Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill...

12
New subscriptions, half price Phone 289-271-2955 or send an email to [email protected] RidgewayHerald.com Thursday, July 7, 2011 Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 www.ridgewayherald.com Published with gratitude to many readers, advertisers, sellers and contributors. Brought to you by the words “party” and “audit”. For information, contact Mike Cloutier The independent local newspaper of Fort Erie, Canada GOVERNMENT CARS.CA Work trucks and vans, minivans, cars, SUVs • 905-871-8848 GREAT LAKES RESALE 496 GARRISON ROAD, FORT ERIE, ONTARIO WWW.GOVERNMENTCARS.CA Audits, audits, and even more Party, party in Ridgeway Fallen soldiers honoured Local Legion members file past the Portraits of Honour traveling memorial to Canadian soldiers who have died in combat in Afghanistan. The display of hand- painted portraits of the 156 service men and women who won’t be coming home -- includ- ing Crystal Beach native Albert Storm -- visited Fort Erie June 21. It is an initiative of artist Dave Sopha and Kin Canada. The memorial is a 10-foot by 40-foot mural Sopha has painted and is touring Canada as a symbol of remembrance.

Transcript of Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill...

Page 1: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

New subscriptions, half pricePhone 289-271-2955 or send an email to

[email protected]

RidgewayHerald.com

Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11

235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955www.ridgewayherald.com

Published with gratitude tomany readers, advertisers, sellers and contributors. Brought to you by the words “party” and “audit”.

For information, contact Mike Cloutier

The independent local newspaper of Fort Erie, Canada

GOVERNMENT CARS.CAWork trucks and vans, minivans, cars, SUVs • 905-871-8848

GREAT LAKES RESALE 496 GARRISON ROAD, FORT ERIE, ONTARIO WWW.GOVERNMENTCARS.CA

Audits, audits,and even more

Party, partyin Ridgeway

Fallensoldiers honouredLocal Legion members fi le past the Portraits of Honour traveling memorial to Canadian soldiers who have died in combat in Afghanistan. The display of hand-painted portraits of the 156 service men and women who won’t be coming home -- includ-ing Crystal Beach native Albert Storm -- visited Fort Erie June 21. It is an initiative of artist Dave Sopha and Kin Canada. The memorial is a 10-foot by 40-foot mural Sopha has painted and is touring Canada as a symbol of remembrance.

Page 2: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

2 • The Ridgeway Herald

The Ridgeway Herald will be published at least 20 times over the course of the year in 2011 and possibly as many as 24 times. You can make sure you receive your copy by subscribing.

You will receive your copy via email as a pdf docu-ment that you can read on your computer, laptop or other device. You may print it and distribute it however you like. Arrangements can also be made for delivery of a paper version.

The cost to new subscribers who have not been receiving the paper is now $10, half off a full year’s subscription.

There are no coupons, discounts or free trips in association with this offer. No children will ask you for money on Saturday mornings.

To make your pledge, phone 289-271-2955 or send an email to [email protected].

Subscribe today,mid-year price $10

235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (905) 992-9168www.ridgewayherald.com

For information, contact Mike Cloutier

The independent local newspaper of Fort Erie, Canada

Page 2 • Editorial • Op-Ed • What-not

Letters and other submission are welcome for publication in The Ridgeway Herald. Use the Queen’s Mail or email and include your name, address and phone number to verify.

Letters welcome

By Mike CloutierA story was posted on The Ridgeway Herald website on Oct.

2, 2010 detailing an illegal election donation of $750 that was received by Bob Steckley during the 2006 campaign.

I had sat on the story for more than three years before posting it.

The story was taken from Steckley’s report on campaign fi nances that he fi led with the town clerk on March 28, 2007.

I had considered making a formal audit request at the time but decided to let it go. I was busy writing a book and working for the University of Alberta to produce a national biweekly newsletter about municipal government as well as some freelance writing and publishing. I didn’t have the time or energy to deal with the storm that would ensue.

A year later in the spring of 2008, I spoke to Steckley early one Friday night at Madison’s Pub. In a general discussion about council I said that as far as I was concerned, everybody is allowed to make mistakes and that I knew about the illegal donation.

The donation is illegal because only a person, a corporation or a trade union is eligible to contribute to a candidate’s election campaign. The Fort Erie Ratepayer’s Association -- the contributor - - was none of these.

Steckley said if it became an issue he would be required to pay back the money.

I left it at that, expecting Steckley would somehow make amends.

Two more years passed and Steckley fi led his nomination papers

for the 2010 election. Nominations closed in September and he still had not made good on the illegal donation.

