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Three local organizations approved to move into community hub
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
By Ron Giofu The community hub at 320 Richmond St. will have three more organizations officially under its roof in the coming months. After emerging from an in-camera meeting and entering the regular meeting May 25, town council formally approved giving ten-year leases to The Verdi Club, The House Youth Centre and the Fighting Island Boxing Club. Administration was also authorized to complete the necessary leasehold improvements at the former St. Bernard School at a cost not to exceed $626,900 plus HST and transfer an amount not to exceed $638,000 from the parkland reserve toward funding the leasehold improvements. In addition, the town will sell the boxing club’s current home at 300 Victoria St. S. once the club is moved into the community hub. Money gained through the sale of that building will be placed back into the town’s parkland reserve. CAO John Miceli told town council at the May 25 online meeting that the disposition of the land at 300 Victoria St. S. will be used to make the parkland reserve whole as well as the sale of the land to the east of the hub, which is the site of a proposed long-term care facility. Lease revenues at 320 Richmond St. will also
RTT PHOTO BY RON GIOFU
Three more organizations are moving into the new community hub at 320 Richmond St. Town council approved moving forward with ten-year leases for The Verdi Club, The House Youth Centre and the Fighting Island Boxing Club. be used to make the parkland reserve whole as well. Miceli said the anticipation on making the reserve whole again will be “within the next couple of years, give or take a little bit of time.” He said the land sale for the proposed long-term care facility is conditional based upon the proponent receiving approval from the province for long-term care beds at the site. “The 300 Victoria site will be put for sale immediately upon relocating the Fighting Island Boxing Club, which we’re hoping will happen early this fall,” the CAO stated. “The sooner that we move them to 320 Richmond the sooner we’ll be able to put that property for sale.” Joe LeBlanc, owner of Fighting Island Boxing Club, said they are looking forward to moving into the new location. He said the current building is older and space is restricted and the new building will have higher ceilings and room for more programming. He
noted that while it will take weeks to disassemble the equipment at their current site, they love their new location. He said they will be taking up a little more than half of the current gymnasium at the former school, which is about three-times the size of their current building. While the FIBC is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LeBlanc noted that in the past, he has had to break up the group when training and send half of them outside and keep the rest inside due to a lack of space. He said that won’t happen at the new location and anticipates offering adult female classes, classes to assist those with Parkinson’s Disease and a seniors program. “There’s just so much more room,” he said. The FIBC is also fundraising and plans to use a fullsize ring at the new location.
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2 – River Town Times – Wednesday, June 3, 2020
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Local author answers his questions about God through experiences as a father The book has its origins in tragedy, as Jarvis said he began thinking about being created by God and having also to endure pain and suffering along the way. He had friends diagnosed with terminal illnesses at the time and started to go down a “journey of deep questions” including does God exist and how His voice is heard and does He hear you? Jarvis said he began finding answers to those questions through his own life and being a father to 12-year-old Owen, nine-year-old Kara and five-year-old Luke. “It was a two-year writing process,” said Jarvis. In some ways, the book “basically wrote itself” in that as he thought of new experiences, he was able to write about them. “As my experiences with my children came up, I used the experiences to write another chapter,” he said. Jarvis admitted he was nervous to release the book but is still very pleased with how it turned out. He pointed out that only five days after the book’s release, he had sold almost all of his author copies. “I’m very happy with it,” said Jarvis. “So far, the reader reviews have been extremely positive. It seems to be resonating with people.” The book, published by Word Alive Press, is also available online through Amazon, Kobo and Barnes and Noble. It is his second book, but this one he found easier to write and is open to the possibility of publishing an updated version in the future. “I’ve already thought of a bunch of new chapters,” he stated. Jarvis added he is unable to do an actual book launch right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions around it, he hopes to do one in the future when it is safe to do so. “It’s really a weird time to release a book,” he admitted. Jarvis said he hopes people visit his social media pages and leave a comment or question about the book or something they read in it. “I’m hoping it starts a conversation,” said Jarvis. “I’m always open to a conversation when it comes up.”
