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FRI. SAT. SUN. VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 01 CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES. 6 1 -1 3 -4 -7 JANUARY 2, 2020

WATERLOO REGION A HOLIDAY ON ICE WELLESLEY COUNCIL New slate of rec. Region looks fees among this at photo radar year's increases Enabled by provincial legislation, the for Wellesley technology is being touted as an option to improve safety in school zones Twp. residents

BY STEVE KANNON Cameras that automat- BY VERONICA REINER [email protected] ically track cars speeding [email protected] through school zones Easing up on the gas ped- would reduce the possibili- With the calendar rolling over al might be a good New ty of collisions, making the into a new year, Wellesley resi- Year’s resolution for 2020, areas safer for pedestrians dents can expect to pay to more as the region contemplates and cyclists, he added, not- for their recreational pursuits. bringing back photo radar. ing that while there hasn’t Meeting December 17, council- Running with provincial been a rash of collisions lors approved a slate of amend- regulations that allow the to date, the ASE program ments to the township’s fees use the technology – re- is about preventing future and charges bylaw, with ferred to as automated incidents. new pricing coming into speed enforcement (ASE) The region does receive effect January 1. rather than the photo ra- a number of complaints Most of the fees in dar term that became un- about speeding. the recreation sector savoury to the public last “Speed has been a con- increased by two per time it was rolled out – in cern in all municipalities cent, with exceptions school and community in the region for quite such as the full rental of safety zones, regional staff some time,” said Hender- the community centre in are currently drafting a son. “I’m not aware of one Hawkesville now at $210.89 report for councillors to road that doesn’t generate from $130.87. consider early this year. speeding complaints.” Arena advertising costs are The move is seen as a That’s true in Woolwich, now separate for the St. Clements way to boost safety by re- as well, where speeding is- and Wellesley arenas; Wellesley ducing speeding, says Bob sues are perhaps the main arena board advertising costs Henderson, the region’s reason council members have been increased to $250, as manager of transportation hear from the public, said there are “more people in Welles- engineering. Mayor Sandy Shantz. ley arena,” according to the staff School zones are likely “It’s probably the most report. St. Clements board adver- the first target, with costs common complaint,” she tising is priced at $176.02. being a factor in curtailing said, noting there are many Net movers have a new flat a larger rollout of the tech- issues with the way some rate of $35 for one or more back- nology. people drive. to-back games, and non-local “They’d be there ... to In that light, the photo minor sports fees shot up from better protect our most radar scheme might be $137.21 to $150, “to increase the vulnerable residents,” said warranted, she said. difference between local and non Hundreds came out for snacks and free public skating Dec. 30 at the WMC in Elmira, part of the holiday festivities Henderson. PHOTO RADAR | 16 hosted by the township. The event was sponsored by the Woolwich Community Lions Club. VERONICA REINER  REC. FEES | 16 Boxing Week Sale ENDS SATURDAY!

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TOWNSHIP OF 02 | COMMUNITY NEWS THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 WELLESLEY POLICE REPORT Waterloo Regional Police deputy chief to retire Waterloo Regional Police an incredible organization Cherokee from a good Samari- will soon launch a search that has offered me many tan who had stopped to assist. for a new deputy chief to rewarding experiences and They fled east down Printery TOWNSHIP OF replace Kevin Thaler, who friendships. Road. The GMC Yukon was last month announced he “While it wasn’t an easy discovered to have been stolen plans to retire after 32 years decision to make, it was the WELLESLEYTOWNSHIP OF from Elora. The intersection WELLESLEY with the department. The right decision,” he said. was closed for several hours for Waterloo Regional Police “It has been a pleasure the investigation. Anyone who Services Board will launch to work with deputy Thaler may have seen the collision, NOTICE OF PASSING a recruitment process in the over the years,” said chief or has information regarding New Year for a new Deputy Bryan Larkin. “His com- this incident, is asked to call Chief. mitment to the residents police at 519-570-9777 or Crime MUNICIPAL-WIDE DEVELOPMENT Thaler, who will officially of Waterloo Region and his Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. CHARGES BY-LAW retire March 31, began his efforts to foster relation- policing career as a cadet ships between the commu- DECEMBER with the WRPS in 1988. He nity and our police service TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Wellesley served in several differ- have been valuable assets ■ 3:00 PM | Waterloo Region- passed municipal-wide development charges By-law No. 55- ent positions, including to our organization. I want al Police Service responded to 2019 on the 3rd day of December 2019 under section 2 (1) frontline patrol, commu- to personally thank him for a report of a vehicle that was nications, homicide, and his vision, his leadership, stopped in the middle of the of the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O., 1997 c. 27, as professional standards, and his friendship over the intersection on Listowel Road amended; before rising to the rank of years.” and Arthur Street in Elmira. Of- inspector in 2011. He be- ficers located two adult males came executive officer to DECEMBER  passed out inside the vehicle, AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization the chief of police in 2012 where they found what was may appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal under sec- and neighbourhood polic- ■ 7:20 PM | Waterloo suspected to be fentanyl. Both tion 14 of the Act, in respect of the development charges by- ing superintendent in 2014. Regional Police responded to men were arrested. he was named deputy chief a collision at King Street North law, by filing with the Clerk of the Township of Wellesley on or of police in 2015. and Printery Road in St Jacobs. ■ 4:00 PM | Wellington before the 13th day of January, 2020 a notice of appeal setting “This has been an incred- A white GMC Yukon, travelling County OPP responded to a out the objection to the by-law and the reasons supporting ibly rewarding career,” said northbound, lost control, drove single-vehicle collision south the objection. Thaler in a release. “It has over a pedestrian safety island of Elora. A grey sport utility been one adventure after and struck a Toyota Sienna van, vehicle had entered the ditch The schedule of development charges imposed by the by-law, another, surrounded by re- which was in the southbound and struck a tree. Emergency which comes into effect on January 1, 2020, is as follows: markably dedicated people lane. The driver and the passen- service responded and the who always found a way to ger in the van were transported driver was transported to a accomplish the mission. It to Grand River Hospital with local hospital with serious inju- SCHEDULE B has been a privilege to not non-life-threatening injuries. ries. The driver, a 92-year-old By-law No. 55/2019 only serve this great com- The two occupants of the GMC Guelph man, later succumbed munity, but to do it within Yukon then stole a green Jeep to his injuries. RESIDENTIAL (per unit) NON-RESI- DENTIAL Single and Rows Apart- Apart- (per sq.m. of Service Semi-De- and ments – 2 ments Gross Floor tached Other Bedrooms – Bache- Area) Dwelling Multi- + lor and 1 ples Bedroom Municipal Wide Ser- vices Roads and 3,777 2,766 2,418 1,496 23.77 Related Notice of Intention to Pass a Fees and Charges By-Law Fire Protec- 422 309 270 167 2.68 tion Services The Region of Waterloo intends to pass a By-law to Establish Fees and Charges Parks and 4,586 3,358 2,936 1,815 3.26 which includes new fees and charges, as well as amendments and/or removal of Recreation existing fees and charges. Some of the changes included in the by-law are for Services transit services, waste management services, legal services, airport services, Sun- nyside Home programs and amenities, cultural services and paramedic services. Administra- 405 297 259 160 2.57 The by-law will be considered at the Special Regional Council Meeting, where the tion Final 2020 Budget approval will also occur, scheduled for: Total Munic- 9,190 6,730 5,883 3,639 32.28 Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. ipal Wide Regional Municipality of Waterloo Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, Services Administration Building 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener A copy of the proposed fees and charges will be available for review in the No key map has been provided as the by-law applies to all Council and Administrative Services Office, Region of Waterloo, 2nd Floor, 150 lands located within the Township of Wellesley. Frederick Street, Kitchener. If you have questions concerning the amendments, please contact Emily Dykeman at 519-575-4757 ext. 3107 or at EDykeman@ regionofwaterloo.ca . A copy of the complete by-law is available for examina- If you wish to speak at the Special Council meeting regarding the proposed 2020 tion at the Township of Wellesley office, 4639 Lobsing- Fees and Charges by-law, please register as a delegation with the Region’s Coun- cil and Administrative Services Division at 519-575-4400 or at regionalclerk@ er Line, R. R. #1, St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0 (located at regionofwaterloo.ca by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2020. If you require Crosshill) during regular business hours (weekdays from accessible services to participate, please contact the Council and Administrative 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) excluding statutory holidays. Services Division at least five days in advance of the meeting. This notice is in accordance with the “Municipal Act, 2001”, as amended. DATED at the Township of Wellesley office, Crosshill, On- Kris Fletcher, Director, Council and Administrative Services/Regional Clerk All comments and information received from individuals, stakeholder groups and tario, this 20th day of December, 2019. agencies regarding this by-law are being collected to assist the Region of Water- loo in making a decision. Under the “Municipal Act”, personal information such as Grace Kosch name, address, telephone number, and property location that may be included in a submission becomes part of the public record. Questions regarding the collec- Municipal Clerk tion of this information should be referred to Council and Administrative Services. Township of Wellesley 3175514 OBSERVERXTRA.COM | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | 03

ALL CHARGED UP FROM THE ARCHIVES

Waterloo Region municipalities have been awarded Tighter security may be in order following a month Creating community connections funding from Natural Resources Canada to install 33 that saw 16 Elmira businesses broken into, warn electric vehicle charging stations throughout the re- police. All of the recent incidents involved forceful starts and ends with our readers. gion. The stations will serve 66 public parking spaces, entry, most of the time through a doorway. That was News tips are always welcome. and will be located across all four townships and three the case when an unknown individual or individ- cities. Locations receiving charging stations include: uals broke into the Elmira Pool overnight Dec. 27. PAGE Phone: 519-669-5790 ext 103 community centres; recreation facilities and arenas; From the Jan. 3, 2004 edition of The Observer Online: ads.observerxtra.com/tips municipal administrative buildings; rural libraries; and THREE the Region of Waterloo Airport. OUR FAVOURITE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION Deep freezes, thaws and flooding marked 2019 Environment Canada releases its top-ten weather stories for the year, covering events country-wide

BY STEVE KANNON pact because weather that [email protected] dances around the freezing mark makes conditions Forget the scandals, elec- less predictable. tions and impeachment, How it plays out remains the most common talking to be seen, with Phillips point in 2019 was undoubt- undoubtedly having many edly the weather. episodes to wade through Complaining about it, in at this time next year. particular, is the great Ca- “I’m anxious for next nadian pastime. year – it’ll be the 25th And we had much to year,” he said, musing that complain about last year, he may look back over the as evidenced by Environ- past quarter-century to ment Canada’s top-ten identify any trends for the weather stories, compiled next list. by senior climatologist Canada's Top Ten David Phillips. The list in- Weather Stories of 2019 are cludes flood conditions, a ranked from 1 to 10, accord- February deep freeze and ing to factors that include record heat in the Arctic. the impact they had on Closer to home, there Canada and Canadians, was a February marked by the extent of the affected a cold-melt-flash-freeze area, economic impacts, cycle, two rainstorms lead and longevity as a top news to major spring flooding story. along the Grand River ba- sin, and record high-water Environment and flooding along the Great Climate Change Lakes. Canada’s top ten Phillips has been put- weather stories of ting together the annual : compilation for 24 years, something that’s become 1. Another record-setting a “worst-dressed list” of Roads closed by poor weather weren't uncommon in the winter of 2019, with wintry conditions quickly turning to flooding at times. FILE PHOTO Ottawa River flood weather incidents. Februaries in decades, fol- of continuous rains caused The wet weather that put rain on frozen ground – the 2. Active hurricane sea- “It’s a chance to relive lowed by a disappointing concern among farmers, a damper on spring started ground wasn’t ready for son as predicted some of the misery, hard- spring, the result of a polar gardeners and golfers: to wreak havoc earlier in that,” he says, noting flash 3. sNo-good Prairie fall ship and misfortune,” he vortex that lingered past spring might have been the the year, including along flooding is fairly new to says. April. Persistent northerly cruelest season ever this the Grand River, says Phil- southern Ontario, but be- 4. A brutal Febrrruary in In the early days of the and westerly winds kept year. On the first day of lips, describing last winter coming more common. Canada top-ten lists, he notes, spring air cold with ample summer, many fields and in this area as “a lexicon of “We’re seeing some of 5. Record heat continues there were some good- overcast skies, cold rain, golf greens in the East were weather opportunities.” that now.” in Arctic news items in the mix, but and even snow at times. either under water or still We were all over the map, We can also expect more 6. On the Prairies…Too the weather has become Spring was colder than nor- saturated from non-stop with February freezing fol- flooding issues and the dry early, too wet later more variable, leading to mal from Alberta to Atlan- rains.” lowed by a quick thaw and likes of freezing rain as more negative incidents. tic Canada, Phillips notes. The weather was es- then a flash freeze again. temperatures rise. 7. Weather witch stole Climate models suggest “Over the Great Lakes pecially problematic for That led to flooding as ice Those warming tempera- Halloween that’s a trend destined to and St. Lawrence basin, farmers, he adds, noting chunks formed dams in tures aren’t not going to 8. Spring missing in the continue. spring was the second that by the long weekend the river. Large amounts make us the Miami of the East We certainly saw some coldest in 22 years. Sim- in May, less than five per of rain that couldn’t be ab- north, he says, but when 9. Saint John River floods more extremes in the ply, most Canadians had cent of Ontario’s crop was sorbed into the ground cre- the thermometer that usu- again weather in 2019. In these to wait until summer for in the ground. “Some seeds ated yet more problems. ally hovers around minus-8 parts, the year was not- spring’s arrival. The lack of were sown but nothing was “The bomb cyclones degrees starts showing 10. Fewer fires, more ed for one of the coldest sun and warmth and weeks growing except grass.” brought huge amounts of minus-2, there’s an im- burning Wednesdays is Senior’s Day - Receive 20% Discount*

