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Wednesday November 11, 2020

November 11, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 11, 2020

Remember our war dead and a nation that endures

There will be no parades of aging veterans marching to Canada’s war memorials on this Remembrance Day and in this pandemic year.

May 8, 2020

There will be fewer wreaths laid at these monuments to the nation’s war dead and fewer people to lay them or stand silently to hear “Last Post” played at 11 a.m. by buglers who must keep their distance from everyone else. 

In some places, the public has been ordered to stay away from the cenotaphs to stop the spread of COVID-19 and participate at home in virtual ceremonies or, alternatively, to simply put on a poppy and pause for two minutes wherever possible.

That’s how it must be. No matter where you are in Canada, this Remembrance Day will be unlike any in memory, and for this full blame lies with a microscopic and potentially lethal virus.

June 6, 2019

But there’s no reason this Remembrance Day can’t be as meaningful and, yes, instructive as every one that preceded it. In fact, as Canadians cope with a pandemic that has changed every aspect of their lives, what this country went through in the past facing enormous threats under extreme duress can inspire us today, in a very different kind of national emergency.

Of course, more than anything else, this Nov. 11 is a day when every person in this country should recall the sacrifices hundreds of thousands of Canadians made in two world wars, in the Korean and Afghanistan wars and in decades of peacekeeping and even peacemaking missions in the world’s hot spots. 

June 6, 2014

More than 100,000 Canadians died in those 20th century wars and another 158 soldiers from this country perished in Afghanistan earlier this century. Hundreds of thousands of other Canadians have been permanently injured in body or mind by war. 

Those who have served in this country’s military and emerged unscathed by the experience should be in our minds, too. Many of them put their lives on the line. All were in one way or another defending the interests of their country when it called. They all deserve our recognition and unflagging gratitude.

That deliberate act of remembering in this very strange year may bring unforeseen benefits, too. Like us today, the Canadians who lived through two world wars — the second of which was the most deadly and devastating in human history — also faced terrifying dangers, witnessed great suffering, experienced the painful loss of loved ones and had massive changes thrust upon them.

May 5, 2000

But the country got through it. For instance, in the Second World War, which dragged on six years, basic foods such as sugar, butter, tea, coffee and even meat were strictly rationed to Canadians at home so those serving overseas would have enough to eat. 

The rationing of gasoline and tires limited travel and getting in or out of the United States became difficult. On the east coast, blackouts were strictly enforced with air raid wardens going door-to-door to ensure blinds were drawn so enemy submarines would not see merchant ships illuminated by city lights. Taxes were hiked as Ottawa ran up massive deficits to fund the war effort.

Pandemic Times

Renowned historian J.L. Granatstein has accurately described that war effort as “a complete mobilization of Canadian society” in which “Canadians consciously and deliberately set aside their individual desires for the common good.”

On this Remembrance Day, wear a poppy for the sake of those who served Canada and, too often, paid the greatest sacrifice in doing it. But remember, too, what other generations of Canadians have endured, what they gave up and how they prevailed. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Posted in: Canada, International Tagged: 2020-38, Canada, cenotaph, Coronavirus, covid-19, dundas, memorial, pandemic, Pandemic Times, Remembrance, Remembrance Day, social distancing, veteran

Wednesday June 28, 2017

June 27, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 28, 2017

Councillors vote to sell disputed Dundas alley

The city is poised to close and sell a controversial Dundas alley regularly used by school children despite increasingly loud opposition from local residents.

August 15, 2015

Members of the public works committee voted unanimously Monday to sell a short section of unserviced lane parallel to Sydenham Street to adjacent landowner Len Medeiros, a well-known Dundas developer whose construction company does sewer and water work for the city.

David Jones, a spokesperson for many residents opposed to the sale, said he would speak to a lawyer about what opportunities exist to appeal the decision. But he also expressed hope city council would reverse the decision in a final vote required Wednesday.