So, as I was ramping up to launch The Ridgeway Herald in December, I wrote and published on the website a legitimate municipal election story about the illegal donation.

The story was picked up by Niagara This Week and the Fort Erie Times, and according to those stories, Steckley changed his tune.

He said he did nothing wrong, that the contribution was legiti-mate and that I engaged in “your basic mudslinging.”

He told Niagara This Week, “Why wait until 21 days for the election . . . . He had 90 days to fi le a complaint and he didn’t.”

To the Times, he said, “If it was ineligible, the worst that would happen is that I would’ve had to pay it back. The fact this was

From which laws are councillors exempt?

Note -- You might remember Rick, the nom-de-fume of an anon-ymous emailer, whose comments were published a couple of edi-tions ago. Well, he promised he wouldn’t read the paper again and would start visiting clients to make sure they knew how he felt. Apparently, his word is not worth anything because he (or she) has been reading The Ridgeway Herald again. Here are the latest emails, numbered in the order they were received. See more anonymous emails on Page 7.

1. Indignant tear - half-baked sarcasm - bully boy tactics - ah, did the big bad bogeyman hurt the little mans’ feelings? Since you’re printing everything I wrote, please print that I and anyone I talk to are SOOOO glad that we have real decent human beings like Bob Steckley, John Hill and Don Lubberts representing us at the Town level; people who don’t have any political or personal agendas but actually have a conscience and their constituents best interests at heart. As for you and your paper, I’ve begun my sweep of your advertising contributors to voice my reasons for not using their business or products. My ‘fl aming’ days are done, I’m scraping this last piece of old gum off of my shoe. If my little rants are the highlights of your day, you’ve got bigger problems than you know. Like Arnold said, “hasta la vista baby”...I won’t be back

2. What is sad is that people like you learned how to type. Too bad the rest of the town council didn’t have the cahones to quit kissing up to the Mayor and speak on behalf of their constituency. What damages the image of this town is bobble head councilors who are too busy shining their own silver. I’d gladly accept the resignation of this Mayor and anyone who wants to let him be the captain of their ship.

3. “Keep up the good work Mike”. You must sit all night at Sneakers drinking and write these down...smoke another one and maybe you’ll fi nd Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster too.

4. What’s the matter? Get your tongue caught in the key-board? Not sulking are we? If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen.

And now, another word from ‘Rick’continued on Page 3

Page 3: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

The Ridgeway Herald • 3

brought out right before the election shows it was a planned, deliberate attack.”

But all he did was deny any wrong doing and question my motives for writing a story. He never once told us who gave him the money.

-- -The electors of Fort Erie are entitled to know who paid for

Steckley’s election campaign. Indeed, he is obligated to disclose the information. He did not.

What are we to think about a councillor who fl outs the law that governs the process in which he comes to be elected and then make laws that we are obligated to obey?

As far as the law is concerned, the Fort Erie Ratepayers Associa-tion doesn’t exist. It can’t open a bank account and it can’t write cheques. In essence, Steckley reported an anonymous donation.

In addition, he failed to fi ll out the fi nancial report form fully by neglecting to include the address of the Fort Erie Ratepayers Association.

The law is pretty clear about that. Steckley said the Municipal Elections Guide 2006 says the donation is allowed. He said Page 24 of the guide says so. To quote him in the paper, “It says unincor-porated groups, such as a law partnership, may contribute to a candidate’s campaign.”

That’s not even the entire sentence in the guide. The rest reads: “. . . however the candidate should:

- request a list of the names and addresses of the individual contributors that shared in the contribution and the amount con-tributed by each individual;

- issue receipts to the individual contributors, not the unincorpo-rated group. The individual’s portion of the group’s contribution counts towards that individual’s campaign contribution limit of $750; and

- report these contributions on the candidate’s fi nancial disclo-sure in the same manner as contributions.”

Page 21 of the guide states:“Eligible contributors are:- individuals living in Ontario;- corporations that carry on business in Ontario;- unions that hold bargaining rights for employees in Ontario; - a candidate and his or her spouse.”And, if there is any question about the advice in the guide, Page

1 states: “This guide is prepared for information purposes only. Reference should always be made to the relevant legislation and regulations.”

The legislation is pretty clear. Section 70 of the Municipal Elec-tions Act states:

“(3) Only the following may make contributions:1. An individual who is normally resident in Ontario.2. A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.3. A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in

Ontario.4. Subject to subsection (5), the candidate and his or her

spouse.”Steckley clearly violated election law when he accepted the $750

donation (the maximum allowable), and he further thumbed his nose at the law when he refused to return the donation.

