Oh Canada, we’re staying home this year

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June 26, 2020

In a normal year, events committees across the County would be finalizing plans for Canada Day celebrations.

However, with COVID-19, Canada Day as we’ve known it in the past has been cancelled locally.

Minden Hills Coun. Jennifer Hughey said with the province’s state of emergency extended to June 30 and restrictions on public gatherings, the events committee had to naturally shelve the party for July 1.

However, she encouraged locals to join with other Canadians in viewing virtual celebrations across the land. In Minden, she said there’s no reason social circles can’t get together to mark the nation’s birthday at home or at the cottage.

“The committee is saddened not to be able to put on the show. We always attempt to be better and do better every year. But while discouraging for us, we encourage people to watch along with the nation, and celebrate at home with their families,” Hughey said.

Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt said they’re also disappointed that so many of their community events have been cancelled, including Canada Day.

“Our community volunteers work hard to put on events like Canada Day but we’ll re-group next year and be back to celebrate with bells on,” she said. “Hopefully folks will still celebrate Canada Day in their respective bubbles. It’s also my hope that we’ll take the opportunity to reflect on what this day means within the broader context of the recent global events; with the goal of acknowledging and seeking a deeper understanding of the full heritage of this great land and all its people.”

Highlands East Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Shannon Hunter said, “we are not holding Canada Day festivities. Hopefully next year will be bigger and better.”

Dysart et al always marks Canada Day with events in West Guilford but recreation co-ordinator Andrea Mueller confirmed it’s a no-go for this year as well.

Some virtual offerings:

• The Federal Government is leading a virtual Canada Day. Google, OH Canada! Canada Day 2020 or visit canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/ campaigns/canada-day.html

• snapd has created a virtual fireworks experience that will give people throughout the country something to commemorate Canada Day with from the comfort of their own backyards, balconies or living rooms. They say they’ll showcase a number of unique and memorable activities that families can enjoy throughout the day, culminating in fireworks, and featuring Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield at 9:30 p.m. People can access by downloading the snapd HUB app on their mobile device.

Couple opening food truck without wheels

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Lisa Gervais

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June 26, 2020

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County residents will soon have another eating option with Kate’s Burger Counter opening on Lake Kashagawigamog Lake Road.

Co-owner/operator Tanya Smith said, “it has been very trying to open during COVID and getting people in for repairs and getting permits but we are taking it one day at a time and know we will open when the time is right.”

Her life partner, Jon Tulk, is her business partner. Smith said she and Tulk are from Toronto. Smith’s been a horticulturist for the last 21 years, and was running her own garden maintenance company for the last five. Tulk was a high school teacher for 20 years.

“We both decided it was time to leave the city and find a new adventure,” Smith said. “We both love being in the kitchen, him cooking and me baking. We chose the Highlands because my partner’s family had a cottage on Haliburton Lake and we just fell in love with the location when we were shown the place.”

Smith said it all came about as the couple had always dreamed about owning a food truck. They also needed to find work wherever they moved.

“So, I found a space where we could live and work. When we found this place on Kashagawigamog Lake Road, and saw that it already had the working kitchen, it was perfect – our food truck without wheels. We saw the potential and knew we have several options with the space. We learned that it had been a few years since anyone was operating here.”

Smith said Tulk has some food experience from his youth, and from his teaching food and nutrition at his high school. For her, it is a steep learning curve but she will be mostly be at the front of the house with her years of sales experience. The two are owner operators and will hire a few part-timers to help during busy weekends.

“We are going to try our best to keep ingredients local, especially when in season, and we are going to use as little plastic as possible, especially in our take-out containers and water.”

Camexicanus plans summer camps

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Lisa Gervais

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June 26, 2020

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Camexicanus is planning week-long day camps in Haliburton, Minden and Wilberforce this summer.

But before that, they’ll start with some initial one-day programs as of the first week of July, program director Amy Leis said.

“Because we haven’t been able to secure facilities for early July, we will be running exclusively outdoor activities. We hope to run weekly camps at indoor facilities starting at the end of July and throughout August,” she said.

Camexicanus is looking for a location with both indoor and outdoor green space where they can run programs outside as much as possible.

