Katherine Bell (1974-2023): A Tribute

by Brandon Mayer

Sometimes we don’t realize how special someone was until we lose them. Other times, it seems we knew all along. On May 7, we lost someone who was a very important part of North Dundas life. Judging by the messages of condolence that have been pouring in online, she meant far more to the community than she likely ever realized.

Katherine Bell was a resident of North Dundas before North Dundas even existed. She grew up on Levere Road between Winchester and South Mountain. She always joked that she had a “South Mountain accent”, often using certain phrases and pronouncing things in ways that could best be described as “proudly redneck”. She grew up alongside the Canadian Pacific Railway line, and had a childhood fear that robbers would jump off the train in the middle of the night and snatch her. Of course, in the hindsight of adulthood, she found this amusing. Katherine often liked to tell stories about her parents, Tom and Carol, and her brother, Mike. She would also talk at length about decades of adventures with her best friend, Heather.

Katherine described herself as mostly agreeable as a child, but like most people, she had a few moments in childhood of which she was not proud. One such moment was breaking into the abandoned church which sits at the corner of Levere Road and Development Road. She also liked to share stories of the various stores in Winchester that she and her mother would visit, including one that was owned by a close relative of hers, perhaps her grandfather. I wish I could recall his name.

Talking to Kather- ine within the borders of North Dundas guaranteed two things: 1) A free local history lesson, and 2) Hearing the biographies of many, many locals. There was never any sense of “important vs unimportant people” with Katherine. Everyone mattered to her. They were all her neighbours, and she worked hard to see the good in every single one of them.

Katherine leaves behind two children who she valued more than anything else in the world. Nick is a young adult, and Sam is 12. There was no subject of conversation that came up more than her children. She put endless time and energy into making sure that they felt loved. She also took the time to correct her mistakes, and was never afraid to ask questions to help her be a better parent.

After living in a few places, Katherine moved back to North Dundas, settling in Winchester in 2019. I came to know her briefly in 2016, when working at her son’s school, and then more closely in 2018 when she came to work at Winchester Public School, where we worked together for about 3.5 years. She and I also cared for some neighbourhood children privately when the pandemic struck in 2020. She was a good friend who helped me through many struggles.

Besides caring for their children, a lot of people in town may also recognize Katherine as the friendly face who delivered their Foodland groceries each week. Katherine wore her Foodland uniform with pride, and since she was a people person, she cherished every opportunity to stay connected during her deliveries. She saw people as community members first, and customers second.

I am sad to say that Katherine and I had not talked much this past year. Me working long hours, and her dealing with health issues, caused us to drift apart. I am grateful that she had the love and support of her partner, Mark, in her final months. Even as new educators eased into big shoes that they could never hope to fill, Katherine still made the effort to come to the school and visit the Winchester PS kids a few times, with cheers of “Katherine!” resonating throughout Winchester each time the kids spotted her. Caring was Katherine’s specialty, and that is something that leaves an impression on kids that they never forget. The tears that were shed by many, many children at school in the days following her passing speak volumes about the positive relationships that she formed with so many youth. That is a legacy that will have these young people telling “Katherine stories” for decades.

I recall one conversation with Katherine, a couple of years ago when the Township was running the “Meet Your

Neighbour” series of articles featuring local people who have made positive impacts in the community. Katherine told me that she would really like to be nominated for a “Meet Your Neighbour” article one day. Well… here it is. Katherine was a friend, a mentor, a healer, and a jokester. She will always be remembered as an amazing mother, sister, partner, educator, delivery person, and a treasured North Dundas neighbour. She may be gone, but she will never leave the hearts and souls of those who knew her, and the North Dundas community will never stop sharing fond stories of her. Once a neighbour, always a friend. Rest in peace, Katherine.

What is it saying?

by Brandon Mayer

“Referendum to be in held in Ottawa on the Issue of Privatized Hospitals.” A notice with this title was received by the Times earlier this month. At first I didn’t believe it – sure, this is something that has been talked about for years, but to find out that the province may actually go ahead with it? Definitely a “wow” moment, to say the least.

Like most issues, privatized health care has supporters and opponents. Those who support the idea suggest that having a private option will reduce the burden on public healthcare, therefore creating better health services for all. Those who oppose the idea argue that it’s just another way that the rich will be ahead of the poor. I am in camp #2.

There are already enough ways that society reminds poor people they are poor. There are also times that businesses and even the government choose to remind people that regardless of socioeconomic status, those who pay more are simply better.

A business example is theme parks such as Canada’s Wonderland. When we took the kids there a couple of years ago, we were shocked at the long lineups. Lining up for rides is no surprise, but it was the length of the lineups that we found unbearable. We spent about 7 hours at the park, and got to go on about 5-6 rides. How does this relate to paying more to be considered “elite”?

The park has a “fast pass” that allows customers to pay exponentially more for their tickets in order to skip the lines. Whether or not we could afford the extra cost, we didn’t want to buy these fast passes and teach our kids that wealthier people are better or always deserve to be first. The existence of the fast passes makes the lines significantly slower for the holders of the “peasant” tickets. It’s awful.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, When I was two years old, I ran into the path of a riding lawn mower and lost my right leg below the knee. It all happened so fast: one moment I was playing outside, and the next I was too close to the mower.

