River Town Times - January 12, 2022

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Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Restaurants, bars trying to adapt to latest shutdowns

By Ron Giofu

With the province now in the midst of more COVID-19 public health measures, it has once again forced restaurants and bars to adapt to the way they do business.

Public health restrictions instituted by the Ontario government include the closure of indoor dining at restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments. Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, drive through and delivery is permitted. There is also the restriction of the sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. and the consumption of alcohol on-premise in businesses or settings after 11 p.m. with delivery and takeout, grocery/convenience stores and other liquor stores exempted.

Those measures, aimed at stopping spread of the virus, are in place until at least Jan. 26. Many businesses have been promoting their take-out side of their operation with some offering gift card specials and other ways to entice people to keep purchasing food from them.

For Matt Kelly at Shooter’s Roadhouse, he wonders what is next. He said no one expected the pandemic and the associated health restrictions to still be going on almost two years after it started.

“It’s not just the loss of sales,” he said.

There is a loss of food every time there is a shutdown and liquor also goes flat and has to be replaced. He said he wants to keep his staff but there are those who choose to leave.

“You have to try and find more staff,” said Kelly.

Delivery people are impacted and that includes both beer and food delivery people and noted it is not just money from customers that is missed.

“It affects everybody,” he said.

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RTT PHOTO BY RON GIOFU

Matt Kelly, owner of Shooter’s Roadhouse, stands in front of a cooler that he still owes money on and wonders what is next for him and his business. Kelly has expressed concern as bills are still coming in even though he can’t have people inside, as the restrictions are trying to prevent the spread of the virus.

There are a lot of unknowns, Kelly added, and that there have been ups and downs since the COVID-19 pandemic started. He said he is lucky to have a patio at both Shooters and at his other business in Windsor, The Vic, and that helped him get through the summer. Thanks to a good December, he is hanging in now but there are still bills coming in.

“Nothing has been consistent the whole time,” said Kelly.

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There was money that businesses like his was able to get from various levels of government when the pandemic started but said that has to be paid back.

“We’re shut down,” he said. “How do they expect us to do that?”

Kelly thanked his wife and family for their support and also thanked his staff and customers. He has 28 staff between his two businesses with 20 of them being at Shooter’s Roadhouse.

“I’m still trying to pay my staff,” he said. “I have a great staff.”

Their business dropped 90 per cent, Kelly added, as they are still doing takeout. He estimated his overall losses in “the tens of thousands” but he is doing his best to stay positive. Customers are doing what they can to help, he added.

“We have some great people in this town,” said Kelly. “I love my customers.”

Continued on Page 8 •

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2 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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Investigation underway after counterfeit bills found at local retailer The Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment is investigating after a pair of counterfeit $100 bills were passed during the holidays at a local retailer.

Police were called to s business in the 400 block of Sandwich St. S. Dec. 29 after it was discovered by staff that two $100 bogus bills were passed. The bills were believed to have been passed between Dec. 2629. There are no suspects at the present time.

The matter remains under investigation. If anyone has information regarding the matter, they can call police at 519-736-2252, Crime Stoppers at 519-258-TIPS (8477) or report it at Crime Stoppers’ website at www.catchcrooks.com.

Accidents The Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment is reminding drivers to be wary that deer are still running onto local roadways. Police were called to Walker Road near Middle Side Road (County Road 10) Jan. 7 for a report of a vehicle striking a deer. The accident took place around 5 a.m. The 64-year-old Amherstburg man involved was not injured but his vehicle sustained damage.

The deer ran off. The driver was not charged.

•Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment patrol officers responded to a single vehicle in the ditch in the area of Alma St. and Concession 4 North Dec. 28 at approximately 3:40 a.m. As a result, a Ford Expedition was observed in the ditch and the driver, an adult male from Amherstburg, was transported to hospital by EMS with non-life-threatening-injuries. Police add that no charges have been laid. Poor road and weather conditions are believed to be a contributing factor in this incident.

Fraud Police are reminding residents they can pick up a booklet entitled “Digital Safety for the Non-Tech Savvy” at the Amherstburg detachment and it gives tips on online safety to seniors and others. The booklets are also going to be distributed to local seniors apartments and to agencies that serve seniors. The booklets were produced by ElderCollege with Windsor police being one of the partners.

—Information courtesy of the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment

Town council and the public got a look at the 2022 budget Monday night. The budget was tabled with deliberations slated for Jan. 26-27. Screenshot

Town council tables 2022 budget, deliberations later this month

By Ron Giofu Amherstburg town council has tabled its 2022 budget with deliberations scheduled later in January.

According to a presentation from interim CAO Tony Haddad, the town is starting its deliberations looking at a possible 3.35 per cent tax rate increase. Haddad’s tax levy impacts summary shows a potential operating budget increase of 0.96 per cent with the sub-total on the capital side being 4.99 per cent. The total would be 5.95 per cent but when the “growth factor,” which is a 2.6 per cent gain in assessment, the total tax rate figure that was proposed Monday night is lowered to the 3.35 per cent.

Haddad stated the 2022 budget is comprised of five themes including maintaining programs and services and current levels, the anticipated return of full-capacity operations following the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of a revised organizational charge, contributions to lifecycle and reserves and the continuous improvement reviews of operating processes and implementation of re-engineered solutions.

Relating to COVID-19 financial impacts, Haddad indicated those are partially funded by an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) reallocation pool and cautioned 2022 will continue to see costs related to the pandemic.

“A separate report will be prepared as a year-end summary relating to costs of the pandemic in 2021,” Haddad told town council.

The operating budget framework, he added, includes the base budget including costs to maintain existing services, mandatory and legislative changes, annualization costs of prior year commitments for full-year implementation, growth and enhancements.

Highlights of this year’s budget include not only maintaining services and service levels, but contributions to fleet lifecycle reserves and capital asset plan lifecycle reserves, an increase in OCIF grant funding, assessment growth, risk management and insurance, utilities and fuel, healthcare benefit and salary and wage adjustments.

There is also a projected increase to the contract with the Windsor Police Service, with Haddad stating that is about 0.52 per cent.

Haddad also pointed out budget drivers in the 2022 budget, including increases to the consumer price index (CPI). As of Nov. 30, the increase was 4.7 per cent but the non-residential CPI increase for the third quarter of last year was 8.3 per cent.

“I would note the non-residential factor impacts mostly on municipal services,” said Haddad.

Other budget drivers projected by Haddad include, but are not exclusive to, Official Plan and zoning bylaw updates, utilities and insurance and the creation of a heritage district. Also mentioned were continued contributions to capital and lifecycle/fleet reserves, continuing the new capital infrastructure levy, staff recruitment and retention, and growth and development.

“There are no contract renewals coming due in 2022,” he added.

External forces impacting the 2022 town budget not only include COVID-19 and infrastructure but also climate change, legislative reforms, federal and provincial budget uncertainty and the June 2 provincial election, the interim CAO stated.

Haddad also touted the importance of an asset management plan and capital plans for immediate, short-term and long-term needs. He added the town has had surpluses four straight years, has just shy of $24 million in reserves and capital assets of $256 million.

According to the town’s schedule presented by Haddad, public consultation on the 2022 budget began yesterday and runs through next Tuesday. Town council will deliberate Jan. 26-27 and the operating budget is scheduled to be adopted Feb. 14.

Haddad added the capital budget will come before council next month.

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Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 3

Virtual open house for new public high school planned for Jan. 20

By Ron Giofu Work is ongoing on not only building the new public high school in Amherstburg, but also with what the programming will be like.

A virtual open house for North Star High School is planned for Jan. 20 from 6-8 p.m. and a website complete with videos and other pertinent information will also be launched around that time.

Melissa DeBruyne, the current principal of General Amherst High School, will be the principal at North Star High School next year and said there will also be a live question-and-answer period online Jan. 20 as well.

