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Vol. 140
A LOOK INSIDE County Council adopts COVID-19 levy relief measures PAGE 2 _______________ Essex Council notes from April 20 PAGE 3 _______________ Local municipal, hospital leaders send “Together we stay strong” message PAGE 9 _______________ Essex Area Food Bank received $5000 donation in memory of late brother PAGE 13 _______________
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Issue No. 16
519-961-9610 @bradysdrugstore
Iler Lodge and Harrowood staff members recognized with special gifts
Thank you for supporting the Essex Free Press, as well as our fellow local businesses! Together we are strong. Members of Essex Council and volunteers helped drop off 153 gift baskets at Iler Lodge last Thursday as a way to recognize staff members for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
by Sylene Argent The staff members at Iler Lodge had their spirits lifted again last Thursday afternoon as they
submitted photo (left) Members of Essex Council and volunteers dropped off gift baskets for the staff members of Harrow Seniors Community as a way to say thank you for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
received specially made gift baskets in recognition of their efforts during the COVID-19 emergency. The baskets included a variety of items, such as a bottle of wine, lip balm, and treats. Mayor Larry Snively organized the gift basket arrangement, which had support from many area businesses. In addition, many local Councillors and volunteers offered to help deliver the baskets and show appreciation to the frontline healthcare and other essential workers. Snively said providing the gift baskets was an important gesture to show local healthcare workers that their efforts are appreciated. In addition to the gift baskets, Snively and Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche provided the staff members with $100 worth of coffee. Krystal LaBonte, Executive Director of Iler Lodge, said the generous gifts, “Mean the world to the staff. We will never forget this.” The majority of the
Continued on Page 3
2 I News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
County Council adopts COVID-19 levy relief measures
by Sylene Argent At the remote County Council meeting held online last Wednesday evening, the local decision-makers unanimously adopted amendments to the bylaw that governs the tax policy and levy property taxes. Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer for the County of Essex, explained that at the beginning in the latter half of March,
members of the Regional Treasurers’ group had met to discuss the anticipated financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collection of property taxes and cash flow to fund the provision of essential services. She noted that over 60 percent of the County levy is raised through property taxes. The conversation was had in case the pandemic stretched on for months. She explained that in March, the seven
local municipalities associated with County Council implemented the first phase of this relief measure, which included waiving penalties and interest on overdue property tax accounts to the end of April of 2020. The treasurers would like to see this extended to the end of June, she said. Households able to pay their taxes, however, are urged to do so. Since that time, the regional treasurers have again met to explore
ways the two lower-tiered levels of government can work together to manage cash flow demands for the whole of the region, she stated in the Report to County Council. As a result of discussions with regional treasurers, the regional group proposed a second phase for relief measures, which would also be implemented at the municipal level. The second phase would include no late payment charges on
property tax accounts in either form, penalty and/or interest, through to June 30. And, no late payment charges on water or wastewater accounts in the form of interest through to June 30. In addition, charges for non-sufficient funds on any property tax and water and wastewater payments will be waived through to June 30. Phase two, to take place at the County Level, will include having the municipalities remit County Levy for the second and third quarters in the same proportion as collections received at the local level for that period. The proportion of collections not received at the local level are not due to the County until December 15 and will be penalty and interest free until that time, the Report to Council notes. She said this program would provide flexibility for taxpayers. During his opening remarks, Gary McNamara, Warden of
Essex County, urged everyone to keep in their thoughts with those who have lost loved-ones due to the Coronavirus and the facilities that are dealing with the pandemic. “There is light at the end of the tunnel, but there is plenty of tunnel left,” McNamara said. When talking about how local individuals and companies have stepped up to create needed PPE for frontline care workers, McNamara said he has been inspired by, “Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” He also noted the County of Essex declared the State of Emergency towards the end of March because of the COVID-19 emergency, but also because of flooding. He urged those enduring flooding issues to contact their municipality to get sandbags and for everyone to sign up for their municipality’s alert system.
PRICES IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY, APRIL 24 TO THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Just want to thank all our customers for your patronage and understanding that we cannot keep up to demand. During this pandemic crisis, our level of service is below our usual standard. We are working hard to keep up, but are unable to for several reasons; 1. We have had an unprecedented increase in sales since the start of the pandemic. 2. We have lost about 30% of our staff who, for many good reasons, have chosen to selfquarantine to protect themselves and their family. 3. The change in the markets have led to numerous supply shortages and price increases. 4. Many of the products we sell are made in house and take time to make. We simply do not have enough time. To assist our staff, we have further reduced our hours of operation to allow time to prepare and to not overwork the remaining staff. We want them to stay. A further reduction of hours is still possible. Our new temporary hours are MON-SAT 10-6.
CE LEARAN
C
upplies While S nly! Last O
Frozen Pails
Pitted Cherries 30 lb. Red Sour Montmorency
$
40 $ 24
9 lb. Black Sweet TEMPORARY HOURS:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Just to keep you updated on that markets. With many meat processing plants closing across North America, prices have gone up. We have had shortages from some of our suppliers and are expecting the prices and the shortages to get worse before it gets better. The good news is that the long-term forecast is for lower prices, possible lower that before this pandemic.
Schinkel’s Legacy
Smoked $ Hungarian Sausages
99
9
lb.
Reg. $11.99 lb
Individual Wrapped Steaks • Corn Fed Beef
Frozen Boxes T-Bone & Prime Rib
Steaks
$
30 OFF
While Supplies Last All Boxes Over $100
The store is still open for business. Please come in and shop if you are able. Helping our customers face-to-face is the quickest and easiest method for us to serve you best. To assist those under quarantine measures, we have been offering personal shopping (and curbside delivery), but this has proven to be very time consuming and has been difficult to keep up to demand. We have had to assign additional staff to manage the personal shopping, and so we are now charging a $5 service fee. This service is only available Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. We have also assigned a dedicated phone line for personal shopping. Please text 519-563-7296 or message us through our Facebook page with your grocery list. If you call the store to place your order, please have it ready to save time. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PERSONAL SHOPPING IS MEANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE QUARENTINED OR HAVE HEALTH ISSUES AND ARE AT HIGHER RISK.
We look forward to the end of this pandemic and getting back to normal when we can see everyone again.
Please protect yourselves and those around you. - God bless you and your families.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
I
Community I 3
Essex Free Press
- Monday, April 20, 2020 -
by Sylene Argent Mayor sends condolences to victims of Nova Scotia shooting Essex Mayor Larry Snively, on behalf of the Town for Essex and Council, said their hearts go out to the victims, and their families, of the Nova Scotia shooting. It was a senseless, senses act of terror. Our hearts go our to them,” he said. Update on Essex’s COVID-19 responses CAO Chris Nepszy provided a verbal update on items that have come up over the past few weeks in regard to COVID-19. The Town continues to expand facility separation to allow for separate work places for employees. He said this is working out well. Protocols are also in place to keep staff safe. “We are tying to eliminate the contamination,” he said. Staff members, he said, have been great through the changes, and he appreciated their efforts. There is still work do be done during this pandemic, he noted. Nepszy said the facility separation has staff with similar responsibilities split, so services can continue. The Health Unit has put out guidelines. There is a checklist the Town goes through to make a decision if anyone showed symptoms or tested positive, based on the scenario. In that event, the Town will be prepared, but it is hoped that will not be necessary. RV use has come up
in the last few weeks, in regards to people wanting to be isolated from their families because of quarantine requirements or because of their jobs. He said Essex is pretty lax on the use of RVs for these reasons. The Town askes residents using RVs to contact the Town and work with staff to ensure a dangerous situation is not created, such as blocking sidewalks and ensuring waste is disposed of properly. The Town will also let the fire department know where people are living in an RV in case there is an emergency. In regards to seasonal campground use, Nepszy said this will be more and more of an issue as the weather gets nicer. The Town is following provincial guidelines on this issue. The Town is waiting for a little clarification on those guidelines in regards to when cottages are a residents’ only permanent residence. Nepszy also spoke of essential and nonessential meetings. This is something the Town continues to work through. Essential meetings are being held. There is a lot going behind the scenes, such as training staff on how to host virtual meetings. The Town is continuing to push information out in regards to COVID-19. Staff is trying to enhance information as to what residents can and can’t do, in terms of home projects. Council received the report.
