Essex Free Press - August 27, 2020 by Essex Free Press

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519-961-9610 @bradysdrugstore A LOOK INSIDE Essex Council meeting notes - August 24 PAGE 3 ______________ Windsor-Essex Rotary Clubs take part in annual Gleanathon PAGE 9 _______________ Harrow Rotary’s Rubber Duck Derby raises funds PAGE 10 _______________ CTMHV hosts first Cruise-In of summer PAGE 11 _______________ Essex MP discusses Liberals proroguing government, new Conservative Leadership PAGE 18 _______________

Vol. 140

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Issue No. 33

Relay makes splash in raising awareness, funds for the health of Lake Erie - Harrow UofW biology professor breaks personal long-distance swimming record for the cause -

by Sylene Argent On Saturday, the Canadian Freshwater Alliance set the aquatic stage to allow seven athletes to test their personal best as part of a relay event along the shoreline of Lake Erie. The relay was designed to raise funds and awareness for the health of the local Great Lake. As part of the Lake Erie Challenge, the seven athletes either swam, kayaked, or stand-up paddle-boarded for a portion of the around 50km stretch, which began at the mouth of the Detroit River and continued on to Point Pelee. The swimmers for the event included Dr. Dennis Higgs and Jennifer Agnew, both from Harrow, and Mairi MacGregor from Oakville. They travelled 14 km, from Colchester to Looking For A Kingsville. Team Kayak included Good Home Don Barrie and Rose Sirois from London, and they paddled 17 km, from Kingsville to Leamington. In addition, Frank Torres from Komoka and Rachelle Cardinal from London paddle-boarded the 20km from Amherstburg to “GIZMO” Colchester. See Page 5 for adoption info. Dr. Higgs was one of seven athletes who swam in the Lake Erie Challenge. He is a biology professor at the University of Windsor, and moved to Harrow with his wife in 2003 from the USA. He said he has been a swimmer his whole life, and has used Lake

Erie to swim on occasion. He utilized the lake more this year, due to local pool closures during the COVID-19 health risks. Since he has lived in the area, he has noticed a level of awareness regarding algal blooms, which he believes is good. As a biology professor, he spends a lot of time on the lake, and said it is important awareness is continued. Dr. Higgs was set to swim a 14 km leg of the event, in an attempt to best his current longest openwater swim distance of 10 km. He noted that, his route ended up

being around 16km as the shoreline is not a straight line. “The first four hours were fun,” he joked of taking on the swimming challenge. He was really glad he pushed himself to meet that distance. People see Lake Erie for splashing around, and he wanted to show it can be used for long distance swimming, too. Higgs’s wife supported Continued on Page 2

2 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

First project underway for Town’s Raising awareness, funds for the health of Lake Erie... Shoreline Protection Program Continued from Front Page

him along the route, and she noticed there were several individuals along the shoreline cheering them on and noted they donated to the cause. As a researcher, he spends a lot of time studying native fish, fish behaviour, and effects of pollutants. He was happy the event showcase what a beautiful resource Lake Erie is in the region. Raj Gill, the Great Lakes Program Director with the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, said this was the third time the organization hosted this event; however, they have been hosted in different regions of Lake Erie. The first was hosted in 2018, and was called “Swim for Erie.” The athletes of the event were selected based on their abilities, and comfortability in pushing themselves to go the distance. Originally, it was hoped to include Pelee Island in this year’s event, but COVID-19 made that difficult, with organizers unsure if they would be able to manage ferry scheduling. She was happy everything came together, including the opening of local beaches. Organizers had a couple of different goals in hosting the event, Gill said, including raising awareness of issues like algal blooms and microplastics pollution. “But, we also wanted to show why we are doing this, what’s worth protecting. And, who better than to have swimmers, and kayakers, and paddlers – folks who are

spending long times in the water – actually talk about that.” She added it was also a great opportunity to show off the beauty of the lake. As part of the event, the athletes collected donations for the Canadian Freshwater Alliance. Gill said the proceeds will support the Lake Erie Guardians program, which includes citizens and business along the watershed wanting to speak up and advocate for the lake and ensure action is taken on issues, such as algal blooms. Gill was thankful the algal blooms were minimal this year for the event, but she explained part of that reason was because there was a drier spring. The group is also conducting citizen water sampling, which was started in the Thames River this year, which helps determine habitat quality. Gill added it is hoped this program can be expanded to include Lake Erie. The Canadian Freshwater Alliance was founded around ten-years ago, and focuses on BC and Ontario. The main goal is to combine the voices of citizens and other smaller organizations for the betterment of freshwater ways, raise awareness of issues, and advocate for lakes. For more information, or to make a charitable donation, visit LakeErieChallenge.ca

property owner needing shoreline work to consider this option.” The program is the first of its kind in the region and is designed to replace the provincial loan program which provided loans to shoreline property owners until it was discontinued in 2010. “Many communities in our region and throughout Ontario are struggling to deal with the impacts of high lake levels and shoreline erosion,” Chris Nepszy, Chief Administrative Officer, said. “As a Town, this program represents a creative, costeffective solution for residents while meeting our own strategic goals.” The Town’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan identified the goals of “mitigating the impact of climate change” and “working with partners to reduce the impact of shoreline flooding.” To date, more than 30 local landowners have expressed interest in the program. Four are undergoing the application process, with work potentially slated to start this year. “It’s great to see so many property owners interested in the program.” Mayor Larry Snively said. “As a Council, we recognize that we have limited capacity to stop flooding and erosion, so this program provides residents a new option to protect their properties, while limiting the financial burden on the Town and its taxpayers.” Property owners interested in applying or learning more about the program can contact shoreline@essex.ca or visit www. essex.ca/shoreline.

submitted to EFP - Photo by Nick DiCarlo, Town of Essex. Work on a local property is well underway with the help of the Town of Essex Shoreline Assistance Loan Program The program provides property owners with loans, in partnership with a local financial institution, to repair or construct protective works to prevent damage from erosion and flooding. The balance of the loans are transferred onto property tax accounts in the form of a local improvement charge, which are then paid back annually. Anthony Gagliano, who owns a shoreline property in the Lypps Beach area, is the first landowner to complete the process and begin work on their property. Construction of a 40 meter break wall began two weeks ago and is currently ongoing. “This was probably the easiest and most preferable process of my project, it would have been really hard for me to access all the funds required at one time and having this option meant that other required work could be done at the same time,” Gagliano said. “I would highly recommend any

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Thursday, August 27, 2020

News I 3

Essex Free Press

by Sylene Argent and Adam Gault Up to $625,000 approved for Essex Centre Sports Complex repairs Essex Council approved a Request for Tender to allow for several companies to undertake various repairs on the Essex Centre Sports Complex. This scope of work includes various foundational repairs as well as work on several components of the refrigeration mechanism related to the regulation of the skating rink surface. In November 2019, Essex Centre Sports Complex staff noticed the hallway in the back third of the main rink at the complex was starting to lift. The Manager of Parks and Facilities continued to monitor the area, and as the area started to shift, the engineering firm of Haddad Morgan and Associates was contacted to investigate the cause of the shift. As part of its investigation, Haddad Morgan brought in CT Soils to core drill a number of holes in various locations at a depth of 1.5 meters. Through these soil tests, it was determined groundwater was entering the sub soils and the underside of the glycol lines were saturated. In addition to the hallway, it was identified the shifting expanded to include the mechanical room, cracking on the stairwell to the Libro rink, and it appeared to be moving towards the Shaheen Rink. This scope of work would include, removing all of the boilers and holding tanks, including conduit in the mechanical room, shoring up the under-floor pumps for the glycol system that heats the dressing rooms stands, washrooms and meeting rooms, in the mechanical room, remove the concrete flooring and all of the sub soils down to the top of the spread footings and then excavate around the spread footing an additional 600mm in depth around the bottom of footings to install the drainage pipe. The Town is still awaiting approval from the municipal insurance adjuster to determine if damages will be covered. The consultant estimates that the work may take up to 50 days to complete to be able to reopen to the public. Upon completion, and when the refrigeration units are back in operation, it will take approximately one week to have ice ready in both rinks to be utilized by the public. Council approved an overall budget for the Essex Centre Sports Complex Foundation Repair project in the amount of up to $625,000, which also includes the boiler removal and installation from mechanical room, the rubber floor removal, and installation and repair work from damaged underground electrical conduit for the Shaheen Rink.