“People can send in their questions and we’ll answer them,” said DeBruyne. “I will introduce some things and then I’ll turn it over to staff.”

In most years, such an event is specifically targeted for Grade 8 students who are either wanting to know what awaits them in high school or are trying to choose what high school to attend. This year, the virtual open house is open to all students and parents who will be attending the new school, regardless of grade level.

The main entrance to the new North Star High School is seen here. A virtual open house for the new public high school is planned for Jan. 20 from 6-8 p.m.

RTT Photo by Ron Giofu

“We’re targeting everyone because it is a brand new school for everyone,” said DeBruyne.

North Star High School will offer programs that are not currently offered at Western Secondary School or General Amherst High School. DeBruyne believed there will be students who are going to be “blown away” by some of the technical programs while programs not previously available to Western students will now be open to them.

Special education programs that students at Western Secondary are used to will still be there, DeBruyne added, with “pathways” such as university, community college, workplace and apprenticeship also to be offered at the new school. The latter “pathways” will be open to all students, she stated.

“It’s just going to look a little bit different because it will be school-wide,” she said.

DeBruyne believes people are getting excited for the new school and that the recently released nickname and logo has been well received. The nickname for North Star High School will be the Wolves. She added she has been inside the Simcoe St. building and has seen the space starting to shape up.

Open houses are anticipated once the new school opens and DeBruyne said they will educate students and parents with as much information as they can until it is open.

DeBruyne is in her fifth year as principal at General Amherst High School and served as principal at Western Secondary School for four year prior to coming to General Amherst. She said while there are challenges in bringing the two student bodies and staffs together, she is happy for the opportunity, though notes it is both an exciting and nervous time for some.

“It’s a lot of change for a lot of students,” she said.

Links to the virtual open house will be offered through the Greater Essex County District School Board’s website at www.publicboard.ca as well as through the current schools’ social media accounts. The links will also be posted at the newly launched social media sites for North Star High School including Facebook (www.facebook.com/NorthStarHighSchool), Instagram (@northstarhighschool) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/northstar_high).

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4 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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Holidays are over, but charities and businesses still need support The holiday season has come to a close for another year and hopefully it was good for everybody.

The holidays can be a magical time for some, a stressful time for others, but I hope when all was said and done, it was satisfying and joyful time of year.

It is always nice in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas to see people’s hearts open up and to watch them give back to the community.

Many donations were made to charities and non-profit organizations around Amherstburg as well as most other communities and such donations are always appreciated by the organizations and the people they support.

But even though the holidays are over and the calendar has turned to January, these non-profit organizations often still need assistance.

They need the assistance because the people they support still need the help.

It is a difficult time for many and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t

JUST A THOUGHT Ron Giofu

done anyone any favours.

People will still lose hours at their jobs if not their jobs entirely while business owners still have to factor in possible revenue losses if they can’t welcome their customers as normal.

On top of that, it was still a rough time for people even if they haven’t been impacted by the pandemic.

While some have experienced job loss and similar challenges, there are also those who are working and still have trouble staying on top of their bills. Some of these folks have to work two or three jobs to ensure they keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

There is always a need and our non-profit organizations and

community service agencies are doing their best to fill that need.

Those needs still need to have resources put towards them as community groups can’t do what they do for free (at least not all the time).

My point is that if you can continue to support one of these groups, please consider doing so.

Not as many people can contribute so it is important for those who can help to keep helping.

It is wonderful that so many people helped others have a great Christmas and a solid start to the new year, but some of those in need still require that extra boost to help them make ends meet.

I hope everyone has a prosperous new year but let us not forget those who are struggling.

The work being done by non-profit organizations continues so help out if you can. *****

It is a difficult and frustrating time for many due to the return of COVID-19 public health restrictions. I certainly can get behind measures to keep people safe and to stop the spread of the virus, but I also hope the community can rally behind businesses as much as possible as well. That’s why I reached out to some of them over the past week and interviewed those who I was able to connect with.

We’re likely all tired of the pandemic and the associated restrictions and want things to return to some semblance of normal.

Restaurants, bars and other businesses have been hit a few times and that is why we presented their stories so that the community can understand what they face during periods when efforts are made to stop the spread of the virus.

Please stay safe but also try and support our business community to the extent that it is possible.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A message of thanks from the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission As the New Year begins, I look back at an unprecedented 2021 in which new challenges were faced and overcame, we have to count all our blessings.

I think of our duty to step up and help families through this pandemic in any way we can. For the year, I think of the 14,028 hot meals served, the 671 food baskets handed out, of which 271 were COVID relief baskets. The mission has remained serving hot meals five days a week through 2021. I think about the hard work of the all the volunteers who keep dayto-day operations running smoothly, and the very generous support from our community. My heart is so full of joy at the thought. We are truly blessed to be immersed within a giving community that seeks to support those in need!

This holiday season was particularly different

compared to past years at the mission. Our annual Tambala fundraiser, and the annual Christmas Dinner were cancelled due to the pandemic but we were still able to hand out over 100 turkey dinners and gifts to families.

Thanks to the board of directors and all the volunteers for their ongoing commitment throughout this challenging year. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our mission, “people helping people.”

Due to the contributions and participation of so many generous and wonderful souls, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission continues to provide much needed services to our community.

Local businesses, schools, churches, clubs, unions, and individual donors, you are too numerous to

name, but know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and that the help you give makes it possible for us to help others.

Lastly, we have to thank all who sponsored families over the holidays. We had over 30 families that were sponsored and I can ensure you your sponsorship made an impact in the lives of these families.

Only when we give freely do we truly receive blessings. I trust that such kindness is, in time, returned tenfold.

Thank you for helping to keep the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission going.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!

—Tim McAllister, President Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission

Local medical centre draws praise from Amherstburg residents Pat and Andy Gervais would like to say thank you to Luigi DiPierdomenico for building the fine Amherstburg Health Care Centre for all of us in Amherstburg.

Having a pharmacy, blood clinic, X-ray centre and a team of fine doctors and staff has taken a lot of stress off all of us, who had to travel out of town, especially seniors, for some of these services that were not in town.

May the Amherstburg Health Care Centre team be blessed and flourish for

many years to come.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

—Pat & Andy Gervais Amherstburg

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Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 5

Hospital system likely hasn’t seen brunt of Omicron variant: WRH

David Musyj, president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, goes over wastewater data during the most recent meeting of the WRH board of directors. They met virtually last Thursday evening. Screenshot

By Ron Giofu

A directive to postpone non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures is discussed by Windsor Regional Hospital president/CEO David Musyj last week. The presentation was made during the virtual board of directors meeting. Screenshot

November, it wasn’t first detected in Windsor-Essex County until late December.

“It’s that last week in December where we started to see a rise in the numbers,” he said.

Musyj during last Thursday evening’s virtual meeting that the full impact of Omicron won’t be seen in the community, and definitely not in the hospital, for “a couple of weeks. Then we’re going to feel the full brunt of Omicron in Windsor-Essex.”

The weeks they have to be concerned about in the health care system “for sure” are Jan. 10 and Jan. 17.

He added “we are just at the start of Omicron” but a saving grace could be because the variant moves quickly, it could be over quickly.

“The issue is over the next four to six weeks, we could be in for a tough ride,” he said. “We’re at the early stages of this in Windsor-Essex.”

Dr. Wassim Saad, chief of staff at Windsor Regional Hospital, said in a region of 400,000 people, about 40,000-50,000 are unvaccinated. He said what they are seeing right now with those people who are fully vaccinated, those who are hospitalized have serious health issues or are of an advanced age.

The Windsor Regional Hospital numbers are similar to that of other regions, he said. There is a less than one per cent chance that people who are fully vaccinated and have a booster will end up in ICU or dying.

“That’s very significant” said Dr. Saad. “People need to recognize that.”

