Strummin' along - The NOTL Local
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Provincial
changes to
autism policy
affect us all
page 5
The trusted voice of our community. notllocal.com FEBRUARY 28, 2019 Volume 1 • Issue 7
Strummin’ along
Don Peterson, 83, is one of the NOTL Ukesters, a group of local ukulele players and singers who meet Sunday afternoons at the community centre to practise. (Fred Mercnik)
It takes a village
By Penny Coles families. Cooper began experienc-
The Local And they will attract ing a sense of isolation. The
more young families, be- friends she had left behind,
Niagara-on-the-Lake cause they love the commu- who were also having ba-
may have a reputation as a nity where they have chosen bies, had a support system
retirement community, but to raise their kids, and are she was missing. They had
it’s rapidly changing: look rapidly spreading the word. stroller groups, with moms
for the faces of the future Natalie Cooper moved who would get together,
and you’ll find them in ev- to NOTL a little more than “have coffee and chat about
ery corner of town — on a year ago with her husband life after children,” she said.
the street pushing a stroller, Adrian. Their little girl, Ol- Cooper conducted an
in the parks with their ba- ive, was born last July. They “exhaustive search” for
bies and toddlers, and as the came from Burlington, something similar in NOTL,
driving force of several new choosing NOTL because but couldn’t find it. She took
businesses. Natalie has extended fami- advantage of services such
The young couples have ly here: aunts, cousins, and as EarlyON, organized by
arrived, found homes, set- her parents are close by.
tled in and are raising their But after Olive was born, Natalie Cooper, with eight-month-old Olive, couldn’t find a group for new moms and their
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 babies in NOTL, so she created one. (Penny Coles)
2 February 28, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Residents want more official plan protection for dock area
Secondary plan doesn’t reflect needs could be done in a single-sto-
rey structure.”
“This is absolutely destroy- call for public consultation,
ing the streetscape of Virgil.” sometimes it says “may” call for
Big box development is Shepherd closed with an- public consultation.
of neighbourhood, councillors told likely to continue as gaps are other warning: this one about In all cases, those words
filled in along the corridor, the planning process as out- should be changed to “shall.
By Penny Coles for Virgil. Although the main a waterfront property, he also and small businesses close and lined in the official plan. Some- Public consultation is most
document is being updated took council to task for allow- are replaced, he warned. times it says council “should” important,” he finished.
The Local
from its last-approved 1994 ing development through the
After all the work that has version, the secondary plans main corridor of Virgil, which
gone into protecting the Dock are not, and they are also bad- has no secondary plan.
Area in recent decades, resi- ly in need of being reviewed There was a draft design
dents of that neighbourhood and amended to reflect a more guideline document drawn
don’t like what they see in the relevant reflection of residents’ up in 2015 to determine the
draft official plan now going choices for their communities. streetscape and scope of de-
through the public consulta- The intention is to get the velopment along the Niagara
tion process. official plan passed, residents Stone Road corridor, but it was
Paul Shepherd spoke for were told, and at some point in never approved by council.
many of his neighbours at the future the secondary plans What is happening along
Monday’s meeting to discuss will be reviewed, but several that corridor is very different
the long-awaited document, speakers, including Shepherd, from what locals envisioned
expected to be approved by expressed their discomfort during the public consulta-
council in April. His concern with that process. tions for a plan that went no-
is that an outdated second- While the draft official where.
ary plan enshrined in the plan update was completed Shepherd pointed out the
document does not contain last December, the secondary height of two massive, “big
the protections he and others plan for the Dock Area dates box development” stores as
expected for their neighbour- back to 2014, said Shepherd, the direction along the main
hood, he said, calling it mean- and completely ignores a mas- street through the urban area,
ingless, inconsistent and “even ter plan that has been com- when what the people of Vir-
improper.” pleted since then, following gil would rather see is a much
The meeting at the com- extensive consultation with smaller scale of development. Residents of the dock area like their neighbourhood as it is, and hoped for stronger protection
munity centre drew about residents. The tall buildings under policies in the draft official plan. (Fred Mercnik)
100 people, with 20 presenta- The secondary plan allows construction don’t require the
tions focusing mainly on ag-
ricultural protection, the wine
the development of parkland
and the beach by the railroad
height they’ve been allowed
for the business they will be St. Davids neglected in official
plan, residents say
industry, St. Davids and the right-of-way, he said, changes conducting, he said. “How
Dock Area. the road and traffic patterns, high can you stack those cof-
The structure of the offi- and despite the extreme situa- fee cups?,” he asked, referring
Growing village needs protection for
cial plan includes secondary tion of two years ago, ignores to the Starbucks going up be-
plans for St. Davids, Queen- necessary flood protection side the little plaza where Pet
ston, Glendale and the Old and storm drainage. Valu is located, overshadow-
Town — it was noted by Shep-
herd and others there is none
Although Shepherd is a
resident of the Dock Area with
ing other businesses. “All this
space is for something that
open spaces, heritage
By Penny Coles the Old Town heritage district. ously not as relevant as it was
The Local This is the time for council when it was put together.” He
to take action on their com- too is concerned about the
The residents of St. Davids mitment, he said. “It is critical golf course, asking that it be
are feeling neglected. that the official plan update considered open space and
Their corner of town, re- not be finalized until such protected from development.
