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Thursday, January 21, 2021
Vol. 141
Issue No. 02
Movie filmed at Sunshine Point Camp “Boys Vs. Girls” ready for viewing
A LOOK INSIDE Essex Council meeting notes - January 18, 2021 PAGE 3 ______________ Impact of pandemic on local businesses brought to Council PAGE 7 _______________ Team Teves reflects on Family Feud experience PAGE 8 _______________ Goodfellows present $11,000 each to four area food banks PAGE 10 _______________ Maedel descendant seeks familial artifacts PAGE 11 _______________ Council asks developer to hit pause button on potential schoolhouse sale PAGE 19 _______________
Photo by Jesse Hebert (2018): Pictured is the cast and crew of “Boys Vs. Girls.”
Looking For A Good Home
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by Sylene Argent & photos by Jesse Hebert During the early part of the summer in 2018, there was a lot of buzz throughout the region about a movie being filmed at Kiwanis-
Sunshine Point Camp in Harrow called, “Boys Vs. Girls.” After a lot of hard work and dedication, the film was recently released and is now ready to be viewed.
The film combined the efforts of local filmmaker Michael Stasko and wellknown Canadian actors, Colin Mochrie, of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and Kevin McDonald, of “The Kids in the Hall.” “Boys Vs. Girls” picks up at a summer camp based in the 1990s, in its first season of going co-ed, and the counsellors clash. In the film, Stasko pays up on the battle of the sexes and ensuing pranks as a nod to
films created in the ‘80s and ‘90s, where that battle of the sexes theme was popular. Stasko wrote the script, directed, and produced the piece. He said he pulled the concept for the film from his own real-life experience. “The camp I did go to went co-ed in 1990, and I was only ten at the time.” In the film, Mochrie, plays the head camp counsellor, Roger, and
McDonald plays the camp’s custodian. Both actors were Stasko’s first choice for those roles, and he was elated to have them both agree to take on the parts within 24-hours of sending the request. “I had a little bit of a track-record going into it, this was my fifth feature film,” Stasko said, noting when early in his career, he used unknown actors for his movies. But, his previous films got some distribution and made it to film festivals. “By the time “Boys Vs. Girls” came around, I now at least had the ability to get the script into the hands of the agents of the people I would have like to have had.” That success helps snowball other aspects, Stasko said, like being able to get more financing and getting other cast members involved. “We were fortunate to get the location out at Kiwanis-Sunshine Point Camp,” Stasko said. “We needed a camp that would let us use it in the summer time. And, usually by default, camps are busy during the summer.”
Continued on Page 2
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2 I Community Essex Free Press
Movie filmed at Sunshine Point Camp, ready for viewing...
Photos by Jesse Hebert: Michael Stasko directs a scene during the filming of the movie, “Boys Vs. Girls.” It was filmed at Kiwanis-Sunshine Point Camp in 2018.
In addition to being primarily shot at Sunshine Point Camp, a few scenes took place at Kingsville District High School. “1990 is a period piece. That’s thirty-years ago. Everything had to be hand-created and recreated for the era,” Stasko said, adding the crew members put in a lot of sweat- equity to get that film done. It is always hopeful, when making a film, to get the community to rally around it, and that is what happened in Essex and throughout all of Essex County, he added. Local support, he said, is incredibly important not only for the film to be successful, but it also helps all the careers of all the young filmmakers involved, as now they can put this work on their resume, which could lead to more success in creating their own films and getting financing for their own projects in the future. Filmmakers, Stasko said, prepare to combats challenges along the long journey of creating a film. “Boys Vs. Girls,” however, ended up with a really good cast that bonded well, “Way better than I could have hoped for, which was great. We ended up with a crew that was willing to put in all the hours that were needed, and beyond.”
Though creating a film, from drafting ideas to hitting film festivals, could take years to complete, those involved need to treat it like a marathon. They need to expect challenges to come up and need be prepared to handle them, Stasko said. Stasko produced the film with Theodore Bezaire. He said it took close to a year to edit, do the mixing, and master the sound. It then was submitted to film festivals in 2019 and 2020. He added production designer, Emily Eansor, did a fantastic job with a shoe-string budget. “Boys Vs. Girls”, Stasko said, did will on the film festival circuit. It won the award for Best Canadian Film at the Canadian International Comedy Film Festival. It also won the Best Feature Film Award and the Audience Award at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival. Winning the Audience Award was especially nice for Stasko, as he said his work had never before been selected by a crowd as being a preferred piece. The success continued at the Florida Comedy Film Festival, as “Boys Vs. Girls” won the awards for Best Writer and for Best Ensemble Cast. In addition, Mochrie won the award for Best Actor. What is nice about “Boys Vs. Girls” is that it offers a chance to escape reality in a time of uncertainty, and make it feel like one is somewhere else, Stasko added. More information about the film can be found at http://
I Thursday, January 21, 2021 Continued from Front Page
boysvgirlsmovie.ca/. The film is available for purchase on many platforms. Looking ahead, Stasko will work with Essex filmmaker, Jakob Skrzypa, to create the movie, “Vampire Zombies… from Space!” He noted the pandemic has pushed back the start date, but he is looking forward to getting to work on the piece, which he hopes will be sometime this summer. Stasko will also be starting a T.V. series on CFTV called, “Windsor/Essex Showcase.” There is currently a call for content, and those who have created anything, from student short films and documentaries to recorded performances or experimental films, are urged to email CFTVfilm@gmail.com to learn more.
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Thursday, January 21, 2021
I
News I 3
Essex Free Press
by Adam Gault Council receives update on 2021 Agri-Tourism Strategy Council received a report that Economic Development Officer, Nelson Silveira, prepared regarding the ongoing development of an agricultural tourism strategy for the Town of Essex. A plan of this design would be used to try to designate the Town’s tourism priorities over the next several years. The focus is on local producers and attempting to attract visitors from more local areas across southwestern Ontario to assist the local tourism industry in recovering from the pandemic over the next several years. This plan would have a specific focus on highlighting the many facets of the Town’s agri-tourism sector, such as area wineries, farmers’ markets, and additional agriculturally-based destinations that fall under the designation. At the September 8, 2020 Council meeting, Council approved reallocating up to $25,000 in funding from the 2020 Tourism Marketing Budget to create an AgriTourism Strategy in 2021. With numerous award-winning wineries, scenic vistas, and some of the warmest summer weather in the country along Lake Erie and County Road 50, the Town of Essex hopes the agri-tourism sector can become a top priority when it comes to the overall tourism strategy for the municipality, especially at its southern, lakefront end. In addition, Council provided a resolution supporting the Town of Essex grant application, seeking $25,000 in funding from the Tourism Economic Development Recovery Fund (TEDRF), through the provincial Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. This past month, Essex received confirmation from Minister Lisa MacLeod that the grant application to the TEDRF was approved, and that funds through this program are to be spent by March 31. The Town hopes to have the full strategy and implementation plan completed by late April or early May, with the implementation of additional action items to be enacted by municipal administration, in partnership with Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, and the stakeholders within the town. The Town of Essex is currently seeking third-party proposals for the development of the project.
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- Monday, January 18, 2021 Council receives update on property values within the municipality A report Essex Economic Development Officer, Nelson Silveira, prepared highlights the total construction and real estate values across the Town of Essex for the year 2020. This comes ahead of an overall development update, featuring all major commercial and residential developments initiated over 2020 to be presented to Council at the upcoming February 1 regular meeting. “There’s incredible numbers when you look at [this] report,” Councillor Steve Bjorkman said, noting the tremendous growth over the last several years. “2016 total construction [value], we did $25 million. 2020 is $104 million. New houses [in] 2019 was $20 million, 2020 was $40 million. That’s an incredible amount of work that our staff is putting out there. It’s phenomenal, the amount of work that’s coming out of our departments to work with developers to make sure these things are getting done.” In 2020, the Town of Essex had a total of 379 single family dwellings sold, and a total of 129 single family homes begin construction. In Wards 1 and 2, the average sale price of these homes was $366,479, and in Wards 3 and 4, it was $402,048. Council receives correspondence in support of opposition of amalgamation Council received separate letters from the Town of Amherstburg and the Town of Kingsville, supporting Essex’s opposition to any additional restructuring or further amalgamation at this present time. This comes in the wake of the resolution passed at the November 2, 2020 Essex Council meeting, where the municipality sent correspondence to the Premier’s Office in opposition to such measures. With concerns surrounding the possibility of the addition of sharing some municipal services with other local municipalities, Essex Council felt the current needs of residents are best served by the current model in terms of fiscal responsibility and levels of service. While opposed to further restructuring at this time, the letter also stated that the Town was, “not opposed to sharing some services where our service quality, safety, and price to our residents is not compromised.” Noting that having been amalgamated in the “not so Continued on Page 7
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4 I Opinion Essex Free Press
Editorial &Opinion
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• An empty stall
Serving Essex and the surrounding communities since 1896.
