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.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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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