River Town Times - January 1, 2020

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Wednesday, January 1, 2020

The year 2019 is rapidly drawing to a close and here is a look back at the year that was:

JANUARY

• According to a report from the Stratford Beacon Herold, Amherstburg is one of three Ontario municipalities in the running for “a $450-million, 186,000-square-metre plant that will be home to 400 workers.” The other sites for the Xinyi Glass Canada plant reportedly are London, Stratford and Welland, that newspaper stated. At year’s end, there was nothing made public about whether the plant is proceeding or not.

• Natalie Coughlin, who has a background in gymnastics and track and field, trains in the sport of skeleton after being recruited by Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton the previous summer. Coughlin watched the 2018 Winter Olympics from PyeongChang, South Korea and became intrigued after hearing about the RBC Training Ground during the coverage.

• A local restaurant stepped up to ensure people in need get some food in case they are hungry. Eighteen 12 Poutinerie gave away any leftover chili they had at the end of the night as a result of a cold night in early December and their desire to give it to those who need it rather than just throw it away. The promotion helped out many during its run.

• With policing officially switched to the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment, it meant a new officer in charge. Staff Sgt. Dave DeLuca vows that Amherstburg resident won’t see any change in service.

Tim Berthiaume, chief of the former Amherstburg Police Service, was sworn in as a superintendent with the Windsor Police Service later in the year.

• Harrow United Church did its part to assist a pair of charities in the region and made a pair of donations.

The church donated $700 to the Downtown Mission in

Mathieu Kochaniec and his family make a donation of toys to the paediatric ward of Windsor Regional Hospital. The local six-year-old asked for donations of toys instead of birthday presents for his birthday.

Windsor and $2,642 to the Harrow Food Bank with a large portion of the proceeds being generated through two Christmas-themed services in December. However, Harrow United Church regularly fundraises for the Harrow Food Bank during the year as well.

• The Essex Region Conservation Authority hosts the annual “Owl Prowl” at Holiday Beach Conservation Area.

Continued on Page 2

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2019 - The Year in Review - January, February

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• Town council moves forward with the establishment of an audit advisory committee despite a request to do without it. However, there would be considerable debate by council later in the year regarding the terms of reference for the committee.

• Town council has voted to opt in and be open to allowing cannabis retail outlets in Amherstburg. The vote at Monday night's meeting saw only Councillor Peter Courtney vote in opposition. Courtney said while he wasn't necessarily opposed to the idea of retail cannabis shops in town, now is not the time to do it.

• The Shaanti International Museum of Costumes and Dolls gets a new home.

The Gordon House will be the home for a rotating exhibit and the rare and unique dolls and costumes will be located on the first floor. The museum had been located in the Malden Community & Cultural Centre- a.k.a. the “Little White Church” – at 7860 County Road 20 (at Howard Ave.) since 2011 and was there until Dec. 2018 when the property was sold by the town.

• Mathieu Kochaniec celebrated his sixth birthday over the weekend with not just a party, but a party that raised money, gift cards, toys, games, hygiene items and more for the paediatric ward at Windsor Regional Hospital's Metropolitan Campus. “I'm going to give people gifts if they don't have too much stuff,” explained Mathieu. He would be recognized by the hospital and the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment for his generosity.

• Town council agrees to a ten-year

lease with the Essex County Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic. The clinic will be housed in the former St. Bernard School, which is now town property.

• The Rotary Club donated a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) as part of its meeting at Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157. The bulk of the proceeds came from the Dec. 1 charity hockey game with the Montreal Canadiens alumni though the Rotary topped up the final amount to $10,000 with funds from their Ribfest account.

• Eight organizations and/or individuals have been recognized by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) as winners of Conservation Awards. Among the winners of Conservation Awards were St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School.

The school received the Education Award. Ceara Copat captured the Youth Award while Maurice Chauvin won the Conservation Farm Award. The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association earned the John R. Park Homestead Award. Karen Batke was posthumously awarded the Volunteer Award. Just Fishin’ Friends captured Volunteer Organization Award.

Tepperman’s earned the Environmental Achievement award and Laura Monforton won the Dennis Chase Staff Award .

• The town gets embroiled in a dispute with the former Amherstburg Police Association over outstanding payments owed to officers. The dispute centered on officers stating they were awaiting funds relating to overtime that was earned in

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• MADD Windsor-Essex community 2018, statutory and vacation time earned leader Chaouki Hamka received approval in 2018, sick time pay and salary top-ups, from town council to have ten signs with severance pay also having been erected within the municipality as part of MADD’s “Campaign 911” initiative. delayed.

• Local umpire Tony Ross retires after The signs were placed in high traffic areas 57 years of being on the diamond. within the town and encourage motorists to call 911 if they spot a possibly impaired FEBRUARY driver on the road.

• Musicians Tia McGraff and Tommy • The Ontario Law Enforcement Parham, who have toured North Torch Run held its fifth annual “Polar America and Great Britain, stopped in Plunge” and it had some Amherstburg Amherstburg for a 90-minute concert at representation.

Christ Anglican Church. It is the second Four officers from the Windsor Police event of the year devoted to celebrating Service – Amherstburg Detachment, the Ramsay St. church's bicentennial. including Staff Sgt. Dave DeLuca, Const.

• A total of 40 wood duck boxes were Tim McInnis, Const. Fred Adair and Const. built at the AMA Sportsmen’s Association Ryan Pizzala, jumped into the cold pool by about 27 children, their parents and outside of the St. Clair College Sportsplex. club volunteers.

Also participating were General Amherst • A dispute between the Town of High School students Cassidy Atkinson, Amherstburg and organizers of the Kyra Buratto and Hannah Drouillard.

Amherstburg’s Gone Crazy Car Show is • Town council passed the 2019 resolved after the parties get together and budget and it called for a 1.87 per cent iron out miscommunication. The event tax increase after four hours of budget would take place July 28 and was run by deliberations one night and roughly nine a volunteer committee led by Scott Elliott hours of debate the next day. The town and Steve Maluske. states that, when blended with county • Rare artifacts and recently acquired and school board rates, the rate is lowered items were featured at the Amherstburg to 1.47 per cent or $59 on a home valued Freedom Museum as part of an exhibit at $250,000. entitled “Recently Seen.” It is described • The Essex Region Conservation as being only a fraction of the museum’s Authority (ERCA) unanimously collection. approved its 2019 budget at their board • Essex County council reaffirms its meeting. According to ERCA, they will support of the site chosen for the new continue to focus on climate change and mega-hospital. The site, which was phosphorus reduction, as confirmed appealed by the group known as Citizens by its 2019 budget priorities. The 2019 for an Accountable Mega-Hospital budget totals $7.7 million, which includes Planning Process (CAMPP), is located at a levy contribution of $3.2 million, or $10 County Road 42 and Concession 9. per capita, below the Ontario average of • An area company gets some of the $16.42 per person. work it does featured on a Discovery • After a roughly 75-minute debate, Channel television show. Heavy Rescue town council adopted a new tourism 401 follows tow operators and rescue logo and a new tagline. Elected officials crews to various wrecks and that now modified an already modified version of includes Coxon Towing, which is owned the recommended logo from Cinnamon

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2019 - The Year in Review - February, March

St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School students performed “Mamma Mia” last February. They are currently working on “Grease,” which is coming in early 2020.

Continued from Page 2

the lighthouse in favour of a buoy and insert a northern star where the sun rays were. Town council further changed that logo by removing the railroad tracks as Councillor Michael Prue pointed out the northern star is more reflective of the Underground Railroad. However, later in the year, town council would rethink the tagline and eventually scrap it.

• Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) held its fifth annual “SOUPer Wednesday” at the Columbus Community Hall. Roughly 150 people attended, a slight decrease from last year, but the event managed to raise almost $2,500. Proceeds were placed in ACS’s vehicle replacement fund. The winner was Gilligan’s Fire Grill.

• A sold out crowd of 300 people came to the Columbian Club Hall on Walker Road for a fundraiser for the LaSalleWindsor Special Olympics (LWSO).

Though it is branded as the LaSalleWindsor Special Olympics, officials and coaches with the organization including Mark Vigneux and Janet Morton note that competitors come from around the county, including Amherstburg.

• For the sixth time in the 25 years the Charity Chili Cookoff has been presented, the top prize has been won by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. St. Vincent de Paul was voted the winner of the 25th annual Charity Chili Cookoff last Saturday night at the Columbus Community Hall. They received 50 per cent of the night's total proceeds. Amherstburg's Fighting Island Boxing Club (FIBC) finished in second place with Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) coming in third place.

• The Town of Amherstburg picked up some awards at the Festival & Events Ontario (FEO) conference. Awards were presented as part of the FEO conference with the town picking up three of them.

Amherstburg was selected as the 2019 Municipality of the Year in the 50,000 or less population category. The award recognizes the “Best in Community Leadership and Festival and Event

Partnerships in the Province of Ontario” with a press release from FEO adding that the award “is intended for the festivals and events industry to openly encourage, support, learn from and recognize positive local environments for festivals and events provincially.”

Amherstburg was also successful in the Best New Festival or Event category as the Amherstburg Uncommon Festival won in the $100,000 or less category. FEO also announced the Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario with Amherstburg having representation in that as well. The River Lights Winter Festival was named as one of the Top 100.

be remediated through the sale values received for the decommissioned vehicles.

• General Amherst High School hosts the OFSAA “AA” senior girls volleyball tournament. While they were guaranteed a spot as the host team, the Lady Gens earned their way there by winning tight matches in both the WECSSAA and SWOSSAA finals. The St. Thomas of Villanova Wildcats senior girls volleyball team hit the road for their trip to OFSAA, which was at the “AAA” level.

• Kids Curing Cancer (KCC) revealed its 2018-19 fundraising total and it was the best yet. KCC announced that they had raised $14,906 at various fundraisers, the biggest of which was a Feb. 16 pasta dinner fundraiser at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery and the proceeds will be donated to the Fight Like Mason Foundation. The Baillargeon family led by children Lauren, Kierstyn and Ty - also held a concert at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in December and partnered with the Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) and the Amherstburg Admirals on a “Hockey Day” in January at the Libro Centre.

• The two wrestlers from General Amherst High School returned from OFSAA with solid showings. Myah Trymbulak and Katie McEvoy and their coach Rodney Levesque travelled to Ottawa for the meet, which was the largest one in Ontario with over 900 wrestlers in attendance. Both competed in the 44kg weight class with Trymbulak coming home with a bronze medal and McEvoy with a sixth place finish.

• The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) held its annual general meeting and elected a new president. Nika Laurin, the branch

manager at the local Libro Credit Union was elected the ACOC’s new president while local realtor/businessman Dan Gemus became the new vice president, However, Bondy House Bed & Breakfast co-owner Carolyn Davies, who moved from president to past president as a result of elections at the meeting, reviewed the previous year’s accomplishments before she vacated the chair.

Town council agreed with • administration's recommendation not to take further action with regards to allowing ATV's along area roadways, but local ATV operators were not given a flat no. While all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), also known as off-road vehicles (ORVs), won't be allowed on town roads for now, town council did agree to have administration work with the Essex County ATV Club on possibly coming up with a way to make it happen in the future.

• Mayor Aldo DiCarlo was acclaimed as the WPSB vice chair during their meeting. He replaces Windsor city councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, who is no longer on the board. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkins chairs the board.

• A sold out crowd at the Columbia Club Hall in McGregor showed its support for an athletic program for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Essex County Heroes presented their annual fundraising dinner/dance in memory of Robert Pillon with the athletes, support workers, volunteers and families joining officials from the Windsor Police Service and Community Living Essex County (CLEC) at the event.

This year was the 11th year for the Robert Pillon Memorial Award, which goes to an athlete from both Amherstburg and Essex for their sportsmanship and dedication to

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MARCH

• The Amherstburg Fire Department has launched its new website. The new website, found at www.amherstburgfire. com, was launched after the previous town council approved funding for it during the 2018 budget deliberations, said fire chief Bruce Montone.

• An Amherstburg native with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is awaiting multiple transplants in a Toronto hospital with his family hoping to raise money so they can help him in his recovery process.

Matt Reaume is currently in St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto awaiting double lung and liver transplants. It is the latest in a series of health challenges for the 28-year-old, who was born with CF. He has been in the hospital since last June, with his illness causing him to have to take time away from his job with the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority in Port Hope. A GoFundMe page raised over $13,000.

• The County of Essex has given authorization to Essex-Windsor EMS to purchase seven new ambulances.

Essex County council has approved the purchase of the Crestline Coach Type III ambulances at a budgeted amount of $1,330,000 plus HST. Essex-Windsor EMS chief Bruce Krauter noted the quotation is $23,575 over budget when the non-refundable HST is calculated, but stated the negative variance will

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4- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2019 - The Year in Review - March, April

The OFSAA “AA” senior girls volleyball tournament was hosted by General Amherst High School.

Assistant coach Mary Ewer was honoured at the OFSAA banquet at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts in Windsor with the OFSAA Leadership and School Sport Award. Presented by tournament co-convener and Lady Gens head coach Jeff Miller, the award recognized Ewer’s years of work in both elementary and high school sports.

Continued from Page 4 the program. Sylvain Dufault and Josh Palmer were this year's recipients.

• Eight panelists joined Essex MP Tracey Ramsey for a town hall on affordable housing with speakers highlighting the need not just for the housing itself, but the need for communities to accept it as well.

Approximately 50 people – including five Amherstburg council members and three Essex council members – attended the two-hour open house at the Libro Centre where panelists from local non-profit and housing organizations outlined the need, what they are trying to do and what they hoped to see in the future.

• The talents of Skate Amherstburg skaters were showcased at the Libro Centre for their annual ice carnival. This year’s theme was “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”

• The Town of Amherstburg, along with 404 other Ontario municipalities, got some good news from the province. The town learned, via letter from Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, it would be receiving $620,201 from the province. It was a one-time payment.

• The Rotary Club of Amherstburg welcomed guest speaker Amanda Pierce. She educated both Rotarians and those from the general public that attended on the subject of human trafficking. Pierce is the project co-ordinator with Legal Assistance Windsor's (LAW) “WEFiGHT” initiative.

• Nearly 650 skaters, aged five to 60, laced up their skates, took to the ice and represented their teams in Deveau-Winfield Synchronized Skating Invitational held in Amherstburg. For Skate Amherstburg, it was a day of welcoming 56 teams, 642 skaters, 225 coaches and managers and about 800 fans to the Libro Centre.

• The Amherstburg Ladies Hockey League (ALHL) wrapped up Sunday night and crowned its 2018-19 champions.

Lisa Westlake Windsor Chrysler won the fourteam league with a 6-0 win over Team Armitage. com in the championship game at the Libro Centre.

WindsorPhotoBooth.com took third prize by defeating the team sponsored by Dr. Carly LeBlanc 2-1 in the preceding game.

• Students at Amherstburg Public School are focusing on character development with particular themes being resilience and respect. The local public elementary school held a kickoff assembly last Thursday morning in which children performed skits and got the rest of the students and staff hyped for the initiative.

• Local veterans who served with the 1st Special Service Force are going to be recognized in Amherstburg.

Town council heard from members of the King's Navy Yard 1st Special Service Force (FSSF) Memorial Project –Tim Rousseau, Jeff Turner, Craig Haines, and Brad Krewench – and endorsed their proposal to have two 12”x24” bronze plaques installed at a yet-to-bedetermined location within the King's Navy Yard Park.

• The town welcomes Phil Roberts as its director of parks, facilities, recreation and culture.

• News of the third shift being eliminated at Fiat Chrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant was front and centre at the annual warden’s luncheon. The event, presented by the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, saw Warden Gary McNamara address the large crowd at the Ciociaro Club with McNamara making reference to FCA’s announcement, which will impact 1,500 employees. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, CWATS and other local issues were touched on in McNamara’s address.

McNamara is also the mayor of Tecumseh.

APRIL

• Lane restrictions begin, and last several months, on Front Road North to accommodate the sanitary forcemain installation. The project was completed in the summer.

• The lucky streak continues for the DiBiase family. A member of the family, this time it was daughter Geena, was called as part of a contest by the TV show “Live with Kelly and Ryan” for the fifth time with Geena answering the contest question correctly and winning a trip for two to Barbados.

