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Monthly Archives: November 2025
Acclamations For DiLorenzo, Burkholder At Catholic School Board’s Organizational Meeting
trustee Joseph Bruzzese, trustee Jim Marino, trustee Douglas Joyner, student trustee Taylor Sexton, trustee Paul Turner.
In front, from left: vice-chair Rhianon Burkholder, chair Danny Di Lorenzo, director of education Camillo Cipriano.
Trustee Natalia Benoit was absent when the photo was taken./Supplied photo.
WELAND- Niagara Catholic’s Chair and Vice-Chair remain unchanged for 2026, following the acclamation of Danny Di Lorenzo and Rhianon Burkholder to their respective roles. Di Lorenzo and Burkholder have retained these positions since the Annual Organizational Meeting following the 2022 Municipal Election.
They were acclaimed during Niagara Catholic’s Annual Organizational Meeting Nov. 25.
In his opening remarks, Di Lorenzo spoke passionately about the importance of Catholic school trustees in the successful operation of school boards.
“Tonight, it is impossible to speak about Catholic education without acknowledging the conversations happening across Ontario – conversations driven by Bill 33 and by commentary in the media suggesting that the role of trustees should be diminished or eliminated,” said Di Lorenzo. “Some have even gone so far as to paint all 72 boards with the same brush, implying dysfunction across the province and questioning the value elected trustees bring to education. Let me be very clear. These generalizations do not reflect the Niagara Catholic District School Board. They do not reflect our governance. They do not reflect our conduct. And they do not reflect our service to students and families.”
Burkholder spoke about the shifting landscape of education in Ontario, affirming that students will remain the focus for Niagara Catholic’s Board of Trustees.
“We all know that this is a time of significant change and challenge within the Ministry of Education,” she said. “New expectations, shifting priorities, and ongoing pressures can make the work feel heavy at times. But despite all of this, I remain genuinely happy – and deeply committed – to serving our community. Because in the midst of policies, budgets, and headlines, we cannot lose sight of who we are here for. Our students. The children and youth across Niagara who walk into our schools every single day— ready to learn, ready to grow, ready to contribute something meaningful to the world. They are the reason we do this work. And they remind us, constantly, of the hope and promise that exists in every classroom.”
Director of Education Camillo Cipriano congratulated Di Lorenzo and Burkholder.
“I am again pleased to congratulate Chair Di Lorenzo and Vice-Chair Burkholder on being returned as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Niagara Catholic District School Board for the coming year,” said Director Cipriano. “For the past three years, Chair Di Lorenzo and Vice-Chair Burkholder have been strong advocates for students, staff, and families across Niagara Catholic, and for Catholic education across Ontario. They have maintained wise financial stewardship of the board, while supporting the programs, supports, and services required for 21st century learners. I look forward to continuing the excellent relationship with Chair Di Lorenzo and Vice-Chair Burkholder, and all members of Niagara Catholic’s Board of Trustees, throughout 2026.”
Attribution: Niagara Catholic media release
City Approves Major Affordable And Attainable Housing Project On Crowther Avenue
WELLAND– Welland city council has approved an affordable and attainable housing development that will create 83 new rental homes on City-owned lands north of Broadway, on both sides of the unopened Crowther Avenue road allowance.
The project is moving forward through a partnership between Bethlehem Housing and Support Services (BHSS) and the Community Land Trust of Niagara (CLTN). It will introduce a mix of deeply affordable, affordable, and attainable rental units supported by on-site services and community amenities.
“This project responds directly to the growing need for safe, stable, and affordable rental housing in our community,” said Grant Munday, director of planning and development services. “These new homes will help individuals and families who are struggling to find suitable housing in today’s market, and they reflect the type of long-term community support that many residents need.”
Through a long-term land lease, BHSS will build 40 deeply affordable one- and two-bedroom units along with a ground-floor community hub. On the west side of the site, the city will sell the land to CLTN for a nominal amount to build 13 affordable and 30 attainable rental homes. An agreement ensures the lands remain dedicated to affordable and attainable housing over the long term. BHSS will also operate and manage the CLTN building.
To help advance the project, council has approved $403,000 in incentives through the city’s Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP). BHSS and CLTN will seek additional senior-government funding, with construction expected to begin in about one year.
The project aligns with the city’s Housing Needs Assessment and the Affordable Rental Housing CIP and reinforces the city’s commitment to expanding access to housing and improving quality of life for residents.
Attribution: City of Welland media release
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Ho, ho, ho! Holiday crafts, hot chocolate, snacks and more!
Are you looking for a great way to get into the holiday spirit!? Join us on Saturday, November 22, for the Welland Museum’s FREE Christmas Open House!Enjoy holiday crafts and activities while you satisfy your sweet tooth with a beverage from our hot chocolate bar and some goodies from our holiday snack selection!!
/Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog. Supplied graphicWelland’s Winter Lights Returns To Brighten The Season
WELLAND – The City of Welland is once again lighting up the holiday season with the return of its Winter Lights Display Tour. Sponsored by Welland Hydro, this community tradition celebrates festive creativity and neighbourhood spirit.
Applications to participate are open from November 17 to 28, and all Welland residents and businesses are welcome to take part.
From December 4 to 18, residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a self-guided driving tour of homes and businesses throughout the city, decked out in holiday displays. The two-week event offers a fun and family-friendly way to take in the sights, vote for favourite displays, and share in the joy of the season.
“This is one of those simple joys that brings our community together year after year,” said Fraser Mowat, recreation and culture coordinator. “The Winter Lights Display Tour is about celebrating creativity, connection, and the spirit of the season. It’s something everyone can be part of, whether you decorate or simply take the tour.”
A digital map of participating locations will be available on Engage Welland once the tour begins. Visitors can use the map to plan their route and cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award.
For more information, to apply, or to download the tour map once available, visit https://engagewelland.ca/welland-winter-lights-tour.
Attribution: City of Welland media release
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Please support/attend this needed community fundraiser
Approval of Welland Hospital Planning Grant A “Positive Step” But Lobbying Not Done: Burch
WELLAND – Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch released the following statement regarding the Ontario government’s approval of a planning grant for Welland Hospital:
“After months of pressure, the Ontario government has finally approved a planning grant for the Welland Hospital. This is a positive step forward for our community, but it’s only the beginning.
I will continue to push to ensure that the hospital’s renovations result in a full-service facility including after-hour emergency surgical services. Welland residents deserve nothing less than full access to the healthcare services they need, close to home, in our growing and aging community.”
For additional information, please see Province Of Ontario Supports The Future Of Hospital Care In Welland on this site.
Heritage Lives: A Remembrance Day Reminder
By Terry Hughes
During the city’s 150th Anniversary observance, a special postcard collection contained a picture of hundreds of troops (above) marching down East Main Street to parade at Merritt Park and eventually their destination, the King Street Station, bound for Europe in 1915. This troop movement would be repeated many times during this war and the Second World War here and across Canada as we would become truly a responsible supporter for freedom.
The military support here in Canada would continue at the rate of 5% of the GDP during the postwar period through to 1965 as our armed forces kept pace with military advancements; the Avro Arrow Project being one example.
With the election of Prime Minister Lester Pearson, support of the military changed to that of peacekeeping, a far cheaper business. From this point on, support for NATO dwindled leading us to totally withdraw our military presence from Europe leaving our military ill-equipped after the Cold War. During those 20 years spending would fall to a little over 1% of GDP. We would reinvent the role of peacekeeping. Instead of turning and running while being shot at, we returned fire in Croatia to stop ethnic cleansing.
A hard-pressed commitment after 9/11 for military support against the Taliban would drain our military to an all-time low.
Today, as the federal government announces its budget, we must play catchup in military spending as world tensions increase and threaten our borders. People from all parties must band together in support of this effort along with the challenges from south of the border.
(Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage and history. His opinion column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)
Province Of Ontario Supports The Future Of Hospital Care In Welland
WELLAND – The City of Welland welcomes the Ontario government’s approval of both the renovations to the Welland Hospital—in preparation for the opening of the South Niagara Hospital—and a planning grant for the future Welland Hospital Redevelopment Project. Together, these investments reflect a strong provincial commitment to high-quality hospital care in Welland and the continued success of Niagara Health’s three-site hospital model.
The provincial approval enables renovation work at the Welland Hospital ahead of the South Niagara Hospital opening in 2028 to begin. The planning grant provides resources to support early-stage development, including feasibility studies, community engagement, and planning for a true campus of care that will ensure the Welland Hospital remains a cornerstone of healthcare in Niagara.
“This is tremendous news for Welland,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “The province’s investment reinforces the hospital’s place at the heart of our community and its continued importance to local residents. We are grateful to Niagara Health and the Ontario government for recognizing the essential role the Welland Hospital plays in our region’s health system. This is outstanding news for our dedicated healthcare professionals and local residents.”
The announcement marks a major milestone for the City of Welland and its ongoing efforts to secure the long-term future of hospital care in the community. When the Welland Hospital was previously slated for closure during a regional hospital reorganization, Mayor Campion and four successive Councils worked tirelessly with other levels of government and community partners to protect and sustain local healthcare services.
By providing a planning grant for the Welland Hospital Redevelopment Project, the Ontario government has affirmed its confidence in Welland’s essential role within Niagara Health’s hospital network. This decision enables Niagara Health to move forward with planning the future of the Welland site and ensures continued access to high-quality care for residents.
The City of Welland extends its appreciation to the Ontario government and Niagara Health for their continued partnership and investment in the future of healthcare in Welland and across Niagara.
Attribution: City of Welland media release
Autumn Hues
Colour injects life into the waning, fall garden
/Joe Barkovich photos, Thursday, Nov. 6
fromareportersnotebook 