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JANUARY to the province’s marijuana plan, rates by 6.1 per cent. Refilling the ties. Ice jams forming in the early payable over the next ten years. allowing the option of retail can- tank also cost more, though the hours of Feb. 5 forced the Grand Local women leverage their nabis sales in the township. water rates increased by a much River to spill over its banks, Rehabilitation for Glasgow financial strength in numbers Meeting Jan. 15, councillors smaller 0.5 per cent. flooding local roadways and Street bridge They say many hands make determined the benefits of hav- In approving the budgets for causing water damage to some At least one of Woolwich’s old light work, and putting that theo- ing some control over the process water and wastewater at a meet- properties. No major issues were steel bridges lived to continue ry to the test is a new community outweigh the potential downside. ing Jan. 17, councillors backed reported, however, and much of carrying traffic. The Glasgow initiative being organized in the a plan to boost the water rate the ice debris was washed away Street span in Conestogo avoided Township of Woolwich. The 100 Woolwich reacts to slightly to $1.73 per cubic metre when waters began to recede the fate of two other structures Woolwich Women Who Care are Bill 66 from $1.72, a 0.51 per cent in- again. recently put on the chopping coming together to pool the com- Following the lead of other crease even though the region Freezing tem- block. bined resources of women across local municipalities, Woolwich has increased its bulk water rate peratures in An engineering report the community to support local council rejected provisions of the by 2.9 per cent. January meant recommended spending initiatives. province’s Bill 66. Mostly. there was a $700,000 to rehabili- The group got up and running The omnibus bill, known as Wellesley councillors take a fair bit of tate the Glasgow Street ahead of an inaugural meeting the Restoring Ontario’s Competi- united stance against the pros- ice on the bridge, keeping it open the following month. tiveness Act, has been decried by pect of amalgamation river when to vehicles for another community and environmental If amalgamation is on the temperatures decade or two. Once it Sugar Kings abruptly fire head groups as a way to circumvent agenda as part of the Doug Ford’s spiked past 10 passes its useful lifespan, coach years and decades of protections ersatz review of regional govern- degrees, accom- it should be kept for heri- It’s not usual for clean water and land-use ment, provincial officials would panied by tage value rather than to see teams planning. Specifically, section have plenty to think about had rain. Ice piled up by Kissing Bridge demolished, the study make tweaks 10 of the bill would effec- they sat in on a Wellesley council suggested. and revi- tively permit individual meeting. The local buzz has been Wellesley approves 2.8% tax Some 70 people came through sions to municipalities to exempt overwhelmingly negative. hike in passing new budget the public consultation session their rosters development projects from Wellesley residents saw a tax held Feb. 20 at the township hall late in the the Clean Water Act and Jacks end the regular season increase of 2.8 per cent for 2019, in Elmira. season in the Places to Growth policy, with a string of wins as council formally adopted the search of the removing the need for public The Wellesley Applejacks budget on Feb. 5. Whiteouts wreak havoc on game-winning consultation and oversight to wrapped up their regular season The increase amounted to an township roads combina- boot. on a high note, extinguishing the extra $37 per year, based for an The region was hit by some of tion. But, Trent Brown New Hamburg Firebirds and Bur- average home with an assessed the most severe weather of the the Elmira Seiling an advisor to the ford Bulldogs. value of $336,000. winter as a mixture of intense Sugar Kings seemed to signal a province The Jacks finished the season snow fall and wind gusts topping much more drastic shakeup on What started as Doug Ford’s with a record of 27-8-2-3, their Wellesley to increase rec. fees 93 km/h Feb. 25 caused whiteout the bench with the removal of attempt to block former PC lead- 59 points good enough for third by 2.8% conditions, road closures and col- head coach Trent Brown. er Patrick Brown’s bid to head place in the Provincial Junior A flat 2.8 per cent increase for lisions across southern Ontario. With just under 20 games left Peel Region expanded into a Hockey League’s South Doherty most recreational services Poor visibility was an issue es- in the season, the decision came formal review in nine upper-tier Division. and doubled cancel- pecially on rural roadways as a surprise to Brown, who had jurisdictions in Ontario, an effort The team opened the playoffs lation charges for in both Woolwich and been on the team’s coaching staff that will include input from for- Feb. 2 at home against the sixth- hall rentals were Wellesley townships since 2013. mer Waterloo Region chair Ken place Ayr Centennials. amongst the fee due to drifting snow. Seiling. increases ap- Those attempting Wellesley opts in to province’s The Elmira resident, who re- FEBRUARY proved by Welles- the drive out of Elmi- new framework for cannabis tired in 2018 after some 40 years ley council. ra, for instance, had retail stores in local politics, was named one Elmira curling competition Reviewing the to find an alterna- While Wellesley is unlikely to of two advisors who are puts a name to Team Ontario township’s fee tive to Arthur Street, see any pot dispensaries in the to provide advice/ Following competition on schedule, which which was blocked off foreseeable future, the township recommenda- the ice at the Woolwich lists the costs of at the request of opted in to the province’s new tions back to Memorial Centre, Homan services provided Highway shut down regional police for plan for retail cannabis shops. the province and McDonald claimed by the township more than 12 hours The decision by Wellesley this summer. the women’s Ontario to the general public, councillors after several vehicles became council was part of a region-wide Joining Seil- Scotties Tournament of gave the go ahead for the suite of stranded along the roadway. strategy to deal with the legal- ing was Mi- Hearts championship cost-recovery increases. ization of recreational marijuana chael Fenn, a and men’s Ontario Tan- Kings wrap up season, advance and the new Cannabis Licence former Ontario kard, respectively, earn- Fire levels home in Wellesley to playoffs Act. deputy minister, ing the right to represent Damage was pegged at The Sugar Kings ended the reg- previous mu- Ontario at upcoming $500,000 after a fire levelled a ular season on a less than stellar Allen D. Martin succumbs to nicipal chief Ken Seiling national events. Wellesley home Feb. 15. There note over the weekend, but were lengthy illness administrator were no injuries, however, as no able rebound with a decisive win A teacher, writer, raconteur – in several Ontario cities, and Police investigate troubling one was home at the time. Fire- in their first game of the Greater and someone who always had founding CEO of Metrolinx. graffiti at Wellesley PS fighters from all three Wellesley Ontario Junior Hockey League a joke at the ready – Allen D. Police investigated the Township stations responded to playoffs. Martin came to be known by Wellesley Township expands spray-painting of threatening the property at the intersection The losses to end the season many people in the area. It was community improvement graffiti on a portable at Wellesley of Greenwood Hill Road and Wei- saw the Kings finish in fifth place no surprise, then, that there grants to Linwood core Public School. A swastika, pro- mar Line. in the Midwestern Conference were plenty of stories as part of Wellesley expanded its com- fanity and racial slurs accompa- The property was being rented with a record of 26-15-2-4 for the outpouring that followed his munity improvement grant nied the threat spray painted on by a family of six: two adults and 58 points, three points behind death Jan. 9 at the age of 75. program to a third community in multiple areas of the school in- four young children, all under Kitchener, which earned home- A man with a wealth of talents the township. Councillors gave cluding windows, doors, bricks, the age of seven, who lost almost ice advantage to start the season. and a determination to share the go ahead for the township’s and both playgrounds. everything they had in the fire. them all, Martin’s indefatigable financial incentives program to Waterloo Regional Police were MARCH zest for life would be steadily be rolled out in the Linwood core contacted immediately follow- $1.3-million for new St. Clem- tempered by the relentless onset this year, while adding another ing the discovery on Feb. 4, and ents fire station Woolwich taxes to rise 3.39% of the neurodegenerative Par- $20,000 in funding for the ven- school staff began the process of The Township of Wellesley Some minor changes aside, kinson’s Disease. Diagnosed at ture. covering up the content with gar- gave the go-ahead to a brand Woolwich councillors ended age 50, Martin would continue to bage bags and more spray paint. new fire station in St. Clements the budget process Mar. 5 pretty fight the exacting illness for the Woolwich hikes water rates – and a $1.3 million bill to boot. much where it started, with most rest his life. again Ice jam causes spring-like Approving the project Feb. 19, of them satisfied with a quick Flush with cash or not, Wool- flooding councillors supported the plan once-over. Woolwich opts in to cannabis wich residents were tapped to Residents of West Montrose to replace the current structure Township residents saw a plan pay more every time they push got a rude awakening when large through a combination of reserve 3.39% tax rate increase this year. Joining other municipalities down the lever in the bathroom, boulders of ice and cold river wa- funding from the township’s cof- Based on the average Wool- in the region, Woolwich opted in as the township hiked wastewater ter washed up onto their proper- fers and a $400,000 debenture, wich residential assessment THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | THE OBSERVER COMMUNITY NEWS | 05