There’s a second part to this. Since the association doesn’t have a bank account, it can’t issue cheques. So either Steckley received a cash donation -- which is also not allowed -- or he falsifi ed his fi nancial report and did not disclose the name of the person who

wrote the cheque.-- -According to the Municipal Election Act that was in force for

the 2006 election, no legal proceeding can be commenced after Dec. 1, 2010.

However, in Steckley’s fi nancial report for the 2010 election -- as well as showing a questionable exchange of money between a company Ann-Marie Noyes owns, Steckley and Noyes herself - - he reports that he reused signs from the 2006 election.

These signs would have been purchased from the pool of contri-butions he received in 2006 that totaled $3,506.

Therefore, I believe that the illegal campaign donation from the ratepayers group has come back into play and that this should be examined in a compliance audit.

The 2006 donation and the carrying forward of inventory to the 2010 election may not be in the purview of the Niagara Compliance Audit Committee to examine, but there is a provision of the Act in section 81, subsection 17.

“This section does not prevent a person from laying a charge or taking any other legal action, at any time, with respect to an alleged contravention of a provision of this Act relating to election campaign fi nances.”

So, taking my cue from Steckley’s own statement that I had a chance then in 2006 to formally complain, I have formally com-plained now.

Steckley’s comments in the newspaper in October and his com-ments to voters in Ward 3, I interpreted as a challenge. That is why I requested compliance audits.

Donation in 2006 comes back into play. . . continued

Page 4: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

4 • The Ridgeway Herald

329 Ridge Roadentrance off Hershey St.

Open Tues-Sat. 11-5Sunday 12-4

multimedia design and production

marketing andcommunications344 Ridge Road • 905.894.6212

www.pacificproductions.ca

HEADSHAPESBarber Shop & Family Hair Salon

Clippers • Shears • Straight Razor • Cuts • Colours • Hi-Lites

282 Ridge Rd., N., Ridgeway • 905-894-5097

Ridgeway Farmer’s MarketSaturdays until Oct. 29Municipal Parking Lotbeside Friendship TrailRidge Road in Ridgeway

Sponsored by the Ridgeway B.I.A.For information call 905-894-3366

or email [email protected]

Featuring:Organic produce • Jams • Artisan Breads

Plants • Cut Flowers • Honey • DeliFish • Cheese • Free-Range Lamb & Beef

Meat Pies • Gourmet Salad Greens & Dressing Seasonal Fruit & Berries

Ridgeway's DowntownDollar & Discount

Party Fort Erie! We have everything you needfor every special occasion

Check out our huge selection of toys336 Ridge Road — 894-5566

A second round of hearings will be held July 12 about com-plaints of alleged violations by candidates in the 2010 municipal election.

Mayor Doug Martin, mayoral candidate Ann-Marie Noyes, councillors Stephen Passero and Bob Steckley, and candidate Tim Whitfi eld face questions emanating from their election fi nancial reports.

Former councillor and 2010 candidate Richard Berry fi led complaints against Martin, Passero and Whitfi eld. John Gilm-our also fi led a complaint against the mayor, citing the same allegation as Berry.

Mike Cloutier, publisher of this newspaper (and author of this article) fi led complaints against Noyes and Steckley. Fort Erie businessman Shawn Chesney fi led a complaint against Noyes.

Both complaints against Martin state that he failed to dis-close the value of signs that were reused from the 2006 elec-tion.

Martin said that he fi led a supplemental fi nancial report addressing that error as soon as he found out and before the complaints were fi led.

The complaint against Passero states that he paid himself a surplus from donations that exceeded the amount that he actually contributed to the campaign.

Passero said there was no money left over and that the sur-plus is actually an inventory of signs that could be used for the next election.

The complaint against Whitfi eld states that he did not open a separate bank account or record the amount paid to produce brochures.

His fi nancial statement does not show bank charges or the expense of the brochures.

Noyes faces complaints from two people who make three allegations.

In separate complaints, Cloutier and Chesney state that Noyes “laundered” a $600 donation from her corporation, Strategic Treatment Assessment and Rehabilitation (STAR), through a donation to the Steckley campaign and in return Noyes received two $300 donations from Steckley and his wife.

In his complaint against Steckley, Cloutier alleges that the donation exchange was improper and that he “was a party to a violation of the Municipal Elections Act in allowing STAR to launder contributions to the Noyes campaign through the Steckley campaign.”

