Essex Free Press - December 10, 2020 by Essex Free Press

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Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.

Vol. 140

A LOOK INSIDE Essex Council meeting notes - Monday, December 6, 2020 PAGE 3 ______________ 26th annual Jingle Bell Run goes virtual for 2020 PAGE 10 _______________ Essex County budget to have slight tax increase in 2021 PAGE 11 _______________ Support shown for family displaced by McGregor fire PAGE 12 _______________ Rotarians’ annual donation to Essex Area Food Bank exemplifies the spirit of giving this season PAGE 23 _______________

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Issue No. 48

Essex uses modified, virtual tree lighting to honour frontline workers

Looking For A Good Home

“HOPE” See Page 5 for adoption info.

Photo submitted from the Town of Essex: Members of Essex Council asked 20-year Iler Lodge employee, Betsabe Zuiderveen, to flip the switch in a show of appreciation for frontline care workers during the modified Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, December 1.

by Sylene Argent While traditionally, the Essex Salvation Army and Essex Centre BIA would team-up to host the annual Tree Lighting ceremony, which would include hot chocolate, treats, live band music, and caroling by the tree on the front lawn of the Essex Municipal Building, the COVID-19 pandemic had this year’s holiday kick-off take place a little differently this year. In light of the pandemic, Council members gathered to officially light the tree, while the event was uploaded to the Town of Essex’s social media for the community to enjoy. This allowed for a sense of Christmas spirit to brew from within each community member, from the comfort of their own homes. The pandemic also allowed the Town of Essex to use the event to honour frontline workers, as Betsabe Zuiderveen, who has been employed at Iler Lodge for more than two-decades, was asked to officially flip the switch. Zuiderveen was welcomed to the Tree Lighting event in recognition of the hard work frontline care workers

have put in throughout the pandemic. “On behalf of Council and the entire community, we would like to thank Betsabe, her colleagues, her peers throughout the region, and all of the other essential workers, who have dealt with these extraordinary circumstances with poise and dedication,” Essex Mayor Larry Snively said before Zuiderveen officially flipped on the lights. “We know this has been a difficult year for all of you, so thank you for going above and beyond in your service to some of the most vulnerable in our community.” In continuation of celebrating the Christmas season, the Town of Essex is hosting its Holidaythemed Tune Up the Parks virtual concert series. New performance, hosted by local musicians, are uploaded to the Town’s social media pages on Monday and Wednesday evenings. To date, Doug Biekx, Steve Morin and Friends, Cymbolism, and Francine Honey, who released her own holiday album, “Take Me to the North Pole,” last year, have performed.

2 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Councillor Garon uses Contingency Fund to make donation to LIFE program

-the funds purchased a washer and dryer that will help teach life skillsconsists of dollars set aside out of the budget for each Council member that can be used for projects as they come up throughout the year. Lea-Anne (LA) Shepley, Program Director for LIFE, said with this money, LIFE was able to purchase a stackable/ portable washer and dryer. “This is so important to have in our program. Our members can develop their laundry life skill program. We are overwhelmed and so thankful to him,” Shepley said. Shepley was impressed Garon did not only make the donation, but used his personal time to share a game of UNO with some of the clients at LIFE. “His kindness and donation are beyond appreciated,” Shepley added. “I love Lea-Anne. I’ve known her a long time. We have a good relationship,” Garon said as to why it was important for him to make this donation. Garon ran a local men’s baseball league and Shepley ran the women’s, which had

Photos submitted

by Sylene Argent Recently, Essex Councillor Joe Garon made a financial donation to the newly established Learning

in Friendship and Equality (LIFE) program, through his Council Contingency Fund. The Council Contingency Fund

the two become almost like family. “It is a good cause,” Garon said of LIFE.” “It allows an opportunity [for clients] to do something, be somewhere, and learn life skills. I’m glad she stepped up to do this. There was a need for it in town. In speaking about the afternoon he spent with LIFE clients, Garon said it was a good experience. “I’m hoping to go up there more regularly, after the holidays, to play games and do arts and crafts with [the members],” he said. LIFE moved into the former Essex Kinsmen Fieldhouse in August, and is offering a program to help clients, ages 19 and over with special needs, to achieve their best. Part of the program is offering trips around the community, therapeutic, culinary, and social opportunities. Clients are also learning about grocery shopping, daily hygiene, and other important skills.

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Thursday, December 10, 2020

News I 3

Essex Free Press

- Monday, December 6, 2020 INSIDE THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL NOTES... • Essex staff member to be appointed to take accessibility training course • • Upper Canada Growers wish to add two dwelling units, greenhouse • • Draft plan approval for new Harrow subdivisions • & MORE by Sylene Argent and Adam Gault Administration to explore potential for a surveillance camera by-law Essex Council passed a motion directing Administration to create a report that will explore the possibility of creating a by-law pertaining to surveillance cameras on private property, following a public presentation from an Essex resident. Jennifer Weber presented her story to Council, alleging that a neighbour’s use of several security cameras, including one pointing directly into her backyard, violates her and her family’s privacy, and causes them to feel uncomfortable on their own property. “I told [my neighbour] that the only camera I was worried about was the one directed at my backyard, because in the front yard, you don’t have as much of an expectation of privacy,” Weber said, adding that the OPP noted that as it stands, the neighbour’s actions are not illegal. “[The OPP] told me that if my neighbour was holding the camera, that it would be illegal, but because it was positioned on his garage, then it was perfectly legal.” While some municipalities across Ontario have had by-

laws regulating where home security cameras can be directed for some time now, the continued proliferation of home security technology in recent years has raised additional home privacy concerns surrounding the capturing of audio and video images. “It is going to be a bylaw that if we do adopt it, it’s going to be difficult to enforce,” Councillor Joe Garon said, who had brought forward the initial Notice of Motion on the surveillance camera issue at the November 16 meeting. “That being said, without the bylaw, we leave our by-law enforcement or police officers with anything to defend when they get a call from residents.” Councillor Chris Vander Doelen stated that he had several concerns with the proposal, noting that security cameras have been an instrumental component in solving property and additional crimes. “There’s a question here of where one homeowner’s rights end and the next one’s start,” Vander Doelen said. “We’re hearing one side of a dispute between two individuals. I sure would not want to pass a law affecting 21,000 residents, based on a dispute between two individuals. I think we need to hear more about this feud before we rush

about creating new laws.” Administration is expecting to have the report prepared by the second quarter of 2021. Essex staff member to be appointed to take accessibility training course Lisa Wallace, Vice Chairperson of the Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee, noted last year, this Committee of Council presented its multi-year accessibility plan. At its last Committee meeting, members reviewed the plan to ensure alignment with the goals set in the document. Two of the provisions in the document are set to ensure Committee members provide information to Council regarding national and international initiatives and continue to explore for training opportunities to remove barriers and create an inclusive town. She thanked the Town for recognizing December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities though social media posts. Disability inclusion, she said, is essential to upholding human rights. She also asked, through the Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee, that a staff member with the Town of Essex be appointed to take the Introduction to Accessibility in a Built Environment:

the Accessible Spaces 101 program through Athabasca University, which the committee will fund. She said this is a selfpaced online course, which examines the impact of the social and physical environment on people with disabilities and introduces the application of universal design for creating meaningful access. Councillor Sherry Bondy said it was hoped a staff member would take part in the training session, likely from the Planning Department. CAO Chris Nepszy said he could look into who would be best suited to take the course, but sees it best suited as through a team environment. Council received the presentation and directed staff to nominate someone to take the training course. Continued on Page 8

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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I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• A new normal

We have heard the term “new normal” being talked about, since the beginning of the pandemic. This includes things like, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. When the term was first starting to get used months ago, I certainly did not like it. Sure, I’ll wear the mask and keep six-feet a part from strangers while grocery shopping to do my part during the pandemic, but I was certainly not in favour of thinking about these measures being around for the long-term. And, I still can’t wait for things to get back to normal. I was thinking about the “new normal” term recently, and I realized that we all experience “new normal” beginnings at some point, as we trek through our own life journeys. Some of us may experience a health condition that requires us to squeeze routine medical treatments into our schedules, some of us have children, some experience the loss of a loved one, and some may make positive changes that take time, like ensuring a

daily workout, for a healthier lifestyle. Getting use to a “new normal” may be a challenge, but there could also be some benefit in doing so down the road. The truth of the matter, is that sometimes I think most of us get pretty comfortable with our day-to-day routines, and become so focused on getting our daily tasks accomplished, we may not be prepared for an upset that may threaten the lifestyle we are used to living, or even the life of one our friends or family members, who may have an unexpected challenge to overcome. Sometimes those upsets, however, challenge us to find our strength within and become an even stronger person than we were before. We may also discover a perseverance within ourselves we did not know even existed. Change can be hard, but it can also set the stage for betterment and an opportunity to switch the tone of the tune we have always sung, figuratively

speaking. As we become wiser with age, the tone for our life narrative will evolve. And, it is those hardships, those “new normal” beginnings that changed the course of our path once upon a time, that helped shaped how we evolve. Recently, I thought about certain things I have gone through, and instead of feeling guilt for acting a certain way or sad about things that were done to be that were hurtful, I thought about how each thing I went through in my life has taught me what to do and what not to do; who I am and who I am not; how to react and how not to react. And, I can’t regret those happenstances, because they led me to being the person I am today. By no means do I consider myself perfect or flawless, there is always a lot of room for improvement, but I have become comfortable being me, and I am grateful for that.