By Ron Giofu A local author has tried to answer his own spiritual questions through his own experiences of being a father to his three children. Kevin Robert Jarvis has released his new book “From One Father to Another: What Becoming a Father Taught Me About God” and Jarvis said sales of the book have been brisk so far. “It is a Christian apologetic book. It’s basically what I learned about God by becoming a father,” said Jarvis.
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Amherstburg resident Kevin Robert Jarvis has released his new book “From One Father to Another: What Becoming a Father Taught Me About God.” He shows copies of the book with his three children - 12-year-old Owen, nine-year-old Kara and five-year-old Luke.
New faces moving to the Community Hub
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“All in all, we’re very excited about the move,” said LeBlanc. “It’s amazing. Everything’s coming together right now. It’s been a long journey from 27 years ago when we started.” LeBlanc said the FIBC is “all about the kids” and believes the town does well when it comes to working with organizations that deal with kids and seniors. Blanche Durocher, chair of The House’s board of directors, was pleased with the news. “I was delighted to read that the motion had passed to have The House Youth Centre moving into the community hub, and we are confident it will meet our needs. We will continue to provide weekly meetings for high school aged youth - grades nine through 12, focusing on peer mentoring and support, monthly meetings for LGBTQ+ youth and allies from ages 14 to 21, monthly senior group meetings for alumni and interested adults, as well as Grade 8 days,” she said. Durocher indicated there will be added benefits in moving to the new location. “We are especially excited that the new space will offer accessibility to all, and we are hopeful to expand our programming,” she said. The Verdi Club didn’t comment at this time as they are awaiting official confirmation from town officials. Already in the hub is the Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic with Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) expected to join them in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – River Town Times – 3
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Young artist lends her talents to a local business By Ron Giofu
A young artist’s work is now on display at a local business. The work of Marissa Fantetti, a 15-year-old student at École secondaire E.J. Lajeunesse, painted her own design of bees on lilac bushes on the side of a building at Rags to Riches Upholstery. Rags to Riches owner Eleanor Renaud said she commissioned the mural to have something pleasant to look at and to drum up interest in her new business venture. “She’s a young local high school student who is also an art student,” Renaud explained. “She does amazing work.” When Renaud explained to Fantetti was she wanted the theme to be, the Grade 10 student took it from there and both designed and painted the mural. It took her about 20 hours, spread over several days last week. “We’re starting a new division of Rags to Riches and it’s Rags to Riches Furniture,” said Renaud. “We’ve been collecting unique furniture for years.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Renaud thought it would be a good time to start restoring some of her antique
furniture and seeing if people would be interested in buying it. She said there are people who search for unique furniture online and Rags to Riches wants to tap into that market. From there, Renaud contacted Fantetti and turned a blank wall into something pleasant. “The bees are the buzz,” Renaud joked. Renaud added that Fantetti will be part of the new division as well as she will be painting and designing some of the restored furniture. Fantetti said it was explained to her what was wanted and she combined everything into one design. Doing a piece of art on that scale had a different twist to RTT PHOTOS BY RON GIOFU it this time around. “I’ve done a lot of this at school but Marissa Fantetti stands with her mural, seen never at someone’s business,” she said. in progress. The 15-year-old Lajeunesse student Noting she enjoys taking art classes, painted on the side of a building at Rags to Riches Fantetti believes she is getting better at it Upholstery. The mural features bees on lilac bushes. and she enjoyed doing the mural as well. “You can really let your creativity flow,” she said. “There’s no rules. You can do what you want. Fantetti added: “As I grow older, I seem to be getting better at (art).” She said she is looking forward to saying involved and being a part of the Rags to Riches Furniture division.
