“Our thoughts are with Councillor Bellows’ friends and family as they mourn this significant loss.” – Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley on Behalf of the Regional Council
This News filed with Statements from Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley and Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission
Posted October 12th, 2021 on Niagara At Large
St. Catharines Regional Councillor and Niagara Parks Commission Chair Sandie Bellows
Sandie Bellows, a St. Catharines resident who has served for years in municipal politics and for the last two years as the provincially appointed Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), died this past Sunday, October 10th following a long battle with cancer.
Bellows, who was 60, was first elected to St. Catharines City Council in 2014, and made a successful run in the city for Niagara Regional Council in the fall of 2018.
In the spring of 2018, she ran as a provincial candidate for the Doug Ford Conservatives in a St. Catharines Riding held for decades by Liberal Jim Bradley. That race ended with both Bellows and Bradley conceding to now NDP MPP Jennie Stevens.
The following year – in early 2019 – the Ford government appointed Bellows to serve as Chair of the NPC.
“Sandie Bellows was a remarkable citizen, community leader and friend. Her brilliance, determination and above all kindness drew so many people to her, including me,” said Ontario Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Indusries Minister Lisa MacLeod in a statement circulated this October 11th by the NPC.
Sandie Bellows, centre, at one of many Niagara Parks events. Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission
April Jeffs, a former Wainfleet mayor who ran unsuccessfully in 2018 as a Ford candidate in the Niagara Centre riding and now serves as the NPC’s Vice-Chair, said; “Sandie … guided the Commission through the unprecedented impacts of COVID while staying focused on delivering projects that were important to Niagara Parks, to the Province and to the tourism industry.”
“These accomplishments,” said Jeffs, “included the redevelopment of Table Rock Centre, engaging with community stakeholders and creating a new attraction through the adaptive re-use of the Niagara Parks Power Station, which was Sandie’s biggest point of pride.”
“As Sandie said at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Power Station on July 28, 2021, the vision for the project was: ‘To restore this power plant to its former glory and bring it back to life, and to open it up for guests to explore and enjoy for generations to come.’
“This major redevelopment, added Jeffs, “will be Sandie’s legacy.”
Now here is a Statement from Niagara Region’s Chair Jim Bradley –
“On behalf of Regional Council, it is with great sadness I share news that Regional Councillor Sandie Bellows passed away last (Sunday, October 10th) evening.
“Councillor Bellows was a valued member of our council and her presence will be missed in our meetings, and by her friends, family and constituents.
“Councillor Bellows dedicated her life to the people of Niagara and was a fierce victims’ rights advocate.
”This advocacy saw her serve as a keynote speaker for many government and law enforcement agencies, including conferences for the Ontario and Canadian Police Chiefs, hostage negotiators, and American law enforcement agencies.
“In recognition of her work in this area, Councillor Bellows was invited by Prime Minister Harper to the Victims Bill of Rights ceremony in 2015.
“Councillor Bellows was a highly respected St. Catharines resident, where she volunteered with numerous community organizations, bringing her experience and expertise to these positions.
“In 2018, Councillor Bellows was appointed as a commissioner on the Niagara Parks Board of Commissioners.
“Additionally, Councillor Bellows held board positions with Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, Crime Stoppers of Niagara, St. Catharines Minor Hockey Association Board, Vic Teal International Tournament and May Court Club of St.Catharines.Councillor Bellows took her responsibilities as an elected official seriously, and effectively carried out these duties with integrity.
“Even while Councillor Bellows courageously battled her illness, she continued to attend Regional Council meetings and assist residents with their concerns. Her absence will be felt across the entire Niagara Region.
“Our thoughts are with Councillor Bellows’ friends and family as they mourn this significant loss.”
To watch a Niagara Parks Commission event this past July 28th, attended by Sandie Bellows for the e official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Niagara Falls Power Station, click on –
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