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Vol. 141
A LOOK INSIDE
The road to Tokyo 2021: Five years in the making
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Issue No. 17
- 28-year-old Cottam Native, Kelsey Balkwill, looking to make Canadian Olympic track team
by Garrett Fodor Kelsey Balkwill’s message to aspiring athletes is simple: Kingsville Council approves “Do it because you love it,” and site plan application for the everything else will follow. It construction the new k-12 is the same saying by which the 28-year-old Cottam native lives. school As the 400-metre hurdler PAGE 8 prepares to qualify and earn a spot _______________ on the Canadian Olympic team, she reflects on ups and downs, SPRING NEST she has been through. Balkwill Home improvement recalls she was first introduced to PAGES 11 - 14 track when she was a grade seven _______________ student at Gosfield North Public School. Council passes by-law Looking back onto her career to designate Colchester thus far, she recognizes the support Schoolhouse system she had when she was first introduced into the sport. She PAGE 15 _______________ credits her former Gosfield North Four new rules adopted Public School Vice Principal and into the Municipal Election teacher, Frank Mazzara, and her long-time neighbour, Izzy Oozer, Proxy Procedures Policy for showing her the fun in it, so early. The following year, in PAGE 17 grade eight, Balkwill continued ________________ to progress in track. She joined & MORE... the summer track program before she began her secondary studies at Essex District High School. “Frank was the first person to Looking For A Good really show me and tell me how Home I was talented and that I could do this more and really got me to love track,” Balkwill recalled. “I was this scrawny, little straggly long-legged kid running around, having so much fun having no pressure of if I win this race, or “JOJO” if I don’t, or if I run this time or See Page 5 for adoption info. anything like that. It was just pure.
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Photos courtesy of Athletics Canada: Balkwill runs during the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships, held in Birmingham, England. The 400-metre runner place 19th in that competition. She is optimistic heading into the summer as she trains at LSU in Louisiana.
I love going out here and running, whether I run fast or slow, it has no impact on my love for track. I love what I’m doing.” Balkwill said her love of track kept bringing her back to the sport. Like many growing up, she had times where she quit and took a break to focus on other activities, including basketball. It was not until grade 12 did Balkwill really began to fall back in love with track and began to solely focus on the sport again. After returning to track full-
time, Balkwill received a full-ride scholarship offer to the University of Miami in 2011. Being a hurdler with a chance to race more competitively, she jumped at the opportunity. After four-years, in 2015, she graduated the program. Since graduating, Balkwill has used her experience, and the advice she has received throughout the years, to encourage the next generation of athletes. Since 2013, Balkwill has served as a coach at Border City Athletics Club. Since 2019,
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she has been a powerlifting coach at Elite Training Systems (ETS) Windsor, where she works with this region’s next generation of elite talent, along with local NHL players. While coaching, she worked to get her Masters in Sport Physiology at the University of Windsor, which she obtained in 2020. “I think that there’s a lot of stigma around females in the
Continued on Page 2
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Essex Town Council notes May 3, 2021 PAGE 3 ______________
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ESSEX
2 I Community Essex Free Press
The road to Tokyo 2021: Five years in the making...
Emergency Preparedness Week 2021 that residents keep a disaster preparedness kit in their home with enough supplies to meet their needs. Residents should keep hazards, such as flooding and tornadoes, in mind as they prepare their Emergency Plan, which outlines what actions they will take in the event of an emergency. “Recognizing local risks is the first step towards being prepared,” Chief Arnel added. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for the Town’s new Emergency Alert System at www.essex.ca/alerts. The Town will conduct a test of the system during Emergency Preparedness Week. For more on emergency preparedness, please visit: getprepared.gc.ca.
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weight room, but then they see me lifting or coaching and they see what they can do,” Balkwill said. “I think that being a female, it gives girls just another outlet where they can ask questions, they can feel comfortable speaking about a wide-range of topics, and it may be a little bit more awkward for them if it was a male coach.” Balkwill said in the last few years, the University of Windsor and ETS have helped put Windsor-Essex on the map for developing athletes and allowing high-level athletes a spot to train. She is excited to see the potential for the next generations to come out of the region. While she knows her on-track career cannot last forever, she admits she is more excited to see her young athletes’ success and their stories. “I think that everyone always wants to see a role model, they always want to see someone like
maybe I can do that, too,” Balkwill said. “I’m from Cottam and still live there. I went to Gosfield North and EDHS and I managed to get an NCAA Division I scholarship. To many, that seems like a reach, but if I can do it, maybe they can, too. I’m very open with my experiences, running fast, running slow, my injuries. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows and I’ve struggled immensely too, but if you have a goal, you’ll reach it and its all progress.” While the last 14-months have been anything but ordinary for anyone, Balkwill said she has her sights set on her goal as well. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Balkwill and her coach, Kurt Downes, have had to adapt their training. In the beginning of the pandemic, she noted that with shutdowns, they had rented out the upper portion of Sears, put track down, and she ran there. Like many athletes,
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Balkwill is in her final stages of training ahead of the Olympic Trials in June. Balkwill has been training in the US for the last month, with access to tracks, warm climate, and races that she believes will help her. Whether she makes the team or not, Balkwill admits the constants in her life will be her love for track and the support system she has, which has helped her get to where she is today. She credits her late Gosfield North Public School Coach, Mazzara, for introducing her to track, and even calling and watching meets when she was in school. She also credits her family for always supporting her and allowing her to follow her dreams. Balkwill is also thankful for Downes, for his support and coaching, and Joey Garland, for helping create ETS and giving athletes a supportive environment.
submitted to EFP Sunday, May 2 marked the beginning of Emergency Preparedness Week. The annual information campaign asks residents to review and improve on their ability to prepare for an emergency. “Early on in the pandemic, many of our residents were reminded of the need to think ahead and be prepared for any situation or emergency,” Essex Fire and Rescue Services Chief, Rick Arnel, said. “Even once we move beyond this crisis, the need to be prepared will continue, and this week serves as an important reminder of the steps all of us need to take in order to handle the “Whenever we give up, leave behind, and forget worst case scenario.” too much, there is always the danger that the If an emergency things we have neglected will return with happens in the community, added force.” it may take emergency ~ Carl Jung workers some time to reach residents, so they should be prepared to take care of themselves and their family for at least 72 hours. Essex Fire & Rescue Services recommends
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Essex Free Press
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- Monday, May 3, 2021 INSIDE THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL NOTES... • Council approved recommendation to cancel 2021 Fun Fest • RFP for Remove and Replace of surface for Colchester Park Playset awarded • Administration to prepare a report on fill issues... & MORE Doelen and Bowman were opposed. Council learns of COVID-19 financial impact Council received the Report, “COVID-19 Financial Impact at December 31, 2020,” which noted the extraordinary nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to impact the TOWN. Administration will continue to monitor the COVID-19 environment and the impacts. The Report to Council, which Manager of Finance and Business Services,
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Councillor Morley Bowman, did not support the motion. He said the value of the utility is what someone would pay to own it, if it were for sale. Council is provided an audited financial statement. He said that should be good enough. Mayor Larry Snively and Councillor Chris Vander Doelen agreed with Councillor Bowman. Vander Doelen voiced concern there was a “hidden agenda” as to why some want the valuation completed. Councillor Sherry Bondy, however, was in favour of sending the request. She said no one can answer what the Townowned utility is valued at. As Essex has owned the utility for ten-years, she said it would be nice to identify its value. As the Harrow area often experiences hydroflickers, which could be Hydro One issues, she said the Town should do its due diligence in regards to what it owns. If the motion is not moved forward, she said residents could get suspicious as to why. In a recorded vote, Councillors Bondy, Kim Verbeek, Steve Bjorkman, Joe Garon, and Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche supported the motion. Mayor Larry Snively and Councillors Vander
STEPPING OUT
by Sylene Argent Split vote leads Council to request ELK Board fund a valuation report Council will send a request to the Board of Directors of ELK Energy Incorporated to obtain and fund a valuation of the local utility. In the Report to Council, it notes in 2009, the Town of Essex became the sole shareholder of ELK, when it bought the shareholder interests of its former municipal partners, Lakeshore and Kingsville. ELK operates independently from the Town of Essex, with the municipality’s role in comparison with the operations of ELK limited to that of a shareholder of a corporation. “This means that all operations of ELK are overseen not by its shareholder, but by its appointed Board of Directors, and further the day-to-day operations/ management are carried out by the officers of the Corporation, hired by the Board,” the Report, which Essex CAO Chris Nepszy submitted, states. He added that members of Essex Council, who are appointed to the ELK Board, may have a duty to act in the best interests of the ELK Corporation when serving on the Board. On July 8 of 2020, Council directed Administration to investigate obtaining a valuation of ELK to determine the current worth. A business valuation may include an analysis of the company’s management, its capital structure, its future earnings prospects, or the market value of its assets, the Report to Council notes. In a preliminary investigation, the cost of a valuation would be in the range of $20,000.