Update on Community Improvement Plan Essex Council received an Economic Development Report “Community Improvement Plan Update (Quarter 1 2020),” which is a municipal grant program for commercial properties in predetermined boundaries. In the Report to Council, it notes interest and inquiries in the Harrow CIP has surpassed that of Essex Centre in the first quarter of 2020. Historically, the uptake in Essex Centre has been greater. It also notes, administration has received interest from several property owners looking to leverage funding from the Colchester/County Road 50 CIP program. 2020 completed projects include: Façade Improvement Grant, Demolition Grant, Landscaping and Buffering Grant for the Harrow Drycleaners; and a Façade Improvement Grant for the Harrow Clinic. Works in progress for 2020 include: Professional Design Grant and Façade Improvement Grant for the Essex Free Press; Professional Design Grant and Façade Improvement Grant for Wine O’ Willies; Development Permit Fee Grant and Façade Improvement Grant for the former Schinkels’building; Professional Design Grant, Development Permit Fee Grant, and Façade Improvement Grant for Classy Caps MFG Inc.; and a Development Permit Fee Grant, Façade
Iler Lodge and Harrowood staff members recognized with special gifts... Continued from Front Page staff members who work at Iler Lodge, LaBonte said, live within the Town of Essex, so it was nice for them to know their community supports them. Additional gift baskets were later dropped off at Harrowood in Harrow to support staff there. Last Tuesday morning, Councillor Kim Verbeek organized a drive-by that
had a long motorcade of vehicles pass by Iler Lodge, with horns honking and signs with words of inspiration in view, to show the staff members their efforts are appreciated. LaBonte said the staff members spoke highly of the effort and read every comment made on social media pages about the event.
Improvement Grant, and Conversion Grant for Boudreau Group. The report continues that Council approved $100,000 in the 2020 budget for the Essex Centre CIP and $100,000 for the Harrow and Colchester/County Road 50 CIP earlier this year. Funds dispersed in the first quarter of this year in the amount of $22,613.35 and were from applicants who applied in 2019 and completed grant eligible works in 2020. Therefore, $77,386.65 remains in the Harrow and Colchester/ County Road 50 CIP fund and the Essex Centre CIP fund remains at $100,000. Other projects are currently underway. Lori Chadwick, Director of Development, said her department will provide quarterly updates on these projects. She said the Economic Development Officer, Nelson Silveira, is working to redirect strategies on working with local businesses in this time of the pandemic. One procedure is gathering information through a survey to local businesses. It is hoped the data can be used to help prepare Continued on Page 5
4 I Opinion Essex Free Press
Editorial &Opinion
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent •••
Serving Essex and the surrounding communities since 1896.
Published Thursdays as an independent weekly newspaper, owned and operated by The Essex Voice Limited. A London Publishing Corporation Publication LIMITED OFFICE HOURS: Limited staff working from the office. Email or Call with submission inquiries. OUR STAFF Sandy Kennedy / Andrew Beaudoin - Office Jessica Azar - Graphic Design / Social Media / Production Lana Warwick - Graphic Design Greg Belchuk - Advertising Sales Manager Sylene Argent - Editor/News Reporter Shelley Beaudoin - Graphic Design / Production
CIRCULATION The Essex Free Press is an audited publication with controlled circulation of 10,000.
DELIVERY Delivery concerns can be addressed by contacting our office during regular office hours at 519-776-4268
ARCHIVES The Essex Free Press has been digitized from 1895 to 1968 and is fully searchable at http://ink.ourontario.ca.
OPINION & COMMENT The opinions expressed on these pages are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher.
Plans, distractions, and the inevitable Most of us have dreams and goals, but it seems sometimes life has this way of putting up red tape or barriers as we make those plans. The old adage goes, “Life is what happens when you are planning something else,” and I have to say, I have noticed this can sometimes be true. The truth is, we can dream and plan to execute that dream or passion, but sometimes things beyond our control can either get in the way or stymie our plans altogether. Plans always seem to be interfered by either not having enough time or money, or because of unexpected disruptions. This virus, for instance, was something most of us would not ever imagine would be something we would have to endure. Many people have had to alter plans to look out for vulnerable loved ones, to make up for temporary loss of employment, possibly deal with sickness, or cancel or postpone plans they had. When we have something in mind
and work hard towards achieving a goal, any king of interference can be quite frustrating. It is up to us, however, to keep our cool and show the universe all it is we are made of, even if we want to crumble beneath the disappointment. I have said it in this column before that those unexpected disruptions, as annoying or even devastating as they can be, is a test to show our true strength. I have always felt the universe is always testing our character, and that means sometimes our limits are tested, too. I was always told growing up that “whatever does not kill, you makes you stronger,” but, sometimes, if we get a lot thrown at us all at once, we may start to feel our strength begin to crumble as we navigate whatever hardship life throws at us or our loved ones. Even tougher than dealing with our own difficult issues can be when we have to watch our loved ones fight their own battles, especially when
there is not much we can do to help, other than perhaps to provide words of comfort as we try to understand what they may be going through. We may not understand why good people have to go through bad things. We can get frustrated not only by some big issues we have to face, but what can seem like the million of the little ones, too. One quote I do like is from Nelson Mandela, that goes, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” I do not think, unfortunately, that success could be appreciated without having experienced hardships, nor achievement celebrated without having failed while trying.
LETTER POLICY The Essex Free Press welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to our readers. Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten and present the issues as clearly as possible in 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, and legal considerations. All letters must contain the name, address, and daytime phone number of the writer for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. If you have a legitimate concern and cannot sign your name to a letter, please contact the editor to discuss alternative means of handling the issue.
ADVERTISING Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of an error, the portion of the ad occupied by the error, will not be charged for, but the balance will be paid at the usual rate. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check an ad on first publication, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors in multiple insertions. The Essex Free Press reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement likely to offend community standards. Display Advertising Deadline: Friday at 2:00 pm
COPYRIGHT The entire contents of The Essex Free Press and its website, including but not limited to layout composition, artwork, news copy, editorial copy and photographs, are protected by copyright. No portion there of is to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the specific permission of the publisher.
