WALK-INS WELCOME WOMENS NEW good hYOUman 268 Sandwich St. S. (Across from Town Hall) 519-736-0420 www.theacc.ca Wednesday, July 7, 2021 Park plans to be unveiled today By Ron Giofu The future of Jack Purdie Park and H. Murray Smith Centennial Park may become a bit clearer starting to- night. The Town of Amherstburg is hosting a virtual open house tonight (July 7) at 6 p.m. where a total of nine concepts for the redevelopment of the two parks will be presented. Heidi Baillargeon, the town’s director of community and protective services, noted there are five proposals for Centennial Park and four for Jack Purdie Park that will be presented to the public. “We’ll be unveiling the conceptual plans we’ve de- veloped and look to the community for input,” she said. According to Baillargeon, the landscape architectur- al consultants Bezaire and Associates tried to incorpo- rate amenities that the community asked for into the designs “This will be the first time the public has seen any of the drawings,” she said. For those who are not able to go online or for those who weren’t aware of the meeting until after the fact, Baillargeon pledged there will still be opportunities Music in the Park returns for public input. “We’ll have a survey that will be available online,” Music in the Park made its return to King’s Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg last weekend with Mike Karloff and Mike she stated. Palazzolo performing Sunday. Live music will be at the gazebo weekends starting at 4 p.m. RTT Photo by Ron Giofu Continued on Page 2 DR. CRANE AND DR. BERNYK FREE Market Now Accepting Evaluation NEW Patients John D’Alimonte SALES REPRESENTATIVE Direct (519) 796-8073 519-730-1030 Preferred Realty Ltd., Brokerage 519736-2131 Independently Owned and Operated 433 Sandwich St S., Amherstburg www.YouHear.ca Selling Windsor & Essex County Tony D'Alimonte* 519-818-2001 Jeremy D'Alimonte* 519-919-2001 www. .com It's Your Move! dalimonte *Sales Representative 2 – River Town Times – Wednesday, July 7, 2021 www.rivertowntimes.com Park plans to be unveiled today Continued from Page 1 Baillargeon added there will be surveys available at town hall for those who wish to provide their thoughts and feedback but don’t have internet ac- cess. The initial public feedback period will be about one month, she said. Baillargeon said feedback from the general public will be incorporated into the de- signs and a second public meeting will be held at a yet-to-be determined date later this summer. From there, Baillargeon said a recommendation will be going to town council and council will make a decision on how to proceed. That would likely oc- cur in late summer or in the fall. While the options that will be presented Wednes- day night were not shared beforehand, Baillargeon said all of them will have a parkland component. “They are absolutely going to be parks,” she said. Two proposals for each park will be all parkland but Baillargeon noted the other concepts all have an affordable housing component. “People will see the connectivity of how that works,” she said. “There’s so much space. Even if you put in affordable housing, you are still going to have parkland.” A display was set up at Malden Central Public School to honour this year’s graduates. A virtual graduation ceremony was posted online Baillargeon maintained that if options that are June 24 with a drive-thru visit graduation being held at the school June 23. Submitted photo eventually chosen for Jack Purdie Park and H. Murray Smith Centennial Park end up contain- ing affordable housing, that could lead to quicker Malden Central Public School development of the parkland. She said the money gained by having a portion of the parks developed with housing could be turned around and put back celebrates the Class of 2021 into the parks. By Ron Giofu tions for the graduates. “It’s all about the community, priorities and fund- “This year’s graduates demonstrated great leadership ing,” said Baillargeon. The staff at Malden Central Public School have bid a all year under challenging circumstances,” said Oldridge. Gerry and Paul Bezaire from Bezaire and Asso- fond farewell to the Class of 2021. Oldridge stated the defining moment for this group of ciates will also be on hand at Wednesday night’s The school held a pair of graduation events in late June. students in his eyes was when this group of Grade 8’s open house, she added. Baillargeon believes the Principal Joe Oldridge said Malden Central Public School broke off pieces of snow from their section of the school public will be “pleasantly surprised” by the options “celebrated our graduation with a wonderful