Essex Free Press - February 24, 2022 by Essex Free Press

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Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.

Vol. 142

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Issue No. 07

A LOOK INSIDE Liberals, NDP vote to pass Emergencies Act

Grand opening officially welcomes Fire Station #2

PAGE 3 ______________ LaSalle’s Ron LeClair nominated as next NDP provincial candidate PAGE 6 _______________ County Council Notes PAGE 7 _______________ Hockey for Hospice raises $482,000 PAGE 13 _______________ “Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier” will teach students about Detroit River Underground Railroad PAGE 14 _______________ County Council introduced to new Hospital Project Management Office Team PAGE 18 _______________

Looking For A Good Home

“COTTON” See Page 5 for adoption info.

by Sylene Argent Photos submitted by the Town of Essex. While most people run away from a disaster, firefighters and first responders run straight into the eye of the emergency to assist those in need. Now, Town of Essex Firefighters who serve the Ward 2 area have a new home to call their own, where they can suit up when an emergency call is made and head back to afterwards. On Saturday, the Town of Essex hosted an official ceremony to officially open the new, stateof-the-art Fire Station # 2, which is located at 3575 North Malden Road, at the County Road 15 intersection. During the ceremony, Firefighters were led into the facility within a procession that was led by bagpiper, John Woodbridge. Padre Chris Gevaert then provided a blessing, and Jason Nagy and Matthew Lepain performed “O Canada” on their trumpets. The pipes continued to play

at the end of the ceremony when Firefighters ceremoniously pushed the firetrucks into their new bays. Essex Mayor Richard Meloche said the ceremony was beautiful, and he was impressed with the musical talent. Meloche was excited to finally open the facility the community has been anxious to see become operational. He said over the last 14-months, since construction began, he wondered when it was going to get to the point it could be opened. There was a shortage of items, due to COVID, which brought on some delays during the building process. “We finally have it in our hands. It is there to enhance services not only for current residents, but

takes into consideration capacity growth,” Meloche said, noting there is plenty of building started,

and planned, within the Town of Essex, including the McGregor

Continued on Page 2

2 I Community

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Essex Free Press

Grand opening officially welcomes Fire Station #2...

area. “There is a lot of growth to come.” “It was very exciting today,” he said of the grand opening. The new 8500 square-foot facility features three bays, indoor parking for up to five fire service vehicles, an exhaust system, gender-neutral washrooms, with stall walls going right down to the floor, and a gear room, where firefighters can dress in their equipment. In addition, this will be a disaster relief facility. An agreement was made, Meloche added, with Ken Lapain & Sons Ltd next door, that if there is ever a major emergency, where the fire station needs to be used in a hazmat capacity, the Fire Service can sprawl out and temporarily use the neighbouring grounds if needed. Meloche added the new facility also has a beautiful training room, where all firefighters from all three stations can gather to learn in one location. Meloche said this will allow the instructor to teach in one location, rather than having to visit three different facilities to do so. In addition, the burn unit, currently housed at the Essex Water Treatment Plant, which is used also by neighbouring fire services and St. Clair College’s training program, will be moved to the North Malden location. The new Fire Stations also has a kitchen, and beautiful, unisex washrooms, Meloche noted, adding every bathroom stall, and shower facility, are private, so they can be used for men or women. Going forward, Meloche said the Town wanted to make sure there were washrooms

available for everyone, including those with accessibility needs. “It is a beautiful facility,” Meloche said, noting three trucks will be housed there, but there is capacity for five. There is the ability to easily expand further, if needed, as the community grows. “We have the land to expand.” The Town will house its new ladder truck at Station # 2, when it is obtained. In the 2022 Budget, Essex Council approved purchasing a new $1.5M aerial platform truck, between 80’ and 100’, for Essex Fire & Rescue. The Town will decommission two existing platform trucks, which have exceeded their life span. During the initial Budget Walkthrough held in late November, Fire Chief Rick Arnel said the 70’ and 95’ aerial trucks currently in use are both 25-years-old, and need to be replaced. Meloche said part of the Fire Master Plan was to go down to one ladder truck and park it in the middle of the community, so it can be dispatched to anywhere in the municipality if it is needed. At the ceremony, Meloche said he was pleased to welcome former firefighters who were part of the original fire department for Colchester North, Alphonse Brockman and Bob Myers. Meloche said that service was started in 1961. In 1962, the fire hall was added. Larry Shepley was also part of the crew, but was unable to attend the ceremony. “It was nice to have them there,” he said. Meloche said a neat element to the

event was the helmet-shaped cake. Myers, Brockman, and Ed Lepain, District Chief for Fire Station # 2, and the Mayor got to cut the cake with a firefighter’s axe. “That was fun,” Meloche said. He added the Town did its best in being respectful of COVID restrictions and requirements while hosting the ceremony. As part of those precautions, he said those in attendance were able to take cupcakes to go. “This is an important addition to the community and will be integral to the safety and security of our residents,” Rick Arnel, Fire Chief, stated in a press release in regards to the new facility. “The location of our newest fire station will enhance the service provided to our residents as it is more central to established residential service areas.”

Continued from Front Page

The decision to build the new station and move its location was made through the results of a study that highlighted needs for better response times. In addition, a Facility Audit Report determined the current facility does not meet the needs of Essex Fire & Rescue Services for a host of reasons. There are plans to build a new fire station in Harrow. The Harrow and McGregor-based stations were built in the ‘60s and ‘70s and are too small for current equipment needs. Reasons the new Fire Station project was given a go ahead include because apparatuses do not fit in the current station properly, and all the bunker gear gets contaminated by firetrucks when they start up.

Continued on Page 3

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Thursday, February 24, 2022

Essex Free Press

News / Community I 3

Liberals, NDP vote to pass Emergencies Act by Sylene Argent On Monday evening, Members of Parliament voted on the Emergency Measures Act, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked on Monday, February 14. Liberals and NDP voted in favour of the motion with 185 votes, while Conservative and the Bloc Québécois voted opposed with 151 votes. Last Thursday, Trudeau rose in the House of Commons to talk about invoking the Emergencies Act, as they were in Week 3 of what he called the illegal blockades and occupations. “We did it to protect residents and small businesses. To protect jobs and the economy. We did it because the situation could not be dealt with under any other law in Canada. Mr. Speaker, we did it, because that’s what responsible leadership requires us to do. For the good of all Canadians, the illegal blockades and occupations have to stop and the borders have to remain open,” Trudeau said. He noted that as of Tuesday of last week, the border was opened in Southern Alberta, after the Coutts Blockade was dismantled. The RCMP, he added, arrested a small group of people within the larger blockade, “and seized firearms, ammunition, and body armour. It is believed this group was willing to use force against police officers,” he alleged. Last Wednesday, the blockade in Emerson, Manitoba was cleared without arrests or charges. In Windsor, he said Mayor Drew Dilkens claimed law enforcement was able to intersect a new convoy, suspected of heading to the Ambassador Bridge. In Ottawa, law enforcement had more tools and resources in order to give the people of the city their jobs, neighbourhoods, and freedoms back. Trudeau said invoking the Emergencies Act was not something done lightly. “It is not the first option, or even the second or the third. It is a last resort,” he commented. He added the scope of the Emergencies Act is time-limited and targeted. “As well as reasonable and proportionate. It strengthens and supports local law enforcement agencies, so they have more tools to restore order and protect critical infrastructure.” “I want to reassure Canadians, once the Emergencies Act is invoked, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms continues to protect their individual rights.” Members of Parliament spent a good deal of time

debating the issue in the House of Commons last week, with Conservative members remaining steadfast in their opposition. “The eyes of the nation are upon us tonight,” Conservative MP for Barrie-Innisfil and House Leader of the Official Opposition, John Brassard, said on Monday evening before MPs voted on the Emergencies Act. “Earlier today, the Prime Minister signaled, as did a member of his backbench, that tonight’s vote is a confidence vote. Convention requires that the Prime Minister publicly declare a confidence vote of this nature, as such, following convention.” He asked if Monday’s vote was indeed a confidence vote, and if the Prime Minister would enact an election if it did not pass. Mark Holland, Liberal MP for Ajax and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, responded he appreciated the debate, but it was time to vote. Members of Parliament then voted on the motion, made by Trudeau and seconded by MP for EglingtonLawrence, Marco Mendicino, that pursuant to Section 58 of the Emergencies Act, this House confirms the declaration of a public order emergency, proclaimed on February 14, 2022. The motion was carried with a majority vote. Interim Conservative Party Leader Candice Bergen then rose in the House of Commons to file, Pursuit to Section 59 of the Emergencies Act, a motion to revoke the Prime Minister’s Emergency Declaration that was claimed last week. In accordance with the act, she said, the motion is signed by more than twenty members of the Conservative Party. Holland then rose, interrupting Bergen, to note there is a House Order that the House would adjourn after the vote. “Conservative MPs stood up for Canadians and voted against this government overreach,” Bergen states in a press release on the matter. “The Emergencies Act was not necessary to clear the blockades. The government already had all the tools they need under current Canadian Law. “Liberal and NDP MPs will need to explain to Canadians why they are continuing to enforce a national state-of-emergency that gives the federal government farreaching powers and authority,” her statement continues. Holland then thanked the staff who stayed over the course of the weekend. “It has been a long hour. It has been a historic debate.” Conservative Essex MP Chris Lewis voted against the motion, while Continued from Page 2 NDP MP for Windsor West Brian Masse and Liberal economic development – Gesto office. MP for Windsor-Tecumseh has been operating from the Irek Kusmierczyk were in favour.