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Office: 16 Centre St. Essex, Ontario Mail to: P.O. Box 115 Essex, Ontario N8M 2Y1
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Commentary - OFA
Six by Sixteen helps families spend more time in the kitchen by Crispin Colvin, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Food has always been a key ingredient in bringing people together. And during these uncertain and challenging times when so many of us are apart, food is still helping us connect with each other. Families are spending more time in the kitchen talking about where food comes from, food security, and maybe even cooking together for the first time. Social distancing could see a new generation of Ontarians taking more interest in food than ever before. Food literacy, building healthy eating patterns, food safety, and how to clean, prepare, cook, and serve food are all essential skills. Now that kids are spending more time at home, why not make the best of the COVID-19 situation and use this extra family time to learn more about food literacy? The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is a proud advocate for food literacy through the Six by Sixteen initiative – a resource that encourages families to use their family time in the kitchen. Six by Sixteen focuses on teaching youth how to plan and prepare six nutritious, locally sourced meals by the time they are sixteen years old. The website offers resources from OFA and supporting partners to help young people develop lifelong skills, healthy eating habits and a new appreciation for food. Fostering food literacy skills and challenging our youth to embrace and enhance their
culinary skills also extends their educational studies like math and science as they measure and test ingredients. Six by Sixteen also promotes buying fresh, healthy, local Ontario-grown food to support the local economy. The website, sixbysixteen.me offers food literacy resources for families with children and young adults of all ages, including recipes, cooking videos, how to find local, in season food, and more. OFA encourages families to share photos of their cooking activities by tagging #sixbysixteen in your social media posts. OFA is also offering families an exclusive Six by Sixteen recipe guide to help inspire the next generation to learn how to plan and prepare healthy meals. The recipe guide is available for download here. For more inspiration, follow Six by Sixteen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. OFA is proud to partner with Ontario and Canadian agricultural organizations to offer Six by Sixteen’s online resource. We’ve also partnered with education and awareness groups to bring Six by Sixteen and food literacy into local communities. Working together with 4-H Ontario, OFA’s food literacy initiative has been adapted into a 4-H club that is offered provincially. Through the club, youth members learn about knife safety, proper handwashing, how to source and prepare
Continues on Page 5
Thursday, April 23, 2020 I
News / Opinion I 5
Essex Free Press
Essex Council notes... or help businesses in sharing information from the province or federal government for assistance. The Town is looking at creating a geographical mapping tool with business information. She said the Town is working to support businesses and tourism. Council received the report. Rood Engineering to review Barrette Drain/ install culvert over North Rear Road Drain Council appointed Rood Engineering Incorporated, under Section 78 of the Drainage Act, to review the Barrette Drain. In the Report to Council, it notes the Barrette Drain has become outdated due to various changes that have taken place along the 13th Concession. The engineer will provide an update to address any changes to parcel boundaries and outline any necessary repairs or improvements required to the drain, and
will review whether the drain has the capability to handle the change of land use from vacant farmland to residential that has occurred since the last report. The most recent report on the Barrette Drain was completed in 1966. Council also appointed Rood Engineering Incorporated to install a new culvert over the North Rear Road Drain South Side. The Report to Council notes the North Rear Road Drain South Side runs along the south side of North Malden Road, from Brush Road to Lot 6, where it crosses under North Malden Road in a northwesterly direction to its outlet into the King Creek Drain. Essex adopts Windsor/Essex Region Stormwater Management Standards Manual Essex Council received Infrastructure Services’ report “Windsor/Essex
Commentary - OFA Continued from Page 4
six meals, and the importance of food literacy for overall health. OFA has also partnered with Farm & Food Care Ontario to promote the program at their Breakfast on the Farm events. In the fall of 2019, Six by Sixteen had the opportunity to promote food literacy to more than 2,500 students for Education Day inside the Semex Ring of Excellence. OFA representatives guided students through Kitchen Party, an interactive and educational game designed to teach kids about food literacy and shared the Six by Sixteen recipe guide. An appreciation of food, understanding of how to safely prepare and serve it, and the pride of enjoying a meal you’ve created are all part of the Six by Sixteen experience. As more families turn to their own kitchens and spend time at home together, why not take the Six by Sixteen challenge – to learn how to plan, prepare and cook six meals by the age of sixteen. Together, we can learn to eat healthy and stay healthy.
Continued from Page 3
Region Stormwater Management Standards Manual,” and adopted the manual as the standard for the design and review of stormwater infrastructure within the Town of Essex. The Report to Council notes the manual provides technical stormwater standards to ensure stormwater infrastructure is designed to meet a standard that is consistent with local conditions experienced within the Windsor-Essex Region. In the Windsor/ Essex region, the report continues, the prescribed standards for stormwater management systems vary considerably by municipality, which contributes to a wide-range of variation in stormwater management designs. This results in inconsistent stormwater management measures. In 2015, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) approached the City of Windsor, the County of Essex, and the local municipalities, about the need for regional stormwater management standards. The adoption of a stormwater standards manual, the report continues, will allow the Town to create a development manual that is consistent with regional guidelines, and provide clear direction
to developers and engineers on stormwater management requirements for new and replacement infrastructure within the Town. Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure, said there was a strong need to adopt a regional guideline to ensure municipalities are doing what ERCA expects and ensure all regional partners are taking the same approach. It also ensures developers and engineers provide consistent watershed approaches, he said. Many regions, Girard continued, are using Ministry of Environment guidelines, but watershed in the Windsor-Essex County area are unique in its flat landscape, and it requires additional measures to ensure the region and its infrastructure are protected. He continued that the one-in-a-one-hundredyear storm was used as a guideline in this document. A site needs to retain that volume of water. Additional stress tests are also used. Councillor Steve Bjorkman said the Town has been waiting for a document like this since 2015. Council approves Shoreline Assistance Loan Program Essex Council received Corporate Services’ report, “Town of Essex
Shoreline Assistance Loan Program,” and authorize the implementation of the Town of Essex Shoreline Assistance Loan Program. Council also voted in favour of delegating and authorizing administration to negotiate and enter into all Property Owner Agreements and gave three readings to Bylaw 1908, being a Bylaw to authorize the Town of Essex Shoreline Assistance Loan Program and the undertaking of flood and shoreline control/ mitigation works on private residential property as local improvements. Administration will come back to Council with a bylaw or bylaws to authorize the imposition of the local improvement works as a “special charge” on participating properties, in accordance with the Program and the Property Owner Agreements, the Report to Council notes. Mayor Larry Snively said he was glad the program was being setup. Director of Corporate S e r v i c e s / Tr e a s u r e r, Jeff Morrison, said so far, around 20 property
owners have expressed interest in the program. Administration will report to Council, either regularly or annually, depending on uptake. Councillor Steve Bjorkman said this programming is the responsibility of the provincial and federal governments, so the town of Essex being able to offer its residents such a program is out-of-the-box thinking. First progress report on the Climate Change Adaptation Plan Council received the report, “Climate Change Adaptation Plan – Progress Report 1,” which provided Council with an update. At its regular meeting of November 18, 2019, Council gave direction to Administration to implement the process leading to the creation of a proposed Climate Change Adaptation Plan. There are four phases to the program, which include: Assessing Climate Impacts, Adaptation Planning, Approval and Funding, and Implementation. This committee is
Continues on Page 19
390 Talbot St. N. Essex, Ontario, N8M 2W4
SALES & LEASING PHONE: 519-776-6447 www.kenknappford.com
224 Talbot St. N., Essex 458 TALBOT RD. N., ESSEX, ON 5197765287 www.countrysidechrysler.com
519-776-4222 www.countychevroletessex.com
6 I Activity Page Essex Free Press
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
Exercise The Mind! With a few puzzles and activities for readers of all ages!
Just Joking What happens to a frog’s car when it breaks down? A: It gets toad away. What did the duck say when she bought lipstick? A: “Put it on my bill.”
