Peacefully passed away at Heritage House St. Jacobs, on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the age of 91 years. Beloved wife of the late Leonard S. Martin (August, 2019). Loving mother of Rita (Merle) Shantz, Wilma (Murrel) Frey, Fern (Ron) Martin, Jean (Neil) Martin, Harold (Michelle), Larry (Sue), Ron (Sherri), Dale (Tanya) and Tim (Heather). Will be missed by 30 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Survived by her siblings MaryAnn Martin, Carl (Edna) Wideman, Saloma Martin, Almeda (Leonard) Martin, Ruth (Leonard) Metzger. Predeceased by two granddaughters, parents Edward and Nancy Martin, siblings Delton, Florence (Dan) Horst, Walter (Nancy) Edward, Stewart (Luella), Nancy Wideman, and brothers-in-law Oscar Martin, Edmund Martin. A special thank you to the staff at Heritage House for the care they have shown, especially to Kathy, for her compassionate care in mom’s final hours. The family received their relatives and friends on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A family service was held on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 9 a.m then to North Woolwich Mennonite Meeting House for burial and public service.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

John Frederick Campbell, following a lengthy battle with cancer, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in his 72nd year. John was born on the 4th of May, 1953, to parents Jack and Mary Ellen Campbell (nee Wylie) in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Survived by Wilma Campbell (nee Van Breda), the love and most cherished friend of John’s life; his children, Colleen Eveleigh (Scott) and William Campbell (Marion); his grandchildren, Erin Eveleigh (Jake), Liam Eveleigh, and Breda Campbell; and his sister Elizabeth Ross (Colin). Will also be missed by his nieces, nephews and their families, his brother and sisters-in-law, by family in Northern Ireland, and by Isla, his beloved and loyal dog. Predeceased by his parents, Jack Campbell and Mary Ellen Campbell (nee Wylie), his uncle John Hill Wylie and aunt Hettie Wylie (who were like parents to him); brother William Campbell, father-in-law William Van Breda, mother-in-law Audrey Van Breda (nee Verbeek) and his treasured friend and brother-in-law, Cleason Weber. Visitation was held on Monday, April 21, 2025 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A memorial service took place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Kurt Reinhardt presiding. Reception followed. Family interment in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Floradale will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kincardine Hospital Foundation would be appreciated, and may be made through the funeral home. A special thank you to all of the staff at Kincardine Hospital, and the oncology departments in Owen Sound and London.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

ERIN – Mary Cunningham of Erin was named Citizen of the Year at the 2025 Shamrock Awards ceremony at Centre 2000 on April 16.

“Thank you very, very much and I accept this award for the Rotary Club and my friends,” said Cunningham during her acceptance speech.

Nominators Don Fysh and Nina de Vaal described Cunningham’s contributions as “a whole lot of what an engaged citizen should give.”

As a “nearly lifelong resident” of Erin, Cunningham grew up on a farm outside of Hillsburgh and has spent her life volunteering with organizations such as the East Wellington Community Services, the Erin Rotary Club and East Wellington Health Team. Cunningham also volunteered at her local church and coached her children’s baseball and hockey teams.

• Community volunteers recognized at 2025 Erin Shamrock Awards ceremony

In her professional life, Cunningham worked as the manager of the Erin branch of the TD Canada Trust bank for 15 years.

“In this role she was able to see the challenges faced by vulnerable members of our community and reinforced her commitment to public service,” said Fysh.

Cunningham is an active member of the St. John Brebeuf Roman Catholic Church and has been for over 50 years.

“She has continuously engaged in church life, assisting in services and in fundraising for the church,” said Fysh. “Other church members described her as active and hardworking [and] always willing to help someone.”

Cunningham raised two children in Erin and spent more than 15 years coaching youth basketball and hockey; at times, Cunningham was known to coach both of her kids’ teams at the same time.

Cunningham has served as a board member of the East Wellington Family Health Team since 2012, has been supporting the East Wellington Community Services for over nine years and has been a key member of the Erin Rotary Club for over 25 years.

In a post-ceremony interview, Cunningham told the Advertiser she did not expect to win the award.

“I feel dumbfounded; I certainly did not expect it,” said Cunningham. 

“But just like I said up there [on the stage], it belongs to so many of my Rotarian friends because they are all dedicated to service above self.

“Volunteering is so important, not only for oneself for the reward of volunteering, but the friends that you make forever,” said Cunningham.

She stressed the importance of volunteering in the community and encouraged younger generations to “get out there”.

“I truly believe that when you volunteer, yes, your reward is ‘thank goodness I’ve helped somebody else,’ but you also make connections that are irreplaceable,” said Cunningham. 

“The more groups and the more things that you volunteer with diversifies your portfolio of friends.”

The post Mary Cunningham named Erin’s Citizen of the Year appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

MOUNT FOREST – North Wellington Taxi will no longer service Mount Forest, as of April 25. 