Dr. Saad said the vaccines for COVID-19 are not sterilizing vaccines “meaning a sterilizing vaccine will prevent you from getting an infection in the first place. There are very few vaccines in medicine that do that. What these vaccines do is prevent serious illness, prevent hospitalization, prevent ICU admissions and prevent death. There is no question

The Omicron variant is in Windsor-Essex County but the hospital system is only starting to see the impact, it was learned at last week’s Windsor Regional Hospital board meeting.

President/CEO David Musyj outlined the trends of what it here and forecasted to come and indicated things may get worse before they get better.

Musyj outlined the concern over increasing pressures on the health care system, both locally and provincially.

“Clearly one of the issues is it is rapidly spreading throughout Ontario because we are not doing all the testing, arguably, that should be done with people who have symptoms. We really don’t know how many people are positive in the Province of Ontario as it stands now. What we do know is at the minimum, we know it is 10,000-12,000 per day, and it’s three to four times that amount if not greater,” said Musyj.

Musyj added that if a person has had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and a booster, they would generally have mild symptoms if they are infected with the Omicron variant.

“Unfortunately, those without vaccines are still negatively impacted by Omicron to the same extent they were with respect to Delta and the previous variants as well,” he said.

People with two or three doses generally won’t require hospitalization or ICU care because the new variant will be impacting more people.

“Even a small percentage of those needing hospital care results in a large number,” he stated during the board meeting.

An indicator that is looked at is wastewater analysis, which is done in partnership with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) and the University of Windsor.

Musyj said the use of wastewater has been a good indicator of what is to come.

“It’s usually one of the first indicators of what is to come when it comes to COVID in our region and other regions throughout the world,” he stated.

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Non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures have been stopped in the province, along with all non-emergent and non-urgent diagnostic imaging and ambulatory clinical activity. Regarding why the latter was included, Musyj said it was about hospital resources and that it will be “all hands on deck” when the hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant peak again.

Musyj said the wait list for non-emergent surgical procedures was 6,370 procedures in Nov. 2019 while it was 3,452 as of last Thursday evening’s meeting.

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6 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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THRIVE Amherstburg recruiting new members

By Ron Giofu

The co-founders of THRIVE Amherstburg are happy with what the group accomplished in 2021 and are looking forward to 2022.

Richard Peddie and Lauri Brouyette co-founded the collective and it now features a board of directors and approximately 155 members. THRIVE was launched in mid-May of last year and hosted nine discussions on various topics, ranging from urban best practice to affordable housing and climate change.

Some of those topics will be the subject of white papers that will go before Amherstburg town council later this year.

“We had a pretty good year,” said Peddie, of 2021.

There were things they learned about in 2021, including letting more of the membership become involved in presenting the white papers. The group published and delegated papers on Open Air Weekends, heritage and climate change last year with at least seven more planned for this year including affordable housing, parking, arts and culture, climate change phase two, active transportation and cycling, speed limits and another installment on “streets are for people.”

THRIVE Amherstburg is looking to increase its membership this year, and part of the way they are looking to do that is through eliminating membership fees. The collective is now free to join, and Peddie and Brouyette add members will have greater involvement in creating and delegating the white papers.

“We really do want more members,” said Peddie.

They reject the label “lobbyists,” instead preferring the view that THRIVE is “championing” initiatives for Amherstburg. Peddie pointed out there are opportunities for youth to become involved.

Much of their work will happen by July, as that is when they hope to have all of their white papers published to their website and delegated. That way, Peddie noted, there will be chances for municipal election candidates to view and either support or reject their ideas and let the voters know where they stand.

“If the majority of residents think they are good ideas, we hope the people who are running will embrace the ideas,” said Peddie.

Peddie added THRIVE Amherstburg knows they won’t have unanimous support on their ideas. He said Open Air Weekends will return in 2022 and the group is “thrilled” with that and that this is a “big year” in terms of whether a heritage conservation district is approved before the current term of council ends. The group is also hopeful for more tree planting this year.

Brouyette believed they laid the groundwork in 2021 and the group should operate smoothly in 2022. She said “it’s a huge year for Amherstburg” given the election is Oct. 24.

“The next council will be with us for four years. Their views and vision is going to be so important as we move forward.”

Both Peddie and Brouyette note their white papers are evidence-based with research done by people knowledgable on the subject matter.

“I think it is about walking the talk,” said Brouyette. “If we are putting ideas out there and it not followed, then what kind of ideas are they?”

Peddie said THRIVE Amherstburg is trying to present ideas people can champion and embrace, adding they have long believed “standing still is not an option.” He added they have encountered the notion that some ideas don’t make sense or are not applicable because some THRIVE members haven’t always lived in Amherstburg. Peddie said he and wife Colleen have lived in Amherstburg for 13 years while Brouyette said she has been here since 2012.

“How long does it take?” he asked. “Does that really matter?”

THRIVE plans to work with town administration and committees in order to provide information to council that they can make a decision on.

Two new directors have been added with architect Lino Montemurri and climate change specialist Claire Sanders being added. Anyone else interested in joining can visit www.thriveamherstburg.com/membership.

“Come in and give us what you’ve got,” said Brouyette.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 7

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Province announces support for small businesses and workers Special to the RTT

The Ontario government states it is providing targeted relief for businesses and people impacted by the current public health measures aimed at blunting the spread of the Omicron variant.

As part of this plan, the government announced Friday it is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses that are subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen and is providing additional electricity-rate relief for businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home.

“Our government understands that public health measures needed to blunt the spread of the Omicron variant are impacting the lives and livelihoods of small businesses, workers and families across Ontario,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, stated in a news release.

“Since the first day of the pandemic, we have provided unprecedented levels of support to protect people, jobs and our economy. We will continue to deliver on that commitment.”

The province announced an Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000.

Eligible small businesses include: •Restaurants and bars; •Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms); •Performing arts and cinemas; •Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions; •Meeting or event spaces; •Tour and guide services; •Conference centres and convention centres; •Driving instruction for individuals; and •Before- and after- school programs.

Eligible businesses that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and that are subject to closure under modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply to the new program, the Ontario government states. Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks. Small businesses that qualify can expect to receive their payment in February.

The Ontario government says it is also providing electricity-rate relief to support small businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home while the province is in Modified Step Two. For 21 days starting at 12:01 am Jan. 18, electricity prices will be set 24 hours a day at the current off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the cost of the current on-peak rate.

The off-peak rate will apply automatically to residential, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility and will benefit customers on both Time-of-Use and Tiered rate plans.

Further, online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open Jan. 18. The province states this program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.

Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs. Those required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs. A complete list of eligible businesses will be provided prior to the launch of the application portal.

The government states it is also providing up to $7.5 billion through a six-month interest- and penalty-free period which started Jan. 1 for Ontario businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

“Ontario’s heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries have been hit first, hardest, and are expected to take the longest to recover from the pandemic,” said

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “These new supports are critical to protect sectors that contribute more than $76 billion and hundreds of thousands of jobs in communities across the province.”

Meanwhile, with schools scheduled to reopen Jan. 17, Ontario Liberals are demanding that Premier Doug Ford immediately recalls the Legislature to pass a series of important measures to keep schools open. Liberals claim that “since extending the closure, (Ford) has done almost nothing to make classrooms safer. That needs to end.”

“As the father of two daughters who attend publicly funded schools, I support in-person learning and would like schools to reopen,” stated Ontario Liberal Leader, Steven Del Duca. “But that doesn’t mean the work to make them safer is over. Let’s get our kids back in classrooms, but Doug Ford also needs to get back to work and make sure closures never happen again.”

Ontario Liberals are proposing a series of moves which they say will help prevent future school closures: •Adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of universal

vaccinations for students, covered under the Immunization of School Pupils Act and bringing vaccine clinics to schools.

•Requiring the government to transparently and publicly report the progress on HEPA filter and N95 deliveries on a school-by-school basis.