($379,266), that increased an ad- ceiving a one-time funding grant Dozens of kids and their par- funding efforts that quickly sur- Breslau’s Conestoga Meat Pack- ditional $28.97 on the township provided by the province to help ents turned Elmira’s Porchlight passed their goals. ers was the recipient of federal portion of their property tax bills. modernize and improve services. Drive into a road hockey venue The Isabella Street house largesse after a visit from the Woolwich was earmarked for Mar. 31, making it the site of a suffered damage in excess of minister of Agriculture and Agri- Lancers claim hockey title $725,000, Wellesley $676,050 and protest in favour of that $500,000. The Myers family was Food. The EDSS boys clinched the the neighbouring Township classic Canadian uninjured, the adults having left Speaking at the pork-pro- regional hockey championship of Wilmot benefitted by pastime. The im- for work and the kids already at ducing facility on Apr. 25, Ma- for the first time in decades. $725,000. promptu rally school when the fire broke out. rie-Claude Bibeau announced a Playing at the Central West- Some $200 million was followed an federal contribution of up to $10 ern Ontario Secondary School doled out to 405 mu- incident the Sudden loss at Floradale PS million to the cooperative, part Association (CWOSSA) champi- nicipalities across the previous week Floradale PS principal Andrew of a broader initiative to support onships Mar. 4-5 in Fergus, the province. in which po- Beddoe passed away suddenly on Canadian agriculture in global Lancers brought home the title lice shut down Apr. 5 at the age of 54. markets. with four straight wins. Lancers take silver at a game of road Beddoe had been Floradale The perfect performance provincial hockey cham- hockey, enforcing PS’ principal since December Ted Clarke passes at 71 earned Elmira its first regional pionship a Woolwich 1, 2017, having served at several Dr. Ted Clarke, a long-time vet- win in boys’ hockey since the The EDSS boys Road hockey brouhaha Township schools in the Waterloo Region erinarian in the community and 1960s, and sets EDSS up as the brought home the silver bylaw prohib- District School Board. His stints booster of harness racing, died fourth-seeded team out of 16 at from the provincial champion- iting such activities on a public included serving as vice-princi- Apr. 27 at St. Mary’s Hospital. He the provincials. ships in Barrie, a fitting conclu- street. pal at Wellesley, Forest Glen, and was 71. sion to an exceptionally strong Silverheights public schools, a Clarke was instrumental in re- Kings eliminated by Kitchener season for the hockey team. Twin Centre Stars crowned consultant at Learning Services, versing the fortunes of the Elmira in first round Battling through some of the Midget CC Ontario champions and teacher at Queensmount and Raceway and the Woolwich Agri- The Elmira Sugar Kings sea- best secondary school teams in Wellesley Township hockey Margaret Avenue public schools. cultural Society, but is also cred- son came to an end Mar. 7 via the province, the Elmira squad fans had plenty to celebrate as ited with boosting the finances a 4-0 shutout in game seven of made it to the championship fi- the Twin Centre Stars midget An extra-sweet sap festival of other small racetracks in the the first-round series against the nals on Mar. 22, where they were team were crowned the Ontar- From Church Street down the province. He helped establish the Kitchener Dutchmen. ultimately knocked out in a 5-2 io Minor Hockey Association length of the Arthur Street mall, Ontario Teletheatre Network in decision against Toronto’s Neil (OMHA) champions. and across to the Woolwich Me- 1994, essentially bringing racing Division champs, Jacks try for McNeil High School. Locked in a fierce series morial Centre, Lions Hall and and gaming offsite to bring in conference title against the Highland Storm of EDSS, the town of Elmira was patrons to raceways even if there The Wellesley Applejacks were Sunshine list jumps to 16 in Haliburton in the final leg of the packed with visitors from all was no live racing on any given crowned the South Doherty Di- Woolwich and Wellesley town- Midget CC division, the boys of over attending the maple syrup night. vision champions for the first ships Wellesley narrowly managed to festival on Apr. 6. Balmy spring time in the team’s history, after Woolwich and Wellesley town- recover from a three-game deficit weather over the weekend was Blaze destroys barn on farm an electrifying finale in Tavistock ships contributed 16 members to to take the series, and the cham- the chief reason for what proved near St. Clements saw the home team fall scoreless. a list of people on the public dime pionship title. to be a massive attendance as the It was all hands on deck when Playing the Tavistock Braves in who earned more than $100,000 festival celebrated its 55th anni- all three Wellesley fire stations, game five of the best-of-seven se- in 2018, up from just seven the APRIL versary. Waterloo Regional Police and ries on Mar. 13, the Jacks needed year before. Organizers a Woolwich Fire Department just one goal to put the game to Across the province, the list – EDSS students join in prov- reported an tanker were called to a major bed, earning the Wellesley team which includes doctors, nurses, ince-wide school walkout exception- barn fire on Lobsinger Line its first invitation to the Schmalz teachers, police and firefighters Hundreds of students from ally strong Apr. 29. Cup, Junior C championships. in addition to civil servants – hit Elmira District Secondary School turnout at The call came in from a 151,197, up 14.8 per cent from staged a walkout of classrooms this year’s dairy farm west of St. Cle- Woolwich spared from flood- 131,741 in 2017. Apr. 4 as part of province-wide festival, ments. Emergency person- ing after thaw demonstrations against the Ford perhaps hit- nel arrived to find the struc- Woolwich Township truly Jacks fall in Schmalz Cup quar- government’s proposed changes ting 80,000, ture completely engulfed in weathered the storm in regards ter-finals to education. up significant- flames. The family was home to flooding in the region, coming After climbing to new heights Taking to the streets of Elmira ly from when the fire started. Some out of the ordeal relatively un- this year, claiming the an hour before the end of 55,000 the Sap festival crowds 450 animals perished in scathed despite rain and a sud- top spot in the PJHL’s school, the EDSS stu- previous the blaze. The family lost den spike in temperatures. Other South Doherty dents voiced their op- year. 250 piglets, 170 pigs and 30 cows. areas in the Grand River water- Division, the position to the chang- Fire crews did manage to save shed were hit a little harder. Wellesley Apple- es, which would see GRCA scramble to rework bud- about 19 cows, and other animals The Grand River Conservation jacks advanced average classroom get in light of immediate pro- on the property including horses, Authority issued a series of flood to the Junior C sizes increased in vincial cuts were unharmed. warnings beginning Mar. 13. league quarter-fi- Ontario high schools Provincial cuts forced the Local areas included the Grand nals for the first from 22 to 28 students Grand River Conservation Au- MAY River in West Montrose and the time in franchise per teacher, as well as thority to adjust its financial Conestogo River in St. Jacobs, history. Ahead cuts to student loan forecast. Finding solace in guilty verdict peaking in warning zone 1 Mar. was the coveted Students on strike programs. The “natural hazard” transfer A guilty verdict brought clo- 14. Junior C trophy, payment from the province was sure to the family of an Elmira Locally, only the surface-level the Schmalz Cup. However, the Support for family after fire cut almost in half following the woman murdered almost six bridge on Three Bridges Road Applejacks’ winning ways were Neighbours and the wider release of the Ford government’s years previously. in St. Jacobs needed to be shut finally dashed by their challeng- community have rallied around first budget. The new allocation Michael Ball, 27, was convicted down due to excess water and ice. ers, the Grimsby Peach Kings, a Linwood family left scrambling was about $450,000 instead of May 5 in a St. Catharines court- in game six of the best-of-seven after a fire destroyed their home almost twice that amount, as room of the first-degree murder Townships to receive new pro- series. Apr. 4. Residents almost imme- originally expected. of Erin Howlett. He faced at least vincial funds diately began collecting clothing 25 years in jail after a jury found Woolwich and Wellesley were Shutdown of road hockey game and other items in the wake of $10 million for Conestoga him responsible for the June 27, among the municipalities re- prompts Elmira rally the fire, also launching online Meats 2013 killing – driven by jealousy, Dr. Rebecca Cannonon B.A., N.D. DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE Quality Care for All Ages General Contracting Agricultural & All Health Conditions HOME | AUTO | FARM | LIABILITY | COMMERCIAL Residential New Buildings OUR POLICY — YOUR PROTECTION SINCE 1927 INCLUDING: Hair Analysis Commercial Renovations Hormone Testing • Allergy Testing www.stirtonconstruction.ca 45 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.5484 www.elmiranaturopath.com 8012 8th Line.RR #2 Drayton, ON | 519-638-5462 69 Arthur St. S., ELMIRA | 519-669-2405 www.elmirainsurance.ca 06 | COMMUNITY NEWS THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 he choked the 28-year-old wom- WRDSB says no layoffs mine what is currently farmland. approval for a rental building on plus property. an and disposed of her body in a expected what is now two properties locat- That prospect prompted the duffel bag that was later found in The Waterloo Region District Woolwich hikes the cost of ed at 44 and 46 Church St. W. The Region of Waterloo and Woolwich the Grand River in Kitchener. School Board said it did not buying a new home former contains an older house Township to press the province expect it will lay off teachers The privilege of building a new that’s been converted to a triplex, not only to drop the idea, but to Woolwich nixes amalgama- despite a drop in provincial home in Woolwich cost an ad- while the latter is now a vacant pledge support for the trail sys- tion, backs two tiers funding for the new school year. ditional $1,800, as the township lot after the single-family home tem. Feedback from the public The board did, however, expect hiked its development charges there was demolished. decidedly opposed to any hint a $12-million shortfall in 2019-20 by 19 per cent. The plan presented to Wool- Ab Martin passes at the of amalgamation in Waterloo due to the province’s new man- For fully serviced single-family wich council June 25 calls for age of 83 Region, Woolwich councillors date for larger classroom sizes homes in Woolwich’s urban ar- one- and two-bedroom units to From former banking col- quickly moved May 7 to register and mandatory online courses eas, the new charges considered be offered for rent. leagues to the many teammates their own disapproval of that for secondary school students. by councillors June 4 saw levies and lifelong friends, they filled prospect. rise to $11,663 from $9,836 (18.5 Groups seek venues following the pews at the Elmira Menno- In a special public-input ses- Legal battle latest twist to per cent). In Breslau, due to ser- Wellesley arena closure nite Church August 1 to remem- sion, township residents and rep- gravel pit vicing arrangements with The township’s decision to ber the life of Ab Martin, who resentatives alike had a message The latest twist in the years- the City of Kitchener, close the Wellesley arena for passed away July 27 after a brief for the province and its review long saga involving a gravel pit the increase hit a year had user groups illness at the age of 83. of regional government: hands proposed for the Winterbourne $13,273, up from scrambling for alterna- off. Sure, there may be some valley saw the matter dragged $11,446, a jump tives. Plan for townships to efficiencies to be found, but the before a provincial tribunal. of 16 per cent. Hockey teams were collaborate underlying structure of regional Preston Sand and Gravel moved In the rural particularly surprised With Woolwich signing on, the government here – an upper-ti- to have the debate brought to the areas, fees for by the June 25 an- region’s four rural municipalities er region and seven lower-tier Local Planning Appeal Tribunal a single-fam- nouncement after the all agreed to look at ways they municipalities – works generally (LPAT), a quasi-judicial body that ily home were township deemed the can work together to offer ser- well, they argued. deals with municipal planning $9,373, up 17.5 condition of the roof made vices more efficiently and with issues. per cent from the building unsafe. lower costs. Wellesley says no to prospect Ramping up for a fight, resi- $7,933. Arena roof repairs An engineering as- Township councillors meeting of amalgamation dents were out in force at Wool- sessment of the arena July 30 approved plans to hire a There’s no appetite for amal- wich council May 28, pressing Stamp of approval from philat- roof found that portions of it consultant for a joint service de- gamation in Wellesley, township the township to stay the course elists could potentially collapse in the livery study as the first step in a councillors heard at a special against the company’s request Cross over a covered bridge in wintertime. Previous mainte- new working agreement. It makes meeting to discuss the province’s to mine below the water table at Ontario, and you know you must nance coatings had failed sooner formal an undertaking between review of regional government. the site. be in West Montrose. The historic than anticipated in the last struc- Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot and Residents out May 7 expressed red-splashed bridge spanning the tural review in 2013, resulting in North Dumfries townships. concerns about the potential loss Dogging the tax bills local section of the Grand River leaks. of community and responsive- Sure that it’s missing out on is the province’s only remaining AUGUST ness if the township gets rolled thousands of dollars, Woolwich covered bridge, and one of a JULY into a single government along got more aggressive about ensur- dwindling number still standing Church fire deemed suspicious with the other six lower-tier mu- ing dog owners purchase tags for in the country. Guilty verdict in St. Clements An arson investigation got nicipalities in the region. Critics their pets. Built with their iconic covers to murders underway after a church fire in have suggested that’s the end A new process approved May protect against the harsh Canadi- Glenn Bauman, 46, was found Wellesley Township Aug. 3. game for the Doug Ford’s review 28 by councillors saw the town- an elements, the covered bridges guilty of two counts of first-de- Waterloo Regional Police and of some 82 municipalities, anoth- ship opt for notifications circu- of Canada – or kissing bridges, gree murder in connection with firefighters from the Wellesley er round of amalgamations like lated through property tax bills, as they came to be known for the deaths of Linda Daniel, 48, Fire Department’s Linwood those foisted on Ontarians the with those who fail to register the privacy they offered court- and her daughter Cheyenne, 13, station were called to Orthodox last time the Conservatives were their dogs susceptible to fees be- ing couples – were celebrated on July 16, 2011 at the home they Mennonite Church on Moser in charge at Queen’s Park. ing tacked on to their taxes. by Canada Post with a collec- shared near St. Clements. Young Road near Lawson Line at The township estimated only tion of commemorative stamps A jury determined that after 5:40 a.m. Damage from the fire Wellesley approves Queen’s a third of dog owners actually available in locations across the killing the two women, Bauman was estimated at $75,000. Bush Rd. park license their pets each year as country. burned their bodies in the back- The church had been used oc- The township moved ahead in required. yard of the home at 3670 Hessen casionally for functions such as the development of a new park Condos not seen as a good fit Strasse. funerals, but had seen little regu- in Wellesley village at the corner Wage hikes in Woolwich for Elmira neighbourhood lar use for the past 30 years. of Queen’s Bush and Hutchison union deal Neighbours wanted no part of Arena user groups band roads. Woolwich’s 22 unionized work- a four-storey apartment building together Feds provide $700K towards A project long in the works ers received a 1.75% raise, 1.85% proposed for the former mu- Invigorated by the possibility bridge project since the township first identi- in 2020 and 1.95% in 2021 under nicipal pool property in Elmira, of a new arena, communi- Some $700,000 from Ot- fied the need for more parkland a new contract reached between turning out in force June 25 to let ty groups have taken tawa was the final piece in 2014, councillors gave it the the township and the Canadi- township councillors know just the initiative to of the puzzle needed go-ahead on May 14, approving an Union of Public Employees that. form the Wellesley to rehabilitate the the first phase of development. (CUPE) Local 1542. Comments at the public meet- Township Rec- Glasgow Street bridge Phase one will see the creation As is customary for the town- ing followed a series of written reation Centre in Conestogo. Com- of a 1.6-km trail system in the ship, the same increases applied submissions and a petition op- Committee. User bined with provin- west end of the 40-acre property, to the larger non-union staff. The posing plans for an 18-unit con- groups as diverse cial and township as well as an unpaved parking deal, ratified by Woolwich coun- dominium at 18 Ernst St. as hockey associ- money, the funding lot, and a driveway entrance off cillors May 28, was retroactive to The former Elmira pool ations and the fall announced Aug. 19 Queen’s Bush Road just west of Jan. 1. property was purchased in 2011 fair board banded would help keep the old the Wellesley fire station. The by 2284578 Ontario Inc. for together. steel structure open work was estimated to ring in at JUNE $450,000, and had been home At the group’s Building bridges to traffic. $124,000. to the Waterloo Regional Syn- inaugural meet- Bid for gravel pit near Maryhill chronized Swimming Club since ing, the wish-list for a new facil- Safety concerns prompt clo- EMSF raises record amount of After a flurry of activity around that time. Now, the principals ity was discussed in great depth. sure of skate park funds Conestogo, Winterbourne and of the company – Erika Lindner Also broached was whether a new Granted a reprieve earlier in The Elmira Maple West Montrose, it was Ma- and Leanne McDonnell – want to building would sit on the current the summer, the makeshift skate Syrup Festival com- ryhill’s turn in the gravel redevelop the 0.75-acre site at the site or be located on new park- park in Wellesley ran its course, mittee distributed pit spotlight. Guelph- corner of Ernst Street and Snyder land slated for Queens Bush and done in by safety concerns. $65,000 to 30 based Capital Paving Avenue. Hutchison roads. Councillors meeting Aug. 27 charities and unveiled plans to de- agreed to remove the half-pipe community velop an extraction Neighbours want no part of The trail goes on, as province adjacent to the Wellesley arena groups on May operation on some Elmira apartment complex drops selloff on Catherine Street due to exces- 15, the largest 230 acres of land On the heels of opposition to The province formally removed sive deterioration and potential amount it had ever south of the village. an Ernst Street condominium the Kissing Bridge Trailway liabilities for the township. handed out. The Following its licence proposal, another group of Elmi- land from its review of potential funds were generated bid with the provincial ra residents were equally unwel- property selloffs. The KBT and Woolwich posts a surplus for thanks to a large EMSF grant recipients Ministry of Natural coming to plans for a four-storey, stretches of the 148-kilometre 2018 turnout, placed at Resources and For- 21-unit apartment building on Guelph to Goderich (G2G) Rail Postponed projects such as some 80,000, at the 55th annual estry, the company applied to Church Street West. Trail were feared to be at risk as road paving left Woolwich with festival, held Apr. 6. Woolwich for the zoning and offi- Wayne Martin and Rick the Ford government carried out a large enough surplus to offset cial plan amendments needed to Brubacher are seeking township an assessment of potentially sur- THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | THE OBSERVER COMMUNITY NEWS | 07 significant overspending on its real, emergency measures are St. Boniface school Wellesley Township having official plan and zoning bylaw operating budget in 2018. The warranted to help stave off the Students at St. Boniface Catho- cleared the way for a potential amendments to allow the project township ended up with an over- worst of its impacts, Woolwich lic school could find themselves new $22-million recreation com- to proceed on some 7.75 acres of all surplus of $131,000. councillors decided. in a new building – and new plex, the focus shifted to putting land, some of which is currently The 2018 budget numbers were Meeting Sept. 24, they de- community – as early as spring together a fundraising campaign zoned as open space. finalized in a presentation Aug. clared a climate emergency, 2021 given that the province ap- that will make it all possible. 27 to Woolwich councillors. joining several hundred other proved funding for the project. Township council unanimous- Teachers hit the picket lines The operating budget experi- jurisdictions on the planet that The $11.4 million allocated ly approved submitting an appli- High school teachers and sup- enced a deficit of $147,957, offset have taken the same stance in on Oct. 18 cleared the way for cation for funding from the fed- port staff at schools across the by a capital budget surplus of response to a warming world. the Waterloo Catholic District eral and provincial governments, Waterloo Region District School $278,863. School Board (WCDSB) to build whose support will be Board were on the picket lines Repaired Glasgow St. bridge to on a site in the south end of Bre- needed to underwrite Dec. 4, protesting the pro- SEPTEMBER be a one-way route slau. Along with space for 257 much of the cost. vincial government’s The Glasgow Street bridge will students from JK to Grade 8, the cuts to education Crack forces sudden closure of carry traffic in just one direction facility will house an EarlyON Wellesley lifts funding. bridge – south – when it’s rehabilitat- child and family centre and a moratorium on Members of the A crack in two of the beams on ed, a solution that got formal 88-space daycare operation. kennels Ontario Secondary the underside of the West Mon- approval from Woolwich council A 16-month School Teachers’ trose covered bridge, discovered Sept. 24. Liberals take Kitchener-Cones- moratorium im- Federation (OSSTF), on Sept. 4, forced the Region of Getting a big boost in the form toga posed on new dog which includes sup- Waterloo to close the structure to of federal and provincial fund- While most of the country kennel licenses in port staff such as sec- traffic. ing, the township plans to spend went to bed Oct. 21 knowing Wellesley Town- retaries and custo- some $1.3 million in hopes of there’d be a minority govern- ship was lifted Teachers on strike dians in all WRDSB Police investigate graffiti spree expanding the bridge’s lifespan ment, voters in Kitchener-Cones- Nov. 5, as council schools, were out by A spate of graffiti in Elmira has by a few more decades. toga had to wait until late the also look to revise its kennel the hundreds in front of Elmira police investigating four counts following morning to find out bylaw. District Secondary School and of vandalism. Wellesley Idol winner Liberal Tim Louis would be their Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Some of the spree was caught Along with taking in next MP. New St. Clements fire station Harris’ Elmira office. on high-definition surveillance the smell of fresh In a reversal of the 2015 opens cameras outside the Home Hard- apple fritters, peo- election, Louis edged out A new $1.3-million fire station Woolwich approves new snow ware store on Church Street, ple gathered at incumbent Conservative in St. Clements was officially de- event policy making identification of the sus- the Wellesley MP Harold Albrecht, clared open for service Nov. 9. Already out ticketing cars pects that much easier. The secu- Apple Butter winning by 305 votes, parked on streets between 4 and rity shows a man and a woman and Cheese having lost the last Snow-clearing crews put to an 9 a.m., Woolwich extended a ban walking across the parking lot Festival Sept. time by 251 ballots. early test in the townships parking on roads for 24 hours fol- into the light, looking right up 28 were privy Nov. 11 brought more than lowing the declaration of a snow at the camera while the female to the finals of Province nixes idea of just Remembrance Day, as event. That too will come with a suspect shakes a spray can. The the Wellesley Idol forced amalgamations snow-clearing crews in Woolwich fine once the fees are approved incident occurred around 10:20 competition, The latest threat and Wellesley townships were by the province. p.m. on Sept. 6. with 16-year- Hadley Mustakas of amalgamation in pressed into service in no small The fee schedule approved old Hadley Waterloo Region was way. Dec. 10 by township council Region extends Elmira bus pi- Mustakas winning over the judg- removed, as the province said it sees most of the fines in the $35 lot project es with her vocals. would not force a “top down ap- Lancers capture EDSS’ first to $50 range, though clearing A localized bus service that cir- proach” on municipalities. WCSSAA basketball title snow from your driveway onto culates around Elmira remained OCTOBER The announcement Oct. 25 In a season that already saw the road could see you hit with a free to riders and under the aus- by Municipal Affairs Minister the team rack up win after win, $105 penalty. pices of Kiwanis Transit in a plan Wellesley council declares a Steve Clark followed a regional the EDSS junior girls’ basketball approved by regional council’s climate emergency governance review launched in team reached new heights Nov. BC family is Elmira-bound af- planning and works committee. Wellesley officially recognized January. Instead of amalgama- 12 by capturing its first-ever ter win The decision altered course that the municipality is facing a tion, Clark offered $143 million WCSSAA championship. Elmira is set to gain three new from a staff report that called for climate emergency, a situation in funding to help municipalities residents, as a B.C. family was Grand River Transit to take over that requires bold action to re- find ways to lower expenses and Woolwich to automate meter named the win- the service and issue a request duce greenhouse gas emissions. improve services. reading for water bills ner of mil- for proposal (RFP) for others to Meeting Oct. 8, councillors The meter-reader is on the lion-dollar bid on the contract. Instead, the voted unanimously to approve Quilt auction raises $100k endangered species list in home on pilot project that had already the decision, adding the town- The annual quilt auction Woolwich, as the township Park Av- been in place for a year will run ship’s voice to a chorus of more held Oct. 25 brought in almost moved ahead with automat- enue. through 2020 in much the same than 1,000 municipalities glob- $100,000 for Elmira District ing collection of water-billing Ally way it has always operated. ally that have taken the same Community Living (EDCL). Pro- information. Woolwich households are as- stance. ceeds go directly towards the Meeting Nov. 19, councillors sessed a special-area rate raising work of the not-for-profit organi- awarded a $1.1-million contract Hanscom, $80,000 to cover the cost of the St. Jacobs theatre a gift zation, which supports individu- to KTI Limited to install a remote 31, was de- bus. The Schoolhouse Theatre in St. als with an intellectual disability meter-reading some on some clared Jacobs was passed on from and their families. 6,444 water meters. There will Dream home the Leah Sebben named fair Mersynergy Charitable then be a $40,000 annual fee winner ambassador Foundation to long- Four rural townships look at for the service. of HGTV Canada’s Home to Win: Linwood’s Leah time tenant and ways to work together For the Holidays competition in Sebben was named partner, Drayton Though the province had ruled Teachers work-to-rule the season finale that aired Dec. the new ambassador Entertainment. out the prospect of forcing amal- Teachers in the region began 15. She, along with her husband of Wellesley-North gamation on Waterloo Region, a work-to-rule campaign as the Matt and daughter Anna, will be Easthope Fair, Lions refresh the four rural townships moved public school unions stepped up moving into the newly renovated winning the crown park equipment ahead with a review of services their fight against the Ontario Victorian home from their trailer during the Sept. 10 Upgrades com- that might satisfy the Ford gov- government. in Armstrong, British Columbia. opening of the event. pleted at the Elmira ernment’s drive for cost-cutting park that bears measures. DECEMBER Teachers back on picket line Driver killed in sin- Leah Sebben the service club’s Meeting Oct. 29, Woolwich The bitterly cold winter weath- gle-vehicle rollover name, the Wool- council signed on to a joint ser- Proposed residential develop- er didn’t stop local high school An 18-year-old Mitchell man wich Community Lions made vice delivery review, agreeing ment raises questions teachers and support staff from died at the scene after being it official with a ribbon-cutting to pay a quarter of the $100,000 Residents of a Wellesley neigh- being back out on the picket ejected from his pickup truck ceremony and donation to the contract awarded to KPMG to bourhood weren’t happy about a lines at EDSS Dec. 18. during a single-vehicle collision township. carry out a study. The money proposed medium-density devel- A one-day walkout saw the near Heidelberg Sept. 12. Police Mayor Sandy Shantz was on will be drawn from the $725,000 opment, bringing that message Waterloo Region District School say the driver wasn’t wearing hand Oct. 10 to wield the scissors in modernization funding the to township councillors during a Board (WRDSB) close all its a seatbelt at the time of the and accept a cheque for $30,000, township received from the prov- public meeting Dec. 3. schools in response to a prov- incident, which occurred on money raised by the club to help ince. The proposal calls for 55 town- ince-wide withdrawal of services. Lobsinger Line. with the restoration of the play- houses, two semi-detached units It was the second time that ground in Lions Park on Barn- NOVEMBER and a single-family home to be month teachers and support staff Climate emergency in swallow Drive. built on land at 1016, 1018, 1024, were off the job to protest what Woolwich Wellesley rec. complex moves 1030, and 1032 Doering St. they call inaction on the part of Climate change is not only $11.4 million approved for new ahead The applicant is looking for an the province. OBSERVERXTRA.COM | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | 08