Kate Giurissevich, prepared, notes measures were introduced throughout the onset of the pandemic to ensure the health and safety of staff and residents, in addition to attempting to provide economic relief where possible. The total impact to revenue for period ending December 31, 2020 versus period ending December 31, 2019 is a decrease in revenue of $2,204,764. The largest decrease is realized in the Community Services Department, which had a 50 percent Continued on Page 6
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4 I Opinion Essex Free Press
Editorial &Opinion
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Howling at the Moon ••• Comment by Sylene Argent ••• McGregor deserves a plan
Serving Essex and the surrounding communities since 1896.
Published Thursdays as an independent weekly newspaper, owned and operated by The Essex Voice Limited. A London Publishing Corporation Publication LIMITED OFFICE HOURS: Limited staff working from the office. Email or Call with submission inquiries. OUR STAFF Sandy Kennedy / Andrew Beaudoin - Office Jessica Azar - Graphic Design / Social Media / Production Lana Warwick - Graphic Design Greg Belchuk - Advertising Sales Manager Sylene Argent - Editor/News Reporter Shelley Beaudoin - Graphic Design / Production
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I have always been a fan of doing what is fair. So, when Councillor Kim Verbeek requested Council consider directing administration to create a Secondary Plan for the small hamlet, I thought it was a great idea. I was glad to see the rest of Council, after discussion on the matter, supported that consideration be given to thoroughly reviewing the long-term needs of the McGregor Secondary Settlement Area in consultation with residents and the Town of Amherstburg to outline needs and how those needs can be met in the future. It was explained in the meeting, this avenue would give more flexibility to the issue for McGregor. This will take place in the near future, when the Town’s Official Plan gets its five-year review. Secondary Plans are supplementary to the Town’s Official Plan, and to date one has been created for all four wards, with the exception of McGregor.
What makes it tricky to complete a plan for McGregor, is that all homes and businesses on the west side of Walker Road are actually located in Amherstburg. And everything on the east side is in Essex. So, I can understand why there could be an extra couple of steps in getting something completed for these residents. Amherstburg and Essex combine efforts for McGregor, like on maintaining Co-An Park with a committee, so I thought it was a great idea to involve the Town of Amherstburg in creating such a plan. McGregor is a beautiful area. It has a community centre/library, a parkette, and Co-An Park, which is honestly such a gem to be housed within this municipality. There are tennis courts located at the facility, in addition to a pavilion, concession, and a multitude of soccer pitches and baseball diamonds. For some time now, a splashpad as been added to each Ward within the
Municipality of Essex, yet McGregor still does not have one. Adding equipment is costly. There are not only capital costs to purchase and install, but also possible additional hours ofstaffing to maintain the structures that need to be considered. But, I think our little hamlet has waited long enough for its splashpad, and perhaps to be heard on other needs the community would like or need. McGregor is growing, and we need to keep track of the needs of the residents who live there. Garnering public feedback can be difficult during a pandemic, as people really aren’t hosting events, but I think we could find a way to engage the community, socially distanced, to determine what are McGregor’s shortterm and long-term needs and goals. The time is long overdue to simply do what is fair.
OPINION & COMMENT The opinions expressed on these pages are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher.
LETTER POLICY The Essex Free Press welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to our readers. Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten and present the issues as clearly as possible in 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, and legal considerations. All letters must contain the name, address, and daytime phone number of the writer for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. If you have a legitimate concern and cannot sign your name to a letter, please contact the editor to discuss alternative means of handling the issue.
ADVERTISING Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of an error, the portion of the ad occupied by the error, will not be charged for, but the balance will be paid at the usual rate. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check an ad on first publication, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors in multiple insertions. The Essex Free Press reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement likely to offend community standards. Display Advertising Deadline: Friday at 2:00 pm
COPYRIGHT The entire contents of The Essex Free Press and its website, including but not limited to layout composition, artwork, news copy, editorial copy and photographs, are protected by copyright. No portion there of is to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the specific permission of the publisher.
Commentary - OFA
OFA highlights trespassing on farm property as ongoing issue for Ontario farmers by Mark Reusser, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Trespassing on farm property continues to be an ongoing concern for many of our farmers across the province. As the warm weather arrives, farmers often deal with an increased number of off-road vehicles and rural trail hikers roaming the countryside. With nearly 20,000 kilometres of trails in Ontario attracting thousands of visitors every year, it’s vital that trail users respect the rights of Ontario farmers and their land. What many individuals fail to realize is that our farms are also our homes. They’re where we raise our families, spend our time and make our living. Acts of trespass pose a serious threat to our families, employees, the integrity of our land and the health of our livestock. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is reminding all Ontario farmers to be aware of growing threats and to take precautions to prevent or mitigate the consequences of trespass that threaten regular farm activities, our family and employees’ sense of security and our livestock’s well-being. Recently, OFA received a resolution from the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture, voicing concerns regarding ongoing issues with drivers and operators of ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles trespassing on private farm property. In many cases, incidents like this have the potential to put our families, employees, and livestock at
great risk, and can have detrimental effects on our crops, land and livelihood. Anyone entering private property without legal authority or permission from the occupier is trespassing. If they fail to leave upon being asked to do so, they can be found guilty of an offence under the Trespass to Property Act. Examples of individuals who have the authority to access farm property without explicit permission include land surveyors, utility meter readers, building inspectors, public health inspectors, and conservation authority staff. If in doubt, ask the person for their identification and authority to enter your property. OFA has developed a variety of resources to share helpful tips and considerations that farmers and rural landowners can use in dealing with trespassing issues. We encourage all farmers to be aware of the resources available to them, and act in a proactive manner to avoid further damage or threat to their land. OFA is encouraging all farmers to be prepared for unwanted visitors by posting ‘No Trespassing’ signs, or any other necessary biosecurity signs to clearly mark private property and biosecurity areas. Ensure that you remove any keys from your tractors and equipment and lock all building doors and vehicles. It is also important Continued on Page 5
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Thursday, May 6, 2021
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News / Opinion I 5
Essex Free Press
Essex Centre watermain breaks due to failure in one of the feeds
Photos submitted by Councillor Sherry Bondy. Work is completed on watermain breaks that occurred in Essex Centre on Saturday, April 24. by Sylene Argent On Saturday, April 24, there were four watermain breaks experienced in Essex Centre. Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure Services, noted representatives from the Town of Essex
met with officials from Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) on the matter to discover what caused the issue. He said OCWA took down the Essex water tower on that weekend for regular maintenance.