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.

Letter to the Editor

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.

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Small business concerns and the need for Council to ask for specific pandemic data I am writing this letter as a local small business owner, hoping the words expressed are read with the intention in which they were written. I will mention thoughts, concerns, and some frustrations not only from myself, but also from numerous business owners, clients, and individuals in the community. For the past month, I have been working tirelessly, reaching out to local politicians, lawyers, and seeking counsel from individuals who may offer some sort of logic to government decisions being made. I have reached out to a number of local businesses in the fitness industry as well, as business owners in other industries and found we are all trying to sort our way through this ever-changing and unprecedented situation. During the first lockdown, Premier Ford stated he would make decisions based on fact, science, and evidence. I believe there is lack of transparency and withholding of important information rightly due to the public. Because of that, we are losing faith in decisions made. Local 444 UNIFOR President, David Cassidy, sent an email to Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ahmed, requesting the specific breakdown of data within our region. Dr. Ahmed denied he has access to such information when he stated “All I can tell you is that these restrictions for gyms are coming from the Province and we don’t have any additional local restrictions.” Premier Ford, however, is stating the Province is relying on information from the Medical Officer. It has become a cat and mouse game. No one is willing to give a straight answer. On Monday, November 23, 2020, Dr. Ahmed gave a presentation as to where the COVID transmissions were occurring. The answer: In households via close contacts

with a confirmed case. Not at gyms, restaurants, and local small businesses, which are being punished. It is extremely concerning verifiable numbers stating our defence are being ignored. On the contrary, we are being pointed out as the problem. During the same presentation, a number of charts were shown and among them was “COVID-19 in Canada, Table 6”. Why is it that the Windsor-Essex area is the one to include footnotes explaining how data has been clustered together in broader categories? Further, fitness facilities are part of the “Other” category, which puts together outbreaks in settings not listed in the categories above, for example social gatherings, office workplaces, recreational facilities, etc. With restaurants and gym required to contact trace, the data is available and should be separated for transparency and to restore trust of the public. As an owner of the Onyx Fitness Solutions gym in Essex, I can speak on the part of fitness facilities. Real time data that is accessible through the FIC National Coalition (Fitness Industry Council of Canada) reports since reopening mid-August, there have been over 20,000,000 workouts in Canada, 7,000,000 workouts in Ontario, and 250,000 workouts in Windsor-Essex. I believe the transmission rate in all of Canada is only 0.001% and the transmission rate locally is 0%! The health and fitness industry IS essential. It is important for the public to know during the last lockdown, we (and other club owners), were getting messages and phone calls from members on the verge of mental breakdowns. On more than one occasion, a call needed to be placed for emergency services. Why is no one talking about this? It is not right, nor realistic, to focus solely on getting the numbers to zero.

Continues on Page 5

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Opinion I 5

Essex Free Press

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor Continued from Page 4

There is a bigger picture and it need not be ignored. When we have the LCBO open for the sake of mental health, yet we fail to see the proactive benefit of mental health through fitness, we have a problem. Being healthy remains the best way to fight off illness. When we have commercials selling pills for “pandemic anxiety,” yet ignore now published statistics of illnesses and deaths, due to COVID measures, we have a problem. On another note, there have been many measures put in place for small businesses. The cost to implement these measures continues to climb and the restrictions on how we run our places of business limits the potential revenue. Big box retailers have unlimited people flocking to them daily. These same big box retailers just so happen to be lobbying the government and have the means to do so effectively. Please understand, we are happy to do what we can to keep the public safe. In fact, we are doing exactly that. However, a number of small businesses are now at a point where they have a difficult decision to make. A) follow restrictions and succumb to another potential lockdown, which in turn will close many doors for good; or B) civil disobedience. While they are not looking to cause trouble or implement the latter of the two, without justifiable reasons, some will see no alternative. I am now directly addressing the Town of Essex staff and Council members. We appreciate the hard work you’ve done to bring businesses into Essex. We are calling on you to help those businesses stay in our community, not only for the sake of business, but for their employees, and customers. We need you. You have a voice. Please speak for us and seek the truth. Respectfully, Kim Dennison A local business owner

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Child Care Dear Sylene Argent, The Liberal government continues to exist in a bubble, failing to understand that Canadians do not all share its perspectives. Their child care plan announced in the November 30, 2020 economic statement by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, presumes that all women uniformly share her perspective on child care. This is an insult to the intelligence of women, and their integrity. Chrystia Freeland stated during her speech that, “Canada will not be truly competitive until all Canadian women have access to the affordable

child care we need to support our participation in our country’s workforce.” Not all women share Ms. Freeland’s enthusiasm to return to the workplace to assist with the economy or otherwise. They have other priorities, such as responsibilities for their families. According to Statistics Canada in 2015, in its report “Women and Paid Work,” 25% of women choose to work part-time because of their children, compared to only 3.3% of men. However, the government continues to believe that having all women in the paid workforce will relieve its debt-finance spending, which is leading to a debt

pegged at $1.4 trillion by March 2025. In its fantasy world, the Liberal government believes that government revenues will easily pay for the extraordinary expense of a national childcare program by way of the construction of hundreds of thousands of new day care centres, and the thousands of dollars in taxes paid by the newly hired day care workers. In addition, it believes that increased labour supplied by women in the work force will be a

bonanza, since a national child care program will lead women to obligingly work longer hours, and will reduce their participation in part-time work. Unions, with the expected increase in memberships under the day care plan, and also corporations, may appreciate any increase in female workers, but this is not what parents want. Child care is a decision of parents since it is the parents who understand what is best for their

Continues on Page 6

Pet Of The Week: Hope

Hope is an independent girl. She is vocal and ready to run your household. She is very curious and loves to explore to pass the time. She likes to be pet on the head when she’s not too busy and is picky about where and when she enjoys being pet. She likes to do her own thing and certainly doesn’t need you to hold her hand or to give her any silly cat toys. Only a limited number of animals will be made available at a time. They will be posted on the adoptable animal pages at www.windsorhumane. org. To apply to adopt an available animal, please click the “Interested in this Animal? Click here” link. All applications will be reviewed. For more info, contact us today. This pet comes with 6 weeks of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information, visit www.ospcainsurance.ca or call 1-866-600-2445. The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter is at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751.

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6 I Opinion Essex Free Press

OFA points to industry collaboration as the key to success in 2020 and beyond

Commentary - OFA

By Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Working together and collaborating with other organizations during the pandemic has been vital in keeping the agri-food sector strong and addressing the ongoing issues that our industry continues to face. This year more than ever, our industry has come together as many voices, with one message, to better support Ontario farmers. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) recognizes that as we navigate through a global pandemic, there are many competing issues, priorities, and concerns that continue to take precedence throughout

Jeff Willms*

MBA, CFP®, CLU, CH.F.C., CHS

Willms Financial Services Inc.* Greenwood Centre 3200 Deziel Drive, Suite 508 Windsor, ON N8W 5K8

the province. Many don’t realize that a strong domestic agri-food sector is the key to food security, economic recovery, and growth. When challenges arise, the agri-food industry has been able to come together as one to best support, not only Ontario farmers, but the provincial economy and families across the province. As Ontario’s largest general farm organization, OFA has the ability to build bridges, strengthen connections, and support the 200 commodities and agri-food stakeholders across our province. Throughout the pandemic, our industry has been able to come together to tackle critical issues that have threatened the structure and wellbeing of our sector. Earlier this year, a freedom-of-information (FOI) request was filed, asking for the names and farm business registration numbers of all farms in Ontario. OFA, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, and National

Tel: 519-974-3200 ext. 2223 Fax: 519-974-3282 willms.financial@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/wfs.inc.

*Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.

Letter to the Editor Continued from Page 5

child. Empirical studies on parents’ views on child care have been carried out for nearly three decades in Canada and indicate that they have a strong preference for a home and family approach to child care. This preference is being ignored by the government child care program that provides only one option for parents. Also, a sound child care policy should follow the findings of reliable research on children’s well being, which is to provide children with secure attachments with adult caregivers. Studies carried out on Quebec’s highly touted universal daycare program have found worse daycare outcomes for children, including decreased measures of social and motor skills and increased illness and aggression. Children should not be sacrificed in order to advance the economy and the government’s mind boggling debt. Instead of imposing its own bias on Canadians, the

Liberal government should re-think its child care policy to accommodate the actual needs and wants of children and parents and not its ideological friends.

submitted by: C. Gwendolyn Landolt National Vice-President REAL Women of Canada www.realwomenofcanada.ca

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Farmers Union – Ontario were able to collaborate on this issue and effectively mediate the situation, ensuring that the request was withdrawn. When Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019, was introduced, Ontario’s livestock and poultry commodity organizations, the food processing sector, and OFA worked together to strongly support and advocate for the legislation to be passed. On a national scale, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, commodity organizations, and provincial organizations, such as OFA, have been advocating for changes to improve the AgriStability program to help manage production and market risks. The ongoing collaborative effort that agri-food organizations are taking has been well received at the recent FederalProvincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers’ meeting. The agri-food industry is diverse, with many organizations advocating for support. We are stronger when we can forge and strengthen partnerships and speak up for agriculture as one voice. This year, OFA has been able to collaborate with organizations to advocate for the industry and produce resources to help spread awareness or support individuals through various labour initiatives. OFA was able to work alongside Meat and Poultry Ontario and livestock representatives on a Meat and Poultry Growth Strategy, to launch a series of training videos through the Feeding Your Future initiative. We have also been able to work with rural and municipal organizations to expand broadband internet across rural Ontario, and countless other initiatives and committees at the local, provincial, and national level. OFA staff and board members will continue to expand our network and collaborate with industry stakeholders through 2021, identifying new ways to support and grow the agri-food industry, and achieve our priorities. The future of agri-food depends on the strength of our industry’s voices collectively. As the African proverb states, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Essex Free Press

Ad Feature I 7

8 I News Essex Free Press

Essex Council notes - December 6...