VERBATIM THE MONITOR

“Widespread e-cigarette advertising has contributed Debt repayment is the number one financial priority for to the dramatic increase in youth vaping. These Canadians in 2020, the tenth consecutive year it has Keep the conversation alive on topics restrictions are strong and will protect youth topped this annual survey. With getting out of the red of relevance to the community; write from tobacco company marketing strategies and top-of-mind, 71% of respondents say they held back a letter to the Editor. from exposure to e-cigarette advertising in social from borrowing more money in 2019. The survey also media, billboards, television, and other locations.” found that 71% are concerned about the rising costs of Deadline: Tuesdays 4pm Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst at the household goods next year. Half of respondents agree Canadian Cancer Society, calls for governments to they are worried about a potential recession in 2020. Online: ads.observerxtra.com/letters further restrict vaping. CIBC survey

OUR VIEW | EDITORIAL A better year starts with some political resolve

ere we are just couple of all have something in our lives many of the same uncertain- decision every time we elect enough to throw the bums out. days into the new year. that we wish to alter. Psychol- ties that have plagued us in the a new government, a chance (That they are replaced by a HHave you broken any ogists tell us this is normal age of a declining middle class that something will actually new group of bums is, again, resolutions yet? Did you bother human behaviour, adding that and increasingly unrepresen- change. That politicians sel- another story.) to make any in the first place? the tough part is actually fol- tative governance. dom make a difference doesn’t Many of us make resolu- What is it about a new calen- lowing through on the impulse On that front, we’ll not be seem to completely eliminate tions casually only to just as dar year that makes us eager for self-improvement. In other seeing any elections this year. that sense of “maybe this easily break them. We then to reinvent ourselves, if only a words, fantasizing about a Certainly nothing scheduled, time.” rationalize our actions. In our little bit? The coming of a new better you, about an idealized though a minority government This is perhaps the same jaded age, we’re equally blasé year is seen as a fresh start and version of you – most of us can in Ottawa leaves the door open hopefulness that gets us to put about the same lack of fol- a time for deciding what needs actually picture ourselves that a crack. Not, of course, that down some money on lottery low-through from our elected to be changed and where to way – will remain just that: a any of the parties is in a po- tickets: we can dream of what officials – in fact, we’ve come go next. It’s for these reasons fantasy. Unless, that is, we are sition for another trip to the we’ll do with the riches – a to expect them to lie, cheat, that so many people make New willing to work hard to make polls. one-in-a-million chance – un- break their promises and to Year’s resolutions to accom- the dream a reality. Perhaps in the absence of til the results come in and dash otherwise act in a self-serving plish things such as to exercise As individuals, we’ve been an election, politicians from those hopes … but there’s al- manner. That doesn’t mean, more, quit smoking, pay off performing this ritual for cen- here to Queen’s Park and Par- ways the next draw. however, that we just accept debt, save more money, com- turies – for some of us, resolv- liament Hill might deliver Unlike the winning lottery the status quo. plete projects, get organized, ing to do the same thing, such something that actually takes numbers, however, we have Maybe this year’s resolutions further education, lose weight, as exercise more, is indeed the long-term public good into control over our resolutions should include expecting more and the like. a yearly ritual, but that’s an- consideration, though that’s and whether we stick to them. from our politicians. Maybe Perhaps there’s an endless other story. Can this sense of unlikely given the many years To a lesser extent, especially our political leaders should optimism that we can change, renewal be extended to a wider since we’ve seen such a thing. given the decreasing voter resolve to do what’s right, to that we can be better – which, venue – say, to a community as That said, optimism, at least turnout, we have some control make us all better, if only once of course, recognizes that we a whole? We go into 2020 with in part, is at the root of the over our politicians – at least in their current term.

GLOBAL OUTLOOK THE VIEW FROM HERE | SCOTT ARNOLD Putting the hype in hypersonic missiles

ypersonic missiles are not a terrifying H new weapon. They are just another cog in the terrifying but remarkably stable old strategy called nuclear deterrence. “The Avangard hyperson- GWYNNE DYER GLOBAL AFFAIRS ic glide vehicle entered ser- vice at 10:00 Moscow time warheads launch on a rock- on December 27,” boasted et, just like the traditional Russian Defence Minister Inter-Continental Ballistic Sergei Shoigu – but nobody Missiles (ICBMs). However, quailed in their boots. instead of going very high The new Russian missile and travelling most of the can deliver nuclear weap- distance through space in a ons, of course, and the Rus- predictable ‘ballistic’ trajec- sians are very proud of it. tory before plunging back As President Vladimir Putin down into the atmosphere said, “Not a single (other) and striking their target, the country possesses hyper- ‘hypersonic’ missile’s war- sonic weapons, let alone heads go low early. continental-range hyper- The hypersonic missile sonic weapons.” They’ll all launches on a ‘depressed’ be green with envy. trajectory, and then a ‘glide A hypersonic missile’s DYER | 09 Climate change or otherwise, some adjustments will have to be made.

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LOCAL VIEWPOINT Photo radar is proof governments don't care about civil rights

he region’s plan to roll out ficials don’t care to protect civil Our privacy is under attack amount of information collected photo radar is symbolic of rights and, frankly, many people from every direction, from sur- poses future risks as technology T what ails government and are their own worst enemies. veillance cameras to increasingly evolves, while today it threatens society in general. The latter group will include draconian internet snooping. to circumvent laws that protect An overstatement for some- those members of the public Large corporations, particularly our rights in traditional encoun- thing that proponents will say who’ll argue that there’s nothing the invasive Google, Facebook ters with authorities. protects children? Not at all. to worry about if you don’t speed and the like, have created a busi- Sure, there’s some lip service Essentially, the proposal to in school zones, for instance. STEVE KANNON ness model based on violating to protecting the public here – EDITOR'S MUSINGS introduce photo radar in school That’s just another variation of your privacy and civil rights. officials in Europe are doing a zones is a cash grab masquerad- the nothing-to-hide excuse for They could be shut down at the much better job, though there’s a ing as a public relations exercise. authoritarian surveillance. also easily shot down by asking stroke of a pen by government long way to go – but if history has We know that by asking a simple As with each effort to strip those who make that argument regulation, yet politicians and taught us anything it’s that new question: what problem does this away privacy rights, there are if they own curtains and blinds. bureaucrats have no interest in technologies are never held in solve? There haven’t been scores those who will argue they’re fine If they’ve got nothing to hide, protecting your rights. Instead, check for long. Because we can do of deaths, injuries and collisions with each new measure because they certainly won’t mind others they want to make life much something, we will do that thing. in school zones, so that’s not the they’ve got nothing to hide. Only looking in through their win- worse, all to their own benefit. Only the most stringent of regu- problem in question, despite those with something to hide – dows, right? Or having their bank They care not about the un- lations – the kind not favoured by what will be repeated appeals to only criminals, for those of this records made public? ethical drive to boost the state’s governments bent on authoritar- safety. Speeding? Sure, that oc- misguided mindset – would Nobody, of course, wants to do ability to collect, track, store, ian control – have a hope of cur- curs, though the region itself will argue against more surveillance. that. We all value some measure aggregate and use information tailing the erosion of our rights. acknowledge the calls it receives That kind of reasoning alone is of privacy. And we all have some- that represents a huge power We have become accustomed from the public are often due to enough to dismiss the “nothing thing to hide, which doesn’t make imbalance. A lack of control on to financial outlets tracking our perceptions of speeding, not the to hide” argument. Of course, it’s us criminals, terrorists or the like. what happens to the growing spending habits via credit and reality of the situation, as actual debit cards; “security” cameras LEFCOURTLAND | JACK LEFCOURT traffic monitoring typically re- are commonplace everywhere veals. from banks to convenience The region’s existing red light stores; using the Internet leaves cameras have been shown to a clear trail to those in the know. cause collisions, though whether In the private sector, we still have they deter drivers from running something of a choice to avoid red lights – as opposed to beat- some of the tracing measures, ing yellows – is another matter. though not as large as we think – Certainly other jurisdictions nor as large as we should have if have shown the cameras to be regulators were doing their jobs. flawed, open to corruption and, But when the government begins yes, simply money grabs. installing what are in essence The cameras are put in tracking devices with gleeful place because they exist. Once abandon, we have the state sanc- installed, the revenue they tioning this dangerous and inva- generate becomes part of the sive practice. budgetting process, and must Given the government failures, be maintained and increased to nobody’s watching the watchers. pour money into municipal cof- With photo radar and red-light fers – hardly a reason to support cameras, government joins the them, unless you’re a bureaucrat rank of the voyeurs. looking for alternatives to extract It’s into that environment that more from the already overbur- red light cameras and school- dened public. zone photo radar needs to be More widely, photo radar being debated. We’re already suffering deployed because the technology death by a thousand cuts, so we exists is symptomatic of a wider need to prevent one more, rolling trend in which we’re sliding into each back until we’ve got a freer a police state where freedom and society. There is thus far no talk privacy are stolen from the public of such privacy and civil rights because the tools are available, concerns, of course. there are profits to be made, of- KANNON | 16 „ DYER: Latest missile development just another example of the one-upmanship and the military industrial complex