virtual cer- yard after a large storm and delivered it to the Grade 4 that will be presented. emony posted on Tuesday, June 22. On Wednesday, June area where the pieces were used to make snow forts. To view the meeting, people can visit www.am- 23 we welcomed our graduates back to the school for a “This was a great snapshot of the regular kindness herstburg.ca/livestream. Baillargeon also stated drive thru visit and celebration.” and thoughtfulness that our older students show here at people can provide input through the town’s “Talk Oldridge thanked the parent council who he stated Malden,” stated Oldridge. “We wish all of our graduates the Burg” website at www.talktheburg.ca with the provided all of this year’s graduates with hoodies. The the best in secondary school and thank Mr. Balkwill and Zoom link to ask questions also provided through parents of this year’s graduating class were also thanked, Mr. Macdonald for their work with these students and in the latter website. with Oldridge stating they assisted in organizing celebra- making our graduation a good as it could be.” Book Review Mac Undercover ATTENTION (Mac B. Kid Spy #1) By Mac Barnett CUSTOMERS Middle Grade Fiction A funny, exciting, quick paced book about Mac B. who just happens to be a spy. When the Queen of England calls to enlist his services to find some stolen royal jewels, Mac springs into action. From England to France to KBG headquarters in Russia - the case takes Mac everywhere and he must rely on remains committed to bringing you the local news his smarts and his wits to get himself and the paper will continue to be published. home and the mystery solved. Chock full of actual historical facts, random However, at this time our office is CLOSED trivia and lots of action, the story of Mac’s world travels Is hilarious, interesting and sure to hook readers of any age. to the public until further notice. The best part? When you’re done this one there are five more in the series! In the meantime, we can be reached at Submitted by Lori Wightman, of River Bookshop, Amherstburg [email protected] www.rivertowntimes.com Wednesday, July 7, 2021 – River Town Times – 3 New youth organization being founded for youth of all backgrounds in Windsor-Essex County By Ron Giofu A new youth organization is being founded for all youth in Windsor-Essex County regardless of ethnicity or background. Amherstburg resident Les Holmes has teamed with Ed Armstrong, the first Black staff sergeant in the history of the Windsor Police Service, to found Sierra 42. The new youth organization’s slogan is “hard work has no colour” and they are selling T-shirts with that slogan on them as one way to raise funds for the group. Armstrong explained that when he got his historic promotion last summer, he was originally apprehensive about going public with it. That was during a time of civil unrest due to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and reports of women and minorities being underrepresented in business. Not wanting to have his promotion be seen on the basis of the colour of his skin, Armstrong ultimately decided to speak on it to get his own message across. “Hard work has no colour,” he emphasized. “It should be recognized and rewarded. Hard work is hard work.” Armstrong decided to take things a step further and wanted to make positive changes in the world. Les Holmes (left) and Ed Armstrong have founded a new youth organization known as Sierra 42. They envision working with all youth “What can we do to make effective change happen?” regardless of ethnic background and bringing everyone together. RTT Photo by Ron Giofu he asked. Believing that kids don’t have biases and prejudices partners, and want to work with other organizations in various ways. and that it trickles down from adults, Armstrong said working with youth was “We welcome support from anyone,” said Holmes. “It’s about bringing people appealing and started to work with Holmes on the new concept. He hopes their together.” messaging will spread to adults. Both Armstrong and Holmes have been working long hours on the project in “If they see young people coming together and saying that it doesn’t matter what addition to their day jobs and have about 20-30 volunteers they work with. They we look like, judge us for who we are, maybe it will make changes with adults,” he believe the youth organization will rolled out completely next year. said. “I talked to Les and he has the same vision I do.” “It’s about all races,” said Holmes. “It’s about everyone. It’s about all genders.” For more information about Sierra 42, visit www.sierra42.com or e-mail info@ sierra42.com.