Support local teen and Gillian’s Place page 14 The trusted voice of our community. notllocal.com SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 Volume 1 • Issue 37 Newly-crowned Grape King John Fedorkow presses out 18 ounces of juice at Saturday’s grape stomp, but Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati was the winner. The competition raised more than $7,000 for the Walker Cancer Centre. (Clare Cameron) St. Davids grower named this year’s Grape King Penny Coles those ambassadors chosen in The Local the intervening years. During the presentation On a beautiful afternoon ceremony last Wednesday, surrounded by the vineyards Matthias Oppenlaender, chair of Fruithaven Farms on Line of the Grape Growers of On- 8, fellow growers and sup- tario’s Board of Directors, and porters celebrated with John Fedorkow traded barbs, most- Fedorkow as he was helped ly about the Grape King’s age, into the prestigious jacket that but the respect, admiration identifies him as this year’s and affection for Fedorkow Grape King, and an ambassa- was obvious from all who dor for the industry. spoke. In 1956, the year the first Oppenlaender explained Grape King of Ontario was the long-standing tradition of chosen, the position was re- naming a Grape King, which warded with a crown and cape. goes back 64 years, and joked, The tradition has changed to “they say wine gets better with Deputy Lord Mayor Clare Cameron stomps grapes in the friendly competition at Montebello Park in St. Catharines Satur- a distinguished jacket, along age, and the older the vine- day, one of the events of the 68th annual Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. She said she managed to squeeze out four with a heavy silver chain ounces of grape juice and come second in her heat. (Crispin Bottomley) which carries the names of all Continued on page 4 OPENING SATURDAY, INNOVATIVE FUNCTIONAL TEAM TRAINING th • Dynamic • Results • Fun OCTOBER 5 • Challenging • Fast • Motivating NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE • Cost-effective • Efficient • Rewarding Join us for our grand opening. Prizes & giveaways on the day. 1517 Niagara Stone Rd., NOTL 8:30am-1pm [email protected] 905.394.0500 f45training.com/niagaraonthelake Local partners: 2 September 26, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com Town staff asked to look at TOWN BRIEFS improving current noise bylaw Town to hire recruiting firm Penny Coles at the extension of last week’s ment, the report said. Councillors agreed Mon- ask them to submit propos- Councillors accepted The Local council meeting. Coun. Stuart McCormack day to begin the process of als, and if the proposals and Randall’s two-envelope pro- They asked staff to inves- suggested also asking staff to finding a new CAO with the costs are similar, meet with cess, with proposals in one After extensive work with tigate and gather more input provide information about hiring of a headhunter — them individually in camera envelope for councillors stakeholders and community from the public, and also re- how many legal proceedings although Coun. Gary Bur- before making a decision. to read and discuss, before members, council has asked view the special events policy, have resulted from noise viola- roughs asked that the term Coun. Clare Cameron opening the second enve- staff to review some policies which allows wineries to hold tions in the last 10 years, and if recruiting company be used. suggested putting out a re- lope, which would include and gather input from the pub- 24 outdoor events a year. They there were any fines levied for Interim CAO Sheldon quest for proposals instead, costs. lic to see where improvements also asked for a policy that in- violations. Randall suggested the Town saying council should be Cameron stressed the can be made to the current cludes penalties. He said he would like to should make a list of three looking for the best option, need to get the process un- noise bylaw. Councillors Erwin Wiens know to what extent the previ- or four suitable companies, not the cheapest option. derway without delay. The bylaw was written and and Clare Cameron, who led ous bylaw was enforced, before approved in 2012, but not with- the review, asked that staff deciding on changes. out lengthy debate amongst look at the noise emitted from Councillors agreed with Chamber asking for advance councillors and the public. events, and consider adding that request, but not to his Since then, both residents an 85/20 decibel level — the second suggestion, to ask staff Speaking on behalf of Ni- with luxury itineraries, in- NOTL,” she added. and business owners have asked current bylaw doesn’t include to “plot a path forward on the agara-on-the-Lake Cham- cluding wine and wellness “In regards to spending for changes to the bylaw, but a noise level. That number was use of bird bangers” — the can- ber of Commerce president packages, Cheropita said. $20,000, I’m told there is the previous council put off taken for the Toronto bylaw, non-like devices farmers use to Eduardo Lafforgue, who was His plans mesh with nothing in the budget. The an extensive review, given the and is just a starting point for protect grapes from birds — not in attendance at Mon- council’s strategic plan, cupboard is bare,” countered amount of discussion that went staff, councillors were told. and possible alternatives. He day’s meeting, Coun. Wen- which lists promoting the Coun. Erwin Wiens. into the original, and the extra It was suggested staff con- suggested involving stakehold- dy Cheropita asked council town as a priority, she add- The agricultural com- work it would have put on staff sider a permit application fee ers, experts, staff, and residents to advance the chamber ed. mittee wants money, the to have another look at it. for special events to help fund in the discussion. $20,000 on next year’s grant. Although several coun- irrigation committee wants Workload continues to be enforcement of the bylaw. Coun. Erwin Wiens dis- Lafforgue wants to set cillors suggested Lafforgue money, he said, adding, “we an issue, interim CAO Sheldon Since short-term rentals agreed, saying noise related to up a marketing booth at the provide a report detailing have a budget, and we’ve al- Randall told councillors. He are also part of the noise prob- agricultural practices is legis- Royal Winter Fair, which how the money would be ready blown it.” said if there is anything new to lem, with out-of-town visitors lated by the Province. “We’d opens Nov. 1 in Toronto and spent, there is a need for Councillors agreed to add to the lists of issues staff is partying and disturbing neigh- be muddying the waters very runs for 10 days. speed, Cheropita told them. approve the advance in already looking at, council will bours, the committee suggest- significantly if we get into that He plans to use the space “I think it’s really worth it principle, and ask Lafforgue have to prioritize, because at ed applications for short-term issue now,” he said. to promote NOTL as an up- to help the chamber change for a report to council on this point, he said, “everything rentals should include local Cameron was also opposed scale tourism destination, the nature of who comes to Oct. 7. seems to be a priority. We’re contact information available to opening the discussion to struggling to complete what’s to the public, and that the Town include bird bangers, saying the on the list now.” should be able to penalize own- committee’s mandate did not Committee to consider accommodation tax In recent months, council- ers for noise violations. include looking at agricultural A Town committee has tives of the accommodation tax, when in fact discussions lors have met with stakeholders Staff could also look at in- practices. been struck to look into in- and tourism sectors. are just beginning, suggest- and members of the communi- creases in annual short-term li- The amendment to include stituting a municipal accom- Coun. Clare Cameron, ed the committee work with ty regarding on-going concerns cence fees and penalties for those bird bangers in the noise re- modation tax. referring to rumours that the community engagement of noise, and presented their operating without a licence, to view suggested by McCormack It will include two coun- there has already been a deci- co-ordinator on a communi- findings to council Monday help fund increased enforce- failed by a six to three vote. cillors and four representa- sion made to implement the cations plan. NEW TO MARKET: IMPROVED PRICING: 66 MELROSE DRIVE, NOTL $1,649,000 28 THE PROMENADE, NOTL $769,800 OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 2 PM TO 4 PM. Located in Bevan Heights at an upmarket address in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this This elegant family home has many coveted features including a main floor master light-filled and multi-leveled 4 Bedroom residence boasts spectacular views of bedroom. The upper level presides over a loft, 2 guest bedrooms and a 4 piece bath. 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