FROM 08 come vulnerable to inter- The problem with any what it does, whether they weapons were abolished. instantaneously from one vehicle’ detaches from the ception. If that were true, kind of anti-missile defence are needed or not. But the long strategic target to the next. rocket and skips along the then only the Russians system is that it’s relatively This provides an entire stalemate will not be de- In theory, therefore, edge of the atmosphere, would now have missiles cheap and easy to over- Russian industry with stabilized by some flashy directed-energy weapons travelling at up to 20 times that could get through whelm it by sheer numbers. interesting and well-paid new gadget like hypersonic would make effective the speed of sound. It the other side’s defences, The dumb old ICBMs will jobs. In return, the indus- missiles. As long as no ef- defence possible against comes over the horizon and so they would rule the still get through any ABM try provides the regime fective defence is available any nuclear attack using and becomes visible to the world. But actually, there defences if used in quantity, with cool new weapons against mass attacks with missiles, whether they are enemy’s missile defence are no effective defences which is how they would that make it look powerful nuclear-armed missiles, ICBMs, cruise missiles, or radars only when it’s much against mass attacks by certainly be used in any and even fearsome to peo- mutual deterrence will per- hypersonic gliders. They closer to the target. ICBMs, so everybody is still great-power war. ‘Hyper- ple who don’t understand sist. The only technological would switch the advan- Even better, it can ma- equally vulnerable. sonic’ missiles are wonder- nuclear deterrence. These development that could tage from the offensive to noeuvre on the way in to The United States has fully fast and clever, but cool new weapons don’t really undermine it is di- the defensive, which would the target, which makes been working on anti-bal- they’re also expensive and actually change the strate- rected-energy weapons. require a massive shift in it much harder to inter- listic missile (ABM) systems quite unnecessary. gic realities, but who cares? High-energy lasers and everybody’s thinking about cept. As Putin said, “The since Ronald Reagan’s ‘Star So why has Russia spent Nobody’s really planning particle-beam weapons strategic matters. Avangard is invulnerable Wars’ fantasies of almost what is clearly a great to use them anyway. would be far more effective In practice, however, to intercept by any existing four decades ago, and it deal of money to develop That is not to say that than the ground-launched nobody has come up with and prospective missile de- does have one active ABM a snazzy but pointless nuclear weapons are not missiles employed in to- an operationally credible fence.” Indeed, he claimed, site in Alaska. It might be weapon? Because the dangerous. Of course day’s rudimentary ABM directed-energy weapon everybody else is “playing able to stop one or two in- ‘metal-eaters’ alliance,’ the they are, and although systems. They would in 40-plus years of trying. catch-up with us.” coming ICBMs launched Russian equivalent of the nuclear deterrence has function at light speed, Maybe one day they will, This would be deeply by, let’s say, North Korea. U.S. ‘military-industrial kept nuclear war at bay for they would have absolute- but until then innovations alarming to Russia’s po- It certainly couldn’t stop complex,’ is still alive and three-quarters of a century, ly flat trajectories (which like hypersonic missiles are tential adversaries if all the hundreds of ICBMs that kicking despite the demise there is no guarantee that it allows precise targeting), just minor new wrinkles in the orthodox, traditional Russia would launch in any of the old Soviet Union. will work forever. We would and above all they would an essentially unchanging (ICBMs) had suddenly be- real nuclear war. Developing new weapons is be much safer if these be able to switch almost strategic scene. OBSERVERXTRA.COM | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | 10

THEY'RE THE TOPS CHOCOLATE ON ICE

Elmira Sugar Kings Luke Eurig, Jakson Kirk, Dawson Fans of curling and/or chocolate will find plenty We're keeping score about local kids Rowe, Brody Waters and Cooper Way were among to love when the ladies get into action Jan. 4 at in sport in our communities. Submit those taking part in the top prospects and future stars the Elmira & District Curling Club. The Chocolate games Dec. 28 at the Waterloo Rec. Complex. Lovers bonspiel features two eight-end games. your team results and photos online. www.elmiracurlingclub.ca Online: ads.observerxtra.com/scores Deadline: Tuesdays by 4pm Kings split a pair before heading into the holidays Elmira posts a win over Kitchener before falling to Waterloo to wrap up 2019; Kings back in action this weekend

STEVE KANNON utes. [email protected] Elmira wasn’t going to give up without a fight, The Elmira Sugar Kings however. The Kings poured went into the Christmas it on in the third, with Ma- break having both given son McMahon (Goodwin, and received, splitting Toms) scoring on the power their final two games of play at 7:35 to make it 4-2. 2019. At the 11-minute mark, Du- Having taken a 3-1 deci- becki, from McMahon and sion over Kitchener on De- Goodwin, made it a one- cember 21, the Kings gave a goal game. win to the Waterloo Siskins The Kings had a number the following afternoon. of chances as they pushed The two points helped keep to tie the score late in the them atop the Midwestern third, giving every indica- Conference standings in tion they’d do so if there’d the Greater Ontario Junior just been more time. As it Hockey League with 54 was, however, the buzzer points (25-6-0-4). dashed any hopes of a The weekend before the comeback. holidays started with a stop Having had a couple of in Kitchener to face the The Kings dominated much of the game, but came up short in a 4-3 loss to the Siskins in Waterloo on Dec. 22. STEVE KANNON weeks off to enjoy the hol- Dutchmen. Elmira ran into heading into the first inter- seconds later, it was 3-1 for Special teams were also Goodwin. Less than two idays, the Sugar Kings are penalty trouble, but ended mission. the visitors thanks to a goal at play December 22 in minutes later, however, the back in action this week- up coming out ahead, hav- The parade to the box from Jakson Kirk, assisted Waterloo, with three of the Siskins responded with a end. They’re in Stratford ing scored two shorthanded was on in earnest in the by Goodwin and Harrison afternoon’s goals coming on power-play goal of their Friday night to take on the goals. middle frame. Special Toms. the power play. The Kings own. An even-strength goal Warriors (18-12-1-2), return- The Kings got on the teams figured prominently, That was it for the scoring dominated stretches of the at 8:47 made it 2-1 for Wa- ing home Sunday afternoon board first, with Jeremey as though the Kings would for the rest of the game, match – shots at game’s end terloo, giving them a lead to welcome the Brantford Goodwin scoring an un- go 0-3 with the man advan- with Elmira netminder were 33-17 in their favour they’d never relinquish. Bandits (5-23-0-5). Game assisted goal at 4:32 of the tage, the home side was 0-7, Greg Brassard shutting – but came up short on the The Siskins scored ear- time is 2 p.m. as the Kings opening period. Kitchener giving up a pair of shorties. the door as the Dutchmen scoreboard. ly and late in the middle host Woolwich Minor Hock- responded just over four The first came off the stick outshot the visitors through Things started well for El- frame, taking a 4-1 lead into ey Day in which WMHA minutes later, but that of Hunter Dubecki, who the final two frames. The fi- mira, Dubecki opening the the second intermission, hockey players wearing a would be it for them the made it 2-1 with an unas- nal tally was 28-24 in favour scoring at 5:48 on a power capitalizing twice on just team jersey or spirit wear rest of the way. It was 1-1 sisted effort at 9:04. Just 35 of Kitchener. play, assisted by Toms and five shots through 20 min- are admitted for free. Jacks take three of four in games surrounding Christmas

VERONICA REINER vistock, the top team in the Wickie) kept up the mo- ineau (Gorman) followed side, giving Delhi no chance (DeGroot) continued the [email protected] PJHL’s South Doherty Divi- mentum at 7:21. The next up at 4:30, then DeGroot to respond whatsoever. streak at 9:40. sion. The Jacks remain just Jacks goal came courtesy (Commisso, Seiling) kept Kicking off this onslaught Perhaps feeling the pres- Though the Wellesley Ap- one point back in second of Shaun Pickering at 11:17, the streak going at 7:36. The was Cousineau (Pickering, sure of a 15-1 disadvantage plejacks might have been with a record of 19-5-1-4. assisted by Kyle Fischer. next goal came once again Gorman) almost instantly getting to them, Delhi better served by spreading Five days before the tradi- Zach Ribeiro (McCombs, from DeGroot at 13:01, with 15 seconds in. Commisso racked up several penal- out the scoring across the tional meal was served, the Lane) joined in on the Commisso and Conner potted one at 3:11, making it ties throughout the frame. four games that wrapped Jacks feasted on the Delhi scoring frenzy at 12:38. The Bradley picking up the as- a hat trick of his own at 4:18. Wellesley was quick to take around the Christmas Travellers at the Wellesley floundering Travellers final- sists. Pickering picked up a Wickie and DeGroot assist- advantage, with Kyle Fisch- break, they still took three arena, skating to an 18-1 ly retaliated with a lone goal hat trick before the second ed on both goals. Wickie er (Gorman, Pickering) scor- of them to the bank. victory. at 13:59 to make it 4-1 at the stanza’s end at 17:26, with scored a goal of his own ing on a power play at 12:11. One-sided victories over James Ranson (Justin intermission. assists going to Bradley and at 6:34, with Wickie and Ribeiro also capitalized on Delhi and New Hamburg McCombs, Owen Lane) Things got rolling from Cousineau. DeGroot picking up assists. a power play at 14:26, with before Christmas were fol- drew first blood at 2:04, there. Pickering (Warren The final frame saw The next Wellesley goal was the assist going to Daniel lowed by a one-goal victory while Gianfranco Commis- Gorman, Koby Seiling) nearly twice the amount of courtesy of Seiling (Lane, McCutcheon. Wickie (Com- over Paris and a loss to Ta- so (Steven DeGroot, Carson scored at 1:06. Austin Cous- scoring on the Applejacks Bradley) at 8:58. Commisso JACKS | 11

Accreditation Number: 38988 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | THE OBSERVER LOCAL SPORTS | 11 „ JACKS: Wellesley dominates in both pre-Christmas We Repair All Makes & Models games, but finds the going tougher last weekend LAPTOPS • IPADS • MACBOOKS FROM 10 UNLOCKED APPLE MacBook Air misso) scored the final goal at 15:52. When the dust Intel i5 425ou, APPLE 1.3 ghz 4 gig x 128 gig SSD had settled, the Applejacks 11" screen • Mojave OS emerged victorious by a iPHONES score of 18-1. FROM FROM The shot count was also $ 99 $ 99 lopsided: Wellesley's 75 ver- 179 499 sus Delhi's 15. Wellesley went on to easily take down the New iPad 4 iPad Air 2 Hamburg Firebirds 9-2 the 16 GB 64 GB following day, December 21. ONLY ONLY McCombs (Fischer, Wickie) $ 99 $ 99 kicked things off at 2:16, be- 129 249APPLE APPLE APPLE fore the Firebirds returned MacBook Pro the favour at 7:34. Ribeiro iPod 5G iPad Air 13” (Commisso, J. Ranson) en- The Jacks edged the Paris Mounties 5-4 Saturday night in Wellesley. GAMING TOWER!!Touch 16 GB HP ProBook32 GB 450 G1 Intel i5, 4GB, 320GB HD sured that the Applejacks Intel i7 6700 3.4ghz From INTEL i3 4000M,From 2.4GHZ, 8GB RAM, 16gig x 512gig SSD Hard Drive kept the lead one minute a shorthanded and unas- Commisso (Wickie, DeG- 500GB HDD, 15.6” HD, Win-OS Nvidia Quadro K620 Video Card $ 99 $ 99 $ into the second stanza, one sisted marker at 6:28. The root) quickly put Wellesley reg. reg. 99 $15999 $ $3399999 that they would never re- scrappy tone of the game on the board 1:38, with no Special $ 119 Special299329 549 linquish. DeGroot (Fisher) continued into the third more scoring and just a 599 kept up the momentum at period, allowing Bradley to handful of penalties until 3:53. Fischer capitalized on capitalize on a power play at the second frame. Cousin- DELL OPTIPLEX Lenovo HP ProBook Dell Gaming a power play, with J. Ranson 10:21. Pickering and Ribeiro eau (J. Ranson) continued 7020 TOWER PCDesktop PC 15” Laptop Laptop and Commisso picking up picked up the assists. Gor- the Wellesley streak at 4:05, INTEL i5 4th Gen 3.3GHZ, 8 GB RAM, 500GB HD,Inte Win-OSl i3, 4GB, 250GB HD Intel i5, 4GB, 250GB HD Intel i5-6300HQ 8GB 1TB HD assists. New Hamburg took man (Ribeiro) scored the before the Mounties retali- 4GB Geforce GTX-960 Video advantage on a power play final goal at 18:39, resulting ated on a power play at 9:41. Special $ 99 of their own at 11:10. There in a 9-2 win. Shots were 44- The second frame was all 329 $ 99 $ 99 $ reg. Acerreg. 27” was a significant amount of 28 in Wellesley's favour. about power-play goals on 149$19999 299$39999 749 roughhousing in this stan- While that weekend saw both sides, with the Apple- Acer ChromeBook 315 Gaming Monitor za, with 11 collective infrac- significant wins for the Ap- jacks and Mounties using AMD A4-9120c, 4gig x 32gig, Big 15.6” Screen!! Model #HA270 tions between the teams. plejacks, the following pair their special teams effec- It was all Wellesley after of games were much closer. tively. Paris scored again on Special $ 99 Only $ 99 that: Commisso (Ribeiro, The Applejacks hosted the a power play at 10:32, and 299 249 Seiling) set the tone of the Paris Mounties on Decem- then once again at 14:25. final frame at 2:47, and ber 28, resulting in a narrow But Wellesley managed Temporarily Relocated www.realitybytescomputers.com Ribeiro (Bradley) kept the 5-4 win for Wellesley in to follow up in almost the 20 B Arthur St N. Second 920 St. David St. N. Location519-669-5551 519 -787-0006 momentum going at 3:16. what was a scrappy affair exact same manner, with ELMIRA, ON FERGUS, ON McCombs managed to score decided by special teams. JACKS | 14 519-669-5551 519-787-0006