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4 – River Town Times – Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Public budget meeting deferred to await service delivery review By Ron Giofu
Amherstburg town council has delayed a public budget meeting until the fall as it awaits a service delivery review. In the process, council rescinded a motion from Nov. 25, 2019 that an open mic meeting be held in May 2020 pertaining to the 2021 budget. In a report from clerk Paula Parker, she pointed out the state of emergency from the province was instituted March 17 and the town followed suit March 22, with the latter seeing “a restricted service level based on essential services. In the ensuing period, Ontario has introduced a number of restrictive measures on gatherings, business operations, physical distancing, etc.” “In 2019, council began hosting a series of ‘open mic’ sessions for public engagement and input. While these sessions are not required or mandatory under legislation, council has directed that such sessions continue to be scheduled in 2020, including a May session specifically for 2021 budget input,” Parker stated in her report. The spirit of an open mic meeting is to allow for the community at large to address
council openly with its comments by attending a meeting on a dedicated date and time without the requirement of delegation to a formal council meeting. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances and restrictions forced upon us by the province related to COVID-19, a true open mic style meeting poses a challenge at this time. Therefore, this report is seeking further direction on the motion of council.” Parker added the town is undertaking a “fulsome” service delivery review is being undertaken by the town which “is expected to provide insights that would inform council’s direction on services provided; which may in turn inform the town’s long-term financial plan and fiscal budgets.” “Based on the impacts of the pandemic emergency and anticipated information from the Service Delivery Review, it is recommended that consideration of amending the approach to public engagement on the town’s budget be deferred for consideration in future in the context of service levels, strategic priorities and the long-term financial plan,” Parker stated in her report. Councillor Michael Prue wanted the service delivery review to be completed
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www.rivertowntimes.com on or before Sept. 14 “to allow for public input on before Nov. 7, 2020.” “I think the public, if they want to make recommendations on the budget, should have an opportunity to do so. We have a meeting on Sept. 14 and I’m hoping the town’s service delivery review can come on or before that date so we can set the public meeting, however it’s going to be held. I’m hoping we’ll be out of lockdown by then,” said Prue. CAO John Miceli said the service delivery review is currently underway. “We have to have the report into the province for September. That’s part of the funding,” said Miceli. “It does align with the recommendation with the recommendation Councillor Prue has made.” The service delivery review is being funded through a Municipal Modernization Grant. Miceli said the town received a grant with an upset limit of $200,000 and Strategy Corp. is doing the review for about $130,000. “What they’re looking at are all of the services the municipality is delivering and if there are alternative ways of delivering those services,” the CAO stated. A review of the town’s organizational structure is also being done, he added. “They are looking at all different aspects of what the municipality is doing, how we provide the service and is there a better way to deliver that
service. Those will all be considered by council,” he said. “I think it’s important we wait for the service delivery review,” added Councillor Don McArthur. McArthur said “a lot of things are in flux right” now due to COVID-19, how much the town is spending due to the pandemic and how much funding could flow from upper levels of government. “It’s just prudent to wait until some of these chips fall so we can have real and legitimate discussions about what we’re actually faced with,” said McArthur. Miceli believed the way municipalities do business will change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need to be able to react to what that all means,” he said. Councillor Patricia Simone wondered if public consultation could be held via Zoom even if out of lockdown. Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said that decision is up to council. “I would imagine that as we approach that timeline, it’s something we can address,” said DiCarlo. “I think we’re kind of at the mercy of the province as to what they are and aren’t going to open. If everything is open at the time, we will likely have to address transitioning into physical meetings anyway and I would say we could probably at that time.” DiCarlo added they could also decide to allow for virtual attendance when that meeting is held.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reader against use of cannabis, says it “literally fries your brain” To the editor, it is a very sad situation when you can do narcotics and especially this one I can’t be around at all (cannabis) and I have already said my point of view to the government. Whether they do something about it would be greatly appreciated. I get a severe reaction to and have a medical alert for this, and that is when I’m healthy and not ill. I don’t care what you think it does for you I think it’s absolutely no good to anyone but to flush it all down the toilet where it belongs. When you allow evil or good what does that say you’re doing and what
does that do to you when you do? I remember the commercials on television showing frying an egg in a frying pan and saying see what this is and this is what your brain does when you do that. It’s amazing how you suddenly don’t remember how awful it really is. It literally fries your brain when you take those narcotics and that is absolutely awful. When the government allows this is not good at all. —Kari & Diane Alhonen Amherstburg