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- Monday, August 24, 2020 Reopening of the indoor rec facilities approved Essex Council approved the opening of the Harrow Arena, McGregor Community Centre, Colchester Community Centre, Maedel Community Centre, and the Essex Centre Sports Complex for the Shaheen Room only, as of Tuesday, September 8. This will be done per the Province’s COVID-19 Stage 3 reopening plan and guidelines. This would be for rentals and limited programming. The two ice pads at the Essex Centre Sports Complex would remain closed because of the structural repairs planned for the facility. Once construction is complete, the two ice pads will reopen, based on the provincial guidelines in place at that time, the Report to Council notes. Council also concurred with Administration, to follow the Town’s Ice Allocation Policy when assigning ice at the Harrow Arena, while repairs occur at the Essex Centre Sports Complex. Based on the Town’s ice allocation policy, ice preference will go to all youth organizations that previously used Town of Essex facilities first, and then adult groups. User groups had until last week to submit request for ice at the Harrow Arena. Director of Community Service/Deputy CAO, Doug Sweet, said on August 12, the region was able to move into Stage 3, part of which was to open indoor recreation facilities. At first, through Provincial guidelines, only 50 people were to be allowed in each facility, but that has changed to per amenity. Sweet said his staff members met to create various scenarios to redesign the services in order to meet the new COVID-19 regulations as set out in the Stage 3 reopening plan. Some of the regulations include everyone entering a facility must wear a mask until a helmet is put on. Participants are to come to the facilities dressed in equipment, with an exception of helmet and skates, which can be put on at arrival. Dressing rooms will be available to put skates on only. Showers will not be usable. No outside food or drink will be allowed in the building. Bottle refill stations will be available, and participants will bring Continued on Page 6

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4 I Opinion Essex Free Press

Editorial &Opinion 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

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ARCHIVES The Essex Free Press has been digitized from 1895 to 1968 and is fully searchable at http://ink.ourontario.ca.

OPINION & COMMENT

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• Noticing Disconnect

Since the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has required regional residents to wear masks while out shopping, I have noticed some disconnection. I am not writing this editorial to agree or disagree with the mandate – personally, I can understand the merit, bit I also think mask make people touch their faces more frequently and can provide a sense of security in some that may lead to forgetting to keep socially distant from others. What I wanted to say about this matter this week is that I have notice some instances of disconnection in wearing them. I am one of those people who likes to joke around with the local cashiers and store employees I see every week, and sometimes give them a bit of a hard time, in a very jokingly manner, to create some fun while I make my purchases. I have noticed on a few occasions, that some of those instances have not gone over as well as they used to, as often the person I am trying to joke around with is not sure if I am in fact

cracking a joke or being serious because they obviously can’t see the smile I am cracking underneath the mask I am wearing. As a result, I have noticed myself not taking the time to try and make those people I know I can joke around with laugh, because I don’t want them to think I am being rude or serious about something I was just trying to make them laugh about. Although, this is obviously not a big issue compared to the possible severity to the pandemic, I do worry about the effects it may have on those who have been isolated since the beginning of the outbreak and those suffering from mental health issues. I also worry that, without the ability, to interact with each other on a scale that is more than a brief participation in an assembly line at the cash out, with only quick exchanged words, that others may start to feel disconnected. Being a part of the community is pretty important for many humans. We all need to have a place where

we fit in, some perhaps more than others, but, we all need that fill of engagement, whatever the level, that makes us feel like we belong. And, honestly, sometimes, when I have something witty to say and feel like I shouldn’t say it because the person I may want to joke around with may accidentlly get offended because they can’t tell I am just trying to be funny, makes me feel like I’m losing a part of my personality. I know, in perspective, that we have only had to wear the masks for a short time, and that the better we all wear them, the sooner we won’t have to. I just hope everything can get cleared up quickly, so we can go back to what we are all accustomed to, including being able to enjoy those small, everyday connections that I am starting to miss.

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.

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

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Commentary - OFA

Medical professional tours highlight significance of rural and farm-specific training

by Paul Vickers, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Farm safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds while working on the farm every day. However, as we all know, unfortunate events still occur. It’s important to have professionals well-equipped and knowledgeable to handle those situations when they do happen. The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) identified the importance of trained medical workers in rural hospitals and organizes an annual medical students’ tour. Since 2003, first-year medical students at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University spend a two-week placement in a rural hospital during their first-year studies. One day throughout the placement, BCFA works with a member of the doctor recruitment committee to tour these students around local farm operations and businesses. The number of students who participate vary. However, many local hospitals, such as Walkerton and Chesley, are very committed to the success of the day. On the full-day tour, the medical students will visit a dairy farm, a tractor dealership, and a grain elevator before arriving at the local fire station for a series of presentations. Speakers include a local news reporter, a veterinarian, and a farmer who has been involved in a farm accident, which is the newest addition to the speaker line-up. This tour demonstrates a broad range of hazards, such as working at heights at an elevator, handling and storing chemicals, dangers of farm machinery, working with livestock and zoonotic viruses (diseases that are transferable between animals and humans). BCFA hosts this event to educate students on the hazards that farmers

and people working within agriculture face and to familiarize them with the different types of exposure and risks in rural areas. Future doctors who can understand the additional safety risks within the agricultural sector, and who are prepared to treat farm accidents when they do occur, are crucial to rural hospitals. Rural communities need to attract and retain qualified medical professionals to ensure that rural Ontario is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. For Ontario to grow the agri-food sector, create jobs, and be competitive to stimulate rural economic development, we need the same high-quality services in our hospitals and schools that are available in urban communities. For many medical students, the farming sector is new to them, so this annual tour provides real life experiences and encounters related to farm safety and rural living. It also encourages them to consider the benefits of one day practicing in a rural area, where there is often a shortage of medical professionals. The BCFA tour for medical students could serve as a template for many communities across the province that are interested in attracting medical professionals to their farm and rural areas. We appreciate the efforts of BCFA for organizing this annual tour and promoting farm safety within their community.

This week’s edition was packed with local news... See photos with stories on our website:

www.essexfreepress.com

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Community I 5

Essex Free Press

St. Mary’s bids farewell to Father Vince

Parishioners at St. Mary’s in Maidstone line up to say farewell to Father Vince Gulikers.

by Adam Gault It was a bittersweet day at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Maidstone on Sunday, August 23, as parishioners gathered to say goodbye to Father Vince Gulikers ahead of his move to service at several different churches in the Goderich area.

Members of the congregation spoke with acclaim of Father Vince’s service to the church community over his three years at St. Mary’s, adding his devotion to the church and connection to its members had set a high bar for future priests within the ministry. “Father Vince really

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knows his stuff, the theology part. It was like tapping into a deep well of knowledge,” St. Mary’s parishioner, Richard Bergeron, said. “I found him so inspiring at times.” Adding to that interpersonal connection, St. Mary’s attendees said it was Father Vince’s ability to go the extra mile to attend to personal matters of church members at the drop of a hat that made his connection with the church one of an extra special nature. “He has a very personal knack with people,” St. Mary’s Parish Council Chairperson, Jeff Gibson, said. “We had something unfortunate happen in our family, and it was quite amazing how quick he was on the ball and there to support us and guided

us right through that situation.” With that sentiment in mind, Father Vince said that from his perspective, the most rewarding part of his time at St. Mary’s was taking part in so many life milestones for members of the community, whether they were weddings, baptisms, or Sunday celebrations. “It’s always wonderful to see their faith and their response to the faith,” Father Vince said. “Especially the big celebrations like Easter and Christmas, that’s when you see pretty much all of the community come together. Those are always highlights.” While serving his final year at St. Mary’s during the COVID-19 pandemic proved to have its share of challenges for the clergy and parishioners, Father Vince said that despite an initial sadness from church members, the St. Mary’s community was able to stay connected throughout the nearly five months without Mass. “It was a good connection,” Father Vince said of church initiatives to connect members through the sharing of phone numbers and other means of communication. “Most of the people were grateful that we made that outreach and tried to connect with

them. A lot of the parishes have found with the COVID that we’ve learned how to communicate to the people in all kinds of different ways.” In a parting message, Father Vince explained that over the course of his three years at St. Mary’s, he has come to know and love the members of the church, and despite his relatively brief time there,

believes life-changing personal connections were made. “You jump in and you really try to get to know them and love them the way they are, where they’re at, and help them walk through it,” Father Vince said. “Just to be able to say, I really care about them, and I’m going to miss them terribly.”