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OCWA looks after Essex’s facilities, including the Harrow/ Colchester South Water Treatment Plant, as well as the Colchester and Harrow Sewage Lagoons. He noted there are two feeds that run water into Essex from the unit, and it was discovered there was a failure in one of those feeds, after troubleshooting the issue. The failure caused an increase in pressure that caused the four watermain breaks. Girard said the response from the Town on the matter was good, as emergency crews
from the Town were onsite within two-hours to deal with the issue, on a Saturday. Everything was repaired over that weekend, he said. The fault, Girard said, was on Union Water’s equipment and will be replaced by that organization. He added Union Water conducts regular inspections of its equipment. In the event of Town-related roads and infrastructure emergency situations, Girard noted residents should call the Town of Essex at 519776-7336, then select the option for problems
affecting property or public safety. For waterspecific emergencies, residents should call ELK at 519-776-5291. Staff will then be dispatched to deal with the situation. The Town of Essex website notes an emergency poses an immediate threat to public health or safety. Of course, if there is an emergency where there is bodily harm, he reminds residents to call 911. For non-emergencies, residents can use the EssexWorks submission form to report a problem, available through the Town of Essex website. Councillor Sherry Bondy was in Town when
residents called her about a break around 5:30 pm that evening. She was able to help connect the residents to Town staff. She took to social media to ask for residents to help push water to the other side of the road at the watermain break that took place at Cameron Avenue and Fox Street. Thankfully, she said, residents showed up to help. At the May 3 Essex Council meeting, Council received a report that provided an update on the EssexWorks System. It noted that in May of 2019, Council
Continued on Page 23
Commentary - OFA Continued from Page 4
to train your family and employees on how to properly respond to unwanted visitors and situations that would require contacting the police. More than ever, OFA has focused on raising awareness by working with local OPP units to further educate responders on the provisions proclaimed in the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 (STPFSA). The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act offers farmers, livestock transporters, and processing facilities new protections, and provides the Ontario judicial system additional tools to address direct threats to the food system associated with trespassing. This past year, OFA has reached out to multiple police departments to discuss ways to prepare members to report and address unwanted trespass, and how to support police in communicating and implementing effective approaches to the mandates of the STPFSA. We encourage all members to utilize their resources and engage law enforcement in any situations of trespassing on farm property. With strong enforcement of STPFSA by police and the support of the courts, we will be able to keep our food supply chain, loved ones, agri-food workers and livestock safe from harm. To learn more about the cost and availability of OFA’s ‘No Trespassing’ or biosecurity signs, members can contact their local Member Service Representative. Find the MSR in your area at ofa.on.ca/msr. OFA will continue to advocate for the protection of farmland, and the safety and security of their farms, families, employees and livestock.
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6 I News Essex Free Press
Essex Council notes... decrease in revenue, or a decrease in $1,282,484 when comparing 2019 and 2020. Reserve Revenue (not within divisions) was down $641,489, and General Government was down $248,150, to name the top three decreases. As part of the government orders introduced, the Town closed all recreational facilities, which impacted user-fee revenue from programming and rentals, the Report to Council explains.
The Report highlights that 2019 compared to 2020 showed a $431,954 decrease in revenue in ice rentals, $138,538 decrease in Youth Recreation Programs, $128,366 decrease in swimming lessons, and $81,349 decrease in sign advertising. The main contributor to the decline in fines and penalties revenue grouping, the Report continues, was a direct result of the waiver of penalties and interest on
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property tax accounts, which accounted for a loss of $168,902. The waiver expired on October 1, 2020. By December 31, the Town experienced a decline in investment revenue, compared to 2019 figures, of over $720,000. This decrease can be directly attributed to interest earned. The Town has been able to reduce operational expenses, related to facilities and programming. There was a decline in the cost of materials and supplies, salaries and wages. There was an overall decrease in Salaries and Wages of $511,000. The report notes the total loss to date, for COVID-19 impacted revenue and expense groupings, is approximately $1,056,245, when comparing the period ending December 31, 2020 to 2019. Total operating loss (removing reserve interest loss) was $414,755. Councillor Steve Bjorkman said other municipalities in the area ended up with more costs. Council approved recommendation to cancel 2021 Fun Fest Council approved the Essex Festival Committee’s request to cancel the 2021 Essex Fun Fest, which would have
been scheduled for July 8-11, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mayor Larry Snively said it was disappointing to have to cancel the event again. By-Law to establish and regulate fire services adopted Council adopted ByLaw 2012 to Establish and regulate fire services. In the Report to Council, it notes the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, every municipality must establish a program in the municipality, which must include public education with respect to fire safety and certain components of fire prevention and provide such other fire protection services as it determines may be necessary in accordance with its needs and circumstances. The Establishing and Regulating Fire Services By-Law is a document approved by Council that provides the authority to Essex Fire and Rescue Services to operate and the bylaw sets out how service will be provided within the municipality, the report notes. Essex had to update its By-law, because the Town of Kingsville’s Fire Department recently updated its technical rescue capabilities and advised the County it had downgraded its response level regarding high-angle rope rescue, anything above 50 degrees, to awareness level, and will continue to provide lowangle rope rescue service to the County upon request. The reason Kingsville Fire is no longer providing this service to the County, the Report to Council notes, is that the annual commitment is an additional 40 hours of training. Essex Fire & Rescue personnel are trained to NFPA 1001 Level II which provides awareness level training for this technical
rescue. A review of over 7,500 incidents in which Essex Fire & Rescue has responded to since 1999 notes there has never been an incident requiring this technical training, the Report to Council notes. Because Kingsville Fire Department has amended its Establishing and Regulating Fire Services By-Law and have reduced the service it provides to its community and County regarding Rope Rescue, the Town of Essex had to amend its bylaw to reflect the change. Lifesaving Society Affiliate Recognition Awards 2020 Council received the report regarding the Lifesaving Society Annual Report Affiliate Recognition 2020 for informational purposes. The Town of Essex’s Community Services department is an affiliate of the nation-wide Lifesaving Society (LSS) organization, which offers the Learn to Swim program, Lifesaving Certifications, First Aid, Automatic External Defibrillation,
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
and a number of specialty certifications. Annually, the Lifesaving Society of Ontario Branch awards points to affiliates, based on the total number of certifications and awards that are delivered within their community. Although 2020 was a challenging year, the Town of Essex program was recognized in the top ten of each of the categories that the Town qualified under. Highlights include earning first place in the Scarborough Cup, which is awarded to the municipal affiliate with the largest lifesaving/leadership program in a community with a population between 10,000 and 50,000. This is the 10th time the Town of Essex has won this cup since 2008. Essex took second place under the Bredin Staples Cup, which is awarded to the municipal affiliate with the largest leadership training program per capita. Essex also took third Continues on Page 7
Thursday, May 6, 2021
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News I 7
Essex Free Press
Essex Council notes...
Continued from Page 6
Photo courtesy from the Town of Essex. Pictured is the design for the future Hunter Park playground.
place in the Arnold H. Morphy Cup, awarded to the affiliate with a single facility with the largest lifesaving/ leadership program, and the John E. McCutcheon Bowl, awarded to the singlefacility affiliate with the largest first aid program. The Town of Essex is a Top 20 affiliate in Ontario based on the overall point system. “We were just very excited we were able to accomplish this,” Manager of Recreation and Culture, Cynthia Cakebread said. She added Essex has historically done well with the program, but she was unsure of this year, due to COVID. Essex, she said, was the only municipality to open its pool last July, while others were not opened until August or later, and did not run the programs found here. RFP for Remove and Replace of surface for Colchester Park Playset awarded Council awarded the Request for Proposal to remove and replace the rubber surface for the Colchester Playset in Colchester Park to Softline Solutions AB Inc. Five proposals were received. After evaluation, administration recommended Softline Solutions AB Inc’s option 2, as it scored the highest. $140,000 was set aside in the budget for the project. Softline Solutions AB Inc.’s proposal was for $109,035.15, including HST. Mayor Larry Snively said he was glad this was getting done. RFP for design, supply, install playground equipment for Hunter Park awarded Council awarded the Request for Proposal to design, supply, and install playground equipment for Hunter Park to New World Park Solutions Inc. The proposals were evaluated. There was a fixed budget of $200,000, including all applicable taxes, the Report to Council notes. Due to COVID and the current gathering restrictions, a one-week virtual open house was held from April 12 to April 19, which allowed residents to review and rank all six designs for the Hunter Park playground replacement, instead of the traditional open house.