• Students at local high schools stage protests to protest education cuts by the province. Roughly 700 secondary schools participate in the protest of changes and cuts by Premier Doug Ford’s government.

• A development is approved for 365 Sandwich St. S., but no one seemed to know at the time of its approval who the tenants would be. The site is widely rumoured to be for a cannabis-type business, but that was unconfirmed as of press time.

• Janice Cooper celebrates her 100th birthday with a party at Seasons Retirement Home.

• The Wendy’s project is revived, approved by town council and construction begins later in the year. The new fast food restaurant is valued at $3 million. It is expected to create 50-60 new jobs. Joe Mikhail from Mikhail Holdings was at the April 8 town council meeting where he said that the town is in line for more developments now that the Wendy’s project is advancing. Town council passed the zoning bylaw amendment during that meeting.

• World Autism Day is observed in Amherstburg. A flag-raising ceremony is held at the Libro Centre.

• Western Secondary School student Tatum

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Spinks-Zalba captures a silver medal at the Get Skilled 2019 competition at St. Clair College. She was a culinary student at the local high school.

• Nearly 1,000 gymnasts from around the province converge on Amherstburg again this year as the Ontario Gymnastics Championships are held at the Libro Centre.

The event was hosted again by Rose City Gymnastics.

• Citing the history of the house, town council has refused to give the go-ahead for a demolition permit for a Park St. home. The owners of 109 Park St., Wen Zhu and Ning Zhang, appeared before council hoping to have the house demolished. According to a report from chief building official Angelo Avolio, the owners submitted an application Feb. 21 to have the home demolished “due to the significant deterioration in the floor structure and required renovations being financially unfeasible.” Town council voted to save the house, with it being pointed out the home dates back to 1858 and housed one of the town’s first lighthouse operators.

• The Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) held its annual travel banquet with numerous awards handed out. The association’s travel teams gathered on the main pad at the Libro Centre with vice president of travel Greg Crain not only thanking the players and the coaches but everyone else connected with the organization.

• A local restaurant got local businesses together and numerous local issues were raised during the 90-minute discussion. The gathering of business owners and operators took place at the Beacon Ale House, whose owner Sara Palmer decided to host it as a way to help the community.

• For the third consecutive year, the “Country at Heart” fundraiser was held to a sold-out crowd.

Approximately 250 people were at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery for the event, which was hosted by the Dan Gemus Real Estate Team. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)'s Sole Focus Project.

• Diageo’s investment into its Amherstburg facility is complete and the ribbon was officially cut. Work on the warehouse expansion was celebrated with dignitaries and Diageo officials on hand to mark the occasion. Plant manager Antoine Smith pointed out that the former barrel warehouses on the site have been repurposed and are now being used for finished goods with four warehouses being connected into two structures. New construction between the warehouses includes truck bays. The warehouses will now house over 300,000 cases, he said, as well as other raw materials.

• The Town of Amherstburg welcomes a new manager of planning. Frank Garardo started his new role April 8 after spending the bulk of his career in the Sarniaarea. He replaces Rebecca Belanger, who now works for the County of Essex.

• Town council has moved the process forward to allow a new bed and breakfast in a rural historic location.

The former Malden Community & Cultural Centre – a.k.a. “the Little White Church” - at 7860 County Road 20 has had its zoning changed from agricultural to special provision agricultural to allow for a six-bed B&B at the site. Proponents Greg Grondin and Drew Coulson indicated at a special meeting of council they would even

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2019 - The Year in Review - April

Continued from Page 4 entertain going as high as eight beds, assuming they would be allowed to go up two by the town.

• The town is studying whether or not changing parking and traffic flow to two blocks of Dalhousie St. Per a motion from Councillor Michael Prue, the town will produce a report taking a look at whether angle parking could be instituted on Dalhousie St. from Richmond St. to Gore St. with traffic becoming one-way only for southbound traffic for those two blocks.

• After not doing as well as they had hoped at a previous competition in Barrie, a local robotics team was much happier after the FIRST Windsor-Essex Great Lakes robotics competition. A-Team Robotics finished sixth out of 40 teams at the event at the University of Windsor, one of their highest ever finishes.

• Town council is asking for a report on the feasibility of putting a traffic light at the intersection of Simcoe St. and Meloche Road. Councillor Patricia Simone pointed out there was another traffic accident at the intersection the weekend of April 6-7 and called for either a traffic study or simply checking into the possibility of installing a traffic light at the intersection. Simone noted that with a new hotel planned for the area, it would be an idea that should be looked into.

• The town holds its annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Libro Centre’s soccer/football field while inclement weather shortens St. John the Baptist Church’s Good Friday procession. Stations of the Cross are also observed at École St.-Jean Baptiste.

• The Essex Region Conservation Foundation (ERCF) celebrated its donors and supporters at its annual general meeting. The ERCF presented its annual report and made award presentations at Wolfhead Distillery.

• The Rotary Club of Amherstburg maintained its annual tradition of raising money for Easter Seals and once again did so in memory of a former member. The Martin Breshamer Memorial Pasta Dinner was held last Wednesday evening at the Columbus Community Hall

with roughly 53 people coming for dinner. Serina Carey, this year’s Easter Seals ambassador, said she has been keeping busy in her role.

• General Amherst High School’s fitness and leadership class organizes the “Rally for Rocky” with students throughout the school participating in games and activities. Proceeds from the event go to the Run for Rocky Foundation, with high school Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA’s) able to tap into the funds by applying for grants.

• Mark and Karen Usher are long-standing volunteers with the River Lights Winter Festival and are credited with helping to turn the pavilion in Toddy Jones Park into the Gingerbread Warming House. In light of their ongoing contributions to the Amherstburg community, the Ushers had a plaque dedicated to them inside the pavilion.

• Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) thanked their volunteers and did so by at a 1950's themed dinner.

ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo offered the non-profit agency’s gratitude to the volunteers and noted about 120 people volunteer with ACS. • For the third straight year, the Belle Vue Conservancy teamed with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO), but this year had a special twist. Following the roughly hour-long concert at Christ Church Anglican, Belle Vue Conservancy members surprised Father Bill Strang with a birthday cake in recognition of the Ramsay St. church’s 200th anniversary.

• Town council has banned most plastic straws and stir sticks from the Libro Centre and is looking towards whether they can implement a town-wide ban on all single-use plastics. The move came after a presentation from Addisyn Walker and Darragh Aston, both Grade 7 students at Anderdon Public School, calling for a ban on single-use plastics like bags and straws.

• The Amherstburg Fire Department maintained an annual tradition by honouring some of its longtime members. The local fire service held its annual awards banquet at the Libro Centre where firefighters

were recognized for their years of service. Among the firefighters being recognized this year for achieving milestones were Jason Durocher and Bill Scott for 25 years of service, David Varney and Richard Reid for 20 years of service, Jon Daley and Scott Riddell for ten years of service while Nicholas D'Amore, Patrick Kochaniec, Adam Mann, B.J. Wiley and David Bart were honoured for five years of service to the Amherstburg Fire Department.

• An Amherstburg native’s skill in the sport of acro landed him a spot with the famed Cirque du Soleil.

James Heugh signed with Cirque du Soleil and took his acro skills there for a 15-month period.

• Town council authorized chief administrative officer (CAO) John Miceli to proceed with the sale of the eastern three acres of the former St. Bernard School property to an unnamed buyer, who would then construct a long-term care facility on the site pending licensing approvals from the province. Miceli said the town has accepted the offer though noted the offer is conditional on the proponents getting their necessary licensing and approvals. The proposed long-term care facility would have anywhere from 128-160 beds, Miceli stated.

• Unity in Christ (UIC) presented its ninth annual fundraiser with the Amherstburg-based charitable group started to assist Father Nichola Mauro-Iko in his attempts to assist his homeland. Fr. Mauro-Iko was the associate pastor of St. John the Baptist Church at the

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6- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2019 - The Year in Review - April, May

APRIL — Diageo’s investment into its Amherstburg facility is complete and the ribbon was officially cut.

Work on the warehouse expansion was celebrated with dignitaries and Diageo officials on hand to mark the occasion. Former barrel warehouses on the site have been repurposed and are now being used for finished goods with four warehouses being connected into two structures. New construction between the warehouses includes truck bays.

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time and is now the pastor at St. Alphonsus Church in Windsor.

MAY

• The Amherstburg Admirals looked back at the 2018-19 season and handed out some awards in the process. The Admirals, who were eliminated by the rival Essex 73’s in the PJHL Stobbs Division playoffs in February, held their year-end banquet at Shooter’s Roadhouse with players, coaches and volunteers not only thanked, but some honoured with awards. For the second straight season, leading scorer Cory Burns was named the team’s most valuable player (MVP) while Jacob Fields won the award for most desire. The Don Elvy Teammate of the Year Award was given to Andrew Clark while the Earl Allard Coaches Award was won by Josh Talerico. The Spada Family Most Dedicated Award and Bursary was awarded to Reid Stieler with the Guthrie family winning the Admirals’ volunteer of the year. The John Holzel Photographer Award was earned by Caleb Paquette. In PJHL Stobbs Division awards that were also handed out, goalie Ben Larder earned the award for league-best goals against average (GAA) while Austin Jennings was recognized for being the top defenseman.

The Don Brooker Volunteer of the Year Award was won

by Corina Bortignon.

• Some of the local pee wee travel baseball teams from around Essex County, and one from a bit farther away, hit the diamond in Amherstburg. The second annual “Spring Training Tournament” was held with six teams participating including two teams from Amherstburg. Other teams came from LaSalle, Forest Glade, Leamington and a sixth team came from Brantford.

• Local boxers from Amherstburg as well as those from Windsor and around southwestern Ontario

converged on the Libro Centre for “Battle in the Burg II.” The event was presented by the Fighting Island Boxing Club with ten fights on the card. The event featured local fighters Parker Baillargeon and Nico Colasanti battling each other in the first fight for both while Brandon French, Jacob Robinson, Tyler St. John Worth, Carter White and Nate DiPasquale also competed.

• Town council has approved the class environmental assessment (EA) for the former Duffy's plaza, but not without considerable debate. The motion to move the process forward passed in a 6-0 recorded vote – Mayor Aldo DiCarlo was absent – but the consultants from Landmark Engineers Inc. and administration both emphasized that by approving the EA, it does not obligate the town to spend any money on the project.

• The basketball season is over for the Essex County Heroes program in Amherstburg and it concluded with some friendly “trash talking” in a game with local police officers. The Wednesday night program at General Amherst High School wrapped up for the season (it resumed in October) with a game between Heroes players and officers from the Windsor Police Service and the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment.

The Heroes consists of players with disabilities and is supported through police and Community Living Essex County.

• An Amherstburg native is part of the top Junior C hockey team in the province. Adam Bramburger is the general manager of the Schmalz Cup champion Napanee Raiders, with the Schmalz Cup being awarded to the top team in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL). Napanee defeated the Grimsby Peach Kings in five games in the finals. The PJHL is the same league the Amherstburg Admirals play in with the Admirals being in the Stobbs Division while the Raiders came out of the Tod Division.

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www.rivertowntimes.com • The town’s business community was recognized by the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC).

The 14th annual Business Excellence Awards were presented at Pointe West Golf Club with 11 honourees recognized. The Non-Profit/Charitable Award was presented to the AMA Sportsmen Club. The Welcoming Accessibility Award was presented to Little Caesars’ Amherstburg location. Libro Credit Union captured the Community Service/Community Involvement Award.

Mealtime Express was awarded the Hospitality Award.

The Excellence in Customer Service Award was won by Nuccelli’s Frozen Yogurt. Sarah Parks from Sarah Parks Horsemanship won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Kyle Lucier of RBC was awarded the Professional of the Year Award. The Employer of the Year Award was presented to Seasons Retirement Community – Amherstburg. The New Business of the Year Award was presented to Caffeine & Co. Precision Jewellers captured the Business of the Year Award. The Business Legacy Award was presented to L.A. Hairstyles. The ACOC also presented a special award to former board member Janet Willoughby.

• The planning process was moved forward for the downtown hotel proposed by Amico. The hotel, to be located at the intersection of Dalhousie St. and Gore St., had proposed Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments advanced. The current proposal calls for a four-storey, 91-room hotel but Amico's vice president of development Cindy Prince said that is the maximum of what could be constructed at the site. Prince indicated that some operators they are speaking with envision a smaller boutique hotel at the site. The current plan calls for 78 spaces and Prince said traffic and parking studies they have undertaken indicate that will be enough.

Council members and some in the public were still concerned about parking issues in the area.

• The Town of Amherstburg has announced that it will be assisting with sandbag distribution for residents of properties on the water’s edge. Residents from County Road 41 to Malden Road, and additionally properties along the water in the South Riverview area were eligible for sandbags if they need them. The town states that potentially-affected residents within those areas can obtain up to 100 sandbags per property to begin their own preparation for a possible flooding event.

• A history teacher at General Amherst High School was recognized for inspiring students to stick with the subject in post-secondary education. Michael Balogh was honoured by the University of Windsor and the teaching award he received recognizes the fact he has inspired students to further their studies in history.

• Despite the building being sold in late 2016, the Verdi Club notes it is still active and its senior membership is encouraging more people to get involved. Joe Capaldi, who is the current president, and director Tino Riccio state that people can find out about what is going on with the club, the state of its finances including what is happening with the funds still left from the sale of the building, and any other activities and issues surrounding the club by simply paying $50 and becoming a member.

• About 30 people attended the Libro Centre as a way to give the town feedback on a proposed new animal control bylaw. Hosted by manager of licensing and enforcement Nicole Rubli, manager of planning services Frank Gerardo, members of their departments and Windsor-Essex County Humane Society executive director Melanie Coulter, the public learned about what the town is looking at and gave feedback of their own.

• The president of the Belle Vue Conservancy had her recommendation to town council adopted and it is one that calls for administration to seek out sponsors and partners. Shirley Curson-Prue requested that administration be provided direction to seek out major sponsors or partners to build a conference centre on the Dalhousie St. property as well as to conduct renovations inside the home “to return the Belle Vue house to its original glory.” Town council purchased Belle Vue National Historic Site in Sept. 2016 after which the Belle Vue Conservancy was founded, Curson-Prue stated, adding that it is a group of volunteers that replaced former groups such as the Friends of Belle Vue and the Belle Vue Cultural Foundation.

• Town council has agreed to apply its service delivery grant that it received in March to the cost of the police

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COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 7

2019 - The Year in Review - May, June

transition. The Town of Amherstburg received $620,201 from the Ontario government and council has voted by 4-1 margin to apply it to the $1,055,000 in costs to transfer from the Amherstburg Police Service to the Windsor Police Service. Voting in favour were Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche and councillors Donald McArthur, Michael Prue and Marc Renaud. Councillor Patricia Simone voted against the motion while Mayor Aldo DiCarlo and Councillor Peter Courtney were not at the regular meeting of Amherstburg town council.

• A local developmental services agency is requesting that people declare “I’m All In” and that includes employers considering hiring people with disabilities.

Community Living Essex County held its 14th annual “Luncheon with the Mayors” last Wednesday afternoon in Essex, with representatives from all seven Essex County municipalities in attendance. The event is held as part of Community Living Month in Ontario with the theme “I’m All In” being featured. Essex County Warden Gary McNamara encouraged municipalities to hire people with intellectual disabilities and challenged them to take another look at those individuals.

• A Grade 11 student at General Amherst High School got the chance to represent his school at the recent OFSAA badminton tournament. Matteo Palumbo travelled to North Bay May 1-3 for OFSAA, a culmination of a season’s worth of work where he advanced through the county, WECSSAA and SWOSSAA tournaments. Palumbo said he finished second at the county tournament and that qualified him for WECSSAA. At WECSSAA, Palumbo came in sixth spot and that earned him a spot at SWOSSAA. • St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School stepped up again this year in the fight against cancer. The Catholic high school’s annual Relay for Life event was in conjunction with the Canadian Cancer Society. Approximately 400 students participated by raising at least $60, the minimum requirement to be able to take part.