Chesney also alleges that a $650 donation to the Noyes cam-paign from the Fort Erie Waterfront Preservation Association is improper because it does not meet the qualifi cation of a “corporation that carries on business in Ontario.”

The complaint states that FEWPA’s sole source of income is donations, including those from U.S. residents who are not allowed to contribute to municipal election campaigns, and the donors of the money contributed to the campaign through FEWPA are hidden.

Cloutier also alleges that Noyes began spending on her campaign before she was eligible. She registered the internet domain “NoyesForMayor.com” in October 2009 before she reg-istered as a candidate in January 2010.

Five more candidates face election challenges

Page 5: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

The Ridgeway Herald • 5

ERIE PROPERTY MANAGEMENTLAWN CARE SERVICES

COTTAGES • OVER-GROWN BEACH FRONTS • RESIDENTIAL SECURED PROPERTIES

RESIDENTIAL • EMPTY LOTS • CHURCHES • INDUSTRIAL • HOTELS/MOTELS • REAL ESTATE

90

5-6

58

-18

07

ce

ll9

05

-65

8-1

80

7CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION AND ESTIMATE

ERIE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT P.O. BOX 1466, CRYSTAL BEACH • 905-658-1807email: [email protected]

“WE WILL NOT BE UNDERCUT”

$25Grass CuttingStarting at

Sidewalk edging • Trimming •Aerating • De-thatching

Lawns

And More

• Complete Lawn Care Services / 4 Seasons • Weekly Maintenance Programs / Fertilizing / Gardens• Landscape Creations / Sidewalk Edging

• Spring & Fall Clean Ups / Eavestroughs• Licenced Arborist / Bucket Truck / Chipper• Estate Clean Ups / Dump Runs• Landlord / Real Estate Contractor

R&M INNOVATIONS

Enjoy the fresh air bug-free!

Turn your garage intoa workshop, gym,

home theatre room,children’s playroom

and more

Canada 289-686-7588 • U.S.A. 716-254-6170

email: [email protected]

Installs in under 20 minutes

Instant Garage Screen

People who follow the news in Fort Erie are now familiar with a new entity called the Niagara Compliance Audit Committee.

It was established in June last year jointly by the 12 local municipalities of Niagara, plus the Region and the school boards, to act independently of councils to enforce campaign fi nancing provisions of the Municipal Elections Act.

It’s role is two-fold: fi rst, determine if a candidate’s election fi nances should be audited; second, to commence legal pro-ceedings in court if the report concludes there were violations of the Act.

Recent provincial legislation mandated municipalities to establish compliance audit committees prior to the election last fall.

For the previous election of 2006, an independent committee was not required and decisions about audit applications could be made by the local council, although the task could be del-egated to a committee if the council chose.

Only Niagara Falls, locally, fi elded an audit request for the 2006 election, and while council wanted to set up a committee, no one in the city volunteered. In the end, the candidate recti-fi ed the situation and council rejected the request.

Clerks in Niagara banded together last year - - as did many other multiple-tier jurisdictions -- to create a joint committee. Its terms of reference were set, local councils approved and seven members of the public were appointed last fall.

When a request is fi led, the clerk from the respondent munic-ipality arranges for a meeting to be held with three members of this committee. They hear the request and decide by majority vote if an audit is required.

The vote is open but deliberations are held in private with a lawyer representing the municipality.

Local council has no say in the matter. A decision to conduct a compliance audit may, however, be appealed to a judge.

If the committee believes the request is warranted, it directs the clerk of the respondent municipality to hire a certifi ed accountant to audit the candidate’s election fi nances.

The auditor prepares a report, and based on the fi ndings, the committee may refer the matter for further legal action or

dismiss the matter. All costs are borne by the respondent municipality.

If the auditor fi nds no violation, the com-mittee may rule that there were no reason-

able grounds for the request and the council is then entitled to recover the auditor’s costs from the applicant.

In Fort Erie’s case, the compliance audit committee has so far ordered audits of the campaigns of councillors Paul Collard, John Hill and Don Lubberts.

It will next hear applications for audits on Mayor Doug Martin, former councillor and mayoral candidate Ann-Marie Noyes, councillors Stephen Passero and Bob Steckley, and former councillor Tim Whitfi eld.

The hearing will be held in the town council chamber on July 12.