Published Thursdays as an independent weekly newspaper, owned and operated by The Essex Voice Limited. A London Publishing Corporation Publication LIMITED OFFICE HOURS: Limited staff working from the office. Email or Call with submission inquiries. OUR STAFF Sandy Kennedy / Andrew Beaudoin - Office Jessica Azar - Graphic Design / Social Media / Production Lana Warwick - Graphic Design Greg Belchuk - Advertising Sales Manager Sylene Argent - Editor/News Reporter Shelley Beaudoin - Graphic Design / Production
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Though many were looking forward to starting 2021 with reinvigorated footing, it didn’t start off well that well for me or my horse, Finesse. I got Finesse in 1999. I was 14, and she was just three-years-old. At that point in her young life, I was already providing her with her fourth home. One of those homes, I was told, was not a great place to be, and as a result, she was very spooky. Heck, the day I got her, she accidentally broke my uncle’s nose in one incident, where she quickly lifted her head to look into a direction from which a noise had sounded, and a cross-tie when she later spooked. You would think I would be scared, perhaps even persuaded to look at another horse, but I wasn’t and didn’t. I knew she was just scared, and was not mean. It didn’t mean the two of us were going to be a good match, typically green riders and green horses are not recommended, but I had set my heart on her, and we started a journey that would last nearly 22-years. The truth is, I got Finesse, and soon after, another horse, named Flame, in a time when I needed it. I’m not sure who I would have become without them, or really any of the animals I had as I kid.
I ended up having to make the difficult decision to put her down on January 6, at nearly the age of 25, because she had a host of medical issues and was outgrowing what she needed her meds to do for her. The last four years of her life were filled with a routine of meds, for a variety of reasons. Making the call to put her down was not one that was easy. She was full of life and sprit, as she always was, but her body was failing. She likely would have found herself enduring great amount agony or in a predicament where she would have caused herself physical harm. What I didn’t want for her, was to hurt herself; and the odds of that happening were great, even though she was still so full of the sass she has always had. I did not want her last minutes, or even hours, in this earth to be in pain and agony. She would not have deserved that. It is so quiet in the barn now. I’m not greeted with her pacing in her stall, followed by me reminding her to settle down, every morning. My gelding is trying to hang in there, but I bet he misses his companion even more than I do. Sometimes, life requires to us make those decisions we do not want
to make. As hard as it was, I know I made the right choice for Nesser. And, I can only hope she understood that I made that decision only for her. When it gets hard to think about her being gone, I think about some of the cooler things we got to together, like going to the “horsy park” to go to shows, learning how to sort cows, going through some barrel race patterns, participating in western and English pleasure classes, and our absolute best class by far, showmanship. A couple of my favourite memories both took place at the Harrow Fair, at different times. One year, we were waiting around, and she unexpectedly tried to steal a hotdog from someone as he walked by. Another was the absolute best run of barrels and poles we had ever had, and I was worried about going in with all the rides going about. Some how, that day, we just connected the best we ever did on those patterns. I still say “good morning” and “goodnight” to her empty stall, in hopes she knows I haven’t forgotten her, and I never will.
Letter to the Editor Letter to the Editor: Our Post Office can offer so much more for Rural Canadians Our Post Offices can be so much more than what they currently are. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is promoting service expansion ideas that will benefit postal workers and communities. We know the Post Office should, and can be, sustainable in all ways. We can reduce pollution and greenhouse gases, keep the service financially self-sufficient, support our communities, and protect good jobs. The Post Office we envision looks like this: retrofitted buildings with solar panels, a country-wide network of electric, Canadian-made delivery vehicles, and charging stations at all Post Offices. This could boost electric vehicle sales and travel throughout Canada as many with electric vehicles are fearful of travelling great distances because they do not know where they might get their next charge. The increased traffic at the Post Office, because of the charging stations, could lead to additional services, including tourist information and fishing and hunting licenses. As the big banks continue to leave rural Canada, only to be replaced by what some see as predatory payday lenders, our Post Offices can, and should, provide affordable banking services to our communities, just as they did until 1968.
The tragic spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes over the last year, brings home the importance of helping seniors live at home longer. Our Post Office includes postal workers checking-in on elderly and vulnerable populations. Our Post Office could become a community hub, acting as a drop-in centre for youth, seniors, or other local groups. It could also become a cellphone provider, house the servers for broadband internet, and even become a broadband internet provider. The Post Office can do so much for all of us. All these recommendations are incorporated within the Way Forward Report, the government review on Canada Post. These ideas cannot simply live in a report. They need to be brought to life. We need our community to make some noise, to reach out to their Members of Parliament, and get firm commitments from them that they support service expansion at Canada Post. Our Post Office should be used to its full capacity to serve all Canadians.
Derek Richmond, Ontario Region Campaign Coordinator, Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
I
Opinion / News I 5
Essex Free Press
Letter to the Editor Last week, my friend, Bill Gay, died. He was not just my friend, but a friend to many people. Most of all, Bill Gay was a friend to the Town of Essex. So, before I go any further, let us ask what do we mean by friend. A friend is someone who has your best interest in mind, sometimes even over self-interest, and that is why I call Bill my friend. But, most of all, he was a friend to the Town of Essex, because he was
Jeff Willms*
MBA, CFP®, CLU, CH.F.C., CHS
Willms Financial Services Inc.* Greenwood Centre 3200 Deziel Drive, Suite 508 Windsor, ON N8W 5K8
always thinking of and doing things for the good of the town of Essex. Although I have known Bill for a long time, from the time he worked for CHYR Radio and helped us promote our sidewalk sale days, (somewhat of a forerunner of what is now the Essex Fun Fest), and the numerous times our paths crossed, it was not until we worked on the preservation (saving) of the Essex Railway Station that I really got to know him.
Tel: 519-974-3200 ext. 2223 Fax: 519-974-3282 willms.financial@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/wfs.inc.
*Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.
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I may have been Chairperson of the Save Our Station Committee, but I got a lot of guidance and help on fundraising from Bill. It was Bill’s idea that we invite Audrey McClaughlin, then leader of the NDP Party (for it looked like then that the NDP may win the next election), for a home coming to Audrey’s hometown, Essex. The homecoming event was a great success, and with the help from Audrey, we managed to get a government grant to restore the Essex Railway Station. I often went to Bill for his opinion or advice on many things. We often met at the Railway Station and there I noticed that many people went to Bill for input on one thing or another. We discussed many subjects, from church to politics, and business, especially as it related to the Town of Essex. For the last several months, mainly because of the Corona virus, I had been in contact with Bill. So, when I heard about his passing, it really hit me hard. Looking back now I can say I have been blessed for having had the privilege of knowing Bill and calling him my friend. Gerry Schinkel
OPP enforcement under the Stay-At-Home Order submitted to EFP The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is requesting that Ontarians voluntarily comply with the new Stayat-Home Order to limit mobility outside their homes, except for essential reasons, to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. OPP officers will enforce the Stay-atHome Order, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA), and the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) by focusing on non-compliance in businesses and restaurants, complaints from the public and outdoor gatherings of more than five (5) people. Officers can disperse and ticket individuals found to be non-compliance with the Acts. Fines are $750 for failing to comply with an order and/or $1,000 for preventing others (including individuals, employees or other workers) from following an order. Maximum fines for individuals are up $100,000 and $10 million for a corporation. Failure to follow the rules can result in prosecution or jail time. As a reminder, in the absence of a complaint or other grounds, officers will not arbitrarily stop an individual or a vehicle or enter a dwelling for
the singular purpose of checking compliance with the order. Individuals are not expected to provide proof of essential work. Officers can ask an individual to identify themselves if they have reasonable grounds to believe the individual is violating an Act. The OPP asks that 9-11 be used for emergency purposes only. If you have questions about the Stay-At-Home order, please visit covid-19. ontario.ca/zones-and-
restrictions. To learn more about COVID-19 support services, visit https:// www.211oncovid19.ca/ or call the hotline at 211 for assistance. 211 is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and service is available in 150 languages. For non-emergencies - including allegations of non-compliance - contact your police service of jurisdiction. If that is the OPP, call 1-888-310-1122 (toll free in Ontario). In an emergency, always
Continued on Page 6
Pet Of The Week: Darwin
Darwin is a friendly guy, but a lot of things in life scare him. He would do best in a quiet, adult-only home, where he can relax and be stress-free and be the only animal in your home. He knows it’s a lot to ask, but he will make a great companion if you give him the chance. Only a limited number of animals will be made available at a time. They will be posted on the adoptable animal pages at www.windsorhumane.org. To apply to adopt an available animal, please click the “Interested in this Animal? Click here” link. All applications will be reviewed. For more info, contact us today. This pet comes with 6 weeks of pre-paid pet health insurance. For more information, visit www.ospcainsurance.ca or call 1-866-600-2445. The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter is at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751.
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6 I News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
Crime Stoppers Month - Helping all communities stay safe submitted to EFP January is Crime Stoppers Month and this year’s theme is “Helping All Communities Stay Safe”. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Essex County are celebrating Crime Stoppers Month by congratulating Provincial Constable Sarah Werstein on her new position as the Windsor and Essex County OPP Crime Stoppers Coordinator. Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers has over 35 year’s history in
this area and have been instrumental in assisting with providing key information through tips relating to countless cases. The police coordinators receiving the tips and the Board of Directors who facilitate the non-profit charity are truly a priceless tool to investigators. Inspector Glenn Miller, Detachment Commander, Essex County OPP, states “Crime Stoppers is an award winning program whose success year after year is a testament in helping our communities stay safe. As a partnership based
Essex Essex Ess Es ex x Re R Region eg gion ion io on n
Serving Harrow, Colchester, Gesto, McGregor, Oldcastle, Maidstone, and Essex since 2004.