• Special Olympics athletes from around southwestern Ontario converged on the Garage Gym to try and lift their way to glory. About 33 athletes from Windsor-Essex County, Brantford, Sarnia, St. Thomas, London and Toronto participated in the deadlift conference of the Special Olympics provincial qualifier last Saturday. It was hosted by LaSalleWindsor Special Olympics and the Garage Gym. • Town council heard from Tim Byrne, ERCA's director of watershed management services, and Byrne noted “we are looking this year at unprecedented water levels in the Great Lakes system.” Byrne said it is “very concerning” that the high lake levels have lasted over four years and that previous polar vortices have contributed to what is the highest water levels since 1986. ERCA issues flood watches and warnings and Byrne urged residents to not go anywhere near flood prone areas if a flood occurs, showing slides of what roads would look like if washed out.

• Though it didn't rain during the event, Mother Nature still managed to impact the second annual Amherstburg

Garden Tea Party. Originally planned for two days, the event was shortened to one day with festivities moved closer to the Gordon House rather than further out into King's Navy Yard Park due to the forecast. However, the rain held off during the event and manager of tourism and culture Anne Rota noted that the did fine considering the weather forecasts.

• Builders, town and county officials, realtors and exotic car owners helped open the next phase of the Kingsbridge subdivision. A ribbon cutting and celebration was held at 193 Davis St., at the corner of Lavers Ave., to mark the opening of the next phase of Kingsbridge, with roughly 75 homes under construction.

• Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 was granted a noise exemption for its patio, but all is not lost for nearby residents upset with the noise. Per a motion from Councillor Michael Prue, who publicly declared he is a Legion member, the exemption was granted but the town will work with the impacted residents and the Legion, monitor noise levels with the aid of an engineer and report back to council in October on what worked and what didn't.

• The annual Motorcycle Ride for Dad rumbles through Amherstburg again this year. The prostate cancer fundraiser returns to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 as that was the first stop on the trek through Windsor-Essex County. Over 300 bikers take part in the ride with the Legion presenting a cheque for $1,500.

• The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) is exploring the possibility of eliminating plastic straws and all single-use plastics and a pair of local elementary school students can share credit. The public school board passed a motion presented by Amherstburg/ LaSalle trustee Ron LeClair to have administration “explore all measures to eliminate or reduce the use of plastic straws and other single-use plastics in the Greater Essex County District School Board facilities and operations” with that motion being passed after Anderdon Public School students Darragh Aston and Addisyn Walker addressed the board.

• The spring “Wine ‘N’ Hop” took place with a sold out crowd of 88 people starting and finishing at Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 with stops in between being at the Beacon Ale House, Caffeine & Co., Chicano’s Tacos & Tequila and Fleur De Lis, the latter being located above The Artisan Grill. Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo noted there were a lot of familiar faces and some new ones out in the crowd.

• Town council agreed to hire another full-time bylaw officer. The majority of town council members at the May 27 meeting were in favour, citing the need for an extra body.

• Town council met in-camera after the May 27 regular council meeting and when they emerged, Councillor Peter Courtney moved that “that administration be directed to pay $31,852.80 in severance and $7,013.98 in salary top up to the individuals discussed in in-camera.” However, only Courtney and Councillor Patricia Simone voted in favour with Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche and councillors Marc Renaud, Donald McArthur and Michael Prue voting

The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) held its annual Business Excellence Awards at Pointe West Golf Club. against. Mayor Aldo DiCarlo was absent from the meeting.

• The St. John the Baptist Catholic Women’s League were in high spirits at their “High Tea Party.” About 112 women participated in the event at the Columbus Community Hall, slightly down from the 120 people that they usually average.

Mary Brown, one of the members of the CWL, said they host the annual event to help raise money to assist them in giving grants to local organizations and projects.

JUNE

• Town council extended the fishing area in the southern end of the park from June 1-13 and fenced off the area. The idea will be tried thanks to a delegation from local resident Kevin Sprague and a motion put forth by Councillor Donald McArthur.

Sprague noted that both resident and out-of-town visitors alike come to town to fish, with the latter including people from as far as the Toronto-area. Many, he said, are surprised Amherstburg has only 53-feet of legal fishing area in Navy Yard Park.

• The annual Bike Rodeo returned to Families First Funeral Home with event organized by the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment.

Community services officer Const.

Fred Adair noted other Windsor Police Services' community services officers were on hand as well as the Amherstburg Fire Department and County Towing.

The Brain Injury Association of WindsorEssex County were on hand helping to fit children with new bicycle helmets, many of helmets being donated by that organization. Members of the Rotary Club of Amherstburg were also on hand barbecuing food with Bright Child Montessori, Little Buddies Day Care, No Frills, Sobeys and the Optimist Club also helped out.

• It was a morning to remember not only those who served, but also those who were part of Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157. The local Legion held its annual Grave Decoration Day in both Rose Hill Cemetery and St. John the Baptist Cemetery where veterans and Legion members were remembered as Legionnaires, members of the #202 Fort Malden Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps and Knights of Columbus and other dignitaries were on hand to place Canadian flags on their graves.

• Town council opted to approve zoning for the proposed new Dalhousie St. boutique hotel, but the resolution was passed only after a councillor's concerns were alleviated. Councillor Michael

Prue's concerns stemmed from the 78 spots proposed for the Dalhousie St. site, as the new hotel could have 91 rooms should it be developed to its maximum size. The site is owned by Amico with talks underway with providers to operate the hotel, with the possibility it could end up smaller than 91 rooms. Council passed the motion moving the rezoning forward with the acknowledgement the Ramsay St. lot owned by Amico could be used if necessary. Prince noted that Amico couldn't move forward without the zoning bylaw amendment.

• The Miracle League of Amherstburg officially celebrated its tenth anniversary season with a game against area First Responders. A group of Miracle League “all stars” squared off against a team filled with police officers, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics and town council members in a friendly game to mark the anniversary season. The afternoon also saw the dedication of the new wheelchair swing next to the Miracle League diamond at the Libro Centre.

• Seniors, caregivers and soon-to-be seniors were the focus of a two-day weekend event at the Libro Centre. The second annual Active & Aging Well Expo was held, with it being a joint venture of both the town’s recreation department and Amherstburg Community Services (ACS). Approximately 35 vendors were set up around the main ice pad with exhibitors ranging from realtors, service clubs, local non-profit organizations, agencies dealing with Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease among others and other groups and organizations that would be of interest to seniors.

• About 40 former Anderdon Public School students and four former teachers gathered at Fox Glen Golf Club for their 50-year class reunion. The Class of 1969 swapped stories looked at old photos and recalled their days at the public elementary school.

• The 202nd Fort Malden Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps marked the end of its training year with its annual review and awards. The 42nd annual cadet review was held at Amherstburg Public School with this year’s reviewing officer being Councillor Donald McArthur. The evening also included awards for several members of the corps.

Capt. Jeff Turner, the commanding officer of the corps, thanked the parents for their dedication to the corps as well as the cadets themselves.

• Town council agrees to reconstruct a stretch of Concession 5 North, work

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8- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

www.rivertowntimes.com

2019 - The Year in Review - June

Continued from Page 7

y t i n u m m o c r u o y Pick up newspaper at OUTDOOR NEWSPAPER BOXES XES XES Amherstburg Health Care Centre Dylan’s Mini Mart/Gyro’s Plus Lynn’s Variety Maria’s Restaurant Meloche’s No Frills Precision Jewellers River Town Times Romano’s Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppers Drug Mart Super Green Variety Super Plus Variety The Royal Canadian Legion The Village Shoppe Wigle Home Hardware

BUSINESSES Amherstburg Family Health Team Amherstburg Laundromat Amherstburg Library Amherstburg Town Hall Becketts Circle K Variety Downtown Espresso Cafe Edgewater Variety

McGregor Allan’s Variety Essex County Library - McGregor Branch River Canard River Canard Trading Post

Libro o Credit Union Centre (Arena) Mealtime Express Rexall Pharmacy Sobeys Speck’s Tim Hortons (both locations) Ure’s Country Kitchen Wal Mart Simcoe Variety The eP Plant Base

Essex Essex County Library - Essex Branch Shopper’s Drug Mart Harrow Essex County Library Harrow Branch Shopper’s Drug Mart

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that would be completed several months later, but council members were not pleased with the price tag. The stretch of that roadway between Alma St. and County Road 10 (Middle Side Road) was reconstructed at a cost of roughly $2.4 million. The town had budgeted $2 million for the work.

• Volleyballs burned through the air at the 30th annual J. “Wimpy” Tiefenbach Memorial Volleyball Tournament. The Amherstburg Firefighters Association held the roughly 240-player event at the Fort Fun Centre. The money raised goes to various Amherstburg-based charities.

• The Gibson Gallery's 50th birthday was celebrated this year and an exhibit helped mark the occasion. “Celebrating 50 Years of the Gibson Gallery” opened June 4 and exhibit featured over 50 pieces of art by artists who have previously had shown at the Gibson Gallery over the past five decades. Dave Cozens, the current president of the Fort Malden Guild of Arts and Crafts, noted the Gibson Gallery opened June 22, 1969. The guild is the body that runs the gallery. The building is 123-years-old, having been built as a Michigan Central Railroad station in 1896 and Cozens noted that it was purchased in 1968 by the guild.

• The 30th annual McGregor Music Festival was held at Co-An Park with “well over 500 people” passing through the gates. One of the key events of the day was a pig auction, which LeClair said raised $1,900, doubling last year’s final bid. The car show featured 65 cars and 13 golf carts rolled up for the golf cart decorating contest. The final total was released in July and it was a whopping $75,000.

• For the tenth year, Amherstburg Freedom Museum (AFM) celebrated African-Canadian heritage with Ribs & Ragtime. Hundreds gathered for the sold-out fund raiser. Windsor-based jazz band Black Orchid provided the tunes and volunteers served the catered food. Due to the number of attendees, AFM president Monty Logan said the event underwent a reconfiguration. AFM received $119,700 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and the event helped showed off where that money went.

• Christ Anglican Church hosts a vow renewal service as part of its 200th anniversary celebrations. A total of 24 people renewed their wedding vows in a service overseen by Father Bill Strang.

• General Amherst High School holds its annual athletic banquet at the Ciociaro Club. As part of the celebration, Matteo Palumbo was named the school’s top male athlete while Brynlee Ammonite was recognized as the top female athlete.

• It was a wet day for the Bob Meloche Memorial Fishing Derby, but the young fisherman didn't seem to mind. Many children and their parents and grandparents took advantage of the one-day exemption granted by the town to use Navy Yard Park despite the fact the tournament was held during a driving rain for much of the morning.

Approximately 259 kids signed up for the tournament.

• Zoning for a new subdivision in the Willow Beach area of Amherstburg is going ahead, though many residents in the lakefront area are opposed. A bylaw to designate eight acres of land at

554 McLeod Ave. has been approved by town council with the lands now given a Residential Type 1A Zone to permit “a low density residential area.” The property would have 25 residential lots on it, should it eventually be given final permission to be developed. Councillor Michael Prue wanted to defer the rezoning for one month to allow the proponent to meet with residents, but council voted that down in a 4-2 vote. Prue and Courtney voted in favour with Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche and councillors Patricia Simone, Donald McArthur and Marc Renaud being opposed.

• A forward on the Villanova Wildcats girls hockey team earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Kim Primeau was part of a brief ceremony at the school. She noted her family has always been Michigan fans, so they are enjoying the fact she is going to be part of the university’s family.

• Mayor Aldo DiCarlo updated the community on his absences from meetings and public events. DiCarlo hadn’t been attending meetings since April 23 with Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche chairing the meetings in his absence. On his Facebook page last, the mayor explained that health issues are the reason he has been unable to attend meetings. “In the interest of public trust, and in response to those who’ve sent their concerns, I am currently experiencing some health issues and am under a doctor's care. I remain devoted to the Town of Amherstburg and hope to be back serving the people in a full capacity very soon,” DiCarlo stated. He would return a few weeks later.

• Golfers hit the links in support of the 200-year-old Belle Vue house. The Belle Vue Conservancy's third annual “Birdies & Bogies for Belle Vue” was held at Sutton Creek Golf Club with 46 golfers taking part in the event, also dubbed a “nine and dine” as nine holes were played prior to the steak dinner. Organizer Meg Reiner, a member of the conservancy, said it went “really well.”

• Community Living Essex County (CLEC) took care of some business, then moved on to its annual awards. CLEC's annual general meeting was held at the Ciociaro Club with Windsor lawyer and Kingsville resident Robert Tomek returning as president while Amherstburg resident Gillian Heisz joins the board as treasurer. CLEC also looked back at the 2018-19 year while also recognizing those who passed away over the last year.

This year's eighth annual Bruce Crozier Inspiring Possibilities Memorial Award was presented to Paulina Neufeld while Amherstburg resident Celine LaBrecque captured the Jeremy Hart Memorial Bursary this year.

The Kevin McMullan Memorial Award, presented to a deserving staff member, was won by Cynthia Castellucci. Outstanding Achievement Awards were presented to those supported in each of the four geographic areas that CLEC operates in.

Award winners were recognized for the volunteer work they do and how they help give back to their communities.

Joshua Kudroch won the award for the north area (Tecumseh/Lakeshore), while Brianne Taggart won in the south area, which includes Leamington and Kingsville. Darlene Radigan won the award for the west area, which covers

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2019 - The Year in Review - June, July

COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 9

having to use up accumulated sick time and vacation days. She began in 1973 and has enjoyed it there ever since.

Continued from Page 8 • Essex-Windsor EMS presented the eighth • The Rotary Club of Amherstburg presents its annual Amherstburg and LaSalle. The central area's award was annual “Survivors’ Day” at the St. Clair Centre for the Ribfest. This was the first year at the Libro Centre, with captured by Ursula Fawdry. The Windsor-Essex Pride Arts. Roughly 36 people were reconnected with the the previous nine years having been at Centennial Park.

Fest won the Community Inclusion Award as they have paramedics, firefighters, police officers, doctors and Four ribbers, live entertainment and other events kept partnered with CLEC on several initiatives. nurses who saved their lives over the last year. One story people busy, although rain impacts the festival at points.

• Another former Stella Maris student returned to the was that of Jeff Grant. The Amherstburg resident suffered • The County of Essex will be entering into a school to not only tell her story about what she is doing sudden health issues during the early morning hours purchase of service agreement with a housing facility on the ice, but to inspire the current in Amherstburg. County council authorized students to pursue their goals. Erica administration to enter into an agreement Fryer, 18, is attending the University of with 2518543 Ontario Inc., otherwise known Toronto and went to Stella Maris armed as the Heritage Court of Amherstburg, with stories and messages about her located at 184 Victoria St., for the provision of hockey travels. She took the opportunity Housing Supports under the County of Essex to come back to Stella Maris after Housing with Supports Program. The home recently being approached by a teacher was formerly known as Victoria St. Manor. at the school.

• Town council is going ahead with the • One of the more prestigious men's live streaming of council meetings, going amateur tournaments that Golf Ontario as far as pre-committing money in the 2020 presents made a stop at Pointe West budget to do so. The town pre-committed Golf Club. Charles Fitzsimmons of the $23,725 plus HST to acquire the necessary Thornhill Club captured the Men’s equipment to broadcast their meetings via the Mid-Amateur title by shooting six-under Internet. Administration had recommended par (210) for the week, one stroke better waiting until 2020 budget deliberations got than Philip Arci of King's Riding Golf underway but Councillor Patricia Simone Club (211) and two strokes better than wanted to go ahead with it earlier as “it adds Canada Day festivities were kicked off in Amherstburg with the annual Simon McInnis of Mississauga (212). an extra layer of accountability” to the town Canada D’Eh run/walk, presented by Running Flat.

The win gave Fitzsimmons his second and council members. championship in recent weeks as he also • A local singer/songwriter has seen her won the Canadian University championship. of May 23, 2018. He said “it started out like a regular talents get her to New York. Martene Clayton shared • Weather may have taken a slight toll on attendance day” but after going to bed with spouse January Wrenn, the recent Independent Music Award win with another numbers at The House’s annual “Community Cup” golf trouble began around 3 a.m. Grant said the ordeal saw local artist, Kerri Brown, with the event taking place in tournament, but those who were there were happy to him being “zapped” with a defibrillator 15 times and New York last month. The song won the VOX POP Fan help. Charlene Houle of ACCESS County Community was later told he actually passed away and then came Favourite Award, Clayton said.

