Thursday, April 15, 2010

Local company steps forward with plans for a greener Brantford

By Alyssa Molfetta, Special to B-cause

Green was the theme of Brantford’s City Council meeting this week.

Chris McCurdy, director of product supply for SC Johnson & Son, told council of his company’s commitment to clean up trails and plant trees in Brantford for Earth Week, which is scheduled to take place from April 19 – 24.

The company has kick-started a cleanup of the canal behind their factory, which is a vital component of Brantford’s water supply and also plan to remove garbage and waste from part of the Trans-Canada Trail running through the city.

Council supports bylaw exemption

By Craig Hagerman, Special to B-cause

A request to lift a city-wide noise bylaw was at the forefront of issues facing council last week.

Ralph Spoltore, co-owner of Legacy Card, a community based organization, approached council on April 6 to request an extension to city bylaw 59-80 to allow a still unnamed headliner band to play music at Lions Park past the city’s usual quiet hours of 11 pm at the upcoming Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament taking place this year from Jun 4 – 6. Though the tournament is in its 4th year, this is the first year the outdoor concert will be held.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Colborne Street compromise rejected

By Christine Stonos, Special to B-cause.

It was bad news all around for members of the “Save the South Side of Colborne Street” group as Council rejected a resolution to allow private businesses to take over five of the Colborne Street buildings before their demolition.

Resolution 6.5, first raised by Coun. John Sless on April 6, was largely about putting the demolition of five Colborne Street business on hold and instead allowing private businesses to bid on projects to develop them.

After presenting the motion Monday night, Coun. Sless took the opportunity to speak to it.

“I didn’t realize that it would cause this much of a commotion, to be quite candid,” he said. “I view this as an opportunity to compromise … in a way that didn’t delay the plan that we have agreed to.”

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Heritage conservation creates waves at city council

By Stephanie Di Bartolo, Special to B-cause.
With files from Kyle Sutherland.

“We are asking you to please reconsider the destruction of the Southside of Colborne Street.”

This was the appeal of almost every delegation speaking at Brantford City Council Monday night.

Members of the Brantford Heritage Committee, along with concerned residents of the city, stood by one another as they brought forth their pleas to restore the buildings lining Colborne’s Southside, instead of completely demolishing them. The Committee reminded Mayor Hancock and city councilors of the significance these buildings have and the irreversible damage that would be done to the city if the buildings were demolished.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Debate over South Side demolition rages on

By Gaven Crites, Special to B-cause

The debate continued this week at council as seven more delegations weighed in on demolition of buildings on the south side of Colborne Street.

Local developer Peter Vicano spoke in support of the demolition proceeding as planned.

“The city is doing the right thing at the right time,” Vicano said. The interest and investment of Laurier and the Y.M.C.A “guarantee the success of demolition and revitalization [of downtown Brantford],” he added.

Brantford resident Matthew Larocque spoke against demolition. In a slide show presentation, Larocque requested council to “weigh the pros and cons” of the demolition.

“We need a solid plan,” he said, referencing the costs involved and other historical, heritage and aesthetic aspects he felt council has to date failed to consider.

Local youth group brings Earth Hour to Brantford

By Caitlin Henshaw, Special to B-cause


“I’m turning out my lights,” one youth declares.

“I’ll be turning out my lights,” replies another.

“Will you?” choruses the group.

With lights dimmed and flashlights shining, this is the question posed by the youth of Brantford.

On February 22, a delegation of students from the Branlyn Neighbourhood Youth Association arrived at the Brantford City Council meeting to speak on the coming festivities planned for this year’s Earth Hour. This is the third year the event has taken place and the group hopes to make it more successful than the last.

Councillors vote to change petition policy

By Kristen Curtis, Special to B-cause

City staff is proposing a new policy for residents wishing to petition for sidewalks on their streets.

The proposed petition policy states that when a local resident requests the installation of a sidewalk, or the local ward councillor believes that a sidewalk being installed would be beneficial to the neighbourhood, a survey will be sent to the members of that neighbourhood who can then vote in favour or against the sidewalk.

In the past, local residents who wanted a sidewalk would find people in their area sided with them to sign the petition and neglect those who opposed installation.

Coun. John Sless believes the new policy is an improvement over the policy currently in place.