Grand opening officially welcomes Fire Station #2... In the 2020 Town of Essex Budget, $2.7M was allocated to longterm debt for the new Station #2 Fire Hall. The budget was subsequently increased $709,182, due to higher-than-expected costs, including adding grading and a swale to the property. Prevention of erosion had to be considered and roof anchors needed to be added. Wood prices, asphalt, and steel prices had also gone up. Previously, Station # 2, which serves the Colchester North and McGregor areas, was located in Gesto, on County Road 12. Since Monday, January 31, the Town of Essex Development Services Department – including bylaw enforcement, building, planning services, and

Voice Of Inspiration “A good half of the art of living is resilience.” ~

Alain de Botton

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: Our office is closed to the public, currently. If you need to schedule an appointment, please call the office. COVID protocols in place. OUR STAFF Sandy Kennedy - 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 / Distribution

CIRCULATION The Essex Free Press is a publication with controlled circulation of 11,000. Also, it can be read online at: issuu.com/ essexfreepress

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• Getting through it all

For the past two-years, I have felt as if I was living within the plotline of a bad movie. And, real life just seems to get more and more unreal. I feel like I have just been waiting for those proverbial credits to roll, so we can all just get back to normal. Getting through the pandemic has been tough for most people. Kids have missed out on extracurriculars and have spent a good chunk of time learning from home, which, for some, may not be the greatest environment. Residents in nursing homes have been isolated for a good chunk of time over the past two-years, and the staff trying to look after them are evenmore overwhelmed with their duties than they were prior to the pandemic. People have lost jobs, or had to struggle financially because a parent had to remain at home to watch the kids when their schooling was to be

completed online. The list of battles we have all faced over the course of the pandemic have been tiring and have taken a toll; leaving many to feel like a boxer stuck in the corner in the twelfth round. Life was complicated enough before the pandemic. We watched as inflation, housing costs, and general affordability rose, and it continues to do so. Every time I go to the grocery store, at around the halfway mark of the cashier ringing in my items, I find myself anxiously looking up at the total, hoping it hasn’t gotten too high. And, it seems every week, that dollar I have gets me less. The price of gas is unbelievable. We have all had to tighten our budgets to keep up, and I just wonder when that point will come along where families and individuals will run out of creative ways to keep afloat.

I always preach in this column the importance of staying united, but I don’t think I have ever seen the country more divided. Many of us are feeling impatient and irritated. And rightfully so. For many, all of this has taken a toll on our mental health, and this is absolutely something that needs to be recognized and taken into account. And I hope anyone struggling, or feel like they may be getting to that point, reaches out for the help they need. In the meantime, I hope we can all stand up for each other and we can do that, at the very least, by standing united on the one topic I think we can all agree on; making life affordable again.

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Letter to the Editor

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

OPINION & COMMENT The opinions expressed on these pages are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher.

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.

Letter to the Editor: Mayor responds to Councillor Bondy’s comments It’s unfortunate that my comment to the Harrow News of February 8 did not include the line that Councillor Sherry Bondy, on several occasions, and as recently as our January 31 meeting, has commented to Council on how she is “too busy” and overworked. This is different than just “busy.” I was simply stating a fact that I understand that she’d be busy, with a full-time Councillor position, working a job, and having a young family. But no one else on Council is complaining about being “too busy.” Unfortunately, Councillor Bondy was very liberal in her interpretations. My statement was not misogynistic. Not once did I mention any gender reference. Men have young families as well that make them busy. And I wasn’t

suggesting that young people aren’t up to the challenge, but rather they have a more difficult challenge when having young families that require their time. I hold respect and inclusiveness high on my list of priorities, both as Mayor and as an individual. It’s unfortunate that Councillor Bondy wants to try to create drama where there is not any. I believe Councillor Bondy is trying to create an image of her potential future Mayoral candidate as being something that he is not. Let’s keep our conversations civil and move the Town of Essex forward and successfully … that is what is important.

Richard Meloche Mayor, Town of Essex

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Letter to the Editor Letter to the Editor: Response to letter from Councillor Bondy Dear Readers, I would like to apologize in advance for adding to the drama that is Essex Town Council, but I do so in the hope that this hastens the drama’s demise. To Ward 4 Councillor Sherry Bondy, I wish to express my disappointment in your discriminatory comment from the Special Council Meeting on January 31. To make the comment that residents contact Bondy because “my last name is really easy” is discriminatory against certain ethnicities and implies that if you have a difficult ethnic last name, residents will not contact you for issues. When my grandfather came to this country, he had difficulty getting work because his last name was difficult to say. He had to change it legally to Yorkman in order to provide for his family. How can it be that in 2022, I am being faced with the same argument from a political rival?! As a responsive Councillor, I and most of Council are

engaged by residents in other wards, including Ward 4. Your situation is not unique.

Dear Readers; Do I believe Mayor Meloche meant to malign Councillor Bondy or portray the Councillor as unfit for the Deputy Mayor Office? No. Do I believe Councillor Bondy meant to malign me or portray me as unfit for the Deputy Mayor Office? No. Did they both shoot from the lip and not dissect every sentence and phrase to see how different individuals may receive them? Probably. I continue to say that we, as a Council, have more in common than that which separates us. It is time for all of our Council to get together and focus on the work of the Town. Let’s fight over budget allocations and strategic priorities and leave the politics until the fall.

Stephen Bjorkman, Essex Deputy Mayor Colchester Village

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Opinion I 5

Essex Free Press

Letter to the Editor Editor; Municipal governance is the foundation of our country’s democracy. Our municipality has endured more than its share of tarnishing actions and continues to be subjected to what I think is further misuse and misguided direction. It appears we are being led by self-serving individuals who have elevated their positions with the support of a majority of Councillors who are happy to do their bidding. Council was, and is always, elected to preside over the business of our town and in the best interests of our town. Not the best interests of the members’ personal agendas. Mayor and Deputy-Mayor positions are now held by individuals who were not elected to either position or have ever run in an election vying for the positions. I believe they, and the Council members who supported them, have done our town and our democracy a true injustice. A vacancy was first created by the resignation of the previous mayor, who finally realized his smoke was fading and his mirrors were breaking. This fueled the power lust

of the others. I believe cohorts saw opportunity, not for our town but for themselves. A strategy, I believe, predates the actual resignation by several months. What should have remained a single vacancy to be addressed, became, through selfish ambition and disregard for our community, three positions that would now be filled through what I suspect to be, their manipulations. The first two fell into place as planned; the third, in a veiled attempt to show their embrace of public participation, has been made open for applications, although, as some have said, the actual outcome has already been determined. Smoke and mirrors. A recent opinion article, penned by a well-respected political science professor, said it well. “Essex Municipal Council needs a significant political sweeping.” Significant, yes, except for possibly the only bright light among them that has always worked for the community. Worked for truth and transparency, the bright light that most others on Council have continually attempted to extinguish.

Later this year, there will be a Municipal Election. We as the electorate need to send these self-serving members of our current Council packing and never let them back. Don’t let the door smack you on the way out! On second thought, that might be an appropriate departure.

Ron Rogers Colchester, Ward 3 Essex

Prioritizing mental health and learning recovery is good for Ontario students

submitted by Ontario Public School Boards’ Association On Thursday, of last week, Minister Lecce’s announced a number of significant investments in mental

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

health and learning recovery – issues which public school boards across the province have identified as top priorities in a difficult time for everyone. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging and stressful time for students, staff, and our broader school communities. There has never been a greater need to invest in mental health and wellbeing, and we know that our schools play an essential role in ensuring students have access to the mental health services they need. Our submission to the government’s education funding consultation process recommended a focus on student mental health and re-engagement, and we are pleased to see the government focusing on these important issues,” said OPSBA President Cathy Abraham. OPSBA also welcomes the additional $304 million in staffing supports to address the pressing needs of learning recovery, the implementation of a fully de-streamed Grade 9, special education, and remote learning. The funding announced today for the renewal of school-based public health nurses is a step in the right direction, as our schools continue to adapt and focus on supporting student health and infection prevention. The announcement includes a year-over-year increase of $683.9 million in Grants for Student Needs funding, to a total of $26.1 billion, with per-pupil funding increasing from $12,686 to $13,059. OPSBA will review the announcement, and the associated memoranda to assess the impacts on school boards and students across Ontario. We look forward to ongoing discussions with the government to ensure that our schools have the necessary resources and supports to continue providing a world-class educational experience for our students.

Pet Of The Week: Cotton Cotton is a 3 year-old cat looking for her forever home. She’s as soft as cotton! She can turn anything into a toy, so hide your valuables if you don’t want her practicing on them! Cotton will require patience and gentle training, until she learns the rules of your household. Thinking she’s the cat for you? Fill out an adoption survey today! The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter is at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751. To start the adoption process online, please go to: windsorhumane.org/adoptable-animals

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6 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

LaSalle’s Ron LeClair nominated as next NDP provincial candidate

ESSEX MINOR BASEBALL ASSOCIATION 2022 REGISTRATION

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by Sylene Argent Photo submitted The Ontario NDP Essex Riding Association hosted a Nomination Meeting on Sunday, February 13 to approve nomination contestant, Ron LeClair, as its candidate for the Provincial Election that will take place this June. The position needed to be filled with a new candidate, as current Essex MPP, Taras Natyshak, announced in December he would not be seeking re-election, after holding the title for around a decade. LeClair, a lifelong LaSalle resident, is a retired Inspector, who served the Windsor Police Service for 30-and-ahalf-years. In that time, he said he was a frontline policeman, who worked varying jobs for the force. He retired in July, and took a position with the Solicitor General’s Office as a Police Services Advisor. In that new role, he works with Police Services Boards, primarily

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will be putting candidates forward,” he said. LeClair noted he has been a New Democrat his entire life. His father-inlaw ran for the party in the 1960s and was a founding member of the Party. He also served as President of the Riding Association, when he was still in university. “My roots in the party go a long way back,” LeClair said. “The kind of issues the NDP Party supports, and my personal beliefs, are pretty much in alignment.” He believes the NDP is a party that closely represents the values of working people and the daily struggles working people are seeing today, particularly with childcare and housing issues. “I think that the Party is committed to long-term care homes, but not only just the number of beds,

but the delivery process, in terms of staffing levels,” he said, adding the Party wants to readdress some of those issues that really came to light during the pandemic. The importance of a strong economy that is progressive, with good jobs – for industry and small business – he said, are important to the NDP and himself. LeClair said there has been a significant issue locally in regards to ambulance response times. He said there have been concerns with Code Blacks, when there are no ambulances available, and that needs to be addressed also. He said it is important to provide funding to healthcare to ensure people get the care they need, and not in a hallway in the hospital, and get an Continues on Page 7

Town of Essex Interim Installment of Property Taxes If you own property in the Town of Essex you should receive your interim tax notice before February 18, 2022. The first installment is due on February 28, 2022, and the second installment is due on April 29, 2022.