• A new priest has been welcomed at St. John the Support Services, an organization under the same back five times. That came after Wrenn performed CPR umbrella as The House, said that 48 golfers registered on him. Both Grant and Wrenn were grateful to the Baptist Church. Father Matthew Kucharski has been but that number was brought down to 38 golfers thanks team that saved him, which included paramedic Jess on the job at the historic Amherstburg Roman Catholic church since July 2. He takes over from Father Brian to cancellations due to illness or backyard flooding.

Robson.

• Town council has directed administration to Jane, who was transferred to Sarnia.

• The Park House Museum hosts “A Day in Outlander” with events based on the book series by develop an eco-tourism and wildlife awareness strategy • A 27-year-old Amherstburg man succumbed to author Diana Gabaldon. Curator Stephanie Pouget- after an impassioned plea from a local resident. The his injuries following a farming accident. The man was Papak said it is a new event that they are presenting. town will also put up signs in and around the Big Creek identified as Alex Joseph Durham. Thrasher Sales & • Between 1,500 and 1,800 motorcycles thundered Watershed in an attempt to bring awareness to motorists Leasing holds fundraisers for the family later in the year through Amherstburg Sunday for the ninth annual Bob about wildlife in the area. An administrative report to as part of the dealership’s anniversary celebrations.

Probert Ride. The event raises money for cardiac care council pointed out that over a one-month period during • Staying active and enjoying Essex County's trails in Windsor-Essex and this year organizers celebrated April-May, over 300 mammals, birds and herptiles were and paved shoulder network was highlighted at the CWATS celebration. Municipalities from around Essex reaching $1 million in donations. Local stops included struck in the watershed area.

County, the City of Windsor and other community Wolfhead Distillery and The Fort Fun Centre.

JULY • Local teachers Rene Bujold of St. Joseph School and Continued on Page 10 Frank Palumbo of Malden Central Public School retire, • Canada Day festivities are presented by the town, with events happening at Fort Malden National Historic with both celebrating 31-year teaching careers.

• The Law Enforcement Torch Run passes through Site and Toddy Jones Park. The Canada D’Eh 5K run/ Amherstburg with stops at Joe Meloche Ford and walk was also presented by Running Flat. Due to high Community Living Essex County’s Channel Resource water levels, the fireworks had to be cancelled and they Divorced or separated?

Centre. were replaced with an outdoor movie.

Find help, hope and healing • The AMA Sportsmen's Association was jam packed • The Rotary Club of Amherstburg installed Ann Marie Favot as the new president with Joan Donaldson Sunday afternoon as the 36th annual walleye tournament Wednesdays now moving to past president. The change was made at came to a close.

January 8 - April 8 the Rotary Club’s dinner meeting at the Libro Centre.

The wrap up party saw the prizes awarded including 7:00 8:30 pm The meeting also saw a number of awards presented draw prizes of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. Tickets went Lighthouse Church including several Paul Harris Fellow awards, which is on sale May 1 and didn't last long with tournament vice 266 King St., Amherstburg one of the highest that Rotary Clubs can present. Paul president Ken Tytgat noting they were sold out in less Harris Fellow awards went to Rotarians and individuals than five days. Kent Wigle won the $5,000 grand prize For more info call the Rotary Club has partnered with in recognition of while Brad Dugal captured second place. Jenna Laramie 519-962-9525 contributions to the club and community. Rotarians won third place.

• The “new” Amherstburg Community Foundation Favot, Terry Hall, Susanne Bergeron and Rick Daly were 13-week seminar/ honoured as was Price, with the latter receiving his level (ACF) launches and seeks the support of the community. support group. eight pin. Wes Ewer was also recognized for his efforts, The new-look ACF, led by president Richard Peddie, You can join at any time! particularly helping to organize the Montreal Canadiens held its official launch with four initiatives announced www.divorcecare.org for the first wave of fundraising. The “Citizens for Alumni game.

• The town’s new tourism website was officially Carnegie” are seeking $40,000 for a refresh of the launched. Visitors and residents alike can now go to Amherstburg Public Library while the town is hoping www.visitamherstburg.ca for information on festivals, for $55,000 to complete upgrades to Beaudoin Park in “Service You Can Trust” events, accommodations, attractions and other related River Canard. The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is material. The official launch of the new tourism website looking $39,000 for a youth mentorship program and Auto • Home speaker series while ERCA would like $75,000 in funding was held at the Park House Museum.

Boat • Farm • A mother of an adult daughter sees the need for for a four-kilometre cycling and nature trail and wetland BUSINESS & affordable housing for people in situations like her so at Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Fundraising takes COMMERCIAL she did something about it. place throughout the year with people able to donate at Lois Bebbington organized an open house for those in www.amherstburgfoundation.org.

Call Today for a Quote similar situations and it led to over 50 people turning • After over 45 years on the job, Linda King has bid 102 Murray St. S., Amherstburg out to a meeting at the Libro Centre. People came from farewell to Richmond Terrace Long-Term Care Facility.

519-736-2122 • Fax: 519-736-1406 around Windsor-Essex County to share ideas, thoughts King’s last day on the job was June 30 but her retirement didn’t officially start until the end of July due to her and possible solutions. e-mail: insure@hlhamilton.com

10- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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2019 - The Year in Review - July Continued from Page 9

partners were on hand at the sixth annual CWATS (County Wide Active Transportation System) Celebration at the Essex Civic Centre. Active transportation co-ordinator Katherine Wilson noted 250 people pre-registered for the event, which included a “glow ride” at dusk.

• A pair of Irish dancers from Amherstburg went to Vancouver earlier this month and came away with impressive results. The local girls competed in the North American Irish Dance Championships, though dancers did come from other countries outside of North America as well. Mya Mulder competed in the U14 division and came in 60th while Zoe Basinski competed in the U13 division and finished 38th. However, their goal was to finish in the top 50 per cent of their age categories and that was accomplished.

• People and their pets from around Windsor-Essex County and beyond converged on Amherstburg for the Woofa-Roo Pet Festival. The annual pet festival was held once again at the Libro Centre and while organizers and those in attendance had to combat high heat, particularly on Saturday, a number of events and activities were still able to be presented including dock diving, dog agility shows, guest speakers, demonstrations, vendors, pony rides and more.

• The first Canadian team to win the USSSA World Series in U12 fast pitch comes from this area with two of the girls being from Amherstburg. Lily Mulder and Chloe Cole are part of the LaSalle Athletics team that travelled to Viera, Florida in early July and came home with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Space Coast World Series championship in the U12 division, the first Canadian team ever to do so. The team qualified by winning tournaments in the U.S. and made the most of it.

The Athletics played eight games while in Florida and won all of them.

• Councillor Peter Courtney raised concerns about erosion along shorelines, including the Edgewater area and along Dalhousie St., and asked administration at the most recent meeting of town council what, if anything could be done. Fire chief and emergency management co-ordinator Bruce Montone suggested that educational materials could be created and handed out to boaters at local marinas to educate them on what the wake can do to a shoreline. He also suggested contacting Transport Canada, though cautioned that the matter likely wouldn’t be dealt with until after this year’s federal election.

• The Amherstburg Fire Department hires a person with an intellectual disability.

Max Vigneux begins his new duties at Station 1.

• Amherstburg's Gone Car Crazy drew over 700 cars to the downtown area with a father-son team earning the show's top prize in their car's debut. John and Steven Walsh of Harrow brought their 1966 Chevy 2 Nova SS to the show for the first time and

Continued on Page 11

MORE AFFORDABLE than you may think.

At Seasons, you don’t have to choose between quality service and an affordable monthly rate.

Retirement Community Call 519-736-7557

681 Front Rd. S., Amherstburg

Visit to see why so many have chosen to call us home: www.seasonsretirement.com

COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 11

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2019 - The Year in Review July, August

Continued from Page 10 ended up winning the Paulie Award, the best in show trophy named in memory of event co-founder and former town councillor Paul Renaud.

• Town council has passed a bylaw with regards to potential cannabis retail outlets in Amherstburg and possible nuisances that would be created.

The cannabis retail nuisance bylaw recommended by administration was passed, except for two provisions that dealt with on-site parking. A clause that had been debated regarding need for a traffic study was left in. Administration drafted the bylaw noting there are a lot of unknowns pertaining to the cannabis industry in Ontario, with director of planning, development and legislative services Mark Galvin pointing out that such a bylaw gives the town some “teeth” to deal with potential nuisance issues like smell and loitering.

• A tree and baseball diamond were dedicated to two long-time volunteers at Co-An Park in McGregor with the families of the late volunteers on hand to accept the honours. Two of the board members – Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche and Essex Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche – oversaw the ceremonies and paid tribute to the honourees. Evelyn Baker and Wayne “Bones” Bondy were the honourees this year.

• The Greater Amherstburg Tennis League held its first Men's Doubles Tournament. There were 12 teams entered with each team guaranteed four matches. The teams began in round robin pool play on the Saturday morning at both the Malden and Co-An Park courts.

AUGUST

• The Windsor Police Service is touting 911 enhancements it says will benefit the Town of Amherstburg. Police point out that the Windsor Police Service Emergency 911 Centre, located at its downtown Windsor headquarters, operates as the Primary Public Safety Answering Point (PPSAP) for the City of Windsor when it comes to 911 calls.

• The Hope of St. Joseph Shelter held its fourth annual yard sale. The large yard sale is being hosted at the home of Marc and Mary Beneteau, located at 3560 Middle Side Road (County Road 10) in Amherstburg with Mary Beneteau still communicating with Father Donato Lwiyando, the former associate priest at St. John the Baptist Church who has since returned home to the Congo. The two-weekend event raises $14,000 in sales.

• The Amherstburg Freedom Museum presented the Emancipation Celebration.

As part of the event, the museum presented three Mac Simpson Awards to local students. The award is named in memory of museum co-founder Melvin “Mac” Simpson and is given annually to at least one student of African descent who attended a secondary school in WindsorEssex County and will be pursuing postsecondary education starting in the fall.

One of the three students was a General Amherst High School graduate. Hallee Kejick earned one of the awards and she will be heading to Carleton University in September in the transnational law and

human rights program. Kejick aims to be a human rights lawyer. Lyric Davis, a graduate of W.F. Herman Academy, and Manar Kowa, a graduate of Walkerville Collegiate, were the other two Mac Simpson Award recipients.

• Puzzle aficionados had a nice escape Saturday at the second annual Escape Room and Games Festival. Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada hosted the event for the second year in a row.

Ten escape rooms, including five from Hidden Train Escape Rooms, Exodus Escape Rooms and Breakout Escape Rooms, challenged participants to solve puzzles in order to escape rooms in which they had been locked. Fort Malden’s employees designed five of their own, as well, tossing players into historically befuddling situations.

• The owner of Tri-Graphics is retiring and selling his business to a business he helped create. Tri-Graphics, owned by Rusty Brown since 1995, is retiring with the business being sold to Southpoint Publishing, the same company that owns the River Town Times. The sale of the local print shop to the same company that owns the RTT means that Brown has gone full circle, as Brown was one of the original owners of the River Town Times.

• Only a handful of people attend three public meetings presented by the Amherstburg Fire Department on the Fire Master Plan. Chief Bruce Montone noted the department is updating the 2007 master plan. As there are currently two fire halls – Stations 2 and 3 – that are approximately 50-years-old and the other that is about 30-years-old, there is a chance the number of fire halls in Amherstburg could be reduced. While not stating the town is definitely reducing the number of fire stations from three to two, Montone indicated it could be an option as long as response times are met. The chief added there are roughly $1 million in renovations needed to fire station #1 as well, including new doors, a new roof and other upgrades. He noted there are millions in potential costs down the road with the replacement of trucks, equipment and other needs.

• The 35th annual Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Show allowed people to experience agricultural history.

The show, presented by the Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Museum, was held at Co-An Park in McGregor with the three-day event being filled with demonstrations, tractor pulls, seminars, children's activities, food and a look back at agricultural and rural history. It also allowed people to see steam engines from years gone by. Massey-Harris was this year's featured tractor and machinery.

Gary Struhar, president of the Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Museum, noted they need volunteers to help put the show on annually.

• The Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour celebrated its 40th anniversary last Saturday afternoon with a party that included music from the band “Back to Back,” greetings from area dignitaries and, of course, ice cream. “It all started Aug. 8, 40 years ago, with a few brothers and sisters with a dream,” said Jen DeLuca, who currently owns

Continued on Page 10

THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF AMHERSTBURG Is recruiting a FULL-TIME PLANNER

Reporting to the Manager of Planning Services, the Planner will provide assistance to other Town departments as it relates to planning matters, i.e. zoning and property advice/information, and will provide planning opinions to members of the public, Council and the Committee of Adjustment.

The successful candidate will have a University degree in Land Use Planning, Urban Geography or a related field, with 2 to 4 years’ experience, preferably in the public sector. Membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute or working toward attaining designation as an RPP is required. Must possess excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and GIS software is required.

Visit www.amherstburg.ca for a detailed job description. Applicants are invited to submit a resume no later than Monday January 6, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. to: HU

UH

Town of Amherstburg Human Resources Department 271 Sandwich St. S. Amherstburg, ON N9V 2A5

Email: resumes@amherstburg.ca

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is dedicated to maintaining a fair and equitable work environment, and in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Human Rights Code, the Town of Amherstburg will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform the Town of Amherstburg Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodations you may require to ensure your equal participation.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O 1990, and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility for employment.

Public Open Mic Sessions Amherstburg Town Council invites you to attend to ask questions and provide input into the direction of the Town. ***No registration required.

Open mic sessions to be held on: Saturday, January 18th, 2020 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

McGregor Columbian Club (Previously the Knights of Columbus) 9560 Walker Road McGregor Monday, February 24th, 2020 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m Town Hall, Council Chambers 271 Sandwich St. South

***Additional 2020 dates and locations to be determined.

To arrange for accessibility needs, please call the Clerk’s Department at 519-736-0012

Information will be gathered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). All comments and communications received will become part of the public record unless you expressly request the Town to remove it.

If you want to learn more about why and how the Town collects your information, write to the Town Clerk's Office, 271 Sandwich Street South, Amherstburg, ON N9V 2A5 or call 519-736-0012.

12 - COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, Janauary 1, 2020

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COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, Janauary 1, 2020 - 13

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Amherstburg and Essex County’s #1 Real Estate Company*

Another Reason To Call Us First!

519.736.1766 *Based on 2018 WECAR MLS reported listings sold in Windsor and Essex County JASON LAFRAMBOISE DEBBIE NEDIN Broker Sales Representative Sales Representative

JOHN HALL

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2-4 242 MULLEN

Stunning 4 bedroom raised ranch with bonus room ready to go $494,900. 2020 sq. ft.. Huge private master bedroom with ensuite and walk in closet. Covered rear deck. Concrete drive included. Main floor laundry, 9ft. ceilings throughout. unfinished lower level. All this and 54 x 124 ft. lot.

519-890-5955.

Call Theresa Forcier, Sales Representative

JOHN PENTO

Sales Representative

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2-4 238 MULLEN

BRADY THRASHER KIM WHEELER Broker

6813 COUNTY RD 50

Truly a family home Finished on both levels at $478,900. 3 bedroom 3 bath raised ranch, ready in 60 days. 9ft. ceilings, Engineered hardwood, 4th bedroom Covered rear deck. Concrete drive included. 54 x 124 ft. lot in Kingsbridge South.

519-890-5955.

Call Theresa Forcier, Sales Representative

Sales Representative

433 PEARSON

D D L L SO SO

County retreat situated along the region’s wine route! Sitting on over an acre is this beautiful country home w/4 bdrms and 2 baths, a det’d dbl garage w/another ov/sized storage shed directly behind, the ultimate garden/she shed on southwest corner of yard, and a roomy bunkie or guest house. 3 outbld feat metal roofs. Main flr of home has lg kitchen w/eating area, living rm, master bdrm on main, full bath, and a unique family rm w/gas fp and raised area perfect for entertaining. 3 add’l good sized bdrms upstairs and 2 pc bath. Full bsmt partially fin’d with loads of storage space and laundry. Co-Listed with JUMP Realty-Lorne DupuisThis property is avail for reg of offers however all offers to be presented on Mon Oct 7th, time TBD, at the request of the seller, no pre-emptive offers. 24 hrs notice for showings.Please attach schedule “B” to all offers in documents tab, deposit check made payable to LBO (586).