Many Thanks! We wish to THANK all the following who helped to make our 2020 Campaign a huge success! The Essex, Gesto & Harrow Fire Fighters, Knights of Columbus Councils of Essex, Maidstone and Harrow, Libro Credit Union, Weston Abattoir, Harrow News, The Essex Free Press, Corporate and Individual donors, and our amazing group of local volunteers who helped sell our 50/50 Raffle Tickets! We could not do this without you and we are truly grateful! During this COVID pandemic we were able to give each of our local food banks, Essex Food Bank, Essex Salvation Army Food Bank, Harrow St.Vincent de Paul Food Bank and McGregor St.Vincent de Paul Food Bank $12,000 each to provide food baskets at Christmas and during the year to the needy families in our local communities.
Thank you again and have a Happy & Healthy New Year! Stay safe!
program, it energizes us to not only safe guard what we have, but to support our neighbours and businesses by promoting crime prevention.” “Anyone with information regarding this or any other incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.” Pictured right: Ontario Provincial Police Constable Sarah Werstein will serve in her new position as the Windsor and Essex County OPP Crime Stoppers Coordinator
OPP enforcement under the Stay-At-Home Order...
Continued from Page 5
call 9-1-1. For information on the OPP, police record checks, fingerprinting and reporting crime using the Online Reporting tool, visit opp.ca. Please DO NOT call 911 for COVID-19 questions Call-takers at the Provincial Communications Centre London (PCCL) have seen an increase in the number of callers looking for information on the latest public health initiatives introduced by the Province of Ontario. Please remember that 911 is reserved for emergency calls only. For accurate and up-to-date
information on provincial pandemicrelated regulations, please visit the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 page at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-andrestrictions. To learn more about COVID-19 support services, visit https://www.211oncovid19. ca/ or call the hotline at 211 for assistance. 211 is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and service is available in 150 languages. Locally, information, questions, or concerns about COVID-19, can be found at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website at www.wechu.org.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
I
News I 7
Essex Free Press
Impact of pandemic on local businesses brought to Council by Adam Gault Essex Council held a special meeting on Monday afternoon to allow area small businesses and residents a virtual forum to discuss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic, and its related restrictions, have had on their businesses within the Town of Essex. “We have staff here taking notes for all the concerns that are coming in,” Mayor Larry Snively explained of the meeting. “We will be forwarding this to the senior levels of government.” Amy Howe-Wall, an owner of fitness centres in Harrow and Kingsville, noted her facility has taken every recommended health precaution available, but still has been ordered to shut for a second time, along with other similar businesses.
Howe-Wall explained the decision has impacted the physical and mental health of many who rely on the services of such facilities, and that a regular fitness regimen goes a long way in ensuring overall general health. “[Fitness centres] provide a proactive wellness approach to help people feel mentally well and physically strong. Which should be, as far as I’m concerned, one of the top priorities of our government at this time,” Howe-Wall said. “There’s not enough people speaking about ways to keep us healthy, strong, and mentally fit. I do think we’re being unjustly discriminated against. We should be considered essential.” A common point of discussion amongst the area business owners was the issue
Essex Council notes... distant past,” the Town of Essex is focused on finding efficiencies and shared services where feasible for the Town. Remembering Bill Gay Essex Council took a moment to remember Bill Gay, who passed away last week. Gay was a former Essex
Councillor, acting in that role before amalgamation, and most recently worked at the Essex Railway Station, where he used his vast knowledge of local history to educate the public. “He was a great historian,” Essex Councillor Morley
Continued from Page 3
Bowman said. “He was a personal friend, and I am going to miss him.” For more Essex Council note matters, read the article “Council asks developer to hit pause button on potential schoolhouse sale” in this issue of the Essex Free Press.
of having large numbers of shoppers concentrated into a select number of “essential” big box stores, while their small businesses, which take as many or more precautions as larger retailers, are forced to shut their doors and risk further irreparable financial loss. “I sanitize everything, I wipe everything down, there is one family in my studio a day. Always has been,” Nicole Wood said of her photography studio. “There’s only ever one family in my studio a day, yet Costco can have 593. I’m very frustrated that I can’t safely have a family in my studio to take their child’s picture, but a big box store can have hundreds and hundreds of people.” Also criticized was the government’s “blinders on” the approach to dealing with the pandemic, with one business owner stating with the continued loss of livelihoods and sense of daily purpose, more people across Essex, and the country as a whole, are turning to drugs and selfharm as their mental health and financial stability continues to deteriorate. “In their effort to save lives, they have removed everything that makes life worth living,” Kim Dennison of Onyx Fitness Solutions in Essex Centre, said. “It seems politicians are more concerned about their career coming to an end, and choose to remain silent or turn a blind eye to the reality of the situation.” Dennison also stated that according
to Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, one third of businesses across the country report they will not survive the second lockdown, and that does not include businesses that closed their doors for good during the first lockdown of 2020. “No consistency anywhere and double standards everywhere,” Dennison said. “From health advisors to mayors and the Premier himself, it’s certainly a ‘do what I say, not what I do’ policy.” While it was understood businesses were not advocating for a total “back to normal,” open-approach at this time, they felt that they should have the opportunity to open safely with precautions as much as any other retailer in the province. “I believe that small businesses need to be open and that’s the message that we should be pushing, but at the same time, if that message [to open] does not resonate with the governments, they at least have to make sure that there are financial supports to these individuals for their decision not to have them open,” Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche commented. “There are businesses out there that are struggling and need those supports. We need to make sure that’s in place as well.” Essex Council plans to take these issues to the provincial and federal governments in part through the local representatives at Queen’s Park and the House of Commons.
Keep entertained with the Town of Essex’s Virtual Winter Program by Sylene Argent While things may get a little boring as everyone is expected to remain within their own residence during the Province of Ontario’s “Stay at Home” order, area residents have the opportunity to keep entertained with a variety of activities offered through the Town of Essex’s Virtual Winter Program. As part of the Virtual Winter Program, the Town of Essex’s Community Services Department will offer a variety of programming for youth, family, and adult groups. Exciting programs include Art Start, babysitter training, home alone training, and Harry Potter trivia. A yoga night and a paint night will be offered on January 22, and the Town is looking into offering an online youth game night, as well. Any program that requires equipment, staff will offer a curbside pickup, so program participants can get everything they need to get involved. “We are keeping ourselves visible within the community, especially now with the newer
implemented “Stay at Home” orders. If you are going to stay at home, we are here for you,” Cynthia Cakebread said, who is the Manager of Recreation and Culture. “When you look around locally, we are the only ones doing this.” She added there is a personal touch to the online services the Town of Essex offers, because the videos posted for the programs are created with staff members. “There is a personal level to it, where program participants can see our faces and hear our voices.” She urges those who want to get involved to sign-up as soon as possible to secure a space and ensure the program can run with enough participants. “People, in a way, are getting screen burn-out,” Cakebread said of youths having to study from home and some adults having to work from home, “but, even if they are on the screen, it is interactive. It is a little bit different.” Last week, the Community Services Department started its “Little Scientist” program, where six youths were able to start participation
in a six-week program. Once a week, the youths are gathering online with a staff member to conduct exciting experiences, having been able to pick up the items they needed to participate prior, through curb-side pick-up. “It is learning and entertainment at the same time,” she said. The Town is also currently running programs for, “Magic: The Gathering” and “Dungeons and Dragons.” There is also virtual yoga, ukulele club, and an “Essex Rocks” program, which is for painting stones. If anyone missed out on registration for theses programs, Cakebread suggests keeping an eye open for future dates, and sign-up as quickly as possible. If there are specific activities people are looking for, Cakebread urges residents to let staff know. “We are flexible, we are creative, and we are always looking for different ideas.” To register for new programs, log onto essexconnect.ca or call (519) 776-8992.
- Art Start, babysitter/home alone training, Harry Potter trivia, yoga and paint nights planned-
JOIN THE FUN!
The Town of Essex Community Services is proud to offer a wide range of activities and events for the whole family! Due to COVID-19, there is limited recreational and aquatics programming, with registration and information available online at essexconnect.ca or by calling 519-776-7336 ext 1052.
- HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR UP-COMING PROGRAMS Visit essexconnect.ca to learn more, register or get up-to-date information on the current programming schedule and activities offered. PROGRAM
DATE
COST
COURSE CODE
Virtual Essex Experiments Virtual Harry Potter Youth Trivia
Jan. 23 Jan. 28
FREE FREE
13136 13127
Virtual Babysitting Virtual Friends Trivia Virtual Sip & Paint Schitt’s Creek Trivia (Virtual Event) Art Start – Wine Glass Painting (Virtual Event) You can sew it (Virtual Event)
Jan. 30 Feb. 4 Feb. 10 Feb. 24
$65 FREE FREE $30/team
13031 13142 13010 13008
Feb. 25
$30
13018
Feb. 25
$15
13015
Register early!
