“It is incredible to see the operation. Hundreds of volunteers are coming together in common cause to support fellow human beings in need in this community, in London, in Windsor, throughout southwestern Ontario. I’m incredibly impressed. It’s a great vision, and I’d like to help.”

That was the glowing endorsement from London Centre Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos, following his tour this week of the Harvest Hands Food Distribution Centre on Currah Road in St. Thomas.

His offer of help is to muster whatever support he can, including financial, to facilitate the expansion of Harvest Hands.

“I want to find opportunities for federal funding that would allow for their expansion. They have such a very good facility here, but it’s not big enough. They keep finding food; saving food is really what they’re doing. They talk about rescue. And that is what they are doing. They’re rescuing food and helping people in need.”

“There are affordability challenges, and we have to, all of us in elected office, continue to recognize that and support the organizations on the ground that are recognizing it themselves and giving back in such a tremendous way.”

So why would Fragiskatos (seen below with founder Jim Collins) leave his riding and visit a food distribution centre in St. Thomas?

Because, according to Fragiskatos, “The status quo is not good enough.”

He continued, “This government, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, is making food security an absolute priority. And I think we have to look at being resilient and reliant wherever possible. And that’s why the Prime Minister continues to talk about food security and food sovereignty, making sure that wherever possible we are sourcing our own food here.

“And in this case, they are saving food from going to waste. And when you do that, you give people an opportunity in the organizations, churches, other voluntary organizations, the opportunity to come get that food and get it to people in need. It’s really a great story of resilience, of compassion, of people working together.”

He stressed, “I do want to commend the various corporate partners that are involved because they have, in many cases, on their own, learned about the organization, reached out and said they want to help. And they are helping.

“So I think it really is an example of what partnership leads to. Partnership on the corporate side with a not-for-profit here.

“You have, as I said before, hundreds of volunteers. And I think that, again, we in elected office need to look at this as an example, as a model. Not just for our region or the province, but for the country as a whole.

“We can do more here, and we have to go to these organizations that are doing this kind of work in various parts of Canada and say, what do you need? And in many cases, I mean, it’ll vary, but here there’s a need; they want to expand. They need more; they need a bigger facility to work out of. And I think I can help with that. I’m going to look into that and work very hard on it.

“It’s an experience that’s forced us to reevaluate a number of things and to recognize that the status quo is not good enough.”

When it comes to food, Fragiskatos suggested it is time to think about things differently.

“Champion agriculture wherever possible. We have a breadbasket here in southwestern Ontario. We need to support farmers more, but also recognize the deep food insecurity that people are facing, not just people who are homeless, but people who are also working and having a tough time making ends meet.

“There’s a lot to be said about a Canadian ethic that brings together voluntary organizations, from the church and beyond, to support people in need. There is that continued need, and I think government can champion that by going to local organizations on the ground, these existing groups that are in place, and asking what type of assistance they need to keep doing the great work that they’re doing, just like is happening here.”

As we’ve heard many times over in council meetings at city hall in St. Thomas, coming up with a local solution to a much larger issue.

“That’s right,” agreed Fragiskatos, “because the federal government certainly wants to help, but the federal government is based in Ottawa. We can help in terms of securing investment that would, for example, lead to the expansion of the work that happens here, a new facility, things like this.

“But you can’t organize this effort out of Ottawa, nor would you want to. We see local work underway. We should encourage that. Help it along wherever possible. And yes, there’s so much advantage in looking local. Canada is a community of communities. There’s every opportunity, I think, to really recognize that, bring that kind of vision forward, and make sure that we’re doing right by people by not reinventing the wheel here. This operation is in existence.

“So I saw it up close, as I said, I’m tremendously impressed with how they’re doing it. And it is a model. It’s a model for our region, for the province, for the country.

“The leadership is outstanding. It’s a model based on compassion, but it’s a model that clearly works. You hear the leadership’s description of the operation. I mean, you’re talking about trucks, you’re talking about a facility where they have to store things. Hundreds of partnerships with various companies that they get the food from, and then hundreds of partnerships on top of that with organizations that are involved in distributing the food to people in need.

“I was asking questions wherever I could because I wanted to understand it more. And I think I do now. I can’t commend them enough.”

This week, the St. Thomas Police Services Board approved a revised 2027 operating budget of just under $24 million, a 10.4 per cent increase over this year’s budget.

This was achieved through $342,000 in operating reductions and the deferral of $420,000 in capital projects until 2028.

This represents a $762,000 reduction from the original budget approved in September. That budget would have seen an 11.98 per cent hike over 2026.

