Essex Council meeting notesMonday, March 20
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Essex County Council Notes for Wednesday, March 15
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Local filmmaker winning awards for newest shortfeature, “Fragments”
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73’s to face Moretown in round two of Stobbs Division playoffs
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Campbell shines in freshmen season with Huskies
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Looking For A Good Home
March Break, which is signalling a great return to regular programming, following the pandemic.
“We’ve been busy every day,” she said, adding attendance was basically at its capacity, based on staffing. “Overall, we have been busy all week.”
Essex’s central location, reasonable rates, and the number of quality programs offered contributed to the great turnout last week, which Cakebread was pleased to see.
She is looking forward to hosting future recreation programs and welcoming those who want to get involved.
by Sylene ArgentThanks to support from SWARG Windsor-Essex Communities In Motion and Pathway to Potential, the Town of Essex was able to welcome area families to the Essex Aquatics Centre last Thursday to enjoy a free swim.
With students enjoying March Break, staff members at the Essex Aquatics Centre were busy monitoring safety while the fun ensued, as many youths – and the young at heart – took advantage of the chance to use the amenities, free of charge.
In addition to the free swim,
daily leisure and recreational swimming activities were offered last week. Area youths were also able to enjoy their time away from school books and tests over the March Break at the recreation facility to enjoy the variety of activities provided through the Town of Essex’s Clubhouse Day Camp program.
Cynthia Cakebread, Manager of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Essex, said around 60 to 70 youths were welcomed each day of the Clubhouse Day Camp program offered last week.
The turnout was higher than the typical attendance the
Clubhouse Day Camp program has attracted in the past over
Those who would like to explore the recreational programs the Town of Essex offers can do so by visiting essexconnect.ca. A variety of programs are available for youths and adults.
Submitted to EFP
The Essex County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has now installed and activated the Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) and InCar-Camera (ICC) systems in all patrol vehicles.
As a result of investments made by government in the OPP and municipal police services in the province, the OPP is introducing ICC video recording equipment with an integrated ALPR functionality
to all its frontline police vehicles at detachments across Ontario.
This is an example of the OPP’s commitment to increasing transparency and accountability in the policing of our communities, and to leverage technologies that will enhance community and officer safety. These technologies will be used to gather enhanced evidence to be used in the prosecution of offences and will also highlight the professionalism our members
display every day as they work to ensure safe communities.
In addition to the benefits that will come with having an objective video recording of an interaction between an officer and member of the public, the integrated ALPR functionality will dramatically enhance the ability of an officer to detect licence plates that are linked with criminal or traffic offences. Examples would include plates associated with wanted or missing people, stolen vehicles, stolen or unattached
licence plates, suspended and prohibited drivers and with other emergent situations like Amber Alerts.
The Essex County Detachment continues to see drivers operating vehicles that do not have valid, registered plates. Although vehicle owners are not required to purchase a validation sticker for their vehicle, licence plates are still required to be renewed annually or bi-annually.
Members of the Essex County OPP are committed
$1499
to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities.
• Rescoped Essex Streetscape tender awarded, funding model approved • • Development in February down 105.9% to same month in 2022 •
• Kimball Lumber fire hydrant extension agreement approved •
• Per diem for drainage and adjustment passed, Attainable Housing Task force to be created •
by Sylene ArgentCouncil finds
compromise on request to construct driveway apron in excess of 25-feet
Essex Council found a compromise to a request from a resident on Erieview, who wanted to construct their driveway apron to 40’, which is in access to the 25-feet allowed through the Town’s Development Standards Manual.
After two failed motions, a majority Council vote moved to allow up to 30-feet with a 90-degree angle.
Council heard from the proponent and a neighbour on the matter, and then came to the aforementioned conclusion.
The Report to Council noted at the request first surfaced at the December 19, 2022 meeting.
At that time, Council deferred the matter and directed Administration to prepare a report to Council, including recommendations.
Administration had recommended not approving the original request, based on what is allowed though the Development Standards Manual.
Council passes amendments to Phase 1 of the Parkland Estates Residential Development
Essex Council passed an amending by-law to enter into a Subdivision Development Agreement between the Town of Essex and 1552843 Ontario Limited, for the residential development known as Parkland Estates.
This is for Phase 1 of the Parkland Estates Residential Development in Ward 3.
On March 15, 2021, the Town of Essex entered into a Subdivision Development Agreement,
however, Administration now recommended two additional amendments. The first required the owner to install a wrought iron fence, with a minimum height of 42-inches, on lands where a retaining wall is required.
Walter Branco, President of Noah Homes, explained there are homes in this subdivision that back onto Pollard Park, where baseball is played. A decorative retaining wall was put up as there ended up being groundwater issues while developing.
Rita Jabbour, Manager of Planning Services, explained administration was recommending a wrought iron fence be installed to prevent people from sitting on the retaining wall, and kids playing on it. It is a safety issue. Due to the type of homes, wrought iron was chosen for aesthetics.
As the developer, he was happy to pay for that for the homes that back onto the baseball diamond, even though some of the homes are sold, but asked the Town if it would pay half, as the owner of the park.
The second amendment required the reduction of the height of the required fence of the lots abutting Harrowood Community
Living, from 1.8-metres to 1.2-metres.
Due to the need for a retaining wall along these lots, the installation of the 1.8-metre fence would need to be installed on top of the wall. This would result in a structure that is too tall and too obtrusive to natural light, the Report to Council explains. Since the fence is still required under the Building Code, the owners of Harrowood and the applicant have mutually agreed to reduce the height of the fence to 1.2-metres. The fence will continue to be made of wood.
Council had no issues with the second request, but did spend some time talking about the wrought iron fence as to the type of fence required, the length it should be, its necessity, and who should be responsible for costs with Branco.
Ultimately, Council passed Administration’s recommendation.
Rescoped Essex Streetscape tender awarded, funding model approved
Council awarded the tender for the rescoped Essex Centre Streetscape to J&J Lepera Infrastructures lnc., in the amount of $9,149,219.21, including non-refundable
Harmonized Sales Tax.
It approved a funding model for the Essex Centre Streetscape and Victoria Avenue roadworks.
In addition, Stantec Consulting Ltd. was approved to provide engineering services to conduct engineering inspection and maintenance services, for a total cost of $506,093.18, including non-refundable HST.
At the December 5 regular meeting, staff presented four options to Council on how to move forward, as the original streetscape tender came back higher than anticipated.
At the December 19, 2022 meeting, a majority Council vote moved a motion to proceed with reducing the scope of the Essex Centre Streetscape on Talbot Street, from approximately Cameron Avenue to Arthur Avenue. In addition, it includes the Victoria Avenue works from Talbot Street to South Talbot Road.
Council also directed Administration come back with a report on when the remainder of the streetscape area can be completed; cancelled the previous Request for Tender for the project; and
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I was glad to see County Council deferred supporting ChathamKent Council’s support for Bill 5 - Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act - to get more information.
This proposed Bill, if passed at Queen’s Park, would require the code of conduct for municipal Councillors and members of local boards to include a requirement to comply with workplace violence and harassment policies and permit municipalities and local boards to direct the Integrity Commissioner to apply to the court to vacate a member’s seat, if the Commissioner’s inquiry determines that the member has contravened this requirement.
That is noted on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website, in addition to adding Liberal MPP Stephen Blais of Orleans put forward this Private Member’s Bill. Its First Reading took place in August.
I always get weary when things like this come up
I think we can all agree that harassment and abuse is not okay anywhere. Without, first, clearly knowing what defines abuse or harassment, I think it can be a slippery slope to give power to an Integrity Commissioner to start the process of determining the fate
of a representative who was voted into office by members of their community.
Knowing each of Ontario’s 444 municipalities have their own Code of Conduct, I think would make it difficult to have a piece of legislation at the provincial-level that would be consistent across Ontario communities. Each Code of Conduct could define what abuse and harassment are differently, which could lead to inconsistent outcomes for issues that appear before courts.
As far as I know, the only way an elected official can be removed is if they are convicted of a criminal offence and are imprisoned, or if they are absent from the meetings of council for three successive months.
I am no lawyer, but perhaps the best approach would be to look at the imprisonment aspect. If an elected official is found guilty of a crime, especially if it is linked to his or her office or can affect it in some way, perhaps removal can be an option at that point, without needing to be imprisoned.