SUDOKU
Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
See Activity Solutions on Page 15
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Thursday, April 23, 2020 I
Essex Free Press
Ad Feature I 7
8 I Ad Feature Essex Free Press
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
10 I Special Feature Essex Free Press
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
Improve soil quality for a better lawn A lush, green lawn can vastly improve a home’s curb appeal. Thick, healthy grass indicates that homeowners care enough
about their properties to invest the time, effort and money to make them beautiful. According to the
landscaping tool company Troy-Bilt, soil fertility is the foundation of healthy lawns. In fact, the quality of the soil is essential
Improve storage at home
Homes are getting bigger, but it seems like people are still lamenting a lack of storage space. National Public Radio says the average American home has nearly tripled in size during the last 50 years. Despite that, 10
ppercent of Americans still need to rent offssite storage, according to a report in the N New York Times Magazine. Self-storage ffacilities are one of the fastest-growing ccommercial real estate segments, and tthe Self Storage Association says there aare more than 50,000 storage facilities in the U.S. alone. The commercial real estate company CBRE, Ltd., says there are roughly 3,000 self-storage facilities across Canada, and 65 to 85 percent of self-storage tenants are residential users. Improving storage at home can be a cost-effective alternative to renting storage space. With these easy tips, homeowners can maximize space immediately. Utilize track storage systems Closets may be plentiful, but if not efficiently utilized, space may still seem lacking. Track closet storage systems often make greater use of closet space than traditional shelf and hanging rod systems. Customizing closets using Continued on Page 11
whether one is growing acres of grass, potted plants or vegetable garden beds. No matter which type of soil a homeowner is working with, there are various ways to make it better. Remove thatch Thatch is a tightly knotted layer of leaves, grass roots, stems, and other debris that accumulates between the grass blades and the soil. Too much thatch can hinder the movement of water, air and nutrients into the soil. According to organic fertilizer company Organo-Lawn, thatch often occurs if the production of dead organic material in the lawn exceeds the ability of the microorganisms in the soil to break down that organic matter. A halfinch of thatch is normal. If thatch gets too thick, it will need to be removed. The home improvement resource DIY Network says dethatching can take place in the summer, fall and winter using a thatching rake. Aerate A lawn aerator will create holes in the soil. This can improve drainage and encourage worms and helpful microorganisms that require oxygen
to thrive in the soil. The Briggs & Stratton Company says the best time to aerate a lawn is during the growing season when the grass can heal and fill in any holes, such as spring and fall. Aeration can help develop deeper grass roots for a healthier lawn. Test and amend soil A great lawn has loamy soil, which has a key ratio of clay, silt and sand. Silt is a granular material of a size between sand and clay that originates from quartz and feldspar. It is the most fertile of the three types of soil components. Sand does not retain water, but it helps to create spaces in the soil that permit air to circulate. Clay particles are small and bind together tightly, but clay is naturally nutrient-rich. The home improvement
site BobVila.com says loamy soil should have equal parts sand and silt and half as much clay. If the lawn is not yet established, loamy soil can be created and then the grass seeds planted. For established soil, after removing thatch and aerating, top-dressing the lawn can help. This involves adding a thin layer of soil over the lawn. It can improve the soil without killing the existing turf. Ideally, it should be done in early fall or spring, as this gives the grass time to grow through three to four more mowings before severe heat or cold sets in. Healthy soil is vital to a lush lawn. It takes a little work, but improving soil can create vibrant, healthy, green grass.
Source: metrocreativeconnection.com
Thursday, April 23, 2020
I
Special Feature I 11
Essex Free Press
Mulching mistakes to avoid
Landscape features vary significantly from house to house. Some homeowners may prefer water features on their properties, while others focus on flowers that would be the envy of a botanical garden. Regardless of those preferences, lawn and garden enthusiasts who want to make their
properties as idyllic as possible may eventually look to mulch to help them accomplish that goal. Mulch helps soil retain moisture, which promotes strong, healthy flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs. And because soil beneath mulch retains more moisture than soil that’s not protected by
Voice Of Inspiration “Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.” ~ Rick Riordan
mulch, homeowners won’t have to spend as much time watering mulched landscapes. That saves time and conserves water, which can be a big benefit in areas prone to drought and/or especially hot summers. Mulch also helps to suppress weed growth, which can ensure all that hard work needed to create an eyecatching garden won’t be compromised by the presence of unsightly, thirsty weeds. Mulching seems like a simple task, and it can be. But that does not mean
homeowners cannot make mistakes when mulching. The following are some common mulching mistakes to avoid as lawn and garden season hits full swing. • Not enough mulch: Mulch is ineffective when spread too thin. The Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University recommends applying mulch no less than two inches in depth. Anything less than that will prove ineffective at preventing weed growth and helping the soil retain moisture, and that means you will need to water
more often. • Poorly located mulch: Mulch should not be placed too close to plant stems or tree trunks. When it is, tissue is so wet that it makes for a perfect environment for disease and insect infestation. • Failing to mulch to the drip line: The drip line of a tree refers to the outermost circumference of the tree’s canopy from which water drips onto the ground. The VCE recommends mulching to the drip line of a plant or tree, which ensures the plant or tree will get the most out of the mulch. Mulching to the
drip line also minimizes competition from the grass, leading to stronger plants and trees. • Failing to weed before mulching: Weeds should be removed prior to mulching. If they’re not, the mulch can provide the same growing environment for weeds that you’re trying to create for your plants and trees. Mulching benefits a landscape in myriad ways, especially when homeowners avoid some common mulching mistakes.
Source: metrocreativeconnection.com
Improve storage at home... Continued from Page 10 track systems or other modifications can improve utility of all closets in the house. Invest in storage beds Storage beds typically feature cubbies or drawers within a platform-style bed frame. It’s a practical home storage solution, and does not require any building. Think vertically Maximize spaces by looking up and down for storage possibilities. Items that are not used frequently, such as seasonal decorations or travel suitcases, can be stored in high spaces. Shelving on walls can go as high as necessary and be put to use in awkward wall areas, such as in corners or under eaves. Invest in storage benches/ottomans A stopping area inside the front door replete with a storage bench can house shoes, umbrellas, hats, backpacks, and
other items, keeping them tidy and out of sight. In living rooms, look for chests or ottomans that are decorative and functional. Store throw blankets or board games inside. Recess drawers or shelves Gain more storage by recessing a chest of drawers into what is called the “knee wall” of homes that have sloped ceilings in attics and upstairs bedrooms. Utilize these short walls in an efficient manner by sinking drawers or shelves into them, without taking up floor space. Rafter shelving While in the attic (or a garage), add hanging shelves to rafters or exposed beams to create off-the-floor storage as well. These are just a few of the handy ways to improve the interior storage space in a Source: metrocreativeconnection.com home.
12 I Classifieds / Community Essex Free Press
Classifi Classi fieds _____________________
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FARMING _____________________ WANTED Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop Call Jeff Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501.