Upper Canada Growers wish to add two dwelling units, greenhouse Lori Chadwick, Director of Development Services, provided Council with a verbal report on the Upper Canada Growers ZBA/SPC applications. She said this fruit tree nursery is looking to expand its existing operation to add two ancillary residential dwellings to accommodate the housing of farm help and a 37,000 square-foot greenhouse. It is located on Ridge Road. A minor zoning bylaw amendment is required for the dwelling units, since only one is permitted. This proposal will be brought to Council for consideration during the December 21 special meeting, to be held before the regular meeting. The greenhouse is a permitted, however, and is subject to Site Plan Control. Given the nature of Upper Canada Growers’ request to expedite planning approvals, Council has the option

Continued from Page 3

to make a decision on the Zoning By-Law Amendment the same night, during the regular Council meeting on December 21. A site plan agreement will also be ready that same night, to ensure all approvals can cross the finish line at the same time, she said. Upper Canada Growers, she added, will have the dwelling units completed by March 1. Council had to decide how to direct administration to process. There were two options Chadwick presented: Hold only the public meeting on December 21 and wait until January 18 to make the decision, or proceed with everything on December 21. If issues are raised at that point, Council can defer the decision, if needed. Council received the report and voted to deal with all three items on December 21. Infill Residential Development: admin directed to investigate possibility of deferring Development Charges until the Town would collect taxes Council received Development Services Report on “Housing Affordability and Opportunity in the Town of Essex.” Members were also asked to consider the options and associated impacts to incentivize Infill Residential Development through the waiving of Development Charges in advance of 2021 Budget Deliberations. Lori Chadwick, Director of Development Services, explained the purpose of the report is to identify initiatives that could be and have been undertaken to supplement or support housing affordability, including the development of infill housing, which is an existing vacant lot of record on an available piece of land, located between existing homes on a street with suitable municipal services for residential purposes. To help meet the goal of proving a range of attainable housing – ensuring various income levels can find and secure suitable housing – opportunities, the Town of Essex has pre-zoned vacant, developable lands to allow for a mix of single, semi-detached, and townhomes; has zoned for attached second dwelling units in singledetached, semi-detached, and townhome dwellings in the Settlement Areas; and has provided $5,000 grants for the creation of rental dwelling units in commercial spaces in Community Improvement Plan project areas. To further assist in meeting the goal of proving a range of attainable housing opportunities, the

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Town could incentivize for infill residential development. In March, she said, a report was presented to Council that highlighted 132 potential infill residential units throughout the municipality. In support of Council’s resolution then, which was to investigate how the Town could finance Development Charges for these 132 potential dwelling units, Chadwick presented Council with six options: Defer payment for all 132 units; waive soft services (such as recreational and library services) by 50 percent for 98 “ready to build” Infill Semi-Detached Dwellings; waive soft services only for the 98 “ready to build” units; fully waive Development Charges for the 98 “ready to build” units; waive soft services only for all 132 units; or fully waive Development Charges for all 132 units. Councillor Steve Bjorkman said Council has been looking forward to this report, and there is interest in the possibility. These areas, he said, are great for waiving Development Charges, because everything – all amenities such as sewer and water – is already there. He liked the idea of waiving the entire Development Charge because people are looking to the area. He suggested this be a time-limited offer. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche was not in favour of giving away all Development Charges, but liked the idea of waiving soft services. He asked about deferring the costs as well. To waive all Development Charges for the aforementioned properties, it would cost the Town $1,345,165. The Town still has to pay it, even if it is not collected, as mandated by the Province. Waiving soft services, would cost $640,969. Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said waiving Development Charges is a dangerous and blunt tool. He only agrees with them if there is a sunset clause. He said he was in favour of tiny homes and affordable housing. Councillor Sherry Bondy is in favour of getting housing in the infill lots, where the services exist, and not on farmland. CAO Chris Nepszy said Council does need to think of the impact on the budget in regards to any decisions made. Bjorkman noted waivers would be made back eventually in taxes. He said the services are already there, and do not have to be installed, like in a subdivision. “We need to take it real serious, and look at the dollars that are going to generate by filling in those spaces,” Bjorkman said. Meloche made a motion to direct administration to come back to Council at the next budget deliberation,

Continued on Page 9

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Thursday, December 10, 2020

News I 9

Essex Free Press

Essex Council notes - December 6... entailing if it is possible to defer the Development Charges until such time the Town would collect taxes. Council received the report and moved Meloche’s motion. Two additional options will come to Council in the future through separate reports as part of the proposed general amendments to the Zoning By-Law: • Administration is working on a way to provide for a range of housing options in zoning for detached second dwelling units on the same property. Chadwick said the Province of Ontario has just recently mandated the exemption or waiver for Development Charges for attached second dwelling units, and detached as well. Essex’s Zoning Bylaw will be update in 2021 to reflect this change. • The other proposed option is to provide zoning for tiny homes. At this time, Chadwick said, the minimum floor area is 650 square-feet. This does not align with the minimum in the Ontario Building Code, which is 215 squarefeet. She added the Town’s building and planning teams are working together on this proposal, which will also be discussed in the future, through a separate report. The Town, she said, could also consider land lease communities or eliminate the R1 Zoning.

Draft plan approval for new Harrow subdivision Draft plan approval has been sent to Essex County on behalf of Noah Homes, to request approval for the development of the “Parkland Estates” subdivision in Harrow. The approved residential subdivision would encompass 14-acres, immediately south of the Harrowood Seniors Community, and will construct single, semi detached, and townhomes, accessible from a single access point from County Road 13. Since a public meeting on the proposal in November, there has been feedback and concerns from area residents regarding proper storm water management and drainage with the development of the subdivision, with the Town assuring residents that these concerns are not taken lightly. “Topographic surveys, lot grading sheets, services plans, letters to abutting neighbours offering tie-in into storm sewers, are just some of the procedures that we are tightening and implementing as a part of the development process,” Essex Director of Development Services, Lori Chadwick, explained. “Finally, draft approval from the County will include the requirement that the proponent and Town execute a subdivision agreement, which sets the framework for the development of the subdivision, including provisions for drainage, lot grading, servicing, sidewalk, and so much more.” When completed, the proposed threephase development will comprise of 26 single detached homes, and 46 semidetached homes, for a total of 72 dwelling units. At this time, the Town of Essex will

Continued from Page 8

request that the Manager of Planning Services for the County of Essex approve the Draft Plan of Subdivision, subject to compliance with the recommended development servicing conditions, with final approval pending fulfillment of all those conditions. General Insurance Services awarded to Frank Cowan Company Council awarded a Request for Proposal for General Insurance Services to Frank Cowan Company Limited, for a one-year term, beginning January 1, 2021 and ending January 1, 2022. This agreement will also allow the Town to renew the services for each following year, up to a maximum of fiveyears, based on performance, quotes, and service. Over the past year, the Town of Essex has noticed an increase in the cost of its general insurance program. This increase in premium cost was based mainly on the increasing risks being encountered by Ontario municipalities relating to general municipal liability exposure and its associated commercial general liability insurance coverage. By awarding the General Insurance Services to Frank Cowan Company, the Town will have an additional savings of around $69,000 on the 2021 budget. HEIRS lease extended ten-years Council received Community Services Report “Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society Renewal of Lease Agreement at Harrow Arena” and further approved entering into a renewal agreement with Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society for leased space at the Harrow Arena for an additional ten-year period, commencing January 1, 2021. The Report to Council notes HEIRS has been renting the space at the Harrow Arena to offer an ancestry research library and resource centre since around March of 2001. The lease will require HEIRS to pay an annual fee of $1,200, plus applicable harmonized sales tax (HST), or a monthly rate of $100, plus HST. The By-Law received three readings and was adopted. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said this is a very worthy group to have as a tenant. The amount of information the members have about the community and local history is incredible, he added. NoM: Bill 229 Councillor Sherry Bondy brought forward a Notice of Motion, to be discussed at the December 21 regular meeting, in regards to the Province introducing Bill 229, Protect, Support, and Recover from COVID Act and its relation to the Conservation Act. The legislation introduces a number of changes that could remove and or significantly hinder conservation authorities’ role in regulating development, permit appeal process, and engaging in review and appeal of planning applications, she noted.