Politics can get heated. And that, for the most part, is healthy. I want Council members to have dynamic, complex discussions. I want representatives to be passionate about their stance on a given issue.
This past week, I lost my 95-year old grandmother, Rita. She went peacefully and greeted into the afterlife by her husband, Neil, who passed in 2006.
When someone you love dies, the reality of your own mortality and how precious our short time here on earth is magnifies. It makes clearer how meaningful we are, and on the other hand, how meaningless little things are.
My grandparents lived their lives to the fullest. They had a large family and a farm, as well as full-time jobs. They worked hard and they played hard. They travelled and if they wanted to do something, they made it happen. I can only strive to be half as adventurous and ambitious as they were. We grew up as neighbours with our grandparents and aunts/uncles/cousins on the family farm, so we were very close as a family. I know this brought my grandmother joy and comfort, especially in her years spent without my Pop there.
Her recent death really made me think about what it means for me, directly. You only have a certain amount of people in your life who know you inside and out, who love you unconditionally. When someone who fits this description passes away, you lose someone who’s been
We all know there is a line we cannot cross, however. But that line seems to get moved the more sensitive people are to criticism or counterpoints. I would hate to see legislation used to silence a council member who wants to speak in opposition to a sensitive matter they feel needs open, transparent, and honest discussion, by someone else claiming they felt under personal attack because they were challenged publicly, for instance.
We need to always ensure that concerns on any subject can be aired, so long as we do so within the parameters of remaining respectful. I can agree representatives at any level can sometimes use their position to target certain residents, employees, or other representatives, or can act – or request things – in an inappropriate manner, and that, obviously, should not be tolerated, if there is clear evidence of such behaviour.
I am looking forward to seeing the details of the proposed Bill and how the matter progresses.
in your corner for your life, someone you would call to share good news with, and someone who has had your back in a crisis. That, I believe is where the real source of my sadness for her loss comes from.
Death is a reminder that we all will pass one day and I can’t help but start thinking about what the rest of my life will look like. What should I do with the rest of my time? Especially because time flies by. Am I contributing good into the world? How will I be remembered? … The spiral of thoughts continue.
Death of a loved one also puts life into perspective really quickly. Do the little everyday annoyances matter? The quick answer is, no. We can quickly become more empathetic to others dealing with the same situation.
All in all, losing my grandmother is very sad. I loved her so much. But, she was ready to join the many loved ones of whom she lived through the heartbreak of losing. I am happy for the full life she lived. All I can do is honour her life by living more like her. Sharing her stories with others, as well as laughing and smiling about the wonderful memories she has left me with to cherish.
awarded Stantec Consulting Limited additional funds to rescope the Essex Streetscape project in accordance with Option 3b in the amount of $65,940.48.
Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure, explained in 2022, the approved capital budget had $9,360,000; including from reserve, prior year funding, and $1,061,000 in grant funding from various means. The debt totaled $6,351,000.
He explained staff was expecting the rescoping to go over the $9.36M budget by around $424,108.
On the rescoped project, there were two bidders. J&J Lepera was the lowest bidder at $7,494,110, plus $1.5M in provisional items, which was reduced from nearly $2.3M, based on the needs of the municipality, Girard said.
He noted that included in the tender is over $300,000 for a Union Water watermain replacement on Victoria Avenue. Union Water is in agreement with that in essence and will take it to the board on April 19. It will also include $108,000 in telecommunications conduits. Both are recoverable.
He explained Essex, to date, has spent over $720,000 on the project, and secured $961,000 in grant funding that must be used towards successful completion of the streetscape. The County’s contribution depends on how much of the road is completed, he explained.
The total expense for the project is $10,396,271, including for the engineering and construction costs, in addition to the Union Water and telecommunications conduit, which are recoverable.
In looking at the proposed funding model, Girard explained Administration increased the original funding to come out of the Asset Management Lifecycle Reserve from $129,000 to $725,910. Girard said that is because the Victoria Avenue Road works are an asset replacement. The new funding model proposed a debt of $6,246,845, which is slightly lower than what was originally projected.
Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer, Kate Giurissevich, further explained when the original budget was completed on this project three-years ago, the overarching principle was for economic development initiatives, which limited the use of reserves. With the Victoria Avenue works included, that changed the scope able to come from reserves.
Giurissevich further explained the main source of revenue for the Asset Management Reserve comes from the tipping fees the Town of Essex receives as being the host municipality for the landfill.
It was a record-breaking year in revenues received for tipping fees, so the revenues received in the Asset
Management Plan does not jeopardize its balance, due to that increase, Giurissevich said.
Based on what was presented, Councillor Joe Garon said he would continue to support the concept and completion of the streetscape project. He looks at it as an investment for downtown businesses and residents. It is a long-term project.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley said he has been told the Asset Management Reserve is under funded, but more will be pulled out of it for this project.
He asked about the impact this project will have on future tax increases.
Giurissevich said she would hesitate to put a number on that, as there are many factors that need to be included. She proposed using assessment growth to cover this and other sources, like grant revenues. She said it is up to Council to find those other sources of revenue and present to residents a tax increase that is reasonable.
Administration will start to build up a Budget Stabilization Reserve, which is for projects like this.
Shepley said he appreciates all the hard work put into this project, but cannot support it. He said he is not against beautification, it is just that the cost is just too great. He agreed the Victoria Avenue works needs to be done.
Mayor Sherry Bondy said she wholeheartedly supports the project. A similar project was completed in Harrow last year. She thanked staff members for their out-of-thebox thinking.
“It was easy to get behind, because it is not just the Essex Streetscape, it is also Victoria. I think there are a lot of synergies when we have a contractor in the area doing two projects, while they are here,” she said. “I
worry if we don’t go forward, that Victoria could even be lost this year.”
Councillor Jason Matyi said he could not support the project as it would cost too much money. He asked when the project is done, if the light standards removed can be used to replace the ones headed towards Maidstone Avenue.
Girard explained the standards in the project scope will be refurbished as needed and will remain. The light poles in the downtown area excluded from the project scope are at their useful life. It is something the Town needs to complete in future capital budgets.
In a recorded vote, Shepley and Matyi were opposed. The project carried.
Development in February down 105.9% to same month in 2022 Council received the Development Overview for the month of February.
Continued on Page 9
Sylvie is one of the sweetest and happiest girls around town. She loves to play and have fun, and loves all the humans, even young kiddos! She does well with other dogs and cats, and is the definition of a social butterfly. Sylvie is still learning not to chew items that aren’t hers, but is just a young girl that needs proper exercise and fun enrichment to keep
Please note- Sylvie has tested positive for Erlichia, which is from a tick. Don’t fret, this is not contagious to other animals! But it is important for her next home to know about! Sylvie is so excited to be the new addition to your household. If interested, apply to adopt this sweet girl!
The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society shelter is at 1375 Provincial Rd., Windsor. Ph: 519-966-5751. To start the adoption process online, please go to: windsorhumane.org/adoptable-animals
by Sylene Argent
ElderCollege provides update, wants to be involved in local senior advisory committees
Dr. C. Lloyd BrownJohn approached County Council to speak of Canterbury ElderCollege’s success since it was launched in 2011.
Canterbury ElderCollege is comprised of volunteers who serve individuals, aged 55 and better, throughout Windsor and Essex County to enhance social opportunities for seniors. Courses offered through the program provide for a wide-variety of topics.
In 2019, he said there were over 1600 course registrations. Last semester, there were 300. So, revenues have decreased.
It offers many low-cost courses, he said.
“The social component is vital to the whole ElderCollege Experience,” Brown-John said. “So many of the people are lonely.”
He said they have tried to find facilities that are donated so they do not have to pay for them, keeping the cost to seniors low.
He said ElderCollege does not receive any municipal funding.
Most municipalities have senior advisory committees. ElderCollege, he said, should be a part of that. He said it has courses in local communities, but people need to know it exists.
“The demographics of elderly people are changing rapidly,” Brown-John said. “More and more people are retiring and many of them are trying to find things to do.”
Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt thanked Brown-John for his efforts. He has prepared five or six local history courses for the program.
“It is a great service and I know the people who attend are really interested in them,” Walstedt said.
“Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That’s part of what it means to be alive.”
~ Haruki MurakamiSupport given to Chatham-Kent’s resolution on reducing municipal insurance costs
County Council supported ChathamKent’s resolution on reducing municipal insurance costs.