“The more open space, the better – a space such as a dance studio, church, community centre, school gym, etc. would be perfect,” Leis said. “We’re pretty adaptive, though. We want to be able to have the kids do active classes (dance and sports activities), but we need to have them two metres apart at all times.”

She said the province highly recommends splitting large groups of kids into separate groups, to make social distancing easier, so they’re planning on dividing the group in half, and running classes indoors and outdoors at the same time. Mealtimes would be held outside.

“Usually, we run programs inside of churches or at community centres, as they tend to have nice open spaces for activities such as dance classes. We don’t need a kitchen, but washroom facilities/running water would be helpful,” she said.

She said the government hasn’t provided a cap for the number of kids who can attend day camp programs but has said that participants must be kept in groups of 10 participants maximum. She said they’re planning to limit the total number of children enrolled to a maximum of 10 per week and divide those 10 into two groups. If there is a lot of interest, they may change that.

As for safety measures, she said campers would be screened daily, including temperature checks. Parents won’t be allowed inside and anyone feeling unwell, or who’s been in contact with a possible case, will be asked to stay home. Staff will be regularly sanitizing any shared materials and high touch areas and do full daily cleanings and disinfecting. Things such as art supplies will be placed in individual bags. Staff won’t be preparing any food. Kids will be scheduled to hand wash. Staff will use PPE if they have to come into close contact with children.

Leis said they will be offering programming for Grade 1 to Grade 8-aged students. It will include art, dance, acting, music, film and photography, sports and games.

“With many parents returning to work, the need for safe and secure children’s programming in the County is even more vital than usual this summer, especially since children have spent the past three months without any socialization outside of their immediate families,” Leis said.

“We want to provide this for them, as an important part of the reopening process, even if that means running on a smaller scale than normal, doing shorter camp weeks with fewer kids or working outside more. As long as we are able to make something happen for the kids, we are happy.”

If any one in the community knows of available facilities, they are looking for suggestions. Registration information will be available on camexicanus.ca. People can also get in touch at info@ camexicanus.ca.

Minden will be Still Standing this fall

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 26, 2020

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The excitement was palpable June 18 as members of Minden Hills Council gave two thumbs up to allowing the CBC television show Still Standing to film in the town next month.

The show’s story producer, Shayla Howell, and executive director, Anne Francis, made a virtual delegation to a special council meeting.

Still Standing is one of CBC television’s flagship shows, now filming its seventh season. Hosted by Canadian actor and comedian Jonny Harris, who is also in Murdoch Mysteries, Still Standing explores the challenges facing small communities across Canada and celebrates the people who call them home, Howell said.

She added that from coast to coast to coast, the show reveals Canada’s vast beauty and highlights the country’s unique and diverse characters.

“Viewers ride shotgun with Jonny on the ultimate road trip and learn that across the country, Canada’s small towns are built on community, grit and an enormous amount of heart,” the show producer said.

She said Minden is exactly the kind of community experience they look for, “where there is a significant challenge, and the community is working together to not only meet that challenge, but to move forward.”

She referred to flooding and Minden having declared four states of emergency (including the current one for COVID-19) in the past seven years. She said they’ve followed local news and know the community was able to raise money to rebuild after the floods, and was successful in changing provincial policy “thereby saving other communities from having to go through the same trials.

“This is the kind of terrific success we like to learn about. As the climate continues to change, communities will experience the upheaval that comes with it, which is why this kind of story is so relevant today.

“As a huge bonus, Minden is jaw-droppingly beautiful with an abundance of natural assets, all of which will be highlighted as we film,” Howell said.

She said they would also highlight things such as the town’s world-class white water preserve, its innovative entrepreneurial spirit, volunteerism and community support.

With an estimated one million viewers per show, she said feedback from other communities they’ve filmed in are economic spinoffs, including tourism and real estate.

With the pandemic, she emphasized that plans are tentative. In addition, up to this point, a significant component has been the live stand-up comedy show at the end of the week of filming, where Harris writes and performs. Howell said it’s not possible at this time for safety reasons so for now they will just film everything except the comedy show. Filming is scheduled for July 15-20 and the show anticipated to be aired in the fall of 2021.

Councillors supportive

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell said, “I don’t see any downside to this. I very much look forward to this experience.”