10 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

26th annual Jingle Bell Run goes virtual for 2020 -2020 Giving Tuesday campaign launched- by Adam Gault A longstanding charitable fundraiser that supports Community Living Essex County (CLEC) went ahead “virtually” this past weekend, as just over 300 people took part in the 26th annual Jingle Bell Walk/Run/or Wheel. From December 4 to 7, participants, of all ages and abilities, took to the streets and trails in their respective local areas to cover either 2, 5, or 10 kilometres, and record their times online at Race Roster or through the Runkeeper app. Normally held in the beginning of November, and taking over Talbot Street, in front of longtime Jingle Bell Run

sponsor and supporter, Ken Knapp Ford, this year required a bit of creative thinking to continue to hold the event in a safe and exciting manner, due to COVID-19. “We thought, ‘Why not try it?’” explained CLEC Manager of Community Relations and Resource Development, Tony DeSantis, noting CLEC had recent success with making its annual Ruthven Apple Festival a virtual event. “We wouldn’t have been successful without the support of Ken Knapp Ford in Essex. They had a pretty enthusiastic group. I think every staff person, 80 in total, participated.” As one of the critical fundraising events for

CLEC, the money raised during the Jingle Bell Run is used to support the organization that assists more than 700 individuals across Essex County who are living with intellectual disabilities, in addition to their families. While last year had more than 400 take part in the run, much of the addiyional participation had to do with the celebration of the event’s 25th anniversary, as well as the support for the late Bob Blair, Chairperson of the Jingle Bell Run Steering Committee, who passed away earlier in 2019. “We’re extremely pleased with the support that we’ve received and continue to receive from

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the community,” DeSantis said of the support of this year’s modified event. “It demonstrates how much people care about the organization and the people that we support. It was a very heartwarming feeling to see support. It speaks volumes of our community, it really does.” While CLEC hopes the Jingle Bell Run can return in its traditional form in 2021, the plan is to continue to support the remote aspect of the event to encourage

additional participants who would

otherwise be unable to attend the traditional run. CLEC has one more important fundraiser to host before wrapping up 2020. The local organization launched its 2020 Giving Tuesday campaign on Tuesday, December 1, which is a global movement where non-profit charitable organizations kick-off the giving season, while spreading awareness for their cause. All donations can be made online at:canadahelps. org/en/giv3/17996. Contributions made to Community Living Essex County from Tuesday, December 1 to Thursday, December 24, will be matched up to a maximum of $8,000, thanks to generous corporate partner, Libro Credit Union. The 2020 campaign goal is to raise $16,000, with funds to be earmarked towards virtual supports that may include the purchase of smart support technology devices, such as smart phones and tablets, for CLEC’s clients.

Thursday, December 10, 2020

News I 11

Essex Free Press

Essex County budget to have slight tax increase in 2021 -EMS to implement Mental Health/Addictions Response teamby Adam Gault Essex County Council approved its 2021 Budget during a meeting last week that will have a 0.49 percent tax increase for Essex County residents. “The 2021 Budget is a story primarily of COVID-19 management,” Essex County Director of Finance and Treasurer, Sandra Zwiers, explained. “We also include a steady continuation of our planned projects, and an opportunity year to update long-term plans and service delivery reviews to support decision making not only in 2021, but beyond.” Total gross expenditures for 2021 are budgeted and approved at around $191.1 million, which is a slight increase over the approved $187.5 million from 2020. This will include $68.4 million in recoveries, including provincial and third-party contributions, user fees, and a net contribution from the Essex County reserves of $12.2 million. “Once we net off our departmental recoveries, as well as our reserve

contributions, we’re left with a net levy requirement in 2021 of approximately $112.5 million,” Zwiers said. With the consideration of all additional reserves and grants, it was determined that the 0.49 percent tax increase was necessary, which will equal an additional $560,000 for the County. While the County had originally explored the possibility of a twopercent property tax decrease, additional need for funding, including COVID-19 recovery measures, necessitated the modest increase. Breaking down how the County will allocate each tax dollar for the 2021 budget, 39 cents will go towards infrastructure, 28 cents for external commitments, 12 cents towards Essex-Windsor EMS, 10 cents for longterm care, 6 cents for corporate and community services, and 5 cents for the Essex County Library. Included in this Budget is a new pilot program for Essex-Windsor EMS, set to begin in April 2021,

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which will implement a Mental Health and Addictions Response team. With mental health and substance abuse calls increasing with each passing year, and exacerbated over the course of the pandemic, this program will pair EMS paramedics with area mental health and addiction specialists. Together, they will respond to mental health and addiction calls, which now make up around 15 percent of the call for service volume. Through this program, Essex-Windsor EMS hopes to be able to offer more appropriate service for individuals with mental health and addiction issues, and direct them to facilities, like the Canadian Mental Health Association in Windsor. The Sun Parlor Long Term Care Home will also benefit from additional funding, relating to the pandemic, including enhanced janitorial, laundry, and infection control, in addition to increased use of PPE, “cohorting” staff, and increased mental health support tools for residents, patients, and employees. Beyond COVID-19 recovery funding

and moving towards infrastructure supports, the Budget includes a $51 million construction program, with $31.9 million for capacity expansion, and $12.4 million for road rehabilitation. Also accounted for in the Budget is additional funding for the proposed Windsor mega-hospital at County Road 42 and Concession Road 9. Essex Mayor Larry Snively spoke out regarding the proposed property tax increase during the meeting, asking that in a year where so many have struggled financially, if it was possible to approve a budget with a zero percent increase, “There is a lot of

businesses, and a lot of homeowners really, struggling this year to meet their payments,” Snively explained, asking if the funding could be found through additional means beyond an increase. “I know we took a lot of money out of reserves this year, I realize that, but if we’re taking $500-andsome-thousand-dollars, we’re in a year right now where there’s a lot of people struggling.” Essex Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche agreed with Mayor Snively, noting that they were not looking for the Budget to be rewritten in its entirety, but to consider using the rate stabilization reserves, noting that the financial impacts of COVID-19 made for a good a time as any to dip into the “emergency” funds.

A motion was made to support the Budget as presented with a recorded vote. Snively, Meloche, Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, Leamington Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke, Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos, and Kingsville Deputy Mayor Gord Queen vote in opposition to the tax increase. The motion passed with support from Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo, Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche, Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain, Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Tracey Bailey, LaSalle Mayor Marc Bondy, LaSalle Deputy Mayor Crystal Meloche, Essex County Warden and Mayor of Tecumseh Gary McNamara, and Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti.

12 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Support shown for family displaced by McGregor fire by Adam Gault An outpouring of support for a young family left homeless by a fire in McGregor has demonstrated the true meaning of the season and has shown the unparalleled community spirit within the residents of Essex County in the face of adversity. A fire at Naples Pizza on Walker Road in McGregor on the morning of Wednesday, December 2, has left a 37-yearold single mother, Jody Perron, and her two children, Zack (15) and Zoey (5) homeless, after it spread from the restaurant below into their apartment above the business. Weeks from Christmas, and days before the one of the children’s birthdays,

A fire at Naples Pizza on Walker Road in McGregor, that took place on December 2, has left several tenants homeless.

the incident inspired Tecumseh resident Melissa Eagen, and the rest of her family, to donate their annual Christmas gift card and toy drive donations to the displaced family. For the past 11-years, the Eagen family had been asking friends and family who attended their annual Christmas parties to bring a toy or gift card, which they would then donate to area charities, such as Sparky’s Toy Drive. While forgoing this year’s party due to the ongoing pandemic, the Eagen family still collected donations from family and friends with

the intent of donating to charity like they had every year, but following the fire in McGregor, decided to make a direct difference to the family who has lost their home and everything in it. “I’m also 37 and have little ones, so that really hit home,” Eagen said. “It meant even more to us that we were able to help her out.” Through their efforts, the family was able to collect around $600 in various gift cards for the family, including Amazon, Sportchek, Walmart, and Tim Hortons, along with a number of toys and gifts for the children. “I’m an advocate for - you give kindness, you receive kindness. You

can’t expect people to treat you well, if you’re not treating other people well,” Eagen explained. “The world needs more kindness. If we can do anything, if it’s a matter of shovelling a neighbour’s driveway, or helping out someone in need right before Christmas and we have the means to do that, then there’s no reason for us not to do that, this year or any year.” A GoFundMe has been set up for the family to help with the purchase of new clothes, food, furniture, and to help in establishing a new residence. It can be found online at gofundme.com/f/ r7grw-help-a-family

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Community I 13

Essex Free Press

Essex Police Services Board holds final meeting of 2020

OPP Constable Marc Hovingh

difficult and challenging couple of weeks,” Miller said. “I just want to give my full support and credit to the officers that

“The officers are doing that and they seem to be embracing that idea,” OPP Sergeant Joe Meloche said, noting

“We’ve been fortunate within the town, that officers have not had to lay that [gathering limit] charge. For people that think that the OPP in Essex will not lay a charge, I’m going to disappoint them, because they could well find themselves in a situation very quickly that they will get a ticket if they’re not following the rules.” - Essex County OPP Detachment Commander Glenn Miller

are involved in a myriad of different situations every day, including your community. Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the families of those OPP members.” With ongoing land border restrictions between Canada and the United States, Essex OPP have taken to doing property checks at cottage centric areas, such as Colchester, as a number of American property owners have been unable to attend to their cottages in person for the majority of the past year.