The resolution from Chatham-Kent moved its Council to direct administration to engage with other municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and any other relevant municipal associations, to determine what tools may be available to reduce insurance costs, including cooperative purchasing of insurance, creation of a municipal reciprocal insurance provider, or legislative changes to address insurance costs to municipalities.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said the cost of insurance in municipalities has dramatically increased from year-to-year.
“I do believe it is a subject that should not be put on the shelf. We should continue to put pressure on the government to really look at the cost of insuring our municipalities,” he said.
In July, County Council received its Comprehensive Insurance Program proposal,
submitted by AON Risk Services for June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The program costed $1,110,609, plus applicable taxes. This was a $50,500 increase from the previous year.
Support for Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act deferred to get more info
Chatham-Kent Council express its support for Bill 5 - Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act, and sent that resolution to Essex County Council, looking for its support.
This Bill would require the code of conduct for municipal Councillors and members of local boards to include a requirement to comply with workplace violence and harassment policies and permit municipalities and local boards to direct the Integrity Commissioner to apply to the court to vacate a member’s seat if the Commissioner’s inquiry determines that the member has contravened this requirement.
LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche moved Essex County Council support Chatham-Kent’s resolution.
She said LaSalle has a policy similar to this, but
is going to look at putting this forward.
“I do believe this is something we should be supporting and also considering at the Countylevel to have something like this presented as well,” she said.
Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt wondered where this came from, as municipalities have a Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioners, already. He said municipalities are regulated, and does not see the need for it. He wanted more information on it, before supporting it.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said she would support the resolution. One piece of the puzzle is missing, though. Integrity Commissioners have no licensing or regulations, she said, adding Integrity Commissioners can be biased.
“You can complain and you can have several complaints from several municipalities about the same Integrity Commissioners, and they can still be Integrity Commissioners, because there are no qualifications, no licensing system,” Bondy said.
She noted the Ontario Ombudsman’s office recently made a recommendation to the provincial government to look at a more stringent policy for Integrity Commissioners.
Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue also wanted more information about the topic, and wanted to know who proposed the Bill, as that could affect its progress if it’s a member of a party not in power.
Acting CAO, Mary Birch, said staff can come back with more information on the Bill.
According to Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Liberal MPP Stephen Blais of Orleans put forward this Private Member’s Bill. Its First Reading took place in August.
Mark Carrick, Councillor for LaSalle, said it takes forever if there is a harassment issue to be seen. If this helps expediate and helps bring
attention to the issue, he said it is worth supporting.
Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong said this is something needed in the Kingsville Code of Conduct, which will be reviewed shortly. What stood out was the lack of penalty. If this isn’t supported, perhaps the Code of Conduct should be reviewed to ensure harassment is addressed, she said.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said this subject has been brought up at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for the last six or sevenyears on if there is desire to start having the courts involved in municipal government.
Without knowing the exact wording, he agreed more information is needed and perhaps the County can look at its own Code of Conduct. He wanted to see a deferral on the matter to get more information.
A majority County Council vote moved to defer the matter, with DeYoung, Carrick, and Meloche opposed.
Support given for Warden’s Caucus’s call to end homelessness County Council supported the resolution from the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus, calling on the Provincial Government to end Homelessness in Ontario.
The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus is asking for the acknowledgement that homelessness in Ontario is a social, economic, and health crisis; to commit to ending homelessness in Ontario; to work with AMO and a broad-range of community, health, Indigenous, and economic partners to develop, resource, and implement an action plan to achieve this goal.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said there really is a homelessness issue in the County, and she can stand behind anything that can be done to support the matter.
Purchase of land approved at County Road 46/Rochester
Townline for future improvements
Essex County Council authorized the purchase of the lands, described as Parts 1 and 2 in the Reference Plan, with the amounts previously approved, so improvements can be made to the intersection at County Road 46 and Rochester Townline.
The project will include a roundabout, for which additional lands will be required from private owners. It will be tendered and completed in the 2023
construction season.
County Solicitor, David Sundin, said based on discussions with current land owners of Parts 1 and 2 in the Reference Plan, they are willing to enter into a sale for part of the lands required.
The County will also require additional lands. Sundin said it is expected the acquisition of those lands will be dealt with in a future report to County Council.
There is a budgeted amount for this project included in the acquisition of the lands.
Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt said this is the first time this Term of Council has seen this plan. He asked about the purchase of the project.
Jerry Behl, Manager of Transportation Planning and Development, explained “the issue is one of safety.”
There has been a fatality and other collisions at this stretch of road, he said, adding the rate of collisions is higher than one would expect.
“We looked at various options to rectify and
improve safety, and the roundabout was the favoured option,” Behl said.
Human Resources
detail 2022 stats
County Council received a report that detailed analytic data regarding the delivery of Human Resources services for 2022.
The Report to Council notes the overall staffing level includes 900 employees; including CUPE 2974.1 Inside/ Outside employees, 319 CUPE 2974.2 EMS employees, 328 CUPE 860 Sun Parlour Home employees, 24 Ontario Nurses Association – Sun Parlour Home employees, 33 Teamsters employees, and 92 management and non-union employees.
Gary Filiatrault, Human Resources Business Partner, said of the employees, around 60 percent are full-time and 40 percent are part-time.
The total compensation expense is $63.4 million. The average employee age is 42, and the overall average length of service
is 12-years. Last year, there were 139 departures; of which 70 were resignations, 11 were retirements, 15 were terminations, and 43 were categorized as other.
Mayor of Amherstburg, Michael Prue, had concern with the departure numbers, as he believed the numbers were high. Filiatrault said this includes the end of contracts, summer students, and other reasons.
The voluntary departure numbers are key, as it shows people who choose to leave the organization, Filiatrault said.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara asked if exit interviews have been conducted with those who choose to leave.
Filiatrault said some exit interviews have been conducted. Generally, there is not a high number of those who choose to leave who volunteer to participate in an exit interview.
With EMS, there were nine voluntary resignations, they were able to hold five exit interviews. Reasons given were for other opportunities.
Filiatrault explained recent data from the Conference Board of Canada notes the national voluntary turnover rate to be 6.1 percent as of June 2022. The rate is slightly higher in Ontario at 7.4 percent. The County’s rate was 8.95 percent.
The voluntary turnover rate for Sun Parlour Home
Continued from Page 6
was 9.7 percent and was 4.4 percent for EMS. The voluntary departures were partially offset with 34 external hires at Sun Parlour Home and 26 external hires for EMS, Filiatrault said. There were 89 job postings resulting in 142 new hires in 2022.
County Council received the report. A majority County Council vote moved Prue’s suggestion to have staff return with a subsequent report detailing information about those who were terminated, with Councillors Crystal Meloche, Kim DeYong, Larry Verbeke, Kirk Walstedt, and Mark Carrick opposed.
Continued on Page 8
Right to disconnect, electrical monitoring, work-life integration policies approved Essex County Council received and approved three polices: Essex County Right to Disconnect; Electronic Monitoring of Employees; and the Work-Life Integration, specific to non-union employees.
The Report to Council notes the policies were implemented a number of months ago, which ensured compliance with new legislation regarding the Right to Disconnect and Electronic Monitoring policies. Both of those were originally approved by the former CAO.
The Right to Disconnect Policy, Director of Human
Resources, Kristie Cronin explained, came about through the pandemic and the increase of employees working from home. Some found it difficult to find the start and end of the workday.
It includes for those required to be available outside business hours that in an emergency they are to be contacted by phone, so they do not have to routinely check their emails. There is also clarity that just because they receive an email outside of office hours, does not mean they have to respond.
The Electronics Monitoring of Employees Policy, she said, is about transparency that explains to employees why electronic monitoring is in place. “It doesn’t prohibit
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
us from electronically monitoring employees, and our policy is clear that it is really about trust for our employees. We don’t seek to monitor them electronically as a way of performance management. If it is going to be a targeted surveillance that needs to happen, it does require the approval of the Director of Human Resources and/or the CAO.”
The Work-Like Integration policy was originally piloted following the successful work from home experience created by the COVID-19 work from home requirements, the Report to County Council notes. It is acknowledged that not all employee positions lend themselves to having an opportunity to work from home. For those employee positions who can work from home periodically, however, this policy allows that opportunity and establishes the guidelines for doing that.
Discussions are
ongoing with the Senior Leadership Team about developing a pilot program applicable to unionized positions as well, where it is possible.