Having grown up as part of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, I am now committed to spreading the Association’s PLAYSAFE message. With lawn cutting season upon us, I want everyone to know that kids should not ride, operate or play near lawn mowers.

Though I’ve learned to accept and appreciate who I am today, I want to use my experience to help prevent others from going through what I did. Please make sure children are always at a safe distance from lawn mowers. And don’t underestimate the importance of safety when operating any machinery. I

Surely governments don’t also participate in this type of “more money makes you better” system? Unfortunately, this idea is actually ingrained into the very essence of our legal system. We all know that “good lawyers” can win court cases more easily than less experienced or less educated ones. We also know that the best lawyers are bound to be more expensive. I have no problem with quality goods and services costing more money. The problem lies in the implications for those without money. Being convicted of a crime solely because you couldn’t afford a “good lawyer” is morally wrong. Similarly, being guilty of a crime and escaping sanctions on the basis of being wealthy enough to have a “good lawyer” is just plain unfair.

In civil cases, we often see that people who sue a large corporation (for liability damages, as an example) are crushed by the corporation’s lawyers. Why? Because corpora- tions have no shortage of money. The moral and ethical culpability should matter more than cashflow – in fact, in a truly fair and equal society, socio-economic status should have no bearing at all on the outcome of court cases. But it does.

We all know the saying “Money Talks”. It does indeed. I am not anti-money, nor am I a socialist or a communist. I value the role that money plays in society by quantifying contributions to society, and providing societal benefits in return. If I work hard to do more for society, then I have more resources to purchase my wants and needs. However, there are certain situations where we are allowing money to talk too much, without asking “What is it saying?”

Our current healthcare system is not working, but those who have mismanaged it in the first place should try fixing it instead of breaking it more. I am not arguing that American privatized healthcare is not better healthcare – it is. Surgeries can be scheduled in a matter of days, not months. Tests such as MRI scans and bloodwork are much faster, and clinics are more abundant. But the American system is one that requires health insurance by its very nature. It is a blanket system. Just as most Ontarians pay the “Ontario Health Premium” as part of their income tax returns ever year, Americans must pay insurance premiums, and in both jurisdictions, everyone has access to the same healthcare system. A hybrid model is different – and unfair.

Two people in the same province should not be receiving vastly different healthcare solely on the basis of socioeconomic status. We are better than that. Instead, it’s time for the provincial government to actually fix what we already have. I paid $750 for the Ontario Health Premium last year, and about the same amount in previous years. I have been seen by a doc- tor exactly twice in five years, and both were 10 minute visits, at most. By my calculations, my 20 minutes spent with a doctor did not cost $3,750. While it’s hard to peg an exact fi gure that physicians are paid per visit in Ontario, my research suggests I can safely say it’s less than $50 per visit. Sure, not everyone pays the Health Premium, and many who do certainly get more money in services than they pay out in premiums, but we should be able to achieve acceptable healthcare with the money coming in. This is especially true considering that the system is funded largely by a separate, dedicated tax.

If money is the issue, it’s time to budget better and make a plan for the future of Ontario’s healthcare. I don’t accept that the only solution is jumping ship on equal healthcare for all.

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

urge you to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.

If you would like to learn more about how to play safely and hear stories from other young amputees like me who have lost limbs in accidents, visit waramps.ca/ playsafe.

Jarod Murray, 21

Dear Editor,

To the 200 Women Who Care in North Dundas,

From the bottom of our hearts, it is with sincerest appreciation to have Naomi’s House chosen as the top recipient for your 2023 event amongst so many deserving charities from North Dundas. The event was so fun and welcoming and thank you for making us feel so deserving of your support.

We have work to do – as we look forward to our new roof! We couldn’t make it possible without the beloved support of our community. Thank you,

Renee Moores

Mention of the coronation and monarchy elicits a multitude of responses. Certainly the King managed to scale back the celebration in response to tough challenging economic times while honoring the right to facilitate the celebration of another step in history. Some are quick to determine that the monarchy needs to be abolished here in Canada. What results would there be for our country?

Certainly the key weekend of celebrating the Queen's birthday on the long weekend in May, would mean we also abolish that event, leaving no reason to celebrate anything. Or perhaps we now commemorate a new date for the King's birthday? With the absence of the Monarchy, it would be fitting to not note either birthdays. Consequently, we would negate a long weekend break, or time and half pay for working. Are you prepared for that possibility?

Being part of the Monarchy, provides an element of military allegiance with other Commonwealth countries. Are we prepared to go solo in political unrest? The role of the governor-general which minimizes the scrutiny of the prime minister's accountability in accordance with the reigning King/Queen, would then be void and null. Our faith in positive influence loses another layer of provision for the people when we go independent.

Pomp and ceremony allows us to celebrate and commemorate the momentous events in history. Your decision to choose must reflect a choice that is taken with seriousness and a full understanding of consequences. Perhaps you can proudly say "God save the King" while recognizing no plan is without caveats and downfalls, but for now it is the best we have!!!