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in the Golden Horseshoe area, remotely. LeClair has been married for over thirtyyears. Within his community, he has been involved in coaching hockey and soccer. Since 2014, LeClair has been a School Board Trustee with the Greater Essex County District School Board, representing LaSalle and Amherstburg. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. “I have always had an interest in governance,” LeClair said, noting his formal education is in Political Science and Public Administration. “I have always had an interest in politics. This was just an opportunity that came unexpectedly, because of Taras Natyshak’s decision to not seek re-election.” He said he thought it was important the New Democrats had a strong candidate for this Riding, and he believed he could fulfill that need. “There are a lot of issues that are important to this Riding and I think the New Democrats represent the interest of the community better than the other parties that

Failure to receive a tax notice does not relieve you from payment of taxes or penalties. Penalties are assessed on the first day of default at 1.25% and each month thereafter until paid. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure the Town has the correct mailing address. If you do not receive a tax notice by February 18, 2022, please contact 519-776-7336 extension 3050. Convenient Payment Options At the bank, online banking, credit card payments using Virtual City Hall, cheque by H´ mail or drop³$box LQ WKH /LIat 33 Talbot Street, Essex & 243 McAffee Street, Harrow and 'D\located UDPV of 8:30 am to 11:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, subject to Town Hall during SURJhours 9LHZthe WXDOO\ DFWLRQ YLUrestrictions (please refer to website for current updates) change due to LQCOVID $SULO WK Drainage, Water/Wastewater Arrears, Interest and Penalties Please note, unpaid water/wastewater arrears and drainage charges, as well as interest and penalties, may be added and appear on your property tax account. However, depending on the timing of these charges, they may not appear on your property tax notice.

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Tax Registration The Municipal Act, 2001 allows a municipality to begin the tax sale process on a property on January 1, if there is a balance in the second year following the year that property taxes are due. The Town of Essex adheres to this timeline for tax sale. For more information on the tax sale process and general tax information, please visit www.essex.ca/taxes.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

News I 7

Essex Free Press

LaSalle’s Ron LeClair nominated as next NDP provincial candidate... Continued from Page 6 ambulance when they need them. Before the pandemic, he added, the Ford government was cutting healthcare. He said there has only been a change in that now, because of the pandemic. In terms of the economy, he said opportunities need to be explored to ensure electric cars are being built in Essex County, in addition to adding a battery plant to create new jobs in a greener economy. Getting Highway #3 completed, he added, is also critical. He said Natyshak was key in ensuring that it was getting built. “His voice at Queen’s Park was resounding in ensuring that will get completed, and I would be the same type of voice in Queen’s Park to make sure that constituent needs are met,” LeClair said. “Taras has been an outstanding representative of the community, and he is known for his tenaciousness. Having

spent 30-years in policing, I have the fortitude, the desire, and the ability to stand up and have my voice heard. I was a strong advocate in the policing landscape for progressive changes in policing to ensure people [who] need supports can get them.” Sometimes, he said his voice was a “solitary tree in the forest. Sometimes it was a collection of trees in the forest, but it was still a minority type of situation. “The work I have done with the school board, people know that if they engage me and need my assistance, I’ll be there for them. I am readily available to assist people with their concerns. Constituency work is a critical element of being a good representative at Queen’s Park.” LeClair said he is also well-known as being a bridge-builder, able to build coalitions and seek compromise with others to get things done.

Essex County Council Notes for February 16, 2022 by Sylene Argent County supports asking for further financial support to extend funding for rent supplement/housing allowance programs Essex County Council received the report from the City of Windsor, dated October 28, 2021, titled “Rent Supplement Program Expiries and Mitigation Strategy,” and further supported Windsor’s resolution, requesting the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada provide further financial support to extend funding for rent supplement/housing allowance programs and include reference to impacts of the sun-setting of rent supplements.

Council on the Official Plan (OP) Review. The Report, she said, was meant to present the work program for the County’s upcoming Official Plan Review process. Belanger noted the Planning Act requires municipalities to review their Official Plans every five-years to ensure they are up-to-date and consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs approved the County’s current Official Plan in 2014. “As noted in the report, the work program

will be undertaken in three phases and already has been initiated,” Belanger said. The first phase includes the background review, visioning, and growth projections. The second phase will focus on policy options and additional technical studies. The third phase will incorporate adopting the new Official Plan. In the Report to County Council it notes in September of 2021, staff in the County’s Planning Department commenced the preliminary background work needed

Continued on Page 9

Council updated on County of Essex Official Plan Review Rebecca Belanger, Manager of Planning Services, updated members of Essex County

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

Hardwood, Carpet, Tile & More

TAX NOTICES 2022 Interim Property Tax Bills were mailed January 28, 2022 If you own property in the Town of Kingsville you should have received your 2022 interim tax bill. The tax due dates are as follows:

February 28, 2022 May 31, 2022 Please refer to the brochure included with your tax notice for a listing of the payment options available. Avoid long lines by paying your taxes early or online through your bank. Failure to receive a tax notice does not relieve you from payment of taxes or penalties. Penalties are assessed the day following the due date at 1.25% and each month thereafter until paid. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure the Town has the correct mailing address. If you have not received your tax notice please call 519-733-2305 or visit the Municipal Ofﬁce at 2021 Division Road North.

8 I Activity Page Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Exercise The Mind! Puzzles and activities for readers of all ages!

ALBUM BAND CAKE CATER CENTERPIECES CEREMONY

DANCING DATE DISK JOCKEY GOWN GUESTS HAPPY

INVITATION LICENSE MARRIED MUSIC OFFICIANT PHOTOGRAPHER

RECEPTION RESPONSE RINGS TUXEDO VOWS WEDDING

sudoku

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

CLUES ACROSS 1. Constrictors 5. Abounding in rocks 11. Speed 14. German city 15. Lacking sympathy 18. Visionaries 19. Wastes away 21. One precursor to the EU 23. Nursemaid 24. Unconsciousnesses 28. Baby’s word for father 29. Equal to 64 US pints (abbr.) 30. Senses of self-importance 32. Midway between south and southwest 33. When you hope to get there 35. Electronic data processing 36. Passports and drivers’ licences are two 39. Fishes 41. Air Force 42. Personal computers 44. Ecological community 46. Wings 47. Halfway 49. Cool, calm and collected 52. Jewelled headdress 56. Musical composition 58. __ Falls 60. Repeating remarks 62. Periods in one’s life 63. Hyphen

What’s in the stars? • Horoscopes

YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE COMING WEEK. FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

CLUES DOWN 1. __ Humbug! 2. Devices that alert pilots (abbr.) 3. Grocer 4. One point east of southeast 5. Subjects to hostility 6. Work unit 7. Atomic #56 8. British thermal unit 9. “Elusive Butterfly” singer 10. Fastened over animal’s neck 12. Device 13. Rechargeable power source 16. Ancient sage 17. Consist of two elements 20. “Pygmalion” writer 22. “The Centennial State” (abbr.) 25. Of I 26. Get older 27. Brotherhoods 29. Buzzing insect 31. Sunscreen rating 34. Brew 36. Leader 37. Indigo bush 38. Burn with a hot liquid 40. Junior’s dad 43. Horse mackerels genus 45. Morning 48. Unit of linear measurement (abbr.) 50. Double curve 51. Small, twisted bunch 53. Developed 54. Mars crater 55. Humanistic discipline 57. Word element meaning ear 58. Last or greatest in an indefinitely large series 59. Wood residue 61. It cools your home

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, an exciting relationship may soon develop after you socialize with friends. If you already are involved romantically, someone you meet could be an important ally.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, do not be discouraged when something seems like an insurmountable task. You just have to find the right help and then you’ll quickly master the job.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, an exciting group activity involving a number of your friends is on the horizon. You may be wondering whether to go. Don’t pass up the opportunity.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Unexpected changes are the name of the game this week, Taurus. This could mean anything from learning a new skill to having to train a new coworker.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 An unexpected phone call or text from someone in your past could come your way soon, Leo. Whatever the news, don’t let it scare you. You’ll do fine.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Exciting prospects and fortunate events seem to be in your orbit, Scorpio. Enjoy this bit of good luck that garners much of your attention and could have further benefits.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Your mind is attuned to learning new lessons. If time permits, enroll in some college courses or explore trade school offerings. This will enable you to expand your mind.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, there’s potential to meet someone interesting on a trip you will be taking shortly. Strike up conversations with those around you, as you never know what will happen.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 A significant sum of money could be coming your way shortly, Virgo. It may be a bonus or some sort of repayment. Be pleased at the windfall and utilize it wisely.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, are you feeling adventurous lately? Now may be a good time to enter a race or try something daring, like sky diving. Let your instincts guide your decision.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 This is a good week to travel or to make the arrangements for it, Aquarius. The journey promises to be an exciting time that you will remember for a while.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, bizarre dreams may invade your comfort levels. Don’t try to analyze their meaning too much, but be aware of symbolism.