ferred to as a “settlement area” time as this is added.” The documents under discus-
in the official plan, has grown Pearsall said it is also a sion are intended to reflect the
from a quaint village to a “rap- concern that the land use plan past and offer direction for the
idly developing urbanized for St. Davids is outdated and future, he said. “The second-
community” that represents appears to contain several ary plan and draft official plan
about 20 per cent of the popu- errors. It fails to differentiate don’t do that.”
lation of Niagara-on-the-Lake, between residential and es- St. Davids resident Dor-
Mike Pearsall, vice-president tablished residential areas, as othy Walker also had a list of
of the St. Davids Ratepayers it does for the Old Town and concerns, including the need
Association (SDRA), told Queenston, and no parks or for transit that connects St.
councillors Monday. major open spaces have been Davids to the rest of town,
He was speaking at the identified within the village she said. The author of a book
public meeting to pass on the except as “community facili- about the history of St. Davids,
group’s objections to the latest ties,” he said. which she calls “the village in
draft of the Town’s official plan. Pearsall said the SDRA the shadows,” she referred to it
After a lengthy process wants the privately-owned St. also as “the village in the shad-
of updating the plan, during Davids Golf Course designat- ows of the official plan.” St.
which the SDRA brought its ed on the official plan and the Davids residents pay the same
concerns to council many secondary plan as open space taxes as those in other areas
times, “we are left with just an or parkland. of town, she pointed out, but
outdated secondary plan in “And while not some- are not treated equally when
Appendix 4,” he said. thing that can be identified it comes to services. She also
“While the supposedly differently on the schedule, it told councillors the commu-
updated plan purports to rep- would be remiss at this point nity should have a library, one
resent the entire municipality, if we didn’t remind council of “bricks and mortar,” not just
it has ended up following the again of the critical impor- the lending lockers at the fire
typical historic practice of fo- tance of the community pool station. And although a com-
cusing its entire attention on in St. Davids.” munity pool is not mentioned
905.468.2412 the Old Town area and a few
rural areas of concern.”
He also used his oppor- in the plan, “this is a hot topic.
tunity to speak as a reminder If it’s not updated there will be
The specific issues he to council the SDRA has also a toxic reaction.”
pointed out are being ignored asked for a community safety Pearsall summed up the
p the Creek to include a request to council zone to protect pedestrians in villagers’ dissatisfaction with
We’ve Moved u rgil
Vi
for St. Davids to be considered a busy traffic area, a commu- the way their community is
i l e C r e e k R d , a Heritage Conservation Dis- nity centre, improved side- treated in the document un-
Four M trict, to protect its historically walks and transit service.
significant streetscape and the
der discussion, expected to be
He was not alone with his approved by council in April:
feel of the village. objections to council about Based on the hollow promises
“We have received com- deficiencies in the plan as it of the past, he said, the res-
mitment from council for ac- relates to St. Davids. idents of St. Davids will not
tion on this,” he said, and resi- Resident John Gartner accept the official plan update
Follow Us On #upacreek dents were disappointed to see also spoke to councillors being finalized until they have
no mention of it in the official about the rapid growth of St. more than another hollow
plan, although there is a refer- Davids, and the outdated sec- promise of a future update to
ence to an expansion area of ondary plan, “which is obvi- the village’s secondary plan.
notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 28, 2019 3
Vineyard manager SORE lawyer has concerns
asks for extra layers of with official plan
agricultural protection There’s no mention of 2011 amendments to
John Street property, he tells council
Former councillor also has some By Penny Coles Two Sisters Resorts, is site to be developed as a
The Local now the subject of some subdivision.
legal actions, with Marotta He also spoke of land
advice for new council While applauding
council’s commitment to
asking for an amendment
to allow a six-storey hotel,
use compatibility, asking
for criteria for change to
getting the official plan taller than what is allowed land uses be made clear in
By Penny Coles er farming necessities that in speaking to council. approved, lawyer Patrick in the 2011 amendment. the official plan.
The Local might bother neighbours. He told them at his Little politely cautioned Little said with the Little said he would be
He also said he’s con- age of 61, the lord mayor them at Monday’s meeting amount of time spent and making a more complete
Several representatives cerned that preserving and five of the council- “to get it right.” input from the public, staff written submission to the
of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s cultural heritage resourc- lors elected “have lived Representing SORE and the experts involved Town regarding changes to
agricultural community es and natural heritage in NOTL for the same (Save Our Randwood Es- in the 2011 amendment, the official plan this week.
and wine industry spoke systems might overlap amount of years com- tate), Little said his clients that decision should con-
about the need for in- and negatively impact a bined that I have lived in are concerned about the tinue to be reflected in the
creased protections to farmer’s right to level soil, NOTL.” omission in the official current draft official plan.
be put in place regarding irrigate, construct or de- He said they should plan of any reference to “I expect it’s an inad-
the updated official plan, construct a pond, remove make every attempt to 2011 site-specific zon- vertent error,” he said,
which is going through the trees or build a barn. keep “tenured staff and ing for property on John that specific policies were
public consultation stage He suggested the cur- legal representation for Street that had been ap- omitted.