_____________________ HIRING! GENERAL LABOURERS WANTED Please fax your resume to 519-723-2336. 1-tf _____________________
1-t
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SERVICES
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KENNETH YARDWORKS Spring Clean Up. Sod, mulch, eavestrough cleaning and repairs, power washing. Trees & bushes trimmed or removed. Loads to the dump. Fully licensed & insured. Free estimates. Call Kenneth: 519-982-0362. 11-tfn
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MARTY’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS Tune-ups, repairs, & service on snowblowers, riding lawn mowers, chainsaws, & more! 519-733-0986, (c) 519-965-5918. 4-tfn _____________________ INCOME TAX PREPARATION: Good rates on personal, rental, and business returns. E-file or paper file. Call Jeannette Grass (519) 776-7090. 5-12* _____________________
INCOME TAX – Confidential preparation of Personal, Farm, and Senior Returns. Free pick-up and delivery in Essex County. CONTACT FREE FILING AVAILABLE. Over 35 years’ experience. Call Tim Mousseau 519-975-2414 or toll free 1-855-9752414. 04-12t _____________________
STORAGE
_____________________ STORAGE FOR LEASE - in Essex. Approx. 1 acre outdoor, fenced-in storage. Call: 519-776-4875 for details. 02-1t
HELP WANTED
PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD: Classified ads can be submitted in person, by phone or fax or email from Mon. to Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All classified and personal ads require payment, prior to print. We accept Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS TUESDAY BY 10:00 AM
Phone 519.776.4268
Fax: 519.776.4014
www.essexfreepress.com
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
CLASSIFIED RATES Word Ads - 25 words or less ........................ $6.00 + HST Extra words .................................................... 20¢/word Display Classifieds ....................................... Call for rates
Email: contact@essexfreepress.com
Local family hosts drive-by for a Sweet 16
HELP WANTED
_____________________ HELP WANTED: Aphria Inc. is looking for Greenhouse Production Associates to join their team. Duties include daily crop maintenance, harvesting, crop rotation, inventory counts, and cleaning of greenhouse. No public transportation available. Located in Leamington, ON. Compensation starts at $14.00/hour. Full time hours Monday through Friday. Please apply at careers@aphria.com or mail resume to P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie 9-t St. S. Leamington, ON N8H 3C4. _____________________
Roman received his gift from Grandma Toni Curtis, in a drive by birthday celebration.
REAL ESTATE
_____________________ Buying or selling a farm? Do you know the right questions and answers? Farm Experienced Realtor Carl Idzinski, Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty - Brokerage. 519-817-8891. 22-tt _____________________
WANTED
_____________________ CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 46-t
Sell It! Find it! Rent It! Buy It! in The Classifieds
519-776-4268
Advertise Your Business Here For Effective Advertising Contact us today! 16 Centre St., Essex
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Roman Brewster, his sister Allorah, his mother Misty, and his girlfriend Emma did not let his birthday go by without some kind of birthday celebration. The drive by event was a wonderful way to bring a huge smile to his face on his 16th birthday.
by Sylene Argent One of the rights-of-passage for young people is enjoying their sweet 16th birthday. With everyone in isolation while the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the family members and friends of a local teenager figured out how to make his birthday one he will surely remember forever. Roman Brewster, since learning of the Coronavirus social distancing requirements, thought his birthday
would be uneventful and was deflated at having to refrain from planning something special for his sweet 16. His family and friends, on the other hand, had other plans in mind. On his birthday, they hosted a drive-by in front of his house, where they honked horns and showed they cared about his big day. The event lasted around a half-an-hour, his grandfather, Dave Curtis, said. Members of his immediate family also snuck out of the house to hang streamers in the trees for the occasion. Brewster said he was pleasantly surprised that his family thought of hosting the drive-by in honour of his birthday. He thought it was neat it was celebrated in a different way, which will certainly ensure this birthday will be one he will remember for a very long time.
Thursday, April 23, 2020 I
Community / News I 13
Essex Free Press
A call for action Essex Area Food Bank received $5000 donation produces perfect results - Community Support Centre of Essex County receives needed donations in memory of late brother by Sylene Argent Last week, Janet Martlin, President of FM Industries in Cottam, proudly presented $5000 to the Essex Area Food Bank in her late brother’s honour. Martlin said her brother, Wayne Martlin, passed away a few years ago, but left behind funds for his surviving siblings to donate to worthy causes. Wayne, Martlin said, was deeply interested in conservation, but with knowing demand on area food banks will increase with some jobs being temporarily postponed because of the Coronavirus emergency, she thought her brother would be proud of knowing some of his funds would be used to support area individuals and families in need. With that in mind, Martlin presented Lonnie Jones, a Director on the volunteer Board of Management for the Essex Area Food Bank, with the generous donation
recently. Her other brother, Steve Martlin, also made a donation from Wayne’s funds to a food bank in his neighbourhood of Squamish, BC. Martlin said, when she heard people were getting laid off, that there must be families and individuals facing hardships. She wanted her brother’s funds to go to helping those individuals at the local level. “My brother would be proud,” Martlin said of making the donation to the Essex Area Food Bank. She added that she hopes others in a position to give will do so to help others in the community in need. The donation, Jones said, was a wonderful gift to the Food Bank. “With funds like that, we will be able to feed as many as we can over the next little while.” Jones has indicated that the Essex Area Food Bank has not yet noticed an increase in those reaching out for help because of the
Coronavirus yet, but he suspects there will be in the coming weeks. With the Food Bank being the recipient of many generous donations lately, he said volunteers have been able to expand its service that would typically include only serving clients to those facing hardships due to the current pandemic. Non food bank clients, in need of help because of the Coronavirus pandemic, do not need to be registered with the Essex Area Food Bank to get assistance, they can just provide their name, phone number, and address at its facility, which is now located in the basement of Essex United Church. With the current healthrisk emergency, the Essex Area Food Bank has changed it hours of operation to 8:30 am to 11:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It also had adopted additional safety procedures.
OPSBA/CTA reaches tentative agreement with OSSTF at the central bargaining table submitted to EFP On April 20, 2020, it was announced that the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and the provincial government successfully negotiated a tentative agreement with Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) teachers. OPSBA also announce the Association, the Council of Trustees’ Associations (CTA), and the provincial government reached a tentative agreement with OSSTF education workers. “Despite the many operational challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the collective bargaining process, all of the parties continued to work towards reaching a deal that will help bring stability to our system during what is obviously a rapidly evolving situation,” said OPSBA President Cathy Abraham. “Our secondary teachers and education workers will play a very important role in guiding our students through the challenging time ahead. This agreement is a recognition that we value the contribution they make to the
educational experience of our students every day. We look forward to working together to ensure that we are able to provide an educational experience that is focused on the success and well-being of our students. We have now reached deals or tentative central agreements with all education unions. I want to personally thank the OPSBA negotiating teams, which consist of both OPSBA staff and school board directors and senior staff, for their commitment to this process. They often worked late into the night and over many weekends to achieve these agreements.” The details of the agreement remain confidential until ratified by all parties. For the education workers component of this negotiation, the Council of Trustees’ Associations is a partnership of OPSBA, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), the Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques (AFOCSC), and the Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario (ACÉPO).
submitted to EFP Last week, local businessman Michael Dunn made a $10,000 donation to the Community Support Centre (CSC) of Essex County. When he did that, he also issued a challenge to others in the community. If someone would step up and donate $20,000, he would match that donation too – bringing the total received by the CSC to $50,000. When Rick Anderson read that, he just knew that the Belle River/Rochester Goodfellows had to step in to help. The Goodfellows have spent years accumulating a reserve through their community dinners and paper sales, and felt that now is the time to put the money to use. Anderson said: “These are very unusual circumstances and we all need to work together to get through this. That is what the Goodfellows do when our community needs us!” Upon hearing of the Goodfellows donation, Mike Dunn says he “is humbled by this news. I work with the Goodfellows too, and this is great news for the community at large and will certainly help with food security.” The CSC’s Board Chair, Nicole Strong said: “There are so many amazing people in this community. The Community Support Centre would like to express its sincere gratitude to Mike Dunn and also to the Goodfellows.” This call for action also inspired many local residents and business owners to donate to the Community Food Pantry. Since the challenge was issued, The CSC has received just over $18,500 in donations as well as many food donations brought directly to the Food Pantry. Tracey Bailey, CSC CEO says: “Our partnership with the Goodfellows and seeing the community come together like this is very heartwarming.” Now, more than ever, our community members need assistance, encouragement and relief. The Community Support Centre is here to give a hand up. The CSC will soon launch a drive-thru food hub for those experiencing food insecurity. Be sure to follow us on our social media pages for exact dates and times.