Mission golf tournament cancelled, donations still accepted This year’s 13th Annual Amherstburg Mission Golf Tournament scheduled for July 11, 2020 has been postponed. Based on the COVID-19 Pandemic it is impossible to hold this years event due to the current restrictions. We waited as long as possible to see if the tournament could be played, however, out of concern for the safety of our participants and volunteers we feel this is best. We have rescheduled the tournament for July 10, 2021. We would like to express gratitude to all of those who have reach out and offered support in this challenging time. If anyone else is
interested in making a monetary donation please visit the amherstburgmission.ca website. You will find a ‘donate now’ link where all donations will be received through canadahelps.org. All donations over $20 will be issued a charitable tax receipt. We hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing everyone July 10, 2021 as we resume our tradition for the 13th annual Amherstburg Mission Golf Tournament. —Winston McAllister Amherstburg
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Amherstburg council supports Tecumseh’s request to contact Postmedia over paper closures By Ron Giofu
Amherstburg town council has thrown its support behind a motion from their colleagues in Tecumseh to have Postmedia reconsider the closure of several weekly papers in Essex County. Postmedia closed Shoreline Week in Tecumseh in early May along with other Essex County weekly newspapers including the LaSalle Post, Lakeshore News, Tilbury Times, and the Kingsville Reporter. Tecumseh council’s motion called for the decision by the media giant to be reconsidered “in an effort to preserve an open forum for accountability and transparency in local government and continue to facilitate community engagement” and to consider the “introduction of alternative models to maintain local news coverage in communities such as Tecumseh, such as continuing online community newspapers with portals such as those provided by Metroland Media Group.” The River Town Times is owned by Southpoint Publishing and was not impacted by the closures. Southpoint Publishing also owns the Southpoint Sun in Leamington. “As we all know, small newspapers are important to our communities for getting the messages out,” said Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche, who introduced the motion. He noted there are many still not on the Internet who still look forward to receiving a weekly newspaper. Meloche added that weekly newspapers help give “a sense of community” in smaller communities. Councillor Michael Prue questioned
whether Postmedia would pay attention to the letter, as the company had already made its decision that the papers were no longer feasible. However, he was hopeful someone else could fill the news void in those communities. “I believe strongly in local media,” said Prue. “But if Postmedia walks away from Tecumseh, I think we would be better to advocate that somebody new and local comes along to set up a newspaper.” Prue added: “I agree with the Town of Tecumseh. They need a local newspaper just as we have the RTT here. Every small town needs that lifeline, but asking Postmedia to reconsider when they’ve obviously looked at the books at figured there’s no money to be made isn’t going to help much. I don’t mind, I’ll vote for it but we need to know it’s going to have little or no effect on a corporation like Postmedia which is looking at the bottom line.” Councillor Don McArthur, a former journalist with Postmedia, said “year after year, there’s layoffs” and paper closures. “Kudos to the journalists who are making it work under very, very difficult and stressful conditions, trying to cover the news in the midst of a pandemic with the Sword of Damocles over their head,” said McArthur. “I don’t think it hurts to send a letter.” McArthur pointed out that the papers were closed with both print and digital options now gone from those communities. “There’s no coverage at all,” he said. “A lot of things get missed and politicians don’t get held to account when you don’t
Fundraiser for Judah
RTT PHOTO BY RON GIOFU
A fundraiser was held over the weekend at the home of Joan Fryer to help offset food costs for her ten-year-old grandson Judah Pastorius. Judah is the son of Jason and Corrie Pastorius, Corrie being an Amherstburg native. Donations were collected to help offset food costs for Judah, who suffers from multiple medical issues including vision and hearing impairments. He was born prematurely and is in a wheelchair. The money will go towards the special type of food he requires. From left: Fryer, Jerry Struhar and Anne Fox. To donate, call Fryer at 519-736-4368 or donations can be dropped off at her home at 100 Boardwalk Ave.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – River Town Times – 5
Amherstburg town council supported a resolution from the Town of Tecumseh and will send a letter to Postmedia regarding the closure of five weekly newspapers in Essex County. Shoreline Week, the Kingsville Reporter, LaSalle Post, Tilbury Times and Lakeshore News were impacted by Postmedia’s recent decision to shutter weekly newspapers. The River Town Times was not impacted by the closures as it is owned by a separate company. have a free press there throwing hardballs at them. I think we should send a letter.” McArthur acknowledged Postmedia may not listen and “they may just be blowing sunshine to get more federal funding” but believed a letter wouldn’t be a bad thing. “We should stick up for a free press as much as we can,” said McArthur. He added the letter should send a letter to the federal government as the feds are supporting media underserviced communities “and a whole swath of Essex County just became underserviced.” Meloche added he won’t argue with Prue’s point and acknowledged “it may
fall on deaf ears” but said the motion was to show support for Tecumseh at its motion. “At this point, it’s to try and send a message of the importance of the small papers in local communities,” said Meloche. Mayor Aldo DiCarlo noted the issue was addressed at the county level as well and “the sentiments were pretty much the same. We do appreciate who we’re asking and what we’re asking for from them, but I think the consensus was doing nothing is worse at this point. We at least have to send a message on what our local news means to us.”