Call Brad Bondy @ 519-736-1766

192 POINTE WEST $469,900

Sales Representative

JAYCI WIGLE

John Hall

Quality built home by Duri Construction ltd. Very attractive 3 bedroom 2 full bath, 1740 sq ft (approx) ranch style home in beautiful Meadowview Estates, features brick & stone exterior with stylish architectural metal siding accents & open concept design. Inviting great room with custom entertainment wall, modern electric fireplace & flush tv opening along with 9’ ceilings and 10’ tray to give an open comfortable feel. Hardwood & ceramic flooring throughout. Master bedroom features walk in closet, ensuite bath and architectural ceiling. Quality built kitchen with granite/quartz counter tops, wide patio door leading to covered raised rear concrete porch. Main floor laundry and 2 car attached garage. Full unfinished basement with 3 pc rough-in bath and the list goes on! Everything

AMY BAILEY

Sales Representative

1145 FRONT

BRAD BONDY Broker

BRIAN BONDY

JOHN BONDY

Sales Representative

Sales Representative

325 JASON CRT FOR LEASE $2,000 MTH

LAWRENCE COTE JOHN D’ALIMONTE RYAN D’ALIMONTE MITCHELL DESLIPPE Broker

2367 ALEXIS

Sales Representative

Sales Representative

D D L L SO SO

Jason Laframboise, Broker or Mitchell Deslippe, Sales Representative 519-903-5817

Beautiful open concept 2 bedroom 2 bathroom townhouse located in an exclusive area of Tecumseh. Features nice size kitchen with quartz counter tops. 2 car at r garage, 2 large bedrooms including a master bedroom approx. 18’ x 13’6”. Walk in closet, 4 piece ensuite bath, newer laminate flooring throughout. Corner gas fireplace in the living room. Patio doors to sun deck. Full unfinished basement and brand new appliances. Tenant agrees to provide a police clearance, credit check, first and last months rent.

John Bondy, Sales Representative @ 519-890-1165 view photos @ www.homesbyjohnbondy.com

474 SIMCOE $349,900

1016 FRONT

2189 COUNTY ROAD 20

4897 CONC 4

320 IRONSIDE

Truly one of a kind 2 storey home resting in he beautiful town of historic Amherstburg. Approximately 2708 sq.

Ft. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Offering plenty of living space. Large kitchen with lots of cabinets, built in oven.

Hardwood, laminate and ceramic flooring throughout.

Oversized garage with 2 pc bath. Large fully fenced back yard featuring 16 x 32 in-ground pool (new liner & pump 2017), sundeck w/pergola & patio perfect for entertaining.

Furnace 8 yrs, a/c 2017, pool insp. 2016.

Call John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler & Jayci Wigle Sales Representatives 519-736-1766

2 bdrm, 2 bath waterfront full brick home located along Amherstburg’s most beautiful water way. Home has loads of character & is situated on a 77.52’ x irreg lot. Main flr features kitchen & eating area, combination living & dining rm, 2 bdrms, 1 - 4pc bath & a 2pc powder rm. Lrg windows make the magnificent unobstructed view breathless. Lower lvl with walkout can be completed to your liking to add to this great living space. Hot water gas boiler with c/air, 1 car attached garage and more. Home is being sold “As is”. Call listing agent for more info on this great property.

Country living! Here is the unique opportunity to own approx. 5 acres at an affordable price. Enjoy the cozy current 2 bedroom bungalow featuring eat in kitchen, formal dining room, second floor loft for additional bedroom or storage and spacious living room, or build your dream home! Gas at road. Seller reserves the right to accept or decline any offer. This ppty is avail for registration of offers however no offers will be viewed until Dec 20, 2019.

From its enviable acreage counts to its country charm, this grand oasis is surrounded by the most beautiful scenery you’ll ever see. Situated on an impressive 18.5 acre wooded ppty in the highly regarded ‘pleasant valley’, sits a stunning recently completed 2 storey home overlooking a 1 acre private pond equipped w/a 3-tier waterfall. Appreciate the exceptional finishes both inside & outside of the home, from the outdoor argentinean kitchen, concrete pebble stone heated in-ground pool, to the jaw dropping main kitchen w/sliding doors leading to the covered full outdoor kitchen w/retractable screens. Smart home features & automation offered throughout the ppty to simplify your life & maximize your daily experience. The main home features 5 bdrms, 4 baths. Guest home features 1 bdrm, 1 bath. Site features: 5 car garage, barn 6500 sq ft shop with solar contract generating approx $7,000./year in income for the property owner (contract transferable). Step into the life you deserve

Meadowview Estates, what you’ve been waiting for! Quality built by nor-built construction. Approximate 1470 sq ft full brick/ stone semi detached 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with open floor plan. Featuring hardwood and ceramic flooring, granite counter tops in kitchen, master suite with walk-in closet and ensuite bath with custom ceramic shower. Main floor laundry room, attached 2 car garage, patio doors leading to covered porch. Full unfinished basement. Plus architectural ceilings in master bedroom and living room, gas fireplace, concrete drive and more.

you want & more in this custom quality-built home.

Call Brad Bondy @ 519-736-1766

Sales Representative &

DON MERRIFIELD, Broker

CARL GIBB

Sales Representative

100 LINKS $625,000

If you’re looking for a waterfront home with an incredible view then 1145 Front road is the home for you. This beautiful home sits on a large lot across from their boat dock that accompanies this property. This home features many updates including flooring, patio doors, furnace and a/c over the last 5 years. You will enjoy beautiful days outside whether its watching the freighters go by or your out back enjoying the peaceful sound of the pond.

Don’t miss out on this incredible property as it won’t last long.

Over sized heated garage perfect for anyone looking to use as a workshop or man cave. Give l/s a call today to set up your personal tour Please attach Schedule “B” to all offers in documents tab, deposit check made payable to LBO (586) Call Brad Bondy @ 519-736-1766

Neat and tidy 1.5 Storey 3 bdrm eastside home in Windsor perfect for the young family or retirees, this one owner home features eat in kit, cozy fam rm, full basemenrt, detached garage, updates incl kit flooring, carpet, roof, vinyl windows, All chattels included are “as is” condition.

Sales Representative

THERESA FORCIER

3 + 2 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. Heated in-ground pool.

Call John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler & Jayci Wigle Sales Representatives 519-736-1766

128 BALACLAVA

Sales Representative

Cell: 226.347.8956

Call Hall for your FREE

Brick to roof ranch in prestigious Pointe West Golf & Country Club. This home in the last 8 years has gone through a complete main floor transformation. Open concept, 4 bedroom main floor, furnace 2019, shingles 3 years, hardwood floors, gorgeous kitchen, quartz counters, full basement, main floor laundry, 2 more bedrooms downstairs. Attached 2.5 car garage. All showings must be after 5:00p.M. Everyday due to work schedule. This ppty is avail for registration of offers however no offers will be viewed until 6pm Nov 1, 2019 as per the request of the seller. Seller has the right to accept or decline any offers.

Market Evaluation

Call John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler & Jayci Wigle Sales Representatives 519-736-1766

419 LAKESIDE

Very well kept 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, 2 storey waterfront home. Open floor plan with amazing views of beautiful Lake Erie. Spacious living room and sun room overlooking the in-ground pool, sun deck & water. Formal dining area. Large detached 2 car garage with heat & hydro backing onto scenic natural area. Best of all worlds. Don’t miss out. Buyer agrees to assume Lake Erie Country Club dues of $946 annually, for the exclusive use of property across street in addition to clubhouse, park etc. Buyer acknowledges and agrees to accept the local improvement charge for sanitary sewers in the amount of $488.95 per year expiring in the year 2022. This local improvement is in addition to the taxes shown on this mls listing.

Jason Laframboise, Broker or Mitchell Deslippe, Sales Representative 519-903-5817

1330 CENTRAL

23 BERTRAND

Ideal rental investment or starter home, great location walk to waterfront, schools & parks. Freshly painted, laminate flooring, some plumbing and electrical. Fenced rear yard, covered front porch & rear sundeck. Appliances include “As is”, immediate possession. Corner gas fireplace (heat system). The seller will view offers Dec. 4th at 5pm., at sellers request no escalation clauses.

Call Brady Thrasher, Debbie Nedin @ 519-736-1766

384 WHITE

1114 UNION, ABURG $174,900

Call Brad Bondy @ 519-736-1766

Very well maintained 3+2 bedroom, 2 full bath raised ranch home in popular Kingsbridge Subdivision. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, formal dining area, maple kitchen cabinets and patio door leading to sun deck. Hardwood and ceramic flooring, cozy family room with gas fireplace, 2 car attached garage and so much more. Situated on a spacious fenced in lot.

Jason Laframboise, Broker or Mitchell Deslippe, Sales Representative 519-903-5817

383 ERIEVIEW AVE

John Bondy, Sales Representative @ 519-890-1165 view photos @ www.homesbyjohnbondy.com

Stunning 2 bedroom lower level unit, in great family area. Modern kitchen, 2 spacious bedrooms, family room and 4 pc bathroom. Grade entrance to unit. Utilities included in price. All kitchen appliances supplied.

No washer and dryer, however hook ups are available.

Rental application, credit check and prior references required. Contact la for more information.

Call John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler & Jayci Wigle Sales Representatives 519-736-1766

Gorgeous waterfront property high on the bluffs of Oxley. You will enjoy the benefits of having raised views whether from the deck just outside the patio doors, the viewing area only one flight down, or at water’s edge enjoy a fire as the waves lap upon the shore. The home features 2 bdrms w/large master w/walk-in and cheater door to bthrm. Warm and rustic kitchen, huge living/family rm /gas fireplace stretches across the home to enjoy window wall to the lake. Patio drs to vast deck with winding stairs to water’s edge will impress your guests. This lakefront property has outbuilding/garage that can serve as garage and a large area to entertain, use a yoga studio, or just a ‘she shed’ or ‘mancave’. Furnace/AC rented for $124.29/mth. This property has a pre-determined offer date of Sept 17th at 4pm.

Sellers reserve the right to view, accept/decline any offer including pre-emptive offers.SEE SCHEDULE “B” IN DOCUMENTS. DEPOSITS MADE PAYABLE TO LBO -586.

3597 PETER

12255 WEST LAKE

6 PARK, KINGSVILLE

Located in Edgewater in the north part of Amherstburg. This oversize 117’ frontage lot by 115’ deep is located in a great established area just 1 block off the Detroit River. There is a riverfront access lot located n 90 second walk to the south of this property. This is perfect for a kayak, canoe, fishing or viewing sunsets over the Detroit River. There is also an above ground pool to the south portion and hydro easement for pole maintenance. The entire properly is grass and has a chain link fence around the perimeter. Very rarely do large in fill lots come up for sale.

Get opportunity to live in a new home home and be in an established area less than 23 minutes from Windsor.

D D L D L O L SO SO S

Neat as a pin 2 bdrm home in Windsor perfect for the young family starting out or retirees, feat eat in kit, cozy fam rm, updates incl furnace, c/air, windows throughout, concrete drive, front and rear decks, you wont be disappointed. This ppty is avail for registration of offers, however no offers will be viewed until 12pm December 7th, 2019 at LBO, as per request of the seller.Please attach schedule “B” to all offers in documents tab, deposit check made payable to LBO (586).

9500 RIDGE LEASE

John Pento, Sales Representative 519-736-1766 or direct 519-919-8767

Welcome to 3597 Peter St. Very well maintained 3 bdrm, 2 bath, full brick ranch home situated on a lrg corner lot. Hrwd flrs thru-out bdrms & liv rm & beautiful oak trim just adds to this move in ready home. Lrg kitchen & eating area w/island make it great for entertaining. Partially finished lwr lvl w/fam rm w/gas fireplace, 2nd bath, laundry & tons of storage. Fenced in rear yard & much more. This ppty is available for registration of offers, however no offers will be viewed until dec 9th @ 4pm, as per the request of the seller. Seller reserves the right to accept or decline any offer.

John Pento, Sales Representative 519-736-1766 or direct 519-919-8767

Call Brad Bondy @ 519-736-1766

Call John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler & Jayci Wigle Sales Representatives 519-736-1766

Call Brady Thrasher, Debbie Nedin @ 519-736-1766

231 CRYSTAL BAY Oversized fully finished ranch semi-detached home on picturesque and prestigious bob-lo island. Approx 1450 sq ft on the main floor consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, gas fireplace, all new high end laminate and vinyl flooring installed, completely renovated kitchen with new high-end granite counter tops, freshly painted, all new light fixtures and more. Fully finished lower level with 3rd bedroom, additional bathroom and massive family room all consisting of huge 9’ ceilings. Attached garage with inside entry. Furnace and ac (2014), new roof shingles (2013). Ferry fees of $4700 per year apply.

Call Ryan D’Alimonte, Sales Representative 736-1766

Carl Gibb Sales Representative

This incredible home will delight from its grand entrance w/ vaulted ceilings/porcelain flrs & spindled staircase to open concept liv rm w/tray ceiling/g fp & gleaming hardwood flrs. Kit features crisp white cabinetry & large island w/granite countertops & an abundance of light. 4 spacious bdrms, 6 baths (2 ens), enjoy the ambiance from the balcony of master bdrm overlooking lush landscaped yard w/lrg pond. Unique sun room w/hot tub overlooking spectacular backyard w/in-ground pool, covered patio and manicured grounds. You will not be disappointed with approx. 6000 sq ft (liv space) brick 2 storey home with top of the line finishings. It’s difficult to list all indoor/outdoor features, so schedule a tour today!

Call Brady Thrasher, Debbie Nedin @ 519-736-1766

Penthouse living in Kingsville. Enjoy the sweeping views of Lakeside Park balcony & views of Lake Erie in this 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite) penthouse condo in downtown Kingsville.

The building is under 1 yr old and offers all appliances, underground parking, and low condo fees. This condo is perfect for retirees looking to enjoy a stress free life in wonderfully charming Kingsville. The building offers a private sundeck on the main level equipped with barbecues made available to all residents along with a rooftop party room and outdoor sitting area perfect for parties and family events. This building is handicap accessible, well thought out and constructed by award winning builder Petretta Construction.

Call Brady Thrasher, Debbie Nedin @ 519-736-1766

519-919-2006

Are You on the Move?

Let me HELP YOU take the stress out of it!

Jason Laframboise, Broker or Mitchell Deslippe, Sales Representative 519-903-5817

1855 NORMANDY

D L SO

Maintenance free living. Open concept, 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in a great location. Walking distance to all amenities. Main floor unit, facing Normandy. In-unit laundry. Large master bedroom. All appliances included. Patio door off of living area leads to your own patio.

Updated flooring, lighting, paint , etc. Low monthly maintenance fee of $292.51 includes exterior maintenance, ground maintenance, water, and insurance. Immediate possession is available. This property is available for the registration of offers however no offers will be viewed until 6:00pm on the 19th of December as per the request of the seller.

Call John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler & Jayci Wigle Sales Representatives 519-736-1766

164 MARTIN

D L SO

Well maintained executive 2 story home in a great family neighbourhood. This home features 4 bedrooms with a possible 5th and 3 baths.

Mbdrm has walk in closet and en-suite with soaker tub. Main floor laundry and sunken living room perfect for entertaining. You’ll love the back yard with the hot tub for relaxing, the in ground pool perfect for cooling off and the patio for entertaining with beautiful landscaping that makes this the perfect house for you and your family. Give Team Brad Bondy a call for your personal tour. Offer presentation set for 7:30 PM December 2, 2019 at the Tec Rd East office. No pre emptive offers as per request of the seller. The seller has the right to accept or decline any or all offers.

Please allow 24 hrs notice for all showings. Please attach Schedule “B” to all offers in documents tab, deposit check made payable to LBO (586) Call Brad Bondy @ 519-736-1766

Great 2 storey on a large 60’ x 245’ lot. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room in the basement and numerous upgrades.

Perfect family home with a lot of character, in an ideal location.

Call Carl for more information 519-919-2006

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14- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

www.rivertowntimes.com

2019 - The Year in Review - August, September

Continued from Page 11

and operates the Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour with husband Justin. “It started with eight flavours and now here we are.” There are now 54 flavours of ice cream, 28 flavours of frozen yogurt and three flavours of soft serve ice cream.

• Darby Little, a student of University of Western Ontario, born and raised in Amherstburg, is now designing and selling apparel with an Amherstburg theme. The merchandise line, called “River Livin’ Apparel” consists of t-shirts, tank tops, baseball caps, pins, magnets and stickers.