As it relates to nonunion, she said, the policy includes opportunities for employees to condense their hours or weeks, flexible start and end times, and remote work for up to two days a week.
It is anticipated that the implementation of these types of policies will assist with employee attraction and retention. There is a form employees can fill out to see if they are eligible for the program.
The pilot program, Cronin said, went over well. It is also a key tool in recruitment.
At the March 1, 2023 regular meeting, Kingsville Deputy Mayor
Kimberly DeYong, brought forward a Notice of Motion for discussion at the March 15 meeting, asking County Council to direct Administration to review the feasibility of a tree cutting and site alteration by-law pertaining to designated protected natural heritage features and land identified on the natural environment overlay in the Essex County Official Plan. And, to report back to County Council with recommendations.
DeYong said this came about after receiving a report from the Manager of Planning regarding Provincial Bill 23, “More Homes Built Faster Act.” She said there are additional concerns about the reduction in protection of existing natural heritage features. She wanted staff to report on possible options for County Council consideration.
Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt had some concerns, as the idea of a tree cutting
by-law was raised for the County in the ‘80s, and he recalls hundreds of acres of trees being cutdown as soon as it was raised, because people did not want to be told what to do with their property. He does not believe one was passed at the time.
He cautioned Council on that, based on what happened in the past.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said he would like to get input from residents on this, but did agree with Walstedt in being cautious on the matter.
DeYong said this is about protecting natural heritage. In addition, she said there were changes to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation Scoring Methodology and the Environmental Registry.
“If we are not prepared to react and do something, then we are just accepting, I think, that less natural heritage is our future,” she said.
~ Albert Einstein
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In the Report, it notes the total construction value for February 2023 - including all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments requiring a building permit – totaled $4,400,000. This is down 105.9 percent from the same month in 2022.
In addition, it notes the average home sale price in February in Wards 1 and 2 was $331,429, which was significantly lower than the $543,708 recorded in the same month in 2022. The average home sale price in February in Wards 3 and 4 was $473,333, which was also significantly lower than the $709,004 recorded in the same month in 2022.
Dillon Consulting appointed as engineer for Rush Drain reports
Council appointed Dillon Consulting Limited to provide for a drainage report to encompass additional unforeseen items encountered during the ongoing Rush Drain project.
In the Report to Council, it notes during the current Rush Drain project ongoing with Dillon Consulting Limited, multiple unforeseen items were encountered that need to be legalized as part of the drainage works for the Rush Drain. This additional appointment will serve to legalize those works through a report and ultimately a by-law, so they can be constructed, and costs recovered.
It adds Dillon Consulting Limited was appointed in 2018 to prepare a report for the relocation of the Rush Drain. In January 2021, a report was finalized, and construction commenced in August 2021. Several issues were identified after the completion of the report, including soil contamination of approximately 100m of the work area, hydro pole guy wire conflicts, snake exclusion fencing, and additional rear yard catch basins.
The Town of Essex has incurred around $912,000 in costs for the Rush Drain project. Additional costs will be
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down low, and he slid a pass across to Lucas O’Neil who one-timed it home to take the lead.
With five minutes left in the second, Isaiah Georges passed to Ty Thomas and he hit Derek Dunn in full stride so his hard wrist shot handcuffed the goalie to increase the lead. A minute later, Cook rifled the puck through the goalie to go up 3-0. Erie scored a goal late in the second and added a power-play marker to get within one.
The Essex Southpoint U13 A hockey team resumed its Bluewater Championship series against the Erie North Shore Storm this past weekend with the winner advancing to the OMHA Championships.
On Saturday afternoon, the ESP team hosted the Storm in Leamington and less than one-minute in, while on the power play, Kayden Cook and Owen Derksen played catch at the blue line until Derksen finally sent a wrist shot, high blocker to open the scoring.
Just two minutes into
the second period, Derek Dunn picked up the puck in his own zone and beat the goalie, low blocker, with his wrist shot. Erie scored shortly afterwards, but a minute after, Derksen kept the puck in at the line and sent it to Nathan Mariuz. He hit Tyler Thomas out front and he then buried it in the net to go back up by 2. With 6:38 remaining in the period, Ben Liebrock rifled a snapshot, low glove, to increase the lead. A minute later, Dunn stole the puck outside the line
and fired his shot top shelf.
With minutes left in the game, AJ Youssef grabbed the puck and slid a pass to Cook, who one-timed his slap shot past the tender. The Storm added a goal late with the final, making it a 6-2 victory for ESP. Trent Chevalier earned the win.
On Sunday, ESP travelled to Kingsville to face-off with Erie in game 4. With 1:35 left in the first period, Nash Fuerth stopped a clearing attempt at the line, fed AJ Youssef
With 5:15 remaining and a man-advantage, Liebrock passed to Cook and he wired his shot in to go back up by 2. Less than a minute later, Youssef fed Nash Fuerth, who shot on net and tipped in front by O’Neil, to increase the lead. Finally, with 39.9 remaining, Nathan Mariuz shot at the empty net to seal the 6-2 win and book ESP’s ticket to the OMHA tournament as the Bluewater League Champions. Chevalier again earned the win in net for his squad.
Essex filmmaker
Matthew Luppino is now a 31-time award-winning independent Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, and Cinematographer, thanks to an armful of recent awards earned for his biggest short film to date, titled “Fragments.”
He is not only celebrating the recent success of
“Fragments,” but also the launch of its official trailer on March 20.
The film – about life being a balance of holding on and letting go – has won eight awards to date.
The around 37-minutelong film is about Luppino, who is President of “Luppo Studios Productions Inc., reflecting on his past, where “he finds closure in
the small fragments of his life.”
It is based on real events.
“Sometimes the closure that you’ve been searching for all along, comes when you finally stop searching,” the film’s tagline highlights.
Previously, Luppino noted this feature deals with mental health, grief, heartbreak, letting go, selfdiscovery, self-help, and
self-recovery.
“‘Fragments’ is my whole heart on the screen. I spent three-years chasing perfection,” Luppino explained. “It was supposed to come out last September in 2022, but I postponed the release, because it wasn’t ready yet. After threeyears of rewrites – with 16 drafts of the screenplay, one full year of reshoots, and nearly two full years of post-production editing – ‘Fragments’ is finally ready to come out this September.”
The short film stars his wife, Laura Luppino, and himself.
“Fragments,” he said, “tells the story of grief, self-discovery, self-love, and closure. It is a beautiful adventure of grief, healing, and cathartic release. It pays homage to all 12 of my award-winning films in their own subtle ways. It mainly focuses on four of the most recent short films I have made: “True Colours,” “Love Drunk,” “Stardust,” and “H.O.P.E. (Hold. On. Pain. Ends).”
Two-years ago, Luppino created and released a ninepicture storyline titled, “The Road To Recovery,” which leads into his newest film. It includes music videos, a revised version of one of his 2018 short films titled, “Stardust,” which was remastered with a brand-new original score that local musician, Christian Vegh, created.
“Fragments” was shot in 2021 all around WindsorEssex and even into Chatham Kent, Erieau, and Point Pelee, while in the middle of all the restrictions of the pandemic.
“Laura helped create this film with me, assisting me on every step of the
process, from the constant rewrites and reshoots, to visual effects, even arts and crafts used in the film. We spent a long time working on the storyline, watching it thousands of times, rearranging scenes, studying the pacing, emotion and visual experience, making notes and researching along the way. There are thousands of edits of this project, and I am lucky enough to have finally found a version I am happy with,” Luppino said. “A lot of this film was shot entirely by myself. In front and behind the camera, I operated the lighting, camera, audio, direction, acting and set design. Although a lot of this film was made by myself, I couldn’t have made this film without the assistance and support of Laura Luppino, Stephen Goulet, and Jesse Miceli, who helped operate the camera and audio when needed.”
The making of this film was extremely unorthodox, Luppino noted. “It was a growth-through-it kind of
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“Sometimes the questions are
and the answers are simple.”
law. Everything that can go wrong, went wrong on this project; even things that were carefully planned. It was a massive learning curve, experimenting with new tricks in camera and in post-production. A lot of planning went into intertwining 10-years of references to all my other awardwinning short films to create this final masterpiece.”