Courses will be cancelled 5 business days before the program start date if registration numbers do not meet the minimums required to run the course. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Register online through
8 I Community Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
Team Teves reflects on Family Feud experience by Sylene Argent Last week, the Teves family of Harrow had their episode of Family Feud Canada finally premiered for all to see. The team consisted of Nancy Teves, Bella Silva-Cacilhas, Zelia Abdulkader, Jaycee Teves, and Mike Teves. They learned they were accepted to be a team on the game show in September, after participating in two online auditions and creating a few fun videos for their social media pages. “We enjoyed ourselves,”
Silva-Cacilhas said of being on the game show. “It was a nail-biter of a game.” Jaycee, whose bracelet went flying off while trying to buzz in when it was her turn in the hot seat, said one of her favourite questions asked during their episode was, “Name something that might annoy you about being married to a game show host.” She explained host, Gerry Dee, was hilarious in collecting questions from the contestants, and the responses were just a good. “It was very funny,” she
Photo submitted from CBC: Comedian and host of Family Feud Canada, Gerry Dee, is pictured with members of the Teves family - Nancy Teves, Bella Silva-Cacilhas, Zelia Abdulkader, Jaycee Teves, and Mike Teves. This Harrow family was featured on the show last week.
said. The Teves family, in promoting themselves for the show, showed a lot of charm and wit. Jaycee said that is genuinely how her family is. “How you saw us on T.V. is how we are in real life.” “He fed off our energy,” Nancy added of Dee’s role
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works hard enough towards a goal, it can happen. “We are still getting people from all over Canada messaging us. That’s the big take-a-way. We accomplished something,” Silva-Cacilhas added. “We watched game shows all our lives, it was our goal to be on one. I didn’t think it was possible. To be there, together as a family, we had each others’s backs,” Mike said, noting he plans to create a documentary/blog about the experience to showcase the hard work everyone on his team put in. “I’m excited to tell that story,” he said. Over 2,000 families from across the nation applied to compete in the show, and 650 families were invited to audition virtually for the show’s second season. During season two of Family Feud Canada, around 130 families will compete on air during a stretch of 104 episodes. Anyone who has not seen the Teves family episode of Family Feud Canada, and would like to, can watch it online with the CBC Gem app.
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as host of the show. Nancy added she and her teammates knew there would be challenges with being under pressure to quickly come up with answers to the questions asked, and it was even harder than they thought. She noted contestants only have three seconds to answer and it could be hard to focus. Abdulkader agreed with Nancy, admitting her own nerves got to her on stage, and said Dee, as the
host, was very funny and engaging on set. Mike added that with answering personal questions to the host, and having fun interacting with him, it was easy to forget they were there to play a game. “There’s a lot going on,” he said. The Teves family was disappointed they were not able to give a shout-out to their hometown during the show, but could not have been happier with the support they received throughout the whole experience. Although they were disappointed they did not get to return for a second episode, they were pleased to be involved and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “We are ready for a redemption episode,” Jaycee joked with a laugh.” We were robbed.” She noted her team carried a lead for most of the game. Silva-Cacilhas said that the big take-a-way from their participation on Family Feud Canada is that nothing is impossible. If one
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by Adam Gault While in-class learning for students across Windsor-Essex might still be some time away, staff members at Essex District High School (EDHS) are preparing to welcome incoming grade nine students, and their parents, through the use of a virtual open house. This connection tool features a series of online videos showcasing the school’s different departments, as well as tutorials on course registration and other facets of the administrative process. “In addition to all the courses we have,
and the different departments, they’ll be able to find out about extracurriculars, and what else the school has to offer,” EDHS Vice Principal, Ron Ricci, said. “Our weight room, pool, and track and field facilities will all be featured.” Broken down into 17 program and department specific videos, teachers and administration from each respective department will be featured in the open house, showcasing an overview of their programs in a concise, easy to digest
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Thursday, January 21, 2021
I
News / Community I 9
Essex Free Press
Highlights from the January 12, 2021 meeting of Tecumseh Council Tecumseh Town Council met electronically this evening and here are the highlights from the Regular Council Meeting: OPP Policing Contract and Building Licence Agreement: Council received two reports—one on the OPP Policing Contract and one on the Building Licence Agreement for the OPP in Tecumseh—and authorized Administration to finalize and execute an agreement with the OPP for January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023 based on continuation of the current level of service. The three-year agreement is in anticipation that three years should be sufficient for the new Community Safety and Policing Act to come into force. Under the new legislation, policing agreements are no longer required for OPP services. The Building Licence Agreement formalizes the arrangements with the OPP to use the Tecumseh building on Lesperance Road, which is owned by the Town. Administration will now provide the agreement to the Town’s solicitor for final review, with execution to follow. 100th Anniversary of Tecumseh: Council approved the striking of a Mayor’s Task Force to plan a celebration event to be held in 2022 marking the Town’s 100th Anniversary. The Town of Tecumseh and the Fire Service will celebrate 100 years in 2021 however, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that an in-person celebration be held in 2022 when it is expected it will be safer to have public gatherings. Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program—COVID-19 Resilience Stream: Council received a report on the updated application the Town made
to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program—COVID-19 Resilience Stream. At the November 24, 2020 meeting of Council, two project submissions to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program—COVID-19 Resilience Stream for a total value of $342,607 were approved. Since that time, Administration has learned that the High Water Rescue Vehicle requested is not eligible for the program. The application was revised to maximize the allocation available with eligible projects. Fire Services Capital Works Plan: Council approved spending $45,300 on new equipment in 2021 as part of the fiveyear capital works plan for equipment. The items to be purchased next year include a phone pager, helmets, leather boots, bunker gear, and locker replacements at Station 1. Arena and Pool 5-Year Capital Works Plan: Council approved spending approximately $606,000 million on various projects as part of the 5-year Capital Works Plan. Sale of Town Lands: Council adopted a by-law to authorize an amendment to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Briday to extend the timelines in the Agreement to fulfill the conditions of sale of the McColl Lands. COVID-19 has created uncertainties in relation to timelines and this is anticipated to be the case well into 2021. The next Regular Meeting of Council, scheduled to be held electronically, is Tuesday, January 26, 2021. The live stream and agenda will be available at www.tecumseh.ca.
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EDHS annual open house held virtually... format. “We found that one long video might be more difficult for everyone to schedule a two-hour block for them to watch, so we broke it up by department,” Ricci said. “This way, they can be watched a little more conveniently.” While EDHS could have just released written documents breaking down the school and programs, administration thought it was more important to showcase EDHS through a video format, and by doing so, making the programs more accessible for a variety of learning types. “We try to address all forms of learners, some people are a little more visual than others, and it’s often easier to deliver a large amount of information over a short-time in a video,” Ricci explained, adding the prevalence of YouTube made it a natural distribution choice. “Especially the younger teens are more likely to watch some videos than read some documents.” Parents and potential students are encouraged to provide feedback after viewing the videos, with many of the video presenters providing their email to field any questions relating to their field or
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department. While this year has been challenging for all students, especially the incoming grade nine class, EDHS is committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible, in what is a daunting time for graduating middle schoolers even in the best of years. “Different students adapt differently, for some it’s been harder, for some it hasn’t,” Ricci said. “We have our Student Success Team, which tries to address the difficulties and challenges that some of these kids are experiencing, and we’re reaching out to them to help make that transition smoother than it is, given the circumstances.” While things are still a little out of the ordinary now, Ricci is hopeful that as summer rolls along, things will begin to look up again, and that Grade Nine Orientation in the last week of August can still go ahead. The EDHS Open House Videos can be found online at essexdistricthighschool. com or on the YouTube channel EDHS Leadership.
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10 I Community / News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
Goodfellows present $11,000 each to four area food banks by Sylene Argent Last Wednesday, members of the Essex Region Goodfellows presented proceeds, from the 2020 campaign, to the four local food banks it supports. Typically, the Essex Region Goodfellows hosts an annual newspaper campaign in November, with the help and support of local firefighters, to provide the Essex Area Food Bank, the Essex Salvation Army, and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Banks in Harrow and McGregor financial support before heading into the holiday season. The funds help purchase items for Christmas dinner packages for the area food banks’ clients. Instead of hosting the newspaper campaign this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s social distancing requirements, the Essex Region Goodfellows hosted a 50/50 draw. Thanks to the generosity and support of the community, $10,000 was raised through the 50/50 raffle initiative. In addition, Board of Director member, Wendy PulleyblankCunningham, said individuals from the community stepped up and forwarded generous donations to support the cause. As a result, the Essex Area Food Bank,
the Essex Salvation Army, and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Banks in Harrow and McGregor were each presented $11,000 last week. On December 26, members of the Essex Region Goodfellows drew the winning ticket for the 50\50 draw, which belonged to Essex Mayor Larry Snively. As a result, Snively won $10,000, but donated $2000 back to the Gooodfellows, which was placed in its reserves. Shortly after the pandemic hit, back in April, the Essex Region Goodfellows presented each of the four food banks it supports with an additional $1000. The additional donation was made, knowing there would be an increased demand on the local food banks as the pandemic began to shut down businesses, in addition to some having to undergo layoffs. Pulleyblank-Cunningham explained one of the reasons she believes community members were so generous with their contributions to the 2020 Essex Region Goodfellows campaign was because they knew the money they donated stays local. In 2019, the newspaper campaign allowed for a $13,000 donation to each of the four food banks.