Audit committee acts independently of council

BACKGROUND

Page 6: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

6 • The Ridgeway Herald

Annette Crayden

“CONNECTED TO MORE”Sales Representative

TODAY REALTY LTDBrokerage ®

225 Garrison Road, Fort Erie ON L2A 1MB905-871-2121 • direct line [email protected] the Niagara Region

Yard sale and plant sale515 Belleview Blvd., Ridgeway. Corner of Belleview and Hazel. Saturday July 9, 8 am til noon. Large and small household items and tools. Rain date: Sunday July 10, 8 am.

Space for rentThird fl oor apartment and/or commercial offi ce space in the heart of Ridgeway. Totally secure building, very reasonable rent. Utilities included except phone and cable. Please: no smoking, no pets. Phone 894-6212 daytime or 993-0078 eve-nings.

Classifi eds

While the building facades at the former Horton Steel plant on Central Avenue have been spruced up, the view from the rear is, well . . . judge for yourself. The property owner, Morgan Real Estate Holdings, was able to wrench concessions from the Town to allow expanded industrial uses for the property to negotiate a settlement of an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. As part of omnibus zoning and offi cial plan amendments for the Bridgeburg area in September, the town originally wanted to phase out industrial use of the land in favour of residential development

Page 7: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

The Ridgeway Herald • 7

The Heating and Plumbing Experts

PlumbingAir Conditioning

HeatingFREE Estimates

jwfurness.com • 3711 Main St. W. Stevensville

905-382-3133You can count on us forall your family’s comfort

David HurrenBarrister & Solicitor

948 Garrison RoadFort Erie, OntarioL2A 1N7

905.871.2424fax: 905.871.4848

[email protected]

P. Leigh Whyte, MCIP, RPP, ACIPPresident

35 Jarvis St. Suite 202905 658-5314

Business Success & Loan Centre Fort Erie

Knowledge, Guidance, Financing

Business Loans (Regional)

Business Counselling

Government FundedSelf-Employment ProgramsSeminars and Workshops

✓45 Jarvis StreetFort Erie, ON L2A 2S3 905-871-7331 • www.bslft.com

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries

Gerald F. Ruch, B.S., LL.B

L. Cameron Williams, B.A., LL.B.

43 Jarvis St., Fort Erie • 871-8711

And these were brought to you by a person who switched aliases from Toad to Reggie to James B.

Too busy fi ling compliance audits to work on your newpaper eh? Boy I’m glad I never subscribed to this rag haha .

Toad

Mike, I really don’t understand how you can continue to run a newspaper (with the pretensions of being an unbiased source of news in the town) when you are one of the people to fi le a compliance audit request. Your rants in your “newspaper” made the whole thing one big editorial but now any credibiltiy you had has gone out the window. Some journalist you are.

Reggie

So how are you going to report on the next phase of the com-pliance audits considering you’re one of the people involved? So much for being an impartial news man eh?

James B.

This one was brought to you by Tammy, no last name and a false email address.

I love this town...people are soo easily distracted by who wrote this letter,rather than what this letter says.Everyone misses the point...thanks mike for duking small minded people into missing the point...gotta love this town..lol...Why don’t people look up what “slander” means....I’m not one of your small minded monkeys,I’m one of the few people in this town that can think for myself..sorry.Maybe I’ll start my own paper...called “the liars of this town.” Mike, you’ll be front page..lol

Tammy

And more anonymous commentary

Interpretive signs were installed and recently unveiled at the Erie Beach promenade of the Friendship Trail last week. The signs tell the history of Erie Beach, a booming tourist attraction a century ago until it closed in 1930. Some structures from that era remain and it is a popular passive park for residents and visitors alike. Pictured are Signe Hansen, the town’s manager of park development, and Barrie Gold-ing, chairman of the Friendship Trail committee.

Where culture and recreation meet

Page 8: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

8 • The Ridgeway Herald

This year’s Ridgeway Summer Festival is an opportunity to experience the new downtown streetscape and enjoy two full days of activities for the whole family.

Ridge Road will be closed to vehicle traffi c starting Saturday morning to make room for tents and allow people to wander the

street to sample goods and participate in a plethora of events. There is plenty of parking available nearby. Primary loca-

tions are the Crystal Ridge Arena and the old public works yard off Prospect Point Road, north of Dominion, behind the museum and fi rehall.

Ridgeway Public School (access from the south end of Ridge Road, the Legion off Disher Street and Elm Street, the drug store parking lot off Hibbard, the Royal Bank on Dominion and the CIBC parking lot with access from Cutler Street.

Limited parking is available on side streets and organizers emphasize that drivers must obey signs to allow access by service and emergency vehicles.