Essex OPP has increased foot patrols in Essex Centre and Harrow in an effort to improve their visibility. “We’ve been really looking forward to getting out there and being with the public. That’s one thing we’re trying to do a little bit more.” As of Monday November 30, WindsorEssex has been moved back to the “red” control stage of Ontario’s regional COVID-19 response plan, and with that, limits for social gatherings indoors has

been capped at five persons, or 25 outdoors. With these measures, organizers or hosts of events that exceed the in-person gathering limit can be subjected to fines, which start at a minimum of $10,000. Members of the Police Services Board raised concerns over whether Essex OPP would continue to “educate” members of public on the new measures, or if the time for more drastic enforcement was now on the table. “The officers, I can assure you, certainly within the Town of Essex, will not hesitate to lay a charge, absolutely not,” Miller explained. “We’ve been fortunate within the town, that officers have not had to lay that charge. For people that think that the OPP in Essex will not lay a charge, I’m going to disappoint them, because they could well find themselves in a situation very quickly that they will get a ticket if they’re

not following the rules.” Essex Councillor Kim Verbeek, the current Chairperson of the Essex Police Services Board, was nominated and accepted to continue in that role through 2021. Current board member Katie Blais was

nominated and accepted the position of Vice Chairperson. The first Essex Police Services Board meeting for 2021 is scheduled for January 7.

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by Adam Gault Members of the Essex Police Services Board met for the final time this year, on Thursday, December 3. As part of the meeting, members received the monthly OPP overview report for October 2020, as well as nominated individuals for their two top positions for 2021. Starting off the meeting, Essex County OPP Detachment Commander Glenn Miller thanked Essex residents who have reached out to him and other members of the Essex OPP, offering their sympathies and support for OPP Constable Marc Hovingh, who was killed in the line of duty on November 19 on Manitoulin Island. “We’ve had a very

14 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020: Protecting Ontario farms and the food system submitted by Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) More than ever, we understand the critical importance of maintaining a steady and reliable food supply and protecting the safety of those who feed us. Today, the Ontario government announced the proclamation of the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020. Beginning December 5, 2020, the Act will protect Ontario’s food supply chain, from farm to table, without infringing on the right to peacefully protest and, in conjunction with the Provincial Animal Welfare Services

Act (PAWS), 2019, ensure animals are protected and cared for properly. Ontario’s farm and commodity groups applaud the efforts of the Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ontario government in working diligently to support the needs of Ontario’s food producers. The Act demonstrates to trespassers, activists, law enforcement and the Ontario justice system that the protection of farms, families, agrifood employees, animals and the food system is of the highest priority. The Act strikes a balance in

enhancing the safety and protection of the farming and food industry while recognizing and respecting a citizen’s rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. To be perfectly clear, Ontario’s farm and commodity organizations are aligned in having zero tolerance for animal abuse. Concerns around animal abuse, and the ability and obligation to report such actions are entrenched within the PAWS Act. Farmers are highly regulated, following strict codes of conduct to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all farm animals. Animal welfare is integral

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to the care they provide for their animals. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act complements the PAWS Act, ensuring the highest standards of animal care, protecting people, animals and the province’s food supply while respecting lawful and peaceful protest. The agri-food industry in Ontario contributes more than $47 billion to the province’s annual GDP and employs more than 860,000 Ontarians. Workers across agriculture and the food sector — including farmers and farm workers, transporters, abattoirs, processing plant employees, food service

and retail outlets — have experienced threats and harassment from activists seeking to end their industry. These events pose severe risks to human and animal health and welfare and threaten the integrity of the food system by breaching biosecurity protocols. Unwanted visitors and trespassers can have devastating impacts on the health and safety of farms, families, businesses and livestock. In Canada, 97 per cent of farms are family farms — not only a place of business, but also homes where children are raised, and family and friends are welcomed. Ontario farm families depend on the safety and

security of their farms to raise livestock, and grow and produce food to maintain a strong, reliable food supply. On behalf of all Ontario farmers, processing facilities and agri-food businesses, we’d like to express our sincere appreciation to the provincial government for protecting farms and food safety. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act ensures Ontario’s food value chain system is safeguarded, by strengthening protections for farm families, agrifood employees, and animals while maintaining the right to lawful protest.

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Thursday, December 10, 2020

News I 15

Essex Free Press

Council receives second Service Delivery Review report - there were 29 recommendations made by Sylene Argent Representatives of StrategyCorp presented the second and final Service Delivery Review report they conducted to members of Essex Council on the evening of Tuesday, December 1. During the first session of this review, held in October of this year, StrategyCorp presented the Current State Assessment Report, which was the first stage of the review of the Town’s service delivery. It was conducted as part of the Province’s Municipal Modernization Program. Council ultimately received that report. The reports are meant to focus on identifying opportunities to modernize and share delivery processes and procedures, internally and externally, which could include service delivery opportunities with municipal neighbours. Chris Loreto, Principal at StrategyCorp, explained through this multi-step

review his team undertook, the Town of Essex is a very well managed and sustainable municipality that is in a healthy and sustainable financial position. It successfully has built reserves up, capital spending has been prudent, and long-term and short-term debt has been managed. Revenues, he added, have consistently exceeded expenses. It also has a fairly lean staffing component, relative to peer comparators. “Overall, it is a good news story, and that makes doing a Service Delivery Review both easier in some respects, but also harder in the sense that the things we identified as improvement opportunities are really in the vein of continuous improvement,” Loretto said. He added there is an opportunity through the recommendations made through the report to realize productivity savings, so that staff is dedicated to higher valueadded activity that offers

greater value to residents, can better manage long-term risks for the municipality, and look for long-term savings where shared-services may make sense for better value. During the second report, 29 recommendations were presented, which Loreto said, if implemented, the annual net benefit to the Town of Essex could be potentially up to $900,000 through a mix of productivity savings and shared service opportunities. The 29 recommendations for potential benefits were divided into three categories: • Enterprise-Wide Opportunities: which encompassed Governance and Strategy, People and Culture, Processes and Technology, and Service Delivery sub-categories. This includes consistently refreshing on the roles and responsibilities of Council and administration, and

getting Council to set its own education agenda. It also includes establishing an implementation plan for the current Strategic Plan (with a total estimated savings of $105,000) with a performance measurement, and establishing clear expectations and guidelines through an annual department-level planning process, which also has a total estimated savings of $105,000. Also recommended is developing an Enterprise Risk Management plan that will identify, assess, and prepare for any potential critical issues that may impact the Town’s operations and objectives. A comprehensive Human Resource strategy, the development of a Master Communications Plan, assessing opportunities for new and upgraded facilities – including a new Town Hall, and a review of the current complement of Clerks and Executive Assistants to optimize efficiencies and CAO time

were also included. Loreto wondered if there was capacity to cross train people to cover for the Clerk, for any reason that should arise. He also recommended better records management. • Department-Specific Opportunities: which encompassed the CAO’s Office, Community Services, Corporate Service, Infrastructure Services, and Development Services. This includes continuing to monitor police service levels through ongoing surveys, evaluate the placement of facilities within parks and facilities, update condition assessment ratings and tools, update the Asset Management Plan (with a total estimated savings of $133,000), modernize the Building Division’s outdated service model, and explore cost-recovery improvements and potential impacts on key development services. Loreto said Essex has the lowest share of revenue

from Development Charges in comparison to its peers, and is noticing low-cost recovery on by-law enforcement and planning. In the past, Council waived Development Charge fees on industrial, commercial, and institutional developments, in addition to some residential development in Harrow. He said it may be worth revisiting this decision to assess its impact and benefits to date. Mayor Larry Snively said the Development Charges were waived in Ward 4 to simulate growth. This happened when talks started, which ultimately led to the decision to close Harrow High School, in hopes of saving the facility. He believes there is now a plan to reinstate the fees. Also included was a recommendation to explore and assess optimal dividend strategy for ELK Energy. Loreto explained that StrategyCorps noticed ELK is efficient

Continued on Page 17

16 I Classifieds

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Essex Free Press

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HELP WANTED: Greenhouse and Packing line Labour. General greenhouse labour, duties include pruning, picking, planting and cleaning of greenhouse. Packing line labour, duties include inspecting, weighing and packing produce on assembly line. Lifting, bending and standing is required. Must be able to work all shifts. Rural area. No public transportation available. No speciﬁc education required. Experience is an asset. Rate of pay- $14.20. To apply please email: Lindsay@policellafarms. com Or Mail to Domric International, PO Box 218, Ruthven ON N0P 2G0. 24/tf _____________________

Word Ads - 25 words or less ........................ $6.00 + HST Extra words .................................................... 20¢/word Display Classifieds ....................................... Call for rates

Email: contact@essexfreepress.com

______________________

STORAGE

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ANTIQUES

_____________________ FOR RENT: SECURE OUTDOOR STORAGE in Essex available any time. Ideal for boats, cars, trailers. Call 519-776-4875 36-tfn for details. _____________________

_____________________ S & R ANTIQUES: WE BUY & SELL ANTIQUES - 161 Arthur St., Essex. Sarah: 519-300-0466, Ray: 519-965-1962. 41-9 Email: benoit.ray1@gmail.com. _____________________

WANTED

_____________________

_____________________ 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 _____________________ CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 46-t _____________________ BUYING - ALL GOLD, SILVER, JEWELRY, COINS. Top prices paid! 53 years of experience. Call Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed. at 519-818-1805. 46_____________________

PERSONAL

PRAYER TO the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, You who makes me see everything and who shows me the way to reach my ideals. You who gives me the Divine Gift to forgive & forget all that is done to me, and you who are in all the instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything, and conﬁrm once more that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. A person may pray this prayer three consecutive days without asking for their wish. It will be granted no matter how diﬃcult it may be, and promise to publish this dialogue, as soon as your favor has been granted. W.B.