6 – River Town Times – Wednesday, June 3, 2020
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Safe Families holding “Balloon Brigade” as a way to fundraise By Ron Giofu
A local non-profit group has seen its fundraising efforts impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic so they are trying alternative ways to raise money. Safe Families Windsor-Essex is holding a “Balloon Brigade” this weekend in which volunteers dressed as various cartoon and super hero characters will bring joy to people around Windsor-Essex County as they make their balloon deliveries. Safe Families Windsor-Essex regional director Joanne Fear said they have seen an increase in the number of families they assist and the donations have slowed down at the same time. “We’re looking for creative ways to donate during the COVID crisis,” she said. Fear said all money raised locally will stay locally. “We have also had to cancel our two large fundraisers scheduled for the summer and the fall,” she said. “We are required to raise all the funding needed for our local site to operate. People can order a bouquet of balloons to be delivered to family, friends, long term care homes, etc. for a minimum donation of $25. The balloons will be delivered by an assortment of characters (Princess, Marvel, Animals, etc.).” Fear said all social distancing rules will be followed with deliveries to be done all over the area. It is seen as a fun way to brighten people’s spirits as well as to raise money for Safe Families at the same time. If going to a long-term care facility, they will go to the windows instead of entering the facility. “It’ll be fun but it’s also a way for us to do some fundraising,” said Fear.
SPECIAL TO THE RTT
Safe Families Windsor-Essex County is hosting a “Balloon Brigade” fundraiser this weekend. People can order balloons for a friend or loved one for a minimum $25 donation and have them delivered around the region. Order forms can be accessed off their Facebook site (www.facebook.com/ safefamilieswindsoressex) or by e-mailing windsor@safefamilies.ca.
GECDSB looking to have menstrual hygiene products installed in school washrooms By Ron Giofu The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) is moving forward with a recommendation
from one of its student trustees to provide feminine hygiene products “without stigma” for free in its school washrooms. Student trustee Anumita Jain put forth her notice of motion near the end of the board’s 4.5-hour meeting May 19 and that motion called for the GECDSB to ensure that menstrual hygiene products are provided without stigma in female and genderneutral washrooms. Trustees would eventually go along with the concept, but not without questions. Jain outlined issues that females may have to go through without access to
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the hygiene products that they require. That includes having to miss time in class trying to find the products they need or having to find alternative means. “This creates a significant inequity in our education system,” said Jain. The public board’s student senate “overwhelmingly” supported the concept and the need for such an initiative, Jain stated, adding that other boards in the province are already offering free menstrual products for students. She said she obtained information that start up fees could be about $30,000 but then maintenance is about $5,000 annually. “If we’re paying $5,000 versus students missing out on education, I think $5,000 is a cost we should be willing to bear rather than letting many students in our board struggle.” Trustee Cathy Cooke was supportive, but believed the motion should be deferred until more information is obtained. “I believe the motion is very empty and very wide open,” said Cooke. “There’s no structure to it in terms of what grade are you going to start at? What products are you going to offer? There are hundreds of products out there and you have it wide open. It needs to be structured properly.” Cooke also noted the motion itself did not address costs. “There’s nothing in the motion that says anything about that,” said Cooke, but added “I think we need more information.” Trustee Julia Burgess was supportive of the motion and believed GECDSB administration can take care of the details and implement the motion. “Motions are supposed to be general,” said Burgess. “Administration is more than capable of figuring out what makes sense, such as where to put them.” Trustee Sarah Cipkar added “it’s an issue of inequity in schools” and didn’t believe the board should get too deep into operations or too detailed. There was debate over whether to implement the dispensers over a one or two-year period with Burgess favouring the one-year time frame. She didn’t believe it was any different from putting toilet paper dispensers or rolls in washrooms. She also rejected the notion that they could be subject to a lot of vandalism. Trustee Gale Simko-Hatfield wanted to give staff enough time to figure things out and implement the motion, stating they already have a lot on their plates due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Give them a break,” said Simko-Hatfield. “Give them to work it out. Give them the extra time to do it responsibly.”