SEE ANSWERS on Page 19

Thursday, February 24, 2022

News I 9

Essex Free Press

Essex County Council Notes for February 16, 2022... to undertake a comprehensive review and update the existing Official Plan. The work completed so far includes preliminary growth projections for the region and local municipalities. “At every step of the process, we will be reporting back to County Council, and with our advisory groups and all of our stakeholders,” she said. “A comprehensive and collaborative planning approach is being utilized to successfully undertake and complete this OP review program.” An initial workshop is planned with County Council in around a month, where a comprehensive review of the work program will be presented. Staff intends to deliver a draft Official Plan for Council’s consideration by the end of 2023, the Report to Council notes. The Report to Council adds, as part of the first phase, Watson & Associates will prepare the Technical Background Report, which will provide new updated County and local municipal population, and household and employment forecasts. It further adds the County will issue an RFP and a consulting firm will be retained to complete the Phase 2 and Phase 3 work, which will include preparing the additional technical reports/studies that address key issues, challenges, opportunities, and policy gaps identified during Phase 1. Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain asked why two different firms were being sought for the project. Belanger responded that at the time, staff wanted to get the growth projections underway to assist the region by getting that preliminary work. She said it is really just how things worked out. The growth projection report will be

presented to County Council in April. Three advisory groups will be established to provide input and feedback throughout the Official Plan; including a Technical Planning Advisory Committee, a Community Stakeholder Advisory Group, and a Youth Advisory Group. County received the report for informational purposes. County Council approves entering into an agreement with ALSO for housing with supports care County Council adopted By-law 2022-04, authorizing the Warden and Clerk to enter into an agreement with Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) to provide subsidized housing with supports care through the ChezNous Collaborative Supportive Housing Program. The new housing provider, a congregate living facility in Stoney Point, has the capacity to provide housing with supports to 32 individuals, 25-years-ofage and older, Jeanie Diamond-Francis, Manager of Community Services, explained. It notes in the Report that the County of Essex Administration is prepared to allocate 20 subsidies as part of the Housing with Supports Program. The City of Windsor has stated that although it greatly supports the establishment of this innovative program in the County, it is not able to allocate additional funding. County Administration, it adds, has allocated the 20 subsidies for 2022 from within the existing yearly CHPI funding, provided to the County by the City Social Services Department. The addition of the new service provider will

not impact the approved 2022 Housing with Supports program budget. The 20 subsidies to be allocated to this program were included in the 2022 Housing with Support budget. “Residents will be encouraged to set goals and will receive support and guidance to meet their goals,” she said. “In addition, staff will be trained in the areas of mental health and addictions to be better able to support the complex needs of their residents,” DiamondFrancis added. The program will also aim to house individuals who are on the By-Names Prioritized List and are currently experiencing some form of chronic homelessness, Diamond-Francis noted. The ALSO group will operate three collaborative supportive housing programs; two of which will be located in the City of Windsor, and one in the County of Essex. “All three programs are new to our community, and are designed to fill service gaps in the housing continuum, providing individuals the opportunity to

Continued from Page 7

receive supports to meet their goals of potential independent living,” DiamondFrancis said. With the City not able to provide funding for the program, Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche asked how the County will know it is getting its fair share out of the CHPI Fund. Diamond-Francis said the short answer is that is not known. She said the County is allocated funds by the Social Services Department to go directly towards its housing and supports program. “We continue to advocate for funds to address other needs that County communities have. To date, we have not been involved or included in how other funds are being distributed across the region.” Meloche further asked how the County gets its foot in the door to ascertain, from the service provider, that the County is included. Later in the meeting, Meloche put forward a motion that County

Continued on Page 11

10 I Ad Feature Essex Free Press

THE ART OF THE CRAFT

HOCKLEYBEER.CA

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Thursday, February 24, 2022

News I 11

Essex Free Press

Essex County Council Notes for February 16, 2022... administration meet with the City of Windsor Service provider to review the allocation funding with respect to the CHPI program, and to report back to County Council. Mary Birch, Director of Council and Community Services/Clerk, noted the CHPI funding the County receives for housing supports is funding also allocated to a number of programs throughout the City, and some in the County, dealing with housing and homelessness. County staff, she added, continues to have discussions with staff at the City of Windsor that the County be able to utilize more funding for housing with supports program. She said there is a fixed budget for funding, which comes from the Province. Lakeshore Deputy Mayor, Tracey Bailey, asked if there were any means of measurement added to this agreement that would be different to allow the County to measure the success of the program, and get involved if it is not working as planned. She also asked about the contract timeline. Diamond-Francis said the contract is open-ended, and the County, through an inspection, noted there are some mechanisms to monitor the home and meet compliance with the County’s standards. CIREAM contract awarded to Coco Paving Essex County Council awarded the contract for the 2022 road rehabilitation Cold In Place Recycling with Expanded Asphalt (CIREAM) program to Coco Paving Inc. for a total tender amount of $1,827,235. plus HST. Coco Paving was the low tender on the project. Allan Botham, Director of Infrastructure and Planning Services, noted there are some CWATS paved shoulders build into the program, as the County looks for opportunities to combine construction projects. The Report to County Council notes integral, planned projects under the County Wide Active Transportation

budget, such as paved shoulders, were included in the subject contract. Therefore, road rehabilitation and shoulder construction will occur at the same time. Two opportunities occurred this year on County Road 50; including 1.4km between the 7th Concession to Collison Side Road, and existing from Dunn Road to Dahinda Drive. This includes: County Road 9, from County Road 20 to South Side Road; County Road 11, from County Road 8 to Highway 3; County Road 11, from County Road 18 to County Road 12; County Road 20, from 100m East of Sunset to Ferriss Road; County Road 29, from South Talbot to County Road 34; County Road 46, from Rochester Townline to County Road 31; County Road 50, from 7th Concession to Collison Side Road; County Road 50, from Dunn Road to Dahinda Drive. The funding for the work is included in the 2020 Rehabilitation Program and the 2022 Paved Shoulder Program, Botham said. In addition, and in support of regional operation,

Voice Of Inspiration “Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides. The ultimate challenge is to accept ourselves exactly as we are, but never stop trying to learn and grow.” ~ Tony Schwartz

Continued from Page 9

the contract document includes provisional items for asphalt rehabilitation for the Town of Essex, on North Malden Road, in the amount of just over $247,000, Botham said. This is subject to approval by the Town of Essex. The provisional work would be completed and paid for by Essex. It is his understanding Essex approved the budget for this work.

NoM: Queen will ask County Council to consider controlled intersection for County Roads 20/23 intersection Kingsville Deputy Mayor, Gord Queen, noted in the year 2020, his Council had a safety concern for the corner of County Road 20 and County Road 23. At the Kingsville Town Council meeting on Monday, February 14, Queen said he and Mayor Nelson Santos were directed to approach County Council to request a controlled intersection at County Roads 23 and 20. The request follows a recent fatal crash that took place at the intersection on January 11. He put forward a Notice of Motion that at the next County Council meeting, to be held on March 2, Queen said he will move, or may cause to move, County Council to consider the best options moving forward for this particular intersection, including the option of a controlled intersection or other best possibilities.

For more County Council news, look for the article “County Council introduced to new Hospital Project Management Office Team,” in this edition of the Essex Free Press.

12 I Community Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Lakeshore resident writes book to include God’s role with ‘the birds and bees’ talk

Ontario is getting stronger eÏųŅŸŸ ƋĘå ŞųŅƴĜĹÏåØ ĵŅųå ƶŅųĩåųŸ ±ųå ģŅĜĹĜĹč ƋĘå ŸĩĜĬĬåÚ Ƌų±ÚåŸ ±Ÿ ųåŸŅƚųÏåŸ ±ĹÚ ĜĹÚƚŸƋųĜåŸ ĜĹ ƋĘå ĹŅųƋĘ ÆåÏŅĵå Ş±ųƋ Ņü ƋĘå üƚƋƚųå Ņü ÏĬå±Ĺ ŸƋååĬ ±ĹÚ åĬåÏƋųĜÏ ƴåĘĜÏĬåŸţ aŅųå ģŅÆŸ ±ųå ÆåĜĹč Ïųå±ƋåÚ ÆƼ ÆƚĜĬÚĜĹč Ĺåƶ ÆųĜÚčåŸ ±ĹÚ ĘĜčĘƶ±ƼŸØ åƻŞ±ĹÚĜĹč ŞƚÆĬĜÏ Ƌų±ĹŸĜƋ ±ĹÚ ÏŅĹŸƋųƚÏƋĜĹč Ĺåƶ ĘŅĵåŸó±ĬĬ üŅų ± čųŅƶĜĹč ŞųŅƴĜĹÏåţ BŅĵåěčųŅƶĹ ÆƚŸĜĹåŸŸåŸ ±ųå ĵ±Ĺƚü±ÏƋƚųĜĹč ĵŅųå Ņü ƋĘå ƋĘĜĹčŸ ƶå ųåĬƼ ŅĹţ kĹƋ±ųĜŅűŸ åÏŅĹŅĵƼ ĜŸ čåƋƋĜĹč ŸƋųŅĹčåųţ åå ƶĘ±ƋűŸ Ę±ŞŞåĹĜĹč ±Ƌ ontario.ca/stronger

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

by Sylene Argent Long-time Lakeshore resident, Rosemary Simmons Ellsworth, always wanted to write a book, but never thought her first venture would help explain the birds and the bees, and God’s role in that process, for youths around the age of nine through 12. Now, she is proud to note her first book, “God Even Made the Birds and the Bees,” has been published and is available for purchase. Simmons Ellsworth, an X-Ray Technologist at Windsor Regional Hospital, said her mother always told her she was a good storyteller and encouraged her to write a book. She thought her first book would be about her oldest son ending up with Kidney Cancer, but found that it would be a little more challenging to write, as she would have to figure out the perspective she wanted to take. She also thought about writing a book influenced by her other son’s involvement in local sports as a goalie. One day, she was reading a book to her children and her niece about where babies come from. “I read the book to them, and I go to church every week and I love God, so I’m like God has something to do with this. So, I decided to write a book with the perspective that God has intended all of the kids, and He provided the whole process and He provides the process for the birds and the bees – and everything that is made – to be created.” She said this was never a subject she thought she would write about. Once she sat down to get to work, Simmons Ellsworth said it did not take a long time to pen the original draft, but she has learned in her writing process that there are many, many revisions to make when finalizing a book. “It was just a very good experience that I

Photo submitted: Rosemary Simmons Ellsworth

enjoyed,” she noted. “It worked out and I have received compliments from different people that it was well-written.” She said when she was having ‘the talk’ with her oldest son, at the time, he liked to garden with his dad. So, she used the hobby to explain that the mom has a seed inside her belly and her body is taking care of it, like he was doing with the plants. Further, she explained the seed would grow and would become a baby. “I refer to that process a little bit in the book, about seeds and plants,” Simmons Ellsworth said. The book also explains the development of the baby, month-by-month, explaining when facial features or toenails are developed. ‘The talk,’ Simmons Ellsworth said, is something she believes should be tackled by parents. She said she has talked to people who have had a hard time discussing this topic with their kids. The book, she said, is a tool that can help make it a little bit easier. Simmons Ellsworth decided to team up with Westbow Press, which supports Christian authors, to publish the book.