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6 I News Essex Free Press

Essex Council meeting notes - August 24... their own labeled water bottle. Vending machines will be emptied. Staff will allow entry at points, will wear masks in public areas, and will disinfect. In Harrow, a tent will be set up to prescreen entrants. People will be asked to arrive 20-minutes early to get pre-screened. Those under 18 will be allowed one spectator. Based on the previous opening of other Town facilities, Administration is aware that there will be additional costs for signage and cleaning products at each facility, the Report to Council notes. Harrow Farmer brings fill permit issue to Council Council received a presentation from a Harrow area farmer, regarding an issue surrounding a fill permit on his property. According to the property owner, a fill permit was obtained in 2015 to raise his farmland to road grade, because parts of the farm were lower than the bottom of the

road ditch. Darrel Dufour, the property owner, was issued the permit under a previous bylaw, Bylaw 843. Under this bylaw, an individual could be issued a permit if the Town was satisfied with the stormwater control measures, pending the retaining wall was adequate to prevent the runoff of storm water to adjacent land. The permit has since been pulled in part, due to issues surrounding current stormwater runoff onto a neighbour’s property, after some work pertaining to the original permit had already begun. “We need to do something here to make sure that [Dufour] gets something,” Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said. “He’s got half his farm done, let’s give him the opportunity to finish the other part of the farm. Council voted to send the issue back to administration, with recommendations to be brought back at the next Council

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meeting on September 8. Kona Ice given exemption to bylaw that restricts operation in certain areas Eric Naylor, of Kona Ice Windsor Essex asked Council for an exemption from Bylaw #629 that restrict the business from operating on submitted locations on Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional properties. Kona Ice is a frozen treat business that operates a food truck. Naylor noted the company obtained the Town of Essex’s Transient Vendor Permit in the spring of 2018. His first truck soon after arrived. Naylor noted to Council he was told in the office that the only place they could operate was on a commercial property. With that being ineffective, the truck was taken to Lakeshore and began fundraising for Belle River Soccer. He said his roots go back to the early 1880s, when his Irish ancestors settled on Naylor Side Road, and later established a

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

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sawmill. He worked at Naylor Lumber and became the first Chairperson of the Essex Centre BIA. Because of his history with Essex business ventures and family background, it didn’t seem right that he was not selling and fundraising locally, he said, adding Essex administration and Council have been sympathetic about the situation, but the restrictions still exist. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche asked if the fundraising adventure would be at a request of another party, or if they just show up. Naylor said they are invited by schools and organizations to sell. Councillor Steve Bjorkman asked where it was the business wants to go in Essex. Naylor said they would like to get out to sports fields – depending on the organization – and parks and neighbourhoods. The driving around of neighbourhoods, he said, is a small part of

Continued on Page 7

Thursday, August 27, 2020

News I 7

Essex Free Press

Essex Council meeting notes - August 24...

its organization. Councillor Joe Garon said this delegate is asking pretty much what it similar to what was recently approved for the Essex Ravens. He added he is not opposed to allowing this venture to happen on sports fields, on invite from the organizations. Even on invite, he would like to ensure the Town is involved to ensure requirements are met. Councillor Morley Bowman said at one time, there were trucks coming into Town and it was hard to know who had a license and who did not, so they basically all became banned. He said he thinks the bylaw needs to be looked at to see how this can be handled on an on-going basis to have tight control on who is coming into Town. Lori Chadwick, Director of Development, said this is a great opportunity to be consistent with bylaws. Unfortunately, the Transient Vendor Bylaw and Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw are not in sync and it is something that needs to be cleaned up. Councillor Sherry Bondy believes over the winter, administration should work on a registry and permit process. Council received and supported Naylor’s presentation and request that Kona Ice get an exemption for its food truck to operate as a transient vendor in Essex on properties other than commercial, industrial, or institutional. July 2020 Development Overview Council received the July 2020 Development Overview, which reported the total monthly construction value in the Town of Essex was $14,325,000. This figure included all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments that required a building permit. This is up 260 percent from July 2019. The average home sale price in July 2020 for Wards 1 and 2 was $429,239, which was up from $323,486 in July 2019. The average home sale price in July 2020 for Wards 3 and 4 was $393,792, which was up from $316,566 from July 2019. Total single-family dwellings sold in July 2020 was 46; 25 were from Wards 1 and 2 and 21 were from Wards 3 and 4. This is up from 38 in July of 2019. Total homes sold in 2020 within the Municipality of Essex to date is 209. Councillor Steve Bjorkman said, from January to July 2019, there was $25m in construction costs. In the same period this year, it was $54M. “There is a lot happening in the Town of Essex, and it is really good news with COVID and all the doom and gloom we hear. It is a tremendous sign how the Town is responding.” Site Plan Control approved for microbrewery at 178 County Road 50 East Council executed and registered Bylaw 1941, being a Bylaw to enter into a Site Plan Control Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Essex and Magnolia Ranch INC for the establishment of a microbrewery at 178 County Road 50 East, be executed and registered. The Report to Council notes the

Continued from Page 6

microbrewery would be established in the existing two 120.03 square metre pole barn structures at the property. The subject property is on around a 10-acre lot. It is designated “Agricultural” under the Town of Essex Official Plan and is zoned Agricultural District 1.1 (A1.1) for general agriculture and farm production support activities under Town of Essex Zoning Bylaw 1037, the Report to Council notes. The brewery would operate in combination with an agricultural operation. There is also the Magnolia Bed and Breakfast onsite. The proposed brewery will be used for the production of beers and the storage of raw materials and equipment only. It will be used to service onsite events and will not be open to the public for retail sales. Lori Chadwick, Director of Development, said this is an exciting first phase. She added when the applicant is ready for second phase, it will be subject to site plan control at that time. Council received the report and approved the bylaw. Chris Vander Doelen said he thinks the development will be terrific for the Town. Town approves construction of TELUS communications tower Council approved a motion that will allow for the construction of a TELUS communications tower on the Harrow sewage lagoon site. At present, TELUS maintains a tower on the Atlas Tube property in Harrow, but with the planned expansion of the Atlas Tube property, TELUS must relocate the tower to maintain service in the Harrow area. The Harrow sewage lagoon site is of a size that provides the greatest separation of the tower from adjacent residential properties. Various sites were considered within the complex to avoid impacts on current or future municipal recreational and water treatment services or the existing solar farm, and one site was mutually agreed upon. It will be placed at the end of a gated driveway off of the main driveway of the complex, well removed from the soccer fields and west of the solar farm to reduce any impact on the farm. The tower will be 50 meters in height and of a trellis design without supporting guy wires, essentially a carbon copy of the current tower. Councillor Chris Vander Doelen asked Administration if space on the tower could be reserved for a local broadband provider, with CAO Chris Nepszy suggesting that it be tabled for a meeting in September. Council approves revisions for Harrow housing development Council approved revisions for the Dalla Bona housing development in Harrow, which is slated for construction on the east side of Queen Street, just north of Colio Drive. These revisions include a larger stormwater management pond, to relocate Continued on Page 8

Reopening schools safely matters to everyone That’s why the government of Ontario has worked with health officials, school boards and educators to develop a comprehensive plan to keep kids and staff safe. • Physical distancing measures will be implemented such as desk separation, signs, ﬂoor markings and one-way hallways. • Face coverings will be required for staff and students in Grades 4-12. • Hand hygiene will be enabled with hand sanitizer and hand washing. • More nurses will be in schools. • School cleaning will be enhanced.