Sell It! Find it! Rent It! Buy It!

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_____________________ 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

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Thursday, December 10, 2020

News I 17

Essex Free Press

Council receives second Service Delivery Review report... and has achieved a return on equity higher than what is deemed in rates, which he said was indicated the recent Ontario Energy Board scorecard. He said Council should talk to ELK’s Board of Directors to see if a service delivery review should be undertaken to assess if there are opportunities to achieve greater costsavings within ELK for the benefit of ratepayers and the shareholder. He suggested this review should be extend beyond a reassessment of costsavings that may be achieved through a merger with neighbouring distributors, and should also explore an alternative assessment of any savings that could be achieved with shared services with the municipality or through outsourcing. Councillor Sherry Bondy agreed with Loreto’s statement the ELK review would be

a multi-year file, but doubted with the current ELK Board makeup, any traction would begin on this. There are definitely a lot of questions around ELK, she said, noting she has been hoping to get them at a Council meeting to ask some questions. Bondy said she has questions surrounding asset management, and noted ELK seems to be doing a good job paying off debt. There could be benefit with merging with another distributor and she would like to have that conversation. • Shared Service Opportunities: which encompassed Collaborative Purchasing, Regional Coordination, and Corporate Service. This section’s specific recommendations included creating a regional standard for fire training and hiring one fire trainer for the region; consider shared

Voice Of Inspiration “Happiness is always there. You just have to choose to see it. There’s no point dwelling in the dark and ignoring the light of the stars.” ~

Carrie Hope Fletcher

recreation programming and purchasing; and explore opportunities for regionalizing building inspection services. It also includes increasing participation in collaborative purchasing organizations and assess feasibility of sharing fleet/equipment across departments and neighbouring municipalities. Loreto suggested increasing participation in collaborative purchasing organizations that offer procurement support and expertise to facilitate an initiative with some or all the neighbouring municipalities. Shared procurement, he said, could save between 1025 percent of purchasing costs, for general office supplies this could amount to $130-325,000. He also suggested assessing the feasibility of sharing fleet and expensive equipment across departments and with neighbouring municipalities. His report noted shared procurement saves 10-25 percent of purchasing costs, for rescue vehicles this would amount to $30-$75,000 per vehicle. Councillor Joe Garon

Snow Removal Notice Snow and ice are potential hazards to everyone. Residents and property owners are reminded of their responsibility to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of, alongside, and at the rear of their property within the prescribed time periods set out in By-law #1108. In particular, please note the following provisions:

Single Family Dwelling - The owner or occupant shall clear away and remove snow and ice from sidewalks within twelve (12) hours following the snow fall or formation of ice. Multiple Family Building - The owner shall clear away and remove snow and ice from sidewalks within twelve (12) hours following the snow fall or formation of ice. Commercial - Where snow falls or ice forms upon the sidewalk, the owner or occupant shall remove the snow or ice from the sidewalk within a)

Four (4) hours following the snow fall or formation of ice upon sidewalks during daylight hours; or

Four (4) hours following sunrise in the case of snow falling or ice forming overnight.

Avoid Creating Obstructions - Shovel snow away from fire hydrants, drains and sewers. Do not shovel or deposit snow and/or ice onto highways, roadways, sidewalks, or any thoroughfare intended for the passage of vehicles and pedestrians. Penalty - The Town may clear away and remove snow and ice from the sidewalks, and may recover the expense incurred in like manner as municipal taxes. The Town, at its discretion, may also issue a ticket for the violation.

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe this winter! For questions about snow removal requirements, please contact the Town of Essex By-law Enforcement Team at:

519-776-7336 ext 1409 bylaw@essex.ca

did have concerns with how shared equipment or services could be organized. He said it looks good on paper, but wondered how smoothly collaborations can be between entities. CAO Chris Nepszy said the Town has tried to start this, for instance, in adding local roads to County projects. He sees this as opening lines of communications. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche thinks there is potential in purchasing things like waste disposal and insurance with other municipalities, which may lead to better rates. Loreto added getting employee benefits this way could also fit in. There was also a recommendation to

Continued from Page 15

have the Town consider exploring different models for GIS delivery in the County of Essex. As there are duplications across multiple municipalities, and he suspects there is an opportunity to develop a GIS cooperative that could lead to cost-savings. Implementing the initiatives, he believes will create positive benefit for the Town, he said. Nepszy said he understands shared services, although there are financial aspects to it, the identity of Essex does not want to be lost. “We don’t want to ensure we lose the quality of what we provided to date for our residents and level of service.” Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said the report

presented a way to think outside the box, and a way to look at things to see if there is a way to do things better. Council received the report. At the Monday, March 16 regular meeting, Council appointed StrategyCorp to provide consulting services to create an Internal and Shared Service Delivery Review for the Town of Essex. StrategyCorp’s proposal of fees for consulting services for the Essex Internal and Shared Delivery Review was $140,786.75, which was within the successful Provincial grant awarded of $200,000.

2021 Division Road North Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 2Y9 (519) 733-2305 www.kingsville.ca kingsvilleworks@kingsville.ca

FORM 6 SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER Municipal Act, 2001 Ontario Regulation 181/03, Municipal Tax Sale Rules

SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF KINGSVILLE Take Notice that tenders are invited for the purchase of the land described below and will be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on January 14, 2021, at the Town of Kingsville Municipal Office, 2021 Division Road North, Kingsville Ontario. The tenders will then be opened in public on the same day as soon as possible after 3:00 p.m. at the Town of Kingsville Municipal Office, 2021 Division Road North, Kingsville. Description of Land: Roll No. 37 11 270 000 37401 0000; PIN 75181-0230 (LT); Part Lot 13 Concession Front West Gosfield as in GS10619 except R1073155, GS11265, GS13451 and R161073; Kingsville; File No. 19-01 According to the last returned assessment roll, the assessed value of the land is $2700.00 Minimum tender amount: $5,635.60 Tenders must be submitted in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by a deposit of at least 20 per cent of the tender amount, which deposit shall be made by way of a certified cheque/bank draft/ money order payable to the municipality. Except as follows, the municipality makes no representation regarding the title to or any other matters relating to the land to be sold. Responsibility for ascertaining these matters rests with the potential purchasers. The assessed value, according to the last returned assessment roll, may or may not be representative of the current market value of the property. This sale is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Tax Sales Rules made under that Act. The successful purchaser will be required to pay the amount tendered plus accumulated taxes and any taxes that may be applicable, such as a land transfer tax and HST. The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchaser. A copy of the prescribed form of tender is available on the website of the Government of Ontario Central Forms Repository under the listing for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. For further information regarding this sale and a copy of the prescribed form of tender, visit: www.OntarioTaxSales.ca or www.kingsville.ca or if no internet access available, contact: Vicky Sawatzky Tax Collector The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville 2021 Division Road North Kingsville ON N9Y 2Y9 519-733-2305 Ext. 233

18 I Personals

FromThe Heart _______________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY

_______________________________________________

Essex Free Press

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. _______________________________________________

RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

_______________________________________________

HAPPY

Heavenly

BIRTHDAY!

~ December 10th ~

Judy Gagnon In Loving Memory, from your family. Always in our hearts.

Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement after 37 years at the Windsor Star! We are so excited to watch you enjoy this next chapter of your lives and this new beginning! Love, The kids

Say I Love You With A Personal Greeting! Let everyone know with your announcement here! Email your photo and message to:

contact@essexfreepress.com 116 Centre Street, Essex

519-776-4268

_________________________________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY

________________________________________________________

In loving memory of my Best Bud, Dear Dad, and Papa

Bruce (Short) Fick who passed away December 7, 2000 A special person, a special face. Someone we loved and can’t replace. Never selﬁsh, always kind. These are the memories you left behind. Thinking of you with love today. Missing you is a heartache that never goes away. Please continue to watch over us. Always in our thoughts and hearts. Love forever. Ruthie, Kelly, Carlo, and Family. _______________________________________________

RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

_______________________________________________

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

At this time, please email us your personal greetings for our upcoming editions, if possible. Let’s all do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

_________________________________________________________

OBITUARIES

_________________________________________________________

SCRATCH, Morley Allan - It is with profound sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our cherished father/grandfather and friend, Moe, on December 6, 2020 at the young age of 95. Survived by his loving wife Elizabeth; predeceased by his first wife Mary. Also survived by his children, Margo (Al), Dale (Nancy) as well as the grandchildren he adored Brent (Sarah), Lauren and Alex (Abby). Morley was a lifelong resident of the Cottam area, who served his country in WWII and who volunteered for many years on the Cottam Fire Department. He also worked as a mechanic at the Windsor Salt Mine, Rund’s Motors and Cadillac. He was a longtime member and volunteer at Cottam United Church. Dad took great pride in adorning his home for the Christmas Season. He always looked forward to his daily coffee time at Cottam’s Grounded Cafe, as well as spending time with family/friends, and puttering around in the yard. Special thanks to the paramedics, firemen and Hotel Dieu’s emergency room staff for their professionalism and compassion during a very stressful time. As well, our family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dad’s friends and neighbours for always being there for him. He will be greatly missed. There will be a Private Family Funeral Service held at Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233), followed by interment at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Cottam United Church would be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to share their memories online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Voice Of Inspiration “A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.” ~

Henri J.M. Nouwen

E. contact@essexfreepress.com We will get back to you as soon as possible with a proof and price. We accept Visa & MasterCard over the phone.