Coun. Jennifer Hughey agreed. She said she’s a huge fan of the show and enjoyed the Wilberforce episode in 2017.

“The title of the show is Still Standing, and we are. We’ve been through a lot. I don’t see flooding, in this case for us, being a negative thing. We’ve learned how to do this, react to it, deal with it, better each time and I think that is something for us to showcase. Our community has learned how to sandbag faster. We have IT, machines and technology working for us now. We’ve obviously come a long way so I think it’s really great that you guys see this.”

An excited Coun. Pam Sayne said she, too, loves the show, and it makes her want to visit the chosen locales.

“This show is so important to this country. You are preserving cultural heritage. I’m so proud we can be part of this. I know the community is going to love it.”

Coun. Ron Nesbitt said, “Even though I was born in Haliburton, I love Minden. It’s a thrill. I’ve never been so happy about something happening as this.”

Coun Jean Neville said it was a fantastic opportunity for Minden.

Mayor Brent Devolin ended the meeting with, “We’re all terrifically excited to go forward with this. Four declarations in seven years, and certainly the COVID one in unlike any others.” He said the town’s perseverance and sense of humour will provide plenty of storylines for the film crew.

Part of them will always be Jaguars

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 26, 2020

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The Jaguars took to video June 23 to celebrate their Grade 8 graduation.

J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School Principal Andrea Borysiuk said, “This graduating class has stepped up and dug in. They’ve worked hard to make sure they’ve learned the valuable lessons we know they will require moving forward, like showing up on time and being prepared to do the hard work, that quality and effort and meeting a deadline are really important skills.”

She added they were always willing to lend a hand and get involved to make sure the school was inclusive, safe and a happy place to be. The principal said they’d been leaders throughout the school and had been instrumental in making sure events and activities ran smoothly.

“Graduates, please know that you are amazing. We are proud of your perseverance, your grit and your resilience. Over the past few months, we have learned important life lessons. Please remember them and practice them daily. Be patient and kind. You can learn, solve problems and create using your resourcefulness and the gift of togetherness should be cherished,” she said.

Trustee Gary Brohman also honoured parents and families, teachers and support staff. He offered a message about hope and perseverance, saying “It’s not how heavy the load is, it’s how you carry it … Graduates, I know things are hard right now but they will get better. In high school, you’ll do very, very well.”

The Class of 2020 had three valedictorians; Mikayla Sisson, Avery Degeer and Autumn Winder.

Mikayla said in part, “By experiencing so many different events and changes throughout our years at JDH, we’ve learned that sometimes we need to expect the unexpected and be able to improvise if something doesn’t go as planned. I’m sure many people are now thinking about the coronavirus pandemic that broke out this school year. This is just one of the many times we have had to come up with a plan B in order to continue with what was going on at the moment.”

Degeer recalled many good times, such as seeing the University of Brock, going to the top of the CN Tower, and riding Canada’s tallest roller coaster, on school trips.

Autumn touched on the experience of online learning. She said while tough, good had come out of it. She said they had developed new skills, which had made them more flexible and self-reliant. She joked parents had also saved a lot of money this year on dresses and tuxedoes.

She concluded, “We did it. We graduated. Now we can live the next chapters of our lives as a Red Hawk but part of us will always be a Jaguar. Congratulations class of 2020, you did it.”

Challenges didn’t stop graduates of Archie Stouffer

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 26, 2020

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Archie Stouffer Elementary School (ASES) made history June 22 with its first-ever virtual graduation.

Due to COVID-19 it was only the second time in school history there was no traditional grad. The last time was 1940, during the Second World War.

Valedictorian Mim Buwalda addressed the “pandemic of the century” in her speech, as well as other challenges in 2019-2020.

“Who knew we would end our years at Archie this way? Online learning, social distancing, and a global pandemic. Pretty crazy. This along with the differences of opinion between the provincial government and our teachers created some challenges that we would have to overcome in our graduating year. But that never stopped us from moving forward and graduating to high school.”

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott filmed a congratulatory message.

“Like many of the milestones we’re accustomed to celebrating, this is very different than what we are used to,” she said. “While your ceremony may not involve walking across the stage with all your classmates, it isn’t any less of a milestone in your life.”

Principal Jane Austin said this year’s theme was black and white.