before being presented for rent draft should include not only their talent but proved for a hotel. He also drew council’s
final approval for council, policies regarding winer- for the value of their in- The 2011 amend- attention to some inclu-
Although NOTL’s ag- ies that were entrenched stitutional memory. With- ments to the official plan sion of what should be
ricultural industry is al- in the 1994 official plan, out that memory you will were approved when the agricultural property he
ready covered by several which was approved when be lost in the future and Romance Inn was being pointed out is now shown
layers of provincial, mu- he was a town councillor, condemned to repeat mis- proposed by then-owners on mapping in the official
nicipal and regional pro- but are not part of the takes of the past.” Trisha Romance, her hus- plan, without any consul-
tection policies, Jamie 2018 revision. Those pol- He also told them to band Gary Peterson and a tation, as residential de- SORE lawyer Patrick Little
Slingerland of Pillitteri icies would require a farm “stop all the OMB hear- third business partner. velopment. And he called makes a brief presentation to
Estates Winery, with a winery to have at lest 10 ings and negotiate,” with The property, pur- for some buffering to be council about the Town’s draft
history of farming in his acres, an estate winery to developers, although there chased from them by Ben- included to protect agri- official plan, promising a more
blood, asked council for have 20, and both to have is no more Ontario Mu- ny Marotta of Solmar and cultural land bordering a detailed written submission.
some changes to the draft 75 per cent of their prop- nicipal Board, which has
If a tree falls . . .
official plan “to protect erty planted with grapes, been replaced by the Local
my family and extended to protect the agricultural Planning Appeal Tribunal.
family interests regarding use of the land. “This council has ap-
their right to earn a living There is no inclusion of peared to be quick to go to
in agriculture in NOTL.” those provisions for brew- the OMB and I hope that
With 40 per cent of eries or distilleries, he is not the case for the OP,”
the population of NOTL said, and very little to re- he said.
living in the rural area, strict them, “which seems “If the town lawyer says
he said, “I would request a little unfair to wineries you can’t win at the OMB,
council heed the advice of and is likely an oversight.” then you can’t win,” Sling-
your only farmer on coun- Allowing them on erland warned them.
cil. Don’t let the Old Town farmland “is a generous His last bit of advice
be your only focus.” OP provision,” he said, to the new councillors:
He asked that “sights, but keeping them small The interim control by-
sounds and smells of ag- should prevent displace- laws council has recent-
riculture” as normal farm- ment of specialty crop ly approved freeze de-
ing practices be included land. He suggested micro- velopment but also hurt
in the document to al- breweries and distilleries the people who work in
low for clearing of land, should be required to have construction, not just the
spraying, bird bangers and a 10-acre minimum prop- developers, and “won’t al-
wind machines, spraying erty with 75 per cent of it ter in any way the devel-
manure, irrigation and planted to crops. opments presently being
even working through the But protecting farm- proposed.”
night, in addition to oth- land wasn’t his only goal
The dramatic wind storm Niagara experienced Sunday, through to Monday
morning, left many small branches on the ground for Town staff to clean up.
One tree was down on McNab Road and a small one (pictured) came down on
some hydro wires on Johnson Street in the Old Town. Brodie Mosher of NOTL
Hydro said while there were a few wires down because of broken tree limbs,
hydro poles, which have been tested and and replaced where necessary over
the last year, held up. There were power outages but none for an extended
Former town councillors Jamie Slingerland and Austin Kirkby chat at Monday’s official plan period of time, with both local crews working to get power restored quickly.
public meeting at the community centre. Slingerland and John Kirkby both made presentations (Fred Mercnik)
about preservation of agricultural lands. (Penny Coles)
4 February 28, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Niagara MPP speaks out about health care legislation
Wayne Gates stands up for public system, fearing ground. We can do that. We about their public health care ple and obviously, health care
can put local people to work, system, created by Tommy is a given right and not the
proposed changes open the door to privatization local businesses, and provide
decent public health care in a
Douglas of the NDP in 1961,
said Gates. He believes by
privilege of the rich. Why do
we emulate the Americans?
By Penny Coles to allow more privatization of ed health care, has also been reasonable time for our resi- reaching out to his constitu- They are no longer the envy
The Local services. privatized, and now a much dents.” ents in Niagara Falls, Niaga- of the world, nor ought they
“I’ve spent my entire adult smaller percentage of parking When the documents ra-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie, to be. (Premier Doug) Ford is
MPP Wayne Gates has life speaking out against the fees is returned to health care, were leaked, NDP leader An- and to people across Ontar- foolishly emulating Trump,”
spoken out in the legislature privatization of health care he said. drea Horwath held a press io, he will convince them to Combe posted.
against draft legislation the and I’m not about to stop Earlier this month Gates conference to speak of the speak out against the privat- Within today’s world,
NDP says shows provincial now,” he said in the legislature posted a video, recorded with privatization plans. In Elliott’s ization of health care services costs are rising and many, es-
plans to privatize health care. last week. the falls in the background, on comments later, she said there before the introduction of the pecially the elderly, struggle
The draft was leaked to “From diagnostic scans to Facebook. In it he talks about would be no jumping lines legislation he expects could to make ends meet, One of
the press by the NDP earli- dental care to private parking the leaked document showing for health care access, but she come before the March 11 the givens in Canada was that
er this month, and defended lots that gouge residents in plans of “potentially privatiz- didn’t denounce the details break. no one was denied access to
by Ontario Health Minister times of emergency, enough is ing” parts of our health care in the draft legislation. Elliott If the legislation opening health care. The basic Cana-
Christine Elliott, who called enough. It’s time to talk about system. The video, he said, said an announcement con- the door to further privatiza- dian belief is that we help one
the NDP position “fearmon- expanding our health care reached more than half a mil- cerning health care would tion goes through, he said, it another, not deny support,
gering.” She said the people of system, not selling it off.” lion people. come later. could leave the aging popula- when people are most vulner-
Ontario will not have to pay Gates, who represents the “Thousands took the time “Something as important tion of NOTL and across Ni- able and ill.”