Participants were asked to rank their top three favourite designs. There were 379 online votes. Option 5, submitted by New World Park Solutions Inc, received the most first place votes, with a total of 179 choosing this option as their number one playground choice. New World Park Solutions Inc.’s bid on the project was $189,920.27, including HST. It is hoped the new structure will be installed by July. Additional Funds approved for the Automatic Sliding Doors at the Essex Arena Council approved the additional budgeted expenditures of $5,148.79 for Automatic Door Replacement at the Essex Centre Sports Complex project for 2021. Funding will come from the Asset Management Plan Reserve. The total project cost is $65,148.79. The Approved 2021 Capital Project Budget was $50,000, with the addition of a $10,000 through the Enabling Accessibility Grant Fund, leaving a shortfall in funding of $5,148.79. While the original plan was to replace three doors, the grant funding led to exploring having the remaining five doors completed to ensure consistency and provide accessibility at all entrances and exits at the front of the facility, the Report to Council notes. The project was tendered, with the lowest price of $61,641.12 submitted from RC White Ltd. In addition, electrical connection is required, with a cost of $3,507.67 (including the non-refundable tax). Council receives four letters on proposed Telus cell tower Essex Council received four letters regarding a proposed 40m communications tower in Essex Centre. Concerns outlined in the letter includes health, property values, potential added commercial traffic route to and from the tower increasing the noise burden, the lack of visual aesthetics, and it being proposed too close to a residential area, NoM: recognizing significant dates At the April 19 meeting, Mayor Larry Snively put forward a Notion of Motion for Council to consider at the May 3 meeting, that Council recognizes significant dates, such as special milestone anniversaries Continued on Page 10
8 I Community Essex Free Press
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Kingsville Council approves site plan application for the construction the new k-12 school by Sylene Argent During its April 26 meeting, Kingsville Council approved the site plan application for the construction of the 12,818 square-meter school, which is being designed to instruct kindergarten
through grade 12 students. A daycare is also planned for the site. The facility will be built on a 25-acre site, located at 1620 Jasperson Drive. In addition, the Mayor and Clerk were authorized
to sign the agreement and register that agreement on title. The facility will include associated support facilities, parking, dropoff and pick-up areas, and bus lanes. The Report to Council on the matter notes the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) announced the combined elementary and secondary school five-years ago, which will replace Kingsville District High School, Kingsville Public School, and Jack Miner Public School. It will also accommodate
Concept illustrations of the new school to be built in Kingsville
secondary school students from the Harrow area. The proposed school building will have a mix of single and two-storey areas, with an expected 18-month construction time. The plan does include sports field areas and a track, planned to be developed in the future. In 2017, the Report to Council continues, the
land was rezoned from Residential to Education (EG-1). Robert Brown, Manager of Planning Services, noted there was one site specific requirement put on the property, which was to maintain a 25-foot setback from any structures from the existing residents on Jasperson Drive. The main access to the
property will align with the existing intersection of Woodycrest Avenue and Jasperson Drive to accommodate bus traffic and access for the secondary school portion of the school. A second access is also proposed for staff and parent drop-off for the elementary portion Brown explained, adding
Continued on Page 9
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Community I 9
Essex Free Press
Kingsville Council approves site plan application for the construction the new k-12 school... Continued from Page 8
Concept illustrations of the new school to be built in Kingsville
there are three parking areas designated on the plan. The Board officially presented the school design in a livestream open house on January 21, which provided the community its first look at the new building, Brown said. The online presentation was viewed over 4,000 times. Resident Feedback included around 70-pages of emails and 100 phone calls. Much of the planning-related comments were around the idling of buses, traffic volumes, and the potential for relocating the bus drop-off areas to the rear of the building, Brown
said. Brown relayed the GECDSB noted when buses arrive at the site they do not idle. Part of the traffic concerns is primarily being addressed through the reconstruction and realignment of Jasperson to accommodate the increase in traffic that will result from the school. In addition, he added, information provide by the Board from the bus company notes arrival and departures are split into different times for elementary and secondary. The Town will encourage the Board and transportation company to rework southerly bound bus routes to avoid the
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Jasperson and Main Street intersection, Brown said. Brown noted a permit will need to be taken out though ERCA, and a stormwater management has been submitted. Councillor Larry Patterson moved the recommendation. “Let’s get this school built,” he said. Councillor Kim DeYong asked about outdoor recreational space for youths in grade one to eight, as the plan depicts a site for kindergarteners and for high school track. She wondered if there was a provincial standard for providing recreation space. She directed her question to Brown, as there was no representation from the GECDSB present at the meeting. Brown suspected there would be segregation of the yard area to some
degree. When the process started, he noted the minimum lot size for the facility was 25-acres for proper spacing. Councillor Tony Gaffan commented he was disappointed that the cost-difference is around 30 percent more for materials. “I just hope that the kids and the future grandkids of Kingsville are not going to be lacking in anything, because we had a Province that decided to slowly take this to five-years before we sought this report,” Gaffan said.
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Essex Council notes... and birthdays for members in the community. The motion was supported. This will include the Mayor creating and delivering certificates to recognize milestone birthdays and anniversaries. “It is good for the town and Council to recognize these people in our community,” Snively said. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said it was a great idea, as it creates a sense of community.
Councillor Chris Van Doelen was against the idea. He did not want the task to fall on the shoulders of administration. He also had concerns that the idea may take away such announcements from local newspapers, which is a source of revenue. Administration to prepare a report on on fill issues At the April 19 meeting, Councillor Kim Verbeek put forward a Notion of Motion for
Continued from Page 7
Council to consider at the May 3 meeting, that when permits are issued in accordance with ByLaw 1799, referred to as the Fill By-Law, such permits only be extended or renewed once after the initial permit to limit the negative impact the ongoing extensions are having on community residents and roadways. After discussion on the matter, Council voted to direct administration to review the matter and prepare a report on the issues, in addition to the pros and cons, as it relates to infill sites, limitation of sites permits, and their extensions. Verbeek and Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche will work with administration to relay concerns they have heard on the matter from residents. In addition, all Councillors and members of the public are urged to reach out to administration to voice opinions and concerns on the matter. Verbeek brought the matter forward because she was hearing from residents in her Ward of McGregor, who have been affected by neighbours having fill excessively dumped onto their own properties. Sometimes this
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goes on for many years, with many trucks heading down these roads, that would otherwise be quiet. In some cases, farmers are trying to build up land, however, there is concern there could be other reasons for the collection of infill, such as stockpiling. She voiced concerns regarding soil testing associated with the collection of fill. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said the intention was not to lump everyone into the same category, as there are those who genuinely need the fill. He suggested limiting the number of sites to two or three throughout the municipality. He said better controls are needed. NoM: Secondary Plan for McGregor At the April 19 meeting, Councillor Kim Verbeek put forward a Notion of Motion for Council to consider at the May 3 meeting, that a secondary plan be created for McGregor, similar
to those issued in Essex Centre, Harrow, and Colchester South and as indicated in the Strategic Plan for this Term of Council. Discussion on this matter led to Council giving direction to administration that when reviewing the five-year Official Plan for the Town of Essex in the near future, consideration be given to thoroughly review long-term needs of the McGregor Secondary Settlement Area in consultation with residents and the Town of Amherstburg. Verbeek brought up the matter as McGregor was the only Ward in Essex without a Secondary Plan. As the rep of this Ward, she said residents are always asking her why that is and why other Wards receive certain items. One issue she hears is why all three other Wards have a splashpad and McGregor does not. A plan needs to be in place for funding
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
to get set aside, so such infrastructure can be added. Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche suggested that since Essex is planning to meet with Amherstburg in the near future on shared infrastructure, he suggested a plan for McGregor also be discussed at this time, as part of McGregor is in Amherstburg. Director of Development Services, Lori Chadwick, explained McGregor is designated as a hamlet, which gives it some flexibility. A secondary plan could be limiting for McGregor, so she suggested being open to other options. NoM for consideration at the May 17 meeting Councillor Sherry Bondy will ask Council to consider supporting a public education campaign through print and social media, regarding the dangers of putting cut grass on the road.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
I
Spring Nest - Home Improvement I 11
Essex Free Press
Designer tips for your laundry room
(NC) No longer just for utility or something to hide behind closed doors, the
laundry room has evolved to become a multifunctional space designed to be both
beautiful and efficient. To help you refresh yours, Jane Lockhart, award-winning
designer, shares her top design trends: Functionality first Before you decide to experiment with colours and various textures, you’ll want to think of the main tasks you need to complete while in this space. The number one request designers get asked when upgrading a laundry room is counter space. Whether you add a flat surface on top or beside the machines, having a clean, large expanse to spread out and fold laundry is a must. Multipurpose fixtures The laundry room is now used for much more
Outdoor improvements that boost home value Whether home improvement projects are design to improve the interior or exterior of a house, focusing on renovations that make the most financial sense can benefit homeowners in the long run. The right renovations can be assets if and when homeowners decide to sell their homes. So how does one get started? First and foremost, speak to a local real estate agent who is knowledgeable about trends in the community. While a swimming pool may be something coveted in one area, it may impede sales in another. It also helps to study generalized trends and data from various home improvement industry analysts to guide upcoming projects. The following outdoor projects are just a few
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than washing and drying clothes, and is becoming the cleaning hub for the entire home. We’re seeing larger, raised sinks installed with shower fixtures for dog washing, full-sized showers to clean up before entering the rest of the house and, of course, storage for the mudroom. Space-saving appliances There’s an increasing demand to bring full-size capacity laundry units to compact spaces, which is exactly what the LG WashTower is designed for. The sleek single unit is shorter than conventional stacked units, allowing it to fit into nearly any laundry space. Unlike conventional stacked pairs, the control panel is perfectly positioned to be easy to reach, with both washer and dryer controls in the middle of the set.