14 I Personals Essex Free Press
FromThe Heart _______________________________________________
BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT
_______________________________________________
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
To place a personal notice, email your photo and content to contact@essexfreepress.com or drop by our office at 16 Centre St., Essex. Personal notices must be received by Monday at 12:00 noon to appear in the Thursday edition.
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ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENT
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Say I Love You With A Personal Greeting!
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OBITUARIES
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MILLER, Gladys (nee Grondin) - “Grandma Church” and “Red” - Passed away peacefully with the loving thoughts and prayers of her family on April 18, 2020. Dear mother of Henry Miller and Cathie (late Barb), Lily Daniher and Dale (late Pat), Frank Miller (Carol), and Kathy Wuerch (Bill). Loving grandmother to Nancy, Renee, Bobby, Gordie, Diane, Mary, late Tricia, Brian, Shane, Hillary, Courtney, April, Melissa, William, and Christian. Treasured grandmother to 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Sister of the late Ralph Grondin (late Cecile) and late Bernard Grondin (Rita). Gladys was an active member of the Ste-Anne’s Parish in Tecumseh for 30 years. She loved playing cards, dancing, listening to Elvis, driving around WindsorEssex County, socializing with friends, and spending time with her loved ones, whether this be in-person or talking on the phone for hours at a time. Gladys was always very proud of her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her fashion style, red hair, fun-loving comments and sayings, and wholeheartedness. She always had a way of putting a smile on the face of others. A very special thanks to the staff on the fourth floor of the Sun Parlour Long Term Care Home for making our mom’s final days as comfortable as possible. We also wish to extend a very warm thanks to Rev. Patrick Bénéteau of Ste-Anne’s Parish for taking the time to send prayers and blessings to our mom. We know that this meant so much to our mom in her final hours. Gladys will be remembered privately at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378), 128 Talbot St. North in Essex. Interment will follow at the St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Amherstburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SteAnne’s Parish in Tecumseh. You may also send your condolences online at www. kennedyfh.com.
Let everyone know with your announcement here! Email your photo and message to:
contact@essexfreepress.com 116 Centre Street, Essex
519-776-4268
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IN LOVING MEMORY
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Memorial verses available 2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER!
QUEEN’S AUTO SUPPLY
37 Main St East, Kingsville • 519-733-6554 ORDER ONLINE AT… queensauto.ca
377 Talbot St North, Essex • 519-776-9885 ORDER ONLINE AT… autobarn.ca
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VINCENT, Gerald Maurice - Passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2020 at the age of 87. Beloved husband of Fern (Baker). Loving father of Jill (Tony) Ard, Gary Vincent, Vickie Vincent, Lisa Vincent (Bob) Barnier and Jodi Vincent. Dear grandpa of 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Predeceased by one brother and one sister. Also remembered by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Gerald retired from Chrysler Canada in 1983 with 33 years of service. Cremation has taken place. Memorial donations may be made by cheque to Windsor Regional Cancer Centre or Essex Gas & Steam Museum. Funeral arrangements entrusted to GERALD A. SMITH FUNERAL HOME 197 King St. W. Harrow. You may send your online condolences to www.geraldasmith.ca. ____________________________________________________
ELLIS: Roger Ronald - Passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 81 years of age. Beloved husband of Marjorie (nee Dubs). Dear father of John, Clifford and wife Janet, and Steven and wife Michele. Proud Grandpa of Laura, Ethan, Colin, Philip, Andre, Brooke, and Ryan and Great Grandpa of two. Dearest brother of late Elizabeth Reeb (Norm), Frank Ellis (late Joan), and the late Rev. Robert Ellis (Carol). Roger was an employee with the Windsor Star as a printer, head of the mailing room and retired with 43 years of service. Due to global conditions, a private family graveside will take place at Duart Cemetery in Orford Township. If desired memorial donations may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators or Essex Baptist Church by contacting Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233). Family and friends are invited to share their memories online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.
Thursday, April 23, 2020 I
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Essex Free Press
Harrow United Church submitted by Larry Anderson
191 Talbot St. S., Essex
We warmly welcome you to Harrow United Church! Please note that due to concerns over the current virus, there will not be any Sunday services until further notice. Please visit our website for updated messages. Our Minister, Rev. Darrow Woods, along with our HUC faith community, sincerely welcome you to join us! Please find information about Harrow United Church on our website at www. harrowunited.org.
519-776-4255
Essex Christian Reformed Church
sponsorship by:
Fresh food. Friendly neighbours
submitted by Beverley Van Huizen
Salvation Army Essex Church submitted by Carolyn Barnett
All Salvation Army public services across Canada have been cancelled until further notice. This means there will be no Sunday Family Worship Services, no SA Connections and Bible Study, and no Messy Church. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program on Thursdays has also been cancelled. Our Food Bank will operate by appointment only. Please call Vicki at: 519-776-4628 to make arrangements. Please keep in your prayers, all who are affected, in anyway by COVID-19.
Woodslee United Church submitted by Sue Holman
There will be no Sunday Services until further notice. Stay safe and remember God Loves You.
Bethel-Maidstone United At this time, all church services and activities will be suspended until further notice. You can find us on the web at www. bethelmaidstone.com. Our email address is bmuc@xplornet.ca and the office number is (519) 723-2284. Our address is 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone (just off Manning Road at Cosy Corners).
Holy Name of Jesus Church Thank you to all of our front line workers who are protecting and keeping us safe. If anyone needs help, please call the church at: 519-776-8483. All Masses remain cancelled and the Church is closed until further notice. All youth programs (QUEST, EDGE, Life Teen and COR) are cancelled until further notice. All K of C and CWL meetings are cancelled. For up-to-date news, check out our website at www.hnj.dol.ca. If you like a weekly bulletin you can pick one up from the mailbox outside the parish office. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is collecting non-perishable goods and toiletries. The demand is high to help the needy in our community. Please drop off at the bin outside our parish office.
Please Recycle this paper
If you have moved, have gotten rid of your landline, or if you have an e-mail address, please let the parish office know, in order to keep an up-to-date parishioner list. Please remember to drop off your Foodland grocery tapes, cancelled stamps, and leftover eyeglasses at the designated file drawers at the Info table. Please stay healthy and stay safe.
Paquette News submitted by Amy Hartley
We have unfortunately made the decision to temporarily suspend public Worship Services until further notice. St. Stephen has meat pies still available. Contact Marion at: 519-2571945. Redeemer’s Sweetie Pies -frozen fruit pies are available - Contact Amy: 519919-0094.
Maidstone Cross submitted by Wendy Cunningham
Thank you to all of our front line workers who are keeping us safe. All Masses remain cancelled and the Church is closed until further notice. You can read messages from Fr. Vince from St. Mary’s website at: stmarysstjohn.dol.ca. If you need help please call the Church. Please keep in your prayers all of the people who are sick, shut-in, and in Hospice care. Please stay healthy and safe!
Churches are a place where people gather. During this time, we are following what the government is asking all of us to do and cancelled church services and activities for the next few weeks. This will include our monthly Free Movie Night Event and GEMS & Cadets nights. We do encourage everyone to keep in contact with each other through telephone calls or texting. If you would like to live-stream a worship service, see: www. chathamgrace.com The service will begin at 10:00am. Visit Essex CRC online to listen to a past sermon or two. www.essexcrc.ca.
(corner of St Paul and Brien, behind Essex Appliance.