The officially announced release date will be September 17th, 2023. It will be released on YouTube. The film’s official trailer can be viewed at: youtu.be/HhKWHtY65FU
Luppino is known for his award-winning short films “H.O.P.E. (Hold. On. Pain. Ends), “Love Drunk,” and “The Blink Of An Eye. He specializes in the Drama and Romance genres, but also likes to dabble into many projects, including song writing, rapping, poetry, and writing novels.
process, where I had to go through my own growing pains to uncover the storyline I was telling. I went through my own stages of grief during this process.
“Trying to make ‘Fragments’ was unlike any other film I have made in the past. It was truly Murphy’s
To learn more about Luppino and his works, log onto: www.youtube.com/@luppostudios or luppostudios. weebly.com/
To date, “Fragments” has won:
Best Drama Short - Global Film Festival Awards in Los Angeles; Best Drama Film in the Los Angeles Cinematography Awards (LACA); Best Drama in the Vegas Movie Awards; Best Cinematography in the Vegas Movie Awards; Best Drama Film in the New York International Film Awards; Best Romantic Short - Honorable Mention, in the IndieX Film Fest, in Los Angeles; Best Romantic Short - Bronze Award, in the Independent Shorts Awards, in Los Angeles; and Best Cinematography - Bronze Award, in the Independent Shorts Awards, in Los Angeles. “Fragments” is also an Official Selection: To the Red Movie Awards in France; In the Best Shorts Competition, in Los Angeles; In the Indie Short Fest, in Los Angeles; and In the Venice Shorts Film Festival, in Los Angeles.
submitted to EFP
Recently, the boys basketball team from Colchester North Public School concluded its season by qualifying for the District Tournament at St. Clair College. The boys prevailed in the semifinals with a convincing win against McWilliam Public School from
Windsor. Facing another Windsor school, James Dunn Public School in the finals, the team played a tremendous game, but came up short at the final buzzer. The team earned a District Silver Medal.
The Colts qualified for the Districts by winning the Pronger Tournament the week before in Essex.
“You cannot find peace by avoiding life.”
~ Michael CunninghamTough defense and a fast paced offense were the keys to success for the boys.
The team members practiced 4-5 times a week and spent many of their recesses in the gym, during the season. They demonstrated great improvement because of their hard work.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these boys. They hustled every game and practice. Hardest working team I have ever coached,” Coach Kevin Klassen stated.
WANTED
Farm Land to Rent Cash or Share Crop
Call Jeff Siefker (cell) 519-796-1240 or (home) 519-776-9501. 1-tfn
KENNETH YARDWORKS - Spring CleanUp. leaves, Trees, bushes, trimmed or removed. Sod, mulch, eavestrough cleaning and repairs, power washing. Loads to the dump. Fully licensed & insured. Free estimates. Call Kenneth: 519-982-0362. 1-tfn
107 Erie Street North, Leamington,
Looking for part time, energetic team player for a CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. Duties include answering phones, helping customers with purchases, scheduling appointments etc. Work for a family-owned business. Drop off, mail, or email your resume to us. firebox@forestgladefireplaces.com
MARTY’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS - Tune-ups, repairs, & service on snowblowers, riding lawn mowers, chainsaws, & more! 519-733-0986, (c) 519-965-5918. 1-tf
JOHN’S WOODWORKING - Repairs and refinishing of wood furniture. We are located in Essex serving Windsor/Essex area. Call/text 519-818-4480 or jjarps@ hotmail.com 49-tfn
INCOME TAX PREPARATION: Good rates on personal, rental, and business returns. E-file or paper file. Call Jeannette Grass (519) 890-9111. 8-10t*
FOR RENT - Briarwood Apts, 26 Alice N, Essex. 2 bdrm, $1480/mo+ hydro. (519)995-0341 or (519)776-4016. Available May 1. 09-3t
HELP WANTED: Greenhouse and Packing line Labour. General greenhouse labour, duties include pruning, picking, planting and cleaning of greenhouse. Packing line labour, duties include inspecting, weighing and packing produce on assembly line. Lifting, bending and standing is required. Must be able to work all shifts. Rural area. No public transportation available. No specific education required. Experience is an asset. Rate of pay- $15.50. To apply please email: Lindsay@policellafarms. com Or Mail to Domric International, PO Box 218, Ruthven ON N0P 2G0. 1-tfn
PART-TIME WEBSITE & VIDEO EDITING
- Assistant to the Artist- Work in house 2 days per week in Essex. Monday & Tuesday preferred. Must have basic experience with Word press, video editing, & Microsoft Word. Call Ron 519.776.5767 from 10am-5pm. 10-1tf
1782 Lakeshore Rd #219 South Woodlsee, Ontario N0R 1V0 (519)723-2622 martyunholzerauctions.com
Drop
Dates: April 7, 8, & 14 9AM-5PM and Apr 15, 9AM-12PM
Preview Dates: April 21 & 22 9AM-4PM
Online Auction Starts: April 17-12:00PM
Online Auction begins to close: April 27 - 5:00PM
Pickup Dates: April 28 & 29 9AM-5PM unless prior arrangements are made with Marty.
Location: Malden Valley Farms-Unholzer Farm 1596 South Middle Rd, South Woodslee, Ontario, N0R1V0 Register to bid: martyunholzerauctions.hibid.com
Check
our website and follow us on Facebook martyunholzerauctions.com
HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour. Experience necessary. Fax your resume to (519) 723-2336 or email to quinlaninc@ kelcom.igs.net 1-1tf
CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 1-tfn
SELLING YOUR GOLD SILVER JEWELRY
ALL COINS? –Please read!! I did not recently send a colored brochure to your home. Before you sell take the time to get a second opinion ( My offer is often double)- ** Locally Owned* 55Years of “SATISIFIED CUSTOMERS” Not Expensive Coloured brochures. FREE ESTIMATES NO OBLIGATION. Friday, March 31, K of C Hall 190 Richmond St Amherstburg. Sunday, April 2 Heritage Village 6155
ArnerTownline, Essex. PAYING TOP DOLLAR GOLD SILVER Jewelry + All COINS Canada USA World, FREE ESTIMATES, PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS
AVAILABLE– All windup pocket and wrist watches Old Paper Money,Stamp Collections House Calls also available Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed. 55 years Exp. 519818-1805. 09-2t
CASH PAID for antiques, costume jewellery, furniture, gold, sterling, coins, tools, complete estates. We take it all! Free appraisals. Call 519-727-8894. 1-tfn
WANTED - Large dog crate 4ft x 3ft. Dog Kennel (1 or 2) 6ft high, 10ftx10ft. Call: 519-984-5716. 10-1t
Buying or selling a farm? Do you know the right questions and answers? Farm
Experienced Realtor Carl Idzinski, Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty - Brokerage. 519-817-8891. 1-tt*
APARTMENT YARD SALE - 22 Victor, Essex. Wednesday - Sunday 9am4pm. Call to make an appointment to come in 519-961-9614. Electric Guitar & amp, 1800s Antique Couch & Chair, good shape, top of the line. New in box Jewelery Box, 4ft high. Jewelery, antique nik naks, scooter, handmade blanket. 10 -1t
PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) O most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the son of God, immaculate virgin, assist me in my necessity. O star of the sea, help me and show me that you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help in my necessity (Make your request). There are none that can withstand your power. “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.” (Three times). “Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands.” (Three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then publish it and it will be granted to you. With grateful thanks. D.D.
incurred for the preparation of another drainage report, however, completion of this extra report is necessary to finish the project and levy the costs for both drainage projects, the Report to Council notes.
Kimball Lumber fire hydrant extension agreement approved Council approved entering into an agreement with Lloyd Kimball Building Supplies Ltd, and approved a by-law to authorize the execution of a Municipal Agreement.
The Report to Council notes the agreement outlines the conditions for Kimball Building Supplies Ltd. to construct a 150mm watermain, connecting at County Road 23 for the sole purpose of fire protection.
The infrastructure will belong to Kimball Building Supplies, which includes the responsibility for the cost of installation and all future maintenance.
Though Kimball Building Supplies Ltd. is located in the Town of Kingsville, the Town of Kingsville does not
currently own infrastructure on Road 8 West to provide water infrastructure at this location. Kimball Building Supplies is currently serviced with domestic water from the Town of Essex, the Report to Council notes.
Water/Wastewater billing to be shifted to the Town Council directed administration to issue a letter of service discontinuance to the external billing provider, E.L.K. Energy Inc., effective October 1st, 2023 or the date of final migration for the water/wastewater billing.