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Friendly, Experienced & Passionate The Waterloo County Steam-Thresher's Reunion presented the Woolwich Thrashers Sledge Hockey Team with $2,500 on Dec. 27. SUBMITTED legal representation with high integrity from your local, full service law firm THE SCORE Former Assistant Crown Attorney 21 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-1641 | whglaw.ca WOOLWICH WILDCATS Alles, Keenan Martin (2), Ethan Dec 19 vs Caledon Martin HOME: 4 VISITOR: 2 Atom: Major Atom A HOME: 5 VISITOR: 1 ASSISTS: Ethan Bickerton, GOALS: Sophia Metzger, Maya Dec 21 vs Flamborough-Dundas GOALS: Sam Houston (2), Wes Jordan Chang, Joey Martin, Cade Slot (2), Rachel Heckendorn HOME: 4 VISITOR: 0 Aitken, Connor Goebel, Owen Beacom ASSISTS: Elle Schwindt, GOALS: Josh Wraight, Jordan Weppler PeeWee: Peewee AE Ellie Clemmer (3), Addison Martin, Nolan Martin, Matthew ASSISTS: Bryson Rozema (3), Dec 13 vs Whitby Birmingham, Maya Slot Kochut Connor Goebel, Owen Weppler, HOME: 4 VISITOR: 4 Atom: A ASSISTS: Mason Gear (2), Nolan Sam Houston, Wes Aitken, Drew GOALS: Wes Aitken (2), Haiden Dec 22 vs Stratford Aces Snyder Martin, Levi Adams Wagner, Graydon Martin HOME: 3 VISITOR: 2 Shutouts: Cohen Patterson PeeWee: Peewee AE ASSISTS: Owen Weppler (2), GOALS: Maya Slot, Rachel Dec 21 vs Flamborough/Dundas Spencer Miller, Connor Goebel, Heckendorn, Emma McCoubrey Atom: Major Atom A HOME: 1 VISITOR: 0 Nate Dyck, Patrick McCarthy ASSISTS: Maya Slot, Sophia Dec 22 vs Hespeler Shamrocks GOALS: Bryson Rozema PeeWee: Peewee AE Metzger HOME: 5 VISITOR: 0 ASSISTS: Connor Goebel Dec 13 vs Sarnia Jr. Sting GOALS: William Krubaly (2), Shutouts: Reid Deyell HOME: 0 VISITOR: 2 PeeWee: Atom B Jordan Martin, Colton Brito, Dec 14 vs Ayr Rockets Colton Sinclair PeeWee: Peewee AE PeeWee: Peewee AE HOME: 2 VISITOR: 2 ASSISTS: Grant Rintoul (3), Levi Dec 23 vs Erin Dec 14 vs Windsor Jr. Spitfires GOALS: Megan Nixon, Andreana Adams, Nolan Martin, Colton HOME: 3 VISITOR: 6 HOME: 0 VISITOR: 1 Chalhoub Sinclair, Mason Gear, Jordan GOALS: Connor Goebel, Brooks ASSISTS: Rowyn McDowell, Brynn Martin, Matthew Kochut Lehtonen, Gavin Sager WOOLWICH WILD Berfelz, Chloe Futher Shutouts: Cohen Patterson ASSISTS: Gavin Sager, Bryson Atom: Atom B Rozema, Owen Weppler, Thomas Dec 15 vs Kitchener Lady Rangers Midget: Midget BB PeeWee: Minor PeeWee A Ferguson HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 Dec 18 vs Brantford Dec 17 vs Flamborough Dundas Bantam: Major A GOALS: Andreana Chalhoub, HOME: 1 VISITOR: 1 Sabres Dec 21 vs New Hamburg Seryna Hessels GOALS: Shae-Lynn Martin HOME: 8 VISITOR: 3 HOME: 4 VISITOR: 2 ASSISTS: Taylor Rayfield, Brynn ASSISTS: Maddy Goss GOALS: Mitchell Krasovec (2), Tate GOALS: Parker Alles, Ryan Berfelz Berfelz (2), Carter Weir, Alex Veitch, Brubacher, Keenan Martin, Cade Shutouts: Hailey Thom Midget: Midget BB Caleb Paquet, Spencer Hume Beacom Dec 20 vs Guelph ASSISTS: Declan Martin (2), ASSISTS: Ethan Bickerton, Atom: A HOME: 4 VISITOR: 1 Spencer Hume, Mitchell Keenan Martin, Eric Hutton, Joey Dec 14 vs Stratford Aces GOALS: Leah LeCourtois, Haylee Krasovec, Adam Bloch Martin, Cade Beacom, Tucker HOME: 3 VISITOR: 4 Clemmer (2), Delaney Keen Armstrong (2) GOALS: Katelyn Snider (2), Emma ASSISTS: Haylee Clemmer (2), PeeWee: Peewee AE Bantam: Major A McCoubrey Leah LeCourtois, Delaney Keen, Dec 23 vs Hespeler ASSISTS: Maya Slot (2), Sophia Cassidy Moser, Blythe Bender, Maddy Goss HOME: 6 VISITOR: 2 Metzger, Emily Hibbard, Kara GOALS: Drew Birmingham, Ryan Grant Midget: Midget BB Brubacher (2), Jordan Chang (2), Dec 22 vs Grand River Joey Martin Atom: A HOME: 9 VISITOR: 1 ASSISTS: Jordan Chang (2), Joey Dec 15 vs Saugeen Maitland GOALS: Delaney Keen (2), Blythe Martin (2), Tucker Armstrong, HOME: 1 VISITOR: 4 Bender (2), Kara Dietrich, Leah Teagan Cadeau, Will Lavigne GOALS: Maya Slot LeCourtois, Cassidy Moser (2), Shae-Lynn Martin Bantam: Major A ASSISTS: Rachel Heckendorn Dec 19 vs Flamborough-Dundas ASSISTS: Avery Bender (3), Abby HOME: 5 VISITOR: 3 Atom: A Burkholder GOALS: Ethan Bickerton, Parker Dec 21 vs London Devilettes

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HELP WANTED HELP WANTED miles south of Wellesley, FARM SERVICES for Bob & Vickie Shannon, Stratford, and additions, BAGGED PINE SHAV- on Saturday, January 4th INGS AGRICULTURAL @ 9:30 a.m. Gerber Auc- Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; tions Ltd. 519-699-4451 HOME HARDWARE feed grade lime, 25kg. or 519-698-0138 JOB FAIRS MATERIAL HANDLERS Delivered. Call George SAT. JAN 11 AT 10:00 Haffner Trucking, 519- Nieuwland Feeds Elora AM - CLEARING AUC- 574-4141 or 519-669- has an opening for a Each year Home Hardware Stores Limited employs over 150 Terms and Students tion sale of tractors; 2045. Full Time Truck Driver to work in the St. Jacobs Dealer Support Centre. Material Handlers pick and pack machinery; milking equip- We require a valid DZ license. product for our Dealers. Interested in joining us? Bring your resume and references ment; 12 herringbone FERTILIZER AND parlour; stabling; coolers; We offer competitive wages, benefits for a walk-in interview! SEED GRAIN - AT and Monday to Friday schedule. and miscellaneous items competitive pricing. Call Applicants must be 16 years old to be eligible. Students need to be available to work Saturdays and public held at 936821 Blenheim George Haffner Trucking, Email your resume to: holidays as required. Must be able to perform strenuous physical activities, including: walking, standing, bend- Road RR 1 Plattsville (or ing, lifting and must be willing to be trained on powered lift equipment. We will accommodate the needs of 519-574-4141. [email protected] approx 2kms sw of New or apply in person to Cliff at: qualified applicants under the Human Rights Code in all parts of the hiring process. Dundee) for Friedridge FARM SERVICES 7460 County Road 21, Elora Farms. Jantzi Auctions SAT, JAN, 11, 2020 WED, FEB, 19, 2020 UNABLE Ltd. 519 656 3555 ICE SALT & ICE MELT AUCTION 9:00 am to 11:00 am 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm TO ATTEND? www.jantziauctions.com - ICE SALT COMES IN Please visit 20 & 40kg’s, Ice melt homehardware.ca comes in 20kg bags. Call HOME HARDWARE’S DEALER SUPPORT CENTRE to apply TOY AUCTION OF TOY AUCTION TRACTORS, FARM George Haffner Trucking, Of 34 HENRY STREET, ST. JACOBS (enter through reception) toys, tractor trailers, 519-574-4141 or 519- Tractors, farm toys, tractor trailers, literature, and other 669-2045. literature, and other related items, TERM MATERIAL HANDLERS STUDENT MATERIAL HANDLERS to be held at related items, to be held Afternoon Shift (3pm-11pm) Day Shift (7am-3pm) at the K.W. Khaki Club, FARM SERVICES the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. Night Shift (11pm-7am) Afternoon Shift (3pm-11pm) 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Mervin Roth, From March to December. From May to August. KILN DRIED CORN & New Hamburg, & additions, on Rate of pay: $18.64/hr - $20.54/hr Rate of pay: $16.00 /hr, plus 7.5% shift miles south of Wellesley, CORN SCREENING plus 7.5% shift premium for Afternoons for Mervin Roth, New SATURDAY, JAN. 11TH @ 9:30 A.M. premium for Afternoons. Delivered by Einwechter. or Nights. Hamburg, & additions, Minimum 15 ton lots. on Saturday, January TO INCLUDE 1/16 scale tractors in all Call George Haffner colours including all Cockshutt Museum 11th @ 9:30 a.m. Gerber Trucking 519-574-4141 tractors, Lobsinger threshing machine, HELP WANTED HELP WANTED Auctions Ltd. 519-699- or 519-669-2045. lots of Erb, Schneider’s and other local 4451 or 519-698-0138 “NOW HIRING AT tractor trailers, Franklin Mint pieces, 1st Layer Farm south of Elora looking for full time year round individual to gather eggs RENTALS Gear cement trucks, assortment of Massey, SCHNURR’S GROCERY and general barn work. Day time hours, Monday - Friday with occasional weekends. WED. JAN 15 AT 9:45 Cockshutt, IH & other literature, 6 pedal and The Corner Store Lin- Willing to train, starting wage $15-18 depending on qualifications. AM - CLEARING AUC- FOR RENT BACHE- tractors, etc. See www.gerberauctions.net wood. 3 to 4 full days per tion sale of furniture; LOR APARTMENT/ for complete catalogue and photos. Send resume to: [email protected] week. Call 519-897-2600 tools; antiques; collect- commercial office space. Cash, debit or cheque with I.D. TERMS – or call: 519-830-1230 ibles; to be held at the Available Feb. 1st 2020. 10% buyer’s premium. AUCTIONS St Jacobs Community Non-smoker unit. Call HELP WANTED needed for rewarding rience an asset. Wage AUCTION SALE OF Centre 29 Parkside Dr Hugh @ 519-669-5533 AUCTIONEERS: and challenging trou- according to abilities ANTIQUES, COLLECT- in St. Jacobs for an after 6pm. bleshooting position in and performance. Perfor- area estate with addi- Gerber Auctions Ltd. HIGHLY MOTIVATED, ibles, furniture and mis- growing professional mance incentives. Email tions. Jantzi Auctions CLASSIFIED MECHANICAL- cellaneous items, to be ADS 519-699-4451 trade company. Willing to resume to glpwds@ Ltd. 519 656 3555 ly minded with profes- held at the K.W. Khaki CONTINUED 2827 Hutchison Rd., RR#1 Millbank (Crosshill) train but any electrical/ gmail.com or call 519- www.jantziauctions.com sion people skills person Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 ON PAGE 14 mechanical repair expe- 949-4083

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“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAST; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.” AUCTION TRADES & SERVICES Is your

P.O. Box 158 AUCTION SALE collection RON’S DRYWALL AND Community 24 Church St. W. Of tractors; machinery; double 12 Elmira, Ontario RENOVATIONS. OVER collecting N3B 2Z6 herringbone parlour; stabling; coolers; and 35 years experience. Information Page miscellaneous items at 936821 Blenheim Please call 519- dust? Road RR 1 Plattsville (or approx 2kms sw of 496-7539 or email New Dundee) for Friedridge Farms on: [email protected] SATURDAY JANUARY 11 AT 10:00 AM HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 200 square bales COMING of straw 4ftx5ft; large pile of loose straw in EVENTS barn; JD 2550 loader tractor with 245 loader, NOTICE TO RESIDENTS 4wd with manure bucket and spear to be KARATE NEW TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Woolwich sold separate 5700 hours – really good; 2- YEARS SPECIAL SCH- JD 1010 tractors fully restored; Massey WEITZER’S MARTIAL intends to discuss the draft 2020 budgets as required by Harris pony tractor fully restored; Neufield ARTS 8 weeks plus uni- tractor fully restored; JD 4010 fully restored; form only $99+tax! Group section 290 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended: all tractors in excellent running condition; Massey Harris #26 2 furrow antique trailer classes for ages 4 to competition plow; Case IH 600 forage adult Classes taught by Phone: 519-669-1647• Tax-supported or 877-969-0094 operating Fax: budget;519-669-1820 and After Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca blower; Bruns 300 bushel gravity wagon; 4 Renshi Becky Schweitzer, Winds 21ft boat with 260 Mercury Cruiser 4th Degree Black Belt and MAKE VALUABLE CONNECTIONS • Tax-supported capital budget; in board motor on trailer; 3 – 2000 gal tanks; World Karate Champion Find another electric crowd gate with cable and motor; Location at Heidelberg collector Wompa hoof trimmer stall on wheels; 6” plug Community Centre 2915 shooter, hydro engineering; 2 6” augers one to buy your at 4 (four) special budget meetings on January 7th, January 9th, January 14th with bristle brush and one for fertilizer both Lobsinger Line, Heidel- treasures. and January 16, 2020, each commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, hydraulic and with hoppers; Valmetal roller berg Call 519-580-1418 Municipal Office, 24 Church Street West, Elmira. mill with 5 hp motor new in September; A&P or e-mail becky_sch- 12ton supplement bin; 8 - MU 480 tie stall weiterotmail.com milker units; variety of water bowls and milk carts; Delaval 3000 gal 15 year old stainless PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Richard Petherick, CPA, CMA steel milk cooler with condensing unit –               6 $ 0 2 $ 6 4 8 $ % 3 / $ < $ Director of Finance & Treasurer complete; Delaval 15 year old double 12    8 6(5 : 2 81'83 , 5$1 herringbone parlour complete with 24 units     pulsaters; automatic take offs; pipe line; % ,/%2 ' $780 6 27+2     swing gates; etc; variable vacuum pumps; $ ',26 6 2/ 0 ,1,21       variable speed receiver 60 gallon stainless < 7 +(7 $ 7 % $5 6 2<        steel tank; Mueller plate cooler; approx ( 5 ( 6 7250 , 1(3 7 0       Holiday Hours at the Woolwich 150 Delaval transponders, collars, and 900 / 2& , , 2 2 1 /,1( 9       numbers; 160 BSM hoop style free stalls; 3 $/0< 1 ( %8/$ 5 ( (.    large quantity of various sizes of conveyors; ' ,3 1 ,1(7< $ & .(( Township Administration Office    14 section of H-bunk feed troughs; Delaval ' 3 2*2(' 6 287+(51   cattle brushes; 2014 Penta 4420 stationary 8 6 65  vertical screw variable speed drive TMR 0 ((7 and Notice of Change in Office  mixer; BSM 260ft of 10ft sections of head $ 1 8   locking gate systems; Harvester 8900 power 6 2 1  sweep grain unloader; scraper blade 1 29$ Hours for 2020  systems including 6 blades with 450ft of % 587 As of January 2, 2020, the office hours of the Township of Woolwich chain, 400ft of chain 8 months old; quantity  of 4ft basket fans; stationary fans; 8 Calftel & <0( Administration Office at 24 Church Street West in Elmira will change to 8:30 pen systems calf hutches; large quantity a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on a permanent basis. of various sizes of steel farm gates; and a  wagon load of miscellaneous items. Our website (www.woolwich.ca) is always available to receive inquiries from NOTE: The Frieds are building a new dairy  members of the public via our Report-It feature. Residents and business barn and everything in the old barn needs to owners are also invited to submit documentation via the drop-box on the be sold. There will be loading available but  everything needs to be removed by end of Maple Street side of the Township Administration Office. January.          TERMS: cash, cheque, or debit.   THANK YOU to the following businesses and organizations AUCTIONEERS: for their generous sponsorship of Jantzi Auctions Ltd.          Free Holiday Skates and Swims at the Woolwich Memorial Wellesley | 519-656-3555  Centre and St. Jacobs Arena: www.JantziAuctions.com  Elmira Insurance „ JACKS: Back in action Saturday night in Paris Elmira Lions Club FROM 11 game for them. The first blood at 10:19, at 15:24, taking a Elmira Pet Products McCombs ( Ly- win once again went and followed up 5-2 lead before the ons, Commisso) to the Applejacks, shortly afterwards final frame. There Good Auto Parts potting one at 15:00, with shots in Welles- at 11:13. Tavistock was little scoring in Josslin Insurance then Troy Vanden- ley's favour 38-30. scored their final the third, save for a bussche (Lyons) also The matinee game goal of the stanza at lone Tavistock goal MPP Mike Harris capitalizing on the the following day 14:56, establishing on a power play at Programmed Insurance Brokers/RWAM extra player advan- took a different turn, an early lead that 13:13. There were Pumps Plus tage at 19:52. with the Tavistock they never gave up. plenty of penalties, Lyons managed Braves putting an They scored first however, with over a St. Jacobs Printery to score a goal end to the Apple- once again in the dozen coming from Township of Woolwich Council shorthanded at jacks’ six-game win second frame at Wellesley's side. 12:39, with the assist streak. Being a little 4:14, before Welles- When it was all said Toyota Boshoku going to McCombs. too chippy may ley finally found and done, Tavistock Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council There were many have been Welles- their footing. Mc- came out on top 6-2. infractions littered ley's downfall: they Combs took advan- The shot count Woolwich Community Lions throughout this sus- served more than an tage of a power play was a little more bal- penseful final frame, hour (62 minutes) of at 6:03, with assists anced – Tavistock's with a collective 14 time in the box on going to Lyons and 31 versus Wellesley's We would also like to thank Canadian Tire for our between the two 23 infractions, com- Pickering. Pickering 23. big, beautiful Christmas Tree! teams. pared to Tavistock's scored on a penalty The Applejacks Paris finally re- 22 minutes on seven shot at 13:25, but it will look to improve sponded on a power infractions. was all Wellesley their standings in Please stop by the Woolwich Memorial Centre to pick up the holiday schedule of play, unassisted The Braves set the could muster before their first game of free skates/swims or visit us online at www.woolwich.ca at 19:47 with just tone early in the first the game's end. 2020 on in Paris as seconds left in the frame, with three Tavistock once they take on the match, but it was not consecutive power again capitalized Mounties Saturday enough to save the play goals: they drew on a power play night. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | THE OBSERVER CLASSIFIED NOTICES | 15