•Implementing a strong vaccine mandate for all education and childcare workers while prioritizing them for boosters.

•Establishing a rapid testing program in schools while making PCR testing free and accessible to all families with children in schools.

•Passing MPP John Fraser’s Bill 7, to give all workers 10 paid sick days, which would ensure parents can isolate if their children are exposed.

•Launching an education campaign to combat misinformation and promote vaccine confidence among parents.

“Doug Ford’s preventable school closure was a failure that only caused more chaos and hardship for students and parents,” added Del Duca.

WHERE YOU DEFINE CREATIVITY

8 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

www.rivertowntimes.com

Businesses thankful for town’s support, trying to generate new revenue

Continued from Page 1 Kelly also stated he tries and sponsor sports teams and organizations and that has been impacted as well. He noted many teams come back to Shooters after games.

“That money isn’t coming back,” he said. “The way they thank me is coming here to eat and drink. Basically, that money is lost.”

Jen Desjardins-Grondin, co-owner of GL Heritage Brewing Co., said they have taken a hit also but are doing what they can to counteract.

“As with every local, small business, especially those in the hospitality, tourism and event space, our family-run brewery has been significantly and adversely affected by the multiple waves of this pandemic,” she said. “Our customers’ loyalty and support has been crucial and they have motivated us to operate in any capacity possible over the last two years, whether we were in partial restriction or lockdown modes. We are so incredibly grateful for their on-going encouragement and support.”

Desjardins-Grondin stated restrictions implemented just as holiday season approached had already severely impacted their ability to support any private events and staff gatherings on site during the last couple of months.

“That was a pretty big blow for us and for our customers. Now that indoor dining is also once again prohibited, and all our planned efforts to draw guests in during these typically slow months is taken away, we are forced to totally rethink our business and how it can operate in any capacity,” she said. “We can’t just give up, so we get as innovative as possible to salvage not only our business but as many of our partner businesses as we can.”

Within the three days between the government announcement and the craft brewery’s reopening, Desjardins-Grondin said they came up with the “Bonfires & Beers” plan where they offer some winter fun in their outdoor space.

“We dust the snow off our picnic tables, and bring out stand-up heaters on our patio.

We set up large fire pits surrounded by Adirondack chairs and more picnic tables, with music for everyone to enjoy. We bring in hot soup and sweet treats from our collaborative partner, Catherine Chauvin, at The Pantry. And we create fun extras like personalsized packs of homemade s’more ingredients, including GL Heritage beer-infused marshmallows made by another local collaborator, Kristy Raymond of Kristy’s Custom Cakes,” she said. “We are so pleased to say that the launch of our ‘Bonfires & Beers’ was very successful this (past) weekend, with a fantastic turnout and safety protocols still in place. Every customer seemed to really appreciate the ability to get out of the house and experience a sense of fun and normalcy in the fresh air.”

Desjardins-Grondin said they plan to continue this offering through the coming weeks to the best of their ability, including having The Pantry food truck each weekend to offer food onsite or for takeout.

“Bonfires are always weather and wind-dependent but they will be lit if we can! It’s difficult to guess whether this will only last three weeks or much longer, so we have to just take one day at a time and maintain hope that all of this will pass quickly,” she stated.

At the AMA Sportsmen Association, they are offering fish fries every Friday evening from 4-6 p.m. via takeout as one way to keep money coming in. Club president Rodney Ferriss said they have been doing what they can since the pandemic began.

“The first major hurdle for us was we had to shut down right away in March 2020,” said Ferriss.

The club not only lost out on archery and air rifle classes for youth that year, but they have yet to be able to offer it again though they look forward to the day they can do so.

Membership has declined, with the lack of air rifle and archery believed to be a cause, but Ferriss hopes it will bounce back.

“We had to find a way to make money. We started doing dinners out the door,” he said.

The club also decided to start accepting empty beer, wine and liquor bottles in a storage bin at the rear of their property as a way to generate revenue.

“Both of these things still go on today,” he said. “They help us keep our doors open and pay our bills. We want to make sure this building is there for the kids when this is done.”

Ferriss said the club has lost revenue but “we’re doing well.” He said that is despite not being able to access funding from upper levels of government, something he believes is due to the fact they are volunteer-based and a not-for-profit. While he didn’t rule out other not-for-profits being able to get assistance, he said the AMA Sportsmen Association was unable to.

“Because we didn’t have a payroll, the government let us shut down,” he said. “I think the not-for-profits were left out in the dark. We suffered on this end of the deal.”

Ferriss also was hoping for some sort of support from the Town of Amherstburg in the form of tax breaks or other aid, but didn’t receive anything there either. While Open Air Weekends helped some businesses, he said the club wasn’t helped by it and was hoping the town could find another way to assistance.

“The community as a whole has been great and very supportive of us,” Ferriss added.

“We’re going to survive. We’re going to be there in the spring. We’re doing good. We’ll be fine.”

NOMINATIONS WANTED! Do you know someone between the ages of 6 - 17 who is making a difference within their community? Nominate them for an Ontario Junior Citizen Award today!

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 11, 2022

GL Heritage Brewing Co. launched a “Bonfires & Beers” event last Saturday.

They hope to continue with such events during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated shutdowns.

Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, and at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen.

Email jr.citizen@ocna.org for more information.

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SPECIAL TO THE RTT

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 9

www.rivertowntimes.com

Essex County council approved EWSWA budget calling for 4.1 per cent increase to municipalities

By Ron Giofu

Essex County council has approved the budget from the Essex-Windsor Solid SIZE: PRICE: PUBLICATION: FOR PUBLICATION Waste Authority (EWSWA) which calls for a 4.1 per centPROOF increase to municipalities.

4 col. x 10.5” $562.00+HST Jan. 13, 2022 EWSWA general manager Michelle Bishop appeared before county council recently at a virtual meeting to explain the budget and go over it with county SALES REP: GRAPHIC DESIGNER: NOTE: council members. EWSWA officials have to go before both Windsor and Essex In House Lana County councils every year to get budget approvals. www.essexfreepress.com | issuu.com/essexfreepress The 4.1 per cent increase over 2020 means an additional $536,140 is being assessed to municipalities. The increase is just shy of $290,000 for the City of Windsor while 16 Centre St., Essex | P.O. Box 115, Essex, ON N8M 2Y1 | Ph: 519-776-4268 | Email: contact@essexfreepress.com the Essex County municipalities will split just over $246,000.

Please review your proof carefully & return with signature of approval, and “In addition, there is the potential the authority will Mon.-Thurs. receive additional funds Hours: 9am-3pm, Fri. 9am-1pm, Closed Sat. & Sun. or indication of changes required, by 1:00 p.m. Friday prior to publication from both the City of Windsor and the seven county municipalities due to Your ad will publish in 11,000 copies of The Essex Free Press. increased tonnages resulting from forecasted tonnages budgeted based on 2021 The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) is considering its 2022 budget. An increase of and 2022 material received for disposal. We are seeing some growth in the region as well as additional materials delivered due to work from home situations as well 4.1 per cent will be brought to Essex County council and Windsor city council for review. The EWSWA operates the regional landfill, among its many duties. RTT File Photo as children being at home.”

Bishop noted the EWSWA board approved the budget at a November meeting while the City of Windsor had approved it two days prior to the county council meeting.

According to her report, the 2022 EWSWA budget is in the midst of a 15-year budget forecast which calls for 4.1 increases until 2026 as part of the “balanced budget objective.” In 2027, the projected increase is 1.75 per cent.

The EWSWA board approved recommendations which included increasing the total waste management fee by $1 per tonne to $40 per tonne from $39 per tonne. Bishop’s report noted “this is the fee assessed to municipalities for each tonne of refuse delivered for disposal. This results in $106,400 based on the 2021 municipal tonnage level plus an additional $198,000 due to an increase in municipal tonnes from 106,400 in 2021 to 111,350 in 2022.”