More than 30 people publicly urged councillors to reject the proposed sale Monday, with several complaining about what they saw as the city’s willingness to sell a public asset to a “well-connected” buyer over the objections of the larger community. Others suggested it was wrong to “reward” Medeiros after he previously paved a portion of the public alley without permission and briefly erected a fence to block pedestrian access last summer.

Medeiros declined an interview after the meeting, but Dundas Coun. Arlene VanderBeek publicly addressed allegations of favoritism ahead of Monday’s vote.

“There is no special privilege involved here, for anyone,” she said. “The issue of importance here is safety … safety for children and residents.”

VanderBeek pointed to the city staff report, which cited traffic department concerns with residents — particularly children — exiting the alley mid-block on Alma Street on the way to a nearby school. There is no sidewalk on that side of the street, she noted, and no safe path to the nearest intersection with a city crossing guard.

The city could be liable, she argued, if children are encouraged to “jaywalk to get where they want to go.”

Residents repeatedly argued the pedestrian-only lane was a safer, less dirty and noisy walking option than busier parallel streets like Sydenham. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

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Posted in: Hamilton Tagged: Alma, Arleen VanderBeek, citizens, dundas, Dundasians, laneway, people power, Sydenham, wall, ward 13

Friday October 14, 2016

October 13, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday October 14, 2016 Harvest Picnic organizer sues talent agency, performers, for millions The organizer of the annual Harvest Picnic music festival has filed a lawsuit against one of Canada's largest talent agencies, as well as musical acts Jann Arden, Johnny Reid and the Cowboy Junkies, seeking more than $26 million in damages due to breach of contract. The lawsuit also says both the Harvest Picnic and the annual Hamilton Music Awards are in danger of collapsing. Local promoter Jean Paul Gauthier alleges The Feldman Agency, based in Toronto and Vancouver, Reid and the Cowboy Junkies both breached contract provisions preventing them from playing within a certain radius of Hamilton within 90 days of the Aug. 26 to 28 Harvest Picnic at Christie Lake Conservation Area. His claims against Arden relate to concert date announcements. Feldman acted as the booking agency for those festival acts. The allegations, which have not been tested in court, were made in a 15-page statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court under Gauthier's company, September Seventh Entertainment, which also runs the annual Hamilton Music Awards. "The events that September Seventh produces and owns, namely the Harvest Picnic and Hamilton Music Awards, are now at great risk of ceasing to exist due to the unconscionable conduct, high-handed conduct or conduct in bad faith and breaches of contract by the defendants," the statement of claim says. This year the Harvest Picnic expanded from one to three days. Crowds were noticeably lower than the previous five years. Meanwhile, several artists, many of them local, have said they have not been paid by Gauthier. "I got a bounced cheque," said Hamilton singer-songwriter Tomi Swick, who performed twice at the festival. "It's a sad situation. (Gauthier) has always been pretty good to me. It was a good festival.Ó Other musicians who have not yet been paid by the festival include

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 14, 2016

Harvest Picnic organizer sues talent agency, performers, for millions

The organizer of the annual Harvest Picnic music festival has filed a lawsuit against one of Canada’s largest talent agencies, as well as musical acts Jann Arden, Johnny Reid and the Cowboy Junkies, seeking more than $26 million in damages due to breach of contract.

The lawsuit also says both the Harvest Picnic and the annual Hamilton Music Awards are in danger of collapsing.

September 10, 2016

September 10, 2016

Local promoter Jean Paul Gauthier alleges The Feldman Agency, based in Toronto and Vancouver, Reid and the Cowboy Junkies both breached contract provisions preventing them from playing within a certain radius of Hamilton within 90 days of the Aug. 26 to 28 Harvest Picnic at Christie Lake Conservation Area. His claims against Arden relate to concert date announcements.

Feldman acted as the booking agency for those festival acts.