P. 519-776-4268

What’s Going On... DEC. 13  VISIT WITH VIRTUAL SANTA  Email child’s name to: santaessexemail@ gmail.com by December 6. Tune in at 6pm on Councillor Sherry Bondy’s Facebook Live. DEC. 20  FREE COMMUNITY TURKEY DINNER  at the McGregor Columbian Club, 9560 Walker Rd. from 3-6:30pm. Hosted by McGregor Squirettes. Order ahead, driveup & take-out dinner. Donations accepted. For info & to order: 519-776-5710. DEC. 23 AMHERSTBURG BLOOD CLINIC  at Knights of Columbus Hall -190 Richmond St., Amherstburg, . From 1 - 7pm For info: www.blood.ca JAN 5  HARROW BLOOD CLINIC  at Camoes Portuguese Club of Harrow, 390 Sinasac Street West. From 1 - 7pm For info: www.blood.ca JAN 27  ESSEX BLOOD CLINIC  at Essex Centre Sports Complex, 60 Fairview Ave W . Essex. From 1 - 7pm For info: www.blood.ca 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 social media for updates.

Robin Hall & Lynn Moroz on 70 combined bi d years off service i to the h Town of Essex. You are free at last! – Love from all your families!

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Community Hub I 19

Essex Free Press

sponsorship by:

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

519-776-4255

On Saturday, December 18th from 12 -2pm we will host a drive-by “warming hands, heads, and hearts” event. Bring your new hats, mittens and/or gloves and toss them into the bin that will be set up. The items will go to the clothing cupboard in Essex. We recognize that not everyone looks forward to Christmas and it may be especially difficult this year. There may be people who have suffered personal loss: Death of a loved one, divorce, illness or job loss or loss of faith. “Blue Christmas,” recognized on December 21, coincides with the shortest day of the year. Contact your family, friends, or co-workers to let them know that you’re thinking about them at this time. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold Christmas Eve service at 9pm at Trinity. You will need to pre-register by calling Pat at 519-776-8005. You can find us online at www.stpaulstrinity.org or visit us on social media. Brooker News

Salvation Army Essex Church

submitted by Ruth Newman

submitted by Carolyn Barnett

Our mission for Country Village is supplying socks and slippers, both men and women’s sizes for the residents. You can bring these items to the Church. Please keep in your prayers the many who are ill or those in nursing homes.

In accordance with Salvation Army regulations, now that we are in Red status, sadly, all church services and Bible Study will be postponed until further notice. Our Kettles will no longer be manned by volunteers. Instead, a no touch Tap system to donate to the kettles will be implemented at Foodland and No Frills. Please watch for the signs at both stores to give you directions as to how to donate. Please remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season and continue to pray for those aﬀected by Covid, and for the sick and shut-ins during these uncertain times. The Salvation Army Food Bank is operated by appointment only. Please call Vicki at 519-776-4628 to make arrangements.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church As Windsor-Essex is now in the ‘Red Zone,’ our building is unfortunately closed again, for the time being, and all services are cancelled until further notice. Visit our website (www.stpaulstrinity.org) and our social media for updates and worship resources. Messages are checked at the church oﬃce. 519-776-7711. Stay safe until we can meet again!

Trinity Church Despite our church building being unavailable for worship at this time, while in the red zone, we remain an active church. We have gathered a great number of lap covers, slippers, body lotions, toiletries and much more to be given to County Village staﬀ, whom will distribute them at Christmas to ensure that no resident is without a gift.

Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

Welcome to Essex CRC, either in-person or online. During this time, we need to make changes to our services and ask everyone who would like to attend, call the church oﬃce to reserve their spot. Unfortunately, we cannot oﬀer nursery supervision or Sunday school. Visit us online at www.essexcrc.ca or watch us online at the Essex CRC Facebook page beginning at 10:00am.

Harrow United Church submitted by Larry Anderson

We warmly welcome you to Harrow United Church and invite you to join us for worship in our Sanctuary at 10:30am. We continue to observe social distancing protocols and ask everyone to wear a face-mask. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Minister, Rev. Darrow Woods, who would be pleased to speak with you: 519-738-4223. Please ﬁnd information about Harrow United Church on our website at www.harrowunited.org.

Maidstone Cross submitted by Wendy Cunningham

The Mission Group is asking for gift cards and or money for the Annual St. Mary’s Christmas Giving. Please drop off at the designated box at the back of the church. Please find important information for your child’s First Communion and Confirmation on our website. If you, or someone you know needs a Christmas food basket and lives in the Oldcastle, Maidstone, Paquette Corners area, please contact the Goodfellows at: 519-890-9120 by December 15th. For weekend Mass at 8:30am, please make a reservation by contacting the parish office at 519-776-8483. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who help keep our beautiful parish running smoothly.

Essex United Church

Join us for worship on Sunday, December 13th at 10:30am. Rev. Lexie Chamberlain will lead our worship. We are collecting gloves, scarves, mitts, socks, etc. for the Salvation Army. There is a great need for heavier weight, good quality men’s gloves. Closing date for donations is Sunday, December 13th. The Essex Area Food Bank is available to anyone who needs assistance at this time, located in the gym of the church, on

Continued on Page 21

Hearing tests, hearing aids, wax removal, and speech therapy

Bethel-Maidstone United

We look forward to gathering in the sanctuary to worship God this Sunday! We are following protocols to keep everyone safe. Govenment guidelines, are put in place. Congregating both inside and outside the church is discouraged. Join us for an Advent sermon series on Charles Please be advised that until further notice, the 2021 Regular Meetings of the Dickens’s classic novel, Council of the Town of Essex will not be held in person but will only be held A Christmas Carol: “The electronically and livestreamed at youtube.com/EssexOntario Redemption of Scrooge.” Regular Meetings of Council for the Town of Essex will be held, starting at In-person worship is on 6:00pm, on the following dates: Sundays at 10am or listen • Monday, January 18 • Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 16 • Monday, March 1 and 15 • Tuesday, April 6 and Monday, April 19 • Monday, May 3 and 17 • Monday, June 7 and 21 • Monday, July 5 and 19 • Tuesday, August 3 and Monday, August 23 • Tuesday, September 7 and 20 • Monday, October 4 and 18 • Monday, November 1 and 15 • Monday, December 6 and 20

Notice to Town of Essex Residents 2021 Council Meeting Dates

All regular meetings are open to viewing by members of the public. Agendas and minutes are available online at: essex.ca/CouncilCalendar If you wish to appear as a delegation before Council, please fill out a Delegation Request Form at essex.ca/Council Robert Auger Manager, Legislative Services/Clerk The Corporation of the Town of Essex 33 Talbot Street South, Essex, Ontario, N8M1A8 rauger@essex.ca

online at anchor.fm/bethel-maidstone. Our hall and building remain closed to meetings and rentals. The secretary can be reached in the oﬃce on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm. You can ﬁnd us on the web at www.bethelmaidstone.com. Our email is bmuc@xplornet.ca.

Book an appointment online at www.YouHear.ca or call

519-730-1030 Essex .................... 519-961-9285 LaSalle ................. 519-970-9587 Amherstburg ........

20 I Business Directory Essex Free Press

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

REAL ESTATE

PLUMBING • GAS FITTING

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Thursday, December 10, 2020

Community Hub / Business Directory I 21

Essex Free Press

Continued from Page 19

protection protocols. We ask you to wear a mask when entering the church building. We are located at 71 Maidstone Ave., East, Essex. Ph: 226346-2746. Our Pastor is Gary Lidstone. More info can be found at: essexbaptist.com or email pastor@essexbaptist.com.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Food Bank’s hours of operation are: 8:30 - 11:45am.

St. Stephen’s - Church of the Redemer

Community Support Centre of Essex County

St. Stephen’s and Church of the Redeemer have returned to Sunday morning services. Church of the Redeemer at 9am, and St. Stephen’s at 10:30am. Please wear a mask. Health Unit precautions have been put in place to keep everyone as safe as humanly possible.

SNOW ANGELS AT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE We are looking for Volunteers for our Snow Angel Program, to help out with snow removal service. This includes the sidewalk, the porch, and a path down the driveway only, for our clients. Our Volunteers should: live in Lakeshore, Essex, or Harrow, be 13-years of age or older, and be in good physical health. Call us to volunteer! 519-728-1435 Ext. 204. Students can earn volunteer hours! Reach out today! Services include a Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, transportation services, foot care, home support, congregate dining, adult day programs, outreach counselling, and social programs. Visit www.communitysupportcentre.ca for details and up-to-date services oﬀered to residents.

submitted by Reverend Kimberly Myer

Woodslee United Church submitted by Sue Holman

Sunday Service is at 11:15am. You will have to wear a mask and respect social distancing. Anything you bring in, you will have to bring it home. Rev. Carl will still be doing his video

message on our website: woodsleepastoralcharge.ca.