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8 I News Essex Free Press

Essex Council meeting notes - August 24... the pond and proposed park to a section on the soon -tobe-constructed Graf Street in the subdivision, as well as a realigning of the subdivision’s roads to accommodate these changes. This development will construct 29 residential units, 24 of which will be detached properties, with construction on the project scheduled to begin this fall. Council approves preparation of Development Standards Manual Council approved the creation of a Development Standards Manual, a business and technical process manual that the Town will use to provide clarity for developers, contractors, engineers, and designers when submitting development plans and construction documents to the Town of Essex. The current Development Standards Manual the Town uses was created in 2003, and with the creation of a new manual, it will ensure the most up-to-date relevant municipal, provincial, and federal statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines. “This one has been a long-time coming, and we’re very excited to finally get here,” Essex Director of Development Service, Lori Chadwick, said. “It lays out specifications intended to provide clarity for developers, contractors, engineers, and really to help when submitting development plans and construction documents to the Town of Essex to keep things smooth, consistent, and to keep things inline with the latest legislation.” Council awarded the consulting services contract for the Development Standards Manual to Dillon Consulting Limited, in the amount of $79,576.32, including non-

refundable HST. Council seeks to remove municipal hunting licence Council voted in favour to rescind a municipal hunting licence, that is required to be purchased from the Town in order to hunt ring-necked pheasants, cottontails, and various hares during open season within the municipality. Mayor Larry Snively put forward the Notice of Motion at a previous Council meeting, who noted the Town of Essex was the only municipality in the region to have such a requirement within its limits. Throughout most of Ontario, the hunting of such animals is permitted by the issuing of a provincial small game licence, not through additional licencing through the various municipalities. In Essex, the licence for Town residents costs $5, with the Town taking in just over $900 per year through their issue. “To me, it’s more of a headache than it is a revenue,” Mayor Snively said. “If you look at the work you’re taking [Town employees] away from to write a lousy rabbit licence. To me, I think it’s useless.” Agreeing with the Mayor’s proposal, Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said anytime Council has the opportunity to remove a bureaucratic step or process to simplify things, it should be done. “Anytime we have that opportunity and it doesn’t hurt anybody, or change anything, we should take that opportunity,” Vander Doelen said. “We can’t just add this stuff forever. We should take stuff away sometimes. This is something really small and inconsequential, why not do away with it?” Kimball Estates Development in phase 5 Essex Council approved the reduction and securities for the end of the maintenance period for Phase 5 of the Kimball Estates Development be reduced to $8,483.48, and that maintenance securities in the amount of $259,828.25 for the completion of civil construction work and street lighting, be returned to the developer, Kimball Estates INC. The Report from Council notes David McBeth, project manager for the Kimball Estates Development in Ward 1, requested a release of securities for the end of the maintenance period for the civil construction works and street lighting. Phase 5, it added, is the final phase of the Kimball Estates Development. “Maintenance securities are held as assurances that the owner will assume responsibility for all materials, equipment, and work until all construction and installation has been completed, in accordance with the executed Subdivision Agreement. Maintenance securities are only released after the one-year maintenance period has expired and all deficiencies have been rectified,” the Report to Council notes.

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

Continued from Page 7

The Town will hold $8,483.48 in securities for surface course asphalt, which was initiated on June 26, 2020, for a period of one year. COVID-19 Update CAO Chris Nepszy said water testing continues to happen at Colchester Beach. He said the Town has conducted its second dry run with CFTV in terms of filming Council sessions. He hopes to come back to Council in September with some options on how Council meetings will be held in the future. In terms of public health, Councillor Sherry Bondy has concerns that the Windsor-Essex Health Unit does not breakdown ages for youth with positive cases. It just has a category for 19 and under. Bondy would like to see a further breakdown in ages for youth, with kids going back to school, noting that 19-year-olds are old enough to go to a bar. She said there are anxieties with parents wondering if cases will be in daycares, elementary school, or high schools. NoM: Report tracker gets turned down At the previous Council meeting, Councillor Sherry Bondy put forward a Notice of Motion that would have Administration implement a Council Report Tracker, similar to the reporting spreadsheet used by the Town of Lakeshore. She said it does not have to be complicated, it can be an Excel sheet. It doesn’t mean reports have to be done right away, but it is something to show residents that issues are on the paper. She thinks, for a tool, when Council asks for a report, it is up to Council to decide what is a priority, or recognize issues that will take more time. She said Council is doing a poor job directing administration on what priority reports are. Councillor Steve Bjorkman believes the CAO is responsible to determine priorities. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche likes the idea of a report tracker. He said it is easy to lose track of reports, for a variety of reasons, and it is nice to have a report tracker to note when to expect reports will be ready or to list outstanding projects. It would give Council members a chance to look up information about the status of a report, without having to bug administration about those details. Councillor Joe Garon would like a list of upcoming reports to note what is active. CAO Chris Nepszy said Council resolutions guide Administration, as does the Strategic Plan. Council resolutions can be identified after every meaning, and would be beneficial for everyone. He wondered if that would be something Council would be comfortable to start with. He agreed with some comments that politics of prioritizing could come into play. Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said this could become a real weaponize bit of bureaucracy to harass or demoralize administration. He thinks it is unnecessary and is substituting paper shuffling for actual work. Bondy thinks this can be done easily and is the best transparent way to let residents know where items are. In a recorded vote, the motion was defeated, with Councillors Bondy, Garon, Verbeek, and Deputy Mayor Meloche in support. Councillors Bowman, Bjorkman, Vander Doelen, and Mayor Snively were opposed. Notices of Motion to be presented at the September 8 meeting • Councillor Sherry Bondy will ask Council to direct Administration to send out Notices of Drain Maintenance Works in December and January, if possible before planting season, to minimize the impact to the farming community during planting and harvesting season. • Councillor Bondy will ask that the Town of Essex Council to discuss and direct Administration to review the agenda and procedural bylaw for the regular Council meetings. • Councillor Kim Verbeek will ask Council to have a discussion on the feasibility on implementing stop-arm cameras.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Community I 9

Essex Free Press

Windsor-Essex Rotary Clubs take part in annual Gleanathon

Volunteers from Windsor-Essex Rotary Clubs sort and cut produce at Gleaners in Leamington.

by Adam Gault For the second year in a row, Rotary International Clubs from across the Windsor-Essex County region came together to support the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners in Leamington with a 24-hour “Gleanathon” on Friday, August 21. Beginning at 4 pm, and working in two-hour shifts throughout the night and into the next day, each area Rotary Club took turns working the line at the charitable organization, preparing potatoes and peppers, that would otherwise be thrown away, into a dry soup mix to be distributed in Canada and around the world to those in need.

While social distancing guidelines limited the number of volunteers working the line from 30 at a time down to 15, Rotary Club members were hopeful they could still do their part to alleviate hunger, especially during a year that has proved challenging for so many. Due to COVID-19, “[Rotary] can’t have the fundraisers we could normally have to raise money, so we have to pick and choose what we want to sponsor,” Rotary Club of Essex President, Bettie Kerr, said. “[Gleaners] is one we wanted to keep going, because it goes to a very good cause.” Most of the produce processed at Gleaners is

donated by local farms, along with supplemental produce, such as broccoli and rice, which is supported by monetary donations to the organization. In 2019, Windsor-Essex Rotary Clubs donated $13,000 to Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, and processed 22,000 pounds of food during its 24hour Gleanathon. This is the equivalent of 150,000 servings. With the prospect of economic uncertainty and food insecurity on the horizon for many, Gleaners is incredibly thankful for all of the volunteers who have continued to put themselves on the frontline of serving others, especially when they may be putting their

own health on the line to do so. “Even the seniors, in spite of the risk, they keep coming,” Southwestern Ontario Gleaners Treasurer, Tina Quiring, said. “We’re doing everything we possibly can to keep going and to keep everyone safe.” Gleaners has had no exceptions to facing the challenge of remaining in operation and soliciting funds during the pandemic, but the generosity and inspiring nature of clubs, like Rotary International, has made traversing the waters of an uncertain 2020 that much easier. “To think that there are people like [Rotarians],

there really should be more clubs like that,” Quiring said. “They are a phenomenal group; they bring young people and kids. That’s what it’s going to take, for young people to

start at a very young age.” To find out more, or to make a donation to Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, visit swogleaners. ca

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10 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

Harrow Rotary’s Rubber Duck Derby raises funds for Harrow Daycare, Colchester Guardian

Members of the Harrow Rotary Club carefully collect the first ten, prize-winning racers to reach the shoreline in the fourth annual Rubber Duck Derby, which took place at Colchester Beach on Saturday.

by Sylene Argent Beneath a sunny sky and through calm waves, members of the Harrow Rotary Club released around 1200 racers near the shoreline at Colchester Beach on Saturday as part of the fourth annual Rubber Duck Derby. Corrie Bramhall, Fundraising Chairperson of the Harrow Rotary Club, said this year’s event was held a little

bit differently than it was held in the past, due to COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. The local service club, she said, was not sure what fundraisers it could host and what restrictions there would be to host such events. At the July 6 Essex Council meeting, Council approved forwarding $1,000 to the Harrow Rotary Club for the Rubber Duck Derby from

the Essex Tourism Events Fund. These funds were used to purchase prizes for the event from local businesses. “Usually, we go to small businesses and larger businesses in town and always ask for sponsorships, whether it would be financial, door prizes, anything like that. This year, what we did, we’ve gone back through the last three-years of the events, found out which businesses supported us, and we purchased gift certificates to these businesses as our prizes,” Brimhall said. “That’s a way of helping our community, who supported us for so many years. We are just trying to give back to as many people as we can,” she added, noting many businesses were challenged with disruptions and lockdowns this year, due to COVID-19. “The response has been so overwhelmingly positive,” Brimhall said of the community support shown to the Rubber

Duck Derby, which included sponsorships from Engie Wind Farms and Atlas Tube, in addition to the Town of Essex. The sponsors, she added, have been extremely generous and

understanding of the restrictions that had to be put in place for the event. With it being a hard time for many, during a time of uncertainty, she was also pleased with the response from those who

supported the event with purchasing tickets. Brimhall said around 1200 tickets were sold. “I wasn’t sure what to expect” Brimhall said of the event outcome.