Golden Year’s Golf Report As you know the Federal and Provincial governments have been busy trying to get the economy, Health Care, etc. in place to deal with the COVID 19 Pandemic. Given that our members are considered ‘seniors’ and meeting as a group, there would be an increased threat of one or more of us contracting the disease. Meanwhile, we can all do what we can to assist by ‘social distancing’. Brooker News submitted by Ruth Newman
Our anniversary dinner has been postponed until a later date. Please remember in prayer the many shut-ins, and those in nursing homes.
Essex United Church Because of concerns from the COVID-19 Virus, our Weekly Sunday Services, as well as all activities, have been cancelled at Essex United. The Essex Area Food Bank is still open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, open 8:30 11:45am. Contact Lonnie Jones at: 226788-4884.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church At the instruction of the Bishop of Huron, all public services and gatherings at the church have been suspended until further notice, please call 519-776-7711 for more detail or follow our facebook page for prayer and worship resources/ videos. Stay safe and God Bless. Please visit our website at www. stpaulstrinity.org or our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/stpaulsessex. You can also reach us at 519-776-7711 or by email at office@stpaulstrinity.org. We’re located at 92 St Paul Street in Essex
Voice Of Inspiration “The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failure.” ~ Stephen Richards
Activity Answers below
from Page 6
WORD SCRAMBLE
HECKLE
16 I Business Directory Essex Free Press
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
REAL ESTATE
PLUMBING • GAS FITTING
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
REAL ESTATE
ROOFING
LOCKSMITHS
FOUNDATION REPAIR
REAL ESTATE
PLUMBING • HVAC
SERVING YOU SINCE 1974
Plumbing • Heating • HVAC Services •
519-326-9018
238 Talbot St. W. Leamington
www.grossiplumbing.ca grossi@grossiplumbing.ca
PLUMBING
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
Read us online & in print
www.essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress 16 Centre St., Essex contact@essexfreepress.com
HEATING & COOLING
FOUNDATION REPAIRS
PLUMBING/HEATING Wayne Warkentin
Don’t you deserve the best price, service and quality?
RVICE WE NOW SEES & ALL MAK HOME F MODELS ONCES APPLIA
Water Proofing Slabjacking Wall Reinforcing Foundation Repairs
Free Estimates, Guaranteed Work
723-2300
www.soullieresolutions.com
519.776.4268 Chris Warkentin
PLUMBING • HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING
GEOTHERMAL • REFRIGERATION
PLUMBING SHOWROOM • Residential • Commercial • Installations
FREE ESTIMATES 54 Mill St. E., Kingsville warkentinplumbing.ca
519-733-5832
Thursday, April 23, 2020 I
Community / Business Directory I 17
Essex Free Press
Criminals prey on your fear during uncertain times - Protect yourself from COVID-19 related scams submitted to EFP Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch and the Canadian AntiFraud Centre (CAFC) say COVID-19 related scams are ploys to extort money and personal information from fearful, trusting victims. As COVID-19 continues to spread across Ontario and Canada, fraudsters are taking advantage of citizens’ fear during uncertain times. Fraudsters are exploiting this pandemic to facilitate fraud through cybercrime and any other means to obtain your information. Police are seeing various scenarios but most are the typical urgency and time
sensitive circumstances that criminals place on individuals in order to receive personal and financial information. Many of the reports have a medically related theme in order to instantly set further anxiety in order to gain information. From spoofed government, healthcare or research companies to unsolicited calls, emails and texts giving medical advice or requesting urgent personal information, scammers are looking at gaining information about you during these times. According to information received by the CAFC, some of the more popular scams are: • Cleaning or heating
companies • Offering duct cleaning services or air filters to protect from COVID-19 • Local and provincial hydro/electrical power companies • threatening to disconnect your power for non-payment • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization • offering fake lists for sale of COVID-19 infected people in your neighbourhood • Public Health Agency of Canada • giving false results saying you have been tested positive for COVID-19 • tricking you into confirming your health card
and credit card numbers for a prescription • Red Cross and other known charities • offering free medical products (e.g. masks) for a donation • Government departments • sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails • tricking you into opening malicious attachments • tricking you to reveal sensitive personal and financial details • Financial advisors • pressuring people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease • offering financial aid and/or loans to help you get through the shut downs
• Private companies • offering fast COVID-19 tests for sale • Only health care providers can perform the tests • No other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results • selling fraudulent products that claim to treat or prevent the disease • Unapproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws TIPS If you were using your computer when you were scammed, it’s possible a virus or malicious software was installed on your computer. Run a full
system check using reliable security software. If you do not have security software such as virus scanners and a firewall installed on your computer, a trusted computer professional can help you choose what you need. Scammers may have also gained access to your online passwords or other personal information. Change these using a secure computer. If you paid someone by credit card or through an electronic funds transfer, contact your financial institution or credit card company immediately. They may be able to stop or reverse the transaction.
INCOME TAX
LANDSCAPING
CUSTOM KITCHEN CABINETS
INSURANCE
FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTING
ACCOUNTING BAKER TILLY TRILLIUM LLP 39 MAIDSTONE AVE. E., ESSEX, ON N8M 2J3
BRAD MIEHLS, CPA, CA T 519.776.6262 X309 C 519.564.1551 E bmiehls@bakertilly.ca W www.bakertilly.ca
ACCOUNTING
HICKS, MACPHERSON, IATONNA & DRIEDGER LLP. Chartered Professional Accountants Tyler Hicks Heather MacPherson Lindsay Iatonna Tim Driedger Ashley Meyer P.O. Box 189, 49 Erie St. N., Leamington, Ontario N8H 3W2 Phone 519-326-2681 • Fax 519-326-8044 • www.hmid.ca
LAWYER
PARTNER
F 519.776.1293
ACCOUNTING
18 I Opinion / News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, April 23, 2020
Tecumseh Town Council meet electronically April 14
Engine swap on Leamington Avenue The residents of Leamington, Ontario, may be surprised to learn that a street in Toronto has the same name. It does not connect to any main streets, which may explain why it has escaped the attention of Leamingtonians who travel regularly to Toronto. The photo you see here was taken in the driveway at 24 Leamington Avenue where Mike McGill grew up. He owned the car on the left, a 1951 Ford convertible purchased from Barry House and driveway at 24 Leamington Avenue in Toronto. Hallam after seeing the car at the 1960 Speed Sport rod and custom show in Toronto. The bedroom window above the garage door played a pivotal role in an engine swap nearly sixty years ago. Back then, most teenage hot rodders were still living at home with their parents, and most parents were dead set against the idea of dropping a powerful late-model V8 engine into an old car. Doug Buchanan desperately wanted more horsepower under the hood of his ’32 Ford, but an engine swap at home was out of the question, and having the swap performed at a shop (if you could find one daring enough to do it) was too expensive. Mike McGill to the rescue! His parents were spending the summer of 1958 at the family cottage, and this meant Doug could perform his engine swap at 24 Leamington Avenue! There was only one problem: the single-car attached garage at the McGill home had no overhead beam for the block-and-tackle required for the swap. The garage ceiling was a flat expanse of plaster and cement. And no members of the local car club had a tripod for doing the swap in the driveway. Then a brainstorm! The heaviest member of the club (Bob McJannett) was deputized to sit on Mike’s bed in his bedroom above the garage. Under the bed was placed a large wooden beam extending out through the window and over the driveway. This makeshift “yard arm” was then fitted with a block-and-tackle and the engine swap was performed while Bob McJannett sat on Mike’s bed. And Doug Buchanan now had a small block Chev V8 in his ’32 Ford, giving him all the horsepower he would ever need! I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca.