Kate Giurissevich, Director of Corporate Service/ Treasurer, explained Council directed Town staff to investigate the option of bringing the current billing function for water and wastewater utility in house to be performed by Town staff.
This is currently handled by E.L.K. Energy Inc., as third party for the Town. The Town of Essex owns E.L.K.
“This direction was provided after an influx of complaints on the process of adding outstanding bills to tax accounts for collection, as well as the large amount of
Continued from Page 9
write-offs that Town administration noted from the years 2020 to 2022,” Giurissevich explained.
In the report, she said, it outlines over $100,000 in lost monies because of that.
This switch to performing this work in house, she said, will result in many efficiencies, both monetarily and nonmonetarily.
Potentially, one of the biggest factors to be considered, she said, is that residents would see an increased level of service. The Town will also note faster collection.
She said no rates will change as a result. Every fiveyears, the Town works with a consultant to develop a financial model. Residents, after year six, may realize a potential rate reduction based on the model presented.
This will require three new staff positions; however, the Town is paying the staffing costs to E.L.K. for this work. Bringing the work in house will relieve the Town from having to pay E.L.K. for completing the work.
Continued on Page 17
March 25th, 2023
Love Your bro’ Brian and Jen
In Loving Memory of
July 26, 1929 - March 20, 2014
We, your family, miss you in the house where you used to be. We wanted so much to keep you, but God willed it not to be. Now, you are in God’s keeping. You suffer no more pain. So, dear God, take care of her until we meet again.
~ Love, Don and Families
October 7, 1948 – March 26, 2022
You are loved so deeply missing you is an understatement. If only we had more time together. Best husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Sendingkissesandhugs,“EarthtoHeaven.”
BELLMORE, Aurel - With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Aurel on March 20, 2023 with his family by his side at 73 years of age. Son of late Aurel Sr. and Elda Bellmore. Son-in-law of the late Harold and Kathleen Newman. Dear husband of Kathryn (nee Newman) with whom he celebrated 51 years of marriage. Loving father of Michelle Bellmore-Knight (Jimi), Michael (Nikki), Jacqueline Bellmore-Kinney (Joe), and Janis Jaksa (Don). Treasured Pépé of Shane, AJ, Reese, Brynn, Kayia, Zoe, and Phoebe. Brother of JoAnne Beach (Doug), Jean Herdman (Richard), Madeleine Trepanier (Ernie), and Susan Brown (Brad). Brother-in-law of Patricia Wilson (Doug), Ruth Ann Purvis, and Don Newman (Bev). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Aurel was the owner of Bellmore Trucking and Merel’s Truck & Trailer Repair. He loved touring on his golf cart, living on the farm and gardening. Aurel was a loving husband, father and Pépé. Special thanks to Madeleine and Ernie; the VON, especially Vickie; the Hospice of Windsor & Essex County. Donations may be made to the VON and the Hospice of Windsor & Essex County. Private cremation arrangements under the care of the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North, Essex. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh. com
BEAUDOIN, Rita (nee Beneteau)Reunited with her beloved husband of 55 years, Neil (2006), March 17, 2023, at the age of 95. Loving mother of Beverly (Jack) Coleman, Douglas (Doreen) Beaudoin, Brian (Laura) Beaudoin, and Charles (Elizabeth) Beaudoin. Dear grandmother to Robert (Elisabeth), Victoria (Phil), Sarah (Shawn), Steven (Jaclyn), Lyndsay (Ryan), Kimberly (Sylvain), Kelly (Justin), Michael, Jessica (Jeff), Andrew (Chelsey), Mark, Melissa (Tim). Loving great grandmother of 16 great grandchildren. She was survived by her sister Dorothy (Albert) Simone.
Rita wasn’t just an amazing Mom, she was an amazing homemaker. She raised four children, helped with the family farm and picked the milk weeds or whatever else needed tending to, she looked after the cooking, cleaning and all of the other home duties, but still found the time to make her famous home-made apple pies, chicken & dumplings, and donuts. All of those wonderful qualities that made her an amazing Mom, are also some of the qualities that made her the perfect wife for her late husband Neil. Neil and Rita had such a strong love. The kind of love that made them want to spend all their free time together. Friday nights, bowling together and Saturday nights were out dancing together. They shared a love for music. Traveling was another passion they shared. They regularly were off to Florida two months of the year, and been just about everyehere; Hawaii, the east and west coast, Montanna, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, Nashville, etc. They also enjoyed bus tours. They were a perfect match. A great team. Having a competitive edge about her, Rita enjoyed playing Euchre at the K of C in River Canard, and was up for a good game of BINGO from time to time. She will be dearly missed by many relatives and friends.
Friends were received at the JAMES H. SUTTON FUNERAL HOME, 401 Sandwich St. S., Amherstburg (519-736-2134), Tuesday, March 21, 2023 with Parish Prayers at 4:30p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at St. Clement Church, 9567 County Rd 11, McGregor. Interment to follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery. In kindness, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Share a memory or sign the Book of Condolence at www jhsuttonfuneral.ca
July 8,1930 - February 4, 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Leo, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather on February 4, 2023 at the age of 92 years. Loving husband of Rosina (Rose) Louise (Nee Mayea), for 69 years. The son of the late Francois (Frank) Baillargeon of Sandwich South and Louise (Janisse) of Maidstone. Most precious father of Gregory (Cindy Knight), Morgan, Annette Shuttleworth (late Tom 2002), and Mary-Anne. Much loved grandfather of Kim, Melanie (Jim), Jesse, Jolene, Melissa (Jay), Megan (Tim), and David. Cherished great-grandfather of Emilie, Abby, Tristan, Nathan, Owen, and Alex. Beloved brother of the late Lucien (late Florence), the late Jean-Marie (John), the late Adrien, and Leo’s late twin-sister Leora. Son-inlaw of the late Arthur Mayea and the late Louise (Nee Morand). Survived by his sister-in-laws: Yvonne Hergott (Nee Mayea), Shirley Baillargeon and Mary-Dee MacPherson. Brother-in-law of the late Arthur Mayea (Junior), the late Robert Hergott, the late Elenor, and the late Sylvia. Dear father-in-law of the late May (Nee Matthys). Dear uncle of many nieces and nephews.
We wish to thank Fr. Patrick Beneteau from Ste. Anne’s Parish Church, as well as Leon Janisse from Windsor Chapel Funeral Home (Banwell Location).
DAHL, J eannette (nee Daniher) - Passed away peacefully at Iler Lodge on March 19, 2023, at 80 years of age. Dear wife of 57 years to Richard Dahl. Loving mother of Sherri Dahl-Kirwin (Pat) and Shelly Crep (Joe). Cherished grandma of Patrick, Rebecca, Chloe, and Chelsea. Predeceased by her siblings Pat Daniher (Lily) and late Carl Daniher (Louise). Sister-in-law of Mary, Cecile, Theresa, Eugene, late Steve, and Paul. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Jeannette retired from the Woodslee Credit Union after many years of service. She was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Jeannette was a devoted mother and grandmother, and she will live on in our hearts and memories forever. A very special thanks to the staff on Margaret Brown House at Iler Lodge for all the amazing care over the years. A private family prayer service will take place at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North, Essex. Cremation will follow. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Windsor Essex. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com
ALEXANDER, Thomas Gerald
May 22, 1962 - March 16, 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Thomas on March 16, 2023. Beloved Son of the late Thomas and Kathleen Alexander (O’Connor) (1970 & 1967). Predeceased by his Grandparents Joseph and Olive Alexander (Priddle) (William Wagner) and Gerald and Sarah O’Connor (Shanahan) . Thomas is survived by his sister Tammy Alexander, his nephew Justin Alexander (Danielle Cloutier) and his great nephews Seth and Lincoln. Thomas will be sadly missed by all of his aunts and uncles, cousins and his friends. Thomas held a deep passion and such fascination for outer space and the entire universe that surrounds us all. His knowledge was endless and there was nothing he would enjoy more than to sit down with a couple of beers, tell you all about the planets and the stars and then follow that up with an interesting discussion of NASA’s latest mission. His love of this was truly at the core of his very being and he carried that with him until his final days. Thomas was also a lifelong, and very dedicated Trekkie - so much so that we can’t help but think that in his final moments, with such wonder and awe in his eyes, he might very well have said “Beam me up Scotty” and very happily went in search of his very own final frontier.