Have fun and personalize Treat your laundry room like any other room in your home. Update floors with attractive luxury vinyl, then decorate with a colourful rug, hardy plants and cheerful art. To brighten up the space, move your laundry room to a sunny area in the house for natural lighting. If that’s not an option, recessed lights on dimmers are a great solution that let you set the ambience. Add entertainment The laundry room can even appeal to your sense of sound. Wireless audio speakers fit into the palm of your hand, taking no space at all. So, bring music or audio books with you while folding the laundry or waiting for the spin cycle to finish. Find more information at lg.ca.
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renovations that tend to add value. • Fire pit: A fire pit is a great place to gather most months of the year. Bob Vila and CBS news report that a fire pit realizes a 78 percent return on investment, or ROI. • Outdoor kitchen: Many buyers are looking to utilize their yards as an extension of interior living areas. Cooking, dining and even watching TV outdoors is increasingly popular. Outdoor living areas can be custom designed and built. In addition, prefabricated modular units that require a much smaller commitment Continued on Page 12
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12 I Spring Nest - Home Improvement Essex Free Press
Outdoor improvements that boost home value... of time and money are available. • Patio: Homeowners who do not already have a patio will find that adding one can increase a home’s value. Patios
and building a new patio offers strong ROI. • Deck: Deck can be as valuable as patios. A deck is another outdoor space that can be used for entertaining, dining and more. Remodeling magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report indicates that an $11,000 deck can add about $9,000 in resale value to the home, recouping around 82 percent of the project’s costs. • Door update: Improve curb appeal with a new, high-end front door and garage doors. If that’s too expensive, a good cleaning and new coat of paint can make an old door look brand new. These easy fixes can improve a home’s look instantly. • New landscaping: The National Association of Realtors says an outdoor makeover that includes well-thought out landscaping can net 105
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percent ROI. Installing a walkway, adding stone planters, mulching, and
planting shrubs are ideas to consider. Many different
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Continued from Page 11
outdoor projects can add value to a home.
metrocreative
Thursday, May 6, 2021
I
Spring Nest - Home Improvement I 13
Essex Free Press
3 perennial gardening pointers Gardening is an engaging hobby that can provide a host of benefits, some of which may surprise even the most devoted gardeners. For example, the Harvard Medical School notes that just 30 minutes of gardening activities burns 135 calories, making gardening a fun and simple way to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine. In addition, scientists have long proven that gardening releases the hormones serotonin and dopamine in the brain, each of which are associated with improved mood. Perennial gardens can be especially attractive to seasoned gardeners and novices. Perennials are plants that come back year after year, and committing to a perennial
garden can ensure people stick with gardening for the long haul, reaping all of the rewards that come with making such a commitment. Before planting a perennial garden, those new to gardening may want to consider these three tips. 1. Make a plan. A perennial garden comes back year after year, which means any mistakes you make when planting are likely to haunt you year after year as well. Factors like space and location must be considered before planting. Many gardeners utilize garden planning applications like GrowVeg to make the process of planning a garden simpler
Japanese minimalism meets Scandinavian chic for 2021’s top home trend (NC) Make your home a sanctuary by inviting a fusion of global styles into your space with the increasingly popular “Japandi” aesthetic. Rooted in a longing for a sustainable, serene but lived-in look, this is set to become your new design philosophy. Create your dreamy yet stylish oasis by embracing this design approach using tips from Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore colour and design expert. Find serenity through colour - Create harmony at home by choosing a soothing palette of earth-inspired neutrals. These rich neutrals will help bring balance to the sleek lines of Scandinavianstyle furniture. “To successfully find balance in this stylish fusion and bring calm to your space, avoid cool tones and bright shades of white. Instead, opt for colours like Muslin OC-12 or Jute AF-80 that will transform your space into a comfortable oasis,” recommends Grech. Be intentional, not minimal - Japandi design is about achieving a livable balance between aesthetics and everyday life. Decreasing clutter and being mindful of your furniture and décor choices are key. Although this style focuses on open, clean spaces, you don’t have to say goodbye to everything. Instead of trying to be minimal, be thoughtful about editing your space — keep your treasured pieces and give them room to shine, and use storage pieces (like storage ottomans and baskets) to keep out-of-season items out of sight. Do some good and donate anything that no longer works. Create soothing interiors with simplicity - Japanese and Scandinavian design styles complement each other, as they both embody simplicity and comfort. Their shared aesthetics come together to create a style that is both easygoing and sophisticated. “Try using a paint like Regal Select in a matte finish to give your space an effortless appeal and achieve a stylish balance of elegance and tranquillity,” advises Grech. “Choosing to paint in a matte finish embodies a restful sense of ease.” newscanada.com
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and more organized. Such applications can be especially useful for novices. 2. Consider aesthetics. Gardens can be awe-inspiring, especially when gardeners consider aesthetics prior to planting. The DIY Network advises gardeners to consider scale before choosing which perennials to plant. Tall plants and wide beds tend to look best outside large homes, while short plants in small beds tend to look better outside small homes. 3. Work with a professional. Local garden centers can be excellent resources when planning perennial gardens. Representatives at such businesses can offer tips on native plants, which will be more likely to thrive year after year than non-natives. Such representatives also can help you choose the right plants based on the amount of sunlight the plants will likely get after being planted. Each of these factors can be easily overlooked by people without much gardening experience. Perennial gardens can provide years of joy and inspiration, especially when gardeners give ample attention to certain details prior to planting.
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14 I Spring Nest - Home Improvement Essex Free Press
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
6 ways to design your dream backyard
newscanada.com
(NC) With more time spent at home, designing a space that feels like a mini getaway is increasingly important. Whether you’re looking to move your dining experience outside or wanting to create a calming retreat, here are six ways to achieve your dream backyard:
Splurge on patio furniture If your patio furniture is looking worn and tired, it might be time to consider investing in quality items that will last for seasons to come. Select pieces that are both functional and timeless. When styling the sitting area, try a large sectional. Not only will it create a more intimate
atmosphere, but it will also provide ample space for lounging. Use throw blankets and decorative pillows for colour and texture.
Extend the season Patio season can be enjoyed all year long if you play your cards right. For the ultimate makeover, add a firepit or outdoor heater, so you can keep spending time
outdoors when the nights begin to cool. It’s even better if you can stay cozy while you stargaze.
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Elevate your dining experience with a trendy new pellet grill that allows you to sear, bake, roast and smoke. This will give the chef in your house the perfect excuse to whip up some classic burgers or a wood-fired pizza. Wood pellets are available in a variety of flavours, like
apple, hickory, maple, oak and more, so you can experience gourmet food from the comfort of your backyard.
Amp up the ambiance
Don’t forget to add some atmosphere with lighting and the right finishing touches. String lights are a must-have for making a space feel bright and warm as the sun goes down. Adding greenery and florals to your patio or deck space will also infuse charm and privacy. Consider going with tropical plants to bring a touch of the Caribbean to your home.
Let the games begin
Enhance that getaway feeling by adding entertainment to your backyard. Take games night outdoors with Bolaball — a familyfriendly game that’s perfect for people of all ages. If you’re in the DIY mood, you can also make a bean bag or washertoss game. These simple additions will keep the whole family having fun all season long. Find more décor and project ideas at homehardware.ca.
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Thursday, May 6, 2021
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Community I 15
Essex Free Press
Council passes by-law to designate Colchester Schoolhouse
by Sylene Argent Essex Council adopted a Bylaw to designate the 1881 Colchester Schoolhouse, located at 195 Bagot Street, as being of cultural heritage value or interest, under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act. The By-Law will be served on the Ontario Heritage Trust and be registered against the property in the proper land registry office, and notice will be published. According to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture website, Heritage Designation is a public acknowledgment of a property’s value to a community, while helping to ensure conservation of such properties for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. With the designation status, any alterations to the property that may affect its heritage assets are not permitted, unless Council consents.