“It was a hard decision, but we had no choice,” owner Debbie Galbraich told the Advertiser. 

Overhead costs such as liability insurance and car maintenance continue to climb, but Galbraich, who also owns Listowel Taxi, said the company can’t raise prices for their Mount Forest customers.

In Listowel, the rates are higher, she noted, but in Mount Forest they “can’t really up the prices too much because then people aren’t going to take a taxi.  

“I’ve been here long enough that I know people are not going to want to pay … it’s too small an area.” 

Galbraich said part of the problem with overhead costs is the County of Wellington’s annual licensing fees and rules. 

“The amount of runs I get, I don’t get enough to pay for it,” she said. 

“By the time you pay the driver I’m lucky to get three bucks a call.” 

Speaking with the Advertiser at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, she noted they’d only had about three calls in Mount Forest so far that day. 

“It’s just not enough,” she said. 

While North Wellington Taxi is the only licensed taxi company in Mount Forest, Galbraich said there are unlicensed taxis operating in the town, which she said is part of the reason North Wellington Taxi is getting less calls. 

Galbraich said she didn’t want the closure to happen, and she feels bad for people who relied on the company’s service, particularly its elderly customers. 

The post North Wellington Taxi to stop operating as of this week appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

ERIN – Town residents recently voiced several grievances about a proposed subdivision near Hillsburgh.

The proposed subdivision will sit on approximately 35 acres of land along Wellington Road 22, between Wellington Road 24 and 6th Line.

It will include 142 single detached dwellings, two townhouse blocks (24 units) and a multiple-residential block consisting of 48 additional units.

“Obviously I am opposed to this development,” said Martin Rudd at the April 10 meeting.

Rudd, who said he lives next door and downhill to the proposed subdivision,  voiced concerns that the development would negatively impact his property.

Rudd’s property features a wood lot, which is under a strict forest management plan. He also pointed out the delicacy of his land, including a well which he is concerned could become contaminated  from running chemicals or building debris due to its elevation. 

“Protect my woodlot, stop the project, reduce the environmental impact,” Rudd pleaded. 

Erin resident Doug Ilton, who lives on nearby Roman Lake, also voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed development.

“It’s a natural paradise down there [on Roman Lake]. We have wood ducks, swans, all kinds of species of endangered turtles, great horned owls,” said Ilton. 

“I personally don’t want this … no one wants it, and I’d like to see the environmental assessments and I’d like to know who approved it.”

Hillsburgh resident Theresa Humphrey, joined by her two children, also expressed concerns regarding natural wildlife.

“I think that there is a  real important question to be made beyond the impact of us humans living here,” said Humphrey. 

“There are fields there full of milkweed, it’s part of the monarch’s migration, it’s part of what gives life to so many monarchs and many other types of migrating animals.”

Humphrey also had concerns about natural waterways.

“What happens when you tear up all the trees?” Humphrey asked. “What happens to the soil and the waterways?” 

Resident David Blades, took a different approach, citing his top concern was traffic.

“We see it everyday; it is incredible what is happening along (Wellington Road) 22. This to me is a major concern,” said Blades.

He recalled an accident along Wellington Road 22 that claimed the life of a young man.

“A year and a half ago a young man was killed just west of the proposed sub division … and it was horrific,” said Blades.

He added he is also worried about the entrance to the proposed subdivision, as it would be positioned on a downhill slope, which he considers dangerous.

Both Blades and Rudd touched on the issue of winter construction. Rudd voiced concerns about the environmental impact of winter construction and Blades said he is worried about large vehicles coming and going in the winter. 

Mary Kay Amos, who lives on 4th Line, also expressed concerns.

“I’m concerned, not just about this development but all of it,” said Amos.  

“There is nothing we can do to stop … the ball if furiously rolling down the hill, but can you do it better?”

“Can we do it better, for god sake? We are  such a beautiful town and I hate that anyone who has gotten up to speed feels like this is already a done deal and there’s nothing we have to say about it … Why doesn’t our opinion matter? Can it matter? Can it matter in a meaningful way?” 

Amos told the room that when she wanted to start a summer camp for children to learn about the outdoors, the process was “rigorous and expensive.”

She said she is worried the development company was not being held to the same standards as the “small fries” when it comes to development. 

Resident Kevin Murphy voiced concerns over the use of farmland for residential development.

“Originally when I saw the signs, I looked at a big farmer’s field and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Why aren’t we filling in more in-fill, more property that isn’t good for farming, and the way the world’s going with the lack of farming land, that’s why [him and his wife] were disappointed in that,” said Murphy.

He also touched on speed changes and other traffic measures.

“I haven’t heard any talk of speed changes on the road or any talk about stop lights at the entrance,” he said.

“I haven’t heard anything about the builders, that there will be flag people there to take care of heavy equipment coming in and out,” said Murphy.

After the public was given the chance to speak, councillors chimed in with comments and questions.