We would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Huron Lodge 3rd floor Magnolia. We are so in awe and have so much gratitude for all the love, respect and the truly exceptional care and compassion you showed to Thomas and his family during his 3 year stay. It will never be forgotten. A private family interment of Thomas’s ashes will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery with Father Mike Parent officiating a graveside service. Full details have not yet been finalized.
“Maybe we weren’t meant for paradise. Maybe we were meant to fight, to claw our way up and to scratch for every single inch along the way” - Captain James T. Kirk
“80 years and you’re still in tune”
submitted by Carolyn Barnett
Join us for Family Worship at 10:30a.m. Sunday, March 26th as Major Jim Hann’s Lenten Series sermons conclude with the topic, “You, Follow Me.” We have an elevator for those who may need it. You will receive a warm welcome from our church family.
Major Judy Hann will craft with us at SA Connections on Tuesday, March 28th. Join us between 10am - 1pm for a time of fellowship, fun, and lunch. Bible Study follows at 1pm. Major Jim Hann will lead an interesting and informative discussion on the book of 1John.
The last Ministerial Association Lenten Service will be held at noon on Wednesday, March 29th at Cottam United Church. Paul Rodey will lead the service, which is followed by a light lunch.
Friday, April 7th is our Good Friday Service. We invite you to join us at 10:30a.m.
Our Food Bank number is 519-776-4628. If you are considering making a donation of non perishable goods, we are always in need of canned chicken, tuna, ham and fruit. We will gratefully accept your donations Tues., Wed., and Fri. between 9 - 2.
submitted by Sandra Lypps
Join us for Sunday service each week at 11am. All are welcome to join us!
If you are cleaning out closets, please keep our Clothes Cupboard in mind. We are always accepting gently used clothing to give to those in need.
For more information about what is happening at St Paul’s, please see our website (www.stpaulsessex.ca)) and social media. Messages are checked regularly at the church office, you can reach us there at 519-776-7711 .
Please join us for Sunday services at 9:45 am with Rev. Hilton Gomes.
Thank you to Colleen Sylvester for talking to us about wills and POA’s. It was an interesting and educational talk.
If you would like to donate flowers in memory of a loved one, please contact Kay.
We are all invited to gather at Trinity on March 30th at 5:30pm to make Palm Sunday crosses. St. Stephens and Redeemer parishioners wil join us. Soup, coffee, and dessert will be served.
It’s back! The ‘Sit Down Smorasbord’ will take place on Saturday, April 29th, 4-6pm.Details to follow. Come and join our growing family.
Our service begins at 10am Sunday mornings, and all are invited to hear Rev. Paul Rodey’s message. Please join us as we enter the Lenten Season. We enjoy coffee hour in the hall after the service. All are welcome. We will celebrate Communion on Sunday, March 26. Choir practice has begun, and is held at 9am prior to the service to practice an anthem for Easter. All are welcome.
Rev. Paul will be the guest speaker at the noonhour Lenten service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Wednesday, March 29. A light lunch will follow all services, free will offering gratefully accepted.
The secretary can be reached on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm at: (519) 723-2284 and our email is bethelmaidstone@gmail.com. We are located at 933 Talbot Road, Maidstone, near the corner of Manning Road and Talbot. www.bethelmaidstone.com
Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes
Essex, Maidstone, McGregor, and Woodslee
Solidarity Sunday is this coming Sunday. Please give generously to Development and Peace.
All day confessions is on Wednesday, March 29 from 10am-8pm at Holy Name of Jesus Church. Monthly Sunday evening Mass is on March 26th at 6 pm at Holy Name of Jesus Church.
St. Vincent de Paul is having a Lenten food drive at each church. Please donate non perishable can goods. Please remove all winter decorations from your loved one’s grave at each of our Family of Parishes cemeteries by the end of March.
St. Mary’s Lenten Euchre card party results are: 1stDiana Denis, 2nd - George Diesbourg, 3rd - Ron Johns, 4th - Rick Dominato, and consolation, Pam McGuire. Come out every Sunday during Lent to play cards at 7pm.
Family of Parishes refugee project, Hope for Maryam, is asking for contributions. Donations can be dropped off in the collection basket. Cheques are payable to Sisters of Holy Names and include Hope for Refugees on the memo line.
For up to date news, please visit our website: centralessexcatholic.dol or social media.
Woodslee United Church
Join us for Sunday Service and Sunday School at 10:45am. Rev. Carl will lead the Service. Video of the service and bulletins are on our website: woodsleepastoralcharge.ca
Join us for coffee and conversation every Thursday at 10am. Enjoy Playing Cards? Join us every Monday at 1pm for Euchre, and every Wednesday at 1pm for Pepper.
St. Stephen’s and Church of the Redeemer
Service times for Church of the Redeemer and St. Stephen’s are 8:30a.m. and 11:15a.m. respectively. It will be the last Sunday in Lent before Palm Sunday. Welcome to all who would like to join us as we praise God.
On March 30th, we will make of palm crosses at Trinity, Cottam, beginning with a light soup supper at 5:30p.m. It is not necessary to know anything about making palm crosses to come and have fun.
On Friday, March 31st we will host our Euchre night
at St. Stephen’s at 7:00p.m. Again, it is not necessary to know how to play the game to have an enjoyable evening.
This week at our Pepper games, we had Evelyn in first place, Cathy in second place & Judy K in third place. We also had Lou-Anne Mailloux and Marcell Mailloux with the high scores. The players with the lowest scores were Cathy Dewhurst, Peter Starzacher, and Kevin Edwards. Dianna Dennis & Gerogette had the most peppers. Come in for a tour and see all the fun things that we do at the Essex Reitree’s Social Club. We have something for everyone.
by Beverley Van Huizen
You are invite you to join us each Sunday at 10am in person or online, at www.essexcrc.ca. Or you may join us online each Sunday morning beginning at 10am. Nursery supervision provided.
All are welcome to a special Prayer Path for Lent at the church in the front yard. Simply go through the prayer guide at each bench and reflect, take your time with the questions, and look forward to Jesus who went to the cross.
Come be part of the community, our Take-a-book Leave-a-book library is now in front of Essex CRC church. GEMS and Cadets meet on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00pm. This is a great club for girls and boys from Grade 1-8, where we participate in bible studies, crafts and games. All are welcome to attend.
“Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.”
~ Arthur SchopenhauerMAR. 25 - ROAST BEEF DINNER - Trinity United Church, New California, 1005 Road 2 W., Kingsville, 4-7pm. Take-out only. For info & to order: 519-733-2020. Order by March 21.
MAR. 28 - BELLE RIVER BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - At St Simon & St Jude Parish Hall, 267 Meunier Street. To book an appointment, visit: blood.ca or call: 1-888-236-6283.
APR 1 & 2 - EASTER BAZAAR - at Maidstone Bicentennial Museum, 1093 Puce Road from 10-4. Pussy Willow Sale, Meet the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg hunt, exhibits & more!
APRIL 8 - ESSEX GOSPEL’S 20TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY EGG HUNT - at Essex Sports Complex Soccer Fields. For infants to children in Gr. 6. At 11am. Free admission!
APRIL 12 - ESSEX BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - Essex Centre Sports Complex - 160 Fairview Ave W., Essex. Visit online at: blood.ca or call: 1-888-236-6283.
APRIL 29 - WETRA’S BLUE JEAN BASH - at WETRA: 3323 North Malden Rd., Essex. 5pm - Midnight - Dinner, dancing, entertainment, etc. For all info: www.wetra.ca
MAY 6 - DETROIT RIVER WALLEYE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT - from the LaSalle Firefighters Assoc. For all info & to register, visit: www.detroitwalleyeclassic.com
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.
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Instead, the Town will use that contractor payment to pay the staff wages to complete the work in house.
“Even on an annual basis with the new staff, the savings would equate to $100,000, approximately,” Giurissevich said.
This will also ensure Town standards are met in terms of this service.
Shifting the service, she added, will ensure any savings in the water/wastewater division is realized through water rates, not E.L.K.
Residents getting hydro from E.L.K. will get two separate bills as a result of the change, one for hydro and another for the water utility. This will allow the Town to provide more information and data to residents on their bills. In addition, billing timelines remain the same. It can be looked at after the transition.
A large amount of notice will happen for residents before the switch, Giurissevich said. There is a goal date of October 1, but that will be evaluated along the way. The goal is to have as minimal of an impact to residents as possible.