for access to health care out of Niagara Falls riding, which to comment, share and en- as health care shouldn’t be agara hurting. When Gates was was
their own pockets. includes Fort Erie and Niag- gage with the video, and one done behind closed doors,” “With our high number of young, the MPP said, his
She announced the chang- ara-on-the-Lake, referred to a thing was very clear . . . we said Gates. “There was no seniors, it would be a double brother had a number of
es in the new legislation Tues- move more than a decade ago say no to health care privat- consultation. This is being whammy if we have to start health problems, and without
day, saying the Local Inte- to privatize hospital mainte- ization. We believe in a medi- done in secrecy.” paying for health care.” publicly-funded health care, it
gratd Health Networks will be nance and cleaning, which he cal care system that is publicly He warns “a lot of people But it’s s anot just the se- took his parents years to pay
disbanded and become part said led to an outbreak of C. funded and publicly delivered could make a lot of money niors who will be affected, he off the bills, as it does for peo-
of other agencies. Other ser- difficile, from which patients based on health needs, not on from this, and a lot of people added, “it’s our kids and our ple in the U.S. In that country,
vices will be grouped together died. the size of one’s credit card.” wouldn’t have access to health grandkids.” he pointed out, the number
under Ontario Health Teams, The number of infections When Gates had his op- care.” Senior Donald Combe is one cause of bankruptcy is
with some flexibily for areas since then has decreased with portunity to speak for about a Those dollars, he said, one of those who commented the cost of privately-delivered
to choose how its done. changes both to cleaning minute and a half in the legis- should be used to improve on the video Gates posted. health services.
But the concept of a su- and other policies, including lature last Thursday, he asked health care, not to line the “Our health care system “There is nothing more
per agency still exists, and is hand-washing. for the new Niagara Falls hos- pockets of people providing is the envy of all Americans, important to Canadians than
enough to convince Gates and Hospital parking revenue, pital to be moved forward, privatized services. even if they do not know it. our publicly-funded health
the NDP it will open the door which previously support- by “putting shovels in the Canadians are passionate We are a kinder, gentler peo- care system.”
920 offices in over 40 countries. Connecting to the World. www.notlrealty.com
98 DELATER STREET $699,000 225 RICARDO STREET #103 $634,900 3 HAMPTON COURT $1,395,000 420 GATE STREET $1,399,000
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Christopher Bowron***....... 905-468-2269 Nicole Vanderperk* ............ 905-941-4585 Kevin Stokes* .................... 905-988-3222
Victoria Bolduc* ................. 905-941-3726 Trish Badham* ................... 905-262-1876 Christine Bruce* ................ 905-328-9703 OPEN HOUSE
Philip Bowron* ................... 905-348-7626 Viviane Elltoft* ................... 905-468-2142 Marilyn Francis** ............... 905-932-1266 84 Flynn St.
Bonnie Grimm* .................. 905-468-1256 Thomas Elltoft* .................. 905-380-8012 Linda Williams* .................. 905-401-4240
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& 225 Ricardo
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Audrey Wright*................... 289-241-0212 Robert Wilkinson* .............. 905-380-3851 ***Broker of Record ** Broker *Sales Representative SUNDAY 2-4
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notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 28, 2019 5
Provincial policy changes hurt local families
Reduced funding affecting education out of school.” The frus-
trated parent continues,
there will be exponential-
ly more disruption. “The
gion to schools,” she says.
“They could work with
for children on autism spectrum “I feel really bad for the
teacher, because she’s an
expert in the field but can’t
perception is that it’s a pri-
vate, personal issue, but it
will affect all of us,” says
kids together in a group
setting, learning proper
behaviour, but not being
By Lauren O’Malley ed resource was cut off on erty, that’s going to get provide what she knows is Smith. “You kind of hit a forced to do it with chil-
The NOTL Local the boy’s fifth birthday. seriously hurt or worse. necessary.” wall where you don’t know dren who are quote un-
A minimum of 25 Somewhere there’s going On that same day, what to do.” quote normal.”
Starting in April, gov- hours per week of therapy to be a kid that’s going to Smith’s son had also run Baxter, a working Baxter sums it up sim-
ernment funding for is recommended for chil- be restrained for too long from the classroom. He mother of three with a ply: “This is my child
families with children dren on the higher end of and is going to be serious- was found several minutes very busy husband, has a and he’s going to cause us
on the autism spectrum the autistic spectrum, and ly hurt. There’s an educa- later at the external gates suggestion. “One solution problems and headaches,
will change. The pro- costs $55 per hour. The tion worker who’s going to of the school, spotted by a would be travelling thera- but he’s my child and I will
vincial government has policy change removed set off a kid who goes into teacher looking out a win- pists going around the re- always love him.”
announced a shift to tens of thousands of names a massive meltdown and dow. “He was going home
lump-sum payments for from waiting lists and someone’s going to get re- to get his toy truck,” says
therapies, as opposed to will now provide annual ally hurt,” she says. the boy’s alarmed mother.