The allegations, which have not been tested in court, were made in a 15-page statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court under Gauthier’s company, September Seventh Entertainment, which also runs the annual Hamilton Music Awards.

“The events that September Seventh produces and owns, namely the Harvest Picnic and Hamilton Music Awards, are now at great risk of ceasing to exist due to the unconscionable conduct, high-handed conduct or conduct in bad faith and breaches of contract by the defendants,” the statement of claim says.

This year the Harvest Picnic expanded from one to three days. Crowds were noticeably lower than the previous five years.

Meanwhile, several artists, many of them local, have said they have not been paid by Gauthier.

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday August 24, 2013

August 24, 2013

“I got a bounced cheque,” said Hamilton singer-songwriter Tomi Swick, who performed twice at the festival. “It’s a sad situation. (Gauthier) has always been pretty good to me. It was a good festival.”

Other musicians who have not yet been paid by the festival include the Toronto-based band The Rheostatics, Hamilton singer-songwriter Lori Yates and Hamilton native Jeremy Fisher.

“I honestly feel bad for (Gauthier),” said Fisher’s manager Mike Renaud, owner of Hamilton-based Hidden Pony Records. “I think he just got in over his head. I don’t think he’s a malicious person. But I don’t think this (filing a lawsuit) is the best way to handle it.”

Calls and emails to Gauthier were not returned. A representative of The Feldman Agency offered The Spectator no comment on the lawsuit, but Feldman president Jeff Craib told CBC News that it was “frivolous and vexatious.”

In a statement emailed to The Spectator, The Rheostatics said the band felt “let down.” (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Posted in: Hamilton Tagged: attorney, dundas, festival, Hamilton, Harvest Picnic, lawyer, legal, Music

Saturday September 17, 2016

September 16, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday September 17, 2016 Conservation authority kills Webster's Falls shuttle Fierce opposition has prompted the Hamilton Conservation Authority to park a planned shuttle service to Webster's Falls on weekends and holidays, at least for this year. Chief administrative officer Chris Firth-Eagland said although the bus service can be activated with a month's notice, it's thus far had a hostile reaction, fuelling a "Scuttle This Shuttle" petition campaign. That's given the service's private partners cold feet on what staff hoped could be a solution to the traffic congestion that has plagued the popular Greensville park in recent years, he said. "They're quite concerned that the minute it doesn't work, they become then laughing stocks," Firth-Eagland told the conservation advisory board during a staff presentation on efforts to keep the park from being overrun by visitors. "We don't sense that the community wants us to do this at all," he said. "'War' has been used, that there will be war in response, and all those kinds of things. It's been very difficult for us.Ó Advisory board member Kristen Brittain, who lives in the area, said she's disappointed the shuttle won't get a trial run this year to see if it's viable or if people find ways to park in the area to avoid paying the $10 fee. "Those are outspoken people," she said of the more incendiary responses to the service, which was to run from Mizener's Antiques and Flea Market on Highway 5. "There are the quiet people that live there, too. I'm not a friend or foe (of the shuttle), but I'd be happy to at least give it a try.Ó Authority chair Robert Pasuta, councillor for the area, said he's hopeful new parking restrictions on weekends and holidays that were set to go before council for approval this week will help ease traffic tensions. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)Êhttp://www.thespec.com/news-story/6860667-conservation-authority-kills-webster-s-f