• Could a ward system be on the way to Amherstburg?

It’s too soon to tell, but Councillor Peter Courtney wants the concept explored.

Courtney said while campaigning during the 2018 municipal election, the issue came up while canvassing in the rural areas of town. He said that from an optics perspective, people want to ensure their tax dollars are spent in their areas of Amherstburg.

• Erica Fryer still has her own dreams to pursue as a player, but that hasn't stopped the University of Toronto student from passing her knowledge along. The Amherstburg native hosted her first-ever goalie clinic last week at the Libro Centre. She said the clinic, known as the Erica Fryer Goalie Clinic, consisted of skating and shooting drills. The clinic was one day and lasted one hour.

• Amherstburg town council has OK’ed a new food truck being stationed at the Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour. The truck, to be called the “Perch Pit,” will

be located in the rear of the Waterfront’s property and be situated there from Good Friday to Thanksgiving. It will be operated by Bill Deslippe of Smashed Apple Catering and be a partnership with the Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour.

Administration holds a public meeting to gather input on possibly allowing food trucks later in the year.

• The Essex Ravens recently captured the Ontario Provincial Football League title and did so with three people on the team having a connection to the General Amherst football program. Quarterback Emmitt Rosati and running back Levi Reaume were part of the Ravens’ championship team with John Rudak being on the Ravens’ coaching staff.

Rudak is the head coach of the Bulldogs but served as quarterbacks coach with the Ravens.

• Local towing companies teamed up to assist the town's annual bike rodeo.

County Towing and Coxon's Towing brought their large fleet of towing vehicles and other equipment to the parking lot at Walmart with the goal of raising money for the annual bike rodeo, which is presented every spring by the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment. An added twist to the recent charity event was that the towing companies will be featured in the upcoming season of Heavy Rescue 401, with staff members that will be on the show available to meet the public. The event raised $650.

• The 53rd annual Art by the River was presented last weekend with large crowds enjoying the record number

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of vendors. The weather was perfect for the annual two-day arts and crafts show, presented by the Gibson Gallery on the grounds of Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Gibson Gallery and early estimates from gallery officials state over 10,000 people attended the show.

• A request from the Ontario government for conservation authorities to “wind down” programs not directly related to their core mandates has left local officials surprised and disappointed. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) received the letter from Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and ERCA general manager Richard Wyma said “there is not a lot of clarity yet” as to what the exact programs are that could be cut. “It was very surprising to get that letter,” Wyma stated at the time.

• Mealtime Express celebrates its 30th anniversary. Owner Janet Mickle bought the business in 1989 and it was in two locations within the former Fort Malden Mall before it moved across Sandwich St. S. to its current location.

• The seventh annual Southern Ontario Vintage Bicycle open house was at the home of Mark and Cori McGuire with more features to enjoy. The show, held at 6871 Concession 6 North, featured hundreds of vintage bicycles not just from the McGuires' collection but from collectors from as far as London, Brantford, Woodstock and Elmira.

• The Amherstburg Minor Baseball Association (AMBA) brought some of the best young talent to town again this year for another OBA tournament. The OBA Bantam “C” tournament was at the Libro Centre and Malden Centre Park over the weekend with the bulk of the games being at the Libro Centre. Dan Hebert, travel convener and umpirein-chief with AMBA, said this was the second time Amherstburg has hosted an OBA tournament since he has been involved.

• A group of 16 young goalies hit the ice and received instruction from coach Brian Spearing and a very special guest.

Spearing presented a one-hour version of his “In The Zone” hockey school with the special guest being one of his long-time students who is now an NHL prospect – Michael DiPietro, an Amherstburg native who is a draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks. DiPietro said he munity and, on this occasion, do so with a coach that helped him get started.

• The Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment investigated a fatal motor vehicle collision. Police say patrol officers with the Windsor Police Service - Amherstburg Detachment were dispatched to a report of an injury motor vehicle collision in the 3100 block of County Road 10 (Middle Side Road).

Officers attended and determined there had been a collision between a green Ford Escape and a black Yamaha motorcycle.

An adult female driver of the motorcycle passed away. Police say the driver of the Ford Escape has been charged with one count of making a turn - not in safety while in a community safety zone.

• A sold-out crowd of 180 people packed the Libro Centre’s community room last week to hear from a worldrenowned urbanist and his ideas to make

Amherstburg an even better place. Gil Penelosa, founder and chair of 8 80 Cities and chair of World Urban Parks, was in Amherstburg where he spoke to the large crowd about his ideas on how to make the town better for all age groups. Penelosa was invited to town by the Amherstburg Community Foundation (ACF) with it being the ACF’s first of three planned events in its “Thought Leaders” series.

“We must create cities differently from what we are doing,” said Penelosa. “We have to recreate cities around people.”

• The skies were busy over Tower Field on the final weekend in August.

The Sun Parlor Radio Controlled (RC) Flyers held their annual show at their field, located adjacent to the radio towers at 4819 Concession 4 North. The public was invited to come out, learn about flying a radio-controlled airplane and enjoy watching club members take part in their hobby.

SEPTEMBER

• The Town of Amherstburg applies for funding under the County-Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) program for paved shoulders on a portion of Alma St. The 1.2-kilometre stretch the town wishes to install paved shoulders on goes from Fryer St. to Meloche Road.

If approved under the 60-40 funding split with CWATS, the town would fund $426,000 of the $710,000 project while the County of Essex would kick in $284,000.

• Town council and the public debated a proposed lobbyist registrar bylaw for nearly three hours only to have council receive an administrative report and not do anything with the rest for the time being. The report came from CAO John Miceli, who contended the report was to enhance accountability and transparency as he said is part of his job. However, members of the Amherstburg Taxpayers Association (ATA), where were referenced in Miceli's written report, were having none of it and questioned why they were the only group mentioned. According to the report from Miceli, “lobbying is a legitimate activity that must be done transparently.” Town council simply received the report, with no action taken, at the Oct. 28 meeting.

• A group of University of Windsor students from Amherstburg were part of a humanitarian trip to Mexico where they helped school children in that country. The four students were from The Youth Connection (TYC) charity at the University of Windsor and they included Ryley Clifford, Jenna Fiala, Kristie Matte, and Kayla Fiala, the latter being the chief managing officer (CMO) of The Youth Connection. The university students ventured to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, along with other students from other TYC participating schools, to deliver the school supplies derived from the funds they generated this past year.

• Home delivery of the River Town Times ceases as people now have to pick up the weekly newspaper at stores and at newspaper boxes at designated locations.

The RTT also announces it will be moving from its current location at 67 Richmond St. to its new location within the Heritage Square plaza at 80 Richmond St. • Could there be baseball diamonds coming to Jack Purdie Park? The park, located on Richmond St., could see as

Continued on Page 15

COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 15

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519 736-8228

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 SPORTS > LIFE > ANNOUNCEMENTS > CLASSIFIEDS

New Location!

535 Sandwich St. S., Amherstburg AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS

2019 - The Year in Review - September

Kobbler Jay juggles knives as part of his routine. He was one of the many performers that took part in the Amherstburg Uncommon Festival. Attendance was down this year at the Uncommon Festival due to inclement weather.

Continued from Page 14

many as two to three diamonds installed in it if the parks and recreation advisory committee’s motion goes forward.

The committee is asking that town administration look into the feasibility of adding two to three diamonds at the park for the 2020 season.

• Legion Week is underway in Amherstburg. Festivities began with the annual parade in town that saw marchers go from in back of General Amherst High School and use North St., Sandwich St. S., Richmond St. and Dalhousie St. before heading back to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 where a ceremony was held.

• With pickleball gaining popularity within both Amherstburg and around Essex County, local players are searching for more courts in town. A group of pickleball players, led by Richard White, made a presentation to the parks and recreation advisory committee. The game is a cross between tennis and badminton but has to be played on a hard surface court. Games usually last 15-20 minutes and normally see four people play at one time.

• The River Lights Winter Festival was given a significant financial boost thanks to FedDev Ontario. The annual winter event received a $250,000 Canadian Experience Fund grant through FedDev Ontario, with that money to have multiple uses. The major use the money will go towards will be underground infrastructure. Some of the money will be used for additional displays as well.

Work will be done in stages throughout the festival with more being added into the new year in the festival’s extended season.

• The Amherstburg Cardinals senior baseball team played well in its league playoffs but couldn't quite capture the

Essex County Senior League title. The Cardinals lost in Sunday morning's semifinal game as they dropped an 8-6 decision to the Tecumseh Thunder. The Thunder went on to win the championship, defeating Harrow in the next two games.

• It didn’t last long, but a significant storm caused significant damage while it lasted. The storm came in and damaged trees, buildings, homes, vehicles and anything else in its path as it cut across the town, with many properties in the former Malden Township suffering damage in one form or another. The Amherstburg Fire Department and the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment were kept busy with calls, though the fire department stated they “responded to multiple calls for service. A lot of property damage but no injuries were reported at this time. Hydro One, police and fire currently assessing the damage in the community.” It was classified as a “downburst with EF0-equivalent intensity, that is, with maximum winds as high as 130 km/h” and not a tornado by Environment Canada.

• As part of its 200th anniversary celebrations, Christ Anglican Church hosted a gala outside the church that saw over 55 people attend. The formal festivities were held under a tent and featured a musical performance from the Chatham-Kent based group “Canto in Armonia” following the dinner prepared by chef Dennis Rogers. Father Bill Strang said they had people attend not only from Amherstburg, but from elsewhere as well.

• Approximately 275 runners and walkers hit the streets of McGregor then cooled off with a cold one back at Co-An Park with hundreds of more people afterward. The eighth annual McGregor Mug Run and International Beer Festival was Saturday with the late afternoon run

gibbinsurance.ca

seeing people brave the heat to run either a 5K or a 10K on a trail that involved both roadways and the Chrysler Canada Greenway. The accompanying beer festival saw about 11 local craft breweries participate – including G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. and Lot 10 Brewing Co. of Amherstburg.

The Amherstburg Food and • Fellowship Mission held its annual general meeting (AGM) and bid farewell to a long-time board member and thanked a few more. Shirley Hitchcock retired from the board after serving as the mission’s vice president while board members Tammy Pasceri, Lana Talbot and Sheilagh Jaroszewciz were also thanked for their volunteer work.

• The second of two weekends for the Festival of Hawks was presented at Holiday Beach Conservation Area with Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) staff and contractors getting some of the credit. The Festival of Hawks, presented in partnership between ERCA and the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO), saw presentations, demonstrations, vendors and more over the two days Sept. 21-22. A strong storm the previous weekend battered the park and forced the cancellation of the first

weekend.

• Around 70 re-enactors got the 1812 experience at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada as they braved the rainy weather in their period campsites and prepared for battle. The Maidstone Historical Society has held a war of 1812 re-enactment each year for the past 13 years. This year, the soldiers set up camp on Fort Malden’s grounds as part of the “Essex County in the War of 1812” event.

• A group of local cyclists took a look at where their new single-track cycling trail could go at Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Representatives from the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) met with members of the local cycling community at Holiday Beach where they went through areas where the trail could be built before heading back to the portable classroom inside the conservation area where they brainstormed ideas along with members of the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) and the Amherstburg Community Foundation (ACF).

• Rain and cool temperatures held attendance down at this year's Amherstburg Uncommon Festival but organizers with the town are still finding reasons to be happy about the second annual event. Early estimates have 8,000 people attending this year's three-day

Continued on Page 16

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16- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

www.rivertowntimes.com

2019 - The Year in Review - September, October

Continued from Page 15

event, though most of the first day was wiped out due to storms. The steampunk and Harry Potter-themed festival saw events held in Toddy Jones Park, Navy Yard Park, along Dalhousie St. and in various local businesses.

• Students and staff at St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School did their part to assist in the fight against cancer. Villanova raised approximately $10,500 for the Terry Fox Foundation last Wednesday morning.

Approximately two-thirds of the student population, or about 800 students, took part according to guidance department head and event organizer Tony Piazza.

Other schools in the area also hold their own Terry Fox Runs.

OCTOBER

• Amherstburg’s most devout animals went to mass at Christ Anglican Church. After reading an abridged version of the Christian creation story, Fr. Bill Strang walked between the pews and blessed his furry parishioners. Fr. Strang has been holding an annual “Blessing of the Animals” service for around 15 years.

• The Town of Amherstburg proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a local resident is teaming with an area hospital to take the cause further.

Amherstburg resident Alison Baldwin appeared before town council to promote her initiative “Kickin’ Cancer to the Curb” and was joined by Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation director of philanthropy Gisele Seguin and manager of philanthropy Cristina Naccarato. Baldwin said she has friends who have been impacted by breast cancer and said that was a driving force behind her efforts. Baldwin and her group of volunteers will be at the Libro Centre raising money for a 3-D mammography machine that will be installed at Windsor Regional Hospital. Baldwin and a group of volunteers helped fundraise one weekend at the Libro Centre.

• The Fort Fun Centre and the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County teamed up for a Germaninspired run. The Fort .5 Fun Run, an Oktoberfestthemed fund raiser for the Alzheimer Society’s local programming, stretched 500 metres around the field behind the Fort Fun Centre.

• The Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment was selected to test out a new police

vehicle. The local detachment is the only ones within the Windsor Police Service to have a 2019 Dodge Durango at its disposal. Staff Sgt. Dave DeLuca said Amherstburg gets first crack at the vehicle due to the number of kilometres local officers put on the vehicle.

• Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) and a group of supporters visited some local restaurants as part of its latest “Wine 'n' Hop” fundraiser. Approximately $3,500 was raised at the ninth “Wine 'n' Hop” with the event now taking place twice per year. The group started and finished at Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 with stops including Caffeine & Co., Chicano's Tacos and Tequila, Lot 10 Brewing Co. and the Artisan Grill.

• Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey kicked off the Amherstburg Freedom Museum’s “Freedom Achievers” program which includes the “Achieving Freedom in the 21st Century” speaker series. Casey was the guest speaker at the Libro Centre. Casey’s background also includes coaching the Toronto Raptors (where in won NBA Coach of the Year in 2018), the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks, the latter as an assistant coach. He also played for the 1978 NCAA champion Kentucky Wildcats. The museum’s project is one of four initiatives supported by the Amherstburg Community Foundation (ACF).

• Our Place celebrates its 30th anniversary. The Dalhousie St. business started selling women’s clothing, sizes 6-20 plus regular and petite, in 1989 but expanded to include antiques, gifts, and home and garden décor in 2017.

• Progress is being made at the new “community hub” going in at the former St. Bernard School. Work is coming along on the newest location of the Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (ECNPLC) and not far behind that is the new location for Amherstburg Community Services (ACS). The ECNPLC is off of a north/south hallway in the school facing the Victoria St. S. side. ACS is being built along an east/west hallway and is on the Richmond St. side of the building.

• Over $16,000 owed by the Amherstburg Festival Corporation will be written off by the Town of Amherstburg but not before parties involved went back-and-forth at each other during a recent council meeting. Town council received administration's report that $16,765.56 in policing expenses that were incurred several years ago be written off but not before current council members and administration exchanged words and opinions with former council members and former

members of the Amherstburg Police Services Board.

• Now that the River Town Times has moved across Richmond St., their now-former office won’t sit vacant for very long. The building at 67 Richmond St., at the corner of Ramsay St., will be transformed from the River Town Times office to the River Bookshop early next year. Richard Peddie purchased the building from Peter Leardi and assumed ownership Oct. 17. Peddie says he plans on restoring the exterior to look like it did in 1885. The River Town Times is now located at 80 Richmond St. • Skate Amherstburg helped Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) skate part of the way to a new vehicle. Around 30 people laced up and took to the ice at the Amherstburg Libro Centre, where Skate Amherstburg hosted an hour-long “Glide So Seniors Can Ride” skate-a-thon, the proceeds from which will go toward purchasing a new “care-a-van” for ACS’ fleet. The event raised over $1,000.

• The Rotary Club of Amherstburg is hosting an exchange student over the next year. Enzo Biguena, a student from Reunion Island, is the local service club’s exchange student. Reunion Island is an overseas department and region of France and an island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.

• Town council is hiring an outside consultant to conduct a performance review of its chief administrative officer (CAO). Council members emerged from the in-camera meeting after the Oct. 15 regular meeting and, after reconvening in public session, they passed a motion to engage the firm Kercz International Ltd. to perform the review at a cost of $9,375. That money will come from the town's professional fees expense account.