the current system of sub- sums to families to pay There is currently one “He has this internal GPS
sidies and waiting lists. for supports and resourc- EA in the boys’ Grade 1 in his head and would
Parents in need say the es. But the recommended classroom at Crossroads have just gone all the way
change is making a bad amount of therapy would Public School. She is re- home.” Home is several
situation worse. cost more than $70,000 sponsible for the three blocks of busy roads away
Two local mothers with per year, and the new pol- children on the spectrum from the school.
autistic children share their icy will limit funding to in the class. And she Schools everywhere are
experiences and their fears. families to a maximum of leaves at lunchtime, to be already struggling with
Stephanie Baxter’s sev- $20,000 per year for kids replaced in the afternoon this issue. Last year, a sur-
en-year-old son Jayden was five and under, and $5,000 by a different EA, who is vey of more than 2,300 EAs
diagnosed with autism, per year for children from “bouncing back and forth found that fewer than eight
ADHD, and OCD at the age the ages of six to 18. between two classes, re- per cent were working with
of two. The family was one Concerns about the sponsible for five students, only one student, while 60
of thousands put on a wait- cost and availability of giving them the sensory per cent surveyed were
ing list for IBI — Intensive treatments plague both breaks, movement breaks, working with five or more.
Behavioural Intervention — women, but they’re even and the one-on-one time “This is not just going to
one of the only treatments more concerned about they need,” says Baxter. affect families with autistic
proven to help children with their sons’ day-to-day life Both boys are “run- children — it will affect all
autism learn basic skills like at school. ners:” when they feel families with children in
making eye contact, speak- Both boys have been overwhelmed, they leave school,” says Smith.
ing, and eventually reading professionally assessed and the class. This is one of the With an influx of chil-
and writing. deemed to require a full- reasons they each require dren with autism in class- Stephanie and David Baxter hold a picture of their autistic son
The family waited for time, dedicated educational their own dedicated EA. rooms and no sign of EAs Jayden (who was at school at the time of the photograph).
years with no therapy and assistant (EA). Sadly, nei- One day, Baxter received being added to match it, (Lauren O’Malley)
no indication of when it ther has had that experi- a call from the school.
might be available, and ence, and the consequences “The principal called me
then, around Jayden’s fifth have been dramatic. at work to ask me to come
birthday, they got a phone Safety is one issue and pick up Jayden,” she
call telling them his name among many. says. “She said he was
was no longer on the wait- When the policy chang- running away and hiding.
ing list. Another mother es take place, children on ‘We couldn’t find him for
(who prefers to remain the autism spectrum will a while. We need you to
anonymous; we’ll call her be flung out of therapy come and get him because
Mrs. Smith) whose autis- and into the school sys- we can’t watch him,’” she
tic son is in Jayden’s class tem, and neither part of describes the principal
describes the same sce- that equation is prepared as saying. “I pulled into
nario, and tells of the so- for the fallout. “There is the parking lot and a staff
cial media hashtag “autism a tsunami headed for the member brought Jayden
doesn’t end at five.” school system,” says On- out — he was smiling and
Both mothers agree the tario Autism Coalition happy. Because he’d had
situation was terrible — president — and teacher the sensory break, and
and the new changes will — Laura Kirby-McIntosh, some one-on-one time
only make things worse. speaking at a recent press with someone in a qui-
Therapy was available conference to denounce et setting. This is exactly
briefly for Smith, and the the policy changes. why he needs an EA,” she
family saw significant and “Somewhere out there says. “He needs help and
measurable progress with it there’s a kid that’s going I can’t keep leaving work
— but the government-fund- to get off the school prop- every week to take my kid
1573 FOUR MILE CREEK RD., NOTL
905-468-8808 BRICKSANDBARLEY.CA
EDITORIAL
6 February 28, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Please pay attention —
this matters to you
The official plan is hood and require you the business that will be
LOCAL FINDS
one of those things we all leaving earlier to get to conducted in those build-
think won’t impact our work on time; the park- ings and will overshadow
lives. Until it does. land you thought you’d smaller businesses. When
The Town has recent- always have just up the you drive through the
ly hosted three meetings, street for your daily dog Virgil of the future and
required by the Planning walks is about to become it looks like Mississauga,
Act, to discuss the lat- another subdivision. you’ll know why an offi-
est draft version of the As one resident point- cial plan matters.
official plan, which will ed out on Monday, the It can set out routes
guide development for draft official plan now for public transit, for all
the future. It is intended being discussed allows those who don’t drive or
to reflect the vision of for a public path along can’t yet afford a car, so
what the the municipality the waterfront that not you can access the ser-
will look like in years to only crosses her prop- vices you are supporting
come, and establish the erty but will pass within through your taxes.
policies to get there. 10 feet of her front door. It can preserve the nat-
Wait, don’t let your That path for waterfront ural spaces within town,
attention wander, please access wasn’t in the doc- the species that inhab-
stay with us long enough ument approved in 1994, it those spaces, the wa-
to read why something but it is in this one. ter quality of rivers and
that is excruciatingly What will it do to the streams, the agricultural
boring for many to even value of her property, her policies that protect the
contemplate is important most important finan- town’s tender fruit indus-
enough to give it a few cial asset? Who will want try and the grapes that
minutes of your time. to buy a property with a are made into the wine
It is sufficiently im- public path across the we love to drink.