Board chair Dan Reith (pictured on the left) indicated in a media release that the revised budget “reflects the board’s commitment to balancing responsible financial stewardship with its legislative obligation to ensure adequate and effective policing.”

Under the revised budget, the downtown Community Resource Unit would be restructured from 10 down to eight Special Constables, with two members redeployed to other positions.

Reith added, “The board recognizes the financial pressures facing our municipality and has found additional efficiencies for 2027. We have carefully reviewed our operating and capital requirements and made meaningful adjustments to support the city’s financial objectives.”

We spoke at length with Chief Marc Roskamp on Tuesday about the financial implications for the coming year.

He felt the original September budget was “as lean as possible,” while meeting “everything that we felt we needed to meet current demand and into 2027 with what the community is expecting of us in order to provide statutory obligations to adequate and effective police services.”

We touched base with outgoing Mayor Joe Preston on the city’s financial outlook for the coming year and whether all departments were asked to take a closer look at their budget projections.

That item is below.

Roskamp noted that the city is experiencing unprecedented growth, as evidenced by the substantial increase in calls for service.

“So there’s some pressure to that, and that costs money. And we have to deliver that based on legislation. We’ve got to provide that. We’ve got to be responsive to the community’s needs, and you have to attend. When somebody calls the police, they’ve got to attend.”

Roskamp continued, “And in recent years, the Police Services Board and city council have been remarkable in making investments so that this city is one of the best in Canada in addressing homelessness, mental health, substance use disorders, and poverty. And so we were a part of that.

“There is no question that the police special constable team in the downtown core has made people feel safer. There’s no question that it has provided massive reductions in calls for service in our downtown core. About an 84 per cent reduction in calls for service and a 74 per cent reduction in open drug use.”

However, he cautioned that “the police service can no longer be the sole funder and one of the only solutions to these unmet community needs.”

As to the redeployment of two Special Constables downtown, Roskamp advised, “These positions are still approved by the board. So if I find that data is starting to climb again, I’ll bring it to the board and say, we’ve got to fill these spots.”

He reminded that the complement of 10 Special Constables was in response to community requests.

“My Special Constables, the work they do is amazing. And they’ve contributed in large part to the reductions we see in the city. But the point is, they deserve credit. And me reducing the team doesn’t mean I don’t value them, nor does the community not value them. It’s just the first thing that has to fall.”

Roskamp made it clear that with a 10.4 per cent increase next year, “There’s absolutely no further room. There are no contingencies for major crime. We’ve got just enough to pay staff, pay for the building, pay for what we have now.

“But it’s something we got to monitor very carefully because our downtown may say, nope, we want more because now we do have a problem. We don’t see all the yellow shirts down here. People are acting up again.”

He is awaiting word on close to $700,000 in provincial grant funding, which, if approved, would further offset costs.

“The police service and policing in general is unlike any of the other departments. So we can align ourselves with the corporate vision to keep it as low as possible, but there are public safety needs. These aren’t wants. These are needs as evidenced by data that tell us, don’t go any lower.”

Roskamp concluded, “It’s a good thing for the city that we’ve gone back, and the board’s had a rethink, and it’s okay to do these things.  But how can we reduce services and grow the city? If you’re going to grow the city, you better grow your departments. We can’t keep growing and not service the departments.

“We can’t be responsible for every unmet community social and health need. We are not the solution and the funder for all of those needs.

“We’re doing our part. We were responsive. The board was great. We still have what we need to meet and exceed adequate and effective services.”

Reith stressed in his closing remarks that “The board remains committed to working collaboratively with the city council to support a safe and financially sustainable community.

“While we have made significant reductions, we must also recognize that further cuts would compromise this service’s ability to meet its responsibilities.

“We believe this revised budget strikes a responsible balance between municipal financial realities and the public safety needs of our growing community.”

While the incoming council will take over, we spoke with outgoing Mayor Joe Preston yesterday (Friday) about the work to date on the city’s 2027 budget.

All indications suggest a repeat of this year’s six per cent hike in the municipal property tax rate is to be avoided if at all possible.

Preston reminded that the police services budget is a process unto itself.

“Whereas with the other city departments, we can always ask for a budget, then go back and review and do more. The police budget is approved only by the Police Services Board, and then it is handed on to the city. That’s not to say that’s the end of it. We certainly have discussions ongoing as to what it might do to the general overall budget.

“And once council starts the budget process, it can still ask the police for changes. But only in a number, in a percentage, not in a specific line item. That’s not possible. Only the police services board can do the budget in that manner.