Continued on Page 11

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Community I 11

Essex Free Press

Harrow Rotary’s Rubber Duck Derby... Continued from Page 10

“I am so proud of our community, I am so proud of our Rotary members for pulling together and pulling this off, this was better than I expected.” The first-place prize, given the individual

whose rubber duck reached the shoreline first during the derby, received gift certificates to five local businesses, which had a minimum value of $300. In total, ten prizes were awarded,

with last prize being a gift certificate with a value of $50. Proceeds of the Rubber Duck Derby will support the Harrow Daycare, for new playground equipment, and the Colchester Guardian. Brimhall said the Harrow Rotary Club tries to change-up the beneficiaries every year, but does try to continue to support the Colchester Guardian as its crew launches the ducks. This year, Brimhall said, the Colchester Guardian’s governing body would not allow its crew to assist with public events, so they used their personal fishing boats and kayaks to help out. The Harrow Rotary Club currently has nearly 20 members, and volunteers are always welcome to join.

Welcome to Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes STARTING

R 1ST SEPTEMBE

Fr. Seejo John, Pastor Fr. Paul Kim, Associate Pastor

WEEKEND MASS TIMES:

WEEK DAY MASS TIMES:

St. Clement, McGregor Sunday at 9:45 AM

St. Clement, McGregor Tuesday at 7 PM

Holy Name of Jesus, Essex Saturday at 6 PM and Sunday at 11 AM

St. John the Evangelist, Woodslee Wednesday at 8:30 AM

St. John the Evangelist, Woodslee Saturday at 4:30 PM

St. Mary, Maidstone Thursday at 8:30 AM

St. Mary, Maidstone Sunday at 8:30 AM

Holy Name of Jesus, Essex Friday at 8:30 AM and Saturday at 8:30 AM

Office: 146 Talbot St. S., Essex - entrance off Fairview Ave. | Mon-Fri. 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Website: www.centralessexcatholic.dol.ca | Phone #: 519-776-8483 | 519-737-6869 | 519-726-5127 E-Mail: centralessexcatholic@dol.ca | Facebook: facebook/centralessexcatholic.ca

CTMHV hosts first Cruise-In of summer

by Adam Gault Scenes of normality continue to return to the region, as Windsor-Essex was welcomed to enter Stage 3 of the Province’s COVID-19 reopening plan a few weeks back. One such example included the first Cruise-In event the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) was able to host since the beginning of the pandemic. On Thursday, August 20, the event attracted classic cars and individuals together for a summertime tradition at the long-time historical institution in Essex. The Cruise-In marked the reopening of the CTMHV for the first-time since mid-March, and it will be open four days a week, Thursday through Sunday, on a trial basis before determining if the hours will be extended. Drivers and diners from across Windsor-Essex arrived for the Cruise-In by creating a parade of classic cars and trucks that lined the Museum’s parking lot. They then headed to the extended patio area to enjoy food and drinks from the Museum’s classic 1950s style diner. While those in attendance enjoyed the return of the Museum and its activities, representatives from the CTMHV noted that there have been challenges in adapting to the new regulations, which include extra sanitation measures, floor directional arrows, and contact tracing information from diners, measures that have become commonplace as additional businesses have been permitted to reopen in the region. “We’re so glad to finally be able to be

open,” CTMHV Education Manager and Curator, Lisa Wacheski, said. “Because we rely on all those fundraising shows that we do, this is so different for us. We’re usually so busy.” The CTMHV supports

itself largely through the hosting of various flea markets, car and sportsman shows, and private function bookings for events like weddings. This year has made fundraising for the

Continued on Page 18

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12 I Classifieds Essex Free Press

Classifieds _______________________________________________

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

_____________________

FARMING _____________________ WANTED Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop Call Jeﬀ Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501. 1-t _____________________

_____________________ 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 _____________________

SERVICES _____________________ 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 _____________________ _______________________________________________

AUCTION SALE _______________________________________________ Jack Morris

Auc ons Inc. Monday, September 7

Online only auc on selling Ford 7710 & 2 Ford 3910 tractors, forkli s, planters, mulchers, bedders, older trucks & trailers, misc. equipment for Cameron Clifford, formerly RX Farms, at 1738 Seacliff Drive, ¼ km east of Union, Kingsville. No reserve. Mr. Clifford is re ring from farming. Preview: by appointment with owner, call 519-919-1738 Bidding opens Aug. 31 & begins to close Sept. 7 at 6:00 pm For catalogue & to register to bid please visit jacobauc ons.hibid.com Terms: e-transfer, wire transfer, approved cheque, Visa, MC. 10% buyer premium & HST in effect. Pickup of Items: Tues. Sept 8 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Proprietor: Cameron Clifford, 519-919-1738 Auc oneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 Assistant Auc oneer: Dave Jacob, 519-348-9896 Details & Photos at www.jackmorrisauc ons.com

www.essexfreepress.com

KENNETH YARDWORKS  Summer 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

_____________________

HELP WANTED _____________________ HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour, Experience necessary. Fax your resume to (519) 723-2336. 1-tf _____________________ 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 St. S. Leamington, ON N8H 3C4. 9-t

I Thursday, August 27, 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

REAL ESTATE

STORAGE

_____________________ STORAGE FOR LEASE - in Essex. Approx. 1 acre outdoor, fenced-in storage. Call: 02-1t 519-776-4875 for details. _____________________

FOR SALE

_____________________ FOR SALE - Orchard grass $6.00/bale, straw $4.00/bale, hay $6.00/bale. Available for pick-up. Call for more info: 519-737-9694. 33-2t* _____________________

FOR RENT _____________________ FOR RENT - Briarwood Apts, 26 Alice St N, Essex. 1 bdrm $960.00 + hydro. To view, call 519-253-4431. 32-t _____________________

WANTED

_____________________ CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 46-t _____________________ CASH PAID for antiques, costume jewellery, furniture, gold, sterling, coins, tools, complete estates. We take it all! Free appraisals. Call 519-727-8894. 1-tfn _____________________

YARD SALE

_____________________ YARD SALE  Sat., Aug. 29, at 28 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex from 7:301:00. Pictures & paintings, ﬁshing rods & reels, collector plates in frames, wooden maple high-back rocking chair $30, computer chair $15, antiques, alarm clock 1891, Jennings Brother MFG Co. 701(gold), Call: 519-961-9519, cell: 519-818-9550. Wear mask. Rain date: Sat., September 5.

_______________________________________________

AUCTION SALE

_______________________________________________

Jack Morris

Auc ons Inc.

