolled in and the game was halted with the teams tied 3-3 in

Adam Topp