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„ PHOTO RADAR: Political aspects will be left to council FAMILY ALBUM

FROM 01 ning and works committee. “There are po- IN MEMORIAM OBITUARY “From that point of view, I think it’s a tential mechanisms to lessen the impact on good idea.” resources that are being explored, including Using the cameras around schools helps limiting the number of cameras in use, In loving memory of to reduce the chance of collisions there. moderating the speed threshold used to de- “That’s something we worry about. We termine when a violation occurs and/or lim- Erma Albrecht, start in the school zones as a way to pro- iting enforcement to specific time periods a dear wife, mom, grandma, tect our most vulnerable children,” said (e.g. school hours, school walk times, etc.).” Shantz. “The intent should be to reduce A slow-phased rollout is expected if the & great Grandma who passed speeding and keep the kids safe.” plan gets the green light, said Henderson. away 4 years ago on Jan 4, 2016. Both Henderson and Shantz note many Preliminary reports look at the feasibility of the complaints about speeding are due based on the technical aspects rather than Gone is the face we loved so dear. McLean, Randy Charles Silent is the voice we loved to hear. to people’s perception rather than the real- discussing the ethical issues of surveillance It is with deep sadness that we an- ity of the situation. Traffic monitoring rou- technology, though Henderson notes the Too far away for sight or speech, nounce the passing of our loving son tinely shows actual speeds are much lower region already employs red light cameras. but not too far for thought to reach. Randy, on Wednesday, December 4, than those reported by the public. Privacy issues and similar concerns are Sweet to remember her 2019, in his 54th year, at St. Paul’s “Perception of speeding and actual for the politicians to decide, he said. Hospital in Vancouver, BC. Beloved speeding aren’t always the same,” said “For me, the whole program is all who once was here, son of Ross and Heather McLean of Shantz. about road safety, nothing else. If people and who, though absent, Elmira. Dear father of Amy McLean Henderson said the use of cameras will weren’t speeding or running red lights, we (Mike Parker) and Jade McLean, all of is just as dear. be backed by actual traffic studies. wouldn’t need the cameras.” Vancouver Island, BC. Proud Grampy Currently, the region is looking at using Shantz said there has been no discussion Love Bill & Family of Cahan Parker. Randy will be missed photo radar in school zones only, though at that level to date, but such concerns are by his sister Melanie (Greg) Jespersen Bill 65, the Safer School Zone act, allows worth noting. of Waterloo, nieces Delaney and Lau- OBITUARY for its use in community safety zones as In a larger context, society has already ren, nephews Keaton and Adam (Jes- well. The restricted use is largely due to allowed a considerable amount of techno- persen), grandmother Jean McLean of Waterloo (formerly of Elmira), many cost and ease of administration. Still, there logical invasions of privacy, she added – cousins, aunts and uncles in Ontario will be considerable expense, though there “That horse has left the barn.” and Nova Scotia. Predeceased by his have been no figures attached to prelimi- The technology is worthwhile if it pro- grandfather William (Bill) McLean. nary reports thus far. tects children in school zones, Shantz Memorial visitation will be held on “To process the tickets generated each suggested. Sunday, January 5, 2020 from 1 p.m. year by an ASE system, the region would “I don’t think it’s the wrong answer.” until service time at 2 p.m. at the require a significant number of new staff Another report is expected to come be- Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur in provincial offences administration and fore councillors early in the year, Hender- Kalan, Robert William St. S., Elmira. In lieu of flowers, dona- prosecutions,” reads a report to the plan- son said. tions to the Heart & Stroke Foundation It is with great sadness we announce the or the Canadian Cancer Society would „ KANNON: Looking beyond revenues to what's right passing of Robert on Tuesday December be appreciated by Randy’s family. 17, 2019 at the Grand River Hospital. FROM 09 ported rationale for the invasive technology Loving father to Jeff Kalan, Randy www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com What reports thus far do talk about is in- – the region can always add more cameras (Sandy) Kalan, Lori (Martyn) Cassell, creasing the size of the bureaucracy, which or make the radar more sensitive or simply and Patti (Bert) Del Cul. OBITUARY is always the primary concern of bureau- boost taxes to pay for increased administra- Sadly missed by his grandchildren crats. No worries, though, as the costs will tive costs that add no value to the public. Jamie (Ryan), Tricia (Marc), Jeff (Kim), be covered by revenues from fines. Those Simply axing the program and the asso- Nathan (Brittany), Cameron (Maddie), rising staff costs will mean the fines have to ciated staff aren’t on the, well, radar. Samantha, Alex, Victoria (Al), Anto- worked into the budget – a quota system, as Well beyond the pale is the simplest solution nia, Charlotte (Connor), Joe ( Rhean), it were. And if people stop cooperating by of all: drop the idea before it becomes another Mattia, Alicia, and Dante. slowing down in the school zones – the pur- burden on the wallets and rights of the public. Forever remembered by his great grandchildren Austin, Blake, Nash, „ REC. FEES: Wellesley applies inflationary increases Tristan, Emilie, Eli, Amelia, Findley. Dammeier, Dorothy Hunter, Poppy, and Hallie. to most of its recreation and public works charges Peacefully passed away on Sunday, Sadly missed by his lifelong com- December 29, 2019 at Chartwell Elmira FROM 01 place.” panion and friend Deanna. Survived local minor sports.” It costs $8.86 minimum and requires at LTC at the age of 93 years. Beloved wife by his brothers Howard and Richard of the late Ralph Dammeier (1989). Proposed recreation fees to be removed least five players. Slice of Ice is not avail- (Donna). Fondly remembered by his Dear mother of David and Dianne, include minimum staffing ($72.30) and full able on weekends and dependent on staff in-laws Carolyn, Ann (David). Linda, Douglas and Connie, Morris day minimum staffing ($144. 64) for night- availability. Predeceased by his wife Margaret, His and Debbie, Philip and Loretta, Barb time ball tournaments, and the Linwood Nearly all fees in the public works sector daughter in law Linda and his sister- and Ray Weber, and Warren and Penny. large hall hourly rental rate of $47.72. increased by two per cent as well, “based in-law Linda. Lovingly remembered by her 22 grand- One new feature that caught the atten- on inflation rates.” This includes vehicle children, 29 great-grandchildren, and A private graveside service will be held tion of councillors is the “Slice of Ice” rec- and equipment rentals, engineering ser- sister Irene Turner. Predeceased by at the Memory Gardens Cemetery. reation fee, with Ward 4 Coun. Carl Smit vices, and civic addressing and administra- her parents Emil and Vera (Zinkann) asking for clarification as to what the fee tion fees. The two exceptions were surface Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Schneider, grandson Ian, sister Fern entailed. works deposit and lot grading review. Memory Gardens Funeral Home 2723 (Bert) Bird, sisters-in-law Laurine (Gor- “Slice of Ice is designed for a P.A. Day New fees were added in the adminis- Victoria St. N. Breslau 519 904 0400. don) Cook, and Marie (Walter) Koehler. ... when there’s a group of six to eight kids tration department, including a property A special thank you to the Doctors and The family will receive relatives and in the community that want to go out and owner changes fee of $25 “to cover the cost nursing staff at the Grand River Hospi- friends on Thursday, January 2, 2020 play hockey for an hour,” explained rec- of changing ownership details, reviewing tal 6 South Floor. from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Dreis- reation director Danny Roth in response. the files, and notifying new property own- inger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., A book of online condolences or Me- “This gives them the ability to pay $10 per ers about taxation particulars when a prop- Elmira. A funeral service will be held morial donations to the Grand River on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 11 a.m. at person for the kids to come out and play erty changes hands.” Hospital Foundation 6 South Floor can St. James Lutheran Church, 60 Arthur hockey for an hour. Several fees in the planning depart- be made online at: St. S., Elmira, with a reception to fol- “We were one of the few municipalities ment were more significantly altered, low. Interment in St. Peter’s Lutheran that didn’t have a program like that in such as the development agreement for www.memorycemetery.ca. Cemetery, Linwood. As expressions of consent deposit, sympathy, donations to Muscular Dys- from $1,300 up to trophy Canada or Canadian Hearing $2,500. The site change application Buying Society would be appreciated. plan control depos- was added and now Independently Owned and Operated it is now $4,000, costs $1,000, lower or selling? www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage from the 2019 rate than a typical zon- Your #1 of $3,000. Part lot ing bylaw amend- Sue From Alli Bauman source 3 Arthur St. S., Elmira SALES REPRESENTATIVE SALES REPRESENTATIVE control deposit ment of $1,500. for local CALL DIRECT CALL DIRECT per application in- Wellesley council- 519-669-5426 226-750-9332 519-577-6248 real estate. [email protected] [email protected] creased to $1,200, lors are expected to LOOKING FOR SELLING? CALL US FOR A from $1,000. A formalize the new FIND YOUR NEW HOME! new amendment fee schedule when LOCAL WORK? FREE MARKET EVALUATION. to remove holding they meet again YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. zone fee in a zone January 7. OBSERVERXTRA.COM | THURSDAY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | 17

WHAT'S IN A NAME? BILLING FOR MEALS With nine years at the top of Ontario’s baby names list, Waterloo North Hydro (WNH) provided 3,600 meals to Olivia could be the baby name of the decade. From families in need through The Food Bank of Waterloo Be involved in community activities, January 2010 to December 2018, Ontario registered Region. The donation was made following the com- more than 8,300 baby girls named Olivia. For 2018, pletion of the utility’s fall eBilling campaign, which events & support local initiatives. Tell the top five names for boys were Liam, Noah, Lucas, saw WNH donate six meals to The Food Bank for us about what's happening and about William and Benjamin. For girls, Olivia, Emma, Char- every customer that registered for eBilling from early the people in your neighbourhood. lotte, Amelia and Ava. November until Dec. 8. Online: ads.observerxtra.com/tips

SPREADING THE WORD Serving up a local take on craft brewing Elmira’s Scott Willard has expanded his reviews of craft beer to include a new podcast co-hosted with Jim Brickman

BY STEVE KANNON [email protected]

Having developed a pas- sion for craft beer, Elmira’s Scott Willard has been spreading the word. His established Instagram re- views have recently been joined by a video podcast co-hosted by Jim Brick- man, a fellow who knows a thing or two about craft brewing. There are now two ep- isodes of The Beer Show posted on YouTube, the first featuring Rural Roots Brewing in Elmira and the second focusing on Block Three in St. Jacobs. Willard has been doing beer reviews on Instagram (bigwilly1827) for four or five years, with the idea for a podcast fermenting for about a year after he met Brickman, the founder of one of the country’s earli- est craft breweries, Brick Brewing Co. “He’s the original craft guy in Canada,” said Wil- lard of Brickman, who launched Brick Brewing in 1984. “It’s nice to see his Enjoying more than just drinking the stuff, Scott Willard has employed Instagram and now YouTube to talk about the merits of local craft breweries. STEVE KANNON / THE OBSERVER take on things.” In mapping out the pod- Since that time, he’s for his podcast. His plan is into the field are typically There’s an unlimited num- That comes in handy as cast, they looked at the taken craft beers to heart, to start locally and expand passionate about beer, often ber of options. he works his way through logistics of studio space, a travelling near and far to outward in geography. having been home-brewers “You want to come back the many beers now avail- home locale and the like. sample them, as well as Next up, for instance, for years, and they love to because there’s always able, posting his takes via “We were trying to figure trying brews sent to him is TWB (Together We’re talk about beer and mak- something new,” he said of Instagram and, now, the out how to implement it. by likeminded people he’s Bitter) in Kitchener, with ing it, said Willard, noting visiting the small brewer- podcast. Then we said, ‘why don’t met through his online plans to include Innocente, they’re not shy about ies, which certainly counts The idea being the show, we go to breweries?’” postings. Counterpoint, Elora and spreading the word. as research in his case. which is largely unscript- Starting with his home- “I’ve gotten to know so Descendants. “The breweries love it And he's very fond of ed and “off the cuff,” is to town, Willard and Brick- many people in the indus- “We want to feature when you talk about them,” research, enjoying a variety maintain an intimate feel, man visited Rural Roots try,” he said. these local guys, promote he laughed. of beers. Willard explained. before heading down the In that time, he’s seen them,” he said. “Every And there’s always some- “I love brown ales and Part of the inspiration road a piece to Block Three, the craft brewing field brewery has a different thing new to talk about, as porters,” he said. “And came from Robert Arse- which is where he first got explode, with hundreds of story.” craft breweries are always there are some really nice nault, aka Drunk Polkaroo, into craft beers. small breweries in Ontario At small craft breweries, experimenting with new pilsners and lagers. And who does reviews on You- “The guys from Block alone. the person pouring your recipes, making small- great seasonal stuff. Tube. Three got me hooked on That alone ensures he’ll beer is often the one who batch products and delving “I like everything,” he “He’s the guy that got me craft beer,” he noted. never run out of material made it. The people who get into various ingredients. concludes, with a laugh. THE BEER SHOW | 19