submitted to EFP Delegation of Authority: Following the delegation of authority report to Council on March 24, Administration provided an update to address ongoing closures and financial impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council approved extending the delegation of authority as well as further changes with respect to tax, water and dog licensing fees. In effect, Council approved: the waiving of “non-sufficient funds” charges on property tax payments through to June 30, 2020; the removal of late payment charges/penalties or interest on water/ wastewater accounts through to June 30, 2020; and, the extension of the Dog Tag/Licence fee of $20 and the Kennel License fee of $100 to June 30, 2020. The update also authorizes the waiving of fees related to the use of Tecumseh Transit which has already been put in place. CIP Grants: Council approved $12,366 in two grants for parking area improvements and building façade improvements for 1033 Lesperance Road operating as Desjardins Insurance. 2020 Tecumseh Corn Festival: Council received a presentation and report from the Parks and Recreation Department on the Future Direction of the Tecumseh
Corn Festival. The report follows public consultation on the festival and outlines changes for the 2020 event as a result of these public comments. Changes for this year’s festival are as follows: • Removing the admission fee which will be offset through reducing staff, policing and entertainment costs • Modifying the vendor charges to be in line with other regional events • Moving the Miss Tecumseh Pageant off-site to L’Essor High School Theatre • Working with local community groups to incorporate more local bands/ entertainment, interactive activities and the agricultural community The festival is scheduled for August 27 to 30 and will include the Classic Car show on Sunday, August 30. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, should restrictions or public health advice on social gatherings and physical distancing and current limitations on non-essential workplaces continue to be in effect as of June 30, the 2020 festival will be cancelled for 2020. Regular Meeting of Council is Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Both of these meetings are scheduled to be held electronically. The live stream will be available on our website at www.tecumseh.ca.
Tecumseh Special Meeting of Council submitted to EFP Tecumseh Town Council met electronically today to discuss Emergency Flood Mitigation Measures and Amendments to the Town of Tecumseh’s Flood Response Plan. The purpose of the meeting was to consider amendments to the Town’s
Flood Response Plan that will permit emergency works on private properties to install permanent berms in low-lying areas with the objective of preventing inland flooding or at least mitigating the extent of flooding. As the works were not contemplated in the 2020 budget, Council was
also requested to approve $500,000 to complete these works. Additionally, a new Emergency Order was required to enable these works as a flood prevention measure under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Continued on Page 19
Thursday, April 23, 2020 I
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Essex Free Press
Tecumseh Special Meeting of Council... Continued from Page 18
As part of the meeting, Council received the report “Amendments to the Town of Tecumseh Flood Response Plan”; approved a by-law to adopt the revised Emergency Response Plan including the amended Flood Response Plan; and, approved $500,000 from the Infrastructure Reserve for the implementation of flood mitigation defenses on identified properties that pose a significant risk for further inland flooding and authorized their completion. Background 2019 Flood Mitigation Works: at the July 9, 2019 Regular Meeting of Council, Council adopted the Town of Tecumseh Flood Response Plan as part of the Town of Tecumseh Emergency Response Plan. As part of that plan, Public Works and Engineering Services (PWES) conducted Lidar mapping of the northern portion of Town from Lake St. Clair to Essex County Road 22. The mapping outlined the extent of inland flooding with potential to affect more than 5,500 households and identified several key low-lying areas along the shoreline that would act as conduits for inland flooding. PWES identified nine areas of concern along the shoreline and provided filled sandbags to property owners in these areas to help mitigate inland flooding. Property owners along the Lake St. Clair and Pike Creek Shorelines were provided with 100 free sandbags with free sand in Lakewood Park. In early March 2020, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) advised
Tecumseh and Lakeshore that Lake St. Clair was sitting 33 cm over the April 2019 levels and would not peak until June/July of this year. An update on the Flood Response Plan was provided to Council at the March 24, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council which resulted in the further provision of an additional 100 bags (200 for those owners that did not collect the 2019 allotment) to shoreline properties for protection. COVID-19 and SelfEvacuation: the Town’s Flood Response Plan identified a temporary shelter/reception centre should inland flooding dictate self-evacuation. On March 17, 2020, the Province of Ontario announced a State of Emergency and ordered the closure of a number of public facilities to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. On March 28, 2020, the Province made an additional order prohibiting social gatherings of more than five people. Additionally, it has been the consistent advice of all levels of government for people to stay home as much as possible to avoid exposure to COVID-19. Finally, the Town was recently advised by the WindsorEssex Community and Health Services to avoid setting up a centre during the pandemic and the Red Cross confirmed that it would not be able to assist with establishing and running a centre, other than virtually. As a result, the Town is not able to use the previously planned Temporary Emergency Shelter/Reception Centre. This situation caused
Administration to consider additional works to protect the shoreline and reduce the extent of inland flooding so as to minimize the extent of any evacuation. Emergency Flood Mitigation Measures: The Public Works & Environmental Services Department identified eight locations comprised of 16 waterfront properties where the Town will install clay berms along with site grading and restoration in these low-lying areas which will serve as a semipermanent/permanent flood mitigation measure. These properties currently act as conduits for inland flooding south of Riverside Drive. The work will also include pump repair at St. Mark’s pump station to ensure it remains functional during the spring flooding season. Declared Emergency: the Mayor declared an emergency on March 22, 2020 related to both the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipated flood emergency. Following today’s meeting, the Mayor signed an additional order under the declared emergency to enable crews to enter onto private property to install these flood mitigation measures. Waterfront Standards By-Law: Administration, with the assistance of the Town Solicitor, will draft a by-law for future consideration that imposes standards of general application on waterfront property owners in relation to flood control. This by-law will include recommendations resulting from the Shoreline Study currently underway. Under the bylaw, property owners will
be required to implement recommendations of the shoreline study at their own expense within a reasonable time. Should remedial action be required for those property owners not in compliance, the Town will be permitted to enter the property to complete the works with recovery of costs from the owner. Public input and consultation will be held on this by-law for consideration from Council at a later date. Immediate Next Steps: The Town will be notifying those affected properties of the order under the declared emergency, as well as retain a contractor to undertake the works which would begin as early as Monday April 20, 2020. The next Regular Meeting of Council is Tuesday, April 28, 2020 and will be held electronically. The live stream will be available on our website at www. tecumseh.ca.
Essex Council notes...
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currently in the first phase, and is engaging internal and external community stakeholders to get expert advice on solutions to various risks posed by climate impacts to the Town of Essex, the Report to Council notes. The first meeting of the 14-member committee was held on February 28. There are 14 members on the committee. Councillor Sherry Bondy said she liked the direction of the committee, but thinks ELK should be on board as a town-owned utility, since the committee discussed hydro flickers due to excessive summer heat. Council says cannabis application does not fit provincial requirements Essex Council received correspondence from the AGCO that indicated an application for a Cannabis Retail Store Authorization for 68 Talbot Street North was made. The correspondence from the AGCO noted the public notice offers the municipality and residents an opportunity to respond to the application within the time period identified. Councillor Kim Verbeek made a motion that Council write the AGCO to note the space in mind in not setback 150 meters from a school or church, as the province requires. Council passed the motion, which Councillor Chris Vander Doelen opposed. He said since Council ‘opted in’ for cannabis retail stores at the beginning of their term, he thought Council should reach out to the church and school to see if they would be opposed to the store being within 150 meters of their facilities. NoM: Online survey Councillor Sherry Bondy presented a Notice of Motion, for consideration at a future meeting, that the Town issue a satisfaction survey to its residents to gage quality of life and see if the Town of Essex is headed in the right direction.
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I Thursday, April 23, 2020