portant that every single backyard, 10 feet from It can preserve the
candidate in last fall’s the house? To her, the of- past, as several residents
municipal election — and ficial plan matters. And have asked that it do, and
there were many of them sometimes gets it wrong. ensure a future that re-
Hope springs eternal
— spoke of its progress to It can affect your flects what is best about
completion as a priority, health, as it does in the Niagara-on-the-Lake.
and for many, it was at wording of bike and Although the official
the top of their list. walking paths that it says plan and its approval is by Lauren O’Malley
Yet fewer than 100 “may” be built, which one not something that in-
people came to Monday’s speaker asked to have terests many residents, Spring lies deep in the valley of Queenston. Spring water, that is.
open house to discuss corrected to “shall” be it is important to all. We Water burbles along the path that runs along the Queenston docks in the
the current draft official built. can thank those few who Niagara River. At one point a pipe juts out from the stone, pouring cold, clear
plan, the one each can- It determines where are paying attention, and water onto mossy rocks and bunches of wild watercress. “It’s presumed to be a
didate spoke of seeing there will be sidewalks so who are asking for chang- spring because it’s constantly running,” say local Jim Armstrong, president of the
through to a speedy ap- your kids can walk safely es that will more closely Queenston Ratepayers Association.
proval. to school. reflect what is best for the “Whether it’s groundwater runoff or a true spring I don’t really know,” he
You think it’s dull, bu- It can encourage the municipality, for realiz-
continues. Armstrong remembers a time when “people would drive down with
reaucratic nonsense. development of business- ing its importance.
Until you find out the es that may provide jobs Because although the large plastic carboys and swear it was the best water anywhere. It was heavily
height of the building un- for you or your kids, or push to get the docu- used by many.”
der construction across your grandkids, if you ment approved is under- He says the Niagara Parks Commission used to test the water for contami-
the street will spoil your want to keep them close standable after so many nants and post the results, which occasionally indicated harmful bacteria. “There
view, or its windows will by. lengthy delays, as one must be some groundwater to have tested unsafe for coliform,” he says, “it could
look down on to your It can permit what was speaker said Monday, it’s be tainted by overflow from septic tanks?”
backyard. referred to at Monday’s far more important to get Rob Copeland, another Queenston resident, remembers the spring from as
Or the number of units meeting as “big box de- it right.
far back as the 1950s. “It was very active for a lot of years. People came from Ni-
being proposed down the velopment” along Niag- Penny Coles
road will increase traffic ara Stone Road in Virgil, Editor
agara Falls to get water,” he says. “Water’s still pouring out of there — nice, pure,
through your neighbour- which is unnecessary for The Local spring water.”
In the past it was possible to drive your car right up to the pipe and fill up
your containers. Since the jet boats’ development of the area, fences and block-
ages have been put in place to prevent vehicle passage, but access is still available
by foot or bicycle — or practical wagon.
A pedestrian filling two large plastic jugs says he visits the spring often, and
finds the water delicious and uncontaminated. He discovered the source through
a website called findaspring.com. The website says it’s “definitely a mineral
spring” due to its high TDS level (650-720). (Total dissolved solids are inorganic
salts, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides,
The trusted voice of our community and sulfates.) The website also confirms nearby water emanating from the stone
Editor: Multimedia Journalist: wall as coming from the same source, saying, “It has exactly the same properties
Penny Coles Lauren O’Malley so you know it’s coming from the exact same aquasource.”
penny@notllocal.com lauren@notllocal.com If you or anyone you know has more information about this find, please let
905-246-5878 us know.
Graphic Designer:
Publisher: Rosie Gowsell Regarding last week’s finds, Stella Rodgers, 93, said her mother was born in the
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Local composing@notllocal.com big white farm house down the driveway from the pillars at Line 1 and Concession
Advertising Sales: 2. Her grandfather was the farm manager, and her grandparents lived in the house,
Karen Skeoch which she believes was built in the early 1890s. Debbie Redekop from Queenston
karen@notllocal.com • 905-641-5335
notllocal.com
also had some information to share: she and her husband live in the house that
Julia Coles
facebook.com/notllocal belonged originally to Alexander Lawson, the man who owned the farm where
julia@notllocal.com • 905-934-1040 instagram.com/thenotllocal Rodgers’ mother was born.
COMMENT
notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 28, 2019 7
Newark Neighbours thrift shop
receives generous donations
By Cindy Grant been accumulating over of food, other food bank plan for our Easter food
the years. One of her quotes supplies and cash dona- basket program for our
February is almost over is, “Donate what doesn’t tions. We appreciate and registered food bank cli-
which means spring is only spark joy for you. It may value the generosity of our ents. If you are a registered
a few weeks away. We’ve for someone else.” Well, we community for your do- food bank client and wish
had such an up-and-down have certainly been seeing nations which allow us to to receive an Easter basket,
winter with freezing cold the results of this philoso- continue our mission of please register with us from
temperatures one week to phy. Our donations seem “Serving our Communi- March 8 to April 8. Please
almost spring-like weather to be at an all-time high. ty with Compassion, Care contact us at 905-468-3519
the next, it will be so nice Our board and volunteers and Concern.” or stop by our location to
when this winter is behind thank you for this — we Remember 2019 brings talk to one of our volun-
us and spring arrives. are so pleased to see such our new membership year. teers to be sure we have you
Despite the weather, a large amount of high Please consider joining on our list.
we have been very busy quality clothing and other Newark Neighbours as a Donations can be
at Newark Neighbours. It treasures as well as plenty supporting member. Each dropped off at 310 John
seems that many people in of food items for our food membership is only $10 Street East (just off River-
our community have been bank. which helps to support our bend Inn driveway). The
taking lessons from Marie Special thanks go out operations and our food Newark barn is open Mon-
Kondo, the Japanese Orga- this week to the Niagara bank. Membership forms day to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2
nizer who has popularized Mennonite Church, PigOut are available in the Thrift p.m. (closed Saturday and
the idea that the first step Catering, the Niagara Shop and also on our web- Sunday). For more infor-
to achieving inner peace North Family Health Team, site www.newarkneigh- mation call: 905-468-3519
is to give away the useless and to several individuals bours.ca. or visit www.newarkneigh-
piles of things you have for their generous donation We are beginning to bours.ca
Lots going on at library, including We want your photos!