“Emulate the colour black. Be strong, set goals, be protective of others and our world, absorb the learning that is all around you, at home, at school and in our community. Embrace the colour white, be fair, be independent and celebrate fresh starts and new chapters. Be a reflection of your true self and of your deepest values.”

Mim’s mom, Rebecca Krawczyk said it was a tough end to the school year with labour unrest followed by a pandemic. She said the next challenge was online learning without reliable internet. However, she said it was wonderful when the ASES family showed up at their door to let Mim know she had been chosen valedictorian.

“I’m really proud of her.” Krawczyk said.

Mim definitely felt she had missed out on some things during this pandemic end to Grade 8, including the class trip to Niagara Falls.

Austin said many people contributed to the virtual grad “and we’ve had a lot of fun.” Students were able to keep their caps and gowns and received Grad 2020 baseball hats and T-shirts as a memento.

Austin Davidson-Burgess was just one of many of the grads who donned their caps and gowns and walked across the outside stage to get their diplomas before the camera crew and a photographer. While a different experience, Davidson-Burgess said he was, “just caught in the moment.”

Award winners

Science and Technology: Cheyenne Legace and Melanie Walter

English: Ireland Meyer and Sofia Scott

Music: Kaelem Little and Sam Hullah

Arts: Mim Buwalda

Geography: Macy Thompson and Sofie Mills

French: Sofia Scott and Charlotte Moynes

Math: Aleyeh McGovern and Sienna Inglis

Arcadian Masonic Lodge Award: Owen Mercer

Character Education Award: Jamie Crowe

Sarah Bloomfield Award: Mim Buwalda

Allan Walker Memorial Award for Citizenship: Macy Thompson

Academic Excellence Award: Melanie Walter

Athletic Sportsmanship Award: Macy Thompson and Evan Gilbert

Male and Female Athletes of the Year: Austin Boylan and Sofie Mills

Principal’s All-Around Award: Austin Boylan.

Retirement residence makes progress

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 25, 2020

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JQ - Gardens of Haliburton update - 1-web — The Gardens of Haliburton development is making progress. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Despite pandemic delays, Haliburton’s new 70-unit retirement facility is making progress towards a planned Spring 2021 opening.

The Gardens of Haliburton announced in a June update the new home at Sunnyside Street would be finished in January/February, with plans for a May 1 opening. The organization is also opening a sales office at 195 Highland St. Aug. 1.

Company partner Phil Mardimae said COVID-19 has delayed completion from an initial timeline of November, as fewer workers can be at the site to allow for physical distancing. He said they expect to be able to begin building indoors in the next couple of weeks.

“It’s going quite well, given the pandemic situation,” he said. “The main way it impacted is we weren’t able to flood the construction site with as many workers.”

The project has been in development for more than a year, initially announced Sept. 2018. The private retirement residence aims to provide a home for seniors, with the rent covering meals, housekeeping, activities, 24-hour emergency response and healthcare consultation. Partner and marketing head Phil McKenzie said they see the project as filling a void.

“We’ve been really pleasantly surprised by the number of people who contact us and start with, ‘we’re so pleased that Haliburton is going to have this level of care that it hasn’t had before’,” he said. “We’re really not competing against anyone.”

He added the home would help seniors who may no longer be able to live on their own but do not necessarily require the services of a long-term care home. Mardimae said the pandemic is not changing the design of the building, but they are preparing for it operationally with safety precautions. He cited a retirement living facility they already run, the Gardens of Parry Sound, which has had no COVID-19 cases.

McKenzie said retirement living facilities are well-equipped to prevent an outbreak from spreading, with an easier ability to isolate people in separate units compared to some long-term care homes. He also said the pricing has not been finalized but they plan to have that ready by Aug. 1.

The Gardens of Haliburton has also proposed a second phase of development to add another 50 units after the completion of the first 70. Mardimae said the subsequent development would depend on the demand level after the first structure is
up-and-running. That means the second phase might not go ahead if the demand is not there.

“It’s possible,” Mardimae said. “We designed these facilities so even if only phase one gets built, it’s totally self-sustainable, it’s there permanently.”

But McKenzie added even if the demand is not there immediately, they expect it would be eventually with an ageing population.