Per diem for drainage and adjustment passed, Attainable Housing Task force to be created Council amended the per diem rate for the members of the Committee of Adjustment and the Drainage Board members as of April 1. The rate will be increased to $125 per meeting.
Council also approved the creation of an Attainable
Housing Task Force, under the direction of Planning Services, to meet on an as-needed basis as determined. The Terms of Reference will be established by the Planning Services Division.
In addition, Council provisionally adopted amendments to the Procedural By-Law to permit certain boards and committees to conduct hybrid meetings and livestream meetings.
Acting Clerk, Shelley Brown, said the Town has limited meeting space to support livestreaming and that could subject volunteers to public scrutiny. It was recommended only the Committee of Adjustment be livestreamed when and where feasible.
It was also recommended the Festival, ACT, Municipal Heritage, Accessibility Advisory, and the Essex Centre BIA be permitted to conduct hybrid meetings. With that, the Chairperson must be present, a member can participate through hybrid meetings no more than three times a year, they are accounted towards quorum, and the members participating electronically cannot exceed quorum.
The Procedural By-Law was also amended to include that the Land Acknowledgement be read at all committee meetings.
NoM: report to come on safety measures for South Talbot/Victoria intersection
At the February 21 Council meeting, Councillor Garon put forward a Notice of Motion for Council
to consider Monday evening, that Council direct Administration to provide a report on safety measures for the corner of South Talbot Road and Victoria Avenue, which may include lighting and adding a fourway stop.
He said this stems from complaints brought to him and other Councillors from residents. Concerns brought to him includes lack of signage, speeding into and out of the town centre, and lack of lighting.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais would like the number of youths who will use this area to access the developing sports field on the southside of Highway 3 considered in this study.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley wondered if the 50km/ hr speed limit should be extended.
It was noted the Victoria Avenue works planned as part of the Essex Centre Streetscape project stops short of this intersection.
Council passed Garon’s motion.
celebrates Jersey Day with special guest
In 1957, Bill Barrick saw an Oshawa-built 1926 McLaughlin-Buick sedan for sale at a gas station in Toronto, bought it, and began driving it. By standing on the running board for his photo, he gives us a good look at the front of his car.
Those headlights look original but not as effective as sealed beams, which arrived industry-wide around 1940. When Bill drove at night, he had to be extra cautious. And when his car was new, flat tires were an everyday (and every night) occurrence because the roads in 1926 were still littered with horseshoe nails.
Bill’s car had spoke wheels made of wood. These spokes were varnished at the factory to protect them from drying out. But as the years rolled by, the varnish would wear off and the spokes would start to dry out.
When this happened, they would start to shrink and the driver would notice a vibration as the wheels began to wobble.
A cheap remedy was to park your car in a shallow stream for a couple of hours, giving the wooden spokes a chance to absorb some water and swell up, making them as good as new again! And if the car was dirty, that was a good time to wash it.
I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ sympatico.ca
Submitted to EFP
On Tuesday, March 14th, the Essex 73’s were on hand to help the Story Book Early Learning Centre’s Kindergarten room celebrate the special “JERSEY DAY”. This was just one of the many fun “themed” days that the center had planned for March Break. Pictured above is Liam Hall (#24), who made a guest appearance in the kindergarten room to read stories and answer the many, many questions (about hockey & other things) from this curious crew!
who they will face in round two of the Stobbs Division playoffs.
After that long wait, the 73’s now know they will face the Mooretown Flags in round two, which upset the fourth seeded Blenheim Blades in six games. That series concluded on Saturday, March 18.
In the season series, the 73’s held a 6-0 record over the Flags, out scoring them 31-10 in the process.
Entering this series, the 73’s roster features depth with 14 skaters having atleast four points in the four game series. Leading the way offensively for the 73’s is Luke Sherk and Austin Guevremont, who have nine points each. While between the pipes, Adrian McBride holds a .939 save percentage and a 1.04 goals against average.
appeared in all six games, also carrying a .939 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average. Offensively, the Flags will lean on graduating forwards, Logan Gardner and Brody Genyn, who have combined for 20 points in six games.
by Garrett FodorAfter more than a week of waiting for other first-round playoff matchups to
conclude, following their quick sweep of the Wallaceburg Thunderhawks, the athletes with the Essex 73’s now know
While at the other end of the ice, Mooretown will lean on rookie goaltender, John Chartrand, who has
The series will begin in Essex on Tuesday, March 21, before shifting to Mooretown on Wednesday. Play will then return to Essex on Saturday, March 25, for game three.
The Leamington Flyers is one win away from the Western Conference Finals, after earning a pair of wins over the LaSalle Vipers last weekend.
Leamington went into the Vollmer Recreation
Complex on Saturday night and turned a three goal third period into a 5-2 victory. The Flyers then returned home to the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre on Sunday to earn a resounding 6-1 win, taking a 3-0 series lead.
The Flyers scored in each period on Sunday night, leading 2-0 after the first and 3-0 after the second, before two powerplay markers opened the third.
The third period has been key for the Flyers
in this series, having outscored LaSalle 9-3 in the final frame so far in this series. The powerplay has also been clicking for Leamington, posting a 38.4% success rate so far in the series.
Ryan MacPherson has been dominant in the series for Leamington so far with four goals and three assists, while Koen Taves has five helpers. William Van Sumeren and Owen Holmes each have three goals for Leamington.
Leamington will head back to LaSalle for game four of the series on Wednesday night and, if necessary, game five will be back at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre on Thursday, March 23 at 7:10pm.
When Brooke Campbell looks back on her freshman year at the University of Connecticut, the 18-yearold Essex native has a lot to be proud of.
After moving away from home for the first time this year, Campbell was quick to make an impact in the Huskies’ lineup upon settling into her dorm, classes, and new team. The two-way forward quickly went to work, both defensively and offensively— and once she scored her first goal, everything sort of
fell into place.
“Coming in as a freshman, and being the youngest person on the team, you really never know how it’s going to go,” Campbell described.
“Getting my first goal was sort of like a monkey off my back, but my coaches and teammates were so supportive of me. Once I got my first goal, I started to build my own confidence. Things got switched around a bit, and the coaches began to provide me more opportunities, even getting power play and penalty kill chances.
It meant a lot that the coaches trusted me.”
Campbell would go on to tally eight goals and add five assists across the team’s 35 games this season, onroute to finishing sixth in team scoring and third in team goals. Her performance earned her a spot on The Women’s Hockey Commissioners Association’s 2023 Rookie of the Year watchlist. On the list, she was one of 28 freshmen to be recognized from across all conferences.
“While I didn’t win, just to be nominated
among so many of the other great nominees is huge,” Campbell said. “I would not have been able to have the season I did without my family, the coaches, and teammates supporting me from home and everywhere. There were so many talented nominees and rookies across all of the conferences. But it’s a team game and that’s what I am thinking of and trying to improve for next year.”
As a team, the Huskies finished fifth in the Hockey East during the regular season, before
bowing out in the quarterfinals to Boston College.
Campbell also made her way into the history books for the Huskies. The 18-year-old scored the first goal in the school’s brand new Toscano Family Ice Forum in January.
Looking ahead, Campbell is eager to
continue to grow and put in the work during her first off-season as she heads into her sophomore season. She hopes to continue to play with the same energy she did last year and is eager to contend for a Hockey East Championship next season.
submitted to EFP
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Warns Community of Rising Cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in the Region
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is urging individuals to keep themselves up to date with the pertussis vaccine after a recent dramatic rise of cases in the region.
Since November 1, 2022, the WECHU has received reports of 18 cases of pertussis in our area. Cases have predominately been clustered in the Leamington and Kingsville communities, and exclusively in children who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. It is highly contagious and is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of pertussis start with a runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, mild cough, and mild fever.
Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting Medical Officer of Health says, “Some people develop a severe cough that has the characteristic high-pitched whoop. The cough can be so severe as to result in vomiting.” Untreated pertussis in infants, young children, and the elderly can lead to complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, brain damage, hospitalization, and death.
The WECHU advises parents and guardians to be alert to symptoms of the illness which is particularly dangerous in children under the age of one. As a result of the recent increase in cases, the WECHU recommends that healthcare providers consider whooping cough as a possible cause when evaluating patients with respiratory symptoms. Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics.
The WECHU strongly encourages anyone who is not immunized for pertussis to speak to their healthcare provider about vaccination.
For more information on pertussis, visit wechu. org.