Happy New Year! We are excited for what this year will bring and look forward to serving you and your family. Safe winter travels and like always feel free to call us anytime with your questions or Two locations in Elmira to serve you better emergencies. 519-669-1082 20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive -Leroy’s Auto Care Tel: (519) 669-1082 www.leroysautocare.net 18 | LIVING HERE THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020

CHEF'S TABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME” THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 „ FREE SKATE AT THE WOOLWICH MEMORIAL CENTRE, Vacuum Sales, Turkey fingers Kleensweep Elmira from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Repairs Service Rugs and FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 Carpet Care Upholstery „ All Makes & Models another great option •Mattress Cleaning FREE SKATE AT THE WOOLWICH MEMORIAL CENTRE, •Residential Elmira, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. •Commercial for leftovers •Personalized Service WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 •Free Estimates „ SENIORS' COMMUNITY DINING. COMMUNITY CARE 9 Church St. E., Elmira West Montrose, ON Concepts invites you to join us for lunch, fellowship and othing says holiday Oven fries: entertainment at Calvary United Church, St. Jacobs at noon, 519-669-8362 mode like leftover 1 sweet potato, peeled and T. 519.669.2033 $12. Call 519-664-1900 by noon Jan. 6 to sign up. [email protected] COLLEEN Cell: 519.581.7868 Monday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm • Saturday, 9am-3pm turkey. This tasty cut into strips N THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 recipe is a fun finger food. 2 parsnips, peeled and cut Using high-fibre break- into strips „ SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS Truck & invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship at the fast cereal adds the right 1 tsp. canola oil Trailer Breslau Community Centre at noon, $7. Call 519-664-1900 Quality & Service amount of crunch to the 1/2 tsp. chili powder Maintenance by noon on Jan. 6 to sign up. turkey fingers. you can trust. „ Of course, if you don’t 1. Cut turkey breast into finger NEW HORIZONS AT MARYHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10 a.m. Ken Dowling will be guest speaker for New have any leftovers, turkey Cardlock size strips and place in a bowl. Horizons. Topic: The West Montrose Bridge Spanning Seven breasts can be found at the Add mustard and oil and using Fuel Management Generations. Ken is a member of the BridgeKeepers in West store. Or you can switch your hands coat turkey fingers Montrose. Co’ee, tea and a delicious snack are served; $2 things up and use chicken evenly. admission. or even pork instead. COMMERCIAL 24 „ EVERGREEN FOR SENIORS, 10:30 A.M. AT WOODSIDE You can also switch up 2. Place bran flakes into a large HOUR Church, Elmira. "Understanding Funeral Planning" Monty 21 Industrial Dr., Elmira the herbs and try dried re-sealable bag and crush to CARDLOCK Steenson, Devotional: Pastor Jonathan Brubacher, A capela 519.669.2884 | martinselmira.com parsley, basil or thyme. If look like breadcrumbs. Add FUEL DEPOT singers: Gloria, Lena, Ken & Ray. Suggested donation $7, you have fresh herbs, just cheese and seasoning. Add includes hot lunch. chop finely and use twice turkey fingers to bag, one at a M&G WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 as much. time, and shake to coat. Place MILLWRIGHTS LTD. „ SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS This recipe is also a good coated turkey onto parchment invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship at Education and Treatment choice to double up on, paper lined baking sheet. Re- Wellesley Community Centre at noon, $7. Call 519-664-1900 freezing them for a quick peat with all the turkey fingers; by noon on Jan. 13 to sign up. Your First Step to meal option on those hec- set aside. tic weekdays. AA A MONDAY, JANUARY 20 Better Hearing 3. Oven Fries: In a large bowl, „ SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS combine sweet potato and invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship at parsnip strips. Add oil and chili Woolwich Memorial Centre at noon, $7. Call 519-664-1900 Crunchy Turkey 519.669.5105 by noon Jan. 16 to sign up. 519-669-9919 powder and toss to coat evenly. AA A Fingers with Oven A [email protected] On a second parchment paper WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 Fries www.mgmill.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira lined baking sheet, spread fries „ SENIORS' COMMUNITY DINING. COMMUNITY CARE in single layer onto sheet. Concepts invites you to join us for lunch, fellowship and 1 boneless skinless turkey entertainment at Linwood Community Centre, noon, $12. breast, about 600 g/1-1/4 lb 4. Place fries in bottom third of Call 519-664-1900 by noon on Jan. 20 to sign up. 1 Tbsp. Dijon or yellow preheated 220°C (425°F) oven NANCY SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 mustard for 15 minutes. Move fries to „ SPAGHETTI DINNER & SALAD BAR AT THE ELMIRA LEGION. 1 tsp. canola oil top third of oven and place tur- KOEBEL 2 cups bran Ÿakes Bus: 519.744.5433 Freedom 55 Financial is a Two sittings, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchase in key fingers on bottom third of division of The Canada Life advance at the Legion or call 519-669-2932. Adults $10, 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan Home : 519.747.438 8 Assurance Company SANYO CANADIAN oven for 15 minutes. children 5 - 10 yrs $4, under 5 yrs $2. MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED cheese Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, 1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning business insurance, employee benefits programs, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 or dried oregano leaves critical illness insurance, disability coverage, „ EVERGREEN FOR SENIORS, 10:30 A.M. AT WOODSIDE RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities. Church Elmira."Country Clem" Stand-Up Comedy and Music- OBSERVER SUDOKU Don Vair. Devotional Thoughts: Claude Martin. Evergreen 33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591 652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo for Seniors, 10:30 a.m. at Woodside Church Elmira."Country Clem" Stand-Up Comedy and Music: Don Vair. Devotional   Thoughts: Claude Martin. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE Woolwich Township Ward 1 Councillor THURSDAY, MARCH 12   „ EVERGREEN FOR SENIORS, 10:30 A.M. AT WOODSIDE TOTAL Church, Elmira. "Sew On Fire" Humanitarian Relief   HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS Organization, Wendy Hagar. Devotional Thoughts: Jeremy RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Malloy, Piano and Voice: Elycia Marin. How can I     YOUR OIL, PROPANE, help you? NATURAL GAS AND The Community Events Calendar is reserved for non-profit AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS local events that are oered free to the public. Placement 519.514.6051 [email protected]   is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, VERMONT Castings open houses and similar events do not qualify for free advertising. See complete policy online. All submissions are 11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS   to be made online at ads.observerxtra.com/event-listing/. 519.664.2008 www.merlihan.com    New to the Community? Woolwich Do you have a new Baby?   Healthy The place to It’s time to call Communities get involved. your Welcome Wagon Hostess. • Volunteer Opportunities   • Projects & News Elmira & Surrounding Area healthywoolwich.org HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every • Sub-Committee updates 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763 | [email protected] outlined with a darker line. Numbers are preplaced to get you started. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 | THE OBSERVER LIVING HERE | 19

AGRICULTURE Biotech ruling could change global farming through the 2020s

hile most of us subscribed – by a country a focal point for pro- and Philippines. But there was destined to wipe them out. were preparing where this enhanced crop anti-biotechnology groups no way that would happen We need a strong and W for Christmas, a can really make a differ- for years. It was devel- if it was not officially con- thorough regulatory sys- game-changing pro-bio- ence in people’s lives. oped in the early 2000s by sidered safe. Now, it is. tem here to monitor what’s technology ruling took Here’s why. Vitamin A multinational plant and Canada took a big step coming in, and what’s place on the other side of deficiency causes a host of crop protection company in 2018 to declare Golden going out. The export envi- the world that could pro- debilitating and sometimes Syngenta, making Golden Rice safe – but didn’t go as ronment is tough enough foundly affect agriculture fatal conditions including Rice an enemy of anti-tech- OWEN ROBERTS far as to allow it to be sold with political trumped-up FOOD FOR THOUGHT everywhere through the blindness and death. It’s nology groups, despite its here. Maybe someday. But trade restrictions against next decade and beyond. rare in the western world, potential to help save lives. that’s not why it gave its our farmers’ crops and In mid-December, the including Canada, because Ultimately, Syngenta gave crops. Its western world approval. Globally, Cana- livestock. We need to be Philippine Department we generally eat a balanced it over to global develop- opponents positioned da is considered to have a leaders in food safety at of Agriculture’s Bureau of diet from which we receive ment organizations such Golden Rice as an untested tough regulatory system. home and abroad to give Plant Industry ruled that vitamin A. as the International Rice industry-driven technolo- If officials here said it was Canadian producers a fair that Golden Rice, a genet- But in countries where Research Institute, whose gy being imposed on unin- safe, it could have sway chance to compete, and ically engineered, vitamin rice is a staple, it’s a real interests are not sharehold- formed populations. They with regulatory agencies in to give consumers the as- A-enabled crop (vitamin A problem, because Vitamin er driven. also feared its acceptance other countries. And that surance they need to feel gives it its golden colour), A does not naturally occur Still, Golden Rice strug- would much more broadly appears to be what’s hap- confident in our food sup- is “as safe as conventional in rice. The World Health gled to shed the negative open the door for plant bio- pening. ply, regardless of where it’s rice.” Organization estimates up image of a biotech crop. technology. In 2020 and beyond we’ll produced. That ruling is huge. It’s to a half-million vitamin It was further vilified be- Now, two decades later, see the doors open further I hope I get a chance being touted as a victory A-deficient children go cause some of the coun- regulations have been for genetically modified someday to try Golden for science-based regu- blind every year, and in the tries where it could help instituted in many coun- crops grown abroad. Some Rice. Food variety helps latory decision-making year that follows blindness, the most did not have tries that eliminate some will be imported here and make life rich. And I hope – an approach to which they die. regulations in place for of those arguments. The will need to go through our we all get the opportunity Canada has traditionally Golden Rice has been testing or adopting such Philippines is among them. own regulatory channels. to be as healthy as possible More testing will follow, Some already are, like this decade, thanks to ded-        and Golden Rice must still papayas, which have been icated researchers, smart be approved for commer- saved by genetic interven- regulations, and good, af-    cial propagation in the tion from a virus that was fordable choices. OBSERVER CROSSWORD     „ THE BEER SHOW: Supportive of craft breweries, he's

    happy to spread the word about the advantages of local FROM 17       going,” he said, noting Arsenault has been help-        ful as The Beer Show gets underway.       In fact, people in the       industry as a whole are always supportive of one    another, he added, point- ing to established brewers    being happy to assist those just starting out.   That’s a big reason OPEN 7am to Midnight | 7 DAYS A WEEK why he says he’d love to  make the reviewing an even bigger part of his  life, though the day job with the city of Kitch-   ener is still a thing. For DELIVERY now, he’s concentrating  SERVICE on ramping up the pod- AVAILABLE cast, which is produced Call for Details  by Jody Schnarr, Pat- rick Schnarr and Mike  315 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5403 Brown, with filming and editing done by Adam Rochon of Respecting ACROSS 46. Cosmic smudge 6. Brighter than, and 33. Hit it to get away The Process. 1. Pago Pago's place 48. Smell bad, like leek not, a star 34. Heavenly obscurity “We would love to 5. Youthful rock dove 51. Bread fried in lard, 7. How you do, to 36. Portable phone get it on some kind of 10. Insincere lover to the Irish others 38. What the bird did to streaming network,” 15. Fees, interface 52. Space, with nine- 8. Grown-up eat it in peace he said, quaffing a cold 16. Peaked teen, nine 9. Make sad, outward- 40. Vexaciously in one – the research never 17. Persia, now 53. Fruit for saltfish ly demand ends. Scott Willard with some of his favourite local brews. STEVE KANNON 18. Hobbit who went 55. Hopped on a stick 11. Prideful member 43. Crazy seeds there and back 56. This "hospitality" 12. As one, when 44. Turn o” WHEELCHAIR NURSERY SUNDAY HEARING PLACES OF FAITH ACCESSIBLE PROVIDED SCHOOL ASSISTED again could go either way people ask are you 47. Dead bell times 20. Info nugget 57. Bygone Soviet state a real one, I nod 49. How most make out 21. Botswainian people 59. Convene politely. a living these days 22. Bye, muchachos 60. Su x for Latin 13. Happy shout 50. Man doll 9OU!RE)NVITED
24. Day star adjectives 14. Nameless corporate 52. Will this word stop 9OURE)NVITED4HIS3UNDAY35.$!93%26)#%3 Evil worker Jesus to God society coming up in these 7//$3)$% 25. 61. \!-!- 27. Temperature 63. New star 19. ___ and aahs puzzles? 29. Alpine transport 64. Very dry, as wine 21. Classical singer 53. O”-road or on road, 31. ___ sauce 65. Flower cluster with 23. Green men search whatevs 32. Before central stem 25. Craze 54. Russian assembly Worship: 9:30am 35. Perfect attack DOWN 26. Canine cry 58. What other expe- Elmira Mennonite Epiphany 37. Clueless 1. U-boat 28. I think it should riences are there Church 39. Centers of activity 2. Far east have called the really? Sunday 41. Vulcan moon 3. Merge into one "doubloonie" 62. Scramble food Fred Lichti preaching 42. Wired 4. Move around 30. A lot, strongly and 63. Peacock network 58 Church St. W., Elmira • 519-669-5123 45. Tropical 5. Miserable grass quickly 20 | THE BACK PAGE THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 JANUARY THUR FRI SAT SUN SALE EXTENDED 2ND-5TH 9-9 9-9 10-59-6

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