March break programs
We’d love to feature local photos, so if you have
one you think our readers might enjoy, please
email it to penny@notllocal.com. Deadline is
Babarinde Williams led goating, while others hold reserve because there was Monday at noon. Thanks!
approximate 50 peo- her up as a symbol of rebel- no high school there for
ple, young and young at lion. Space is filling up, so them to attend.
heart, in a celebration of please register on our web- The audience sat qui-
African culture using the site for this creative and in- etly and listened intently
art of story-telling and formative program. to the historical horror
drumming. Each audi-
By Debbie Krause Two weeks ago, our of residential schools and
ence member was able to Wine and Words author the stories of abuse, ne-
The NOTL Public Library
choose a djembe (African series welcomed Tanya glect and senseless death
In the past, I have been drum) and participate in Talaga to The Hare Wine that continue today. It was
thankful that February is a telling a story about hu- Co. Thank you to 124 on a powerful and poignant
short month. mility and the importance Queen Hotel and Spa and evening.
Twenty-eight days of sharing. The library Ginger Restaurant for As twe step into March,
of dark, damp and cold rotunda echoed with the generously donating din- the library will continue
is long enough. I usual- beat of 100 hands. ner and accommodation. to be a place of activity
ly hunker down, grit my The second, more More than 100 guests in and culture. Come listen
teeth and wait for March adult-appropriate pre- attendance made this our to Diana Panton perform
and the first signs of sentation acknowledg- largest Wine and Words jazz on March 8 — tickets
spring. Not so this year. ing Black History Month event to date. Talaga spoke available through the Ni-
Yes, we’ve experienced
winter at its worst, and
will be held on Feb. 28.
Multi-disciplinary art-
at length about her book,
Seven Fallen Feathers,
agara Jazz Festival website. Letters! We want letters!
yet I haven’t felt the need, ist Howard Davis will be and introduced the audi-
Register your chil- We have an opinion page put aside just for
nor had the opportunity, dren for the many March residents — we know you have opinions and
showing his film C’est ence to her latest book,
to hibernate. February Break activities we have we would love to share them. If you have
Moi. This short and beau- All Our Relations: Find-
has been a busy month at planned, or see what our
tiful film tells the story of ing the Path Forward. She
new seed library is all a letter to the editor you’d like to see pub-
the NOTL Public Library. Marie-Josèphe Angélique, spoke passionately about lished, please send it to penny@notllocal.
In addition to all our reg- about at its official launch
who, in 1734, was tried, seven Indigenous children com. Please try to keep it to about 350 words.
ular programs, we have on March 16.
tortured and convicted for who died over a span of 10
had the privilege of host- burning down the city of years in Thunder Bay. The Hope to see you soon. Sorry, but we won’t publish anonymous
ing several very special Montreal. To some she is students were hundreds of All programming in- letters. The deadline is Monday at noon.
events. an example of racial dis- miles away from their fam- formation can be found at
On Saturday Feb. 16, crimination and scape- ilies, forced to leave their notlpubliclibrary.org
BEGINNER
EQUESTRIAN CAMP
March Break Camp 2019
March 11th to 15th $295
9:00 am - 1:30 pm + HST
Registration Deadline: March 8th
For more information contact: benchviewfarms@gmail.com
Taste for Hunger to
8 February 28, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Friends thanking friends
By Lauren O’Malley
The Local
The Friends of Fort George
something my dad always did,
and it’s been carried forward.
We get great support, so we
give back to the community
important for the heritage and
historic legacy of the town we
live in. Another striking value
of NOTL is history, and we
help those in need
are continuing their crusade
of gratitude across Niaga-
that supports us. It’s an ongo-
ing reciprocity of giving.”
should celebrate it.”
Tony Chisholm, president
Reif, Newark Neighbours
ra-on-the-Lake, this time with
the presentation of a com-
memorative plaque to Sean
He continues, “We’re fortu-
nate to be able to live and work
here and do what we do. It’s a
of the Friends, says, “Sean’s
generosity has proven to be a
very helpful measure of sup-
collaborate on food drive
Simpson, owner of Simpson’s great place to live and part of the port from the community. He lis, but in addition they as meats and legumes,
Pharmasave and Simpson’s responsibility as a local business is always willing to step for- By Penny Coles also provide all the in- as well as canned veg-
Apothecary Pharmasave. owner is that we return some of ward for this local charity.” The Local
gredients to help clients etables. Specialty items
Simpson learned at least the profits back into the com- The Friends of Fort George
some of his generosity at the munity. It’s an investment.” A local business
honour the history of Niaga-
have a holiday dinner. could be scallop pota-
knee of his generous father, The pharmacist and fam- and Newark Neigh-
ra-on-the-Lake and provide This partnership with to mixes, canned pine-
Ward. Regarding donations ily man says, “We attend and bours have partnered
funds and other resources for Reif will replenish food apple and peaches.