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – River Town Times – 7
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St. Clair College adds Amherstburg student to its women’s softball roster By Ron Giofu The St. Clair College Saints women’s softball team has been adding to its roster and one of its most recent additions is a current General Amherst High School student. Allison Dufour was one of two recruits to the St. Clair team that were announced last week, the other being Naomi Beauchesne of Vincent Massey Secondary School in Windsor. Dufour will receive $1,250 per semester as long as she is playing sports at St. Clair College. “I’m excited,” Dufour said of the scholarship. “I really just want to play. I know some of the players from the (Windsor) Wildcats softball team are playing (at St. Clair) so that will make me more comfortable going into the season.” Dufour is a four-year honour roll student at General Amherst High School and in addition to helping her high school softball team on the diamond she also competed in basketball and was part of two SWOSSAA volleyball championship squads. She plays first base and in the outfield, but it is pitching she enjoys most about softball. “I have control of the ball,” she said. “I kind of feel that I’m in charge out there. It’s exciting.” Dufour spent time with the LaSalle Athletics and Windsor Wildcats club programs with several accolades in Ontario and in the United States including a USSSA Most Outstanding Pitcher Award from the 2019 National Championship in Maryland as well as a PWSA High School Fastpitch Championship MVP Award. Her Wildcats team has also been inviting to the national championships in Kelowna, British Columbia later this year. That team has won medals at 13 of the last 14 national tournaments, including a silver medal in 2019. Dufour said the Wildcats finished second at the
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USSSA tournament and that was probably her biggest highlight of her softball career thus far. She said she has played for St. Clair head coach Doug Wiseman before so she had been hoping to earn her way to the St. Clair College roster. Dufour will be attending St. Clair’s Early Childhood Education program starting this fall. In two years, she hopes to study autism and behavioural studies with an eye at attending the University of Windsor and Wayne State University down the road as well. She hopes to become a speech and language pathologist. While she has been with the Wildcats program for about seven years and also plays at General Amherst, Dufour has been playing softball for about ten years in total. Wiseman said about the Dufour signing” “Ally comes to us with an opportunity to pitch immediately following the graduation of Olivia Elliott. She is a durable pitcher who will take the ball in all situations with a strong background from the Windsor Wildcats organization. Ally’s style and competitiveness will compliment Rya Cowan, but she can also play first base and outfield with some pop in her bat.” The 5’7” Beauchesne is a Vincent Massey product and spent much of her formative club years with the Michigan Batbusters stateside winning a remarkable 16 Game Most Valuable Player Awards. She will be enrolled academically in St. Clair’s Dental Hygiene program. “Naomi is talented and complete softball athlete who plays the game at a high level due to her incredible work ethic. She can play comfortably anywhere on the infield. Naomi played the last few years with the highly respected Michigan Batbusters program and plans to rejoin the Windsor Wildcats locally this upcoming season,” Wiseman noted.
RTT PHOTO BY RON GIOFU
General Amherst student Allison Dufour will be moving on to St. Clair College next year and will be part of the women’s softball program with the Saints. Dufour also plays for the Windsor Wildcats softball program. Wiseman further complimented, “Naomi has a pure swing that I have not seen since Skyler Patteson who accomplished great things during her time at St. Clair. Naomi is an everyday player and will be an easy name to write into our lineup card. She has the ability to be a difference maker at any time in any game.” “We are very happy that both Ally and Naomi signed on with the Saints Softball program,” said Wiseman.