• Conservative candidate Chris Lewis wins the Essex riding in the 43rd federal election. He defeats NDP incumbent Tracey Ramsey, Liberal candidate Audrey Festeryga, Green Party candidate Jen Alderson and People’s Party of Canada candidate Bill Capes. Lewis received 28,274 votes, Ramsey had 23,603, Festeryga earned 12,987, Alderson had 2,173 and Capes finished with 1,251 votes. The Liberals, under leader Justin Trudeau, win a minority government.

• The Amherstburg Stars atom major team helped fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society at the Libro Centre prior to the team's recent game against the Riverside Rangers. It was part of the “Hockey Fights Cancer” initiative and players could also fill out sheets of paper of who they are fighting for. They raise $1,210.

• Project Red Ribbon kicks off to remind people not to drive while impaired and to pay tribute to those who died or were injured in an impaired driving crash.

The initiative is presented

by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

• Could “tiny homes” be on the way to Amherstburg?

Town council was receptive of a proposal by the Stella Maris School “Raybots” team. As part of their FIRST Lego League competition, they face a challenge to identify a problem or building or public space in our community and solve the problem. They brought the issue of the need for affordable, accessible and ecologically-responsible housing to the most recent meeting of town council and called for council members to amend their bylaws to allow the development of “tiny houses.” An official plan amendment and

Continued on Page 18

COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 17

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18- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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2019 - The Year in Review - October, November

Continued from Page 16

straight Sundays. Déja Vu New 2, a three-year-old local zoning bylaw amendment were passed in November. consignment fashion store, brought in its brand-name • Windsor-Essex County has been making steady couture and 12 models to show it all off. Proceeds from improvement in the rate it attracts physicians, but the the event are earmarked for Toys for Tots, an American local physician recruiter indicates her office’s work isn’t program that sends toys to children whose guardians done yet. Joan Mavrinac from the regional physician cannot afford to buy them gifts for the holidays. recruitment office appeared before Essex County council • The Grant and Shank families try to top each other’s and outlined that while her office has made strides Halloween decorations each year and the Amherstburg since it was established in 2003, more work needs to be Food and Fellowship Mission has benefitted. The done to attract physicians and surgeons to the area. Not McLellan Ave. families worked for month’s on their yards only does she help attract people to the Windsor-Essex and the decorations that went in them with the Shanks County region, Mavrinac pointed out she helps U.S. and offering a haunted carnival in their front yard while international medical graduates help understand and the Grants went with a butcher shop and crematorium navigate the licensing process. theme. Each front yard also offered a place for donations • The Hope of St. Joseph Shelter committee held of canned goods and other non-perishable items and, a dinner at the Columbus Community Hall to support when it was all said and done, a total of 629 food items the shelter in the Congo. A sold out crowd of about 200 were collected. There were also donations of toothpaste, people attended the event.

• A local resident is asking the town council to be more mindful of the environment going forward and the town was open to his presentation. Paul Hertel appeared before town council and wondered if the town is prepared to deal with climate change issues along its river and creek system and asked if there was a plan to execute a partial evacuation of the town, if necessary. He called for the town to review what it does internally and believed there is a “wide range of expertise” in the community that could be accessed to deal with the changing climate. Hertel also encouraged the town to enact a new environmentally-themed festival. The town is considering establishing an environmental committee. Town council also declares a climate emergency.

• A local minor hockey team has stepped up in the fight against cancer. The Amherstburg Stars atom major team helped fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society at the Libro Centre prior to the team's recent game against the Riverside Rangers. It was part of the “Hockey Fights Cancer” initiative and players could also fill out sheets of paper of who they are fighting for. The players canvassed for donations from people coming into the town’s arena complex as well as those already in the facility. The fundraiser ended up bringing in approximately $1,210.

• A local elementary school held a fundraiser but emphasizes it is a lot more than just about raising money. St. Joseph School hosted its fifth annual “Rock 'n' Read 'n' Arithmetic-a-thon” and principal Newly-elected Essex MP Chris Lewis lays a wreath at Linda DiPasquale said the entire school rallied the Cenotaph during Remembrance Day ceremonies in around the goals of the event.

to learn about history and who fought for Canada.

• General Amherst High School honoured its top academic students from the 2018-19 school year. The local public high school held its annual academic banquet at the Ciociaro Club with approximately 220 students honoured. Students who were in Grade 9, 10 and 11 last year were recognized if they made the school’s honour roll by earning an 80 per cent average or better. This year’s “Top Dog” award winners for achieving the highest grade average were Samantha Connell (Grade 9), Emma Fleming (Grade 10) and Justin Bornais (Grade 11).

• The development proposed for the south end of Boblo Island is one step closer, but there are many more steps to come before a shovel is put into the ground.

Town council granted its approval for the 219-unit subdivision agreement last Tuesday night, however there are a number of conditions that have to be satisfied before and construction work can begin. Cindy Prince, vice president of development with Amico, said now the island’s owners know the rules they have to abide by and what has to be satisfied prior to construction.

Despite a list of concerns, Prince believes work could begin on the south end of Boblo next year.

• Recurring power failures in the Kingsbridge area have had a cause identified, noted Mayor Aldo DiCarlo. The mayor states he has been informed by Ontario Hydro that migrating birds are the reasons for the frequent outages and “glitches” within the system. Residents in the Golfview subdivision have also been impacted by frequent power interruptions.

• An author, media commentator and pundit made a stop in Amherstburg to not only speak on the importance of climate change but to encourage those in attendance to combat the “propaganda” from climate deniers. Dr. Gerald Kutney was the guest speaker at the third “Thought Leaders” speaker series event put on by the Amherstburg Community Foundation (ACF). After Kutney spoke, he was part of a panel moderated by ACF president Richard Peddie that included Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) general manager Richard Wyma and University of Windsor professor of environmental law Patricia Galvao Ferreira. Kutney said it is no longer an issue of climate change, but a climate crisis. He indicated scientists have been warning of such a crisis for over 50 years but said there is a “denial machine” that has been around for decades that tries to shoot down concerns over climate change.

• The Fort Malden Horticultural Society is helping the town prepare for the holiday season.

Amherstburg. Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 organized the Around 15 of its members gathered on the House parade and ceremony but the weather didn’t co-operate NOVEMBER Youth Centre’s grounds recently with spray paint and this year as it was held in snowy and cold conditions.

• The hot air balloon rides featured at the piles of greenery to “deck the planters.” They then hit Amherstburg Uncommon Festival raised nearly $1,000 the streets and decorated the many town planters for for the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS). toothbrushes, socks, soaps, a $40 cash donation and other the holiday season. A class from General Amherst High The Re/Max balloon, brought to town by local realtors items on top of the food items.

School also got into the act as they decorated planters in John D’Alimonte and Kim Wheeler and team members • The historical significance of the Park House front of the school.

Jayci Wigle and Josh Peddie, ended up raising $939.50. Museum is no secret locally, but it now has national • The 13th annual River Lights Winter Festival A cheque presentation was made to (WECAS) foster designation. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board officially opens. The festival began with the municipal care recruiter Justin Rusenstrom and manager of and Parks Canada were on hand at the Park House tree lighting ceremony Saturday night in the Navy Yard communications and outreach Tina Gatt.

Museum to officially unveil a plaque designating the Park parkette, with displays lit up around the park, some • Hundreds crowded into a local garage to support Dalhousie St. museum as a place of national historical of them brand new. Displays are also featured down the Windsor Regional Hospital’s oncology unit. The garage significance. The Park House is not only one of the oldest street in Toddy Jones Park as well. The opening ceremony belongs to Terry Jones, a prominent local businessman, buildings in Amherstburg, but it is also considered one of featured a movie, fireworks and other attractions with whose daughter, Mackie has used her birthday celebration the oldest buildings in southwestern Ontario.

Seamus Gunn acting as town crier this year. as a fundraiser for the past seven years.

• Amherstburg has remembered its heroes who • A fundraiser started by G.L. Heritage Brewing Traditionally, the event supported the Essex County served Canada in times of war and peace. Remembrance Co. and The Garage Gym has grown so big, the WFCU Heroes Athletic Club. This year, since the fund raiser was Day ceremonies were held with Royal Canadian Legion Centre has to house it. The Crews & Brews vs. Cancer set to be held around a month after Mackie’s grandfather Br. 157 organizing and leading both the parade in the 2019 rowing event was held on the main ice pad at the succumbed to leukemia, she and her family decided the downtown core and service at the cenotaph in King’s home of the Windsor Spitfires, with the junior hockey donations should go toward fighting the disease. The Navy Yard Park. As is tradition, wreaths were laid at the club being one of the event sponsors this year. All event raised about $20,000. cenotaph to remember those who served including those proceeds, which totalled $125,000, from the event will • A singer and songwriter from Amherstburg have whose names are on the cenotaph itself. Two minutes of benefit the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. Tony released her second album and headlined a charity show silence were observed to remember the fallen with local Smith, co-owner of The Garage Gym, said all proceeds in Windsor at the Olde Walkerville Theatre. Eighteen- schools, police officers, firefighters, local dignitaries and will go to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation year-old Alexa Carroccia released her second album current members of the military were among those on (WCCF), and stated over $50,000 was raised prior to “Clementine” Oct. 21 and the six-song album has been hand to pay tribute to those who served. the event even starting. The goal was to beat the $42,000 in the works for several months. She said she started • More than 1,000 students at St. Thomas of Villanova they raised in 2017, with that event being held at G.L. writing the songs around last Christmas and wrote them Secondary School gathered in the high school’s Heritage Brewing Co. as the creative spirit hit her. gymnasium Nov. 11 to observe the 101st anniversary since • The 11th annual Secret Santa Benefit Dinner • The hall at the Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden World War I ended and to pay tribute to veterans. Vice Continued on Page 19 Branch 157 transformed into a fashion catwalk for two principal Laura Beltran noted it is important for students

www.rivertowntimes.com

2019 - The Year in Review - November

Continued from Page 18

returned to Mealtime Express with large crowds returning as well. Approximately 250 meals were served, about 200 ting in and another 50 take-outs, with the event helping to purchase gifts for children for Christmas. Norm Mickle, whose wife Janet owns the Sandwich St. S. restaurant, pointed out suppliers helped with the food while the staff as well as family and friends volunteer their time. The event raised $12,100.

• A near-record crowd of Santas ran through the streets of Amherstburg again this year all to raise money for environmental projects. The annual Super Santa Run was held Saturday evening with runners and walkers starting and finishing near the intersection of Richmond St. and Ramsay St. and going through King's Navy Yard Park and along Sandwich St. S. in between.

Danielle Breault Stuebing, director of communications and outreach services with ERCA, said final totals aren't known yet but they have an idea of what was raised for the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.

The crowd of runners was estimated at approximately 450, which Stuebing said was the second most ever.

The 2016 Super Santa Run drew about 500 runners but inclement weather in recent years kept participation down.

• After a lengthy evening meeting and an all-day budget session, town council has pretty much wrapped up its 2020 budget. While the budget itself is expected to be finalized and passed Dec. 9, town council concluded its budget deliberations last Wednesday evening with the tax increase sitting at 0.59 per cent. That fell nearly four per cent from the original 4.55 per cent the town faced going into deliberations. Treasurer Justin Rousseau indicated that he wanted to go over all the motions made by town council and verify the numbers, and said in December that number grew slightly to a 0.59 per cent levy increase and 0.81 when the capital levy was factored in. Town council got an earful at a public meeting earlier in the month regarding the 4.55 per cent rate that was on the table prior to deliberations with residents vocal that wasn’t acceptable and wanted the rate decreased.

• Thousands lined Amherstburg’s streets to watch Santa Claus come to town again this year. Amherstburg’s annual Santa Claus Parade rolled, danced and marched down Dalhousie St., with dozens of floats, buskers and organizations both local and international lighting up the night. The parade was presented by the Windsor Parade Corporation under great weather conditions.

• Locals got a pre-holiday pampering at the House Youth Centre’s “ShopTacular” event. Eighteen vendors and service providers donated their time and resources to the fund raiser, which provides around 10 per cent of the youth centre’s annual income.

• Tiny superheroes built up their strength with a big breakfast at the Lighthouse Baptist Church. Pastor Adrian Ninaber hosted the event, which, aside from a hearty meal, included photos and games with actors dressed as Batman, Spider-Man, Batgirl and Captain Marvel alongside a series of crafts. Ninaber, a world record-breaking powerlifter, also showed off his deadlifting technique, slowly adding weight, as he told the tale of David and Goliath.

• Friends and family of a local youth battling cancer – including members of the Amherstburg Fire Department – helped make his Christmas brighter.

Ten-year-old Brock Hasson is once again battling Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, the third time he has battled the rare form of cancer in his young life. He was originally diagnosed in 2017 when he was sevenyears-old and had surgery and chemotherapy before being pronounced cancer-free. The disease returned in 2018 and Brock underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy before once again being given the all clear. In October of this year, just before his tenth birthday, it was discovered the cancer had returned once again. About 30-40 people, about 15 of them being members of the fire department, gathered at Brock's Simcoe St. home. Brock and his mother live with his grandparents, Bill and Brenda Brundage, and Brenda said the whole thing was a surprise for Brock when he and his mom got home from a trip to Ohio for the

American Thanksgiving.

• Add Essex County council to the list of elected bodies declaring climate change emergencies. The declaration was made by county council at the Nov. 20 meeting after elected officials heard from ERCA climate change specialist Claire Sanders, co-ordinator Derek Coronado from the Citizens Environment Alliance of Southwestern Ontario and University of Windsor law students Lina Chaker and Aadil Nathani, who were representing the Windsor Law Cities and Climate Action Forum.

• An Amherstburg resident had a distinguished career on the baseball diamond and now has been recognized for it. Jeff Long was inducted into the Softball Ontario Hall of Fame and Slo-Pitch Ontario Hall of Fame on the same weekend in Oakville. He is the first person to be inducted into both, the second player to go into the Slo-Pitch Ontario Hall of Fame and the first player to go into the Softball Ontario Hall of Fame. Long said he was “beyond words” to get inducted into the one but was extremely honoured when he got the word he would go into both.

• The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) is phasing out using animals in its science programs and instead using modern technology. Staff and students at St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School were given a look at the new technology, with the University of Windsor providing new “faux frog” virtual dissection kits to the school and also bringing in its high-tech Anatomage so students could get a glimpse of what is offered at the university and how it uses the technology to view what is inside the human body.

• An Amherstburg native now in the Canadian Armed Forces is currently deployed in the Ukraine. Troy Schwager arrived in Ukraine at the beginning of October 2019 and they are there until April 2020. Add Essex County council to the list of elected bodies declaring climate change emergencies. The declaration was made by county council at the Nov. 20 meeting after elected officials heard from ERCA climate change specialist Claire Sanders, co-ordinator Derek Coronado from the Citizens Environment Alliance of Southwestern Ontario and University of Windsor law students Lina Chaker and Aadil Nathani, who were representing the Windsor Law Cities and Climate Action Forum. The Town of Amherstburg also made such a declaration.

• An Amherstburg woman went to the African country of Tanzania in 2018 as part of a Rotary delegation and decided to return on her own this year to see how the children she met were doing. Laura George recently returned from Tanzania after a two-week visit, spanning four time zones in two days to get there. She visited with children she had connected with during her first visit and wanted to see what progress was being made in the African country.

• An Amherstburg resident had a distinguished career on the baseball diamond and now has been recognized for it. Jeff Long was inducted into the Softball Ontario Hall of Fame and Slo-Pitch Ontario Hall of Fame on the same weekend in Oakville. He is the first person to be inducted into both, the second player to go into the Slo-Pitch Ontario Hall of Fame and the first player to go into the Softball Ontario Hall of Fame.

COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 19 year and another $1,000 in year three.

• Both St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School and General Amherst High School host Grade 8 open houses, trying to show what their prospective students why they should choose their respective schools.

• Brandon Allen returns to running and wins the 5K prior to the start of the Detroit Marathon and qualifies for Team Ontario in cross country.

• The Park House Museum is allowing people to take a look back at the history of Boblo Island. The first part of the Boblo Exhibition is now open, and it takes a look back at the island’s days as an amusement park, complete with old tickets, past uniforms and other memorabilia and photographs. It officially opened Nov. 12. The second phase will be introduced next summer.