“Additionally, there is an increase of $429,740 to the fixed cost assessment of the City of Windsor and the seven county municipalities,” she said. “That is based on population.”

The population calculations are based off of 2016 figures with the 2021 census due to be released in February 2022.

Bishop said the authority expected to draw from the rate stabilization reserve of just under $2.5 million in 2021 but she said they were pleased to announce they actually had a surplus of $1.6 million and those funds will be returned to the rate stabilization reserve and used to fund future year operations.

The commodity prices for the sale of blue box materials, which are sorted and sold back to recycling plants, have “skyrocketed” as a result of supply chain issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. It has resulted in a significant increase over the budget.

“Additionally, we received half-a-million dollars more in steward blue box funding to fund our blue box program,” she said.

A new hauling contract and costs have “increased significantly” due to steel pricing, insurance, supply chain issues, labour pricing, materials and “pretty much everything to do with repairs on that fleet.”

The total assessment to County of Essex municipalities and to the City of Windsor is to also include the increase in municipal tonnage from 2021 to 2022 being an additional 4,950 tonnes representing $198,000. The overall 2022 assessment to Windsor and the seven county municipalities will be $13,810,740, Bishop stated in her report.

Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos asked about the “comfort level” of the rate stabilization reserve and “what is the appropriate, healthy amount you’d like to see in that reserve.” Bishop said that number should be about 15 per cent of operating expenditures for the year, or $4-$5 million for the year.

“That’s always been the goal to keep that reserve balance at $4-$5 million,” said Bishop.

Increases to the hauling contract and other contracts, it could lead to deficits in that reserve but the ten-year forecast shows “ a progressive forecast to build that reserve back up to where it needs to be.”

HOPE AND WELL WISHES

to all for a prosperous 2022.

In your service,

CHRIS LEWIS

MP | ESSEX

chris.lewis@parl.gc.ca • chrislewismp.ca • 519-776-4700

10 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

www.rivertowntimes.com

CWATS routes being updated, additional routes asked for

By Ron Giofu

An update of the County-Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) was recently given to Amherstburg town council with members of council looking for certain projects to be done.

Active transportation co-ordinator Diana Radulescu, Essex County’s manager of transportation planning and development and Amherstburg’s manager of engineering Todd Hewitt presented the proposed changes to council as CWATS is updating its master plan. CWATS is overseen primarily by the County of Essex though each of the seven municipalities have representation with Hewitt sitting on the CWATS committee. The City of Windsor, ERCA, the Ministry of Transportation, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and Chatham-Kent are also represented on the committee.

Recommended changes to previously proposed CWATS routes in Amherstburg include a bike lane on Sandwich St. from Alma St. to Pickering Dr. paved shoulders along Concession 2 North from County Road 10 to Beneteau Dr., buffered paved shoulders on County Road 8 from Front Road to South Talbot Road, enhancing the multi-use pathway on Alma St. from Sandwich St. to Fryer St. to connect to the new multi-use path from Fryer St. to Meloche Road, various enhancements to trails and paved shoulders along County Road 20 between Alma St. and Malden Road, and a signed route along Alma St. from Concession 3 North to Meloche Road.

Newly proposed CWATS routes in Amherstburg include buffered paved shoulders on County Road 10 from County Road 20 to Concession 8 North, a. multi-use pathway on County Road 10 from the Cypher Systems Greenway to Walker Road (County Road 11), and extending paved shoulders along County Road 20 in the former

Malden Township and County Road 5 (Concession 2 North) south of Texas Road.

Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche called CWATS a “great program” but didn’t agree with some of the decisions over the years in terms of what roads were designated. He said the decision was made under the CWATS program to pave shoulders on Pike Road, also known as County Road 18, as well as another stretch of that road to Arner Townline in Essex.

“I drive that stretch three times a week,” said Meloche. “The only people I see that benefits are the farmers. I don’t see it being used. My argument has always been is to spend the money where it’s going to get the highest use.”

Meloche has regularly championed putting paved shoulders along Middle Side Road, also termed as County Road 10. He said there is the Pointe West subdivision and golf course along that route as well as the Golfview subdivision, Anderdon Public School, Amherstburg fire station #2, the Fox Glen subdivision, the Canard Valley subdivision and other homes.

“There is a whole population that I think would be better served if we looked at a CWATS program that covered those kind of areas instead of covering what I would call more rural areas that I joke but it’s probably serious that it benefits the farmers and not the cyclists or walkers,” said Meloche. “The way I look at is I’m going to spend the money where it’s going to get the best use. I’ll argue that County Road 18 was not the best choice although the county argues – and I’ve heard it more than once – that ‘we’re paving the roads, it’s just more cost-effective to do the shoulders.’ You know what? If it’s not used, I disagree.”

Radulescu indicated those thoughts could be shared with town staff for the CWATS master plan update. The 2012 master plan was based on major arterial

Memories of Yesterday...

Photos courtesy of the Marsh Historical Collection 80 Richmond Street Amherstburg 519-736-9191 • www.marshcollection.org

McQueen Marine vessels taking a mobile diesel generator to Pelee Island on January 26, 1956. The tug Atomic is shown breaking ice for the Patricia McQueen, with the government derrick scow Amherstburg II in tow.

A map shows the proposed phasing for County-Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) projects in Amherstburg. CWATS representatives recently showed their proposed updates to town council. Screenshot

connections across the county and with 55 per cent of the network built, they are getting positive feedback from people including on County Road 18. She added they are looking for more comments on where new routes can be made and why new routes have been recommended.

Councillor Don McArthur said he walks and cycles a lot and makes use of the paved shoulders on County Road 18. He added he also uses County Road 10 “and the difference is night and day” between paved shoulders and not having any at all.

“I think it’s an unfortunate accident in timing that Middle Side Road was paved before the county embraced these paved shoulder programs,” he said.

“That’s really what happened. Middle Side Road is in fantastic shape and was recently done but not recently enough, I guess.”

McArthur stated CWATS did “great projects” in 2021 including paved shoulders along County Road 20 into Malden Centre and along County Road 50 as well. He said people will be able to get from Amherstburg to Colchester Beach on paved shoulders.

“That’s really fantastic,” he said.

Key changes have been made that “are flying under the radar right now,” McArthur added, pointing out a proposal to eventually install bike lanes along County Road 20 (Front Road North) into LaSalle. He also added plans to put bike lanes on Concession 2 North.

“That’s going to be huge for our network, getting people on their bikes to Open Air Weekends,” he said.

“Concession Road 2, that bridge, one day it’s going to open, and that’s going to be a fantastic route.”

McArthur said Amherstburg town council has “passed a couple of motions” relating to Middle Side Road in McGregor between Howard Ave and Walker Road calling for paved shoulders there due to three subdivisions in the area.

“What can this council do to elevate this stretch of road so that our mayor and deputy mayor can go to county council and say ‘hey, this stretch above all others is important to the Town of Amherstburg’,” he asked.

Radulescu noted there is a paved shoulder proposed in the area but added the phasing is preliminary at this stage. She said comments from council can have that proposal become a great priority.

“It’s a question of budgeting and scheduling on behalf of both the county and the town as well,” she said. “It will

depend on the road context of whether there is a settlement area and whether it will be a 60/40 split between the county and the town or whether it is a rural area where it would be 100 per cent county funded. It certainly is an ongoing conversation about prioritization and the phasing that is recommended is a guideline and can be changed if a town would prefer to have a road built fast than is currently recommended.”

Hewitt added that County Road 10 was not included in the 2012 master plan so paved shoulders were not included when there was resurfacing several years later. He added the new master plan update has put buffered paved shoulders there in the McGregor corridor of County Road 10. If the updated plan is adopted by the County of Essex, town council can push for that piece on a 60/40 cost split since it is in a settlement area. He acknowledged what is currently proposed in the CWATS update doesn’t go to Howard Ave. but it is a step in the right direction.