Amherstburg man earns all-decade honours from University of West Alabama By Ron Giofu The University of West Alabama recently named its baseball team of the decade and a player from Amherstburg made the list. Brian Simone was one of the three outfielders named to UWA’s best of the decade team. Among his accomplishments during his time there, which included a stellar career from 2008-11, Simone was named to the All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) team in 2009, 2010 and 2011, was named to the 2011 All-Region team and the 2010 NCBWA All-Canadian College Team. He had a .356 career batting average, scored 104 career runs and had 104 career runs batted in, the university’s website states. Simone also had had 18 doubles in 2011, good for fifth in the conference in 2011 and had 39 career doubles. He led the 2011 team with .359 batting average and 40 RBIs. Simone also led the 2010 team with .362 batting SPECIAL TO THE RTT average. In 2009, Simone batted .343 with eight home Brian Simone of Amherstburg was recently named runs and also hit .360 in 2008 as a redshirt freshman. “It was a great honour,” Simone said of earning a to the baseball team of the decade at the University of West Alabama. He played outfield during his time place on the UWA baseball team of the decade.
in Alabama and is now a teacher.
Continued on Page 11
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – River Town Times – 9
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IN MEMORIAM
Aline Desmarchais Meloche
February 22, 1960 - June 6, 2018
Remembering your smiles, your helping hands, your compassion, your good nature and your selflessness; always placing the needs of others before yours. Remembering that final breath as you left this world, having earned your wings, an award well deserved. We have been left with beautiful memories that keep you near. We know you continue to watch over us from above.
Forever in our hearts…
Leo, Jason, Andrea, Alana, Kingston
IN MEMORIAM
10 – River Town Times – Wednesday, June 3, 2020
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New Facebook group offering help, sharing memories of those in River Canard By Ron Giofu A new Facebook group is sharing experiences, memories and ways to help others in the River Canard area. Eric Spickett and his family created the River Canard Community FB Group as not only a way to get to know the area, but to help out anyone in that part of the region who needs assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We moved to the area back in November,” said Spickettt. “We were new to the area and didn’t know a lot of people.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the area and things started shutting down in March, he decided to create the group to connected people and see if there was anything that could be done to help one another. He said the group is about
“anything related to River Canard” and tries to assist anyone who needs help, ask questions or simply share memories and experiences of living in that area. “It’s a great way to help people out,” said Spickett. The River Canard Community FB Page is “growing pretty good,” he said. Those who wish to join the group are asked if they are a resident or have any sort of connection to River Canard. Spickett said they plan on continuing the group and want it to grow even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. The group has also shared tips on how to help prevent home flooding as well as photos that were originally published on the River Town Times’ Facebook page of the flooding that occurred on South Riverview Dr. and surrounding properties from the overflowing Canard
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County of Essex advised of two ownership changes of subsidized housing providers By Ron Giofu
Essex County council was provided with an update on a pair of ownership changes at subsidized housing projects offered through the county. Both places are either in or near Amherstburg, the first being Heritage Court of Amherstburg. Jeanie Diamond-Francis, Essex County’s community services co-ordinator, pointed out a change in ownership at the Victoria St. S. site and that the new owner wants to continue to be a provider under the County Housing with Supports program. “The new owner has provided the County of Essex a letter expressing his interest to continue contracting with the County to provide Housing with Supports services to vulnerable individuals,” Diamond-Francis stated in her report to county council. “The new owner has also expressed the desire to increase the number of subsidized beds should the opportunity present itself.” Diamond-Francis stated Heritage Court of Amherstburg is being purchased by WYZ Holdings Inc. and that there are ten residents living there subsidized by the County Housing with Supports program. Heritage Court of Amherstburg has a total capacity of approximately 24 residents. Essex County council adopted a bylaw authorizing the warden and clerk to enter into an agreement with WYZ Holdings Inc. to provide subsidized housing with supports care. Village Lodge, another contracted service provider under the County Housing with Supports program,
also has changed ownership. However, DiamondFrancis stated in her report that because the Walker Road business will remain under the same corporation number, a new service contract was not needed. “Effective April 1, 2020, the owner retired and sold the property and business to his son,” Diamond-Francis stated in her report to county council. “The home has 13 residents subsidized by the County’s Housing with Supports program and has a capacity of approximately 18 residents.” Diamond-Francis added the new owner of the McGregor-based Village Lodge has made “several improvements to the home and wishes to continue a positive working relationship with the County of Essex.” The report also stated that the new owners have been provided with the current Housing with Supports standards and both homes are currently in good standing with their compliance. “The Housing with Supports program provides assistance to county residents who require residential care and assistance with daily living activities and are also in need of financial assistance,” said DiamondFrancis. “This program is provided through purchase of service agreements with eleven rest and retirement homes throughout Essex County, and provincial funding is administered by the City of Windsor Social Services department as a part of the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI). This program is a discretionary service for the County of Essex.”