“We’re certainly expecting it will be there in the next few years.”

The class of 2020 celebrates despite COVID

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 20, 2020

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JQ - School graduations - 2-web — Photo via Flickr.

Local schools are preparing to celebrate the graduation of their students in new ways this year with the pandemic preventing large gatherings.

Graduation committees have worked on alternative arrangements with school buildings closed for the remainder of the educational year due to COVID-19. Trillium Lakelands District School Board has allowed its schools to each make their own decisions on how graduation ceremonies happen, with many going online.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School will do a video ceremony June 24, with all the normal speeches. The school will also offer students a chance to cross a stage and get photos taken the next day on a staggered, scheduled basis to allow for physical distancing.

“Our staff felt really strongly about celebrating our students and their accomplishments,” HHSS principal Chris Boulay said. “We want to make sure our graduates know how proud we are of them.”

Boulay said the school listened to feedback about the importance of getting graduation photos.

“Trying to have some type of photo moment was also significant for families to be able to have a reminder,” he said. “Even though it is a limited form, it’s still going to be very special.”

Other schools are also planning online ceremonies or events, including Archie Stouffer Elementary, J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary and Wilberforce Elementary.

Stuart Baker Elementary School is forgoing its usual clap out ceremony but is preparing slideshows for each of its Grade 3 students moving on.

Wilberforce Elementary principal Elaine Fournier said the school’s graduation committee is working on a virtual space for students to enjoy fun activities after addresses from the principal, trustee, and valedictorian.

“It’s going to be celebratory,” Fournier said. “It allows for everyone to participate.”

Although the pandemic has made for challenging circumstances, Fournier said recognizing milestones is still important.

“Everything feels like it has changed, but there are things that haven’t … Like the unwavering support and love and pride of the graduates’ families. The pride of teachers and staff members,” she said. “It’s really important to recognize and celebrate milestones. Just because we’re under unusual or extraordinary circumstances doesn’t mean we let go of, or forget that.”

Below is the full schedule of middle and high school ceremonies:

• Archie Stouffer Elementary School – June 22, 7 p.m.

• J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School – June 23, 6:30 p.m.

• Wilberforce Elementary School – June 24, 6 p.m.

• Haliburton Highlands Secondary School – June 24, 7 p.m.

Daycares staying closed, seek provincial funding

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Lisa Gervais

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June 19, 2020

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JQ - Daycare reopening - 1 — Construction has begun for an expansion at the Minden daycare, which will keep its doors closed for six months. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Daycares are remaining closed for now as they seek more funding from the province to address the increased demands of the pandemic.

The province announced daycares could start reopening June 12, with enhanced safety measures. However, many daycares are halting any reopening until the provincial government can fund the costs of enhanced measures, as well as ensuring provincial grants can be used to help cover for wages.

The Minden daycare is in that position. The building will be closed for at least six months as construction gets underway for a planned expansion, delayed by COVID-19. But Compass Early Learning and Care CEO and Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) president Sheila Olan-MacLean said the wage picture needs to be sorted for the daycare to run with an alternative arrangement at local schools.

“It’s like the province does not want to own any problems that arise from opening up,” Olan-MacLean said. “It was just kind of insulting the way that the announcement was made.”

Childcare centres have been relying on the federal government’s 75 per cent wage coverage since they closed in March. OlanMacLean said they have used provincial dollars to make up the rest and continue paying staff, but were then told in May funds could not be used for that purpose. That stands to put Compass, which runs daycares throughout the region, into a $600,000 deficit, she said.

“We were told something, made business decisions based on what we were told, and then 10 weeks into the closure, what they call the ‘sustainability plan’ was really disastrous for all of childcare,” OlanMacLean said.

Meanwhile, Haliburton Wee Care supervisor Denise Wolm said the daycare is not sure when it can open.

“There are a lot of factors to take into consideration including funding and preparations which need to be done in order to ensure everyone’s safety which is first and foremost,” she said.

In a June 13 letter, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said the province would provide funding to centres for cleaning, personal protective equipment and enhanced staffing levels.

“We know the integral role childcare plays in the restart of Ontario’s economy,” Lecce said. “We have taken action to support licenced childcare providers to enable them to remain sustainable.”