Auc on Sale Online only with assistance from Jacob Auc ons For Wayne & Janet Ferguson, Essex, located at 140 Marsh Rd. Auc on begins to close Monday, August 31 at 6:00 pm For catalogue & to register to bid please visit jacobauc ons.hibid.com Bidding begins Aug 24. For assistance call Dave Jacob at 519-348-9896 No Reserve. Farm is sold. Well cared for, stored inside equipment. Selling Case 830 & Case DC tractors, Case 960 & 660 combines, duals, planter, llage & gravity wagons, Long 3 ph backhoe, 14’ hydr. Dump trailer, 16’ dual axle trailer, 27’ Dutchman 5th wheel travel trailer -immaculate, ’04 Ford Freestar van, ’02 Ford F250 Super Duty Lariat pickup -both selling as is, 14’ Starcra boat w/motor & trailer, quan ty of farm primi ves & misc. Preview: Sat. Aug 22 or by appointment. Pickup of Equipment: Tues. Sept. 1 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Terms: e-transfer, wire transfer, approved cheque, Visa, MC. 10% buyer premium & HST in eﬀect. Proprietors: Wayne & Janet Ferguson, 519-839-4220 Auc oneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 Details & photos at www.jackmorrisauc ons.com

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Community I 13

Essex Free Press

Kingsville seeks feedback for Road 2 reconstruction by Adam Gault The Town of Kingsville is seeking resident feedback regarding the proposed reconstruction of Road 2 East from Division Street to County Road 45 (Union Avenue in Ruthven). Online feedback is being accepted online at the Town of Kingsville website, under a subsection titled, “Have Your Say.” The website is part of a resident feedback program, designed to allow for residents to have a greater voice when it comes to municipal projects within the Town of Kingsville. “The Town of Kingsville is dedicated to making Kingsville a progressive and prosperous place. In fact, a key strategic priority for Kingsville Council is to “promote the betterment, self-image, and attitude of the community through improved communications with residents, business owners, and visitors,” a town statement notes, regarding the “Have Your Say” project. “This page will be used to improve public engagement and the way you interact with local decision-makers by allowing you to directly provide input, ideas, and feedback on various matters based on where you live, work and play.” “The Town has been trying to provide greater outreach opportunities for residents to provide inputs into a number of projects,” Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos commented. “Whether it’s road works, park enhancements, facilities. It’s been a very valuable tool for us to help gauge public interest.” The proposed reconstruction on the aforementioned section of Road 2 has been estimated at around $5 million, and would include a two-lane asphalt roadway with curbs and gutters (without shoulders), roadway lane widths to be made 3.3m wide, an asphalt multi-use path in the south boulevard, improved street lighting, and the replacement of existing driveway aprons. This project would add to initial improvements undertaken on the road within the last four years, which transformed the road from dirt to pavement between Division and Kratz during that time. “Road 2 is certainly a significant corridor for traffic in our community,” Mayor Santos explained, highlighting the road’s access to the town’s recreational facilities. “It has a significant number of vehicles that utilize it on a daily basis, bypassing the downtown core.” If enacted, this proposal would seek to improve the safety of drivers and cyclists on the relatively busy east to west thoroughfare, which transports a significant number of trucks to and from area farming operations, as well as farm workers, who overwhelmingly depend on bicycles for personal transportation. If approved, the reconstruction on Road 2 would not begin until Spring 2021 at the earliest. The survey will be open for the next four weeks, and can be completed online at kingsville.ca.

www.tecumseh.ca

TOWN OF TECUMSEH NOTICE OF VIRTUAL/ELECTRONIC PUBLIC MEETING PROPOSED HOUSEKEEPING ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh will hold a virtual/electronic public meeting Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. to consider a proposed Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment to the Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18 pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990. Currently, there are three separate settlement areas in the Town’s Official Plan pertaining to lands within the former Sandwich South area, that collectively, identify areas where long-term urban uses are to be established. Within each of these three settlement areas, future development lands are either within a Hamlet Development Designation (requiring further study and Official Plan amendments to determine and identify the ultimate preferred urban land uses) or a specific urban land use designation (such as the Maidstone Hamlet Residential designation). These future development lands within settlement areas continue to be zoned “Agricultural Zone (A)” in the corresponding Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18, recognizing the current use of the lands for farming, prior to their development and conversion to urban uses. The current “Agricultural Zone (A)” permits a wide range of agricultural uses, including but not limited to livestock intensive agricultural uses and greenhouses. However, it is should be noted that mushroom farms are currently not a permitted use. The proposed housekeeping amendment would have the effect of changing the zoning on these lands to a site-specific “Agricultural Zone (A)” that would permit all of the uses in the “Agricultural Zone (A)” with the exception of livestock intensive agricultural uses and greenhouses. In addition, it will continue to prohibit mushroom farms. ANY PERSON may attend the virtual public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed Zoning By-law amendment. If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh before the Zoning By-law amendment is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh before the Zoning By-law amendment is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) unless, in the opinion of the LPAT, there are reasonable grounds to do so. How to Provide Comments or Participate in Electronic Public Meeting: Due to the COVID-19 declared emergency, Public Meetings are being held virtually through electronic means and live-streamed on the Town’s website. Any person who wishes to make oral submissions during the electronic Public Meeting must register as a delegate. To register as a delegate, persons may use the online registration form on the Town’s website at https://www.tecumseh.ca/en/town-hall/appearingbefore-council.aspx or by providing their contact information (name, address, email and phone number) to the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Thursday, September 3, 2020. Registered delegates will receive the necessary log-in details to the meeting. By registering as a delegate persons are consenting to their image, voice and comments being recorded and available for public viewing on the Town’s website. Written submissions may also be provided to the Clerk by Thursday, September 3, 2020. If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Council of the Corporation of Town of Tecumseh on the proposed Zoning By-law amendment, you must make a written request to the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh, c/o Laura Moy, Clerk, at the mailing address noted below. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to this matter is available for review during regular office hours at the Town Municipal Office on Lesperance Road. The Public Meeting Agenda regarding this application will be available on the Town’s website https://calendar.tecumseh.ca/meetings on Friday, September 4, 2020. DATED AT THE TOWN OF TECUMSEH THIS 27TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2020. LAURA MOY, CLERK, TOWN OF TECUMSEH 917 LESPERANCE ROAD TECUMSEH, ONTARIO, N8N 1W9 519-735-2184 Ext 116 lmoy@tecumseh.ca

Information on this and all Town of Tecumseh news and events is available at www.tecumseh.ca, www.tecumsehapp.ca, Twitter (@TownofTecumseh), and Facebook (Town of Tecumseh).

14 I Personals / Community Essex Free Press

FromThe Heart _______________________________________________

BIRTHDAY _______________________________________________

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. _________________________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY

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Happy 90th August 29th

KATHLEEN LAFFERTY From all the kids

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GOODBURN ~ August 28th ~ Love from your family

Voice Of Inspiration “For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.” ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

OBITUARIES

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ROBINSON, Rosamond - Passed away peacefully on August 16, 2020 at the age of 103. Beloved wife of the late Wilbur Robinson for 43 years. Loving mother of Sue Ellen and Tony Malkowski, Diane Grace and Joe Enna. Cherished grandmother of Karen and Peter Youngson, Jennifer and Lance Steckel. Loving great-grandmother of Alexander Youngson, Graham Steckel, and Carson Steckel. Dear sister of Camilla Campau and predeceased by 8 brothers and sisters. Rosamond was a 30 year member of Holy Name of Jesus C.W.L. The family wishes to thank all of the staﬀ at Iler Lodge and Dr. DeLuca, Dr. Gow, and all of the nursing staﬀ at Erie Shores HealthCare for their care and compassion. Due to current Covid 19 restrictions, a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations made to your local Food Bank would be appreciated. Share words of comfort at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

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ANNIVERSARY

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65th Wedding Anniversary ALFONS & EDNA BROCKMAN Are Celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary On August 27th, 2020. Come out to the Brockman Farm and help them celebrate Saturday, August 29th between 1 and 3pm, with a Driveby!

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IN LOVING MEMORY

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Business Update: ECNPLC starts device lending program to provide access to online healthcare -Storybook looks forward to new facility-

Birthday

BETTY

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

Memorial verses available

by Sylene Argent Device-lending program: The Essex County Nurse PractitionerLed Clinic (ECNPLC) has started a device-lending program, called “WE Health,” thanks to the Emergency Support for Community Organizations Granting Program through the Canadian Red Cross. The ECNPLC was awarded the funding recently, which will allow for the purchase of 36 tablets and internet sticks. They can be used for virtual medical appointments or to gain access to diabetes clinics or mental health groups. The clinic also received an anonymous donation of 36 iPhones to enhance the program. Elaine Coventry, Psychotherapist and Health Promoter at the local clinic, led the creation of the project. She said she noticed there were issues with some people being able to access healthcare, due to social and economic barriers. So, she began putting the program together, in hopes of creating a format where the local clinic, and the community, could

help people get access to healthcare. When COVID happened, she said, everything froze. Healthcare services were interfered with and services were cancelled. And, when digital opportunities were offered, there were individuals who did not have access to the internet or electronic tools. The program was designed to meet the needs of individuals, who are dealing with struggles that were exasperated by COVID-19, and, at the same time, compensate for inequities. The planning of the program began before the pandemic began. The local primary healthcare clinic reached out to the Windsor Public Library and the Essex County Library system, which will help design an appropriate lending system. Further, it is hoped some of the tools will be available at the libraries. The program is open across the community. “Our goal is to ensure, anyone who needs it, has access. It is very much an all-inclusive and multidisciplined project,” Coventry said. The clinic’s patients will have access to the devices, which will also be lent to other organizations for their clients in need. The ECNPLC, she said, works collaboratively with other local services. The clinic is currently hosting trials to see how the program will work. If someone called the clinic now, noting there was a need to access healthcare online, Coventry said the clinic could provide access to the program. New facility update for Story Book Early Learning Centre: Donna Hedrick, Executive Director of Story Book Early Learning Centre, is anticipating that the new daycare facility being built at Essex Public School will be completed for December