Members of the Essex Region Goodfellows presented representatives of the Harrow St. Vincent de Paul, the McGregor St. Vincent de Paul, the Essex Salvation Army, and the Essex Area Food Bank, with the proceeds of the 2020 fundraising campaign under the pavilion in the Heritage Gardens Park on the evening of Wednesday, January 13.
Louanne Copat is a volunteer with the Essex Salvation Army, and noted the donation from the Essex Region Goodfellows is always appreciated, especially at this time. This past holiday season, due to social distancing regulations, the Essex Salvation Army had to use a tap service to collect money through its annual
Christmas Kettle Campaign, instead of being able to use volunteers. As a result, she said the Christmas Kettle Campaign was not quite as successful as it traditionally is. If you would like to learn more or contribute to the Essex Salvation Army, call 519-776-4628.
The Town of Tecumseh completes budget deliberations submitted to EFP Tecumseh Town Council completed budget deliberations this evening with a 2021 blended tax rate increase of 1.48%. The municipal tax rate increase was lowered to 2.46% by larger than estimated assessment growth for 2020. The 2021 Business Plan and Budget includes an increase of $968,000 to the general tax levy. Of this, $566,000 will go to reserves to support the Town’s capital projects now and in the future. The remaining 40% of the tax increase is for operations. The increase will result in a property tax increase of approximately $51 annually on a $250,000 home. The average single family dwelling
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in Tecumseh has an assessed value of about $250,000 (based on MPAC’s 2016 current value assessment, which is the basis for the 2017-2021 tax years). “As we saw in 2020, much of our revenue sources were impacted by the closure of facilities and reduction in programs,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “Our 2021 budget also includes major capital projects for flood mitigation, road improvements and moving many of our major infrastructure projects forward.” 2021 will see the start of approximately $26.3 million in capital projects including: improvements to Manning Road; improvements at the Lesperance Road/VIA Rail tracks; design and construction in the Manning Road
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Secondary Plan Area; and, a new Pickleball Complex. The big multi-year project getting underway in 2021 is the replacement of the P.J. Cecile, Scully, and St. Marks pumping stations and associated storm water main works for flood mitigation. That project is expected to cost the Town approximately $26 million with up to $10.7 million of that cost coming from the Federal Government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. Council is expected to give final approval for the 2021 Budget By-law at the Regular Meeting of Council on January 26, 2021. Information on this and all Town of Tecumseh news and events is available at www. tecumseh.ca.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
I
Community I 11
Essex Free Press
Maedel descendant seeks familial artifacts
- Essex’s community centre on Gosfield Townline was named after Maedel last year -
Photo submitted by Doug Maedel. Undated pictures of Charles Maedel.
Photo submitted by Doug Maedel. Pictured is an undated photo of Charles Maedel selling Pepsi from a cart.
by Adam Gault The descendant of one of Essex’s most prominent citizens of the first half of the 20th century is seeking photos and artifacts relating to his grand-grandfather’s life, businesses, and personal ventures. This quest is an effort to continue to preserve the legacy of Charles Maedel, an individual who had an instrumental impact in the development of Essex throughout the first half of the 20th century. With the Town of Essex renaming the Essex Community Centre at 25 Gosfield Townline to the Maedel Community Centre in 2020, Doug Maedel has been on a mission to acquire as many artifacts relating to his ancestor as possible, with the hopes of organizing a public display at the building, in addition to the potential addition of a mural to commemorate his lasting contributions to Essex. Born in 1874, the entrepreneur founded Maedel’s Beverages in 1908, where the company produced, bottled, and distributed their own soft drinks. In 1935, he purchased the second ever Pepsi franchise in Canada, which happened to be the first in Ontario, which gave him licence to produce and distribute the popular beverage. “His history
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is endless,” Doug explained, adding that at one time, Maedel was even Chief of the Essex Fire Department. “He employed so many people. I worked there, my son worked there, five generations worked there just on my side of the family.” In addition to supporting the economic growth in Essex in those early days, Maedel also backed numerous clubs and extracurriculars over the course of his life, with his efforts being critical in bringing the Boy Scouts to Essex, leadership within the Essex Rotary Club, and of course, the foundation of the Essex Boys Band, which included his sponsorship of concerts and the construction of a bandshell in the town. For his project, Doug
is seeking just about anything and everything pertaining to his greatgrandfather’s business and contributions, including items such as photographs, or more physical objects, such as Maedel soft drink bottles or cases. “A lot of people who might have something may have either passed away, or thrown it away. This is quite old stuff here,” Maedel said. “He started bottling in 1908 and it continued until 1989. That’s over 80-years with a business
in a small town like this. That’s unheard of.” While the Maedel family sold their business in 1989, the Pepsi plant at the corner of Highway #3 and Gosfield Townline continues today, because of Maedel’s efforts in bringing Pepsi to Ontario more than a century ago. Those who have items they believe would be appropriate for Doug Maedel’s display, are encouraged to contact him by phone at (519) 776-5494 or by email at dougmaedel@gmail. com
Voice Of Inspiration “Morality, like art, is the achievement of unity in diversity; the highest type of man is he who effectively unites in himself the widest variety, complexity, and completeness of life.” ~ Will Durant
12 I Classifieds Essex Free Press
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FARMING _____________________ WANTED Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop Call Jeff Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501. 1-t _____________________
SERVICES _____________________ KENNETH YARDWORKS Clean Up. Sod, mulch, eavestrough cleaning and repairs, power washing. Trees & bushes trimmed or removed. Loads to the dump. Fully licensed & insured. Free estimates. Call Kenneth: 519-982-0362.
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HELP WANTED ______________________ HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour, Experience necessary. Fax your resume to (519) 723-2336. 1-tfn _____________________ HELP WANTED: Aphria Inc. is looking for Greenhouse Production Associates to join their team. Duties include daily crop maintenance, harvesting, crop rotation, inventory counts, and cleaning of greenhouse. No public transportation available. Located in Leamington, ON. Compensation starts at $14.00/hour. Full time hours Monday through Friday. Please apply at careers@aphria.com or mail resume to P.O. Box 20009 269 Erie St. S. Leamington, ON N8H 3C4. 9-t _____________________
11-tfn
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_____________________ HELP WANTED: Greenhouse and Packing line Labour. General greenhouse labour, duties include pruning, picking, planting and cleaning of greenhouse. Packing line labour, duties include inspecting, weighing and packing produce on assembly line. Lifting, bending and standing is required. Must be able to work all shifts. Rural area. No public transportation available. No specific education required. Experience is an asset. Rate of pay- $14.20. To apply please email: Lindsay@policellafarms. com Or Mail to Domric International, PO 24/tf Box 218, Ruthven ON N0P 2G0.
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In The Classifieds 519-776-4268
Dog Tag Invoices Out Now Current dog owners in the Town of Essex should have received an invoice for dog tag licence fees last week. While Town of Essex offices remain closed to non-essential visitors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the municipality offers a number of convenient payment options. • Online or in-person banking with payments that can be made directly from your bank or financial institution. • Mailed cheque to Essex Town Hall 33 Talbot Street South, Essex, Ontario N8M 1A8. • Cheque delivered to drop boxes at Essex Town Hall (33 Talbot Street S., Essex Centre) and the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre (243 McAffee Street, Harrow).
Changes to Dog Licence Process and Fees Tags are now issued for the lifetime of a dog, with licence fees to be paid annually. Once licence fees are paid, a dog tag will be mailed to the dog owner. New dogs that have not yet received an invoice or dog tag can be registered online. Once a new dog is registered with the Town of Essex, the tag and invoice will be mailed to the dog owner for payment. If licence fees are not paid between January 1 and March 31, the licence fee will double on April 1 ($20 fee increases to $40). Unspayed/unneutered dogs no longer carry additional fees, and tags for service and police dogs are provided at no charge. For questions about dog tags, please call 519-776-7736 ext 1100 or visit:
essex.ca/Dogs
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Phone 519.776.4268
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
(by Patrick Quinn)
The father begins to speak, of how things used to be. While the waves stand still, here upon the calm sea. The father has the wisdom, the son needs to learn. How to survive in a world, with problems at every turn. To make it on your own, son you must stand tall. Hold on to your values, and you will never fall. Treat each man with respect, reach out a helping hand. To things in need of change, son, you must take a stand. The world that I leave you, is in need of much love. So be a man of substance, who’s as gentle as a dove. My hair is turning grey, my days are at an end. I just want you to know, you are my dearest friend. Think of me when I’m gone, I’ll be thinking of you, too. The greatest treasure of all, is the love i have for you.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
I
Community I 13
Essex Free Press
Essex OPP welcomes new West Operations Manager
Photo submitted: Staff Sergeant Mike Bradley, a 19-year police veteran, is the new Essex (M) OPP West Operations Manager.