• Friends and family of a local youth battling cancer – including members of the Amherstburg Fire Department – helped make his Christmas brighter.

Ten-year-old Brock Hasson is once again battling Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, the third time he has battled the rare form of cancer in his young life. The fire department brought out the ladder truck to help

Continued on Page 20

Kicks & Giggles ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 There is more to a situation than meets the eye, Aries. Delve a little deeper this week to get to the truth. Uncovering the truth will allow you to move forward.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, take a break for a few days to recharge your batteries. If you work too hard, you are going to suffer from burnout. Make this a week of rest and recreation.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, when you are approached with a potential career opportunity, do not immediately dismiss it. It may not be the right time currently, but take inventory of your future goals.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 This week you need to make your mark in some way, Leo. You have many clever ideas circling in your head that want out, so think of how you can deploy your creative side.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, accept help when it is offered this week, even if it tugs at your pride a little bit. Sometimes even the strongest can benefit from a shoulder to lean on.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 A failure to recognize all sides of the equation could put you into an unfortunate situation, Libra. Do not assume that your perspective is the right one; do your research carefully.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, just when you think you have everything figured out, something changes.

Just because you don’t have the rule book doesn’t mean you can’t plot a course.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Devote more of your attention to family matters in the days to come, Sagittarius.

Work may seem all-consuming, but home is where your heart is.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Fun times are just around the corner, Capricorn. You must have the patience to get there. Put some social events on your calendar so you have something to forward to.

DECEMBER

• Christ Anglican Church is nearing the end of its 200th anniversary celebrations but one of their most special events came in early December. The historic Ramsay St. church welcomed The Most Reverend Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, to its Dec. 1 service, which is roughly when the first service was held in 1819. She noted readings during the service were specially chosen for the 200th anniversary service.

The church also welcomes back Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham for another concert at the “Christingle” service.

• Diageo workers represented by Unifor Local 200 have ratified a new three-year contract. Skilled trades workers ratified the contract by voting 95 per cent in favour while production workers voted 84 per cent in favour. Plant chair D.J. Lacey said workers will receive a three per cent raise in year one and two per cent raises in years two and three. Employees will also receive a $3,000 signing bonus in year one, $2,000 in the second

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 You have a funny way of looking at things sometimes, Gemini. That can work to your advantage in providing a fresh perspective that others may overlook.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Before you give up on an idea, run it by some trusted confidantes, Aquarius. You may be missing just one detail that can make this a recipe for ultimate success.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, it’s time to get a better feel for your finances. Tweak things as necessary, and make all decisions with your finances in mind.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS DECEMBER 29 - Ross Lynch, Actor (24) DECEMBER 30 - Ellie Goulding, Singer (33) DECEMBER 31 - Amanda Seyfried, Actress (34) JANUARY 1 - Poppy, Singer (25) JANUARY 2 - Dax Shepard, Actor (45) JANUARY 3 - John Paul Jones, Musician (74) JANUARY 4 - Derrick Henry, Athlete (26)

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ANSWERS ON 2ND BUSINESS DIRECTORY PAGE

20- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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2019 - The Year in Review - November, December

Continued from Page 19

decorate the large tree at the corner of Simcoe St. and Victoria St. S. The Bean’s Ladle food truck also holds a fundraiser for the Amherstburg Public School student.

• Diageo workers represented by Unifor Local 200 have ratified a new three-year contract. Skilled trades workers ratified the contract by voting 95 per cent in favour while production workers voted 84 per cent in favour. Plant chair D.J. Lacey said workers will receive a three per cent raise in year one and two per cent raises in years two and three. Employees will also receive a $3,000 signing bonus in year won, $2,000 in the second year and another $1,000 in year three.

• Work is ongoing to maintain a pair of historic buildings on the grounds of Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada. Parks Canada is informing the public that infrastructure work is now underway to the Brick Barrack and Hough House at Fort Malden National Historic Site. The Brick Barrack will undergo brick and stone repairs, masonry cleaning, window repairs, cedar shingle and rainwater drainage replacement, and access ramp modifications. The Hough House will undergo stone repairs, roof, window, doors, and rainwater drainage repairs.

• The Town of Amherstburg is wanting to participate

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be hosting a FISH FRY on Friday January 3 2020 at the Columbus Hall on Richmond Street Amherstburg from 4:30 6:30 P.M. Doors open at 4 P.M. Tired of Turkey then try our Fish and Chicken dinners. They are available to eat in or take home. Don’t forget our famous dessert table and 50/50 draw. Start out the new year with good food at a reasonable price while helping a great local charity.

in a new provincial program with the aim of finally getting the Amherstburg Land Holdings property developed. The property, which formerly housed General Chemical before the plant was closed, was the key piece of land that council spoke about during their most recent regular meeting. Councillor Peter Courtney put the motion forward to have the town get involved with the “Job Site Challenge” program that is being offered by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

• The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) is phasing out using animals in its science programs and instead using modern technology. Staff and students at St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School were given a look at the new technology, with the University of Windsor providing new “faux frog” virtual dissection kits to the school and also bringing in its high-tech Anatomage so students could get a glimpse of what is offered at the university and how it uses the technology to view what is inside the human body.

• A town councillor is looking for the WindsorEssex Economic Development Committee (WEEDC) reconsiders its position on issuing grants to cannabisrelated businesses. Councillor Patricia Simone said the issue came up at a recent meeting of the town’s economic

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development advisory committee after members of the committee heard about an Amherstburg business being denied a grant from WEEDC due to their sale of cannabis accessories. Simone said the committee would like to see WEEDC revisit their policy on the matter.

• Essex County council passed its 2020 budget with the county portion of tax bills to rise by less than one per cent. County council raised taxes 0.9 per cent, or $8.72 on a home assessed at $200,000. That is higher than the draft budget, with that draft budget calling for a 0.67 per cent increase or $6.50 on a $200,000 home. The increase came as a result of elected officials choosing to put an extra $250,000 in reserves for the county’s share of the municipal portion that has to go towards the new mega-hospital. County council members opted to put more money in the reserve now so that any future debt in the future would be lessened. The County of Essex is also pulling $11.7 million from reserves to fund capital projects.

• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in McGregor is getting a boost thanks to local service organizations in the area. The McGregor Knights of Columbus #2844 and the McGregor Columbian Club host weekly Tuesday

Continued on Page 23

Friendly Social Seniors Luncheons meet every Friday from 11:00 am 1:30 pm at Amherstburg Community Services.

Includes lunch, social activities, bingo and other games, presentations and more. Contact ACS at 519736-5471 for more info.

Please send your Community Calendar emails to sales@rivertowntimes.com

Be Safe during theHolidays Cheers to a Healthy and Happy New Year!

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PELLOW,

Leslie Armstrong Born December 15, 1923 and died December 13, 2019 in his 96th year at Seasons Amherstburg with his family by his side.

Reunited with his beloved wife Pansy (nee Hughes). Cherished father to Ruth Ann Brasgalla (late Herbert) and Janet Oerton (John). Proud Grandpa to Michael, Sean (Colleen), Stephen (Francine), Heather (Adam) and great grandpa to Vincent, Michaelann, Morgan, Julia and Imogen. Predeceased by his brothers William, Thomas and Russell, and sisters Florence Saunders and Verna Matheson. Survived by sister in law Eleanor Shewan (Donald). He will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Leslie was the Past Master of Thistle Lodge #34, Life Time Member of Oxford Lodge #76, a member of the Harrow Gun Club, and was a long time Member of the Hard Rock Hunt Club. Leslie worked at Canada Cement Woodstock and retired from St. Mary’s Cement Bomanville. The family would like to thank the staff of Seasons Amherstburg, Bayshore, VON and the LIHN for all of their dedicated care and compassion shown to Leslie. At Leslie’s request, cremation has taken place. Memorial Visitation will take place at JAMES H. SUTTON Funeral Home 401 Sandwich St. S. Amherstburg on Friday January 3, 2020 from 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm. Masonic Prayers at 7:30 pm. Memorial Service will take place on Saturday January 4, 2020 at 11:00 am in the Chapel. In kindness, donations may be made in memory of Leslie to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.jhsuttonfuneral.ca

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INSURANCE & FINANCE “Successful Planning For Life” Life Insurance, Disability, Critical Illness, Long Term Care, Health & Dental, Group, Travel, Business Insurance, RRSP’s, TFSA’s Segregated Funds, GIC’s, Estate and Financial Planning.

Jeremie R. Bornais BA, FIC, CPCA Phone: (519) 736-7983

Email: bornaisinsurance@gmail.com

www.jeremiebornaisins.com

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COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 23

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2019 - The Year in Review - December

Continued from Page 20 night bingos though there is an additional twist during the Christmas season. Bingo players are encouraged to bring canned goods or other non-perishable food items each week with those items then turned into tickets that can be used during game play for a chance to win a $25 gift card from the hall.

• A selfless act by one Seasons Amherstburg employee not only benefited her co-worker, but herself as well. Mary Beth Hebert began entering the company's “Dream a Little Dream” vacation contest for herself, but decided as she was going through the application process that co-worker Najette Dubois was more deserving. Without Dubois knowing, Hebert nominated her instead.

As it turned out, company officials decided to send both of them – and their families – on Disney vacations valued at $10,000 each. Originally, there were only supposed to be one winner from Ontario and another from Alberta (who turned out to be Erin Bohning from Seasons Drayton Valley) but Seasons opted for two from Ontario due to the unique circumstances.

• Councillor Patricia Simone hosted the first in what she hopes will be a series of roundtable discussions as she invited numerous non-profit agencies from around Amherstburg to discuss what they need and also what they offer. About a dozen people from nine organizations, churches and service groups attended the roundtable at the Libro Centre.

• The ongoing labour dispute between teachers, educational workers and the Ontario government was on display. Schools within the Greater Essex County District School Board were closed last Wednesday as high school teachers represented by the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers Federation (OSSTF) as well as educational support workers from the public elementary schools were on the picket line carrying signs which read such things as “No Cuts to Education” and “On Strike for Public Education.” Teachers and

educational workers are protesting the proposed increase of class sizes, want full access to courses and programming for all students and want specialized professional supports for students with special needs among other issues. They were handing out flyers which also called for wage increases tied to the cost of inflation.

• Alhambra Garcia Caravan #230 welcomes nearly 300 people to the Columbus Community Hall in McGregor for their annual Christmas party for those with disabilities and their families.

• The County-Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) and its committee and staff are looking ahead to the future and were happy that people within Windsor-Essex County were pleased as well.

CWATS held an open house and evening in the council chambers at the Essex Civic Centre with large crowds streaming in to check out was is proposed for 2020 and to provide input into the CWATS master plan going forward.

• Schools, museums and other organizations present an array of Christmas concerts, activities and other events to celebrate the holiday season. Many others make donations to charitable causes, including the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.

• Community energy planning and outreach to combat climate change, plans to monitor and reduce phosphorus and fight blue green algae, continued work to address flooding and erosion, and completing a significant restoration project on Pêche Island in partnership with the City of Windsor are just some of the top priorities the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has outlined for 2020. The 2020 budget totals $10,576,317, which includes a total levy contribution of $3,386,667. ERCA states that this represents an increase of $148,000, or $0.49 per person ($10 to $10.49 per person) though the actual cost per household ($250,000) decreased by $0.12 to $19.57.

• Wendy’s officially opens in Amherstburg. The

Detailed job descriptions and Student Lottery Application Guidelines are available on the Town’s Website www.amherstburg.ca. Qualified applicants are invited to submit a Student Lottery Application, along with copies of any required certifications listed as required on the job descriptions no later than Friday, February 7th, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

*Please note that the Student Lottery Application must be filled out or your application will not be eligible. Resumes alone will not be accepted.

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is recruiting a

GIS Summer Student (Non-Lottery Position) Visit www.amherstburg.ca for a detailed job description. Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume outlining qualifications and experience as they relate to the position no later than Friday, February 7th, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. to: The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg Human Resources Division 271 Sandwich St. South Amherstburg, ON N9V 2A5 Email: resumes@amherstburg.ca Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O 2001, and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility for employment.

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is dedicated to maintaining a fair and equitable work environment, and in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Human Rights Code, the Town of Amherstburg will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform the Town of Amherstburg Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodations you may require to ensure your equal participation.

“soft opening” saw hundreds attend the new Sandwich St. S. fast food restaurant. Amherstburg resident Jason Major was the first customer.

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg Is recruiting a

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg 2020 Summer Student Lottery Positions Public Works Student General Labourers Parks Student General Labourers Summer Camp Leaders Tourism Representatives

Dr. Charu Chandrasekera from the University of Windsor demonstrates on an Anatomage Table, used to study the human anatomy via virtual reality. The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School is moving away from animal dissection and Villanova was given demonstrations.

Purchasing Coordinator

Reporting to the Financial Planning Administrator, the Purchasing Coordinator provides support functions to all departments in the Corporation through coordination and facilitation of the procurement process in accordance with applicable regulations, legislation, industry best practices and the Municipality’s procurement policy. This position will ensure an open, transparent and competitive process to procure goods and services in a timely and cost-effective manner, while establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders including vendors, suppliers and staff.

The successful candidate will possess a Post-Secondary Diploma in Business or related field, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a computerized accounting environment including purchasing experience, preferably in a public sector environment. Purchasing Certification (Certified Professional Public Buyer or Certified Public Purchasing Officer) or enrollment in a program to obtain the required designation within 2 years is a requirement.

Visit www.amherstburg.ca for a detailed job description. Applicants are invited to submit a resume no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday January 13, 2020.

HU

UH

Town of Amherstburg Human Resources Department 271 Sandwich St. S. Amherstburg, ON N9V 2A5

Email: resumes@amherstburg.ca

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O 2001, and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility for employment.

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is dedicated to maintaining a fair and equitable work environment, and in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Human Rights Code, the Town of Amherstburg will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform the Town of Amherstburg Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodations you may require to ensure your equal participation.

24- COMMUNITY NEWS - Wednesday, January 1, 2020

AMHERSTBURG

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

DECEMBER 29 DECEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31

FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL & STAFF OF THE TOWN OF AMHERSTBURG JANUARY 5 LAST DAY Gingerbread Warming House Open 5:30pm-8:30pm

JANUARY 6 Special Council Meeting Education Session Inclusivity & Diversity Town Hall, Council Chambers 5-9pm

JANUARY 7 Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee 5 p.m.

Libro Centre, Energy Zone

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

JANUARY 1

JANUARY 2

New Year’s Day

Wednesday’s garbage collection moved to Thursday

Wednesday’s garbage will be picked up today

JANUARY 8

JANUARY 9

Remove ALL decorations and plastic bags

JANUARY 12

JANUARY 13 Regular Council Meeting Town Hall, Council Chambers 6:00 p.m.

Remove ALL decorations and plastic bags

JANUARY 14

JANUARY 15

JANUARY 3 Gingerbread Warming House Open 5:30pm-8:30pm

Municipal Offices & The Libro Centre CLOSED

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee 6 p.m.

Council Chambers

FRIDAY

Friday’s garbage collection and recycling moved to Saturday

SATURDAY JANUARY 4 Gingerbread Warming House Open 5:30pm-8:30pm FREE Public Skating 4:30pm-6:30pm Sponsored by Tim Horton’s Friday’s garbage and recycling will be picked up today

recycle

Visit our River Lights Winter Fesitival, Downtown Amherstburg

JANUARY 10 Pickleball Returns to General Amherst drop-in 6-8 pm $5.00

JANUARY 16

JANUARY 17

Drainage Board Meeting (with the First Sitting of Court of Revision for Ouellette Drain) Libro Centre, Community Room 6:00 pm

No Pickleball tonight at General Amherst

recycle

JANUARY 11 Public Skating 4:30pm-6:30pm

JANUARY 18 Council Open Mic Session for the Public McGregor Columbian Club 9560 Walker Rd., McGregor 12pm-1pm FREE Public Skating 4:30pm-6:30pm Sponsored by ACS

Happy Holidays

We wish you peace, prosperity and great happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

FROM: THE MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF OF THE TOWN OF AMHERSTBURG 519-736-0012 • www.amherstburg.ca 271 Sandwich St. South, Amherstburg, Ontario N9V 2A5