At the Monday March 15, regular meeting, Council directed administration to authorize a Notice of Intention to Designate the Colchester Schoolhouse. Notice of intention to designate the property was served in the local papers, and no objections were received within the 30-day period, the Report to Council on the matter notes. As there were no objections, Council can pass a by-law to designate the property. A municipality may designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or interest, through a by-law, if the property meets the criteria the Report to Council adds. The criteria includes the a property meeting one or more of the following criteria: the property has design or physical value; the property has historical value or associate value; the property has contextual value. Rita Jabbour, Manager of Planning Services
and Town liaison for the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee, explained in her Report to Council the Colchester Schoolhouse, in her opinion, meets all three of the criteria. The Colchester Schoolhouse has design and physical value because it is a rare, unique, and representative example of a style, type, and construction method. The Schoolhouse has historical value because it yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of the community and culture. In addition, it has contextual value because it is important in defining the character of the area, is historically linked to its surroundings, and is a local landmark. 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
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the intention to declare 195 Bagot Street, also known as the Colchester Schoolhouse, as surplus to the needs of the municipality. Potential developers James Flynn and Kim Lewis later attended a Council meeting to explain their interest in the property. They hoped to have a facility providing year-round accommodations, staffed
as required, as an extension of the Grove Hotel. The lot was proposed to house 14, one-bedroom individual cottage units that would be around 500 square foot a piece, while preserving the Schoolhouse. After hearing concern from the public and a desire from the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee to have the site designated and to defer the sale, at Monday, January 18 meeting, the majority of Council voted in favour of asking the 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 deal ultimately fell through, with the developers later returning with a different accommodation proposal along County Road 50 instead. “Heritage Colchester” was formed during this time, with the help of many individuals, including Perry Basden.
The committee is in the process of creating a plan for the 1881 Colchester Schoolhouse. The group also intends to look after other heritage matters in the small hamlet that has a rich history, extending well beyond the formation of Canada. At a recent Essex Municipal Heritage Committee meeting, Chairperson, Laurie 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.
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HELP WANTED ______________________ 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 $14.39/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
11-6t*
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HIRING! LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPE LABOURERS, $18/hour, Experience necessary. Fax your resume to (519) 723-2336 or email to quinlaninc@ kelcom.igs.net 1-tfn _____________________
REAL ESTATE
_____________________ Buying or selling a farm? Do you know the right questions and answers? Farm Experienced Realtor Carl Idzinski, Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty - Brokerage. 22-tt 519-817-8891.
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PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD: Classified ads can be submitted in person, by phone or fax or email from Mon. to Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All classified and personal ads require payment, prior to print. We accept Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS TUESDAY BY 10:00 AM
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STORAGE
_____________________ FOR RENT: SECURE OUTDOOR STORAGE in Essex available any time. Ideal for boats, cars, trailers. Call 519-776-4875 36-tfn for details. _____________________
WANTED
_____________________ CASH PAID for antiques, costume jewellery, furniture, gold, sterling, coins, tools, complete estates. We take it all! Free appraisals. Call 519-727-8894. 1-tfn _____________________ CASH PAID for scrap cars and trucks. Free removal. Please phone: 519-776-1361 or 519-791-5046. 46-tfn
CLASSIFIEDS
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I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Word Ads - 25 words or less ........................ $6.00 + HST Extra words .................................................... 20¢/word Display Classifieds ....................................... Call for rates
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WANTED
_____________________ WANTED - New or used patio stone. 24” x 30” or 24” x 24.” Used cement blocks 8” - Call 519-984-5716. 17-1t*
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HELP WANTED
_______________________________________________
Thursday, May 6, 2021
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News I 17
Essex Free Press
Four new rules adopted into the Municipal Election Proxy Procedures Policy by Sylene Argent Essex Council received the report, “Municipal Election Proxy Procedures Policy,” and adopted the four recommended Proxy Procedures Policies for municipal elections or byelections. In the Report to Council, it notes that at its September 3, 2019 meeting, Council directed Administration to review and report back on election policies, procedures, and by-laws. Proxy voting is the procedure by which a qualified elector may appoint another person who is a qualified elector in the same municipality to vote on their behalf in a Municipal election, Clerk, Robert Auger explained, adding rules and qualifications surrounding proxy voting are set out in the Municipal Election Act, as well is the prescribed form to legally appoint someone to be a proxy. Any proposed changes to the Provincial requirements must be
made at the Provinciallevel, however, the Town Clerk does have the authority to implement additional procedures for Town of Essex elections surrounding the proxy vote process, he explained. The four recommendations included: • To issue the required Form 3 (Proxy Vote sheet) directly to qualified electors, who make a request directly to the Clerk’s Office that they wish to appoint another person to vote on their behalf; • Only Proxy Application Forms that have been issued directly with serial number stamp by the Clerk’s Office will be accepted for certification; • The person appointed as a Proxy will additionally be required to bring with them, when they apply for certification, proof of identification of the elector who appointed them; • Proxy Form applications will no
longer be received, processed, and certified at the voting location itself. Certification will take place directly at the Clerk‘s office. Auger explained the Harrow advance voting poll was well used during the last municipal election, and those seeking certification of proxy forms at this event added to the congestion. Business hours or other methods of collecting the proxies are being considered. “The overall result of the new proposed policy and its implementation should be better controls in place with respect to the Proxy Vote process, a process which remains vitally important for in person voting and ensuring access to the democratic process,” the Report to Council notes. Auger said public education on the changes will be necessary for the next election. He said the desire of the changes was not to make the process overly restrictive.
Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said there is a reason why there is a Proxy Vote process in place, to get as many people the chance to vote as possible. He was not sure many would be able to put in the energy necessary to complete the process with the additions. Councillor Morley Bowman said the recommendations tighten
up the issue, but he believes this will affect the most vulnerable the most. Councillor Bondy said in the last election, Essex had 18 times the number of proxies submitted as other municipalities. In addition to providing safeguards, the recommendations prevent putting Town staff into uncomfortable situations, she said.
She added that, in her opinion, more advanced polls will be needed in future elections. In a recorded vote, the motion passed unanimously. The information will also be passed on to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for other communities to view.
Our Gerber Babies are picking Gerbera Daisies to wish all the Mom’s a...
169 Irwin Avenue, Essex
13291 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh
519-776-8699
519-739-0811
18 I Personals / Community
FromThe Heart
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ANNIVERSARY
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Essex Free Press
I Thursday, May 6, 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. _________________________________________________________
IN LOVING MEMORY
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CARD OF THANKS
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Happy 65 th May 5th, 1956
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DO ON NA AND ND LIL REN ENAUD NAU D
OBITUARIES
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To 2 Wonderful Parents. Love your 5 Kids, Boze, Dee, Laurie, Terry, Wayne, and Spouses, 14 Grandkids, 4 Step Grandkids and 14 Great Grandkids. _________________________________________________________
IN LOVING MEMORY
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In memory of a wonderful husband and father
Albert Taylor March 1, 1929 - May 2, 2020 A gentle man, he rests in a more gentle place.
~ Always remembered and dearly missed by family and friends.