Music will be a highlight of the weekend with the main event being the Saturday night street dance and beer tent starting at 8 p.m. featuring two bands -- Guilty Pleasures and Train Wreck (with members of Off The Wall) - - headlining the show.

And music will echo through the streets all weekend, day and night. Jason Paonessa (Jelvis) starts off at noon on Saturday on the main stage. The Peace River Band takes over at 2 p.m. with Gospel sounds and the Legion Band at 3:15.

Also on the main stage Sunday, Peace River Band will play again starting at noon, The Saturday Band kicks off at 1:15 p.m., the Ned Green Show starts at 2 p.m. and Steve Burnside and The Marquis plays at 3:30 until 5 p.m., and More Bad News and The Horns From Hell wraps up at 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Legion

There will be more music at other venues, including Rhyth-mia at 11 a.m., Keith McTague at noon on Saturday, By Request Entertainment by Blake Belcher at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. and Ricks Good Time Country Karaoke also at 1 p.m. And banjo player Don Johnson will stroll around.

Rick’s Good Time Country continues Sunday at 11 a.m. Jelvis at noon, Randy Thomas at 2 p.m., Brittney Hebbourn at 3 p.m. and R.K. Walter and The Little Lines at 4 p.m.

The Farmers Market opens at 7 a.m. as it does every Sat-urday morning. Festival events start at with the Lions Club pancake breakfast, Artisan Market at the Sanctuary for the Arts, Fluffy the Clown, Kids Zone featuring free crafts, a Town Crier, Victorian Tea at 240 Ridge Road.

Musical chairs starts at noon. Bert Miller Nature Club will have a wildlife display. There will be Simon Says games, french fry and pizza eating contests and balloon toss.

The Lions will host another breakfast Sunday. Custom car show will go on all day. A pet contest starts at 10 a.m. Artisan Market continues as does the Victorian Tea, Town Crier and the wildlife display and balloon toss.

A live show with the Fire Guy features Brant, a skateboard-ing, fi re-eating juggler starts at 1 p.m. More children’s’ games and a hamburger eating contest will happen and the Fire Guy makes an encore at 2 p.m.

Chiropractic Massage Foot Care Ion DetoxPedicure Ear Candling Aesthetics

Personal and Family Counselling

355 Ridge Road, Ridgeway • [email protected]

3860 Dominion Road (corner of Gorham), Ridgeway905-894-9621 • www.havenglobal.ca

Gemstone Jewelry • CrystalsHealing Tools • Books • Music

“Discount Tuesdays”Intuitive Readings • Workshops

New and Used Game Exchange

nswersComputer Training & Services

154 Ridge Road — 905.991.0039

Empower your technology today

21st Ridgeway Festival kicks off Saturday

After six years serving the needs of bibliophiles from her store in Ridgeway, Ada Sherk retired Fort Erie’s only independent source of new books, From Cover to Cover Bookstore, in May. It became increasingly diffi cult to compete against web-based booksellers and the new phenomenon of e-books available at prices that are impossible to match.

Final chapter

Page 9: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

The Ridgeway Herald • 9

John’s Ridgeway General Store

“All Goods Worth Price Charged”235 South Mill St. Ridgeway 894-2661

Open 6 Days a Week 9-5:30 (Sunday is for rest)

Summer time is pool and yard time

Ridgeway's largest bulk chlorine dealer and quality lawn and vegetable seed dealer

5 gal. “filtered” liquid chlorine

All Pool Chemicals In Stock Fertilizers, Lime, Sprays In Stock$11.50 $125

John’s Custom Lawn Seed Blend

50lbs

Hot Peanuts $2/bagSach’s in-shell Tabasco infused

By Amy RoebuckFort Erie Public Library

Gord Thompson’s 12 1/2 years as head of the Fort Erie Public library were “the most productive and satisfying” of his four-decade long career.

He retired this spring from the position of chief executive offi cer which he has held since 1998 when he brought his broad spectrum of experience to over-see many improvements in the library service.

Gord is particularly proud of the Fort Erie Public Library’s full Provincial Accreditation status which was achieved during his tenure. This repre-sents the highest recognition by the Province and library profes-sionals of excellence in adminis-tration and service delivery.

He also led the way for many building improvements and changes at the Centennial and Crystal Ridge branches through ongoing renovation projects and the construction of one of the smallest library spaces in the country at the Ste-vensville hall to replace the anti-quated facility in Stevensville.

His father was a self-educated man and taught Gord about the “poor man’s univeristy” teach-ing him history, geography, science and nature using the library’s resources.

