Be Afraid, Very Afraid

There was a recent article in the local media about John Podiotis , a 79 years old senior and the suffering he has endured since being the only person evicted from this home of the last 56 years on the south side of Colborne St., to make way for demolition. He had asked for a few more days to facilitate his move. This was denied even though the actual demolition didn't take place until months later. The trauma that all this has caused him has taken a mounting toll on his health. The whole episode is a real blot on Brantford's reputation and one of the most shameful events in Brantford's history. The people involved showed no compassion at all. I don't know how Mark Littell, the head of the South Side task force, can sleep at night for his part in this let alone think he deserves to be Mayor of this city. If the unthinkable happens and he obtains this objective, I fear for everyone living here. No one will be safe from having the same thing happen to them.

If the City decides that for some reason, even if there are no real plans in place, that they want your property don't expect to be treated with any dignity or respect. Even though you may have contributed thousands in taxes, you will be tossed aside, like last weeks garbage, in the City's rush to get its hands on what it wants. Just ask Mr. Podiotis.

How To Ruin A Decent Radio Station

Sell it to Evanov Communications.

How can you call yourself News Country when you don't have any newscasts?

Green Hubs

It seems that every community's new goal is to become a Green Hub, whatever that ill defined goal is. Brantford wants to become one as does Brant County along with the Six Nations, Norfolk County as well as many other places including Bancroft, Peterborough, several cities in the western part of Canada, Iceland, New Mexico, cities in Europe, etc. Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations and Norfolk have indicated a willingness to partner together on this but we have have seen how successful these partnership have worked in the past.

The idea of a Green Hub seems to be the creating a hub for the advancement of research, innovation and enterprise in green technologies, which sounds good if very vague on details. It also promises sustainable transport, zero waste and environmental services within a community. Lofty goals for sure, but how realistic are they? It is being touted as having the potential for jobs, investment, assessment, educational opportunities and the resulting prosperity. The object is for this area to be recognized internationally as a centre of excellence for renewable energy and sustainable living.

Critics have pointed out that the hub concept could really clear the way for the building of an incinerator or gasification plant to burn Toronto's garbage. Such a plant is part of the proposal for this area with its resultant pollution containing cancer causing particles. Huge windmills that generate wind power are another feature of this green technology but have proven to be unwanted in urban areas where the noise can be overwhelming and could have long tern health effects. Are the residents of Brantford really in favour of these?After all, a proposed local ethanol plant was forced to locate elsewhere and ethanol is a large part of green technology.

There are many companies that are getting involved in the promotion of these so called green technologies and most want large amounts of taxpayer money to be included in their projects. Being a Green Hub sounds appealing but politicians would be wise not to rush headlong into this before studying the cost and benefits of these projects and the chances of this area really becoming a leading green hub, as opposed to all the other areas that are looking to become the same.