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 17, 2016

Conservation authority kills Webster’s Falls shuttle

Fierce opposition has prompted the Hamilton Conservation Authority to park a planned shuttle service to Webster’s Falls on weekends and holidays, at least for this year.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday May 12, 2016 Want to visit Webster's Falls? Be ready to pay $15 The Hamilton Conservation Authority has hiked its fees at Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Conservation Area in an effort to curb the influx of weekend visitors. "The local environment is taking a pounding," said chief administrative officer Chris Firth-Eagland who estimates the park has seen more than 3,000 people atÊa time during a peak weekend Ñ the park's estimated capacity. He said conservative estimates suggest the park had 140,000 visitors in 2015, up from about 80,000 two years earlier. The increased human activity not onlyÊendangers a fragile ecosystem, including century old trees, "sensitive plant regimes," and bird species like the recently departed Louisiana Waterthrush, it hasÊalso created traffic and parking issues for locals. "The place is gridlocked when the leaves change colours," said Firth-Eagland.Ê As one step in the solution, said Firth-Eagland, the HCA has aligned its pricing to be similar to prominent HCA attractions like Christie Lake, Dundas Valley,ÊValens Lake and Fifty Point. As of May 21, visitors will pay a $10 parking fee and $5 per person to gain access to the Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls park. TheÊrevised fee schedule also applies to the Tew Falls parking area and site. Between May 21 and Oct. 31, HCA membership passes will not gain free admittance on weekends. In all other HCA conservation areas the membershipÊpasses will remain valid on weekends and admittance fees appear to remain unchanged. The City of Waterfalls Initiatives founder Chris Ecklund says the move by the HCA wasn't surprising. "For the waterfall initiative as a whole, the Number 1 complaint is the cost of admission to the HCA properties in general," said Ecklund. "We have peopleÊsaying they can't afford it because they're on a fixed income. "This cost is insanity.Ó (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/65479

May 12, 2016

Chief administrative officer Chris Firth-Eagland said although the bus service can be activated with a month’s notice, it’s thus far had a hostile reaction, fuelling a “Scuttle This Shuttle” petition campaign.

That’s given the service’s private partners cold feet on what staff hoped could be a solution to the traffic congestion that has plagued the popular Greensville park in recent years, he said.

“They’re quite concerned that the minute it doesn’t work, they become then laughing stocks,” Firth-Eagland told the conservation advisory board during a staff presentation on efforts to keep the park from being overrun by visitors.

“We don’t sense that the community wants us to do this at all,” he said.

“‘War’ has been used, that there will be war in response, and all those kinds of things. It’s been very difficult for us.”

Advisory board member Kristen Brittain, who lives in the area, said she’s disappointed the shuttle won’t get a trial run this year to see if it’s viable or if people find ways to park in the area to avoid paying the $10 fee.

“Those are outspoken people,” she said of the more incendiary responses to the service, which was to run from Mizener’s Antiques and Flea Market on Highway 5.

“There are the quiet people that live there, too. I’m not a friend or foe (of the shuttle), but I’d be happy to at least give it a try.”

Authority chair Robert Pasuta, councillor for the area, said he’s hopeful new parking restrictions on weekends and holidays that were set to go before council for approval this week will help ease traffic tensions. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Posted in: Hamilton Tagged: conservation, dundas, Greensville, Hamilton, HCA, Joni Mitchell, nature, Nimby, Privacy, Tourism, waterfalls, Webster’s Falls

Friday, June 3, 2016

June 2, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday, June 3, 2016 Hamilton and its Parts Inspired by a letter to the editor of the Hamilton Spectator which stirred a bit of feedbackÊ If you are such big believers in one amalgamated city, why do you let people sign letters with their old suburban town names? There is no Stoney Creek or Dundas. We are all Hamilton. You should stop allowing people to live in the past. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6696743-may-30-lrt-is-the-option-offered-preserving-the-quality-of-life-and-other-letters-to-the-editor/ Hamilton, Amalgamation, city, names, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, suburbs

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, June 3, 2016

Hamilton and its Parts

Inspired by a letter to the editor of the Hamilton Spectator which stirred a bit of feedback

If you are such big believers in one amalgamated city, why do you let people sign letters with their old suburban town names? There is no Stoney Creek or Dundas. We are all Hamilton. You should stop allowing people to live in the past. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Posted in: Hamilton Tagged: Amalgamation, Ancaster, city, dundas, Hamilton, names, Stoney-Creek, suburbs
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