Say I Love You With A Personal Greeting! Let everyone know with your announcement here! Email your photo and message to:
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TAYLOR, Doreen Anne (Wharf) - With heartfelt sadness we announce the peacefully passing of Doreen on May 3, 2021 at 89 years of age. Dear wife of Robert with whom she celebrated 68 years of marriage. Daughter of the late Thomas and Rachael Wharf. Loving mother of Ron Taylor, Cathy Bondy (Ron) and the late MaryLou Taylor (1956). Treasured Grandma of Laura, Lee-Anne, Robert (Abby), Joshua (Cristal), Charles (Michelle), Terry, and Patrick (Fey). Great Grandma of Alexander, Sophia, and the late Serena. Sister of the late Robert Wharf (Mavis). Doreen was a long time and dedicated member of Brooker Baptist Church. She retired as a phone operator at the Leamington Hospital. Doreen was so proud of all her children and grandchildren. They brought so much happiness to her. She was very active, enjoyed being around people and had a good sense of humour. The visitation and funeral service was held at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-7767378) 128 Talbot St. North Essex. The service can be viewed on the funeral home website on Doreen’s online profile. Interment followed at Victoria Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made to Brooker Baptist Church in Cottam. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com
ERCA planting 125,000 trees this spring
Changes to Conservation Authorities Act raise concern about the future of reforestation program
Stock tree planting photo: ERCA plans to reforest over 150 acres of land across the local watersheds of the region.
submitted to EFP The Essex Region will become a little greener in the coming weeks. With some modifications
to planting practices to ensure safety, ERCA is gearing up to reforest over 150 acres of land by planting and distributing
more than 125,000 trees across the watersheds of the region. “The importance of planting trees and restoring habitat in the Essex Region cannot be overstated,” said Tim Byrne, ERCA’s CAO. “The ecological and economic value of trees is well documented when it comes to protecting soil and water quality, mitigating flooding and reducing the impacts of climate change.” In the Essex Region, 8.5% of the land is in a natural state. The United Nations has identified a minimum target of 12% in order for a region to be healthy and sustainable. “However, tree planting is one of the program areas identified as ‘non-mandatory’ in the changes to the
Conservation Authorities Act contained within Bill 229,” Byrne goes on to say. “Based on our current understanding of this legislation, in order to continue this program after this year, ERCA will need to enter into separate agreements with each municipality within our region.” While Conservation Authorities across the province await the regulations associated with the legislation, Byrne is concerned about the potential impacts of this change. “Our region is one of the least forested in Canada, and having to strike agreements with each municipality to continue to tree plant at this scale could significantly impede progress, creating an additional hurdle to
improving water quality, providing habitat for endangered species, and reducing soil erosion.” The Essex Region Conservation Authority is a public sector organization established by the Province in 1973, and governed by local
municipalities, to provide for the organization and delivery of programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario.
What’s Going On... May 12 KINGSVILLE BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - Grovedale Arts & Culture Centre, 103 Park St., Kingsville . From 2-7pm. 1-888-2-DONATE or www.blood.ca May 19 ESSEX BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - Essex Centre Sports Complex, 60 Fairview Ave. W. From 2-7pm. 1-888-2-DONATE or 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.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
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Essex Free Press
Brooker News submitted by Ruth Newman sponsorship by:
Services at Brooker have been suspended until further notice. Keep safe and continue to remember those who are ill, in nursing homes, and all of the front line workers in your prayers.
Essex Christian Reformed Church submitted by Beverley Van Huizen
Fresh food. Friendly neighbours 191 Talbot St. S., Essex
519-776-4255
Welcome to Essex CRC either in-person or online! We are open and invite you to join us online on Sunday morning beginning at 10am. Visit us at www.essexcrc.ca and our Facebook page. Make sure your notifications are on, so you will be the first to know when we go live. If you would like to attend church on Sunday, call the church office to reserve a spot. At this time, we cannot offer nursery supervision or Sunday school.
Salvation Army Essex Church
Woodslee United Church
submitted by Carolyn Barnett
submitted by Sue Holman
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.
Due to Covid-19 Worship Services have been suspended for inside services. Rev. Carl will conduct Worship Services online go to Woodsleepastoralcharge.ca. Special event are cancelled. Keep safe.
Harrow United Church
We will be closed to in-person worship, following the provincial Stay-At-Home Order. Please find Rev. Catherine’s sermons online at anchor.fm/bethel-maidstone Members; please watch your email for information on the Annual Meeting. Our number is (519) 723-2284 and our email is bmuc@ xplornet.ca. 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
submitted by Larry Anderson
Our in-person Sunday morning services are once again suspended due to the Ontario lockdown. However, weekly taped services are available on the church website. 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.
Essex Baptist Church Dear friends and neighbours of Essex County, Essex Baptist Church has resumed regular morning worship services at 10:30am every Sunday. We now record our sermons live and post them Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week on our website, www.essexbaptist.com, and on social media. If we can do anything to help and encourage you during this COVID season, please don’t hesitate to call on us. Our biggest concern is for your emotional and spiritual wellbeing. You are loved by us and especially by God! Email our pastor, Gary Lidstone, at pastor@essexbaptist.com to let us know how we might serve you. May God bless you!
HANDYMAN SERVICE
Bethel-Maidstone United
Essex United Church We have decided for the safety of our church family, to suspend Worship Services during lockdown. We will miss you all and will see you soon. Our new website is in its final stages and will be active soon. Please join us on social media. 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.
Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes Essex, Maidstone, McGregor, and Woodslee news Happy Mother’s Day! The month of May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary. Pope Francis asked each of us to pray the rosary to end the pandemic.
LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE MOVERS
This week is Catholic Education Week. Check out the family activities for catholic education on our social media. Join us as we live stream Masses every Thursday at 8 am and Saturday at 4:30 pm. You can find all updates on our website at centralessexcatholic.dol.ca
Trinity Church
There will be no services in our beautiful little church while in lockdown. We look forward to gathering when safe to do so. The Holy Rollers are at it again, permission has been granted for pies to be sold. Orders are being taken for Frozen rhubarb, strawberry rhubarb, and rhubarb custard pies. Please contact Brenda Layson or call the church at 519839-5303 and leave a message. Deadline for ordering is May 30th. Fidgit blankets are available for free. Many have already been given out to those with cognitive impairment. Please call the church to request one. Farm vehicles are on the road; please be patient and respectful.
Community Support Centre of Essex County
CareLink transportation is a door-to-door service we offer. The Foot Care Clinic is available, in Essex, three days a week. Meals on Wheels delivery to Essex is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Community Food Pantry operates twice a week by appointment. The Community Food Pantry operates twice a week by appointment. Check our our virtual programming, that you can do from home. Join us for exercise classes, chair yoga, Wellness Wednesdays, and bingo. Our Security Reassurance program connects a volunteer with a client to provide a little phone check-in. We are always looking fo volunteers for this program. Contact Carolyn at 519-728-1435 ext 216. Call 519-728-1435 for registration, or further information on any of our programs, or visit online at: www.communitysupportcentre.ca
4-H Comber Poultry Report
by Ember Parks Welcome back! It’s the Comber Poultry club again. This year, we’re back online with our meetings (for now). We will return to in-person when it is permitted. Our leaders are Julie and Michelle. We would like to thank them for putting in their efforts and running the club online. There are lots of new and returning members. We had a first meeting online on Friday, March 26, 2021. We decided we were hatching our own chicks, ducks, and quail again this year. Due to missing members, we held off our elections until the second meeting. At our second meeting on Thursday, April 22, 2021 we started off with the 4-H pledge. Next, we held elections. This year Clayton is president, Erika is vice president, Grace is secretary, and press reporter is Ember. On Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, we picked up our baby birds and brought them home to their new habitats and we all watched and admired them getting use to their surroundings. We have all noticed the growth in our new, feathered friends! Stay tuned for more bird updates.
