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BATY: On the roads and sidewalks to the ballot box

There are some 6,300 homes and apartments in Pelham. This candidate made it to approximately 5,500 before twisting an ankle in a rut at the edge of Canboro Road in Fonthill.
baty
 
There are some 6,300 homes and apartments in Pelham. This candidate made it to approximately 5,500 before twisting an ankle in a rut at the edge of Canboro Road in Fonthill. 
The sturdy Vasque hiking boots had done their duty for several twists and bumps before last Thursday. Nothing permanent in the injury; just needs a little time to refresh. 
In the last days of the campaign thoughts turned to some of the memories of this year’s election.
 I had a friend ask me why I had a sign a long way down Victoria Avenue towards Lincoln. My immediate answer was the fact that the sign demonstrated quite clearly how much land Pelham occupies and the vast majority of it is in agricultural use. 
The second reason it is there is in recognition of the large number of Pelham residents who commute down Victoria Avenue to the QEW and beyond. These are the people who would strongly favour the extension of the GO train service to Niagara. 
My last point regarding that sign was to point out the fact that it is noticed being way down the road near Lincoln.
   Approximately 1,500 homes are rural and are serviced by rural mailboxes. Driving close to the boxes and placing brochures inside can be a challenging task. First off, there is a fine art in driving the vehicle within an inch of the mailbox without scratching the passenger’s mirror. 
There is often a challenge for the passenger to know whether the box opens downward or upward and the real challenge is presented when the doors that open upward weigh several pounds so that you require one hand to lift and the other to handle the brochure. 
It is clearly evident that the majority of mail boxes in Pelham have taken abuse; many from the teenage pranks of rural mailbox baseball. Some owners have taken precautions against such abuse. 
One box on Sixteen Road had been taken down, put on end and a sleeve placed inside to pour a three inch wall of concrete to protect the external box from damage. Another on Centre Street was opened to expose a metal anvil inside. Others employ steel posts, chains or guard rails to protect from damage. 
One can imagine the impact of a baseball bad hitting one of these fortresses; something like Wiley Coyote trying to capture the Roadrunner!
   There are many roads that go from one concession to another with no houses; only farmland and one has to marvel at the cost to maintain this extensive network of roads with so few houses to support the taxes. That is also true of the extensive ditches that require maintenance. 
Nonetheless, especially at this time of year, the pastoral scenery was calming to the sight. My favorite off-road sights were Sulphur Springs Road and Orchard Hill Road over to Luffman Road. 
In Fonthill there are tremendous views from the top of Shaldane Lane and Donahue Drive but I think that Petronella Parkway has the most calming curves with some spectacular homes.
 In Fenwick, my own street of Memorial Drive is one of the best places for a long stroll and the bending drive along River Road near the airport and O’Rielly’s Bridge displays the tranquil scenery of the Welland River. 
The door to door drop-offs allowed me to share in the pride of ownership displayed by residents of our town with the variety of landscaping and garden features on view. I was particularly struck by the metal sculpture and bonsai garden and deck at one residence.
   Like my fellow candidates for all positions in this municipal election, we thank you for the pleasure of sharing your homes and yards, your farms, orchards and vineyards  with us as we made our way through the election path to today’s vote. Hats off to all who presented themselves; thanks to all voters who cast ballots this year!