Continued on Page 17

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Community Hub I 15

Essex Free Press

Visit Essex CRC online to listen to a past sermon or two. www.essexcrc.ca. Brooker News submitted by Ruth Newman

sponsorship by:

Fresh food. Friendly neighbours 191 Talbot St. S., Essex

519-776-4255 Salvation Army Essex Church submitted by Carolyn Barnett

The Salvation Army Food Bank is operated by appointment only. Please call Vicki at 519-776-4628 to make arrangements. All other programs and Sunday services are still on hold due to the pandemic. Please continue to pray for all those aﬀected by COVID-19.

Weather permitting, we will gather at the home of Ruth Newman this Sunday, August 30 at 10am for worship in her backyard, under the trees. We welcome anyone who desires to come. Please bring a lawn chair and respect social distancing and a mask for close contact. Rob Cornies will bring the message. If weather is stormy, we will meet in the Education Auditorium at the church. Social distancing and mask required inside. We have so much to be thankful for. Please pray for our country, the many who are ill, and those in nursing homes. We are happy to announce that we be resuming services on September 13th at 11am, with safety protocols in place. As we continue to navigate through this diﬃcult time, know that we are still hard at work to provide you with the spiritual resources that you need. Visit our website (www. stpaulstrinity.org), social media, or contact us by phone at: 519-776-7711. Stay safe and we will see you next month!

Maidstone Cross submitted by Wendy Cunningham

submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

Best wishes to Fr. Vince as he moves to serve the Goderich area parishes. Our Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes begins on September 1st. Daily Mass will be on Thursdays at 8:30a.m. and weekend Mass is on Sundays at 8:30a.m. We welcome Fr. Seejo John as the Pastor and Fr. Paul Kim as the Associate Pastor. The oﬃce is located at Holy Name of Jesus and will be open Monday - Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Staﬀ includes Nick Fournier as Pastoral & Youth Minister, Laurie-Anne Abraham as Bookkeeper, and Wendy Cunningham as Secretary. Please keep in your prayers and all the people who are sick, shut-in, and in Hospice. Please stay healthy and safe!

How to maintain a car that’s rarely driven Driving habits changed significantly in 2020. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 forced many professionals to work from home fulltime. In addition, stay-at-home measures greatly limited how much people could or would travel in their free time. The result was a lot of cars spending a lot of time sitting idly in driveways. Just because a car is not being driven very much does not mean its owner can forgo vehicle maintenance. Drivers can take these steps to ensure their vehicles stay in shape even as they’re primarily staying in the driveway. • Adhere to recommended maintenance schedules. Auto manufacturers typically recommend maintenance schedules based on the number of miles a car is driven or the length of time since its most recent maintenance appointment. “Whichever comes first” may be recommended for fluid changes and routine tuneups, and this rule of thumb should still be followed. Even if a car has barely hit the road in recent months, its fluids, such as oil, are still aging and still need to be replaced. • Turn the car on every so often. Turning the car on, even if you only intend to let it sit idle in the driveway, keeps the vehicle components lubricated by allowing fluids to cycle their way through the engine. Turning the car on also ensures the battery stays fresh and doesn’t die, a lesson many drivers have learned the hard way during the

mcg.metrocreativeconnection.com

We welcome Fr. Paul Kim to our Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes. He will be the Associate Pastor and Fr. Seejo is our Pastor. Family of Parishes will activate on September 1st and daily Masses will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30a.m., weekend Masses on Saturday at 6p.m., and Sunday at 11a.m. The oﬃce hours are Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, please visit the Family of Parishes’ new website at centralessexcatholic.dol.ca. If you have moved, gotten rid of your landline, or if you have an email, please let the parish oﬃce know in order to keep an up to date parishioner list. Please stay healthy and stay safe!

Essex United Church Essex United is looking toward a September reopening. There are many guidelines and protocols to put in place and we want to do it right, and what is best for our congregation. The Essex Area Food Bank is available to anyone who needs assistance at this time in the gym, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hours open 8:30 - 11:45am.

Bethel-Maidstone United

COVID-19 outbreak. • Disconnect the battery if necessary. Drivers who own two vehicles or families who have only been using the family car in recent months can disconnect the batteries from their unused vehicles to prevent corrosion. Corrosion decreases battery life and performance. If drivers notice a white, green or blue covering around the battery terminals, posts or cables, corrosion is likely the culprit and the battery will need to be replaced. • Take the car for a spin. Of course, driving a vehicle every so often is a great way to keep it running strong. Multi-car families that tend to use the same car to shop for groceries or pick up takeout orders can periodically use their other car to run such errands. Cars are sitting idly in driveways more than ever before. Vehicle maintenance must remain a priority even for cars that rarely hit the open road.

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church submitted by Wendy Cunningham

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

Essex Christian Reformed Church Churches are a place where people gather. During this time, we are following what the government is asking all of us to do, and cancel church services and activities for the next few weeks. This includes our monthly Free Movie Night Event, and GEMS & Cadets nights. We encourage all to keep in contact with each other through telephone calls or texting. If you would like to live stream a worship service; visit www.chathamgrace.com. The service will begin at 10am. During these uncertain times, let us keep calm and focus our eyes, looking to our Risen Lord!

possible. Screening questions will be posted - we ask that you consider them carefully. Mask, sanitation methods, and govenment guidelines will be put in place. See us for info. Congregating inside the church will be discouraged. We are pleased to welcome Rev. Catherine back from maternity leave. We look forward to seeing her! We thank Rev. Paul for his weekly podcasts. He has been a steadying presence during these diﬃcult months and we are very grateful. At this time, and until further notice, the church hall/ building is not available for rentals or meetings. Messages and emails are checked on Thursdays. Our contact info is : bmuc@xplornet.ca or (519) 723-2284. You can ﬁnd us on the web at www.bethelmaidstone.com.

The Executive Council met recently and are pleased to announce the resumption of church service on Sunday, August 30. All attempts are being made to make this reopening as normal as

What’s Going On... MON. & WED.  ESSEX TUNE UP THE PARKS. 7pm virtual performances. Visit essex.ca for more details and schedule. SUN., SEPT. 20 - 2020 Kingsville Terry Fox Virtual Run. Learn more at: www.terryfox.ca/ terryfoxrun/kingsville. Donate at www.terryfox.c/mfit. HIATUS HOUSE: offers counselling services in Essex County. Women’s Fresh Start group therapy is once a week. For info or to schedule an intake appointment, call the 24-hour Hiatus House helpline at 519-252-7781. SUN COUNTY LYME AWARENESS SUPPORT GROUP offers monthly support for Lyme disease patients, family, & friends. Look us up on Facebook for updates.