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20 I News / Business Directory Essex Free Press
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Highlights from the April 27 meeting of Tecumseh Town Council submitted to EFP Here are the highlights of the virtual meeting of Tecumseh Town Council, held on April 27: Zoning By-Law Amendment: Council held a public meeting to hear comment on a Zoning By-Law Amendment to the Sandwich South Zoning By-Law 8518 to rezone a 0.47 hectare property on the west side of the 11th Concession Road, south of County Road 42 from “Agricultural Zone (A)” to a site specific “Residential Zone 1 (R1-19)”. The rezoning will facilitate the creation of three new residential lots and the future construction of three single-unit dwellings. Zoning By-Law Amendment: Council held a public meeting to hear comment on the proposed Housekeeping Zoning By-Law amendment to the Sandwich South Zoning By-Law 85-18. The purpose of the proposed housekeeping amendment is to restrict cannabis greenhouse operations in the Agricultural (A) Zone of Zoning By-Law 85-18, in accordance with the policies of the newly-adopted Town of Tecumseh Official Plan. The newly adopted Official Plan establishes that cannabis greenhouse operations are not permitted as-of-right in the Agricultural designation and are only permitted by way of site-specific Zoning By-Law amendments that are required to meet a number of locations and design criteria. COVID-19 Update on Services: Council received
an update on the impact to services and staff hours in response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year. The pandemic continues to be a major disruption to normal operations with Town Hall currently closed to the public and services being provided by phone, email and secure drop box. The Town continues to offer services remotely with the website and social media being the primary source of communications. Municipal Insurance Trends: Council received a report on Municipal Insurance Trends which follows a request from the Mayor at a January 2021 Council Meeting. At that meeting, the Mayor requested that the topic of joint and several liability as it affects Municipalities be raised at an upcoming regional Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) meeting. The topic was discussed at the February 19 meeting. The Town will participate in a regional review of insurance coverage in an attempt to address escalating general liability insurance costs in a hard market. Additional information will be provided to Council at a later date. Service Line Warranties of Canada: Council approved a 1-year renewal of the agreement with Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) which was executed in 2016. SLWC advised the Town that they will continue their marketing campaign this year with letters to go out to residents who have not purchased a warranty from SLWC. 305 property owners are currently enrolled in
the program, down from 327 in 2020. SLWC provides residents the opportunity for a low cost warranty program that will help repair, replace, or restore water and sewer lines from the home to the property line, which is often perceived as the municipality’s responsibility. Rural Broadband Committee: Council received a report on the creation of a Rural Broadband Advisory Committee and approved the striking of said group. The need for broadband connectivity has been increasing in the last 20 years and became more important than ever in 2020. In recent years there have been improvements to internet service but there are still many areas of Town that are underserved. The Town’s Strategic Plan includes an endorsement to advocate for broadband connectivity in areas of the municipality that are currently underserved. As such, Administration recommended the establishment of an advisory committee that will provide recommendations, advice and information to Council on matters related to broadband connectivity issues. It is felt that by establishing a Committee to work on connectivity solutions from the ground up, there will be an opportunity to enhance and augment any studies or proposals now and in the future. The next Regular Meeting of Council is Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The meeting is scheduled to be held electronically with a live stream available online at www. tecumseh.ca.
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Thursday, May 6, 2021
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Business Directory I 21
Essex Free Press
REAL ESTATE
INCOME TAX
CUSTOM KITCHEN CABINETS
LANDSCAPING
FURNITURE RESTORATION
LAWN & MAINTENANCE
PLUMBING • GAS FITTING
WINDOWS & DOORS
INSURANCE
FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTING
ACCOUNTING BAKER TILLY TRILLIUM LLP 39 MAIDSTONE AVE. E., ESSEX, ON N8M 2J3
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ACCOUNTING
HICKS, MACPHERSON, IATONNA & DRIEDGER LLP. Chartered Professional Accountants Tyler Hicks Heather MacPherson Lindsay Iatonna Tim Driedger Ashley Meyer P.O. Box 189, 49 Erie St. N., Leamington, Ontario N8H 3W2 Phone 519-326-2681 • Fax 519-326-8044 • www.hmid.ca
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ACCOUNTING
22 I Opinion / News Essex Free Press
I Thursday, May 6, 2021
Don’t Overlook Swimming Lessons National Summer Safety Week
Two car stories with no left turns
“Settle down or we stay at home!”
The photo you see here was taken in the summer of 1937 in the Otton family driveway at 39 Elliott Street in Leamington, Ontario. The car is a 1930 or ’31 Model A Ford roadster. The driver is Doug Otton (born 1918) with sister Dorothy (1921) beside him. He appears to be telling his brothers Bill (1923) and Bob (1927) in the rumble seat to settle down before they go for a drive. Bill Otton began driving that summer when he was 14. He was nervous and his big fear was a head-on collision with another car, especially when making a left turn. To play it safe, he only did right turns. Every Sunday, Bill drove his grandmother, Rachael Walker Otton, to St. John’s Anglican Church, where she had her own pew. They headed north on Elliott Street, turned right onto Clark Street and east to Erie Street, where Bill let Grandma off at the Anglican Church. Another right turn and Bill headed south on Erie Street, another right turn west on John Street, another right turn to get back onto Elliott Street, and a right turn into the family driveway. Home at last, safe and sound! Our second story comes from Douglas Ogle of Brighton, Ontario, who visited Russia in the early 1970s and rented a Russia-built Volga automobile to get around. “Driving in Russia was a little different,” Doug recalls. “I found out the hard way that in city traffic, it is illegal ONLINE & IN PRINT to make a left turn at an intersection. You have to drive ahead and turn right three times until you are going in the direction you want. I was ticketed twice by the police contact@essexfreepress.com issuu.com/essexfreepress and paid a two-ruble fine each time.” Bill and Doug would enjoy all the left-turn lanes we now have, and with an advance green, you get ahead of 16 CENTRE ST., ESSEX oncoming traffic instead of hitting another car! I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@ www.essexfreepress.com sympatico.ca.
READ US
519.776.4268
submitted to EFP In the summer months, especially as the heat rises across the country, there’s not much more tantalizing than the call of a cool, crisp body of water. Whether it’s swimming, boating, fishing or any number of other recreational activities, the common denominator is a desire to be in the water and cool down. To mark this year’s National Summer Safety Week, May 1 – 7, the Canada Safety Council and the Lifesaving Society Canada would like to bring awareness to the other side of water safety – those who end up in the water despite having no intention to do so. “Being near or in the water is great way to enjoy the summer months and when we think about those enjoyable moments we naturally associate getting in the water with a conscious decision to do so,” said Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. “But too frequently, we see people drown without intending on even dipping their toe in the water, and these types of tragedies are entirely avoidable.”
Stock Photo
According to statistics from the Drowning Prevention Research Centre, slightly fewer than 500 Canadians drown every year on average — a disproportionate amount of which are northern, Indigenous, new Canadians or a combination thereof. Of these, more than Continued on Page 23
Thursday, May 6, 2021
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Essex Free Press
Don’t Overlook Swimming Lessons... Essex Centre watermain breaks due to Continued from Page 22 failure in one of the feed... Continued from Page 5 900 Canadians drowned the biggest impact on water-adjacent activities between 2008 and 2017 due to unintentional water entry. “Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in the county and sadly many of those who did drown never intended to go into the water and were often found within 15 metres of safety,” said Wendy Schultenkamper, Director of Operations at Lifesaving Society Canada. “Learning to swim, swimming in lifeguard supervised settings and effective supervision of children around the water can have
drowning statistics.” Whether you intend to be in the water or not, one precautionary step that can be lifesaving — in a very literal sense — is to take swimming lessons. A proper education in the basics can result in a more instinctual response when hitting the water. The Lifesaving Society also administers the Swim to Survive program, which teaches skills required specifically to survive a fall into deep water and is available across Canada. Here are a few more tips on keeping your water and
Voice Of Inspiration “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” ~ Les Brown
Look for our Hot Lunch Specials 11am-1pm & 4pm Specials
safe and enjoyable this summer! • If you are planning on being around water, bring someone with you. A whopping 74 per cent of unintentional water entry deaths occurred when the victim was alone. • For the same reason, ensure that children are adequately supervised around water, and especially when around barrier-free bodies of water. • When out on a boat, wear your lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD)! It is not enough to have it accessible — you might not have the time to locate it and put it on before an incident occurs. The Canada Safety Council and Lifesaving Society Canada wish you a happy and safe summer on the water!
approved a $6,000 expenditure, utilizing funds from the March 2019 Municipal Modernization Grant, for the implementation of an online Service Request System in the Town of Essex. The EssexWorks Online Report a Problem platform was launched In March of 2020. The platform utilizes a digital website and integrates citizen service requests directly into the CityWorks work order software, the Report to Council notes, which Manager of Communications, Alex Denonville, prepared. The Report noted the Town received 117 submissions between September and December of 2020, with an average notification time of 28 days. Between January 1, 2021 and March 30, 2021, Town staff received 155 submissions, with 48 submitted via the online EssexWorks portal and 107 submitted over the phone. On average, it took Town staff six days to complete work
and 19 days to close a submission. Of all submissions, 18 percent were closed within three days or less and 54 per cent were closed within two weeks or less, with 16 submissions remaining open. He highlighted one issue, that when issues submitted to EssexWorks that were actually infrastructure maintained by ELK Energy Inc., Essex staff would forward the concern to ELK Energy and close the issue on the Essex software. After feedback from submitters, members of administration met with ELK representatives and amended the internal process to treat ELK like other contractors, who conduct work on behalf of the Town of Essex. Councillor Kim Verbeek said she has used this feature herself and to upload issues for residents unable to. Each time, the response has been timely, she said. Town administration will provide quarterly reports to Council on the EssexWorks program.
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24 I Ad Feature Essex Free Press
I Thursday, May 6, 2021