Lecce also listed the required safety measures, including keeping groups to 10 or less, screening all staff and children, enhanced cleaning and restricted visitors. Olan-MacLean said the province still needs to answer for wage funding.

She said daycares have continued to help people on an emergency basis and are capable of reopening with the proper support.

“We think that we can do it safely,” she said. “We also do not want to open up our doors for children if it’s not in their best interests … It’s really important that we have the staffing we need.”

Mother’s anguish leads to cemetery review

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2020

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JQ - Grave dispute - 2 - web — Dulce Acero kneels next to the grave of her son, Phoenix Acero. After being allegedly confronted by staff about items placed there, she posted a video to Facebook, which went viral. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Dysart et al plans to examine its cemetery rules in response to a viral video calling out caretakers for alleged mistreatment of a grieving mother.

Dulce Acero posted a video from the Evergreen Cemetery June 13, in which she tearfully describes being confronted by two caretakers about items she and others were leaving on the grave of her son Phoenix Acero, who died in 2017. Acero said there was a heated confrontation about items not being allowed on graves. She accused the caretakers of rudeness, threatening to destroy items and flipping her off.

She posted the video on Facebook where she received an outpouring of support, with more than 700 shares and 37,000 views. Acero told The Highlander it came after years of dispute with caretakers. She alleges items placed on Phoenix’s grave were getting thrown out to allow for grass cutting, versus being set aside.

“It makes me feel really good when I come here and I see people have left him things,” Acero said. “People who want to bring personal mementoes to the cemetery should absolutely be able to.”

Mayor Andrea Roberts posted a public apology to Acero June 16. She said the township will review its bylaw and look for ways items can be placed at grave sites without interfering with maintenance and safety.

“I was shocked and saddened to see the video … I can’t begin to imagine her grief,” Roberts said.

Dysart’s cemetery bylaw does not disallow most items from being left at graves. Although the bylaw states the municipality is not liable for anything that happens to items outside of “gross negligence” on its part, there is no section that explicitly states mementos cannot be placed or that they will be removed. The bylaw only disallows non-potted plants, fencing and solar lights.

In contrast, cemetery bylaws such as those in the neighbouring Minden Hills explicitly state the township can regulate items which prevent cemetery operations, and they can be removed and disposed of without notification.

Roberts acknowledged it is an issue in the Dysart bylaw. She added items getting in the way of staff is a problem.

“While it may not be in the bylaw, there is just a certain standard of care to make sure they can do their work without hitting a photograph,” she said. “We also want to work with how we can safely place items in and around a headstone.”

Other concerned citizens have spoken out about similar experiences. Bob English said it was important for his family to bring mementos, like a treasured toy firetruck, to his son’s grave at the Evergreen cemetery to help remember him. But they stopped doing that after they were included as part of a mass removal of objects by staff several years ago, though they were able to retrive most of the items

English said his heart goes out to Acero. He added the need for limitations on items is understandable, but there should be more leeway.

“Items that could be placed upon or attached to the headstone should not interfere with groundskeeping,” English said. “There has to be some give to that policy that’s going to allow people to have mementos.”

Acero said she worked to ensure items were not getting in the way and even trimmed grass herself with scissors, though that is against the bylaw. She added people should be allowed a space near graves. She also said mementos at graves are part of her family’s Mexican culture, with the Day of the Dead celebrations in November.

“This has to be fixed. This can’t be a continuous argument for people who are trying to grieve,” Acero said, adding the caretakers involved should be fired.

The township contracts cemetery maintenance to Golf Green Enterprises. Roberts said those caretakers are not being fired but were spoken to, adding all staff need to have proper customer service training.

Only the contractor could fire one of its employees, not the township. Golf Green Enterprises did not respond to a request for comment.

Roberts said the company has worked with the township for more than 25 years and the incident is not worth ending that contract.

“We have a good rapport with the company. This is a very, very unfortunate thing that happened and we want to make sure on a go-forward basis that this doesn’t happen again,” Roberts said.

Acero said she appreciated an apology she received from Golf Green but felt it should be direct from the employees. She said she is unhappy about a conversation she had with Roberts and is not content with the public apology.

“This is where our loved ones are,” she said. “This is where our people are and you need to respect us.”