to the Friends and other local enjoy Friends of Fort George to come up with a nov-
events, activities and staff at supplies depleted at Any non-perishable,
charities, Simpson says, “It’s events. Their undertakings are Fort George. el way to fill the food Christmas, help fulfill non-expired food do-
bank’s shelves at the clients’ biweekly food nations are welcome,
time when they are the donations and prepare said Bellis.
lowest. for Easter dinners, she “Contrary to what
Reif Estate Winery is said. “It’s also a great many people think,
asking locals who drop opportunity to bring we still have people in
in for a tasting to bring awareness to locals that need in our own neigh-
a non-perishable food we provide extra help bourhood and Newark
item: thus the name of over the holidays.” Neighbours is there to
the initiative that starts Bellis feels there are lend a helping hand.
this weekend, “Taste
“
for Hunger.”
It’s a slow time for
the winery, said wine- It’s also a great
maker Rob DiDome-
nico, but a good time
opportunity to bring awareness
to locals that we provide extra
”
for locals to stop by for
help over the holidays.
a sampling with their
friends, as locals often
do — similar to stop-
ping in at a pub “where Hilary Bellis
everyone knows your
name,” he joked.
It’s also a time when individuals and fami- Reif Winery has always
the shelves at Newark lies, including seniors, been a generous support-
Neighbours are deplet- who may not be aware er of our volunteer events
ed, with the Christmas they qualify for help. at Newark and now they
food drives over, said There are also likely to are going even further to
Newark chair Hilary be some in need who help.”
Bellis. don’t have transporta- Reif has a long history
About a year ago, tion to the John Street of giving back, said DiDo-
she and Andrea Kai- food bank, she said. menico.
ser, marketing director She encourages fam- “We’ve worked with
at Reif, began talking ily members, friends the community from the
about a way to collabo- and neighbours who beginning. Reif has been
rate on a food drive. know someone requir- involved with helping a lot
Newark provides two ing help to reach out to of organizations, includ-
weeks’ worth of grocer- Newark. They can call ing the Niagara Children’s
ies at a time to clients 905-468-3519, or visit Centre, Red Roof Retreat,
Tony Chisholm, president of the Friends of Fort George, presents Sean Simpson with a com- who qualify, with about newarkneighbours.ca. and Willowbank. We also
memorative plaque thanking him for his generosity to the organization. (Lauren O’Malley) 35 to 40 individuals or Items that would provide wine for local
families on their list at be appreciated include gatherings. Why wouldn’t
any one time, said Bel- canned proteins such we? This is home.”
Hilary Bellis, chair of Newark Neighbours, and Relf winemaker Rob DiDomenico trade canned
goods for wine tastings to replenish the food bank stock. (Penny Coles)
notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 28, 2019 9
Twisted Vine
construction
delayed
By Lauren O’Malley The north Niagara
The Local Falls resident is one of
four people who own the
Rumours abound re- property, which includes
garding the development a B&B and two parking
of the next eatery to join lots, but he is the sole
the Virgil dining explo- proprietor of the restau-
sion: The Twisted Vine rant. The B&B will remain
(located at 1504 Niagara as-is, and continues to be
Stone Road, in what used in operation.
to be the Lawrenceville Marchese is a fan of
restaurant). fresh, local produce, and
Joe Marchese, owner hopes to connect with lo-
of the Italian restaurant cal growers to supply his
and market, says there kitchen. He credits his
have just been a few hic- Italian heritage for his
cups with contractors that passion for outdoor mar-
have set things back a bit. kets, and hopes to host
Rumours of an overbuilt small such events on the
patio, as well as finan- property — perhaps even
cial insolvency, are false. roasting chestnuts.
“I’m just waiting on a few The business will
tradespeople,” says the ge- feature a line of gluten-
nial restaurateur, “and I’m free products, as well as
doing some hiring.” gelato. Traditional Euro-
It is true that Marchese’s pean breakfast will also be
upscale St. Catharines en- served.
tity, La Scala, was closed in Marchese predicts lo-
2018 — but he assures The cals will be eating his
Local this was strictly due wood-fired pizza and
to a decision made by the traditional Italian foods
building’s new landlord. and pastries by early April.
Joe Marchese has had some hiccups with contractors that have delayed the opening of his Virgil
Smoooooth
restaurant. (Lauren O’Malley)
We love to keep our community smiling!
• Complementary Consultations
• Same Day Repairs, Relines
• Implant Supported Dentures
• Teeth in a Day
• Full or Partial Dentures
• Immediate Dentures
• Locally Owned and Operated
Dann Wilson, Judith Callender, Town Crier Tom Pekar, Susan Speck and Jocelyne
Gagne enjoy the Forty Creek whisky-tasting at Navy Hall Friday evening. The event
is a fundraiser for the Friends of Fort George. Chris Thompson (toasting), the North ON-SITE LAB FOR CUSTOM PERSONALIZED SMILES.
American brand ambassador, was the host. (Fred Mercnik)
TAREN A. J. GUS
TRINDADE B.A., DD KORONEOS BSc., DD
1630 NIAGARA STONE ROAD, NOTL
905-468-4444 • niagaradentures.com
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