“I would just add for members of the public, you’ve presented, but if you give us something in writing it makes sure that the message you want to get through gets through rather than people interpreting what you said, so take the time to send something in,” said councillor John Brennan.

“Thank you everyone for your comments; your passion came through very well,” added councillor Jamie Cheyne.

He also made comments regarding the proposed subdivision’s entrance.

“The entryway onto 22 … is a nasty entry,” said Cheyne. “Even just for day-to-day traffic is one thing, but construction traffic is going to be horrible; cement trucks don’t pull out very fast. but the guys coming up the hill do.”

Cheyne also touched on issues such as drainage of a water retention pond and the issue of flooding for neighbouring properties.

Representatives from Thomas Homes Ltd. assured Cheyne they would work closely with town staff to ensure the pond will drain in the appropriate areas.

“Thank you to all of the members of the community that have come out and passionately expressed how it will effect them,” said councillor Cathy Aylard.

“I truly believe we can do better. That’s why sat at this table, is the belief that our architectural design guidelines can be implemented and we can have a community that respects our environment.”

Aylard touched on the need to embrace the natural beauty of the area in which the subdivision is being built.

She also spoke to the fact that “it’s a community, kind of in the middle of nowhere” and that many will need to travel by car. However for those not able to travel by car, Aylard pointed out sidewalks in the subdivision are not attached to the main road.

Councillor Bridget Ryan reiterated the issue of wildlife preservation.

“Our wildlife really is important. I was wondering if we could have more information about the environmental assessment and could we also look at reconfiguring this?” Ryan asked. 

“Could we look at this as being a model for the future, where it could take in our natural heritage assets and really view them as valuable; showcase those because I think that will draw the type of people that we want to be here raising their families, working here in our community.”

All comments/questions from council and the public will be taken into consideration and presented at a future meeting.  

The post Residents concerned about proposed Erin subdivision appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

GUELPH – A new automated speed enforcement (ASE) policy will be making its way to a county council meeting this week.

According to a road committee report, treasury staff have been working on a revenue usage policy to provide details on the ASE process, revenue usage, budgeting and reporting.  

The policy was presented to the administration, finance and human resources (AFHR) committee for approval at its meeting on April 15. 

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Upon approval the committee added “that when developing the next year’s capital program, staff give consideration to areas generating significant speeding infractions.” 

The AFHR “will propose to use any net proceeds from the ASE revenue to put towards capital projects that improve road safety and measures to manage speed,” the report stated.

“The total amount of fines collected to the end of March is $4 million with just over $1.5 million being the county’s share,” stated county treasurer Ken DeHart. 

Projects can include but are not limited to:

• installing speed radar signs;
• undertaking speed monitoring and traffic studies;
• installing and upgrading pedestrian crosswalks, traffic signals and guard rails;
• installing curbs;
• paving shoulders;
• narrowing lane widths; and
• constructing roundabouts.

“The prioritization of projects is done through the capital budget process. Some of the projects in the capital budget were prioritized based on the County’s Road Master Action Plan Speed Management Corridor reviews and Intersection Assessment study,” county engineer Don Kudo told the Advertiser in an April 16 email. 

“Since it is unknown at this time the amount of ASE revenue that will be generated from the one-year ASE trial, it is premature to determine what projects will be funded from ASE revenue,” he explained.

According to DeHart, the need to have a policy came up in discussions with some members of council in March. 

“Some members of the senior management team met towards the end of March, early April and the policy and report was developed since the beginning of the month,” he continued.

As for how this will effect residents, DeHart stated, “The policy provides clarity over how the county’s share of the funds will be used, which are in accordance with provincial guidelines released by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), Safety Policy and Education Branch.”

The county has an ASE administrative penalty agreement with the MTO. One of the sections of the agreement is the monitoring of “safety effectiveness” with respect to the ongoing monitoring of ASE devices.

The reporting was broken into four categories: reporting requirements, collision reporting, vehicle speed data and administrative penalty data. 

The requirements include semi-annual reports no later than six months after the reporting periods of Jan. 1 to June 30 and July 1 to Dec. 31. 

A semi-annual report is due to the MTO after June 30.

However in order to provide an ASE trial monitoring report for the committee’s information, staff intend to provide a preliminary report on the available date to the county’s roads committee at the June meeting, stated the report. 

The collision reporting includes the need for municipalities to report on all motor vehicle collisions that occur within road segments adjacent to an ASE device, including injury and property damage information. 

Reporting on vehicle speed data features “semi-annual reports detailing vehicle speed for all vehicles observed by ASE devices,” the report stated. 

And according to the administrative penalty data, municipalities need to provide a breakdown of the number of vehicles passing ASE devices, number of vehicle images, number of penalty orders reviewed by a screening officer and hearing officers, and number of repeat contraventions for the same registered vehicle owner. 

The finalization and submission of the report to the MTO will then be completed after June 30. The policy will be reviewed by county council on April 24.

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