by Adam Gault Essex (M) OPP has a new West Operations Manager in Staff Sergeant Mike Bradley, a near 20-year policing veteran. Bradley will manage and oversee policing operations, primarily within the Town of Essex. In addition, he will work directly with administrative and Council reps for the Town of Essex, including the Police Services Board, to manage the role and relationship of the OPP with the Town as a whole. Beginning his career with Waterloo Regional Police in 2002, Bradley started off walking the beat in downtown Kitchener for several years before transferring to the department’s rural detachment in New Hamburg, which was closer in line with the OPP’s generally more rural style of policing. After finishing his time with Waterloo Regional Police, Bradley transferred to the OPP, serving in Campbellford (between Peterborough and Belleville) and Chatham-Kent, before joining the Essex OPP in his current role this past December. “I absolutely love the area, the Town of Essex has a lot
going for it,” Bradley said of his recent move. “Unfortunately, with the way COVID is, I’m not able to really partake in some of the things I’d really like to enjoy, like winery tours and restaurants, but I’m hoping, in due time, that’s something we’ll be able to get out and do in the community.” Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2015, while after serving as a Traffic Enforcement Officer in Chatham-Kent, Bradley hopes to use his past experiences and new position within the OPP to strengthen the relationship between the police and community, adding that it was one of the primary reasons he wanted to become a police officer in the first place. “It may sound cliché, I think myself, along with many others, get into this profession to make a difference and that’s what I’m hoping to do,” Bradley explained. “I want to strengthen the relationship with the community and the town, and further that relationship so that everyone benefits from it.” Beyond the navigation and management of the current pandemic, Bradley hopes to prioritize a larger focus on traffic-related issues across the
region – including speeding, safe driving, and driving while impaired – in the coming months and years. “With my background in traffic enforcement, and a Traffic Officer and Sergeant, I know that traffic seems to be one of the bigger issues in the municipalities and towns across Essex County,” Bradley commented. “I’m hoping to parlay that kind of experience and the passion that I have for traffic safety into making the roads and motoring public safer through traffic initiatives in the Town of Essex.” As part of his commitment to community accessibility, Bradley encourages members of the public to reach out to them with their policing concerns, and that he will do his best to ensure everyone is heard and that issues are addressed head on. “I want people to know that I’m invested, open, and accessible. My plan is to respond to emails in a timely fashion,” Bradley said. “I’m there to work alongside [the public], and I’m available if they need it.” Staff Sergeant Mike Bradley can be reached via email at mike.bradley@opp.ca
14 I Personals
FromThe Heart _______________________________________________
IN LOVING MEMORY
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Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
To place a personal notice, email your photo and content to contact@essexfreepress.com Personal notices must be received by Monday at 12:00 noon to appear in the Thursday edition. _______________________________________________
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OBITUARIES
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GAY, William “Bill” - With sadness, we announce the passing of Bill on January 14, 2021 at Erie Shores HealthCare at 74 years of age. Son of the late Sterling and Lenore Gay. Loving husband of Marlene Markham-Gay. Cherished father of Elizabeth Gay and James Gay. Dear step-father of Kelly (Jim) Kickham, Todd (Christine) Markham, and Denise (James) Gillan. Loving grandfather of Joel, Celine, Marcel, Madeleine, Bryana, Austin, Colton, and Landyn. Dear brotherin-law of Shirley and Jack Thomas, and Sharon Landgraff. Bill was an active member of his community. He was passionate about history, earning his BA in history later in life. Bill shared his knowledge of local history with Heritage Essex, Leamington/Mersea Historical Society, and Windsor-Essex Historical Society. He was a Councillor for the Town of Essex and was an organizer of the Essex Fun Fest, Citizen of the Year, and Essex Model Train Show. He was a member of CHYR Alumni, was employed at CHYR Radio from 1965 to 2001, and self-employed at Media Marketing. Bill was also a member of the Essex United Church and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 201. Cremation has taken place. A celebration will take place at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer Society or Heritage Essex by contacting the Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631). Share words of comfort at www.reidfuneralhome.ca. _____________________________________________________
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Voice Of Inspiration “We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” ~ Gwendolyn Brooks
OUELLETTE, Richard “Dick” - passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Country Village Health Care Centre. Beloved husband of Shirley (nee Doan). Loving Dad of Harold (Lillian), Christine Meloche (Tim), and Trish Ouellette. Proud Grandpa of Michael, Timothy (Jennine), Melissa Langis (Dan), Jonathan (Dayle), Adam (Jessica), Anita Thomas (Gordie) and Great Papa of Emma, Sydney, Cassia, Rylee, Hailey, Grayson, Jackson, Parker, Hudson, Aiden, Evelyn, Isabelle, and Daniel. Dearest brother of Darlene Richardson (Clark), David Ouellette and Paul Ouellette. Dick will also be remembered by the large extended Doan family. Dick retired from Chrysler after many years of service. In retirement, Dick and Shirley enjoyed many years in their fifth wheel, traveling everywhere. Due to Covid-19, a private family service will take place at Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233). Family and friends may leave their condolences online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca Personals continued on Page 15 _______________________________________________
IN LOVING MEMORY
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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
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Thursday, January 21, 2021
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FromThe Heart
Maidstone Cross submitted by Wendy Cunningham
Personals continued from Page 14 sponsorship by:
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MYER, Angela (nee Serapiglia) - Passed peacefully in her sleep at 59 years young, in the early hours of January 13, 2021 in the arms of her loving husband, Dale. Loving mother of Randy (Marla), Melissa and Brooks (Jess). Adored by her grandchildren Rowan, Quinn, Leo and Louis Myer. Dear sister of Joe Serapiglia (Sue), Anna Di Rosa (John), and Helen Graham (Brad). Predeceased by her parents, Pasquale and Maria Serapiglia (nee Lombardi), and her in-laws Al and Dorothy Myer. Angela will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins from Italy, Canada and around the world. She enjoyed cooking for everyone she met, and she left all those she loved with a full heart and a full belly. Angela treasured time spent with her family and friends. She was a source of comfort, joy, and support to everyone in her life. To us, she is irreplaceable. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the entire health care team at the Cancer Centres of Windsor Regional and Princess Margaret. A Family Celebration of Angela’s life took place on Saturday, January 16th. Cremation followed. Memorial Visitation for family and friends will take place at Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Ave. E., Essex (519-776-4233) on Saturday, January 23 starting at 1pm. Due to COVID restrictions, visitation is limited to a specific number of visitors. Only those with an appointment will be allowed in. Please book an appointment at www.reidfuneralhome.ca. All visitors must remain in their cars in our parking lot, until their designated time and one of our staff members comes to invite you into our facility. Everyone must wear a mask. If desired, memorial donations made to Myeloma Canada would be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to share their memories online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca. ____________________________________________________
LIBBY, William “Bill” - With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Bill on January 13, 2021 at 76 years of age. Beloved husband of Judy (nee Phillips) with whom he celebrated 33 years of marriage. Son of the late William and Elizabeth Libby. Dear father of Chris (Lindsay), Jodi, and Jill (Eric). Stepfather of Tate Farough (Leanne), Reed Farough (Kaleigh), and Shay Freeman (Dustan). Treasured Grandpa Bill of Nolan, Brett, Lindsay, Katie, Erik, Owen, Sarah, Mikayla, Daniel, Jacob, Reagan, Reese, Hudson, Blakely, and Hugh. Great-Grandpa of Riley Taylor, Hutch, Brooke, Malcolm, and Mitch. Brother of the late Fred (Shirley), David (Connie), Warren (Barb), Mary Beth Bissonnette (Richard), and Janice To (Glory). Brother-in-law of Greg Phillips (Karen), April Gale, and Bradley Phillips. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Bill was an agricultural salesperson for almost 50 years in the Essex/Kent areas. He was a longtime member of the Bethel-Maidstone United Church. Bill was the definition of a social butterfly, who liked nothing more than walking the fields and talking to farmers. A private family celebration will take place at the Kennedy Funeral Home Limited (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North, Essex. Cremation will follow. Donations may be made to the Essex Area Foodbank or to the Bethel-Maidstone United Church. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com.
Fresh food. Friendly neighbours 191 Talbot St. S., Essex
519-776-4255
Happy New Year everyone.! Due to the lockdown, our church and Family of Parishes office are closed. Masses are being recorded and available to view on Saturdays at 5:30pm and after. Please check our website at centralessexcatholic.dol.ca or social media. Our prayers and sympathies go to the Quinlan family on the passing of their mom, Pat. Please keep in your prayers and all the people who are sick, shut-in, and in Hospice.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church submitted by Wendy Cunningham
Due to the lockdown, the office will remain closed and all churches are closed until further notice. For up-to-date info, please visit our website at centralessexcatholic.dol.ca or on our social media.
Essex Baptist Church Salvation Army Essex Church submitted by Carolyn Barnett
Happy New Year! Thank you for your generous contributions to our kettle campaign, which enables us to continue our Family Services programs. We are not holding church services or Bible Study because of the lockdown, but our Food Bank is still operating. Call Vicki at the church office, at 519-776-4628, to make an appointment.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church Our building is unfortunately closed again, for the time being, and all services are cancelled until further notice. Visit our website (www.stpaulstrinity.org) and our social media for updates and worship resources. Messages are checked at the church office. 519-776-7711. Please stay safe until we can meet again!
Essex Baptist Church continues to offer ministry to our congregation and anyone who would like to participate with us as we practice being the body of Christ even, during the lockdown. Each week, we post a video message from our pastor, Rev. Gary Lidstone, for Sunday Morning on our church website at www.essexbaptist.com. Every Thursday evening, we have an online Prayer Night at 7:30pm and all are welcome to join us. Call the office with a prayer request that we might pray for on your behalf. This meeting is by Zoom, so please send your email address for an invite.
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Trinity Church Please note that there will be no services at Trinity until further notice. Please pray for the ill, those who have lost hope at this time, our communities, and the businesses within it, as we go through these unprecedneted times. We would like to thank everyone for the contributions made to our clothing drive in December. The clothing cupboard at St. Paul’s will distribute items to clients of the Foodbank. While present at the clothing drive, we were delighted to witness wedding photos being taken in our own little gazebo. You can find us online at www.stpaulstrinity.org or visit us on social media.
Harrow United Church submitted by Larry Anderson
As a result of the recent lockdown, Harrow United Church has once again suspended its services/activities within the building. Video services can be viewed online by visiting our church website. We look forward to worshipping together in 2021 when it is safe to do so. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Minister, Rev. Darrow Woods, who would be pleased to speak with you. The number of Harrow United Church is: 519-738-4223. Please find information about Harrow United Church on our website at www.harrowunited.org.
What’s Going On... JAN 27 ESSEX BLOOD CLINIC at Essex Centre Sports Complex, 60 Fairview Ave W . Essex. From 1 - 7pm, For info: www.blood.ca HIATUS HOUSE: offers counselling services in Essex County. Women’s Fresh Start group therapy is once a week. For info or to schedule an intake appointment, call the 24-hour Hiatus House helpline at 519-252-7781. SUN COUNTY LYME AWARENESS SUPPORT GROUP offers monthly support for Lyme disease patients, family, & friends. Look us up on social media for updates.
16 I Business Directory Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
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Thursday, January 21, 2021
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Essex Free Press
the first to know when we go live.
Essex United Church Continued from Page 15 If you need someone to pray with you, call the church at 519 776-8563.
Bethel-Maidstone United Due to current restrictions, we are closed to in-person worship. Our worship ministry has moved online and can be streamed at anchor.fm/bethel-maidstone Past sermons are also available in case you missed any. Our hall and building remain closed to meetings and rentals. The secretary can be reached in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm. Our number is (519) 723-2284. We are located at 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone, near the corner of Manning Road and Talbot. You can find us on the web at www.bethelmaidstone.com. Our email is bmuc@xplornet.ca.
Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen
Welcome to Essex CRC online! We invite you to join us online on Sunday morning, beginning at 10:00 am. Visit us at www.essexcrc.ca for a link to our social media page. Like our page and make sure your notifications are on so you will be
Due to the new Covid restrictions, our church services are suspended and the church office is closed. For more information, call the church office at 519-776-5121. Stay safe and take care. The Essex Area Food Bank is available to anyone who needs assistance at this time, located in the gym of the church, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Food Bank’s hours of operation are: 8:30 - 11:45am.
Bethel-Maidstone United
Due to current restrictions we are closed to in-person worship. Our worship ministry has moved online and can be streamed at anchor.fm/bethel-maidstone Past sermons are also available in case you missed any. The secretary can be reached in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm. Our number is (519) 723-2284. We are located at 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone, near the corner of Manning Road and Talbot. You can find us on the web at www.bethelmaidstone.com. Our email is bmuc@xplornet.ca.
Community Support Centre of Essex County Services include a Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, transportation services, foot care, home support, congregate dining, adult day programs, outreach counselling, and social programs. Visit www.communitysupportcentre.ca for details and up-to-date services offered to residents.
FURNITURE UPHOLSTERY
Woodslee United Church submitted by Sue Holman
Sadly, there is will be no inside Worship Service in the Church until further notice. Rev. Carl will place his video message on our website: woodsleepastoralcharge.ca. Thanks to all our volunteers who helped keep our church safe while we were open for regular service. Keep safe.
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18 I Opinion / News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
Town seeks feedback on draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan 1973 MGB: one owner since new!
Ralph Poupard’s 1973 MGB bought new 48 years ago.
An email arrived from Ralph Poupard: “Hi Bill. I have enjoyed reading your Old Car Detective column every week for years in the Essex Free Press. “I am the owner of a 1973 MGB Roadster that I purchased new in June of 1973 from Downtown Motors on Wyandotte Street in Windsor, Ontario. I always loved British sports cars and as I went through the lot with the salesman, I saw a Damask red (maroon) MBG parked next to the fence. I was hooked and ended up buying that car. “When my wife and I got married in June of 1974, we took the MGB on our honeymoon to Muskoka, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, and back home to Windsor. “For the first six years, I drove it daily from our home in Essex to Windsor, installing a fibreglass top on it for the winters. I didn’t know much about auto mechanics but I took a course at Essex High School and have performed all the maintenance on it after the one-year warranty was up. “When our eldest daughter got married, I drove her to the ceremony in the MGB. “We have taken it on many road trips. On one trip to Reno, Nevada, in 2011, a large pickup truck backed into the front of our MGB while waiting in line at US Customs. The hood (bonnet in Britain) and grille were bent, but since the hood would still open and close properly, we continued on and finished the trip, getting it repaired when we got home. “In 2019, I decided to restore it by replacing the complete unibody structure and new floors, etc. since the originals were getting very rusty. With many new body parts, new paint and interior, it feels like a new car again. “It has the original 1798 cc 4-cylinder engine with 189,000 miles on it. It has been extremely reliable over the years and it has never let me down. It is a mechanical part of our family. “I wonder how many other people have owned a car this long.” I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca.
READ US ONLINE & IN PRINT contact@essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress
16 CENTRE ST., ESSEX
519.776.4268 www.essexfreepress.com
by Adam Gault Residents of the Town of Essex are being encouraged to review and provide feedback on its draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan, following a presentation of the document to Essex Council on Wednesday, January 13. In development since November 2019, the Plan has been designed through the combined efforts of the Town of Essex’s administration and the Essex Climate Adaptation Team. Climate Change analyst, Niharika Bandaru, headed the plan, which will seek to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change on the municipality over the course of the next five-years. The core of the Plan consists of 11 objectives, including six on the side of Community Engagement, or actions residents and citizens can undertake, and five on the Corporate side, or policies and services the Town of Essex manages. There are sub-action items in each category to assist the Town in reaching the climate goals. “Municipalities like ours are on the frontlines of responding to extreme climate events, which calls for a comprehensive and unique adaptation strategy,” reads part of the official Plan, entitled Climate Ready: A Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Town of Essex 2021-2026. “The Plan forms the framework for civic and community actions, to help address and adapt to the impacts of climate change.” On the Community Engagement front,
some of the objectives include supporting the enhancement of health through the integration of climate change into the Town’s communications strategy, encouraging the preservation of the natural environment through conservation land tax incentives and efforts to develop a tree cutting bylaw, and in supporting opportunities for investment into local businesses that take initiative with adaptation policies, such as promotional opportunities for businesses that have adopted climate change mitigation strategies. With the Corporate Objectives, the document calls for the Town to seek a proactive approach with respect to the services, policies, and operations it provides with respect to how it can best be geared to deal with climate change. These objectives will include an enhancement of climate-related health and safety measures, such as providing weather appropriate PPE to outdoor Town workers, the protection of municipal natural resources, and an emphasis of naturebased solutions (such as ensuring the proliferation of native flora), and the development of a bufferstrip policy to address municipal drainage issues. With an increase in
flooding incidents over the past decade, the Plan will also seek to build and strengthen the Town’s infrastructure resilience with the possible implementation of a storm sewer surcharge, and the consideration of green technology for road development and reconstruction projects. If adapted, funding for the initiatives and action items within the Plan will be based on supplementary additions to the annual operating or capital budgets, in addition to external funding opportunities, such as provincial or federal grants. “On behalf of Council, I’d like to thank the members of the Essex Climate Adaptation Team, Council Members, Town staff, and all those involved in the creation of this Plan,” Mayor Larry Snively said. “We’re already feeling the effects of climate change and to accomplish our goals we must work together.” Residents may review the draft plan online and provide their feedback through the Town’s website at essex.ca. Submissions to the form must be made before Wednesday, February 3, ahead of Council’s consideration of officially adopting the Plan later that month.