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said he heard a lot of negativity about the CWATS program seven years ago and now people are enjoying the road expansions. He said the County Road 20 pathways is “a huge link for Amherstburg” as he was told by people that without it, the town is severed from the rest of the county.

“That was huge for us. I’ll say thanks for that and I know we’re expanding it again this year. That’s fantastic because it’s a tourist route and part of the wine route. That’s great,” said DiCarlo.

DiCarlo said other municipalities have shown a willingness to put their share of costs towards projects important to them so he believed the county should prioritize it. If it is done sooner, the cheaper the costs would be, he added.

“If council says we’ll pay our share, will CWATS say ‘fine, let’s do it’?”

DiCarlo asked.

Radulescu said the plan is not set in stone and if opportunities come up where there is funding on both county and town levels, it is possible. She said many times paved shoulders are added when roads are repaved but that isn’t always the case. Hewitt added the first step is to get County Road 10 on the master plan.

“Once it’s in the master plan, if the town wants to try and move that piece forward and put some funding into it that may be more than what we do for that section, the county would give that consideration as an additional project outside the normal paved should program,” said Hewitt.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 11

www.rivertowntimes.com

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AMA Sportsmen Club selling calendars as way to raise funds for youth sports programming

By Ron Giofu The AMA Sportsmen Association is once again selling calendars as a fundraiser with one of its members being recognized for his decade’s worth of effort.

Tom Mailloux, a board member with the club, has been organizing efforts to put the calendar out for the past ten years and was thanked for it last week by club president Rod Ferriss. Both Ferriss and Mailloux were at Canadian Tire recently selling the 2022 calendars, proceeds of which go back into the club.

“We sell 500 calendars every year,” said Mailloux.

“All of the proceeds go to the youth fund at the Sportsmen’s Club.”

Youth events that are offered at the club, when COVID-19 public health conditions allow, include fishing derbies, air rifle and archery.

“It’s a fun calendar,” said Mailloux. “It’s all the members who send us their photos they’ve taken.”

Mailloux added one of the members went on an African safari and included photos from that in the calendar.

The calendars are $7 each and they will continue to be sold until all 500 printed are gone. Mailloux added they work with the Southpoint Creative Group, which is part of the same company with the River Town Times, to help produce the calendars.

“We like to sell the calendars because the money is going to go to a good cause,” said Ferriss. “We thank Canadian Tire for allowing us in here to sell our calendars.”

Mailloux added Canadian Tire is “a big supporter to us in many ways.”

Many of the same advertisers and supporters stay in the calendar on an annual basis, Mailloux continued.

The AMA Sportsmen Association is selling 2022 calendars to fundraise for its youth programming. Board member Tom Mailloux (left), who has been organizing the calendar for ten years, and club president Rod Ferriss were at Canadian Tire selling the calendars recently.

RTT Photo by Ron Giofu

The calendars can also be purchased at the club during their weekly take-out fish fries. People can go by the club for a take-out fish or chicken dinner every Friday from 4-6 p.m. until further notice with pickerel being $20 and a roasted half-chicken being $15. People are asked to call in advance to order but walk-ins are welcome as well.

The AMA Sportsmen Association is also continuing

to collect empty wine, liquor and beer bottles as a way to fundraise. People can drop off their empties at the back of the building near the trailer.

The AMA Sportsmen Association is located at 468 Lowes Side Road and for more information, people can visit www.amasportsmen.com or call 519-736-5706.

High school sports back on hold due to COVID-19 health restrictions

By Ron Giofu The high school sports season, which had re-started in late fall, has been paused again.

The latest round of COVID-19 public health restrictions not only caused the Ontario government to have schools switch back to remote learning, but also stopped the Windsor-Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WECSSAA) schedules for the time being.

A statement released by WECSSAA last week confirmed that high school sports are being postponed through Feb. 7. The statement came from WECSSAA president Jim Kittl and secretary/treasurer Joe Amicarelli.

“Due to the recently announced provincial shift to online learning and in conjunction with the provincial decision to close community recreation centres until at least January 26th, WECSSAA, with the support of the school boards, will pause all school athletics until the first full week of Semester 2 - February 7, 2022,” the statement read. “At this time, no games, practices or other WECSSAA sanctioned activities will occur. Further information will be provided once more information is available from the provincial government regarding a return to in-person learning. Thank you.”

At the time of the pause, the General Amherst Lady Gens senior girls basketball team had one game left on the schedule and a 4-2 record. The junior boys volleyball team is 3-1 with one match left. The boys hockey team was 2-1 when the

season was put on hold and the WECSSAA website lists two remaining games in February. The girls team currently sits at 1-3-1 and they were to have four games this month.

Dan Pettypiece, head coach of the General Amherst girls team, hopes they can return to the ice in early February and not just to enjoy the game.

“These kids keep taking hits to their mental health. The system that we had in place was working and if and when there was a positive case it would only affect that team and possibly the team they last played. The government won’t even let the process in place that they approved so that kids could get back to sports get a chance to work. It is very frustrating and I feel so bad for them,” he said. “Kids are very resilient but they can’t keep taking blow after blow before long term damage occurs.”

Pettypiece said he is a strong advocate for mental health and it hurts him to see the players have to deal with this time after time. He said he rented ice last Tuesday to get young players one more opportunity to get on the ice before arenas were shut down.

“It was great to see the smiling faces out there but it was bittersweet knowing this would be it for at least three weeks,” said Pettypiece. “The government at some point has to let things consistently progress back to some sort of normalcy.

We were all told once the vaccines rolled out that once people got their two shots that we could start getting back to our before-COVID lives. Now they keep moving the goal line and we don’t seem any closer.”

12 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 13

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MEMORIAM

BIRTHDAY

Happy 80th Birthday Sharron Vandenham!

Shirlee Wilder 1948 - 2021

In Loving Memory of a dear husband, father, papa, brother & brother-in-law

Ken Manley

Who went to be with the Lord 1 year ago January 15th 2021

May the winds of Heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear how much we love and miss you and wish that you were here!

Love always your wife Barb, daughters Shelley (Derek) Norine (Marc) papa to Aaron,Tyler & Ava. Your sisters and in-laws.

Community Calendar

TUES., JAN. 25 & TUES., FEB. 1 INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA & CELL PHONE SAFETY WORKSHOP - Hosted by Community Living Essex County.

People with an intellectual disability ages 16-and-over invited to join the virtual session. Runs 4-6 p.m. on Zoom. Topics covered include safe use of the internet, cell phones, social media and e-mails. Register on My Community Hub. Link is http://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/mycommunityhub/ Activity_Search/12675. Registration closes Jan. 21. If you have any questions, e-mail Patty Neufeld at patty@ communitylivingessex.org or call 519-776-6483 ext. 228.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28 MUSEUM PRESENTATION - The Amherstburg Freedom Museum hosting online presentation by Dr. Cheryl Thompson and Dr. Karen Cyrus entitled “Mapping Ontario’s Black Archive: A Conversation.” Virtual event starts at 2 p.m. To join, find the link on the museum’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

SATURDAY JANUARY 29 CHICKEN OR RIB DINNER FUNDRAISER - Presented by the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club. Runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.at the Knights of Columbus Hall, River Canard parking lot, 8965 Malden Road, LaSalle. $30 per Dinner. To order, e-mail finance@bryerswood.com. Include your name, phone number, number of chicken dinners and/or number of rib dinners and pick-up time. Choose a 15-minute time slot starting at 4:30 p.m. up to 6:15 p.m. E-transfer funds to: finance@bryerswood.com. All meals must be pre-paid by January 20.

ONGOING BOTTLE DONATIONS - The AMA Sportsmen Association continues to accept donations of empty beer and wine bottles. People who wish to donate their empties can drop them off at the rear of the club, located at 468 Lowes Side Road in Amherstburg. For information, visit www.amasportsmen.com or call 519-736-5706.