“We knew when the first budget was there (in September), we said public safety is always important, that we’re covering it, but is there anything else? And as it moves on, there are possible provincial grants, but we can’t really put them in the budget until they’ve been approved. So it can actually improve itself as time passes into next year. But we’re certainly hoping for news on some of those grants even before budget time for council.“

We asked Preston if all city departments are being asked to re-examine their budget requests.

“Maybe to the point of whatever you’ve got, let’s see what else you can do.

“Is there something in the budget that is not needed for 2027? Or is it something you found a different way to do? Or even in some cases, you know, in some of the other departments, you implement the change mid-year. So you’re only really covering half that new cost in the next year.

“So there are many ways to still address budgeting and get it as tight as it can be, but still deliver the right services to the city.”

Because cutting public services should be a last resort.

“I’m pretty proud of what we’ve been able to do in our public safety, both fire and police in the last number of years. And as we grow, of course, so does their responsibility. So I understand the police chief’s desire to give an absolutely accurate budget to give us that public safety side, but also be flexible when it needs to be.”

We asked Preston if he would attend Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, and he advised he did not plan on being there.

“Look, you know me and my politics. I’d love to be everywhere at once, but this is a whole new group that’s got to learn really quickly to work well together, and so I’m anxious to let them get started doing that.

“Call at any time; I’ll come and advise or do whatever else might be, and a number of other communities have asked, and I’ll do what I can because, you know, I think politics is a great thing.

“It’s not ending right now. And it’s pretty busy. There’s still lots of conversation, and I expect even all of next week, and for the week after, I’ve got a number of other municipalities that are asking for assistance on things that I’m helping them with. I’m going to stay busy.”

We’ll be sitting down with Preston next week to talk about the road ahead and will present that conversation next week in this corner.

After five years at the helm, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital President and CEO Karen Davies on Tuesday announced she plans to retire in the new year.

In a statement to the hospital board, Davies stressed her commitment to remain engaged in her role through the transition period.

Board chair Amy Dale applauded Davies’ leadership and dedication.

“Karen has provided transformational leadership at STEGH, and her vision, steadfastness, calm nature and commitment to putting people first have created a very strong hospital and bright future for care in our community.”

Davies (seen at right with the hospital’s MRI) joined STEGH in 2012 as Chief Nursing Executive and Vice-President and moved into the top role in 2021.

Davies spoke of serving the hospital as “One of the greatest privileges of my life.”

She continued, “While this decision comes with mixed emotions, I leave with tremendous confidence in the future of STEGH and deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve here.”

The search for a new president and CEO will begin in the coming weeks.

We will be with Davies at the hospital this coming Tuesday to reflect on her tenure at STEGH, and that conversation will also be featured next week.

In August of 2024, Karen Vecchio sat down in the myFM studio to announce, “I made my decision, and that is to not run in the next election.
That would be the 45th election that we are expecting in October of 2025.
“And unfortunately, my name will not be on the ballot. And, next year when the federal election occurs, I will have been at it (sitting as an MP) for 10 years.

“I believe everybody has an expiry date, and I know it’s time for me to be home.”

Later in the conversation, when we turned to her life after politics, Vecchio asserted, “It all comes down to giving back to the community.”

And yesterday (Friday), it was announced that this is precisely the way forward for Vecchio.

The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin announced the appointment of Karen Vecchio as its new Manager of Philanthropy & Community Engagement, effective Nov. 17.

She joins the leadership team as part of a planned leadership transition that sees Janet Turner retire at the end of the year.

Turner has been advancing the facility’s fundraising efforts over the past two years.

Vecchio sits as a member of the hospice’s board of directors and “Posesses a strong understanding of the organization’s mission, values and strategic priorities,” according to a media release from the hospice.

Executive Director Jennifer Speziale added, “Karen’s long-standing commitment to community service, combined with her exceptional ability to build relationships and engage partners, makes her an ideal fit for this role.

“Her passion for serving others, deep roots within our region, and a deep understanding of our organization will help us continue to strengthen our broad community engagement and philanthropic support for Hospice and the many services we will offer well into the future.”

Vecchio noted, “Having served on the board, I have experienced firsthand the compassionate care and support provided to individuals and families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

“I look forward to working alongside donors, volunteers, staff, and community partners to advance this important mission and help ensure Hospice remains a vital community resource for generations to come.”

Sitting across from each other in the myFM studio two years ago, the conversation turned candid.

“I know that when I come home, I want to get back to the community,” stressed Vecchio. “I’m looking at everything from what is there in legal, what is there in human trafficking, and what is there in social issues?

“Or do I want to go out and drive a forklift so that at night I can do all my volunteer work because there is so much I want to give back?

“It all comes down to giving back to the community.”