Voice Of Inspiration “If the entire world sought to make itself worthy of happiness rather than make itself happy, then the entire world would be happy.” ~ Criss Jami
Thursday, January 21, 2021
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Essex Free Press
Council asks developer to hit pause button on potential schoolhouse sale - the proponents were ‘very disappointed’ and will think on it by Sylene Argent After speaking about the Colchester Schoolhouse property for three-and-a-half hours during the Monday, January 18 meeting, the majority of Council voted in favour of asking potential developers of the site to give a deadline extension for the agreement to the end of March, with the matter to be tabled at the second meeting of that month. The idea was to let the newly released plans from the potential developers circulate with residents, who came forward with many concerns on the matter. Potential developers James Flynn and Kim Lewis attended the meeting as delegates. Flynn noted he was “very disappointed” with the decision. “We are going to have to consider and come back to you,” noting he was not sure if the project would move forward and said perhaps discussions could continue at a later date. At the beginning of the Monday, December 7 Essex Council meeting, Town Clerk, Robert Auger, announced Council had given direction to administration to disclose in open session the intention to declare 195 Bagot Street, also known as the Colchester Schoolhouse, as surplus to the needs of the municipality. At the Monday, December 21 meeting, Council discussed what it should do with the old Colchester Schoolhouse, and ultimately moved discussions to January 18. The potential proponents spoke as delegations during the meeting. They own The Grove Hotel in Kingsville, which was established in 1854. They ensured their intention for the Colchester Schoolhouse was to preserve and repurpose the original structure. The idea was to have year-round accommodations, staffed as required, as an extension of the Grove Hotel, which Flynn said would not make it the same as a shortterm rental property. The lot would house 14, one-bedroom individual cottage units that would be around 500 square foot a piece. He said the property would be a high-end, boutique accommodation. He estimated the max onsite, at any given time, would be around 30 people. There would also be an outdoor common area and a staff building/ storage area. The intention, he said, is to have little impact on the residential area. He has no intentions of hosting events there.
Their proposal, Flynn said, would be a two-million dollar investment, and he estimated an addition one-million in economic spin-off for the community. “We have the experience, resources, and drive to get this done, and done quickly,” Flynn said. “If we want to come out of this pandemic stronger and better than before, we need to make bold investments and support our community.” Council, he added, accepted a fair-market value offer on the structure, but had to pass corresponding bylaws on Monday as a condition of the sale, in addition to adopting zoning requirements by the end of March. The Proponents noted they would continue to work with the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee, and would do whatever was necessary to protect the Chimney Swifts. There are MNR guidelines they would have to follow to do so. “We want to be a part of the Colchester community,” he said. Councillor Joe Garon asked if the developers would be willing to “Designate” the 1881-built schoolhouse property under the Ontario Heritage Act to protect it in perpetuity. He noted they may not own the property forever. Flynn said he was not sure what that would entail, but would agree to enter an agreement that the property would be preserved in perpetuity. The Colchester Schoolhouse was “Listed” in 2016 as having significant heritage value. To “Designate” the property would take it one step further in its protection as far as alterations or demolition. Any alternation would come before the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee and Council for consideration. Councillor Sherry Bondy did raise concerns about sewer capacity. Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure, said there is a sewer capacity optimization study being conducted. At the December 21 meeting, Director of Planning, Lori Chadwick, said the proposed rezoning was for a short-term
rental boutique. On Monday, however, she explained the property’s current Green District 1.2 could include campgrounds, fairgrounds, arenas, and golf courses. There could be an opportunity for the developer to piggy-back on the campground allowance with their proposal and staff
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BUYING • SELLING • ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
Cell:
SSarahh Ad Adams - Sales S l Representative R t ti
519.980.5006
Office: 519.972.1000 Email: sadams@deerbrookrealty.com
20 I News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, January 21, 2021
Council asks developer to hit pause button on potential schoolhouse sale... Continued from Page 19 would seek clarification of the seasonal campground definition for possible allowance for roofed structures. During the course of the meeting, some Council members noted they received a lot of public feedback on the matter, with concerns that the process was not transparent enough (though it was noted the information was made public as soon as Council was able to), the loss of the heritage site from public hands, and that it was not brought to an open market. Essex Mayor Larry Snively believed residents may have felt more comfortable with the proposal, now that they were able to hear details. “To me, this is a good proposal. To me it is a beautiful development,” Snively said. Bondy wanted to hit the “pause button” on moving forward with the development, to give residents a chance to learn about the project. Other delegations during the meeting included Laurie Brett, Chairperson of the
Essex Municipal Heritage Committee, who spoke about that Committee’s meeting on the schoolhouse matter last Thursday (see the article “Heritage Committee sends requests to Council re: Colchester Schoolhouse” in this edition of the Essex Free Press). She also spoke about the three resolutions the Heritage Committee made and forwarded to Council for its consideration, which, in short, included deferring the sale, designating the property, and adding safeguards to the Surplus Lands Bylaw for public property with heritage significance. Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said he was opposed to all three recommendations as he saw them adding more bureaucracy, more delay, more government, and more cost. Councillor Kim Verbeek noted she agreed with the Heritage Committee, and Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said the motions should be looked over by Town administration before Council considers them.
Other delegation came from Lynda Leopold and Heidi Affleck, and Perry Basden. Leopold spoke of concerns, including transparency of the sale, loss of community space, and heritage resources potentially being under valued. She also spoke of concerns with short-term rentals. Affleck explained she built her dream home in Colchester and there are short-term rental units in the area. She said this past summer was difficult, with a lot of partying, excessive noise, and trespassing. Leopold collected data. Of 167 results from a survey, 74percent said Council should regulate short-term rentals. When asked if they supported short-term rentals, 23 percent said “no,” and 25 percent said “strongly no.” Flynn noted short-term rentals are not what his proposal is offering, as the intention is to be an extension of The Grove Hotel. Basden spoke of concerns about wanting
the site designated, the failure of the Town to consult with the Heritage Committee on the issue, and that he is still willing to be on the “Friends of Colchester Schoolhouse Committee,” as he has indicated in the past. Snively assured there was no backroom deal and noted the offer was quite healthy. Bondy noted she wanted to take a pause on the issue. Councillor Bjorkman said the development is beautiful, but from what he has heard, it is not what residents want in their neighbourhood. Councillor Verbeek said she was uncomfortable with making a decision that night. She is not opposed to the development, but was opposed to pushing it through. Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said this was setting up for a case of “analysis paralysis.” The only way to reduce shortterm rentals is to offer an alternative, such as the proposal before Council.
Heritage Committee sends requests to Council re: Colchester Schoolhouse by Sylene Argent Members of the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee met online, on Thursday, January 14, to hear from delegations regarding the historical value of the old Colchester Schoolhouse. Council announced its intentions of declaring this property as surplus at the December 7 meeting. Chairperson of the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee, Laurie Brett, said this meeting was planned when she learned of Council’s intention. Members of this Committee, she said, emailed Council to ask for a decision to be deferred until members of the local historical committee had a chance to discuss the matter. During the meeting, after hearing from the delegations, Committee members moved to send three recommendations for Council to consider at the January 18 regular meeting, when the topic was scheduled to be discussed again. The recommendations included: • That Council promptly revise Bylaw 855, which is related to the sale of surplus lands, to provide special recognition, protections, and safeguards for publicly-owned property of cultural heritage significance. And, that the revised Bylaw ensure robust stakeholder involvement by including enhance public notice requirements with extended periods of public consultation, that all public notices announce any potential or actual sale of public lands, containing cultural heritage assets, identify the property by legal description as well as familiar and commonly used names, with specific mention of heritage designation status.
That Schedule A, a register of town properties, of Bylaw 855 be update to include a separate list of culture assets of cultural significance. • That the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee recommends Council defer the sale of the property until such time other organizations, including the to be created “Friends of Colchester Schoolhouse” have an opportunity to organize and review their options. • The Heritage Committee recommends Council proceed with Designating the Colchester Schoolhouse under the Ontario Heritage Act. The previous Term of Council listed the Colchester Schoolhouse as having historical significance in 2016. According to the Town website, if a property is listed and the owner wishes to demolish or alter the structure, they must give 60 days’ notice to Council, who will make a decision on whether or not to issue a permit. Designation determines what alterations to the site may be permitted at a later date. As part of the recommended revisions to Bylaw 855, Councillor Steve Bjorkman noted the term “Cultural Heritage Asset” would have to be defined, and that would need to be qualified, likely by staff in the Planning Department. Rita Jabbour, Manager of Planning for the Town of Essex, explained the Town has a Heritage Register for Listed and Designated properties with heritage value in with the Town of Essex. In the future, the Planning Department, she said, is looking to undertake a Cultural Master Plan to identify additional resources, including ones that are lost, such as past
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settlements. It could take one to two years to complete. Delegations share opinions of Colchester Schoolhouse During the meeting, four public presentations took place. Perry Basden, Carol and Lynn Quick, and Anne Beneteau, representing a group of concerned residents, all spoke in opposition of selling the schoolhouse property and spoke favourably of its historical value. Developers James Flynn and Kim Lewis are the proponents trying to buy the property. They own The Grove Hotel in Kingsville, which was established in 1854. They gave the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee a brief overview of their plans for the property, ensuring their intentions were to preserve and repurpose the original schoolhouse structure. The noted the property would still be open to the public. They went into more detail about their intentions during the Monday, January 18 Essex Council meeting. History of the Colchester Schoolhouse Brett spoke of the historical significance of the Colchester Schoolhouse, which included: - The Colchester Schoolhouse was built in 1881, the same year free, compulsory education for all children was mandated. - The current facility was not the first school. The original was built on the same lot in 1856. - It was used until the 1960s, and sold as a private residence. - The Town of Essex acquired the property in 2008. - Essex Council “Listed” the Colchester Schoolhouse as having historical value in 2016.