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church submitted by Wendy Cunningham

The Christmas Mass times are found on our family of parishes website at centralessexcatholic.dol.ca. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who help to keep our parish running smoothly.

Voice Of Inspiration “Inner peace is impossible without patience. Wisdom requires patience. Spiritual growth implies the mastery of patience. Patience allows the unfolding of destiny to proceed at its own unhurried pace.” ~ Brian Weiss

Essex Baptist Church Over the next four Sundays, we will celebrate the Advent of Christ. Sunday services are at 10:30am. On Christmas Eve, we will have a service at 6:30PM. We adhere to all COVID-19

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22 I Opinion / News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Business Update: fundraiser raises over $75k, new merchant welcomed Having fun with 1978 MG Midget

Susan Henderson’s 1978 MG Midget.

Susan Henderson of Essex, Ontario, is the proud owner of a 1978 MG Midget given to her on her birthday by her husband Mike Wood in the year 2000. Susan now celebrates 20 years of ownership. She writes: “I am the second owner. It was purchased from a lady in Kingsville. Can’t remember her name. She and her husband towed it behind their motor home when they wintered in Florida. The serial number shows it to be one of the last ones built. “It was originally a baby blue colour but was repainted for me in a GM colour, Ruby Red. The motor has 1500 cc and low mileage, only about 38,000 kms. The car is pretty much original with its original interior, upholstery, top, boot, and tonneau cover. “I had a Monza exhaust put on, a new clutch, gaskets replaced in the motor and transmission, new LED brake and turn light signals, and a new ignition. “I have a great mechanic and painter – Fritz Marentette in Kingsville. He has done all the mechanical work and did a superb paint job. “I have to wear my ‘skinny’ shoes when I go for a drive. There is limited room in the pedal area. The gas pedal is a curved piece of metal, no pad (factory) and it is quite cramped with the clutch and brake so I have to be careful when moving my feet from one to another. “I’ve been to the Tomato Fest car show in Leamington, the Apple Fest car show in Ruthven, the British Car Show at the Canadian Transportation Museum at Heritage Village on the Arner Town Line, and the Sun Parlor Car Show in Leamington.” The MG Midget was produced from 1961 to 1979. It replaced the Austin-Healey “frog-eye” Sprite with a more conventional looking sports car. Energy-absorbing black plastic bumpers front and rear were added in 1974 to comply with U.S. federal regulations. Always fun to drive with its peppy 4-banger and 4-speed gearbox with synchro in every gear, the Midget was popular then and still popular today. I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca.

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by Sylene Argent $75,500 raised at Fury Training grounds for Grow On campaign Fury Training Grounds, owned by the Cassidy family, raised $75,500 during the work-out based fundraiser held on Saturday, November 28. The funds will be forwarded to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation’s Grow On campaign. As part of the event, participants paid $20 to work-out with a host of local celebrities, including but not limited to, Bill Marra from Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, UFC fighter T.J. Laramie, ‘73s General Manager Mike Pailey, and Glen Mills and other individuals from the Essex Ravens football team. The event also included three Olympic hockey players - Sara Nurse, Renata Fast, and Natalie Spooner – and virtual workouts with football affiliates, Ed Philion and Andy Fantuz. Because of the pandemic, Mackenzie

Cassidy along with her parents Dave and Jen, hosted the event virtually.

Walkerville Candles Mercantile welcomed On Thursday, November 26, members of the Essex Council and representatives from its administrative staff welcomed Walkerville Candles Mercantile to the Essex Centre business district. This new business is located at 10 Talbot Street South, formerly Eh Little Bit Of. Home décor, candles, soap, dog treats/ apparel, and Canadian-made packaged food items are available through this new venue. “We decided to invest in Essex because we were already selling our products here [at Eh Little Bit Of] and we had an opportunity to take over the store,” coowners Rick Wilkinson and Carly Lemire stated through a news release with the Town of Essex. “We wanted to keep a good thing going and expand what we had.”

Photo submitted by the Town of Essex: Members of Essex Council welcomed reps from Walkerville Candles Mercantile to the business district during a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 26.

Thursday, December 10, 2020

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Essex Free Press

Rotarians’ annual donation to Essex Area Food Bank exemplifies the spirit of giving this season

Members of the Rotary Club of Essex dropped off a large food donation at the Essex Area Food Bank recently, which will help create 36 Christmas Baskets for area families and individuals in need. They are pictured before some of the items made available to Food Bank clients, thanks to the local Santa’s Cause for Kids toy giving program. The local Rotary Club donates to this program throughout the year.

by Sylene Argent This is the season to give, and the Rotary Club of Essex demonstrated that sentiment recently as they dropped off a large food donation at the Essex Area Food Bank to support this year’s Christmas Basket

program. Rotarian, Neil McBeth, said the Rotary Club of Essex, with its partner Dillon Consulting, supports the Essex Area Food Bank’s Christmas Basket program every year, which provides a

turkey or ham, potatoes, stuffing, fruit, veggies, gravy, cranberry sauce, and even a pie for clients in need of a little help preparing a special holiday feast. Because the Essex Area Food Bank is preparing fewer Christmas Baskets this year, focusing more on local need, McBeth noted the Rotary Club was also able to provide a $50 grocery store gift card to each family receiving a Christmas Basket. McBeth said it was important to the local service group to continue to host the donation this year, especially since it has been trying times for local families. Typically, during the holiday season, the members of the Rotary Club of Essex would walk

the route during the Essex Centre BIA Santa Claus Parade, with shopping carts, to collect canned

goods and non-perishable food items from attendees for the local Food Bank, but they will not be able to do so this year, with the parade cancelled, due to the Corona Virus. “It’s beautiful,” Gerry Belanger said, who is the Coordinator of the Essex Area Food Bank. The Food Bank’s clients are, “Overwhelmed when they get their basket. They are happy with it.” The Rotary Club of Essex also donates to the local Santa’s Cause for Kids toy giving program throughout the year, and is currently also participating in the region-wide Socks

and Bottoms campaign. As part of this annual program, members collected socks, underwear, toiletries, sleeping bags, and warming items, such as coats, gloves, and toques, to distribute to those in need. The Rotary Club of Essex, McBeth said, is planning to put children’s books inside the three local Little Free Library stations they maintain, including at the Essex Railway Station, the Essex Municipal Building, and Sadler’s Nature Park, closer to Christmas for local families to enjoy.

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I Thursday, December 10, 2020

Essex couple proud of their literary works - Jim Bondy released his second book, his wife, Pam, relaunched her first novel by Sylene Argent Essex area couple, Pam and Jim Bondy, are proud of the fiction novels they have written, and hope members of the community will get just as excited about their literary works. Jim’s recently released fantasy adventure book, “The Accidental Brotherhood” began as an extension of his first novel, “Friday on the Trail,” which was released in 2010. His second work,

however, morphed into its own creation. “I decided I was going to have some fun with it and made it into a fantasy adventure,” he said. Jim has always enjoyed hiking, which is where his idea for “The Accidental Brotherhood” began. “The Accidental Brotherhood” begins as a family is backpacking on an obscure hiking trail that leads them to inadvertently stumble into a different dimension and

meet the different species that live there. His main characters then learn of a feud and issues between these species that need to be resolved. Readers can observe as the characters evolve through the story. The main characters decide to stay in this dimension to assist the underdog species during a war. “That leads to a whole lot of adventure and suspense through the whole rest of the book,” Jim said,

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adding the characters each also have some interesting special powers, to varying degrees, such as talking to animals, telepathy, and the ability to grow trees and bushes. “Everybody that has read it so far, just loves it, and I’m very happy with the outcome of it,” he said, noting it took him fiveyears to write. Pam’s mystery survival book, “Mother Knows: The Next Pandemic,” was first released in 2015, but was relaunched recently through a new avenue. The novel is about surviving an obscure pandemic. It follows the main character, Samantha, who thought she was suffering alone, but discovers someone else who was also secretly in pain. “The inspiration was trying to blend with nature, and be friends with Mother Nature. We are always battling against Mother Nature, because we want things faster than she is willing to move,” Pam said, adding in the book

Mother Nature creates diseases to find ways humans can fit in without hurting her. In the book, doctors were treating what they knew, but this was something new. Every time people ate in the book, they felt pain. Later on, the main character discovers why that is. Main character, Samantha, is the first to go public about her thoughts on the situation, where, world-wide, people were starving and suffering tremendous pain whenever they ate, but little was being done about it. The main character then dedicates herself to helping others who are also inflicted. Her favourite part in the book is when Samantha meets another woman struggling in the bathroom and the two begin discussing the disease and comparing notes. Then when she gets a job in a bakery, and finds out the owner is also silently suffering.

Pam is happy with the outcome of her book and can’t think of anything she would want to change. “I just love reading it again and again.” While Jim has had interest in writing before he retired at the age of 68, he has found more time to practice his craft after wrapping up his career. Pam, on the other hand, did not discover she had writing abilities until after she retired. While in the middle of writing her first book, about her brother’s adventures and experiences, she discovered she had some talent in storytelling. At that point, the idea for “Mother Knows: The Next Pandemic,” came about, and her first book idea was set aside temporarily. Pam married Jim, at the age of eighteen, in November of 1974. They have an adult daughter and son, and four grandsons. Both books are available in paperback or eBook through Amazon.