GOLDEN AGE CLUB - The Fort Malden Golden Age Centre has returned to its usual schedule at the Libro Centre. Monday features pepper, Tuesday euchre, Wednesday bridge, Thursday line dancing and cribbage and Friday pepper and bingo. Starts daily at 12:30 p.m. All welcome. Temporary phone is 519-736-6188.

ACS FOOD BANK - Curbside pickup at Amherstburg Community Hub (320 Richmond St.). Runs Tuesdays

and Thursdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 519-736-5471 for assistance.

FISH FRIES - Held every Friday from 4-6 p.m. at the AMA Sportsmen Association, 468 Lowes Side Road in Amherstburg.

Take-out only. Pickerel $20, roasted half-chicken $15. To book in advance, call 519-736-5706, walk-ins welcome.

MISSION NEEDS DONATIONS - The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, located at 298 Victoria St. S., is in urgent need of some items. Among the items being requested are peanut butter, jam, ketchup, mustard, Sidekicks, cereal (any kind), corn starch, onion soup mix, radishes, chicken and beef broth, barbecue sauce, canned peas, canned cut green beans, canned pea & carrots, ranch dressing, egg noodles, and canned fruit. Monetary donations always welcome.

For information, visit www.aburgmission.ca or call 519-7369140.

FOUNDERS CLUB - Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club seeking donors to join the “Founders Club” to help them purchase the camp on Texas Road. Donors with gifts of $5,000 and over become “Founders Club” members and have one square of camp property sponsored in their name.

Multiples of squares are available for sponsorship. Tax receipts provided. For information, visit www.bryerswoodyouthcamp. com, call 519-996-7364 or e-mail info@bryerswood.com.

THE HOUSE YOUTH CENTRE PROGRAMS - The House Youth Centre, located in the Amherstburg Community Hub at 320 Richmond St., offering weekly meetings for Grade 9 and Grade 11 students Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Weekly meetings for Grade 10 and Grade 12 students Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. The Alumni Group meets the third Thursday of each month while the Embrace group meets the last Thursday of each month. There is the quiet homework hour from 3-4 p.m. every Tuesday-Thursday and drop-in hours from 4-7 p.m. every Tuesday-Thursday. For more information, e-mail program director Natalyn Brouillard at natalyn@ houseyouthcentre.com.

AMHERSTBURG COMMUNITY SERVICES - Located at 320 Richmond St., (519) 736-5471. Meals on Wheels, CareLink Accessible Transportation, Food Bank, Senior Support, Keep The Heat, Ontario Energy Support Program & much more. Please call to see how we can help!

To place your event in the Community Calendar please email: mail@rivertowntimes.com

SERVICES

POWDER COATING PLUS, SANDBLASTING AND POWDER COATING, Quick Turnarounds, Reasonable rates. Call, text or email 519-9193360, shadow@xplornet.com _______________________

APT FOR RENT

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Laundry, patio or balcony, stainless steel appliances, parking. Centrally located to all amenities. Starting at $1395 utilities included.

Call to view (519) 9951565. ______________________

WANTED TO BUY

CASH FOR GOLD SILVER JEWELLERY + All COINS FREE ESTIMATES - Friday, Jan uary 28 at K of C Hall, 190 Richmond St. Amherstburg, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Private appointments available.

All gold + silver jewellery, even some costume, any gold (even teeth), old coins Canada, USA, World War medals, windup watches, Mint sets, pocket watches, old guitars. House calls also available.

Dan Jones B.A.B.Ed. 54 years experience, 519-8181805. _______________________

Love, John, Lorri, Dawn & Leigh MOVERS

“ON TIME MOVERS” - Local and long distance moves, in house furniture moving, loads to the dump and more. Please call Larry - 519-984-7412

SUDOKU ANSWERS

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Shirlee Joice Wilder.

Daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Farmer, beloved wife of Jack Wilder, mother of Tim Szucs. Proud grandma to Myah, great-grandma to Violet. Stepmother to Todd (Nicole), Kathy (2018), Jesus (2019), Michael (Don).

Also grandma to Alexis and Colin. Dear sister to Mary Paquette, Betty Gowanlock, Liz Farmer Martin, Nelson (Cecilia) Farmer. Predeceased by brother Bill (Ritva), Harvey (Mary), Cecil (Connie).

Shirlee was a great cook and loved spending time in the kitchen teaching and cooking with granddaughter Myah.

Shirlee worked as a PSW for Red Cross and ParaMed and loved her job. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met. She was an avid Toronto Maple Leaf fan.

Shirley will be missed by many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her four legged best friend P-NUT. At Shirlee’s request cremation has taken place. If you wish you may leave your condolences at Marcotte Funeral Home Windsor.

SCRAMBLE ANSWER

FILES

Kicks & Giggles

14 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

www.rivertowntimes.com

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are self-confident and know who you are, which helps you take charge of situations. Many people rely on you, and you feed off that accountability.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may feel like you have to be a mediator between two sides, and that only adds to tension you have been feeling recently. Take a deep breath and a step back.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, perceptions can be misleading. Look at a confounding situation from another angle. A new perspective may be all you need to see things more clearly.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, a get-together with loved ones could do everybody some good. You may need to find the secret that can pull them everyone together, even if it’s only for a day.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, a friend of yours may be feeling like a third wheel on group outings. Consider playing matchmaker, or make plans for a get-together with just this individual.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, someone may try to burst your bubble in the next few days, but you won’t let it get in the way of your lively, imaginative nature.

As time goes by, others will come around.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, the last thing you want to do lately is slow down, but you may have to do just that or special moments may pass you by. Carve out time to spend with loved ones.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, someone is trying to stay on task this week but you are all about a less serious approach. Let others focus on the tasks at hand, even if you can’t.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, technology is designed to make processes easier, but you may find you get fouled up by devices this week. Try doing things the old fashioned way for a bit.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, others may not share your sense of humor. Play to your audience and don’t get too down if some jokes don’t go over well. Consider toning it down for a bit.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, what you see in the mirror just isn’t matching up to what you’re thinking in your head. Look to wise friends for answers as to why this is.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, if you are finding difficulty finding satisfaction at work, it may be time to start looking for something new to do. Put out some feelers.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS JANUARY 9 - Nina Dobrev, Actress (33) JANUARY 10 - Rod Stewart, Singer (77) JANUARY 11 - Mary J. Blige, Singer (51) JANUARY 12 - Jeff Bezos, Entrepreneur (58) JANUARY 13 - Liam Hemsworth, Actor (32) JANUARY 14 - LL Cool J, Rapper (54) JANUARY 15 - Drew Brees, Broadcaster (43)

WORD SCRAMBLE Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to getting organized.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 13

Belle Vue Conservancy president Shirley Curson-Prue (right) donates a framed print of the 200-year-old home to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 president Laurie Cavanaugh. The Belle Vue house was a home for WWI veterans at one time. Fundraising is ongoing to repair the historic Amherstburg mansion.

RTT Photo by Ron Giofu

Belle Vue Conservancy donates print to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157

By Ron Giofu

The Belle Vue mansion has had many uses over the years, and one of those former uses was as a veterans’ home.

Because of that usage, the group fundraising to try and preserve Belle Vue made a donation of its own.

The Belle Vue Conservancy donated a framed print to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 in late December. The print is a reproduction of an original painting done by artist Peter Rindlisbacher depicting what the home is believed to have looked like in 1928.

While the original has been temporarily loaned to the Town of Amherstburg, where it hangs in the council chambers, the reproduction will hang in Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157. The Belle Vue Conservancy not only wanted to commemorate the fact the Dalhousie St. mansion was once a home for World War I veterans, but also wanted to use it in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the poppy.

Shirley Curson-Prue, president of the Belle Vue Conservancy, said they thought it would be a nice idea to remember one of its former uses as well as the anniversary.

“We’re trying to commemorate the fact there were a number of different uses of the building,” said Curson-Prue.

Curson-Prue pointed out the framing was donated by Amherstburg resident Walter Stewart, who also framed the original painting. Stewart was not only credited with framing the print, but also adding a special plaque to the frame as well.

Before he passed away, conservancy member Paul Hertel undertook much of the research of the home as a veterans’ hospital. Meg Reiner, collections co-ordinator at the Marsh Historical Collection, also assisted with the research.

According to research done by Hertel and shared by Reiner, as wounded World War II veterans returned started returning from combat, they started overloading London’s Westminster Hospital and the Belle Vue Veterans’ Home became a new Ontario “destination of care for senior veterans of World War I.” On Jan. 24, 1944, Amherstburg town council passed a resolution supporting the acquisition of the property for a convalescent home. It had been owned by the family of John G. Mullen, a former Amherstburg mayor.

The property was purchased by the federal government, specifically the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, on June 12, 1946 for $50,000, Hertel’s research indicated. It opened as a veterans’ home July 11, 1947, with a formal opening ceremony Aug. 9, 1947. The original eleven veterans that moved into the home included Charles Coley, John N. McPhee, John R. Motby, William Pinkham, William Langlois, Andrew Galbraith, Alfred Crocker, Frederick Coleman, Albert Potter, Alfred J. McLaughlin and Frederick Williams.

While it operated as a veterans’ convalescent home, it has special visits in 1949 from then-Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and MP and future-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

By the mid-1950’s, post-war veterans’ services started to decline, the research adds, and that included Belle Vue. With little public advanced notice, the home was closed in September 1954 with all remaining veterans being relocated to the Westminster Hospital site in London. The property was later declared surplus and sold.

Curson-Prue noted the Belle Vue Conservancy is still fundraising and people are still welcome to sponsor a window at the home, which was originally constructed in 1816-18. For more information or to donate, visit www.bellevueconservancy. com, e-mail info@bellevueconservancy.com or call 519-736-7586.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – River Town Times – 15

www.rivertowntimes.com

Amherstburg’s Colton Candido (10) tries to get past Essex’s Karson Beuglet during last Tuesday’s PJHL Stobbs Division game. The Admirals won 2-1. RTT Photos by Ron Giofu

Amherstburg goalie Nicholas Bolton makes a save as his defenseman Reid Stieler defends against Luke Sherk. The Admirals won their final game before a three-week COVID-19 shutdown 2-1 over the Essex 73’s.

Admirals beat Essex in final game before COVID-19 shutdown

By Ron Giofu The Amherstburg Admirals join Jr. C hockey teams from across the province in being shut down for at least three weeks due to COVID-19 health regulations but the local team went into the break on a positive note.

The Admirals travelled to Essex last Tuesday night and came away with a 2-1 victory over the rival 73’s. A pair of powerplay goals on the same fourminute kneeing penalty to Essex’s Luke Sherk in the second period gave the Admirals enough goals to win. Owen Papulkas and Matteo Frattaroli scored 1:14 apart in the second period.

Nicholas Bolton was superb in the Amherstburg net, stopping 38 of 39 shots. The only shot that eluded him was a wrister from Essex’s Everett Parent at the 6:44 mark of the third period.

Andrew Thoms looked to have a breakaway opportunity late in the third period but was whistled for an offside at the Admirals’ blueline with just 5.1 seconds left.

Bolton said it was a big win for

the Admirals.

“I knew this was the last game for a few weeks so I just wanted to give it all and go into the break on a positive note,” he said.

Bolton added he was feeling good coming into the game and credited his forwards and defenseman for allowing him to see the shots that Essex was firing at him. He added he and his teammates will do their best to stay active over the next few weeks as they await their next game. He said everyone pulled together and “it’s great to beat a team like (Essex).”

Admirals head coach Paul Bortignon said they have a young team and they are progressing. He was clearly thrilled about the win after the game, praising the team’s heart in pulling out the victory.

“I think this was a gutty of a win as there has ever been,” he said. “It starts in net with (Bolton). He was outstanding right from puck drop right through the third. He gave the guys great jump.”

Bortignon also pointed out the Admi-

rals were down five regular players for last Tuesday night’s game.

“I told the guys in the eight years coaching in this organization, this is the proudest I’ve ever been,” said Bortignon.

Bortignon also pointed out the work of the powerplay, and added his team hung in step for step with Essex and “did the little things right.” He noted they can’t go on the ice for at least three weeks so the players have to find a way to stay active and keep their minds and bodies in good shape.

“Hopefully when they come back we’ll have a little bit of a runway to get our conditioning back but that will be something for the PJHL (Provincial Ju-

nior Hockey League) and the government to work on,” he said.

The Admirals were to have a busy week last week, as they had games originally scheduled games last Friday in Lakeshore and a home game Sunday versus Wheatley but they were postponed. As it stands now, the Wheatley game is the only home game to be postponed as future games that have been scrapped for the time being were to be in Petrolia this Thursday (Jan. 13), Mooretown Jan. 20 and back in Essex Jan. 25.

The next scheduled game for the Admirals, barring any more shutdowns, is Jan. 30 at the Libro Centre against the Wallaceburg Thunderhawks.

2022 BUDGET Administration has presented the proposed 2022 Budget to Council for their consideration.

HOW to participate

TO VIEW

The proposed 2022 Budget NEW! Complete a short survey on Talk the Burg. can be viewed at: talktheburg.ca/2022budget talktheburg.ca/2022budget or Contact Council

CouncilEmailGroup@amherstburg.ca

IMPORTANT DATES Council deliberations will take place virtually on the following dates:

Mission hosts New Year’s dinner While they waited a few days after the actual New Year’s Day holiday, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission hosted their annual New Year’s meal and handed it out take-out style from their Victoria St. S. location. The meals were served last Tuesday afternoon. Helping to serve the free meals were board member Sheila Jaroszewciz, president Tim McAllister and vice president Zainia Brockett.

RTT Photo by Ron Giofu

Wednesday, January 26, 6:00pm-9:00pm Thursday, January 27, 1:30pm-4:30pm Council deliberations can be watched virtually.

amherstburg.ca/livestream

ACCESSIBILITY Copies of the survey are available in the vestibule at the back of Town Hall.

For information on accessibility accommodations or other related needs, please reach out in advance of the scheduled meeting date.

accessibility@amherstburg.ca or 519-736-0012

16 – River Town Times – Wednesday, January 12, 2022

www.rivertowntimes.com

The proposed 2022 Budget can be viewed at: talktheburg.ca/2022budget Attend Council & Committee meetings virtually! amherstburg.ca/livestream

WED

12

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee 6:00 p.m.

Electronic Participation

SUN

16

THURS

13

Amherstburg has a variety of contactless payment options! amherstburg.ca/paymentoptions

FRI

14

Heritage Committee 5:30 p.m.

Electronic Participation Recycle

MON

17

TUES

18

River Lights shining bright every night until the end of January

THURS Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee 5:00 p.m.

Electronic Participation

20

FRI

SAT

15

River Lights shining bright every night until the end of January

WED

19

ICP Advisory Steering Committee 5:00 p.m.

Electronic Participation

21

SAT

22

SUN

River Lights shining bright every night until the end of January

All facilities are closed to the general public with Town business continuing to be conducted by pre-scheduled appointments only.

For inquiries or to pre-schedule an appointment, please contact the respective departments: Town Hall 519-736-0012 Building & Planning 519-736-5408 Finance Department for tax inquiries 519-736-5401 Fire Department 519-736-6500 Tourism 519-730-1309 Infrastructure Services (public works) 519-736-3664 The Libro Centre 519-736-5712

519-736-0012 • www.amherstburg.ca 271 Sandwich St. South, Amherstburg, Ontario N9V 2A5

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