Councillors look for action at Simcoe St. & Meloche Road intersection By Ron Giofu Town councillors are still looking for some sort of action at the corner of Simcoe St. and Meloche Road after another accident at the intersection. But if council ever decides to put in a traffic light or a roundabout there, it will come with a six-figure cost. Councillor Patricia Simone said she witnessed another crash at Simcoe St. and Meloche Road and wondered if there was any update on what was happening in terms of traffic control there. “That’s the second time I’ve witnessed an accident at that intersection,” said Simone. Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche asked about speed limits in the area of that intersection but Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said the issue is more about people not paying as much attention to the roadway as they should. DiCarlo said the data he has seen on that intersection shows that distracted driving is more of a factor in accidents at that location rather than speeding, noting the speed limit on Simcoe St. is 50 km/hr at that intersection. “We do have data. The majority of people are obeying the speed limit,” said DiCarlo. “It’s not about the speeding. It’s still about people playing with their phones. Unfortunately, they’re not watching the road. We have sent the police out there and we have put
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speed signs out there.” Town council was reminded of a previous report that a traffic light would cost in the area of $250,000 at that intersection, and that the town has already installed flashing beacons and larger signage to increase awareness of the intersection ahead. Councillor Peter Courtney asked what the cost would be to install a roundabout by that intersection instead of a traffic light. CAO John Miceli estimated the cost of a roundabout to be in the area of $300,000 but “from a traffic perspective” it would work better than a traffic light. Miceli added a roundabout is part of the proposal submitted under the “Great Spaces, Great Places” grant application, which includes transforming the Libro Centre into an athletic “centre of excellence” as well as funding for the redevelopment of the former Duffy’s site and Belle Vue. Meloche said discussions at the county level has shown the number of accidents don’t decline because a roundabout was installed, but the severity of the accidents are lessened. Simone also asked about the intersection of Texas Road and Concession 2 North but was told by the public works department it is under county control. Simone requested that DiCarlo address the matter at Essex County council.
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Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – River Town Times – 11
RTT PHOTO BY RON GIOFU
Heritage Court of Amherstburg is one of two homes that is subsidized through the County of Essex’s Housing with Supports program that recently changed ownership. The other home is Village Lodge in McGregor.
Amherstburg man recently named to the baseball team of the decade Continued from Page 8 Simone said he know the University of West Alabama was naming “teams of the decades” for its various sports programs and kept an eye on their website for the baseball team. He said he knew he had a good career there but so did a lot of other baseball players. “I didn’t hear anything about it beforehand,” he said. By seeing his name on the list, Simone said he was able to relive a lot of great memories he had while going to the university. He said he went to UWA a total of five years but had to sit on the bench the first two before earning his opportunity. “It took me two years to get established baseballwise,” said Simone. “When I got my chance to prove myself and show that I was ready to play, I made the most of it.” There were a lot of expectations at UWA, he added, and while academics came first, they take the baseball program “very seriously.” He said he was able to grow as a person and player and was also able to build on his skills. Simone has now been a teacher for seven years and credits his sports background for leading to success in life. He thanked his family, including his father Tony, for being part of his success as well as the other baseball coaches he had growing up. Simone added his time playing with the baseball team at St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School was instrumental in his success. Simone is now giving back to younger players as he helps out with the Windsor Selects baseball program and also helps coach the Riverside Royals U13 team. He said he will likely spend a lot of time with the Riverside team, classified as a pee wee major team, if and when baseball is allowed to resume play this season.
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