The book was officially published when she finalized the agreement on January 7, and was available for purchase online – through the American and Canadian Amazon sites – soon after. The book’s cover features a drawing of a hummingbird Simmons Ellsworth drew while in high school, for an OAC art project. She didn’t know what she was going to use it for, but she was so proud of it, she kept it. The illustrations inside the book, she added, were completed by an illustrator she knew at her church, Lee Highgate, which visually enhanced the book as a family read. “It’s a great feeling,” Simmons Ellsworth said of having her first book completed and readily available for purchase. “It was also a lesson for my kids, showing them the process. They knew I wrote the book. They knew I had to search for a publisher. It showed them if there is something you want to do, do it. Figure out what the process is and follow it. Then it is done and you have something you can be proud of.” She encourages anyone who wants to write a book to not be afraid to try.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Sports I 13

Essex Free Press

Hockey for Hospice raises $482,000

A LaSalle Sabres blue team forward skates around a defender during their overtime win at the Hockey for Hospice tournament on Monday.

Pictured above: Tecumseh Blue and Essex Yellow at a thrid period faceoﬀ in Sunday’s exciting game at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. Essex won this game 5 to 4.

25-years, the tournament has grown from the original version of a “skate-a-thon” tournament by founder, Tim Beaulieau, to now featuring 237 games over the span of three days. The games took place at five different arenas across Windsor-Essex. Over the course of the weekend, hockey players from ages five to 15, were able to suit up and compete with their teams, while helping raise money for the Hospice of Windsor-Essex. The tournament usually takes place over the Christmas break, but with previous COVID restrictions in place, the tournament was postponed and moved to this past weekend. Despite the change of dates, organizers said the tournament was successful and, most importantly, there were smiles all around from participants and spectators. “The turnout has been fantastic, with 124 teams and just under 2000 players playing in games throughout the weekend. And there were smiles all around,” Paul Pietraszko said, who is the Hockey for Hospice Tournament Co-Chairperson. “It

certainly was challenging planning this year with COVID, more the up and down of whether we are locked out or not. “We have a great team and the community cooperation really helped it come together with the planning and experience over the past 25-years. We were more concerned about the plans of the

participants with the date, originally planned for December 27-29.” Pietraszko said this year’s edition of the tournament was able to raise over $482,000 and throughout the 25-years the event has gone on, nearly $4.2 million has been raised.

Continued on Page 14

by Garrett Fodor After 25-years, Hockey for Hospice is continuing to raise funds and giving reasons for local hockey players and their families to smile. Throughout that

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14 I Community / Sports Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

“Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier” will teach students about Detroit River Underground Railroad by Sylene Argent Prior to its meeting last Thursday evening, members of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society welcomed Kimberly Simmons and Shantelle Browning Morgan to present information on the “Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier: The Detroit River Project International Freedom Curriculum.” The curriculum will be taught at schools through Detroit Public Schools Community District, along with three school boards in Ontario, including the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board, the Greater Essex County District School Board, and the Lambton Kent District School Board. In total, 15 educators in Southwestern Ontario and 15 educators in Detroit will participate in the program’s pilot launch in March. Others will participate in the official program kick-off in

September. The students on either side of the border will be able to connect with each other virtually as they learn. The curriculum will run over a fourweek project. Simmons, Founder and Director of the Detroit River Project, has spent years organizing an international coalition of scholars, artists, experts, and elected officials to tell the story of the Underground Railroad in the Detroit River region, Irene Moore Davis said, who is the President of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society. “In addition to its advocacy for World Heritage Designation for the Detroit River, the Detroit River Project has developed a transnational curriculum, known as ‘Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier: The Detroit River International Freedom Curriculum’ to help teach this indispensable history,” Moore Davis said. Browning Morgan, Moore Davis

added, is the longstanding Secretary of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, a researcher, educator, and has developed curriculum, including the recent African-Canadian “Roads to Freedom” Resource documents for the Greater Essex County District School Board. She is also the past recipient of the Governor General Award for Teaching Excellence in History, for her African studies course that she put together for the Greater Essex County District School Board. Simmons noted Detroit River Project has been a vision of hers for

around 15-years, adding it has a distinctive centre piece, to create a World Heritage Designation bid for the Detroit River. These places are historic and significant to everyone, she said. The intent is to, in 2027, be added to the tentative list. The Detroit River Project, Simmons added, has other pieces, and that includes the “Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier” curriculum. She said this is an important component because it includes educating. “Our students, our people – from zero to 99 – live surrounded by an incredible amount of history. Sometimes we realize

Continued on Page 15

Hockey for Hospice raises $482,000... Continued from Page 13

“Each year, so many members of our community look forward to this event, and we are thrilled to be able to hold this tournament once again, especially after some delays,” Nancy Brockenshire, Executive Director of The Hospice, said in a press release. “It’s amazing to see the excitement and the commitment in these young players. Not only do they have fun, raise pledges, and learn about The Hospice, they’re teaching their family, friends, and neighbours about the Hospice programs and services in our community. They are wonderful ambassadors.” Pietraszko noted how grateful they are for the support they have received and added the event could not have been

made possible without the community’s support. “Without the support of many hockey associations and the arenas, the tournament may not have happened. That demonstrates how important the tournament is and how popular it is,” Pietraszko commented. “Many gave up ice and tournaments, so that this could take place and we are grateful to be able to have all of these teams here.” Organizers were pleased to have been able to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the tournament and were happy with the turnout and support they received. They are looking ahead to hosting the tournament in the years to come.

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Thursday, February 24, 2022

Community I 15

Essex Free Press

“Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier”...

Photo submitted: Shantelle Browning Morgan.

what it is...but there is a special history we do not celebrate, we don’t know much about, and it is all around us. That is the story of freedom,” she said. “The Detroit River region, and I do mean on both sides – north and south – is and continues to be about freedom; freedom and justice. Just think about what the region has meant, not only over the course of the 321-years Detroit has been established, but the thousands of years before us. The Indigenous were here, considering this a sacred place. They still do,” Simmons said. “The Underground Railroad, Simmons explained, “Was a network of people, places, things, stops, sites, that helped another people find freedom. It was black, it was white. It was free, it was enslaved. It was young, it was old. It was a group of people in places that helped show the way for those looking for freedom at our river banks. In the US, the Diaspora, the Caribbean, Canada – where the Underground Railroad operated – Simmons said it is estimated that one-hundred-thousand individuals

Continued from Page 14

used this secret network. Though it may sound like a lot, individuals who witnessed the case unfold. she noted at the time, there were around five-million “There was this really brilliant, well-orchestrated individuals enslaved in the US. plot that took place, where women went to the jail to “Our River, all 32-miles of it...there were what we visit Lucie Blackburn, and they said they were going in estimate to be 25-30,000 people [who] escaped...what to pray with her. When they left, Lucie actually left. She we call our historic Detroit River,” Simmons said. “Our had switched clothes with Mrs. French, who took her River has a huge story to tell.” place in the jail cell. And then, by the time they realized She added those working on the project decided it, Lucie was already across the River in Sandwich,” the best way to tell the story of freedom and justice, in Continued on Page 17 conjunction with the Detroit River, was to educate. So, the curriculum was developed to pass along that history to youths. The curriculum, Simmons said, is designed for grade seven students on the Canadian-side of the Border, and grade eight students on the American-side. “It is also intended to be conducted at the same time...because our river history, the history I am so passionate about, and everyone here is so passionate about, is really two sides to a mirror. They mirror each other. “And who better to get that [than] our children? It broadens their horizon. It gives our children the opportunity to understand, at an early age, they are part of a bigger whole. This story is for them. It is their story. They belong to this story. So, we are going to teach them this story of freedom and resistance.” Browning Morgan explained the roles of the members of this committee, who put together this student project. She noted her role was to work on the case studies, which highlight the stories of specific freedom-seekers. One of the case studies the students will learn about, includes the true story of Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, which led to the Blackburn Riots of 1833. In 1831, Browning Morgan explained, Thornton and Lucie Blackburn escaped from slavery in Kentucky. With being dressed finely, and with forged documents stating they were free persons of colour, they made their way to Detroit. They lived in Detroit for two-years, until they were arrested and tried as fugitives, Browning Morgan said. “They were sentenced to return to a lifetime of slavery in Kentucky. And the black community of Detroit was outraged. They threatened to burn the city to the ground. And while the respected couple were in jail in downtown Detroit, men and women from Detroit met up and came up with an ingenious rescue plan, and the result would go down in Detroit history as the Blackburn Published every Thursday. Controlled Riots of 1833 and the first circulation of 11,000. Delivered FREE to racial riots in Detroit.” all homes in the centre of Essex County. The students will be provided with an inventory of assets that belong to Gideon Brown, who was Thornton Blackburn’s Download the enslaver, Browning Morgan said. She retyped ISSUU APP to your device! all of the primary sources, www.issuu.com/essexfreepress for legibility for the LIKE & FOLLOW US ON students. FACEBOOK & TWITTER! In the primary sources, AREA OF CIRCULATION %FMJWFSFE EPPS UP EPPS WJB PVS EFMJWFSZ TZTUFN $PWFSBHF PG UIF 5PXO PG &TTFY $FOUSF TVSSPVOEJOH BSFBT UIBU JODMVEF the students will learn QBSUT PG $PUUBN 4PVUI 8PPETMFF -BLFTIPSF 5FDVNTFI .BJETUPOF Thornton was listed at 0MEDBTUMF .D(SFHPS BOE )BSSPX 1MVT BEEJUJPOBM EFQPUT UISPVHIPVU &TTFY $PVOUZ a worth of $400. Some of the sources included Email: contact@essexfreepress.com first-hand accounts of

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PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD: Classified ads can be submitted in person, by phone or fax or email from Mon. to Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All classified and personal ads require payment, prior to print. We accept Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS TUESDAY BY 10:00 AM

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HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour. Experience necessary. Fax your resume to (519) 723-2336 or email to quinlaninc@ 1-1tfn kelcom.igs.net _____________________ HELP WANTED  Local truss assembly plant is hiring full-time truss builders. Monday to Friday and occasional Saturdays during busy season. Beneﬁts after 3 months along with a boot allowance. Experience an asset but not required. Call 519-962-9922 or email resume to cindyh@rivardtruss.com. _____________________ LOOKING FOR MATURE INHOME WORKER FOR 2 YOUNG ADULTS. Duties would include respite, personal care, and comunnity outings. Reliable transportion and able to drive wheelchair van a must. 15-35 hours/ week. day/aft/saturday shifts. Please email resume to: clarksonhouse@ wavedirect.net or call: 519-776-4597. 6-3t*

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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- $15.00. To apply please email: Lindsay@policellafarms. com Or Mail to Domric International, PO Box 218, Ruthven ON N0P 2G0. 1-tfn _____________________ HELP WANTED: Tilray Inc. is looking for Greenhouse Production Associates to join their team. Duties include daily crop maintenance, harvesting, crop rotation, inventory counts, and cleaning of greenhouse. No public transportation available. Located in Leamington, ON. Compensation starts at $15.00/hour. Full time hours - Monday through Friday with occasional Saturdays. Please apply at careers@tilray.com or mail resume to P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie St. S. Leamington, 1-fn ON N8H 3C4.

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Thursday, February 24, 2022

Community I 17

Essex Free Press

“Resistance Along the Fluid Frontier”... Browning Morgan said. Thornton, she added, was soon after scheduled to be sent back to Kentucky. When he exited the jail, he had on his handcuffs. “It is said that Madison Lightfoot tossed him a pistol, and then pandemonium brokeout,” which became known as the Blackburn Riots. Browning Morgan noted Thornton did make it across the river to Sandwich, as well. Both he and his wife, however, were jailed on this side of the border. While they were jailed in Sandwich, Browning Morgan said, the acting Governor of Michigan demanded their extradition, on the grounds that they had incited the riot and tried to kill the Sheriff. “Thornton, who was unable to read or write, dictated his petition to a local Minister, who passed it onto local elites. Many signed the petition, it was then forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Sir John Colborne, who happened to be an abolitionist.” At the time, the Attorney General of Upper Canada was Robert Sympson Jameson, and it was decided the Blackburns would be set free from the Sandwich jail at around July 22, 1833. The students will answer a list of questions about the primary sources and the information contained within them as they move through the case studies. For each of the case studies presented through the curriculum, the students will have a centralhistorical question they will have to answer, go through primary source documents, and answer thinking questions, so they can come up with their own historical narrative. The students, she said, will take on the role of community historians and explore the early history of abolition and the Underground Railroad, resistance

Continued from Page 15

to slavery, anti-racist organizing, border crossing, and freedomseeking along the Detroit

River. Throughout the case studies, the students who will engage with the

curriculum will research the stories of heroic freedom-seekers that are often left out of standard history textbooks, Browning Morgan said. “In this process, students will connect today’s struggles for racial justice as well as today’s

debates about immigration across borders for a better life to the long legacy of resistance and border crossing in the region,” she added. The project will kickoff in September. There are plans to develop a website for the educational

project. It is hoped, in the future, the project can be expanded to include a museum exhibit, adding a historical marker, creating a mural, and developing a children’s book.

OLDCASTLE STORMWATER MASTER PLAN NOTICE OF STUDY COMPLETION The Town of Tecumseh has now completed the Oldcastle Stormwater Master Plan to address the stormwater needs of the Oldcastle Hamlet area. This study has been conducted in accordance with the requirements of Approach 2 (Phases 1 and 2) of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act. Funding for this study is being provided in part through the Na onal Disaster Mi ga on Program (NDMP) and provides NDMP funding to the Provincial and Territorial governments who may redistribute funding to eligible en es such as the Town of Tecumseh. In Ontario, the NDMP is administered by the Ministry of Municipal Aﬀairs and Housing. (Note: Views expressed in this study are the views of the Town of Tecumseh and do not necessarily reﬂect those of the Province and the Government of Canada.) Subject to comments received as a result of this No ce and receipt of necessary approvals, the Town of Tecumseh may proceed with implementa on of the following Schedule B projects: • • • • •

H.2 – New Storm Sewer along Del Duca Drive H.3 – New Storm Sewer along Ure Street W.3 – New Storm Sewer along Fasan Drive W.5 – Replace Storm Outlets to Wolfe Drain 6C.1 – Replace Halford Drive Storm Outlet

• • • • •

H.4 – Enlarge & Re-route Hurley Drain to New Hurley Pond 9C.2 – New Washbrook-Downing Pond 9C.5 – Oldcastle Heights Pond 9C.6 – Downing Acres Pond 9C.7 – 9th Concession Pond

All of the project informa on is being made available for review online. Please refer to the Town of Tecumseh’s website: h ps://www.tecumseh.ca/en/town-hall/oldcastle-stormwater-master-plan.aspx The website contains links to view the Project File, which contains all informa on regarding the project to date. If you do not have access to the internet, please contact Landmark Engineers Inc. at the address below to make arrangements to review a hard copy. Interested persons may provide wri en comment to our project team by March 25, 2022. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to Ms. Liz Michaud, P.Eng. at Landmark Engineers Inc. In addi on, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conserva on and Parks (Ministry) for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that condi ons be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mi gate or remedy adverse impacts on cons tu onally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester’s contact informa on and full name. Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for condi ons or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mi gate or remedy poten al adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and any informa on in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the Ministry is able to eﬃciently begin reviewing the request. The request should be sent in wri ng or by email to: Minister of the Environment, Conserva on and Parks Ministry of Environment, Conserva on and Parks 777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J3 minister.mecp@ontario.ca and Director, Environmental Assessment Branch Ministry of Environment, Conserva on and Parks 135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor Toronto ON, M4V 1P5 EABDirector@ontario.ca Requests should also be copied to Landmark Engineers Inc. by mail or by e-mail. Please visit the Ministry’s website for more informa on on requests for orders under sec on 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: h ps://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmentalassessments-part-ii-order All personal informa on included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property loca on – is collected, under the authority of sec on 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of crea ng a record that is available to the general public. As this informa on is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protec on of personal informa on provided in the Freedom of Informa on and Protec on of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal informa on you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal informa on remain conﬁden al. Landmark Engineers Inc. Ms. Liz Michaud, P.Eng. 2280 Ambassador Drive Windsor, ON N9C 4E4 519-972-8052 lmichaud@landmarkengineers.ca

Town of Tecumseh Mr. John Henderson, P.Eng. 917 Lesperance Rd. Tecumseh, ON N8N 1W9 519-735-2184 ext. 166 jhenderson@tecumseh.ca

This No ce issued 15 February 2022. Information on this and all Town of Tecumseh news and events is available at www.tecumseh.ca, www.tecumsehapp.ca, Twitter (@TownofTecumseh), and Facebook (Town of Tecumseh).

18 I Personals / News

FromThe Heart

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. _______________________________________________

ANNIVERSARY

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Happy

ry Anniversa

GERALDINE & TEX RIDDER

~ February 26, 1972 ~ Congratulations !! On Your Special Day!! All Our Love, Tammy, Bill, Kassi, Dan, Adilyn, Everest and Ryan, Sandie and Chris, Billy, Anna, Brielle, Avalene

Essex Free Press

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OBITUARIES

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OBITUARIES

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BEARELLE, Shelley - With heavy and broken hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Shelley on February 17, 2022, at 60 years of age. Beloved partner and best friend of Jackie Taylor. Treasured mother of Megan Bearelle. Dear daughter of the late Michel and Lila Bearelle. Beloved sister of Glen Cook, Linda Tessier (Skip), late Paul Cook, Michel Bearelle (Debbie), Sandra Bearelle (late John), Michele Bearelle (Brian), and the late Danny Bearelle. Sister-in-law of Gerald Taylor (late Judy), Bernice (Denis), late Shirley, late Sally (late Bob), late Sharon (late Gary), Mary (Jerry), Irene (Richard), and Mickey (late Rolly). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Shelley was a great mother and an amazing sister. She truly adored her daughter, Megan. Family, cooking, and dancing were a major part of her life. The visitation and life celebration was held at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North, Essex. The service is streamed on Shelley’s online proﬁle at www.kennedyfh.com. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com.

SHILSON, Ralph Garfield - passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, just three days after his 96th birthday. He and his beloved wife, Shirley (nee Rounding), would have celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary on February 24. Loving Dad of Diana Beuglet, Becky Smith (late Eddie), his late daughter Pam Cliﬀord and late infant daughter June. Adored Grandpa of Jeﬀ, Jacqueline, Jeni, Natalie, Mark, Scott, Michelle, 11 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. Dearest brother of Hazel McMillan, Muriel Wigle (Harold) and predeceased by his siblings, Leonard, Clare, Wilmot, Morley and Gladys. Fond brother-in-law of Maxwell Rounding. He will also be remembered by his many nieces and nephews. A private family gathering took place with cremation following. A Celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made to MS Society by contacting Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233). Family and friends are welcome to share their memories online at www. reidfuneralhome.ca

Voice Of Inspiration “I live in my own little world. But its ok, they know me here.” ~ Lauren Myracle

County Council introduced to new Hospital Project Management Office Team -the team explained the five-phase plan and community engagement opportunitiesby Sylene Argent County Council was introduced to the new Windsor-Essex Acute Care Hospital Project Team, and its five-phase build plan. Community engagement opportunities were also presented at the meeting last Wednesday evening. David Musyj, President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital and member of the new Windsor-Essex Acute Care Hospital Project, firstly thanked those on County Council for supporting the project and the new Windsor-Essex acute care hospital. One thing COVID has shown is that a new, acute care hospital is needed to support the region, support the Province and Canada, he said. “I cannot say how truly proud I am of our WRH team for all they’ve done in the last two-years, and before that as well,” Musyj said. Stage Two, Musyj noted, will be the start of some fun. “The user groups are well on their way and committed to openly engaging our community and communicating in a fashion with our community in a way no one else has done in the past. This is their hospital. This is your hospital.” He said an outstanding project management team has been put together, which includes himself, Paul Landry, Project Director; Allison Johnson, Communications &

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Community Engagement Manager; Dr. Andrew Petrakos, Director of Clinical Services Planning; and Jeff Geml, Director of Support Services Planning. Landry said he is thrilled and privileged to join the project team. The project for the mega hospital project, he added, has been complex to put together. “It takes months and years to do that. But as [Musyj] pointed out, we are going to have a lot of fun, we are going to drive very hard, and we are hopefully going to achieve our target dates of approvals and get the shovel in the ground as quickly as we can.” He noted he has led some mega hospital projects in the country, principally the University of Montreal Health Centre and the new St. Paul’s Hospital development project in Vancouver. He said he was happy to bring his experience to Windsor Regional Hospital. The initial Acute Hospital Management Team will grow through different phases of the project, as required. Dr. Petrakos competed his medical and surgical training in London, and he has been a General Surgeon in Windsor since 1984. Over the past 38-years, he has held a variety of administrative positions, including President of Medical Staff and Chief of Staff at Metropolitan

Hospital in the early 1990s. He was the Academic Director for undergrads and post-grad surgeries at the Schulich School of Medicine Windsor program from 2002-2015. He is still the Medical Advisor for several projects currently ongoing at Windsor Regional Hospital, including the standardization and optimization program, which standardizes care across both campuses. “I am looking forward to continuing to support Essex County in our functional planning process,” he said. Geml, who has a Master’s Degree in Public Health and a variety of different certifications in project management, spent the last eight-years holding clinical leadership positions at Windsor Regional Hospital, across a number of departments. Most recently, he was the Director of Emergency Department, before assuming this role. As the Director of Support Services Planning, Geml said he will work with the many support service departments, ranging from food and environmental services to laboratory, pharmacy, and diagnostic imaging. “We will work to guide and support them through their planning process for submission for a Continued on Page 24

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HARTLEY, Shirley Irene (nee Shepley) - passed away peacefully in her 100th year on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Bill (1986). Loving Mother of late Beverly Clarke (Jim), Vaughn (Sharon), Robert (Linda), and Michelle Brett (Richard). Proud Grandma of Joanne (John), Susan (Dave), Todd, Julie (Rob), Kevin (Liz), Leslie (Mike), Richard (Brittnee), William (Samantha), Jamie (Christine), Jonathan (Amy), and GG of 20 great-grandchildren. Dearest daughter of the late Burt and Grace Shepley. Dear sister of Carol Curley and sister-in-law of Jackie Shepley-Charette. Also predeceased by her siblings, Phyllis, Lawrence, Harold, Murray, Evelyn, Fern, Patrick, and Mary. She will also be remembered by her many nieces and nephews. Shirley was extremely proud of her work with Girl Guides of Canada, as well as ARC Industries in Essex and Collingwood. She was a faithful member of Church of the Redeemer and was always willing to give. Visitation took place at Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519776-4233). A Private Family Funeral Service to celebrate Shirley’s life was held at St. Stephen’s Church, 5280 Howard Ave., Oldcastle, with interment following at St. Stephen’s Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations made to Church of the Redeemer or the charity of choice would be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to share their memories online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

What’s Going On... MARCH 1  TAKEOUT ONLY PANCAKE DINNER - at Trinity Church - Shrove Tuesday from 4-6pm. Call 519-839-5303 for prices and to order. MAR. 9  ESSEX BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - Essex Centre Sports Complex, 60 Fairview Ave W., Essex, 2-7pm. To book an appointment: www.blood.ca OR 1-888-2-DONATE. 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.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Community Hub

Essex Free Press

sponsorship by:

Join us for one or more weeks. All are welcome. Call Pat at: 519-776-8005 to register. A reminder to bring in last year’s palms; these will be burned and the ashes used on Ash Wednesday. Covid protocols are in place during all our services. Please join Rev.’d Hilton Gomes and the Trinity family on Sunday mornings at 9:15am. Have a blessed week.

Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes

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

519-776-4255 Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen

Please join us each Sunday at 10am in-person, or online. Visit www.essexcrc.ca for a link to our social media page for upcoming services, information, and updates. At this time, we cannot oﬀer nursery supervision or Sunday school. Enjoy our ‘Take-a-book-Leave-a-book’ library located in front of the church.

Essex United Church

Essex, Maidstone, McGregor, and Woodslee news THRIVE for high school age will be held on Sunday, February 27th after the 6pm mass at Holy Name of Jesus. Come out for fun and fellowship! Ash Wednesday is on March 2nd and there will be a morning mass at 8:30am at St. John the Evangelist, in Woodslee, and an evening mass at 7pm at Holy Name of Jesus. There are great Lenten resources, for all ages, that can be found on our website under Resources. The Essex St. Vincent de Paul is asking for non-perishables that can be dropped oﬀ at the entrance of Holy Name of Jesus church. Save the date for St. Mary’s 175th Anniversary on Sunday, June 5th. More details to come. For news, please visit our website or ﬁnd us on social media or our website at: centralessexcatholic.dol

Join us on Sunday at 10:30am for our regular worship service. Keep up to date on our website: www.essexunitedchurch. ca Also, you can join us on our social media. The Essex Food Bank is open - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30am – 11:45am. The Food Bank phone number is: 519776-4070.

Essex Baptist Church

Salvation Army Essex Church

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

submitted by Carolyn Barnett

submitted by Sandra Lypps

Our Food Bank has been very busy and our shelves need some replenishing. If you are able to donate any of the following, it would be greatly appreciated: cereal, tuna, pudding cups, fruit cups, cookies, and canned soup. For Food Bank information, call the oﬃce at: 519-776-4628. Please join us for Family Worship on Sundays at 10:30a.m. led by Major Jim Hann. Masks are required and hand sanitizer is provided.

We have returned to in-person worship on Sundays at 11am. We look forward to seeing you! If you are cleaning out closets, please keep our Clothing Cupboard in mind. Our next takeout only pasta dinner will take place on Friday, March 4 from 5 - 6:30pm, please enter through the church and feel free to bring your own containers. For more information, about what is happening at St Paul’s, visit our website (www. stpaulstrinity.org) and social media for updates. You can reach us at 519-776-7711. Stay safe and see you soon!

Trinity Anglican Church Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner is on March 1st (4-6 pm) (take-out only). Call 519-839-5303 to order. Study group - ”First Light” is on Wednesdays at 7pm starting March 9th and continuing for 12 weeks.

I 19

Brooker News submitted by Ruth Newman

Worship service this Sunday, February 27, with Rob Cornies bringing the message. The annual business meeting will follow the morning service. The following Sunday, March 6, Linda Hollingsworth will be with us. Communuion will be celebrated. Masks and social distancing are required. Please remember in prayer, those in our community who are ill, those in nursing homes, our nation and leaders and all the turmoil in our world.

Bethel-Maidstone United

We are open for in-person worship at 10:00am each Sunday, with with Ontario Covid requirements in place. All attendees must show proof of double vaccination. We ask that you continue to wear a mask and social distance. Our hall and building remain closed to meetings and rentals. There is no Sunday School oﬀered at this time. The Children’s Drop-In Centre also continues to be paused. The secretary can be reached Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 1pm. Reach us by phone (519) 723-2284. We have a new email address: bethelmaidstone@gmail.com or vist us online: www.bethelmaidstone.com. Located 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone.

Our congregation is open and welcomes you to join us for Sunday worship at 10:30 am. Recorded messages are on our website at: www.essexbaptist.com We contiue to pray for God’s blessing on all of Essex County. Let us know how we can, more speciﬁcally, pray for you. (email: pastor@essexbaptist.com). 71 Maidstone Ave East.

Activity Page Answers... from Page 10

20 I Business Directory Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

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Thursday, February 24, 2022

News / Business Directory I 21

Essex Free Press

New streetlights go up in Harrow by Sylene Argent Last Wednesday, contractors installed new streetlights to the Queen Street and King Street intersection in Harrow Centre, which brought the ongoing Streetscape project one-step closer to completion. Though the infrastructure has been installed, they are still inoperable for the time-being. Originally included in the Harrow Streetscape project was the rehabilitation of the former traffic signals at King Street and Queen Street. This would have included provisions to construct the underground infrastructure required to install new traffic signals in the future, when the traffic lights reached their useful life. That would have been in seven-years or less from that time. Last June, however, this traffic signal was damaged during a severe thunderstorm, which caused permanent damage and failure to multiple components within the traffic signal cabinet, including the controller.

At the July 5, 2021 Council meeting, the additional expenditure of replacing the traffic signals at the King Street and Queen Street intersection, in the amount of $170,820, as part of the Harrow Streetscape project, was approved. In addition to new streetlights and the new traffic signal, the Streetscape project will add an audible beeper for those crossing the road at the Queen Street and King Street intersection. “People are really excited,” Councillor Sherry Bondy said of the newest development for the on-going Harrow Streetscape project. She noted some people voiced they would have preferred to see the intersection remain a three-way stop, as it has been functioning since that June 2021 thunderstorm, but Bondy said the controlled intersection was needed for safety purposes. “It is all just coming together,” Bondy said of the Harrow Streetscape, which took form in a conceptual plan in 2018, when the Town of Essex hired Stempski Kelly Associates Inc. to design an enhancement to

the Harrow area in 2018. Ground was officially broken in April to kick-off the $5M Harrow Streetscape project. The project area stretches from Queen Street, all the way across King Street, and up McAffee Street. The Streetscape will provide beautiful, new landscaping, sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings to help connect businesses. The large work area for the project is due to the underground storm sewers and watermains that had to be completed.

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22 I Opinion / Sports Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

Essex Southpoint Ravens U12 Hockey

1947 Mercury a blast from the past!

Pink and white 1947 Mercury coupe.

Jerry Mills was a body and paint man at Jackson Motors, a Ford-Monarch dealer in Leamington, Ontario, in the 1950s. He bombed around town in his pink and white 1947 Mercury coupe with fender skirts and wide whitewalls with the original flathead V8 still under the hood and dual exhausts with cut-outs just ahead of the rear wheels! Look closely and you can see the white paint around the side windows. This colour highlighted the pink paint even more! Starting in 1955, you could buy a new Ford or Meteor in pink or purple or almost any other colour. Jerry had access to lots of pink and white paint in the body shop where he worked. His car was dazzling! He bought the car in the town of Essex with the original grey finish. What a difference in pink with white trim! Jerry moved to Exeter and we met again in Leamington at a car show about 20 years ago, where he gave me this black-and-white photo. I recently sent the photo to the Early Ford V8 Club which they published in their February 2022 newsletter. I asked if any club members with a ’46-’48 contact@essexfreepress.com Mercury coupe could repaint their car to look issuu.com/essexfreepress exactly like the one in the photo. If anyone takes up this challenge, you’ll read all about it right here. And if the girl on the front fender is reading this 16 CENTRE ST., ESSEX story, we would love to hear from you too! I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca.

READ US ONLINE & IN PRINT

519.776.4268 www.essexfreepress.com

submitted to EFP The Essex Ravens U12 hockey team continued its OMHA round robin play this past weekend, playing the Riverside Rangers at home, on Saturday. Right off the opening face-off, the puck came to Jo Jo McLeod who slid the puck across to his partner Maxim Pyne. Pyne moved it ahead to Ben Liebrock, who chipped it up to Lucas O’Neil, who then took a snapshot to beat the goalie, low blocker. This got them on the board, only 11 seconds in. With three minutes to play in the first period, Jonathan Recker took the puck and weaved into the offensive zone, taking his shot on net, where Liebrock patiently found the rebound and slid it in. With only a minute left, while short handed, Kayden Cook intercepted a pass and skated into the offensive zone to wire his slap shot, five hole, to increase the lead. Four minutes into the second period, Tyler Thomas chipped the puck to Derek

Dunn at the top of the circle. He ripped his shot, glove side, to go up 4-0. At the 7:14 mark, O’Neil moved the puck to Brayden Foster, who tapped it out front to Liebrock, who handily beat the sprawling goaltender glove side. A few minutes, later Austin Goudie moved the puck low to AJ Youssef, who made no mistake and buried his wrist shot. Ten seconds later, Foster flipped the puck off the glass where it bounced out and off the goalie’s back to allow O’Neil to score. Up, by a score of 7-0, Pyne stopped a Riverside clearing attempt, late in the third period, shot the puck through traffic, to find the back of the net. Finally, with two minutes to go, Cook let go a clapper from the line which fooled the goalie and dropped in the net, off of his glove, to finish the scoring. Kevin Ondic, though not tested often, made some key saves to secure the shutout and a 9-0 win.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Sports I 23

Essex Free Press

Essex 73’s continue to pick up points in New Year

The Essex 73’s celebrate a goal during their match against Lakeshore on February 8, 2022.

by Garrett Fodor As the playoffs are approaching, the Essex 73’s hockey team is beginning to round into form and show what its new roster is capable of accomplishing. Since flipping the calendar to 2022, the 73’s have been on a mission, battling for position near the top of the standings. Beginning in the New Year, the club is sporting a 4-1 record. With the standings close, this past week meant a lot, as teams’ playoff opportunities began to appear. The 73’s had a pair of four-point games, playing teams it is on par within points, or chasing in the standings. Last Tuesday, the club had the first game, of two, for the week, as it welcomed the Mooretown Flags. Entering the contest, the teams held similar records, Mooretown could tie Essex in the standings, setting up for an exciting contest. From the opening face-off, the 73’s players were quick to set the tempo and welcome their visitors. Just over twominutes into the first period, Jack Fuerth opened the scoring for Essex, beating Nathan King. The teams exchanged chances throughout much of the period and game, with both teams having opportunities. Despite the chances, there were no goals scored again, until the beginning of the second period. In the second, Greg Hay scored for the Flags to tie the game. Both teams continued to see action at both ends of the

ice and did not shy away from physicality either. The teams remained tied after the second and later into the third, setting up a seven-minute 3-on-3 overtime stanza. Both teams exchanged chances and managed the puck, not looking to give it up easily and offer their opponents a chance. Despite the respective scoring chances, both goalies remained unbeaten as the game ended with a 1-1 tie. Closing out the week, the 73’s were on the road, travelling to Lakeshore to play the Canadiens. In their last meeting on February 8, the 73’s handed the Canadiens its first loss of the season. Much like their last contest, the pair of heated rivals were quick to show there was no lovelost between them. Both teams used their speed to generate chances early and ramped up the physicality, finishing hits early and often. The 73’s opened the scoring as Josh Root beat Romano Liburdi just over four-minutes into the game. The goal would stand as the lone goal going into intermission as Essex held a 1-0 lead, while outshooting Lakeshore 10-6. In the second period, the teams continued to not shy away from finishing their bodychecks, and continued to use their speed to create chances and force turnovers before flowing to the other end of the ice. Six-minutes in, Carter Dembinski gave Essex a 2-0 lead. But that lead was short lived as Trevor LaRue responded,

under a minute later, for the Canadiens. Essex held the 2-1 lead going into the intermission, with a slim

16-14 lead in shots. In the final period, Essex was quick to restore their two-goal lead, as former Canadien, Matt Smith, scored his 19th of the year just five-minutes in. From there, Lakeshore continued to press, looking to cut the lead. Threeminutes later, Lakeshore scored to move within one goal with 10-minutes to play. The Canadiens were unable to beat Jakob Knowles again, as the 73’s held on to prevail 3-2, handing the Canadiens its second loss of the season. The win improves Essex to a 22-6-0-1 record, good enough for second place in the Stobbs

73’s forward, Jack Feurth, battles Lakeshore Canadiens’ defenseman, Brian McCarthy, during their game on February 8 in Essex.

Division; five points behind Lakeshore and four ahead of Mooretown,

with the Flags holding two games at hand.

24 I News Essex Free Press

I Thursday, February 24, 2022

County Council introduced to new Hospital Project Management Office Team... Continued from Page 18

functional program at the end of Stage 2,” he noted. “I am excited to be on the team and have this opportunity to work with our community and support such an important endeavour for all of us,” Geml added. Johnson said her background is in journalism. She joined WRH in 2013. She was pleased to work on the project through Stage 1, when around 70 town hall meetings were hosted, and is looking forward to continuing to work, and moving forward with the project. Overall, there are five stages in the acute hospital project. Landry explained the timeline for Stage 2 of the project. In January to June of 2022, the team will focus on functional programming, which is a description of each of the clinical and non-clinical services and looks at volumes and staffing levels across the departments to determine space needed. In June to October, the team will shift to work on architectural designs. The team will then work with architects and engineers to develop block schematic drawings for the interpretation of space needs. It is hoped the Request For Proposal (RFP) for that will be launched in the coming weeks. Between November and December, the team will work on preliminary costestimates. Starting in January to March of 2023, the team will complete a Stage 2 submission, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Health. Stage 3 will take place from June 2023 to October 2024, where the block

schematic design will be evolved to include even more detail, called indicative schematic drawings. At the end of this stage, the team will enter the procurement part of the project. At this time, an RFP will be released to bring a developer on board, who will bring along a design team that will take the indicative schematic design, around 25 percent complete, and further it to around 80 percent complete. A guaranteed price will be received from them at this time. This is what will be submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval at the end of Stage 4, which will take place between October 2024 to June 2026. It will be presented to the Treasury Board and will provide the team with the green light to move into construction. Stage 5 is the construction phase, which is planned to take place between July 2026 and June 2030. If all goes to plan, Landry said, it is hoped the shovel will break ground some time in the summer of 2026, with a move-in date some time in the summer of 2030. Landry noted in the last few years of the project, it will enter a phase called “Operation Readiness,” which includes planning in intricate detail the move into the new facility. This will include training staff across all departments on all of the new operating systems and technologies that will be used in the new building. Participation of the community and patients will be important in Stage 2 and 3, Landy noted. Johnson said communications and community engagement has been a priority

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for the leadership of this project from the beginning. Throughout the next stage, the team will look for as many opportunities as possible to keep the community informed and allow for feedback. The team, she said, encourages residents to visit windsorhospitals. ca and subscribe to the email list to get information about the project, and opportunities to get involved. A town hall series will begin on March 21. Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche said he is looking forward to the hospital, and asked about how much of the hospital process is about replicating, versus looking at it from the bottom up. Landry said the team will take a deep dive to look at the volumes of activity in recent years, not including COVID and the impact it has had on various services and volume levels. This will look at volume trends and changes in the demographics of the population, forecast ten-years and 20-years into the future. “We extrapolate what those volumes are likely to look like,” Landry said, way out, because the hospital is being built for the future. COVID, he added, has taught healthcare providers about capacity and surge capacity, so the Ministry has an expectation that there will be additional beds in the ICU, and even in-patient beds, that it would have in the future to be able to flex in response to a future

pandemic or surge requirements, Landry said. He added it also will take a look at technologies and best practices that have not yet been incorporated. “Windsor Regional is really a leading hospital, from my perspective, in terms of, as Dr. Petrakos pointed out, looking at operations and efficiencies. It has really done a stellar job at driving efficiencies,” Landry said. “But new technologies are emerging all the time, and we can embed some of those technologies in what we are doing.” He added, “It is really not about just building a new facility to house the status quo. It really is about scanning the horizon of what is happening in other new builds, but even looking beyond them, due to the technological advances that are happening.” “This is a great opportunity for us to look at our region, and the health of our region, and build the support by public health and other agencies in the area that are actually working towards trying to deal with those aspects that are not doing very well in the health standards of our residents in the community,” Essex County Warden and Mayor of Tecumseh, Gary McNamara said.

For more County Council news, see “Essex County Council Notes for Wednesday, February 16” in this edition of the Essex Free Press.