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.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
South Side demolition to proceed as planned
By Jordan Scholefield, Special to B-cause
The tension in the air was undeniable, as months of discussions about the South Side of Colborne Street came to a head Monday night. In front of a packed council room and with an anxious audience in the overflow room, the Council of Brantford dedicated part of its February 8 meeting to a discussion of what is to be done with the vacant buildings lining South Colborne Street.
There were no shortage of opinions as 18 delegations were scheduled to speak at the meeting. A wide variety of individuals spoke at the meeting, with topics ranging from simple factors such as tradition, heritage and budget to more complex factors such as archaeology being considered.
One such individual was Mary O’Grady, who had some sharp words pointed at certain members the council in regards to the handling of the situation.
"Council voted against public meetings before the demolition” she said. O’Grady also noted that Mayor Hancock, who is usually open to public input, was not very receptive in this case.
When the delegations were finished voicing their opinions, the council began its discussion over Resolution 6.4, which many believe would decide whether the demolition of South Colborne Street would move forward as planned or if it would be halted for an extended period of time in order for further consideration of what to do with the buildings would take place.
The tension in the air was undeniable, as months of discussions about the South Side of Colborne Street came to a head Monday night. In front of a packed council room and with an anxious audience in the overflow room, the Council of Brantford dedicated part of its February 8 meeting to a discussion of what is to be done with the vacant buildings lining South Colborne Street.
There were no shortage of opinions as 18 delegations were scheduled to speak at the meeting. A wide variety of individuals spoke at the meeting, with topics ranging from simple factors such as tradition, heritage and budget to more complex factors such as archaeology being considered.
One such individual was Mary O’Grady, who had some sharp words pointed at certain members the council in regards to the handling of the situation.
"Council voted against public meetings before the demolition” she said. O’Grady also noted that Mayor Hancock, who is usually open to public input, was not very receptive in this case.
When the delegations were finished voicing their opinions, the council began its discussion over Resolution 6.4, which many believe would decide whether the demolition of South Colborne Street would move forward as planned or if it would be halted for an extended period of time in order for further consideration of what to do with the buildings would take place.
Signs - not fences - will protect eagles, city says
Brantford City Council voted unanimously this week to temporarily close a stretch of trail near the Wilkes Dam to protect a pair of bald eagles nesting nearby.
The issue had been before council on a number of occasions in the past few months, but each time, councillors were divided on how best to protect the nesting pair.
This week, Councillor Dan McCreary moved a resolution that would see the trail closed from now until the end of March in order to provide quiet to the birds during one of the most critical times in their life cycle.
The issue had been before council on a number of occasions in the past few months, but each time, councillors were divided on how best to protect the nesting pair.
This week, Councillor Dan McCreary moved a resolution that would see the trail closed from now until the end of March in order to provide quiet to the birds during one of the most critical times in their life cycle.
City seeks to regulate use of Wood Boilers
At a recent January 18 2010 Committee of the Whole meeting, Brantford resident Susan Cornell brought her concerns about a wood boiler on a neighbouring property in Ward 1 to Council.
Cornell, who lives at 245 Grand River Avenue, told Council of the many health issues she suffers each year as a result of an outside wood boiler used by her neighbours. She said that out of 144 days the wood boiler was burning last season, she suffered severe symptoms on 66 of these days. Her symptoms include sore throats, headaches, tiredness and difficulty breathing.
Cornell, who lives at 245 Grand River Avenue, told Council of the many health issues she suffers each year as a result of an outside wood boiler used by her neighbours. She said that out of 144 days the wood boiler was burning last season, she suffered severe symptoms on 66 of these days. Her symptoms include sore throats, headaches, tiredness and difficulty breathing.
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