Gord went on to earn a mas-ter’s degrees in library science at the University of Toronto and also business administration.

In the years 1985 to 1987, he administered construction of one of the largest circulating libraries in Canada -- the seven-story, 160,000 square-foot North York Central Library working alongside the famed architect Raymond Moriyama.

He took on progressively more responsible roles in North York and served as treasurer of the Ontario Library Association in the early 1990s and later went on to help establish the Federa-tion of Ontario Public Libraries.

The Fort Erie Public Library has gone from a limited stand-alone public access cata-logue with no public internet access to a fully integrated web based library system with many sophisticated features, includ-ing multiple high speed free public internet access stations and wireless access points at all three branch locations.

In partnership with the Town of Fort Erie we built a high speed wide area wireless net-work through a combination of capital funds, private sector grants, and Industry Canada Community Access Program funding to provide residents with state-of-the-art library

technology and access to elec-tronic resources which is the envy of other public libraries our size.

Public libraries, according to Gord, “contribute something very valuable to communities and to people’s lives at all ages.”

Gord is happy to say that the vision he had for the Fort Erie Public Library has been achieved, and that he sees great things in the future.

We wish Gord well in his retirement, and applaud him for his service to our Library, our community and his chosen pro-fession.

Thompson retires as head of Fort Erie library

Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor helped toast retiring library CEO Gord Thompson last month.

Page 10: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

10 • The Ridgeway Herald

Tarotscope with Carolina

3707 Hibbard St.Ridgeway

[email protected]

Thank you for voting us #1 in

Fort Erie becauseour reputation

is on the “wine”

Sulphite & Preservative Free

www.grapesontheridge.com

Behind the Post Office

Mia’sUpholstery • Slip Covers

It’s worth the drive to Crystal Beach

French Country Furnishings • White Furniture

3950 Erie Road, Crystal Beach905-894-2127

Visit our showroom

Over 30 Years Experience

Mike GushueCustom Drywall & Carpentry

HangingTapingSpray Ceilings

Ridgeway905 894-0514cell 905 380-9141

“smoothascanbe”

Bake Shop & ConfectionsBaked Goods • Bulk Foods • Spices

Old-Yime Candy & Ice Cream

246 Ridge Road • Ridgeway

Now Open

Seniors Information Seminar

Niagara Falls905-353-9590

Fort Erie905-871-9991

Tuesday, June 14 11am-1pmRoyal Canadian Legion Branch 71

130 Garrison Road, Fort ErieLight lunch & refreshments

July 4 - July 17 2011, combin-ing Tarot Cards & Astrology

CANCER: (June 21-July 22) Don’t let past disappointments block your goals; they are still within reach. Rise above inconveniences by picking up and moving on. Have faith!

LEO: (July 23-Aug 22) The full moon on July 15 accents vibrant opportunities to build on business and career ideas, leading to fi nancial gain and gratifi cation.

VIRGO: (Aug 23-Sep 22) Confl icts become resolved by standing your ground and replenishing the positive aspects of a situation. Hopes and satisfaction are possible.

LIBRA: (Sep 23-Oct 22) The end of a draining cycle is coming to a close and lady luck smiles upon you, rewards are mounting and love blos-soms!

SCORPIO: (Oct 23-Nov 21) Answers and support arrive to recharge your body, mind and spirit. Good advice from some-one who cares, will encourage a change for the better.

SAGITTARIUS: (Nov 22-Dec 21) Money regained after a struggle, clarity on new employment or business plans provides peace and pros-perity. Harmony in romance and family affairs.

CAPRICORN: (Dec 22-Jan 20) Delays in decisions won’t change what needs to be done. “Better an end in dread, than a dread without no end”. Strong will and vision is needed.

AQUARIUS: (Jan 21-Feb 19) Improvements in health and well being rise with spiritual

pursuits providing a new lease on life. Rainbow’s end brings promise and joy.

PISCES: (Feb 20-Mar 20) Your wish is within reach, but action is required to go beyond limits, delegate tasks and keep your eyes on the goal. Listen to sound advice that is offered.

ARIES: (Mar 21-Apr 20) Transformation removes bur-dens, problems soon to be solved. Balance in ideas and plans related to friendship, love and marriage with kin-dred souls.

TAURUS: (Apr 21-May 21) Movement brings unexpected positive surprises. Study, and effort paves the way to excit-ing new adventures in life. Achievement in mental and physical powers.

GEMINI: (May 22-June 20) New friendships ignite love proposals and the birth of stimulating plans for the future. Attention to the arts stirs creative endeavors and passion.