16 I Business Directory Essex Free Press

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

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Thursday, August 27, 2020

News / Community / Business Directory I 17

Essex Free Press

Business Update... Bondy hosts first Councillor Corner Continued from Page 14

20. An opening date is set for January. The new build is for the business’s main site, which will house its full-day program that will serve infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. The latch-key program at the school will continue as it has been operated. Story Book Early Learning Centre has been operating out of the former Sun Parlour Junior Public School as a temporary solution, since a fire leveled its former Arthur Avenue facility in January of 2017. Currently, Hedrick is picking out paints and flooring for the new facility. “It is very exciting, because it will be very cohesive. All of our programs will really have a onestop stop.” She added that once the new facility is open, parents will no longer have to have to pick up youths in different programs at the two different sites. “It’ll be really quite convenient for the families.” “I’m sure it will be overwhelming, once it is all built and we get in there. We’ve been through a lot in just three-and-a-half years, between the fire and COVID,” she commented. Hedrick said there has been great community support behind them, every step of the way. This will be the first time Story Book Early Learning Centre will have a new facility, since it was started over four decades ago. The new build may allow the local daycare to accommodate more families, and may help eliminate some of the waiting list.

to connect with community

Park, with a few constituents of Ward 4. Bondy discussed local matters with the 10 attendees, including questions about a possible cannabis store, and the need for more affordable housing for seniors. She heard concerns about what she was told were high waste-water and water rates. She also heard concerns about the Harrow Streetscape Plan, which was planned to go ahead in 2020, and how this could possibly disrupt businesses in a year that already had many local establishments lockdown because of the pandemic. Bondy was please to spend time with the attendees, and to have fellow Essex Council representative, Kim Photo submitted: Resident Keitha Mulder was one of the individuals who sat with Essex Councillors Sherry Bondy and Kim Verbeek, also attended the event to meet with residents. “We were able to give a lot of time to each of the Verbeek last Thursday to participate in Bondy’s first Councillor Corner residents,” Bondy said. “I was grateful Councillor event. Verbeek came.” On Thusday, August 20, Councillor Sherry Bondy hosted a live meeting, at Harrow Veterans Memorial

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18 I Opinion / Community / News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, August 27, 2020

CTMHV hosts first Cruise-In of summer... Continued from Page 11

Another 1940 Chevy convertible

Museum especially challenging, but with the new modifications, many are hopeful this is the beginning of a larger turnaround. Tours of the Museum, and the impressive collection of classic vehicles, have returned, but guests are asked to call the Museum at (519) 776-6909 before visiting to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are in place for their arrival. “Please call so we can make sure we have a volunteer,” Wacheski explained. “Not all of our tour guides are coming

back right now. They’re not ready. Some of them are still a little nervous to come back and we hadn’t hired all of our students.” CTMHV is also beginning to resume bookings of small weddings and are hoping that conditions will allow for the return of some of their fall markets and events. While plans and schedules are tentative at this time, visitors are asked to visit ctmhv.com for all updates pertaining to upcoming events at the Museum.

Essex MP discusses Liberals proroguing government, new Conservative Leadership John Magill’s freshly restored ’40 Chevy convertible.

General Motors built 11,820 Chevrolet convertibles for the 1940 model year. All these cars were built at the GM plant in Flint, Michigan. Here is the story of two of them, likely both sold new in Ontario. John Magill of Midland, Ontario, was 19 in 1954 and living in the west end of Toronto when he bought a 1940 Chevrolet convertible with no engine, no headlights, no dashboard, no steering wheel, and no top. He snapped it up for $25.00 and began working on it. He installed a six cylinder GMC “Jimmy” engine hopped up for more horsepower. He also installed a new convertible top and went to a Pontiac dealership and purchased a brand new 1955 Pontiac turquoise steering wheel for his old Chevy. With the extra horsepower, he and two friends went to see the stock car races at the CNE grounds. On the way home, they were at a red light when a motorcycle cop challenged them to a drag race. When the light turned green, the cop took off and John and his two friends all ended up in the back seat! John had forgotten to bolt it down. The cop circled back and couldn’t stop laughing! When John went back to school in 1956, he sold the ’40 Chev convertible and never saw it again. But he never forgot about the fun he had when he owned it. Now fast forward to 2017. John and his wife, Mary, are living in Midland, Ontario, and John heard about a ’40 Chevy convertible for sale near Omemee, Ontario. It wasn’t the one he owned over 60 years earlier and this one needed a lot of work, but hey! We can only be nineteen twice in a life! He bought it, or rather what was left of it, and brought it home. He then joined the National Chevrolet Owners Club and made contact with a member living in Arizona who was an expert on the 1940 Chevy convertible. With that person’s help and a lot of new body panels purchased, the old car began to take shape once again. It is now fully restored and John is thrilled whenever he goes for a drive! I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca.

READ US ONLINE & IN PRINT contact@essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress

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519.776.4268 www.essexfreepress.com

by Sylene Argent In the wake of learning the government was prorogued until September 23 last week, Essex MP Chris Lewis said he was surprised. “I didn’t see that one coming,” he said. “I guess, my problem is, I am the ultimate team player, and when you’re in the heat of the battle, and the country is going down the toilet drain real, real, real fast, the last thing you want you want to do is not have all the hands and all of the people at the table; all of the great ideas, all of the great thoughts, all the brains. “You don’t just shut it down,” he continued.” Leadership is tough, especially in times of COVID-19, but, boy-oh-boy, people need to get past themselves and

realize there is a lot of great ideas out there. Canada is one amazing country with amazing people. We are only going to beat this working together, and not slamming the doors on the other parties.” At the end of the day, the prorogation of parliament is “frustrating, it’s a little bit embarrassing, or maybe a lot embarrassing for the Liberals, I suppose. But, we need to be sitting in the House of Commons and asking the real tough questions,” he said, noting that is not to beat on the liberals, but to bring true solutions forward, along with true ideas. It is not just about the Conservative Party, but perhaps the NDP and the Bloc

Continued on Page 19

Thursday, August 27, 2020

News I 19

Essex Free Press

Essex MP discusses Liberals proroguing government, new Conservative Leadership... Continued on Page 18 Québécois may have some great ideas. “But, we have to be in parliament. That’s our job. We were duly elected by the people, and for the people, to do this, and we were literally shut out of the House of Commons.” The prorogation was announced as the WE Charity issue was under investigation, and the hiatus in governance will temporarily halt committee investigations. The job of the official opposition party is to ask questions, Lewis said. One of the biggest losses through the prorogation is that the government is not being held accountable for its actions. He said the economy is bleeding, and that bleeding needs to stop and the economy needs to be turned back around. As far as getting politicians back into the House of Commons in relation to COVID-19, Lewis said if an excellent worker, such as a cashier at a big box store, is deemed an essential service, certainly a Member of Parliament should be deemed an essential service, Lewis said. MPs, to date, have not been brought back to the House of Commons during the pandemic in a regular fashion, but he believes an alternative could have been established, such as using the Ottawa Convention Centre, where he believes representatives could have sat six-feet a part. “All 338 of us, we could have been working for the people, but the government decided, ‘no, we’re going to do it from home,’” Lewis said, adding the model used did not allow MPs to ask questions. Lewis was able to attend two sessions in house during the pandemic and described the experience as “desolate,” in addition to “quiet, eerie.” He was, however, incredibly proud to sit with a handful of his colleagues. Lewis said he is looking forward to September 23, to hear the Speech from the Throne. His guess is that the government will survive a confidence vote because he believes the NDP may not want an election. Then, the Federal Budget will come into play, though no date is set, Lewis said he is thinking it will be tabled in late October. “That’s going to be the real tell-tale of just how far in debt is

this is country going to go. He added that Canada could face a one-trillion-dollar deficit. “I don’t know how my 17, 19, and 21-year-old are going to be able to afford a house, start a family,” he said, noting he has the same concern for the constituents he represents. Many of the phone calls to Lewis’s office are in regards to border issues and loved ones not being able to see each other, in some cases since the onslaught of the pandemic. Bill Blair, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, needs to become accountable, Lewis said. “He has got to giving some direction to the CBSA to allow some type of a compassionate bill, so that loved ones from our friends in the US, and our folks here – even right in Essex – can see each other.” This could include those who need to get into Michigan for cancer treatment and loved ones who have fiancés across the border. He is not suggesting the border get blown right open, but people need to start to be able to connect. He worries about the mental health effects separation could have on people. “All the Zoom calls in the world cannot replace the human touch,” he said. On Monday evening, Lewis said the Conservative Party officially appointed MP Erin O’Toole as its official leader. The local MP said former Party Leader Andrew Scheer did a fantastic job, and he was proud to have run under him in the last election, but he is excited about the new Party Leader. “He is going to bring a new perspective, a new energy, a new vision to our party that, I believe, is going to put us over the top,” Lewis commented. “I am really excited about this. It is a brand-new day,” he said, adding he believes Canadian will like O’Toole, who comes from an Army background. “I’m a big believer in clarity. If people don’t know where they are going, they are stuck in a rut,” Lewis said, adding now that O’Toole has been appointed leader, the caucus will rally behind him and will work hard. He believes this will lead to a majority Conservative government in the future. Lewis does want the community to know his team is

incredible. At the peak of COVID-19, his office was getting 1200 emails, phone calls, of texts per day. He said he is extremely proud of his staff members and the work they have done during the pandemic. “They need to be celebrated,” he said.

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20 I Special Feature Essex Free Press

I Thursday, August 27, 2020