Appointments are available with Carolina at Haven Global 3860 Dominion Rd.

Full moon opportunities on July 15

Page 11: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

The Ridgeway Herald • 11

Across1. Young salmon6. Kisser10. Droops14. Lowest point15. ___ believer16. Small gull17. 1952 novel, with The20. Split21. Rowboat adjunct22. Not too brainy25. ___ Rebellion of 1857-5926. Twisted30. Hoodlum32. Fuse35. Sniff out

41. Author of 17 and 63 Across43. Meager44. Broad view45. Square47. Che or gen followers48. Item with a ladder53. Pastoral poems (var.)56. Wheels for mom58. Lest63. 1929 novel66. Cost of living?67. Ashtabula’s lake68. Exhaust69. Deuce topper70. Turned blue, maybe71. Interesting

Down1. Prig2. French Sudan, today3. Betting data4. Beer garnish5. ___ housing6. “Harper Valley ___”7. Ashes holder8. Logic game9. “La Scala di ___” (Rossini opera)10. Inscribed stone11. Greek moralist12. Artist, with El13. Sinuous18. ___ degree19. “48___”23. Yen24. Sang like a canary26. Scores high27. Do the trick28. Doctor Who villainess, with The29. Big bang matter31. Beam33. Sixth sense34. Peeper problem36. “Walking on Thin Ice” singer37. Shrek, e.g.38. Holiday opener39. Weak40. Young falcon

42. Lots46. Napa Valley area48. Sting49. Certain inmate50. Empty51. Kind of pool52. “Give It To You” rapper54. Illuminated55. Muzzle57. Blown away59. Hombre’s home60. “Iliad” warrior61. Blue books?62. See64. Go horizontal65. Directed

257 Ridge Road • 905-650-9972 • 1-800-226-2413 • [email protected]

Bicycles & Vacuums • Sales & Service

905-871-PART (7278)7 Dufferin Street at Klauck Street • Fort Erie

Open Tuesday-Friday 9-5:30 — Saturday 9-2

Papa’s Gems

Last edition answers

Page 12: Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11€¦ · Thursday, July 7, 2011 • Issue # 11 235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955 Published with gratitude to many readers,

12 • The Ridgeway Herald

3923 TERRACE LANE, CRYSTAL BEACH 894-0820

ThursdayCLAMS 50¢raw or steamed

FridayFish Fry

995Prime Rib

1395

Saturday DailyRack of Ribs

1695BBQ Chicken &Baby Back Rib

Combo 1395Eat in or take out available ... 7 days a week ... 11am-9pm ... Specials are eat-in

Mon • Tues • Wed 5 pm-9 pm50¢ chicken wings•60¢ broasted

PALMWOODPALMWOOD Waterfront Dining & Patio

282 Ridge Road • 905-894-2500 • Closed Mondays

BreakfastServedAll Day

10 Varietiesof Home-

Made Soup

For large, tasty portions, never leave hungry

Great Specials EverydayCheck Out Friday Specials

100% Lean Ground Beef BurgersFresh Cut Fries

Specializing in oven-roasted meat for SubsNext to the Friendship Trail

Stretch your $ - Come to J.K. Kats

Papa's Pizza & Subs328 Ridge Road • 894-5535 • We Deliver!

2 Large Pizzascheese & pepperoni

$17.99 + tax

LUNCH SPECIAL $3.752 Slices & a PopSpecial Prices for

Parties • Events • Schools

The only live music in Fort Erie

Every SaturdayStarts at 4 p.m.Everyone welcomeProper I.D. requiredThe Barnea House28 Courtwright St.

Fort Erie

Breakfast Served All Day

$5.95 Lunch Specials

301 Ridge Road, Ridgeway289-876-9143

Friday Night Fish Fry

Open Tuesday to Sunday

The BendRestaurant & Bar

5801 Hwy. 3 Sherkston • 894-4072 • Full Menu

Canadian Tire Money and U.S. at Par!

Open Monday through Fridayfor Lunch & Dinner

Open Saturday at 4 p.m. • Closed SundayReservations Recommended

41 Jarvis Street, Fort Erie905-994-9222 • www.oldbankbistro.com

Always fresh and affordable daily lunch and dinner specials

Visit us on

Date Night @ The BistroMonday through Thursday — Dinner for Two

2 Entrées for $49.99

• Chicken Parmesan• Spicy Thai Shrimp• Tropical Tilapa• Pasta Primavera

Ontario wine

& salad included(taxes extra)

Choose from our Date Night Menu such as: